Sweetie Pie’s Tim Norman Pleads Not Guilty In Murder-For-Hire Case
Saweetie pie star James “Tim” Norman, 41, and Terica Ellis, of Memphis, Tenn., are facing charges of murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire in relation to the 2016 death of Norman’s nephew, Andre Montgomery Jr.
According to court documents, Norman and Ellis are accused of using prepaid cellphones to plan the murder of Montgomery back in March of 2016. In addition to that, other documents also allege that Norman conspired with a third party, Waiel Rebhi “Wally” Yaghnam, to file falsified applications to obtain life insurance policies for Montgomery totaling $450,000. As ClarionLedger.com notes, Norman was named the sole beneficiary.
According to the news site, Norman has pleaded not guilty to all charges related to an alleged murder-for-hire plot this Tuesday during a court appearance in St. Louis. Federal prosecutors said the death penalty could be issued in the case if Norman is convicted.
The news site notes that a request for review has been sent to Washington, D.C., but a decision is expected to be delayed due to the upcoming presidential election.
Breonna Taylor’s Boyfriend Kenneth Walker Said Officer Told Him It Was “Unfortunate” He Wasn’t Shot During Raid
CBS This Morning released the full interview with Gayle King and Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend Kenneth Walker, where he shared more details on the tragic police-involved incident that took the life of the 26-year-old EMT.
(Photo Credit: Breonna Taylor via Facebook)
“It was a normal day… you know, we went on a date, we went out to eat,” Walker recalled. He said they had gone back home to play Uno and watch a movie. Later, according to Walker, there was “a loud bang at the door.” After asking repeatedly “who is it?” he said no one answered.
“I’m a million percent sure that nobody identified themselves,” he said. “if they had knocked on the door and say who it was, we could hear them. It was dead silent.” Walker, a licensed gun owner said he then grabbed his gun out of fear it would be an intruder.
As his door was smashed down, Walker fired off his gun. Three officers combined then fired 32 shots into their apartment, with “bullets coming in every direction,” Walker said. “I pulled her down to the ground. But, you know, she was scared so she just didn’t get down.”
When the gunfire stopped he looked down he saw Taylor bleeding, but still breathing. From there, he called his mother as he held her. “I told her that somebody just kicked in the door and shot Breonna. And she’s freaking out at this point. But she told me to call 911. So I did,” Walker said. He told King that had he known it was the police who broke in, he would not have called the police for help. “I don’t think I realized that it was the police until I was on the phone with Breonna’s mom,” Walker said. “I thought they was, you know, coming for help. ‘Cause I called 911.”
As he walked outside thinking help was finally here, instead, he was met with guns drawn to him and threats of “dogs and whatever else.” Walker explained that one officer even asked him if he was hit with any bullets. When he replied “no,” the officer replied, “That’s unfortunate.”
“I didn’t know what to think, and I really wasn’t worried about me,” he said. “Only reason I’m even out here is because only way for her to get help in there is for me to be out here.”
During his sit down with King, Walker goes more in-depth about the horrific night but also looks back on some of the great moments he had with Taylor and even shared what they had in store for the future.
The news site reports that Dre’s business partner, Larry Chatman, recently filed a report, claiming Nicole took hundreds of thousands of dollars from their business account without any authorization. As it was previously reported, Dre’s team called out Nicole for 2 withdrawals which total up to $385k in their divorce case. However, it was noted that he did not personally file this report.
When these claims were first made, Young’s legal team responded: “This is just a low-grade PR stunt by Andre and his team to try to change the fact that he was caught red-handed and sued for trying to cheat Nicole out of community property to which she is entitled.” Nicole said she had a right to the money in that corporate account because her name is on it. TMZ reports that LAPD detectives are now looking to get to the bottom of this.
As the news site notes, if charges are brought forth from this, it’s possible Nicole could do time.
Before the two stars joined the hosts: Jada Pinkett Smith, daughter Willow Smith and mom Adrianne Banfield-Norris, Jada, 49, opened up about the backlash she and husband Will Smith faced over how they raised their children. “I have had my fair share of mom-shaming,” Jada explained. “With Willow, I think the first time I got hardcore criticism, when you first cut your hair, there was a firestorm.” The “Girls Trip” star recalled the negative attention the family received when Jaden wore a skirt for Louis Vuitton’s 2016 womenswear campaign. “When he was wearing a skirt, then he isn’t what people consider your ‘typical Black man,'” Pinkett Smith said.
Willow then mentioned how her mom was also slammed for homeschooling the two of them. “I would have gotten shamed for leaving you here and not being with you,” she added. “They weren’t raised typically and I think, especially for our community, it was something new.” Willow added, “Specifically with the African American community. I felt like me and Jaden were like shunned a little bit, we’re not gonna take pride in them because they’re too different. Even some of our family members, I would feel they thought, ‘You’re too different.'”
Willow, 19, went on to share that people would even say things to her at events about how they were brought up “It was always like, ‘It’s not your fault, your mother should have taught you better, it’s not your fault you’re crazy,'” she recalled.
Megan Thee Stallion Wants The Music Industry to Stop Pitting Her Against Cardi B and Nicki Minaj
In a powerful new op-ed for The New York Times titled “Why I Speak Up For Black Women,” Megan Thee Stallion briefly addresses the shooting involving Tory Lanez, but more importantly discussed an even bigger issue: the way Black women are “disrespected and disregarded” in America.
While doing that, the 25-year-old superstar talked about the music industry and how it’s always pitting women against each other. “In every industry, women are pitted against one another, but especially in hip-hop, where it seems as if the male-dominated ecosystem can handle only one female rapper at a time.”
Megan went on to say,
“Countless times, people have tried to pit me against Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, two incredible entertainers and strong women. I’m not ‘the new’ anyone; we are all unique in our own ways.”
She continued,
“Wouldn’t it be nice if Black girls weren’t inundated with negative, sexist comments about Black women? If they were told instead of the many important things that we’ve achieved?” From there, Megan then listed Black women she wished she had learned more about in school, like Katherine Johnson, Alice H. Parker, and Marie Van Brittan Brown.
From day one, Megan has been about unity and supporting other female rappers in the game; which she has been widely praised for. Not only did she team up with veteran rapper Nicki Minaj but she also collaborated with the talented Cardi B on her hit song “WAP,” which went No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 11: (EDITORS NOTE: Retransmission with alternate crop.) Megan Thee Stallion attends A Celebration of The Fearless Women in Music Hosted by YouTube Music and Megan Thee Stallion at Spring Studios on December 11, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images)
Aside from this, Meg also touched on the shooting incident involving her former friend Tory Lanez and shared why she stayed quiet about what actually happened.
“I was recently the victim of an act of violence by a man. After a party, I was shot twice as I walked away from him. We were not in a relationship,” she said. “Truthfully, I was shocked that I ended up in that place.”
She continued,
“My initial silence about what happened was out of fear for myself and my friends. Even as a victim, I have been met with skepticism and judgment. The way people have publicly questioned and debated whether I played a role in my own violent assault proves that my fears about discussing what happened were, unfortunately, warranted.”
Tamera Mowry-Housley Wants to Film a Twitches 3 Alongside Singers Chloe x Halle!
Tamera Mowry-Housley recently spoke with PEOPLE Magazine and shared how eager she is to film a third installment of “Twitches” alongside her sister, Tia Mowry-Hardrict, and famous sisters Chloe and Halle Bailey of the popular musical duo, Chloe x Halle!
While speaking with the outlet, Tamera, 42, said she would be thrilled if Disney gave the green light to film another “Twitches” movie, which is still a fan-favorite 15 years later after it premiered.
“I would love it,” the actress said while talking about her desire to shoot with Chloe, 22, and Halle, 20. “I love those girls. I think that would be sick.” She added, “All we need is Disney to be down. It could be a fun Disney+ kind of movie. I think that would be dope.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Halle Bailey and Chloe Bailey of Chloe X Halle attends the 2nd Annual Freeform Summit at Goya Studios on March 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Although many people would be here for this, Mowry-Housley says there are currently no set plans for a third installment at this time. However, with all the love that she and Tia are still receiving over this film, she believes that it will eventually.
“I mean, it’s not that my sister and I don’t want to do it,” she says. “I think creatively it has to make sense. We are also always so very busy,” she adds. “It’s insane and it’s a blessing, especially in Hollywood, to be able to work as long as we have. I think it’s just finding the time and then making sure creatively that it’s okay,” PEOPLE Magazine quotes.
The Disney film “Twitches” follows the story of twin witches who were separated at birth and later reunite on Earth on their 21st birthday. As they discover they have magic powers, they have to figure out how to use them to save their kingdom from the forces of evil.
A Ring security home footage shows the moment the angry lady storms up to her neighbor’s front door, ringing the doorbell twice while demanding to talk. The woman inside says she can’t come to the door, and that’s when the woman breaks out the neighborhood bylaws.
She claims that by posting a political sign in the front lawn is against neighborhood rules. From there, she threatens to take legal action if her neighbor doesn’t “take this Harris, Biden s*** down!!!” She also told her neighbor that because she caused so much stress on her with the sign, she is no longer going to allow her to sell her house, and will find someone else to do it instead.
The lady eventually stormed away angry over the Biden sign. While it’s unclear if she’s serious about taking action of a little poster, social media users have added this latest incident in the “Karen’s Gone Wild” book.
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Trump supporter threatens to sue neighbors for having a Biden sign on their yard pic.twitter.com/7XmsxBd8M2
Rapper Blac Youngsta Arrested On Gun Charge In Dallas
Over the weekend it was reported that Blac Youngsta had been arrested. Full details on his arrest weren’t shared at the time but some have just been released.
According to jail records obtained by XXL on Monday (Oct. 12), Youngsta, real name Sammie Benson, was taken into custody in Dallas on an unlawful carrying weapon charge on Sunday (Oct. 11).
He was booked at the Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility Sunday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. and posted a $5,000 cash bond early this morning. No further details were shared but Youngsta’s attorney did share a post to Instagram showing the rapper in Jail. The caption read:
“Oh… cause I thought an attorney that’s all 🧢 said something…. I stay on the job… he say “I like ya energy my nigga” naw fr.. 🗣 this my city ‼️‼️👨🏾💼🎯🦍 @blacyoungsta”
Rapper Fivio Foreign Reportedly Arrested In New Jersey For Assault
According to HipHopDx, rapper Fivio Foreign was arrested over the weekend for assault. Inmate records obtained by the news site show that Fivio (real name Maxie Ryles) was taken into custody on Saturday (October 10). on charges of simple assault/knowingly causing bodily injury.
He currently remains behind bars. Inmate records also indicate that there is no bond available for the 30-year-old Brooklyn rapper.
No further details were shared. But, the news comes just shortly after it was reported that rapper Blac Youngsta had also been arrested over the weekend on weapon charges, this time in Dallas, Texas.
No one from Fivio’s camp has yet to publicly speak out this latest arrest. Hollywood Unlocked will continue to keep you updated as this story develops.
Ridiculous: Two Maine police officers have been fired from the Rockland Police Department for allegedly beating porcupines to death while on duty.
According to CNN citing The Courier-Gazette, the incidents took place in early June but were not reported until late August by another Rockland police officer. Addison Cox, 27, and Michael Rolerson, 30, are the ones who were fired following an investigation. A third officer is currently on administrative leave for allegedly filming a video of Rolerson killing a porcupine, according to The Courier-Gazette.
The news of terminations within the department was confirmed by Police chief Chris Young, who posted a statement on Facebook. However, he refrained from including their identities in the post along with any details, citing state law relating to employee discipline.
As CNN notes, the Maine Bureau of Warden Services, which oversees law enforcement related to fishery and wildlife, conducted the criminal investigation into the incidents, according to a court complaint filed by the district attorney’s office. Both Cox and Rolerson have been charged with misdemeanor aggravated cruelty to animals and night hunting, which are Class C and D crimes, respectively, in Maine.
Despite that, it’s was reported that Cox and Rolerson have appealed their termination.
Trump During First Rally Since COVID-19 Diagnosis: “I’ve Done More For The Black Community Than Any President Since Abraham Lincoln”
This Saturday, Trump held his first public event since being diagnosed with COVID-19, as he seeks to show the public that he is fit to resume his presidential campaigning.
Of course, Trump was not wearing a mask as he addressed a crowd from a White House balcony, where he spoke about “law and order” issues in the country. The president, first told his supporters that he is no longer taking medicines against Covid-19, telling them he was “feeling great”.
During his brief speech, he rambled on about how his administration has done more for Black and Latino people in this country than any other president in history. Although he has claimed this before, he wanted to make it clear again that “I’ve done more for the Black community than any president since Abraham Lincoln. He added, “nobody can dispute it.”
From there, he went on to encourage his supporters that they needed to vote the other party to oblivion come Election Day.
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President Trump: "In that hospital, I was watching down over so many people and I went out to say hello… I took a little heat for it but I'd do it again." pic.twitter.com/g5eEa7lmnd
Big Sean Reveals His First Advance From Kanye West Was Just $15K
Big Sean recently hopped on The Fat Joe Show to chop it with the veteran rapper and to speak about the music game. While doing that, Sean, 32, opened up about the time he first signed with Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music label.
Sean admitted that when he was first brought on, he was not a proven artist yet. He then revealed to Joe that his first cash advance from Kanye West was just $15,000. Sean explained, “[Kanye] just signed me because he heard me rap, I had nothing going so, yeah, my first advance was… bro, I don’t even wanna say the number. It wasn’t a lot at all.”
Although he was hesitant about giving the number, he eventually told Joe “My first advance was $15,000 bro.”
As HotNewHipHop points out, the rapper spoke more about his “slave deal” on Benny The Butcher’s new song “Timeless”. Kanye owned half of their master recordings but Ye announced on Twitter that he is now dedicated to creating a more transparent environment between artists and labels, promising to give back that money; including his 50% share to Big Sean and other G.O.O.D. Music signees.
Instead of staying in Minnesota pending his trial, the former Minneapolis police officer now has the option to stay OR reside in a bordering state. According to TMZ, the decision came after the Department of Corrections provided evidence supporting “safety” concerns for Chauvin.
The ex-cop, who is facing charges of 2nd-degree after leaving his knee on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds back on May 25, must report his new address to law enforcement if he decides to leave. He will remain under normal supervision as he awaits his murder trial, which is scheduled for March.
In addition to that, Chauvin is required to have a cell phone and make sure it’s on him at all times and answer all calls from the Minnesota Dept. of Corrections. As TMZ notes, North and South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin are the states contiguous to Minnesota.
The rapper took to Twitter on Thursday to send out several clear messages to trolling fans after one described the Migos member as a “bad man.”
“He a dumbass not a bad man,” she wrote in a since-deleted tweet. “…cause out of everybody that tried to steal, finesse me into working with their brand for less he got people coming for me with CORRECT CONTRACTS and never ask for a dollar or benefit like every1 else. Nikkas is nikka but a bad personality he not,” Complex Magazine quotes. In a second deleted tweet, she added, “I don’t talk to him but you not going to disrespect my child father…If he die, go broke, you not the one that’s going to raise my kid & you not the 1 who pays for her s***.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: Offset (L) and Cardi B during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Cardi had previously praised Offset for being a good man and great father to their daughter, Kulture. When she announced her divorce back in September, she made it clear that their split was not due to infidelity. They simply just “grew apart.”
“I’m OK. I wanted to let y’all know I have not shed not one tear,” she said in an audio message. “Every single time that this guy has been so crazy, so fucked up and it hits the media, I’m always crying, always sad because I don’t like that type of shit,” Cardi said. “This time, I wasn’t crying. You want to know why? The reason for my divorce is not because of none of that shit that ever happened before. It’s not because of cheating. I’m seeing people be like, ‘Oh, he has a baby on the way.’ That’s a whole fucking complete lie. That’s the second time people are trying to pin babies over here. No, that’s bullshit.”
Majority Think Kamala Harris Won VP Debate Against Mike Pence
According to a CNN/SRSS poll, nearly 6 in 10 voters who watched Wednesday’s vice presidential debate thought Sen. Kamala Harris did a better job than Vice President Mike Pence.
The poll results showed that 59% of voters think the Democratic vice presidential candidate delivered better than Pence, compared to 38% who think Pence outperformed the California senator. As The Hill notes, some voters added that the outcome would likely have no effect on their vote. However, the majority who said it would have an effect reportedly indicated that the debate made them more likely to vote for former Vice President Joe Biden (D), Harris’running mate. Now, despite this, President Donald Trump believes Pence “Won Big” last night.
(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on October 07, 2020 shows US Vice President Mike Pence and US Democratic vice presidential nominee and Senator from California Kamala Harris during the vice presidential debate in Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah on October 7, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photos by Eric BARADAT and Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ERIC BARADAT,ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Biden and President Donald Trump were set for a second presidential debate next week, but following an announcement Thursday morning that the debate would take place virtually out of safety concerns over Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis, the president rejected the move and said he was not interested in participating.
He said on Fox Business, “I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate. That’s not what debating is all about.”
#Socialites, what did you think about the VP Debate? Sound off in the comment box below!
New Body Cam Video Released: Swat Team Can Be Heard Saying “She’s Done” After Checking On Breonna Taylor Following Raid
Louisville PD has just released body cam videos from several SWAT officers, showing what went down in Breonna Taylor’s home just moments after she was shot to death by police.
The disturbing video obtained by TMZ shows Breonna Taylor’s motionless body on the floor for several minutes as a SWAT team cleared her apartment, then checked for a pulse before repeatedly stating, “She’s done.”
The clips starts off with SWAT preparing to enter the home. One cop says, “The female is supposedly the one that’s shot” — speaking of Breonna. Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, had already stepped out and surrendered. As they entered her apartment, cops immediately called out that Breonna was at the end of the hallway. However, SWAT took several more minutes to clear other parts of the apartment before addressing Breonna, saying, “Ma’am, can you hear us?” From there, one officer told another to check her pulse. Moments later, the cop declared, “She’s done.” Several SWAT members then left the apartment so crime scene investigators and a medic could come inside the home.
(Photo Credit: Screengrab from LMPD via TMZ)
In the footage, the SWAT team also inspected shell casings on the floor, confirming they were from police weapons after trying to figure out whether they were from Walker’s gun. As we previously reported, Walker injured one Louisville cop, Jonathan Mattingly during the raid. He said he had no idea who was entering their home when he fired his gun. Body cam video from outside their apparent shows Walker, through tears, declaring to police that Breonna was dead inside, and that they had no idea who was entering the apartment.
Cops forced entry into the apartment as part of an investigation into drug dealing operations. They found nothing but Taylor was hit by six bullets and died. Despite the heartbreak and trauma Taylor’s death has caused her family and America, the officers responsible for her death were only given light charges. Brett Hankison was charged with wanton endangerment for firing shots into a neighboring apartment.
UPDATE: Trump Says He Will Not Participate In Virtual Debate Virtually: I’m Not Going To Waste My Time’
As we previously reported, it was announced this Thursday that the next presidential debate will be held virtually. The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates said that Donald Trump and Joe Biden will “participate from separate remote locations,” in a “town meeting form” while the participants and moderator remain in Miami.
The move was made due to concerns about Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis. Biden previously said the second presidential debate should be canceled if the president is still infected. However, after being released from the hospital, Trump said he was still looking forward to the big event.
Now, it looks like he’s not feeling that way anymore as he just told Fox Business that he will NOT be participating in a virtual debate. He said, “I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate. That’s not what debating is all about.”
(Photo Credit: First 2020 Presidential Debate via Getty Images)
The debate, scheduled for Oct. 15, would be held with Trump and Biden in separate locations “in order to protect the health and safety of all involved with the second presidential debate,” the commission said. Biden has not yet responded to Trump’s drop out. Until then, let us know your thoughts on this in the comment box below!
UPDATE: Second Presidential Debate Will Be Virtual
The second presidential debate was uncertain after Donald Trump caught the coronavirus and was hospitalized as symptoms started to progress. However, after doctors gave him the green light to return to the White House for work, Trump said she was still looking forward to the big event.
According to the latest updated by the Associated Press, the second presidential debate will still go on but it will be virtual due to concerns about Trump’s COVID-19. The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates said Thursday that Donald Trump and Joe Biden will “participate from separate remote locations,” in a “town meeting form” while the participants and moderator remain in Miami.
The announcement comes just six days after Trump announced early last Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for coronavirus. Since Trump’s diagnosis, more than a dozen White House officials have tested positive for Covid-19. While Trump seems to be improving, The Hill reports a White House security official is “gravely ill” after contracting COVID-19 in September.
Biden previously said the debate should be canceled If Trump is still infected with the coronavirus. Although Trump’s Doctor is said he is “symptom and fever free,” it is unclear if he is still contagious.
UPDATE: Trump ‘Free Of Symptoms And Fever’ After Catching The Coronavirus
Trump’s doctors gave another update on his health following his coronavirus diagnosis. Dr. Sean Conley said he has no symptoms of COVID-19 and now appears to have antibodies.
“The president this morning says ‘I feel great!’ His physical exam and vital signs, including oxygen saturation and respiratory rate, all remain stable and in normal range,” physician to the president Dr. Sean Conley said in a Wednesday memo released by the White House. He added that Trump has “now been fever-free for more than 4 days, symptom-free for over 24 hours, and has not needed nor received any supplemental oxygen since initial hospitalization.” Conley noted that the president’s lab work from Monday showed “detectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies.”
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 05: U.S. President Donald Trump removes his mask upon return to the White House from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on October 05, 2020 in Washington, DC. Trump spent three days hospitalized for coronavirus. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
As of right now, it is still unclear if antibodies make you immune to the coronavirus. However, health experts say they may help to ward off future occurrences of infection.
Trump, 74, is currently recovering in isolation in the White House residence after a three-night stay in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. His wife, Melania Trump, who also tested positive for COVID-19 is working remotely from home.
According to CBSMinnesota, a Minnesota Department of Corrections spokesperson confirmed that Derek Chauvin was no longer being held at the prison on Wednesday. State court records also show Chauvin posted a non-cash $1 million bond on Oct. 7, signed by A-Affordable Bail Bonds of Brainerd, Minnesota. A notice of release was posted at the same time. This now means all four officers currently charged in Floyd’s death are now released from custody.
As it was previously reported, Chauvin had been at the Oak Park Heights prison since May 31. He was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter just four days after the Memorial Day death of George Floyd at the intersection of E. 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis.
Defense teams for all four former officers have filed motions to move the trial out of Hennepin County to counties outside of the Twin Cities metro area. They argued that the jury pool has been tainted by media coverage of the George Floyd’s death. For now, the trial date for Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng has been set for March 8, the new site notes.
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 18: A man holds a picture of George Floyd during a Black Lives Matter protest on June 18, 2020 in New York City. Protesters plan to mark Juneteenth with demonstrations against racism and police brutality planned in cities across the country. (Photo by Jeenah Moon/Getty Images)
This story is still developing. Hollywood Unlocked will continue to keep you updated when more details have been released.
Kim Zolciak Says She Would Return To “RHOA” If They Brought Back The “Whole Cast From Season 1”
While celebrating the premiere of the 8th season of her own reality series “Don’t Be Tardy…” Kim Zolciak-Biermann reflected on her “Real Housewives of Atlanta” days and revealed if she would ever return.
When asked if she would consider going back to ”RHOA” where she was one of the main cast members for the first five seasons, she admitted that she’d actually been thinking a bit about her time on the hit show. Kim told E!, “This has kind of just come to my mind over the last couple months, that the first season, all of us — Shereé [Whitfield], Nene [Leakes] and I—[we] were friends before this ever started for years.” She went on to explain what she would like to see happen: “They should just bring back the whole cast from season 1 and like, ‘Where are we now?’” the 42-year-old suggested. “Like, go out to dinner and do this all over again. Because I think we’re really fun, you know, in all honesty.”
Although some fans would love to see her back on, Kim said she doesn’t see any point in coming back now with the current cast: “As far as going back now, for what? For who? No. Shereé’s not there. NeNe’s not there. Like, no,” she added, referring to her former RHOA castmates.
NeNe Leakes will not be returning to the franchise also as she recently made the big announcement earlier this month while sharing that she has been receiving unfair treatment.
Joe Biden Says Second Debate Should Be CANCELED If Donald Trump Is Still Infected With Coronavirus
The second presidential debate is supposed to take place on October 15, in Miami but now it’s uncertain after President Donald Trump tested positive for coronavirus.
While speaking with reporters as he boarded a plane in Delaware on Tuesday, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said a debate shouldn’t happen if Trump still has the virus.
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 27: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn of the White House August 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. Trump gave the speech in front of 1500 invited guests. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
“I think if he still has COVID, we shouldn’t have a debate,” the former vice president said. “We’re going to have to follow very strict guidelines. Too many people have been infected. It’s a very serious problem.” He added that he was “looking forward to being able to debate” his opponent, but that “I don’t know what his status is”, since the president last tested positive on Thursday. Despite Trump’s diagnosis, the president m wrote on Twitter a few days ago that he too is looking forward to the second debate.
While we wait to see what happens, Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris, Biden’s running mate, are set to face off in their only debate of the 2020 cycle. Pence, who has been near a number of people who have contracted the virus, has tested negative for the virus several times in the last few days so has Harris.
The star revealed the exciting news as she graced the November cover of Women’s Health. While speaking with the outlet, the 39-year-old shared that she and husband Tim Weatherspoon “had been talking about it loosely, and then COVID happened, and we were just like, ‘Let’s see what happens,’“ Kelly said before admitting that she got pregnant right away. (Kelly Rowland Djeneba Aduayom for Women’s Health)
As exciting as this is, Kelly, who shares son Titan, 5, with husband Tim, admits she was hesitated to share the news publicly because of all that’s been going on in the world. “But you still want to remind people that life is important,” she says. “And being able to have a child… I’m knocking at 40’s door in February. Taking care of myself means a lot to me.”
Thinking ahead, Rowland said she has also thought about what it’s going to be like to raise two Black children during these times.
“I’d just put Titan to bed,” she says of finding out the news of George Floyd’s death earlier this year. “I got into the shower, and I had this real hard, ugly, deep cry. Because I promised to protect my kid. That was the main thing I was thinking about: protecting this little innocence.”
Another thing Kelly has been worried about during her second pregnancy is disappointing her fans if she doesn’t drop music, but she says, “I have to figure this out so they get both.” Despite all of that, she says she’s still excited about bringing another baby into the world.
During his Tuesday Twitter session, he shared that he rejected a COVID-19 stimulus proposal from Democrats and accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of “not negotiating in good faith.” He wants all congressional Republicans to drop the matter until after the election and instead focus on his nomination to the Supreme Court.
“Nancy Pelosi is asking for $2.4 Trillion Dollars to bailout poorly run, high crime, Democrat States, money that is in no way related to COVID-19. We made a very generous offer of $1.6 Trillion Dollars and, as usual, she is not negotiating in good faith,” Trump tweeted.
He added,
“I am rejecting their request, and looking to the future of our Country. I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business.” Trump also wrote that he “asked [Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell not to delay, but to instead focus full time on approving my outstanding nominee to the United States Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett. Our Economy is doing very well.”
A Pelosi spokesman has not yet made a comment on this latest move. However, it was noted that stocks dropped suddenly on Wall Street after Trump ordered a stop to negotiations.
Trump’s latest decision came immediately after he spoke with the top GOP leaders in Congress, who had been watching talks between Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Pelosi. Many Senate Republicans had signaled they would not be willing to go along with any stimulus legislation that topped $1 trillion, and GOP aides had been privately dismissive of the prospects for a deal, ABC News notes.
Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron Says it was “Disgusting” For Megan thee stallion to call him out during “SNL” Performance
Megan Thee Stallion has been using her platform to shed light on Breonna Taylor’s case and to help bring justice to her family. Over the weekend, she performed as the musical guest on the season premiere of “SNL,” and during her set, she included a big message to Breonna Taylor case prosecutor Daniel Cameron.
About halfway through her performance, the sounds of gunshots rang out and Megan Thee Stallion and her dancers paused as audio recording from Malcolm X’s 1962 speech “Who Taught You to Hate Yourself?” played in the background. “We need to protect our Black women and love our Black women,” she said. Then there was an audio clip of activist Tamika Mallory saying, “Daniel Cameron is no different than the sellout Negroes that sold our people into slavery.”
(Photo Credit: Breonna Taylor via Facebook)
Cameron, who did not seek charges against officers in Breonna Taylor’s shooting, caught wind of the clip and is now speaking out to respond to her performance. He went on Fox News’ Fox & Friends and said: “Let me just say that I agree that we need to love and protect our Black women,” he began. “There’s no question about that. But the fact that someone would get on national television and make disparaging comments about me because I’m simply trying to do my job is disgusting … because I’m a Black Republican because I stand up for truth and justice as opposed to giving in to a mob mentality.”
He added,
“The fact that a celebrity that I never met before wants to make those sorts of statements, they don’t hurt me but what it does is it exposed the type of intolerance, and the hypocrisy because obviously, people preach about being intolerant,” he continued. “You hear a lot of that from the left about being tolerant. But what you saw there is inconsistent with tolerance. In fact, it’s her disposing intolerance because I’ve decided to stand up for truth and justice.”
Cameron went on say that the officers who fatally shot Taylor in her own home, were justified in returning fire because Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, had fired a warning shot.
“The tragedy, and I’ve said this from the beginning, was that Breonna Taylor was in that hallway next to Kenneth Walker when they returned fire and they hit her,” he said. “No one disputes that this is a tragedy, but sometimes our criminal law is inadequate to respond to a tragedy. Again, my heart goes out to Breonna Taylor’s family.”
Kim Kardashian Opens Up About Caring For Kanye West During His ‘Scary’ Coronavirus Battle
Earlier this year, Kanye West revealed he had the coronavirus. His wife Kim Kardashian is now opening up about what it was like taking care of him during his tough battle.
In an interview with Grazia magazine, the reality star revealed that she had a difficult time caring for Kanye as he fought the virus while also trying to take care of their four kids alone while he recovered. “Kanye had it way at the beginning, when nobody really knew what was going on,” Kim shared. . “It was so scary and unknown.” The beauty mogul explained that she only had herself and the couple’s four children — daughters North, 7, and Chicago, 2, and sons Saint, 4, and Psalm 1 — and “no one else in the house to help” at the time.
“I had to go and change his sheets and help him get out of bed when he wasn’t feeling good,” Kardashian recalled. “It was a challenge because it was so unknown. “Changing his sheets with gloves and a face shield was really a scary time,” she said, later adding that “Maybe our planet needed a break.”
West previously opened up about facing his COVID-19 diagnosis earlier this year in an interview with Forbes. He said he went through
“Chills, shaking in the bed, taking hot showers, looking at videos telling me what I’m supposed to do to get over it,” the rapper told the outlet of his experience with the virus. “I remember someone had told me Drake had the coronavirus and my response was Drake can’t be sicker than me!” (Drake later revealed he had tested negative.)
Press Play Below For More Celebs Who Spoke Out About COVID-19:
UPDATE: Melania Trump Says She’s ‘Feeling Good’ After Suffering From Mild COVID-19 Symptoms’
President Trump announced early Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19. Just hours after his announcement, it was reported that Trump was experiencing “mild symptoms.” However, it appeared those symptoms became worse as he was taken to Walter Reed military medical center to get “treated” for the coronavirus.
Trump announced this Monday that he will be leaving the hospital this afternoon. He tweeted, “I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of COVID. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!”
While he seems to be improving, Melania has also decided to give an update on her health after coming down with mild symptoms. The First Lady tweeted on Monday to say that she is continuing to rest at home and is looking forward to a speedy recovery: “My family is grateful for all of the prayers & support! I am feeling good & will continue to rest at home. Thank you to medical staff & caretakers everywhere, & my continued prayers for those who are ill or have a family member impacted by the virus.”
This latest update comes just hours after news of White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany testing positive for COVID 19. She said she will still be on duty while working remotely.
Jordyn Woods Joins OnlyFans — Says Fans Can Expect “Edgy and Iconic” Content
There have been a number of celebrities who have joined OnlyFans, the content-sharing platform that allows creators to earn money online. Some who have joined the community include stars like Tyga, Cardi B, Bella Thorne, and Blac Chyna. Now, Jordyn Woods has become the latest star to create an account.
While speaking with Complex, the 23-year-old shared her decision to start an OnlyFans and what she hopes to do with he new platform. She explained:
”I didn’t hear about OnlyFans until the pandemic, and that’s because [of how] people talked about it [on social media], but I saw something different than what the normal person saw,” the former reality star said. She went on to say, “I saw a platform where I can authentically be myself and not be judged for it. Growing up, I’ve been shamed a lot. Being a curvy girl, being young and seeing the skinny girls wear short shorts because it’s cause it’s hot outside, but I want to put on shorts and it’s provocative, or I want to put on a tank top and it’s provocative. Even yesterday, I posted a photo that I still felt was tasteful and classy, put a little bit more out there just to really test the waters, and I got a lot of positive response, but I also got a lot of judgment. And I saw a beautiful opportunity to show a completely different side of myself that I’ve always wanted to show,” Complex quotes.
Woods noted that fans can expect to see “edgy and iconic” photos of herself with the help of one of her favorite photographers, Steven Gomillion.
“I feel like OnlyFans was a platform [where] I could be a little bit different on [compared to] the rest of my platforms. And for me, it was, “I’m not just doing it,” like I’m taking photos out of my phone and posting it. I have teamed up with one of my absolute favorite photographers, Steven Gomillion, who has created some of the most iconic photos. We’re creating art on here; we’re not posting just random selfies. There’s going to be really edgy, iconic photos of me on there, and it felt like OnlyFans was the right platform to launch this project because it’s completely different than anything that I’ve ever done. I knew that because of everything I’ve gone through, I knew it could be very controversial and I could avoid the controversy. But to me, it’s about the bigger picture and the opportunity that I see is there.”
During her interview, the model also said
she’s not going to be worried about how people would see her differently because she’s now an OnlyFans member:
“I can prepare myself for whatever anyone has to say, but I already know going into anything, there’s going to be judgment. Any project, there’s going to be people that don’t understand, whether it’s something like OnlyFans or whether it’s a movie or a YouTube video. Whenever you put yourself out there, you’re vulnerable to what people say, but if you know who you are and you’re confident in what you’re doing, and that’s what you want to do, it shouldn’t matter what anyone else has to say. I’m kind of prepared for this moment, but it is scary. It is scary. You just never know how people are going to react to certain things.”
In the clip, Trump said he has “learned a lot” about COVID-19 since his diagnosis, calling his time undergoing treatment the “real school.” “It’s been a very interesting journey. I learned a lot about COVID. I learned it by really going to school. This is the real school. This isn’t the ‘let’s read the books’ school,” Trump said in a video posted to Twitter. “And I get it, and I understand it, and it’s a very interesting thing, and I’m going to be letting you know about it.”
WEST POINT, NY – JUNE 13: U.S. President Donald Trump at the end of the commencement ceremony on June 13, 2020 in West Point, New York. The graduating cadets were sent home in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but have been ordered back to attend the commencement after the president announced he would continue with the previously planned address. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
As we previously reported, Trump has been widely criticized by Democrats for his response to the highly contagious virus that has infected more than 7.4 million people in the U.S. and has killed more than 209,000 in the country, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the most fatalities reported by any country. He’s been accused of undermining public health guidance issued by his own administration, including holding large in-person campaign rallies without mask or social distancing requirements. In recent days, he’s been called a “hypocrite” for appearing to take the virus seriously now that he has been infected.
Trump has been receiving treatment at the Walter Reed Medical Center. He is expected to be discharge this Monday.
Hollywood Unlocked will continue to keep you updated when more details have been shared.
Tyga Trends After He Reportedly Uploads His Third Leg To OnlyFans
Social media is currently having a field day with Tyga after the rap star reportedly uploaded his nudes to OnlyFans. Now, almost everyone knows that the platform is the place to find adult-oriented content from their favorite celeb/ influencers. However, it looks like their faves are taking things to the next level, including T-Raw.
Subscribers have been blowing up social media with reactions after they claimed Tyga shared a snap of his penis. Although some social media users claim those are previously leaked nudes, others were happy to get their money’s worth. But, of course, there were a few people who wished they hadn’t seen the pics at the top of the morning.
One Twitter user said, “Why is it that the first thing I saw this morning on Twitter was Tyga’s 3rd leg.” Another user simply added, “Tyga is packin.’” Here’s how other Twitter users reacted.
Bethenny Frankel Calls Out Kylie Jenner Over Daughter’s $12K Designer School Bag
Earlier this week, Kylie Jenner posted a back-to-school-style snap of her sweet toddler, Stormi Webster rocking a light pink Hermes Taurillon Clemence Kelly Ado Backpack, which retails for $12K.
While some fans couldn’t get over how cute baby Stormi looked in her first day of homeschool fit, it actually rubbed some people the wrong way, including former “Real Housewives of New York” star Bethenny Frankel. The 49-year-old took issue with the picture, writing on Instagram: “I never say anything about this stuff but this is the most transparent humble brag I’ve seen yet. It’s everything wrong with everything.”
After receiving some backlash, Bethenny defended her comment on Twitter saying, “I commented on @usweekly on a 12k backpack on @KylieJenner daughter. I’m no stranger to an @Hermes_Paris bag & have a daughter & luxury cars, but flaunting (under the guise of a back to school post)during a pandemic & the greatest unemployment crisis in our lifetime is a choice.”
I commented on @usweekly on a 12k backpack on @KylieJenner daughter. I’m no stranger to an @Hermes_Paris bag & have a daughter & luxury cars, but flaunting(under the guise of a back to school post)during a pandemic & the greatest unemployment crisis in our lifetime is a choice.
Despite the backlash, there were some people who agreed with her. One user said, “There are children starving and families suffering!!! This is horrid! Where is the humbleness? Life isn’t about material things!” Another added, “Sad day when people are struggling with homeschooling their children being out of work or working from home and you are showing off a garage full of expensive cars and an expensive backpack for a child!!!!“
Kylie, who is worth an estimated $900, has not responded to Frankel yet. Until then, let us know your thoughts on this in the comment box below!
Donald Trump condemns “All White Supremacists’ After Refusing To Do So At The Presidential Debate
After struggling and refusing to condemn white supremacists at the 2020 presidential debate, last night, Trump forced himself to finally to do so while appearing on Fox News.
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 19: U.S. President Trump speaks to the press after meeting with Republican Senators in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, May 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“I’ve said it many times, and let me be clear again: I condemn the [Ku Klux Klan]. I condemn all white supremacists. I condemn the Proud Boys. I don’t know much about the Proud Boys, almost nothing. But I condemn that,” Trump said on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show.
As we previously reported, during Tuesday’s debate, moderator Chris Wallace asked whether the president would condemn white supremacists and tell them to stand down during protests. When the president asked who it was he was being told to condemn, Joe Biden twice said “Proud Boys”, referring to the far-right with a history of violence. Trump answered: “Proud Boys – stand back and stand by. But I’ll tell you what… somebody’s got to do something about antifa [anti-fascist activists] and the left because this is not a right-wing problem.”
Earlier Thursday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany defended Trump and insisted that he had not misspoken during the debate or after.
“The President, specifically, verbatim, was asked (Wednesday): ‘White supremacy — do you denounce them?’ To which he responded, ‘I have always denounced any form of that,’ ” McEnany said. “Those are the facts.”
Joe Biden To Be Tested “This Morning” After Trump Reveals He Has Coronavirus
Just months after calling the coronavirus a “hoax” and labeling it the “Chinese virus,” while being seen at several public events without a mask on, Donald Trump just revealed that he and First Lady Melania have tested positive for the COVID-19, and it appears he’s taking it seriously this time around. He said he decided to get tested after a senior adviser who is often with the couple tested positive. Trump tweeted, “Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!”
While appearing on CNN this Friday, Dr. Lapook weighed in and said statistically, Trump is expected to be ok even despite his risk factors such as age and obesity. Trump has been around a number of people including democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who shared the same stage as Trump on Tuesday for the first debate.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the first U.S. presidential debate hosted by Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. Trump and Biden kick off their first debate with contentious topics like the Supreme Court and the coronavirus pandemic suddenly joined by yet another potentially explosive question — whether the president ducked paying his taxes. Photographer: Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images
According to CNN anchor Jim Sciutto, Biden is expected get tested this Friday morning. He tweeted, “In light of the president’s positive test, former Vice President Joe Biden is expected to get tested for coronavirus this morning, a source familiar with his plans tells @jamiegangel.”
New: In light of the president’s positive test, former Vice President Joe Biden is expected to get tested for coronavirus this morning, a source familiar with his plans tells @jamiegangel
The latest updates also reveal that Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen have tested negative for COVID-19. Many world leaders have been sending their well wishes to Trump and his family. Biden recently tweeted,
“Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family.”
Hollywood Unlocked will continue to keep you updated when more details have been shared.
Nicki Minaj Welcomes First Child With Husband Kenneth Petty
Congratulations are in order to Nicki Minaj who just welcomed her first child with husband Kenneth Petty!
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ that the superstar gave birth on Wednesday in L.A. The new parents have yet to share the sex of the baby or the name of their new bundle of joy.
As we previously reported, Nicki made the big announcement of her pregnancy back in July. The 37-year-old shared a series of snaps taken by famed photographer David LaChappelle, showing her baby bump along with the caption that read, “#Preggers.” She captioned her other pic, “Love. Marriage. Baby carriage. Overflowing with excitement & gratitude. Thank you all for the well wishes. 💛”
The pregnancy came nine months after the couple officially tied the knot. 10 months before that, Minaj announced her intention to retire to instead focus on her family. “I’ve decided to retire & have my family. I know you guys are happy now. To my fans, keep reppin me, do it til da death of me … Love you for LIFE,” she wrote on Twitter.
This is Minaj’s first child. Petty also has kids from previous relationships. Following the big news, fans immediately took to social media to congratulate them both on their new baby.
Lil Nas X Gives An Update on His Love Life: “I’m Dating Someone Right Now”
As Lil Nas X graces the 11th edition of Carine Roitfeld’s publication, the “Old Town Road” artist reflects on his overnight success in a candid cover story.
While talking with the magazine, the 21-year-old star admits that he’s still trying to adjust to fame. “Sometimes I’m laughing about it, sometimes I’m crying about it,” he said adding, “I’m still discovering the magnitude of it all,” PEOPLE Magazine quotes. Lil Nas X, who came out as gay last year, also talked about what it was like coming out to his family, revealing that his dad “said some very Christian things” including that his homosexuality “could be the devil tempting” him.
Despite that, he’s still pushing forward in his career and love life. The chart-topping entertainer revealed to CR, “I’m dating someone right now. We’re not in a relationship yet, but it’s been on and off for the past few months. I’m maybe going to try to go steady this time.” Lil Nas X went on to say, “I feel like if I put any guy solo in a picture with me, we’re automatically dating,” the star joked. “One time, I was sitting in Subway with my brother, and then a few hours later there was [a headline], ‘Lil Nas X and his boyfriend eating Subway to celebrate 17 weeks at number one,’” PEOPLE Magazine quotes.
The new issue with the full cover story of CR Men will be on newsstands Oct. 9 along with other global covers featuring a diverse group of change-makers including singer Teyana Taylor, designer Telfar Clemens, actress Shira Haas and models and activists Halima Aden and Sharon Alexie.
Voting Registration Soars After Kylie Jenner’s Posts Bikini Pic
Many celebrities have been using their platforms to encourage their fans to get registered and go out and vote on November 3. Some of those celebs include Rihanna, Zendaya, Viola Davis, John Legend, even the Kardashians/ Jenner family, and more!
On Monday, Kylie Jenner called on her 196M followers to hit vote.org by trapping them in with a thirst trap pic. Jenner, 23, dropped a photo of herself in a bikini and captioned the post: “but are you registered to vote? click the link in my bio… let’s make a plan to vote together.”
Clearly, her strategic move worked as TMZ reports that vote.org’s traffic soared by 1,500% after she uploded the snap. That all translates to more than 48,000 users going to the site through Kylie’s IG post.
Compared to Sunday’s numbers, the website saw an 80 percent increase in total users for its voter registration and registration verification tool. It was noted that only 2,900 users actually used the registration verification tool via Instagram in general on Sunday.
Social media users have been praising the star for doing her part. One fan wrote under her comment section, “all of a sudden I want to vote.” Another added, This is important, thank you Kylie.”
While You’re Here, Press Play Below For A Recap Of The 2020 Debate:
The 41-year-old singer took to Instagram this Wednesday to share the big news. He posted a pics of himself holding his baby girl’s little finger. He captioned the post: “We are feeling blessed and full of love with the arrival of our beautiful baby girl, Sovereign Bo Raymond. “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder on repeat ❤️ ❤️ ❤️”
This is now the third child for Usher, who shares 11-year-old Navied Ely and Usher V, 12 with his ex-wife Tameka Raymond. A source tells PEOPLE, “Usher and Jenn are overjoyed, and so is the whole family, including Sovereign’s big brothers. Everyone is so happy and excited.”
News of a new baby broke last month. However, PEOPLE confirmed earlier this month that the pair were preparing for a new addition, with a source saying that Usher was “very excited to be a dad again” and that they were “both thrilled to be expecting.” Usher also later confirmed the baby news himself while appearing on Good Morning America, saying his older sons are “elated” and “excited” about their sibling on the way.
UPDATE: Proud Boys Celebrate Online After Trump’s “Stand Back, Stand By” Comment During Debate
Right after President Donald Trump refused to denounce white supremacists during Tuesday’s presidential debate, members of the Proud Boys celebrated on social media.
As we previously reported, Chris Wallace, a Fox News anchor who moderated Tuesday’s debate between Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, asked the president if he would condemn white supremacists and militia groups. Trump, refused, and then told the group to “stand back and stand by.”
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 18: U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during an event recognizing the Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride in the East Room of the White House, April 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. Today the Department of Justice released special counsel Robert Mueller’s redacted report on Russian election interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
As it sparked outrage on and off social media, The Hill points out that man people on social media users who identify with the group echoed that language, saying they were “standing down and standing by.” One known social media account for the group made “Stand back. Stand by” part of its new logo. NBC News even notes that the Proud Boys’ account on the social media app Telegram, appeared to take the statement as marching orders. “Standing down and standing by sir,” the account wrote. The account also reportedly posted two videos of the answer, including one with the caption “God. Family. Brotherhood.”
For those who aren’t aware, according to the Anti-Defamation League, a nonprofit organization that tracks extremist groups, The Proud Boys, a self-described “Western chauvinist” organization, is considered a violent, nationalistic, Islamophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic hate group. They made national headlines after marching at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and in recent months have rallied together at Black Lives Matter protests, causing chaos.
This was just the first debate. The second presidential debate of 2020 will be at 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM EST on Thursday, October 15.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion went into the tournament managing an Achilles problem that she sustained at the US Open and was not been able to recover sufficiently after her 7-6 (7-2) 6-0 first-round victory over Kristie Ahn. The sudden announcement came just an hour before the 39-year-old tennis star was set to head out onto Court Philippe Chatrier to face Tsvetana Pironkova.
She said she tried warming up for the match but knew she wasn’t able to compete. She then spoke to coach Patrick Mouratoglou and, she said, “We kind of both thought about it and we decided it wasn’t the best for me to try and play today.”
PARIS, FRANCE September 28. Serena Williams of the United States reacts during her match against Kristie Ahn of the United States in the first round of the singles competition on Court Philippe-Chatrier during the French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on September 28th 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
“I was able to get it somewhat better but just looking long-term at this tournament — ‘will I be able to get through enough matches?’ — and so for me, I don’t think I could and struggling to walk so that’s kind of a telltale sign that I should try to recover,” she told reporters Wednesday.
As CNN notes, Williams’ withdrawal means her next opportunity to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 majors will be the Australian Open, which will begin in January.
Joe Biden And Kamala Harris Release Their 2019 Tax Returns Ahead Of First Presidential Debate
Nothing to hide here! Just hours before Joe Biden’s first debate with President Donald Trump, this Tuesday, the Democratic presidential nominee and running mate Kamala Harris decided to release their 2019 tax returns.
As CNBC notes, the returns show that Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, reported $944,737 in taxable income last year and paid a total of $299,346, or a 31% tax rate, in federal income taxes. In addition to that, the Bidens also reported making $14,700 in charitable contributions, the news site reports.
Harris and her husband, attorney Doug Emhoff, reported $3,018,127 in taxable income, which most of it via Emhoff’s partnership at the global law firm DLA Piper. They paid federal income taxes of $1,185,628, or an effective tax rate of 39%. Harris and Emhoff also reported making charitable donations of $35,390 last year. Their bold move comes just less than 48 hours after The New York Times published a shocking piece on President Donald Trump, revealing that he paid just $750 in individual federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017.
To make matters worse, the newspaper also found that for 10 of the previous 15 years before he was elected to the White House, Trump paid no federal income taxes. Of course, Trump responded to these reports and called the Times’ expose “fake news.” However, he did not directly dispute any of the figures contained in it.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump are scheduled to face off tonight in the first general election presidential debate of 2020. The debate will take place from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ET.
Governor Newsom Signs Law Against First Responders Taking Pictures Following Death Of Kobe Bryant
On Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law legislation that makes it illegal for first responders to take unauthorized pictures of people killed at the scene of an accident or crime.
As the Associated Press reports, the measure was proposed back in May following the tragic January helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven other people. After the accident, eight deputies were accused of taking or sharing graphic photos of the scene, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said then, adding that he had ordered the images deleted. At the time, he noted that the department has a policy against taking and sharing crime scene photos, but it did not apply to accident scenes.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 09: Vanessa Laine Bryant and Kobe Bryant attend the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala presented by Paul Mitchell on November 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Baby2Baby)
Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, recently sued the department over the photos. AB 2655 now makes it a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 per offense for first responders to take and share accident and crime scene photos for any purpose other than an official law enforcement purpose or a genuine public interest. The measure that will take effect Jan. 1.
CBS LOS ANGELES reports that Assemblyman Mike Gipson, D-Carson, was the one who pushed for the legislation following reports that several deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash. He wrote on Twitter:
“Proud to report that my bill, The #KobeBryant Act of 2020, was signed today by @GavinNewsom. #AB2655 will prohibit first responders from taking photos of the deceased outside of job duties. #caleg.”
According to local news station WAFB, police say the chart-topping rapper also known as Kentrell Gaulden, was among 16 people who were taken into police custody on Monday, Sept. 28. As of right now, he’s facing a number of drug, felony possession, and stolen firearms charges. Police say the others also face similar variations of the same charges.
ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Rapper Youngboy performs onstage during the Day N Night Festival at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
No further details were shared. However, in a fan-recorded video that has been circulating online apparently shows the moment the rapper was arrested while shooting a new music video for “Choppa City.” Fans also noticed that as reports of the arrest surfaced, NBA Youngboy deleted all of his social media, including his Instagram and Twitter.
It is unclear exactly what specific drugs he allegedly had, but if any or all of the charges stick, he could be facing several years in prison. Page Six notes that he is still in custody as of Tuesday morning. A court date or bond has not been set yet.
Hollywood Unlocked will continue to keep you updated when more details have been shared.
J Balvin, Bad Bunny, Karol G, Nicki Minaj & More Nominated At The 2020 Latin Grammys!
The list of nominees for the 2020 Latin Grammys has been announced and J Balvin is leading the awards this year with 13 nominations! That’s right! He’s up in categories like Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Reggaeton Performance, Best Urban Fusion Performance, Best Urban Music Album, Best Rap/Hip-Hop Song, and more. The Latin Academy announced Tuesday that Bad Bunny and Ozuna are behind Balvin with nine and eight nominations, respectively.
LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 16: Bad Bunny attends the 18th Annual Latin Grammy Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mindy Small/FilmMagic)
As Yahoo News notes, Nicki Minaj earned her first two Latin Grammy nominations ever: Record of the Year and Song of the Year for her collaboration with Karol G, “Tusa,” who snagged 4 nominations in total.
“Over the last year, we continued engaging in discussions with our members to improve the awards process and actively encouraged diverse Latin music creators to join and participate,” said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, in a statement. The (LARAS) came under fire last year for their lack of Urban Latino artists being nominated. It sparked a movement on social media declaring “Without reggaeton, there’s no Latin Grammys.”
“Today, we are proud to unveil the nominees for the 21st Annual Latin Grammy Awards — a group that reflects the constant evolution of Latin music. Our Academy is stronger than ever as members are engaged, better informed, and committed to elevating and honoring musical excellence across all genres of Latin music. This year’s class of nominees is the result of a resilient and genuine awards process.”
The 21st annual Latin Grammy Awards will air live on Nov. 19 on Univision. The complete list can be found here.
Press Play Below To Check Out Karol G At The 2018 Grammys:
Willow Smith Says She’s ‘Proud’ Of Mom Jada For Opening Up About Relationship With August Alsina
“Red Table Talk” returned this Monday with Jada Pinkett Smith, daughter Willow Smith, Jada’s mother Adrienne Banfield-Jones, and world-renowned expert Brene Brown, where they all discussed the topic of vulnerability. During their conversation, the ladies all went around to share a time they felt the most vulnerable.
Jada Pinkett-Smith brought up her “Red Table Talk” session with husband Will Smith where the two discussed her relationship with singer August Alsina. As we previously reported back in July, Pinkett confirmed that she and Will were on a break when she began seeing the R&B singer. Eventually, Alsina, 28, broke off contact with her, and she said she hasn’t heard from him since. The Smiths went on to reconcile and later got back together.
HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 24: Actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith arrive at the Los Angeles World Premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures ‘Focus’ at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 24, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
During Monday’s episode, Willow gave props to her mother for speaking out not only to clear the air but for working out such a complicated situation with her husband of over 20 years, while being in the spotlight.
“I want to put it on the table. I’m so proud of you. To be able to see you and Dad do that, for me, that was like, ‘OK, that’s the real deal,'” Willow shared. “That’s real love,” the 19-year-old said.
Jada described breaking her silence about their romance as “a full blast of, like, flaws, and feeling and just the total breakdown of any mask,” PEOPLE quotes. Willow shared what she learned from her parents after watching them handle this latest situation:
“Like, when you can be like, ‘I’m with you. I’m going to stand by you and I’m going to hold your hand’… that’s really important,'” the singer said.
UPDATE: Salt Bae’s Boston Restaurant Reportedly Shut Down For Allegedly Violating COVID-19 Regulations
City officials have reportedly ordered Nusret Gokce aka #SaltBae’s signature steakhouse to shut its doors this weekend after finding out that the Boston restaurant was allowing patrons to pack in without social distancing, and not wear masks!
As many are aware, Massachusetts had recently announced it would start letting more people dine-in and even stand at the bar for foodservice in groups of 10. SaltBae’s establishment opened back up last week. However, in a recent clip posted on Instagram by Salt Bae, shows dozens of customers flocking to the restaurant, with protective gear, and some without.
To make matters worse, as TMZ points out, in another video that has got him trending on social media shows a woman twerking inside what appears to be the lobby of Nusr-Et with none other than SB himself recording from afar. The news site notes that the restaurant will have a couple of hearings this week to respond to the alleged violations.
Caitlyn Jenner & Sophia Hutchins Reportedly In Talks To Join ‘Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills’
There might be some new faces on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” soon as Caitlyn Jenner and Sophia Hutchins are reportedly in talks to join the reality show.
According to TMZ, the former “Keeping Up With the Kardashians“ star – who was formerly known as Bruce Jenner before coming out as transgender back in 2015 – is likely to only make cameo appearances on the 11th season of the Bravo show, but the 24-year-old is expected to sign up for a full-time role. A source told the news site: “Sophia recently sat down for dinner with former “RHOBH” castmate Eileen Davidson. They chatted about Eileen’s experience on the show and Sophia got enough good feedback that she decided “RHOBH’” was something she wanted to do.”
Sources say nothing has been signed but they are hoping to snag both Sophia and Caitlyn. Earlier this year, Caitlyn said she “could see” herself joining the show. ”I’ve done reality television pretty much all my life – sports is reality television – and I was watching that and saying, ‘I could see myself getting in there with some of the drama,” WFMZ quotes.
Sophia said: “I would be on [RHOBH] in two seconds.” #Socialites, would you love to see these two on the reality show? Sound off in the comment box below!
UPDATE: Hero Father Who Shielded His Kids During Bronx Shootout Gets Fired From 2 Jobs
According to TMZ, a father of three has been let go from two of his jobs after sustaining multiple injuries while shielding his three kids from a shooting at a Bronx car dealership.
As we previously reported, Anthony Jefferson was at the dealership with his children Monday when a gunman opened fire from behind a glass and into the building. When the first bullet shattered the dealership’s window, Anthony sprung into action to protect his children, ages 6, 5, and 2. Although the kids were unharmed, Anthony was shot three times, twice in his foot and once in his right thigh, according to a GoFundMe page set up for Anthony’s family.
His wife, Danica, recently spoke with TMZ and shared that Anthony, who worked as a head painter at a maintenance company and a construction worker in New York City, was fired from his two jobs because of his current inability to walk. In the interview with the news site, his wife did not reveal the name of the specific companies.
On top of Anthony needing extra care, the family says their three children will now need therapy as “they are beyond traumatized” from the incident, according to the GoFundMe page. The father of three has since been discharged from the hospital but will require further surgery to remove the bullet still in his leg.
As the news site notes, the GoFundMe page was launched on Thursday by Anthony’s friend, Serena Wingate. The fundraiser has raised more than $16,000 of its $24,100 goal.
“This Go Fund me is to help this heroic dad with his medical bills and his kids with therapy,” Wingate wrote.
A group of Russian writers led by Sergey Komkov said that they submitted the nomination to the five-person committee in Norway earlier this year. Though, the reason for the nomination has not been given. Speaking earlier this Thursday, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the nomination was not made by the Kremlin (the Russian government). “You all know that completely different people are nominated for this award, this is an initiative of those submitting the nomination. In this case, [the nomination was submitted by] the aforementioned writer [Komkov]. If this decision is made [to award Putin the prize], great, if not, it’s no problem as well,” News Week quotes.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – NOVEMBER 21: (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin speeches during the state awarding ceremony on November 21, 2019 in Moscow, Russia. President Vladimir Putin awarded dozens Russians during the ceremony at the Kremlin. (Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)
Putin, who was also nominated for the prize in 2013 now joins US President Donald Trump on this year’s list of nominees. As we previously reported, Trump was nominated by politician Christian Tybring-Gjedde for his work in brokering a deal between Israel and the UAE.
Among the contenders for this year’s prize are environmental activist Greta Thunberg and
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Trump Won’t Commit To A ‘Peaceful Transfer Of Power’ If He Loses Election
During a press conference on Wednesday, President Trump declined to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the presidential election to Joe Biden in November.
When asked if he will leave the White House peacefully, if he loses the election, Trump responded, “Well, we’re going to have to see what happens. You know that.” Pressed further, Trump added: “We’ll want to have — get rid of the ballots and you’ll have a very — we’ll have a very peaceful — there won’t be a transfer, frankly. There’ll be a continuation.”
Trump made similar remarks back in June when Fox News’ Chris Wallace asked whether he would accept the election results, Trump said he would “have to see” and claimed that mail-in voting will “rig the election,” NBC News notes.
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 27: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn of the White House August 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. Trump gave the speech in front of 1500 invited guests. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
As ABC News reports, on Wednesday night, Biden gave a brief response on the tarmac in Delaware, to Trump’s refusal to commit to a peaceful transition of power: “What country are we in? I’m being facetious. I said, what country are we in? Look, he says the most irrational things. I… I don’t know what to say about it, but it doesn’t surprise me,” Biden said.
Interim police chief Robert Schroeder said at a press conference that it was unclear whether the shooting was related to the protests, but noted that it came hours after Kentucky’s attorney general announced that no officers were indicted directly for their role in the fatal police shooting of Taylor, a Black emergency medical worker killed by police in her own home back.
Following the Wednesday shooting that happened at around 8:30 pm, both officers were taken to a hospital where they were later listed in stable condition, Schroeder said. At the time, cops shared that they had quickly arrested the suspect but did not release his identity until now. The suspect has been identified as Larynzo Johnson. According to WLKY, he’s charged with wanton endangerment and assault of a police officer.
The news site notes that her is expected to face an arraignment hearing on Friday morning, likely via remote as courts are closed due to anti-coronavirus measures. The FBI has said it was assisting with the investigation into the shooting.
Kodak Black Reaches Out To Donald Trump To Help Him Get Out Of Prison
Just shortly after it was announced that rapper Kodak Black had filed a lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Prisons for alleged torture, he’s not taking even bigger steps to get out of the slammer.
According to TMZ, he’s now turning to Donald Trump for help, begging the President to commute his prison sentence or just help him out of prison. The news site notes that the rapper’s attorneys, Bradford Cohen and Jonathan Schwartz, sent a petition to Trump, asking him to give Kodak a break.
WEST POINT, NY – JUNE 13: U.S. President Donald Trump at the end of the commencement ceremony on June 13, 2020 in West Point, New York. The graduating cadets were sent home in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but have been ordered back to attend the commencement after the president announced he would continue with the previously planned address. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
In his petition obtained by TMZ lists a number of reasons why he should be let out. Cohen points out that Kodak was sentenced to 46 months behind bars in his federal gun case, and claims the average sentence for the same crime is 18 months. Kodak’s attorney’s also notes that he’s being unfairly punished for assaulting a prison guard in Miami, repeating their earlier claim that Kodak was set up, tortured, humiliated, and possibly drugged.
To add, he also notes that Kodak is locked up in a maximum-security federal prison in Kentucky, but Cohen says it’s not warranted as he claims the Bureau of Prisons “erroneously” viewed Kodak as level 4 criminal history, paving the way for Kodak to be housed in a maximum-security facility. Cohen claims the judge only put Kodak at a level 2, which means he could be housed at a lower security prison, TMZ notes.
Cohen says Kodak was only supposed to get a 6-month sentence, but instead ended up with year-long punishment, which has kept him in total lockdown since last September. Due to this, it resulted in no phone calls or visits from anyone but his attorneys. His team wants Trump to consider abuse Kodak’s allegedly suffering in prison, TMZ notes.
Chicago Bears Legend And Hall Of Fame Running Back Gale Sayers Dies At 77
This Wednesday morning, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that legendary running back Gale Sayers has died at age 77. Sayers was well-known for his seven seasons with the Chicago Bears, which helped him become the youngest player ever inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey also released a statement on his passing: “Football fans know well Gale’s many accomplishments on the field: a rare combination of speed and power as the game’s most electrifying runner, a dangerous kick returner, his comeback from a serious knee injury to lead the league in rushing, and becoming the youngest player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” McCaskey said.
He went on to say,
“People who weren’t even football fans came to know Gale through the TV movie ‘Brian’s Song,’ about his friendship with teammate Brian Piccolo. Fifty years later, the movie’s message that brotherhood and love needn’t be defined by skin color, still resonates. Coach Halas said it best, when presenting Gale for induction at the Hall of Fame: ‘His like will never be seen again.’ On behalf of the McCaskey family, we offer our sincerest condolences to Ardie and the entire Sayers family.”
Although Sayers played only seven seasons from 1965-71, where he got injured, he became the youngest player ever inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977. Despite his short career, he still had a prominent place in the history of the Bears and the NFL.
UPDATE: Grand Jury indicts Only 1 Officer On Criminal Charges In Breonna Taylor Case
A decision has been made: Just six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in her own home in Kentucky, a grand jury has indicted just one officer on criminal charges.
This Wednesday, the jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison on three counts of wanton endangerment — for firing recklessly and without due regard for life. His bail has been set at $15,000. Wanton endangerment carries a maximum penalty of 5 years if convicted.
As we previously reported, Taylor was shot multiple times by officers who burst into her home on March 13 during a narcotics investigation. NO drugs were found in her home. The indictment has already sparked anger from protestors in Louisville and Rev. Al Sharpton who called it “grossly insufficient.”
To note, the charges against Hankison are not directly for the death of Taylor but for endangering neighbors. The other two officers: Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove — who had already been placed on administrative reassignment but were still part of the force — have not been charged.
(Photo Credit: Breonna Taylor via Facebook)
While speaking at a press confrence this afternoon, Kentucky Attorney General Daniele Cameron explained why the use of force by the officers were “justified.” Check out the clip here:
Kentucky AG Cameron: “According to Kentucky law, the use of force by Mattingly and Cosgrove was justified to protect themselves. This justification bars us from pursuing criminal charges in Ms. Breonna Taylor’s death.” pic.twitter.com/K6txNi9qyr
Ben Crump, attorney for the family of Breonna Taylor, was outraged after receiving the news. He tweeted:
“Jefferson County Grand Jury indicts former ofc. Brett Hankison with 3 counts of Wanton Endangerment in 1st Degree for bullets that went into other apartments but NOTHING for the murder of Breonna Taylor. This is outrageous and offensive! He added, “If Brett Hankison’s behavior was wanton endangerment to people in neighboring apartments, then it should have been wanton endangerment in Breonna Taylor’s apartment too. In fact, it should have been ruled wanton murder!”
If Brett Hankison's behavior was wanton endangerment to people in neighboring apartments, then it should have been wanton endangerment in Breonna Taylor's apartment too. In fact, it should have been ruled wanton murder!
Earlier, Louisville Metro Police Department announced a state of emergency effective in preparation for Cameron’s announcement on Wednesday. “To ensure we have the appropriate level of staffing to provide for public safety services and our policing functions, effective immediately the LMPD will operate under the emergency staffing and reporting guidelines,” said LMPD Interim Chief of Police Robert Schroeder on Monday.
UPDATE: Wells Fargo CEO Apologizes For Saying The Black Talent Pool Is Limited
As expected, Wells Fargo CEO Charles Scharf is now speaking out to apologize after he blamed the lack of diversity at the bank on “a very limited pool of Black talent to recruit from.”
As we previously reported, Scharf made plans to achieve some diversity goals, including a pledge to increase the number of Black leaders in five years but he reportedly fell short. However, he put the blame on the lack of talent. In a memo sent to staff about their diversity initiatives on June 18, he said: “While it might sound like an excuse, the unfortunate reality is that there is a very limited pool of black talent to recruit from.”
A pedestrian wearing a protective mask walks past a Wells Fargo & Co. bank branch in New York, U.S., on Thursday, July 9, 2020. Wells Fargo is scheduled to release earnings figures on July 14. Photographer: Peter Foley/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Following a wave of backlash, he is now apologizing for his remarks. In a new memo to employees released by the bank, Scharf apologized for “an insensitive comment reflecting my own unconscious bias.” He added, “There are many talented diverse individuals working at Wells Fargo (WFC) and throughout the financial services industry and I never meant to imply otherwise,” he wrote. “It’s clear to me that, across the industry, we have not done enough to improve diversity, especially at senior leadership levels. And there is no question Wells Fargo has to make meaningful progress to increase diverse representation,” CNN quotes.
Scharf was criticized by many people including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who tweeted late Tuesday, “Perhaps it’s the CEO of Wells Fargo who lacks the talent to recruit Black workers.”
Father Shot While Shielding His Kids After Gunman Opens Fire Into Bronx Car Dealership
Video taken from inside a Bronx car dealership shows the heart-stopping moments a father jumps into action to save his kids during a shootout.
In the clip obtained by CBS New York shows the dad and his three young children sitting on a blue couch inside the dealership’s waiting area just before 7:30 p.m. Suddenly, a man in a dark hoodie walks behind the glass door, pulls out a gun, and opens fire. As people inside are seen ducking for safety, the father quickly grabs his children and pulls them down to the ground, shielding them with his body.
While on the floor, a bullet can been seen flying through the glass right above the family, leaving debris just inches from one child’s head. From there, the 39-year-old father is seen jumping on top of them again, pushing them back down to the floor. As CBS News points out, he was doing all of this even despite one of the bullets striking him in the thigh. Thanks to his efforts, the children remained unharmed. The hero dad identified as Anthony Jefferson, was later taken to Jacobi Hospital and was listed in stable condition, the news site reports.
The NYPD said three gunmen were targeting someone doing business inside the dealership. Police said two of the shooters got away while the third carjacked a customer and sped off.
We will continue to keep you updated when more details have been shared.
Press Play Below For More:
🚨WANTED for ASSAULT: On 9/21/20 at approx 7:20 PM, inside of 4077 Boston Rd in the Bronx, 3 suspects fired multiple shots at a male who then returned fire, striking a male bystander who was attempting to shield his 3 kids. Any info, call or DM @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/0CMcWsXt1m
Wells Fargo’s CEO Says That “There Is A Very Limited Pool Of Black Talent To Recruit From”
According to Reuters, Wells Fargo made big plans to achieve some diversity goals, including a pledge to increase the number of Black leaders in five years. However, it’s been said they haven’t been able to make that happen and their excuse for it is actually shocking
Two participants in a summer Zoom meeting with Wells Fargo CEO Charles Scharf told Reuters on Tuesday that the company is unable to meet its diversity goals because there is a limited pool of qualified Black talent. According to NBC News, he also reiterated the assertion in a company-wide memo about diversity initiatives on June 18.
Scharf reportedly said, “While it might sound like an excuse, the unfortunate reality is that there is a very limited pool of black talent to recruit from.” After his comments were made public, he immediately faced backlash. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shared a tweet saying, “Perhaps it’s the CEO of Wells Fargo who lacks the talent to recruit Black workers.” Other Twitter users had more to say.
As many are aware, around June, the Black Lives Matter movement gained more momentum following the May 25th police-killing of George Floyd. Many companies including Wells Fargo announced new diversity initiatives to show their support of the movement. At the time, Black employees thought the summer meeting was very constructive. “Scharf spent more time listening than speaking. I walked away being incredibly surprised at how genuine and sincere he is.” the president of the Black/African American Connection Team Member Network previously said.
A pedestrian wearing a protective mask walks past a Wells Fargo & Co. bank branch in New York, U.S., on Thursday, July 9, 2020. Wells Fargo is scheduled to release earnings figures on July 14. Photographer: Peter Foley/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Wells Fargo spokeswoman Beth Richek defended Scharf’s record on diversity: “The CEO of the largest U.S. bank employer has pledged to double the number of Black leaders over five years and tied executive compensation to reaching diversity goals. He is also requiring hiring managers to consider diverse candidates for high-paying roles that are vacant, and ensure diversity on interview teams,” CNBC quotes.
Blac Chyna’s Request To Have Court Dismiss Rob Kardashian’s Assault & Battery Case Rejected
Looks like Blac Chyna is going to have to suit up to battle her ex-fiancé Rob Kardashian. According to PEOPLE Magazine, her request to have the court dismiss Rob’s 2017 lawsuit against her has been denied.
In court documents obtained by the news site states, “The Motion for Summary Judgement filed by Angela Renee White on 02/20/2020 is Denied. Defendant’s alternative motion for summary adjudication is DENIED as to both issues.”
As it was previously reported, Rob, 33, and his sister Kylie Jenner filed the assault and battery lawsuit against the 32-year-old back in 2017. Rob, who shares a daughter with Chyna, claimed that she attempted to choke him with an iPhone cord during a heated fight last year, which took place at a home owned by Jenner, 23. As a result of the alleged fight, he said he suffered injuries to his neck, head, and face, and also claimed that Chyna did extensive damage to Jenner’s home, which Jenner claimed were in excess of $100,000.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 26: Blac Chyna attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on August 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/WireImage)
Chyna followed up and filed the motion on Feb. 8, stating that she “did not intend to inflict injury on Rob and because she did not, in fact, harm him, Rob’s claim for assault and battery fail.” As the magazine notes, her motion claims that “the only ‘harm’ Rob suffered that night relates to his heartbreak that Chyna moved out of Kylie Jenner’s home with their newborn baby girl, Dream.”
Chyna’s team has not publicly spoken out on this latest update on their case. Until then, let us know your thoughts on this in the comment box below!
Porsha Williams Speaks On Protesting: “I’ve Had More Jail Time Than the Cops Who Killed Breonna Taylor”
“Real Housewives Of Atlanta“ star Porsha Williams is one of many celebrities who have been using their voice and platform to shed light on social injustice. As we previously reported, the 39-year-old attended many protests as the Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum in the wake of George Floyd’s May 25 death.
As PEOPLE notes, the reality star and activist was arrested twice. After being hit with tear gas at an Atlanta protest for Floyd on June 2, she was then taken into police custody. She was charged criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct, and intimidating a participant in a legal process, which were later dropped. She was arrested again at a protest for Breonna Taylor in Louisville on Aug. 25 and charged with obstructing a highway and disorderly conduct (second degree).
In an essay for PEOPLE Magazine, Williams expresses her outrage and disappointment with the officers involved in Breonna Taylor‘s murder, who haven’t been arrested yet. She’s also making it clear that despite all of her obstacles, she’s not giving up the fight against systemic racism. “Breonna Taylor was killed in her home six months ago, and since then we have been calling for justice and the arrest of the cops who murdered her that day. It has taken too long for justice in this case, longer than most people are willing to wait — or pay attention to. And that’s why I, along with many others, have traveled to Kentucky not once, but twice. We will continue to bring attention and keep pressure on Attorney General Daniel Cameron as he does his investigation. He needs to know that we will not be pushed to the side. We will not be silenced.”
“Yet as much as this delay upsets us, we have to be patient. We haven’t just been waiting for justice for six months — we’ve been waiting for centuries. It’s not only for Breonna Taylor, but it’s also for the countless others who have been victims of police brutality. Right now, we are the voice of the voiceless — past, present, and future.”
She went on to explain,
“The reason I kissed my daughter at home, got on a plane during a pandemic and protested in Kentucky two times now was because people were forgetting about the ‘extreme indifference to the value of human life,’ as Louisville Metro interim chief Robert Schroeder described former officer Brett Hankison’s actions. We needed to escalate the conversation again and demand action. It doesn’t matter that one lost his job and the other officers — Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove — are on administrative reassignment. That’s not justice — that’s an eraser at best. I’m so blessed to work with such an amazing organization like Until Freedom. With their help, I have now been able to be a part of something bigger than myself and put my love to work. I’ve been arrested twice in the name of justice and, ironically enough, have spent more time in jail than the people I’m protesting against. Yes, I can repeat that: I’ve now spent more time in jail than the people I’m protesting against.”
Before concluding she added,
“If the officers are ultimately arrested, Breonna Taylor will still be gone. Her beautiful mother that I got to meet in Kentucky will still grieve for the loss of her daughter. Yet by achieving justice we not only get closure for Breonna’s family, but we also get one step closer to the ultimate goal: equality.”
“I am here to use my voice, my platform, my body, and my being to get justice for Breonna Taylor, an African-American Queen. And as we continue to wait on the results of the attorney general’s investigation, we need to continue to use our voices, our platform, and our love in order to call for and get that justice. Breonna’s change.org petition has received over 10 million signatures and nothing has been done. Keep signing and keep letting them hear us,” PEOPLE quotes.
Gucci Rolls Out $770 Jeans With ‘Grass Stains’ For Its Fall Collection
Welp, there’s a new pair of jeans on the market and it’s going to cost you a pretty penny… that’s if you like it.
Gucci just dropped their “eco washed organic denim pants,” which are deliberately stained to look like you just rolled around in the grass. The jeans are going for a total of £600 ($770) a pair! According to the product description, the high-end jeans are “specifically treated for a stained-like, distressed effect.”
As Yahoo News points out, Gucci is also selling a pair of stained denim overalls which are a little more pricy than the jeans. They’re going for $1,400. The production for the overalls reads: “Channeling the Fall Winter 2020 Men’s collection’s grunge vibe, this denim overall is crafted from organic cotton and specifically treated for a stained-like, distressed effect. Gucci explores new takes on the cult fabric, reinterpreting it with different designs and washing techniques that blur the line between vintage and contemporary.”
Of course, social media users had a field day with this. One person tweeted, “I already got a pair of grass stained jeans thats a lot cheaper then these. I guess I’m in style 😂.” Another said, “Yeah not a Good Look!!! Wouldn’t buy those Jeans at the Thrift Store for a Dollar!!!”
Socialites, would you spend your hard-earned money on these jeans? Let us know in the comment box below!
Dr. Dre’s Record Company Accuses Estranged Wife Nicole Young Of Draining Bank Account!
Just days after Nicole Young accused her estranged husband Dr. Dre of creating a new “holding company” where he allegedly “transferred his assets such as his trademarks for “Dr. Dre” and “The Chronic” after kicking her out of their home back in June, she’s now being accused of draining out money from one of their joint bank accounts.
According to TMZ, a company Dr. Dre and his wife founded together back in 2015, is accusing her of draining the primary business account dry and even criminal embezzlement. In an obtained letter that was sent off to Nicole Young by attorneys for Record One recording studio, alleges all of the wrongdoing by Nicole — claiming she “decimated” the company’s bank account last month to the tune of $363,571.85. Attorney Ed McPherson, who reps the LLC that operates Record One, even attached the check Nicole wrote to herself, TMZ reports.
Not only does the letter accuses Nicole of “blatant and unjustifiable criminal embezzlement of corporate funds,” but also a breach of her fiduciary duties. As the news site notes, Record One is operated by an LLC, and Dre, Nicole, and a guy named Larry Chatman, who demand Nicole return the cash they claim she took no later than a week from Tuesday. If she doesn’t, the attorneys say they’ll be filing suit against her.
(Photo Credit: TMZ)
Meanwhile, Nicole’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, tells TMZ, “This is just a low-grade PR stunt by Andre and his team to try to change the fact that he was caught red-handed and sued for trying to cheat Nicole out of community property to which she is entitled. There is no question that Nicole had both the contractual and the legal right to have taken this action and Andre’s team is well aware of this fact. Any suggestion she did something untoward is preposterous and pathetic.”
HU Exclusive: Tamar Braxton’s Ex David Adefeso Was Allegedly Spotted Out With Another Woman Days After Big Breakup
Hollywood Unlocked exclusively reports that sources close to David Adefeso are saying that this is his girlfriend. Apparently, they have reportedly been together before and during the time he and Tamar were in a relationship! The source notes that David had allegedly been cheating on the singer since earlier this year, and as soon as their relationship ended recently, he boo’d up with his girlfriend/employee on a more formal basis, as the photo shows them vacationing together. It’s been said that this is the real reason why Tamar officially called it quits.
The source also notes that David is now using his “newfound fame” and “false accusations” against Tamar to “raise his own profile and his business,” adding that “he lied on Tamar and accused her of hitting him, just to make himself out to be the victim.” The source also claims that “there are photos and a video of the incident.”
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: David Adefeso and Tamar Braxton attend WE tv’s “Braxton Family Values” Season 6 Premiere at The Doheny Room on April 02, 2019 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
As it was previously reported by The Blast, sources close to Braxton, 43, claimed that ex-boyfriend, David, was the aggressor in a recent domestic violence incident where she claims he assaulted her and threatened to kill her in a “murder-suicide.” It was said that the ex-couple got into a heated altercation while driving to check the reality star into a mental health facility for treatment. The Blast notes that on the way, Tamar questioned Adefeso about an Instagram he shared featuring her 7-year-old son, Logan Herbert. From there, they began arguing and Tamar reportedly told David he was “around for the wrong reasons and could not be trusted.”
The source told the news site that David became “irate, threatening not only her life but his own,” adding that David said “they were going to end up in a “murder-suicide,” The Blast quotes.
Now, in a recent video posted to Instagram, David switched gears, stating that Braxton was the aggressor in that situation; claiming he was left with bruises. He said this while explaining why he recently filed a restraining order against her.
Hollywood Unlocked will continue to keep you updated when more details have been shared.
The 23-year-old posted a snap of her and Kroy for his birthday, writing in the caption, “I couldn’t imagine a life without your hardworking, selfless, loving, caring self! I’m so proud of you and all you’ve accomplished 🤍.” When one fan asked why she chose to sit on Kroy’s lap, she wrote back, “honestly because I had no where else to sit we were making jokes the whole time about him being Santa it was comedy.” Another troll said, “Tell me they haven’t hooked up,” to which she replied, “Do you hook up with your dad?”
Kory, 35, also spoke out on the criticism he and his family received over the Instagram picture. While talking with TMZ, he said he doesn’t give a crap what “uneducated” people think about the snap with his daughter. Kim Zolciak-Biermann also chimed in to let viewers know how she felt about the haters who always come for her fam.
However, there were some nice words said during the quick interview. Although Brielle was still visibly heated, she told the cameraman that Kroy’s is an incredible man and father, despite what others think.
The news site reports that “Love & Hip-Hop: Miami” star Prince, real name Christopher Harty, is the one who filed the lawsuit, claiming Tory and his security and other members of his crew beat him cold at LIV Nightclub. In docs obtained by TMZ, he says while partying at the club, Tory started to verbally antagonize him, and that the trash talk eventually escalated to Tory taking a punch at him.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: Tory Lanez attends IGA X BET Awards Party 2018 on June 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Cassidy Sparrow/Getty Images for Interscope Records)
Prince claims Tory’s crew then joined in, punching, kicking, and beating him. It was said that the suit includes a 5-second video that shows the alleged beatdown. However, it’s hard to make out if Tory’s part of the brawl. As a result of the alleged incident, Prince claims that the physical beatdown left him with blunt force trauma to his head, neck, chest, and back and multiple contusions and bruises to his body. As NBC notes, he’s suing Tory for unspecified damages.
This latest lawsuit comes on the heels of Tory’s recent crime, which involved rapper Megan Thee Stallion. As we previously reported, he was arrested for gun possession after attending a party where he got into an argument with Meg and allegedly ended up shooting her in the foot.
He has not publicly spoken out to confirm those reports or respond to this latest lawsuit against him.
Steve Harvey Defends Ellen Amid Show Scandal: She’s ‘One Of The Kindest People In Business’
Steve Harvey is the latest celebrity to speak out in support of Ellen Degeneres amid a very public scandal involving toxic workplace accusations against her popular daytime show.
During his appearance on PEOPLE TV, the 63-year-old detailed how long he’s known DeGeneres, noting that she’s “one of the coolest and kindest people I’ve met in this business: “I’m going to say this about it: Ellen DeGeneres, the person that I know, that I’ve known for a number of years, that I saw back in the comedy club days when we used to split time with the same management, all of this and what’s happening now, Ellen, the person, is probably one of the coolest and kindest people I’ve met in this business,” Harvey said in an interview with People.
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 10: Ellen DeGeneres arrives at SAINT LAURENT At The Palladium at Hollywood Palladium on February 10, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)
Despite being called “mean” and being accused of creating a toxic workplace by former Ellen DeGeneres Show staffers, Harvey said that these problems should not fall on her shoulders: “People want to take something and make something out of everything,” he said. “[Ellen] has no control over what every staff member does, what every producer does, you can’t control that. You don’t even know some of the stuff that’s happening.”
However, he agreed that because “it’s her name that’s on the show” she had to “take the hit.” Harvey said he would do the same on his own talk show. Aside from that, the “Family Feud” host said he doesn’t believe DeGeneres, 62, has a “racist tendency.”
“I’m a 63-year-old Black man. I’ve been Black the entire time. I ain’t took no days off. I ain’t experimented with nothing else. I ain’t got nothing else going. I’ve been a Black dude my whole life. I know racism. If I have a conversation with you, I know if you got racist tendency somewhere in you, because it radiates. I can feel it. I’ve been around a long time, man. That’s not Ellen DeGeneres. That’s just not her, period,” he reiterated.
While speaking about their time in office, Mrs. Obama explained that she and former President Obama “never could’ve gotten away with some of the stuff that’s going on now” in the White House because their “community wouldn’t have accepted that,” The Hill quotes.
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 07: U.S. President Donald Trump meets with students, teachers and administrators about how to safely re-open schools during the novel coronavirus pandemic in the East Room at the White House July 07, 2020 in Washington, DC. As the number of COVID-19 cases surge across southern states like Florida, Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina and Arizona, Trump joined with guests from across the country to discuss how to responsibly return to the classroom. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Obama, 56, who was joined on the podcast by her mother, Marian Robinson, 83, and her older brother, Craig Robinson, 58, also discussed race and the interactions between African-Americans and police officers – including an incident from the family’s own experience.
They talked about the time police once accuse Craig — now an executive director with the National Association of Basketball Coaches — of stealing his own bicycle when he was a young boy.
“You were riding down the street and you got stopped by the police, and they accused you of stealing your own bike,” Obama remembered. “And they would not believe you, to the point where you were like, ‘Take me to my home.'” Despite that, he said the incident when he was 10 or 11 years old was “terrifying” and it left him completely “heartbroken,” especially because he was “always taught that the police are your friends … and they’ll believe the truth.”
“What a lot of folks who are not in our position don’t understand is that this is such a way of life when it comes to interacting with the rest of the world,” Obama said according to The Hill. “It doesn’t matter who you are and what kind of values you have, nobody thinks about the fact that we all come from good families that are trying to teach values.”
“When you leave the safety of your home and go out into the street, where being Black is a crime in and of itself, we have all had to learn how to operate outside of our homes with a level of caution and fear because you never know,” Obama, 56, added.
Press Play Below For More On Michelle Obama’s Podcast:
UPDATE: US Government Plans To Ban TikTok And WeChat On Sunday
#Socialites, get into this! This Friday, The Commerce Department announced plans to restrict access to TikTok and WeChat this coming Sunday as the Trump administration’s executive orders against the two apps are set to take effect!
The Department said that as of Sunday, any moves to distribute or maintain WeChat or TikTok on an app store will be prohibited, CNN notes. While WeChat users will also be banned from transferring funds and processing payments through the messaging apps, further restrictions are expected to be announced later, including against other apps if they are seen to be used as workarounds, the news site reports.
“Today’s actions prove once again that President Trump will do everything in his power to guarantee our national security and protect Americans from the threats of the Chinese Communist Party,” said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in a release. “At the President’s direction, we have taken significant action to combat China’s malicious collection of American citizens’ personal data, while promoting our national values, democratic rules-based norms, and aggressive enforcement of U.S. laws and regulations.”
The move comes after Trump’s August announcement that he will sign an executive order that would effectively ban TikTok in the United States unless the Chinese-owned ByteDance could find an American owner for its US operations by September 20. He expressed concerns that the hugely popular app could be used as a spying tool by Beijing. Not only that, but authorities also fear that it could be leveraged to collect personal data on US citizens.
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 27: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn of the White House August 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. Trump gave the speech in front of 1500 invited guests. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump demanded the sale of the service in August. Bytedance has been trying to win U.S. approval for a transaction with Oracle that would leave the Chinese-headquartered parent company with majority ownership of TikTok. While it’s unclear where that stands, for now, people can continue to post their short videos content. Once the ban is enacted, however, it’s still not clear what it would mean for users.
Paris Hilton Reveals Her Real Voice: “I’ve Been Playing A Character”
In Paris Hilton’s brand new documentary, “This Is Paris,” the star opens about many things in her life and in conjunction with the release, she also spoke to Australian breakfast TV program “Sunrise” where for the first time, she lets fans hear her “real voice.”
As many people know, one of her trademarks is her super valley girl baby voice that she has been using since the early 2000s. While many people assumed that was indeed her real voice, she’s letting everyone know that it was all an act that she has put on for years!
(Photo Credit: Screenshot: Paris Hilton Reveals Five Of Her Past Boyfriends Were Physically Abusive)
“This entire time, I have been playing a character, so the world has never truly know who I am… The real me is someone who is actually brilliant. I’m not a dumb blonde, I’m just really good at pretending to be one.”
Paris Hilton went to say that she doesn’t want to be “remembered for some airhead, but the businesswoman” that she really is. Paris previously made an attempt to speak out about the “fake voice” she felt obliged to put on in previous interviews. Back in 2016, she appeared on the Today Show in America, where the hosts presenters quizzed her about the sudden change in her voice.
UPDATE: Cheer’ Star Jerry Harris Arrested On Child Pornography Charges
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago confirmed this Thursday that “Cheer” star Jerry Harris has been arrested on “production of child pornography charges.”
The news site notes that in the complaint filed Thursday, Harris allegedly asked for pornographic images and videos from two 14-year-old boys. The boys’ parents found the photos and videos on one of the teen’s phones, the complaint also stated.
As we previously reported, FBI agents executed a search warrant Monday afternoon at a home in Naperville after cheerleading company Varsity alerted police officers in Florida and Texas about the allegations against Harris. It was stated that the company learned about the claims of “inappropriate sexual conduct” last month but felt it was necessary to take action now. USA Today noted that the criminal investigation is based on allegations reported separately to police by Varsity Brands, a private company.
Federal law enforcement confirmed to TMZ that federal authorities were investigating Jerry for alleged possession of child porn and as part of that probe they are looking into whether Jerry was allegedly soliciting minors.
According to the report, Varsity shared 2 screenshots with police, including an alleged Snapchat message of Jerry’s face with the message, “Would you ever want to ****.” However, a spokesperson for Harris told the news site that he was 19 at the time of alleged solicitation, back in May 2019, and also that the allegations don’t involve any physical contact. The spokesperson also disputed the allegations against him.
“We categorically dispute the claims made against Jerry Harris, which are alleged to have occurred when he was a teenager. We are confident that when the investigation is complete the true facts will be revealed.”
After Barr delivered an address at Hillsdale College in Michigan, he made those shocking remarks during a question and answer session. When asked about the constitutionality of the coronavirus restrictions, Barr suggested that instead of imposing lockdowns, states should have allowed businesses to try to “adapt” to new rules. He argued, “you’ll have ingenuity and people will at least have the freedom to try to earn a living.”
He went on to say,
“But putting a national lockdown, stay at home orders, is like house arrest,” Barr continued. “Other than slavery, which was a different kind of restraint, this is the greatest intrusion on civil liberties in American history,” CNN quotes.
According to the news site, Barr went on to say “governors do what bureaucrats always do,” which is “defy common sense,” and “treat free citizens as babies that can’t take responsibility for themselves and others.”
As expected, his comparison to slavery drew outraged reactions from Democrats and many social media users. Despite that, he has not spoken out to clarify or defend his remarks.
Kanye West Reportedly Told Campaigners To ‘Avoid Fornicating Outside Of Marriage’
Kanye West is determined to win the presidential race and he’s making sure he has the “perfect” staff to get him in office. According to a report by the New York Times, the rapper allegedly told campaigners to avoid ‘fornicating’ outside of marriage.
Although a reason for that specific request wasn’t shared, it does line up with some of the ideas West has previously voiced during his campaign and attributed to his Christian beliefs. The New York Times reports that Kanye West also wants to bring back prayer in schools, give more government support to religious groups.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 09: Kanye West attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 09, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/VF20/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)
As Forbes points out, this is not the first time West encourages those around him to keep sex between married partners only. The 43-year-old reportedly made the same request last year for people he worked with in the studio recording his latest album, “Jesus Is King.” In a series of text and phone exchanges with a Times reporter published by the paper, Kanye also made it clear that he believes he will become president, and if all doesn’t go well, he’s going to try again in the next four years.
As of last week, Kanye’s team has helped him appear on ballots only in 12 states. Despite that, they’re still determined to reach the finish line in the presidential race.
Chris Rock Defends Jimmy Fallon’s Blackface Impersonation Of Him: ‘He Didn’t Mean Anything’
While talking with the New York Times, Chris Rock briefly spoke about the controversy surrounding his good friend Jimmy Fallon, who many people tried to cancel a few months ago.
As we previously reported, in May, the clip from a 2000 episode of Saturday Night Live went viral, which showed Fallon wearing blackface for an impression of Rock. It was accompanied by the hashtag #JimmyFallonIsOverParty. Fallon eventually apologized for making the “terrible” and “unquestionably offensive” move. While many fans and celebrities defended the talk show host at the time. Still, we didn’t know how Rock really felt about it until now. In the new interview published Wednesday, Rock explains: “Hey, man, I’m friends with Jimmy,” Rock told NYT. “Jimmy’s a great guy. And he didn’t mean anything. A lot of people want to say intention doesn’t matter, but it does. And I don’t think Jimmy Fallon intended to hurt me. And he didn’t.”
Host Chris Rock speaks on stage at the BET Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, June 29, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Rock, 55, also discussed the incident in a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter, dismissing the sketch as “bad comedy” and adding that Fallon “doesn’t hold a racist bone in his body.”
Fallon previously said he is dedicated to doing better:
“I realized that I can’t say I’m horrified and I’m sorry and I’m embarrassed,” Fallon said at the time. “And what that small gesture did for me was break my own silence. … Silence is the biggest crime that white guys like me, and the rest of us, are doing. We need to say something. We need to keep saying something. … We all need to be talking about this.”
Tina Knowles-Lawson Explains That “Beyoncé” Is Actually Her Maiden Name
In the first episode of the “In My Head with Heather Thomson” podcast, Tina Knowles-Lawson opened up about a few things including the origin of Beyoncé’s name. During Tuesday’s show, the 66-year-old fashion designer and businesswoman revealed that “Beyoncé” is actually her maiden name.
“A lot of people don’t know that Beyoncé is my last name. It’s my maiden name,” she said. “My name was Celestine Beyoncé, which at that time was not a cool thing to have that weird name. I wanted my name to be Linda Smith because those were the cool names,” the matriarch, who is also the mom to singer Solange Knowles, shared.
She went on to explain that various family members have different spellings of the “Beyoncé” last name due to a clerical error.
“I think me and my brother Skip were the only two that had B-E-Y-O-N-C-E,” she said. “And it’s interesting and it shows you the times because we asked my mother when I was grown I was like why is my brother’s name spelled B-E-Y-I-N-C-E? And you know it’s all these different spellings. And my mom’s reply to me and was that’s what they put on your birth certificate. So I said, ‘Well, why didn’t you argue and make them correct it? And she said I did one time and I was told be happy that you’re getting a birth certificate. Because at one time black people didn’t get birth certificates.”
Mrs. Lawson added that it “must’ve been horrible” feeling for her mother to “not to even be able to have her children’s names spelled correctly,” PEOPLE quotes.
As many are aware, she later took on a different surname when she tied the knot to Beyonce and Solange’s father; their former manager, Mathew Knowles. After their divorce in 2011, she then married Richard Lawson in 2015.
UPDATE: Breonna Taylor’s Family To Receive $12 Million Settlement From City Of Louisville
Earlier this Tuesday it was shared that a settlement had been reached in a civil lawsuit between the family of Breonna Taylor and the city of Louisville. At the time, full details weren’t shared but sources told WAVE 3 News that the settlement included a significant amount of money reaching into the millions of dollars and is “expected to be one of the largest settlements following an officer-involved shooting in Louisville police history.”
CNN also reported that the mayor of Louisville is expected to announce the settlement later Tuesday in a joint press conference with the Taylor family attorneys.
Now, according to the latest updates by The Hill, it has just been revealed that the family will receive a $12 million settlement for the horrific death of the 26-year-old EMT, who was shot and killed in her own home by plainclothes Louisville police officers back in March. It was noted by the Courier-Journal that the deal is the largest settlement that the city has paid in a police misconduct case, shattering the previous top figure of $8.5 million.
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND – JULY 05: In an aerial view from a drone, a large-scale ground mural depicting Breonna Taylor with the text ‘Black Lives Matter’ is seen being painted at Chambers Park on July 5, 2020 in Annapolis, Maryland. The mural was organized by Future History Now in partnership with Banneker-Douglass Museum and The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture. The painting honors Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed by members of the Louisville Metro Police Department in March 2020. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Hill reports that Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer (D) and Taylor family attorneys, including prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, are all expected to share more details on the deal at a press conference this afternoon.
We will continue to keep you updated when more details have been shared.
Michael Cohen Says He Regrets Not Smacking Trump For Saying Teen Daughter Was “Hot”
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Samantha Cohen, the daughter of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, said when she was 15, Trump noticed her walking off a tennis court and said, “Look at that piece of ass.” The now-president also allegedly added, “I would love some of that,” only to have Cohen inform him the woman in question was his teenage daughter! However, Trump didn’t come off as apologetic. Instead, he asked Cohen, “That’s your daughter? When did she get so hot?,” the Huffington Post quotes.
Now, during a Monday appearance on “The View” to promote his new book, “Disloyal: A Memoir: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump,” host Joy Behar asked: “Why didn’t you sock him in the face at that moment? How could you let that slide?” He then gave an explanation while blaming his behavior on Stockholm syndrome.
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 27: Michael Cohen, former attorney to President Donald Trump testifies before the House Oversight Committee at the Rayburn House Office Building on Wednesday February 27, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“Well, I wouldn’t have liked to have said it, I would have liked to have smacked him across the side of the head. I never would have allowed anybody to speak to or about my daughter in such a disrespectful way,” Cohen said. “I did just because, you know, as so many people would say, let Trump be Trump, and that’s the problem.”
From there, he went on to explain that he wrote his book to “get people to open up their eyes and to see the individual for who he really is,” the news site quotes.
Press Play Below For More:
“I knew it was wrong.”@MichaelCohen212 on lewd comments he claims Pres. Trump made about his then 15-year-old daughter and why he let the comments slide: “I did just because, you know, as so many people would say, ‘let Trump be Trump,’ and that’s the problem.” pic.twitter.com/LfaTYD6YAr
Chadwick Boseman Laid To Rest Near Hometown In South Carolina One Week After Death
Beloved actor Chadwick Boseman who died at aged 43 from colon cancer, was laid to rest on Sept. 3 at Welfare Baptist Church Cemetery in Belton, South Carolina, about 11 miles from Boseman’s hometown of Anderson, the Los Angeles County Certificate showed.
According to the Associated Press, on the same day as Boseman’s burial, Anderson, his hometown, held a screening of Black Panther. It was noted that fans wore masks followed social distancing guidelines while remembering the star. Some even attended wearing Black Panther costumes. E! Reports that Boseman was also honored at a private memorial in Malibu, California, on Sep. 5.
His death certificate states his immediate cause was listed as multiple organ failure, with the underlying cause of colon cancer, which his family said previously that he had been diagnosed with four years earlier.
As we previously reported, the actor died on Aug. 28 at his home in Los Angeles. It broke the hearts of many including his loyal fans. However, many promised to keep his legacy alive while remembering the true fighter, who delivered so many great films while battling his health.
SANTA MONICA, CA – MARCH 03: Actor Chadwick Boseman attends the 2018 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 3, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
“Chadwick persevered through it all and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” his family said in a statement said. “From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring T’Challa to life in Black Panther. He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side.”
Press Play Below To Look Back On Chadwick Boseman:
Family Mourns The Loss Of Young Boy Who Died While Holding His Dog In Oregon Fire
A family is left heartbroken after the wildfires on the West Coast sadly took two of their members. 13-year-old Wyatt Tofte and 71-year-old grandmother Peggy Mosso both died Tuesday, September 8, in the wildfires in Marion County, Oregon.
According to CNN, both Wyatt and Mosso died in a burning car as Wyatt’s mother tried to save them. A relative, Ashley Tofte, explained on Facebook that “Wyatt went back with his dog to save his Grandma. His last moments were heroic and full of love, together with his grandmother and his puppy.” The young boy’s mother Angela, who tried to save them, survived but is in critical condition. Her husband and Tofte’s father, Chris, also survived.
The family also released a joint statement saying, “Our family is devastated by the loss of our kind-hearted 13-year-old Wyatt and his beloved grandmother Peggy in the Santiam Fire in the early morning of September 8th. After a long search for Wyatt, he was found in a car with his dog on his lap, but unfortunately, was not able to escape the fire. Angie is in critical condition with full-body burns,” the statement said. “We want to thank all emergency personnel and people who helped in the search. Our family appreciates the love and support we have received from everyone during this terrible tragedy.”
The page continued:
“What we know happened…the power was out and Chris had left to get a generator. Angie awoke to flames surrounding their home. Grandmother Peggy had broken her leg a week earlier and was awaiting surgery. Angie had loaded her mother in the car and by the time she got Wyatt and the animals, the car was surrounded by flames. Knowing it was life and death and there was no way to drive the car out or save her mother, Angie told her 13 year old son Wyatt to run. It was pitch black outside except for flames and smoke. However, Wyatt did not keep going to safety, and instead went back to the car and tried to drive his grandmother out of the flames. The road was so hot, it burnt the tires up. He was a heroic boy, trying against all odds to save his grandmother. All this happened while his father Chris was desperately trying to get back to his family. Blockades had been set up and in desperation he ran the blockades. He found a woman on the road, her clothes burnt away, feet burnt to the bone, unrecognizable. He put her in the car and said he was sorry but he had to keep going to save his son and wife. Her mouth was black and was not able to speak, but finally whispered “I am your wife.” After desperate searching, the car was found 2 days later with Wyatt in the driver’s seat with his dog in his lap and his grandmother in the car.”
A GoFundMe page has been created to help the surviving family members (the parents of Wyatt) has raised more than $136,000.
According to TMZ, Fitzgerald, who had a small role in “Captain America: The First Avenger” — was taken into police custody in Olathe, Kansas and has reportedly been charged with second-degree murder. She’s being held on $500k bond.
Fitzgerald’s arrest comes shortly after cops found her 68-year-old mother, Patricia, dead from an apparent stab would inside her home on Dec. 20. Cops say when they responded to a call of a disturbance, Mollie was found on the scene and then transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
As of right now, the case remains under investigation, but cops have not provided additional details yet. However, what we do know is that she’s reportedly set to be arraigned Thursday.
Press Play Below For More On Celebs That Have Been Arrested
HU Exclusive: Tiffany Haddish, Melissa McCarthy And Elizabeth Moss Take Over “The Kitchen” Giving You A Sneak Peak Of ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw Hollywood Unlocked stepped into the world of 1978’s Hell’s Kitchen for the Monday night premiere of “The Kitchen” starring Tiffany Haddish, Melissa McCarthy and Elizabeth Moss. All three ladies … Read more
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