#LGBTQRPIDE! 'Entertainment Weekly' Launches Pride Issue, Hosts Stonewall Event
In celebration of Pride Month, Entertainment Weekly has unveiled the cover stars of its annual LGBTQ issue, along with plans for a celebration at the historic Stonewall Inn.
This year’s issue features six LGBTQ celebrities, including Anderson Cooper, Neil Patrick Harris, Janet Mock, Melissa Etheridge, Wilson Cruz and Ruby Rose, each adorning one of the covers.
The issue also includes a tie-in with brand Pop Sockets, which created two rainbow-centric PopGrips to coincide with the issue’s release.
“In 2015, we started publishing an annual LGBTQ issue that has been well received by the industry,” Henry Goldblatt, EIC of Entertainment Weekly, told Publishers Daily. “It has been a great new addition this year to collaborate creatively with Pop Sockets on pride-themed PopGrips that benefit an important cause.”
The PopGrips are available for purchase online, with 50% of sales going to nonprofit The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, as part of the company’s Poptivism program.
“EW and PopSockets quickly found their common purpose in The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, the charity committed to eliminating the social intolerance that is profoundly impacting the lives of LGBTQ citizens throughout America and abroad,” Entertainment Weekly publisher Ellie Duque noted.
The PopSocket collaboration will be promoted across EW’s print, social and digital platforms, in addition to getting a boost from Goldblatt’s editor’s letter.
PopSockets CMO Becky Gebhardt added the company is “thrilled to be partnering” with the publication.
In addition to a roundtable discussion between the issue’s cover stars included in the issue, the stars and issue will be celebrated at a tie-in event at the Stonewall Inn, during the 50thanniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
Several advertisers have signed on with issue-specific ads, including Miller Lite. Netflix, one of the presenting sponsors for the Stonewall event, contributed an ad for its “Tales of the City.” A special “Tales of the City” installation will be a part of the Stonewall event, said Duque.
#RHOA: Dennis McKinley Is Considering Taking Legal Action After Being Accused Of Cheating On Porsha
It’s been just a few months since reality star Porsha Williams gave birth to a baby girl with her fiancé Dennis McKinley, and now cheating rumors are threatening to tear their happy home a part.
Youtuber Latasha Kebe went on the platform accusing McKinley of having an affair with ‘WAGS’ star Sincerely Ward. The accusations come amid rumors that Porsha and Dennis unfollowed each other on Instagram.
But McKinley is fighting back, now threatening legal action against the alleged slander.
“These false and slanderous allegations against me are made solely to damage my reputation, jeopardize my ongoing businesses, and negatively impact my family,” McKinley said in a statement to US Weekly.
“My attempts to ignore this slander have only empowered Latasha Kebe (aka Tasha K.) to create more false accusations. I am currently taking legal action — and am currently being represented by Michael T. Sterling of Dreyer Sterling, LLC.”
Michael Sterling happens to be the hubby of fellow RHOA star, Eva Marcille.
Sterling told E! News, “I handle legal matters in the court of law, not the court of public opinion and I will take whatever appropriate measures I can to defend Dennis’ good name.”
Meanwhile, Ward wants nothing to do with the entire situation.
“I really have no clue where this came from. It’s bizarre, I’ve never met Dennis,” she told the outlet of the allegations.
“In Atlanta, it’s easy to have 6-degrees of separation [but] to my knowledge, I don’t even know if we’ve even been in the same room together.”
Porsha has been mum on the cheating accusations so far, but she did take to IG earlier this week to tell her fans:
“I am loved, called, and chosen. I am rich in every way and generous on every occasion. I’m anointed, appointed, equipped and enabled by the power of God that works within me. No weapon formed against me will prosper and no enemy scheme against me will succeed. I live, breathe, and serve powerfully under the shelter of the most high God.”
#Empire: (Lucious Lyon) Terrence Howard Under Criminal Investigation for Tax Evasion
“Empire” star Terrence Howard is currently being investigated by the federal government for criminal tax evasion.
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, the feds are interested in possible financial crimes committed by Howard, his third wife Mira Howard (they got divorced but got re-engaged last December) and Universal Bridges Inc. (a company owned by Mira).
The case stems out of the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and is still ongoing.
We’ve learned that the actor has hired a high profile white collar criminal attorney to defend him in the investigation. Our sources say within the last few weeks, federal investigators have already had initial discussions with Howard.
Terrence Howard and his fiancée became aware they were under investigation on May 20, 2019.
The actor has had his share of tax issues over the years. As The Blast first reported, he was hit with a tax lien in April by the State of California Franchise Tax Board for a total $143,538.61. The lien stems from taxes Howard reportedly owes from 2010.
Howard was also hit with tax liens from the federal government back in 2010 for $1.1 million and in 2006 for over $600,000.
The criminal investigation is just the latest controversy to hit show “Empire.”
On Tuesday, the show’s co-creator, Lee Daniels, officially put an end to speculation that Jussie Smollett would return to the show following allegations he staged an attack against himself. Responding to a story that the writers of the show were preparing for Smollett’s return late in the final season, Daniels tweeted, “Jussie will NOT be returning to Empire.”
#NewMusic: Smooth Jazz Sounds, from Johnny Britt ‘HOT FUN IN THE SUMMER'
Hot Fun In The Summer', the 3rd single release from Johnny Britt's first ever Smooth Jazz CD 'So Hot' is sailing out on radio Monday, June 10, 2019. The title track ‘So Hot’ and 'Highway 10' were both on Billboard's 'Most Added Single' Chart in their first-week out. This cut is a favored Summertime anthem for Jazz radio programmers as they have been anticipating Johnny's release to kick off Summer 2019!
Johnny's haunting soft chant of 'Hot Fun In The Summer' backed up by saxy man NAJEE is sprinkled throughout this track. The wave-like music arrangements flowing from Johnny's flugelhorn and Najee on sax puts you right on the shoreline of Mello Beach with cool waters wrapped around your ankles..
LISTEN HERE
Johnny has seriously dialed up some heat on this one! BTW, AVAILABLE for BOOKINGS & INTERVIEWS
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#HipHopNews: Gucci Mane Teases Meek Mill Collaboration ‘Backwards’
Fresh off his Justin Bieber collaboration, Gucci Mane is previewing his summer-ready collaboration with Meek Mill called “Backwards.” Guwop shared a minute-long teaser of the Zaytoven-produced track on Instagram.
“I pull up like Chauncey Billups / Ni**a, don’t gas me / I don’t need a fill up,” raps Gucci before the Dreamchasers boss chimes in: “She wanna check from me / She gotta check for me / Fu**in’ the two baddest bitches on Instagram.”
According to Gucci, the song is a smash. “Is y’all ready for the summer anthem #Backwards ft @meekmill ??? Drop💰 if ya ready ! guaranteed summer smashhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!” he wrote.
It’s unclear when “Backwards” will drop, but it has Gucci fans excited. “Now this the Gucci I been waitin on,” wrote one of his 11 million followers, while another added, “Hardest song you done dropped since yu been out.”
Last week, Gucci dropped his surprise Bieber collaboration “Love Thru the Computer” and is now in the studio working on a new album, his first since December’s Evil Genius.
Gayle King Told Wendy Williams NO THANKS For Sit Down Interview! She Thinks It’s Too Trashy For Morning TV
It’s highly unlikely that Wendy Williams will be giving her rumored tell all sit-down interview to Gayle King.
As previously reported, the daytime talk show host is ready to talk—but she reportedly wants an hour-long primetime slot to do so. Her team is said to have reached out to multiple networks, in an effort to secure a prime-time slot.
However, according to new reports, Gayle declined the interview, as she allegedly perceived that it would be too ‘trashy’ for morning television.
Gayle made headlines earlier this year for her highly viewed sit-down interview with R.Kelly.
Reportedly, Wendy has approached Oprah’s OWN Network, ABC, NBC and CBS for an exclusive sit-down to discuss her personal life.
A source claims, ‘Her people want either a morning show or an hour long prime-time special, they want Wendy to sit down with a big name anchor and Gayle King was at the top of the list.But she turned it down, it’s not clear exactly why but there’s a lot of talk that Gayle thought sitting down with Wendy, dredging over her car crash personal life, might be a little too trashy for morning television. Wendy also wants a longer interview.’
The insider claims GMA’s Robin Roberts may be an option.
Tyler Perry Begs Actors to Stop Buying Billboards to Get His Attention: 'Please Stop'
Tyler Perry is sending out a very direct message to actors who want to work with him.
The 49-year-old screenwriter and director shared a photo of a billboard featuring actress Racquel Bailey that read, “ATTENTION MR. PERRY Racquel Bailey Is Your Next Leading Lady.”
Perry shared the photo on his official Facebook page, but not to applaud the actress on her creative outreach.
“Auhhh…. soooooo…… here’s the deal. This is not the way to get my attention if you’re looking for a role in one of my shows,” Perry wrote on Facebook. “Please DON’T DO THIS, SAVE YOUR MONEY!! This is the third time that someone has done this. PLEASE STOP! To audition is FREE!! I’m sure you can use that money for a better purpose.”
He continued, “I love that you want to work with me, and I love that you invest in yourself. But when you do things like this it puts my team on high alert and makes me look at you sideways. I know the message that you want to send is a positive one, but this comes across as the opposite.”
“Again, the best way to work for me is to AUDITION and it’s FREE! We post breakdowns all the time for actors. JUST COME AND AUDITION,” he added.
He next directed his message to Bailey, telling her, “And by the way, you were great in THE NIGHT OF! It was my favorite show a couple years ago. I ALREADY SAW YOU!! So just audition and keep your money!! Again, I appreciate your effort, but that’s not the way to work for me. God bless you dreamer. I have no doubt you will make it one day!!”
Bailey has starred in a handful of TV shows and short films, including The Jim Gaffigan Show and in two episodes of The Night Of, both of which aired in 2016.
Nipsey Hussle’s brother battles Crips for the rights to ‘The Marathon Continues’
Nipsey Hussle's brother is battling the Rolling 60s Crips street gang for the rights to Nipsey's catchphrase "The Marathon Continues."
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Samuel "Blacc Sam" Asghedom filed a trademark application on May 29 to lock down "The Marathon continues" for licensing rights to companies and individuals for a variety of uses, including entertainment services, music licensing, marketing and promotions, and charitable events.
The Marathon Continues was the title of Nipsey's sixth mixtape which was released in November 2011. His now-shuttered clothing store, The Marathon Clothing, is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Sam is also asking a court to be named the administrator for his brother's estate since Nipsey did not leave a will before he was gunned down outside his clothing store by rival gang banger Eric Holder in March.
However, the Crips filed an application to trademark "The Marathon Continues" through their holding company on May 16, 12 days earlier than Blacc Sam.
The notorious street gang claim they want to use "TMC" to promote charitable events in the community and to focus on "gang intervention."
Once the U.S. Patent & Trademark office notices the dual application filings, they will have to determine who actually has a right to profit off the "The Marathon Continues."
NBA Finals 2019: Recap from Toronto Raptors stealing Game 3 on the road over Golden State Warriors
The Toronto Raptors took advantage of a hurting Golden State Warriors roster to earn a 123-109 win in Game 3, taking a 2-1 series lead in the process.
Stephen Curry did everything he could assure the Warriors put up a fight, scoring the second-most points in a loss in the history of the NBA Finals with 47 points while also leading his team in rebounds and assists.
The Raptors got another monster performance from Kawhi Leonard, who finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two steals, but Kyle Lowry and Danny Green's 3-point shooting made the difference in Toronto's victory.
Bradley Cooper is Seen Out and About Amid Rumors of Relationship Troubles
Bradley Cooper makes a quick dash to his car as he hangs out with a friend on Wednesday afternoon (June 5) in Malibu, Calif.
The 44-year-old actor and director tried to keep a low profile under a black baseball hat, tan sweater, and black sweat pants as he stepped out for the day.
Earlier this week, rumors started swirling that Bradley and longtime girlfriend Irina Shayk were having problems in their relationship.
According to reports, the couple – who began dating in 2015 – have been trying to make things work for their daughter 2-year-old daughter Lea.
Did Beyonce Give a Death Stare as Warriors Owner’s Wife Talks to Jay-Z at NBA Finals 2019?
Beyoncé and Jay-Z turned Game 3 of the 2019 NBA Finals into a date night and the “Formation” singer made sure that no one came between them.
During the Wednesday, June 5, game between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors, the cameras panned over to the Carters, who sat courtside next to Warriors majority owner Joe Lacob and his wife, Nicole Lacob. At one point, Nicole leaned over Beyoncé, 37, to chat with Jay-Z, 49, as the superstar couple smiled and waved to people sitting on the opposite side of the court.
What happened next drove the Beyhive wild. Queen Bey’s grin quickly faded into a scowl as she looked around Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Then, she visibly shifted over in her seat, moving in Nicole’s direction and therefore prompting some fans to speculate that Beyoncé tried to set some boundaries.
“Beyoncé don’t like that girl beside her at all,” one member of the Beyhive tweeted. Another Twitter user wrote, “Beyonce is so annoyed by this woman and hov gon’ hear about it on the jet. beyonce definitely didn’t think that tonight of all nights that she’d have to hit a woman with a shoulder nudge in rare burberry but here we are.”
MTV’s The Challenge star Jemmye Carroll, meanwhile, tweeted, “Beyoncé shoving her ass over at the end is the level of petty we deserve from our queen.”
Beyoncé’s dedicated legion of fans have been fiercely protective of her since she insinuated on her acclaimed 2016 visual album, Lemonade, that Jay-Z had cheated on her. The rapper later confirmed that he had been unfaithful, telling The New York Times Opens a New Window. that they both turned to music as a “therapy session.”
Madonna denies ever asking Trump on a date, claims Harvey Weinstein was 'flirtatious': 'I certainly wasn't interested'
Donald Trump never had a chance with Madonna — even before he called her “disgusting.”
The iconic performer, 60, is profiled in the New York Times and was asked about how, back in 1991, Trump, 72, pretended to be his own publicist and called People magazine and claimed Madonna was rabidly chasing him in hopes of dating him. The fame-seeking real estate mogul was apparently trying to deflect attention from headlines that he was stepping out on mistress turned girlfriend Marla Maples.
Madonna told writer Vanessa Grigoriadis it was a bunch of hooey. It never happened. She did, however, recall doing a photo shoot at Mar-a-Lago and said Trump called her incessantly while she was there.
“I did a Versace campaign with Steven Meisel at his house in Palm Beach,” Madonna recalled. Trump’s phone calls didn’t stop. “He kept going: ‘Hey, is everything OK? Finding yourself comfortable? Are the beds comfortable? Is everything good? Are you happy?’”
Donatella Versace, who was in charge of the shoot, recalled the experience — and how “pushy” Trump was — in a 2016 interview. The designer said Trump actually showed up for the shoot — even though “when you’ve rented [a space], you don’t want the owner to come in.” She said they “couldn’t get rid of him” and Trump even tried to gain entry to the set. She recalled shooing him away, and noted that the fast-food obsessed president “brought us Kentucky Fried Chicken! I mean, excuse me. Models, you know? It’s fashion!”
In the NYT piece, Madonna went on to say that Trump has a weak character, but it isn’t a shock. As an alpha male, “they’re overcompensating for how insecure they feel — a man who is secure with himself, a human who is secure with themselves, doesn’t have to go around bullying people all the time.”
On her new album, Madame X, Madonna explores her anger over political powers like Trump “who seemed to be systematically removing all of our personal freedoms.”
The music industry icon had said she moved to Portugal, in part, to get her family — now just her four younger kids — out of the U.S. while he’s in office. (The other part was so that her son David could attend a top soccer academy there.)
Madonna drew Trump’s ire in 2017 by saying at the Women’s March she had considered “blowing up the White House.” He fired back, “Honestly, she’s disgusting. I think she hurt herself very badly. I think she hurt that whole cause,” he said. “I thought what she said was disgraceful to our country.” (However, he didn’t give her a nickname — like “washed up psycho” Bette Midler — so he must not have been that angry.)
In the NYT interview, Madonna was also asked about Time’s Up and #MeToo. Her 1991 Madonna: Truth or Dare documentary was distributed by disgraced movie maker Harvey Weinstein’s Miramax. They had other collaborations as well, including Weinstein executive producing her 2011 film W.E.
“Harvey crossed lines and boundaries and was incredibly sexually flirtatious and forward with me when we were working together; he was married at the time, and I certainly wasn’t interested,” she said.
She added: “I was aware that he did the same with a lot of other women that I knew in the business. And we were all, ‘Harvey gets to do that because he’s got so much power and he’s so successful and his movies do so well and everybody wants to work with him, so you have to put up with it.’”
So when he was accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women in 2016, “I was really like, ‘Finally.’ I wasn’t cheering from the rafters because I’m never going to cheer for someone’s demise. I don’t think that’s good karma anyway. But it was good that somebody who had been abusing his power for so many years was called out and held accountable.” (Weinstein, awaiting trial for sexual assault in NYC, has maintained his innocence.)
June Ambrose Apologizes to the Late Kate Spade's Family for her CFDA Awards Flub. But Did Major Fashion Figure heads IGNORE Her on the Red Carpet?
June Ambrose is addressing her blunder during the live stream at the 2019 CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City on Monday night.
The costume designer and stylist was interviewing entrepreneur and influencer Hannah Bronfman -- who wore a Kate Spade New York dress to the event -- when she mistakenly asked her if Kate Spade would be joining her at the awards. The designer died last June, and her death was ruled a suicide. She was 55 years old.
Ambrose took to Twitter on Tuesday to apologize
"Good morning I want to address an error I made last night while hosting the CFDA red carpet," she wrote. "I sincerely apologize to the family and friends of the late Kate Spade, in addition to the team at Kate Spade for having misspoken. I made a mistake and I’m sorry to those I offended."
Good morning I want to address an error I made last night while hosting the CFDA red carpet. I sincerely apologize to the family and friends of the late Kate Spade, in addition to the team at Kate Spade for having misspoken. I made a mistake and I’m sorry to those I offended.
During the interview, Ambrose called Spade one of her favorite American designers, then asked Bronfman, "Are you here with Kate? Is she here? Did you come before her or did she skip by me?"
Bronfman answered, "Well, the team from Kate is here, we're four."
Bronfman did attend the CFDA Awards with Kate Spade New York Creative Director Nicola Glass, Booksmart stars Beanie Feldstein and Molly Gordon, as well as Stranger Things star Sadie Sink, who all wore dresses by the label.
But wait was she SNUBBED by Fashion’s elite? According to eyewitnesses Virgil Abloh, Tom Ford and Anna Wintour all walked right past June on the red carpet even though she was hosting the event.
Man, When it rains it pours!
2018 French Open Runner Up Says Serena Williams Has ‘Bad Personality’
Tennis fans were shocked when Australian pro tennis player Dominic Thiem accused women's superstar Serena Williams of having a "bad personality."
Thiem was outraged when his post-match press conference was interrupted by officials who wanted him to make way for Williams to speak to the press after losing her tennis match.
Thiem was instructed to vacate the main press room to make way for Williams, who had just lost her match.
Thiem was livid. "I don't really get it, seriously. I mean, what the hell? No, but it's a joke, really. I have to leave the room because she's coming?" Thiem reportedly said in anger.
"What's my point of that? I have to leave the room because she's coming. Well I'll leave also then. I can also do whatever I want."
Tournament director Guy Forget apologized to Thiem for making him leave the room.
"Actually, I wasn't angry or frustrated. Maybe for a couple of minutes or so. It is just the principle," he later told Eurosport Germany. "It doesn't matter, if it is me who sits in there. I still made a wrong statement. I said that I am not a junior anymore. But even if a junior is in there, every player has to wait," he said.
He specifically blamed Serena for always demanding special treatment from tournament officials.
"It is a matter of course. It also shows a bad personality in my opinion. I am 100% sure [Roger] Federer or [Rafael] Nadal would never do something like that," he added.
Serena and Naomi Osaka, the 2018 US Open champ, were both ousted in round 3 of the 2019 French Open tennis tournament.
The 37-year-old Compton native was eliminated in the third round by 20-year-old American player Sofia Kenin. Earlier in the day, the No. 1 seed Naomi Osaka was ousted 6-4, 6-2 by 42nd ranked player Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic.
Diddy Celebrates 8th Grade Graduation of Twin Daughters He Shares With Kim Porter
Diddy was THAT parent during his twin daughters graduation ceremony from the 8th grade.
The rap mogul could not have been prouder of his girls, Jessie and D’Lila, on Wednesday afternoon and he filmed what seemed like every second of the big day.
He was there to film them as they sat on the stage, as they sang with their classmates, as they practiced their speeches, as they gave their speeches, as they danced in their seats … and he was right there on the side of the stage as they walked off when the ceremony was over.
The day had a somber undertone after the passing of the girls’ mother, Kim Porter, in November 2018. Diddy did not mention Kim in various social media posts but both girls shared a memory of their mother during their graduation speech.
Diddy shared an adorable photo after the ceremony, which he captioned, “Congratulations @the_combs_twins!!!!! ❤️❤️ We are all so proud of you!!!!”
Last month, Diddy and the twins attended the Women of Excellence luncheon in Beverly Hills on the day before their first Mother’s Day since Porter’s tragic passing.
Alabama Could Soon Punish Convicted Child Sex Offenders With Chemical Castration
Alabama legislators have passed a bill that will require pedophiles to undergo chemical castration as a condition of their parole.
If Gov. Kay Ivey signs off on this new castration bill, named HB 379., it will apply to people over the age of 21 who have been convicted of sexually assaulting a minor. Republican state Rep. Steve Hurst introduced the bill explaining pedophiles “have marked this child for life and the punishment should fit the crime.” Ivey says he previously introduced the bill that he believes will prevent sex offenders from committing the crime. “I had people call me in the past when I introduced it and said, ‘Don’t you think this is inhumane?'” Hurst told WIAT-TV.
“I asked them what’s more inhumane than when you take a little infant child, and you sexually molest that infant child when the child cannot defend themselves or get away, and they have to go through all the things they have to go through. If you want to talk about inhumane, that’s inhumane.” “If we do something of this nature, it would deter something like this happening again in Alabama and maybe reduce the numbers,” said Hurst.
Hurst’s initial bill, which was introduced back in 2016, stated child molesters older than 21 would have to pay for their own surgical castration before being released from state custody. The updated bill would make felons take medication that interferes with their sex drive. The first dose would be given to them at least one month prior to the offender’s release. Afterwards, they would have to go to the Department of Public Health for the next treatment.
Hurst says the medication is not permanent, as the castration can be reversed, but the court would have to decide when that can happen. Attorney Raymond Johnson told WIAT-TV the bill may face a challenge if it is signed into law because the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prevents cruel and unusual punishment. “They’re going to claim that it is cruel and unusual punishment for someone who has served their time and for the rest of their life have to be castrated,” Johnson said. The attorney argues that the amount of prison time should be sufficient in paying what you owe to society, which includes probation or parole.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘AMERICAN WEDDING’
Just getting a head start on the rest of their lives where grocery shopping counts as date night.
#EGGPLANT NATION Meet BIG SAM!
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ENJOY!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
