1/4/24

The Daily Buzz For Jan 5☕📰☕

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#MAGFAB: Colman Domingo Covers W Magazine’s 2024 Best Performances Issue!

On the friendship he developed with Oprah during The Color Purple: “…Oprah and I have become dear friends. She’s a love. We were actually on the phone last night, talking about clothes… And then I made her laugh. Her laugh is a laugh that I think nobody knows about—it’s the Oprah-just-talking-to-a- friend laugh and not thinking that she’s Oprah.”

Discussing the importance of his costumes on the roles he plays: “I’m very clear about collaborating with my costume designers. I remember one scene with Rustin: He’s having dinner at his house, and he’s cooking Indian food. I asked for an outfit with a print, something from his travels. I’m like, ‘Can we find that?’ They found this really beautiful print shirt and even a necklace. I was like, ‘That feels like Bayard.”

Love him!


#RHOA: HOT or NOT? NeNe Leakes in Alex Perry.

Ya Girl NeNe was out on the town on New Years in this casual gold outfit by Alex Perry.

Well she looks sleek and cute. But I ask you is she HOT or NOT?


#MusicNews: 2024 Urban One Honors Celebrates the BEST IN BLACK!
Urban One has unveiled the honorees for its 2024 Urban One Honors. The star-studded ceremony will be taped Saturday, Jan. 20, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Coca-Cola Roxy. It will air Sunday, Feb. 25, at 8 p.m. ET on TV One
Music icon Dionne Warwick will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Warwick’s six-decade career includes five Grammy awards, over 60 Billboard-charting hits, more than 100 million records sold, and most recently a Kennedy Center Honors award, among other accolades.

Grammy-nominated star Chlöe will be presented with the Generation Next award. It was previously awarded to actor and singer Rotimi in 2018, at the inaugural Urban One Honors.
Additionally, soul legend Frankie Beverly will be honored with the Living Legend Award, while gospel artist Donald Lawrence will receive the Inspirational Impact Award. 

“As we unveil the lineup for this year’s Urban One Honors, we are delighted to highlight the incredible musical journeys of Dionne Warwick, Chlöe, Frankie Beverly, and Donald Lawrence. Their selection as honorees is a recognition of their profound impact on both music and culture, spanning generations,” says Michelle Rice, president of TV One and CLEO TV.

Rice continues, “From soulful ballads to timeless contributions and contemporary brilliance, these iconic artists have not only shaped the musical landscape but have also contributed significantly to the cultural fabric of our society. Each honoree represents a unique chapter in the story of music, and we are honored to celebrate their enduring legacies at this year’s Urban One Honors: Best In Black.”

This year’s performers include Angie Stone, Bebe Winans, Damon Little, October London and Teyana Taylor. There will also be a reunion featuring vocalists Chanté Moore, Keke Wyatt and Nicci Gilbert, who also starred in R&B Divas.
Grammy-winning singer and actress LeToya Luckett will return as host of the ceremony’s “Backstage Pass,” which will feature exclusive interviews with the honorees, performers and presenters.

According to press materials, the 2024 Urban One Honors will mark the kickoff of TV One’s 20th anniversary celebration. The company has plans to roll out special programming as well as commemorative events.


#HipHopNews: Lil Nas X Announces New Single And Video Dropping Next Week: "Y'all Ready For A Show?"

Lil Nas X announced the release of his next song and its accompanying video. It’s set to debut next week.
While details about the track remain sparse, the artist shared an illustration featuring four images of himself. Each of them corresponded to a line in a prayer, which fueled speculation about the forthcoming record’s theme. The text read, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen.”

It’s been nearly three years since Nas X’s MONTERO. It contained hit records like “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” “INDUSTRY BABY” with Jack Harlow, and “THATS WHAT I WANT.” Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, and Elton John were also featured on the 15-track project.

Last week, the musician revealed that he was stepping into new roles. On Twitter, he revealed, “Wrote AND directed my own music video for the first time. Excited for y’all to see. It’s the best one yet!”
Further teasing his upcoming work, Nas X posted an Instagram photo where he was seen in a white gown while holding a machine gun. One fan commented, “Kicking, crying, and screaming ‘til it drops.” Coach, who the rapper recently partnered with, also wrote, “Let’s go.”

Nas X’s next project will mark his sophomore release. Since his debut album, the artist put out a slew of singles like 2022’s “STAR WALKIN’” and “Late To Da Party (F**K BET)” with YoungBoy Never Broke Again.
In November 2023, he also teased a song on Twitter. The caption read, “Y’all mind if I enter my Christian era?” In the accompanying snippet, Nas X crooned, “Free me from worry and wanting pity/ Free me from all this envy in me/ I don’t want these feelings/ I don’t want these feelings/ I call on angels.”


Katt Williams Says Harvey Weinstein ‘Offered to Suck My Penis in Front of All My People at My

Katt Williams has revealed Harvey Weinstein offered to perform oral sex on him during a meeting at the legendary comedian's agency.
Williams made the allegations during his appearance on the latest episode of Shannon Sharpe's Club Shay Shay. He made several eye-opening comments, but this may have been the most startling, given the now-imprisoned Weinstein's history with sexual assault.

The 52-year-old spoke about how a number of people have taken the shortcut to success by giving in to unsavory demands from those in power. Katt says he never did so, and gave an example where Weinstein allegedly tried to make an advance.
"They canceled me for talking about Harvey Weinstein before the thing came out,” Williams said. “But he offered to suck my penis in front of all my people at my agency. What am I supposed to do? He did all of that, I'm thinking I'm the only Black person on the script—I get there, it's three other Black guys on there. Whew—huh? I told him no, what y'all do?”

He added, “And this is why when I walk in a room, heads go down. Behind my back, I'm nothing, I'm just a regular old comedian that's bitter and jealous. But in my face? No, no, no—the king has walked in and they have to respect it, only because I've not taken the shortcuts, I've not been funded. They pay you to not talk about things they don't want you to talk about."

Harvey Weinstein was arrested and charged with rape in 2018 and was found guilty of three out of seven felonies in 2020. He received a 23-year prison sentence, which he is currently serving at the Mohawk Correctional Facility in New York. He is scheduled to be released in 2043 but will be taken back into custody and transferred to a California prison to serve a separate 16-year prison sentence.


Lizzo Garners Mixed Responses After Flaunting Slimmed-Down Look In Revealing Dress
Lizzo appeared to have lost her body weight. The "About Damn Time" hitmaker garnered mixed responses from social media users after flaunting her slimmed-down look in a revealing dress.
The 35-year-old songstress received various online responses via Instagram on Wednesday, January 3. In the comments section, one user showed their support for her and gushed, "So proud of you…let's keep everything because this make me so happy…the journey is long but never give up."

Similarly, a number of other users showered Lizzo with praise for her new appearance. While one of them told the "Good as Hell" singer that she is "absolutely stunning," another exclaimed that her body has always looked "amazing" before and after the weight loss.

Despite the heartwarming supportive messages, Lizzo was still bombarded with unpleasant comments from some critics. One in particular accused her of going under the knife to alter her body. Meanwhile, several others alleged that she has been consuming Ozempic. While one wrote, "That ozempic out here changing lives," another asked, "Is this where Ozempic comes in? Showing off weight loss and being proud of that? It's hard to understand."
The mixed responses came shortly after the "Truth Hurts" singer showcased her curves in a sizzling outfit. On Tuesday, January 2, she uploaded a series of photos featuring her look in a skin-tight long green dress that came with huge cut-outs as well as silver embellishments on both of its sides. The gown also had two black straps and a very low-cut design.

In one of the pictures, Lizzo was striking a pose in front of a huge mirror. She could be seen keeping her body warm by putting on an unzipped black insulated crop jacket with very long sleeves. She enhanced the look with a necklace, a pair of big hoop earrings, black sunglasses and matching leather shoes.
In addition, the "Rumors" songstress' tresses were styled into braids. She looked fresh in her makeup, including lip gloss, long lashes and black eyeliner. Along with the snaps, she wrote in the caption of the post, "Keep yo foot on they necks all year," adding a blue gem stone emoji.


Jeffrey Epstein list to be unsealed on rolling basis
The release of some of the more than 150 names mentioned in court documents from a civil case filed by one of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims was postponed.
A judge has delayed the unsealing of two of the Jane Does until the 22nd, but the rest of the names will be unsealed on a rolling basis starting Wednesday, an executive with the Southern District of New York confirmed to News Nation
The delay for some of the names comes after a judge granted a 30-day extension to a Jane Doe to consider her appeal to remain confidential.

Epstein’s former lawyer Alan Dershowitz: ‘I want everything out’
A judge ruled the names could be unsealed beginning Jan. 1. However, court was closed on that date because of the New Year’s holiday.
These documents come from a settled civil lawsuit Virginia Giuffre filed against British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015.

The Miami Herald has been fighting to unseal documents filed as part of the lawsuit since 2018. The legal battle escalated in December when U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska ordered the names could be unsealed beginning Jan. 1.
Preska ordered some names be redacted to protect the anonymity of minors who were victims of sex crimes.

Giuffre claimed Epstein and Maxwell pressured her as a teenager to engage in sexual relationships with powerful men, including Prince Andrew. Those men denied the allegations and Giuffre later settled a lawsuit against Prince Andrew out of court.

Jeffrey Epstein timeline: Sex trafficking, scandals, Ghislaine Maxwell
People named in the documents are unlikely to face prosecution if they haven’t already, criminal defense attorney Janet Johnson told NewsNation on Monday.

“These names were actually kept secret because the judge found that because they did not do anything wrong, there wasn’t any reason at that point to release them and embarrass them,” Johnson said.

Several “prominent” names are expected to be mentioned in court documents, according to an ABC News report. One of these names in the redacted filings is that of former President Bill Clinton. Clinton, identified as “Doe 36,” is mentioned in at least 50 filings, the news outlet said.

Allegations against Epstein first surfaced publicly in 2005.
He pleaded guilty to sex charges in Florida and served 13 months in jail. He spent much of that time in a work-release program as part of a deal critics called lenient. He ultimately was required to register as a sex offender.

Who has Jeffrey Epstein been linked to over the years?
Federal prosecutors in New York went on to revive the case against Epstein after a series of stories by the Miami Herald in 2018 brought renewed attention to the matter.

In 2019, New York prosecutors said they weren’t bound by the previous non-prosecution deal, and Epstein was again arrested. He killed himself in prison a month later.

Maxwell was arrested at a New Hampshire estate less than one year after Epstein’s death.
A jury convicted her in December 2021 of multiple charges including sex trafficking, conspiracy and transportation of a minor for illegal sexual activity. She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.


Las Vegas judge attacked in court during sentencing

A man attacked a Las Vegas judge in her courtroom Wednesday, forcing her to take cover and injuring a marshal in the process, video the 8 News Now Investigators obtained reveals.
Deobra Redden, 30, a three-time felon, was in Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus’ courtroom for sentencing on a charge of attempted battery with substantial bodily harm, records said.

Around 11 a.m., Holthus was sitting behind the bench when Redden ran up to her, jumped over the bench and attacked her, video shared with the 8 News Now Investigators showed. Several other people then fought with Redden before throwing him to the ground. An alarm also sounded for several minutes alerting others to the incident.

The 8 News Now Investigators first published the video on 8newsnow.com.
Before the attack, Redden’s attorney asked Holthus to sentence his client to probation. Holthus then said, “I think it’s time he get a taste of something else.”

On April 23, Redden “[threatened] to bust the kneecaps” of another man, “resulting in substantial bodily harm,” documents said.
In May, a different judge ordered Redden to undergo a competency determination, records said. Redden was then committed to a state behavioral facility. A judge then found Redden competent in October.
Redden pleaded guilty in November. Judge Holthus issued a bench warrant for his arrest in December after he missed a court appearance.

Redden was booked into the Clark County jail on new charges of battery and battery on a protected person. One count of the battery-on-a-protected-person charge indicated the victim was “substantially harmed.” He was due in court on the new charges at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Attorney’s Office. She often hears domestic violence and sex assault cases.
Holthus hit her head, but was OK, sources said. A court spokesperson said Holthus’ injuries were “being monitored.” A marshal was taken to a hospital with a large gash to his forehead. He was listed in stable condition as of Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson said.

“We commend the heroic acts of her staff, law enforcement, and all others who subdued the defendant,” the court spokesperson added. “The court remains committed to a safe and secure courthouse and courtrooms. We are reviewing all our protocols and will do whatever is necessary to protect the judiciary, the public and our employees.”

Redden was previously in front of Holthus on charges of malicious destruction of property. Records show he served prison time on a domestic battery charge for a year, starting in 2021. In that case, a different judge sentenced Redden to prison for a term of 12-30 months. A board granted Redden parole in 2022.

“Thank God the judge is okay,” Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in a statement. “Thank God for the heroic efforts of those who came to her aid, especially her marshal and her law clerk. Without them, the situation would have been much worse as this defendant exhibited extremely violent behavior and I’m confident there will be consequences.”
“Sending our sincerest well wishes to District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus and the marshal injured in her courtroom today,” Democratic Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said in a statement. “Your dedication to justice and the court are truly commendable. We wish you both a swift recovery.”

Judge Mary Kay Holthus presides over the arraignment of Republican electors, accused in a fake elector scheme, as they appear remotely at the Regional Justice Center, on Monday, Dec. 18,
Redden’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


Social media reacts to Destiny’s Child reunion in newly surfaced photo

Destiny’s Child shook the internet with a recently unveiled photo featuring all five of its long-standing members.
LeToya Luckett posted the picture on her Instagram today (Jan. 3), bringing together LaTavia Roberson, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams and Beyoncé. Each of them wore outfits with silver accents, leading fans to speculate that the photo might have been taken during one of the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” concerts.

However, they were also spotted at the Los Angeles premiere of RENAISSANCE: A Film by Beyoncé on Nov. 25, 2023. While the five were never together in one photo, each graced the event throughout the night.
The concert documentary also captured a momentous backstage reunion in Washington, D.C., where the members hugged and embraced, marking their first group interaction in years. Beyoncé described it as “like a new birth for us, and a lot of healing.”

In the comment section of Luckett’s post, Bun B wrote, “To see y’all together that night was the biggest ever.” Another fan shared, “Can we get a song? Or that’s asking for too much?”
Formed in Houston, Texas in 1990 as Girls Tyme, the group rose to fame as Destiny’s Child in 1997. That following year, they put out their self-titled debut album. By 1999, songs like “Say My Name” and “Jumpin’, Jumpin’” had already risen to mainstream success.

Roberson and Luckett left in the early 2000s, and Destiny’s Child transitioned into a trio including Beyoncé, Rowland and Williams. Despite no confirmation of future reunions, Mathew Knowles previously hinted at “one last album.”
In an October 2023 interview with The Messenger, Rowland indicated that the possibility of a group project hasn’t been ruled out but remains uncertain. “Bey wrapping up RENAISSANCE and getting ready for her movie, Michelle in the thick of her solo projects that she’s doing, and me in my solo space and all the things that I’m doing, that’s where my head is.”

She continued, “That’s where my heart is. That’s what I’m most excited about, with all due respect to Destiny’s Child. And should there be a space for that, we’ll see what happens. But as for right now, I’m so excited as to what I’m doing.”
 

Kim Kardashian Shuts Down Iconic Mobile Game, Explains Her Decision

Kim Kardashian is going into 2024 and leaving her iconic mobile game Kim Kardashian: Hollywood in the past.
The game, which premiered a decade ago and generated millions upon its premiere, was pulled off the Apple and Android app stores.
Kim issued a statement about the decision and explained why she was moving on from the part of her history.

“I’m so grateful from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has loved and played Kim Kardashian: Hollywood in the past 10 years,” Kim told the New York Post. “This journey has meant so much to me but I’ve realized that it’s time to focus that energy into other passions.

She continued, adding, “I want to thank the Glu [Mobile, the gaming company she developed the game with] team and the many people behind the scenes who have worked diligently on making it a success. I will be forever inspired by this community that we built together.”
If already downloaded, Kim Kardashian: Hollywood will remain online through April 8, 2024. At that point it will not longer be accessible, according to a statement Glu provided to Polygon.

The company also informed fans who had purchased a VIP subscription that they’d need to manually cancel it.


Rihanna & A$AP Rocky Catch a Flight Out of Aspen After Ringing In 2024 on Family Vacation
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are heading home after ringing in 2024 in Aspen, Colorado.
On Wednesday (January 3), the musical couple was spotted catching a flight after their family vacation, which also featured a meet-up with Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards and her family.

The “Diamonds” diva was dressed for comfort in a gray sweatsuit and a green beanie, but she added a chic touch with a long coat featuring a cheetah print. She finished off her outfit with white boots.

A$AP opted for a gray puffer jacket, which he wore with a pair of black pants.
Rihanna and A$AP were spotted on a shopping trip in Aspen last week with their sons RZA, 19 months, and Riot, 3 months, in tow. It was during that shopping trip that Rihanna, a die-hard Bravo fan, met Kyle and posed for pics with her and her daughters.
We later learned that Rihanna left the store with a very generous gift from Kyle.
We hope that she, A$AP and their sons had a wonderful vacation!

If you missed it, Rihanna recently revealed how her relationship with A$AP has changed since they’ve become parents.


T.I. and Tiny Sued For Allegations of Sexual Assault in Graphic Lawsuit.

T.I. and his wife Tiny are being accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman they allegedly lured into a Los Angeles hotel room in 2005.
In the complaint filed Jan. 2 in Los Angeles, and first reported by Rolling Stone, a Jane Doe accuser claims she met the reality TV stars, T.I. (Clifford Harris) and Tiny (Tameka Harris), at a nightclub where Tiny fed her a spiked drink. She alleges they then brought her back to their hotel where they sexually assaulted her.

The suit describes the plaintiff as being in her early twenties when the assault happened and asserts she was serving in the U.S. Air Force at the time. After allegedly being introduced to the couple by an associate named “Caviar,” whom she had met at the house of the rapper Coolio the night before the assault, the plaintiff says she was separated from her group and ended up alone with T.I., Tiny and two other women who were ultimately asked to leave.

While the alleged incident occurred almost 18 years ago, the timeframe to refile the lawsuit was recently reopened thanks to California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act. The couple has denied these claims in a statement issued to the press though representatives for the Harrises did not immediately return Variety‘s requests for comment.

The lawsuit includes a graphic and detailed account of the abuse that purportedly occurred that night. As the plaintiff’s attorney recalls, T.I. allegedly forced Jane Doe to watch pornographic movies and then “demanded she begin rubbing oil on his back and naked body,” while Tiny “proceeded to get on plaintiff’s back, while she was still naked, and grind back and forth” on her back. Drugged and pinned down to the bed by Tiny, the accuser claims that T.I. “proceeded to slide his toes into plaintiff’s vagina.”

“Plaintiff grew increasingly sicker and felt extremely ill by the assault and battery she was experiencing,” the attorneys write. She claims T.I. approached her and asked, “Are you alright? Looks like you in last place,” after she went to the bathroom to vomit. The altercation ended with the accuser being escorted by a security guard out of the hotel room the next morning while in “serious pain.”

This is just one of the many sexual assault and abuse lawsuits that have been flooding the music industry. Most recently, Latin singer Gloria Trevi accused her former producer and manager of physical and sexual abuse (other women have even accused Trevi of grooming them to experience similar abuse), and Sean “Diddy” Combs was accused of similar crimes by his former artist Cassie.


Pat McAfee Apologizes After Aaron Rodgers Accused Jimmy Kimmel of Having Epstein.
ESPN sports analyst Pat McAfee apologized Wednesday for quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ prior comments on his show suggesting that comedian Jimmy Kimmel had ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
On Tuesday’s episode of “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers discussed the list of Epstein’s associates that is set to be publicly unsealed by a federal judge later this month. He said that, “There’s a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, really hoping that doesn’t come out” and that, “If that lists comes out, I definitely will be popping some sort of bottle.”

After the episode aired on Tuesday, Kimmel called out Rodgers on X/Twitter and threatened legal action: “Dear Asshole: for the record, I’ve not met, flown with, visited, or had any contact whatsoever with Epstein, nor will you find my name on any ‘list’ other than the clearly-phony nonsense that soft-brained wackos like yourself can’t seem to distinguish from reality. Your reckless words put my family in danger. Keep it up and we will debate the facts further in court.”

Host McAfee addressed the Rodgers-Kimmel feud Tuesday with an apology, saying that Rodgers was “just trying to talk shit.”
“I can see exactly why Jimmy Kimmel felt the way he felt, especially with his position. But I think Aaron was just trying to talk shit. But did it go too far? Jimmy Kimmel certainly said that was the case,” McAfee said. “We obviously don’t like the fact that we’re associated with anything negative ever. We like our show to be an uplifting one, a happy one, a fun one. But it’s because we talk shit and try to make light of everything. Some things obviously people get very pissed off about, especially when they’re that serious allegations, so we apologize for being a part of it.”

McAfee added, “Can’t wait to hear what Aaron has to say about it. Hopefully those two will just be able to settle this. Not court-wise, but be able to chitchat, move along.”
Rodgers and Kimmel have traded jabs at each other previously. After Rodgers discussed Epstein and UFOs on an appearance on McAfee’s show last year, Kimmel mocked the New York Jets quarterback on his late-night show, saying “it might be time to revisit the concussion protocol, Aaron.” He has called Rodgers a “tin-foil hatter” and joked about his skepticism to the COVID vaccine.

“The only thing worse than not getting vaccinated when you’re in close proximity with other people is letting them think you’re vaccinated when you’re not,” Kimmel said in 2021 after Rodgers tested positive for COVID despite saying he was “immunized.” “It’s basically the COVID equivalent of ‘The condom fell off.’”


Funky Dineva Announces ‘Tea-G-I-F’ Exit Due to Financial Conflicts.
*YouTube personality Funky Dineva is speaking out about his future with Fox Soul’s “Tea-G-I-F.”
The influencer revealed recently that he’s exciting the pop culture talk show due to financial conflicts. His replacement has not yet been named, and co-hosts Claudia Jordan and Al Reynolds will remain on the show.

As Distractify reports, a day after Funky Dineva, Al, and Claudia shared their New Year resolutions last month, Funky announced he was exiting the show.
“When Tea-Gif resumes, I, Funky Dineva Ross, will not be there,” he said on his popular YouTube channel.

WATCH 

According to Funky, he was under a six-month contract with the network, and his pay dropped once the show went from airing two nights to five days a week. He was essentially getting paid the same amount to do more work. So rather than be exploited, he walked away from “Tea-G-I-F.”
In his YouTube post, Funky said there is no “love lost” between Fox Soul and his former co-hosts.

“I want you guys to continue, soulmates, supporting the show,” Funky said. “I don’t know who will be appearing in my place. I don’t know anything.”
“I definitely wish the show the best,” he added. “Y’all continue to support whomever it is they choose to fill the seat with, and hopefully, those guys go on to make some magic.”

The Instagram account @TGIFANS shared the video of Funky’s shocking departure announcement. In the comments, Al Reynolds wrote, “I am devastated. Funky will be greatly missed. He taught me sooo much!”

Another IG user added, “The show won’t be the same 😞. But I’ll still watch because I do still enjoy Claudia and Al.”
A third commented, “Smh Fox Soul really fumbled this one.”


Manny Pacquiao Confirms Rematch with Floyd Mayweather.

Manny Pacquiao Confirms Rematch with Floyd Mayweather
It’s official: Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather 2 has been confirmed for this year.
Pacquiao and RIZIN Fighting Federation head Nobuyiki Sakakibara announced the news during a New Year’s Eve event held at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.

While apologizing for his inactivity in 2023, he confirmed that the “big fight” against Mayweather will happen in Japan in 2024.
So far, no more details have been released. According to Bloody Elbow, the upcoming rematch between Pacquiao and Mayweather will probably be an exhibition, given both fighters have retired from professional boxing.


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Friday Lesson: Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day.

Yum?


HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM

1/3/24

The Daily Buzz For Jan 4 ☕📰☕

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!

#FASHIONFILES: Louis Vuitton’s Ski Season Spectacle: Monogrammed Peaks!
Amidst a backdrop of towering alpine peaks, Louis Vuitton’s ski campaign unveils a visual narrative that blends the vigor of winter sports with the luxury of high fashion. With Ethan James Green’s keen photographic direction, each image comes alive with the dynamic contrasts of snow and sky.

Art director Veronica Ditting orchestrates a vivid scenery where the mountains’ stark whites and deep blues are juxtaposed against the models’ ensembles.
The collection vividly explores après-ski chic, where function meets extravagance. Iconic motifs are reimagined on a canvas of ski-ready attire; a bold palette of crimson, cobalt, and midnight hues emerge, reminiscent of a setting sun against the evening snow.
Each piece, styled by Marie-Amélie Sauvé, is an ode to the sophisticated traveler. From the intricately patterned knitwear that mirrors the rhythm of the slopes to the utilitarian elegance of black trousers sprinkled with snow, the outfits embody winter resilience fashioned with modern style.

As models Ahmadou Gueye and Indiana Van’t Slot traverse this frosted terrain, their attire speaks of a winter narrative set in motion—a tale of exploration and elegance. The Louis Vuitton ski collection, an intersection of sporting practicality and runway allure, is an invitation to embrace the chill with the warmth of luxury.
 

#RHOA: Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker Reveal 10th Wedding Anniversary Plans in Africa!
Kandi Burruss in a black and white dress posing with Todd Tucker, who is wearing a dark grey sui
There’s a tenth wedding anniversary coming up for Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker! Can you believe it? Most people celebrate their ten-year wedding anniversary with tin or aluminum, but Kandi and Todd aren’t like most people.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta power couple will celebrate their anniversary in April, and they just shared with People what they have planned. They’re arranging a trip back to where their relationship began. They’re going to Africa!

Back to where it all started
Of course, Kandi and Todd met in Africa when RHOA took a cast trip to Cape Town, South Africa. Todd worked on the show as a production manager, so he accompanied the ladies during their trip. She caught his eye, and there was no looking back from there.
“That trip, what was that season four something? I don’t know,” Kandi said. “But we’re trying to go back there and hit all the spots that we did with the ladies on the show, and they may not… I don’t know if they’re coming, but we’ll be there. So yeah, I want to do that.”

Kandi and Todd have come so far since those early days in Africa. They had two kids, opened restaurants, produced movies, and more; all while navigating the messy world of RHOA. When chatting with the outlet, Kandi gushed over how supportive Todd has been for her over the last decade.
“Todd is just… he is the most amazing husband because he keeps me motivated,” Kandi shared. He keeps me going when people are trying to tear me down. He never lets me sulk in my sad hits. He’s like, ‘No, we’ve got to keep going. Let’s do this. Let’s do that.’”

It’s not every day that we get to celebrate a successful relationship forged through reality TV. So, cheers to Kandi and Todd. Let’s hope they make it to twenty years.

You can watch Kandi and Todd’s entire relationship unfold on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. All episodes are streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – ARE KANDI AND TODD RELATIONSHIP GOALS? DID YOU EXPECT THEIR MARRIAGE TO STAY SO STRONG?


#NewMusic from Keedron Bryant Releases New Song ‘Faithful’!

Rising R&B singer Keedron Bryant has returned with his new single “Faithful.” On the Vidal Davis-produced track, Bryant professes his devotion to a love interest.
“I promise to be faithful / ‘Cause that is what you deserve / Girl, I give you my word / Faithful / ‘Cause that is what love requires / You’re my only desire,” he sings. 

“Faithful” was co-written by Davis, Johnnetta Bryant, Mary Floyd and Jairus Mozee.
Regarding “Faithful,” Bryant says, “My inspiration for the song is ‘the new love anthem’ and the ‘F word’ ain’t bad at all…lol #FAITHFUL.”

LISTEN HERE 

“Faithful” marks the 16-year-old singer’s first taste of new music since his EP, Keedron. The six-track project was released Jan. 14, 2022, via Warner Records.
Keedron included the singles “Hello” and “Stubborn” featuring Curly J, as well as a feature from Bryant’s sister Aiyanna (“Like I Do”).


#HipHopNews: Megan Thee Stallion Teases Nike Collab During Nye Television Appearance
Megan Thee Stallion is all set to join the exclusive roster of non-athletes who have partnered with Nike, and her latest performance has stirred up anticipation for the upcoming collection.
On Sunday (December 31), the Houston Hottie performed a string of fan-favorite hits, including her recent “Cobra,” during her slot at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Wearing all purple to represent her partnership with Planet Fitness, she used the appearance to tease an even bigger collaboration.

It didn’t take viewers long to notice that she had a Nike Swoosh below her collarbone. The morning after, she took to Instagram to share a number of shots of her outfit as well as a clip from the concert.
“@nike Stay tuned for the drop, Hotties!” she wrote in the caption. “#NikeByYou. Year of the Stallion.”

Last week, KicksFinder reported that the “Sportswear Apparel Collection” is scheduled to drop on February 15, and it will comprise “Bodysuit LS, NSW Jacket, Onesies 5 In, Bra/Bra Plus, Pro Short 5 In/In Plus, Slim Crop/Crop Tee Plus.”
As for her alliance with the fitness giant mentioned above, Megan Thee Stallion is now the new face of Planet Fitness.

Her deal with the national franchise was announced in a press release last week, along with a new ad featuring Meg as “Mother Fitness.” According to the announcement, the partnership also includes a line of branded fitness gear featuring sweatshirts, bucket hats, water bottles and sticker sheets.

“Working out is such an important part of my routine, so this partnership with Planet Fitness genuinely embodies my personal values,” she said.
“We want to encourage everyone to prioritize their physical and mental health heading into the New Year, so they can reach new heights in 2024 and continue to grow into the best version of themselves.”

It’s worth noting that Planet Fitness was also a presenting sponsor of New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.


Forest Whitaker’s Ex-Wife, Keisha Nash, Cause Of Death Revealed

Forest Whitaker's ex-wife, Keisha Nash Whitaker's, cause of death has been revealed.According to Keisha's death certificate, obtained by the Blast, the 51-year-old died from alcoholic liver disease, which she reportedly had suffered from for years.
Whitaker and Nash share a daughter, True Whitaker, who confirmed her mother's death on social media.

"Goodbye, mommy. I love you 4ever and beyond," True wrote on her Instagram Story, alongside a black-and-white photo of her mother. "The most beautiful woman in the world... thank you for teaching me every single thing I know. I'll see you in my dreams and I'll feel you in my heart," she added.
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Nash Whitaker also share a 27-year-old daughter Sonnet.
Keisha's death certificate also states that acute renal failure contributed to her death, which is a symptom of anorexia.

Keisha's daughter addressed the connection to anorexia, saying, "There have been statements from STRANGERS claiming the cause of my mom's death. My mom DID NOT suffer from anorexia, although my heart goes out to those who do."

Adding, "I ask for respect and space and for those to not speculate and fabricate facts about her life. And to those who have been nothing by supportive to my family and me, thank you from the bottom of our heart.
Whitaker, best known for his roles in 'The Butler' and 'Godfather Of Harlem' and Nash were married for 22 years before the actor filed for divorce from Nash in December 2018, citing irreconcilable differences.

Prior to their divorce, Whitaker praised his then-wife, telling Parade, "To be honest, my wife is much stronger with the kids than I am. They come to me when they're trying to slip something by. I have to always take a pause, when they come and say, 'Hey Dad, is it OK if we do this?' So I just look at them like, 'Have you talked to your mom about that?' They know I'm the easy one."


Jimmy Kimmel Threatens to Sue Aaron Rodgers for Suggesting He Was a Jeffrey Epstein Associate
Jimmy Kimmel blasted New York Jets player Aaron Rodgers on Tuesday, threatening to sue the quarterback after suggesting that he was an associate of Jeffrey Epstein.

“Your reckless words put my family in danger. Keep it up and we will debate the facts further in court,” Kimmel said.
“Dear Aasshole [sic],” Kimmel tweeted. “For the record, I’ve not met, flown with, visited, or had any contact whatsoever with Epstein, nor will you find my name on any ‘list”’ other than the clearly-phony nonsense that soft-brained wackos like yourself can’t seem to distinguish from reality.”

Earlier in the day, Rodgers appeared on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show,” where he suggested that the late night “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” host was one of the men who traveled to Epstein’s infamous private island and took advantage of the underage girls Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell trafficked. The un-redacted list of associates was rumored to be released in the new year.

McAfee’s cohost AJ Hawk was the first to mention the late Epstein’s list. Rodgers responded, “A lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, are really hoping that doesn’t come out.”
He added, “I’ll tell you what, if that list comes out, I definitely will be popping some sort of bottle.”

U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska ruled that the previously sealed list of 150 named associates, until now identified as “John and Jane Does,” could be unsealed beginning on Jan. 1, according to ABC.
Some names of Epstein associates have already been made public, including that of England’s Prince Andrew, Elon Musk and former CEO of Microsoft Bill Gates.

Names on the list of Epstein’s flight logs, which was not released at the time of publishing Tuesday evening, is expected to include people who worked for Epstein, flew on his planes or visited his homes — or, in some cases, appear on potential witness lists or in proposed terms for searches of electronic records.


Michelle Yeoh celebrates birth of first grandchild: 'Truly blessed'

Michelle Yeoh and her husband, Jean Todt, celebrated after Todt's son Nicolas welcomed a daughter with his wife Darina. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/ UPI
The 61-year-old actress and her husband, former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt, celebrated Tuesday after Todt's son, Nicolas Todt, welcomed his first child, daughter Maxime, with his wife, Darina.

Yeoh shared the news on Instagram alongside a photo of baby Maxime's foot.
"A little miracle on the first day of 2024," she captioned the post. "we are so truly blessed... can't tell u how happy I am for this very very special bundle of joy."

Yeoh's post caused some confusion, with some congratulating Yeoh and Todt on the birth. Yeoh followed up with another post that clarified the baby is her grandchild.
"Thank you darling Nicolas and Darina for making us the happiest and proudest Grandparents!! Welcome baby Maxime," she wrote.

Yeoh and Todt married in Switzerland in July after getting engaged in 2004. Todt confirmed his marriage to Yeoh on social media after Brazilian racing driver Felipe Massa first spilled the news
"Now that my other son @MassaFelipe19 has discreetly spread the good news, I can happily confirm the union with the Love of my life, Michelle," he wrote.

Yeoh is an Oscar-winning actress who recently starred in Everything Everywhere All at Once, The School for Good and Evil and A Haunting in Venice. She will star in the new Netflix series The Brothers Sun.


Rapper Boosie Slammed for Walking Out of ‘The Color Purple’ Over Lesbian Love Story

Boosie BadAzz isn’t about to start a Letterboxd account if the public backlash to his review of The Color Purple is any indication.
“I had to walk out of this Color Purple movie ([and] two other older couples walked out also) because I had my little girls with me,” Boosie, 41, wrote via X on Tuesday, January 2. The controversial rapper, who has a history of holding anti-LGBTQIA+ views, objected to the relationship between Celie (Fantasia Barrino) and Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson) in the 2023 cinematic adaptation of The Color Purple musical.

“It seemed like a [rainbow] love story! Good acting, but whoever wrote the script is pushing the narrative hard. As a parent, I will not let my little girl watch this film,” wrote Boosie (real name Torrence Ivy Hatch Jr.), who didn’t specify which daughters he had with him. (He shares eight children with six women.)

Fans immediately dragged his comments, with one X user saying, “Boosie, SHUT TF UP.” “Boosie watching two adults have a consensual relationship,” wrote comedian Sam Jay, who shared a reaction GIF of Michael Scott from The Office.

“Boosie, nobody gives a f– if you walked out. Like seriously, nobody,” added another user. “Boosie is so dumb. I'm embarrassed to be from the same city as him,” wrote another, adding, “I've never read the book [The Color Purple] or [seen] the movie and I still knew there was a same-sex love plot. Just dumb.”
“Mind you, Boosie’s oldest daughter is a lesbian,” wrote April Reign, who created the #OscarsSoWhite campaign in 2015. “So you can imagine the lack of support she’s receiving. He wrote a diss track about his next oldest daughter a few months ago. So … If you didn’t read the book, see the musical, or watch the first movie, just say that, Torence.”

Others called Boosie hypocritical for releasing the 2015 song “Do the Most,” which included lines about two girls “kissing in the back seat” and liking “girls who like girls that attract me.”
“But [you’d] be ok if you were in the mix of the two ladies?” asked journalist Jzon Azari in response to Boosie’s original tweet. “You’ve done way worse and said even more disrespectful things in your music than what that movie included. It’s 2024, find some common sense.”

In September 2023, Boosie said on an episode of "The Danza Project" that he turned down a $250,000 performance fee because he didn’t want to perform at an LGBTQIA+ event. “I told them I have nothing against it at all. But that's not what I push, and that's not what I believe in,” he said before claiming that he doesn’t hate the LBGTQIA+ community. “My assistant is gay,” he said. “This man deals with millions of dollars for me. I trust gay people more than regular people. Real talk.”

Boosie has also clashed over the years with Dwyane Wade over the NBA champ's support for his transgender daughter. In 2020, Boosie went on a transphobic rant against the then-12-year-old Zaya, telling Wade, 41, that he was wrong for supporting Zaya’s gender identity while imploring the basketball legend not to allow his child to undergo gender reassignment surgery.

Wade took the high road in 2021 during an appearance on the “I Am Athlete” podcast. “People in the transgender community that are getting killed. It’s kids that are murdering themselves, that are hanging themselves, they’re killing themselves because of something as simple as acceptance,” he said. “Something as simple as unconditional love is not being given to these kids, and I’ll be goddamned if my child is going to be that person because of something as simple as me supporting who you are.”

“So, Boosie,” added Wade, “I thank you, because you’re allowing the conversation to keep going forward. … You might not have the answer today. I don’t have all the answers, but we’re growing from all these conversations.”
 

Mariah Carey Bundles Up in White Fur Coat for Night Out in Aspen
Mariah Carey is getting ready to do some late-night shopping.The 54-year-old “Always Be My Baby” singer was all smiles as she arrived at Kemo Sabe to do some shopping with her longtime makeup artist Kristofer Buckle on Monday night (January 1) in Aspen, Colorado.

For her night out, Mariah bundled up in a long white fur coat over a star-print black dress paired with black boots and sunglasses.


Jordan Peele: My Next Film After ‘Nope’ Is ‘Clear to Me’ and ‘Could Be My Favorite Movie if I Make It Right’
Jordan Peele is not ready to disclose any information about his next movie, which will serve as the follow-up to his 2022 science-fiction thriller “Nope,” but he does think it could be “my favorite movie” as long as he makes it right — no pressure.
Peele was supposed to already be making his fourth solo directorial effort with Universal Pictures, but the Hollywood strikes delayed the project in 2023 and filming isn’t likely to start until later this year.

“This has been…obviously, it’s been an interesting year because the writer’s strike had had me in a state of listening, and that’s where I need to be,” Peele said on the “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast when asked about his new movie. “I do feel like my next project is clear to me, and I’m psyched that I have another film that, you know, could be my favorite movie if I make it right.”

Just like the lead-up to “Get Out,” “Us” and “Nope,” Peele has remained highly secretive about his fourth movie. Not even the title is known at this time. Universal Pictures announced in March 2023 that Peele’s next film would open in theaters on Christmas Day this year (Dec. 25, 2024), where it would’ve gone up against the likes of “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” and “Nosferatu” at the box office, but the movie has since been pulled from the calendar due to strike-related delays in development. A new release date has not been announced, although 2025 seems likely.

Peele’s debut feature, the 2017 psychological horror film “Get Out,” became a critical and commercial smash, grossing $255 million and earning four Oscar nominations, including best picture. Peele was awarded the Oscar for best original screenplay. He followed up that film with 2019’s doppelgänger thriller “Us,” which also generated $255 million worldwide. “Nope,” which reunited Peele with his “Get Out” star Daniel Kaluuya, grossed more than $170 million globally.

Asked by Variety on the “Nope” world premiere red carpet about what he’s planning for his fourth directorial effort, Peele responded, “I always have something I’m working on that I’m trying to figure out. As time goes by, the world gives me awfulness to interpret.”
Peele announced after “Get Out” opened that he had “four other social thrillers that I want to unveil in the next decade,” but he told the Associated Press in 2022 that he’s not slowing down on the genre anytime soon.

“I feel like I’m off to the races,” Peele said. “I just don’t know if I could limit how many films I have that are me. I’m starting to lose sight of what I would be doing if I wasn’t doing movies like this. So I would say the project has extended.”
Listen to Peele’s full interview on the “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast here


#Prayers: Carrie Bernans: Actress & Stuntwoman Seriously Injured In Hit-And-Run At A Manhattan Restaurant

Carrie Bernans, an actress and stuntwoman, who has appeared in films like Black Panther and The Color Purple, was seriously injured when a driver crashed into an outside dining area of a Manhattan restaurant while fleeing the police on New Year’s Day.

According to the NYPD, they responded to a report of physical assault by the 44-year-old male driver of a black Mercedes against his 34-year-old female passenger.
Police said in a statement:
Officers on foot attempted to de-escalate the situation and ordered the male operator of the vehicle to put the vehicle into park. The male failed to obey the officers’ orders and fled westbound on 33rd Street before making a right turn onto 7th Avenue counter flow to traffic.

The Mercedes then turned onto westbound West 34th Street, where he mounted the sidewalk and began traveling westbound. The male then struck a food cart and two 39-year-old female pedestrians, a 31-year-old female pedestrian, and a 29-year-old female pedestrian.

The driver, Mohamed Alaouie, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, was charged with three counts of attempted murder, reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a controlled substance, leaving an accident with a serious injury, and driving while intoxicated, police said Tuesday.

Carrie Bernans, 29, sustained multiple broken bones and teeth in the hit-and-run and underwent emergency surgery on Monday.
Her mother, Patricia, provided the following information via Instagram:
She’s still in so much pain and can’t answer calls at this time, but appreciate the messages. This was a traumatic incident

Please keep Carrie in your thoughts and prayers. She’s in so much pain but healing. She was involved in a traumatic incident in NYC where a man, early 40s was trying to escape a hit and run and ran into multiple cars before hitting a food stand that her friend & her were walking near.

It ended up knocking her unconscious and pinned her under the stand. She was under it unaware of what was happening.
She have a few broken bones, fractures, & chipped teeth but thanking God that she’s alive.
Nine people were injured in his attempted escape from the hit & run, including 3 police officers.
Police caught him shortly after and arrested him.
Amidst the chaos of the New Year’s incident, she’s holding onto an immense sense of gratitude for life itself.

This setback hasn’t deterred her belief that something remarkable is still being crafted by God.
Despite the injuries sustained in the collision caused by a hit-and-run in NYC, she’s filled with hope and faith in the unfolding of a beautiful new chapter.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she navigate this path toward recovery and new beginnings.
Just finished surgery. 🙏🏾 tag your teeth makeover places in Atlanta and Los Angeles please.
Thank you to all the first responders, police, strangers, my friend Katherine, family & friends who’s helped her.

*P.S., her son was not there. He was safe in a warm hotel room with family. And thank you to all who reached out.


‘The Bachelorette’s’ Rachel Lindsay’s Husband Files For Divorce, Demands Spousal Support
"The Bachelorette" star Rachel Lindsay's husband has filed for divorce after reports that the pair have been living "different lives."
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Lindsay's husband, Bryan Abasolo, legally filed to end the couple's marriage and is requesting spousal support, claiming they have been living separately since December 31, 2023.

The former couple married in August 2019 and allegedly separated on the last day of 2023, according to Abasolo's legal filing.
Now, Lindsay's estranged husband is requesting spousal support and claims that their house in North Hollywood is a community property. The pair never had any kids during their marriage, so there will be no dispute over child support.

The pair's divorce comes after Lindsay stated that she and her husband were working to protect their marriage by being very private about their affairs.
During a podcast interview, the reality TV star stated that she and her husband were very private about their marriage because they wanted to protect it.

She said at the time, "We don't put ourselves out there at all [except] maybe an anniversary or a holiday [post here and there], but I think I did that because people were so critical of us when we came off the show."
Fans of the duo have been highly suspicious about their marriage and if they were still an item due to the fact that they hardly ever posted about each other on social media.

Lindsay said of the matter, "I just [was like], 'I want to keep this for ourselves,' and, you know, marriage has ups and downs, but you never know when we're good or when we're not because we never put it out there. I kind of want to keep it that way, so when I want to share something, I do."

During the podcast, she also noted that she and her husband lived "different lives," hence why they hardly ever posted each other on social media
"Bryan is a sole practitioner [and] he leaves the house at 8. He comes home at 9 o'clock, 9:30 [at night] sometimes. It's just him by himself," Lindsay stated on the Nick Viall podcast at the time. "Me, especially now that I'm not doing 'Extra,' I have a lot more free time … and then I'm back in hustle mode trying to get a second job, so I go to events. So, we're just in two totally different places."

As you know, Lindsay appears on a very successful podcast, "Higher Learning With Van Lathan And Rachel Lindsay."


Harvard President Claudine Gay Resigns Amid Plagiarism Claims, Backlash From Antisemitism Testimony

Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned Tuesday amid plagiarism accusations and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say unequivocally that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s conduct policy.
Gay is the second Ivy League president to resign in the past month following the congressional testimony — Liz Magill, president of the University of Pennsylvania, resigned Dec. 9.

Gay, Harvard’s first Black president, announced her departure just months into her tenure in a letter to the Harvard community.
Following the congressional hearing, Gay’s academic career came under intense scrutiny by conservative activists who unearthed several instances of alleged plagiarism in her 1997 doctoral dissertation. The Harvard Corporation, Harvard’s governing board, initially rallied behind Gay, saying a review of her scholarly work turned up “a few instances of inadequate citation” but no evidence of research misconduct.

Days later, the Harvard Corporation said it found two additional examples of “duplicative language without appropriate attribution.” The board said Gay would update her dissertation and request corrections.
The Harvard Corporation said the resignation came “with great sadness” and thanked Gay for her “deep and unwavering commitment to Harvard and to the pursuit of academic excellence.”

Alan M. Garber, provost and chief academic officer, will serve as interim president until Harvard finds a replacement, the board said in a statement. Garber, an economist and physician, has served as provost for 12 years.
Gay’s resignation was celebrated by the conservatives who put her alleged plagiarism in the national spotlight — with additional plagiarism accusations surfacing as recently as Monday in The Washington Free Beacon, a conservative publication.

Christopher Rufo, an activist who has helped rally the GOP against higher education, said he’s “glad she’s gone.”
“Rather than take responsibility for minimizing antisemitism, committing serial plagiarism, intimidating the free press, and damaging the institution, she calls her critics racist,” Rufo said on X, formerly Twitter. “This is the poison” of diversity, equity and inclusion ideology, said Rufo, who has led conservative attacks on DEI both in business and in education.

Gay, in her letter, said it has been “distressing to have doubt cast on my commitments to confronting hate and to upholding scholarly rigor — two bedrock values that are fundamental to who I am — and frightening to be subjected to personal attacks and threats fueled by racial animus.”

But Gay, who is returning to the school’s faculty, added “it has become clear that it is in the best interests of Harvard for me to resign so that our community can navigate this moment of extraordinary challenge.”

Yoel Zimmermann, a visiting research undergrad from Munich, Germany, studying physics at Harvard, said that as a Jewish student he’s noticed fellow members of the Jewish community have felt uncomfortable with the climate on campus.
“I think it was about time that Claudine Gay resigned,” Zimmerman said. “She just did too many things wrong, especially with her testimony in Congress. I think that was just the kind of final tipping point that should have led to her removal immediately.”

Supporters of Gay lamented her resignation.
“Racist mobs won’t stop until they topple all Black people from positions of power and influence who are not reinforcing the structure of racism,” award-winning author Ibram X. Kendi, who survived scrutiny of an antiracist research center he founded at Boston University, said in an Instagram post.

The Rev. Al Sharpton in a statement called pressure for Gay to resign “an attack on every Black woman in this country who’s put a crack in the glass ceiling” and an “assault on the health, strength, and future of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Critics welcomed her decision.
House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Rep. Virginia Foxx called Gay’s resignation welcome news but said the problems at Harvard are much larger than one leader.

“Postsecondary education is in a tailspin,” the North Carolina Republican said in a statement. “There has been a hostile takeover of postsecondary education by political activists, woke faculty, and partisan administrators.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, in a statement on X, also weighed in on Gay's resignation.
“A little context. A failure in leadership and denial of antisemitism have a price. I hope that the esteemed Harvard University will learn from this dismal conduct,” he wrote.

Gay, Magill and MIT's president, Sally Kornbluth, came under fire last month for their lawyerly answers to a line of questioning from New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, who asked whether “calling for the genocide of Jews” would violate the colleges’ codes of conduct.
The three presidents had been called before the Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce to answer accusations that universities were failing to protect Jewish students amid rising fears of antisemitism worldwide and fallout from Israel’s intensifying war in Gaza, which faces heightened criticism for the mounting Palestinian death toll.

Gay said it depended on the context, adding that when “speech crosses into conduct, that violates our policies.” The answer faced swift backlash from Republican and some Democratic lawmakers as well as the White House. The hearing was parodied in the opening skit on “Saturday Night Live.”
Gay later apologized, telling The Crimson student newspaper that she got caught up in a heated exchange at the House committee hearing and failed to properly denounce threats of violence against Jewish students.

“What I should have had the presence of mind to do in that moment was return to my guiding truth, which is that calls for violence against our Jewish community — threats to our Jewish students — have no place at Harvard, and will never go unchallenged,” Gay said.
The episode marred Gay’s tenure at Harvard — she became president in July — and sowed discord at the Ivy League campus. Rabbi David Wolpe later resigned from a new committee on antisemitism created by Gay, saying in a post on X that “events on campus and the painfully inadequate testimony reinforced the idea that I cannot make the sort of difference I had hoped.”

The House committee announced days after the hearing that it would investigate the policies and disciplinary procedures at Harvard, MIT and Penn. Separate federal civil rights investigations were previously opened at Harvard, Penn and several other universities in response to complaints submitted to the U.S. Education Department.


Snoop Dogg Named Official Paris Olympics Correspondent

Snoop Dogg is bringing the West Coast to the Paris Olympics. On Sunday, NBC revealed that the multifaceted rapper would be part of its coverage team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. In this role, Snoop will join NBC Olympics anchor Mike Tirico to provide commentary and regular updates during the Olympic Primetime Show airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Snoop won’t be sitting still. NBC plans to have him tour various landmarks in the city and interview athletes and their loved ones about their journeys to the big games.

The announcement follows Snoop’s previous coverage of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with comedian Kevin Hart, which was well-received. President and Executive Producer of NBC Olympic Production, Molly Solomon, and other higher-ups at the network felt that Snoop’s distinct style and insights warranted his position as Special Correspondent for the upcoming games in Paris.

“That performance alone has earned Snoop a job as our Special Correspondent in Paris. We don’t know what the heck is going to happen every day, but we know he will add his unique perspective to our re-imagined Olympic primetime show,” Solomon shared in a statement.
Snoop has already started working at his new job, recording segments featuring a number of Team USA athletes. Among them are gymnast Suni Lee, basketball standout A’ja Wilson, skateboarder Jagger Eaton, and the beach volleyball pair Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes.

The Summer Olympics will kick off on Friday, July 26th, 2024, and go through Sunday, August 11th, 2024


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Cute little turtle basket

At least there were no child at the basket. Seems Right!


HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM

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