#MAGFAB: Flau’jae Johnson Covers TEEN VOGUE September Issue
Known to many as “Big 4,” 21-year-old Flau’jae Monae Johnson is a senior guard on the LSU women’s basketball team. In addition to being last season’s leading scorer, she is a rapper, a businesswoman and philanthropist, a former reality competition series star, and a 2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball champion. On the eve of her September cover shoot, Johnson sat down with TEEN VOGUE contributor Ruth Etiesit Samuel to talk beauty standards, her WNBA dreams, and her love of Miley Cyrus.
On her love of Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana: “I love Miley Cyrus. I named my album Best of Both Worlds, and I feel like she represents me. I put that together because she was a normal person, and then she was a superstar. That’s me.”
On what music brings to her hectic lifestyle: “When I’m in the gym, the only thing that’s on my mind is just getting better and working out,” she explains. “But music is therapeutic for me. That’s the only thing that slows me down.”
On why she started rapping: “People always ask me why I started rapping,” Johnson says. “I just wanted to be like my dad. It’s like I’m trying to chase his flow. That’s what it was at first, but then I fell in love with music, creating, and the whole process. Then, watching other people create, hearing their creations, and wanting to change it.”
Her LSU Coach Kim Mulkey on her experience with Flau’jae: Mulkey: “Everybody needs to have the pleasure of coaching a Flau’jae Johnson. She makes our life so joyful.”
On juggling what she thought she should look like as a female athlete, and how she truly wanted to present herself: “As a young girl, to be a basketball player, you’ve got to be dominant,” Johnson continues. “You’ve got to wear boy clothes and stuff like that, because that’s who you were looking up to. I’m like that on the court, so now, I’ll carry that persona everywhere. I was trying to dress like my favorite hoopers back then,” she says, citing LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
“Everything just changed with the times. You’ve got to think with A.I., he changed the game in the NBA,” Johnson says of Allen Iverson, referencing the famed shooting guard’s cornrows and unapologetic resistance to respectability politics. “I feel like with the WNBA, we are just a newer league. The time is now, but I still feel like there’s going to be somebody that comes in, blows it out of the water, and becomes a fashion icon like A.I. Because that’s the space for it. There’s a lot of individuality. Women know how to rock it well, and brands love that.… I think it’s just the perfect time with the rise of women’s basketball, but also just fashion.”
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On embracing her insecurities through her on-court appearance: “I spend about an hour and 30 minutes before a game getting ready. I’m talking about hair, lashes, makeup, and eyebrows,” she explains. “Your appearance is like your forcefield. It’s my aura.” (But she declines to reveal how she keeps her edges laid in the middle of the game.) “It protects me from my own insecurities. That’s why I think fashion is so cool, because you’re able to create an identity that caters to your insecurities or something you want to hide, something you want to show, something you want to embrace. I think it’s what you make it.”
On how colorism impacts her life: “I have felt a little bit of that. Just a little bit,” she says. “Seeing how they try to compare me to somebody that don’t have no kind of accolades like me. Even when I was little and they started doing my makeup on America’s Got Talent, I said, ‘This ain’t my color. You ain’t finna lighten me up.’”
On being a role model for young girls and making sure they see themselves reflected in the world: “I had seen myself on a little TV show before one time and I couldn’t look at myself. I didn’t even look dark-skinned. Then to your point, Mom, I started thinking about all the young girls. They’re really looking at you and, basically, you’re telling her that your dark skin ain’t beautiful enough, so make it lighter. But I need to see a me. Every time I see a little dark-skin girl, every time I meet a young fan, I always say, ‘You’re so beautiful.’”
On the players’ union and their negotiations: “It’s beautiful that all the women are coming together. And I feel like people get the wrong message of what it’s about,” she says. “It’s not about getting paid like the NBA players; it’s just about getting paid our due percentage of the revenue share. It’s something that’s got to be fixed, and it’s deserved from a lot of work being put in for it. It’s about fair treatment, so I’m down with the cause. I hope they figure it out soon.”
On her love of Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana: “I love Miley Cyrus. I named my album Best of Both Worlds, and I feel like she represents me. I put that together because she was a normal person, and then she was a superstar. That’s me.”
On why she started rapping: “People always ask me why I started rapping,” Johnson says. “I just wanted to be like my dad. It’s like I’m trying to chase his flow. That’s what it was at first, but then I fell in love with music, creating, and the whole process. Then, watching other people create, hearing their creations, and wanting to change it.”
Her LSU Coach Kim Mulkey on her experience with Flau’jae: Mulkey: “Everybody needs to have the pleasure of coaching a Flau’jae Johnson. She makes our life so joyful.”
On juggling what she thought she should look like as a female athlete, and how she truly wanted to present herself: “As a young girl, to be a basketball player, you’ve got to be dominant,” Johnson continues. “You’ve got to wear boy clothes and stuff like that, because that’s who you were looking up to. I’m like that on the court, so now, I’ll carry that persona everywhere. I was trying to dress like my favorite hoopers back then,” she says, citing LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
“Everything just changed with the times. You’ve got to think with A.I., he changed the game in the NBA,” Johnson says of Allen Iverson, referencing the famed shooting guard’s cornrows and unapologetic resistance to respectability politics. “I feel like with the WNBA, we are just a newer league. The time is now, but I still feel like there’s going to be somebody that comes in, blows it out of the water, and becomes a fashion icon like A.I. Because that’s the space for it. There’s a lot of individuality. Women know how to rock it well, and brands love that.… I think it’s just the perfect time with the rise of women’s basketball, but also just fashion.”
.jpg)
On how colorism impacts her life: “I have felt a little bit of that. Just a little bit,” she says. “Seeing how they try to compare me to somebody that don’t have no kind of accolades like me. Even when I was little and they started doing my makeup on America’s Got Talent, I said, ‘This ain’t my color. You ain’t finna lighten me up.’”
On being a role model for young girls and making sure they see themselves reflected in the world: “I had seen myself on a little TV show before one time and I couldn’t look at myself. I didn’t even look dark-skinned. Then to your point, Mom, I started thinking about all the young girls. They’re really looking at you and, basically, you’re telling her that your dark skin ain’t beautiful enough, so make it lighter. But I need to see a me. Every time I see a little dark-skin girl, every time I meet a young fan, I always say, ‘You’re so beautiful.’”
On the players’ union and their negotiations: “It’s beautiful that all the women are coming together. And I feel like people get the wrong message of what it’s about,” she says. “It’s not about getting paid like the NBA players; it’s just about getting paid our due percentage of the revenue share. It’s something that’s got to be fixed, and it’s deserved from a lot of work being put in for it. It’s about fair treatment, so I’m down with the cause. I hope they figure it out soon.”
On her future and wanting to experience the WNBA rookie learning curve: “I’m trying to fall on my face! I’m weird like that,” Johnson says with a laugh. “I’m trying to see, Is this bussing like that for real? When I come in, how hard is it going to be? Or is it going to be easy for me?”
Issue is on newsstands now.
#RHOA: Porsha Williams Reveals Intel on Her Living Situation Amid a Big House "Update"
Porsha Williams has continued to stay put in her Georgia home following her divorce, and she is putting some major work into it. The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member has opened up about the changes she has wanted to make to her house, and she is starting in the backyard, all by herself.
Porsha took to Instagram on Sept. 16, where she posted a video of herself sweeping leaves off the concrete patio surrounding her pool. In the video, Porsha can be seen wielding a broom and a dustpan around the pool as she wears a skin-tight, brown, one-piece bodysuit with a low back and silver sandals on her feet. "When the attorneys have your landscaper's money lol," she wrote in the caption of the post. "Today's life exercise is cleaning my pool area."
But Porsha didn't have to do this by hand for much longer. "Update, I found a leaf blower," she added in the caption of the post.
In RHOA Season 16, Episode 17, Porsha revealed that "everything" in the house was staying put amid her divorce. She then proceeded to show off her home, including the super luxurious pool area, surrounded by concrete and turf. The pool also has a stunning, blue tiled jacuzzi, located inside it.
The outdoor space in her home boasts a covered seating area, complete with plenty of outdoor furniture, which is perfect for entertaining. Lounge chairs also surround the pool, making it the ideal place for hanging out in the sun.
During RHOA Season 16, Episode 12, Porsha went house hunting with her mom and sister in the midst of her divorce. "I decided to look at houses because I'm getting anxious," she said. "At the end of the day, I am trying to visualize my future, and part of that is definitely where my daughter and I are going to lay our heads."
She continued to open up about this during The Real Housewives of Atlanta After Show, as seen in the video above. "I was just trying to see what's out there to kind of calm my anxiety," she added.
Porsha Williams opens up about the changes she'd like to make to her house
When Porsha stopped by Bravo HQ earlier this year, she admitted that she would like to make some changes to her abode. The mom of one currently lives in the house with her 6-year-old daughter, Pilar Jhena "PJ" McKinley, whom she co-parents with her ex-fiancé, Dennis McKinley.
"There [are] some things that I want to do in the house," she said during the exclusive chat. "Just change up some of the energy and kind of revive it, and there are some things that I want to do in separate rooms."
Porsha took to Instagram on Sept. 16, where she posted a video of herself sweeping leaves off the concrete patio surrounding her pool. In the video, Porsha can be seen wielding a broom and a dustpan around the pool as she wears a skin-tight, brown, one-piece bodysuit with a low back and silver sandals on her feet. "When the attorneys have your landscaper's money lol," she wrote in the caption of the post. "Today's life exercise is cleaning my pool area."
But Porsha didn't have to do this by hand for much longer. "Update, I found a leaf blower," she added in the caption of the post.
In RHOA Season 16, Episode 17, Porsha revealed that "everything" in the house was staying put amid her divorce. She then proceeded to show off her home, including the super luxurious pool area, surrounded by concrete and turf. The pool also has a stunning, blue tiled jacuzzi, located inside it.
The outdoor space in her home boasts a covered seating area, complete with plenty of outdoor furniture, which is perfect for entertaining. Lounge chairs also surround the pool, making it the ideal place for hanging out in the sun.
During RHOA Season 16, Episode 12, Porsha went house hunting with her mom and sister in the midst of her divorce. "I decided to look at houses because I'm getting anxious," she said. "At the end of the day, I am trying to visualize my future, and part of that is definitely where my daughter and I are going to lay our heads."
She continued to open up about this during The Real Housewives of Atlanta After Show, as seen in the video above. "I was just trying to see what's out there to kind of calm my anxiety," she added.
Porsha Williams opens up about the changes she'd like to make to her house
When Porsha stopped by Bravo HQ earlier this year, she admitted that she would like to make some changes to her abode. The mom of one currently lives in the house with her 6-year-old daughter, Pilar Jhena "PJ" McKinley, whom she co-parents with her ex-fiancé, Dennis McKinley.
"There [are] some things that I want to do in the house," she said during the exclusive chat. "Just change up some of the energy and kind of revive it, and there are some things that I want to do in separate rooms."
#NewMusic from Jermaine Dupri Releases New Album “Magic City”
GRAMMY®-winning producer and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee **Jermaine Dupri** has released his new album, ***Magic City***, today, Friday, September 12th. The album drop coincides with the finale of the acclaimed STARZ docuseries, *Magic City: An American Fantasy*, which Dupri also executive produced.
The album features a number of standout singles, including **”Turn Around”** (featuring T.I., 2 Chainz & Young Dro) and **”Magic City Money”** (featuring JMoney, Sean Paul of the YoungBloodz, BunnaB & Bankroll Ni). This week, Dupri also released **”This or That,”** a tribute to the late Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan. The song honors Quan’s impact on a generation and his lasting influence on the city’s music culture.
The album’s focus track, **”Atlanna,”** an anthem dedicated to the city, features the powerful vocals of **CeeLo Green**. Dupri stated that the record captures the spirit, pride, grit, and soul that define Atlanta.
“This album is more than music — it’s Atlanta’s story,” Dupri said. “From celebrating Rich Homie Quan to working with CeeLo on ‘Atlanna,’ this project honors the city’s past, present, and future. Releasing it on the same day as the docuseries finale felt like the perfect way to bring it all together.”
GRAMMY®-winning producer and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee **Jermaine Dupri** has released his new album, ***Magic City***, today, Friday, September 12th. The album drop coincides with the finale of the acclaimed STARZ docuseries, *Magic City: An American Fantasy*, which Dupri also executive produced.
The album features a number of standout singles, including **”Turn Around”** (featuring T.I., 2 Chainz & Young Dro) and **”Magic City Money”** (featuring JMoney, Sean Paul of the YoungBloodz, BunnaB & Bankroll Ni). This week, Dupri also released **”This or That,”** a tribute to the late Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan. The song honors Quan’s impact on a generation and his lasting influence on the city’s music culture.
The album’s focus track, **”Atlanna,”** an anthem dedicated to the city, features the powerful vocals of **CeeLo Green**. Dupri stated that the record captures the spirit, pride, grit, and soul that define Atlanta.
“This album is more than music — it’s Atlanta’s story,” Dupri said. “From celebrating Rich Homie Quan to working with CeeLo on ‘Atlanna,’ this project honors the city’s past, present, and future. Releasing it on the same day as the docuseries finale felt like the perfect way to bring it all together.”
STREAM HERE:
Dupri described *Magic City* as both a soundtrack and a statement, celebrating a movement born in the South and elevated worldwide.
Dupri described *Magic City* as both a soundtrack and a statement, celebrating a movement born in the South and elevated worldwide.
#HipHopNews: Dr. Dre Allegedly Has Unreleased Music With The Diplomats
Dr. Dre reportedly has a load of unreleased music he made with The Diplomats, according to Tony Yayo.
The G-Unit rapper stopped by Club Shay Shay for an interview and revealed that Dre once hit the studio with Dipset.
He said: “Dr. Dre is just a real picky motherfucker. He did records with Dipset and that shit ain’t never come out.”
Yayo added: “He did records with certain people and they never coming out. But he’s like a real particular n-gga. I remember he used to tell 50 to do one line over and over again. ‘Do it over, say it like this.’ And I understood sometimes it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. Dre is a fucking perfectionist. That was an experience.”
Jim Jones previously revealed that the group had recorded with Dre in an interview with MTV back in 2010.
He said: “Dr. Dre came to our studio, which was even more incredible. That was dope. We got to do a few songs with him. He coached me a bit.”
Xzibit recently opened up about the experience of working with Dr. Dre.
The two collaborated on a number of hits including “What’s the Difference” and “U Know” and recently reconnected for X’s new album Kingmaker with Dre featuring on the track “Leave Me Alone”
Sitting down for a chat with Billboard, X opened up about what it’s like to work with the legendary producer.
He said: “When we did ‘Bitch Please’ together. The insanity of it was being a fan first and then you basically get recruited into The Avengers. I’ll never lose that feeling, because it keeps things in perspective. The direction Dre gives when he’s in the studio only elevates the record, because you rely on his experience. Even if it takes you out of your comfort zone.”
The Pimp My Ride host also revealed that “Leave Me Alone” was a last minute addition to his first album in over a decade.
He continued: “We were supposed to come out on March 28, and then [‘Leave Me Alone’] came in. I was like, ‘Oh shit!’ It was crazy. Swizz Beatz actually did the track and Dre did co-production, and just to have both of them together on a track, I don’t think that’s ever been done. It was really exciting. To have Dre on the album after all this time means the world to me. He’s my brother, he’s coach.”
The G-Unit rapper stopped by Club Shay Shay for an interview and revealed that Dre once hit the studio with Dipset.
He said: “Dr. Dre is just a real picky motherfucker. He did records with Dipset and that shit ain’t never come out.”
Yayo added: “He did records with certain people and they never coming out. But he’s like a real particular n-gga. I remember he used to tell 50 to do one line over and over again. ‘Do it over, say it like this.’ And I understood sometimes it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. Dre is a fucking perfectionist. That was an experience.”
Jim Jones previously revealed that the group had recorded with Dre in an interview with MTV back in 2010.
He said: “Dr. Dre came to our studio, which was even more incredible. That was dope. We got to do a few songs with him. He coached me a bit.”
Xzibit recently opened up about the experience of working with Dr. Dre.
The two collaborated on a number of hits including “What’s the Difference” and “U Know” and recently reconnected for X’s new album Kingmaker with Dre featuring on the track “Leave Me Alone”
Sitting down for a chat with Billboard, X opened up about what it’s like to work with the legendary producer.
He said: “When we did ‘Bitch Please’ together. The insanity of it was being a fan first and then you basically get recruited into The Avengers. I’ll never lose that feeling, because it keeps things in perspective. The direction Dre gives when he’s in the studio only elevates the record, because you rely on his experience. Even if it takes you out of your comfort zone.”
The Pimp My Ride host also revealed that “Leave Me Alone” was a last minute addition to his first album in over a decade.
He continued: “We were supposed to come out on March 28, and then [‘Leave Me Alone’] came in. I was like, ‘Oh shit!’ It was crazy. Swizz Beatz actually did the track and Dre did co-production, and just to have both of them together on a track, I don’t think that’s ever been done. It was really exciting. To have Dre on the album after all this time means the world to me. He’s my brother, he’s coach.”
ABC pulls Jimmy Kimmel show off air ‘indefinitely’ over Charlie Kirk comments
ABC on Wednesday pulled the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air “indefinitely” over its host’s controversial comments linking the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement.
Trump praised the move, which came hours after Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr suggested that ABC’s broadcast licence was at risk because of Kimmel’s remarks. ABC is a subsidiary of Disney
Just before ABC’s announcement, Nexstar Media Group said that its stations that are affiliated with ABC would pre-empt Kimmel’s show “for the foreseeable future beginning with tonight’s show” because of the host’s statements.
Nexstar is seeking FCC approval for its planned $6.2 billion merger with Tegna
About 10% percent of the approximately 225 ABC affiliate stations are owned by Nexstar. Tegna owns about 5% of ABC’s affiliate stations.
An ABC spokesman on Wednesday night said, ”‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ will be pre-empted indefinitely.”
A person familiar with Kimmel’s situation told CNBC that the popular late-night show host has not been fired.
Disney brass plans to speak with Kimmel about what he should say when he goes back on the air, according to the person familiar with the situation.
In his opening monologue Monday night, Kimmel suggested that Tyler Robinson — who is charged with fatally shooting Kirk on Sept. 10 while the activist spoke at Utah Valley University — was aligned with Trump’s Make America Great Again movement.
“The MAGA Gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.
“In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving,” he added.
Carr, whom Trump had nominated as FCC chair, told right-wing commentator Benny Johnson earlier Wednesday that Kimmel’s comments were “truly sick,” and said there was a “strong case” for action against ABC and Disney.
“This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr told Johnson. “These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
“They have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest,” Carr said.
The FCC in March told Disney and ABC that it was launching an investigation of the companies’ efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, known as DEI.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr testifies before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government at the Rayburn House Office Building on May 21, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Mcdonnell | Getty Images
Kimmel is the latest media figure to feel backlash for public comments about Kirk’s assassination.
MSNBC fired political analyst Matthew Dowd last week for his on-air comments about the killing, saying that “hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions.”
Washington Post opinion columnist Karen Attiah said the newspaper fired her last week after she said there were “racial double standards” in social media reactions to Kirk’s slaying.
Trump on Wednesday night suggested that NBC follow ABC’s example with Kimmel, and cancel its own evening shows, “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” and “Late Night with Seth Myers.”
“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
“Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even [Stephen] Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!” Trump wrote.
The White House’s rapid-response account on X said that ABC was “doing their viewers a favor.”
“Jimmy is a sick freak!” the account tweeted.
Anna Gomez, an FCC commissioner nominated by President Joe Biden, after Carr’s comments to Johnson tweeted: “An inexcusable act of political violence by one disturbed individual must never be exploited as justification for broader censorship and control.”
“This Administration is increasingly using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression,” Gomez wrote.
After ABC pulled Kimmel’s show, Gomez wrote on X, “Free expression is non-negotiable. It marks the line between freedom and oppression. We must defend it without compromise.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned ABC’s move.
“America is meant to be a bastion of free speech,” Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote in a tweet.
“Everybody across the political spectrum should be speaking out to stop what’s happening to Jimmy Kimmel. This is about protecting democracy,” the senator wrote.
The unions that represent writers and musicians who work on Kimmel’s show criticized ABC and the FCC.
“This is not complicated: Trump’s FCC identified speech it did not like and threatened ABC with extreme reprisals,” said Tino Gagliardi, president of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, in a statement.
“This is state censorship. It’s now happening in the United States of America, not some far-off country. It’s happening right here and right now,” Gagliardi said.
The Writers Guild of America West and Writers Guild of America East, in a statement, said, “The right to speak our minds and to disagree with each other – to disturb, even – is at the very heart of what it means to be a free people.”
“It is not to be denied. Not by violence, not by the abuse of governmental power, nor by acts of corporate cowardice,” the guilds said.
Nexstar, in its statement saying it would not carry “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely, said that the company “strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”
Andrew Alford, the president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, said, “Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located.”
“Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest at the current time, and we have made the difficult decision to preempt his show in an effort to let cooler heads prevail as we move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue,” Alford said.
Carr, the FCC chief, in a post on X wrote, “I want to thank Nexstar for doing the right thing. Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest.”
“While this may be an unprecedented decision, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values. I hope that other broadcasters follow Nexstar’s lead,” Carr wrote.
In June, ABC News cut ties with star national correspondent Terry Moran after he called Trump and senior White House advisor Stephen Miller “world-class” haters in a social media post.
ABC on Wednesday pulled the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air “indefinitely” over its host’s controversial comments linking the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement.
Trump praised the move, which came hours after Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr suggested that ABC’s broadcast licence was at risk because of Kimmel’s remarks. ABC is a subsidiary of Disney
Just before ABC’s announcement, Nexstar Media Group said that its stations that are affiliated with ABC would pre-empt Kimmel’s show “for the foreseeable future beginning with tonight’s show” because of the host’s statements.
Nexstar is seeking FCC approval for its planned $6.2 billion merger with Tegna
About 10% percent of the approximately 225 ABC affiliate stations are owned by Nexstar. Tegna owns about 5% of ABC’s affiliate stations.
An ABC spokesman on Wednesday night said, ”‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ will be pre-empted indefinitely.”
A person familiar with Kimmel’s situation told CNBC that the popular late-night show host has not been fired.
Disney brass plans to speak with Kimmel about what he should say when he goes back on the air, according to the person familiar with the situation.
In his opening monologue Monday night, Kimmel suggested that Tyler Robinson — who is charged with fatally shooting Kirk on Sept. 10 while the activist spoke at Utah Valley University — was aligned with Trump’s Make America Great Again movement.
“The MAGA Gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.
“In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving,” he added.
Carr, whom Trump had nominated as FCC chair, told right-wing commentator Benny Johnson earlier Wednesday that Kimmel’s comments were “truly sick,” and said there was a “strong case” for action against ABC and Disney.
“This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr told Johnson. “These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
“They have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest,” Carr said.
The FCC in March told Disney and ABC that it was launching an investigation of the companies’ efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, known as DEI.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr testifies before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government at the Rayburn House Office Building on May 21, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Mcdonnell | Getty Images
Kimmel is the latest media figure to feel backlash for public comments about Kirk’s assassination.
MSNBC fired political analyst Matthew Dowd last week for his on-air comments about the killing, saying that “hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions.”
Washington Post opinion columnist Karen Attiah said the newspaper fired her last week after she said there were “racial double standards” in social media reactions to Kirk’s slaying.
Trump on Wednesday night suggested that NBC follow ABC’s example with Kimmel, and cancel its own evening shows, “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” and “Late Night with Seth Myers.”
“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
“Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even [Stephen] Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!” Trump wrote.
The White House’s rapid-response account on X said that ABC was “doing their viewers a favor.”
“Jimmy is a sick freak!” the account tweeted.
Anna Gomez, an FCC commissioner nominated by President Joe Biden, after Carr’s comments to Johnson tweeted: “An inexcusable act of political violence by one disturbed individual must never be exploited as justification for broader censorship and control.”
“This Administration is increasingly using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression,” Gomez wrote.
After ABC pulled Kimmel’s show, Gomez wrote on X, “Free expression is non-negotiable. It marks the line between freedom and oppression. We must defend it without compromise.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned ABC’s move.
“America is meant to be a bastion of free speech,” Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote in a tweet.
“Everybody across the political spectrum should be speaking out to stop what’s happening to Jimmy Kimmel. This is about protecting democracy,” the senator wrote.
The unions that represent writers and musicians who work on Kimmel’s show criticized ABC and the FCC.
“This is not complicated: Trump’s FCC identified speech it did not like and threatened ABC with extreme reprisals,” said Tino Gagliardi, president of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, in a statement.
“This is state censorship. It’s now happening in the United States of America, not some far-off country. It’s happening right here and right now,” Gagliardi said.
The Writers Guild of America West and Writers Guild of America East, in a statement, said, “The right to speak our minds and to disagree with each other – to disturb, even – is at the very heart of what it means to be a free people.”
“It is not to be denied. Not by violence, not by the abuse of governmental power, nor by acts of corporate cowardice,” the guilds said.
Nexstar, in its statement saying it would not carry “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely, said that the company “strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”
Andrew Alford, the president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, said, “Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located.”
“Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest at the current time, and we have made the difficult decision to preempt his show in an effort to let cooler heads prevail as we move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue,” Alford said.
Carr, the FCC chief, in a post on X wrote, “I want to thank Nexstar for doing the right thing. Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest.”
“While this may be an unprecedented decision, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values. I hope that other broadcasters follow Nexstar’s lead,” Carr wrote.
In June, ABC News cut ties with star national correspondent Terry Moran after he called Trump and senior White House advisor Stephen Miller “world-class” haters in a social media post.
Cardi B announces she, Stefon Diggs are expecting a child
Cardi B and Stefon Diggs are expecting a child.The Grammy Award-winning rapper announced she is pregnant with the New England Patriots wide receiver's baby in an interview with Gayle King on "CBS Mornings" on Wednesday.
"I feel very strong, I feel very powerful that I'm doing all this work, but I'm doing all this work while I'm creating a baby," Cardi B told King.
This will be the fourth child for Cardi B, and the first for Diggs. Rumors about her pregnancy had swirled on social media in the weeks leading up to her announcement. The baby is expected to arrive before the rapper's tour in February.
Cardi B's second studio album, "Am I The Drama?" is set to release on Sept. 19. Diggs has 10 receptions for 89 yards in his first two games with the Patriots.
Asked in the locker room on Wednesday if there were any celebrations planned, Diggs kept things coy.
"We'll see," he said.
"I feel very strong, I feel very powerful that I'm doing all this work, but I'm doing all this work while I'm creating a baby," Cardi B told King.
This will be the fourth child for Cardi B, and the first for Diggs. Rumors about her pregnancy had swirled on social media in the weeks leading up to her announcement. The baby is expected to arrive before the rapper's tour in February.
Cardi B's second studio album, "Am I The Drama?" is set to release on Sept. 19. Diggs has 10 receptions for 89 yards in his first two games with the Patriots.
Asked in the locker room on Wednesday if there were any celebrations planned, Diggs kept things coy.
"We'll see," he said.
Dave Blunts Says Rapper Kanye West Kissed Transgender Woman
Dave Blunts tossed gasoline on his breakup with Kanye West by dropping a diss track that calls out Ye by name, drags their failed collab and throws jabs over some serious personal stuff.
The 25-year-old Iowa rapper aired it all out in a brutal verse that hit the internet right after a text thread between him and Ye leaked.
“Kanye West made me diss the Jews/B#### I’m speaking out this my truth/i’m so sick of tired of being groomed/
He didn’t tiptoe around anything either. “47-year-old billionaire, but for me he’s fanned out,” Blunts raps. “Told me that you loved me, b#### you was never even my friend…”
Blunts aim at Ye’s past scandals, including the antisemitic mess that had folks calling for accountability and led to his cancellation last year and said Ye kissed a transgender woman.
This fallout didn’t come out of nowhere. Blunts was actually deep in Ye’s creative circle earlier this year, working on tracks for the upcoming album In a Perfect World.
He wrote three songs solo—including the controversial “Heil Hitler,” which had already raised eyebrows when it was released.
Now, Blunts adds Kanye to a growing list of rap heavyweights he’s clashed with, including 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg.
Dave Blunts tossed gasoline on his breakup with Kanye West by dropping a diss track that calls out Ye by name, drags their failed collab and throws jabs over some serious personal stuff.
The 25-year-old Iowa rapper aired it all out in a brutal verse that hit the internet right after a text thread between him and Ye leaked.
“Kanye West made me diss the Jews/B#### I’m speaking out this my truth/i’m so sick of tired of being groomed/
He didn’t tiptoe around anything either. “47-year-old billionaire, but for me he’s fanned out,” Blunts raps. “Told me that you loved me, b#### you was never even my friend…”
Blunts aim at Ye’s past scandals, including the antisemitic mess that had folks calling for accountability and led to his cancellation last year and said Ye kissed a transgender woman.
This fallout didn’t come out of nowhere. Blunts was actually deep in Ye’s creative circle earlier this year, working on tracks for the upcoming album In a Perfect World.
He wrote three songs solo—including the controversial “Heil Hitler,” which had already raised eyebrows when it was released.
Now, Blunts adds Kanye to a growing list of rap heavyweights he’s clashed with, including 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg.
Cam’ron Responds To Damon Dash’s Claim He’s Chairman Of Revolt: ‘I Ain’t Know You’d Be Lying Like This’
This time, Cam responded to Dame’s contentious recent interview with The Breakfast Club, during which the Roc-A-Fella co-founder claimed he’s been named the chairman of Revolt TV with a “pathway to acquisition,” news that was first exclusively reported by VIBE and has since become the subject of controversy.
“I ain’t know you’d be lying like this, yo, it’s sad,” Cam said on his Instagram as 50’s “What Up Gangsta” plays in the background. “They told me, but you know when a n—a, your man, you don’t pay attention to a lot of sh–. I didn’t know, bro, that you’re a flagrant liar like this, man. Now look, Talk With Flee comes on tomorrow at 5 p.m. on Revolt’s YouTube, but that was sh– that he talked about last week, so part two will be out this Friday on Revolt’s YouTube about what he talked about this week.”
The Harlem rapper then went on to try to clarify the current situation with Revolt and Dash from his perspective.
“The n—a called Revolt last week and say he wants to put his content on Revolt channel,” he explained. “Revolt programming is booked up until 2026. … So I have two more shows I could do this year and so when I found that out, I called my man Fendi — ’cause I know that Fendi and Dame speak — I said, ‘Yo, tell Dame I’ll put the shows on my slot on Revolt … if I can executive produce the shows.'”
Cam added that Dash once helped him and The Diplomats out when the former record executive brought them over to the Roc during the early 2000s. “He did it for me,” he recalled. “When I needed help, he put my album out on Roc-A-Fella and I let him be executive producer. I’m trying to do the same thing for you. I got two slots left. If you want two shows on Revolt this year … and you wasn’t getting paid ’cause you said you’d do it for free, I got a couple dollars for you. I’m just the executive producer of the show.”
Cam then went on to say that Dame wasn’t the biggest fan of that idea and continued to describe the conversation he had with their mutual friend.
“He tells Fendi, ‘Yeah, aight, bet. Nah, matter of fact, f— that. I’m the Godfather. He can’t executive produce my shows.’ Dame, your own godkids don’t want you. How you the godfather of anything? Your word don’t count no more. You don’t got teeth. You have dentures. Your word don’t mean nothin’. You fell off the Mount Rushmore Harlem a long time ago, but we’ll address it all tomorrow and Friday. But don’t say I ain’t trying to help out.”
Dame and Cam’ron knew each other from their days running the streets of Harlem before they became rap legends in their own right and have had a lucrative business relationship in the past when Cam and The Diplomats spent some time on Roc-A-Fella Records.
Ben & Jerry's co-founder Jerry Greenfield exits after feud with Unilever over Gaza
Ben & Jerry's co-founder Jerry Greenfield, part of the duo whose names shaped the popular U.S. ice cream brand over the last half-century, has quit his role as "brand ambassador" after a rift and public feud with parent Unilever (ULVR.L)
Ben Cohen on social media, Greenfield said that the Vermont-based company - well-known for its social activism on progressive issues - had in recent years been "silenced" by Unilever, which is currently spinning off its Magnum ice cream unit that includes the Ben & Jerry's brand.
"It's with a broken heart that I've decided I can no longer, in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben & Jerry's," wrote Greenfield, 74, who had taken on a salaried brand ambassador role at the firm.
"Standing up for values like justice, equity, and shared humanity has never been more important, yet Ben & Jerry's has been silenced and sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power."
Ben & Jerry's has in recent months been a lonely voice among well-known brands speaking out on issues like Gaza and President Donald Trump's immigration stance, while other U.S. companies back away from diversity pledges, and their executives largely refrain from commenting on the White House's policies.
Last month, Microsoft fired four workers for protests over the company's ties to Israel, including two who briefly occupied the company president's office.
Ben & Jerry's independent social mission board, which Greenfield and Cohen do not sit on, has led the activism. The sale of Ben & Jerry's to Unilever in 2000 allowed the brand to maintain the board, with authority over the social mission but not business operations.
A spokesperson for Unilever and its Magnum Ice Cream Co said that it "disagrees with Greenfield's perspective and has sought to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry's powerful values-based position in the world."
Unilever shares rose 0.9% on Wednesday.
Ben Cohen on social media, Greenfield said that the Vermont-based company - well-known for its social activism on progressive issues - had in recent years been "silenced" by Unilever, which is currently spinning off its Magnum ice cream unit that includes the Ben & Jerry's brand.
"It's with a broken heart that I've decided I can no longer, in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben & Jerry's," wrote Greenfield, 74, who had taken on a salaried brand ambassador role at the firm.
"Standing up for values like justice, equity, and shared humanity has never been more important, yet Ben & Jerry's has been silenced and sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power."
Ben & Jerry's has in recent months been a lonely voice among well-known brands speaking out on issues like Gaza and President Donald Trump's immigration stance, while other U.S. companies back away from diversity pledges, and their executives largely refrain from commenting on the White House's policies.
Last month, Microsoft fired four workers for protests over the company's ties to Israel, including two who briefly occupied the company president's office.
Ben & Jerry's independent social mission board, which Greenfield and Cohen do not sit on, has led the activism. The sale of Ben & Jerry's to Unilever in 2000 allowed the brand to maintain the board, with authority over the social mission but not business operations.
A spokesperson for Unilever and its Magnum Ice Cream Co said that it "disagrees with Greenfield's perspective and has sought to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry's powerful values-based position in the world."
Unilever shares rose 0.9% on Wednesday.
Ben & Jerry's has long combined selling ice cream and activism, launching a "Justice Remixed" cinnamon-and-chocolate ice cream in 2019 to build awareness about racial justice, and in 2009 re-naming Chubby Hubby "Hubby Hubby" to support gay marriage.
But the relationship between Unilever and Ben & Jerry's has eroded since 2021, when the ice cream maker said it would stop sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a move that led some to divest from the London-based parent. Greenfield and Cohen at the time wrote in the New York Times that they supported the move.
Unilever ultimately sold the business in Israel to a local licensee, a move the brand sued over, but later settled.
The brand has sued Unilever a second time over alleged efforts to muzzle it and dismantle the social mission board. It has also described the Gaza conflict as "genocide", a rare stance for a U.S. company.
Magnum said Greenfield was not a party to the lawsuit. Earlier this year, Unilever asked for the most of the claims in the case to be dismissed, but the judge has not yet weighed in.
Greenfield's departure comes as the Ben & Jerry's founders have been calling for its own spin-off ahead of a planned listing of Magnum
Last week Cohen held a protest in London as the new Magnum Ice Cream Company presented its growth plans, demanding Unilever "free Ben & Jerry's" to protect its social values. That was rebuffed by new Magnum CEO Peter ter Kulve. Cohen notably did not announce he was also stepping down on Wednesday.
Greenfield said he would keep up his social fight from outside the company as he couldn't do so from inside.
"It was always about more than just ice cream — it was a way to spread love and invite others into the fight for a better world," he said.
Jaden Smith Is Christian Louboutin’s First Men’s Creative Director
“I found him very interesting, very kind, and very, very humble, and above all, very interesting: The way he is, the way he dresses, the way he thinks.”
That’s Christian Louboutin talking about Jaden Smith, whom he tapped to become his first men’s creative director — roughly 15 years after he first extended his red-soled universe into men’s.
The American rapper and actor is moving to Paris to take up the role and is to present his first designs in January during men’s fashion week in the French capital. He is to oversee the creation of four collections a year across shoes, leather goods and accessories, along with developing campaigns, events and immersive experiences.
“This is the one of the biggest honors of my life, and I feel a lot of pressure to be able to live up to everything that Christian has done for the house, and also stepping into such a serious role,” Smith told WWD over Teams from Los Angeles. “When he reached out to me, I was just blown away, because of how similar we are and how much we like to do things in a similar manner.
“I can’t wait to show the world what we’ve been working on,” he added. “I think that the universe of Christian Louboutin men’s has so much potential.”
In a separate interview at his new Paris offices a stone’s throw from the Louvre, Louboutin said the appointment will allow him to focus more on his fast-growing women’s business — and leverage the creative and communication prowess of Smith to rev up the men’s category, which accounts for 24 percent of the business, but has recently been logging single-digit declines.
What might seem like a sudden handover has actually been percolating inside Louboutin’s head for several years.
On one side, Louboutin realized he was becoming overstretched given his hands-on approach to design, prototype development and manufacturing, spending many days each month tinkering at his Italian factories. On the other loomed Smith, whom he met in 2019, realizing with each subsequent encounter how much the American creative reminded him of his younger self — not to mention their shared love of color, fun and joyful self-expression.
“Dressing for him is an adventure,” he said of Smith. “It’s a form of communication. It’s thoughtful, but it’s playful. There are very few people that I find as surprising, the way he puts things together.”
In fact, Louboutin said he did not launch any formal search for a men’s creative director, settling on Smith as the organic result of his ruminations.
“He arrived before the idea of a creative director,” the shoe guru related. “It’s not because I needed the creative director, it’s because of him, in fact. And so it happened like that.
“The day I said to myself, ‘He’d be a great person to work with’ was the day I realized I had been studying him without realizing it. I saw him interacting with people.…He’s very well-mannered, super respectful and curious. And those, for me, are values or qualities that are important.”
Smith, 27, said he and Louboutin, 62, share a passion for ancient architecture, a deep affinity for music, and a love of dancing.
(In fact, among Louboutin’s first steps into men’s was creating shoes for Mika so the Lebanese pop star could comfortably dance while performing.)
As for fashion, “we both have our own unique style of dressing that is very particular to us,” Smith said, also describing similar creative methods. “We have a very similar workflow where we go into the office, and then maybe, if there’s a dinner party or something, we go there, and we continue the same conversation that we were having in the office with the same people, and we are just constantly in this bubble of creativity.”
During the interview, Smith discussed his passion for footwear, reflected in his large archive of shoes that he doesn’t actually wear, but keeps for reference.
“Just so that I can look at the materials, different lasts, different cuts, different internal shaping, different foot beds, different insoles, laces, shoe boxes,” he said. “Shoes are definitely a passion of mine.”
Cofounder of MSFTSrep — a streetwear label he launched with sister Willow Smith and friends in 2012 — Smith has also frequently collaborated with New Balance and acted as its ambassador.
He disclosed plans to launch a new version of the brand called MSFTSRep Infinity — hinged on retrospective elements, “art and movement” — that will allow him to devote himself to the Louboutin project.
Asked if he picks the shoes first or last when he gets dressed, Smith replied: “First I go with the emotion of how I’m feeling on that day.…Once I gauge whether it’s an all-black day or a colorful day, I start trying on the shoes.
“If I have new shoes, then I’ll put them on first. If I don’t, then I’ll just go based on how I’m feeling in a top-down kind of way.”
Smith said Louboutins came onto his radar when he was extremely young thanks to famous and stylish parents: actors Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith.
“I would be in my mom’s closet, hanging out with her as she got ready for an event and she had a row of shoes with red bottoms. I became bewildered by the shoes at a very young age,” he related. “And then I realized that my dad also had shoes with red bottoms. And then my sister got older and started wearing them. And the first girlfriend that I ever had was like, ‘I need you to buy me some red bottoms.’ So it was something that was a part of my life forever since I was extremely, extremely young. And then I got my first pair around the time I started doing premieres for the first time.”
Louboutin said he would continue to oversee the men’s category, while letting Smith take the lead on design, image making and social media. “Because of his generation…there is a kind of mentality that is very different.”
And a different reach: Smith counts 19.1 million followers on Instagram.
“When I design shoes, I don’t think about a campaign at all,” Louboutin related. “I think about the colors, the materials, but I don’t think about the narrative.…(Jaden) is going to show the brand’s vision in a much more visible way.”
The designer also lauded Smith’s “richer universe that goes beyond the fashion perimeter” given that his creative tentacles stretch into music, photography, film and activism.
“He’s someone who’s very curious, who’s very panoramic, who does a lot of things, who’s interested and who connects all the things he does,” Louboutin said. “One of the first questions he had was about our sustainability efforts, because it’s important to him. And that is very, very, very good because we have started to do a lot of important work around sustainability.”
But mostly Louboutin marveled at their similarities. “He has the same enthusiasm that I have,” he said, also describing a similar appreciation for objects and an incredible attention to detail, likely sharpened over years of collaboration with New Balance, and his other creative pursuits. “We have very different backgrounds, but we have a very similar mentality.
“He has a way of seeing things, of digesting things, of transforming that really connects with my way of functioning.”
The star of “The Pursuit of Happyness” and “The Karate Kid” — and the singer of such songs as “Icon” and “Still in Love” — Smith said fashion has long been an attraction.
“I feel like fashion is just one of the most artistically expressive communities of people in the world, and that’s what brought me to fashion, because of my wanting to feel accepted in an artistic way and to be able to express myself creatively without feeling judged by everybody else in the community,” he said.
Smith arrives amid healthy business for the privately held company, with double-digit growth at present fueled largely by innovation in women’s footwear, including its “everlasting sole,” more low-heel options, substantial comfort enhancements, and price increases limited to cost of goods, according to Alexis Mourot, chief executive officer of Louboutin.
Emblematic of its momentum is its bestselling Miss Z pump, which features an expanded toe box and a padded insole.
“In women’s shoes, we are gaining market share,” Mourot said in an interview, noting that 70 percent of its business today is with heels below 10 centimeters, whereas two years ago it was above 10 centimeters.
The executive attributed softness in its men’s shoes to market conditions, but said Smith’s arrival should ignite the business.
“I think we can double the (men’s) business in the next couple of years,” said Mourot, citing opportunities in retail and wholesale channels. At present, men’s products are sold in about 125 points of sale globally.
Today, Louboutin operates dedicated men’s stores in Paris and New York “and we look to have more in the future,” Mourot said.
Sneakers represent about half of Louboutin’s men’s offering, and the other half is made with leather soles. The Louis and Chambeliss lines are among bestsellers, the executive noted.
An “avant-premiere capsule” by Smith will be available in January at select boutiques worldwide and on Christianlouboutin.com, with his debut fall 2026 collection will hit stores next May.
That’s Christian Louboutin talking about Jaden Smith, whom he tapped to become his first men’s creative director — roughly 15 years after he first extended his red-soled universe into men’s.
The American rapper and actor is moving to Paris to take up the role and is to present his first designs in January during men’s fashion week in the French capital. He is to oversee the creation of four collections a year across shoes, leather goods and accessories, along with developing campaigns, events and immersive experiences.
“This is the one of the biggest honors of my life, and I feel a lot of pressure to be able to live up to everything that Christian has done for the house, and also stepping into such a serious role,” Smith told WWD over Teams from Los Angeles. “When he reached out to me, I was just blown away, because of how similar we are and how much we like to do things in a similar manner.
“I can’t wait to show the world what we’ve been working on,” he added. “I think that the universe of Christian Louboutin men’s has so much potential.”
In a separate interview at his new Paris offices a stone’s throw from the Louvre, Louboutin said the appointment will allow him to focus more on his fast-growing women’s business — and leverage the creative and communication prowess of Smith to rev up the men’s category, which accounts for 24 percent of the business, but has recently been logging single-digit declines.
What might seem like a sudden handover has actually been percolating inside Louboutin’s head for several years.
On one side, Louboutin realized he was becoming overstretched given his hands-on approach to design, prototype development and manufacturing, spending many days each month tinkering at his Italian factories. On the other loomed Smith, whom he met in 2019, realizing with each subsequent encounter how much the American creative reminded him of his younger self — not to mention their shared love of color, fun and joyful self-expression.
“Dressing for him is an adventure,” he said of Smith. “It’s a form of communication. It’s thoughtful, but it’s playful. There are very few people that I find as surprising, the way he puts things together.”
In fact, Louboutin said he did not launch any formal search for a men’s creative director, settling on Smith as the organic result of his ruminations.
“He arrived before the idea of a creative director,” the shoe guru related. “It’s not because I needed the creative director, it’s because of him, in fact. And so it happened like that.
“The day I said to myself, ‘He’d be a great person to work with’ was the day I realized I had been studying him without realizing it. I saw him interacting with people.…He’s very well-mannered, super respectful and curious. And those, for me, are values or qualities that are important.”
Smith, 27, said he and Louboutin, 62, share a passion for ancient architecture, a deep affinity for music, and a love of dancing.
(In fact, among Louboutin’s first steps into men’s was creating shoes for Mika so the Lebanese pop star could comfortably dance while performing.)
As for fashion, “we both have our own unique style of dressing that is very particular to us,” Smith said, also describing similar creative methods. “We have a very similar workflow where we go into the office, and then maybe, if there’s a dinner party or something, we go there, and we continue the same conversation that we were having in the office with the same people, and we are just constantly in this bubble of creativity.”
During the interview, Smith discussed his passion for footwear, reflected in his large archive of shoes that he doesn’t actually wear, but keeps for reference.
“Just so that I can look at the materials, different lasts, different cuts, different internal shaping, different foot beds, different insoles, laces, shoe boxes,” he said. “Shoes are definitely a passion of mine.”
Cofounder of MSFTSrep — a streetwear label he launched with sister Willow Smith and friends in 2012 — Smith has also frequently collaborated with New Balance and acted as its ambassador.
He disclosed plans to launch a new version of the brand called MSFTSRep Infinity — hinged on retrospective elements, “art and movement” — that will allow him to devote himself to the Louboutin project.
Asked if he picks the shoes first or last when he gets dressed, Smith replied: “First I go with the emotion of how I’m feeling on that day.…Once I gauge whether it’s an all-black day or a colorful day, I start trying on the shoes.
“If I have new shoes, then I’ll put them on first. If I don’t, then I’ll just go based on how I’m feeling in a top-down kind of way.”
Smith said Louboutins came onto his radar when he was extremely young thanks to famous and stylish parents: actors Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith.
“I would be in my mom’s closet, hanging out with her as she got ready for an event and she had a row of shoes with red bottoms. I became bewildered by the shoes at a very young age,” he related. “And then I realized that my dad also had shoes with red bottoms. And then my sister got older and started wearing them. And the first girlfriend that I ever had was like, ‘I need you to buy me some red bottoms.’ So it was something that was a part of my life forever since I was extremely, extremely young. And then I got my first pair around the time I started doing premieres for the first time.”
Louboutin said he would continue to oversee the men’s category, while letting Smith take the lead on design, image making and social media. “Because of his generation…there is a kind of mentality that is very different.”
And a different reach: Smith counts 19.1 million followers on Instagram.
“When I design shoes, I don’t think about a campaign at all,” Louboutin related. “I think about the colors, the materials, but I don’t think about the narrative.…(Jaden) is going to show the brand’s vision in a much more visible way.”
The designer also lauded Smith’s “richer universe that goes beyond the fashion perimeter” given that his creative tentacles stretch into music, photography, film and activism.
“He’s someone who’s very curious, who’s very panoramic, who does a lot of things, who’s interested and who connects all the things he does,” Louboutin said. “One of the first questions he had was about our sustainability efforts, because it’s important to him. And that is very, very, very good because we have started to do a lot of important work around sustainability.”
But mostly Louboutin marveled at their similarities. “He has the same enthusiasm that I have,” he said, also describing a similar appreciation for objects and an incredible attention to detail, likely sharpened over years of collaboration with New Balance, and his other creative pursuits. “We have very different backgrounds, but we have a very similar mentality.
“He has a way of seeing things, of digesting things, of transforming that really connects with my way of functioning.”
The star of “The Pursuit of Happyness” and “The Karate Kid” — and the singer of such songs as “Icon” and “Still in Love” — Smith said fashion has long been an attraction.
“I feel like fashion is just one of the most artistically expressive communities of people in the world, and that’s what brought me to fashion, because of my wanting to feel accepted in an artistic way and to be able to express myself creatively without feeling judged by everybody else in the community,” he said.
Smith arrives amid healthy business for the privately held company, with double-digit growth at present fueled largely by innovation in women’s footwear, including its “everlasting sole,” more low-heel options, substantial comfort enhancements, and price increases limited to cost of goods, according to Alexis Mourot, chief executive officer of Louboutin.
Emblematic of its momentum is its bestselling Miss Z pump, which features an expanded toe box and a padded insole.
“In women’s shoes, we are gaining market share,” Mourot said in an interview, noting that 70 percent of its business today is with heels below 10 centimeters, whereas two years ago it was above 10 centimeters.
The executive attributed softness in its men’s shoes to market conditions, but said Smith’s arrival should ignite the business.
“I think we can double the (men’s) business in the next couple of years,” said Mourot, citing opportunities in retail and wholesale channels. At present, men’s products are sold in about 125 points of sale globally.
Today, Louboutin operates dedicated men’s stores in Paris and New York “and we look to have more in the future,” Mourot said.
Sneakers represent about half of Louboutin’s men’s offering, and the other half is made with leather soles. The Louis and Chambeliss lines are among bestsellers, the executive noted.
An “avant-premiere capsule” by Smith will be available in January at select boutiques worldwide and on Christianlouboutin.com, with his debut fall 2026 collection will hit stores next May.
Sidney 'Omen' Brown, producer who worked with Beyoncé and Drake, found dead in New York CIty
Music producer Sidney “Omen” Brown — who collaborated with superstar artists such as Ludacris, Drake and Beyoncé — was found dead in his New York City apartment, leaving loved ones stunned by the hitmaker's sudden passing, officials said Tuesday.
The 49-year-old Brown's "cause and manner of death are pending further study," according to a statement by the city's Office of Chief Medical Examiner.
Brown, who was usually known by the moniker "Omen," missed his gig as a DJ at Barawine Harlem, prompting family members to go to his East Harlem apartment on Saturday. It was there where they made the sad discovery, sister Nicole Iris Brown, 43, told NBC News.
"He was holistic and healthy. So we don't know of him being sick, so this is all pretty sudden," his sister said.
Loved ones hope fans will remember Omen for his love of music and enthusiasm for working with artists breaking into the business.
"I hope people will remember that he was willing to help the younger generation," Nicole Brown said. "He was always big on helping younger people start their careers and get themselves into the game," she said.
"It was about just the music, no matter who the artist was."
Ludacris' "Released Therapy" was released in 2006 and went on to win the Grammy for best rap album. Omen was credited as a producer on the song "Tell It Like It Is."
He produced Drake's "Shut It Down," a track on the Canadian artist's 2010 debut album "Thank Me Later."
Brown had producer, programmer, lyricist and composer credits for Beyonce's critically acclaimed 2013 tune "Mine."
"It is with great shock and deep sadness we have heard about the passing of our dear friend Omen Sidney Brown," Barawine Harlem said in statement. "Omen was a part of Barawine's team for over a decade bringing his unique talent to all."
Nicole Brown called her brother her "movie buddy" and was open to watching almost any big or small screen art with her.
The producer's sister could only imagine how delighted Omen would've been when “Severance” won eight Emmys on Sunday night.
"That was my movie buddy," she said. "I know he would have been so happy when the guy won for 'Severance.' We love Milchick (the character played by best dramatic supporting actor winner Tramell Tillman). We'd watch that all the time and chat about it."
Music producer Sidney “Omen” Brown — who collaborated with superstar artists such as Ludacris, Drake and Beyoncé — was found dead in his New York City apartment, leaving loved ones stunned by the hitmaker's sudden passing, officials said Tuesday.
The 49-year-old Brown's "cause and manner of death are pending further study," according to a statement by the city's Office of Chief Medical Examiner.
Brown, who was usually known by the moniker "Omen," missed his gig as a DJ at Barawine Harlem, prompting family members to go to his East Harlem apartment on Saturday. It was there where they made the sad discovery, sister Nicole Iris Brown, 43, told NBC News.
"He was holistic and healthy. So we don't know of him being sick, so this is all pretty sudden," his sister said.
Loved ones hope fans will remember Omen for his love of music and enthusiasm for working with artists breaking into the business.
"I hope people will remember that he was willing to help the younger generation," Nicole Brown said. "He was always big on helping younger people start their careers and get themselves into the game," she said.
"It was about just the music, no matter who the artist was."
Ludacris' "Released Therapy" was released in 2006 and went on to win the Grammy for best rap album. Omen was credited as a producer on the song "Tell It Like It Is."
He produced Drake's "Shut It Down," a track on the Canadian artist's 2010 debut album "Thank Me Later."
Brown had producer, programmer, lyricist and composer credits for Beyonce's critically acclaimed 2013 tune "Mine."
"It is with great shock and deep sadness we have heard about the passing of our dear friend Omen Sidney Brown," Barawine Harlem said in statement. "Omen was a part of Barawine's team for over a decade bringing his unique talent to all."
Nicole Brown called her brother her "movie buddy" and was open to watching almost any big or small screen art with her.
The producer's sister could only imagine how delighted Omen would've been when “Severance” won eight Emmys on Sunday night.
"That was my movie buddy," she said. "I know he would have been so happy when the guy won for 'Severance.' We love Milchick (the character played by best dramatic supporting actor winner Tramell Tillman). We'd watch that all the time and chat about it."
Tennis Star Taylor Townsend Apologizes After Stirring Backlash Over Criticism Of Chinese Cuisine
The tennis star found herself in the hot seat after making controversial remarks about Chinese cuisine ahead of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, #China. Taylor, ranked world No. 1 in doubles, shared several video posts to her IG Stories criticizing local dishes and saying in one clip: “These people are literally killing frogs, bullfrogs, aren’t those poisonous?” She also joked about needing to “talk to HR” about the food quality.
Recognizing the offense caused, Townsend issued a sincere apology, expressing gratitude for the kindness she received in China and affirming she’ll do better moving forward.
What do you think: was the backlash warranted, or is it an overreaction???
Recognizing the offense caused, Townsend issued a sincere apology, expressing gratitude for the kindness she received in China and affirming she’ll do better moving forward.
What do you think: was the backlash warranted, or is it an overreaction???
Tony Todd’s Widow Calls Out Emmys For Snubbing Legendary Actor During ‘In Memoriam’
Horror legend Tony Todd‘s widow, Fatima Cortez Todd, called out the Emmy Awards on Monday (Sept. 15) after he was snubbed from the televised “In Memoriam” segment on Sunday.
“Tony had a long list of TV credits, but he was not respected as much by the industry he gave his artistic life [to],” Fatima explained to Entertainment Weekly. Todd has television and film credits spanning four decades, including roles on Scream: The TV Series, five Final Destination films, including the latest installment, Bloodlines, 24, The Young and the Restless, and, of course, his notable role as Candyman in the 1992 classic.
Cortez Todd told the outlet, “The award shows look over many who should be honored. That’s on them.” Despite her late husband maintaining a positive attitude while being routinely snubbed, she praised his fans for their unwavering support.
“He was classically trained and always given great support by his fans,” she shared. “Ultimately, he gave his all because he loved his work. Many times, he was told that he should have had a role he didn’t get. He still maintained his generosity of spirit.”
The veteran actor was also omitted from the “In Memoriam” segment during the Oscars back in March.
The Television Academy addressed the concern on its website with a statement.
“Every year, the Emmy Awards and the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies each present an In Memoriam video,” the Television Academy wrote. “Given only a few minutes to honor those who have passed, there is a limit on how many people can be acknowledged on the broadcasts. We’ve presented a more extensive video, listing the hundreds of names of television colleagues we’ve lost in the past year.”
Todd’s name was among those in the extended “In Memoriam” video.
The BAFTA Award-nominee died of natural causes at age 69 on Nov. 6, 2024.
Horror legend Tony Todd‘s widow, Fatima Cortez Todd, called out the Emmy Awards on Monday (Sept. 15) after he was snubbed from the televised “In Memoriam” segment on Sunday.
“Tony had a long list of TV credits, but he was not respected as much by the industry he gave his artistic life [to],” Fatima explained to Entertainment Weekly. Todd has television and film credits spanning four decades, including roles on Scream: The TV Series, five Final Destination films, including the latest installment, Bloodlines, 24, The Young and the Restless, and, of course, his notable role as Candyman in the 1992 classic.
Cortez Todd told the outlet, “The award shows look over many who should be honored. That’s on them.” Despite her late husband maintaining a positive attitude while being routinely snubbed, she praised his fans for their unwavering support.
“He was classically trained and always given great support by his fans,” she shared. “Ultimately, he gave his all because he loved his work. Many times, he was told that he should have had a role he didn’t get. He still maintained his generosity of spirit.”
The veteran actor was also omitted from the “In Memoriam” segment during the Oscars back in March.
The Television Academy addressed the concern on its website with a statement.
“Every year, the Emmy Awards and the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies each present an In Memoriam video,” the Television Academy wrote. “Given only a few minutes to honor those who have passed, there is a limit on how many people can be acknowledged on the broadcasts. We’ve presented a more extensive video, listing the hundreds of names of television colleagues we’ve lost in the past year.”
Todd’s name was among those in the extended “In Memoriam” video.
The BAFTA Award-nominee died of natural causes at age 69 on Nov. 6, 2024.
Denzel Washington Reflects On What He Wants To Be Remembered For In Life
In a poignantly reflective moment, legendary actor Denzel Washington opened up about how he hopes to be remembered, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the values that define him beyond the silver screen.
During a wide-ranging conversation with longtime collaborator Spike Lee on Apple TV, the two icons discussed Washington’s newest film Highest 2 Lowest, as well as deeper themes of legacy, faith, and purpose.
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington pose during the “Highest 2 Lowest” photocall at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2025 in Cannes, France. Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
At one point, Lee posed a simple but weighty question: how would Washington like history to remember him? The veteran actor’s response was both humble and profound.
“A man of faith, a man of God, a human who’s made a ton of mistakes,” Washington responded. “A humble man, god-loving, wife-loving, children-loving, who did the best he could with what he had.”
While audiences may know him as one of the greatest actors of his generation—with unforgettable roles in Malcolm X, Training Day, Glory, American Gangster, and The Book of Eli—Washington made it clear that his most important legacy lies far beyond Hollywood accolades.
A devoted husband and father, Washington has never shied away from the love he has for his wife, Pauletta Washington, or his children, John David, 41, Katia, 37, and twins Malcolm and Olivia, 34.
Still, his achievements are staggering: two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, a Tony Award, and nominations for both Emmys and a Grammy.
Released Aug. 15, Highest 2 Lowest is the latest addition to his storied career. Directed by Spike Lee, the film stars Washington alongside A$AP Rocky, with the pair reportedly forming a genuine bond during filming, trading thoughts on life, love, and music.
Yet for all the awards and iconic roles, Washington wants to be remembered not just for his art—but for his heart. In an industry often focused on image, he stands out as someone who values character above celebrity.
During a wide-ranging conversation with longtime collaborator Spike Lee on Apple TV, the two icons discussed Washington’s newest film Highest 2 Lowest, as well as deeper themes of legacy, faith, and purpose.
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington pose during the “Highest 2 Lowest” photocall at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2025 in Cannes, France. Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
At one point, Lee posed a simple but weighty question: how would Washington like history to remember him? The veteran actor’s response was both humble and profound.
“A man of faith, a man of God, a human who’s made a ton of mistakes,” Washington responded. “A humble man, god-loving, wife-loving, children-loving, who did the best he could with what he had.”
While audiences may know him as one of the greatest actors of his generation—with unforgettable roles in Malcolm X, Training Day, Glory, American Gangster, and The Book of Eli—Washington made it clear that his most important legacy lies far beyond Hollywood accolades.
A devoted husband and father, Washington has never shied away from the love he has for his wife, Pauletta Washington, or his children, John David, 41, Katia, 37, and twins Malcolm and Olivia, 34.
Still, his achievements are staggering: two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, a Tony Award, and nominations for both Emmys and a Grammy.
Released Aug. 15, Highest 2 Lowest is the latest addition to his storied career. Directed by Spike Lee, the film stars Washington alongside A$AP Rocky, with the pair reportedly forming a genuine bond during filming, trading thoughts on life, love, and music.
Yet for all the awards and iconic roles, Washington wants to be remembered not just for his art—but for his heart. In an industry often focused on image, he stands out as someone who values character above celebrity.
Chris Brown Takes Break From Social Media After ‘Colorist Rage Baiting’ Comments ‘Pissed’ Him Off
Chris Brown is stepping away from social media after finding himself in the hot seat over “colorist” accusations yet again.
If you’ve had your ear to the streets of social media, you know Breezy has been accused for years of being colorist.
Others argue the man just has a particular preference when it comes to women.
Things got even messier when Kayla Nicole shared her viral Breezy Bowl moment from Los Angeles.
She wrote, “I did it for the smart girls, the cool girls, the sexy girls, the fun girls, for all of us who are all of those things at once. And I OVERLY did it for my brown girls, tthhhhaankya. 🤎”
The “brown girls” shoutout—many feel those are the very women Chris Brown is accused of overlooking—sparked a new round of online debates.
On top of that, a TikTok post from a dark-skinned woman claiming she was mistreated at Breezy Bowl fanned the flames even more.
Suddenly, the floodgates of colorism accusations were wide open once again.
Meanwhile…Team Breezy said:
CHRIS BROWN IS NOT A COLORIST. YALL ARE JUST UGLY.
HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT COLOR YOU ARE. YOUR FACE JUST SUCKS. IT’S REALLY THAT SIMPLE.
— Lauren (@_queenlaurenn) September 17, 2025
Chris fired back on his Instagram Story, writing: “Miss me with colorist rage baiting!!!”
By Wednesday morning, Breezy had had enough and announced he’s taking a break from social media, adding: “Y’all done pissed me off long enough.”
Frens, what are your thoughts on this?
Chris Brown is stepping away from social media after finding himself in the hot seat over “colorist” accusations yet again.
If you’ve had your ear to the streets of social media, you know Breezy has been accused for years of being colorist.
Others argue the man just has a particular preference when it comes to women.
Things got even messier when Kayla Nicole shared her viral Breezy Bowl moment from Los Angeles.
She wrote, “I did it for the smart girls, the cool girls, the sexy girls, the fun girls, for all of us who are all of those things at once. And I OVERLY did it for my brown girls, tthhhhaankya. 🤎”
The “brown girls” shoutout—many feel those are the very women Chris Brown is accused of overlooking—sparked a new round of online debates.
On top of that, a TikTok post from a dark-skinned woman claiming she was mistreated at Breezy Bowl fanned the flames even more.
Suddenly, the floodgates of colorism accusations were wide open once again.
Meanwhile…Team Breezy said:
CHRIS BROWN IS NOT A COLORIST. YALL ARE JUST UGLY.
HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT COLOR YOU ARE. YOUR FACE JUST SUCKS. IT’S REALLY THAT SIMPLE.
— Lauren (@_queenlaurenn) September 17, 2025
Chris fired back on his Instagram Story, writing: “Miss me with colorist rage baiting!!!”
By Wednesday morning, Breezy had had enough and announced he’s taking a break from social media, adding: “Y’all done pissed me off long enough.”
Frens, what are your thoughts on this?
Wendy Williams Set to Be Deposed in Lifetime Documentary Lawsuit
Last year the court appointed guardian for Wendy Williams filed a sealed lawsuit against the producers of the Lifetime documentary "Where is Wendy Williams
The judge rules Wendy must sit for a deposition despite her dementia diagnosis...
From People
A new ruling has been made in the ongoing battle over Lifetime’s documentary about Wendy Williams.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, a judge issued an order on Sept. 15 to extend the stay of the legal proceedings against A&E Television Networks while Williams’ separate guardianship case is reviewed. A joint letter updating the court on the status of that case must be submitted by Nov. 5.
Additionally, the judge granted A&E’s request to depose the former talk show host, 61, which must take place by Nov. 4. This will be a “de bene esse” deposition, which occurs “in anticipation of future need” when a witness’ ability to testify later on might decline due to circumstances such as “age, health, fading memory,” for example.
The judge rules Wendy must sit for a deposition despite her dementia diagnosis...
From People
A new ruling has been made in the ongoing battle over Lifetime’s documentary about Wendy Williams.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, a judge issued an order on Sept. 15 to extend the stay of the legal proceedings against A&E Television Networks while Williams’ separate guardianship case is reviewed. A joint letter updating the court on the status of that case must be submitted by Nov. 5.
Additionally, the judge granted A&E’s request to depose the former talk show host, 61, which must take place by Nov. 4. This will be a “de bene esse” deposition, which occurs “in anticipation of future need” when a witness’ ability to testify later on might decline due to circumstances such as “age, health, fading memory,” for example.
The ruling cites Williams’ 2023 diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, which has contributed to keeping the television personality under a guardianship despite her many denials that she is “cognitively impaired.”
Her current guardian is Sabrina Morrissey, who filed the lawsuit against A&E and is awaiting a decision from the judge in the guardianship case to determine whether she will remain in her role and if Williams still requires a guardian following a new medical evaluation.
Still, the judge states in the new ruling that Williams’ “condition does not insulate her from providing testimony in this case” because the Federal Rules of Evidence “does not contain any requirement of mental ability” for witnesses.
“It will be up to the jury in this case to decide what weight to give to [Williams’] deposition testimony,” per the docs.
Former 'Love Is Blind' Cast Member Sues Netflix, Alleges 'Inhumane Working Conditions'
Former Love Is Blind contestant Stephen Richardson has sued Netflix over alleged "inhumane working conditions" during his time on the reality dating show.
As reported by Variety on Tuesday (Sept. 16), Richardson, who was a contestant on Season 7 of the series, filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court, naming Netflix and two production companies as defendants.
In addition to allegations that fellow contestants were "willfully misclassified" as "independent contractors," Richardson claims that employers used "excessive control over the manner, means and timing of the work."
Along with alleged dangerous working conditions, Richardson accuses employers of "exerting complete domination over their time," preventing them from taking on outside work opportunities.
The class action lawsuit claims that Richardson's conditions were shared by other Love Is Blind cast members who were on the show for at least four years prior to the filing. The media personality, who seeks unspecified damages, also intends for the suit to represent other reality television participants.
Richardson is the second former Love Is Blind alum to legally go after the show's creators after Renee Poche, who appeared in Season 5 of the hit Netflix dating competition.
Poche alleged that she was a victim of distress and violations of California labor codes, but arbitration procedures were started against Roche, alleging that she breached a nondisclosure agreement.
"I believe Delirium is trying to silence the abuse that occurs behind the cameras and ruin me for telling the truth," Roche told Variety about the suit last year. "I felt it was only right to let others know the truth of what all of the castmates had to endure."
Richardson claims that he was similarly required to pay $97,529.77 for infringing upon an agreement.
Former Love Is Blind contestant Stephen Richardson has sued Netflix over alleged "inhumane working conditions" during his time on the reality dating show.
As reported by Variety on Tuesday (Sept. 16), Richardson, who was a contestant on Season 7 of the series, filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court, naming Netflix and two production companies as defendants.
In addition to allegations that fellow contestants were "willfully misclassified" as "independent contractors," Richardson claims that employers used "excessive control over the manner, means and timing of the work."
Along with alleged dangerous working conditions, Richardson accuses employers of "exerting complete domination over their time," preventing them from taking on outside work opportunities.
The class action lawsuit claims that Richardson's conditions were shared by other Love Is Blind cast members who were on the show for at least four years prior to the filing. The media personality, who seeks unspecified damages, also intends for the suit to represent other reality television participants.
Richardson is the second former Love Is Blind alum to legally go after the show's creators after Renee Poche, who appeared in Season 5 of the hit Netflix dating competition.
Poche alleged that she was a victim of distress and violations of California labor codes, but arbitration procedures were started against Roche, alleging that she breached a nondisclosure agreement.
"I believe Delirium is trying to silence the abuse that occurs behind the cameras and ruin me for telling the truth," Roche told Variety about the suit last year. "I felt it was only right to let others know the truth of what all of the castmates had to endure."
Richardson claims that he was similarly required to pay $97,529.77 for infringing upon an agreement.
'The Muppet Show' Sets 2026 Return
It was just announced that the 26-year-old has been tapped to guest star in an upcoming special installment of The Muppet Show, according to Variety.
The upcoming revival special is set to coincide with the original Muppet Show‘s 50th anniversary, and will be produced by Seth Rogen and his Point Grey Pictures.
Per Disney+, the new installment “will feature Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and the gang as they return to the Muppet Theatre to put on a variety show filled with music, comedy, and plenty of chaos.”
Variety also reports that this could serve as a backdoor pilot for a revival of The Muppet Show!
Albertina Rizzo has been tapped as writer and executive producer, with Alex Timbers directing and executive producing. Sabrina will also exec produce!
The Muppet Show special is set to debut on Disney+ in 2026.
Jay-Z’s Times Square Casino Plan Rejected by Community Panel
Jay-Z’s push to open a casino in Times Square just hit a major roadblock.
A community advisory committee voted against advancing the project, bringing the high-profile proposal to a halt. Backed by Roc Nation, Caesars Palace, and SL Green Realty, the development would have transformed the One Astor Plaza tower into a 150,000-square-foot entertainment hub with a luxury hotel, restaurants, spas, and a reinvented 40/40 Club.
Out of six votes, only two supported the project.
“The application has been disapproved,” confirmed Carl Wilson, the committee’s chair.
Despite projections of $7 billion in tax revenue, 3,800 new jobs, and a massive boost to nearby businesses, opponents argued the risks outweighed the rewards. Local unions and neighborhood groups warned of increased crime and the potential erosion of Broadway’s cultural identity.
“This was a vote to protect the magic of Broadway,” said Broadway League president Jason Laks, echoing concerns shared by nearly 200 community organizations.
Jay-Z had called the partnership “a promise of economic opportunity for the community and beyond.” But the rejection leaves those plans in limbo.
SL Green CEO Marc Holliday voiced frustration, calling the decision “a despicable display of cowardice” and slamming local officials for turning their backs on what he viewed as a transformative investment.
Jay-Z’s push to open a casino in Times Square just hit a major roadblock.
A community advisory committee voted against advancing the project, bringing the high-profile proposal to a halt. Backed by Roc Nation, Caesars Palace, and SL Green Realty, the development would have transformed the One Astor Plaza tower into a 150,000-square-foot entertainment hub with a luxury hotel, restaurants, spas, and a reinvented 40/40 Club.
Out of six votes, only two supported the project.
“The application has been disapproved,” confirmed Carl Wilson, the committee’s chair.
Despite projections of $7 billion in tax revenue, 3,800 new jobs, and a massive boost to nearby businesses, opponents argued the risks outweighed the rewards. Local unions and neighborhood groups warned of increased crime and the potential erosion of Broadway’s cultural identity.
“This was a vote to protect the magic of Broadway,” said Broadway League president Jason Laks, echoing concerns shared by nearly 200 community organizations.
Jay-Z had called the partnership “a promise of economic opportunity for the community and beyond.” But the rejection leaves those plans in limbo.
SL Green CEO Marc Holliday voiced frustration, calling the decision “a despicable display of cowardice” and slamming local officials for turning their backs on what he viewed as a transformative investment.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Courtesy of P.O.Wm
Enjoy!
RUBY RAINBOW
Ruby making a Walmart run
AND NOW Meet: Leo Daddy
It's Leo! You can see more HERE
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
Enjoy!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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