#MAGFAB: Anok Yai for Vanity Fair - Special Edition 2026
Resplendent in the stars and stripes to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, Yai speaks to Vanity Fair about racism, health, the fashion industry, and her own American story as an immigrant and citizen.
“Doing this story, and doing the cover with the American flag, it’s just a representation of the fact that America is a melting pot. It’s a land of immigrants, and we’re all American.”
Anok Yai has become one of fashion’s most sought-after faces and in a candid interview with Vanity Fair fashion correspondent José Criales Unzueta, the model and activist reveals the story behind her ascent to the top.
Anok Yai has become one of fashion’s most sought-after faces and in a candid interview with Vanity Fair fashion correspondent José Criales Unzueta, the model and activist reveals the story behind her ascent to the top.
#RHOA: Peter Thomas Will Talk Federal Prison Drama In his Upcoming Reality Show
Peter Thomas is preparing for a possible return to reality television, and this time the storyline could be much heavier than the Bravo drama fans remember.
TMZ first reported that Peter Thomas told the judge overseeing the federal tax case that he has been approached about a new reality show centered on rebuilding his life after prison. Per the outlet, the filing says the project would follow Thomas after his release from federal prison in February 2026 as he works to move forward personally and professionally.
For longtime reality TV fans, the idea of Peter returning to cameras is not exactly surprising. He has always understood television, even when he was not holding a peach. His years on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” made him one of the franchise’s most recognizable husbands, largely because he was never comfortable staying in the background. Whether viewers loved him, questioned him, or argued about him online, Peter had the kind of presence that made scenes move.
Cynthia Bailey’s relationship with Peter was first captured during Season 3 of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Bravo also noted that viewers watched their romance, marriage, and eventual post-divorce dynamic unfold across the franchise. That history matters because Peter was not just a supporting spouse. He became part of RHOA’s business drama, relationship debates, cast tension, and nightlife storylines.
The former model previously spoke about investing in Bar One Atlanta while she and Peter were still married. She said Bar One Charlotte and Club One were doing well at the time, showing how closely Peter’s restaurant and lounge ventures were tied to his television image.
That business-centered identity followed him beyond Atlanta. Peter appeared on “The Real Housewives of Potomac” Season 7 when Dr. Wendy Osefo explored opening a Nigerian lounge and enlisted him for help. Bravo reported that Peter later became involved in cast drama and that the lounge never opened. That appearance reminded viewers that Peter’s reality TV value was not limited to his marriage to Cynthia. He could still walk into a different franchise and become a conversation starter.
Now, the possible new show could present Peter in an entirely different lane. Instead of watching him argue across a dinner table or promote a nightlife concept, the reported series would follow a man trying to rebuild after a federal sentence. The entrepreneur told the court he has been using his platform to discuss the importance of paying taxes. That detail could shape the show into something closer to a redemption docuseries than a typical ensemble reality project.
The legal background is serious. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina, Peter was sentenced on December 19, 2024, to 18 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for a tax offense. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also said Peter was ordered to pay $2,526,131.99 in restitution to the IRS.
According to the same U.S. Attorney’s Office release, Peter pleaded guilty on July 2, 2024, to failing to account for and pay over trust fund taxes owed on behalf of PT Media employees for the quarter ending June 30, 2021. Prosecutors said Thomas owned Club One CLT, Sports ONE, Sports ONE CLT, and PT Media in Charlotte, along with Bar One Miami Beach and Bar One Baltimore.
Peter allegedly caused his businesses to fail to pay more than $2.5 million in employment taxes between 2017 and 2023. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that figure included more than $1.74 million in trust fund taxes collected from employees’ wages but not paid to the IRS.
The government also alleged that instead of paying the trust fund taxes due for the Charlotte businesses, Thomas used funds for other purposes, including cash withdrawals, travel, real estate purchases, retail purchases, and transfers between businesses.
That is why this reported show could either land as a powerful comeback story or become another complicated reality TV gamble. Audiences have seen plenty of celebrities turn legal trouble into content, but viewers are also more skeptical than ever when public figures try to reframe consequences as character development. For Peter Thomas, the challenge would be proving that the story is not just about sympathy. It would need accountability, transparency, and a real look at what happens after the cameras leave the courtroom.
A show like this could follow Peter Thomas adjusting to supervised release, rebuilding trust with business partners, managing restitution responsibilities, and trying to restart his career in hospitality. It could also explore how reality TV fame can amplify both success and downfall. His history gives producers plenty to work with because Peter has already lived through public marriage, public divorce, business ambition, franchise crossover, and now a federal case that changed the direction of his life.
The strongest version of this show would not pretend the past did not happen. It would lean into the full picture. Peter Thomas built a reputation as a nightlife businessman on television, then faced a federal tax case connected to those business operations. If cameras are coming back around, the audience will likely expect more than polished confessionals and soft lighting. They will want receipts, uncomfortable conversations, and real movement.
The bigger question is whether this could become a redemption show, a cautionary tale, or both. Peter Thomas has the reality TV experience to carry scenes, but the subject matter calls for a different level of honesty. If the project moves forward, it may work best as a docu-reality series about consequences, reinvention, and the cost of trying to keep an empire together when the business behind the brand starts falling apart.
Peter Thomas may be known for RHOA, Bar One, and his Bravo era, but this next chapter could decide whether viewers see him as a familiar reality personality chasing another spotlight or a man using television to show what accountability actually looks like after prison.
TMZ first reported that Peter Thomas told the judge overseeing the federal tax case that he has been approached about a new reality show centered on rebuilding his life after prison. Per the outlet, the filing says the project would follow Thomas after his release from federal prison in February 2026 as he works to move forward personally and professionally.
For longtime reality TV fans, the idea of Peter returning to cameras is not exactly surprising. He has always understood television, even when he was not holding a peach. His years on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” made him one of the franchise’s most recognizable husbands, largely because he was never comfortable staying in the background. Whether viewers loved him, questioned him, or argued about him online, Peter had the kind of presence that made scenes move.
Cynthia Bailey’s relationship with Peter was first captured during Season 3 of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Bravo also noted that viewers watched their romance, marriage, and eventual post-divorce dynamic unfold across the franchise. That history matters because Peter was not just a supporting spouse. He became part of RHOA’s business drama, relationship debates, cast tension, and nightlife storylines.
The former model previously spoke about investing in Bar One Atlanta while she and Peter were still married. She said Bar One Charlotte and Club One were doing well at the time, showing how closely Peter’s restaurant and lounge ventures were tied to his television image.
That business-centered identity followed him beyond Atlanta. Peter appeared on “The Real Housewives of Potomac” Season 7 when Dr. Wendy Osefo explored opening a Nigerian lounge and enlisted him for help. Bravo reported that Peter later became involved in cast drama and that the lounge never opened. That appearance reminded viewers that Peter’s reality TV value was not limited to his marriage to Cynthia. He could still walk into a different franchise and become a conversation starter.
Now, the possible new show could present Peter in an entirely different lane. Instead of watching him argue across a dinner table or promote a nightlife concept, the reported series would follow a man trying to rebuild after a federal sentence. The entrepreneur told the court he has been using his platform to discuss the importance of paying taxes. That detail could shape the show into something closer to a redemption docuseries than a typical ensemble reality project.
The legal background is serious. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina, Peter was sentenced on December 19, 2024, to 18 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for a tax offense. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also said Peter was ordered to pay $2,526,131.99 in restitution to the IRS.
According to the same U.S. Attorney’s Office release, Peter pleaded guilty on July 2, 2024, to failing to account for and pay over trust fund taxes owed on behalf of PT Media employees for the quarter ending June 30, 2021. Prosecutors said Thomas owned Club One CLT, Sports ONE, Sports ONE CLT, and PT Media in Charlotte, along with Bar One Miami Beach and Bar One Baltimore.
Peter allegedly caused his businesses to fail to pay more than $2.5 million in employment taxes between 2017 and 2023. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that figure included more than $1.74 million in trust fund taxes collected from employees’ wages but not paid to the IRS.
The government also alleged that instead of paying the trust fund taxes due for the Charlotte businesses, Thomas used funds for other purposes, including cash withdrawals, travel, real estate purchases, retail purchases, and transfers between businesses.
That is why this reported show could either land as a powerful comeback story or become another complicated reality TV gamble. Audiences have seen plenty of celebrities turn legal trouble into content, but viewers are also more skeptical than ever when public figures try to reframe consequences as character development. For Peter Thomas, the challenge would be proving that the story is not just about sympathy. It would need accountability, transparency, and a real look at what happens after the cameras leave the courtroom.
A show like this could follow Peter Thomas adjusting to supervised release, rebuilding trust with business partners, managing restitution responsibilities, and trying to restart his career in hospitality. It could also explore how reality TV fame can amplify both success and downfall. His history gives producers plenty to work with because Peter has already lived through public marriage, public divorce, business ambition, franchise crossover, and now a federal case that changed the direction of his life.
The strongest version of this show would not pretend the past did not happen. It would lean into the full picture. Peter Thomas built a reputation as a nightlife businessman on television, then faced a federal tax case connected to those business operations. If cameras are coming back around, the audience will likely expect more than polished confessionals and soft lighting. They will want receipts, uncomfortable conversations, and real movement.
The bigger question is whether this could become a redemption show, a cautionary tale, or both. Peter Thomas has the reality TV experience to carry scenes, but the subject matter calls for a different level of honesty. If the project moves forward, it may work best as a docu-reality series about consequences, reinvention, and the cost of trying to keep an empire together when the business behind the brand starts falling apart.
Peter Thomas may be known for RHOA, Bar One, and his Bravo era, but this next chapter could decide whether viewers see him as a familiar reality personality chasing another spotlight or a man using television to show what accountability actually looks like after prison.
#MusicNews: Beyoncé Releases Surprise Song ‘Morning Dew (Donk)’
Beyoncé is kicking off the countdown to a major milestone with new music.
The singer has surprise-released a new song titled “Morning Dew (Donk),” marking her first new track in two years. The release begins a 60-day countdown to the 20th anniversary of her sophomore album, B’Day, which was originally released in September 2006.
“Morning Dew (Donk)” was written by Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, The-Dream and Darius Dixon, with production from Beyoncé and Pharrell. The song will appear on the forthcoming 20th anniversary edition of B’Day.
A lyric video accompanying the release reportedly features archival footage directed by longtime collaborator Cliff Watts, while the announcement describes the track as a tribute to the BeyHive ahead of the anniversary celebration.
LISTEN HERE:
B’Day debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2006 and produced several fan-favorite hits, including “Déjà Vu,” “Ring the Alarm,” “Irreplaceable,” and “Upgrade U.”
Beyoncé is kicking off the countdown to a major milestone with new music.
The singer has surprise-released a new song titled “Morning Dew (Donk),” marking her first new track in two years. The release begins a 60-day countdown to the 20th anniversary of her sophomore album, B’Day, which was originally released in September 2006.
“Morning Dew (Donk)” was written by Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, The-Dream and Darius Dixon, with production from Beyoncé and Pharrell. The song will appear on the forthcoming 20th anniversary edition of B’Day.
A lyric video accompanying the release reportedly features archival footage directed by longtime collaborator Cliff Watts, while the announcement describes the track as a tribute to the BeyHive ahead of the anniversary celebration.
LISTEN HERE:
B’Day debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2006 and produced several fan-favorite hits, including “Déjà Vu,” “Ring the Alarm,” “Irreplaceable,” and “Upgrade U.”
#HipHopNews:#RIPSparkyD: Hip Hop Remembers The Pioneering Female Battle Rapper
Hip-Hop is mourning Sparky D, the pioneering MC whose fearless battle rhymes during the Roxanne Wars helped reshape the role of women in rap.
Hip-Hop Mourns Sparky D, Trailblazing Battle Rap Pioneer And Roxanne Wars Legend
Royal Flush Remembers Jay-Z Opening For Him While Opening Up About Cancer Diagnosis
Hip-Hop has lost one of its earliest female trailblazers with the death of Sparky D, born Doreen Broadnax, a pioneering MC whose fearless performances helped establish women as a formidable force during the genre’s formative years.
Best known for her role in the historic Roxanne Wars, Sparky D emerged as one of the defining voices of rap’s first great battle movement. Her 1985 response record, “Sparky’s Turn (Roxanne You’re Through),” became one of the standout releases from the era. She managed to push through at a time when female MCs were fighting for recognition.
Famed producer DJ Premier said he recognized her early in his history.
“One of the 1st Female Battle MC’s representing Brownsville Brooklyn, NY. I became an instant fan when she battled @imroxanneshante in the early 80’s and I always bought her records from day 1,” he said on Instagram.
“Her relentless voice and delivery made her an instant force to be reckoned with. I’m blessed to have met her once I got into the game and I’m glad that @nas and I were able to give her flowers on our new record “BOUQUET.”
Long before battle rap became a global phenomenon, Sparky D proved that women could compete at the highest level. Her willingness to step into lyrical confrontations helped expand opportunities for future generations of female artists while cementing her place in Hip-Hop history.
The Roxanne Wars remain one of the culture’s most influential moments, spawning dozens of answer records and introducing audiences to a wave of emerging talent. Sparky D stood among the movement’s most respected voices, earning admiration for her uncompromising style and authentic presence on the microphone.
MC Sha Rock, widely regarded as the first female rapper posted, “The HIP HOP WORLD has taken a tremendous loss. RIP to our sister Doreen Broadnax aka “Sparky D” as my sister Roxanne Shante, @nikki D, Queen-Lisa Lee, Pebbles Riley (poo) said…. We must love on each other now.”
Later in life, Sparky D forged ahead, even though she said many opportunities were closed to her. She said she was unable to get employment or booked for a shows. “All the doors were closed to me,” she said on the Portia Show.
She also discussed addiction and turning her life over her life to God as a gospel artist.
News of her passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from members of the Hip-Hop community, many recognizing her contributions to the culture and the path she helped create for the artists who followed.
Sparky D leaves behind a legacy built on courage, resilience, originality and lyrical excellence. Her voice helped write an important chapter in Hip-Hop history and it will echo for generations to come.
Rest in power, Sparky D. Your contributions to Hip-Hop will never be forgotten.
Hip-Hop Mourns Sparky D, Trailblazing Battle Rap Pioneer And Roxanne Wars Legend
Royal Flush Remembers Jay-Z Opening For Him While Opening Up About Cancer Diagnosis
Hip-Hop has lost one of its earliest female trailblazers with the death of Sparky D, born Doreen Broadnax, a pioneering MC whose fearless performances helped establish women as a formidable force during the genre’s formative years.
Best known for her role in the historic Roxanne Wars, Sparky D emerged as one of the defining voices of rap’s first great battle movement. Her 1985 response record, “Sparky’s Turn (Roxanne You’re Through),” became one of the standout releases from the era. She managed to push through at a time when female MCs were fighting for recognition.
Famed producer DJ Premier said he recognized her early in his history.
“One of the 1st Female Battle MC’s representing Brownsville Brooklyn, NY. I became an instant fan when she battled @imroxanneshante in the early 80’s and I always bought her records from day 1,” he said on Instagram.
“Her relentless voice and delivery made her an instant force to be reckoned with. I’m blessed to have met her once I got into the game and I’m glad that @nas and I were able to give her flowers on our new record “BOUQUET.”
Long before battle rap became a global phenomenon, Sparky D proved that women could compete at the highest level. Her willingness to step into lyrical confrontations helped expand opportunities for future generations of female artists while cementing her place in Hip-Hop history.
The Roxanne Wars remain one of the culture’s most influential moments, spawning dozens of answer records and introducing audiences to a wave of emerging talent. Sparky D stood among the movement’s most respected voices, earning admiration for her uncompromising style and authentic presence on the microphone.
MC Sha Rock, widely regarded as the first female rapper posted, “The HIP HOP WORLD has taken a tremendous loss. RIP to our sister Doreen Broadnax aka “Sparky D” as my sister Roxanne Shante, @nikki D, Queen-Lisa Lee, Pebbles Riley (poo) said…. We must love on each other now.”
Later in life, Sparky D forged ahead, even though she said many opportunities were closed to her. She said she was unable to get employment or booked for a shows. “All the doors were closed to me,” she said on the Portia Show.
She also discussed addiction and turning her life over her life to God as a gospel artist.
News of her passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from members of the Hip-Hop community, many recognizing her contributions to the culture and the path she helped create for the artists who followed.
Sparky D leaves behind a legacy built on courage, resilience, originality and lyrical excellence. Her voice helped write an important chapter in Hip-Hop history and it will echo for generations to come.
Rest in power, Sparky D. Your contributions to Hip-Hop will never be forgotten.
Here's all the details from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's MSG wedding
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce may have banned phones, made guests sign NDAs and hidden their wedding behind a 180-foot tent, but the details are still trickling out. Here are all the small nuggets fans have pieced together about their July 3 Madison Square Garden nuptials.
Arcade games and a custom 'JUST&T MRD' license plate. Onlookers spotted arcade games and other unusual pieces of equipment being unloaded from MSG on Saturday morning. A car was seen leaving the venue with a "JUST&T MRD" license plate, matching the "JUST&T MARRIED!" marquee outside the arena, per Page Six.
About that sign. A marquee outside the Midtown Manhattan arena lit up around 7:30 p.m. ET with the message "JUST&T MARRIED!" — a play on the couple's first initials, T&T. Fans and passersby immediately started taking photos of the sign, which looked, more than one Yahoo News editor noted, uncomfortably close to an AT&T promotion.
Adam Sandler officiated. In one of the wedding's most unexpected reveals, Swift's publicist Tree Paine confirmed that the "Happy Gilmore" actor officiated the ceremony. Kelce and Sandler are longtime friends — the Chiefs tight end appeared in "Happy Gilmore 2" in 2025.
Paul McCartney reportedly performed. The Beatles legend was seen leaving Madison Square Garden alongside actor Tom Hanks after the reception, People reported. Stevie Nicks performed at the wedding, a detail confirmed by ABC News anchors Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan and George Stephanopoulos on "Good Morning America" Saturday.
The couple wore Christian Dior Haute Couture. Both Swift and Kelce's outfits were designed by Jonathan Anderson, creative director of Dior Women's, Men's and Haute Couture Collections. Their shoes were custom-made by Christian Louboutin, and Swift wore Cartier jewelry.
Guests took home embroidered "T&T" handkerchiefs. Attendees received custom handkerchiefs as party favors, monogrammed with the couple's "T&T" symbol — the same play on their initials that lit up the marquee outside the arena. The handkerchiefs also featured a lyric from Swift's 2014 hit "Blank Space," per guest posts to Instagram.
No bridesmaids, no groomsmen. Swift's brother Austin Swift served as her man of honor. Travis's brother Jason Kelce, his New Heights co-host, served as best man.
The vows: According to People, the couple's vows took 20 minutes each and were read from gold books.
Country stars documented their arrivals. Maren Morris shared a photo on Instagram with a "blank space" reference to Swift's 2014 hit. Kelsea Ballerini posted her own snap from the festivities. Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley were also among those spotted heading in.
A pre-wedding royal meeting. Kate Middleton and Prince William secretly met Swift and Kelce ahead of their wedding, People reported Saturday.
The couple gave $26 million to charity. A spokesperson for Swift confirmed a wave of charitable giving in the days ahead of the wedding, with the couple's donations going to food banks, arts education charities and pediatric cancer programs. Dolly Parton, whose Imagination Library received $2 million, thanked the couple in a video posted to Instagram.
Some notable absences. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds — once considered part of Swift's inner circle — did not attend the wedding, Page Six reported. Sources told the outlet the singer's friendship with Lively has become fractured amid Lively's legal drama with "It Ends With Us" costar Justin Baldoni.
No gifts, please. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle said Swift and Kelce told guests: "Absolutely no gifts." It's unclear how many guests actually complied.
Rain and lavender lights. Rain began falling in New York shortly after the marriage was announced, and Madison Square Garden itself lit up in a pinkish lavender color after the ceremony.
An insider spilled the details. AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron, one of the wedding's ~1,000 guests, broke the omerta around the ceremony by posting a lengthy account of the evening on X. Though he later deleted it, screenshots preserved every detail.
Here's what Aron revealed:
The theme was "Secret Garden." Aron described the ceremony space as an "outdoor garden at a lush countryside retreat," with everything "draped off in green and white." Real flowers and what he thought were artificial trees welcomed 15 rows of about 75 chairs. "They say there were around one thousand attendees, but surprisingly, it all felt intimate and small," he wrote.
Blown-up photos of Taylor and Travis lined the walls. "Immediately upon entry, everything… floors, walls, ceilings… was draped in peach and white," Aron wrote. "Large blown-up pictures of Taylor and Travis at each age, year by year from one-year-old to late teenager-hood, were on display."
Live violins and cello ushered in the wedding party. Travis wore a white tux; Taylor stunned in "a stunning white wedding dress with a long veiled train," Aron wrote. Sandler was "warm and welcoming, funny and eloquent."
The vows were "long, entertaining, personal, charming, emotional, irreverent and endearing." Aron said both sang, talked and explored "how they met, why they want to be with each other for all eternity" — before a "sweep you off your feet kiss" to seal it.
The reception had five-story-tall lit "trees." Aron described the after-party as an "even larger stage set of a 'Secret Garden' that was just exquisite," featuring "superb food and drink" and "music, music, music" from an "A-list audience."
Aron ended with a nickname. "Congrats to 'Trav and Tay-tay,'" he signed off.
Resurfaced clip of young Michael Jackson and Roberta Flack singing ‘When We Grow Up’
Every once in a while, a gem of an old performance starts trending online, and you wonder, how have I never seen that before? Michael Jackson is one of the most popular entertainers ever to live, and Roberta Flack is one of the most prominent singers of the '70s, so where has their magical performance together in 1974 on the Free to Be…You and Me TV special been hiding all this time?
The TV special was based on a popular 1972 album put together by the actress Marlo Thomas, fresh off her hit show That Girl, and was sponsored byMs., a popular feminist magazine. The goal of the project, which would become a gold album, a television special, and a foundation, was to show the younger generation that they can be whoever they want to be. The video gained attention recently after being shared on X by Melodies and Masterpieces.
Diana Ross originally sang "When We Grow Up" on the album, but Jackson and Flack sang it as a duet on the TV show, dressed as kids hanging out in an attic. The song is all about self-acceptance.
Well, I don't care if you're pretty at all
And I don't care if you never get tall.
I like what you look like…
… and you're nice small.
We don't have to change at all.
During the performance, there were a few slight nods to The Marx Brothers, with Jackson shaking his fake microphone like Groucho did with his cigar. The pair also pretend to be mirror images of one another, a famous bit from the 1933 Marx Brothers' film Duck Soup. Both children hope for a future when they can visit the moon, a big topic just five years after the Apollo 11 mission. The pair also pretends to walk on the moon, a nice bit of foreshadowing for Jackson's dance move that would propel him to superstardom.
WATCH HERE:
The TV special was based on a popular 1972 album put together by the actress Marlo Thomas, fresh off her hit show That Girl, and was sponsored byMs., a popular feminist magazine. The goal of the project, which would become a gold album, a television special, and a foundation, was to show the younger generation that they can be whoever they want to be. The video gained attention recently after being shared on X by Melodies and Masterpieces.
Diana Ross originally sang "When We Grow Up" on the album, but Jackson and Flack sang it as a duet on the TV show, dressed as kids hanging out in an attic. The song is all about self-acceptance.
Well, I don't care if you're pretty at all
And I don't care if you never get tall.
I like what you look like…
… and you're nice small.
We don't have to change at all.
During the performance, there were a few slight nods to The Marx Brothers, with Jackson shaking his fake microphone like Groucho did with his cigar. The pair also pretend to be mirror images of one another, a famous bit from the 1933 Marx Brothers' film Duck Soup. Both children hope for a future when they can visit the moon, a big topic just five years after the Apollo 11 mission. The pair also pretends to walk on the moon, a nice bit of foreshadowing for Jackson's dance move that would propel him to superstardom.
WATCH HERE:
Years later, in 2017, Flack talked about working with Jackson, noting that he didn't need to prepare much for the performance. "I always felt that Michael Jackson was one of the people who didn't have to prepare that much, even from the time he was a very little kid," she told The Huffington Post. "I mean, I think I'm sweeter than he is in the video with my ponytails. (laughs) But I'll tell you, it was such a joy to work with him because he was so bright and sharp. We didn't have to do it a bunch of times. We did it a few times, and it was a lot of fun. When you have that sort of innate and instinctive gift, you can sort of relax and let it flow. But sometimes, you have to be truly inspired. Even Michael had to be truly inspired."
That same year, 1974, Jackson and his brothers, The Jackson 5, covered Flack's mammoth hit, "Killing Me Softly," on The Tonight Show. The performance was a medley that also featured "By The Time I Get To Phoenix," sung by Jermaine, and "Danny Boy," by Jackie.
It's easy to forget that before he was the King of Pop, Michael Jackson was just a kid singing about being okay with who you are, alongside one of the greatest voices of his generation. Decades later, the message still lands. Maybe even more than it did then.
That same year, 1974, Jackson and his brothers, The Jackson 5, covered Flack's mammoth hit, "Killing Me Softly," on The Tonight Show. The performance was a medley that also featured "By The Time I Get To Phoenix," sung by Jermaine, and "Danny Boy," by Jackie.
It's easy to forget that before he was the King of Pop, Michael Jackson was just a kid singing about being okay with who you are, alongside one of the greatest voices of his generation. Decades later, the message still lands. Maybe even more than it did then.
Oh? Tom Brady, Teyana Taylor Spark Dating Buzz After Michael Rubin’s White Party
*NFL legend Tom Brady and singer-actress Teyana Taylor are fueling romance speculation after a report claimed the two stars grew close during Michael Rubin‘s annual White Party in the Hamptons. While the story has quickly spread across celebrity media and online message boards, the rumored relationship remains unconfirmed.
The dating buzz began after Media Take Out published a report citing unnamed sources who claimed Brady and Taylor spent much of the evening together at Rubin’s exclusive Bridgehampton estate. According to the outlet, the pair eventually retreated to a private VIP area where guests were allegedly instructed not to take photos or videos. The report further alleged they were seen holding hands, talking closely, and appearing affectionate throughout the night.
Neither Brady nor Taylor has publicly commented on the speculation, and no independent reporting has confirmed the outlet’s claims.
Rubin’s annual White Party has evolved into one of the entertainment world’s most coveted invitations, bringing together A-list athletes, actors, musicians, influencers, and business executives for an evening that routinely dominates celebrity headlines.
Held at the Fanatics CEO’s sprawling Hamptons estate, the all-white affair has become known for its carefully curated guest list, strict security, and social media buzz. This year’s celebration reportedly featured performances by Snoop Dogg and Alicia Keys and attracted a who’s who of sports and entertainment. Reports also noted Rubin moved the party ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend so guests wouldn’t have to choose between his event and the wedding festivities surrounding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Brady and Taylor were among the many high-profile guests photographed arriving at the event. If the report is accurate, however, the alleged interaction between the two reportedly took place away from cameras in one of the estate’s more private areas.
For now, the dating speculation rests entirely on Media Take Out’s report, which attributes its account to unnamed party insiders.
While celebrity relationships are sometimes first reported through anonymous sources, no photographs, videos, or firsthand accounts from identifiable witnesses have surfaced to support the allegations. Likewise, no major news organization has independently confirmed that Brady and Taylor are romantically involved.
That distinction is important. Attending the same exclusive event is a verifiable fact; claims about what allegedly happened inside private areas of the party remain unverified.
Since retiring from the NFL, Brady has transitioned into broadcasting and business while continuing to draw intense public interest in his personal life following his divorce from supermodel Gisele Bündchen. The seven-time Super Bowl champion has repeatedly found himself linked to high-profile women, though previous dating rumors have often been denied or quietly faded away.
Taylor has remained equally busy. Beyond music, the Harlem native has built an impressive résumé as an actress, director, choreographer, producer, and fashion tastemaker. Following her divorce from former NBA player Iman Shumpert, she has continued expanding her creative portfolio while remaining one of entertainment’s most talked-about multi-hyphenate talents.
Given Brady’s status as one of sports’ biggest names and Taylor’s high-profile career across music, film, television, and fashion, it’s easy to see why the report quickly generated widespread attention despite the lack of independent confirmation.
*NFL legend Tom Brady and singer-actress Teyana Taylor are fueling romance speculation after a report claimed the two stars grew close during Michael Rubin‘s annual White Party in the Hamptons. While the story has quickly spread across celebrity media and online message boards, the rumored relationship remains unconfirmed.
The dating buzz began after Media Take Out published a report citing unnamed sources who claimed Brady and Taylor spent much of the evening together at Rubin’s exclusive Bridgehampton estate. According to the outlet, the pair eventually retreated to a private VIP area where guests were allegedly instructed not to take photos or videos. The report further alleged they were seen holding hands, talking closely, and appearing affectionate throughout the night.
Neither Brady nor Taylor has publicly commented on the speculation, and no independent reporting has confirmed the outlet’s claims.
Rubin’s annual White Party has evolved into one of the entertainment world’s most coveted invitations, bringing together A-list athletes, actors, musicians, influencers, and business executives for an evening that routinely dominates celebrity headlines.
Held at the Fanatics CEO’s sprawling Hamptons estate, the all-white affair has become known for its carefully curated guest list, strict security, and social media buzz. This year’s celebration reportedly featured performances by Snoop Dogg and Alicia Keys and attracted a who’s who of sports and entertainment. Reports also noted Rubin moved the party ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend so guests wouldn’t have to choose between his event and the wedding festivities surrounding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Brady and Taylor were among the many high-profile guests photographed arriving at the event. If the report is accurate, however, the alleged interaction between the two reportedly took place away from cameras in one of the estate’s more private areas.
For now, the dating speculation rests entirely on Media Take Out’s report, which attributes its account to unnamed party insiders.
While celebrity relationships are sometimes first reported through anonymous sources, no photographs, videos, or firsthand accounts from identifiable witnesses have surfaced to support the allegations. Likewise, no major news organization has independently confirmed that Brady and Taylor are romantically involved.
That distinction is important. Attending the same exclusive event is a verifiable fact; claims about what allegedly happened inside private areas of the party remain unverified.
Since retiring from the NFL, Brady has transitioned into broadcasting and business while continuing to draw intense public interest in his personal life following his divorce from supermodel Gisele Bündchen. The seven-time Super Bowl champion has repeatedly found himself linked to high-profile women, though previous dating rumors have often been denied or quietly faded away.
Taylor has remained equally busy. Beyond music, the Harlem native has built an impressive résumé as an actress, director, choreographer, producer, and fashion tastemaker. Following her divorce from former NBA player Iman Shumpert, she has continued expanding her creative portfolio while remaining one of entertainment’s most talked-about multi-hyphenate talents.
Given Brady’s status as one of sports’ biggest names and Taylor’s high-profile career across music, film, television, and fashion, it’s easy to see why the report quickly generated widespread attention despite the lack of independent confirmation.
Serena Williams Withdraws From Wimbledon Doubles After Knee Injury, Ending Highly Anticipated Reunion With Venus
Serena Williams’ highly anticipated doubles reunion with sister Venus Williams at Wimbledon is no longer happening.
Serena announced she is withdrawing from the tournament due to a knee injury.
“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,” Serena wrote on Instagram. “Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside @venuswilliams once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.”
The 23-time Grand Slam champion thanked tournament director Jamie Baker and the Wimbledon team for giving her every opportunity to recover. She also expressed gratitude to fans for their support, while hinting that her comeback isn’t over just yet, writing, “All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you…”
Serena also shared photos documenting her recovery, including images of her knee receiving treatment and syringes filled with fluid drained after her singles match. “The photo of the syringes is the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match—yikes!” she explained. “The good news is that my knee shouldn’t swell or collect that much fluid again. The bad news is that, as hard as I tried, I wasn’t able to be ready for doubles.”
The announcement comes after excitement had been building around Serena and Venus reuniting on the doubles court, with the sisters scheduled to face Czech duo Linda Nosková and Markéta Vondroušová. Instead, fans will have to wait a little longer to see whether another Williams sisters reunion is in the cards.
Tiffany Haddish Must Face Trial Over DUI Arrest After Judge Denies Dismissal Request
Tiffany Haddish will stand trial next month after a Georgia judge denied her request to dismiss the DUI case stemming from her 2022 arrest. The actress and comedian had argued that the lengthy delay in bringing the case to trial violated her constitutional right to a speedy trial, but the court disagreed.
According to the ruling, the judge found Haddish failed to show that the delay caused her actual prejudice. The order also noted that Haddish and her legal team contributed to several scheduling delays over the past few years, including filing multiple notices of unavailability and requesting at least one continuance.
Haddish was arrested in January 2022 after police responded to reports of a driver asleep behind the wheel in Peachtree City, Georgia. Officers later charged her with DUI, failure to obey a traffic control device, improper stopping on a roadway and a parking violation. Prosecutors allege she was under the influence of marijuana and alcohol at the time of the arrest.
With her motion denied, Haddish is now scheduled to go to trial on August 13. Prosecutors have also asked the court to require Haddish’s defense team to disclose any expert witnesses they intend to call before the trial begins.
Serena announced she is withdrawing from the tournament due to a knee injury.
“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,” Serena wrote on Instagram. “Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside @venuswilliams once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.”
The 23-time Grand Slam champion thanked tournament director Jamie Baker and the Wimbledon team for giving her every opportunity to recover. She also expressed gratitude to fans for their support, while hinting that her comeback isn’t over just yet, writing, “All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you…”
Serena also shared photos documenting her recovery, including images of her knee receiving treatment and syringes filled with fluid drained after her singles match. “The photo of the syringes is the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match—yikes!” she explained. “The good news is that my knee shouldn’t swell or collect that much fluid again. The bad news is that, as hard as I tried, I wasn’t able to be ready for doubles.”
The announcement comes after excitement had been building around Serena and Venus reuniting on the doubles court, with the sisters scheduled to face Czech duo Linda Nosková and Markéta Vondroušová. Instead, fans will have to wait a little longer to see whether another Williams sisters reunion is in the cards.
Tiffany Haddish Must Face Trial Over DUI Arrest After Judge Denies Dismissal Request
Tiffany Haddish will stand trial next month after a Georgia judge denied her request to dismiss the DUI case stemming from her 2022 arrest. The actress and comedian had argued that the lengthy delay in bringing the case to trial violated her constitutional right to a speedy trial, but the court disagreed.
According to the ruling, the judge found Haddish failed to show that the delay caused her actual prejudice. The order also noted that Haddish and her legal team contributed to several scheduling delays over the past few years, including filing multiple notices of unavailability and requesting at least one continuance.
Haddish was arrested in January 2022 after police responded to reports of a driver asleep behind the wheel in Peachtree City, Georgia. Officers later charged her with DUI, failure to obey a traffic control device, improper stopping on a roadway and a parking violation. Prosecutors allege she was under the influence of marijuana and alcohol at the time of the arrest.
With her motion denied, Haddish is now scheduled to go to trial on August 13. Prosecutors have also asked the court to require Haddish’s defense team to disclose any expert witnesses they intend to call before the trial begins.
Chloe Bailey Opens Up About Being Compared To Sister Halle
Chloe Bailey opened up about being pitted against her sister Halle Bailey.
Appearing on the latest episode of Call Her Daddy, Chloe spoke about constantly being compared to her sister.
“After ‘Best Thing I Never Had’ came out, our very first cover, we got posted on World Star,” Chloe recalled. “World Star… lethal.”
“I think that was the very first time. But like, the thing that people don’t realize with sis and me is that we are so different,” Chloe explained. “She grew up loving jazz. She’ll still do jazz, neo soul, the vibes. Me? I love pop, locking, drop it, the heavy drums… That’s the beauty of Chloe and Halle.”
Chloe said that they often brought in “two different sides of ourselves,” but everyone wanted them to be the same.
“It hurt us sometimes when we’d see certain comments. We’d talk to each other like, ‘Oh my gosh. Is this true about me?’ We’d be like, ‘No, it’s not.’ We’d have to uplift each other,” said Chloe. “That’s the beauty of us. We’re like fire and water.”
Chloe opened up about the pressure she felt to alter her hair growing up. But Halle helped her ultimately embrace her natural look.
“We clung so tight to each other, and we weren’t alone. We weren’t going through criticism, even the positivity, alone. We were rejoicing together, and we had a partner to celebrate with and even cry with,” she said.
Without question, the Bailey sisters will always have each other’s backs. Speaking to PEOPLE in 10 in April, Chloe spoke about supporting Halle at the premiere of You, Me & Tuscany.
“Sis and I, we started doing everything together, so we’re each other’s safety blanket,” Chloe said. “I was so happy to be there at the screening in L.A. to support her for her incredible rom-com.”
“It’s so fun to see how we’re both doing our thing and killing it equally, and also, it just makes when we come together that much more special,” she continued.
Appearing on the latest episode of Call Her Daddy, Chloe spoke about constantly being compared to her sister.
“After ‘Best Thing I Never Had’ came out, our very first cover, we got posted on World Star,” Chloe recalled. “World Star… lethal.”
“I think that was the very first time. But like, the thing that people don’t realize with sis and me is that we are so different,” Chloe explained. “She grew up loving jazz. She’ll still do jazz, neo soul, the vibes. Me? I love pop, locking, drop it, the heavy drums… That’s the beauty of Chloe and Halle.”
Chloe said that they often brought in “two different sides of ourselves,” but everyone wanted them to be the same.
“It hurt us sometimes when we’d see certain comments. We’d talk to each other like, ‘Oh my gosh. Is this true about me?’ We’d be like, ‘No, it’s not.’ We’d have to uplift each other,” said Chloe. “That’s the beauty of us. We’re like fire and water.”
Chloe opened up about the pressure she felt to alter her hair growing up. But Halle helped her ultimately embrace her natural look.
“We clung so tight to each other, and we weren’t alone. We weren’t going through criticism, even the positivity, alone. We were rejoicing together, and we had a partner to celebrate with and even cry with,” she said.
Without question, the Bailey sisters will always have each other’s backs. Speaking to PEOPLE in 10 in April, Chloe spoke about supporting Halle at the premiere of You, Me & Tuscany.
“Sis and I, we started doing everything together, so we’re each other’s safety blanket,” Chloe said. “I was so happy to be there at the screening in L.A. to support her for her incredible rom-com.”
“It’s so fun to see how we’re both doing our thing and killing it equally, and also, it just makes when we come together that much more special,” she continued.
Cardi B Wins $60K from Tasha K over Stefon Diggs Posts
Cardi B has secured another courtroom victory in her long-running legal battle with blogger Tasha K, adding a new financial penalty to an already costly defamation case.
Court documents filed June 30 show Tasha K, whose legal name is LaTasha Kebe, agreed to pay Cardi B $60,000 after violating a previous non-disparagement agreement. The violation stemmed from online posts discussing the Grammy-winning rapper, her estranged husband Offset, and NFL player Stefon Diggs.
The latest agreement represents another chapter in a dispute that has stretched across several years. It follows Cardi B’s landmark 2022 defamation victory, when a federal jury awarded her nearly $4 million after determining Kebe published false and damaging claims about the rapper.
After the original judgment, Kebe filed for bankruptcy protection. The two sides later reached an agreement that allowed her to pay the judgment over time. One condition required Kebe to refrain from making disparaging statements about Cardi B or her family.
According to recent court filings, Cardi B’s legal team argued Kebe repeatedly violated that requirement through online commentary. Attorneys claimed they documented more than two dozen violations while monitoring Kebe’s social media activity.
The filings focused in part on posts referencing Offset and Diggs. Diggs has remained a frequent subject of celebrity headlines because of his relationship with Cardi B
Cardi’s attorneys initially sought more than $110,000 in legal fees tied to the alleged violations. Under the new agreement, Kebe will pay $60,000 instead. The reduced amount applies only if she makes both scheduled payments on time. If those payments are completed, Cardi B will accept the settlement in full satisfaction of the sanctions dispute.
The agreement states both parties wanted “to avoid the expense, delay and uncertainty of further litigation.”
Neither Cardi B’s attorney nor Kebe’s legal representatives publicly commented following the filing, according to reports.
The dispute began in 2019 when Cardi B filed a defamation lawsuit accusing Kebe of spreading false allegations about her personal life and health.
During the 2022 trial, Cardi B testified that the repeated online claims caused severe emotional distress.
The rapper told the court, “I felt extremely suicidal.”
Jurors ultimately sided with Cardi B. They found Kebe liable for defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Punitive damages and attorney’s fees later increased the total judgment to roughly $4 million.
Kebe denied wrongdoing during the litigation. She also attempted to pursue claims against Cardi B. Those claims were later dismissed before trial.
The newest settlement does not reopen the original defamation judgment. Instead, it addresses alleged violations of the later bankruptcy agreement that governed Kebe’s public comments while repaying the award.
Although the $60,000 payment is modest compared with the original judgment, it underscores the continuing legal consequences surrounding the case.
Court documents filed June 30 show Tasha K, whose legal name is LaTasha Kebe, agreed to pay Cardi B $60,000 after violating a previous non-disparagement agreement. The violation stemmed from online posts discussing the Grammy-winning rapper, her estranged husband Offset, and NFL player Stefon Diggs.
The latest agreement represents another chapter in a dispute that has stretched across several years. It follows Cardi B’s landmark 2022 defamation victory, when a federal jury awarded her nearly $4 million after determining Kebe published false and damaging claims about the rapper.
After the original judgment, Kebe filed for bankruptcy protection. The two sides later reached an agreement that allowed her to pay the judgment over time. One condition required Kebe to refrain from making disparaging statements about Cardi B or her family.
According to recent court filings, Cardi B’s legal team argued Kebe repeatedly violated that requirement through online commentary. Attorneys claimed they documented more than two dozen violations while monitoring Kebe’s social media activity.
The filings focused in part on posts referencing Offset and Diggs. Diggs has remained a frequent subject of celebrity headlines because of his relationship with Cardi B
Cardi’s attorneys initially sought more than $110,000 in legal fees tied to the alleged violations. Under the new agreement, Kebe will pay $60,000 instead. The reduced amount applies only if she makes both scheduled payments on time. If those payments are completed, Cardi B will accept the settlement in full satisfaction of the sanctions dispute.
The agreement states both parties wanted “to avoid the expense, delay and uncertainty of further litigation.”
Neither Cardi B’s attorney nor Kebe’s legal representatives publicly commented following the filing, according to reports.
The dispute began in 2019 when Cardi B filed a defamation lawsuit accusing Kebe of spreading false allegations about her personal life and health.
During the 2022 trial, Cardi B testified that the repeated online claims caused severe emotional distress.
The rapper told the court, “I felt extremely suicidal.”
Jurors ultimately sided with Cardi B. They found Kebe liable for defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Punitive damages and attorney’s fees later increased the total judgment to roughly $4 million.
Kebe denied wrongdoing during the litigation. She also attempted to pursue claims against Cardi B. Those claims were later dismissed before trial.
The newest settlement does not reopen the original defamation judgment. Instead, it addresses alleged violations of the later bankruptcy agreement that governed Kebe’s public comments while repaying the award.
Although the $60,000 payment is modest compared with the original judgment, it underscores the continuing legal consequences surrounding the case.
Brian McKnight Slammed for Interviewing Stepfather of Estranged Son Brian Jr.’s Children
Brian McKnight is drawing renewed attention to his ongoing family rift after interviewing the stepfather of his son Brian Jr.’s children for his his Fatherhood Fridays series.
During the interview, McKnight sat down with guest Nathaniel Glidewell about being a stepfather and raising his wife's two older children, who are McKnight’s grandchildren. Throughout the conversation, McKnight repeatedly steered the discussion toward the children's biological father, his son, asking Glidewell about his involvement, or lack thereof.
"How has that been for you with your two older children's father?" McKnight asked. "Is there a relationship there with you, with the kids? Is there static? How does that work?"
Glidewell explained that there has been little interaction, prompting McKnight to ask whether the situation would change if the children's biological father became more involved.
"If their father wanted to be more involved, how would that change things, or would it change things at all?" McKnight asked.
The conversation then shifted to how the children have been affected emotionally. McKnight asked Glidewell how they felt about their biological father, leading him to describe a desire for a stronger relationship that has been met with inconsistent effort.
McKnight later pressed for specifics about how often the children's father has been present over the last several years.
"And if you could give it like how often their dad comes around, how often would that be in these last five years on average?" he asked.
Glidewell responded that visits typically occurred only "once or twice a year,” primarily on birthdays or Christmases.
The singer also broadened the conversation to include the biological father's extended family, asking whether grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins had maintained relationships with the children.
"Now their father I'm sure has family," McKnight said. "Are they involved at all? There's got to be a grandmother. Are there people that are aunts, uncles, cousins, anybody else that's around on his side?"
After Glidewell said that side of the family was largely absent as well, McKnight responded, "It doesn't seem like that side of the family is doing much of anything for these kids... Wow."
Although McKnight never directly named his estranged son during the discussion, many viewers picked up on the singer attempting to turn the tables on his son who had accused him of abandoning his children.
McKnight has also chosen to ignore negative comments on the video, only responding to someone defending the singer and calling him “unapologetic.”
McKnight replied, writing, “Isn't it hilarious to watch. They know [Brian McKnight Jr.] and his mother and her whole family are frauds but they support them anyway. I've proven it time and time again but here they are when I prove it again giving him a pass when they know those kids were taken care of well into their late 20s ! So you have to ask the question, why since he made that post in 2019 did they just believe it without even making sure it was true. I'm still trying to figure that out almost 7 years later.”
The interview is the latest chapter in a highly publicized family dispute that has played out across social media in recent years, with McKnight facing criticism over his strained relationships with several of his older children while publicly embracing his family with his second wife, Leilani.
During the interview, McKnight sat down with guest Nathaniel Glidewell about being a stepfather and raising his wife's two older children, who are McKnight’s grandchildren. Throughout the conversation, McKnight repeatedly steered the discussion toward the children's biological father, his son, asking Glidewell about his involvement, or lack thereof.
"How has that been for you with your two older children's father?" McKnight asked. "Is there a relationship there with you, with the kids? Is there static? How does that work?"
Glidewell explained that there has been little interaction, prompting McKnight to ask whether the situation would change if the children's biological father became more involved.
"If their father wanted to be more involved, how would that change things, or would it change things at all?" McKnight asked.
The conversation then shifted to how the children have been affected emotionally. McKnight asked Glidewell how they felt about their biological father, leading him to describe a desire for a stronger relationship that has been met with inconsistent effort.
McKnight later pressed for specifics about how often the children's father has been present over the last several years.
"And if you could give it like how often their dad comes around, how often would that be in these last five years on average?" he asked.
Glidewell responded that visits typically occurred only "once or twice a year,” primarily on birthdays or Christmases.
The singer also broadened the conversation to include the biological father's extended family, asking whether grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins had maintained relationships with the children.
"Now their father I'm sure has family," McKnight said. "Are they involved at all? There's got to be a grandmother. Are there people that are aunts, uncles, cousins, anybody else that's around on his side?"
After Glidewell said that side of the family was largely absent as well, McKnight responded, "It doesn't seem like that side of the family is doing much of anything for these kids... Wow."
Although McKnight never directly named his estranged son during the discussion, many viewers picked up on the singer attempting to turn the tables on his son who had accused him of abandoning his children.
McKnight has also chosen to ignore negative comments on the video, only responding to someone defending the singer and calling him “unapologetic.”
McKnight replied, writing, “Isn't it hilarious to watch. They know [Brian McKnight Jr.] and his mother and her whole family are frauds but they support them anyway. I've proven it time and time again but here they are when I prove it again giving him a pass when they know those kids were taken care of well into their late 20s ! So you have to ask the question, why since he made that post in 2019 did they just believe it without even making sure it was true. I'm still trying to figure that out almost 7 years later.”
The interview is the latest chapter in a highly publicized family dispute that has played out across social media in recent years, with McKnight facing criticism over his strained relationships with several of his older children while publicly embracing his family with his second wife, Leilani.
Milagro Gramz Appeals $75K Verdict in Megan Thee Stallion Defamation Case
Gossip vlogger Milagro Gramz has updated her legal against Megan Thee Stallion, even as a Miami federal judge ruled that the three-time Grammy winner could collect the $75,000 judgment against her.
Gramz, whose legal name is Milagro Elizabeth Cooper, filed an amended notice of appeal on June 30. The document, seen by Complex, amends her original appeal, which she filed back in January. That appeal was filed shortly after Gramz was found liable for defaming Megan.
Gramz’s appeal was filed when the verdict against her was for $59,000 in damages, even though the jury had initially ordered $75,000. The $16,000 discount came because Gramz was ruled a “media defendant,” and thus hadn’t been properly notified of Megan’s lawsuit per Florida law. That decision was overturned in May of this year, and the $75,000 figure was reinstated. Gramz was not a media defendant, the judge ruled, because she had been “commissioned” by Tory Lanez and his father “to publish or broadcast” defamatory statements about Megan.
Gramz’s latest filing means that she is now appealing the new, updated $75,000 damages ruling and the decision that accompanied it, in which she was denied media defendant status.
Last month, Gramz’s attempt to avoid paying Megan in full — or, alternately, putting up a bond of slightly more than the full judgment — while her appeal plays out was denied, and she was ordered to pay the full amount.
Chief Judge Cecilia Altonaga denied Gramz's stay request on June 29, ruling she showed no likelihood of success on appeal and had offered only "generalized disagreement with the jury's verdict and the Court's post-trial rulings."
To formally pause enforcement under Miami federal court rules, Gramz would need to post an appeal bond of $82,500. Judge Altonaga rejected her bid to waive or reduce that requirement, ruling that Gramz had not submitted sufficient proof of hardship with her original motion. When Gramz later submitted a sworn financial statement, the judge rejected consideration because it arrived with her reply brief instead of her initial filing.
In her court papers, Gramz stated she does not possess "substantial liquid assets" and lacks the financial resources to satisfy the judgment immediately, describing herself as self-employed and head of household with income that "fluctuate[s] from month to month."
In October 2024, Megan sued Cooper in the Southern District of Florida, accusing her of serving as a "longtime mouthpiece" for Tory Lanez, who shot Megan four years prior, and his family. A federal jury proceeded with a verdict against Cooper in December 2025 on counts of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and promoting a deepfake video of Megan. The judgment breakdown included $50,000 for the deepfake video, $15,000 for defamation, $8,000 for emotional distress, and $1,000 in punitive damages on each of two counts.
As mentioned, the judge initially reduced the award to $59,000, but altered the decision in May to reinstate the full $75,000.
Megan's legal team, in their previous opposition to the stay, pointed to Cooper as someone "who showed no hesitation when she broadcast that Plaintiff was a liar, directed her audience to a deep-fake pornographic video of Plaintiff, and threatened to run Plaintiff over with a car."
Gossip vlogger Milagro Gramz has updated her legal against Megan Thee Stallion, even as a Miami federal judge ruled that the three-time Grammy winner could collect the $75,000 judgment against her.
Gramz, whose legal name is Milagro Elizabeth Cooper, filed an amended notice of appeal on June 30. The document, seen by Complex, amends her original appeal, which she filed back in January. That appeal was filed shortly after Gramz was found liable for defaming Megan.
Gramz’s appeal was filed when the verdict against her was for $59,000 in damages, even though the jury had initially ordered $75,000. The $16,000 discount came because Gramz was ruled a “media defendant,” and thus hadn’t been properly notified of Megan’s lawsuit per Florida law. That decision was overturned in May of this year, and the $75,000 figure was reinstated. Gramz was not a media defendant, the judge ruled, because she had been “commissioned” by Tory Lanez and his father “to publish or broadcast” defamatory statements about Megan.
Gramz’s latest filing means that she is now appealing the new, updated $75,000 damages ruling and the decision that accompanied it, in which she was denied media defendant status.
Last month, Gramz’s attempt to avoid paying Megan in full — or, alternately, putting up a bond of slightly more than the full judgment — while her appeal plays out was denied, and she was ordered to pay the full amount.
Chief Judge Cecilia Altonaga denied Gramz's stay request on June 29, ruling she showed no likelihood of success on appeal and had offered only "generalized disagreement with the jury's verdict and the Court's post-trial rulings."
To formally pause enforcement under Miami federal court rules, Gramz would need to post an appeal bond of $82,500. Judge Altonaga rejected her bid to waive or reduce that requirement, ruling that Gramz had not submitted sufficient proof of hardship with her original motion. When Gramz later submitted a sworn financial statement, the judge rejected consideration because it arrived with her reply brief instead of her initial filing.
In her court papers, Gramz stated she does not possess "substantial liquid assets" and lacks the financial resources to satisfy the judgment immediately, describing herself as self-employed and head of household with income that "fluctuate[s] from month to month."
In October 2024, Megan sued Cooper in the Southern District of Florida, accusing her of serving as a "longtime mouthpiece" for Tory Lanez, who shot Megan four years prior, and his family. A federal jury proceeded with a verdict against Cooper in December 2025 on counts of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and promoting a deepfake video of Megan. The judgment breakdown included $50,000 for the deepfake video, $15,000 for defamation, $8,000 for emotional distress, and $1,000 in punitive damages on each of two counts.
As mentioned, the judge initially reduced the award to $59,000, but altered the decision in May to reinstate the full $75,000.
Megan's legal team, in their previous opposition to the stay, pointed to Cooper as someone "who showed no hesitation when she broadcast that Plaintiff was a liar, directed her audience to a deep-fake pornographic video of Plaintiff, and threatened to run Plaintiff over with a car."
Trump Denies Diddy’s Pardon Again, Full Sentence To Be Served
Diddy has once again been excluded from the latest presidential pardon list announced by former President Donald Trump, dashing the music mogul’s hopes for early clemency.
On Friday afternoon, Trump revealed his newest round of clemency decisions, which notably omitted Diddy. Despite weeks of speculation and behind-the-scenes discussions, the former president chose not to grant a pardon to the artist, according to reports from CBS News.
Instead, Trump’s clemency focus was directed toward six individuals convicted of emissions violations, whom he claimed were unfairly targeted by the Biden administration for "fixing their car."
Leading up to the announcement, Trump had been privately considering Diddy’s case, meeting with advisers on Friday to finalize his decisions. While neither Diddy nor other prominent inmates seeking pardons were expected to be included, the ultimate choice rested with Trump himself.
The White House reiterated that "President Trump is the ultimate decider on any clemency related actions," leaving room for uncertainty until the official announcement. However, when Trump posted his list on Truth Social, Diddy’s name was absent, marking the second time the former president has declined his pardon request.
Earlier this year, in January, Trump disclosed that Diddy had sent him a handwritten letter appealing for clemency. After reading it, Trump decided against granting the pardon.
Although discussions reportedly continued privately, Trump ultimately proceeded without offering clemency to the music mogul. Diddy’s prison sentence is scheduled to conclude in February 2028, meaning he will serve the entirety of his term unless circumstances change.
Other notable figures who sought pardons were also left without relief. This includes Grammy-winning rapper Pras Michel of The Fugees, who is serving a 14-year sentence for foreign lobbying conspiracy linked to Malaysian financier Jho Low.
On Friday afternoon, Trump revealed his newest round of clemency decisions, which notably omitted Diddy. Despite weeks of speculation and behind-the-scenes discussions, the former president chose not to grant a pardon to the artist, according to reports from CBS News.
Instead, Trump’s clemency focus was directed toward six individuals convicted of emissions violations, whom he claimed were unfairly targeted by the Biden administration for "fixing their car."
Leading up to the announcement, Trump had been privately considering Diddy’s case, meeting with advisers on Friday to finalize his decisions. While neither Diddy nor other prominent inmates seeking pardons were expected to be included, the ultimate choice rested with Trump himself.
The White House reiterated that "President Trump is the ultimate decider on any clemency related actions," leaving room for uncertainty until the official announcement. However, when Trump posted his list on Truth Social, Diddy’s name was absent, marking the second time the former president has declined his pardon request.
Earlier this year, in January, Trump disclosed that Diddy had sent him a handwritten letter appealing for clemency. After reading it, Trump decided against granting the pardon.
Although discussions reportedly continued privately, Trump ultimately proceeded without offering clemency to the music mogul. Diddy’s prison sentence is scheduled to conclude in February 2028, meaning he will serve the entirety of his term unless circumstances change.
Other notable figures who sought pardons were also left without relief. This includes Grammy-winning rapper Pras Michel of The Fugees, who is serving a 14-year sentence for foreign lobbying conspiracy linked to Malaysian financier Jho Low.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Courtesy of P.O.Wm
Enjoy!
Taking someone's cart
It's not even that far of a walk to get a new one 😭
AND NOW Meet: Daddy Titus
It's Titus! 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 WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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