The Iconic Model Jerry Hall for Saint Laurent Summer 2022 Ad Campaign
She looks great for her age!!!
#RHOA: Angela Simmons will NOT be joining the cast of Real Housewives of Atlanta
It's been reported that Angela Simmons will not be joining the cast of Real Housewives of Atlanta.
There's been speculation in recent weeks that the 34-year-old media personality might be bringing her flair to the show, but it's false, according to TMZ.
A source told the outlet that despite appearing at RHOA cast member Marlo Hampton's party recently, Angela was not there to film for the Bravo TV show.
While Angela was photographed with other stars of the hit show, sources said she wasn't at the event for the purpose of filming.
Insiders close to the mom-of-one said that her recent move from New York City to Georgia was not in connection to the long-running show.
The entrepreneur - who's the daughter of Run DMC legend Joseph Simmons, aka Rev Run - is keeping busy working on other unscripted series Growing Up Hip-Hop and Just Angela.
The 14th season of Real Housewives of Atlanta is currently in the process of filming.
It will include RHOA vets Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, and Sheree Whitfield, as well as Drew Sidora, Marlo, and Sanya Richards-Ross.
Earlier this year Porsha Williams and Cynthia Bailey shook up the franchise when they announced they wouldn't be returning for another season.
#MusicNews: Chris Brown Announces Start Of ‘Breezy Era’
Breezy is coming. Chris Brown has announced that he will return with new music in the new year. Taking to Instagram Stories, the R&B superstar teased the next chapter of his career, which officially kicks off in January.
“Breezy era starts in January,” he wrote.
Chris announced his 10th studio album Breezy, the follow-up to 2019’s Indigo, back in July 2020. He also teased a short film of the same name.
Over the summer, he hinted that new music was coming. “When I drop this shit I hope ya ears are ready,” he said
#HipHopNews: Drakeo The Ruler Dead After Stabbing At L.A. Festival
Drakeo the Ruler was fatally stabbed on Saturday night (Dec. 18) during an altercation at a Los Angeles concert. He was 28.
The West Coast rapper, whose real name was Darrell Caldwell, was scheduled to perform at the Once Upon a Time in L.A. festival at 8:30 p.m. local time. Paramedics responded to a call about a stabbing near the Banc of California Stadium in Exposition Park around 8:40 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
A publicist for the rapper, Scott Jawson, confirmed his death to The New York Times on Sunday.
Drakeo was rushed to the hospital where he died from his injuries. There are unconfirmed reports he was stabbed in the neck.
The altercation happened in the “roadway backstage” of the venue. Festival organizers ended the show early before headliners 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, and the Isley Brothers took the stage.
The LAPD is investigating the stabbing and it’s unclear whether any arrests have been made.
In February, Drakeo released his biggest album to date, The Truth Hurts, featuring a collaboration with Drake. Earlier this month, he dropped his latest mixtape So Cold I Do Em 2.
The hip-hop community is mourning the loss including Drake. “Nah man this sh*t isn’t right for real wtf are we doing 😔😔😔,” he wrote on Instagram Stories. “Always picked my spirit up with your energy RIP Drakeo.”
His “Risky” collaborator Saweetie also shared her condolences, writing, “Man Drakeo was always hella cool & respectful 😢🙏🏽 Prayers up for his family RIP The Ruler 💔.”
#BoxOfficeNews: Spider-Man: No Way Home Scores Third-Best Opening Weekend Ever
Surely, you have heard the news: Spider-Man: No Way Home opened this weekend. Actually, it opened in theaters starting at 3:00 pm on Thursday afternoon, and by the end of the day, it had already grossed $50 million. That was the third-best preview number behind only Avengers: Endgame ($60 million) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($57 million), the two highest-grossing domestic films of all time. Through Friday night it had bested The Force Awakens with $121 million (versus $119.1 million) and trailed only Endgame ($157.4 million) for the best preview/Friday start ever. By the end of the weekend it had grossed a whopping $253 million, more in three and a half days than any other film released in 2021.
No Way Home’s numbers are breaking records in big cities like New York and Chicago, too. What all of this continues to tell us is that some moviegoers will show up for their big IP titles, and others are more than comfortable waiting.
Every film opening to over $200 million has joined the $600 million club, a number it No Way Home has already nearly hit worldwide ($587 million without China), suggesting we could also be looking at the first film to hit the billion dollar mark since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The last Tom Holland entry, Spider-Man: Far From Home, grossed $1.13 billion in 2019 as well. With two weekends of Christmas vacation coming for schools, the only thing that can stop the film’s momentum is another worldwide shutdown. Maybe Marvel should be employing its stars to do ads to get vaccinated and boosted.
‘Real Husbands of Hollywood’ Is Coming Back with a Twist!
The reality tv parody sitcom, ‘Real Husbands of Hollywood’ is returning as a limited series and with a slightly different title!
The sitcom will now be titled, “Real Husbands of Hollywood — More Kevin, More Problems”. The upcoming season will contain six episodes and stream exclusively on BET+ starting Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. The limited series returns original cast members Kevin Hart, Boris Kodjoe, Nick Cannon, Duane Martin, J.B. Smoove, Nelly, Robin Thicke, Cynthia McWilliams and Jackie Long. Newcomers Michele Weaver and Angela Rye are set to join the cast along with various surprise celebrity guest stars.
The original series was created by Kevin Hart, Chris Spencer and Ralph R. Farquhar in 2012, after originating as a sketch on the BET Awards. It premiered on BET in 2013 and ran for five seasons before ending in 2016. The series centers on the daily lives of Kevin Hart and other celebrities, each playing a fictionalized version of themselves, as they venture through their surreal lives in Hollywood. The series is intentionally filmed in a style similar to Bravo’s The Real Housewives and started out as a comedic nod to the popular franchise.
As previously reported, Kevin Hart confirmed the return of the series back in July when he shared a post on Instagram. He shared a photo of himself posing with some of the show’s cast members – Nelly, JB Smoove, and Boris Kodjoe. The actor/comedian revealed in the caption that the four of them along with Nick Cannon and Robin Thicke would be returning along with a few “special guests and fan favorites.” Kevin wrote,
“We are back MITCHES!!!!! You talk & I listen ….this just in….I called my partners at @betplus & said the world wants “Real Husbands Of Hollywood” back & they want it back now….and they said then what in the hell are we waiting for???? Give the people what they want….The entire gang is back people…. @nickcannon@robinthicke@nelly@boriskodjoe@ohsnapjbsmoove along with some amazing special guest and fan favorites…..Buckle up B****ESSSSSS #RealHusbandsOfHollywood”
What are your thoughts
Sarah Jessica Parker felt responsible for Willie Garson’s health while filming ‘AJLT’
Sarah Jessica Parker has revealed that she felt “responsible” for her co-star and real-life friend Willie Garson’s well-being while they were shooting “And Just Like That…” in New York City this year.
“I knew before we started shooting that Willie was sick,” Parker, 56, told Vulture in an interview published on Thursday. “He asked me to keep that confidential, and I honored that.”
But knowing that Garson, who was 57 when he passed away in September, was dying from pancreatic cancer weighed heavy on her when he was on set during the pandemic.
“We were a vaccine-mandated show, but nonetheless, a lot of our scenes were with a lot of background players, and I had great concerns about Willie staying as healthy as he could while shooting,” the actress best known for bringing Carrie Bradshaw to life explained.
“I couldn’t share that with anybody,” she added. “I’d only keep track of him, and I felt responsible in some ways for his health, his well-being on the set.”
Parker, who called Garson’s death “unbearable,” also spoke about how his character Standford Blatch was set to have his most significant storyline yet on the “Sex and the City” spin-off, echoing their co-star Chris Noth’s previous comments.
“[Garson] intended and wanted to complete the entire season,” Parker reflected. “He had a very significant story line, more so than ever, so it was my fervent hope that he would be able to do it all.”
The actress also revealed that Garson asked her to tell Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis about his diagnosis the day before they filmed what they called “the Black Event” — aka Big’s funeral.
During the two days it took to film, Garson made sure to share the tragic news with the rest of the cast.
“At that point, he shared with his fellow cast that he was sick. That day was excruciating, to be in a fictional world of the loss of a life, but in the real world, of somebody that you knew was sick — that was his last day working with us,” Parker said.
Garson passed away at home on September 21. He was a single father to his adopted 20-year-old son, Nathan.
Kanye West Donates Almost 4,000 Toys to Toy Drive in Chicago
Kanye West is giving back this Christmas season. The 44-year-old rapper was dubbed the “modern-day Santa Claus” after he donated nearly 4,000 toys to a toy drive in his native Chicago.
“I’m so proud that Kanye is, once again, responding to our request to help the children of Englewood and beyond,” Chicago Alderman Stephanie Coleman told ABC7 during the toy drive on Sunday (December 19).
“He is no stranger to our community,” she continued. “His presence has always been felt in our neighborhoods and he loves visiting, but this Christmas he has truly been our modern-day Santa Claus.”
During the holiday event, which took place at the Kennedy King College in the South Side of Chicago, each family in attendance was also treated to food, games, and prizes.
Barack Obama reveals end-of-year playlist featuring Cardi B, Lizzo, Lil Nas X and more
“I hope you find a new artist or song to add to your own playlist,” wrote Obama.
As the year’s end approaches, Barack Obama is letting everyone know the songs he most enjoyed in 2021. On Friday morning (Dec. 17), the former president unveiled his end-of-the-year playlist, which made known his diverse taste in music, per usual.
“I’ve always enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music, so it’s no surprise that I listened to a little bit of everything this year,” he wrote alongside a list of the records. “I hope you find a new artist or song to add to your own playlist.”
Featured on Obama’s list were Spice’s “Go Down Deh” with fellow dancehall artists Sean Paul and Shaggy; Lizzo and Cardi B‘s “Rumors”; and “Headshots (4r Da Locals)” from TDE’s Isaiah Rashad. He also gave a nod to “Nobody,” Nas’ collaboration with Lauryn Hill; “In My Blood” by Morray and the late MO3; and Lil Nas X’s “Montero (Call Me By Your Name) among other songs.
Excited by Obama’s mention of her song, Spice, who earned her first-ever Grammy nomination last month, took to social media celebrate.
“Just when I thought my year couldn’t end any better, Mr. President @barackobama announced that he has been listening to my song,” she wrote on Instagram. “Mmmnnn Go Down Deh ‼️ Woooiieeee. Mi Price gone up again.”
Lizzo used the moment to encourage artists to make the music they want.
“Whew! I needed this right now…,” wrote the “Truth Hurts” singer. “Listen ya’ll— there’s amazing music that isn’t viral, that isn’t charting, that don’t have a TikTok trend…My music touches people— don’t believe me, ask Obama. Artists don’t be discouraged— make the music YOU love and believe in and the rest will follow! Thank you @barackobama for putting me and @iamcardib on your “best of…” playlist.”
Trevor Noah files lawsuit against NYC hospital, doctor for alleged botched surgery
Trevor Noah is suing the Hospital for Special Surgery as well as Dr. Riley J. Williams, both located in New York, for being “negligent” during a surgery he underwent in November 2020.
Noah, 37, claims both the New York City hospital and orthopedic surgeon were “careless in failing to treat and care for [him] in a careful and skillful manner” in the court documents filed in the New York Supreme Court
“The Daily Show” host claims he was a patient of Dr. Williams between Aug. 25 and Dec. 17, 2020. He underwent the surgery on Nov. 23 that year.
Noah’s lawsuit adds that the hospital and surgeon failed to “prescribe proper medications,” failed to “discontinue certain prescription medications” and failed to do proper testing in order to “diagnose the conditions.”
The documents also state that Noah suffered “serious personal injury” that are described as “permanent, severe and grievous.”
Noah’s injuries have allegedly left him “rendered sick, sore, lame, and disabled.” The lawsuit makes dark claims, like that the South African comedian “as suffered a loss of enjoyment for life.”
None of the documents state what Noah’s procedure was for, but a hospital profile for Dr. Williams cites that he is a “specializes in knee, shoulder and elbow” surgery.
Orthopedic surgeons can treat a number of body parts such as bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles, according to Penn Medicine.
A representative for the Hospital of Special Surgery denied Noah’s claims, calling them “meritless,” as reported by People.
#RIP: The Roots’ Bassist Leonard ‘Hub’ Hubbard Passes Away At 62
Longtime member and bassist of The Roots, Leonard “Hub” Hubbard, is dead.
Hubbard’s wife confirmed his passing Thursday following a long battle with cancer. He was 62. Following the news, The Roots paid tribute on social media with a photo of Hub and sent condolences to his family and fans.
Hub was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2007 and underwent two rounds of chemotherapy. During his time with The Roots, he recorded seven albums including 1995’s “Illadelph Halflife” and 1999’s “Things Fall Apart.”
‘Bob’s Burgers’ Voice Actor Banned For Allegedly Participating In Jan. 6 Capitol Riots
Actor Jay Johnston is reportedly banned from his role as Jimmy Pesto Sr. for allegedly participating in the Jan.6 Capitol Riots.
The creators of the show have apparently banned the actor from his role as the animated character after the FBI posted a photo of an individual who looks like Johnston on their official Twitter page. According to TMZ, Johnston has not been arrested or charged in connection to the riots but people who have worked with him in the past believe he attended the rally on Jan. 6.
In footage provided by the FBI, it shows the alleged individual joining the mob as they marched onto the Capitol steps and he later throws on a face mask once entering the building.
Fox and Disney have yet to release a statement on the current situation.
3 million Folks sign petition for truck driver given 110 years in deadly pileup: 'He's not a criminal'
Millions of people have signed an online petition asking the state of Colorado to reduce the sentence of a man who was given 110 years in prison for crashing into traffic on a highway in Denver that led to a fiery 28-car pileup that killed four people.
On Monday, 26-year-old Rogel Aguilera-Mederos was sentenced after he was found guilty in October and convicted on vehicular homicide and 23 other charges.
In April 2019, Aguilera-Mederos was driving a semi tractor-trailer, traveling at 85 mph, when the brakes failed, he told investigators at the time. He tried to pull over to the shoulder to avoid stopped traffic, but another semi had already stopped there, according to an arrest affidavit.
The other 23 charges included six counts of assault in the first degree -- extreme indifference; 10 counts of attempt to commit assault in the first degree -- extreme indifference; two counts of vehicular assault -- reckless; one count of reckless driving; and four counts of careless driving causing death.
Aguilera-Mederos was sentenced to the minimum time available to him on all counts, to be served consecutively, which totals 110 years, said Colorado Judicial Department spokesperson Rob McCallum.
The petition, titled "Offer commutation as time served, or grant clemency to Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos, 23" has garnered more than 3 million signatures on change.org - a popular petition website that offers people the ability to promote petitions they support.
According to the description, the petition was created by a woman from Colorado who claims she has no relation to Aguilera-Mederos and is simply a supporter.
"I made this petition because I am a native to Colorado, who believes this man is NOT a criminal and this was purely an accident," she wrote on a status update on Dec. 15. "I'm not related to Rogel, or any of his family, I simply believe that he doesn't deserve his sentence or these charges."
During a sentencing hearing Monday, Colorado District Court Judge A. Bruce Jones said he was bound to the mandatory-minimum sentencing laws in the state, according to CNN affiliate KMGH.
"Colorado law requires courts to sentence most individuals convicted of certain categories of crimes to a mandatory minimum period of incarceration," according to the Colorado General Assembly website.
"There will be an appeal as to the facts and mistakes made in the trial," said attorney James Colgan, who represents Aguilera-Mederos. Colgan told CNN Aguilera-Mederos does not deserve to die in prison.
"The issue with this appeal will not be the sentence itself. Under the law, the Court was not incorrect. However, the law, as written, is barbaric and Draconian," Colgan told CNN. "There needs to be a change in the law."
The petition goes on to say, "Rogel has said several times that he wishes he had the courage to crash and take his own life that day, this tragic accident wasn't done with Intent, it wasn't a criminal act, it was an accident."
There have been some Arrests made amid TikTok challenges on Dec. 17
TikTok challenge causes schools across the country to take precautions | LiveNOW from FOX
A new TikTok challenge has caused schools across the country to take extra precautions on Friday. It's unknown where the TikTok school threat came from but the challenge suggests numerous school shootings will take place on December 17. In Maryland, authorities say a 13-year-old has confessed to creating a fake social media profile to make threats against a Frederick County school in connection with the TikTok challenge. Officials say the teen told detectives he created the account as a "joke" to make threats against Ballenger Creek Middle School and denied having any plans to shoot anyone.
A new TikTok challenge had several school districts across the country taking heightened precautions.
It’s unclear where the December 17 school threats emerged, but the challenge suggested numerous school shootings would take place on December 17.
Authorities in cities across the country said they received no evidence that the threats were credible, but school officials took heightened safety measures as a precaution.
Students arrested in Florida amid TikTok challenge
A 16-year-old at a South Florida high school was arrested Friday morning amid the Dec. 17 TikTok challenge after authorities found a loaded firearm in a small bag, police said.
The junior at Miramar High School was detained and searched due to his demeanor and for having a small bag with him that wasn't allowed due to testing in classrooms on Friday, said Miramar police spokeswoman Tania Rues.
Authorities found the loaded handgun and charged him with possessing a firearm on school grounds. The student isn't cooperating with detectives, and investigators don't yet know why he was carrying the gun, she said.
Investigators have not found any evidence of threats posted online by the teen, and it's not clear whether this case had anything to do with the TikTok threats, which prompted other schools in Broward County, the nation's sixth-largest district, to lock down their campuses.
Meanwhile, a 13-year-old boy in Florida was also arrested Friday after creating a social media account that referenced a school shooting.
The student who made the report said an Instagram story was posted with the words, "Can’t wait for tomorrow," and she responded to the story with, "You’re not funny and can’t joke about that."
The account user said, "I’m not joking," and "Wait for tomorrow," deputies reported.
Detectives said they identified a 13-year-old boy as the creator of the account. They said when they spoke to him, he said he was "just joking" with friends and had no intention of hurting anyone.
The boy was arrested on the charge of "false report for use of firearms in a violent manner.: He was taken to a Department of Juvenile Justice facility, however, based on DJJ’s "point system," they ordered him to be released and is back in custody with his parents.
In addition, Plantation South High School, just outside Fort Lauderdale, went into Code Red — the highest level of alert — on Friday morning after reports of someone being on campus with a gun, Plantation police said. A gas leak was also reported at the school.
Parents in nearby Cooper City were notified that Pioneer Middle School remained on Code Yellow on Friday "out of an abundance of caution." An email from Principal Robert Pappas said they were working with law enforcement to "ensure the safety of students." The school was on a Code Yellow lockdown on Thursday for similar reasons.
The arrests came after many schools across the county remained on lockdown or increased safety measures in response to the viral TikTok challenge.
In Florida, the Citrus County School District wrote on social media Thursday that they have been made aware of the national TikTok trend.
"Many of our schools are being inundated with parent calls this morning asking about these latest threats and their validity," the district wrote. "As of Thursday morning, we have not received any indication of a credible threat to any of our schools."
They said their critical alert system was activated at Crystal River High School Thursday morning due to a medical emergency involving a student.
"This activation had nothing to do with a threat of any kind," the school district said, but added, "the medical alert at CRHS created a heightened sense of concern at all of our schools."
Officials asked students and parents not to repost possible threats on social media, which could create further disruption. Instead, they asked anyone with information on a specific threat to report it to law enforcement immediately.
Pasco County Sheriff's Office in Florida released a statement to FOX 13 Tampa.
"School districts and law enforcement agencies throughout the Tampa Bay area and the nation are aware of warnings, spread through social media, regarding threats of violence at schools on Friday, December 17. Pasco Sheriff’s Office has seen no evidence that there is any credibility to these social media posts. Nevertheless, PSO will continue to investigate any and all threats we receive," officials wrote. "To help in that endeavor, do not share social media posts that threaten schools or individuals or report these tips on social media."
Hernando School District in Florida echoed officials telling the community not to share "social media posts that threaten schools or individuals."
"Instead, when you see these types of posts, alert law enforcement immediately. Sharing unfounded threats on social media rewards those who intend to create panic and can divert tremendous resources away from law enforcement and the school district," the district added.
Students arrested in Washington amid TikTok challenge
On Friday, a 17-year-old girl was arrested amid the Dec. 17 TikTok challenge in connection with social media threats involving Franklin High School in Seattle.
On Friday, police said the teen admitted that the incident was a hoax. She was later released to her parents and the case is being forwarded to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
On Thursday, in Washington State, a Meadowdale High School student was arrested after admitting to bringing a pistol and ammunition to school.
According to Lynnwood police, the 15-year-old boy admitted to showing the gun to several other students on Dec. 16, one of whom told their parents and the parents notified police.
The pistol and ammunition were recovered from the teen's room. Police determined the gun belonged to a relative and that the teen stole it from that relative's safe several months ago, without the relative being aware.
The teen was booked into the Denney Juvenile Justice Center in Everett for theft of a firearm-domestic violence and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
This is the second instance this week in the district.
On Dec. 15, a 14-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly sending threatening texts to another student.
Police say they were called by a Meadowdale student's parents, who said he received threatening texts from a schoolmate. These texts included images of weapons, and also indicated an intent to harm others in the school, authorities say.
Officers went to the suspect student's house, a 14-year-old boy, and arrested him and booked him into the Denney Juvenile Justice Center for harassment and threats.
"The Lynnwood Police Department and the Edmonds School District work collaboratively and aggressively to ensure our schools are safe. The suspects involved in these kinds of cases will be held accountable," Lynnwood police said.
These incidents in Lynnwood are one of the dozens reported across western Washington in the last month.
Arrests made in Minnesota amid TikTok challenge
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety said Friday there had been 29 threats reported to schools in Minnesota, with nearly half of the threats reported in the last 24 hours as of Friday afternoon.
The Brainerd Police Department, in Minnesota, said they arrested two juveniles late Thursday evening. Both were being held at the Northwestern Minnesota Juvenile Center awaiting charges for threats of violence, police say. The investigation led local law enforcement to request Brainerd Public Schools cancel school Friday.
Brainerd Public Schools did not immediately respond to FOX 9 Minneapolis’ inquiry of whether the arrested juveniles were students in the district.
Meanwhile, in Watertown, Minnesota, the Carver County Sheriff's Office was investigating after a 13-year-old male middle school student allegedly threatened to bring a firearm to school and shoot several students. Deputies received a threats complaint around 7 a.m. Friday at Watertown Middle School and investigated.
The boy admitted to making the threats in response to the viral TikTok challenge when deputies interviewed him at his home. The sheriff's office said deputies detained the boy for making "terroistic threats" and transported him to the Carver County Juvenile Detention Center.
"The threat of school violence is no laughing matter and cannot be considered a joke today. Victims are rightfully scared for their own safety when anyone makes these kinds of threats," Sheriff Jason Kamerud said in the press release. "The Carver County Sheriff’s Office will thoroughly investigate and pursue prosecution of offenders. The stakes are too high to do anything less."
The boy did not have access to firearms in the house, and no firearms were found on school property, according to the sheriff's office. He will not be allowed to return to school next week, school officials told deputies.
The Winona Police Department, in Minnesota, issued a safety alert on social media Thursday.
"We have been made aware of a challenge circulating in recent days on TikTok to threaten gun violence in schools on Friday, Dec. 17. There have been no specific threats made against any Winona schools, but we want to be proactive in preventing someone from committing a serious crime," officials wrote. "If anyone participates in this challenge they could be facing felony crimes and possible expulsion from school. This is not something we will take lightly."
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety released a statement Thursday afternoon.
"As of Thursday morning, at least three schools in Minnesota have located similar threat reporting. However, local and state law enforcement have not identified the threat as credible at this time," the department wrote. "At this time, DPS is reporting that the origins of this threat remain unknown and there is no evidence to suggest that any mass causality or severe violence incidents will occur on this date, within Minnesota or the U.S. more broadly."
The department suggested school administrators immediately report any threats to local law enforcement and they will "assess each perceived threat on a case-by-case basis for credibility and threat viability."
Black News Channel Announces Layoffs a Week Before Christmas
*Maybe it’s not ALL over, but it’s certainly not looking good for the Black News Channel. It’s on life support.
Based in Tallahassee, Florida, BNC, the fledgling Black targets news network announced it was laying off an unspecified number of its 300 employees, 75 of whom are based in Atlanta.
As we announce this, we can’t help but think of Scrooge since this is happening days before Christmas.
The bottom line is the network has struggled to draw viewers, which is an understatement. The Wrap tracked the Nielsen ratings of 124 basic-cable channels with Fox News on top. BNC came in 123rd with an average of 4,000 viewers at any given time.
This image released by BNC shows Mike Hill, left, and Sharon Reed posing with Black News Channel president & CEO Princell Hair. The Black News Channel, nearly invisible upon its launch last year, is revamping to take on a new look starting Monday. It is adding a four-hour morning show with Hill and Reed and will be emphasizing commentary and analytical news coverage moving forward.
According to a memo, CEO Princell Hair broke the news Friday to employees:
“I am reaching out to you today with some very unfortunate news about a reduction in our workforce. As you know, throughout the course of this year, we have been expanding at a rapid rate. At the same time, the U.S. economy is facing some tough challenges, several of which are heavily impacting the media industry and the revenue streams that fuel our emerging enterprise.
“I am incredibly proud of this team and all that we have built and accomplished,” he added. “Your work has been outstanding, but we have reached a point where a considerable adjustment is needed in order to protect the health of our business and keep BNC moving forward. … This is a very difficult day, and a reminder that stages of our journey will be arduous and painful.”
Hair noted that “we also recognize and are saddened that this change is coming at this time of year.”
Insiders told Urban Hollywood 411 the BNC cuts were “brutal” and included all levels of staff from producers to the vice president of network production. We’re told “dozens” of employees around the nation received phone calls Friday saying their services were no longer needed. The layoffs are effective immediately, with medical insurance ending Dec. 31.
One insider warned the cuts may not be over
Chris Noth Dropped by Talent Agency as Third Sexual Assault Allegation Surfaces
Chris Noth was dropped from his agency Friday following newly surfaced accusations of sexual assault against the Sex and the City actor.
The Hollywood Reporter revealed Friday that Noth’s now-former talent agency A3 Artists Agency had parted ways with actor, a rep for the agency confirmed. News of the dismissal came after a third woman came forward with an allegation that she was sexually assaulted by Noth in 2010 when she was 18 years old and Noth was 55.
Speaking to the Daily Beast, “Ava” said she was hired as a hostess and singer at a Times Square-area restaurant frequented by Noth. “I cannot remember in detail how many times we spoke, but with great familiarity, one night he told my boss I would sing with him even though I hadn’t filled the restaurant yet,” “Ava” said.
After performing together, they talked about Noth’s career and Ava’s hometown of Toronto. “I love Canadian women,” she said Noth told her as he pulled her onto his lap, groped her and was “pressing me onto his erection.”
After her shift, Ava went to her manager’s office for payment; Noth followed her but “acted as if we had intentionally snuck off together clandestinely.” Once there, Noth began kissing her and pressed her body against a desk. “At first, it felt as though I was the only person in the universe who could hear me saying no,” she said.
Noth then allegedly pulled down her tights and digitally penetrated her; he felt a tampon. “I was so hopeful that would be the end of it,” Ava said, but Noth instead asked if she was near the end of her period and continued to grope her. She tried pushing him with such force that “my limbs hurt the next morning.”
When Noth wouldn’t respond to “No,” Ava instead said “Not here.” Ava then left the office, with Noth saying he’d send a car for her once he got back to his apartment. Noth later texted Ava for her address to send the car, but Ava did not respond.
Like the two previous accusations against Noth, the actor denied any wrongdoing when asked about Ava’s account. “The story is a complete fabrication, and the alleged accounts detailed throughout read like a piece of bad fiction,” a rep for Noth told People. “As Chris stated yesterday, he has and would never cross that line.”
After Noth was back in the news following the death of Mr. Big on And Just Like That… as well as his viral (and now-suspended) Peloton ad, two anonymous women separately came forward with allegations and similar accounts of sexual assault against the actor. Actress Zoe Lister-Jones also shared an incident one of her friends had with Noth, as well as her experience working with Noth on set.
“The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false,” Noth said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “These stories could’ve been from 30 years ago or 30 days ago — no always means no — that is a line I did not cross. The encounters were consensual. It’s difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out. I don’t know for certain why they are surfacing now, but I do know this: I did not assault these women.”
Despite his denials, Noth continues to see fallout from the allegations: On Friday, a $12 million deal to purchase Noth’s tequila brand Ambhar was terminated by its buyer, Entertainment Arts Research. “We thought it would be in our best interest to withdraw from the transaction,” the company’s chief executive Bernard Rubin told the New York Post. “It would have been disastrous for us.
#RIP: Carlos Marín Dies: Il Divo Singer Was 53
The surviving members of the quartet confirmed the news via social media. “It is with heavy hearts that we are letting you know that our friend and partner, Carlos Marín, has passed away,” wrote David Miller, Sébastien Izambard, and Urs Bühler jointly in an Instagram post.
“He will be missed by his friends, family, and fans,” the post continued. “There will never be another voice or spirit like Carlos. For 17 years the four of us have been on this incredible journey of Il Divo together, and we will miss our dear friend. We hope and pray that his beautiful soul will rest in peace.”
Spain’s El Pais reported on Thursday that Marín had been put in a medically induced coma. Citing a source from Il Divo’s label Universal, the outlet said the singer had not been feeling well for a week while on tour in England before he was hospitalized.
The band confirmed the hospitalization via Twitter.
Marín was born in Germany but raised in Madrid after his family relocated when he was 12. By the time of the move, he had already recorded two albums and had performed in front of large audiences.
In the ’90s, he starred in multiple stage productions including Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast, Grease, and Peter Pan, among others.
He joined Il Divo in 2003 after being discovered by Simon Cowell, sparking a successful partnership that saw the group release 10 studio albums which have sold more than 30 million units
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