#FASHIONFILES: Gucci ‘Cosmogonie’ Cruise 2023 Ad Campaign
Myriad marvels come together in the House’s latest campaign to present the Cruise 2023 collection, illuminating connections between pasts and futures.
Against the backdrop of the historic Castel del Monte in Italy, previously unknown configurations of elevated elegance walked the runway as elements from distant eras and geographies came together in shining visions of the contemporary.
In the campaign, another constellation is set in orbit, one that connects the extreme realism of Flemish Renaissance portraiture with an imaginary rendering of a vibrant skyscape. The defining props of poets, scholars, astronomers, philosophers, and mathematicians placed throughout hint at the countless inspirations woven through the collection, defining a universal language of encounters, stories, forms, and proportions.
It is this connective structure that further illuminates the poetic fête of colors, silhouettes, and references. Sixteenth-century ruffs, Victorian-inspired boots, silhouettes from the forties, 1970s optical patterns, the new Aphrodite bag, and more come together in magical encounters to launch the narrative of the House into the stars.
#RHOA: Cynthia Bailey Speaks Out About NeNe Leakes' Ongoing Bitter Battle With Bravo & Andy Cohen
Cynthia Bailey spoke out about NeNe Leakes' ongoing battle with Bravo and Andy Cohen, RadarOnline.com has learned, revealing it's "unfortunate to watch how their relationship has ended."
The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum noted that she and Leakes have been longtime friends, describing her outspoken pal as "THE housewife" to watch.
"Like when you think of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, you think of Nene Leakes and that is all, you know, Bravo's creation," she said while chatting with David Yontef on the Behind the Velvet Rope podcast.
Since then, Leakes has fallen out with Cohen, having sued the TV personality and Bravo for racism and blacklisting her after her RHOA departure.
Leakes said she was forced to deal with racist comments made by costar Kim Zolciak-Biermann for years, alleging she had complained to execs but was told to stay quiet.
Leakes has now dropped the lawsuit, but she and Cohen have yet to come to a resolution. As for whether their friendship will pick back up, that remains up in the air.
"They worked so well together for so many years," Bailey shared. "It really breaks my heart to see where it's at now."
"She was like my first friend on the show," continued the Bravolebrity. "I've seen what it was and it is ... And I hope that they can work past it, work through it."
Leakes was such a "big part of this franchise for so long that it would be nice to see it work out," added Bailey.
The ex-RHOA star recently sat down for a one-on-one with Larry Reid, during which she addressed her battle with Bravo.
"We still have legal things," Leakes dished. "The fact that we are in this situation is why we can't talk personally."
Reid also asked if she regretted filing the lawsuit to which Leakes replied, "I honestly don't." As RadarOnline.com first reported, NeNe dismissed her lawsuit but the two are still fighting in private arbitration.
#MusicNews: SZA Reveals 'SOS' Features That Didn't Make The Album
SZA is revealing some SOS features that went MIA. Last week, the singer released her long-awaited album featuring Travis Scott, Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
But there were some big names that didn’t make the cut. SZA revealed the potential features in a behind-the-scenes video titled “Where the Hell Have You Been.” At the 1:43 mark, a whiteboard is shown featuring track titles and potential features including Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, RosalÃa, and Westside Gunn.
Other names on the board include Billie Eilish, Kacey Musgraves, Olivia Rodrigo, and Halsey. The name Frank is also written, a possible reference to Frank Ocean. The only feature that made the 23-track album was Don Toliver, who can be heard on “Used” (SZA said they recorded a second song that she hopes to release in the future).
Doja Cat is also listed. She was supposed to appear on “Shirt,” but the feature didn’t happen because of Doja’s emergency tonsil surgery. “She had to have that emergency vocal cord surgery and she wasn’t ready in the time that we needed to get the song done,” SZA told Nessa on Hot 97.
It’s unclear why the other collaborations didn’t happen. SZA said that several artists did not submit their verses in time, but she plans to release a deluxe album that could include Doja among others.
“I would love to get her on the deluxe. I would love to get a few people on the deluxe, hopefully, we’ll see,” she said. “When them verses come in, they come in, child.”
Missing features aside, SOS was released to critical acclaim and is expected to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 315,000 copies.
SZA is also bringing the album on tour. She has announced dates for her “SOS Tour” with Omar Apollo. The 17-city North American trek kicks off Feb. 21 in Columbus, Ohio and wraps March 22 in Los Angeles.
#HipHopNews: Pusha T Says Kanye West Is Not Speaking To Him
Pusha T is not biting his tongue when it comes to Kanye West. The Grammy-nominated rapper continues to speak out amid all the controversy surrounding his longtime friend and collaborator. In a new interview with XXL, the former G.O.O.D. Music president admits that Ye no longer speaks to him because they don’t see eye to eye.
“He’s not speaking to me now. If you ain’t with it, you ain’t down,” said Pusha, who doesn’t agree with Ye’s hate-filled agenda. “And I ain’t with it. I’m not budging on that. I’m not with it.”
Pusha was quick to distance himself from Ye’s anti-Black and anti-Semitic comments, calling them “beyond disappointing.”
“It’s beyond that and it’s nothing to tap dance around. It’s wrong. Period,” he continued. “But to me, it’s just me and him having a difference of opinion yet again. ’Cause we done had this for years.”
He also addressed Ye’s controversial interview with Alex Jones’ “InfoWars” where he praised Hitler and the Nazis, acknowledging that mental health may be at play.
“I heard about this new stuff [on ‘InfoWars’]. I don’t know. It’s something that just sort of tells me he’s not well, at the same time. I will say that. It’s going to places where it’s no way to move around.”
During the interview, Pusha also revisited his four-year-old feud with Drake. “Every time I hear a subliminal in one of his songs, it just lets me know how deep it hurt him,” he said. “Because it’s been four years now. And we still talking about it. He is. I don’t. I’m cool. But every time it’s a subliminal, I’m like, Yes. It burns. It still burns. It lets me know. I love it.”
Pusha, whose album It’s Almost Dry is nominated for Best Rap Album at the Grammys, is pushing forward with new music. He is working on a “special mixtape” and has been in the studio with Pharrell, No I.D., and Steve Lacy.
“What I’m trying to do is restore the feeling in every aspect of this subgenre of music,” he explained. “And just of this cloth, of this taste level. I’m just trying to make people realize how viable this is. To show people that I can’t do what you do, but you definitely can’t do what I do. I have to show those differences. That’s the whole premise behind the mixtape.”
Mary J. Blige Strikes Wide-Ranging Deal With BET Via Her Blue Butterfly Banner, Sets Talk Show ‘The Wine Down’
BET has signed a first-look non-scripted deal and a second-look scripted deal with Mary J. Blige and her production company, Blue Butterfly.
In addition to her partnership with BET, Blue Butterfly has a first-look scripted TV deal with Lionsgate Television.
The first project from her first-look deal with BET is the unscripted series The Wine Down, a talk show hosted by Blige currently in production. The Wine Down “will bring together the hottest, most outspoken, highly sought-after people in entertainment, sports, social media, and politics” for “raw, provocative, insightful, and real conversations” over wine. Blige has her own wine label, Sun Goddess, with Italian winemaker Marco Fantinel which launched in 2020. Guests will be announced at a later date.
The Wind Down is executive produced by Blige and her partners Ashaunna Ayars and Nicole Jackson, as well as Lisa Erspalmer, and John and Jordan Davis of Davis Entertainment.
“BET has been one of my biggest supporters throughout my career,” said the multihyphenate in a statement. “Being able to now create together, for them to be so supportive of my vision for the type of content I will create, is something I am grateful and excited for. We already have multiple projects in the works and there is much more to come.”
Blue Butterfly Productions is a film, TV, and digital content company founded in 2019. Through the banner, she is expanding her career of telling stories through music, to creating diverse stories and narratives for all audiences on film.
Blue Butterfly recently executive produced her documentary with Amazon Studios, Mary J. Blige’s My Life. They also launched the inaugural sold-out “Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit” in May. Currently, they are in development on various TV and film projects including the film Real Love with Lifetime and Sony Pictures Television.
News of her deal arrives at the tail-end of a banner year for Blige. She was nominated for 6 Grammys including Album of the Year and Record of the Year. She co-headlined the Super Bowl LVI Half-Time show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar. Blige also dropped her 15th studio album, Good Morning Gorgeous, in February and recently concluded touring in support of the release.
“As we strive to provide our audience with the best in biopics and documentaries, we are poised to remain at the forefront in offering high-quality, authentic on-screen portrayals of the lives of the culture’s most significant Black talent; and we are proud to supercharge the portfolio of content through our collaboration with Mary J. Blige’s production company, Blue Butterfly,” says Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, BET. “Throughout her legendary career, Mary has blazed trails to become a global superstar. With Blue Butterfly, Mary develops awe-inspiring stories of the Black experience while uniquely using music to set the foundation. Mary has been a vital part of the BET family and we are eager to see our partnership flourish through this partnership.”
As an actor, Blige stars as the matriarch of the Tejada family, Monet in the Starz hit series Power Book II: Ghost. It was recently announced the show will premiere its third season on March 17.
Blige is represented by APA, The Ayars Agency, and Granderson Des Rochers.
#OFFICIAL Raphael Warnock’s Senate Runoff Win Confirmed By State Audit
Sen. Raphael Warnock has won the Georgia Senate election and election to a six-year term. That isn’t new information, but now a state-ordered audit confirms it.
A hand count of ballots in the Dec. 6 U.S. Senate runoff was almost identical to the original computer count in which Warnock, a Democrat, defeated Republican challenger Herschel Walker.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that out of a randomized sample of nearly 165,000 ballots reviewed, the audit counted five more votes for Warnock and four fewer for Walker. According to the full count of computer-scanned ballots, Warnock won the race by more than 99,000 votes out of more than 3.5 million ballots cast.
Sen. Raphael Warnock Holds Off Challenge From Herschel Walker In Georgia Senate Runoff Election
“This audit showed once again that our system works and that Georgia’s voting system is accurate,” Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said, according to the AJC.
Election offices in 138 of Georgia's 159 counties took part in the optional runoff audit that Raffensperger requested. State election officials are encouraging more regular ballot checks as a way to confirm vote totals. Georgia law mandates an audit following each general election every two years.
Election officials claimed that in many areas, the audited results matched the preliminary ones. Nearly 95 percent of the batches of ballots had no deviation from the original number of votes cast for each candidate.
Stephen 'TWitch' Boss' Wife Denies Having Argument With Him Before His Suicide
Stephen "tWitch" Boss' widow has allegedly claimed there were no "issues" with her late husband when he left home before his suicide. On Tuesday, December 13, Allison Holker told police officers there was no argument with the 40-year-old DJ and dancer when he left their family home without his car to go to a motel 15 minutes' walk from their family home where he was found dead, according to TMZ.
Law enforcement sources told the outlet police were handling Stephen's absence a "critical missing persons" case after his wife reported her concerns he had left their house before they discovered his body at the Oak Tree Inn in Encino, California.
Officials from the Los Angeles County medical examiner confirmed on Wednesday, December 14 "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" regular had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Along with Allison - his wife of nine years, the actor is survived by their three children, Weslie, 14, Maddox, six, and three-year-old Zaia.
Stephen's "Magic Mike XXL" co-star Channing Tatum, 42, said in tribute to Stephen on Instagram, "My head or heart can not understand this. There is just so much... i don't know where to begin. I love you. I'll see you again my friend. Until then."
Allison, who had posted a joyful post marking their ninth wedding anniversary on Saturday, three days before Stephen was found dead, said on Wednesday, "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us."
"Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him," the actress, who married Boss in December 2013, went on to write. "He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans."
Harvey Weinstein Found Guilty on 3 Out of 7 Sexual Assault and Rape Charges
Disgraced former movie producer Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of sexual assault and rape in a Los Angeles court on Monday.
According to Insider, Weinstein was found guilty on all three charges of forcible oral copulation, forcible rape, and sexual penetration by foreign object pertaining to Jane Doe 1. CNN reports Jane Doe 1 is a model and actress who accused Weinstein of assaulting her in a hotel room in Feb. 2013.
The jury, consisting of four women and eight men, was unable to reach a verdict on sexual battery by restraint, forcible oral copulation, and rape charges for the remaining two women, one of which has been identified as Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“My client, Jane Doe 4, shared her story not with an expectation to testify but to support all the survivors who bravely came forward,” Newsom’s attorney Elizabeth Fegan said in a statement. “While we are heartened that the jury found Weinstein guilty on some of the counts, we are disappointed that the jury could not reach an unanimous verdict on Jane Doe 4. She will continue to fight for all women and all survivors of abuse against a system that permits the victim to be shamed and re-traumatized in the name of justice.”
Weinstein was previously acquitted of a sexual battery charge from another woman, who has been referred to as Jane Doe 3.
After 10 days of deliberations, the jury will reconvene on Tuesday for arguments on special findings. Insider reports these debates will ultimately decide whether Weinstein receives 18 or 24 years behind bars.
“Harvey is obviously disappointed, however hopefully because with this particular accuser there are good ground to appeal based on time and location of alleged events,” Weinstein’s spokesperson Juda Engelmayer said in a statement obtained by CNN. “He is grateful the jury took their time to deliberate on the other counts and he is prepared to continue fighting for his innocence.”
Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year sentence after being convicted of rape and sexual assault in New York two years ago.
Former Patriots NFL Player Willie McGinest Arrested, Charged With Felony Assault & Alleged Video of Altercation Surfaces
Willie McGinest has been arrested. The 51-year-old former New England Patriots NFL player and current NFL Network analyst was under arrest on Monday morning (December 19) on charges of felony assault with a deadly weapon, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office said, via Sports Illustrated.
The alleged incident happened on December 9 in a nightclub on the 7900 block of Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. Witnesses have since identified the football player as being involved.
In a video obtained by TMZ Sports, a man that appears to be Willie is seen punching a man in the face and hitting him in the head with a bottle.
He arrived at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s West Hollywood Station on Monday morning (December 19) and provided a statement regarding the incident, and was arrested at approximately 10 a.m. ET.
Willie posted the $30,000 bond and was released from custody at 12:46 p.m. ET. He is due in court to address the charges Wednesday (December 21), according to the report.
Janelle Monáe And Maren Morris Were Revealed As ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Guest Judges In A Trailer For Season 15
The just-released trailer for RuPaul’s Drag Race is revealing more superstar special guests. Janelle Monáe, Maren Morris, and Hayley Kiyoko will appear as guest judges for season 15 in addition to the previously-announced Ariana Grande.
Last week, RuPaul’s Drag Race revealed that Grande will be the first guest judge for the season premiere next month. A trailer for season 15 unveiled who else will be joining the judging panel. Country music star Maren Morris is shown judging the runway and saying, “I’m gagging! Hands down my favorite look of the night.” R&B singer and actress Janelle Monáe is also shown putting in her two cents. “You killed it!” she says. “This was top tier.”
The trailer also revealed more of Ariana Grande’s appearance on the show. The pop superstar is shown behind the judging panel saying, “This was a total game-changer! You’re damn talented.” Grande previously appeared as a guest judge on the show during season seven in 2015. Hayley Kiyoko and Orville Peck will also appear as guests for the upcoming season.
Sixteen drag queens will be competing for the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar.” Among the new contestants are drag icon Sasha Colby and twins Sugar and Spice. Season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race will premiere on Friday, January 6 on MTV. As with past seasons, the premiere will be split into two episodes.
Watch the season 15 trailer HERE.
Stephen Hill said Jermaine Dupri creating "106 & Park" might be an "overstep"
Stephen Hill chimed in on the conversation of who invented “106 & Park,” and he sided with Lil Bow Wow, saying that Jermaine Dupri creating the show “might be a bit of an overstep.”
Yesterday (Dec. 18), after Bow Wow heard the news of JD claiming to have invented BET’s 90-minute countdown show, he responded on his Instagram, stating that his former So So Def label head was “cap.”
Mr. 106 deleted the IG post, but he took it to Twitter to express his thoughts on the situation. “JD ain’t create ‘106 & Park’ stop the cap,” he tweeted. “Stephen Hill, Rick Grimes and all the great people in the BET OFFICE and staff created that show. All I did was capitalize off of what they created and made it mine. I would know…. I am Mr. 106! I would never take away from someone’s creativity.
Bow Wow’s former labelmate, Da Brat, came to Dupri’s defense, suggesting that Bow Wow is discrediting the Atlanta music mogul. She responded in a post of her own.
“Man wtf? I really don’t have the time or patience for this s**t but I got BOTH TODAY,” Da Brat, who put out four albums under JD’s iconic Atlanta imprint, said on Instagram. “Bow what I can’t [let you] do is discredit my big brother JD who u called your dad for so many years cuz that is pretty much the [role] you gave him and instead of sayin h**l no, he rocked with it.”
She continued: “You are being so rude and disrespectful to the person who believed in you, nurtured you, made you a complete star, wrote all yo hits, accepted the challenge when Snoop brought you to him. He has never done ANYTHING to you but help. I ain’t finna [let you] drag the most nonconfrontational person who loved, cared for u and spoiled yo a** for years.
“He isn’t and never would discredit BET execs. He discussed creating ‘106’ b4 it was created so Black people could have their own ‘TRL.’ NO CAP! If this is watchu wanna do… LET’S F**KIN GO! Pull up lil n**ga witcho disrespectful a**. So ungrateful.”
Hill finally chimed in and cleared all of the rumors with his reply to Bow’s comments.
“Yeahhhhhhh, our memories on how ‘106 & Park’ differ GREATLY,” said BET’s former president of programming. “No one challenges that Bow Wow helped launch ‘106’ to great heights… that is for sure true. But ‘CREATED BY ME’ might be a bit of an overstep for ya, my man Love you ALWAYS!!!”
On (Dec. 15), Dupri made an appearance on “The GAUDS Show,” a podcast hosted by Ray Daniels, where he declared that he created “106 & Park” not only for his then-artist Lil Bow Wow, but also to challenge “TRL.”
“106 & Park,” named after the original studio location at East 106th Street and Park Avenue in New York City, made its debut on Sept. 11, 2000 with hosts AJ Calloway and Marie “Free” Wright. On Nov. 8, the then-13-year-old rapper Shad “Lil Bow Wow” Moss came on to the show to drop off his latest album, Beware of Dog. Then the young emcee made history. His first 10 videos all reached No. 1 on the “106 & Park” countdown.
Lil Bow Wow would go on to have the most retired videos in the “106’s” history. “That’s My Name,” “Take Ya Home,” “Puppy Love,” “Thank You,” “Let’s Get Down,” “My Baby” and “Let Me Hold You” were all retired.
The show ended in 2014, but Bow Wow is back on BET as the host of “Happily Ever After.”
Romeo Miller Accuses His Dad Master P of Stealing Money Throughout His Career Amid Feud on Social Media
Romeo Miller and his dad Master P are in a feud on social media and it seems to be over money.
It all started after Master P posted a tribute to the late Stephen “tWitch” Boss and wrote a message about mental illness.
“These are crazy times we are living in, you can be smiling one day and Gone the next! He was suppose to be a guest DJ on a concert we were having Jan. 13th. Life is Too Short, Appreciate your loved ones……………. #Mentalillness is Real,” Master P wrote after tWitch‘s death to suicide.
For those who don’t know, Master P‘s daughter Tytyana passed away at 25 back in May from accidental fentanyl intoxication.
In a since-expired Instagram Story, Romeo wrote, “Today was a boiling point. I seen a man avoid his own children struggle with suicide and depression but post another man who passed today that he doesn’t even know. Yall idols be lost. Better stop following the blind. Watch when it’s revealed.”
Master P later went on his Instagram account to share a video message and caption in which he addressed the feud with his son Romeo.
“I’m at peace now, I know the Truth. This social media rant was never about my daughter. This is about some money. Houses, cars and jewelry are temporary, you can’t take any of it with you when you die. Life is too short. People gotta stop being ungrateful and place blame when they’re not where they want to be in life. I’m tired of people saying they love me only when I give them something. I’m not an ATM machine or a robot, I have feelings too. Thanks for all your prayers, we need it. I’m moving on, going back to work and hustle for the ones that appreciate me. @romeomiller,” he wrote. Watch the video below.
Romeo later took to his Instagram account to release a lengthy statement in which he accused his father of stealing money throughout his career.
The post has since been deleted, but you can read it below.
Romeo said, “I would just like to thank James and Taylor of Rap Snacks for seeking the truth and doing proper business. This year I will get my first Rap Snacks check and finally start receiving my earnings from my bags. I was told as a kid that we owned Rap Snacks, and that my payday would come after we put in work and sold the company, silly me! I promoted a company for free for 15+ years based on the word of my pops, without being allowed to see any contracts or even meet with the team, and I stayed loyal…but I’m entitled and ungrateful now? Only addressing this here because my father is trying to gaslight and break me instead of taking accountability of his mistakes/greed, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. My mental is very strong because I do the work, but no man or woman should live a lie to protect another. My stand isn’t about money, it’s about the perception of money. My father knows that I’ve made the most earnings over the past 10 yrs and played my part quietly as always so he could shine. In time the truth will prevail and I believe when my father truly leans on only God and not image and money, he will be the richest man in the world if that’s what his heart desires. None of yall love my father more than me, 1 know my sister’s passing was a warning , and just like Moses in the Bible, the man that leads the people out, isn’t always allowed to the promised land because of his own ego. Don’t have to be perfect, but I can’t follow someone who’s been blinded. Yall make fun of me because yall think I was raised a certain way, but I was built for this season of ridicule and misunderstanding. I’m willing to he judged and walk through the fire for my family, in hopes of a great leader waking up. I’ve reached out behind closed doors and got burnt repeatedly. 1-le’s an adult and has to do the honest work as well. Like I told him, I have to love from a distance until then. I have a family now too, and it’s critical I protect my peace. No more suffering in silence. The rise of the Phoenix.”
In response to comments on Instagram, Romeo claimed that his “Lil Romeo” money all went to pay off his dad’s IRS taxes.
Ellen DeGeneres Buys $70 Million Estate in Oceanfront California Town
Ellen DeGeneres is ending her year by breaking real estate records! The former talk show host and her wife Portia de Rossi just bought an estate for a whopping $70 million in the oceanfront town of Carpinteria, which is located in Santa Barbara County.
Ellen and Portia have broken the record for the most expensive residential deal in Santa Barbara. The previous record was set two years ago when billionaire Riley Bechtel bought a $63 million estate, according to Dirt.com.
The new estate owned by Ellen actually consists of two properties. There’s a 3.6-acre piece of land that includes a 9,066 square foot mansion, which was bought for $41.7 million, plus a mostly vacant 6.6-acre piece of land that was purchased for $28.2 million. The two pieces of land are right next to each other and create a 10-acre plot.
The house features five bedrooms and eight bathrooms across three levels of living space. There’s also a three-car garage attached to the house, plus a one-bedroom, one-bath guesthouse.
James Cameron Caught Flipping Off Fans After Not Signing Autographs
After a screening of Avatar: The Way of Water this weekend, director James Cameron flipped off a group of fans who booed him for not signing autographs.
The footage, which has circulated social media, shows Cameron leaving a building en route to his car. A group of fans bombarded the director, who proceeded to enter his vehicle without providing any autographs. As Cameron was escorted into a black car, one person can be heard yelling, “Fuck ‘Avatar.”
As the group of autograph-seeking fans sounded off on the director, Cameron rolled down his window and flipped them off.
The sequel sequel to 2009’s Avatar, The Way of Water stars original cast members Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri, Sigourney Weaver as Dr. Grace Augustine, and Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch. Joining the cast are Kate Winslet, Michelle Yeoh, Edie Falco, Vin Diesel, and Oona Chaplin, among others.
In a recent interview with Sean Evans for Hot Ones, Saldaña praised the sequel as Cameron’s “love letter to the ocean,” an idea she connects to the director’s previous work, as well.
“He’s always had this affinity with the ocean,” Saldaña said at the time. “You saw it in The Abyss. You saw it in Titanic. And he’s always had different angles with it, especially with the hundreds of excursions that he’s done, and he always had to wait for that technology to exist in order for him to manifest what was inside of his mind, you know? And he did it.”
Amber Heard Announces ‘Very Difficult’ Decision to Settle Johnny Depp Defamation Case
Amber Heard has announced a settlement in connection with the defamation case brought against her by Johnny Depp in Virginia.
In an extended statement shared to Instagram on Monday, Heard—who was previously reported to be appealing the verdict in the case—said that she had come to this decision after “a great deal of deliberation.” She also pointed to what she described as her “vilification” on social media surrounding coverage of the case, noting that the settlement does not equate to her offering any admission.
“I make this decision having lost faith in the American legal system, where my unprotected testimony served as entreatment and social media fodder,” Heard said. ‘When I stood before a judge in the UK, I was vindicated by a robust, impartial and fair system, where I was protected from having to give the worst moments of my testimony in front of the world’s media, and where the court found that I was subjected to domestic and sexual violence.”
Comparing that case to proceedings in the U.S., Heard continued, “In the US, however, I exhausted almost all my resources in advance of and during a trial in which I was subjected to a courtroom in which abundant, direct evidence that corroborated my testimony was excluded and in which popularity and power mattered more than reason and due process.”
Heard added that even if her push for an appeal proved to be a success, she “simply cannot go through that” again.
“In settling this case I am also choosing the freedom to dedicate my time to the work that helped me heal after my divorce; work that exists in realms in which I feel seen, heard and believed, and in which I know I can affect change,” Heard said.
In a statement shared with Complex on Monday, Depp’s attorneys said they were “pleased to formally close the door” on this case.
“We are pleased to formally close the door on this painful chapter for Mr. Depp, who made clear throughout this process that his priority was about bringing the truth to light,” Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez, Depp’s attorneys, said. “The jury’s unanimous decision and the resulting judgement in Mr. Depp’s favor against Ms. Heard remain fully in place. The payment of $1M —which Mr. Depp is pledging and will donate to charities—reinforces Ms. Heard’s acknowledgement of the conclusion of the legal system’s rigorous pursuit for justice.”
In June, per an Associated Press report at the time, the judge in the Heard and Depp defamation trial made the jury’s initial award of more than $10 million official. At the center of the case was a 2018 Washington Post op-ed from Heard, while Depp was also ordered at the time to pay $2 million in connection with remarks made by a lawyer representing the actor.
Mean Girls Broadway Performer Stephanie Bissonnette Dead at 32 from Cancer: 'Our Hearts Are Broken'
Mean Girls Broadway cast member Stephanie Bissonnette has died after a years-long battle with brain cancer. She was 32.
The production shared news of the dance teacher, choreographer and performer's death on Twitter Monday morning, writing in a statement that Bissonnette "filled our theater with her laughter and friendship."
"Our hearts are broken as the Mean Girls community mourns the loss of Stephanie Bissonnette," the production wrote in a statement. "Our original Dawn Sweitzer, Stephanie was part of our Broadway company from our first performance to our last."
"She filled our theater with her laughter and friendship, inspired us with her fighting spirit and bravery, and graced our stage with the fiercest talent Broadway has ever known," the statement continued. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Stephanie's family, friends, and the entire Mean Girls community during this time. We will miss her profoundly and encourage everyone to do something they love today in Stephanie's honor."
Bissonnette had publicly shared her experience with a form of brain cancer called medulloblastoma ever since she was diagnosed in 2019, after she originated the role of Dawn Sweitzer as Mean Girls opened at the August Wilson Theatre in New York City in 2018, according to Playbill.
In 2020, Bissonnette told SurvivorNet that she first noticed something was off when she felt a "twinge" while performing a dance move during a Mean Girls performance in 2019.
"I don't think we would have found [the tumor] if I worked a normal 9 to 5 job," she told the outlet of why she decided to see a doctor. "Because I move so much and I do crazy things for a living — I've been doing it since I was 5 — just [that] little moment in the show [made me go], 'Why am I having trouble today? There's got to be something else going on.' "
After doctors removed the performer's tumor in February 2019, treatment for the disease kept Bissonnette away from appearing in Mean Girls for nine months, according to the outlet.
‘Criminal Minds’ Producers to Pay $3 Million to Settle Sexual Harassment Suit
ABC Signature will pay $3 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) regarding sexual harassment and retaliation allegations on the set of “Criminal Minds.”
The suit, which was filed in May 2020, alleged that cinematographer Greg St. Johns subjected multiple male crew members to sexual harassment including unwanted touching and caressing, and made unwelcome and threatening comments.
According to a press release issued by CRD on Monday, ABC Signature as well as “other production companies” and “individual producers” ignored the harassment and fired crew members who complained about it. (ABC Signature co-produced “Criminal Minds” with CBS, where the series aired for 15 seasons from 2005 to 2020. A revival debuted on Paramount+ in November.) The harassment and retaliation violated the Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Ralph Civil Rights Act and a provision in the Civil Code that prohibits sexual harassment in business, service and professional relationships.
“Pursuant to a three-year consent decree resolving this case, ABC Signature will pay $3 million for a
class of approximately twelve individuals, revise and distribute policies to all shows produced by ABC
Signature, train production and human resources employees, meet regularly with production
supervisors and HR to ensure there are no unaddressed complaints of harassment/retaliation on set,
and report on compliance annually to CRD,” the release states.
“Crew members courageously came forward to assert their right to make a living free from sexual
harassment,” said CRD Director Kevin Kish. “No matter the industry, workplace setting or gender of the employees, companies must address credible complaints of harassment and retaliation and take action against harassers.”
St. Johns left “Criminal Minds” in 2018, when Variety first reported the allegations against him based on interviews with 19 people who had worked on the series.
A rep for ABC Signature did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘YES, YOU SHOULD’
Saying legit things at Walmart
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Miguel
Meet Miguel! You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSFW!
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EFREM
