Omari Hardwick covers Ebony Magazine’s Latest Issue
Hollywood actor Omari Hardwick is on the cover of Ebony Magazine‘s latest issue.
The actor, who stars as Ghost in popular series Power, speaks to the magazine about his role and how he is giving back to his community.
Omari shared the cover photo with the caption: ‘This is hard to drop when when I think about the young ebony colored men whose bodies dropped this past week in NY. All 3 ranging from 15-18. Ironically in this pic I look like i’m gazing off thinking about where we could potentially be someday if young people of all races but especially brothers & sisters of my race….got to finish their race. #Ebony ✊🏾I am honored. Thank you crew…..’
Edition is on newsstands now.
#RHoA: Kandi Burruss’ Daughter Riley Loses 52 Pounds!
Kandi Burruss was in proud mama mode when she took to social media on Thursday to celebrate her daughter Riley Burruss‘ 52-pound weight loss.
The “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star praised Riley for her dedication and hard work in shedding the weight.
Kandi wrote: I’m so proud of my baby @rileyburruss! Last year (around September I think) Riley decided to get serious about being fit.
With the help of her trainer @iamthekingoffitness she’s lost 52lbs!!!! & she did it the right way by working out 5 days a week & watching her calorie intake. Shout out to her friends @olivervett & @jake.vett who worked out with her & helped her to stick to it. They also lost between 40-50lbs.
Y’all just don’t understand how hard it is to grow up in front of the public eye & in front of social media trolls who make negative comments about kids weight. Luckily, Riley has tough skin & doesn’t let it bother her but as her mom it used to piss me off when trolls would make negative comments about her size. Nobody knew she was over 200lbs because my daughter is tall.
She’s 5’9. & to be honest she wouldn’t tell anybody how much she weighed but now she proudly shares it because she wants to motivate other people who are going thru the Weightloss struggle. Riley is still working out 5 days a week. I’m so proud of her dedication.
Now she doesn’t need help to stick to it because she’s got that self discipline that I don’t even have… Riley wants to help other young people get fit & help them thru the challenges she faced.
Stay tuned to what my young boss has coming next! #ProudMom ❤❤❤
Riley added: I just really want to send a big shoutout to @iamthekingoffitness because having an amazing trainer was very helpful throughout this journey and motivated me to keep going. I also want to thank my friends @jake.vett & @olivervett for keeping me motivated as well.
My journey is not over. I have larger goals I am trying to reach and I hope everybody follows me throughout my journey. I’ve been seeing peoples comments about them struggling with weight loss. I know the struggle & its real. But it can be done. Roll with me and lets do it together! & i just want to thank every one for your supportive comments!
Congrats Riley! Health is wealth!
#Empire: Fox Sets Date for the return of ‘Empire’
Fox announced it’s fall premiere dates for its new and returning series.
Along with the network premiere of Thursday Night Football, which Fox acquired in a rich five-year deal with the NFL in January, the premieres list includes such hits as Empire, 9-1-1 and the Clayne Crawford-less Lethal. Also back is its stalwart Sunday toon block, starting with Season 30 of The Simpsons and anchored this year by the new live-action comedy Rel. The Lil Rel Howery series will get a special preview after football on Sunday, September 9, before moving to its regular slot three weeks later.
Also new to the network this fall is Last Man Standing, the veteran Tim All sitcom that Fox picked up in May after ABC canceled it. Season 7 will include the entire original cast and will return in its longtime 8 PM Friday time slot. Meanwhile, new comedy The Cool Kids — starring TV veterans Vicki Lawrence, Martin Mull, David Alan Grier and Leslie Jordan — will bow at 8:30 Friday, September 28, after Last Man Standing.
Here are Fox’s 2018 premiere dates (all Times ET/PT, except where noted):
Sunday, September 9 (following NFL doubleheader)
8-8:30 PM: REL (Special Preview)
Sunday, September 23 (following NFL doubleheader)
8-9 PM: 9-1-1 (Special Season 2 Premiere, Part 1)
Monday, September 24
8-9 PM: THE RESIDENT (Season 2 Premiere)
9-10 PM: 9-1-1 (Special Season 2 Premiere, Part 2)
Tuesday, September 25
8-9 PM: THE GIFTED (Season 2 Premiere)
9-10 : LETHAL WEAPON (Season 3 Premiere)
Wednesday, September 26
8-9 PM: EMPIRE (Season 5 Premiere)
9-10 PM: STAR (Season 3 Premiere)
Thursday, September 27
7:30 PM ET: THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (Fox Sports Premiere)
Friday, September 28
8-8:30 PM: LAST MAN STANDING (Network Premiere)
8:30-9 PM: THE COOL KIDS (Series Premiere)
9-10 PM: HELL’S KITCHEN (Season 18 Premiere)
Sunday, September 30
8-8:30 PM: THE SIMPSONS (Season 30 Premiere)
8:30-9 PM: BOB’S BURGERS (Season 9 Premiere)
9-9:30 PM: FAMILY GUY (Season 16 Premiere)
9:30-10 PM: REL (Time Period Premiere)
#NewMusic from Lalah Hathaway – Call On Me (Remix featuring Redman)
(Via YKIGS) In a collaboration between legends that originated from a birthday shoutout on Instagram, Lalah Hathaway taps Redman for a remix to her song “Call On Me”. With Tiffany Gouché’s production designed to bump from car to the club, perfected by a dose of classic Redman on the verse, this is a sultry number with a club-heavy bottom end.
The “call on me (Remix)” is one of a slew of new tracks on the honestly (deluxe edition) album, out today on Hathaway Entertainment/Caroline. The album also features remixes from the likes of Robert Glasper, Teddy Riley and The Twilite Tone (producer to Gorillaz, Common, Kanye West and more).
LISTEN HERE
This new music is to mark the release of honestly: a short film by lalah hathaway. This short film-come-music-video is both an ode to protest and to self-preservation in a time of struggle. In it we follow ‘little lalah’ in a variety of forms (from Lego, to 2-bit, to human) through the arc of her latest album honestly, on a journey of self-reflection and resistance. It even includes appearances from friends/collaborators Terrace Martin and Thundercat.
#HipHopNews: Jay-Z To Launch Investment Fund Inspired By His Beloved Marcy Projects!
Jay-Z can now add founding his own venture capital fund to his impressive business resume. The Everything Is Love rapper is reportedly behind a new venture fund, titled Marcy Venture Partners, according to TechCrunch.
The fund’s name is undeniably a nod to Hov's beloved Marcy housing project, in his native BedStuy, which has fueled the inspiration behind a majority of his discography. Most notably, Jay rhymed about his bittersweet admiration for his hood on tracks like "Where I'm From" off of In My Lifetime Vol. 1 and “Marcy Me” which appeared on 4:44.
Along with Roc Nation’s president, Jay Brown, and Walden Venture Capital’s managing director, Lawrence Marcus, the trio are overseeing the project. Marcy Venture Partners, however, is just one of many of Jigga's noteworthy businesses.The mogul and Tidal owner's investment portfolio consists of luggage company Away, nail parlor company Julep, and the private-jet startup JetSmarter. Back in 2017, Hov's own Roc Nation launched the start-up backing fund Arrive. He is also responsible for investing in Uber’s Series B in 2011 as well as being a financial backer for the platform Robinhood.
The world of tech and startups aside, Jay also lends his business acumen to Roc Nation Sports and his current worldwide On The Run II Tour alongside wife Beyoncé.
Uh Oh? LeBron to Philly? Sixers to meet with LeBron James' reps in Los Angeles
The Sixers at least have a foot in the door.
LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, is meeting with the Sixers in Los Angeles on Sunday, NBC Sports Philadelphia has confirmed. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the news and that James is not expected to attend the meeting.
Per The New York Times' Mark Stein, the Sixers' contingent will include managing partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer.
Dominoes have started falling across the NBA since free agency opened at midnight. However, the biggest one, James, has kept a relatively low profile.
James and Paul spoke with Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman over the phone just as free agency got underway, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. Other than that, the only other rumblings surrounding the three-time champion and four-time MVP have been that the Denver Nuggets are attempting to make a hard run at him, according to Yahoo! Sports' Chris Mannix.
The one-time betting favorite to land James, the Los Angeles Lakers, also remain in the hunt. They are still seeking another star player to pair James with, which could include trading for San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard or free agent DeMarcus Cousins, who they reportedly have their own meeting with on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Sixers should relatively easily able to reach the required cap space for a max-level player such as James and can still attract another top-tier talent. Their preference would also be a trade for Leonard, who they feel would put them in “pole position” to lock down James.
Couple that with the chance to play with young studs Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons along with James’ close ties to the Rookie of the Year, and the Sixers should be as attractive a destination as any for the king.
Now it just comes down to the meeting. The Sixers know going in that James’ camp doesn’t want any elaborate free-agent pitch, but will their message be enough?
Stay tuned.
Beyoncé’s Ex-Manager Raises $260 Million to Acquire Rights to Her Songs and Much More.
Hipgnosis Songs, a music IP investment company set up by former Beyoncé and Guns N’ Roses manager Merck Mercuriadis, has raised $260 million in investment capital to fund the acquisition of hit songs and copyrights.
According to Billboard reports, The Guernsey-registered business, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, says it is initially looking to acquire eight catalogs from well-known songwriters, spanning over 1,000 songs, including more than 10 Number 1s in the U.K. and U.S. The targeted catalogs are said to include compositions from each of the past five decades and include hits that have been performed by more than 50 global artists.
“I believe that the song, even more so than the artist, is the most important component in a hit record,” Mercuriadis said. “I’ve spent the better part of the last 35 years advocating for great artists, songwriters and producers and my ambition is to grow the fund not only to provide great returns for our investors but equally well in due course to create the leverage that only critical mass can provide to change the songwriters position in the economic model.
#GIRLPOWER: Pink & Avril Lavigne Come to Defense of Kesha in Battle Against Dr. Luke
Kesha is gaining more star power in her fight against record producer Dr. Luke as P!nk and Avril Lavigne personally sign off on documents in support of the singer.
According to documents both P!nk and Avril filed sworn affidavits in the defamation case Luke filed against Kesha.
Both women of rock, who had each previously worked with Luke in the past, stated that their decisions to stop working with the producer had nothing to do with Kesha.
The “What About Us” singer states, “The reason I have not worked with Dr. Luke since 2006 has nothing to do with Kesha Sebert, her words, or her actions.”
Avril’s document has the same statement, except her end date with Luke wasn’t until 2007.
The support of both stars is important because Luke is accusing Kesha of costing him millions of dollars in work over her claims of sexual assault. He previously said he could have made over $10 million with Katy Perry that he believes he lost because of Kesha’s influence.
As we reported, Kesha sent a text message to Lady Gaga alleging Luke had raped Perry. However, Kesha now claims she was not the first one to reveal that information to Gaga, and says someone else had told them both at the same time. She also says Luke is trying to drag out the defamation case and cause her to become bankrupt due to legal fees.
In the most recent document filing, it was also revealed both Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine were deposed in the case.
The war between the two remains ongoing in what’s turning out to be a celeb-packed legal showdown.
Heather Locklear voluntarily checks herself into rehab
Actress Heather Locklear has gone to rehab. The former “Melrose Place” star voluntarily agreed to check herself into a long-term treatment facility for substance abuse and mental health issues after she spent the last week in a psychiatric ward, TMZ reported.
The troubled 56-year-old blonde was arrested Sunday after chugging a bottle of tequila, crashing her Porsche at her California mansion and then attacking cops when they arrived.
She was arrested on police battery charges and released, but was immediately rushed to the hospital hours later for an overdose of some kind, according to the report.
While she was involuntarily held in the hospital, doctors determined that she suffers from mental health issues.
A week earlier, Locklear was taken in for a psych evaluation after her parents called the police saying she was threatening to find a gun and kill herself and tried to choke her mother.
Tessa Thompson: Me and Janelle Monaé are NOT Dating?
Yesterday it reported, Actress Tessa Thompson is opening up about rumors that she and Janelle Monáe are more than friends.
In a new interview with PorterEdit, Thompson, 34, says that she and Monáe, 32, “love each other deeply” and that they “vibrate on the same frequency.”
“It’s tricky, because Janelle and I are just really private people and we’re both trying to navigate how you reconcile wanting to have that privacy and space, and also wanting to use your platform and influence,” said the “Westworld” star, adding that her family has been very accepting of her bisexuality.
Not so fast…
Now what?
Roseanne Says “I Didn’t Ask To Be Paid Off” After Cancellation Of Sitcom
Last week, Roseanne Barr was a guest Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s podcast and the cancelling of her ABC sitcom after she wrote a racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett in May. During the interview, she gave a tearful apology and it continues in a second interview with Rabbi Schuley.
Barr addressed more of the ramifications of her Twitter behavior saying, “I didn’t ask to be paid off, I asked for nothing. I just step away for that because that is penance. I put a lot of thought into it.” Before the sitcom’s cancellation, she was earning $250,000 an episode.
Many already know that Barr said that Jarrett looked like “Muslim brotherhood and Planet of the Apes had a baby.” Even though Barr claims she thought Jarrett was white, the Apes reference is clearly a racist slur against Black people. With that and the Muslim reference, Barr saw plenty of backlash. That being said, she addressed her working relationship with Jayden Rey, the eight-year-old Black actress that played her on-screen granddaughter on the revival of her show.
“I was very upset about hurting things that I care about and hurting people that I care about,” she said on the podcast, which is scheduled to air Monday. “Specifically, the little girl who played by granddaughter. She is African American and she loved me and I loved her.”
She added, “I did not want her, I did not want her to not have a job because she’s great. I did not want her to think badly of Jewish people and me specifically.”
Barr, who is Jewish, said of the controversial tweet: “I didn’t mean what they think I meant.”
She continued to apologize, her ignorance and said “I have to face that it hurt people. When you hurt people, even unwillingly, there’s no excuse. I don’t want to run off and blather on with excuses.”
#AHS ‘American Horror Story’ Season 8 Premiere Date Revealed
“Not long now.” So reads the caption tease on American Horror Story’s Facebook post, which reveals Season 8 will premiere Wednesday, September 12 at 10/9c on FX.
We still don’t have an official title, but series creator Ryan Murphy previously teased that the next season of AHS would take place in the near-distant future, and he later announced that Season 8 will be a crossover of Season 1’s Murder House and Season 3’s Coven.
Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and Kathy Bates are returning for season 8. Paulson played medium Billie Dean Howard in the Murder House season, a part which she reprised in AHS fifth season Hotel. In Coven, Paulson played Miss Robichaux’s Academy headmistress Cordelia Foxx.
Peters played murderous teen Tate Langdon in Murder House and frat president Kyle Spencer in Coven. Bates joined AHS during Coven as socialite Madame Delphine LaLaurie, who was a serial killer known for murdering and torturing her black slaves.
Stay tuned.
Toni Braxton’s Son Diezel Braxton Signs With Wilhelmina Models
Toni Braxton proudly announced her 15-year-old son, Diezel Braxton-Lewis, has been signed by Wilhelmina Models.
The R&B singer and reality TV star took to social media to share the exciting news writing:
Diezel definitely has the look of a model!
Melyssa Ford Hospitalized With Fractured Skull Following Serious Car Accident
The 'Blood, Sweat & Heels' star was clipped by an 18 wheeler according to her friend.
Model and actress Melyssa Ford is in the hospital after being involved in a serious car accident that has left her with a fractured skull.
Her friend: hairstylist Maryam Iman, revealed the horrifying details on her Instagram account early Friday morning.
“Just yesterday my best friend/adopted big sister @melyssaford Got clipped by an 18 wheeler…her jeep flipped three times. Thank god she was wearing her seatbelt but sustained serious head inquiries. She fractured her skull as well as a concussion and bleeding in her brain.”
“Seeing you in the hospital bed reminded how short life is and how fast things can happen,” Maryanm continued. “Driving home yesterday from the hospital completely choked me up. It’s a blessing you are still here with us.”
Maryam also revealed that she has a 10-inch open wound that had to be surgically closed with staples and stitches and several abrasions on her body. No word yet on who the driver is and if he or she was questioned by authorities.
Melyssa became a prominent model back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. She appeared in several major music videos such as Usher’s “Yeah” and Alicia Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name.” She also found success as an actress and was one of the leading cast members on Bravo’s reality series Blood, Sweat and Heels.
“Life is short and so please spread love,” Maryam also shared about her best friend. “Please only send my friend love and healing during this time. Hug your loved ones and hold them close ❤ love you @melyssaford and I’m glad you’re still here with us.”
We send our Prayers and well-wishes to Melyssa!
Cast of ‘Power’ Season 5 shined bright on the red carpet at world premiere
On Sunday, July 1, fans of the Starz television series “Power” will gather in front of their big screens to sing their favorite theme song, “Big Rich Town,” as the hit show returns for a fifth season.
During the last season of “Power,” fans were thrown a loop with all of the surprises that unfolded. Raina’s death devastated fans who didn’t see it coming. Tariq definitely had some explaining to do, hopefully, he finally comes forward with the truth. Ghost and Tasha began a witch-hunt seeking revenge for their daughter’s death, and suspense grew over the unpredictability of Tommy, Dre, Kanan and Angela. Excited doesn’t begin to describe the level of anticipation fans are experiencing over the upcoming season!
All of the show’s cast members, including new characters added near the end of last season, were in attendance at the season 5 world premiere Thursday, June 28, at the famous Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Season 5 of “Power” airs at 9 p.m. Sunday on Starz, and fans will be thrilled to know the hit series has already been renewed for a sixth season.
Will you be watching?
Fantasia has sold her NC Home, At a $245K Loss
Fantasia Barrino took a substantial loss after selling her North Carolina home. The 33-year-old American Idol singer purchased the home back in 2004 for $740,000. Initially, she listed the home in February for $500,000. However, she cut the price down to $465,000, selling it for a $245,000 loss.
The home has 4-bedrooms, 3.5-bathrooms, is 4,541 sq. ft and is located on a golf course. The home was being sold ‘as is’, as it needed extensive renovations. At one, Fantasia had two homes in North Carolina until she was sued for foreclosure.
Rep. Maxine Waters Speaks out on Death Threats Against Her: If You Shoot Me, You Had Better Shoot Straight
California Democratic congresswoman Maxine Waters told would-be assassins to “shoot straight” Saturday in response to death threats she says she’s received since encouraging people unhappy with the president’s immigration policies to publicly confront members of the Trump administration.
Waters, who has long been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, made the comments during a speech at the “Families Belong Together March” in Los Angeles after canceling events in Alabama and Texas last week because of “hostile mail” and “one very serious death threat,” CNN reported.
“I know that there are those who are talking about censuring me, talking about kicking me out of Congress, talking about shooting me, talking about hanging me,” Waters said. “All I have to say is this, if you shoot me, you better shoot straight. There is nothing like a wounded animal.”
AND FINALLY FROM THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘SHOOT ‘EM DOWN’
Huge shoutout to this wannabe model for proving that no matter the photo quality or how great your photographer is, a picture taken in Walmart is still #PeopleOfWalmart as f****ck.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Mr. Beariful
Meet Mr Beariful. You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
Enjoy!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD
EFREM
