Nicole Kidman for Vanity Fair May 2019 She talks motherhood, marriage, and religion!
Nicole Kidman talks motherhood, marriage, and religion in a new Vanity Fair interview.
Kidman, 51, who has been busy promoting season 2 of “Big Little Lies”, gushes over her relationship with Keith Urban, also 51, whom she married in 2006.
The actress shares, “[It’s] extremely simple with what we want from each other and what we want from a relationship. Just peas in a pod in that regard.”
Kidman adds that she loves being a “tour wife” and says she can memorize Urban’s tour schedule and dates in one glance.
She tells the mag, “I love that Keith is a guitar player and a singer, but his passion is guitar and writing music. That’s what I’m around every day.”
Kidman’s
interview also sees her talk about being a mom, admitting she doesn’t let her kids have a phone or Instagram: “I try to keep some sort of boundaries.”
Kidman is mother to daughters Sunday and Faith, as well as daughter Isabella and son Connor, whom she shares with ex-husband Tom Cruise.
She adds of having a strong belief in God and going to church as a family: “A lot of my friends tease me. That’s how we are raising our children. Keith has his own beliefs but he comes, too. I had a very Catholic grandmother, and I was raised praying, so that had massive impact.
“I wouldn’t say it’s absolutism, there’s constant questioning—I’m a wilful, feisty girl. For me, it’s very important that I don’t have judgment. My dad would always say, ‘Tolerance is the most important thing.’”
#RHOA: Should NeNe Leakes get $2.85 MILLION Salary for next Season of RHoA?
She will be Queen of the Peaches!
NeNe Leakes’ wild antics on the Real Housewives Opens a New Window. of Atlanta might have ended almost all of her friendships but what they did do was earn her a whopping raise according to RadarOnline.com.
The OG in the ATL inked her deal for Season 12 and she got a huge bump in her already astronomical salary of $2.75 million after a season filled with fighting and over-the-top drama.
Kandi Burruss, Porsha Williams, and Eva Marcille all signed up for another season but NeNe’s salary was the highest.
With her pay hike in the bank, NeNe was on track to remain the reigning highest paid housewife on the network.
Bravo forked out more cash for NeNe than Real Housewives of New York City OG Bethenny Frankel, the OG from RHOC Vicki Gunvalson and both Lisa Vanderpump and Kyle Richards from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills!
#Empire: The Osundairo Brothers Sue Jussie Smollett And His Attorneys For Defamation
Abel and Ola Osundairo, the brothers accused of attacking Jussie Smollett in January — then later accused of helping him stage the alleged hate crime hoax — have filed a defamation lawsuit against the "Empire" star's attorneys, Tina Glandian and Mark Geragos, and Geragos' firm, Fox News has learned.
The suit alleges that Geragos and his firm continued to say publicly in widely reported statements that the brothers "led a criminally homophobic, racist and violent attack against Mr. Smollett," even though they allegedly knew that wasn't true.
The brothers are seeking punitive damages as well as lost income in the lawsuit.
The Osundairos' attorney, Gloria Schmidt, quoted Smollett, 36, in a press conference Tuesday in Chicago, telling reporters, "'I will never be the man that this did not happen to. I will be forever changed.'" She said of her clients and the Chicago Police Department, "Now they can say that same statement. My city, my police department and my clients deserve to have their reputations restored."
Schmidt slammed Geragos and Glandian's alleged "continued false statements and hateful rhetoric" against the brothers following the alleged hoax.
"That is why today we are taking action in federal court," she said. "We want to end these malicious attacks and ensure that those responsible for continuing to destroy the reputation of the Chicago Police Department and Abel and Ola Osundairo are held accountable."
"The Chicagoan brothers told the truth," Schmidt said. "They could have remained silent, but they told the truth to the police, and with their right hands in the air, they told the truth to the grand jury." She later said they were "asked to do something by a friend that they trusted, and later that friend betrayed their trust."
In a statement Schmidt read during the press conference, the brothers said, "We have sat back and watched lie after lie being fabricated about us in the media only so one big lie can continue to have life. These lies are destroying our character and our reputation and our personal and professional lives. Those who know us personally know we don't have hate for anyone. That is not who we are. We try to spread love and positivity to everyone we come in contact with. We will no longer sit back and allow these lies to continue."
Schmidt also noted that the Osundairos actively participated in the alleged publicity stunt, but did not participate in calling or lying to the police. Attorney Gregory Kulis said the Osundairos have had trouble making ends meet and lost work since the Smollett attack occurred.
"No one should be surprised by this lawsuit," attorney James Tunick said. "[The defendants] know the extent of their false and vicious remarks." Tunick said that there are "numerous false statements" in their 16-page lawsuit, many of which he says were made after the charges against Smollett were dropped. Tunick said his team has "actual evidence" that contradicts statements Geragos and Glandian allegedly made. Tunick did not specify, however, what the evidence was.
In January, Smollett told authorities that two masked men attacked him, put a rope around his neck and poured bleach on him as he was walking home from a Subway restaurant. The actor, who is black and openly gay, said the masked men beat him, made racist and homophobic comments and yelled, "This is MAGA country" before fleeing the scene. Surveillance video reportedly revealed the Osundairo brothers purchasing the rope allegedly used in the attack.
#MusicNews: Rahsaan Patterson Reveals Cover Art & Tracklist for Upcoming Album “Heroes & Gods”
The long awaited sixth studio album from Rahsaan Patterson is nearly here, and he’s just revealed the cover art and tracklist for the project. “Heroes & Gods” is set to release on May 17th via Shanachie Entertainment, and this is his first album in nearly eight years since “Bleuphoria” in 2011.
The album features the lead single “Sent From Heaven” which we’ve already highlighted as one of our favorite R&B songs of 2019.
Although there are no big name collaborations on the album, you’re going to want to watch out for “Break it Down”. A quick read of the album’s liner notes shows that Rahsaan enlisted long time friend Lalah Hathaway for the synth on the song, while Rachelle Ferrell handles writing and background vocals.
Needless to say we are excited about Rahsaan Patterson’s return album. Make sure to pick it up when it releases next month!
Rahsaan Patterson “Heroes & Gods” Album Tracklist
01 Catch Me When I Fall
02 Wonderful Star
03 Silly Love Fool
04 Rock And Roll
05 Break It Down
06 Don’t You Know That
07 Sent From Heaven
08 Wide Awake
09 Soldier
10 Oxford Blues
11 Sweet Memories
12 I Try
13 Heroes & Gods
#HipHopNews: Lil Kim’s Album Release Has Been Pushed Back and she’s Beyond Upset!
Lil Kim announced her first studio album in 14 years was on its way last month. However, according to a recent Instagram Story, the release date has been pushed back.
The project — titled 9 — was originally expected to arrive on May 17, but Kim says due to label issues, there’s no telling when it will drop.
“EOne has pushed back the date of my album y’all if you have an issue take it up with them,” Kim wrote on her Instagram Story. “This has nothing to do with me. I am beyond upset with this and couldn’t wait to show you all what I’ve been working on.”
Kim added she was also frustrated with Spotify.
“Also Spotify is hating on me,” she continued. “I can’t understand why after all of the favors I’ve done for them. Direct all of your energy towards them too.”
Kim’s official studio album, The Naked Truth, hit the shelves in 2005, although she’s continued to drop mixtapes over the last 10 years. Lil Kim Season arrived in 2016. Her most recent single, “Go Awff,” made the rounds in February.
While fans await 9, Kim is whetting their appetites with another new single titled “No Auto Blanco.”
Check it out HERE!
YIKES! Beyoncé & Ariana Grande Fans Break Out into War After Ariana Gets Hit with Lemon at Coachella
Ariana Grande got hit with a lemon at Coachella and now Arianators and the Beyhive are slinging accusations back and forth.
Video emerged of the “Sweetener” singer getting nailed with the Beyoncé-associated citrus while performing Sunday during Weekend 2 of the music festival. Ariana’s fans blamed a Beyhive member for throwing the lemon at Ari, and Beyoncé’s army is not having it.
“I’m almost positive no one from the Beyhive threw that lemon at Ariana Grande,” one Twitter user wrote. “Ariana caught a lemon at coachella and the #beyhive is obviously getting blamed,” wrote another.
In the video, Ariana can be seen living her best life onstage until someone in the crowd throws an entire lemon at her. “Which one of ya’ll threw a lemon at me? Sh*t,” she said.
The Arianators got pretty nasty on Twitter, calling the Beyhive “immature,” “toxic” and saying they “belong in jail.”
Tensions have been high between the two fan groups for some time, especially when it comes to the paycheck each headliner earned at Coachella.
A Very DUMB MOVE!
Kevin Hunter Has been Accused Of Poisoning Wendy Williams, Police Conduct Welfare Check
Now that Wendy Williams has filed for divorce and the force field around her marriage has been deactivated all of the tea is spilling.
In January, when the talk show host was nursing her alleged fractured shoulder, police received a tip accusing Kevin Hunter of poisoning his now-estranged wife.
Police took action after the call and went out to the residence to conduct a welfare check.
Here’s the scoop via TMZ: The report says 2 officers went to Williams’ New Jersey residence and were greeted by Hunter, who was hesitant to let them in for the welfare check because he said Wendy was sick and recovering from a health problem.
Cops say they explained to Hunter they were required to speak with Williams due to the anonymous call. When he allowed them to enter, they found Williams in bed “with the blanket covering from neck to toe.”
According to the report … one of the officers asked Kevin to leave the bedroom so they could talk to Wendy alone, but he didn’t want to leave her side. As for the health problem she had — Wendy told cops she was recovering from a broken shoulder.
An officer eventually asked her if there was any truth to the anonymous tip she was being poisoned, and Wendy responded with something like … “Well, I’m very popular.” When the cop repeated the question, the report says she became tearful, but denied there was any truth to it.
The cops left after Wendy told them once more she was okay.
Less than three weeks after Kevin welcomed a baby girl with his longtime mistress, Wendy Williams filed for divorce and kept the ball rolling by firing Kevin as executive producer of her daytime talk show.
Watch Will Smith’s new Film ‘Gemini Man’ Trailer In Theaters Oct. 11, 2019
Using advanced new de-aging technology, Will Smith goes face to face with his greatest enemy in the first trailer for “Gemini Man” — himself.
WATCH HERE
In Ang Lee’s futuristic thriller, Smith plays a world-class assassin hunting a man who knows his every move, only to discover that the target is actually his clone. The twist is, this trailer begins from the perspective of the young Will Smith, and you’ll do a quick double take when you realize you’re looking at a “Fresh Prince” era Smith rather than how he actually looks in 2019.
“This story is not one that could have been told with cinema as we know it. However, thanks to incredible new digital technology, not only can we finally see both younger and older Will Smith embodied together on screen, but we can also experience the story in a deeply immersive way,” director Lee said in a statement. “It is my great fortune to be able to experiment and test the limits of what new digital cinema has to offer us. No less so to be able to work with two Will Smiths – one beautifully sophisticated, the other exuberantly honest
The screenplay for “Gemini Man” comes from “Game of Thrones” co-creator David Benioff along with Billy Ray and Darren Lemke based on a story by Benioff and Lemke. Clive Owen, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Benedict Wong also star.
“Gemini Man” opens in theaters from Paramount and Skydance on Oct. 11.
Beyonce's 'Lemonade' Is now Available to Stream on Every Platform!
Three years to the day after its initial release, Beyonce‘s Lemonade is finally available to stream on services other than Tidal!
If you don’t know, on April 23, 2016, Beyonce released the smash-hit album as a Tidal only release.
Now, it’s also available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music!
STREAM HERE
In addition to the entire album becoming available, Beyonce also released a never-before-heard demo version of the song “Sorry,” which is included.
Sri Lankan Official Says Bombings Are Retaliation For New Zealand Massacre
A Sri Lankan government official says coordinated suicide bombings in the island nation on Easter Sunday, which killed more than 320 people, were carried out in retaliation for last month's mass shooting at mosques in New Zealand.
The state minister for defense, Ruwan Wijewardene, said the attacks were carried out by two Islamist organizations. As NPR's Lauren Frayer reports, "it's not immediately clear how he knows that – whether the information comes from suspects being interrogated, or evidence the suicide bombers may have left behind."
One of the organizations is a little-known radical Islamist group named National Thowfeek Jamaath. Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne has called for the top police official to resign after failing to stop the attacks despite receiving reports that the group was planning to target churches, The Washington Post reports.
In the weeks leading up to the attacks, parts of the Sri Lankan government received intelligence reports from international agencies, including India, indicating a possible plot to attack targets in Sri Lanka.
"What the allegation is, is that portions of the government — the security services, the police — did not do enough in advance to alert the Christian community, to alert hotels that they could be targets," Shashank Bengali, Southeast Asia correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, told NPR's Up First. "That's where the war of words and the finger-pointing has got us right now."
The politics are complicated, @welikalaa sums it up: "A besieged country imploring statesmanship from its political elite is saddled with a weak and divided leadership that has no understanding of the constitutional tenets underpinning the republic" https://groundviews.org/2019/04/23/the-constitutional-implications-of-the-easter-sunday-terror-attack/ …
Police in Sri Lanka say they have arrested 40 suspects since the wave of deadly suicide attacks Sunday killed hundreds and wounded hundreds more.
According to The Associated Press, among the suspects arrested were the driver of a van allegedly used by suicide bombers, and the owner of a house where some of the attackers lived. Most of the people arrested are Sri Lankans, but police are also investigating whether foreigners were involved in the attacks.
Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis Get Harlem Street Named After Them!
The late actors and activists Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis had a street in Harlem, N.Y, named after them on Saturday.
The honor was spearheaded by The Dwyer Cultural Center (DCC), which is also located in the uptown section of Manhattan. And now the northeast corner of 123rd and Saint Nicholas Avenue now reads Ruby Dee Place and Ossie Davis Way.
Besides the street naming ceremony, DCC also opened a gallery exhibit on the legendary actors that honored some of the work they’ve done to help artists of color. Their longtime friend Cliff Frazier, who founded the DCC with Dee and Davis, will also be part of the display for the work he’s done.
“We are very humbled by this recognition not only of our parents’ contribution to the arts, but also to their unwavering commitment to Harlem, the people and to the Civil Rights Movement,”wrote the actor’s children Guy Davis, Nora Davis and Dr. Hasna Muhammad.
“We thank The Dwyer Center, Councilman Perkins, the staff at District 9 and Community Board 10, and everyone who worked to get this done,” they added.
Dee, born in Harlem and Davis in Cogdell, Clinch County, Ga, were just as involved in social justice as they were the arts, and they became close with Martin Luther King Jr, as well as Malcolm X.
Dee was even an MC for the March on Washington in 1963, and Davis gave the eulogy at X’s funeral in 1965.
On top of that, Dee and Davis helped to start Harlem’s Community Film Workshop Council, Third World Cinemas and the Institute of New Cinema Artists along with Frazier, Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier.
“Three years ago, our Executive Director Minerva Diaz came to me with an idea about the street naming(s) to honor my dear friends. And after a long and tedious process it’s done,” said Frazier!
'Avengers: Endgame' Dazzles with Its Epic World Premiere!
LOS ANGELES — Combine a graduation, an anniversary, a funeral, a family reunion, and the hottest party in Hollywood with a literal fight for the fate of the universe, and you've got the world premiere of Avengers: Endgame.
Monday night at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the highly-anticipated final chapter in Marvel's Infinity Saga debuted to a massive audience of cast, crew, press, and fans, who showed up eager and dressed in their best.
Outside the building, excited MCU devotees and Avengers cosplayers screamed for their heroes as cast member after cast member floated from chauffeured rides into the secretive depths of the Endgame. Pictures were taken. Tears were shed. Dreams came true.
Inside, the enthusiasm was similar. In a nod to Thanos, various shades of purple draped the interior of the Convention Center. At the center of the lobby, however, was a couple hundred feet high Avengers "A" that rotated to be seen (and photographed) from every angle — lest anyone forget who the premiere was really honoring.
As for the guest list, Endgame's gigantic cast and crew were in attendance, alongside numerous stars from Marvel's other various installments. From the high-ranking Russo brothers to the supporting characters of standalone chapters gone by, it appeared as if every Marvel employee turned out for the series' big finale.
Other A-list friends of the franchise, including Liam Hemsworth, Miley Cyrus, and Matt Damon, could be seen mingling with the crowd as well.
On the red purple carpet, for many it was jewel tones from toe to antenna, the six hues of the Infinity Stones creating a particularly punchy Marvel aesthetic.
Taking the gem theme a smidgen further, stars Scarlett Johansson and Brie Larson rocked Infinity Gauntlet inspired jewelry.
Meanwhile, Vin Diesel, in what had to be an ode to his character Groot, dressed up like an actual tree — and proceeded to strike a whole bunch of goofy tree poses for photographers. (Uh... Happy Earth Day, I guess!)
Once inside, guests flooded the theater's stadium seating, and sat anxiously as Endgame's leads trickled in towards their spots at the front. Finally, Disney CEO Bob Iger introduced the film, and the world's first showing of Avengers: Endgame began.
After three hours of cheers, gasps, and audible sobbing (okay, that last one was mostly me), the credits rolled. Following thunderous applause, the cast and crew took to the stage, many of them offering up what appeared to be their final goodbyes to the Marvel Universe.
The six founding members of the Avengers — Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, and Chris Hemsworth — took turns at the microphone offering thanks and congratulations to Marvel, their fans, and each other. For even the least committed of Marvel viewers, it was an emotional, but triumphant swan song.
Notably, Robert Downey Jr. signed off his 11-year stint as Iron Man, telling the audience: "We love you three thousand." (You might not get that right now, but trust us, you will.)"
Finally, President of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige — who, if you didn't know, is entirely responsible for the MCU even becoming a thing — received a standing ovation from the crowd before shepherding all of his guests towards a glitzy after party.
With music blaring and chandeliers overhead, the party easily could have been mistaken for the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Senior Prom. A chance to reminisce, say goodbye, and look to the future before turning your superhero tassel and throwing your shield, hammer, helmet, etc. in the air at graduation.
After 11 years with our beloved heroes, this epic and emotional send-off was a fitting, yet bittersweet goodbye to an era. Yes, it's time to move on — but not before we revel in a few more hours of the Endgame.
See more pics HERE! Avengers: Endgame hits theaters April 26.
T.I. + Love & Hip-Hop Star Bail Out Over 20 Non-Violent Offenders For Easter
Grammy-winning rapper T.I. just has too much good in his heart. The King of the South continued to prove the world he’s a one of one by joining forces with a church and reality TV star to bail out 23 non-violent offenders for Easter.
According to reports, Tip and an Atlanta church teamed up to raise $120,000 for bail.
The New Birth Missionary Baptist Church partnered with the Atlantan rapper as well as Scrapp Deleon of VH1’s “Love and Hip Hop,” initially seeking to raise $40,000 to bail out nonviolent, predominantly first-time offenders. By the end of Lent, however, they had reached $120,000, enough to bring seven women and 16 men home for Easter Sunday, according to the news outlet. (The Hill)
Family members have already spoken out on getting to spend the Easter holiday with their loved ones.
Beaming next to her nephew, Sylvia Gordon said she was grateful to God for the opportunity to share the holiday together. When asked what their Easter plans are, the pair answered: “Go to church!” “It’s like a whole new clean slate,” said Tyron Pollard another program recipient. “I was doing drugs before I got locked up … but I don’t want to do nothing but do right and strive to be a model citizen for my kids.” (Fox 5)
Each released person is expected to have a mentor and possible college funds assistance.
But the “Bail Out” program is doing much more than just giving first-time offenders their freedom. Each individual is assigned a mentor for ongoing, weekly check-ins, and a portion of the money raised will be set aside to help their children attend college in the future.
Sharon Osbourne Slams Kanye West For Selling “Church Merch” at Coachella: “I Don’t Think the Church Has Anything to Do With His Merch”
On Monday’s episode of ”The Talk,” co-host Sharon Osbourne shared that she isn’t a fan of Kanye selling his Sunday service apparel, ”church clothes,” for profit.
According to Entertainment Tonight, Kanye West held a special Easter Sunday Service performance at the 2019 Coachella festival. West had over 50,000 fans in attendance and sold his new “Sunday Service” line at the event.
While Osbourne expressed that she was a fan of his performance and the music on Easter, the 66-year-old said that she was opposed to West making the church service a “business.”
“I don’t like using the term church merch,” said Osbourne. “I don’t think the church has anything to do with his merch, and what church, the church of Kanye?”
“It’s the same as his service in Calabasas. It’s for celebrities, so he claims.” Osbourne added. “I do love the music, I must say. It’s all about the music, and I do love what he’s doing musically, but I suppose everything he does is a business. The same as his shoes and his music. He’s making a profit, so he’s a businessman, so that’s what you do.”
Other hosts of ”The Talk,” such as Carrie Ann Inaba chimed in on the discussion.
“I think it’s overpriced,” said Inaba. “This is ridiculous, he is taking advantage of people.”
According to Variety, the “church merch” at Coachella included sweatshirts for $165-$225, “Jesus Walks” socks for $50, $70 T-shirts reading “Trust God” on the front and “Sunday Service at the Mountain” on the back.
West has been leading his Sunday service since January of 2019.
Masseuse In Robert Kraft’s Prostitution Case Arrested and Charged, Ordered To Give Up Career In Spa Industry
Shen Mingbi, the masseuse who allegedly performed “sexual acts” on Patriots owner Robert Kraft at a South Florida spa, has been arrested for her role in the sting operation.
According to jail records obtained by CBS12, 58-year-old Mingbi was arrested and charged on multiple prostitution-related offenses. The woman had been under surveillance since February after detectives saw her make a cash deposit, with no income reported in Florida.
After further investigation, officials issued a search warrant for Mingbi’s safety deposit box, which uncovered more than $43,000 in cash. She was then arrested and charged for living off the earnings from prostitution, in addition to eight counts of assign or offer to commit or engage in prostitution.
According to reports, Mingbi’s arrest came just one week after spa worker, Lei Wang, 43, who was also reportedly present during Kraft’s session, was arrested with eight counts of offers to commit prostitution. Both women are accused of “servicing men” at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, where police obtained a video of Kraft allegedly paying for and receiving sexual favors from both women.
Since then, Mingbi has been released on a $5,000 bond and has been ordered to turn over her passport and give up her career as a masseuse. In the meantime, Kraft’s legal team is still fighting to block the release of the surveillance footage.
AND FINALLY FROM THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘COLLECTING DIGITS’
Very convenient. Just let all the ladies drop their numbers in the bucket and go about your day.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Lou Behr!
Meet Lou! You can see more when CLICK 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 DAY EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM
