Issa Rae Covers GQ + Releases Premiere Date For ‘Insecure’
Award winning actress, producer and pop culture phenom Issa Rae is having the best week ever. Not only did she just announce that her popular HBO series, Insecure is coming back on August 12 but she is also gracing GQ‘s new comedy issue along with Sarah Silverman and Kate McKinnon.
“Our intention was to celebrate the three super-funny superstars, who are all that is smart and perceptive and riotous and necessary in comedy right now. We deeply regret that the results violated GQ‘s rigorous standards of editorial excellence and the laws of nature,” says GQ.
Profiles on each of the ladies will be released on GQ.com next week.
In addition to Insecure, also look for Issa Rae to star in Little with Marsai Martin and The Hate U Give with Common, Regina Hall, Amandla Stenberg and Anthony Mackie.
#RHoA: Kandi Burruss Flaunts Bikini Body At Birthday Bash With Friends
Kandi Burruss is out there flaunting her fabulous bikini body while on vacation in Las Vegas for her birthday.
The Real Housewives Of Atlanta star and a group of ladies including Toya Wright decided to recreate Lil’ Kim’s “Not Tonight (Ladies Night)” video.
In the clip, Kandi is wearing a white bikini and is sporting a cute bob as she danced with a very sexy friend.
Todd Tucker, who is Kandi’s husband and posted the video, wrote: “Babe @Kandi I’m happy you’re having a good time for your bday! Baddies takin over Vegas!”
She responded by: “Last night was awesome! My hubby surprised me & took us all to @jlo’s show. She did an amazing job! My whole crew loved it. Thanks, babe.”
One fan told the Xscape diva: “Thank you for the video you look like you really enjoyed your birthday praise God for another day. Yessss live yo best life, you work so hard!!! My fav role model!!! Honey and turn up and many more to come to you and God bless you love that you don’t drink. Shows that you can have fun without liquor. That one friend that stays on the phone while everybody lit lol. Kandi you look good Thought it was a throwback of Lil Kim ladies night.
#Empire: Gabby Sidibe and Gabrielle Union Bonding Over Racist Casting Directors Has Fans Outraged About Their Experience
This week’s “Empire” episode highlighted the racist casting practices that movie makers may engage in and actresses Gabby Sidibe and Gabrielle Union have feelings about it.
On the Wednesday, May 9 episode, Hakeem Lyon lands a movie role with popular “Star Wars” actor, Haven Quinn. However, the gig is shortlived after the white director begins instructing him to turn up the blackness and act like a stereotype.
“Bring all your Black into it. Let your guard down. I know you’ve been taught to keep the beast in check. But on my set Black lives matter,” the director says before telling Hakeem to “turn the Glock pinky up like a rapper does!”
When Hakeem responds, “Don’t nobody do that,” he gets fired and the director pines for Jaden Smith to replace him. But at least he earns Haven’s respect.
Meanwhile, Sidibe, who stars on “Empire,” tweeted that’s she’s had a similar experience.
“I’ve mos def had a director or 2 who wanted me to be ‘blacker’ or ‘sassier’ or they just make a neck rolling motion and tell me to do that. Assholes,” she said.
Moments later, Union co-signed, Sidibe.
“Gurl… Once had a casting director who kept saying ‘More sassy… you know. You KNOOOOW… like Della Reese,'” the “Breaking In” actress recalled.
“I never understood that…,” someone tweeted. “How the hell does someone tell a POC auditioning for a role of a POC who already has the [role] ‘you’re not Black enough’ or ‘you’re too Black?’ 🙄WTF?”
“Once had a casting director ask me where I’m from because I wasn’t convincing enough of being a Black man,” an actor said. “From the south, HBCU grad, dark as midnight but you wanted a stereotype not a Black man.”
“Not Black enough and too Black,” someone else said. “I don’t even have words for this ish…well just one…Degrading!”
#RnBFlashback Teddy Pendergrass ‘Love TKO’
In a career that spanned over a decade, R&B crooner Teddy Pendergrass became a legend for his silky smooth voice and soulful delivery. As the vocalist behind several of the most beloved and monstrously successful hits of the 80s such as Love TKO. Let’s listen and reminisce to ‘Love TKO’
Listen HERE
#HipHopNews: E-40 Announces "The Gift Of Gab" Album
E-40 is living up to his Charlie Hustle nickname. One month after releasing the Connected & Respected album with his cousin B-Legit, the Bay Area Hip Hop legend has announced a new solo album titled The Gift Of Gab.
40 Water’s next LP is scheduled to drop on June 29. The project will be the 25th solo album of E-40’s career. His last solo effort was The D-Boy Diary, which was released as a two-parter in 2016.
No tracklist for the upcoming album has been revealed at this time. E-40 also hasn’t shared a lead single for the LP.
Beyoncé Bought a Church in New Orleans…Church of Bey?
Seriously? Beyoncé just purchased an attractive stone church in New Orleans, so we can now all convert and move to the Big Easy. According to TMZ, "Queen Bey's the new owner of a stone structured, 7,500 sq. ft house of God in The Big Easy. The New Orleans church -- which is more than 100 years old -- was listed at $850,000 ... but it's unclear if she got a divine discount." Beyoncé and her sister Solange both already own residential properties in the city, so maybe they're investing in the community.
And don't worry, her purchase didn't displace some put-upon congregation, like those nuns Katy Perry kept trying to evict from a convent (RIP that one nun!). Per TMZ, "We're told Beyonce's church was built in the early 1900s, but has been out of commission as a place of worship for some time due to its church members passing away." Morbid, but understandable.
All in all, we don't have a ton of information to go on with this latest purchase. Is it an investment? Is she going to flip it? Does she just want the land? Will she turn the building into a museum or performance space, or install a ministry where every hymn is "Halo?"
We're reminded of the opening scenes of Jay-Z's "Family Feud" video, which finds him, Bey and Blue Ivy attending church together, seeking solace and inspiration and Grace. Hmm. Beyoncé tends to keep her plans pretty quiet so her projects make a big splash when they actually debut, so hopefully we'll know more about what she has in store soon.
#BoxOffice: ‘Deadpool 2’ Dominates Box Office With Record-Setting $301.3M Worldwide Debut
Deadpool 2 dominated the box office and set a new record for Fox International with a staggering $301.3 million worldwide debut.
The film, starring Ryan Reynolds, Zazie Beetz, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin and others scooped $125 million domestically and $176.3M at the international box office giving Fox International their biggest opening of all-time.
Via Deadline:Fox/Marvel’s Deadpool 2 strutted his stuff into 81 markets this weekend, grossing $176.3M at the international box office. That sets a new benchmark for Fox International as its biggest opening of all time, topping the previous record-holder, X-Men: Days Of Future Past.
The offshore opening is also the biggest ever for an R-rated title, clawing away last year’s Logan. In all launch markets this session, Ryan Reynolds’ Merc with a mouth scored the No. 1 spot and bested Deadpool 1’s start by 7% (in like-for-like plays and at today’s exchange rates). The global debut cume is $301.3M.
In the sequel, foul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson (aka Deadpool), brings together a team of fellow mutant rogues to protect a young boy of supernatural abilities from the brutal, time-traveling mutant, Cable.
Harry and Meghan’s Royal Wedding Swag Bag Hits the Auction Block
If you weren’t one of the lucky 600 guests invited to the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle then chances are you didn’t get to cop one of the sweet goodie bags that were handed out after the ceremony. Luckily, the bags are now being auctioned off, and are loaded with royal keepsakes.
The royal swag bags were handed out to the guests Saturday as they left St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. They were not available for purchase, and intended to be personal mementos from the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex to celebrate the wedding.
However, many listings for the coveted giveaways are now popping up on eBay. Here’s what’s inside:
Official Order of Service for the ceremony
Harry and Meghan commemorative chocolate coin
Refrigerator magnet with the couple’s initials and wedding date
Map of Windsor Castle with points of interest listed
Official Windsor Castle water bottle
Special guest badge
Harry and Meghan wedding themed shortbread cookies
20% off coupon good at Windsor Castle gift shop
The tote bag itself is also a collector’s item with the couple’s initials and wedding date prominently displayed.
A complete bag is currently going for around $200 and climbing, but other listings offering single items or just the bag itself, are going for cheaper.
One particular listing noted that the proceeds from their sale would be donated to charity, which we think the royal newlyweds would surely support.
RHOP’S Robyn Dixon Responds to Karen Calling Her a ‘Ditzy B*tch” Plus Says Monique Should Take Responsibility for Accident
Real Housewives of Potomac star, Robyn Dixon has been pretty laid back this season, but her cast mates have been as outrageous as ever! She opened up about some of their more dramatic (and problematic) moments during a new interview.
First, she addressed Karen Huger’s utterly bizarre behavior during “that dinner” on the first night of their recent trip to Pennsylvania. She’d gone off on an unprovoked tirade, calling Robyn “Gizelle’s puppet” and “the dizziest b*tch at the table”.
But despite all that crazy, Robyn managed to take the high road, and laughingly chalk the whole incident up to too much champagne.
”That whole exchange at that table was baffling, to say the least. I really found it comical that, out of nowhere, Karen started bringing up old issues and calling names. But the champagne was clearly flowing, and talking, that night, so I wasn’t fazed at all by what Karen said, and was actually quite entertained,” Robyn said to Bravo.
And speaking of being over served, Robyn and the other ladies have become increasingly concerned about Monique’s drinking throughout the season—especially after the grisly looking car accident she had, following a boozy outing with Ashley Darby.
”Wow! Total shock!” Robyn said of her reaction to hearing about the crash. “The thought of not only crashing your car, but waking up in a ditch, is terrifying, and gives me chills just thinking about it. I truly was grateful that Monique was safe, and no one was injured, but I was also concerned about the circumstances that lead to the crash.”
Robyn explained that, as Monique’s friend, she’d felt it was her duty to confront her about those ‘circumstances’ head on, and to ensure that she understood the full weight of what she’d done.
”Driving under the influence is not something that should just be brushed off lightly, and not taken seriously. If Monique had a serious problem, then it would have been wrong for all of us not to address it,” she explained.
But unfortunately, Monique did seem pretty nonchalant about the whole thing. She’d insisted that she’d just been “tired” that day, and couldn’t possibly have been drunk after “only” two martinis, although Ashley maintained that she’d had at least twice that many.
“It didn’t sound like she wanted to take responsibility for the situation. ‘I can usually go five martinis before I throw up’. Say what?! We aren’t talking about being black out wasted, we are talking about being impaired just enough to fall asleep and crash your car. And being tired is definitely a side effect of drinking too much,” Robyn said.
But despite her breezy attitude, Robyn remains hopeful that, deep down, Monique heard her.
”Although Monique talked herself out of this (as she does everything else), I do hope and believe that she has been able to look back, and process what happened, and vows to make better choices in the future,” Robyn said.
Well, we certainly hope so! Monique’s basically a good person, with a family who needs her, and we’d hate to see anyone get hurt. Besides, driving drunk is just plain selfish—especially when you have the money to hire a driver. Perhaps she should ask Karen for a referral? Word on the street is that “Blue Eyes” is always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty!
Amber Rose Says Kanye West And Trump ‘Have The Same Personality’
Following Kanye West’s controversial comments about President Donald Trump and slavery, Amber Rose is speaking out about her ex-boyfriend.
During an interview with “The Fallen State,” the model sat down with host Jesse Lee Peterson to discuss ‘Ye and his similarities to Trump. “When I first seen Trump on the podium and just kinda running for president, I was like, ‘Oh my God. That is Kanye in a white man’s body,'” said Rose. “I really felt like they have the same personality.”
She continued, “I would like to think—and this is hypothetically speaking—that Kanye met with Trump and Trump said, ‘Look, I seen these people. I knew they were gonna vote for me and I used them to get elected and I can’t tell nobody that ’cause I want to get a second term, but now that I’m in office I really want to make a change.’ Now, Kanye can’t snitch on him, he can’t snitch on himself. So, you know, maybe he’s thinking of the greater good of what Trump can do for the country.
“Kanye’s the type of person that he loves art, and he loves the art in things, so I think that he appreciates the politics that Trump used in order to get in office, ’cause Trump was a Democrat for like 30 years I heard, or something like that. So I could only hope that Trump kind of used the white people, seemingly like racist white people, to get in office maybe for the greater good. I don’t know.”
She also weighed in on Trump’s own controversy. “I think he’s a sexual predator. I feel bad for Melania,” she said. “I want her to get a divorce and become an activist. But that’s what I can only assume.”
Kanye, who plans to run for president in 2024, has met with Trump and been an outspoken supporter of his. “You don’t have to agree with trump but the mob can’t make me not love him,” he tweeted. “We are both dragon energy. He is my brother.”
Celebrity chef Mario Batali under criminal investigation by New York police for Sexual Misconduct!
Authorities have launched a criminal investigation of restaurateur and celebrity chef Mario Batali, a New York Police Department spokesman confirmed Sunday.
It wasn't immediately clear what incidents the police were examining. Batali was fired from ABC's "The Chew" in December and took a leave of absence from day-to-day operations of his businesses after the foodie website Eater.com reported allegations of sexual misconduct.
The investigation was first reported by CBS' "60 Minutes," which aired interviews on Sunday with several former female employees of the Spotted Pig, a restaurant Batali invested in and frequently visited.
The women alleged that Batali and the restaurant's co-owner, Ken Friedman, sexually harassed or assaulted them.
A spokeswoman for Batali didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, and there was no immediate reply to messages to The Spotted Pig and Friedman.
Batali apologized after the allegations were reported in December, saying: "Much of the behavior described does, in fact, match up with ways I have acted. That behavior was wrong, and there are no excuses."
In a statement to "60 Minutes," he denied assaulting a woman whose allegations were reported by CBS. He added that he wasn't focused on a professional comeback but on a "personal path forward" on which "I can continue in my charitable endeavors — helping the underprivileged and those in need."
In a separate statement to "60 Minutes," Friedman said he had "focused intently on what we could and should have done better, on my own personal decisions and mistakes for which I have apologized."
A spokesman for Friedman added that he "vehemently denies any non-consensual activity." A woman who alleged to "60 Minutes" that Friedman assaulted her "never issued a complaint," the spokesman said, "and expressed ongoing affection for him".
New Edition Members Talk Facing Hard Financial Times Despite Their Popularity
A few days ago, we shared a statement from Ricky Bell about why New Edition won’t be touring at the moment, and he also addressed whether Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill were really kicked out of the group as reported.
Recently, Bell, along with Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe and Michael Bivins, stopped by TV One’s “Sister Circle Live” to talk about their new group RBRM, and why it’s important for them to have different revenue streams.
Bell was very honest that things can get tough for them financially, because people aren’t always clamoring to see a New Edition, BBD or Bobby Brown show.
“Being in the business for as long as we have, we have experienced that every record is not always a hit; every tour is not always a sell out. Sometimes you have dry seasons. So with that in mind, it’s definitely a smart idea to have [a lot of] revenue streams.”
From the way it looks, New Edition, as the public knows them, is in complete disarray. Reportedly, the main reason has to do with Tresvant and Gill owning the group’s trademark, and they won’t cut the other members in for a piece. However, none of that has been confirmed by either member or their representatives.
All of the fighting might come as a big surprise to folks, after the group seemed united after the success of their biopic “The New Edition Story,” released in 2017. Around that time, they were promoting the film, doing interviews together and said the actors from the movie would be joining them on a tour.
But earlier this month, Bivins took to Instagram and said the members of New Edition weren’t communicating, and the tour wasn’t going to happen. Then just a few days ago, Bell confirmed the cancellation and admitted that the group was in the middle of a dispute. He also denied reports that Tresvant and Gill were kicked out of New Edition.
Later in the “Sister Circle Live interview,” the hosts asked RBRM what still keeps them going after all these years, which some may consider a good question, considering the infighting, dealing with a changing music industry and as Bell admitted, having financial dry spells at times.
“It always comes back to our fans,” answered Bell. “They love us, they support us, whether we have a record out or not, no matter what form we are whether it’s BBD, Bobby, New Edition, Ralph or Johnny, they alwas show up. And we love what we do. We love to perform, we love to create music and the money is good.”
Bivins added to those words and said despite what New Edition has accomplished, there’s still more rungs on the ladder of success they’d like to climb.
“We was put in this game for a reason,” he explained. “It seems like when we first started coming out the projects and just having “Candy Girl,” we had the best monster to get out the gate and we touched so many lives. But what you were saying about what inspires you? I think it’s what you want out of it. We’re still striving for some things we haven’t received. Regardless to what we have, there’s just some more personal goals.”
German Broadcaster Criticized For 'Racist Coverage' Of Royal Wedding
German public broadcaster ZDF has been lashed for what critics called “racist” coverage of Britain’s royal wedding Saturday.
Announcers were mesmerized by how African-Americans straighten their hair, repeatedly referred to Meghan Markle and black wedding guests as “exotic,” and said the gospel choir at the wedding sang “beautifully black,” German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported.
HuffPost Germany complained: “The station never tires of emphasizing that Meghan Markle … is black. Black, black, black. Can we please talk about hats again?”
At one point, a ZDF announcer wondered: “Are those dreadlocks on Meghan’s mother?” Another responded, according to DW: “It’s curly hair that’s been somewhat de-curled, same as Meghan probably does all the time.”
The broadcaster was hit with criticism in emails, on Twitter and by phone. ZDF has not apologized for its coverage, but told DW that “we take the criticism of our viewers seriously.” The ZDF spokeswoman also said the network received praise for its coverage.
One tweet about the coverage complained: “Dear @zdf, it is extremely annoying that Meghan’s lineage is THE subject for the reporters. If Meghan were white, what would they snigger about? Please treat them equally.”
Another tweet, translated by DW, sarcastically proposed a very British drinking game: A shot of Pimm’s every time ZDF mentions “African-American background.”
Shameful.
Halle Berry Cast In ‘John Wick: Chapter 3’
Halle Berry is joining the cast of the action film “John Wick: Chapter 3.” The third installment of the film will be directed by Chad Stahelski and stars Keanu Reeves as the title character. The film will pick up immediately after the events of the second film, following a retired assassin who now has a $14 million bounty placed on his life.
Details of Halle’s role are being kept under wraps but reportedly she will not be a villain in the film. Berry confirmed her role, posting on Instagram,
Berry last appeared in three movies last year including “The Kingsman: Golden Circle” with Taron Edgeton and Channing Tatum.
The first film “John Wick” was released in 2014. The sequel “John Wick: Chapter 2” was released in 2017. “John Wick: Chapter 3” hits theaters May 2019.
Oprah Winfrey, Natalie Portman, Lena Dunham, Chadwick Boseman Among 140 To Sign Open Letter On
Movie and TV heavyweights including Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman and Lena Dunham are among those to sign an open letter calling for action against gender inequality.
The 140 signatories from the entertainment arena are putting political leaders “on notice” in the letter which is spearheaded by international charity ONE. Also among those to sign are Black Panther stars Letitia Wright and Chadwick Boseman, Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Reynolds, Amy Schumer, Issa Rae, Michael Sheen, Thandie Newton and Natalie Dormer.
The 140 signatories call for a commitment to help every girl get an education and for leaders to use their power to deliver “historic changes for women.” The letter describes poverty as sexist and says, “We won’t stand by while the poorest women are overlooked.”
The campaign — which hopes to attract many more signatories — has also been endorsed by prominent names outside the entertainment biz, including former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg, Chelsea Clinton and Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington.
According to a World Economic Forum report from last year, the equality gap between men and women would take 100 years to close at its current rate.
The letter reads:
“Dear World leaders,
We’re putting you on notice.
For 130 million girls without an education. For one billion women without access to a bank account. For 39,000 girls who became child brides today. For women everywhere paid less than a man for the same work.
There is nowhere on earth where women have the same opportunities as men, but the gender gap is wider for women living in poverty.
Poverty is sexist. And we won’t stand by while the poorest women are overlooked.
You have the power to deliver historic changes for women this year. From the G7 to the G20; from the African Union to your annual budgets; we will push you for commitments and hold you to account for them. And, if you deliver, we will be the first to champion your progress.
We won’t stop until there is justice for women and girls everywhere.
Because none of us are equal until all of us are equal.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
THE HULKSTER
Hulk-a-marvelous!
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Hugo Bear
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