#MAGFAB: Stromae for GQ Hype
The Belgian pop star writes sharp, character-driven, and powerfully danceable hits.
It's almost 11 p.m. on a Saturday evening in April when Stromae steps onto the stage at Coachella. The crowd is bigger this time than it was seven years ago, when the Belgian singer, now 37, first performed at the festival. Though the stakes are higher and the show feels more consequential, Stromae—born Paul Van Haver—shows no signs of self-consciousness or nervousness. He is perfectly at home alongside the superstars, like Harry Styles and Doja Cat, also performing this weekend. But he is also pretty clearly in his own world up onstage. He is most comfortable in this situation, exploring the characters that populate his songs: an orphan; a depressed man; a woman on the verge of breaking up with her boyfriend. He is constantly in search of new emotions to embody, and new characters to explore them with.
That is the primary goal of March’s Multitude, his third studio album and first major release since Racine carée in 2013: to put on different costumes, and to reinvent himself through multiple characters. This approach seems to fit our moment, when everyone has an avatar. And while the strategy recalls David Bowie, another artist who was a chameleon and a master of disguise, Stromae remains engaged with the world around him. He would never perform the part of a glam icon from outer space. He does not adopt new alter-egos and invent new identities. Instead, they’re inspired by the world as it is. His subjects are often broken, downcast people: the son of a prostitute, a person contemplating suicide, a mismatched couple.
Stromae is often compared to the legendary midcentury Belgian singer Jacques Brel, another careful and biting portraitist. The comparison can feel obvious, yet after a few minutes together, Stromae makes it himself. “I definitely share with Brel the desire to tell a human and universal story through disillusioned people,” he says, politely but unambiguously. “I'm not interested in writing songs about my own little world: the life of an artist, the tours, the relationship with fame. I prefer to share those thoughts with my wife and my friends. I am not one of those artists who uses their music as a form of journaling. Like Charles Aznavour’s song ‘Comme ils disent,’ where he puts himself in the place of a homosexual, I want to highlight individuals and realities of our society. And in order to do that, what could be more fun than adopting different personas?”
The question is rhetorical in part because Stromae knows what he’s about: his strengths, goals, desires as an artist. He has the calm expression of someone who has enjoyed success, but speaks without arrogance. He prefers curiosity to routine habits, quiet reflection to spontaneity, simplicity to whims. When we meet, he’s at work in the offices of his label, Mosaert, on Avenue Louise, one of the most popular streets in Brussels. The interior is cozy and understated, without extravagance. With its high ceilings, large windows, light wood furniture, and comfortable sofas, it looks like it could belong to any creative agency.
Stromae recorded most of his latest album here, in a corner of the space, framed by large windows flooded with daylight, that’s been fitted out as a studio. He wanted an unobstructed view of the surrounding city. “I didn't want to hide in the dark. I just wanted a place of my own, dedicated to creativity,” he says, clearly happy to have his own cocoon. He also confides that his need for solitude is driven in part by a sense of politeness, “in the sense that I don't like to feel that I'm wasting someone's time if I ask them to come in on a day when I then don't find any inspiration.” Modesty plays a part as well, he explains: “Being alone ensures that I will be as sincere as possible. Even though I get along very well with my team, I don't want to feel the pressure of having to please them rather than listen to my own desires when creating.”
For Multitude, Stromae sat in front of his microphone, alone, sometimes spending more than four hours a day doing takes. It's a repetitive process, maybe bordering on obsessive, but it’s how Stromae finds the alchemy between a word’s meaning and its sound. “I don't want to write meaningless songs that sound good, nor do I want to put poetry into songs. My goal is somewhere in between,” he says. He is interested in writing songs in free verse, citing the examples of the French rapper Koba LaD and Congolese rumba. The idea, he says, is to maintain a sense of freedom when he is writing—to be less dependent on rhyme schemes, and allow unexpected thoughts and lines to emerge.
The talk of limitations feels surprising. His career has included a remarkable list of collaborations: videos with pop stars (Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Major Lazer), tracks with French rappers (Disiz, Orelsan, Caballero & JeanJass), a live performance on Jimmy Fallon, even a song with Coldplay. And, of course, a documentary: Stromae Vu Par…, or Stormae Seen By…, where stars like Lorde, Madonna, and others sing his praises.
But all these projects—along with the four million copies sold of Racine Carrée, his most recent studio album, and the hundreds of concerts to promote it—led to burnout. He is human, and he simply hit a wall. “I come from a European culture that associates creativity with suffering. But I would like to prove that it is possible to compose differently,” he says. “During the recording of Multitude, I certainly managed to be creative within very strict office hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in order to enjoy time with my daughter.” Still, he explains, a certain seriousness is a constant: “I still find it difficult to go towards lighter, purely fun, lyrics like ‘Celebration’ by Kool & the Gang. For me, there is often a background of sadness.”
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#RHOA: Check out The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 14 Reunion Looks
We have a sneak peek atThe Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 14 Reunion looks. Take a gander below.
Kandi Burruss
Dress: Matopeda Atelier; tailoring: EvL. Elle; jewelry: Sorrelli; shoes: René Caovilla; hair: Jodie Rowlands; makeup: Lashonte Pippins; styling: Jami Zeigler.
Shereé Whitfield
Dress: Brides by Nona; jewelry: Ascot Diamonds Atlanta; shoes: René Caovilla; hair: Sebastian Anderson; makeup: Me'Chele Daves; styling: Shereé Whitfield; lashes: Pamper Me Prissy.
Kenya Moore
Dress: Azzi & Osta; jewelry: personal collection; shoes: Andrea Wazen; makeup: George Miguel Arnone.
Marlo Hampton
Dress: Brides by Nona; jewelry: CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane; shoes: Tom Ford; hair: Jason Scott; makeup: Latisha Chancey; creative director: Justin Perry.
Sanya Richards-Ross
Dress: Brides by Nona; jewelry: April Ellerbe; shoes: Christian Louboutin; hair: Theo Barrett; makeup: Yeika Glow; styling: Ryan Christopher.
Drew Sidora
Dress: Riley Knoxx Couture; jewelry: Swarovski; shoes: Christian Louboutin; hair: Devonte Averett; makeup: Shadlen Hardemon (Freedom); styling: Jeremy.
So what do you think?
#MusicNews: Beyoncé Rocks Skin-Tight Mini Dress in Stunning New Photos
To soundtrack the photo series, Bey chose her 'Renaissance' track, "Pure/Honey."
In a new series of photos shared to Instagram on Friday (Aug. 19), Queen Bey is wearing a gorgeous Nensi Dojaka velvet long sleeved mini dress from the designer’s fall/winter 2022 collection. She completed the outfit with a draped bra, tulle leggings with cut outs, sleek black shades, red nails and long blonde locks. She’s also holding a sparkling black clutch that has “C—y” written on a Texas license plate, as an homage to her home state.
See the snaps here. To soundtrack the photo series, Bey chose her Renaissance track, “Pure/Honey,” which repeats the word “c—y” over and over.
The album, which dropped on July 29 via Columbia Records, blasted in at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart (dated Aug. 13) with 2022’s biggest week by a woman – and the second-largest week of the year overall. Renaissance – Beyoncé’s seventh solo No. 1 album – is the first album released by a woman in 2022 to top the Billboard 200. The last woman at No. 1 was Adele with 30, which ruled for its first six weeks on the list (charts dated Dec. 4, 2021-Jan. 8, 2022).
Meanwhile, “Break My Soul,” the lead single from Renaissance, rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, gifting Queen Bey her eighth chart-topper as a soloist and her 12th overall.
#HipHopNews: DJ Khaled's 'God Did' Expected To Debut At No. 1
God Did, his 13th studio album, was released Friday and is already putting up big numbers. According to HITS Daily Double, the star-studded set is on track to debut at No. 1 with 105-115,000 units in its first week based on one day of sales and streams.
That would give Khaled the fourth No. 1 of his career. His last album, 2021’s Khaled Khaled, also debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 93,000 equivalent album units.
Khaled assembled another all-star lineup for God Did, which features Drake, Eminem, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Future, SZA, and Juice WRLD, plus JAY-Z, who delivers an epic four-minute verse on the title track.
“To get to a 13th album is, like, beyond incredible for me,” Khaled told Billboard. “The greats that I look up to, when I see how many albums they put out, I’m on the right track. And I know how hard it is to be in this game — some people can’t make it past their first single or their first album.”
Khaled faces competition from Bad Bunny, whose album Un Verano Sin Ti has held the No. 1 spot for eight nonconsecutive weeks. The new chart will also include debuts from JID, whose album The Forever Story is projected to sell 27-30,000, while Nicki Minaj’s greatest hits compilation Queen Radio: Volume 1 is tracking 25-30,000 units.
Here Are the 2022 MTV VMAs Winners
The 2022 MTV Video Music Awards are here!
Jack Harlow, Kendrick Lamar, and Lil Nas X lead the pack with seven nominations, which were announced in late July. Baby Keem and Kacey Musgraves were among the noteworthy artists who scored their first nod this year.
Meanwhile, Lizzo, Blackpink, and Anitta are just a few of the names who will be taking the stage tonight. Nicki Minaj, who recently earned her first solo No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Super Freaky Girl,” will receive the Video Vanguard Award and deliver a performance encompassing her entire career.
See below for a full list of nominees with the winners indicated in bold.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Drake ft. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO/Republic
Ed Sheeran – “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “brutal” – Geffen Records
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records *WINNER
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment *WINNER
Drake – OVO/Republic
Ed Sheeran – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – Columbia Records
Jack Harlow – Generation Now / Atlantic Records
Lil Nas X – Columbia Records
Lizzo – Atlantic Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
Adele – “Easy On Me” – Columbia Records
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records *WINNER
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Elton John & Dua Lipa – “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” – EMI / Interscope Records
Lizzo – “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – “STAY” – Columbia Records
BEST NEW ARTIST
Baby Keem – Columbia Records
Dove Cameron – Disruptor Records / Columbia Records *WINNER
GAYLE – Atlantic Records / Arthouse Records
Latto – Streamcut / RCA Records
Måneskin – Arista Records
SEVENTEEN – PLEDIS Entertainment/Geffen Records
PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
September 2021: Griff – “One Night” – Warner Records
October 2021: Remi Wolf – “Sexy Villain” – Island Records
November 2021: Nessa Barrett – “i hope ur miserable until ur dead” – Warner Records
December 2021: SEVENTEEN – “Rock With You” – PLEDIS Entertainment / Geffen Records *WINNER
January 2021: Mae Muller – “Better Days” – Capitol Records UK
February 2022: GAYLE – “abcdefu” – Atlantic Records / Arthouse Records
March 2022: Sheneesa – “R U That” – Rich Immigrants / Interscope Records
April 2022: Omar Apollo – “Tamagotchi” – Warner Records
May 2022: Wet Leg – “Chaise Longue” – Domino Recording Company
June 2022: Muni Long – “Baby Boo” – Supergiant Records LLC / Def Jam Recording
July 2022: Doechii – “Persuasive” – Top Dog Entertainment / Capitol Records
BEST COLLABORATION
Drake ft. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO/Republic
Elton John & Dua Lipa – “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” – EMI / Interscope Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records *WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa – “Sweetest Pie” – 300 Entertainment
Post Malone & The Weeknd – “One Right Now” – Mercury Records / Republic Records
ROSALÍA ft. The Weeknd – “LA FAMA” – Columbia Records
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – “STAY” – Columbia Records
BEST POP
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Ed Sheeran – “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records *WINNER
Lizzo – “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “traitor” – Geffen Records
BEST HIP-HOP
Eminem & Snoop Dogg – “From The D 2 The LBC” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Future ft. Drake, Tems – “WAIT FOR U” – Freebandz / Epic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “N95” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Latto – “Big Energy” – Streamcut / RCA Records
Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Baby – “Do We Have A Problem?” – Young Money / Cash Money / Republic Records *WINNER
Pusha T – “Diet Coke” – G.O.O.D. Music / Def Jam
BEST ROCK
Foo Fighters – “Love Dies Young” – RCA Records
Jack White – “Taking Me Back” – Third Man Records
Muse – “Won’t Stand Down” – Warner Records
Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Black Summer” – Warner Records *WINNER
Shinedown – “Planet Zero” – Elektra Music Group
Three Days Grace – “So Called Life” – RCA Records
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Avril Lavigne ft. blackbear - “Love It When You Hate Me” - Elektra Music Group / DTA Records
Imagine Dragons x JID – “Enemy” – KIDinaKORNER / Interscope Records
Machine Gun Kelly ft. WILLOW – “emo girl” – Bad Boy / Interscope Records
Måneskin – “I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE” – Arista Records *WINNER
Panic! At The Disco – “Viva Las Vengeance” – Fueled By Ramen / Elektra Music Group
Twenty One Pilots – “Saturday” – Fueled By Ramen / Elektra Music Group
WILLOW, Avril Lavigne ft. Travis Barker – “G R O W” – MSFTSMusic / Roc Nation Records
BEST LATIN
Anitta – “Envolver” – Warner Records *WINNER
Bad Bunny – “Tití Me Preguntó” – Rimas Entertainment
Becky G X KAROL G – “MAMIII” – Kemosabe Records / Sony Music Latin / RCA Records
Daddy Yankee – “REMIX” – Republic Records
Farruko – “Pepas” – Sony Music US Latin
J Balvin & Skrillex – “In Da Getto” – Sueños Globales, LLC /Universal Music Latino / Asylum Records UK
BEST R&B
Alicia Keys – “City of Gods (Part II)” – AKW
Chlöe – “Have Mercy” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
H.E.R. – “For Anyone” – RCA Records
Normani ft. Cardi B – “Wild Side” – Keep Cool/RCA Records
Summer Walker, SZA & Cardi B – “No Love (Extended Version)” – LVRN / Interscope Records
The Weeknd – “Out Of Time” – XO / Republic Records *WINNER
BEST K-POP
BTS – “Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)” – BIGHIT Music / Geffen Records
ITZY – “LOCO” – JYP Entertainment
LISA – “LALISA” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records *WINNER
SEVENTEEN – “HOT” – PLEDIS Entertainment/Geffen Records
Stray Kids – “MANIAC” – JYP Entertainment
TWICE – “The Feels” – JYP Entertainment
VIDEO FOR GOOD
Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart Part 5” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Latto – “P*ssy” – Streamcut / RCA Records
Lizzo – “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records *WINNER
Rina Sawayama – “This Hell” – Dirty Hit
Stromae – “Fils de joie” – Mosaert Label / The Darkroom / Interscope Records
BEST METAVERSE PERFORMANCE
BLACKPINK The Virtual | PUBG – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records *WINNER
BTS | Minecraft – BIGHIT Music / Geffen Records
Charli XCX | Roblox – Atlantic Records
Justin Bieber – An Interactive Virtual Experience | Wave – Def Jam
Rift Tour ft. Ariana Grande | Fortnite – Republic Records
Twenty One Pilots Concert Experience | Roblox – Fueled By Ramen / Elektra Music Group
BEST LONGFORM VIDEO
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Foo Fighters – Studio 666 – RCA Records
Kacey Musgraves – star-crossed – Interscope Records / MCA Nashville
Madonna – Madame X - Interscope Records
Olivia Rodrigo – driving home 2 u – Geffen Records
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records *WINNER
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “family ties” – Columbia Records
Camila Cabello ft. Ed Sheeran – “Bam Bam” – Epic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records *WINNER
Kendrick Lamar – “N95” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Normani ft. Cardi B – “Wild Side” – Keep Cool / RCA Records
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records
BEST DIRECTION
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “family ties” – Columbia Records
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Ed Sheeran – “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records *WINNER
BEST ART DIRECTION
Adele – “Oh My God” – Columbia Records
Doja Cat – “Get Into It (Yuh)” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Drake ft. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO / Republic Records
Kacey Musgraves – “simple times” – Interscope Records / MCA Nashville
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records *WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Dua Lipa – “Sweetest Pie” – 300 Entertainment
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Coldplay X BTS – “My Universe” – Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart Part 5” – pgLang/Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records *WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa – “Sweetest Pie” – 300 Entertainment
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – “STAY” – Columbia Records
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
BTS – “Permission to Dance” – BIGHIT Music/Geffen Records
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records *WINNER
FKA twigs ft. The Weeknd – “Tears In The Club” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records
Normani ft. Cardi B – “Wild Side” – Keep Cool / RCA Records
BEST EDITING
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “family ties” – Columbia Records
Doja Cat – “Get Into It (Yuh)” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “brutal” – Geffen Records
ROSALÍA – “SAOKO” – Columbia Records *WINNER
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records
The Weeknd – “Take My Breath” – XO / Republic Records
GROUP OF THE YEAR
BLACKPINK
BTS *WINNER
City Girls
Foo Fighters
Imagine Dragons
Måneskin
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Silk Sonic
SONG OF THE SUMMER
Bad Bunny & Chencho Corleone – “Me Porto Bonito”
Beyoncé – “Break My Soul”
Charlie Puth – “Left And Right (feat. Jung Kook of BTS)”
Doja Cat – “Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Elvis)”
Future ft. Drake, Tems – “Wait For U”
Harry Styles – “Late Night Talking”
Jack Harlow – “First Class” *WINNER
Kane Brown – “Grand”
Latto x Mariah Carey – “Big Energy (Remix) ft. DJ Khaled”
Lizzo – “About Damn Time”
Marshmello x Khalid – “Numb”
Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl”
Nicky Youre, dazy – “Sunroof”
Post Malone with Doja Cat – “I Like You (A Happier Song)”
Rosalía – “Bizcochito”
Steve Lacy – “Bad Habit”
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Adele – “30’
Bad Bunny – “Un Verano Sin Ti”
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever”
Drake – “Certified Lover Boy”
Harry Styles – “Harry’s House” *WINNER
Congrats to all the winners!
Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck made guests sign NDAs to attend Georgia wedding
After footage of the “Marry Me” star performing for the “Argo” director during their lavish Georgia ceremony leaked, Lopez expressed her disappointment in a comment posted to Instagram Saturday.
“This was taken without permission. Period. And whoever did it took advantage of our private moment. I don’t know where you all are getting it from bc we had ndas [non-disclosure agreements] and asked everyone to not share anything from our wedding,” Lopez wrote.
“That is our choice to share,” she continued, before, of course, plugging her newsletter.
“Anything I put out private is OnTheJLO and it’s to share w my fans. Which I will do when I am ready to. This was stolen without our consent and sold for money 😔. Thank you for caring I love you guys.”
The news surrounding Lopez’s intimate performance for her fourth husband has taken twists and turns, as jewelry designer Mikimoto actually leaked it in a press release — only to retract the statement, claiming it was “misinformation.”
The release noted that the “Hustlers” star, 53, wore the brand’s Prestige White South Sea Cultured Pearl Earrings with Diamonds set in Platinum ($53,000) for the performance, during which she debuted a new song flanked by backup dancers and singers.
For the couple’s reception, the “Waiting for Tonight” singer changed into a chandelier-inspired gown by Ralph Lauren that was adorned with thousands of cascading strings of pearls.
The jaw-dropping gown was just one of three Ralph Lauren designs she wore to the nuptials, which took place on Affleck’s plantation-style estate in Georgia.
Carmelo Anthony Partners With Westbrook Studios For Docuseries About His Life
The Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith studio-created project will cover Melo's life and career.
Carmelo Anthony #15 of United States reacts on the bench during the game agaisnt Venezuela in the men's preliminary round group A game 19 on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 1 on August 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony has joined forces with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith’s Westbrook for a new docu-series. According to Deadline, Seven—named after Melo’s iconic jersey number—will be a four-part series based on his life and career.
Carmelo’s Creative 7 company, which he started with longtime business partner Asani Swann, will serve as Seven’s executive producer. Westbrook Studios‘ Terence Carter and Sahara Bushue and Falkon Entertainment’s Dexton Deboree and Wondwossen Dikran will also serve as executive producers.
The series will take a deep dive into Carmelo Anthony’s life story. Seven will begin with his childhood and cover every good and not-so-great moment leading up to his current adult life.
Melo is set to disclose the truth behind notable incidents throughout his 10-time NBA All-Star career, including those he’s never spoken about publicly. Seven is set to highlight the balance between being a father, a son, a businessman, and a world-renowned athlete.
“The biggest question everyone is probably thinking is why now? Why choose this moment to tell my story?” Anthony expressed. “The short of it is I’ve spent enough time letting other people speak for me. It’s time for my truth.”
“I look forward to viewers finally having the opportunity to hear about my journey in my own words. Westbrook Studios, Falkon Entertainment, and my team at Creative 7 have been immensely supportive of my vision for this project, and I am proud that we have been able to make this series a reality.”
Number seven’s career highlights include being a three-time Olympic gold medalist and ninth on the NBA all-time scoring list. Melo was also among the NBA’s top 75 players in history.
He has played for the Denver Nuggets, New York Nicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, and, most recently, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Elsewhere, the athlete has been concentrating on growing his business ventures and philanthropic endeavors. He’s also been a strong voice in the ongoing fight for social justice, such as his work on racial equality.
Colin Kaepernick and girlfriend Nessa Diab announce birth of their first child
Congratulations are in order for the couple who revealed the joyous news on social media.
Colin Kaepernick and his longtime girlfriend Nessa Diab have new titles to share with the world: Mom and Dad! The couple announced the birth of their first child together on Sunday (Aug. 28).
In a photo posted to Diab’s Instagram, she and the former NFL player are seen with smiles plastered across their faces as they embrace the newest edition to the family. In part, her caption read, “I thought long and hard about sharing our life changing news today. I decided to do so because today is the first day in a few weeks where I stepped out for work with a new life title- MOM!”
Neither Kaepernick or Diab have shared the newborn’s gender or name. The television host did, however, go on to reveal that her postpartum recovery has been a journey. “Honestly I wasn’t going to share anything because this is sooooo personal to us and I realized I’m a complete mama bear! Colin is the most amazing dad and I’m soooo grateful that he is by our side for every moment of this journey,” she wrote.
The “Colin in Black and White” co-creator and the “Talk Stoop” host have been an item since 2015. The baby news comes as a huge surprise to fans who have grown accustom to the couple being tight-lipped about their private life. Kaepernick has yet to share the good news on his social accounts.
“I know sharing this allows me to connect with you in different ways that I never imagined. My conversations and life experiences have already changed. And my world has gotten that much bigger thanks to our sweet little baby who has shown me how to love in ways I never knew,” continued the new mom’s post.
TikToker slammed for exposing others to monkeypox addresses the public's outrage
TikToker Duane Cali may want to avoid social media for a few days. After posting a video of himself appearing to have monkeypox while grabbing a bite to eat from McDonald’s went viral, he wants the world to know what was really going on with his skin.
The controversial video was posted to the popular app on Aug. 14. It begins with Cali saying, “My bad I’m not in the house,” before he shares a cautionary tale about showing up for others who would not return the favor. “You might show up for the wrong motherf**ker at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and end up with the f**king monkeypox,” he said towards the end of the video.
The 44-second clip was met with visceral reactions from people outraged across social media. Cali even reposted a clip showing that his video had landed on the news. “If the news says it, it’s fact,” he wrote as the caption. For over a week, he responded to various comments of people calling him out for endangering the lives of others.
The rare disease has been a major health concern in various countries across the globe. Though a vaccine is available, domestically, many states have been forced to issue stringent vaccination requirements to help preserve current supplies.
On Saturday (Aug. 27), Cali revealed that having monkeypox was all a hoax. “Yeah, this was just a promo gone wrong,” he said. In part of the minute-long clip, he is seen laying down as a makeup artist meticulously places each of the pox on his arms, hands, and face. He claimed the not-so-brilliant idea was all a ploy to get people to check out his latest record.
He explained, “I have unique and unconventional marketing methods when it comes to promoting my music, and I usually try to tie the marketing around the premise of the song. This song was called ‘Choose Yourself.’ So, I was trying to market it in a way where it displays the person choosing themselves regardless of how other people feel about it. Unfortunately, it didn’t translate that way. People just ended up getting mad at me.”
Needless to say, coming clean about not having the monkeypox has been met with mixed reactions. “This is the definition of doing too much,” wrote one person online. “Whew bro that wasn’t the move but we gone check yo song out now that you explained what happened,” commented another.
Adrienne Bailon Kept Pregnancy Under Wraps For ‘Mental Wellbeing’
Adrienne Bailon is opening up about her newborn son, including why his conception was a big secret!
The former 3LW band member has never shied away from sharing her struggle to have a child with her husband, Israel Houghton. However, the “Playas Gon’ Play” singer admitted that the stress from repeatedly trying and failing to conceive left her emotionally exhausted.
Adrienne Bailon Prioritized Her Health Over Sharing News Of Her Baby
In a recent discussion with PEOPLE, the 38-year-old entertainer got candid about her newborn son, Ever James, whom the New Yorker welcomed via surrogacy. The former “Cheetah Girls” Star’s precious bundle of joy arrived earlier this month. However, news of his conception was kept under wraps from Bailon’s loved ones, plus the ever-nosy media.
Although the “Cheetah Sisters” singer had previously shared details about her conception issues to support those in similar situations. The weight of failing to expand her family was more challenging than the TV personality imagined. On December 11, 2021, the new mother learned that the surrogate she privately hired was pregnant. However, the “That’s So Raven” actress’s emotions stopped her from revealing this information.
Instead, the former co-host of “The Real” talk show decided to surprise her loved ones by keeping the latest addition to the Bailon-Houghton clan a secret. Once the news got out, the New Yorker’s family was pleasantly shocked and impressed by the entertainer’s ability to hide her son’s conception. In the 38-year-old’s words:
“Even my sister, who watched The Real throughout the whole last season, literally said to me, ‘Adrienne, I am impressed.’ She’s like, ‘I am so proud of you. You are really holding this.’ I did that because it was really sacred to me.”
Although the Disney alum wanted to share the exciting news with the world, the media personality managed to keep the matter confidential. But, she eventually caved and told six people about her son’s conception. The mother-of-one presumably did this to keep her anxiety at bay as the retired talk show host confessed to the news outlet that she felt extremely vulnerable.
Following eight failed in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments and one miscarriage, the “I’m in Love with a Church Girl” star became mentally exhausted. This was why the actress prioritized her health by staying quiet about her baby. “It was important to me for my own mental wellbeing and for my family,” Bailon confessed. “I was just like, ‘I’m just not going to say anything.’ It was actually very peaceful that way. You didn’t have other people’s opinions.”
Not having the public or her loved ones hounding her with questions about the surrogacy ended up being crucial for the “All Things Adrienne” star. According to the mother-of-one, staying calm for nine months was difficult as she was never interested in taking the surrogate route. However, things changed when the couple thought they were left with a final viable embryo.
“I got to be honest, even the process of surrogacy can be quite nerve-wracking,” Bailon said. “Somebody else has your child with them. We call it extreme babysitting for nine months. It can cause you to be really anxious,” she added. The XIXI jewelry line founder added that leaving her baby in someone else’s hands left her plagued with thoughts about her child’s condition.
Nonetheless, worrying about the situation herself was better than having other people question her about the baby. The 38-year-old confessed that keeping her son a secret gave her “a little joy and something to look forward to.”
Lil’ Wayne Sued For Allegedly Punching His Former Assistant On Private Jet
Lil’ Wayne is being sued by a former personal assistant who claims he was punched by the rapper during an argument on his private jet.
According to legal documents, obtained by The Blast, Wayne’s assistant claims he had to intervene during an argument between the rapper and a pilot of a private jet. At the time, the assistant — Andrew Williams — says he was forced to get in between Lil’ Wayne and the plane’s pilot to stop the two from fighting.
“On June 10, 2022, at or around 10:00 am, Lil Wayne accompanied by his staff including Mr. Andrew Williiams boarded a privately hired aircraft at Signature Flight Supports terminal,” in Los Angeles,” the lawsuit begins. “As the group made their way aboard the aircraft, an altercation occurred between the aircraft pilot and Lil’ Wayne.”
It continues, “Acting in that capacity, Mr. Andrew Williams attempted to prevent the verbal altercation from becoming physical.” The assistant claims he put his arm in between Lil’ Wayne and the pilot, only for the musician to turn to him and “punch him with a closed fist in the jaw.”
Unfortunately, the former assistant claims the punch was worse than a normal punch to the face due to the rapper’s “numerous rings and large jewelry on his hands.”
Following the alleged punch, Williams says he exited the plane and headed straight for a local Los Angeles urgent care for treatment. In the end, he says “great harm” was caused by the punch and he “has and continues to be damaged emotionally and physically…including medical expenses…and loss of income. In the filing, the assistant says Lil’ Wayne’s “outrageous conduct” has caused him to suffer “humiliation, mental anguish, and emotional and physical distress.”
Lupita Nyong'o Pays Tribute to Chadwick Boseman, Marking Two Years Since Beloved Actor Died
Lupita Nyong'o is honoring the memory of her late costar Chadwick Boseman.
The beloved Boseman is the subject of a video Nyong'o, 39, posted to her Instagram Sunday. The actor died on this day in August 2020 at the age of 43 of colon cancer. Fans around the globe were shocked and saddened by the news. The Marvel star kept his diagnosis private.
"Chadwick, what are you doing?" Nyong'o asked in the IG video, showing Boseman with a Sharpie in hand.
"I'm signing tickets. I signed somebody's shoes over there …" he said. The late actor joked that he signed "a pair of Jordans", even though he didn't play basketball.
In the video, a crowd of fans surrounded Boseman at a movie theater, and Nyong'o asked behind the camera, "why do you think they asked you?"
"I don't know!" Boseman replied. "I have no idea."
The caption of Nyong'o's post says "Kept it real, kept it kind"," in a tribute to her costar.
Winston Duke, who also stars in the Black Panther films, commented: "Incredibly generous man…always sharing abad helping and giving and loving… ugh… my heart … Ure missed beyond any words my brother… love love! Thanks, Lupita for posting our treasure… man oh man!! ❤️❤️❤️"
Letitia Wright, who played the sister of Boseman's character in the Marvel films, also commented with three heart emojis.
The new installment in the Black Panther story titled Wakanda Forever will be released in November. Without Boseman, Nyong'o said, it was a challenge. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter at San Diego Comic-Con in July, the actress opened up about filming the highly anticipated sequel to 2018's Black Panther after the loss of Boseman.
Despite it being "a doozy of a few years for everybody," Nyong'o told THR that she was proud that they were able to make the film, calling the act, "a powerful statement unto itself."
"It was very therapeutic," she said. "It restored a sense of hope for me in making it, and I think we've expanded the world of Wakanda in ways that will blow people's minds — not just Wakanda, but the Black Panther world. It's going to blow people's minds, and I just cannot wait until it's not a secret anymore."
In July, Marvel debuted the first teaser trailer for Wakanda Forever. Nyong'o's character Nakia is the first onscreen, followed by appearances from Wright as Shuri in an all-white outfit and, later, in tearful scenes on the beach.
A synopsis of the film states that the characters "must fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T'Challa's death."
#BoxOfficeNews:‘The Invitation’ Tops Box Office With $7 Million in Catastrophically Slow Weekend
If three new movies debut in theaters, but nobody goes to see them…
That is how Sony’s creepy thriller “The Invitation” managed to top box office charts with a paltry $7 million from 3,114 North American cinemas. Its win comes with some pretty weak bragging rights; it’s the lowest first-place finish since May 2021, when COVID was keeping lots of people at home and “Spiral” grossed only $4.5 million.
Now, it’s not the pandemic that’s preventing most audiences from going to theaters. It’s the lack of appealing options. Overall, the domestic box office generated just $52.7 million over the weekend, according to Comscore — the worst collective result in months.
And the bad times are expected to continue until at least late September or early October, when “Don’t Worry Darling” (Sept. 23), “Halloween Ends” (Oct. 14) and the comic book adaptation “Black Adam” (Oct. 21) open in theaters. It’s a disappointing finale to an otherwise strong summer at the movies, which fielded plenty of box office hits including “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “Thor: Love and Thunder” and “Elvis.”
Over the weekend, two other films — director George Miller’s R-rated fantasy “Three Thousand Years of Longing” and the John Boyega-led heist drama “Breaking” — also opened in cinemas to middling results, landing in seventh and 13th place, respectively.
“The Invitation” cost $10 million to produce, so it won’t take a ton of coinage to turn a profit. But negative reviews and its pesky “C” CinemaScore likely won’t be helpful in convincing people to go to theaters. Directed by Jessica M. Thompson, “The Invitation” follows Evie (Nathalie Emmanuel of “Game of Thrones” fame) who is invited to her long-lost family’s home in the English countryside, where she discovers sinister secrets.
“Original horror movies do not play particularly well overseas, but in this case the primarily British cast should help,” David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, says of “The Invitation.”
Despite solid reviews, “Three Thousand Years of Longing,” which co-stars Idris Elba as a Djinn and Tilda Swinton as the scholar who gets three wishes, cratered in its debut with $2.87 million from 2,436 locations. It’s a terrible result for a movie that’s playing in thousands of theaters across the country. Industry experts blame the weak turnout on minimal promotional efforts, as well as the decision to open in wide release. A platform release, in which an arthouse movie plays in select theaters before expanding across the country, would have allowed “Three Thousand Years” to benefit from positive word-of-mouth.
Given its $60 million production budget, MGM and United Artists Releasing’s “Three Thousand Years of Longing” is shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest bombs. Unless Miller, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the “Mad Max” series, finds his own genie to grant wishes, the movie is unlikely to claw its way out of the red. MGM only holds domestic rights to the film and did not produce it.
“This is a weak opening for an original adventure movie. At a cost of approximately $60 million, ‘Three Thousand Years’ will finish in the red, even with good ancillary distribution,” predicts Gross. “Not all movies come together as planned — this one did not come together.”
It’s even bleaker for “Breaking,” a tense drama about a hostage situation, which did not crack the top 10 in its box office debut. In 13th place, the Bleecker Street film scraped together $1.022 million from 902 theaters.
Without competition from newcomers, holdovers “Bullet Train,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” and “Beast” populated the top five on domestic box office charts.
“Bullet Train” nabbed second place with $5.6 million from 3,513 locations. After a month on the big screen, the Brad Pitt-led caper has generated $78 million to date. “Bullet Train” has also amassed $95.4 million at the international box office, putting global ticket sales at a solid $173.4 million.
Universal’s survival thriller “Beast,” also starring Elba, claimed the No. 3 spot with $4.9 million from 3,754 venues. The film has grossed $20 million to date in North America.
In fourth place, “Top Gun: Maverick” collected $4.75 million from 2,962 locations in its 14th weekend of release. It’s a testament to the endurance of Tom Cruise’s blockbuster sequel (or it’s a sign that truly nothing is playing in theaters) that “Maverick” is still selling tickets, even though it’s available on home entertainment. With $691.2 million in North America, the action flick is less than $9 million away from knocking down “Black Panther” ($700 million) as the fifth-highest grossing movie in domestic box office history.
“Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero,” which topped the box office last weekend, suffered a steep 78% decline and tumbled to the No. 5 slot with $4.45 million from 3,100 locations. A drop that severe is not entirely surprising because anime films tend to play like horror in terms of ticket sales, with front-loaded opening weekends. So far, “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” has generated $30 million in North America.
‘Lady in the Lake’ Filming Halted in Baltimore After Apple TV+ Production Threatened With Shooting
The Baltimore production of the Apple TV+ series “Lady in the Lake” was halted on Friday afternoon after the producers decided to “err on the side of caution” after receiving threats of violence.
The Baltimore police department confirmed that a group of locals contacted producers working a shoot on Park Avenue in the downtown area at around 4 p.m. on Friday. The group threatened to return in the evening to shoot somebody if production didn’t cease. Producers were also told to pay a sum of $50,000 to the group before production would be allowed to continue.
Leaders on the series elected to reschedule filming and look for another location after receiving the message, according to the police department.
Representatives for Apple TV+ were not immediately available for comment. It remains unclear if production has resumed since the incident.
“Lady in the Lake” filming began in April and is expected to continue through the fall. The series takes place in Baltimore in 1966 and is adapted from local author Laura Lippman’s novel of the same name. The series stars Natalie Portman and Moses Ingram, alongside Y’Lan Noel, Mikey Madison and Brett Gelman.
David Simon, creator of the Baltimore-set series “The Wire” and Lippman’s husband, shared a statement regarding the production halt to honor how authorities handled the situation.
“We shot 200 hours of television over two decades. Communicated where we shot. Always a few loudmouths hyping; always folks in crew — locations, security, BPD — trained to firmly but respectfully respond. Baltimore is good people,” Simon wrote.
“Lady in the Lake” comes from Endeavor Content. Alma Har’el serves as creator on the series and is also a director and executive producer, along with Christopher Legget, under her new production company Zusa. Portman executive produces along with her producing partner, Sophie Mas. Crazyrose principals Nathan Ross and the late Jean-Marc Vallée executive produce along with Julie Gardner for Bad Wolf. Amy J. Kaufman and Layne Eskridge of POV Entertainment also executive produce, as does Lippman and Boaz Yakin.
The Baltimore Banner first reported the situation.
Adidas Parts Ways with Fernando Tatis Jr. Following PED Suspension
It’s been a tumultuous season in the career of San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., who received an 80-game suspension for violating the MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy earlier this month. Tatis, signee of a massive 14-year, $340 million contract with the Padres in 2021, had already not played a single game this season after breaking his wrist in a motorcycle accident during the offseason. It’s been reported that the Padres will not attempt to get out of their agreement with Tatis, but the same can’t be said for another one of his biggest partners.
Global sportswear brand Adidas announced that it has terminated its relationship with Tatis following the PED suspension.
“We believe that sport should be fair,” an Adidas spokesman told ESPN’s Alden González. “We have a clear policy on doping and can confirm that our partnership with Fernando Tatis Jr. will not continue.”
Tatis officially joined Adidas in 2020 following a Rookie of the Year campaign in San Diego. He was the face of several product activations and even launched his own colorway of the popular Ultra Boost running shoe last year.
Tatis has acknowledged his use of Clostebol, a synthetic muscle-building steroid, but insists it wasn’t his intention. Instead, he says that it was in a medication he was taking to treat a case of ringworm. Tatis’ suspension will last the rest of this season and early next season, depending on how many playoff games the Padres play.
R&B Singer Tank Sued By Law Firm for Unpaid Legal Fees
*A law firm has sued R&B singer Tank (real name is Durrell Artaze Babbs) for failing to pay legal fees after being represented in a federal copyright infringement case.
Tank allegedly owes the firm $265,000. The lawsuit was filed by McPherson LLP at Los Angeles Superior Court.
McPherson LLP accuses the 46-year-old performer of breaching the contract with them and wants the “Please Don’t Go” singer to pay not less than $265,710, plus interest.
McPherson LLP is headed by Edwin McPherson, who has represented many celebrities, such as Sandra Bullock, for a long time.
In June 2018, Tank turned to the firm when he, his record label and his manager needed representation after musician Kerry Marshall Jr. sued in him federal court.
Marshall accused Tank of using portions of his (Marshall’s) original copyrighted track from his YouTube channel in Tank’s song “Only One.”
Marshall claimed that Tank copied key structural elements, themes and motifs from Marshall’s song.
Tank initially pledged to pay all costs and fees associated with his representation to McPherson LLP and the law firm on its part staged a fierce battle in court for him.
The case was ultimately settled, according to the new lawsuit filed by McPherson against Tank.
After the case, Tank made occasional payments for ten months before stopping even as the firm “tirelessly” continued to work for him and his other co-accused.
Woman’s Leaked Sex Tape Case Against Kevin Hart Headed to Trial
*In August 2017, comedian Kevin Hart had consensual sex with a woman named Montia Sabbag in a hotel room at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. It later emerged that the whole encounter was secretly being recorded. According to the woman, Kevin Hart knew about the recording and later used the video for commercial reasons.
Sabbag sued the 43-year-old comedian for $60 million for negligence and invasion of privacy. On Friday, and after hearing arguments and briefly taking the case under submission, Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Shirley K. Watkins ruled that the woman can take most of her claims to trial.
The judge, at the same time, ruled against a motion by Hart’s attorneys to dismiss Sabbag’s suit because it had no triable issues.
The trial is set to start on October 17.
D.C. Teen Is One Of The Youngest Licensed Black Pilots In U.S.
A Washington D.C. teen is making his dreams a reality as he becomes one of the nation’s youngest Black licensed pilots.
According to Fox 5 DC, Christopher Ballinger, 17, completed the Air Force Junior ROTC Flight Academy Program. He was one of the hundreds — out of thousands of applicants — to partake in the eight-week program over the summer.
During his interview, Ballinger said he realized he had this dream when he was just a freshman in high school.
“I’ve always loved roller coasters, video games and in there you can fly all the time,” he said. “I think since then I just loved flying ever since.”
The eight-week summer program is not a light jog in the park. His day consisted of waking up at 5 a.m. and doing a written and flying test.
“We had to learn a lot in a short amount of time,” he explained.
Ballinger also discussed the lack of diversity in the program, having been the only Black pilot in the program.
“When I was actually at the camp, there weren’t any other Black people there,” he said. Being a minority in his program provided motivation to be a role model to let others who look like him know that their dreams and aspirations are within reach.
His advice to those striving to reach new heights is, “please keep doing any opportunity that you have because you never know what can come out of it.”
Coming into his senior year of high school, Ballinger began his application process for the Air Force Academy. He eventually wants to join the Air Force and fly military planes.
Robin Roberts To Take A Break From ‘Good Morning America’
Robin Roberts is taking some personal time away from anchoring Good Morning America.
According to Pop Culture, the 61-year-old broadcaster and breast cancer survivor revealed months ago that her partner, Amber Laign, was also diagnosed with breast cancer and recently finished radiation treatments.
Roberts is a two-time survivor and was first diagnosed in 2007 after discovering a lump. She made the discovery while prepping for a news segment on performing self-checks.
Additionally, Roberts has battled myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare type of blood cancer where abnormal cells form in the body’s bone marrow, causing her to undergo a bone marrow transplant to save her life.
It isn’t clear when Roberts will return to the air, but it appears she may be gone until at least sometime in September, according to an Instagram post she made about taking some time away.
In a video posted on August 24 titled Wisdom Wednesdays, Roberts shared a message of inspiration from her dressing room. A daily message of prayer, she reads the following line from her phone: "You may have made mistakes, but you are still a child of the most high God. You may have gone through disappointments, but you have royal blood flowing through your veins. You may have missed some good opportunities, but let these words sink deep down into your spirit. The king is still in you, the queen is still in you. You are still wearing a crown of favor. Now you have to start calling out that king, calling out that queen. You have to release what God has put inside of you already."
Georgia Man Awarded $100M After Being Tased By Police Left Him Paralyzed
Four years ago, a 65-year-old man was paralyzed from the neck down after being tased by an Atlanta police officer. During the encounter, he fell and fractured his neck.
Now, a federal jury has awarded him $100 million, ruling that the officer involved used excessive force.
The verdict came about Friday afternoon and was the ending result of a resolving civil lawsuit filed on behalf of the now 69-year-old Jerry Blasingame.
Blasingame’s conservator, Keith Edwards, sued the city of Atlanta and the acting officer, Jon Grubbs, for both the cost of his past and future medical bills, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Attorneys on behalf of Blasingame said the Grubbs should have known better than to use a Taser on an elderly man who was running away from him. They also claimed the officer violated police department policy and that his actions left the victim with injuries that he’ll suffer from for the rest of his life.
“We are very, very grateful to this amazing jury and so proud of the amazing work they’ve done in holding this officer accountable and getting justice for Mr. Blasingame,” attorney Ven Johnson said.
The lawsuit is one of the few civil cases that will make it to trial. Less than 1% of federal suits make it before a jury.
“While only a small percentage of lawsuits actually go to a jury trial, sometimes that is the only way they can be resolved,” civil rights attorney Craig Jones told the AJC.
On the afternoon of July 10, 2018, near Windsor Street, in downtown Atlanta, Blasingame, who was unarmed, was on the street and asking people for money when Grubbs and another officer arrived and saw the man talking with a driver, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court in 2019 read.
When Grubbs exited from his APD patrol car and told Blasingame to stop, Blasingame moved out of the street to a guard rail, and the lawsuit continued. Then, Grubbs ran toward him.
“Grubbs gets out of the car and starts chasing my client — a 65-year-old man— and for what? For potentially asking people for money?” Johnson said.
At some point, the officer deployed his Taser on the victim, causing him to “fall and seriously injure himself.”
“Due to the tase and subsequent fall, Mr. Blasingame became unconscious and was bleeding profusely from his head,” the lawsuit reads. Grubbs then called for medical assistance, and Blasingame was transported to the trauma center at Grady Memorial Hospital.
“You run from the police, you get what you sow. That’s what some people think. But that’s not so,” Johnson said during his closing argument on Thursday.
The attorney said the incident had turned his client into a “prisoner in his own body,” adding that the incident left Blasingame with a severe spinal cord injury that has made him unable to use all four of his limbs.
Blasingame will now spend the remainder of his life in a residential facility requiring round-the-clock care and has accrued more than $14 million in medical bills. The estimated cost for his care in the future is anticipated to be around $1 million each year.
“Jerry Blasingame matters,” he said. “Jerry Blasingame and his suffering.”
Grubbs joined the Atlanta Police Department as a cadet in 2013 and became a full officer a year late. He has served on the force since then.
He has no sanctions in his POST records and is also listed as an officer in good standing by the state police certifying agency.
Comedian Aries Spears Addresses The Backlash From His Fat-Shaming Remarks About Lizzo: “I Knew It Was Coming”
Comedian Aries Spears responds after making disparaging comments about Lizzo.
Spears recently appeared on ‘Art Of Dialogue,’ where he made a few distasteful remarks about Lizzo. During the interview, the host brought up Lizzo making great music. Spears then took the opportunity to share his opinions about the singer.
“Lizzo? I can’t get past the fact that she looks like the sh*t emoji,” Spears said. “She got a very pretty face, but she keeps showing her body off n*gga, like c’mon, yo. I’m sorry. Listen, I ain’t the most in shape n*gga in the world, but when you funny and you got swagger and confidence and you decent looking. I think I’m at least handsome, you get p*ssy. But a woman that’s built like a plate of mashed potatoes, you’re in trouble.”
However, as he anticipated, the video quickly circulated on social media and brought on backlash to Spears. Fans called out the ‘Mad TV’ actor for his statement about Lizzo.
On Saturday, Spears posted a video on Instagram addressing the controversy.
“I KNEW IT WAS COMING!!!” he wrote in the caption. “If the people that are angry particularly women really paid attention to the art of dialogue interview one I even called myself out for needing to lose weight and two more importantly the main point was celebrating the wrong thing there’s a lot of hypocritical women who also bash men at laughters expense but if you’re going to celebrate sister hood while Lizzo’s confidence is commendable it’s also dangerous.”
R. Kelly’s Daughter, Joann Kelly, Shares That She’s Lost Record Deals Because Of Her Father’s Reputation
R. Kelly’s eldest daughter, Joann Kelly, reveals that she’s been turned down from record deals because of her father.
Joann, who goes by Buku Abi, briefly appeared on Atlanta’s radio station Majic 107.5 alongside her mother, Drea Kelly. During the interview, the host asked Buku if her music career had flourished or was hindered because of who her father was. Buku says it was both.
“For me, the experience has been, ‘You’re only getting this because of who your parents are,’ and then, ‘You’re not getting this because of who your parents are,’” she said.
The host interjected and asked if she’s been turned down from things, and she replied, “absolutely.”
“Simply based off of my last name,” Buku said. “I think for me, especially ’cause a lot of people don’t know, music is my first passion. I love music. I’m a singer, songwriter, I love music, and I been doing music since I was 13 years old.”
She continued, “That’s the first time I ever wrote a song was at 13, and from 13 up until 24, I’ve been trying to get into the music business. Trying to get into the industry and all those years, it’s either been you’re getting it because of who your dad is or you not getting it because of who your dad is. I’ve been this close to a record deal, and when they found out who I was, it got swiped away…the paperwork was drawn up and everything. Flew out to L.A. and everything. [Somebody] found out who I was, and that was it.”
R. Kelly is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence for being convicted on nine counts of racketeering and sex trafficking charges back in 2021.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘THE DARK KNIGHT’
At least he’s wearing socks
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Mr. Roberto
Meet Mr. Roberto! You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSFW!
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