Dancing with the Stars Season 21 is BACK and meet is the Cast!
The celebrity cast of Dancing with the Stars is strapping on their ballroom shoes and getting ready for their first dance on MONDAY SEPT on the ABC Television Network. This 21st season’s lineup of celebrity dancers and their Pro partners was announced on Good Morning America.
Season 21 Celebrity Cast Members and Pro Pairings
TAMAR BRAXTON is a Grammy-nominated singer, talk show host, and reality television personality. A veteran performer who began singing backup vocals for her older sister Toni at age 12, Tamar Braxton was also a founding member of R&B group The Braxtons with Toni and their siblings Traci, Towanda and Trina. Tamar's third solo album, Calling All Lovers, releases September 11, 2015. Tamar executive produces and stars with her sisters in the WE tv reality hit Braxton Family Values, as well as the spinoff Tamar & Vince, with her music manager husband Vince Herbert. Elsewhere on the TV front, Braxton co-hosts and produces the daytime talk show, The Real. PRO DANCE PARTNER: VALENTIN CHMERKOVSKIY
GARY BUSEY Gary Busey celebrates his 45th Anniversary in show business during 2015. Busey rose to fame in Hollywood when he became an Academy Award nominee for Best Actor for his performance in the title role of Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story. His other feature film credits include memorable roles in The Firm, Under Siege, Point Break, and Lethal Weapon. He's also appeared on Celebrity Wife Swap and Celebrity Apprentice, and became the first American to win Celebrity Big Brother U.K. in 2014. PRO DANCE PARTNER: ANNA TREBUNSKAYA
NICK CARTER The singer, songwriter and actor sparked his career at the tender age of 12 as the youngest member of the iconic boy band Backstreet Boys, which has sold over 130 million records worldwide and earned five Grammy nominations. Carter was named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World," has released two solo albums, and starred with his fiancé in the VH1 reality series, I Heart Nick Carter.PRO DANCE PARTNER: SHARNA BURGESS
PAULA DEEN One of the best-known personalities in the world of cooking, Paula Deen is the author of 14 cookbooks that have sold more than 8 million copies. In addition to her many television successes, Paula launched Paula Deen Live! in 2014, a nationwide tour of 90 minute shows featuring Paula making her favorite seasonal dishes. On her digital lifestyle network, the Paula Deen Network, Paula provides viewers with cooking tips, new recipes and step-by-step instruction on how to cook her signature Southern dishes in an unscripted format. PRO DANCE PARTNER: LOUIS VAN AMSTEL
VICTOR ESPINOZA After coming close twice, jockey Victor Espinoza earned the famous Triple Crown earlier this year, winning the Kentucky Derby, The Preakness and The Belmont Stakes aboard speedy American Pharoah. It was the first time in 37 years the feat had been accomplished. The first Hispanic jockey to ever win the Triple Crown, Espinoza has won over 3000 races in his career and donates 10% of his weekly winnings to The City of Hope for childhood cancer research. PRO DANCE PARTNER: KARINA SMIRNOFF
ANDY GRAMMER With his 2011 self-titled debut album, pop singer Andy Grammer became the first male pop star in a decade to reach the Top 10 at Adult Pop Radio on his first two singles, "Keep Your Head Up" and "Fine By Me," certified platinum and gold respectively. Andy's second album, 2014's critically acclaimed Magazines or Novels, continues his disarming success with his huge hit "Honey, I'm Good." PRO DANCE PARTNER: ALLISON HOLKER
HAYES GRIER At just 15 years old, Hayes Grier is a rising star in the social media world, with more 3.5 million followers on Vine and more than 2 million Twitter follows. The North Carolina teen shot to fame with his personal videos and is currently on a live tour across the United States. PRO DANCE PARTNER: EMMA SLATER
BINDI IRWIN The 17 year-old Australian wildlife conservationist and actress has continued the legacy of her parents, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and Terri Irwin, starring in a series of wildlife shows, including "Bindi: The Jungle Girl," "Bindi's Bootcamp," and "Steve Irwin's Wildlife Warriors." As an actress, Bindi starred in the films Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove and Return to Nim's Island. In 2014, Bindi was awarded the prestigious Australian Geographic Society’s Young Conservationist of the Year, an honor that she dedicated to her late father, Steve Irwin. PRO DANCE PARTNER: DEREK HOUGH
CHAKA KHAN is an international music icon who has influenced multiple generations of artists and continues to do so as an a singer, songwriter, producer, visual artist, author, actor, philanthropist, entrepreneur, activist and mother. A a ten-time GRAMMY® Award winner who has the rare ability to sing in eight music genres, Chaka has released 22 albums and racked up ten #1 Billboard magazine charted songs. Chaka is currently at work on a series of mixed media visual works with a planned gallery exhibition in 2016, as well as a new CD, set for release later in 2015. PRO DANCE PARTNER: KEO MOTSEPE
ALEXA PENAVEGA Alexa is known worldwide for her role as Carmen Cortez in four blockbuster Spy Kids films, as well as Machette Kills and From Prada to Nada. PenaVega made her Broadway debut in 2007 when she played Penny Pingleton in the Tony Award winning Broadway version of Hairspray. Fans of the ABC hit drama Nashville also know her for her turn as Kiley Brenner. Alexa is married to actor/singer Carlos PenaVega, who will also compete in Season 21 of Dancing with the Stars. PRO DANCE PARTNER: MARK BALLAS
CARLOS PENAVEGA Actor/singer Carlos PenaVega shot to fame and cult status after starring on the highly successful Nickelodeon musical comedy Big Time Rush, which also took to the road and toured with the ensemble cast around the globe. Having studied musical theater at the Boston Conservatory, Carlos recently released his first solo single in Spanish, Electrico, which charted in the Top 10 on the Latin iTunes songs charts. Carlos is married to actress Alex PenaVega, who will also compete in Season 21 of Dancing with the Stars. PRO DANCE PARTNER: WITNEY CARSON
ALEK SKARLATOS Army National Guard Specialist Alek Skarlatos has joined the Dancing with the Stars Season 21 cast! Alek became a worldwide hero in August when he helped avert a massacre aboard a Belgian train. While on vacation after a deployment in Afghanistan, the 22 year-old sprang into action when an armed attacker began shooting on the train. Alek and two of his friends, Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone and student Anthony Sadler, disarmed and subdued the attacker, who was armed with guns and a box cutter. The California native is an avid painter and military history buff. In between National Guard deployments, Alek studies at a local community college and plans to enter the police force. PRO DANCE PARTNER: LINDSAY ARNOLD
KIM ZOLCIAK BIERMANN Known for her blonde wigs, catchy pop songs and her vivacious personality, Kim is also the mother of 6 children. Her socialite status amongst Atlanta's elite snagged her the reality spot on Bravo’s hit show, Real Housewives of Atlanta. Her debut single, "Tardy for the Party," reached the number three spot on iTunes. In 2012, Kim released her second single, "Google Me." In April 2012, Kim's spin off Don’t be Tardy for the Wedding debuted on Bravo. The series revolved around Kim's extravagant wedding to NFL Falcons player Kroy Biermann. The series was a huge hit for Bravo, and is currently on air for its fourth season. PRO DANCE PARTNER: TONY DOVOLANI
Hosted by Emmy® Award-winning host Tom Bergeron (America’s Funniest Home Videos) and Erin Andrews (sports host & Dancing with the Stars Season 10 finalist), Dancing with the Stars is the hit series in which celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by two-time Mirrorball champ and actress Julianne Hough, and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba
Azealia Banks THROWS SHADE at "Basic" Nicki Minaj & Miley Cyrus' VMA Beef…Then Drags Beyonce Into the FIRE!
We knew it would only be a matter of time before Harlem raptress Azealia Banks started poppin’ off about the 2015 MTV VMAs. Y’all know chick always has an opinion and is never afraid to express EXACTLY how she feels about certain topics…even on public platforms. In fact, she loves sharing her gems, whether others agree with her or not, on social media. And this time, we agree.
Case in point: Nicki Minaj vs. Miley Cyrus’ on-stage “beef” during Nicki’s acceptance speech. In so many words, the Broke With Expensive Taste rapper called their feud a “contest of the basics” and called Miley’s music “WHACK AS F*CK.” We can always count on her to say the things other folk in the limelight are scared to say.
Fans begin asking Azealia why she started going in on Nicki when she once supported her. Her response was that she likes some of the Young Money star’s music, but she believes her own music is BETTER.
When a fan asked her about Beyonce getting rid of her remix and adding Nicki’s (OH?) she said the reason Bey supposedly axed her tracks is because of her lack of skin bleaching tablets. No sure if she's coming for Bey or Nicki with that comment...but we're going with the latter.
Peep most of her tweets, because there are a SLEW of them, below:
Does she have a point?
Uh Oh? Cynthia Bailey Could Lose Her Peach After Fight With Porsha Williams?
Could Cynthia Bailey be at risk of losing her peach on Real Housewives of Atlanta, after kicking Porsha Williams in the stomach during a fight?
Sources tell TMZ that show honchos are going over footage from the incident, and weighing their options for discipline.
More details below:
We’re told producers want to see just how bad (or good, for ratings) the fight was … and there’s a possibility Cynthia could be demoted to the dreaded ‘friend of the cast’ title — as opposed to full cast member. And yes, that would mean a cut in pay too. As for why PW’s neck isn’t on the line? We’re told there’s no rule against antagonizing — hell, that’s the meat of the show — but getting physical crosses the line.
The site previously reported that things escalated during an argument between the two, leading to Porsha being kicked in the stomach, before the situation was diffused.
Porsha went to the hospital following the fight, where she was given pain meds.
Here’s First Look! ‘Stevie & Joseline’ Spin-Off (Video)
As promised, the good folk at VH1 have produced a spin-off for Love & Hip Hop Atlanta couple, Stevie J and Joseline Hernandez. As previously reported, the series will chronicle the reality TV couple’s move to Los Angeles.
Checkout the teaser HERE
See details about the new show, via the network’s release:
The Untitled “Stevie & Joseline” Spin-off Series Premiering Winter 2016
Picking up after “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta,” Stevie J and Joseline head to Los Angeles in VH1’s new untitled half-hour spin-off series. Premiering this winter, these eight episodes will follow the couple as they hit the west coast and set their sights on the Hollywood big screen. While continuing to work on their respective careers, Joseline tries to bond with Stevie’s five children and Stevie J heads back to the studio and reconnects with old friends in the music industry. With these two, relationship highs and lows are par for the course, but with a few laughs and a lot of love, Stevie J and Joseline consistently prove that they can overcome any obstacle. Catch this dynamic couple taking over a new city this winter.
Will you be watching?
Reality Star Lisa Nicole Cloud Husband Is Gay? She calls BULLSH*T!
Kandi: Ok, I can’t not ask this question: the guy that brought up allegations against your husband… Your brother in-law has [written] two long letters taking up for his brother, obviously.
Lisa Nicole: Our family is thick as thieves. They’re pissed.
Kandi: When you put your relationship out there in front of the world, it doesn’t just affect you; it really affects the whole family. When you had this guy out there saying that he’s been with your husband, what did the whole family say? What did you say at first?
Lisa Nicole: When I first heard it, I laughed. Like, “Really? You’re gonna go there now? Are we stooping to those levels?” So, we were just ignoring it, like, “We’re not gonna give it any life or energy.” The guy is so thirsty with it, he’s just trying to get so much attention as he can. But he’s talking so much that his stories are clashing and he’s really setting himself up. We definitely are going to pursue legal action.
Kandi: Ok, so with that being said, I have to play devil’s advocate. Do you think it’s necessarily that Quad put him up to it, or do you think it was just him wanting to be in the public eye?
Lisa Nicole: I think he just wanted his 30 seconds of fame. And I think she was all down for him to do it at her event. Because those are the only places that he ever really showed up: whenever she showed up, he showed up. He didn’t come to Heavenly’s event; he didn’t come to Toya’s event. But anywhere [Quad] was gonna be, it was like he was strategically maneuvering around the room to try to confront. And it’s ridiculous. I’m not gonna play games with kids, but I will handle it with legal action. Because what he really wants is an ass whoopin’.
Kandi Koated Nights Airs Wednesdays At 10/9c On TGItv.com
#TEAMEMPIRE! GOOD NEWS LUCIOUS LYON IS SAFE!
Last week there were rumors that Terrence Howard's role as Lucious Lyon on Empire might be significantly cut due to his never ending personal drama
Not so fast… Empire producers tell Access Hollywood,
"Rumours that Terrence's role in Empire will be scaled back are patently untrue, as audiences will see when the series returns on Wednesday, September 23 on Fox.
GOOD!
Mother of Adrian Peterson’s 9th Child Wants $1.9M in Child Support
NFL star Adrian Peterson‘s wife is expecting a baby — and so is his mistress.
His wife and his mistress are expecting the wide receiver’s 8th and 9th children.
According to gossip tabloid TMZ.com, the mistress is demanding $1.9 million in child support from Peterson over the next 18 years.
Peterson’s pregnant wife, Ashley Brown-Peterson, must be a very understanding woman.
According to TMZ Peterson, 30, is happy to pay “reasonable” child support, which explains why his unreasonable mistress has hired an attorney.
The following is a breakdown of child care expenses for the unborn child per the mistress:
Monthly support — $6,000 for 216 months ($1,296,000)
Pre and postnatal costs — $30,000
Health insurance costs — $1,000 per month for 216 months ($216k)
Private school — average of $30k for 13 years ($325k)
Uninsured health care costs including mental health costs for the child — $3k per year
Attorney’s fees — $60,000
If you recall, Peterson was charged with child abuse in 2014 after he savagely beat his then-4-year-old son with a tree branch.
The Minnesota Vikings suspended Peterson for one game — that is until photos surfaced of the child’s horrific injuries, then Peterson was placed on something called the “commissioner’s exempt list.”
After a federal judge ruled in his favor, Peterson rejoined the Vikings and agreed to a 3-year $44 million contract.
JUSTICE? White cop gets house arrest for killing unarmed Black father
For people who don’t think that White cops get off easy for killing unarmed Black suspects, look no further than Eutawville, South Carolina. It was there that former Police Chief Richard Combs killed unarmed Bernard Bailey over a traffic ticket in 2011.
Bailey was upset over a traffic ticket issued to his daughter and tried to resolve the matter, but Combs took exception to Bailey’s efforts. According to court records, Bailey went to the Eutawville Town Hall and protested when Combs told him he was under arrest for obstruction of justice. It was then that Bailey left and got into his pickup and drove away and Combs pursued him. When Bailey pulled Combs over, he stated that he leaned into the car to confront Bailey and Bailey tried to drive off. Combs stated that since he did not have pepper spray or a stun gun, he decided to use lethal force and shot Bailey three times, killing him.
Combs had two jury trials, resulting in a hung jury both times. In the first trial the jury voted 9-3 to convict Combs of murder. In the second trial the jury voted 8-4 to convict Combs of murder, with four wanting to convict him of murder, four wanting to convict of voluntary manslaughter and four who thought he was not guilty. Combs was facing 30 years to life imprisonment for the killing of Bailey.
On Tuesday of this week, instead of pursuing a third trial, prosecutors agreed to drop the murder charge if Combs consented to one year of home detention and five years probation for misconduct in office. The deal Combs was offered and accepted shocked and dismayed the Bailey family. The family settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the small town of 300 for $400,000 but never expected Combs to escape the repercussions of killing their loved one.
Combs was facing 10 years in prison on the misconduct charge but Circuit Judge Edgar Dickson suspended the sentence as long as Combs completed his home detention and probation.
“My client is financially and emotionally exhausted He has to completely start over. He was branded a racist all of that wasn’t true,” said Combs’ lawyer, Wally Fayssoux.
Combs, a former Marine, will never be a police officer again and was one of four police officers facing felonies for on-duty shootings in South Carolina.
Karen Clark Sheard is ‘Destined to Win’; New Album Debuts at #2
*“I think it was inspired,” said four-time Grammy winner Karen Clark Sheard (The Clark Sisters) about her newest recording project “Destined to Win” (Karew Records/Entertainment One). “It’s been a while. I heard the…fans say ‘when is the next.’ So I prayed on it.”
The answer must have been yes because she has new music. Karen, a member of the infamous Clark Sisters, solo projects have created her own niche’ in Gospel history with four Grammy Awards and the respect of everyone in the music industry.
“Destined to Win” features Faith Evans, her son J. Drew Sheard II and Donald Lawrence who produced the album with Daniel Weatherspoon. It offers 10 selections to inspire, a cover of Richard Smallwood’s “The Resurrection”. Its single “Sunday AM” has received a Grammy nomination. Selections also include “The Worst is Over,” “My God is Big,” and “We Acknowledge You.”
“Donald has worked with me on my first solo CD,” Karen added about featured artist Donald Lawrence. “We jell together, he is like my brother. He knows my work…my likes and dislikes. My whole solo career he has been a great part of its success. Donald believed in me from day one.”
“Destined to Win” was recorded live at Chicago’s House of Hope.
“We did a tribute to the late and great Andrae’ Crouch. It was Donald’s idea,” Karen said about performing Andrae’ Crouch’s “Where Jesus Is” during the live recording reuniting The Clark Sisters with her daughter Contemporary Gospel artist Kierra Sheard, along with singer Kim McFarland. “His singers did excellent delivery with the song. I said, ‘we not as young as we use to be’…he called my sisters out and the crowd went crazy. My daughter came out and brought the young flavor. It was great to know we still can remain relevant in this day and time.”
Rachel Dolezal is Pregnant
*If you’ve been waiting for some new news on Rachel Dolezal, you’ve hit the jackpot.
Dolezal, who’s famous for being white but proudly claims she’s black, is pregnant again.
According to TMZ, she’s in her second trimester and expecting a boy. When asked who’s the daddy and if he’s black or white, she was mum. Based on what we know she likes, we’re betting he’s a brother man.
Dolezal has been divorced for 10 years now. She was engaged to another man until they broke it off in 2013.
Dolezal has two sons, 13 and 21.
CONGRATS! Venus Williams Achieves Her Dream, Receives Bachelor Of Science Degree From Indiana University East!
Back in 2011, tennis icon Venus Williams enrolled in Indiana University East’s online degree completion program. Now, four years later, she received her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration! Now she's going to be even more of a force to reckon with when it comes to her Eleven fashion line and other businesses.
During the diploma presentation (held on August 15th), School of Business and Economics Dean David Frantz, (shown above with Venus and Chancellor Kathryn Cruz-Uribe), praised her as a student, as a person and as a graduate.
“Venus took concepts from the courses and tried them out in real life, and then she would want to learn more. Venus had a certain openness to learning that we cannot teach and we celebrate. The drive and the tenacity that Venus shows on the tennis court, we saw in her studies. In working with other students, she encouraged her classmates. She had the ability to lift people up and that was great to see."
In a press release following the graduation, Venus revealed that it's always been her dream to earn a college diploma.
"I've learned so much. It was always my dream to have a business degree, and I ended up going to art school so many times, but in the back of my head I felt like I needed the tools to be a better leader, to be a better planner, to be better at all of the things I wanted to do in my businesses because I'm so hands-on."
Venus, who owns her own clothing line and an interior design firm, is the first to graduate under an agreement between IU East and the Women’s Tennis Benefits Association (WTBA). Lisa Grattan from the Women’s Tennis Benefits Association (WTBA), explained,
“IU East and the Women’s Tennis Benefits Association have an agreement that establishes our campus as the primary provider for baccalaureate online degree completion programs for WTA players. Venus was instrumental in connecting IU East and the WTA in this highly valued partnership, and we are very grateful for this.”
Venus was also celebrated by WTA Chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster who said,
“Venus has succeeded both on and off the court and her Business Administration degree from Indiana University East is yet another superior accomplishment. I am proud of Venus for obtaining her degree and for her desire for continued education. I have no doubt her business degree will contribute to her already excellent business acumen and leadership."
And the accolades kept on coming! Chancellor Kathryn Cruz-Uribe (above) went on to praise Venus for balancing both her studies and her career.
“I greatly admire Venus and her dedication to complete her online degree while continuing to play professional tennis, train, and run a business full-time. I can only imagine how challenging this has been, and I know that Venus has been a great role model for the other WTA players enrolled at IU East as well as to students in her classes.”
This week, Venus is back on the court duking it out for a chance at her first U.S. Open title in 14 years. Meanwhile, her little sister Serena Williams is favored to win her history making 22nd Grand Slam singles title and is set to complete a calendar year Grand Slam.
Reps For Chris Brown Call San Jose Shooting Lawsuit “Frivolous”
Chris Brown is facing a new batch of legal drama but this time around, the R&B superstar isn’t easily copping to the blame.
Publicists for the 26-year-old singer are telling Hip-Hop Wired that although the January 11 San Jose shooting was indeed unfortunate, the days of their client being unfairly targeted by lawsuits is coming to an end.
“It is a poor reflection of our society that violence is so prevalent and it is always a tragedy when someone is physically harmed. However this is a completely frivolous lawsuit,” Breezy’s reps say in a statement.
“We expect that the case will be dismissed and in future, to avoid these reoccurring meritless lawsuits directed at Chris Brown, we plan to seek damages from all parties and their lawyers.”
Paul Briley, 22, was one of five people who were shot while attending the private “Chris Brown’s Capricorn Bash” at the Fiesta Nightclub on Monterey Highway. He recently filed a lawsuit citing negligence on the singer’s part, claiming his celebrity brings violence everywhere he goes and his security could have been a lot tighter. His legal team also inexplicably threw the Rihanna incident in the melee.
Briley is asking for unspecified damages for mental anguish, time missed from work and more.
Changes Made to 'Concussion' Film In Order to Prevent Anti-NFL Backlash Made Public
Just days after the official trailer was released, purposeful script alterations for the blockbuster film 'Concussion' starring Will Smith have been publicized. Sony studios has apparently edited some of the "triggering" material in the movie, which tells the story of a Nigerian doctor's discovery of head trauma in football being linked to the high profile death of a player-- and the NFL's alleged attempt to cover it up, in an effort to soften the blow to the league.
In emails between Sony executives and Will Smith's representatives recovered from 2014, notes of intended changes meant to prevent backlash from the league, as well as anti-NFL follow up protests given the very hard hitting material in the movie, were mentioned. "We’ll develop messaging with the help of N.F.L. consultant to ensure that we are telling a dramatic story and not kicking the hornet’s nest." Sony President of Domestic Affairs wrote.
Given the recent retirements by fairly young players who cited head trauma as their reasoning, tragic deaths linked to head injuries like Junior Seau, and the current claims of retired players severely suffering from the aftermath of repeated blows to the head, the NFL's concussion issue is definitely a very big and controversial one. 'Concussion' is set to release in theaters in December, will you guys be watching?
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
LONG ASS DAY
I know I’m getting old when I just can’t comprehend these awful fashion trends. When will girls realize it didn’t look good in the 70’s and it doesn’t look any better now?!
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
