Lady Gaga for Variety Magazine
On never being the same after “A Star Is Born”: “This has been a very transformative time for me,” says Gaga about “A Star Is Born,” a life-changing journey punctuated by bursts of excitement and doubt. “As an artist, there’s always a feeling of ‘Am I good enough? Am I making something honest? Am I making something true?’ There is a sort of stagnant sadness in me, wondering if I’m enough. Today I did not see that. I saw something different. I saw a clarity. I saw a truth.”
On the cultural cultural impact of “A Star Is Born,” she looks at the film through the eyes of her fans. It means a lot to her that they’ve championed this project: “I only want to win now,” she says, speaking metaphorically, “because I want that kid who feels like me, that misfit or outcast that didn’t belong, to win. The reward for me is that this movie is a win for them.”
Get more at Variety
#RHoA: Nene Leakes Calls Out Kenya Moore’s Apparent ‘Calculations’ to Steal Attention from RHOA,
Nene Leakes is calling out Kenya Moore’s supposed plans to steal attention away from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
The OG reality star posted a huge laughing emoji on her Instagram page Sunday, Nov. 11, the same day that the second episode of RHOA’s 11th season aired.
“I can’t wit the calculations on Sundays 😂🤣 #thethirstisreal #weseeyou #wacks—,” Leakes captioned the post.
nene leakes
(@neneleakes/Instagram)
Leakes seems to be talking about Moore who shared a glimpse of her baby, Brooklyn Doris Daly, that same day. The new mom, who gave birth to her first child with husband Marc Daly nearly two weeks ago, posted a photo on her Instagram account Sunday holding her infant’s hand against her own.
When the new season of RHOA premiered on Sunday, Nov. 4, Moore had given birth via emergency cesarian section that same morning.
But apparently, Leakes feels Moore is trying to steal RHOA’s thunder since the RHOA alum is not on the series this season.
Moore, who announced her pregnancy via in vitro fertilization during the April reunion episode, confirmed rampant speculation that she won’t be in the cast to The Daily Dish in October.
“I have decided to take this season off to focus on my high-risk pregnancy in a healthy and drama free environment,” Moore said. “I thank Bravo for this amazing platform that has allowed me to grow, flourish and appreciate the value of what is truly important in life.”
In response to the shade Leakes, though, fans have been sounding off.
“SMH She’s right the thirst for Pettiness is real. Ugh….🙄”
“Nene with the facts 🤣🤣”
“Lady your husband is dying. Get your priorities straight!!!”
“This lady is delusional. Like she really think somebody cares about a show she has been on for years and still hasn’t produced anything empowering women. She is the fakest person on the show and is evil.”
“Nene seem like a fan of @thekenyamoore that’s why she must tweet something negative every week so she can keep the rating going! Hater going to hate, if I was nene I would be tweeting how special my husband is to me! 💯”
WOW!!!
#Empire: Meet the Songwriter Known for her Work on ‘Star’ and ‘Empire’
Grammy winner Makeba Riddick-Woods is making a name for herself in the music industry. After writing hits for a slew of artists such as Beyoncé, Rihanna and Tamar Braxton, the singer-songwriter now serves as a music producer on Lee Daniels’ “Star” and “Empire.” But she doesn’t just want to be a songwriter. Her gig on the Fox musical dramas is the start to something bigger.
Riddick-Woods’ career spans 16 years, and in that time she’s written songs like “All I Have,” Jennifer Lopez’s No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 single with LL Cool J, and lent vocal production to Rihanna’s “Unfaithful,” but it was her work on Beyoncé’s 2006 album “B’Day” that kicked things into overdrive.
While Queen Bey broke down the door for other opportunities, that doesn’t mean Riddick-Woods just wants to remain the go-to star for top-charting R&B and pop tunes. She’s already stepped out of that box recently by writing the hit gospel tune “Won’t He Do It” for “The Voice” breakout star Koryn Hawthorne, which made it to the top spot of the Hot Gospel Songs chart, where it sat for a record 26 weeks at No. 1.
“What I’ve done with ‘Won’t He Do It’ is attract a younger demographic for gospel music,” the hitmaker said. “Gospel music has, to me, gotten to a place where people just weren’t excited about it anymore. … It was more for mature audiences.”
Riddick-Woods said it was Hawthorne’s label RCA Inspiration that allowed her to “put a new face” on gospel and “give it an overhaul so that we can be played on the same stations that they play Drake and they play secular artists.” She also penned Hawthorne’s song “Unstoppable,” which holds special meaning for the songwriter.
“I think about myself and where I came from — I’m from West Baltimore, which is like, the jungle — and it’s so many young girls that just did not realize their potential and realize everything that they were capable of doing,” she said. “I just felt like that was the song that would speak to women and girls and people who need to know that we are unstoppable, we can do anything.”
The smash has lit a fire in Riddick-Woods, making her want to tackle even more new musical styles.
Yet the hitmaker doesn’t want to stop there. Riddick-Woods also wants to expand her footprint and do more writing for film and TV, including more work on OWN’s “Greenleaf.” She’s also looking to begin executive producing projects and collaborating with artists.
While Riddick-Woods has seen her share of success, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t had some rough lessons as she came up young in the music business.
“I’ve learned that it’s all business,” she said. “I had to take my emotions out of a lot of things and realize that, ‘Hey, this has nothing to do with me, the person.’ This is business, this is, is this song right for this artist? … It has nothing to do with Makeba. … That’s one of the greatest lessons coming up in the industry.”
As for anyone hoping to follow in her footsteps as a lyricist, Riddick-Woods says to always keep the end goal in mind.
“Develop very thick skin,” she advised. “Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep your eyes on the fact that you have a destiny that’s been written for you and some things are out of our control but a lot of things are in our control. … A lot of people, in general, lack the dedication and lack the sacrifice.”
Recalling her own grind of staying with her cousin in Queens, N.Y., interning during the day, working a temp job in the evening and pounding the pavement in the studio by night, she acknowledged her mom always told her she could always come home and be a teacher.
But she knew songwriting was her destiny.
“You gotta have long-suffering and patience to really, really hang in there regardless of how bad the circumstances might get at that time.”
#NewMusic Video from Daley ‘Second to None’!
Daley is very simplistic for his music video for his single, “Second to None,” the latest offering from his album, Spectrum.
In the dimly-lit clip, backed by green neon lights, the UK R&B/Soul singer is seen seated on a stool as he vocally entices viewers by bringing every note of his thought-provoking lyrics to life.
WATCH HERE
Daley recently launched “The Spectrum Unplugged Tour,” which will make stops several major cities before wrapping on December 2nd in Los Angeles.
#NewHipHop from Mike Will Made-It, Pharrell, & Kendrick Lamar – ‘The Mantra’
Mike WiLL Made-It unleashes another blockbuster collaboration off Creed II: The Album.
The super-producer brings together the powerhouse duo of Pharrell Williams and Kendrick Lamar for the motivational anthem “The Mantra.”
LISTEN HERE
Due Nov. 21, the soundtrack to the Ryan Coogler-directed film also features collaborations with Lil Wayne, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, A$AP Rocky, Rae Sremmurd, Kodak Black, YG, Gucci Mane, and more.
#californiawildfires: Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Lady Gaga and More Rally Together for Woolsey Fire Victims
Many of Hollywood’s biggest stars were directly affected by the Woolsey Fire and now they are rallying together to do all they can for others.
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth, who lost their Malibu home in the fire, announced they are donating $500,000 to The Malibu Foundation through the singer’s charity, Happy Hippie, “in hopes to restore Malibu’s magic.”
Lady Gaga, who was evacuated and came home to her Malibu mansion unscathed, rolled up her sleeves to visit a Red Cross evacuation center on Tuesday night. Arriving with over 10 pizzas, the singer was sporting her Malibu hat and spent time with some of the people who’ve lost everything. She also brought coffee and donations.
Sandra Bullock is turning her focus to animals, reportedly donating $100,000 to The Humane Society of Ventura County.
There have been dozens of celebrities affected by the Woolsey Fire, which began blazing through Los Angeles last Thursday.
Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, Alyssa Milano, Caitlyn Jenner and Iggy Azalea were just a handful of A-listers forced to leave their homes last week.
Other celebrities found their homes in ruins.
“RHOBH” star Camille Grammer, Robin Thicke, Gerard Butler, Neil Young and Kim Basinger‘s homes burned down over the weekend.
To donate to relief efforts, click here.
#FIRSTLOOK: ‘POKÉMON Detective Pikachu’ Trailer
Warner Bros. Pictures has released the first trailer for their forthcoming movie, POKÉMON Detective Pikachu.
About The Film:
Fans everywhere can now experience Pikachu on the big screen as never before, as a talking detective Pikachu, a Pokémon like no other. The film also showcases a wide array of beloved Pokémon characters, each with its own unique abilities and personality.
The story begins when ace private eye Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son Tim to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry’s former Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu: a hilariously wise-cracking, adorable super-sleuth who is a puzzlement even to himself.
Finding that they are uniquely equipped to communicate with one another, Tim and Pikachu join forces on a thrilling adventure to unravel the tangled mystery. Chasing clues together through the neon-lit streets of Ryme City—a sprawling, modern metropolis where humans and Pokémon live side by side in a hyper-realistic live-action world—they encounter a diverse cast of Pokémon characters and uncover a shocking plot that could destroy this peaceful co-existence and threaten the whole Pokémon universe.
The Cast: Justice Smith as Tim; Kathryn Newton as Lucy, a junior reporter following her first big story; and Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe as Lt. Yoshida.
Watch The Trailer HERE
Release Date: May 11, 2019
Do you plan to check out the film when its released?
‘T.I. & Tiny: Friends and Family Hustle’ Ratings Take a Hit
T.I. & Tiny: Friends and Family Hustle debuted on Oct. 22 to strong ratings for the VH1 spinoff. But the show’s ratings fell off as viewers slowly tune out.
The reality TV series features Tip “T.I.” Harris, 39, his estranged wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris, 42, and their 7 children.
Also featured on the show are Tiny’s friends, singers Monica Brown, center, reality TV star Toya Wright, right, and LeToya Luckett
According to TV by the Numbers, ‘Friends and Family Hustle’ was neck and neck with Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Orange County” with each grabbing 1.3 million viewers and 0.6 and 0.5 respectively in the all-important 18-49 age demographic.
But Family Hustle‘s ratings dipped to 1.2 million viewers on Monday, while RHOOC climbed a percentage point to 0.6 with 1.4 million viewers.
Question: Did you stop watching T.I. & Tiny: Friends and Family Hustle and, if so, why?
FBI: Hate Crimes are on the rise for the THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR!
WASHINGTON — Reported hate crimes in America rose 17 percent last year, the third consecutive year that such crimes increased, according to newly released FBI data that showed an even larger increase in anti-Semitic attacks.
Law enforcement agencies reported that 7,175 hate crimes occurred in 2017, up from 6,121 in 2016. That increase was fueled in part by more police departments reporting hate crime data to the FBI, but overall there is still a large number of departments that report no hate crimes to the federal database.
The sharp increase in hate crimes in 2017 came even as overall violent crime in America fell slightly, by 0.2 percent, after increases in 2015 and 2016.
More than half of hate crimes, about 3 out of every 5, targeted a person’s race or ethnicity, while about 1 out of 5 targeted their religion. Of the more than 7,000 incidents reported last year, 2,013 targeted black Americans, while 938 targeted Jewish Americans. Incidents targeting people for their sexual orientation accounted for 1,130 hate crimes, according to the FBI.
The FBI has urged local police departments to provide more complete information about hate crimes in their jurisdictions.
Of the more than 7,000 hate-crime incidents in 2017, more than 4,000 were crimes against people, ranging from threats and intimidation to assault, to murder. More than 3,000 were crimes against property, ranging from vandalism to robbery to arson.
Acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker said the new figures are “a call to action — and we will heed that call. The Department of Justice’s top priority is to reduce violent crime in America, and hate crimes are violent crimes. They are also despicable violations of our core values as Americans.”
Whitaker said he was “particularly troubled by the increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes,” which are already the most common type of religious hate crime in the United States.
Anti-Semitic hate crimes rose 37 percent in 2017. Anti-Islamic hate crimes declined 11 percent last year, with 273 such incidents, the data show.
The new FBI data comes less than a month after the worst anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history — a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue that killed 11 and wounded six. The suspect in that attack has been charged with dozens of federal hate crimes, and that one incident alone accounted for nearly as many hate crime killings as were recorded all of last year in the United States: 15.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said the report “provides further evidence that more must be done to address the divisive climate of hate in America. That begins with leaders from all walks of life and from all sectors of society forcefully condemning anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hate whenever it occurs.”
A Drag King In Hawaii Thought it would be cute to Perform In Blackface In 2018!
(LGTBQ Nation) Blackface, a racist minstrel-age throwback where performers blacken their faces to mock African-Americans, has been condemned for decades, but some white people just can’t seem to give it up.
Whether it’s for Halloween or a “performance,” anyone with the IQ of a snail knows that it is incredibly offensive and should never be done. Everyone, that is, except for one dull-witted drag king in Hawaii.
Kauai Beach Resort hosted “A Show Fit for a Queen” last week and while most performers were your standard drag queens, the special guest was “male impersonator Muddy, the King of Memphis.” Perhaps his name should be King of Dumbassery.
A short clip of the performance was uploaded to Facebook and, while the person who posted it says Muddy was quickly yanked off stage, organizers are scrambling to distance themselves from the disaster.
“The organizers did cut the spotlight and music about 45 seconds into their performance,” Gary Clayton Brown wrote on the post. “It looked like this person had two other numbers on the set list but they cut them from the show.”
Matt Sagum, who promoted the show, has responded, saying he was the person who got Muddy yanked off stage.
“I arrived 20 minutes late. When I got backstage I didn’t notice her at first. Once I got settled in, I looked up and saw. One of the other Queens pulled me aside and was like ‘wtf is that?! To which I had no response other than ‘that is not going to fly’,” Sagum wrote.
“By the time this conversation ended it was my turn to go on stage. I finished my number and immediately went to the show organizer. I told her either Muddy goes or the rest of us are out of here. The organizer had her leave and the rest of the numbers were cancelled.”
WATCH HERE
Former Today Show host Megyn Kelly lost her job with NBC recently when she defended blackface on the program.
Cardi B and Chance the Rapper Will Judge Hip-Hop Competition 'Rhythm + Flow' for Netflix
T.I. is also on board the streamer's first music competition, produced by John Legend.
Netflix isn’t shying away from marquee names for its first music competition. The streamer has landed Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and T.I. for Rhythm + Flow, a 10-part hip-hop talent search that is set to debut in 2019.
The reality push at Netflix has been a significant one, with hits such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, but it has thus-far skirted shiny-floor shows like the ones that have dominated traditional TV for the better part of the last decade. That seems to be changing: In addition to Rhythm + Flow, the streamer also has a big culinary competition on deck with The Final Table.
Rhythm + Flow comes to Netflix from executive producers Legend, Jeff Gaspin, Jesse Collins, Nikki Boella, Jeff Pollack, Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius. The series intends to find and foster undiscovered hip-hop talent in multiple cities. Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and T.I. will serve as the three main judges, though additional artists and industry personalities will be announced in the run-up to the premiere.
Rhythm + Flow is being produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, Get Lifted Film Co. and Gaspin Media. The three main judges also will receive exec producer credits.
Forever First Lady Michelle Obama Says Melania Trump Turned Down Her Offer Of Help
Michelle Obama’s new memoir “Becoming” is quickly becoming the talk of the town, as it reveals some of the forever First Lady’s most intimate experiences and thoughts. The latest story to hit headlines is how she was turned down by Melania Trump after she offered to help her with any advice.
It’s only natural to want to help the next person who is filling your spot. Obama mentioned that when she transitioned into her First Lady role, her predecessor, Laura Bush, offered her counsel, letting Obama know she was only a “phone call away.” As Bush did for Obama, Michelle did for Trump. But in turn, Trump chose to disregard her offer of assistance.
During an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts, Obama was asked had “(Trump) reached out?” Obama responded, “No, she hasn’t.” On Monday (Nov. 13) Stephanie Grisham, Trump’s communications director, said in a statement to CNN that the first lady was not in need of Obama’s assistance. “Mrs. Trump is a strong and independent woman who has been navigating her role as First Lady in her own way,” Grisham wrote via email. “When she needs advice on any issue, she seeks it from her professional team within the White House.”
It’s not the first time Obama and Trump have had awkward moments. Back in November 2016, a video of Obama accepting a gift from Trump went viral, as many thought the exchange seemed to be uncomfortable for Obama. “I mean, this is like a state visit, so they tell you that you’re going to do this, they’re going to stand here. Never before do you get this gift, so I’m sort of like OK. … What am I supposed to do with this gift?” Obama said.
#ROYALS Newbie Prince Louis Joins the Royal Family for Latest Portraits!
The Royal Family poses for a beautiful portrait to celebrate the 70th birthday of Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales.
The photo was taken in the gardens of Clarence House and Charles is joined by his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, as well as his kids Prince William with wife Kate Middleton and Prince Harry with wife Meghan Markle.
Will and Kate‘s three kids – Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 3, and Prince Louis, 6 months – are all featured in the portraits as well. The kids are totally stealing the show in the photos!
Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club Sued After Patron Injured In Brawl
A man is pressing charges against Jay-Z’s New York based sports bar and lounge after being dragged into a scuffle that took place at the 40/40 club in March 2018, according to reports. Jose Irizarry has filed a lawsuit against the lounge after he suffered injuries during a brawl between club attendees and security.
Within the lawsuit, Irizarry claims he was enjoying himself, until he became a civilian casualty. Once a fracas broke out, he was a victim of injuries, as he took blows to the head and body. He also alleges the club’s shortage of security in conjunction with the inability to control a crowd led him to suffer from the fight.
The patron is seeking the Manhattan club cover lost wages, medical expenses, and for enduring his pain and suffering. Jay-Z is not named in the lawsuit.
Stan Lee’s Daughter Confirms Lee Created One Final Superhero
Stan Lee’s daughter, J.C Lee, revealed she and her dad were in the process of creating a brand new superhero right before his death, and now she plans to bring the hero to life, according to TMZ.
J.C announced the final superhero to continue her father’s legacy will be; Dirt Man. She also tells TMZ that she and Stan worked on developing him right up until his last weekend.
She wouldn’t dish on exactly what Dirt Man’s powers would be, nor any details about his origin story, only saying “it’s very interesting.”
J.C. says she hopes to see Dirt Man hit theaters.
She also shared that she will be creating a foundation in her father’s honor: The Stan Lee Child Literacy Foundation, which supports the importance of child literacy and reading skills. J.C says her father became who he was by taking his craft seriously and she hopes to give children the opportunity to do the same.
Stan Lee passed away Monday after being rushed to a hospital from his Hollywood Hills home. He was 95.
New Documentary To Highlight Life of NHL’s First Black Player, Willie O’Ree
In 1958, Willie Eldon O’Ree made his National Hockey League debut with the Boston Bruins, becoming the first black player in league history. Now, more than 60 years later, O’Ree’s groundbreaking story is heading to the big screen, in a feature-length documentary, titled, “Willie.”
Executive produced by Bryant McBride, the film is set to highlight O’Ree’s Hockey accomplishments, between his minor-league career, his vision impairment and his historic NHL debut and career, as well as his personal life and family history.
Almost 200 years after his great-grandfather escaped slavery, O’Ree “shattered the NHL’s color barrier with the Boston Bruins, amid the birth of the Civil Rights movement and the struggle to end Jim Crow,” Deadline reports, which came two years after O’Ree went blind in one eye, and kept the secret for more than two decades.
About 16 years after his playing career, O’Ree began working behind the scenes as the league’s diversity ambassador, and now, at age 83, he’s still working to help those who deal with America’s ugly truth, in sports.
“Willie O’Ree’s place in hockey history and the impact he’s had on growing the game is truly inspirational,” NHL Chief Content Office and EVP Steve Mayer said of the living legend. “Willie’s commitment to hockey is matched only by his dedication to encouraging young people to follow their dreams. He is a true ambassador of the game, and we’re proud to be able to help tell his incredible story of perseverance community, patience and resilience.”
On Monday, O’Ree, who is often referred to as the “Jackie Robinson of ice hockey” for his pioneering efforts in the sport, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and according to Deadline, the film ends with footage of the ceremony.
“The broad arc of the story is Willie’s climb to the pinnacle of his profession, into the Hall of Fame,” McBride said. “But it also is current and historical context around friendship, around perseverance, around integration, around opportunity.”
The film is set to be released in 2019.
AND FINALLY FROM THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘VIRTUAL REALITY’
Honestly, the virtual world might be better than reality right now so go for it my man.
#EGGPLANTNATION Meet Joey Guns💪!
Meet Joey Gunsl ! So you know what to do to see them goods. GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS and remember they’re NSFW!
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EFREM
