‘Time’ Reveals ‘100 Most Influential People’ for 2018!
Movers and shakers! Time magazine revealed its annual “100 Most Influential People” list for 2018 on Thursday, April 19, celebrating leaders in entertainment, politics, sports, technology, activism and more.
Hollywood A-listers Jennifer Lopez, Tiffany Haddish and Nicole Kidman grace three of the six covers. Tarana Burke, who spearheaded the #MeToo movement, is also honored with her own cover. The other two feature Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and tennis player Roger Federer.
More performers who made the cut include Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, Cardi B, Sterling K. Brown, Gal Gadot and Roseanne Barr. Meghan Markle, who is set to marry Prince Harry next month, is recognized as both an actor and humanitarian.
Political figures such as President Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Jeff Sessions, Robert Mueller and Kim Jong Un were also named on the list. Time also commemorated Parkland shooting survivors and student activists, Jaclyn Corin, Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg, Cameron Kasky and Alex Wind.
As for the athletes? Olympians Adam Rippon and Chloe Kim were also honored alongside basketball player Kevin Durant and gymnast Rachel Denhollander.
Each honoree was praised in an essay written by one of their famous peers. Naomi Watts raved about Kidman, noting, “Never once has [she] left our consciousness. And even after decades, she continues to break new ground.”
Kerry Washington, meanwhile, gushed over Lopez. “[She’s] an iconic performer … But she’s also a mother, an entrepreneur, an activist, a designer, a beauty icon, a philanthropist and a producer,” wrote the Scandal star. “She is an undeniable force and powerful example.”
Elsewhere in the issue, Taraji P. Henson had kind words for Cardi B. “She’s clear on her talent and she’s not trying to get in anybody else’s lane. She recorded ‘Bodak Yellow’ because it’s what she loved. Now she’s the biggest thing in music,” Henson exclaimed. “And even with all those eyeballs watching, she’s still unapologetically herself. Cardi B’s here to stay baby, and I’m happy to be a witness.”
Find out which other notable figures made the list HERE
#RHOA: Kandi Burruss Disses Kim Zolciak As Blonde Leaves ‘RHOA’ Again
Kandi Burruss has blasted her The Real Housewives of Atlanta co-star Kim Zolciak-Biermann, who recently said she is leaving the reality show again!
A website caught up with Burruss, 41, in an airport and asked her what she thought of Zolciak, 39, recently saying that she will “never, never do” RHOA again.
Burruss smiled that Zolciak was unimportant to the show and didn’t hang out with the others!
“She wasn’t really on the show. She was busy. She was a friend of the show. She wasn’t an actual peach holder,” Burruss told the website.
In fact, original cast member Zolciak left the show during season five, then returned to stir up the drama on this year’s season ten.
Burruss commented, “Nobody for the most part was getting along with her except for Sheree [Whitfield], I guess. She didn’t really talk or hang out with a lot of people on the show anymore.”
Zolciak apparently thought RHOA was too stressful, but Burruss shrugged, “The show is stressful for everybody, not just her. I just deal with it, it is what it is.”
Zolciak’s Bravo rival added that she won’t miss her next season because, “Every season is crazy. [Kim] hasn’t been here in five years, so it’s like, who cares? Let’s keep pushing.”
Plus, in a final jab at Zolciak, Burruss said of the Don’t Be Tardy spinoff star, “My show is rated higher than hers.”
#Empire: Recap: Dirty Secrets Revealed Cookie sticks up for Poundcake in "Of Hardiness Is Mother" episode!
Taraji P. Henson's Cookie sticks up for prison friend Poundcake in the "Of Hardiness Is Mother" episode of Empire.
Cookie Lyon is self-reflective as she recovers from a heart attack. Season 4 Episode 13 of Empire finds the street-savvy Lyon matriarch still on "love arrest," a fancy way of saying bed rest, and she's looking better after her family has loved on her and encouraged her to slow down. Not that Cookie, played by Taraji P. Henson, ever stays still for long.
This week's episode focuses on Cookie's relationships with her husband Lucious, her sons and some old girlfriends or frenemies from lockup. The set up starts at family breakfast at the Lyon's estate. Everyone is present except for Andre. After some light banter and the gift of a gold-toned fitness bracelet/heart monitor connected to a cell phone app, Lucious (Terrence Howard) explains that Andre isn't present because he recently tried to kill his father. Cookie retorts: "I hate to break it to you but everybody at this table at one point wanted you dead. If you really want to heal my heart Lucious, please talk to Andre."
Hakeem (Bryshere Gray) and Jamal (Jussie Smollett) cut eyes at each other. The scene shifts to Empire studios where Tiana, in frustration, fires the choreographer and rebuffs Hakeem yet again. She's too tied up in what Eddie's (Forest Whitaker) plans for her career.Back at the mansion, Cookie reconnects with China, an old friend from lockup. They talk about frenemy Poundcake and Cookie learns the woman is dying of cancer in jail. Long story short, there is a mystery as to what happened to Poundcake's newborn daughter who was whisked away by a prison guard. Mama Bear Cookie is pissed.
Meanwhile, Andre and Lucious are poring over documents and discussing Eddie's apparent move to influence stock purchases in Empire records. Lucious doesn't quite trust his eldest son, but then again, he does. The father listens to the son who says: "six entities bought empire stock just before... Each company bought just enough shares so that they would remain under the SEC threshold." Lucious reminds Andre they are a globally traded company. Andre then says that "somebody made hundreds of thousands on the stock valuations alone." Andre's instincts point to Eddie as being behind these companies. Lucious confirms that She Dragon Holdings Incorporated might just stand for ex-wife Celeste.Cut to Cookie visiting Poundcake in jail hospice. It becomes clear via a flashback that Poundcake had something to do with the length of Cookie's jail stay. And Poundcake, back in the day, tells Cookie that the main prison guard is the one who made "my baby disappear." The flashback also shows that Poundcake got out of jail and looked for her child for years.
"This is not right," the music maven announces. "Your baby girl is out there and didn't know you wanted to give her up. Poundcake, I'mma find your baby girl. I'm gonna find her and bring her here so you can see her."
Elsewhere in the city, Andre and Lucious pay a visit to Celeste and ask her about She Dragon, the company. The men pull a fast one on her, running an old street hustle talking game to convince her that Gizelle, Eddie's new wife, is earning more from the Empire stock takeover than Celeste. As a result, Celeste confirms Eddie orchestrated the buyout.
The scene switches back to Cookie in what is the best part of this episode. She visits the prison guard at his home and meets his wife, Joyce. Joyce, bless her heart, is starstruck when seeing Cookie and offers lemonade and — womp, womp — poundcake. Not one to mince words, Cookie gets the silver-haired guard to admit that he gave Poundcake's baby to Hope House, a location for light-skinned or biracial newborns that are spirited away from prisons. "Special families" get those babies, the retired guard says, in anger. It becomes clear that Bo the guard is also Bo the prison rapist. Cookie wastes no time telling wife Joyce about her husband's prison sex. It's also clear that all this redemptive work is changing Cookie. The episode ends with Cookie telling Lucious she plans to do more to help others.
Other odds and ends of this episode include an intro to Hakeem's new mentee: Blake the streetwise white rapper. Jamal links up with Tori (played by Rumer Willis) and learns his music has wide appeal. Tori, who has major beef with Tiana, is still popping pills. Tiana is sinking under the self-imposed pressure. Is this the real reason she turned Hakeem down?
#MusicVault: Prince – Nothing Compares 2 U!
The previously unreleased cut was recorded in 1984, six years before 1990’s classic reimagining by Sinéad O’Connor and before Prince started performing the song live. The track was originally composed, arranged and performed in its entirety by Prince, aside from the backing vocals by Susannah Melvoin and Paul “St. Paul” Peterson. Also featured on the original track is saxophone work by Eric Leeds.
Accompanying the song is a visual featuring never before seen rehearsal footage of Prince & The Revolution practicing their choreography in that same Eden Prairie warehouse during the same summer of 1984. Captured for Prince as a part of his rehearsal process, the footage is presented for the very first time in a video directed by Andrea Gelardin and Ruth Hogben. The video offers a glimpse into Prince’s total commitment to his art and its emotional impact, even when no audience is present.
LISTEN HERE:
The Prince Estate has also launched a new site Prince2Me.com for fans to showcase what Prince means to them.
In addition to the Prince2Me site, the Estate has launched an immersive annotated discography website highlighting the incomparable breadth and depth of Prince’s recorded catalog. Featuring audio previews, photos, videos, quotes and editorial commentary, the discography site provides a rich platform for fans old and new to immerse themselves in the creative genius of Prince. Visit the discography website HERE
The Prince Estate serves to present Prince’s life and work, and celebrate his ground-breaking cultural impact.
#NewHipHopVidep from Video: J. Cole – ‘ATM’
Fresh off the release of his fifth album KOD, J. Cole unleashes the colorful and lesson-filled video for “ATM.”
Directed by Scott Lazer and Cole, the video is a surreal representation of the money-inspired anthem. It features a group of children flying on a contraption made of drugs in search of the almighty dollar.
WATCH HERE
“ATM” is a single off J. Cole’s just-released album KOD, which stands for Kids on Drugs, King Overdosed, and Kill Our Demons.
#RIP Verne Troyer, Actor Who Portrayed Mini-Me In 'Austin Powers,' Dies At 49
Verne Troyer, best known for his comedic role as Mini-Me in two of the three Austin Powers movies, has died. He was 49.
Troyer starred alongside Mike Myers as the one-eighth-size clone and silent sidekick of villain Dr. Evil in 1999's Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, and played Myers' tiny archenemy in the franchise's third installment, 2002's Austin Powers in Goldmember.
The Los Angeles-based actor died on Saturday, according to a statement posted to his social media accounts. The circumstances of his death were not given. The statement describes Troyer as "extremely caring" and "a fighter," and mentioned depression and suicide:
"Over the years he's struggled and won, struggled and won, struggled and fought some more, but unfortunately this time was too much," the statement said. "Depression and suicide are very serious issues. You never know what kind of battle someone is going through inside. Be kind to one another. And always know, it's never too late to reach out to someone for help."
He also portrayed the banker goblin Griphook in 2001′s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and appeared in another Mike Myers film, 2008's The Love Guru.
"Troyer was born in 1969 in Sturgis, Michigan with achondroplasia, a genetic condition that kept him less than 3 feet tall," reports the Associated Press. He'd openly battled depression and alcoholism, adds the AP.
RIHANNA Reveals Savage X Fenty Lingerie Line
Didn’t they tell you that she was a Savage? Proving rumors true, Rihanna has announced that her brand new lingerie line, Savage x Fenty, is coming soon.
Taking to social media, Bad Gal confirmed the collection with a tantalizing short clip of women in lingerie. “we bout to light this up sis!!” she wrote. “🔥…introducing @SAVAGEXFENTY lingerie coming soon. sign up now at SAVAGEX.com !!”
Rihanna hasn’t revealed any of the line’s pieces just yet. However, she teased part of the lingerie line on the Savage x Fenty account’s Instagram Stories.
we bout to light this up sis!!🔥 ... introducing @SAVAGEXFENTY lingerie coming soon. sign up now at https://t.co/h2tZQk97OH !! pic.twitter.com/uQbFfOQymK— Rihanna (@rihanna) April 20, 2018
This week, Rihanna was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2018.
The humanitarian is expanding her business empire. In addition to Savage x Fenty, Bad Gal RiRi also has her Fenty x Puma and Fenty Beauty lines.
#BoxOfficeNews: A Quiet Place' Back at #1 and Trafik at #9
Early on it looked as if it might be a tight race for the weekend #1, and while the margin was slim, in the end A Quiet Place settled into the spot, topping last weekend's champion Rampage. STX's I Feel Pretty settled into third over its debut weekend, delivering results a shade over expectations, narrowly topping the outstanding performance from Fox Searchlight's Super Troopers 2, which more than doubled expectations.
With an estimated $22 million, Paramount's A Quiet Place topped the weekend as its domestic cume climbs to an outstanding $132.4 million after just 17 days in release. For comparison, Split and The Conjuring finished with $138.2 million and $137.4 million respectively over the course of their entire domestic runs. In fact, A Quiet Place is now Paramount's highest grossing domestic release since 2016's Star Trek Beyond ($158.8m) as it topped the $130.1 million brought in by Transformers: The Last Knight last year.
Internationally, A Quiet Place added $15 million this weekend for an international cume just shy of $75 million and a global tally now over $207 million. New openings included a $891k #2 finish in Spain and a third place finish in Vietnam with an estimated $302k. Leading the way is the UK where the film's cume now stands at an estimated $11.7 million followed by Australia with an estimated $6.78 million cume. The film opens in China on May 18 followed by releases in France (6/20) and Japan (9/14).
Warner Bros. and New Line's Rampage finished in second place with an estimated $21 million, dropping 41% over its sophomore frame. The film's domestic cume now stands at $66 million. Internationally, the film added an estimated $57 million this weekend from 61 markets, pushing its international cume to $216.4 million for a $283 million global tally. Among highlights, China crossed $100 million with another ~$27 million this weekend while also maintaining a #1 ranking in Korea ($10.2m cume), the UK ($9.1m cume) and Mexico ($9.6m cume). Upcoming key markets include a May 2 release in France, a May 10 release in Germany and a May 18 release in Japan.
STX's release of Amy Schumer's I Feel Pretty finished in third for the weekend, bringing in an estimated $16.2 million, coming in slightly ahead of Mojo's pre-weekend expectations, but within the anticipated performance range. While the film's opening is below the $19.5 million and $30 million debuts for Schumer's Snatched and Trainwreck respectively, I Feel Pretty's PG-13 rating makes this a difficult comparison to those two R-rated features.
Super Troopers 2 landed in fourth with an impressive $14.7 million from just 2,038 locations. The $13.5 million production was marketed by Fox Searchlight and distributed by Fox and the film's debut is well ahead of pre-weekend expectations, which were pretty much blown away by end of day Friday. Arriving 16 years after the original film, Super Troopers 2 clearly has a supportive following as the sequel has almost already reached the $18.5 million overall domestic run for the original in just three days. Opening weekend demographics show the film played to an audience that was 64% male and of the overall audience, 75% were between the ages of 25-49.
Beyonce & Solange Knowles Together at Coachella Takes a Tumble on Stage
As always, Beyonce and Solange rocks together. The sisters adorable fell on stage during her 2018 Coachella set on Saturday (April 21), and fans are loving the moment between the sisters.
At the end of Beyonce and Solange‘s dance number after performing “Get Me Bodied,” Bey tried to pick up her sister. Instead, they both fell and then laughed it off before getting back up. Beyonce then said, “Give it up for my sister!” It looked like such a fun moment between the sisters!
Beyoncé tried to pick up @solangeknowles at #Coachella tonight and they both fell on stage. 😂💖 #TooCute #Beychella pic.twitter.com/8zR1Lq9pIM— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@Bey___Legion) April 22, 2018
You can watch the video on Twitter above.
Tiffany Haddish Is Now One Of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People
Tiffany Haddish is, by far, the patron saint of the Glow Up. After teaching us the art of fruit-flavored fellatio in last year’s blockbuster hit Girl’s Trip and a critically acclaimed hosting gig on Saturday Night Live (wearing her trademark white Alexander McQueen dress) she is the definition of ‘Living My Best Life’. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been worth it. And now after all her years of struggle she’s snagged a spot on Time’s 100 Most Influential People’s list, along with Cardi B, Nicole Kidman, Christian Siriano, Lena Waithe, JLo, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Rihanna, and Janet Mock.
Tiffany also was recently interviewed by W Magazine to discuss how she rose through the ranks to be among Hollywood’s elite after facing a multitude of challenges. She spoke of her childhood, which was marred by poverty, an absentee father and a car collision that left her mother severely brain damaged. The accident changed Tiffany’s life completely.
Haddish and her four younger half-siblings were in and out of foster care and were eventually raised by their grandmother, who asked Haddish to leave once she turned 18 and was no longer eligible for foster care payments. Later on, Haddish had a terrible marriage but, even after she and her husband split up, Haddish couldn’t quite shake him off and wound up marrying him again. After they finally divorced for good, she was briefly homeless and lived out of her car, parking it in Beverly Hills “because,” she said, “I’ll be homeless with class.”
When she was 15, amidst scratching and surviving at home like the Evans family from Good Times, a social worker nudged her to participate in the Laugh Factory Comedy Camp, where she met comic legend Richard Pryor. He gave her a piece of advice that we all should live by; “You need to have fun.”
That philosophy seems to be working out for, and whether she’s hosting SNL in the McQueen dress, or presenting during the Oscars in the McQueen dress, or…wait. Hole up. Tiff. You got money now. What’s up with you wearing the same shit all the time??
“Here’s the story of that dress: I hired a stylist for Girls Trip, and she said, ‘Girl, if you’re trying to make it to the next level in your career, you’re going to have to spend a little money.’ I said, ‘I’m down to look my best. Whatever it takes.’ ” The stylist brought several options, and the only one that fit her body was the McQueen. It was perfect. “I should’ve known—wasn’t no price tag on that dress. So I wear it for Girls Trip, and then they give me the receipt. When I saw the receipt, I cried. The dress was $4,122! So I’m wearing it multiple fucking times. I don’t care what nobody say—that’s a down payment on a car, that’s a medical bill. So, even though everyone says I shouldn’t wear the dress in public again, I’m wearing it.”
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why I love me some Tiffany Haddish. But $4,122 for that simple-ass white dress?! This is why you always look at the price tag no matter what. And it’s not like Tiffany could return the dress and say that she never wore it. That wouldn’t fly, because there was picture proof….unless she told the Alexander McQueen people that although the dress looked a lot like theirs, the one she wore was actually a $19.99 knock-off she bought on eBay. Yeah, I would’ve tried that.
Semi-Naked Terrorist Gunman Opens Fire In Waffle House 3 People Killed, 4 Injured!
God Ol’ Tennessee….Three people were killed and four others were injured when a semi-naked man carrying an AR-15 burst into a Waffle House near Nashville, Tennessee early Sunday morning and began shooting.
Via NY Post :The gunfire erupted about 3:30 a.m. at the Waffle House at 3571 Murfreesboro Pike, where a customer managed to wrestle away the gunman’s rifle before he fled on foot, Metro Nashville police said on Twitter.
Police said they were looking for 29-year-old Travis Reinking of Morton, Illinois, as a person of interest in the shooting. They identified him based on the vehicle he drove to the eatery.
Police described the weapon used as an AR-15 assault rifle, WSMV reported.
29-year-old Travis Reinking, of Morton, Illinois has been named as a person of interest.
Our prayers and condolences to everyone impacted by this senseless act of terrorism.
Why was Belly Attacked By Coachella Security?
Just as The Weeknd was closing his Coachella set on Friday (Apr. 20), his longtime collaborator Belly was reportedly assaulted by the festival’s security staff.
A video obtained by TMZ shows several security guards pummeling Belly, who co-wrote The Weeknd’s hit “The Hills.” They surround him and punch him several times in the clip, but the reason behind the attack is unknown.
Witnesses say that Belly, who also performed at the festival, and a group of people were walking from the sound booth to the VIP section near the stage before the incident took place.
WATCH
The rapper took to Twitter after the incident. “20 of you pussies couldn’t take me off my feet,” he wrote, adding, “no negative bullshit can steal my joy..
I performed the best show of my life, on 4/20 at Coachella!! I really came from nothing, and I’m still here.. it’s gotta mean something.”
Issa Rae Teams Up With Bet For ‘Script To Screen’ Writing Contest
Are an aspiring writer for television?
Well Insecure star Issa Rae is looking for you. Her company—ColorCreative—is partnering with BET Networks for a writing contest to find new voices for a television series.
According to S&A, the first ColorCreative Script to Screen Contest is also launched in partnership with the American Black Film Festival (ABFF). Whether it is an original comedy or drama pilot, the chosen winner’s work will be fully developed and produced.
“ColorCreative’s mission has always been to provide opportunities for underrepresented writers by developing and producing their work. With this latest initiative, I couldn’t be more excited to be collaborating with BET Networks to help identify a fresh voice and an original idea that highlights the Black American experience,” said Deniese Davis, co-founder and chief operating officer at ColorCreative.
Three finalists will be selected to receive a trip to the 2018 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in Miami from June 13-17, where they will have an opportunity to attend roundtable sessions with industry veterans and a private luncheon with BET and ColorCreative executives. After the festival, the finalists will receive script feedback and have time to submit a revised draft. After this, one winner will be given a cash prize and have their pilot script produced by ColorCreative for BET.
Check out the contest dates below and good luck:
April 20 – Contest launch date
April 20 – May 2 – One page pitch submission window opens
May 2 – Submission window closes (at midnight)
Colin Kaepernick Receives Amnesty International’s Highest Honor For Activism
The NFL quarterback took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality and inequality, stirring a wave of activism in pro sports.
Amnesty International on Saturday named former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick its 2018 Ambassador of Conscience for his kneeling protests against racial injustice.
The award, given to Kaepernick in an Amsterdam ceremony, is handed out each year to “individuals and groups who speak out for justice,” Amnesty says on its website, with an aim to “create debate, encourage public action and raise awareness of human rights issues.” Past recipients include Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai and U2.
Kaepernick famously caused a stir by taking a knee during the national anthem at NFL games to protest racial inequality, and by refusing to stop. Other players later joined his protests.
No team has picked him up after he became a free agent after the 2016 season ― although an Adidas executive recently said the company is interested in sponsoring Kaepernick if he is signed. A large number of NFL managers reportedly “generally hate” Kaepernick for his activism, and he publicly earned the scorn of President Donald Trump.
Kaepernick operates a charity, the Colin Kaepernick Foundation, which marked a milestone in January when it finished donating $1 million to organizations that help underprivileged communities ― a pledge he made in 2016.
“The Ambassador of Conscience award celebrates the spirit of activism and exceptional courage, as embodied by Colin Kaepernick. He is an athlete who is now widely recognized for his activism because of his refusal to ignore or accept racial discrimination,” Salil Shetty, secretary general of Amnesty International, said in a statement.
In a speech at the award ceremony, Kaepernick touched on the death of Tamir Rice, the 12-year-old shot by police in Ohio, along with what motivates him and other social activists.
“We protest because we love ourselves and our people,” he said.
He echoed the sentiments in a statement issued by Amnesty: “While taking a knee is a physical display that challenges the merits of who is excluded from the notion of freedom, liberty, and justice for all, the protest is also rooted in a convergence of my moralistic beliefs, and my love for the people.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘ITCHY & SCRATCHY’
Digging for brown gold in these here hills.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Mr. Brick
Meet Mr. Brick! So you know what to do to see more. Just GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS and remember they’re NSFW!
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You’re Welcome!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!
EFREM
