PRAYERS SOLICITED! John Singleton to Be Removed From Life Support, Family Says!
The Filmmaker suffered a stroke 13 days earlier
Filmmaker John Singleton will be removed from life support Monday, his family said in a statement.
Singleton suffered a stroke 13 days ago. Court documents filed last Thursday by his mother said that the “Boyz N the Hood” director was in a coma.
“It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton will be taken off of life support today,” the Singleton family said in a statement. “This was an agonizing decision, one that our family made, over a number of days, with the careful counsel of John’s doctors.”
Read the full statement below:
It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton will be taken off of life support today. This was an agonizing decision, one that our family made, over a number of days, with the careful counsel of John’s doctors.
John Singleton is a prolific, ground-breaking director who changed the game and opened doors in Hollywood, a world that was just a few miles away, yet worlds away, from the neighborhood in which he grew up.
John grew up in South Central L.A with a love of cinema that showed itself early on. He went on to become one of the most lauded graduates of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Within months of graduating, John returned to South Central to shoot his debut feature, Boyz N the Hood. The movie, which was unusually shot in sequence, masterfully captured a story of friendship, youth and the peril of hard choices in a community marred by gang violence. The film earned special honors at its debut at Cannes and Singleton went onto become the youngest director and first African-American writer-director nominated for the Academy Award. Two decades later, the film was placed in the Library of Congress, a marker of its cultural and historical significance.
John loved nothing more than giving opportunities to new talent and his films came to be known for career -making roles with actors who the industry would come to embrace; talents such as Tupac Shakur, Regina King, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Ice Cube, Tyrese and Taraji P. Henson.
Singleton’s work spanned genres and showcased his curiosity and creativity: the remake of Shaft, was a homage to his mentor, Gordon Parks. He also made historical films such as Rosewood and action films such as 2 Fast 2 Furious. Films like Baby Boy and Four Brothers were prescient in the questions they posed about men and the crisis in American masculinity. As streaming platforms created new opportunities in television, Singleton took his talents to shows such as Billions, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story and Empire. Most recently, he co-created and executive produced the current FX hit drama series Snowfall, in which he engaged such writing talents as Walter Mosley.
John was such a supernova in his youth that we forget that he was only beginning to fully assert his gifts as a director. Kurosawa was 52 when he directed High Low. Hitchcock was 56 when he directed To Catch a Thief. As much as we will treasure his body of work, we were looking forward to the films John would have made in the years ahead.
In his private life, John is a loving and supporting father, son, brother, and friend who believed in higher education, black culture, old school music and the power of film.
John’s confidence in his place in Hollywood was only matched for his passion for the sea. John kayaked in Marina Del Rey every morning. His greatest joy, when not on set, was sailing his boat, J’s Dream, up and down the Pacific Coast. The American writer Willa Cather once said, “There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in the storm.” We who have grown up with John, made movies with him, sailed with John and laughed with John, know the universe of calm and creativity he created for so many. Now in the wake of his death, we must navigate the storm without him. It is, for us, heartbreaking.
Like many African Americans, Singleton quietly struggled with hypertension. More than 40% of African American men and women have high blood pressure, which also develops earlier in life and is usually more severe. His family wants to share the message with all to please recognize the symptoms by going toHeart.org
We are grateful to his fans, friends and colleagues for the outpour of love and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. We want to thank all the doctors at Cedars Sinai for the impeccable care he received.
John Daniel Singleton will be survived by his extraordinary mother, Sheila Ward, his father, Danny Singleton and his children Justice, Maasai, Hadar, Cleopatra, Selenesol, Isis, and Seven.
Details about memorial services will be provided at a later date. Keep the Family in your thoughts and prayers!
“Avengers:Endgame” star Chris Evans covers the May 2019 issue of Men’s Journal Magazine photographed by Miller Mobley. He has opened up about his future hopes for a relationship in a wide-ranging interview with Men's Journal.
Evans, for his part, admits that the role has been a learning experience, and not just as an actor. Playing Captain America, he says, has made him a better man. “When you’re playing a character for a long time, you start to see the parallels between what the character’s going through and what you’re going through,” he says. “You start to look at your own conflicts and circumstances through the eyes of someone who might handle it better than you would.”
As reshoots for Endgame wrapped last October, Evans found it tough to put down the shield. “It felt like graduating high school or college, you know,” he says. “For the last month of filming I was letting myself go to work every day and be a little overwhelmed and a little nostalgic and grateful. By the last day, I was bawling. I cry pretty easy, but I was definitely bawling.”
The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Cynthia Bailey loves switching up her hairstyle. Wearing everything from a short blunt bob to a fiery red mane.
She says "I always consistently changed my hair up since I came on [RHOA]," Cynthia previously told The Lookbook.
You rarely see Cynthia with bangs, though, but that's changed with her latest look. "Banging" is how Cynthia described her hair on Instagram. The new look is romantic with long side-swept bangs, a wavy ponytail, and honey highlights framing her face.
What you think?
#Empire Season Episode 16 Recap; Does Lucious Finally Embrace LGBTQ Couples?
The issue of Lucious walking Jamal down the aisle had been a sticking point for Jamal because earlier in the episode he asked his father to also walk him down the aisle along with Cookie. At that point it became clear that Lucious tolerates gay marriage but doesn’t fully embrace his son’s choices. Also, earlier in the episode, the NYT reporter asked Jamal what advice he has for a young kid in the South, who dresses like a girl but is a boy. Jamal has an uncomfortable flashback to when he stepped out at a family party as a young kid – he looked to be around five years old – wearing his mother’s heels. He was beaten and thrown in a trashcan; something he’s never forgotten. For this reason, Jamal chokes up a bit before answering the question, but he reminds the reporter that what matters is being accepted and proud right now. Lucious also tells a reporter that he might not support everything Jamal does, but he loves his son. And that's enough. (And clearly Lucious could also be talking about Jamal's musical compositions and not necessarily his love life.)
Throughout the episode, Cookie struggles to tell Jamal some tidbits about married life but it all comes to a head because Damon Cross continually pops up. First he came to the family house to deliver a painting that Lucious has sold months ago to get some cash together for the family. It was his and Cookie’s wedding present and someone Damon found it and had it delivered on the eve of Jamal’s wedding. Lucious is bothered by this sudden generosity and wants to know what’s behind it. But Jamal is overjoyed and wants to make space for Damon at his wedding. Cookie is against the sudden wedding invitation. So, when Damon shows up to the wedding early, in a tux, Cookie puts him out and tells him to go away. Damon, of course, pushes back.
Meanwhile, Thirsty (Andre Royo) – who is Lucious’ attorney - made his way to the FBI office to talk with Agent Conway. He hands her papers to cease and desist the halting of the Truth Tour. Thirsty pulled some strings with a judge to make the issue go away. Conway is pissed, of course, because she is leaning on the Lyons for some information for a case she is working. And Becky reminds Lucious that the playing up the wedding of Jamal and Kai in the news media is only going to work in the short term to distract people from the fact that the Truth Tour is on hiatus due to federal interference. Kai, meanwhile, is blissfully unaware that the family is using this opportunity to distract from their financial woes. But the NYT reporter does spring a doozy on the couple during a dual interview segment. The reporter asks them to respond to allegations that Kai is HIV positive and at first the couple decides they don’t want to address those allegations because frankly, Kai’s health is no one’s business. But near the end of the episode, Kai relents and decides to give permission for his HIV status to be a part of the story.
#NewMusic from Monica ‘Me + You’
R&B legend Monica gives us another offering of her upcoming album with the brand new single called “Me + You”. In contrast to her previous single “Commitment” where she was literally locked up in the video due to a relationship gone wrong, Monica is feeling good about love again on the new single.
This is her latest single that song has been performing well on the Adult R&B Charts and just reached the #15 spot.
LISTEN HERE
Both of the songs will be included on the singer’s upcoming album “Chapter 38”. That is expected at some point this year.
Monica will be releasing the album for the first time as an independent artist via her own label Mondeenise Music
#HipHopNews: Offset Shares Emotional Reunion With Estranged Father Of 23 Years
Offset shared an emotional event in his life with his 11.9 million Instagram followers. On Friday (April 26), the Migos rap star uploaded a video of himself reuniting with his father, who he hasn’t seen in 23 years. Judging by the tears in both of their eyes, the meeting was long overdue.
In the caption, Offset made it clear whatever happened between them to cause the rift is old news.
“DREAMS DO COME TRUE HAVENT SEEN MY FATHER IN 23 YEARS !!!!!!” he captioned the video. “AND I STILL LOVE HIM THE PAST IS THE PAST AND THE PRESENT IS ALL WE HAVE TO RELY ON WE NOT PERFECT IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM I LOVE YOU POPS !!! NO MATTER WHAT!!!!”
In an interview with The Breakfast Club, Offset revealed he hadn’t seen his father since he was 4 years old and was down for a reconciliation. It may explain why he takes his role as a father of four so seriously. His inaugural solo album, the aptly titled Father Of 4, revolves around his parental role.
“This album means the world to me took my time with the project,” he tweeted in February. “Take your time listening very special stories within the song. Every record has a piece of content within the song even a trap vibe all true story telling, it was rough to get to this point I’m at in life NO CAP!”
Sorry Ladies, Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre marry in Morocco
The actor and Sabrina Dhowre tied the knot in Morocco on Friday.They exchanged vows at the Ksar Char Bagh hotel in Marrakesh, according to British Vogue.
Elba wore a custom suit by Ozwald Boateng and Dhowre stunned in a Vera Wang gown with an off-the-shoulder detail. She changed into a V-neck dress complete with couture lace by the same designer for their black-tie reception.
The couple paid tribute to their exotic wedding destination with a “colors of the Souk”-themed dinner the night before the wedding at the Amanjena hotel. On Saturday they’ll be hosting an all-white festival-themed party at the Mandarin Oriental hotel.
The “Sexiest Man Alive” and Dhowre got engaged last year at a film screening after a year of dating.
Elba shares a daughter with ex-wife Hanne Norgaard, to whom he was married to from 1999 to 2003. He was also briefly married to Sonya Nicole Hamlin in 2006.
Photos of the celebration will be published in Vogue’s July issue.
Deadly attack at San Diego-area synagogue underscores rise in anti-Jewish hate
The deadly shooting attack at a synagogue in Poway on Saturday underscores concerns about rising incidents of anti-Jewish hate across the nation.
Authorities have not provided many details about the alleged shooter. But the mayor of Poway said the attack, which killed one person and left three others wounded, appears to be motivated by hate.
“I understand that this was someone with hate in their heart, hate for the Jewish community,” he said of the attacker.
President Trump added: “At this moment it looks like a hate crime. But my deepest sympathies to all of those affected. And we’ll get to the bottom of it.”
The incident comes six months after a man with a history of posting anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant social media messages opened fire at a temple in Pittsburgh, killing 11 people and wounding six more.
National Jewish groups, many whose leaders heard about the attack hours after it happened because they were observing the Sabbath and last day of Passover, were mourning.
“This shooting is a reminder of the enduring virulence of anti-Semitism,” said the president and chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, Jonathan Greenblatt, in a statement. “It must serve as a call to action for us as a society to deal once and for all with this hate. People of all faiths should not have to live in fear of going to their house of worship. From Charleston to Pittsburgh to Oak Creek and from Christchurch to Sri Lanka, and now Poway, we need to say ‘enough is enough.’ Our leaders need to stand united against hate and address it both on social media and in our communities.”
Michael Masters, CEO of the Secure Community Network, a group that offers training and resources to synagogues on security, said his group was working with local and federal officials to help the Poway community.“We remind synagogues and Jewish facilities everywhere that we must take steps to prevent and protect against attacks.... Today’s shooting is a sad reminder that the need has not gone away,” he said in a statement.
Studies have shown the number of anti-Semitic incidents and crimes has been rising rapidly after years of decline.
• The Anti-Defamation League has tracked anti-Semitic incidents since 1979, drawing on reports from victims, police and news publications. The worst year was 1994, with 2,066 incidents. By 2013, the total had fallen to 751. It has been rising ever since, with the biggest all-time annual jump coming last year, when the tally climbed 57% to 1,986. The majority of those incidents were harassment, which rose 41% to 1,015 incidents, including 163 bomb threats against Jewish community centers and synagogues. Vandalism rose 86% to 952 cases. The number of physical assaults actually fell 47% — from 36 to 19.
• Los Angeles recorded its highest level of reports of hate crimes in a decade, with a nearly 13% increase in 2018 over the year before. Last year, L.A. tallied 289 hate crimes, compared with 256 in 2017, according to Los Angeles police statistics gathered by researchers at Cal State San Bernardino. Members of the LGBTQ community, African Americans and those of Jewish faith were the most frequently targeted, according to the newly released report by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism.
• An FBI report released in November 2018 detailing hate crimes across more than 3,000 police agencies showed a more than 17% uptick in 2017, fueled by increases in attacks against religious and racial minorities. The count documented 7,175 hate crimes in 2017. The tally was 1,054 higher than the year before. It included a 37% increase in anti-Jewish crimes, a 24% increase in attacks on Latinos and a nearly 16% rise in crimes against African Americans.
Los Angeles was the scene of a notorious anti-Jewish hate incident. In 1999, a self-professed white supremacist walked into the North Valley Jewish Community Center in Granada Hills armed with a semiautomatic weapon and began shooting. Five people were hurt.
The Poway shooting has other law enforcement agencies taking measures.
“We’re closely monitoring the synagogue shooting in Poway and communicating with our local, state & federal partners. At this time there’s no nexus to Los Angeles, but in an abundance of caution, we will conduct high visibility patrols around synagogues & other houses of worship,” the Los Angeles Police Department said on Twitter.
#BoxOfficeNews: 'Avengers: Endgame' Annihilates the Record Books with $350,000,000.00 Domestically and $1.2 Billion Globally!
Heading into the weekend it was a foregone conclusion that Avengers: Endgame would deliver the largest opening weekend of all-time, both domestically and globally, but to deliver a three-day domestic gross totaling an estimated $350 million and a global weekend over $1 billion was almost inconceivable. Today that figure has become a reality as Endgame not only delivered an estimated $350 million over the course of its first three days in domestic release, but a massive $1.2 billion at the global box office in just its first five days in release.
Endgame's estimated $350 million debut will almost surely improve once actuals are revealed on Monday afternoon, but for now the film's opening is nearly $93 million larger than the previous record set by Avengers: Infinity War ($257.69 million) just last year and a whopping 90% of the overall weekend market share. After critics were overwhelmingly in support of the film heading into the weekend, the film's opening weekend crowd gave it an "A+" CinemaScore, the third such grade in the Marvel Cinematic Universe alongside The Avengers and Black Panther. The audience was 57% male and 61% was 25 years of age or older.
Looking ahead, forecasting just where exactly Endgame will end up is near impossible, but if we were to compare to Infinity War's domestic debut, that film went on to gross nearly $680 million at the domestic box office. Should Endgame deliver a similar multiplier we're talking about a domestic performance topping $920 million, which would put it just shy of the current record domestic gross of $936.6 million set by Star Wars: The Force Awakens back in 2015. Whether Endgame is able to reach that mark will be a story for another day, but it seems safe to assume it will, at the very least, become the second largest domestic release of all-time considering the lowest multiplier for a film in the MCU is Captain America: Civil War's 2.27x, which would give Endgame a nearly $800 million domestic run.
As already mentioned, it wasn't only domestic records that fell this weekend. Endgame's $859 million international opening is over $400 million more than the previous record set by The Fate of the Furious and the $1.2 billion in global ticket sales is nearly double the previous record of $640.5 million set by Avengers: Infinity War just last year. The film is the fastest film to ever top $1 billion globally, doing so after just five days, and it already ranks as the 18th largest worldwide release ever and the sixth largest worldwide release in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Within that record setting global debut, Endgame delivered the #1 opening day ($107.8m) in China as well as the largest five-day opening weekend in the market ($330.5m) and already ranks as the #4 non-local film ever in the market. In addition to that, the film delivered the largest industry openings in 44 markets, including Australia ($30.8m), Korea ($47.4m), Brazil ($26m), Mexico ($33.1m), France ($24.2m, non-local), Italy ($19m, non-local), Spain ($13.3m) and the UK ($53.8m).
The film will release in Russia on Monday, April 29, serving as the final international market where the film has yet to be released.
#FamilyFeud John Singleton’s Daughter Files Court Documents Stating He Is NOT In A Coma
On the heels of his mother filing court documents for conservatorship, John Singleton‘s daughter is disputing the legendary director is in a coma.
Cleopatra Singleton submitted court paperwork on Friday claiming doctors “do not have a concrete diagnosis” of her father’s current condition.
The filing comes one day after John’s mother, Shelia Ward, filed documents asking to be appointed as his conservator because he had suffered a “major stroke” and was in a coma.
Cleopatra wrote in her filing:My father is breathing on his own.
He is only medically sedated to keep his blood pressure low and allow the vessels in his brain to heal.
I don’t have a medical degree, but I’ve watched dozens of episodes of “Chicago Med.” Wouldn’t this be considered a medically-induced coma? Is she serious?
We’re just praying for John to make a full recovery.
Beyonce & Jay-Z Head to Dinner After His Performance at Webster Hall!
Beyonce and Jay-Z hadm a date night! The married couple looked happy together while heading to dinner after Jay’s intimate B-Sides 2 performance at the newly reopened Webster Hall on Friday night (April 26) in New York City.
The two looked fashionable in matching black outings, with Bey sporting a sexy low-cut black mini-dress.
LANSING, Mich. — A major faith-based foster care and adoption contractor for the state of Michigan said Monday it will place children in LGBTQ homes, reversing course following a recent legal settlement.
Grand Rapids-based Bethany Christian Services is responsible for about 8 percent of Michigan’s more than 13,000 foster care and adoption cases involving children from troubled households.
“We are disappointed with how this settlement agreement has been implemented by the state government. Nonetheless, Bethany will continue operations in Michigan, in compliance with our legal contract requirements,” the nonprofit said in a statement, confirming a policy change that was first reported by WGVU-FM.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, announced the settlement last month with same-sex couples who had sued in 2017. It prevents faith-based agencies from refusing to place children in LGBTQ households for religious reasons if it has accepted them for referral from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Lansing-based St. Vincent Catholic Charities challenged the deal in federal court last week, alleging violations of the U.S. Constitution and the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Of the faith-based agencies known to not serve LGBTQ couples or individuals in Michigan, Bethany does the most work for the state. The nonprofit was handling 1,159 cases as of February. Catholic Charities had 404 cases, or 3 percent, while St. Vincent had 80, or less than 1 percent.
State human services department spokesman Bob Wheaton said the agency was pleased it will “be able to continue its long-standing partnership with Bethany in providing services to children and families.”
Nessel tweeted over the weekend that having more adoption agencies not discriminate results in “more children adopted into loving, nurturing ‘forever’ homes. Thank you to Bethany Christian Services.”
As a private attorney, Nessel — who is a lesbian — successfully fought to overturn Michigan’s ban on gay marriage.
On April 11, Bethany’s national board of directors voted to change the policy. It applies only in Michigan, not to its operations in other states. The policy change also does not impact private adoptions, according to Bethany.
A 2015 Republican-enacted law says child-placement agencies are not required to provide any services that conflict with their sincerely held religious beliefs. But Nessel’s settlement says the law does not apply if agencies are under contract with the state.
In its lawsuit , St. Vincent said it fears the state will not renew its contract in October because of the local nonprofit’s religious beliefs and practices.
“If St. Vincent is unable to receive referrals from or contract with the State, it will be forced to close its foster care and adoption programs, ending a decades-old religious ministry and reducing the number of agencies available to serve families and children in need,” the agency said in the complaint.
Report: ESPN and TNT Are Having a Bidding War for Dwyane Wade To Be An Analyst
Dwyane Wade just ended his NBA career a little over two weeks ago, and two networks are reportedly fighting over him to be their analyst.
According to the New York Post, ESPN and TNT are now establishing offers for the former Miami Heat player to appear on air during this year’s NBA playoffs.
ESPN and TNT are said to be fighting over Dwyane Wade to become their analyst. (Photo: Getty Images, Bobby Metelus)
If Wade chooses ESPN’s “NBA Countdown,” he could replace analyst Chauncey Billups, who’s now up for a position in the front-office with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Or he could grab Michelle Beadle’s spot since an insider said her higher-ups aren’t too thrilled with her at the moment. But ESPN personalities Maria Taylor and Rachel Nichols are said to be possibilities for that position as well.
However, if Wade goes the “NBA Countdown” route, he’d be working with Paul Pierce, who once said he had a better career than Wade did, which he was heavily criticized over.
There will also be a permanent spot open at TNT’s “Inside the NBA” in the future, because 56-year-old Charles Barkley said he’d be retiring in four years at the age of 60.
In the past, Wade did analyst work for ESPN/ABC during the 2015 NBA Finals when his good friend LeBron James‘ Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Golden State Warriors.
Another possibility is that Wade won’t want to be tied down to a full-time position and may just sit in on games periodically. Especially since it was recently reported that he and his wife Gabrielle Union launched several products under their own company, which include jewelry, hair care products, baby products and clothing.
Wade ended his 16-year NBA career on April 10 in a game against the Brooklyn Nets with Union, and his friends James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul all in attendance.
Chris Rock Slammed By Whitney Houston Fans After Making ‘Tasteless’ Drug Joke
Chris Rock made a joke about Whitney Houston and it backfired, leaving fans angry at the comedian for his “tasteless” humor regarding the late superstar.
Rock took to Instagram on Saturday and put up a meme featuring Houston wearing sunglasses, and looking less-than impressed during a sit-down interview.
“Hurry up I got crack to smoke,” he captioned the meme, opening him up to a slew of comments from followers who were less than impressed.
“Tasteless and cheap joke. You should know better,” one person wrote. “This is how you speak on the dead? Make better content,” wrote another.
Many called Rock’s post “bogus,” “terrible” and “trash.”
The comedian has yet to address the backlash.
Jennifer Lopez Wants Lawsuit Over Instagram Photo Dismissed
Photo by Michael Stewart
Photographer, Michael Stewart, is suing Jennifer Lopez for posting a picture of herself on her Instagram and not crediting him. J. Lo says she wants the suit thrown out because she was never actually served.
Stewart’s lawsuit states that he took a photo of J. Lo walking through New York City and licensed the photo to the Daily Mail, who ran it in an article on June 29, 2018. Stewart says Lopez then posted the photo on her Instagram, without his permission. He claims to have also registered the photo with the United States Copyright Office.
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Lopez is demanding the lawsuit filed against her be thrown out of court because she claims the photographer never served her with the documents. Lopez says the man attempted to serve her attorney but she says that does not count. She says if the man “wishes” to move his case forward, he will have to serve her personally.
Jenny joins a list of other celebs going through the same photography issues, like Odell Beckham Jr., Jessica Simpson and Blac Chyna.
Pharrell Williams Partners With Verizon To Create A Music Education Program
Pharrell Williams and Verizon announced the creation of a partnership to launch a tech-infused music curriculum in nationwide Verizon Innovative Learning schools.
According to Billboard, the Verizon Foundation’s education program works to provide free technology, internet access, and technology-focused curriculum to lower income and under-resourced middle schools.
The partnership will include the building of a Verizon Innovative Learning Lab located in Pharrell’s hometown of Virginia Beach. The lab will feature cutting edge technology such as virtual reality, augmented reality, robotics, and machine learning.
“I want all children to have access to that kind of creative growth, access, and support. All kids, not just my own,” the producer recently told Billboard, speaking on how art can impact lives.
“There’s a lot of variables in a situation as to why something falls apart, but there’s only one scenario where it holds together, and that’s when all the variables are there. The environment, the family, the school, the system — there’s so many things. We just want to do what we can to balance the odds so that as many kids as we can afford, or help and assist in whatever ways, get this access and support.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Sean 'Diddy' Combs And Kids Cover 'Essence' Magazine
Sean “Diddy” Combs did everything he possibly could to make sure his kids didn’t find out about the death of their mother, Kim Porter, before he had a chance to tell them the news himself.
Nearly six months after her untimely death, the “I’ll Be Missing You” rapper, 49, is recalling what happened on the morning of Nov. 15 after news broke that Porter had been found dead at her home in Toluca Lake, California.
“I jumped into mommy mode,” Combs told Essence in their May 49th anniversary issue. “I sent people in every direction to try to make sure the kids would not hear about it on social media or the news. … I had to get to the girls’ school and find Quincy, who was on set in Atlanta.”
Combs and Porter shared three children together: twin daughters Jessie James and D’Lila Star, 12, plus son Christian, 21. He also helped raise Porter’s son Quincy, 27, from a previous relationship. (Additionally, Combs is a father to daughter Chance, 12, and son Justin, 25, from previous relationships of his own.)
The father of six added in his interview with Essence, “Christian was on a plane, and I had his phone disconnected so he wouldn’t read it in the air.”
“Three days before she passed, she wasn’t feeling well,” Combs went on. “She had the flu, and she sent the kids over to my house so they wouldn’t get sick. … One night I was checking on her, and she was like, ‘Puffy, take care of my babies.’ She actually said that to me before she died.”
Those words echoed in his mind after he learned the tragic news. Though “there was screaming and crying” when he heard about her death, he calmed when he thought of Porter‘s last few words.
“I was crying out to God — and to her — and almost immediately Kim’s voice kicked in, and I could hear her saying, ‘Make sure you take care of my babies,’ ” Combs told Essence.
“Every time Kim and I talked, it was about the kids. We’d check in as friends, of course, but we never had a conversation that didn’t include the kids. It was on some superhero s—. I ain’t even gonna lie,” Combs said. “On some level, I knew she was training me for this. I knew that I had to be ready to do whatever I was supposed to do if something like this ever happened.”
Since her death, Combs says he’s a lot more involved with his family because he knows that’s something Porter would’ve wanted.
“Before this, I was a part-time father, you know?” he said. “My family was always first, but there are countless times when I chose work over everything else. But every day I can hear her telling me to go and spend some time with the kids and make sure everybody’s all right, like she would do. I’m just a lot more present, and, most important, now my kids come before anything else in my life.”
Though their grief will never go away, Combs says the family is doing “really well” now. “We have a great family … the way we’re handling it together. From Sarah [Chapman, Chance’s mom] to Misa [Hylton-Brim, Justin’s mother] to all of Kim’s friends, the grandparents — it takes a village,” he explained.
“Her passing has changed us and made us love each other more. I’m happy to say that, because at first I really didn’t know how we’d be doing,” Combs added. “Because of Kim we’re doing this well, because of the way she loved us.”
Porter died of lobar pneumonia, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner announced in January. She had been suffering from flu-like symptoms for days at the time of her death at age 47.
She was buried in her hometown of Columbus, Georgia, on Nov. 24. During the elaborate public funeral held at Cascade Hills Church, Combs arranged for Porter’s casket to travel in a carriage pulled by horses, and acclaimed pastor T.D. Jakes officiated the service.
Combs held a memorial for Porter on Nov. 18 at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, California. Among the 100 guests present were Kim Kardashian West, Mary J. Blige, French Montana and Kourtney Kardashian.
The couple began dating in the ’90s and broke up in 1999, going on to battle in court over child support for Christian. Combs also dated Jennifer Lopez for two years before he and Porter reconciled in 2003, splitting for the final time in 2007.
#RHOA: Porsha Reveals Whether She’ll End Her Feud With NeNe can Their Friendship Can Be Saved
Porsha Williams & NeNe Leakes were once the best of friends, but are no longer on speaking terms. The new mom spoke on the status of their friendship & revealed whether it’s fixable.
It seems like the whole world sent their best wishes to Porsha Williams, 37, after she gave birth, but apparently, NeNe Leakes, 51, was not one of them. The folks over at HollywoodLife sat down with Porsha for an interview where she told them that she hasn’t heard from her frenemy at all. “No, I have not. I haven’t heard from her at all,” she said when asked if they’ve spoken since having her baby, Pilar Jhena.
Of course, fans are dying to know whether the ladies’ broken friendship can be saved, but Porsha wasn’t exactly hopeful when asked about the possibility. “Not necessarily,” she replied. “Right now, I’m still concentrating on being a new mom and my fiancé. I haven’t really thought about it. When your busy like this as a new mom, you really appreciate the support that is shown to you. If someone’s not calling them, you’re really not thinking about them.”
Porsha and NeNe severed ties after a heated Real Housewives episode in December of 2018 when NeNe stuck her nose into personal details of Porsha’s then boyfriend, Dennis McKinley. Porsha was not having it, and the two co-stars were soon sparring on social media, and have taken endless jabs at one another. They allegedly got into a heated back-and-forth on Instagram with NeNe over a “fat-shaming” text Leakes sent her after the birth of her baby.
The reality star is understandably protective of her now fiancé. In the interview, she also spilled the details of what life has been like with him since they welcomed their baby girl. Porsha admitted that one thing in particular has changed. “I would have to say what my fiancé says all of the time time. He’s like, ‘the patience that you have now is incredible.’ You have to be so patient to be a mom. You are on that baby’s schedule and everything takes time, love and patience, so I feel like overall in all of our relationships, I’ve probably become more patient.” Only time will tell that this newfound patience will open the door for a reconciliation with NeNe.
Porsha is letting any drama slide off her back these days, and is hyper focused on being a great mom, as well as planning her wedding. “Now that we’ve gotten PJ into the world safe and sound, we are about to start planning this wedding which will be on New Year’s Eve,” she told HollywoodLife. “I’m super excited to start that!
#Empire: 'Empire' Season 5, Ep. 16 Recap: The Wedding of Jamal & Kai 'Never Doubt I Love'
Last week’s Empire left us with quite a few questions. One: Is Damon Cross (Wood Harris) actually obsessed with Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson)? Two: Why does Andre Lyon (Trai Byers) look so pained and forlorn if the lymphoma is gone? And three: What exactly do the Feds want with Empire records, and why did they shut down the tour and threaten Becky (Gabby Sidibe)?
All that and more is answered in “Never Doubt I Love,” though arguably the sweet moments that take centerstage do center the couple of the moment: Jamal and Kai. In episode 15 of season 5, the grooms made a surprise announcement at the Lyon family dinner that they didn’t want a big elaborate wedding with a ton of people; they just wanted to get married now and get it over with. Fast forward to “Never Doubt I Love,” and we start the episode out with Cookie and Lucious being interviewed by the New York Times for a wedding article presumably destined for the Vows column. A reporter is asking Lucious and Cookie how they make their marriage work. They give straight answers but we all know that Cookie is focused and still flushed about her intimate conversations with Damon Cross – a situation that she later told him never should have happened.
Let’s get to the fun stuff first: The wedding of Jamal Lyon (Jussie Smollett) and Kai (Toby Onwumere) will be the talk of television for some time to come. Chaka Khan performed (!) Both grooms wore white tuxedo jackets with black collars. They both were escorted down the aisle by their mother and their father. They jumped the broom, bringing a bit more of black culture to the small screen. They had an exciting bachelor party with each other at a club the night before, where even bonus baby Jeff Kingsley (AZ Kelsey) showed up (because he was invited by Andre.) And though Lucious was late to the wedding (he had been picked up and questioned by the Feds on his way to the church) he made it in time enough to deliver another truth bomb to Jamal (Jussie Smollett) and Cookie: he will, in fact, walk Jamal down the aisle.
Well what will now happen now that they’re married? Stay Tuned for more recaps!
#MusicNews: New Prince Album Featuring Unreleased Demos to Debut in June
Just three years after Prince’s death, fans will have a chance to hear some of his unreleased songs. Variety reports the icon’s estate has agreed for Warner Bro. Records and Tidal to release a compilation of 15 songs titled Originals.
Starting on June 7, which would have been his 61st birthday, Prince’s Originals will stream exclusively on Tidal for a two-week window period. On June 21, the album will be made available on all digital and streaming partners, as well as physical on discs through Warner Bro. Records.
On July 19, Originals will make its vinyl arrival, which will include two, 180-gram LPs. A limited edition deluxe CD and two LP formats will be available as well.
Handpicked by Troy Carter, the entertainment advisor of Prince’s estate, the 15-track album will contain 14 never-before-heard demos of hit records that Prince penned himself for his protégés the Time, Vanity 6, Sheila E., Apollonia 6, Jill Jones, the Family, and more. The impending work will also include the first cut of Prince’s 1984 version of “Nothing Compares 2 U.” The song later became famous by Sinéad O’Connor in 1990.
#NewHipHop from Dj Snake, Offset, 21 Savage, Sheck Wes, & Gucci Mane – ‘Enzo’
Following his “Taki Taki” collaboration with Cardi B, Ozuna, and Selena Gomez, DJ Snake rounds up another star-studded cast for “Enzo,” a powerhouse anthem featuring Offset, 21 Savage, Gucci Mane, and Sheck Wes.
The high-octane track, which DJ Snake teased during his Coachella set over the weekend, finds each MC delivering menacing bars over the hypnotic beat, while Sheck Wes provides the hook.
During an interview with Zane Lowe on Beats 1, DJ Snake revealed that he started working on the song two years ago. “I was watching at the first Sheck Wes video called ‘Live Sheck Wes.’ It was maybe like 10, 20 thousand views, and I was like, ‘This kid is special.’ So we connected, and we started the song, and I started adding all the people on it. We ended up with a crazy lineup.”
LISTEN HERE
“Enzo” is set to appear on DJ Snake’s upcoming album, due this summer. “My album looks like, I don’t know, it’s like a carnival,” he said. “It’s like different type of vibes, styles, different part of the worlds. I’m just going to tell you that it’s going to be a hot summer.”
#PRAYERS: John Singleton in a Coma After Suffering a Major Stroke
John Singleton‘s mother is trying to be named his conservator, claiming he is unable to make decisions for himself because he is currently in a coma after suffering a major stroke last week.
According to court documents his Mother Shiela Ward wants to be named conservator so she can “make all medical decisions for the proposed conservatee.”
While initial reports suggested Singleton’s stroke was minor, Ward states, “[T]he proposed conservatee suffered a major stroke. He is currently hospitalized in a coma and is unable to provide for his personal needs.”
She claims there is currently a “financial emergency” and she needs a temporary conservator to be named immediately.
“At the time he suffered a stroke,” Ward states, “[Singleton] was engaged in several business projects and was prepared to sign a lucrative settlement agreement … A temporary conservator must be appointed immediately and without notice as a legal representative must be in place to make medical decisions for my son to handle his business affairs and to execute the aforementioned settlement agreement on or about April 30, 2019.”
She says if the conservator is not named ASAP, “substantial financial loss will result to the proposed conservatee’s estate.”
A physician submitted a declaration, saying John Singleton was suffering from “major impairment to motor skills and psychological functions, including his ability to ‘reason logically.'”
A judge has yet to rule on the request. We send our prayers out to John and Family at this trying time!
Tamron Hall Welcomes her new Baby Boy Moses!
Tamron Hall is officially a mommy! The broadcast journalist and television host welcomed a bouncing baby boy with her husband, Steven.
Tamron announced the birth of her son, Moses, and shared his first photo via Instagram on Thursday (April 25) writing:
Moses & Mama!! I can’t wait to introduce y’all to my #sonshine.
Thank y’all for the love and support. It got us here.
See her original post below.
The 48-year-old announced her pregnancy and her marriage in March.
According to her post, Tamron waited until she was 32 weeks to reveal her pregnancy because the doctor said she was in a “safe place.”
I’ve wanted to share this news for many months and now finally my doctor has said I am in a safe place, at 32 weeks, to share my joy with y’all.
So, it’s clear a daytime talk show isn’t the only thing I’ve been trying to produce! There have been many tears, but today I embrace the smiles. My husband Steven and I are beyond excited!
We’re in constant prayer, so if you pray, add us to your list; if you meditate, send calmness our way; and if you believe in luck, we’ll happily take that too.
More to share in a few weeks when the baby arrives! Next chapter! Blessed and Grateful.
Congratulations to Tamron and Steven on their bundle of joy!
The BOSS Bruce Springsteen just announced his new album ‘Western Stars’ and a new single. This is not a drill!
After a few days of social media ambiguity, Bruce Springsteen officially announced his new album, called “Western Stars,” will be released June 14. A new single called “Hello Sunshine” will be released Thursday night at midnight, according to his website.
“This record is a return to my solo recordings featuring character driven songs and sweeping, cinematic orchestral arrangements. It’s a jewel box of a record," Springsteen wrote on Instagram Thursday morning describing the new 13-track album — his first new studio LP in five years — and sharing the album cover, of a horse galloping across the desert.
Rolling Stone reports a few more details about this highly anticipated new record, which Springsteen teased via caption-less photos of trees and sunshine posted on social media Monday and Tuesday.
Ron Aniello, who produced Springsteen’s last two albums in “Wrecking Ball” (2012) and “High Hopes” (2014) was also on the knobs for this one, Rolling Stone writes. Original E Street Band keyboard player David Sancious and current band members Soozie Tyrell (violin) and Charlie Giordano (organ) contributed to “Western Stars,” as did wife Patti Scialfa and more than a dozen other musicians — though Springsteen considers this a solo effort akin to “Devils & Dust" in solo moniker, not an “and the E Street Band” production.
The album was recorded largely at Springsteen’s home studio in Colts Neck, New Jersey, with additional recording in California and New York, his website detailed Thursday.
“Western Stars" has been a work in progress for the better part of a decade, Springsteen told Variety in December, noting how he began the songwriting for this album before the “Wrecking Ball” cycle that began in 2012.
Springsteen described the new album as influenced “by Southern California pop music of the ’70s ... Glen Campbell, Jimmy Webb, Burt Bacharach, those kinds of records.”
No tours, solo or otherwise, have yet been announced to accompany the new album.
Here’s the very western-themed track listing:
1. “Hitch Hikin’”
2. “The Wayfarer”
3. “Tucson Train”
4. “Western Stars”
5. “Sleepy Joe’s Café”
6. “Drive Fast (The Stuntman)”
7. "Chasin’ Wild Horses"
8. “Sundown”
9. "Somewhere North of Nashville"
10. “Stones”
11. “There Goes My Miracle”
12. “Hello Sunshine”
13. “Moonlight Motel”
The New James Bond film will have Rami Malek confirmed as the villain!
"Bohemian Rhapsody" star Rami Malek will officially join the 25th James Bond film. A livestream announcement was made with members of the new cast from a iconic Bond movie location in Jamaica on Thursday.
The Academy Award-winning actor was not in Jamaica, but recorded a message to the cast where he promised to make sure "Mr. Bond does not have an easy ride of it in this, his 25th outing."
Later Thursday morning, Malek gave few details about the film on "Good Morning America" but said his role would be "villainous."
Among those returning for the yet-to-be named movie are Daniel Craig as James Bond himself, Ralph Fiennes as M, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny, Ben Whishaw as Q, Léa Seydoux as Dr. Madeleine Swann, Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter and Rory Kinnear as MI6. New faces include Malek, Billy Magnussen, Ana De Armas, David Dencik, Lashana Lynch and Dali Benssalah.
The "Bond 25" movie's official logline states, "Bond has left active service. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology." The movie is expected to be released April 8, 2020, according to IMBD.
Few additional details of the plot were revealed at "007" and "GoldenEye" author Ian Fleming's villa in the Caribbean island, which served as inspiration for filming locations in previous Bond movies. Producer Barbara Broccoli delved into why it was important to come back.
"Bond is not on active service when we start the film so he is actually enjoying himself," she said. "We consider Jamaica his spiritual home so he starts his journey here. We've got quite a ride in store for Mr. Bond."
Cary Joji Fukunaga, who directed the first season of "True Detective," said it was an "honor" to be chosen to lead the 25th Bond movie. In addition to Jamaica, he revealed filming will be done in Norway, London and Italy.
He’s in! Former Senator and Vice President Joe Biden launches 2020 bid warning ‘soul’ of America at stake
WASHINGTON (AP) — Declaring the “soul of this nation” at stake, former Vice President Joe Biden pushed into the crowded 2020 presidential contest on Thursday and quickly sparked a fierce debate over the direction of the modern-day Democratic Party.
Ignoring the political noise in his own party, Biden aimed directly at Donald Trump in an announcement video seizing on the Republican president’s response to the deadly clash between white supremacists and counter protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia two years ago. That was the spur for him to launch a third presidential bid, Biden said, noting Trump’s comments that there were some “very fine people” on both sides of the violent encounter, which left one woman dead.
“We are in the battle for the soul of this nation,” Biden declared. “If we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation — who we are. And I cannot stand by and watch that happen.”
Yet Biden will get a chance to take on Trump only if he survives a Democratic field that now spans at least 20 contenders. And his party’s more liberal wing was far from welcoming in the hours immediately after he declared his candidacy. Justice Democrats, a group created from the remnants of Bernie Sanders’ failed 2016 campaign, came out against Biden on Thursday and spent much of the day assailing him on social media.
As an older white man with often-centrist views, Biden must now prove he’s not out of step with Democrats trying to push the party to the left.
He’s been taking steps in recent weeks to clean up perceived missteps from his long record in elected office, including his role as a senator in allowing sexual harassment accuser Anita Hill to be grilled by an all-male committee during the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court confirmation hearings.
A campaign aide said Biden has privately contacted Hill to share “his regret for what she endured and his admiration for everything she has done to change the culture around sexual harassment in this country.” But The New York Times reported Thursday that Hill said in an interview she was “deeply unsatisfied” and unconvinced by his apology.
Biden has also highlighted his role in authoring the Violence Against Women Act nearly three decades ago, legislation that is credited with reducing domestic violence nationwide.
Still, the 76-year-old Scranton-Pennsylvania native’s political liabilities are many.
He would be the oldest person ever elected president — Trump was 70 in 2016 — even as his party embraces a new generation of diversity. He’s also yet to outline his positions on issues defining the 2020 Democratic primary, most notably “Medicare for All,” the universal health care plan authored by Sanders that has been embraced in one form or another by virtually the entire Democratic field.
Biden is betting that his working class appeal and ties to Barack Obama’s presidency will help him win over skeptics. He quickly racked up endorsements on Thursday morning, becoming the first Democrat running for president with the backing of more than one U.S. senator.
Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., who previously served as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said he had urged the former vice president to run and highlighted Biden’s potential electability when asked to assess African Americans’ feelings.
“Black voters are saying the same thing that white Democrats are saying: We can’t afford to lose. That is a big message. That’s a big motivator,” Richmond said.
Obama has so far declined to endorse Biden, however, and several former Obama aides are now working for other candidates. Biden addressed Obama’s position as he briefly faced reporters in Delaware on Thursday.
“I asked President Obama not to endorse,” Biden said. “Whoever wins this nomination should win it on their own merits.”
While he didn’t endorse, Obama took the unusual step of weighing in on Thursday’s announcement.
“President Obama has long said that selecting Joe Biden as his running mate in 2008 was one of the best decisions he ever made,” Obama spokeswoman Katie Hill said. “He relied on the vice president’s knowledge, insight and judgment throughout both campaigns and the entire presidency. The two forged a special bond over the last 10 years and remain close today.”
Trump was quick to pounce on Biden, who he has nicknamed, “Sleepy Joe.”
“I only hope you have the intelligence, long in doubt, to wage a successful primary campaign,” Trump said. “It will be nasty - you will be dealing with people who truly have some very sick & demented ideas. But if you make it, I will see you at the Starting Gate.”
Privately, Trump allies have warned that Biden might be the biggest re-election threat given the former vice president’s potential appeal among the white working class in the Midwest, the region that gave Trump a path to the presidency.
Biden is paying special attention to his native Pennsylvania, a state that swung to Trump in 2016 after voting for Democratic presidential candidates for decades. While Biden represented Delaware in the Senate for 36 years, he was often referred to as Pennsylvania’s third senator.
The former vice president will be in the state three times within the opening weeks of his campaign. He’ll be in Philadelphia on Thursday evening headlining a fundraiser at the home of David L. Cohen, executive senior vice president of Comcast. Biden was aiming to raise $500,000 at the event.
He will hold his first public event as a 2020 presidential candidate in Pittsburgh on Monday. Then it’s off to Iowa, home of the leadoff nominating caucuses on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by two days in South Carolina. He’ll visit the other two early-voting states, Nevada and New Hampshire, in early May, before holding a major rally in Philadelphia.
Biden’s first media appearance is set for Friday morning on ABC’s “The View,” a move that may help him make an appeal to women whose support will be crucial to winning the primary. He also hired Symone Sanders to serve as a senior strategist, tapping a prominent African American who previously worked for Biden’s chief competitor, Bernie Sanders, in the 2016 presidential contest.
As Biden neared his campaign launch, his challenges have come into greater focus.
He struggled last month to respond to claims that he touched 2014 Nevada lieutenant governor nominee Lucy Flores’ shoulders and kissed the back of her head before a fall campaign event. A handful of other women have made similar claims, though none has alleged sexual misconduct.
Biden, a former U.S. senator from Delaware, pledged in an online video to be “much more mindful” of respecting personal space but joked two days later that he “had permission” to hug a male union leader before addressing the group’s national conference.
On another issue he’ll have to address throughout the campaign, Biden once played a key role in anti-crime legislation that had a disproportionately negative impact on African Americans. And last month he struggled to explain comments he made as a freshman senator in 1975 about the school busing debate.
Despite the challenges, his high-profile status in the race may make it difficult for his competitors. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker cast Biden’s announcement as a direct threat to his own campaign in a fundraising appeal.
“The truth is this poses a real challenge for an underdog campaign like ours,” Booker said.
Britney Spears Released from Mental Health Facility After Completing Treatment
Britney Spears has once again left her treatment facility … but this time it’s because she has finally completed her program and is ready to get back to some normalcy in her life.
We’re told the “Toxic” singer was picked up by boyfriend Sam Asghari Thursday afternoon after officially checking out of treatment. The two were seen heading to her home in Thousand Oaks.
Britney Spears mentioned she was not responsible for some “fake emails” that have been circulating, and after obtaining the messages, it’s clear she doesn’t want to be connected to the alleged bashing of her advisors and even her father.
As reported, Spears’ release was due any day after she neared the end of her long-term treatment. Doctors and professionals working with Spears wanted to make sure she had a good mix of medications, as well as behavioral tools to continue to lead a successful life once she was given more freedoms.
It’s been a long road for Spears, as she has been in treatment since January following a severe mental breakdown. Amid the controversy surrounding her treatment, we’re told her close circle of advisors, along with her father, Jamie Spears, have been working to make sure she gets the best care possible.
Spears’ release comes days after she was spotted multiple times out in Los Angeles, including a 24-hour leave to spend time with Asghari over the Easter holiday.
As for those questioning the motives of Spears’ team and doubting she wanted to get help, the singer released a video letting everyone know that “all is well.”
Good luck, Britney
Dwight Howard Countersues Social Media Star Who Claimed To Be His Ex-Boyfriend, Denies All Allegations
Back in November, Dwight Howard made headlines over rumors of his alleged history with transgender women and men, made by Youtube star, Masin Elije, who claimed to be the baller’s ex-boyfriend. In a series of tweets, Masin chronicled his alleged relationship with Howard, explaining how it turned sour after he found out about Howard’s alleged sexcapades with transgender women and other men.
“I was afraid to speak, but today my life was threatened after I was sexually harassed, threatened and manipulated, by someone I respected, my ex-boyfriend NBA player Dwight Howard, and his camp also ‘catfished’ by his disrespectful ass PASTOR,” Masin wrote, as he attached voice recordings and screenshots to prove his case.
Three months later, as Howard remained mum about the allegations, Masin moved forward with a lawsuit, accusing the Washington Wizard of assault and infliction of emotional distress. In the suit, obtained by Bossip, Masin said Howard threatened his life after he refused to sign a nondisclosure agreement, which would prevent him from speaking on their alleged relationship.
He said he suffered physical, mental and emotional distress, in addition to financial losses, for which Masin demanded damages. But now, Howard is officially speaking out about the entire ordeal, disputing all of Masin’s claims, including the rumors surrounding their alleged relationship. In fact, in new legal docs obtained by the publication, Howard has countersued Masin, real name Maurice Slingletary, over the allegations.
According to Bossip, Howard says there is no truth to Masin’s claims, and on top of that, Howard says Masin’s case has no legal standing, especially since Howard was never officially served. In addition, Howard says Masin’s alleged injuries, if any, were caused by his own negligence after he chose to unload the series of tweets, which Howard describes as “a campaign of harassment and intimidation.”
“Mr. Howard is an upstanding citizen in all respects,” the countersuit states. “Unfortunately, his public life and generosity have made him the target of the plaintiff as unrelenting and hostile smear campaign. And Maurice Singletary continues to aggressively, harass, threaten, call and text Mr. Howard and besmirch his reputation on various social media platforms.”
As a result, Howard is suing for $10 million, for libel, slander, invasion of privacy and abusive litigation.
Kanye West Is Considering Starting a Non-Traditional Church To Help “Point People To Jesus Through the Arts”
Earlier this week, Kim Kardashian revealed her husband’s longstanding dream to start a church, and now, sources say, her husband is seriously considering the idea.
Kanye West recently took to the desert to present an Easter version of his Sunday Service, where he performed a few gospel hits, including his own 2004 smash, “Jesus Walks.” But now, upon the success of the Sunday services, which, according to Kim, started as a form of healing for ‘Ye and his famous friends, the “Yeezus” rapper is thinking about expanding his reach.
“He is extremely passionate about his faith and wants to share it more regularly with people,” a source close to West told PEOPLE. “He spends a lot of time studying and praying, and wants to share his journey.”
“Say what you want about Kanye, but he really does want to help people who need support,” the source continued. “He understands brokenness and the need for healing, probably more than most people. He believes in the healing powers of music, but also believes that God can step in and heal people’s brokenness and their issues.”
Although West’s spiritual journey has sparked criticisms in the wake of the Easter service, as many have been unable to determine whether or not its genuine, the source confirmed that West’s intentions have been pure.
“It was completely sincere,” the source said of West’s Sunday Service at Coachella. “Everything about it was planned out because he wanted to encourage and minister to people.”
“He has talked about starting his own church, and what exactly that would be,” the source continued. “It wouldn’t be a traditional, 3-hymns-and-a-sermon thing. Instead, it would be a way to point people to Jesus through the arts and through a community of people who love and care for each other. He also wants his kids to be raised in faith, and the best way for him to do that is to live out his faith.”
“Kanye has always said that his vision has always been for people from different backgrounds – races, ethnicities, beliefs, politics – to come together to worship God and love other people,” the source said.
Bun B Defends Family, Shoots Masked Intruder Who Pointed Gun At Wife
The rapper Bun B was forced to take matters into his own hands when he shot a home intruder in his southwest Houston neighborhood on Tuesday.
According to CNN, Bun’s wife Angela “Queenie” Walls opened her front door around 5:45 p.m. after the doorbell rang and found a masked man standing there with a gun.
Before she opened the door, Walls thought it was a delivery person, but it was really 20-year-old DeMonte Jackson, who forced his way in and demanded luxury items.
Walls then directed him to the garage and offered her Audi. Bun eventually heard the ruckus, armed himself and came back downstairs. From there, a gun fight ensued, Jackson was hit and fled the scene.
He later showed up to a Houston-area hospital for medical attention and was later charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of burglary.
And since the shooting took place, people have been leaving numerous comments on the UGK rapper’s page and relayed how glad they are he and Walls are safe.
“Glad you’re good OG,” one person wrote.
“They f—ed with the wrong one,” wrote another.
And considering another prominent rap figure in Nipsey Hussle was murdered less than a month ago, a lot of people were glad another one wasn’t killed.
“Let n—–s be grateful about not losing another legend tho just knowing when somebody in danger of losing their life it’s always a bunch of people that care on another level when a loved one could’ve lost a life,” someone wrote.
“THANK GOD YOU SAFE OG WE DONT NEED ANOTHER LEGEND LOSS MAN 🙏🏾,” another person commented.
Bun and Walls are said to be unharmed, and the rapper hasn’t been charged with anything.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
