#FASHIONFAB: Louis Partridge & Damson Idris Front Prada’s Holiday Ad
Prada’s holiday 2023 campaign captivates with the house’s trademark fusion of tradition and modernity, as showcased by the striking presence of actors Damson Idris and Louis Partridge.
Photographer Willy Vanderperre crafts a visual narrative that is as compelling as it is stylish, framing the subjects within a surreal, checkered dreamscape that seems to float between reality and a more avant-garde dimension.
The mood is of sophisticated contrast, with the stark, geometric patterns providing a backdrop that accentuates Prada’s signature design. This campaign presents a cinematic world where each element synergizes to encapsulate the Italian fashion house’s iconic aesthetic.
The styling by Olivier Rizzo reflects Prada’s understanding of blending seasonal practicality with high fashion. The garments selected for Idris and Partridge evoke the warmth and festivity of the holiday season yet maintain an air of the urbane through their clean lines and structured silhouettes.
Outerwear takes center stage, with coats that balance the necessity of winter warmth with the luxury of fine tailoring. Accessories, like the statement bags carried by both stars, are perfect complements to the ensembles, marrying function with the unmistakable Prada style.
Under the creative direction of Ferdinando Verderi, Prada’s holiday 2023 advertisement emerges as a narrative that’s visually arresting and deeply evocative.
The campaign reflects Prada’s ethos—where the joy and anticipation of the holiday season are wrapped in the luxury of thoughtful design and craftsmanship. The result is an ad that offers an invitation into a world where the holiday spirit is dressed in the finest threads.
#RHOA: Listing price lowered for RHOA star, former Falcons player’s mansion in north Fulton
NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The listing price for a North Fulton mansion that belongs to a former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star and a former Atlanta Falcons player went down this week.
Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International posted a listing for a 1.78 acres property off Manor Bridge Drive in Alpharetta. Fulton County property records confirm that the house is currently owned by Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann.
Zolciak and Biermann are currently going through a highly-contested and publicized divorce.
The original listing from October showed the estranged couple asking for $6 million. As of Thursday, the listing now shows an asking price of $5.5 million.
The Alpharetta mansion overlooks a lake and the 18th fairway at the Manor Golf & Country Club. The home includes seven bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and three partial bathrooms. The garage can hold up to eight cars.
Other features include a walk-in wine cellar, billiard room, arcade game room, home theater and a gym with a private massage room. It also comes with a full in-law suite with a full kitchen and living room.
#MusicNews: WanMor Covers Boyz II Men’s ‘Please Don’t Go’
Emerging R&B group WanMor has released their version of “Please Don’t Go” by Boyz II Men.
The quartet — composed of real-life brothers Big Boy, Chulo, Tyvas, and Rocco — delivers a stellar vocal performance of the pleading ballad. (Wanya Morris of the legendary group is the father of the members of WanMor.)
“Please Don’t Go” was released as a single from Boyz II Men’s debut album, Cooleyhighharmony, which has been certified 9x platinum.
Produced by Dallas Austin and written by Nathan Morris of Boyz II Men, “Please Don’t Go” reached the top 10 on several Billboard charts and peaked at No. 49 on the Hot 100.
“Please Don’t Go” is the follow-up to WanMor’s festive track, “This Holiday,” released in November. The song was produced by Troy Taylor and written by Jabreh Shaw.
Before that, WanMor released their self-titled debut EP via Mary J. Blige’s Beautiful Life Productions and 300 Entertainment.
The EP consists of seven tracks, among which are the singles “Every Pretty In The City” and “Mine.”
Listen to WanMor’s new song “Please Don’t Go” HERE
Photographer Willy Vanderperre crafts a visual narrative that is as compelling as it is stylish, framing the subjects within a surreal, checkered dreamscape that seems to float between reality and a more avant-garde dimension.
The mood is of sophisticated contrast, with the stark, geometric patterns providing a backdrop that accentuates Prada’s signature design. This campaign presents a cinematic world where each element synergizes to encapsulate the Italian fashion house’s iconic aesthetic.
The styling by Olivier Rizzo reflects Prada’s understanding of blending seasonal practicality with high fashion. The garments selected for Idris and Partridge evoke the warmth and festivity of the holiday season yet maintain an air of the urbane through their clean lines and structured silhouettes.
Outerwear takes center stage, with coats that balance the necessity of winter warmth with the luxury of fine tailoring. Accessories, like the statement bags carried by both stars, are perfect complements to the ensembles, marrying function with the unmistakable Prada style.
Under the creative direction of Ferdinando Verderi, Prada’s holiday 2023 advertisement emerges as a narrative that’s visually arresting and deeply evocative.
The campaign reflects Prada’s ethos—where the joy and anticipation of the holiday season are wrapped in the luxury of thoughtful design and craftsmanship. The result is an ad that offers an invitation into a world where the holiday spirit is dressed in the finest threads.
#RHOA: Listing price lowered for RHOA star, former Falcons player’s mansion in north Fulton
NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The listing price for a North Fulton mansion that belongs to a former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star and a former Atlanta Falcons player went down this week.
Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International posted a listing for a 1.78 acres property off Manor Bridge Drive in Alpharetta. Fulton County property records confirm that the house is currently owned by Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann.
Zolciak and Biermann are currently going through a highly-contested and publicized divorce.
The original listing from October showed the estranged couple asking for $6 million. As of Thursday, the listing now shows an asking price of $5.5 million.
The Alpharetta mansion overlooks a lake and the 18th fairway at the Manor Golf & Country Club. The home includes seven bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and three partial bathrooms. The garage can hold up to eight cars.
Other features include a walk-in wine cellar, billiard room, arcade game room, home theater and a gym with a private massage room. It also comes with a full in-law suite with a full kitchen and living room.
#MusicNews: WanMor Covers Boyz II Men’s ‘Please Don’t Go’
The quartet — composed of real-life brothers Big Boy, Chulo, Tyvas, and Rocco — delivers a stellar vocal performance of the pleading ballad. (Wanya Morris of the legendary group is the father of the members of WanMor.)
“Please Don’t Go” was released as a single from Boyz II Men’s debut album, Cooleyhighharmony, which has been certified 9x platinum.
Produced by Dallas Austin and written by Nathan Morris of Boyz II Men, “Please Don’t Go” reached the top 10 on several Billboard charts and peaked at No. 49 on the Hot 100.
“Please Don’t Go” is the follow-up to WanMor’s festive track, “This Holiday,” released in November. The song was produced by Troy Taylor and written by Jabreh Shaw.
Before that, WanMor released their self-titled debut EP via Mary J. Blige’s Beautiful Life Productions and 300 Entertainment.
The EP consists of seven tracks, among which are the singles “Every Pretty In The City” and “Mine.”
Listen to WanMor’s new song “Please Don’t Go” HERE
Both singles have been officially remixed, with “Every Pretty Girl In The City (Remix),” featuring King Combs, included in the EP. On the other hand, “Mine (Remix)” was released separately as a track in April and received an official video in June.
WanMor’s EP earned them nominations at the 2023 BET Awards and 2023 Soul Train Awards, including Best Group.
Recently, it was announced that WanMor will be embarking on the #FanLoveTour in the spring of 2024. This tour is a reschedule of their previously announced Scream Tour ‘23 Next Up!
The Kayla Nicole-hosted trek is scheduled to begin on March 1 in New Orleans and will run through April 14 in Tampa, Florida.
Additional acts on the lineup include That Girl Lay Lay, Young Dylan, Papa Joy, Breez Kennedy, D STURDY, Citi Limitz, Rocco Lupo and special guests Kid Saiyan a.k.a. King Harris. DJs Amira & Kayla and DJ Sophia Rocks will be curating the tour with their sounds.
For more tour and ticket information, visit http://www.bpctickets.com
#HipHopNews: Dame Dash Says He’s ‘Taking Back’ Roc-A-Fella Records: ‘I’m The Ceo’
Dame Dash’s disputes with his Roc-A-Fella Records co-founders are nowhere near resolved, as disagreements over ownership of the legendary label continue to persist.
During an interview on The GAUDS Show that premiered last week, the 52-year-old mogul talked about regaining control of the Hip Hop empire he helped build. He also discussed being ousted from it by the same people he kickstarted it with, namely JAY-Z and Kareem “Biggs” Burke.
“I’m taking back Roc-A-Fella; I don’t need no paperwork,” he said. “Roc-A-Fella never dies. It’s not dead; I just fuckin’ took a vacation. I’m the CEO of Roc-A-Fella Inc. and JAY-Z knows it, and so does Biggs. Not Roc-A-Fella LLC — we sold that; Roc-A-Fella Inc. — I’m still the CEO.”
Last year, Dash was sued by his former business partners over an alleged NFT auction of Hov’s 1996 debut, Reasonable Doubt. Just months later, they reached a settlement that took away his legal right to sell his portion of the record as any token.
“They took me to court saying I tried to sell all their interests, knowing I didn’t,” he explained. “I was only trying to sell mine, but they did that to fuck my sale up […] We don’t go to court. You call me, and then you wanna lie on me? That was last year. I’m bothered about it.”
Just a few months back, Dash said he’s ready to have a sit-down with JAY-Z to discuss their falling out, but not before his conditions are met. During a mid-October interview on The CEO Show, he talked about his former Roc-A-Fella partner and said that he’d be willing to “have a conversation” to hash out their differences.
He did, however, make it clear that he would only be open to it if the rap superstar agrees to “talk about the people that didn’t make the money, and try to help.” Those people, while not named explicitly, are most likely former Roc-A-Fella artists, given the context of the conversation.
Dame Dash, Kareem “Biggs” Burke and JAY-Z launched Roc-A-Fella Records in 1994, but the parntership infamously split up in 2004 when The Island Def Jam Music Group purchased the label. While Dame took credit for helping put Hov on, the rap legend didn’t agree with those sentiments and addressed the idea on Kingdom Come’s “Lost One.”
“I heard muthafuckas sayin’ they made Hov/ Made Hov say, ‘Okay, so? Make another Hov!’/ N-ggas wasn’t playin’ they day role/ So we parted ways like Ben and J-Lo/ I shoulda been did it but I been in a daze though/ I put friends over business end of the day though,” he raps on the 2006 track.
Their relationship has gone through several ups and downs since, and even though both have expressed a mutual admiration for each other’s work, tension remains between them.
Taraji P Henson Talks Firing Her Team After 'Empire,' Reveals Why Everyone 'Had to Go'
Taraji P Henson is getting candid about letting go of her entire team after her hit show Empire ended.
The 53-year-old The Color Purple star has not been holding back during the press tour for the new movie adaptation, and one of the things she spoke about recently was firing her team.
While there were talks of a spinoff centering on her character Cookie, it ended up falling through, and she decided her team “had to f–king go.”
The reason to fire everyone? She wasn’t getting any opportunities following the success of her character.
“Firing everybody after Cookie,” she told Variety of her best business decision. “Everybody had to f–king go. Where is my deal? Where’s my commercial? Cookie was at the top of the fashion game. Where is my endorsement? What did you have set up for after this? That’s why you all haven’t seen me in so long. They had nothing set up. All they wanted was another Cookie show.”
WanMor’s EP earned them nominations at the 2023 BET Awards and 2023 Soul Train Awards, including Best Group.
Recently, it was announced that WanMor will be embarking on the #FanLoveTour in the spring of 2024. This tour is a reschedule of their previously announced Scream Tour ‘23 Next Up!
The Kayla Nicole-hosted trek is scheduled to begin on March 1 in New Orleans and will run through April 14 in Tampa, Florida.
Additional acts on the lineup include That Girl Lay Lay, Young Dylan, Papa Joy, Breez Kennedy, D STURDY, Citi Limitz, Rocco Lupo and special guests Kid Saiyan a.k.a. King Harris. DJs Amira & Kayla and DJ Sophia Rocks will be curating the tour with their sounds.
For more tour and ticket information, visit http://www.bpctickets.com
#HipHopNews: Dame Dash Says He’s ‘Taking Back’ Roc-A-Fella Records: ‘I’m The Ceo’
During an interview on The GAUDS Show that premiered last week, the 52-year-old mogul talked about regaining control of the Hip Hop empire he helped build. He also discussed being ousted from it by the same people he kickstarted it with, namely JAY-Z and Kareem “Biggs” Burke.
“I’m taking back Roc-A-Fella; I don’t need no paperwork,” he said. “Roc-A-Fella never dies. It’s not dead; I just fuckin’ took a vacation. I’m the CEO of Roc-A-Fella Inc. and JAY-Z knows it, and so does Biggs. Not Roc-A-Fella LLC — we sold that; Roc-A-Fella Inc. — I’m still the CEO.”
Last year, Dash was sued by his former business partners over an alleged NFT auction of Hov’s 1996 debut, Reasonable Doubt. Just months later, they reached a settlement that took away his legal right to sell his portion of the record as any token.
“They took me to court saying I tried to sell all their interests, knowing I didn’t,” he explained. “I was only trying to sell mine, but they did that to fuck my sale up […] We don’t go to court. You call me, and then you wanna lie on me? That was last year. I’m bothered about it.”
Just a few months back, Dash said he’s ready to have a sit-down with JAY-Z to discuss their falling out, but not before his conditions are met. During a mid-October interview on The CEO Show, he talked about his former Roc-A-Fella partner and said that he’d be willing to “have a conversation” to hash out their differences.
He did, however, make it clear that he would only be open to it if the rap superstar agrees to “talk about the people that didn’t make the money, and try to help.” Those people, while not named explicitly, are most likely former Roc-A-Fella artists, given the context of the conversation.
Dame Dash, Kareem “Biggs” Burke and JAY-Z launched Roc-A-Fella Records in 1994, but the parntership infamously split up in 2004 when The Island Def Jam Music Group purchased the label. While Dame took credit for helping put Hov on, the rap legend didn’t agree with those sentiments and addressed the idea on Kingdom Come’s “Lost One.”
“I heard muthafuckas sayin’ they made Hov/ Made Hov say, ‘Okay, so? Make another Hov!’/ N-ggas wasn’t playin’ they day role/ So we parted ways like Ben and J-Lo/ I shoulda been did it but I been in a daze though/ I put friends over business end of the day though,” he raps on the 2006 track.
Their relationship has gone through several ups and downs since, and even though both have expressed a mutual admiration for each other’s work, tension remains between them.
Taraji P Henson Talks Firing Her Team After 'Empire,' Reveals Why Everyone 'Had to Go'
Taraji P Henson is getting candid about letting go of her entire team after her hit show Empire ended.
The 53-year-old The Color Purple star has not been holding back during the press tour for the new movie adaptation, and one of the things she spoke about recently was firing her team.
While there were talks of a spinoff centering on her character Cookie, it ended up falling through, and she decided her team “had to f–king go.”
The reason to fire everyone? She wasn’t getting any opportunities following the success of her character.
“Firing everybody after Cookie,” she told Variety of her best business decision. “Everybody had to f–king go. Where is my deal? Where’s my commercial? Cookie was at the top of the fashion game. Where is my endorsement? What did you have set up for after this? That’s why you all haven’t seen me in so long. They had nothing set up. All they wanted was another Cookie show.”
Taraji said that her team just wanted to ride out the success of Cookie, but she would only do it if it was the right way and the right project.
“All they wanted was another Cookie show, and I said, ‘I’ll do it, but it has to be right. The people deserve…she’s too beloved for y’all to f–k it up.’ And so, when they didn’t get it right, I was like, ‘Well, that’s it,’ and they had nothing else. ‘You’re all f–kin’ fired,’” Taraji said. “It took me years to get there…you are the prize. Don’t you ever forget that. You are the talent. You are their check. Don’t ever forget that. They work for you. If they are not…somebody else will do it. I stayed with the same team for years.”
Billy Porter Laments The Struggle As Queer Artist In 'Homophobic' Music Industry
"Everybody says 'just be who you are!' It's easy to be who you are when who you are is what's popular. I've always been queer; it's always been a homophobic business. Period. The end," he told Gay Times magazine when asked about his success.
The "Pose" actor found recording his latest album, "Black Mona Lisa" to be truly "healing" and he's very proud of the record. He said, "Putting together this album after a life's work has been really healing, inspiring and one of the things I am most proud of in my whole life."
The singer also revealed that the original idea for the album was to create something that was similar to Beyonce Knowles' "Renaissance", which was a homage to dance, disco, house and club culture because of his own background.
He said, "I found a home in the clubs. It was a gay church. It was the space we went to on the weekends to have community, love one another and recharge for the rest of the fight. We were fighting for our rights, we were fighting to stay alive. It was the last time pre-AIDS that the world was free."
And Billy believes disco was unfairly vilified in the 1980s. He said, "If we think about the sexual and cultural freedom of the 1960s and 1970s, we were on a road to a euphoric society, and then AIDS happened. Disco took the hit. Whether subconsciously or consciously, it was blamed and lumped into that plague era and dismissed unduly."
Lee Sun-kyun Dead - 'Parasite' Actor Dies at Age 48 in Apparent Suicide
Lee Sun-kyun has sadly passed away. The South Korean actor, best known for his role in the Oscar-winning movie Parasite, was found dead in an apparent suicide on Wednesday (December 27) in Seoul, South Korea. He was 48-years-old.
According to The Korea Times, a man in his 40s was found unconscious in a car at a park in Seoul at around 10:30am. After arriving on the scene, police were able to identify him as Lee. In the passenger seat was a charcoal briquette.
“As he was pronounced dead, he wasn’t taken to hospital,” an official shared.
Earlier that morning, police received a report that Lee left home after writing a memo, which appeared to be a suicide note, and his car was gone.
Lee had recently been under investigation on suspicions of using marijuana and other illegal drugs at the home of a hostess, who works at a high-end bar in Seoul’s Gangnam district, on multiple occasions since early this year.
He had gone through three rounds of police questioning during which he claimed that he was tricked by the hostess into taking the drugs and alleged that he did not know what he was taking.
He also submitted a polygraph test request to further claim his innocence.
Lee is survived by his wife Jeon Hye-jin and their two sons.
Our thoughts are with Lee Sun-kyun‘s loved ones during this difficult time. RIP.
Lizzo shares heartbreaking post after dog Pooka dies on Christmas Eve
Sharing an adorable photo of herself, her mum Shari Johnson-Jefferson and sister Vanessa Jefferson cuddling the small white dog, she wrote: “We will always love you, Pooka Diamante Jefferson. 10/4/2005 - 24/12/2023.”
Many of the Grammy-winner’s famous friends shared their love for the star, with SZA writing, “Wait, no! I’m so honoured have met you.”
Empathic fans also commented on the post, with one writing “I’m so sorry,” before adding, “Losing a pet is losing a family member. That empty space will take a long time to feel full and safe again. Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to grieve.”
Lizzo returned to Instagram hours later to express her grief by sharing another photo of herself hugging the dog and writing: “I’m not okay. I’m so heartbroken. RIP Pooka.”
The post saw the singer share 10 photos in a post carousel in which she shared her favourite moments with her beloved pet. The final photo was a touching image of a keepsake showing an imprint of Pooka’s paw.
It comes after the award-winning singer told fans in an Instagram post she has been focusing on her health in recent months amid news she had been sued by a group of her former back-up dancers.
“Hi. I’m working ... on music, myself, relationships with people and food, my anxiety, my body, my business, and my trust issues with the world... but they are deep now, deeper than they’ve ever been. Xoxo.”
The group of dancers alleged Lizzo created a hostile work environment and partook in racial and sexual harassment in the lawsuit.
Bryan Tanaka Confirms Split With Mariah Carey After 7 Years, Makes His First Statement
Bryan Tanaka is speaking out. The 40-year-old dancer and choreographer issued a statement one day after Christmas on Tuesday (December 26) confirming that he and Mariah Carey have parted ways after seven years together amid speculation.
“Dear friends and fans, with mixed emotions, I share this personal update regarding my amicable separation from Mariah Carey after seven extraordinary years together. Our decision to embark on different paths is mutual, and as we navigate these separate journeys, we do so with profound respect and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the invaluable time we’ve shared. The memories we’ve created and the artistic collaborations are etched in my heart forever,” he began.
“Mariah‘s dedication to her family and her commitment to her craft have inspired us during our shared journey. I want to express my love and appreciation for Mariah and her incredible children, whose warmth and kindness have enriched my life in ways words cannot capture,” he continued.
“During this sensitive time, I kindly ask for your understanding, privacy and respect. The outpouring of love and support from fans has been a beacon of strength, and I am extremely grateful for the encouragement that continues to uplift me. I eagerly anticipate continuing my journey, knowing my passion for inspiration, dance, and the creative arts will resonate in the unfolding chapters. With #MuchLove and gratitude
Bryan Tanaka,” he concluded.
Kennedy Center Honors 2023 - Performers, Songs & Presenters Revealed!
Billy Crystal, Queen Latifah, Renee Fleming, Dionne Warwick, and Barry Gibb are being honored at this year’s event, which was pre-taped earlier this month at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
CBS will be airing the special on Wednesday (December 27) at 9pm ET/PT and we have the star-studded list of performers and presenters who will appear.
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The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes and celebrates individuals whose unique contributions have shaped the way we see ourselves, each other and our world. Recipients have each had an impact on the rich tapestry of American life and culture through the performing arts. Whether in music, dance, theater, opera, motion pictures or television, each Kennedy Center Honoree has a unique place in the national consciousness and their influence has inspired audiences from all walks of life.
Keep scrolling for the full list of performers…
OPENING NUMBER
Host Gloria Estefan will perform “Conga” and “Get on Your Feet” with Sheila E
DIONNE WARWICK TRIBUTE
FORMER HONOREE PRESENTER: Herbie Hancock
LEAD STORYTELLERS: Debbie Allen
PRESENTERS: Ego Nwodim, Clive Davis
TRIBUTE PERFORMERS:
Mickey Guyton and The Spinners perform “Then Came You”
Cynthia Erivo performs “Alfie”
Chloe Bailey performs “Walk on By”
Gladys Knight performs “Say a Little Prayer”
BILLY CRYSTAL TRIBUTE
LEAD STORYTELLER: Rob Reiner
PRESENTERS: Rob Reiner, Jay Leno, Meg Ryan, Whoopi Goldberg, Robert De Niro, Bob Costas
TRIBUTE PERFORMER:
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Marc Shaiman perform Billy medley
Robert De Niro, Marc Shaiman and Lin-Manuel Miranda perform “It Had to Be You”
QUEEN LATIFAH TRIBUTE
FORMER HONOREE PRESENTER: Rita Moreno
LEAD STORYTELLER: Kerry Washington
PRESENTERS: Van Van, Missy Elliott, Kerry Washington
TRIBUTE PERFORMERS:
Yo-Yo, D-Nice, and RM Band perform “Latifah’s Had It Up to Here”
MC Lyte, Monie Love and D-Nice perform “Ladies First”
MC Lyte, Monie Love, Yo-Yo, Van Van and D-Nice perform “U.N.I.T.Y ”
Rapsody performs “Just Another Day”
The Clark Sisters perform “You Brought the Sunshine,” “Winki’s Theme,” “I Know Where I’ve Been”
RENEE FLEMING TRIBUTE
FORMER HONOREE PRESENTER: Robert De Niro
LEAD STORYTELLER: Christine Baranski
PRESENTERS: Sigourney Weaver, Tituss Burgess
TRIBUTE PERFORMERS:
Julia Bullock, Ailyn Pérez, Angel Blue, Nadine Sierra perform “Song to the Moon” with Patrick Summers
Dove Cameron performs “The Light in the Piazza” with Patrick Vaccariello
Tituss Burgess, Susan Graham, Christine Baranski, Rev. Stef & Jubilation Choir perform “You’ll Never Walk Alone”
BARRY GIBB TRIBUTE
FORMER HONOREE PRESENTER: Amy Grant
LEAD STORYTELLER: Gloria Estefan
PRESENTER: Stephen Gibb
TRIBUTE PERFORMERS:
Little Big Town performs “Lonely Days”
Michael Bublé performs “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”
Ben Platt performs “Nights on Broadway” with Wayne Linsey
Ariana DeBose performs disco medley of “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Night Fever,” “Stayin’ Alive,” “You Should Be Dancin’” with Chloe Flower
Amy Robach Received ‘Death Threats’ Over Relationship with T.J. Holmes
*Amy Robach says she received death threats over her relationship with T.J. Holmes.
We reported previously that ABC News booted Robach and Holmes from their “Good Morning America” hosting gigs in January after their affair was publicly revealed. The network parted ways with the couple because their relationship had become “an internal and external disruption,” ABC News president Kim Godwin told staffers in a call in December 2022, per Variety.
During the premiere episode of their new iHeartMedia podcast earlier this month, the couple said they have “gone through a year of hell” since ABC axed them.
On the latest episode of the podcast titled Amy & T.J., Robach, 50, said she and Holmes, 46, received “really hateful, awful emails that included death threats.”
They were married separately before going public with their romance; Robach to Andrew Shue and Holmes to Marilee Fiebig. Shue and Fiebig are now reportedly dating.
“I had never experienced that before,” Robach said on Amy & T.J. about the response to her interracial relationship, “and it was just a little taste of some of what I have never, or could never, or had never experienced before, and it was eye-opening, to say the very least,” she continued.
“We did not enter this relationship for fun or for ‘Let’s see what happens.’ We entered this relationship because we intend on spending our lives together,” Robach said during the broadcast.
“Relationships are hard, they’re messy, they’re not perfect,” she said previously on the podcast. “We have fought for love, and I can say I have never been happier. I am with my best friend.”
“The best way to sum us up, Amy and T.J., is that we’re the folks who lost the jobs we love because we love each other,” Holmes added.
Paramount Resumes Negotiations to Sell BET Network
The announcement comes after Byron Allen, founder and CEO of Allen Media Group, announced that he wants to acquire the entity for $3.5 billion, Variety reports.
In the email to Paramount executives, Allen wrote, “You are pursuing an inside sale at a below-market price with management that will not yield the highest price for the stockholders. We believe it would be an egregious breach of fiduciary duty by the Paramount Global management team and board of directors if BET is sold for anything less than the highest price, particularly, in order to provide a sweetheart deal to an insider at the expense of public shareholders.”
Earlier this year, Allen bid $2.7 billion when Paramount Global announced in March that it was exploring the sale of BET, which includes the BET cable channel, VH1, BET Studios, and streaming service BET+.
Previous bidders included Tyler Perry and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Paramount Global backed away from the plan in August, saying the sale would not generate enough profits.
“We made this decision because the benefits of maintaining a majority stake in BET Media Group creates more value for Paramount than any of the proposals we received,” a source from Paramount reportedly told the New York Post, according to Vibe.
Reuters reports that the new potential buyers include BET Chief Executive Officer Scott Mills and former Blackstone executive Chinh Chu.
According to the report, a sale price of $2 billion is being discussed.
BET was founded by Robert Johnson in 1980 and was acquired by Viacom in 2001 in a deal worth $3 billion.
Gilbert Arenas Alleges Halle Berry Slept with Harvey Weinstein and Other ‘White’ Hollywood Execs to Land Movie Roles
Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas has the internet divided after a viral video of him claiming to have overheard a conversation about convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein and one of Hollywood’s most notable actresses: Halle Berry.
Gilbert Arenas claims he overheard a conversation confirming Halle Berry slept with Harvey Weinstein and other 'white' hollywood execs to land movie roles.
Three years ago, Weinstein was convicted of third-degree rape and ordered to register as a sex offender. His prosecution galvanized the #MeToo movement, which has since brought nationwide attention to incidents of sexual assault and harassment.
The disgraced filmmaker and producer was found guilty and sentenced to 23 years in prison for charges in New York. During the trial, more alleged victims came forth with more accusations of assault, leading Weinstein to be sentenced to 16 years earlier this year for rape and sexual assault charges in Los Angeles. The 71-year-old has also been accused of blocking models and actresses from furthering their careers after failing to accept his sexual advances.
Arenas is suggesting that might be the case with Berry, who played the lead in the 2001 execrable drama, “Monster’s Ball.”
In a viral video circulating online from his Twitch show, “No Chill with Gilbert Arenas, the former Washington Wizards player said, “It was 2003 or 2004 … I went to the playoff series and Halle Berry’s walking by and I’m like, ‘Oh sh-t, Halle Berry, bro.’ Fine.”
He said she was sitting near “four, five white dudes” and “Harvey Weinstein was one of them.” He claimed he was sitting close enough to hear the men’s conversation, and he heard someone say, “Oh now she acting like she don’t know us? She wasn’t saying that when she needed that part.”
Arenas then looked into the camera and said, “Every single one of them hit.”
‘I was like, no not Halle. No not them. Yuck,” he continued. “Damn, they got the Berry.”
After the video spread on social media, fans online began to dispute the allegation in the comment section of The Neighborhood Talk’s video. Some people believed it could be true, while others are calling it a blatant “lie.” For that, many suggested Berry sue Arenas for spreading a defamatory rumor.
“I hope she sues you,” was the sentiment of many. “Defamation of character lawsuit incoming in 54321.” Another person wrote, “If Halle Berry didn’t provide this information, and speaking about the predatory industry and her experience then he should have NOT.”
People also began to direct their remarks at Arenas for speaking ill about a Black women.
Two others said, “Omg why is this needed to be told ?! This is vicious against Halle and she deserves respect . When does the disrespect ends toward BW” and “Even if it’s true I’m not judging Halle Berry for it. Imagine shaming anyone besides the predator.”
Berry portrayed the role of Leticia Musgrove in “Monster’s Ball,” which follows Billy Bob Thornton’s character, Hank. He plays a racist white Southern correctional officer who kills a Black man and shacks up with his wife, Leticia. One of the film’s most captivating cringe-inducing scenes was a sex scene where the Black widow begged her husband’s white killer to “make me feel good.”
For her performance, Berry inexplicably received an Oscar in 2002, becoming the first and only Black woman to win the Best Actress award.
Arenas then began briefly touching on the allegations and crimes committed by Weinstein, and another notable Hollywood giant who served time after being accused of drugging and raping dozens of women in the late 1980s.
Bill Cosby was sentenced to 10 years in 2018 but was released in 2021 after his conviction was vacated. He has been accused by over 60 women, including most recently by a female comedy writer who filed a lawsuit against him for sexually assaulting her more than 50 years ago in November.
Arenas suggested that Weinstein and Cosby needed power and influence to bed women because they were “ugly.” He said although this may sound common, this is not the case for all accomplished producers.
“50 Cent was famous first. Now he’s in Hollywood. He already has his power,” he said about the executive producer of the Starz series “Power.”
Kevin Hart Files Lawsuit Against Tasha K For Extortion, Defamation
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, the comedian initiated the legal battle on November 22, 2023, with a cease and desist letter. In the docs, Hart accused the YouTuber of engaging in “criminal conduct and tortious acts” related to her interview with Miesha Shakes and the alleged extortion effort that followed.
“You have already engaged in criminal conduct and tortious acts that would entitle Mr. Hart to monetary damages against you should he elect to commence civil litigation regarding this matter,” the filing read. “To the extent that you do not cease and desist now, your liability for such monetary damages will increase, as will your exposure to criminal penalties.”
According to The Blast, Hart’s counsel, Donte Mills, explained that someone linked to Tasha’s team reached out with the intent to extort the actor. Mills said the person claimed to be affiliated with the YouTuber and threatened to “publish a damaging story on social media” unless he coughed up $250,000 to bury it. The blogger also shared a trailer for the interview, in which the former assistant made claims of infidelity and non-disclosure agreements.
“In advance of your threatened publication of the Story, you posted a ‘teaser’ with Ms. Shakes on Youtube, which clearly was intended as a threat, sending a message to Mr. Hart’s team that the more detailed Story would not be published if – and only if – the ransom is paid.”
Elsewhere, Mills highlighted his familiarity with Tasha K, citing her recent legal battle with Cardi B, adding that she would not escape “liability for monetary damages to Mr. Hart that you incur as a result of the misconduct described herein.” Hart and his team also reported the incident to police.
“In light of the foregoing issues, we demand that you immediately cease and desist all activity and public statements relating to the Story and refrain from any publication or threatened release of the Story,” the filing continued.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Too Comfty
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
