The Daily Buzz For Aug 4☕📰☕

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#FRAGRANCEFAB: SPIDER-MAN Star Zendaya for Prada’s Paradoxe Ad Campaign

Introducing Zendaya as the new Prada Beauty Global Ambassador, fronting Paradoxe. 


“I love how Paradoxe celebrates complexity, capturing both strength and vulnerability without trying to frame or define someone. For me, the fragrances we choose are a reflection of how we move through the world. 

Joining the brand feels like a completely natural extension of that mindset, especially since Paradoxe was already a personal favorite.” — Zendaya


#RHOA: Andy Asks Cynthia Bailey a Shocking Question in RHOA Season 17 Reunion Trailer: "Oh Lord"

The newly released sneak peek, which you can check out above, kicks off with host Andy Cohen and the RHOA cast — including Porsha Williams, Phaedra Parks, Drew Sidora, Shamea Morton Mwangi, Angela Oakley, Kelli Potter, Pinky Cole, K. Michelle, and friend Cynthia Bailey — turning the reunion stage into a rave. Though the ladies gamely agree to "drop it" when it comes to dancing, their lingering Season 17 conflicts are another story.

Upon joining the cast on the sofas, Cynthia requests an update on what she's missed so far, and, well, it's a lot. The party vibes continue as Andy playfully fills her in, "K. Michelle's a gay man. Drew's divorced. Phaedra and Porsha both dated Mike [Bless]," amid laughter from the group.

The mood shifts once they all get down to business, however. In one shocking moment, for example, the Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen host asks Cynthia, "At what point did you decide you didn't like Shamea?" Though you'll have to tune in to hear what she has to say, jaws hit the floor, while Phaedra, for one, cries out, "Oh Lord!" in response to Andy revealing the extent of Cynthia and Shamea's unexpected rift.

Cynthia is hardly the only cast member with whom Shamea has unfinished business, however. Elsewhere in the reunion trailer, Shamea also goes toe to toe with Angela over the latter being "so invested" in her personal life, before also taking on family-related drama with Porsha in another heated confrontation.

Meanwhile, Andy brings up who was behind the "plot and plan" K. Michelle talked about on Season 17, prompting Drew to enters the fray, claiming, "I know who it is." From there, the WWHL host vaguely mentions some "news" about Drew's "friend-friend" Blakk Tatted, to which K. Michelle interjects, "That's why I didn't want a part of it." Their ensuing argument ends with Drew pulling out a clapperboard and calling, "Cut!"

And they're hardly the only peach-holders with some things left to get off their chests. Among the several other RHOA reunion faceoffs viewers can expect to see are Porsha vs. Kelli, K. Michelle vs. Porsha, Kelli vs. Angela, and Phaedra vs. Pinky.

The Georgia peaches are back, as The Real Housewives of AtlantaSeason 17 is officially underway, with new episodes airing Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo and streaming the next day on Peacock.

The returning RHOA Season 17 cast members include Porsha Williams, Phaedra Parks, Drew Sidora, Shamea Morton Mwangi, Angela Oakley, and Kelli Ferrell, along with newcomers Pinky Cole and K. Michelle. The women are joined by friend Cynthia Bailey.

Things get spicy in the ATL, as Porsha juggles two potential new love interests. Viewers can also expect changes in friendships, major relationship news, tea spilling, and shade throwing.

#NewMusic from Ari Lennox “Hookah Baby”

Grammy-nominated R&B sensation Ari Lennox has officially returned to the airwaves with her brand-new single, “Hookah Baby.” Available now across all major digital streaming platforms, the track serves as a bold and infectious reminder of why Lennox remains one of the most distinct and celebrated voices in contemporary soul.Music & Audio

“Hookah Baby” perfectly encapsulates the smoky, late-night lounge atmosphere its title suggests. Built upon a foundation of warm, laid-back basslines, crisp percussion, and jazzy horn accents, the production creates an intoxicating groove that demands to be played on repeat.

Lennox’s signature buttery vocals glide effortlessly over the instrumental. Lyrically, she brings her trademark blend of witty storytelling, unapologetic sensuality, and relatable humor. The song paints a vivid picture of a casual romantic encounter, capturing the intoxicating, hazy energy of a carefree night out with a captivating love interest.

LISTEN HERE:

Since her breakout with the critically acclaimed debut album Shea Butter Baby and its hit follow-up age/sex/location, Lennox has consistently championed a sound that bridges the gap between classic 90s neo-soul and modern R&B. “Hookah Baby” continues this trajectory, showcasing her undeniable vocal agility and her knack for crafting melodies that feel instantly timeless yet refreshingly modern.

The release of “Hookah Baby” arrives as fans eagerly anticipate the next full-length  musical chapter from the Dreamville standout. While it remains unconfirmed if the single is a standalone release or the lead offering from an upcoming project, it firmly places Lennox back in the spotlight, dominating the R&B conversation as we head into the late summer months.

“Hookah Baby” is available to stream and download now on Spotify, Apple  Music, YouTube, and all other major digital platforms.Celebrities & Entertainment News.

#HipHopNews: Tupac Shakur Murder Trial Begins Next Month, Judge Allows Old Keefe D Police Interview as Evidence – Report

The Tupac Shakur murder trial is scheduled to begin next month, with the judge reportedly ruling yesterday that an old interview that suspect Duane "Keefe D" Davis gave to the police is admissible at trial.

Nearly 30 years after the rap icon's killing, the trial for the only person charged with the crime is slated ot being on Aug. 10, following multiple delays. During a pre-trial hearing on Tuesday (July 28), Las Vegas judge Carli Kierny made a ruling, allowing a 2008 police interview where Keefe D gave details about the murder to be used in court, The Associated Press reports. In the interview, Keefe D told police that suspected shooter Orlando Anderson "popped them," meaning shot Tupac and Suge Knight, in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 1996.

Keefe D's defense attorney argued that the interview was supposed to be confidential and Keefe D was told it could not be used against him. The prosecution successfully argued that the interview was no longer inadmissible, since Keefe D wrote the tell-all book, Compton Street Legend, and has spoken openly in multiple interviews about what happened on the night of Tupac's murder.

The book will also be allowed in the trial, despite Keefe D's attorney's objections that it is a fictionalized account to make a profit. He also argued that Keefe was simply "exercising his First Amendment right to free speech, even though it is not in good taste."

After being a cold case for over two decades, police arrested Keefe D in 2023, after be admitted in his book and multiple interviews to being present and providing the gun used in Tupac's shooting, which was allegedly retaliation for a fight Tupac and Death Row members were involved in at the MGM Grand shortly before he and Suge were shot in a drive-by near the Las Vegas Strip. The other three men in the suspect car, including alleged shooter Orlando Anderson, have died since the shooting and were never charged.

Keefe D is facing life in prison if found guilty.

BoxOfficeNews: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Weaved a web to n Astonishing $355 Million Debut, Second-Biggest Opening Weekend in Box Office History

Sony and Marvel‘s comic book adventure “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” obliterated box office expectations, collecting a jaw-dropping $355 million from 4,487 North American theaters. It’s the second-biggest debut in domestic box office history following 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” with $357 million, not adjusted for inflation. “Brand New Day” could end up eclipsing the all-time record if Monday’s final tally lands above estimates. No other films have ever come close to surpassing $300 million in a single weekend. The third-largest domestic opening belongs to 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home” with $260 million, followed by 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War” with $257 million. Yes, Marvel Studios now boasts the four largest openings of all time at the domestic box office.

“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” collected $573 million at the international box office, bringing the grand total to a staggering $927 million worldwide and underscoring Peter Parker’s broad, global appeal. It’ll rank as the second-biggest worldwide debut after “Endgame,” which captured a mind-blowing $1.2 billion in its first weekend of release. Sony spent around $225 million to produce “Brand New Day,” not including marketing costs. Destin Daniel Cretton (“Shang-Chi and the

“This is a truly phenomenal opening, and we are grateful to audiences everywhere for coming out and experiencing our film the way it was meant to be seen,” said Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, who produced the movie. “This debut reflects the enduring power of Marvel’s characters, and the connection they continue to have with fans around the world — and, as audiences saw, it sets up exciting things to come.”

Even with the craze surrounding “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” remained a draw with $51 million in its third frame. Together, they have fueled the biggest collective weekend in box office history with roughly $430 million across all films. The top weekend prior to this was, of course, “Avengers: Endgame” ($402 million collectively), followed by “Avengers: Infinity War” ($314 million collectively).

Few in Hollywood had expected another movie to near the initial box office heights of “Avengers: Endgame,” which was touted as the epic culmination of 22 interconnected films. A $300 million-plus start seemed especially unlikely, not just because the pandemic upended the industry a few months later, but also because after the history-making finale of “Endgame,” Marvel experienced its first-ever bout of superhero fatigue. Post-COVID sequels such as 2023’s “The Marvels” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and 2025’s “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts*” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” all disappointing at the box office. There were hits, like “No Way Home,” 2022’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and 2024’s “Deadpool & Wolverine,” but audiences were no longer showing up to theaters just because a new superhero adventure was gracing the big screen.

“Audiences are tired of seeing the same thing. There are too many connected storylines, and it’s turning entertainment into homework,” says analyst Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations. “We need a fresh start.”

That’s part of the appeal of “Brand New Day,” which confirms there’s truly no such thing as Spider-Man fatigue. This Spidey adventure was promoted as a reset in the web-slinging series. That’s after the prior installment, “No Way Home,” ended on a massive cliffhanger: Tom Holland‘s Peter Parker made the difficult decision to erase his identity from the world in order to save the multiverse, leaving his girlfriend (Zendaya) and best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon) to forget about him. Demand — to find out the ramifications of Spider-Man’s fateful choice, and to be among the first to find out who Sadie Sink was playing in the film — was so intense that some locations of major theater chains were scheduling showtimes every 15 minutes from dusk to dawn.

What’s more impressive about the debut is “Brand New Day” didn’t play in Imax, the most ubiquitous of the premium large formats, because “The Odyssey” has the network’s entire domestic footprint for three weekends. “Spider-Man 4” dominated the other PLFs, though, establishing new opening weekend records for Dolby ($10 million domestically), 4DX ($17 million globally) and ScreenX ($14.4 million globally).

“This weekend’s historic worldwide results remind me of what Clarence wrote to George Bailey in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’: ‘Remember, no man is a failure who has friends,'” Sony’s motion picture group chair Tom Rothman said in a statement. “‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ is fundamentally a movie about friendship, about the balm of connection in all our lives, and that is resonant to audiences of all ages and all around the world. In troubled times, Sony is very proud to have united the world in celebrating a film about hope.”

Holland’s run as Spider-Man is the rare series to keep improving upon the last at the box office. His first outing, 2017’s “Homecoming,” launched to $117 million domestically and ended its run with $880 million worldwide. Then 2019’s sequel “Far From Home” ignited to $92 million domestically but powered to $1.13 billion worldwide. And, of course, “No Way Home” was colossal with $1.9 billion worldwide. That film was especially huge because all three Spider-Men — Holland, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield — shared the screen in a crossover event for the ages. Holland’s future with the character is uncertain (he said recently that a succession plan is already in the works), but it’s hard to imagine the studio will want to part with the 30-year-old actor after this historic weekend. Meanwhile, Marvel will build on the success of “Brand New Day” with “Avengers: Doomsday,” which reunites a smattering of superheroes (and reintroduces Robert Downey Jr. not as Iron Man but as the villain Doctor Doom) in December.

Elsewhere, “The Odyssey” has surpassed $911 million at the box office, including $395.5 million domestically and $515 million overseas, after just three weekends in theaters. “The Odyssey” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” will imminently be the fourth and fifth releases of the year to surpass $1 billion, following June’s “Toy Story 5” ($1.02 billion) and April’s “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” ($1.001 billion) and “Michael” ($1.001 billion).

The staying power of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “The Odyssey” will determine whether this summer will become the second since COVID to cross the coveted $4 billion milestone. And with blockbusters like “Dune 3” and “Avengers: Doomsday” on the way, Hollywood is hoping that yearly grosses will hit $10 billion for the first time in the post-pandemic era. Revenues used to regularly eclipse the $10 billion mark before the great movie theater reset.

“This milestone weekend sets up a tremendous month of August,” says Rentrak’s head of marketplace trends, Paul Dergarabedian. “The likelihood of a $4 billion summer and a $10 billion year just went up exponentially.”

 

Howard University Reinstates 200+ Freshmen After Enrollment Crisis

Earlier this week, the Washington, D.C. university interim president, Wayne A. I. Frederick, MD took to social media to share encouraging words. The Trinidadian-American Howard alum, who is also a practicing cancer surgeon at Howard University Hospital, had an important update regarding the hundreds of perspective incoming freshmen who were disenrolled merely days before many were expected to arrive on campus for their first year at the storied HBCU. To the delight of many, approximately 200 students have reportedly had their fall 2026 status reinstated.

In a confident yet compassionate manner, Dr. Frederick explained that he understands the disappointment and uncertainty the disenrollment decision has caused. “Admission to Howard University represents the realization of a lifelong dream,” Frederick said adding that the school’s enrollment decisions impacted many first-time-in-college (FTIC) students and families. 

More of his clear, direct and seemingly heartfelt message is below.

Each year, Howard University, like all colleges and universities, establishes enrollment deadlines that enable us to prepare responsibly for the academic year. These deadlines allow us to finalize financial aid, housing assignments, course schedules, orientation, and the many academic and student support services that position students for success. As part of this process, we must also ensure students have satisfied academic, administrative, and financial requirements for enrollment.

From March through July, the University communicated these expectations through multiple channels, including financial aid notifications, personalized aid information, email reminders, instructional videos, Bison Prep programs and direct outreach. Students were also provided additional time beyond the original deadline to make the required good-faith tuition payment, enroll in an approved payment plan, or submit documentation of pending scholarships, veterans' educational benefits, or other anticipated financial resources.

These decisions were not intended to diminish students' aspirations or place institutional finances above opportunity. Rather, they reflect our responsibility to ensure that students begin their Howard experience with a documented and sustainable financial plan. Across higher education, students who enroll without a realistic plan to meet their educational expenses are significantly more likely to experience financial hardship, interrupt their studies, or leave college before earning a degree. We have a responsibility to help students persist, graduate, and thrive.

At the same time, we recognized that some students' individual circumstances warranted additional review. We have now completed a comprehensive evaluation of every unenrolled student. As a result, a significant number of students have had their enrollment restored after completing payments, verifying scholarships, student loans, veterans' educational benefits, and other financial aid, resolving billing issues, or providing documentation that supported reconsideration. Final notifications to all affected students are now being completed. 

For students whose enrollment cannot be restored this semester, we are actively exploring options to help them continue their educational journey, including opportunities for deferred enrollment at Howard in a future term.

This experience has reinforced the importance of continually strengthening how we serve students and families. While our enrollment expectations remain appropriate, we are committed to making this experience better for future students and families.

This year, Howard University received more than 36,000 applications for the fall 2026 academic year, reflecting the growing demand for a Howard education. Of those applicants, more than 2,200 students successfully completed all enrollment requirements to secure their place in the entering class. Enforcing established enrollment processes and deadlines is essential not only to responsibly managing an incoming class of this size, but also to ensuring that every enrolled student has access to the academic, financial, residential, and student support resources necessary to thrive. 

Amid this ordeal, some other colleges and universities have extended invitations to assist the disenrolled Howard students. The nearby, smaller HBCU, University of the District of Columbia is one such school. Maryland governor Wes Moore announced yesterday that the University System of Maryland will attempt to help those impacted. Even colleges and universities in the City University of New York (CUNY) and State University of New York (SUNY) systems beyond the DMV-area have offered to support said students as well.

#WEDDINGBELLS: Donovan Mitchell and Coco Jones Got Married in Greenwich ceremony

Donovan Mitchell and Coco Jones are now married.

The Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star and the Grammy Award-winning singer tied the knot in a ceremony in Greenwich, Connecticut, on Saturday. The two shared their first dance to Musiq Soulchild's 2000 hit song "Love," as seen in a video posted by sports agent Troy Payne on Instagram.

The wedding was attended by a strong cast of notable athletes and names, including Mitchell's Cavaliers teammates, Bam Adebayo and Josh Hart, as well as Russell Wilson and Ciara. Jalen Brunson and Jaylen Brown were both in attendance as well, with Brown capturing Brunson on the dance floor in a clip that went viral on social media.

Mitchell and Jones announced their engagement in July 2025. Rumors of their relationship had begun to swirl in September 2024, when they were spotted holding hands at an Usher concert in Las Vegas.

Mitchell is coming off a season in which he made the All-NBA second team and led the Cavaliers to a 52-30 record and an appearance in the Eastern Conference finals, where they lost to the New York Knicks. Jones' last album, "Why Not More?" was nominated for best R&B album at the 68th annual Grammy Awards.

Ariana Grande to take 'step back from visibility' due to 'endless' public scrutiny

Ariana Grande has announced she will step back from public-facing engagements after finishing her current tour, citing concerns about "endless, ongoing public scrutiny". There has been renewed public commentary surrounding Grande’s physical appearance following the release of her new album.

American singer-songwriter and Oscar-nominated actress Ariana Grande will “take a step back from visibility” after her ‘Eternal Sunshine’ tour, and has withdrawn from her planned West End debut.

Grande, 33, is wrapping up the North American leg of her tour and will begin a 10-date residency at London’s O2 Arena later this month. Her representative has confirmed that she will take a break from public appearances after these shows, which end on 1 September.

“Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the ‘Eternal Sunshine’ tour,” the rep told People. “She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”

People also quoted a source close to Grande, who emphasised that she was in good health. “She performs a very physical show, and there is a lot of athleticism involved,” they said. “She performs healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night."

The decision to take a break comes after renewed public commentary surrounding Grande’s body and appearance - commentary which intensified online after she recently released the video for ‘Petal’ (see above), the title track from her new album which was released last Friday (31 July).

Grande has previously spoken out about having people comment on her physical appearance and health, and has also been open about her mental health following the Manchester Arena attack at her concert in May 2017 when a suicide bomber killed 22 people.

Ariana Grande concludes the US leg of her tour on 6 August and heads to her London residency at the O2 Arena on 15 August. The sold out shows conclude on 1 September.

Nicki Minaj Launches $10 X Subscription & Fans Have Questions

Nicki Minaj is betting on the Barbz once again! Are they still there for here financially? The internet is already split over this latest exploit by the one known now as MAGA Minaj.

She has officially launched a paid subscription on X, giving fans access to exclusive content for $10 per month. Nicki’s move is drawing extra attention because she has never done this with her massive following.

“I finally did it,” Nicki wrote to her 26.6 million followers while introducing the new feature. She described the subscription as a place where fans could laugh, debate, vent and simply enjoy each other’s company away from the rest of us heathens.

The package she offers includes exclusive posts, subscriber-only X Spaces and a special badge that appears next to subscribers’ names whenever they interact with Nicki. The Barbz are gonna love that! For years, many of these people have competed for Nicki’s attention, and now she can milk this $10 at a time.

The early numbers suggest plenty of fans are willing to put their money where their tweets are. So far there are like 1,100 paying members. At $10 per month, that works out to about $11,000 in monthly recurring revenue, or approximately $132,000 annually. I need to find a way to make this happen for me.

Under X’s Creator Subscriptions program, creators keep up to 97 percent of subscription revenue! That is before reaching $50,000 in lifetime earnings! Not bad…even with Apple Google and payment processing taking a piece. After that, it comes down to 90 percent. Not a bad take. Almost like highway robbery with the prices of nearly everything going way up.

Not everyone is reaching for their wallets.

Some people clapped for Nicki for finding yet another way to get money from her dedicated fanbase. Does anything Nicki do warrant a $10 monthly fee?

I’m putting gas in my car and $10 gets actually gets me here and there.

Madonna & Kylie Minogue Debut Long-Awaited Collaboration at Surprise WorldPride 2026 Performance: ‘Are We in Gay Heaven?’

Madonna and Kylie Minogue are finally uniting on a song after decades of demand from fans.

The “I Feel So Free” and “Love at First Sight” pop icons surprised the crowd with a live debut of a new remix of Madonna‘s “Love Sensation” featuring Kylie at WorldPride 2026 on Saturday night (August 1) in Amsterdam. Madonna and Kylie Minogue together at WorldPride in Amsterdam 202646

Madonna launched her latest official “Club Confessions” party at the LGBTQ+ Pride party following stops in West Hollywood, London, Paris and New York City, taking to the stage alongside longtime collaborator Stuart Price and Honey Dijon, as well as RuPaul’s Drag Race fan-favorites Symone and Gigi Goode, who hyped up the crowd.

The Queen of Pop danced along and performed selections from her No. 1 new album Confessions II including “I Feel So Free,” “Bring Your Love,” “Danceteria” and “One Step Away” before launching into “Love Sensation” and announcing Kylie to the stage.

The two got up on the DJ booth and performed their new remix of the track together, as Madonna declared to the roaring crowd: “Are we in gay heaven?”

Madonna and Kylie Minogue together at WorldPride in Amsterdam 202646

They happily hugged and embraced afterward, as Madonna then launched into “Sorry” alongside Kylie, performing the Confessions on a Dance Floor song properly live for the first time since 2006, as well as the global smash “Hung Up.”

Following the surprise appearance, Kylie posted a video showcasing her spinning around backstage in Confessions II-era style purple and silver ensemble, as well as footage from the historic meet-up onstage. Watch above!

Madonna also shared the first snippet of the “Love Sensation” Afterhours Mix featuring Kylie.

‘Hadestown’ Producers Confirm Geno Segers’ Departure From Broadway Production Amid

Geno Segers will no longer be joining the cast of Broadway’s Hadestown after his alleged past social media posts have come to light.

Known for his work on TV shows including Pair of Kings, Knight Squad, and Henry Danger, the 49-year-old actor was supposed to make his Broadway debut in the production as Hades. Other cast members were also confirmed for the September 1 start date for the New York City production.

The producers of Hadestown confirmed that Geno Segers will no longer be playing the role

In a statement to Just Jared, the producers released the following: “The producers of Hadestown and Geno Segers have mutually agreed that Mr. Segers will no longer join the Broadway production. Additional casting will be announced shortly.”

What social media activity was unearthed? OnStageBlog says that there were anti-transgender posts unearthed on his social media.

Some videos allegedly had text that read, “TRANS FAIRNESS?” and “NO MORE TRANS?”

The outlet also reported allegations that Segers had criticized pronoun usage and expressed opposition to trans women participating in women’s sports.

Segers has not publicly commented on the reported social media activity or the decision for him to no longer join the Broadway production of Hadestown.

Mahershala Ali Calls Out Marvel For Canceling ‘Blade’: “If They Wanted to Do It, We Would’ve Done It”

After years of delays, rewrites, director changes, and release-date shuffling, it appears Marvel Studios’ long-troubled “Blade” reboot is officially dead.

Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali, who was supposed to play the titular character, has broken his silence on the project’s collapse, and apparently — the decision wasn’t his (via GQ).

You had me under contract, they have billions of dollars. If they wanted to do the movie, we would’ve done the movie… I feel ready to move on from the Blade questions. Those questions are for them.

This is what I would call Ali throwing shade at Marvel and Kevin Feige. There’s no way around it.

Marvel Studios unveiled Ali as the new Blade at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, and many believed it was perfect casting. However, what followed became one of the MCU’s most infamous development stories.

The film cycled through multiple writers (at least six) and directors (at least three), reportedly underwent numerous rewrites, lost release dates, and was eventually removed from Marvel’s schedule altogether.

Throughout the process, rumors suggested the studio struggled to find the right creative direction for the vampire hunter while also trying to fit him into the MCU’s increasingly interconnected storyline.

Ali’s comments suggest the delays weren’t because of scheduling conflicts or creative indecision on his part. Instead, he places the responsibility squarely on Marvel, which most likely overcomplicated what should have been one of its simplest and most efficient projects. What a massive missed opportunity.

The studio overcomplicated what could have been a simple, standalone vampire action movie starring Ali instead of worrying so much about fitting it into the larger MCU.

Wesley Snipes’ return as Blade in “Deadpool & Wolverine” has also made his “there’s only one Blade” joke even funnier in hindsight. With Ali’s version seemingly dead, that line now feels unintentionally prophetic.

John Legend to play Harry Belafonte in apartheid-era drama

The Road Home centers on Hugh Masekela and explores how African music drew international attention to the fight against apartheid.

The Bill Condon-directed film also stars Cynthia Erivo, Guy Pearce, Johnny Flynn, and Thabo Rametsi, with production underway in South Africa.

John Legend previously described Harry Belafonte as a friend and mentor, reflecting on how he showed artists how they can engage in social justice work.

On Thursday (July 30), Deadline revealed that John Legend will portray Harry Belafonte in The Road Home, an upcoming musical drama centered on South African jazz giant and anti-apartheid activist Hugh Masekela.

The "All of Me" artist joins a cast led by South African actor Thabo Rametsi as Masekela. Cynthia Erivo will portray singer and activist Miriam Makeba, while Guy Pearce and Johnny Flynn were tapped to play Archbishop Trevor Huddleston and Paul Simon, respectively. Production is currently underway in South Africa.

Directed by Bill Condon from a script written by Michael Bronner, the film will explore Masekela’s belief that African music could bring international attention to the fight against apartheid. The story also examines the controversy surrounding Simon’s Graceland, which featured South African musicians despite a United Nations-backed cultural boycott of the country’s apartheid government.

Legend shared that accepting the role carries personal significance because of the relationship he developed with Belafonte before the legendary performer’s death in 2023.

“I was honored to know Mr. Belafonte as my friend, mentor, and collaborator in the struggle for justice,” Legend said. He added that Belafonte established a standard for artists who use their platforms to confront social and political issues.

Belafonte became a prominent supporter of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and ’60s, working closely with Martin Luther King Jr., organizing demonstrations, and providing financial support for movement activities. His activism later extended to international causes, including opposition to apartheid and advocacy concerning humanitarian issues across Africa.

How Harry Belafonte’s activism helped inspire John Legend

Legend previously named Belafonte among the artists who shaped his understanding of how entertainers could participate in movements for social change. During a 2024 appearance at Georgetown University, he cited Belafonte and Nina Simone as role models who used their music, money, and public platforms to support protesters and organizers.

Legend’s acting credits include "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert," while his song “Glory” from Selma, recorded with Common, earned him an Academy Award. He became the first Black man — and the youngest person — to achieve EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) status in 2018.

Studiocanal is financing The Road Home and will distribute the film across several international markets. A release date wasn't given at the time of the announcement.

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES

Courtesy of P.O.Wm

Interesting choice for a day out with the kids 🤔

Didn’t understand until I read the shirt. 🤦

 

AND NOW Meet: Simon

Meet Simon! You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember to exercise CAUTION at work!

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.

Enjoy!

HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!

EFREM

The Daily Buzz For Mar 16 ☕📰☕

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#MAGFAB: Gigi Hadid Covers Vogue Netherlands March 2023 Lensed by Linda Gumus Gerritsen

Supermodel/talent Gigi Hadid has four covers in the March 2023 issue of Vogue Netherlands. Linda Gumus Gerritsen styles Hadid in images by Gigi’s close friend Alana O’Herlihy [IG]./ Hair by Panos Papandrianos; makeup by Carolina Gonzalez

Cute!

 

 

#RHOA: Awwww, Cynthia Bailey’s Sweet Message for Leon Robinson: “Love You for Life”

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip and RHOA alum had nothing but love for her ex on his special day.

Cynthia Bailey never misses the chance to celebrate Pisces Szn — or her favorite Pisces people. The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip and The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum posted the sweetest messages for her ex Leon Robinson on his March 8 birthday.

In an Instagram post, Cynthia shared a throwback photo of herself and Leon, arm in arm and smiling wide. (And, it goes without saying, looking gorgeous.) “Happy birthday to my [Pisces] brother, my friend [and] amazing father to our daughter [Noelle Robinson],” Cynthia wrote to Leon.

Her caption continued: “May God continue to move your steps towards love, peace [and] greatness. Thank you for all the years of good times [and] unforgettable memories! And most of all thank you for our one [and] only [Noelle] we love you for life! Hope you are enjoying your special day.”

In another post, Cynthia tagged the birthday boy in a video that showed him singing “My Girl” in the 1998 miniseries The Temptations. Press play on the post to do a little birthday dance with Leon. (Plus, you’ll see how suave he looks in a purple suit with a ruffled shirt.) 

Noelle was feeling celebratory too. In her Instagram Stories, the 23-year-old shared a cute father-daughter snap.

“Happy birthday to my amazing dad,” she wrote. “I love you so much and I can’t wait to celebrate with you soon.”

When Cynthia celebrated her birthday in February, Leon was at the frontlines of the birthday love brigade. The actor’s February 19 post featured a throwback snap of the former couple, who appeared to be posing together at an event. Cynthia looked gorgeous as always, with short hair, gold hoop earrings, and her signature radiant smile. Meanwhile, Leon was ultra spiffy in a crisp white shirt with the top buttons left undone.

“We’ve been [friends] for a lot of [birthdays] [Cynthia Bailey],” Leon captioned the post. “I’m happy to be wishing you another Happy, Healthy & Blessed Birthday‼️ Cause you deserve that and more.”

Cynthia and Leon aren’t just there for each other during Pisces season. The two co-parent peacefully 365 days a year— and their daughter can testify to that.

Back in April, Noelle posted a video tribute to her mom and dad. She captioned her April 12 post, “Co-parenting at its finest. Love you guys too much,” to which Cynthia replied in the comments, “I love [you]!!!!”

Nice!

 

 

#MusicNews: Keyshia Cole Set to Executive Produce and Play Herself in Upcoming Biopic

R&B star Keyshia Cole is set to executive produce and make her acting debut, playing herself, in a new biopic.

Keyshia Cole: This is My Story will follow Keyshia through her early days in Oakland honing her musical talents to her rise to a multi-platinum selling recording artist and television personality, to her complicated yet warmhearted relationship with her mother Frankie Lons.

 

The biopic is set to air on Saturday, June 24th on Lifetime. Keyshia Cole: This is My Story is directed by D’Angela Proctor and Manu Boyer and features a new song she recorded titled “Forever is a Thing”.

 

Ron Fair, Keyshia Cole’s long-standing A&R and music collaborator supervised the music and Grammy Award winner Warryn Campbell composed the original score. Cole adds:

 

“This is a story of a daughter’s love for her mother and although my heart remains broken from her untimely passing I am honored to be sharing it with the world. Playing the role of myself was a unique opportunity to re-live special moments in my life that also gave me the chance to process her loss in ways I did not expect. I miss her every day and even though she is not here, her presence was felt throughout this film. Mom, I love you.”

 

Keyshia Cole: This is My Story is a story of childhood trauma, tragedy, complexity of love and overcoming obstacles to become the best version of oneself. The movie is dedicated in honor and memory of Frankie.

 

 

#HipHopNews: Lil Uzi Vert Reveals He Made His New Album While Sober, Says It Was Challenging

Lil Uzi Vert was drug-free when he made his upcoming album The Pink Tape.

On Tuesday (March 14), TMZ caught up with Uzi and his crew in Beverly Hills, Calif. and asked the Philadelphia rapper about Don Cannon recently revealing Uzi created nearly 700 songs for his new album while Uzi was in the midst of his newfound sobriety.

 

"It was challenging at first. But then after probably after a month, I got used to it," Lil Uzi Vert said of creating his new album sober. "I thought that my creative process wasn't going to be the same because I wasn't on drugs no more. It was the same. Even better. Because I could think more clear and I could actually, like, instead of my words slurring, which is kinda of cool, everything made sense. I didn't just make random music. How can I say? I didn't play off the beat. I actually made song with topics this time."

 

Lil Uzi Vert said he would advise all of his peers to go the drug-free route.

 

"It's the best thing to do," the "Just Wanna Rock" rapper added. "It will change your life. And you'll look better."

 

Back in February, Lil Uzi Vert's label co-owner Don Cannon talked about Uzi's proficiency while making the new album during an interview on Math Hoffa's My Expert Opinion podcast.

 

"Sober, high, when he used to get high and now he sober doing ’em," said Don Cannon. "Ain’t nothing changed so he one of them guys. And it’s different because we’re getting all kinds of songs out of him. Might get a rock song, a real rap song, because he really rap.  Might get the melodic shit that he do. That's a fun thing."

 

Lil Uzi Vert has been teasing his new album for a while now. Yesterday, he said the project would be coming in a couple months.

#RIP: Smooth Jazz and Smooth R&B Singer Bobby Caldwell, “What You Won’t Do for Love” Singer, Dead at 71

Bobby Caldwell, the blue-eyed soul singer best known for his hit single “What You Won’t Do for Love,” has died at the age of 71.

Caldwell’s wife, Mary, confirmed the singer’s death on social media on Wednesday, March 15th. TMZ reports that he had been battling an unspecified illness for several years.

As a teenager, Caldwell moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He briefly played rhythm guitar for Little Richard, but it took six years for him to catch his big break and land a recording deal with TK Records. “What You Won’t Do for Love,” appeared on his 1978 self-titled debut album, and hit the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the ensuing years, the song would be sampled by a number of hip-hop and R&B artists, including Tupac on “Do for Love.”

As TK Records mainly released records by Black artists, the label initially sought conceal that Caldwell was white by using a silhouette on the cover of his debut album. “But that was quickly laid to rest when I had my first tour which was opening for Natalie Cole… She was playing large venues, 4,500-plus. And ‘What You Won’t Do For Love’ was, at that point, working its way up, so I was very surprised at seeing nothing but black in the audience. And certainly they were probably more surprised than I was,” Caldwell recalled in a 2005 interview with NPR.

“I walked out on stage and you could hear a pin drop, just a total hush came over the crowd,” he separately told Red Bull Music Academy. “It was like, ‘What the fuck is this!?’ I stayed and delivered, after about ten minutes, I had them in my pocket. That was the night I became a man, I’ll tell ya.”

Caldwell released several more albums throughout the 1980s, including Cat in the Hat and Carry On. “Open Your Eyes,” from Cat in the Hat, was later sampled by J Dilla on Common’s “The Light,” and covered by John Legend.

Caldwell also penned the chart-topping song sung by “The Next Time I Fall” for Peter Cetera and Amy Grant. Additionally, he wrote music on behalf of Neil Diamond, Roy Ayers, Roberta Flack, and Natalie Cole.

Later in his career, Caldwell’s interest shifted to recording big band arrangements of Frank Sinatra and other music from the Great American Songbook. He also portrayed Sinatra in the Las Vegas musical The Rat Pack is Back.

 

#FASHIONNEWS: Famed Fashion Stylist Law Roach has announced he’s RETIRING!

Imagine Beyoncé retiring right after Homecoming or LeBron James after he won MVP. That is the equivalent of Law Roach, celebrity stylist to Zendaya, Megan Thee Stallion, Celine Dion, and more, announcing his retirement today on Instagram. This past Sunday, he dressed Hunter Schafer in an Ann Demeulemeester two-piece, as well as Megan Thee Stallion for the Vanity Fair party. And just last month, he dressed Zendaya in not one, but four, incredible gowns.

 

“You win … I’m out,” he wrote in an Instagram caption on a post of a stamped graphic of one word: retired. “The politics, the lies and false narratives finally got me.” (Law did not respond for comment.)

Law Roach, who proclaimed himself the “image architect,” developed a red-carpet style that was unparalleled in the industry, often pulling from archival references and vintage pieces like a two-piece Prada set from its spring 1993 collection that Zendaya recently wore. He got his start working in Chicago at Deliciously Vintage boutique when Kanye West walked in. He appeared as a judge on America’s Next Top Model from 2016 to 2018. But his most famous work was done with Zendaya, whom he met in 2011 when she was 14 years old. A client of his from his vintage store was good friends with Zendaya’s dad and told him that she was going to Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never premiere and didn’t have anything to wear. They worked together for that event and for years since; he even worked as costume designer for the film Malcolm & Marie, which she starred in.

For the SAG Awards, Zendaya was a walking rose — literally. The actress wore a custom pink Valentino bustier gown covered in silk roses — 190 of them, to be exact. Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Of course, the rumors started: Some feel like the news came out of nowhere, and others find it odd that Roach is announcing this following a video that surfaced of him and Zendaya at Louis Vuitton’s Paris Fashion Week show last week. So was it because he was asked to sit second-row at a recent show? Probably not. Was it because Zendaya now has a contract with Louis Vuitton? Maybe. We will have to find out.

 

Fans and friends in the fashion industry jumped to his defense in the post’s comments: “Stop it,” wrote Samira Nasr, editor-in-chief at Harper’s Bazaar. “You will always have a home at British Vogue,” wrote Edward Enninful, that magazine’s editor-in-chief. “Absolutely not,” wrote Christian Siriano. “We all come and go on our OWN terms,” wrote Niecy Nash. “Law I won’t let you !!!! We don’t quit … strived too hard,” wrote Naomi Campbell.

 

The post did start a discussion about mental health in an industry that is notoriously racist and entitled. Photographer Nico Kartel wrote, “Hopefully law roach’s instagram post creates healthy dialogue around fashion and how nasty that industry is.” NeNe Leakes commented, “Mental health is first.”

 

Law Roach has always been vocal about the politics of the fashion industry and the respect that he expects. In a recently resurfaced interview, he said, “You can’t talk to me any kind of way and you can’t treat me any kind of way. I’m commanding a certain kind of respect and if you’re not giving me that, we’re going to have a problem. I’m not afraid of this industry because I’m Black, I’m from the hood, I can always go back. I can always make money, I can always be successful.” He continued, saying, “I’ll walk away from all that shit because I’m just a natural-born hustler.” Could this be him taking his final bow and walking away? Unfortunately, social media isn’t taking the news lightly.

 

 

Lil Nas X Apologizes To Trans Community For Joke That He Transitioned

Lil Nas X is regretting a joke that went too far. Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, the “Industry Baby” rapper apologized to the trans community after he was accused of mocking transitioning in a since-deleted tweet.

“apologies to the trans community i def handled that situation with anger instead of considering why it was not cool,” he wrote. “much love to you guys. sorry.”

 

Prior to that, he posted a photo of influencer Glow Princess, while joking that he had undergone gender-affirming surgery.

“The surgery was a success,” he captioned it.

But some of his followers didn’t find it funny at all and called him out for being insensitive to the trans community.

 “I’m literally just saying she looks like me y’all cannot be f***in serious,” he fired back.

Another fan questioned why he “had to mention surgery,” to which he replied, “because she has titties? are u dense?”

 

Despite his efforts to make amends, he still received backlash, including from one fan who called his apology “fake as hell.”

“You need to apologize to the trans community in material ways that include money, sharing your platform to raise an awareness and just keep it!” the person tweeted, prompting Nas to clap back: “girl eat my ass.”

 

Nas has been in the studio working on the follow-up to his 2021 debut Montero, which he said would arrive this summer.

 “it’s mostly planning now,” he said. “i could easily just release music but i have to build moments around this shit. i have to go bigger than before!”

 

 

Jennifer Hudson Celebrates Common’s Birthday Amid Romance Rumors: ‘One of the Brightest Lights’

Jennifer Hudson took to social media on Tuesday (March 14) to wished Common a happy birthday amid chatter the pair may have sparked a romance.

 “Team Jhud pls help me wish one of the brightest lights, a Chicago and hip hop legend, the one and only @common a very happy birthday on today!” the Jennifer Hudson Show host captioned a March 13 Instagram post alongside a smiling photo of herself and rapper.

 

Fans were quick to speculate about the pair’s prospective relationship status in the comments. “Is that a ‘Soft Launch Insta Offical,'” one wrote using a trio of winking emojis, while another questioned, “Is this confirmation or naw[?]”

 

“Oh so he BEEN in the picture huh,” a fan page speculated. A separate follower commented, “I don’t know but I heard on TMZ that Common is your new bew.” (Back in late February, the gossip site reported that Hudson and Common were spotted going out on a dinner date at Malibu hot spot Nobu.)

 

Common, who the American Idol alum tagged, shared her post in his Instagram Stories. “Thank You!” he wrote.

On her eponymous talk show, which has been renewed for a second season by Warner Bros. Discovery, Hudson has recently welcomed both DJ Khaled and Paula Abdul. The We the Best producer dished on picking the title for his most recent album God Did after receiving a particularly disappointing phone call, and the original American Idol judge looked back on Hudson’s controversial elimination from the reality juggernaut in seventh place back in Season 3.

 

For his part, Common most recently made his Broadway debut at the end of 2022 in Between Riverside and Crazy at Second Stage Theater.

 

 

Michael Irvin releases footage of hotel encounter at center of $100 million lawsuit against Marriott

After a month of legal maneuvering, former Dallas Cowboys star and Hall of Famer Michael Irvin showed reporters the hotel surveillance video at the center of of his $100 million lawsuit against Marriott on Tuesday.

 

The video, which Marriott fought to prevent from being seen by the public, shows the encounter that led to Irvin being pulled from his job at NFL Network during the week before Super Bowl LVII, due to misconduct allegations from a female employee of the Marriott-owned Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel.

Irvin and his attorney, Levi McCathern, displayed the video during a news conference, hours after it was reported they were dropping the lawsuit against Marriott, initially filed in Texas, in order to refile it in Arizona.

 

In the video, which contains no sound, Irvin can be seen walking up to the employee and shaking her hand. Over the next couple of minutes, Irvin can be seen touching the employee's arm twice, the employee taking a couple steps back from him, the two shaking hands and then Irvin looking in her direction as she slowly walks away.

 

Irvin, whose legal team has claimed the video will exonerate him, has denied all wrongdoing and alleged in his lawsuit that Marriott tried to "cancel" him, comparing the treatment to a lynching in a previous news conference. He is seeking damages for defamation and wrongfully interfering with a business relationship.

 

The refiled lawsuit also now features six defendants: Marriott International, the Renaissance Hotel Operating Company, his accuser and three other hotel employees, per Awful Announcing.

You can compare the video to how Marriott described its employee's allegations in a motion filed last week, via USA Today:

 

On the night in question, Marriott says that Irvin flagged down the accuser and "appeared to be visibly intoxicated" and began his aggressive behavior toward the employee, shaking her hand, stating she was attractive, and asking her if she watched football.

 

“Irvin also reached out and touched the Victim’s arm during this conversation without her consent, causing her to step back, becoming visibly uncomfortable. Irvin then asked the Victim whether she knew anything about having a “big Black man inside of [her]," the lawsuit says.

 

“Irvin then attempted to grab the Victim’s hand again and said he was ‘sorry if he brought up bad memories’ for her.’ The Victim pulled her hand away and tried to back away from Irvin as he continued to move towards her.”

 

In his own account of the incident shortly after it was reported, Irvin said he was unable to recall the full conversation because he had been drinking and insisted his only physical contact with the woman was a handshake, per the Dallas Morning News:

 

“Honestly, I’m a bit baffled with it all,” Irvin said. “This all happened in a 45-second conversation in the lobby. When I got back after going out … I came into the lobby, and I talked to somebody. I talked to this girl. I don’t know her, and I talked to her for about 45 seconds.

 

“We shook hands. Then, I left. … That’s all I know.”

“I don’t really recall that conversation, to tell you the truth,” Irvin said. “We were out drinking. It was just a friendly conversation. ‘What’s up?’ I don’t even know. … I am totally perplexed.”

 

During his news conference Tuesday, Irvin recalled he spoke with the woman about the sports shows he is on.

This is all part of a legal fight still only in its nascent stages. Irvin's team claimed a victory by getting the video released, but there is always a high standard to clear in a defamation suit involving a famous person.

 

 

Former College Basketball Star Juan Dixon Fired From Head Coaching Job at Coppin State

Juan Dixon's coaching reign at Coppin State is reportedly ending after six seasons.

Per Stadium's Jeff Goodman, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) program is parting ways with the former Maryland star. The Eagles went 9-23 in a season that included a nine-game losing streak.

A former consensus All-American, Dixon led Maryland to a national championship in 2002. The NCAA tournament's Most Outstanding Player averaged 20.4 points per game during the season.

 

Dixon went on to play seven seasons with four NBA teams after the Washington Wizards made him a first-round pick. He averaged 8.4 points per game, mostly off the bench.

Coppin State ended the 2021-22 regular season with just seven wins, but the Eagles improbably made the MEAC title game with upsets over Howard and North Carolina Central. Their run ended with a loss to Norfolk State.

 

The program went 51-131 under Dixon, but Coppin State won the 2020-21 MEAC regular-season title with an 8-4 conference record.

 

 

President Biden signs executive order to strengthen gun background checks

President Joe Biden took a step toward minimizing gun violence in America. According to AP News, he signed an executive order to ramp up the number of background checks being processed to purchase guns in an effort to raise awareness for better firearm storage. The news may come as a relief to millions of Americans who have witnessed and watched countless shootings take place nationwide for years, some allegedly because of the individual’s access to weapons. One of the country’s latest tragedies occurred in January when a gunman fatally shot 11 people and wounded nine more during a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park, California.

 

During his speech to Congress, President Biden spoke about Brandon Tsay, the 26-year-old who wrestled the semi-automatic pistol away from the gunman. “He saved lives. It’s time we do the same as well,” President Biden said. “Ban assault weapons once and for all.”

 

“Too many lives have been taken by gun violence,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday (March 13). “But [Biden] believes we need to do more. You’ll hear him call on Congress to take action and not to stop … that we need to continue.” The order won’t alter the bipartisan legislation passed by Congress in the summer of 2022, which included “banning all those convicted of domestic abuse from owning a gun.” Instead, President Biden seeks for it to “direct federal agencies to ensure compliance with existing laws and procedures,” the outlet noted. It will also enable the Cabinet to devise a plan for the government to aid communities dealing with gun violence.

 

“President Biden’s executive order today is a home run for public safety,” John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, said. “This is the latest example of President Biden’s leadership on gun safety, and we’re proud to stand with him as he takes robust action to help close the gun-seller loophole — which will significantly expand background checks on gun sales, keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous people and save lives.”

 

 

Donald Glover & Longtime Love Michelle White Make Rare Red Carpet Appearance at 'Swarm' Premiere

Donald Glover and Michelle White are making a rare public appearance together!

The longtime couple stepped out for the premiere of his new Prime Video series Swarm on Tuesday (March 14) held at Lighthouse Artspace LA in Los Angeles.

 

Donald created the show with Janine Nabers and he also directed the pilot episode. Malia Obama serves as one of the show’s writers!

 

Cast members in attendance included Chloe Bailey, Damson Idris, and Dominique Fishback.

 

 

Diplo Gets Candid About His Sexuality & Intimate Experiences With Men

Diplo is Emily Ratajkowski’s most recent guest on her High Low podcast, and the duo delved into an open discussion about sexuality and the DJ’s hesitation to put a label on himself.

 “I’m sure I’ve gotten a blowjob from a guy before. For sure,” the producer told the model. “I don’t know if it’s gay unless you like make eye contact while there’s the blowjob happening.”

He added, “Getting a blowjob’s not that gay, I think.”

 

Ratajkowski went on to mention an off-air conversation they had, before Diplo officially set the record straight on his sexuality. “I think the best answer I have is I’m not not gay,” the 44-year-old musician explained, adding that he is attracted to “vibe” more than a specific gender. “There are a couple guys… I could date, life partner-wise.”

 

Listen to the full podcast conversation here.

Throughout his career, Diplo has been romantically linked primarily to women, including Katy Perry, whom he dated briefly in 2014. In 2020, the DJ also went on a PDA-filled vacation with model and fellow producer Chantel Jeffries, though the two never made any public claims about their relationship.

 

Diplo also has three children. He shares sons — 13-year-old Lockett and nine-year-old Lazer — with his ex Kathryn Lockhart and also announced that he welcomed a baby boy named Pace in 2020 with former Miss Universe pageant contestant Jevon King.

 

 

Lindsay Lohan Announces She’s Pregnant With Her First Child: ‘We Are Blessed And Excited’

Lindsay Lohan is pregnant! The actress, who married her financier husband Bader Shammas last year, made the announcement on Instagram on Tuesday morning, sharing a photo of a baby onesie with the text “coming soon” written across the midsection. “We are blessed and excited,” she captioned the post. Lohan gave a follow-up statement to TMZ, saying, “We are very excited for our new family member to arrive and we are looking forward to this next chapter of our lives!”

 

News of the “Mean Girls” star’s pregnancy comes just two months after she was photographed at a fashion show in New York noticeably sporting loose clothing, which fans are now speculating may have been down to Lohan trying to hide a possible baby bump. According to Pregnancy Birth Baby, doctors usually suggest women wait until the end of their first trimester (12 weeks) before sharing the news with family and friends in case of any complications including risks of miscarriage during this period.

 

Back in 2016, the 36-year-old said she felt ready to start a family and possibly welcome kids of her own as she embarked on a career comeback following a lengthy hiatus from Hollywood. When she was later asked by Vanity Fair where she would see herself in the next 10 years, Lohan acknowledged that she wanted to make more movies, start her own charity, and spend more time working with children. “Maybe having some of my own soon – after I get some movies done first,” she shared.

 

Two years later, Lohan reiterated those comments, saying that while she was still hopeful to experience motherhood, she wouldn’t be opposed to adopting if that was something set out in the cards for her. Lohan and Shammas quietly tied the knot over the summer of 2022 after becoming engaged in November 2021.

 

Their wedding was kept a secret from the public, and it’s still unclear on what day the couple actually tied the knot. But in a post shared to Instagram in July of last year, the soon-to-be mother of one shared that she was now Mrs. Shammers after the secret nuptials. “I am the luckiest woman in the world,” she penned. “Not because I need a man, but because he found me and knew that I wanted to find happiness and grace, all at the same time. I am stunned that this is my husband. My life and my everything. Every woman should feel like this every day.”

 

Elsewhere, Lohan is recently said to have entered negotiations to reprise star in a second installment of 2004’s “Mean Girls,” alongside her co-star Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, and Amanda Seyfried.

 

But talks of the project came to an abrupt halt after Paramount Pictures allegedly made the cast a “disrespectful” offer, per Page Six, who claims McAdams was being offered the highest salary. “Paramount Pictures doesn’t want to pay the girls what they are worth,” the insider shared. “All four girls were willing to come back, but Paramount has not been respectful of what they are worth.”

 

 

'The Bachelorette' season 20 to star Charity Lawson

America, meet your new Bachelorette: Charity Lawson. The 27-year-old child and family therapist from Columbus, Georgia, was announced as the star of ABC's "The Bachelorette" season 20 on Tuesday. According to a press release from the network, her journey to find true love will air this summer on ABC.

 

Lawson competed for Zach Shallcross' heart on "The Bachelor" season 27, ultimately making it to the current Bachelor's final four.

 

Shallcross eliminated Lawson during the March 13 episode, after meeting her family during her hometown visit, in one of the most emotional moments in Bachelor Nation history.

"I hope you know, from my heart, that this is the hardest decision I've had to make," Shallcross told her after she didn't receive a rose. "I've been sick to my stomach all day."

 

He then told Lawson he "might be making the wrong decision," to which she replied, "No. Don't say that."

"I took a big risk, obviously, coming here and putting my heart out on the line," she said. "And I knew that from night one, the moment that you spoke and the moment that I knew it was you, I knew that this experience was going to be something incredible. It's bittersweet, for sure."

 

"I know you don't want to hear this from me, but you deserve all the love, and I couldn't give it to you," Shallcross told her. "I'm grateful to know you."

 

Later, while making her exit, Lawson told cameras that Shallcross' decision "doesn't make sense."

"Sometimes that's just the way life goes, and it sucks," she said. "But it just means I'm one step closer to finding who I need to be with."

 

 

Fans Convinced Wendy Williams Recently Had Breast Reduction

Wendy Williams has seemingly undergone a procedure to reduce the size of her breasts secretly. Fans seem convinced that the former talk show host has had a breast reduction based on a photo that's circulating online.

 

The said picture was shared on "The Wendy Experience" podcast page and later reposted by another page called Sippin' the Montea. The photo saw Wendy seated on a cream-colored sofa. She wore an all-black ensemble paired with black boots and a red coat.

 

Sippin' the Montea's caption even suggested that Wendy recently had a breast reduction, which directed fans to notice how much smaller her chest appeared in the photo. It read, "If you glance real fast, you'd think this was #QueenLatifah, but it's actually former talk show host #WendyWilliams, posing for one of the auntiest photos of 2023. Somewhere in between her rehab stints, divorce drama and health dilemmas, she found time to get a breast reduction. She looks well."

 

Fans, however, loved Wendy's new look, with one saying, "Yes! I just realized that's what's different about her, the boobs are downgraded! She looks good." A second chimed in, "Oh thank God she looks so much better without those huge air bags attached to her chest." Someone else remarked, "I thought it was some random y woman until I zoomed in! She looks clean and sober and that's fantastic!"

 

Wendy herself has spoken candidly about receiving plastic surgery, including having a tummy tuck, liposuction and breast implants. In a 2020 interview on "The Dr. Oz Show", the former "The Wendy Williams Show" host called herself a "surgery girl," and shared that her plans to have surgery had been derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

"It's just that, as a surgery girl, when you save your money, and you've been planning for years, and then you have your appointment and all of a sudden the corona pops up, and I got to deal with these saggy boobs," the former daytime TV queen explained. "How much longer before I get them pulled back up?"

 

In fact, Wendy has faced a multitude of issues in the past few years. Her health issues even led her to lose her eponymous talk show "The Wendy Williams" in June last year. It's unclear if or when Wendy will return to work despite announcing an upcoming podcast, "The Wendy Experience", back in December. An official launch date has yet to be revealed.

 

 

Family of Traci Braxton Share Touching Tribute to Mark 1-Year Anniversary of Her Death

*The Braxton family hit up Twitter recently to mark the 1-year anniversary of Traci Braxton’s death.

As Entertainment Tonight reports, Traci’s mother Evelyn posted several tributes to her daughter on her “first anniversary being with the lord.”

 

The matriarch of the musical family wrote: “Dearest Tray, Although you’re not here not in the flesh, you are here in the spirit and in my mind and heart you will always be here. It’s been a year now that you have been resting with the Lord I know that you’re safe. I know you’re leaning and perhaps enjoying your time with the Lord however, I miss you so so much.”

 

She continued, “God allow me to carry you in my body I felt you move even kick inside of me because there was nowhere to go. For nine months you relied on me to eat, for your breath and perhaps hoping that I would be a good vessel that God placed you in. I almost lost you twice as a baby but God said no!”

 

Evelyn’s message continued, “Yes, we had our ups and downs, as most people do, as moms, daughters and families share. I love you. I loved you more than you know at the end of your life and I held you in my arms and rocked your for the last time,” she wrote. “I was so grateful that God Allowed me to see you take your first breath and your Last. Grateful God had allowed me to be your mom and to be there with you, through the good, bad or indifferent. It is your happy spirit I feel and I see from day to day, your smile, your laughter and your sometimes “I don’t care” attitude. It was all you and I think God for allowing me to know you. There is a time and a season for everything baby, I guess, your Season and time came to an end.”

 

In conclusion, she added, “This is your first anniversary being with the lord, with peace and happiness, being with the angels and just resting in his bosom, Which is Something we all must do…. I love you and I miss you. Thank GOD for Jesus. Look at God

 

As we reported previously, Traci had been battling cancer for a year prior to her passing.  She died at age 50 on March 12, 2022. Traci appeared on the family’s reality show, “Braxton Family Values,” with her mother and sisters  Toni, Tamar, Trina and Towanda.

 

 

Michael Jackson’s Mother Will Not Have to Testify in Stolen Memorabilia Case

*Michael Jackson’s ex-brother-in-law wants MJ’s mom to sit for a court deposition over stolen memorabilia but a judge won’t allow it.

Jeffrey Phillips, an ex of LaToya Jackson, is accused of stealing $1 million worth of memorabilia from the King of Pop in the hours after MJ died.

 

Phillips is demanding Katherine Jackson, 92, take the stand during the trial to defend his name as he claims she told him to take the items following the death of her famous son.

 

According to court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has shut down a motion by Phillips.

Phillips’ legal drama with Jackson’s estate began last year when he was accused of stealing various items from Jackson’s house after the pop star died in June 2009. According to the estate, Phillips showed up at the singer’s home after he was hospitalized and allegedly made off over $1 million in MJ memorabilia.

 

The estate claimed that Phillips took items such as pajamas, pill bottles, and handwritten notes to Michael from his son Prince. Per Radar, other items included “5 hard drives, 3 silver Mac laptops, two iPods, cassette tapes, a large black bag with a skull on it, framed photograph of Jackson, a Michael Jackson doll, and roughly 11 framed platinum/gold record awards,” the outlet writes.

 

A court has prohibited Phillips from selling the merch until the trial is complete.

 

Phillips insists Katherine gave him permission to remove the items from Jackson’s home. In a court declaration, he wrote, “had the Estate simply asked for the property and not resorted to the premeditated set-up and bullying tactics, I would have called La Toya to inform her that the Estate was requesting the items, and the two of us would have then called her mother. If Ms. Jackson instructed me to give the property back to the Estate, I would have done so.”

 

Phillips wants to depose Katherine but the estate has objected. Per Radar, the motion read, “It is troubling (to say the least) that Phillips, who claims to have been very close to Mrs. Jackson and the Jackson family, is seeking to have his attorneys interrogate the elderly Mrs. Jackson over her objections about what we understand is the most painful weeks and months of her long life.”

 

“It is obvious that Phillips is using Mrs. Jackson as leverage in this matter,” they added.

 

Michael’s nephew Taj told the court that Katherine is still grieving the loss of her son.  According to Radar, he said, “The reason I have not spoken to my Grandmother about the subject is simple. My Grandmother was and is still very affected by the death of my Uncle, her child. This was by far the saddest event that I saw her experience in her life. Understandably, she finds it very difficult to talk about my Uncle’s last few years and also about the very sad weeks and months following his sudden and unexpected death.”

 

 

Ja Morant Enters Counseling Program In Florida, No Nba Return Date Announced

Ja Morant has entered a counseling program in Florida. In an ESPN update on Monday, Morant currently is still without a timetable to return to this NBA season.

In a statement, Morant revealed he is working “to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being.” Previously, Morant was said to be out through this Wednesday’s game, but the belief is Morant will miss more time.

 

Memphis management has frequently stated publicly that Morant will be held accountable for a history of dubious decisions and behavior, and the NBA is currently looking into the situation.

“I’ve said that he’s taking time and responsibility to get better for himself so that he can be better for our team,” Jenkins said. “I’m not going to really comment further until there’s more updates necessary.”

 

“His spirit has been great so far when I have spoken to him,” Morant’s teammate Tyus Jones told ESPN. “It’s a unique time. There comes times in life when you’ve got to put yourself first before your family, before basketball, before a lot of other stuff, and I don’t know if a lot of guys have ever done that. It’s a time where he’s getting to put himself first, and I think he’s taken advantage of that. I hope he’s taking advantage of that, and it will be good for him.”

 

Ja Morant is currently away from the Memphis Grizzlies but will also be away from commercial breaks. According to The Drum, Coca-Cola has pulled Morant’s Powerade campaign ads.

 

Morant is currently in the fallout from flashing a gun in the strip club on Instagram. He won’t be formally charged, but he is currently serving a suspension that runs through at least 15 games. Adding on, Powerade is pushing pause on their largest campaign in history, “From Underestimated to Undeniable,” which featured Morant. The ads have been pulled from YouTube and social media.

 

The campaign was set to be a major step forward in Coca-Cola’s aim to battle the power of Gatorade, with the combination of Body Armor.

 

Ken Sadowsky, a veteran beverage analyst, told The Drum, the controversy is “bad timing” for the brand as it heads into the summer season.

 

“There’s a lot of activity and growth in the isotonics category, but Coke is now facing a challenge for the umpteenth time. It’s difficult because the 600-pound Gatorade gorilla is pretty good at putting down challengers,” Sadowsky said.

 

 

Meek Mill Looking To Sell His Atlanta Mansion: ‘I Never Moved In It’

Meek Mill is looking to sell his Atlanta-area mansion. Hitting Instagram, Meek shared an aerial view of the 8-bedroom, 9-bathroom home.

The house is located in the city’s Sandy Springs/Buckhead area and features a pool, tennis court, twin garages, and more.

 “MANSION FOR SALE IN ATL my realtor not getting this off fast enough & I think I can lol I never moved in it had for a few years,” Meek wrote.

 

“Sandy springs/buckhead area! When somebody get traded to the hawks or falcons come grab this Jawn! I’m not even gone tag who shot this shitty video lol!”

 

Maybe former Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III can buy the crib. Bates III is headed to Atlanta, agreeing to a four-year contract with the Falcons. His new deal, which is official on Wednesday, is worth over $64 million. Bates III will make $23 million in the first year.

 

 

California Rep Reintroduces Bill That Would Make a 4-Day Workweek the National Standard

Four day work weeks could be a national standard after California Rep Mark Takano reintroduced a bill to reduce the traditional 40-hour work week.

In Britain, almost 3,300 employees from 70 organizations participated in last year’s largest four-day workweek trial while working fewer hours for 100% of their salary.

According to the Post, 90% of those British organizations said they wouldn’t return to the traditional work week.

Earlier this month, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), 4 Day Week Global, Service Employees International Union, and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union endorsed the bill.

“Workers across the nation are collectively reimagining their relationship to labor – and our laws need to follow suit,” said Takano.

“We have before us the opportunity to make common sense changes to work standards passed down from a different era,” he said.  “The Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act would improve the quality of life of workers, meeting the demand for a more truncated workweek that allows room to live, play, and enjoy life more fully outside of work.”

The bill’s initial co-sponsor,  Rep. Pramila Jayapal, stated that workers’ welfare should take precedence before corporate profits.

“For too long, our country has prioritized corporate profits over working people, and Americans have been forced to work longer hours, sacrificing time with loved ones,” she said.  “While policies enacted by President Biden and Democrats have finally started to raise wages for workers across multiple industries, it’s vital that health, well-being, and basic human dignity are valued over employers’ bottom lines.  Establishing a 32-hour work week would go a long way toward finally righting that balance.”

Most workers would be “non-exempt, hourly workers,” but “some salaried workers fall under the scope of the bill’s provisions.”

Following the argument that “healthcare, education, and childcare are all affected by the number of hours employees spend at work,” the proposed change would primarily advocate for a healthier work-life balance.

“On average, U.S. workers work 200 hours more per year than workers in other developed countries,” Takano’s proposal noted.  “The COVID-19 pandemic transformed the conversation around the future of work.  It is time the United States equally prioritize the quality of life and productivity.”

In 2021, Takano introduced the bill to congress, but it ultimately failed to advance.

According to Takano, he is very passionate about the 32-hour week and its “significant change which will increase the happiness of humankind.”

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES

Courtesy of P.O.Wm

It His Wife’s...........

All his underpants are currently on laundry service

HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!

EFREM