#MAGFAB: Florence Kasumba for Vogue Germany - Jan/Feb 2023
FAB!!!!
#RHOA: Porsha Williams' Has Vacation Pics With Simon and Her “Mini Me” Daughter PJ
Porsha Williams has found her paradise. The Real Housewives of Atlanta newlywed recently took a family vacation to Montego Bay, Jamaica with her daughter, Pilar Jhena "PJ" McKinley, new husband Simon Guobadia, and her mother, Ms. Diane Williams.
"Taken it easy in Jamaica Mon," Porsha captioned a beachy Instagram photo of all four family members. Along with a Jamaican flag and sun emojis, she added "family 1st" in a hashtag.
So it only made sense that Porsha's loved ones showed the post love. "La familia," Simon commented, adding a red heart emoji, while her sister, Lauren Williams, couldn't help but gush over her niece, PJ. "Omg she’s sooooo freaking cute!" Lauren wrote. "Y’all cute too but look at her little face."
Because she and Simon are still very much in the honeymoon stage, Porsha also devoted another IG post to a shot of just the two of them. The newlywed, who had her leg on her husband's lap, added three red hearts, along with a Nigerian flag.
Apparently, coming to Jamaica makes you feel better than alright.
#MusicNews: Barack Obama Reveals His Playlist of Favorite 2022 Tunes
Barack Obama knows what’s good. The former president revealed his playlist of favorite songs from 2022 on Friday (Dec. 23).
“I always enjoy sharing my end of year music playlist with all of you — and this year we heard a lot of great songs. Here are some of my favorites,” he tweeted. “Are there any songs or artists I should check out?”
Indeed. Of the 25 songs he listed, 13 of the artists who created those tunes are nominated for 2023 Grammy awards. And the genres are quite diverse. Obama’s favorites run the gamut from hip-hop to country, Afrobeats to pop, Latin to rock and more.
So what did he spin on repeat this year? Everything from Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart Part 5,” which the artist surprise dropped days ahead of the May arrival of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers; to Bad Bunny’s “Titi Me Pregunto” off this year’s Top Billboard 200 Album Un Verano Sin Ti; Beyonce’s “Break My Soul” from Renaissance; Zach Bryan’s “Something in the Orange”; “Maggie Rogers’ “That’s Where I Am”; Burna Boy’s “Last Last”; Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” and more.
The only artist who made it onto the former president’s favorite songs of the year playlist both in 2021 and 2022 is Lizzo. Last year, Obama repeatedly spun the “2 Be Loved” singer’s Cardi B collab “Rumors.”
#HipHopNews: Memphis Rapper Big Scarr Dead At 22
Big Scarr has died at age 22. The rising Memphis rapper, who was signed to Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records, was pronounced dead Thursday (Dec. 22). The cause of death remains unclear, but there are no signs of foul play, according to TMZ.
In an Instagram post, Gucci Mane mourned his protégé’s passing. “This hurt — I’m a miss you @bigscarr,” he captioned a slideshow of photos.
Scarr’s label Atlantic Records, home to 1017 Records, released a statement in the wake of his death.
“The passing of Big Scarr weighs incredibly heavy on our hearts. Scarr was such a lovable, warm person; a big kid at heart,” tweeted the label, while Key Glock also appeared to react to the tragic news.
The up-and-coming MC was among this year’s XXL Freshman Class and had collaborated with artists including Offset and Pooh Shiesty. After appearing on the 1017 compilation So Icy Gang, Vol. 1, Scarr dropped his debut mixtape, Big Grim Reaper, in April 2021, spawning tracks like “SolcyBoyz” and “Poppin.”
Back in 2020, Scarr was shot in the hip and the bullet traveled up to his spine. As a result of his injuries, his doctors had to remove his appendix and realign his right leg.
Born Alexander Woods in Memphis, Tennessee on April 7, 2000, Scarr got his name from injuries he sustained from a car crash at 16 years old when he was thrown through the windshield of a friend’s car, leaving permanent scars.
#NewCoupleAlert! Lupita Nyong’o and TV Host Selema Masekela Confirm Romance
Happy together! Lupita Nyong’o has found love with TV host Selema Masekela — and they are already in complete sync.
“We just click! 💘 @selema #thisismylove #nuffsaid,” the Black Panther star, 39, captioned a Friday, December 23, Instagram video of the pair snapping their fingers while trying on various coordinating outfits.
In the couple’s Instagram debut, they began by wearing matching blue-and-white printed robes. Nyong’o and the sports commentator, 51, then showed off their purple leopard-print swimsuits, yellow formalwear and orange ensembles.
Masekela, for his part, shared the same social media video on his page with a sweet caption dedicated to his girlfriend. “Hearts are synched. My whole and actual love @lupitanyongo. ❤️❤️❤️,” the Alekesam founder wrote on Friday.
The happy couple’s celebrity friends, including Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, Janelle Monae and Elaine Welteroth, noted they are already “obsessed” with the romantic pairing.
“LOVE WINSSSSS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ and that’s that on that! love you both to the moon,” the former Teen Vogue editor, 31, replied via Instagram comment on Friday.
The 12 Years a Slave actress and Masekela have not revealed when or how they first connected, but the New York native previously has been vocal about his interest in Nyong’o.
“Hypothetically speaking of course...let's say you're seated behind Lupita Nyong'o on an airplane, what would be your opening line?” Masekela tweeted in April 2016. “Anyone comes up with a good opener for me with Lupita Nyong'o, send em. Cause I'm really sittin' right behind her on this flight. #stumped.”
After the musician asked for advice to impress the Kenya native, he liked one idea in particular.
“Say hello, wait for her to respond. Tell her [your] dad shouted her out at a performance & freestyle from there,” a social media user replied at the time.
Prior to connecting with Masekela, Us Weekly exclusively revealed in March 2014 that the Queen of Katwe alum was dating K’naan (real name Keinan Abdi Warsame). Us confirmed one year later that the pair had split before Nyong’o moved on with fashion editor Mobolaji Dawodu. She later sparked romance speculation with Jared Leto.
“He’s still on speed dial because we were on that [Oscar campaign] journey together and he’s so embracing of me,” she told Net-a-Porter in March 2019 of the 30 Seconds to Mars crooner, now 50. “There was an intimacy that grew from that, that goes beyond the dating rumors, beyond all that.”
Neither Nyong’o nor Leto further addressed the nature of their supposed relationship.
Mariah Carey Slammed by Her Christmas Song Cowriter Walter Afanasieff Over Credit: ‘She Doesn’t Understand Music’
Mariah Carey was slammed by her “All I Want for Christmas Is You” song cowriter, Walter Afanasieff, who claimed she took all the credit for writing the hit holiday track.
“When she started to hint at the fact that, ‘Oh, I wrote that song when I was a little girl!’ But why weren't you saying that for 12 or 13 or 15 years prior to that? So, it just sort of developed in her mind,” the record producer, 64, said during a Thursday, December 22, appearance on the “Hot Takes & Deep Dives” podcast. 'We were both on the same page about how we wrote ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You.’ There was never any alternate story until probably 10 years ago,” Walter added.
The former jazz musician then claimed that the Grammy Award winner, 52, “doesn’t play anything,” referring to instruments, such as “keyboard or piano.”
“She doesn't understand music,” Walter continued. “She doesn't know chord changes and music theory or anything like that. She doesn't know a diminished chord from a minor seventh chord to a major seventh chord. So, to claim that she wrote a very complicated chord-structured song with her finger on a Casio keyboard when she was a little girl, it's kind of a tall tale.”
When recalling how he and Mariah worked on the single, Walter noted that he started playing piano with a “boogie-woogie kind of a rock” sound when the “Always Be My Baby” songstress chimed in with the lyric of the first verse, “I don't want a lot for Christmas.”
Walter is credited as both a cowriter and coproducer for the track.
This wasn’t the first time, however, that the “My Heart Will Go On” songwriter has publicly called out the Glitter star for the winter jingle. In December 2019, he explained to Variety that his comments about the song spurred backlash from Mariah’s fans. He alleged that her followers “threatened” him on social media and accused him of “stealing from [Mariah].”
“With the crazy, wonderful, miraculous thing that this is in my life for the last 25 years, it has come to a place where it’s almost bittersweet for me because of the fact that I’m constantly every single year, at this same time of the year, having to defend myself because a lot of people just don’t believe that I’m a cowriter of the song,” Walter explained. “Mariah has been very wonderful, positive and a force of nature. She’s the one that made the song a hit, and she’s awesome. But she definitely does not share credit where credit is due.”
Previously, the Queen of Christmas described how she wrote her Christmas single in multiple interviews, including with Billboard in November 2017.
“I am proud of this song that I wrote basically as a kid on my little Casio keyboard,” the Long Island native told the outlet at the time.
Two years later, Mariah unpacked her version of the songwriting process in further detail in an interview with Cosmopolitan.
'I just sat down, decorated a little tree and put on It’s A Wonderful Life and tried to get into that mood,” she said in December 2019. “Then, I sat in this small room with a keyboard and started doing little melodies and stuff. I was going over all the things I think about at Christmas time that make me happy and how to turn it around and make it into a love song.”
Later, she mentioned Walter’s name in the 2019 Amazon documentary Mariah Carey Is Christmas: The Story of ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You.’
“I was living in this house, upstate in New York. Actually, I put on It's a Wonderful Life downstairs,” the “Emotions” artist began in one scene. “You could hear it throughout the house. And I went into this small room, and there was a little keyboard in there. And I started playing. And I'm a terrible piano player, right? Sometimes it'll be like a happy accident. When I got into the studio with Walter A, we came up with a lot of different ideas to make it feel like a classic.”
A rep for Mariah did not immediately respond to Life & Style’s request for comment.
Orlando Brown, 'That's So Raven' star, arrested for domestic violence
Orlando Brown, the That's So Raven actor, has been arrested. The former child star was taken into custody by police in Lima, Ohio, on Thursday at 10:29 a.m., according to Allen County Sheriff's Office records. He faces a misdemeanor charge of "domestic violence - cause belief of imminent physical harm by threat of force."
The 35-year-old, who was being held in custody ahead of a court appearance, smiled in his mug shot. His tattoo of That's So Raven star Raven-Symoné partially exposed above the neckline of his black shirt. He played Eddie Thomas on the Disney Channel show from 2003 to 2007.
A Lima Police Department spokesperson confirms to Yahoo that officers responded to a "fight in progress" call involving Orlando's brother.
According to TMZ, Orlando was staying at his brother Matthew's home because he's currently homeless. The sibling allegedly told police that Orlando became "crazy," accusing him of raping his wife, and came at him with a broken off knife blade and hammer. He wasn't able to strike his sibling and eventually put down the weapons. 911 responded to a call at the home.
The former child star has had a number of troubles through the years, including arrests, addiction, homelessness and mental health struggles. In 2014, a woman told police that he had threatened to kill her and her daughter. In 2016, he was arrested amid an argument with a girlfriend and was charged with domestic battery and meth possession. In 2018, he was arrested in Las Vegas on an outstanding warrant, a few months later he was arrested for felony drug possession and was arrested again after breaking into his friend's restaurant.
Orlando appeared on the Dr. Phil show at the end of 2018 and talked about struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, including using crystal meth. He seemed confused during the interview, claiming at one point he was the son of Michael Jackson. He also claimed to be Will Smith's child; Dr. Phil suggested he had "neurological disruptions," which clouded his thinking.
In 2020, he shared his struggles with drug addiction while testifying at a Christian church service. He was part of a 6-month program through the church for people who struggle with drugs and alcohol, depression, homelessness, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and other life-controlling issues. He told the Christian Post, "I can tell you that I'm OK. I'm alive. I was in an unsafe position and it has been shaky but at the end of the day all I can tell you is I'm OK and I’m graduating and I will be getting married.” He married wife Danielle at the end of that year.
Orlando's large Raven-Symoné tattoo first made headlines after it was seen in his 2018 mug shot. Symoné didn't seem thrilled about it at the time.
Meghan Markle reacts to UK tabloid's Jeremy Clarkson apology
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle slam a UK tabloid's apology over publishing 'hatful' column as nothing more than a PR stunt
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have broken their silence on the UK's tabloid's apology over a column by a TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson, branding it "nothing more than a PR stunt".
The column, in which the TV presenter said he hated Meghan "on a cellular level", became the most complained-about article with 20,000 objected the controversial piece of writing.
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex accused the tabloid of profiting off and exploiting "hate, violence and misogyny".
Reacting to the move, they said: "A true apology would be a shift in their coverage and ethical standards for all. Unfortunately, we're not holding our breath."
The spokesperson described Clarkson's comments as "dangerous", adding: "The fact that the Sun has not contacted The Duchess of Sussex to apologise shows their intent. This is nothing more than a PR stunt."
On Friday, the Sun said it regretted publishing the broadcaster's column and was "sincerely sorry". It said columnists' opinions were their own, but, as a publisher, "with free expression comes responsibility".
Clarkson faced huge backlash for his 16 December column. His daughter, Emily, said she stood against everything her father wrote about Prince Harry's wife Meghan Markle.
After strong reaction from public, the tabloid has removed the article and displayed a copy of a tweet from Clarkson in which he said he was "horrified to have caused so much hurt" and "would be more careful in future".
Tamar Braxton Rushed to Hospital After Enjoying Christmas Fun: ‘I Thought God Was Calling Me Back’
Tamar Braxton wants people to take the flu seriously this season. The singer and TV personality revealed on Friday (Dec. 23) that she had to be rushed to the hospital due to the severity of her symptoms.
The “Love and War” singer started out her Instagram post by pointing out that she wasn’t seeking attention, but that her message was to bring attention to the seriousness of the flu. “I was with my best friends … shopping and doing Christmas fun sht and the VERY NEXT DAY I had to be taken to the hospital by AMBULANCE, needed oxygen cause I thought God was taking me home cause I could not breathe and my chest was on FIRE!!” Braxton explained in her carousel, which kicked off with a video of her and her pals having some fun at the mall.
She went on to say that after being diagnosed with the flu, she is now on five different medications. “Please be careful,” she urged her followers. “I wasn’t around a lot of people and have NO IDEA where it came from.. enjoy y’all holiday AT HOME.. u don’t want this.. I’m completely isolated cause it’s hella contagious.”
In subsequent images in her carousel, Braxton shares a photo and video of herself in the hospital getting oxygen.
A “tripledemic” of COVID-19, flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) has been making its way around the country in recent weeks, health experts have warned. To help mitigate the spread, infectious disease experts are urging people to wear masks again when not at home.
Nicki Minaj Buys $20 Million Hidden Hills Mansion
Nicki Minaj has a new place to call home. Just before the holidays, the rap queen closed on a palatial mansion in the exclusive Hidden Hills community just outside of Los Angeles. According to The Dirt, Nicki paid $19.5 million for her new crib.
There will be plenty of space for her son Papa Bear to roam. The modern farmhouse sits on a full acre and boasts 12,000 square feet of living space, eight bedrooms, and 10 bathrooms. Other features include a detached guesthouse, cabana, saltwater pool, spa, and Baja shelf for sunbathing.
The property was built this year and never even officially hit the market. It sold before listing on the MLS.
Nicki and her husband Kenneth Petty won’t be moving far. The couple had been renting a hilltop mansion in nearby Calabasas as they searched for the right house.
Nicki joins a long list of famous Hidden Hills residents. Her new neighbors include the Kardashians, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, and Lil Wayne, who bought his own $15 million mansion in the gated enclave in 2021. In June, Drake sold his famed “YOLO” estate for $12 million.
Tory Lanez' Father Outraged Over Guilty Verdict In Megan Thee Stallion Trial
Tory Lanez has been found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion. On Friday, a Los Angeles jury convicted Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, on on all three charges against him–assault with a semiautomatic handgun, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
Jurors reached a verdict after about seven hours of deliberation following a trial that lasted nearly two weeks. Lanez had pleaded not guilty to shooting the “Savage” rapper after the two left Kylie Jenner’s party in July 2020.
As the verdict was read, Lanez appeared motionless while his father, Sonstar Peterson, stood up and shouted at the judge and prosecutors.
“God will judge you,” he said while calling the court system evil. Deputies surrounded his family members and escorted them out of the courtroom.
Outside the court, Tory’s father expressed his outrage over the verdict.
“I just stood here in this Los Angeles county and witnessed the worst miscarriage of justice that this world has ever seen,” he said before singling out Megan’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, and the “whole wicked system at Roc Nation” including JAY-Z and CEO Desiree Perez.
“You who say you rose from the gutter, but you have traded and bartered the souls of young men and you’re still doing it,” Peterson said of JAY-Z.
“I’m calling on all of the Umbrellas, I’m calling on everybody in this country to begin the rise up because your sons have been done dirty,” he continued as fans chanted “Free Tory.”
He went on to claim that Roc Nation was behind the effort to convict Tory. “Because my son refused to sign a Roc Nation deal with [JAY-Z] and Desiree Perez, you wicked witch, you snitch,” he said.
Tory’s legal team plans to appeal the verdict. “We are shocked by the verdict,” said Lanez’ lawyer George Mgdesyan. “There was not sufficient evidence to convict Mr. Peterson. We believe this case was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt. We will be exploring all options including an appeal.”
Megan has not reacted to the verdict, but her lawyer Alex Spiro released a statement: “The jury got it right. I am thankful there is justice for Meg.”
Lanez, who was previously on house arrest, was immediately taken into custody. He faces a maximum of 22 years and eight months in prison and could be deported to his home country of Canada. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 27.
Common reflects on Broadway debut: "It really expresses New York"
Common is officially a Broadway actor! In a recent interview, the entertainer opened up about taking his talents to the big stage for “Between Riverside and Crazy.” “It really expresses New York. It captures New York life, human beings. No one is all good. No one is all bad,” said Common following the play’s opening on Monday (Dec. 19). “But in New York, you see the blend and integration of so many different types of people and nationalities. And it’s just natural.”
The theatrical production follows the story of an ex-cop and recent widower, Walter “Pops” Washington, portrayed by Stephen Henderson. Its storyline hones in on the short-tempered police officer who owns real estate in New York City’s Upper West Side area and uses the property to run an orphanage. Common plays his recently patrolled son named Junior. As previously reported by REVOLT, the move could put the rapper one step closer to EGOT status as he already holds Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar awards. Tonys are for distinguished achievement in American theatre.
Common’s first Grammy came in 2002 thanks to his collaboration with Erykah Badu for the song “Love of My Life.” In 2015, the Just Wright actor took home an Oscar for the track “Glory,” which he worked on alongside John Legend for the film Selma. Lastly, his 2017 Emmy is by way of “Letter to the Free.” The musical selection was featured in Ava DuVernay’s social justice documentary 13th.
“I believe it’s going to keep growing and getting better. I think we’re going to continue to get it. I want to do my best to bring audiences also that are multicultural,” said the Chicago native of his Broadway debut. The production is a Stephen Adly Guirgis Pulitzer Prize-winning play. His fellow castmates include Henderson, Elizabeth Canavan, Liza Colón-Zayas, Victor Almanzar, Michael Rispoli and Rosal Colón.
Clive Davis says Whitney Houston had a 'teenage, 1-year affair' with her assistant Robyn Crawford
Naomi Ackie was little-known in the U.S. when she was tapped for a role as Jannah in J.J. Abrams’s 2019 saga capper Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
But the pressure and intense fanfare that comes with joining the Star Wars universe could only partly prepare the 30-year-old London native for her latest high profile role: playing the beloved late pop star Whitney Houston in the new biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
“In some ways [it did], knowing that you are entering into something that a lot of people have a sense of ownership over and a huge love for. Absolutely,” Ackie tells Yahoo Entertainment in a recent interview. “But it also felt very different… It felt like quite a solitary journey at times, even though I had a huge amount of help from everyone.”
Ackie, who has also appeared in Doctor Who and The End of the F—king World, was no doubt daunted by the role, which required her to sing live on set, even if her vocals were eventually replaced by Houston’s recordings.
“It's a journey,” she says. “And I think when I got the part and knew I was starting a portion of my life and dedicating a portion of my life to Whitney, I just had to hold onto faith that if I worked hard and I chipped away at the things I know I needed to do to tell this story, that the end result would be something that people would enjoy and be touched by.”
Directed by Kasi Lemmons (Eve’s Bayou, Harriet) and written by Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody), the film follows Houston from her discovery by Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci) at her mother’s lounge show in Newark, N.J. to her ascent to global superstardom to her tumultuous relationship with husband Bobby Brown (Ashton Sanders) to her battles with drugs and ultimately her tragic death in 2012 at the age of only 48.
But one aspect of her story — and throughline in I Wanna Dance With Somebody — that’s certain to get renewed attention with the release of the film is Houston’s relationship with her best friend, longtime assistant, and at one point, lover, Robyn Crawford (Nafessa Williams).
Whitney and Robyn meet-cute at a park in the film’s opening minutes, move in together and are in a romantic relationship until the newly-signed singer’s career starts to take off and her father-manager (Clarke Peters) insists she only see men.
While in real life Houston never publicly discussed the same-sex relationship when she was alive, Crawford revealed intimate details surrounding it in her 2019 memoir A Song for You: My Life With Whitney Houston. Brown has also confirmed it in more recent years. But gossip about the nature of Houston and Crawford’s relationship, especially earlier in their lives, circulated for decades.
“It's something that I gotta say as a young actor in New York City and kind of in the Black showbiz circuit, we all knew about,” says Lemmons, who appeared in movies like School Daze (1988) and Candyman (1992) before pursuing filmmaking herself. "We didn't know because we weren't inside the room, but we all speculated about Robyn. In her life she was obviously somebody who was very close to her.
“But in talking to people that knew her [for the film], it was obvious that this was actually a very significant relationship. It was a friendship that went on for decades. And we had to find a way to honor it and to be truthful to it. Honestly, I think it's important because there was a lot of pressure [on Houston] from the outside world to conform to expectations. I think that put pressure on their relationship and you have to ask yourself, what it would've been like if they didn't have that pressure? What would've happened to them?”
Some people who knew the "How Will I Know" and "I Will Always Love You" hitmaker, like one of her longtime songwriters, Diane Warren, have said that they believe Houston would still be alive today had she continued her relationship with Crawford.
“I was really young, so I remember hearing whispers, but not even really old enough to really understand what people were whispering about,” says Williams (Black Lightning), who plays Crawford in the film but has not yet met her. “So I think to now know the truth and it now being exposed or discovered or shared in this film, I just was really excited for Robyn to be able to live in her truth and be able to do it out loud.
“They meant a lot to each other, and it was a touchy, sensitive area. She lost a friend, and I believe they were soulmates and still are. So I just wanted to approach it really carefully and represent Robyn in the best light that I could.”
The real Davis has also discussed Huston and Crawford's relationship in the run-up to the movie's release, recently telling Extra that the two "did have a teenage, one-year affair." At the same time, the music producer said that Huston's romantic life has often been mischaracterized. "There have been so many articles that have…attempted to trace her addiction to being a frustrated lesbian or never dated a man before Bobby, all of which was totally inaccurate," he remarked. "I know of several men that she dated before Bobby. I mean, she did see Jermaine Jackson for two years."
For Ackie, it was important to her that Houston’s estate was involved in the project.
“When I read the script, I was so happy to see that Robyn was included, because it's a huge part of her life,” Ackie says. “You can’t tell Whitney Houston's story without Robyn Crawford. They were friends and more, and what I think is so beautiful about their relationship is they morph from one thing to another, and they never put a label on it. And so, in a sense, we can't really put a label on it. But what they did have was a deep love for each other. And to show that love, that she was loved in that way by Robyn is a beautiful thing to show.”
Meek Mill Posts Bail for 20 Incarcerated Philly Women to Reunite Families for the Holidays
Meek Mill is bringing cheer this holiday season, as the REFORM Alliance co-founder paid the bail of women currently incarcerated in Philadelphia.
The women, who were incarcerated at Riverside Correctional Facility in Philadelphia, also received gift cards to buy presents for their families. Five women were released today and will be reunited with their families, with 15 more women to be released in the coming week.
“It was devastating for me to be away from my son during the holidays when I was incarcerated,” Mill said in a press release. “So I understand what these women and their families are going through. No one should have to spend the holidays in jail simply because they can’t afford bail. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help these women be with their families and loved ones during this special time of year.”
It isn’t the first Christmas that Meek has paid it forward to his hometown.
Last year, the Philly rapper donated $500,000 worth of Christmas gifts to families in need. Meek teamed up with Philadelphia 76ers partner Michael Rubin, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and Roc Nation to organize the event, which delivered gifts that included MacBook Air laptops, Amazon Fire HD tablets, bikes and helmets, video game gift cards, board games, winter coats, dolls, play sets, playing cards and gift cards, among countless other items.
Kyrie Irving In Discussion With Black-Owned Company For New Sneaker Deal
After he departed from Nike, Kyrie Irving made moves toward a new sneaker home. According to Musiq Soulchild, Irving is nearing a deal with the Black-owned shoe company SIA Collective.
TMZ caught the R&B star as he wore a pair of Croc-adjacent foam shoes. The shoe was from the SIA Collective, detailing that the brand, an acronym for Somewhere In America, is close to a new deal to make Irving their star endorsement.
“These shoes are made by a Black man,” Soulchild said. “His name is Devlin. He has his own company called SIA Collective… He’s actually in talks trying to work out a deal with Kyrie Irving.”
SIA is owned by Delvin Carter, which currently has nearly 400,000 followers on social media. The sneaker brand is sponsored in Oakland Soulchild added, “I think that will be an awesome decision.”
Earlier this month, Nike severed all business partnerships with NBA star Kyrie Irving, just one month following his Nike contract’s “suspension,” which stemmed from a perceived anti-Semitic video reposted by the Nets star on social media.
With Irving offering, no apology for posting the video, his suspended contract with Nike was paired with a suspension from the Brooklyn Nets. Nike also decided to shelf the release of its signature shoe, the Kyrie 8.
The sides have parted ways one month after Nike suspended its relationship with the Nets star. Sports reporter Shams Charania tweeted, “Kyrie Irving is no longer a Nike athlete, Nike spokesperson says. Irving has one of the most popular signature shoes in the NBA and is now a sneaker free agent.”
New York Giant Players Inside Mall Of America When Fatal Shooting Occurred
Several New York Giants team members were doing what many do this time of year, shop. But they probably didn’t expect a shooting to go down.
A 19-year-old man was shot and killed Friday at the well-known mall that forced it to lock down.
The Giants were in town for their Saturday game against the Minesota Vikings and we’re staying at a hotel across the street from the mall. They were eventually marked safe and accounted for following the incident.
“Everyone is back in the hotel and accounted for now,” Giants PR man Pat Hanlon told the AP.
According to Bloomington police, an altercation went down between two groups of men inside Nordstrom. The argument ended in gunfire around 7:50 PM. The teenage victim was struck multiple times and died, TMZ reported.
The identity of the players who went to the mall wasn’t released, or the area of the mall they were in when the drama unfolded.
The team’s longtime Giants radio announcer, Bob Papa, was also there and tweeted, “Scary here [at Mall of America]. Shooting in mall. On lockdown at #TwinCitiesGrill. Two gunmen at least one victim.”
He then sent an update about an hour later, reassuring his followers he was safely out of the mall.
Police have not yet made any arrests.
King Charles Have Officially Banned His Brother, Prince Andrew, From Buckingham Palace Following His Ties To Jeffery Epstein And Ghislaine Maxwell
Oop! King Charles has reportedly banned Prince Andrew from Buckingham Palace!
According to a Buckingham insider, King Charles says the disgraced Prince is no longer allowed an office inside of the royal headquarters.
“Any presence at the Palace is officially over,” the source said. “The King has made it clear. He isn’t a working royal. He’s on his own.”
Charles’ decision comes after the disgraced prince resigned three years ago over his affiliation with sex trafficking duo Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Following his resignation, Queen Elizabeth allegedly allowed Andrew to maintain a space in the palace and oversee a small staff. However, his brother isn’t being so lenient and is even banned him from using the castle as a corresponding address.
Andrew’s dismissal is just one of the consequences he faced following the sex trafficking allegations.
Virginia Giuffre sued Andrew for sexual abuse after Epstein and Maxwell forced her to have sex with him. Andrew previously denied knowing the woman and did not admit to the allegations but later paid her off with a $12 million settlement.
Not only was Andrew stripped of his Royal titles but his military ones as well and was not permitted to wear his uniform at his mother’s funeral.
After the queen’s passing, Charles reportedly told his brother that he will never return to the royal life. To prove his point, Charles removed Andrew’s 24-hour security service last month.
Despite his banishment, Andrew is still expected to celebrate Christmas with the royal family. He will also likely keep his government-funded 31-bed Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
NEW DRIVE-THROUGH WALMART
I guess he wanted faster service
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Chris Kringle
Meet Chris! You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
Enjoy!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
