The Daily Buzz For Jun 28 ☕📰☕

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#MAGFAB: Ebony Mag June 2024 Digital Cover Experience: Preserving Our Legacy

To kick off the start of Summer, EBONY is celebrating FREEDOM all month long.
From Black Music Month, Major League Baseball’s first professional game at Rickwood Field, to Pride Month and Juneteenth — June is all about our right to live and celebrate the Black expression in all its amazing forms.

This month's cover is bursting with easter eggs that explore how Black culture has manifested vehicles for liberation.

For our skateboard-loving cover stars—Satya Satyavati (age 10) and Narayan Hari (age 8)— being able to hit the concrete represents freedom and artistic expression in its most purest form.

We begin our Freedom thread by exploring Juneteenth and how it’s being celebrated across the country.
Next, we focus on how Black music has powered and influenced popular culture through generations with artists who have left their stamp on the auditory landscape. We're honoring those artists with our "Freedom in the Present" list which was curated by Jaconna Jacobs.

EBONY is expanding its sports coverage in Birmingham, AL by covering MLB's first-ever tribute game at the historic Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S. The game will celebrate the rich history of the Negro Leagues with a special tribute to Hall of Famer Willie Mays and other former Negro Leagues players.

This month we'll also talk to a gun violence activist and dive into stories highlighting National Men's Health Month.
Additionally, we’ll travel to Paris to cover the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Members of the Grammy award-winning St. Augustine Marching 100 band were selected to represent the U.S. in a Freedom celebration for nine days traveling through Europe from Normandy to Paris.

Lastly, what does FREEDOM mean to the LGBTQ+ community? To the global community in 2024? We will feature stories on the importance of Pride Month and its continued influence of Queer language in today’s culture to a personal look into the ballroom community.

Go to Ebony.com for more!


#RHOA: Kandi Burruss stopped taking Ozempic after it failed to curb her appetite

Kandi Burruss stopped using Ozempic after the trendy weight-loss drug failed to garner results.
“Last year, I tried it,” the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum, 48, exclusively tells Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast while promoting her partnership with Hydroxycut.

“I saw so many people who were trying it and losing weight,” adds Burruss, noting that she knew a “ton” of women — including former “RHOA” castmate Marlo Hampton — who had success with the medication.
“So I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to try this.’ And I didn’t lose any weight.”

“Last year, I tried it,” the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum exclusively tells Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast while promoting her partnership with Hydroxycut.

The “Don’t Think I’m Not” singer says that those in her social circle opined that “something must be wrong” or that she simply needed to take a “higher dosage” to shed pounds.
Even the doctor who prescribed the medication to Burruss was confounded by her body’s response.

“My doctor was like, ‘I don’t know what the problem is, I’m not seeing this in other people,’” she recalls.
Ozempic, an FDA-approved prescription drug originally designed for Type II diabetes patients, is one of the brand names for semaglutide — which impacts the brain to maintain satiety and suppress one’s appetite.
“I saw so many people who were trying it and losing weight,” adds Burruss, noting that she knew a “ton” of women — including former “RHOA” castmate Marlo Hampton — who had success with the medication.

“So I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to try this.’ And I didn’t lose any weight,” she shares.
But Burruss says her hunger wasn’t deterred in the least.
“It didn’t curb my appetite. I know some people are like, ‘Oh, I can’t eat.’ Not me! I was eating appetizers, a regular meal and dessert, OK?” she explains. “It didn’t stop anything for me.”

A succession of public figures — including Oprah Winfrey and Kelly Clarkson, plus “Real Housewives of New Jersey” vets Dolores Catania and Margaret Josephs, among other newly svelte stars — have admitted to taking versions of semaglutide for its slimming effect.
Burruss tells “Virtual Reali-Tea” that her body’s opposite reaction to the drug made her sad.
The “Don’t Think I’m Not” singer says that those in her social circle opined that “something must
“I know some people are like, ‘Oh, I can’t eat.’ Not me! I was eating appetizers, a regular meal and dessert, OK?” she explains. “It didn’t stop anything for me.”

“When you see it worked for other people and it doesn’t work for you, it makes you depressed,” she shares. “Realistically, it makes you feel like, ‘What is wrong? Why is it not working for me?’”


#NewMusicVideo from Ariana Grande Releases “The Boy Is Mine” Remix With Brandy & Monica

In a very exciting and unexpected collaboration, musical superstar Ariana Grande has created a remix to “The Boy Is Mine” featuring the song’s original singers Brandy & Monica.
The original version of the song came out in 1998 and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and topped the Billboard Hot 100 at #1 for 13 weeks, becoming the best-selling song of the year and the best-selling female duet of all time.

Ariana has also premiered the official music video for “the boy is mine”, directed by Christian Breslauer, starring Penn Badgley with special appearances from Brandy and Monica.

WATCH HERE 

“the boy is mine” is featured on Ariana Grande’s latest album “eternal sunshine”.


#HipHopNews: Megan Thee Stallion Joins Lineup Of Performers For 2024 BET Awards

Adding to an already spectacular lineup of performers, Megan Thee Stallion is set to open the 2024 BET Awards. The ceremony is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on Sunday (June 30).
The Houston talent’s appearance coincides with the release of her new album, MEGAN, which is set to debut just two days earlier on June 28. The 18-track project will contain collaborations with artists like UGK, GloRilla and Victoria Monét. It’s also confirmed to include previous hits like “Cobra,” “BOA” and the chart-topping “HISS.”

“I don’t want to say I’m tapping into other genres. I’m just tapping into other sounds, but it’s still very much Megan Thee Stallion,” the rapper said in a conversation with L’Officiel in May. “It won’t feel like I went so left. It’ll feel true to me. You’ll almost be like, I wouldn’t have thought she would’ve rapped over that, but this sounds great.”

It’s worth mentioning that Megan is currently on her global “Hot Girl Summer Tour” with GloRilla. As it neared the end of its U.S. leg, the Grammy Award-winning artist extended it with additional dates, including performances at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena on July 2 and the PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 3. Tickets went live at 12 p.m. local time on Wednesday (June 26).

Will Smith, GloRilla, Ice Spice, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Tyla and Monét are also among the names expected to take the stage at the BET Awards. Taraji P. Henson will return as host, while Usher is slated to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“From his chart-topping hits and electrifying performances to his unforgettable vocals and signature moves, Usher continues to set new standards for the music industry and Black excellence,” BET’s Executive Vice President of Specials, Music Programming, and Music Strategy, Constance M. Orlando, said regarding the “Yeah!” singer. “We look forward to creating an amazing lineup to pay tribute to our global icon.”


Killer Mike Escapes Prosecution For Grammy Arrest

Killer Mike, whose real name is Michael Santiago Render, has officially avoided further legal trouble following his arrest at the 2024 Grammy Awards. According to a report from TMZ, prosecutors from the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office have decided not to file charges against the Atlanta-based rapper. This conclusion comes after Render successfully completed a hearing process which included a community service requirement.

The incident occurred on February 4, right after Killer Mike had taken home three Grammy Awards for his work on the album "MICHAEL," winning Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Album. The altercation ensued when a security guard at the Crypto.com Arena refused to let Mike and his team enter due to credential confusion. Mike, who had just moved from the adjacent Peacock Theater where the pre-telecast was held, was booked for misdemeanor battery but was released without bail.

Mike addressed the situation in a statement released shortly after his arrest, citing "an over-zealous security guard" and expressing confidence that he would be cleared of all wrongdoing. "As you can imagine, there was a lot going and there was some confusion around which door my team and I should enter. We experienced an over-zealous security guard, but my team and I have the upmost confidence that I will ultimately be cleared of all wrongdoing," Mike said.

Days later, during a February 12 appearance on "The View", Mike reiterated his stance, placing the incident in a broader context. "Backstage was overcrowded, the winners were exuberant, and I think security got a little overzealous. It's water under the bridge for me," he said. "All of my heroes have been in handcuffs - Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Medgar Evers. I walked out with the same dignity and respect that I walked in with, and I would implore people to just take that from it. Don't dwell on the bad stuff."

With the case closed, Killer Mike can put the episode behind him and focus on his ongoing contributions to the world of hip-hop and beyond. The saga serves as a reminder of how misunderstandings in high-pressure environments can escalate but also resolve when handled with integrity.


Former WNBA Star Swin Cash Named Senior Vice President Of New Orleans Pelicans Basketball

Former WNBA star and Naismith Hall of Famer Swin Cash has been named Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations of the New Orleans Pelicans, one of the highest-ranking front-office roles for a woman in NBA history.
Cash, 44, previously served as New Orleans’ VP of basketball operations and team development since joining the organization in June 2019. The news of Cash’s promotion was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic and is the latest milestone in what has proved to be a groundbreaking career, on and off the court.

A Pennsylvania native, Cash attended the University of Connecticut following a standout prep career, where the forward became one of the Huskie’s star players, helping lead the team to two national championships and an undefeated season during her career.

Cash was drafted No. 2 overall by the Detroit Shock in the 2002 WNBA Draft, where she won two WNBA titles before earning her third and final championship with the Seattle Storm. Cash also led the USA Basketball Women’s National Team to gold medal victories in the 2004 and 2012 Olympic Games and was a WNBA four-time All-Star and two-time WNBA All-Star Game MVP during her 15 seasons in the league.

Retiring from the WNBA in 2016, Cash stepped into a front-office role with the New York Liberty in 2017 as the teams director of franchise development. She has also worked as an analyst on NBA TV, providing insights on various ongoings around the league.
Cash was selected as member of the WNBA’s 20th and 25th anniversary teams and inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.


Eddie Murphy Doubles Down On Martin Lawrence Footing The Bill If Their Kids Get Married

The two actor’s children, Eric Murphy, 34, and Jasmin Lawrence, 28, have been dating for at least three years. The couple made their relationship Instagram official in June 2021. Eddie and his longtime friend and collaborator have both been asked about the potential of wedding bells one day ringing in the future, and their responses have been nothing short of comical.

“They cute, they’re an adorable couple,” Eddie told “Entertainment Tonight” on the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” When asked about whether he should shell out the big bucks for what could be a lavish ceremony, he said that based on tradition, it is the bride’s father who foots the bill for a wedding.

He then noted that “it shouldn’t be an issue. You know, ‘Bad Boys’ was out the park and Martin has lots and lots of money, so he should be able to pay for a splendid wedding.”
The “Blue Streak” star teamed up with Will Smith for the fourth installment of the franchise, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” which debuted at the top of the box office on June 7. The film has gone on to make more than $227 million, surpassing its $100 million budget. In total, the four-movie collection has amassed more than $1 billion.

With more than 30 years in the entertainment business, the cult classic series “Martin,” and several successful films, the Detroit native has accumulated wealth to the tune of a net worth estimated to be more than $110 million. Eric and Jasmin attended the premieres as a couple in support of their respective fathers’ projects.
Eddie cut his teeth in comedy like most by hitting the stand-up circuit before becoming one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood at the peak of his career in the mid-1990s. Like his possible in-law, he too has a couple of movie franchises on his résumé, from “Beverly Hills Cop” to “Shrek.” Throughout his 40-year career, he has amassed an estimated net worth of $200 million.

In 2022, Martin joked, “I’m gonna try to get Eddie to pay for it,” when he was asked about a hypothetical exchange of vows. Eddie wasn’t having any parts of the attempt to rewrite tradition. “That’s not how it goes,” he told “Etalk,” a Canadian entertainment-news program.
“My daughter just got married, and I had to pay — really had to pay,” he said, referring to daughter Bria Murphy’s dreamy Beverly Hills wedding. “You have to do the same, Martin,” he said, adding “Don’t try to switch it up — don’t try to change no s—t, do no Hollywood switch. You’re paying for the wedding. If it goes down, Martin is paying. And the wedding better be wonderful.”

One fan suggested that the expense did not have to fall on just one person. “Why can’t you two just go 50/50 or 60/40,” read one comment. The prospects of the “Life” and “Boomerang” co-stars becoming family also prompted fans to wish for another on-screen reunion. “I’d watch an in laws movie with Martin and Eddie so fast,” wrote a fan on Instagram. Someone else proposed, “Father of the bride remake!! Lol”

While at the premiere, Eddie disclosed that he wants to team up with Martin and several other comedy greats from the past three decades for a remake of sorts of the MGM 1963 comedy all-star flick “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World.” According to the Hollywood veteran, the screenplay will be ready any day now.


Old Gossip Columnist Cindy Adams Says Patti Labelle’s Cooking Left an Entire Hotel Floor ‘Reeking’ of Liver and Onions

There are two things that Patti LaBelle knows how to do: sing and cook. Artists from Wyclef Jean in the 2000s to the Rolling Stones in the late ’60s have tasted the Philly native’s cuisine. The beloved singer carries her pots, pans, cooking utilities, spice, and hotplates with her wherever she goes and cooks it up in her dressing room, her hotel room, or any place, for that matter, especially when the diva is on the road.

Despite her being renowned for throwing down in the kitchen, not everyone likes her cooking.
Recently, in commemoration of Auntie Patti’s 80th birthday, New York Post gossip columnist Cindy Adams wrote about an encounter she had with the dramatic soprano.

“Girl, on the road I cook my butt off. Once I came out with chicken in my teeth. Listen, I cook better than I sing,” LaBelle purportedly said.
According to Adams, LaBelle’s food stank, smelling up the hotel they were in.
“The whole floor of this high-class hotel had the aroma of a White Tower,” Adams described, referencing a White Castle knockoff chain of restaurants that was known for cheap burgers.

She recounted an interview from back in the day for the Post, writing, “From the elevator her fourth floor smelled. Forget perfume. The entire floor reeked so strongly of liver and onions you could’ve sniffed it in Colorado.”
Adams, who did not state when the interview took place, said she noticed a few things about LaBelle immediately, including that “she lived good” and owned 3,000 pairs of six-inch heels.

However, the first thing that caught her attention, outside of the alleged smell of what she thought to be not-so-comfort food, was the “Lady Marmalade” singer’s greetings.
“Her hello to me? ‘Room service is dinky. Not like down-home food. A picky eater who hates throwing money around, I like to see my food. Room service sends up hamburger that tastes like s - - t and charges you $100. Patti LaBelle don’t eat s - - t! On the road I cook myself,’” she recalled.

She claims the “On My Own” vocalist said, “I travel with one whole suitcase that’s my kitchen. Pots, pans, spices, dishes, hotplate, electric fry pan, two burner stove, everything. Last night I made shrimp and rice. 3 a.m. for Wyclef Jean I cooked fries, burgers and onion rings.”

Locked in on the warbler’s ability to cook wherever she is without a second thought, she highlighted that LaBelle has made veal backstage and reportedly got a piece of chicken stuck in her teeth moments before stepping onto the stage.
“Girl, on the road I cook my butt off,” she quoted LaBelle as saying. “Listen, I cook better than I sing.”
This was not the first time Adams told the story.

LaBelle and many other artists have spoken at length about cooking on the road in their early careers. For many Black artists, who were relegated to touring on the “Chitlin Circuit,” they had to face restaurants and hotels would not accommodate them and thus they had to make their way, which included cooking for themselves.

The Chitlin Circuit’s venues ranged from juke joints in small country towns, theaters in larger predominately Black cities like Atlanta’s Royal Peacock, Baltimore’s Royal Theater, Chicago’s Regal Theater, Detroit’s Paradise Theatre, Harlem’s Apollo Theater, and Washington, D.C.’s Howard, Lincoln Theaters or Philadelphia’s Uptown Theater or Showboat.
LaBelle called those early days as “hard times,” stating that back then she earned $9 a week by singing at churches and run-down establishments.

She said, “It wasn’t even the Chitlin’ Circuit. It was sardine houses.”
Eventually, times got better and LaBelle was able to move up in the game, but she did not stop cooking — and, surprisingly, some of rock ’n’ roll’s biggest stars fell in love with her food.
Now known for her food products in grocery stores like Walmart, LaBelle once cooked for a young Elton John in the 1960s. She also prepared a full spread of brisket, short ribs, fresh corn, and cabbage for Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones before a show in Philadelphia.

While they paid her back in compliments (Elton John would later give her a diamond ring for her kindness), it was one of her friends from America that showered her with the biggest gifts for feeding her.
In an interview with Medium, LaBelle shared that she toured with Richard Pryor, who appreciated her cooking so much that he later repaid her with gifts.

He bought me a sauna, diamond bracelets, and a car,” LaBelle said. “I said, ‘Richard, why are you buying me this?’ He said, ‘Because I don’t think anybody could [ever] pay you enough money.’”
She said she has cooked liver and onions for Arsenio Hall and oxtails for the members of TLC.

In the ’80s, the “On My Own” chart-topper was invited to cook for Prince at his Paisley Park home.
“He took me to his house to cook for him, and he was shooting pool as I was cooking, and when everything was done, I said, ‘Dinner’s ready!’ He said, ‘Oh, I just want a roll,'” the Grammy winner recalled.

In is unclear if Prince’s peculiar nature was at play or if he really just didn’t want to eat her food — just as it is if there is truth to Adams’ story.
Still, most people seem to love her cooking, and the list goes on about the many she has cooked for. On Juneteenth, she appeared on “The View” to share more of her cooking, and before host Whoopi Goldberg and the chef could share what was on the table, Joy Behar blurts out, “The greens are good.”
Adams might be the only one with anything negative to say about Patti’s cooking, considering Patti’s Pies and other items still selling in retail and grocery stores.


Lupita Nyong'o Shimmers in Black at 'A Quiet Place: Day One' Premiere in NYC Alongside Co-Star Joseph Quinn

Lupita Nyong’o is stepping out for the premiere of her new thriller flick!
The 41-year-old Oscar-winning actress shimmered in a black outfit alongside co-stars Joseph Quinn, Djimon Hounsou, and Alex Wolff at the premiere of A Quiet Place: Day One on Wednesday (June 26) held at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City.

Director Michael Sarnoski along with producers John Krasinski, Michael Bay, Andrew Form, and Brad Fuller were also in attendance at the premiere.

The film is a prequel to the original A Quiet Place film, starring John Krasinski and his wife Emily Blunt, which was released back in 2018.
A Quiet Place: Day One is set to hit theaters on Friday, June 28


#RIP: Bill Cobbs, The Legendary and Prolific Actor, Dies At 90

NEW YORK (AP) — Bill Cobbs, the veteran character actor who became a ubiquitous and sage screen presence as an older man, has died. He was 90.
Cobbs died Tuesday at his home in the Inland Empire, California, surrounded by family and friends, his publicist Chuck I. Jones said. Natural causes is the likely cause of death, Jones said.

A Cleveland native, Cobbs acted in such films as “The Hudsucker Proxy,” “The Bodyguard” and “Night at the Museum.” He made his first big-screen appearance in a fleeting role in 1974′s “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.” He became a lifelong actor with some 200 film and TV credits. The lion share of those came in his 50s, 60s, and 70s, as filmmakers and TV producers turned to him again and again to imbue small but pivotal parts with a wizened and worn soulfulness.

Cobbs appeared on television shows including “The Sopranos,” “The West Wing,” “Sesame Street” and “Good Times.” He was Whitney Houston’s manager in “The Bodyguard” (1992), the mystical clock man of the Coen brothers’ “The Hudsucker Proxy” (1994) and the doctor of John Sayles’ “Sunshine State” (2002). He played the coach in “Air Bud” (1997), the security guard in “Night at the Museum” (2006) and the father on “The Gregory Hines Show.”

Cobbs rarely got the kinds of major parts that stand out and win awards. Instead, Cobbs was an familiar and memorable everyman who left an impression on audiences, regardless of screen time. He won a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding limited performance in a daytime program for the series “Dino Dana” in 2020.

Wendell Pierce, who acted alongside Cobbs in “I’ll Fly Away” and “The Gregory Hines Show,” remembered Cobbs as “a father figure, a griot, an iconic artist that me by the way he led his life as an actor,” he wrote on the social media platform X.
Wilbert Francisco Cobbs, born June 16, 1934, served eight years in the U.S. Air Force after graduating high school in Cleveland. In the years after his service, Cobbs sold cars. One day, a customer asked him if he wanted to act in a play. Cobbs first appeared on stage in 1969. He began to act in Cleveland theater and later moved to New York where he joined the Negro Ensemble Company, acting alongside Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.

Cobbs later said acting resonated with him as a way to express the human condition, in particular during the Civil Rights Movement in the late ’60s.
“To be an artist, you have to have a sense of giving,” Cobbs said in a 2004 interview. “Art is somewhat of a prayer, isn’t it? We respond to what we see around us and what we feel and how things affect us mentally and spiritually.”


NBA Draft Night 1: French Players Taken Top 2, Bronny Undrafted in First Round

The 2024 NBA Draft picked up where it left off with Wemby last year, showing love to French players out the gate. Three of the first six picks hailing from over the pond in France.

The European trend didn’t stop there. Pllayers from Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland were also selected alongside additional French talents.
French star Zaccharie Risacher, a 19-year-old, 6-foot-9 forward, was chosen as the No. 1 pick by the Atlanta Hawks.
Following him was 7-foot Alex Sarr, a standout from Australia’s Perth Wildcats, who was picked second by the Washington Wizards.
The third pick was guard Reed Sheppard from Kentucky, a 6-foot-2 shooter.

But the million dollar question of the night was whether Bronny James, son of LeBron James, would make it into the first round. He didn’t. This is not so surprising. Depending on what sources or scouts you listened to, his combine and workouts were more than decent but perhaps not quite worthy of taking a first round spot.
Not hearing Bronny’s name, left the James family to wait for the second round on Friday, with the Lakers holding the 55th pick.

Gotta root for the kid, right? The pressure. The heavy weight on his shoulders to make to the association in the shadow of arguably the greatest of all time. Has to be tough.
Get this, ESPN faced an awkward moment when they mistakenly identified Tidjane Salaün of France, who was picked sixth by the Charlotte Hornets, as Dalton Knecht, who is actually the Lakers’ selection.


NYC Sneaker Dealer “Upscale Cracc” Shot And Killed In SoHo Robbery

According to several news reports, a man was mugged by a group of men before he was shot and killed in SoHo Wednesday morning.
Javier Osorio-Mejia, otherwise known in the sneaker reselling world as “Upscale Cracc” ,was killed in an apparent robbery ths morning near the corner of Grand and Greene Street. According to the NYPD, the Bayonne resident was just passing through the area about 5:30 am coming from Queens when he was targeted by his assailants and shot in the mugging

Osorio-Mejia was shot in the leg, but the wound ended up being fatal, killing Osorio-Mejia.
There are very little details available about the deadly shooting, but the police re actively searching for the person responsible for Osorio-Mejia’s killer.


André 3000 Announces New North American Tour Dates

André 3000 is taking his instrumental album “New Blue Sun” on tour again this fall.
We reported earlier that the project from the hip-hop star and one-half of the legendary group OutKast features eight instrumental tracks performed on flutes. This is André’s first full-length solo album and first musical effort in 17 years since OutKast’s sixth album “Idlewild.” Fans, however, slammed the effort upon its release late last year. Many turned to social media to express outrage that the album offers zero rapping or singing.

André responded to the criticism during a 2023 interview with CBS Mornings.
“Even on the artwork it says, ‘No bars,’ so if you’re disappointed, man, I don’t know what else I could do. I don’t like that people are upset a little bit about it,” he said, Hip Hop DX reported.

“If I were waiting for a thing for 17 years, a certain thing that I’m looking for and, something else shows up, I’d probably be upset too. To be a rapper, you gotta be rapping. I haven’t been rapping, like I don’t hang around the studio,” the musician continued.
Meanwhile, if you missed André 3000’s recent tour dates to support his all-flute album, you can catch him during his new North American tour later this year.

Complex reports that tickets go on sale Friday, June 28, at 10 a.m. local time. Click here for more information.‌

Below is the list of tour dates:
September 19 – New Orleans, LA – Orpheum Theater
September 21 – Dallas, TX – AT&T PAC – Winspear Opera House
September 22 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater
September 25 – Houston, TX – The Hobby Center For The Performing Arts
September 27 – Albuquerque, NM – Kiva Auditorium
September 28 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Arts Center
October 1 – San Diego, CA – Humphreys By The Bay
October 2 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre
October 4 – Santa Barbara, CA – Arlington Theatre
October 5 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
October 9 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theater
October 11 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
October 14 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
October 16 – Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater
October 17 – Denver, CO – Ellie Caulkins Opera House
October 19 – Minneapolis, MN – Northrop
October 21 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed
October 22 – Detroit, MI – Masonic Cathedral Theatre
October 25 – Brooklyn, NY – BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
October 30 – Boston, MA – Boch Center Wang Theatre
November 1 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
November 2 – Akron, OH – Akron Civic Theatre
November 8 – Richmond, VA – Altria Theater
November 9 – Washington, DC – The Kennedy Center
November 12 – Durham, NC – DPAC
November 14 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

Get your tickets!


Document Indicates Supreme Court Will Punt Idaho Emergency Abortion Case For Now

A document inadvertently uploaded to the U.S. Supreme Court’s website on Wednesday appears to indicate the court will send a case regarding emergency abortion care in Idaho back to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rather than make a decision, according to reporting from Bloomberg Law.

Rather than rule on the merits, the unofficial opinion, as cited by Bloomberg, essentially says the court took the case too soon in the process. The court acknowledged the document was accidentally uploaded for a short period of time on Wednesday, and told Bloomberg an official opinion will be released “in due course.”

According to the unofficial opinion, the decision is 6-3, with Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas dissenting.
The opinion, if it holds true, would reinstate the lower court’s injunction that blocked enforcement of the law as it relates to Idaho’s emergency room physicians who might need to perform an abortion when a pregnant patient is at risk of potentially serious health problems. The U.S. Justice Department sued Idaho over its near-total abortion ban in 2022 and said prosecuting physicians under those circumstances would violate the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, which requires Medicare-funded hospitals to treat patients who come to an emergency room regardless of their ability to pay.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals had scheduled an “en banc” hearing for the case in January, but after attorneys for the state of Idaho and religious conservative law firm Alliance Defending Freedom asked the Supreme Court to hear the case, the Ninth Circuit hearing was vacated and so was the injunction.

Without the injunction, ER doctors are subject to the full extent of Idaho’s abortion ban, which carries penalties of jail time, fines and the loss of a medical license. Those doctors are also subject to Idaho’s civil law that allows immediate and extended family members to sue for up to $20,000 over an abortion procedure.

Idaho’s ban contains only an exception to save the pregnant patient’s life, not to prevent detrimental health outcomes, including the loss of future fertility, which is a risk with severe infection or bleeding. Without further clarity written into the law, doctors in Idaho have said they can’t confidently assess when to safely intervene to save someone’s life and avoid losing their medical license or face between two and five years in prison. Rather than gamble with someone’s life, States Newsroom reported high-risk obstetric specialists have airlifted patients to facilities out of state that can freely perform the procedure before it’s too late. In 2023, such transfers happened once, but occurred six times between January and April, according to the chief medical officer of one of Idaho’s largest health systems.

Those transfers were cited by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson as reasons for their decision to send the case back to the Ninth Circuit.
“As a practical matter, this Court’s intervention meant that Idaho physicians were forced to step back and watch as their patients suffered, or arrange for their patients to be airlifted out of ldaho,” Brown Jackson wrote in the unofficial opinion.

At a scheduled event in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said it was important to wait and not speculate about the opinion until it was official. But if true, Becerra said it affirmed the government’s position that anyone in America who is at risk of health problems or death should be able to seek care in an emergency room.

“Whether the care that a professional says you need to stabilize your health or to save your life is an abortion or not, the bottom line is none of us wants to be denied access to an emergency room when we need it,” Becerra said. “And (it’s) why I continue to say when Roe v. Wade was struck down, it impacted more than just abortion care — it impacted access to care, period.”

Dr. Loren Colson, a family physician in Idaho, said at the event that if the opinion holds true, it is only a small comfort to doctors in the state
“This teeny tiny little carveout allows us as physicians in very specific scenarios to provide the care and hopefully not Life Flight people out of the state so they can go somewhere else to get the care that we can easily provide here, but it does not fix our problem here,” Colson said. “We still have a huge problem when it comes to being able to access abortion.”

The court is scheduled to release more opinions Thursday and Friday morning, and the official ruling could come on either of those days.


Giancarlo Esposito Teases Mystery Role in 'Captain America: Brave New World'

Giancarlo Esposito is sharing some insight into his role in Captain America 4!
Last month, the 66-year-old actor, who is best known for playing Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, joined the cast of Captain America: Brave New World.

The Marvel movie will be the first to feature Anthony Mackie wielding Captain America’s iconic shield after taking over the role in 2021′s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

While attending the premiere of his new movie MaXXXine on Monday (June 24), Giancarlo teased his role in the upcoming Captain America movie.
“In my other life, I’m a real badass, and you’ve seen me play a little bit of that intellectually as Gus Fring, but when you see me in the MCU, you’re going to see a badass, and I’m excited for that,” Giancarlo told Deadline.
He continued, “Acting is using every part of your body, your emotions, your senses, your feelings, to portray something. But you haven’t seen me use my body in a way that I’ll be using it. The MCU’s exciting; I can’t tell you who I’m playing, but you’re going to be excited when you see.”

The movie has been compared to 2014′s Captain America: The Winter Soldier in terms of its tone. A teaser aired at CinemaCon revealed that Harrison Ford will be playing Thaddeus Ross and attempting to recruit Sam Wilson (Mackie) to rebuild the Avengers after Endgame.

Captain America: Brave New World arrives in theaters on February 14, 2025.

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES

Courtesy of P.O.Wm

​No Matter What, Always Look Your Best

Some people out there always dress to impress, no matter who they are with or where they are going. And we feel like this guy is one of the best examples of this.

EVENING GOODIES: Meet Daddy Samson

Meet Samson! You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember to exercise CAUTION AT WORK!

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.

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HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!

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The Daily Buzz For Jun 27☕📰☕

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#MAGFAB: ELLE Brasil Vol. 16 Celebrates 36 Years with Four Covers and 11 Models by Nicole Heiniger

ELLE Brasil Vol.16 celebrates its 36 years anniversary with four covers making a unified, bold statement around Brazil’s top models for the May 2024 issue. The magazine was shuttered in fall 2018 after 30 years in print, as part of a wide-ranging restructuring at struggling parent company Editora Abril. The lapse was short-lived and ELLE Brasil was back in business with a July 2019 issue — if not sooner.

Photographed by Nicole Heiniger [IG], with fashion editing by Lucas Boccalão, the ELLE Brasil 36- years anniversary model celebration includes [above] Caroline Trentini and Samile; in the second image [below] Isabeli Fontana, Barbara Valente and Valentina Sampaio; in the third, Luciana Curtis, Sheila Bawar and Shirley Mallmann; and on the fourth, Carol Ribeiro, Ana Claudia Michels and Fernanda Tavares.
 

#RHOA: Kenya Moore says she’s exploring her legal options after exiting Real Housewives of Atlanta

Kenya Moore is officially putting down her peach for this next season at least -- 'cause she ain't coming back to 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' ... and this could possibly turn ugly.
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Kenya will not return as a cast member for the rest of production for the new season (16) after she was sidelined indefinitely for allegedly unveiling sexually explicit posters of newcomer Brittany Eady seemingly performing oral sex.

Now, we're told Kenya has not been fired from 'RHOA' ... instead, we're told both sides have agreed she's just gonna take a break from the show for now. Our sources say Bravo is keeping the door open for a future return -- however, we're also told Kenya is considering legal options at this point ... because she's not happy with how this whole mess unfolded.

In case you're unfamiliar, the drama all started when Brittany allegedly threatened Kenya earlier during filming of this upcoming season -- with Brittany allegedly using the word "gun" in a convo about Kenya during one of their feuds.
Sources close to production tell TMZ ... the claim Brittany threatened to use a weapon was in fact investigated -- but we're told it was never substantiated by the network. These same sources also say there was never a gun present during filming.

After that, Kenya ended up displaying NSFW posters of her co-star at her own hair spa grand opening while Brittany wasn't there. Bravo launched an investigation into this ... and in the end, we're told Kenya's behavior was found to be in violation of their code of conduct.
Despite this ... we're told Kenya still feels wronged -- with sources familiar with the situation saying her safety concerns are a huge part of the disconnect between her and the network right now -- and they're just not seeing eye to eye. So, two sides to this story obviously.

Kenya's former co-star, Kandi Burruss came to her defense following the news of her suspension ... so she clearly has 'RHOA' folks still in her corner.
Of course, Bravo has faced a number of issues this year itself, with the network being hit with separate lawsuits from ex-Housewives Leah McSweeney and Caroline Manzo ... which are being litigated in court right now.

In terms of what Kenya may or may not do next ... to be determined.


#NewMusic from Keke Palmer “S.O.B.” featuring Divagurl

Global icon Keke Palmer has just released her new single “S.O.B.” (Stand on Business) featuring emerging group Divagurl.
The 90’s throwback song releases via the Big Bosses Entertainment partnership with the SRG-ILS Group (Virgin Music Group/UMG).

“S.O.B.” (Stand on Business) was produced by Kenneth “KP” Paige and written by Kenneth Dickerson Taylor, Jr., Lauren Palmer, Nathalia Marshall, Marcus Lomax and Corey Cooper. Keke adds:
“I heard a few songs from the DivaGurl album and I fell in love. I was so impressed that I asked them to open for me on tour and we even documented it for my network KeyTV. These girls are stunning, their individual style is incredible, and they bring that nostalgic girl group energy that the industry has been missing,” she adds.

DivaGurl, a rising R&B group, is bringing the nostalgia of the 90’s back to the music scene with “Diva Domination” in full force. Comprised of lead singer Keyana, Monét, Sade and Lashae, the group has been captivating audiences with their energetic performances during their Pride Month tour across various cities. Their shared passion for music and dance is the driving force behind their emergence as a powerful new force industry, promising to fill the void of the 90’s sound that fans have been missing.

The music video for “S.O.B.” (Stand on Business) has also released along with the single. Which you can Listen and watch HERE! 

Cute!


#HipHopNews: Trina Has Quietly Married Her Fiancé, Benjamin Kearse Jr.

Miami rap icon, Trina, married her fiancé, Benjamin Leon Kearse Jr., last month, according to court records obtained by The Info Spot and other sources. Per records, the couple filed their marriage application on April, 5, 2024 and tied the knot on May 22 in Miramar, Fl.

Trina — who was formerly engaged in 2021 — has not spoken publicly on her latest life event, but apparently attended the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards with her beau by her side on June 21.

In September 2021, it was announced that the “B R Right” rapstress was engaged to her then-boyfriend, former college athlete and Miami rapper, Raymond “Ray Almighty” Taylor.
Trina revealed her engagement to Taylor and showed off her ring during a Instagram Live with health influencer Stormy Wellington, later hinting at it on an episode of Love & Hip-Hop: Miami.

“I had a big night last night,” she responded when Stormy asked her whether or not she was engaged. “I can’t even believe I’m at work right now.” When the social influencer doubled-down on her question, Trina said, “yes!”

As for her marriage to Kearse Jr., little is known about their relationship and how it started.


JJ Redick Responds To Accusation Of Calling Black Woman The N-Word At Duke

The woman claimed it took place while the new Los Angeles Lakers coach was a student at the college.
JJ Redick has been accused of calling a Black woman the n-word while a student at Duke University.
On Tuesday (June 25), a woman named Halleemah Nash took to X/Twitter revealing her claims that Redick was racist towards her. Nash, who stated that she worked for the school’s basketball team, claims that the then Duke men’s basketball star player called her the n-word to her face.

“I’ve only been called the n-word to my face by a white man once in my life, and it was on the campus of Duke University while I was doing work with the basketball team,” Nash typed on the social media platform. “And today he was named the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. What a world.”

“For context, this was years ago, and I’m a believer that we all have space to grow—especially from our college-level maturity. We live in a world where these exchanges happen and the intersection of race and privilege and lack of accountability all collided w/that presser,” she added.

TMZ reached out to Redick and his team for comment regarding the allegations. The former NBA player’s team refuted Nash’s claims, saying, “No, it never happened.”

JJ Redick was an iconic player in Duke University lore, playing for the school from 2002 to 2006. Halleemah Nash’s time with the team overlaps with JJ’s, as she worked and studied at the university from 2002-2005.
Fans in the comment section of Nash’s post recalled the moment when JJ Redick used a racial slur when talking about Chinese NBA fans. The 2018 incident found the former Philadelphia 76ers player making an NBA promo video for the fans overseas, but the moment was quickly tarnished as many thought Redick called them “ch*nks.”

“[I wanna] wish all the NBA ch*nk fans of China a very happy Chinese New Year,” the NBA star could be heard saying in the clip.
The move led to backlash from media outlets, with JJ issuing an apology and claiming that the racial slur “is not in my vocabulary.”
“It came out the wrong way,” he typed on X/Twitter regarding the Chinese slur, according to 6ABC. “At the time we recorded it, no one in the room…heard the word that I purported to say. Had I known it sounded anything like that, I would have been mortified and recorded the greeting over again.”

Jeremy Lin, one of the league’s top Chinese stars at the time, took it upon himself to speak with Redick to understand what happened. In his assessment, Lin expressed empathy for NBA mind and asserted that JJ didn’t say anything racist. Jeremy insisted that Redick has “a great deal of respect for Chinese people.”


Nicki Minaj Won’t Be Forced To Testify In $150M Lawsuit Against Her Father’s Killer

Nicki Minaj will not be required to testify in the $150 million legal battle between her mother and the man responsible for the death of her father, Robert Maraj.
According to In Touch Weekly, a judge denied defendant Charles Polevich’s motion to depose Minaj, whom Polevich believes has information pertinent to disproving her mother, Carol Maraj’s, nine-figure suit against him.

However, Polevich still has up to 30 days to renew his filing to have Minaj ordered to testify, but only if he provides sufficient proof that he and his legal team attempted to contact the rap star.
“Defendant’s motion … to initiate a commission to the appropriate authority in the State of California so that the nonparty deposition of Ms. Minaj can take place, is denied with leave to renew within thirty (30) days of the date of this decision and order, with notice of entry, upon the submission of proof demonstrating the defendant’s efforts to obtain the cooperation of the nonparty residing out of state,” the judge said while handing down the ruling.

“In the event that the defendant is unable to furnish such proof to this Court, within thirty (30) days of the date of this decision and order, with notice of entry, the defendant shall be precluded from obtaining said discovery—to wit, the nonparty deposition of Ms. Minaj.”
News of Polevich’s request for Minaj to testify in the proceedings first surfaced in April, as he wants the rap star to be questioned about her father’s alleged history of physical and emotional abuse against her mother.

In her lawsuit, Maraj claims she was robbed of her husband’s “services, society, comfort, companionship, and consortium” as a result of Polevich killing Robert Maraj in a hit-and-run incident in 2021. He was arrested and charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident and another count of evidence tampering. Convicted of the charges, Polevich received one-year in prison and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

Minaj has previously refused to appear for testimony, deeming Polevich’s request as “harassment” in legal documents and a ploy by the defendant to “drag the litigation on and depose a celebrity.”


Meryl Streep's daughter Louisa Jacobson has come out as a Lesbian

Actor Louisa Jacobson appeared to publicly come out as a lesbian and debut her relationship in an Instagram post over the weekend.
The caption read, “blessed to be entering the Joyful New Era bb,” and included flaming heart and LGBTQ Pride flag emojis. The first of six photos in the post was an image of Jacobson and Anna Blundell, whose verified Instagram bio says she’s a producer. The second photo is a screenshot of a recent New York Times article titled “We’re Entering a Joyful New Era of Lesbian Fashion.” The remaining images show Jacobson in a variety of ensembles one could describe as lesbian chic.

Fans in the comments of Jacobson’s post noticed that the actor posted the photo carousel to Instagram on her mother’s 75th birthday.

At least two news outlets, the New York Post’s Page Six and Out magazine, reported that Jacobson’s post initially had several other images, including a painting of the poet Sappho, who lived in ancient Greece and wrote about pursuing women lovers, and a photo of graffiti that read “live. laugh. lesbian.”
Jacobson, the daughter of Oscar-winning actor Meryl Streep, has followed in her legendary mother’s footsteps by attending Vassar College and then Yale University for her masters in fine arts. Jacobson stars in the HBO series “The Gilded Age” alongside Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski, which has been renewed for a third season.

Jacobson, 33, is one of many stars to celebrate Pride Month by publicly coming out. Singer Maren Morris came out as bisexual earlier this month, and “Baby Reindeer” actor Jessica Gunning came out as a lesbian recently.


Peter Thomas Admits To Tax Evasion In Video Statement: ‘I Have To Pay My Debt’

Peter Thomas took to social media on Tuesday (June 25) suited and booted and admitted to tax evasion.
The former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star and ex-husband of Cynthia Bailey took accountability for failing to pay Uncle Sam and his IRS goons.

Peter began by saying, “I’ve did some wrong that I have to make right. I have to stand up, I have to be accountable, I have to be responsible and I have to pay my debt.”

He went on to admit how he lost control of his tax debt:
From one struggling business to the next, I failed to pay my withholding taxes on time.
And at some point, when the business wasn’t doing well, failed to pay at all.
It’s something that I thought I could work out, catch up with, make whole.

But then the hole got deeper for me. In 2022, Radar Online reported Peter Thomas was hit with a massive federal tax lien for failing to make 10 payments totaling $450,399.52 for his former restaurant, Uptown Restaurant & Lounge.

Peter was later hit with a $9 million judgment for unpaid rent for his Miami business, Bar One.

In closing, Mr. Thomas said:
I deeply regret, deeply, and I’m saying this with all sincerity, I deeply regret [not making] the IRS withholding taxes a priority in my life. With no excuses because there is none. It’s the law. And I’m finding out a lot about that law lately.

This is giving…I will make a public statement admitting my wrongdoing and encourage others not to rob Uncle Sam for some type of leniency, your honor.


Gayle King Shares Photos From Her Son's Wedding Celebration

The wedding festivities, as Gayle King shared on social media photos from the wedding celebration of her son William "Will" Bumpus Jr. and Elise Smith. The proud mother shared heartfelt glimpses of the joyous event, which was hosted at the seaside abode of her longtime friend, Oprah Winfrey.

The post included everything from a welcome dinner at Rosewood Miramar Beach to an impromptu dance party led by musician Moses Lin. Among the various photos and videos King shared, one showed the couple dancing to Beyonce Knowles' "Love On Top," embodying the night's exuberant spirit.

The following day, the celebrations continued with a dance party exclusively for friends. DJ Suss One and comedian Janelle James from "Abbott Elementary" ensured that the dance floor remained vibrant. The magic of the event was evident, from the couple driving away in a mini golf cart adorned with a sign reading "We Married," to romantic photos of the newlyweds against the backdrop of Winfrey's idyllic garden. In every snapshot, their genuine love and joy shined through.

LOOK BELOW

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King beautifully summed up the fairy-tale wedding, stating, "Favorite son Will found the girl of his dreams and now lovely Elise is an official member of the family. It was truly a spectacular family wedding!" The couple's constant smiles and the high spirits of their guests paint a picture of a wedding that was nothing short of magical, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of those involved.

"Black people always find a way-especially my family," King humorously noted while sharing a video of the spontaneous celebration. The bride, who wore an elegant, sleeveless gown by Amsale, and the groom, in a smart white suit jacket, held hands under a floral arch, captivating their gathered loved ones.

Oprah's role extended beyond just hosting. "Turns out she's a pretty good wedding planner!" King remarked, praising Winfrey's organizing prowess. The garden wedding saw Elise Smith's father officiating the ceremony and her mother giving her away, adding sentimental value to the occasion.

Will tied the knot with Elise Smith in a stunning ceremony on June 2. The couple exchanged vows in an intimate, family-only ceremony set within Winfrey's beautifully manicured garden. King wore a striking blue one-shoulder Amsale dress, while Oprah opted for a peach-colored gown, showcasing their radiant support for the newlyweds.


Kendrick Lamar And Drake's Feud Heats Up Over Tupac's Iconic Ring

The tension between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, two of the biggest names in the hip-hop industry, shows no signs of waning. Recently, the feud has centered on an iconic piece of jewelry: the crown ring that once adorned the finger of the late Tupac Shakur during his final public appearance at the 1996 MTV  Video Music Awards. In August 2023, Drake acquired this historic ring at a Sotheby's auction for $1.01 million, a purchase that has irked Lamar immensely.

The ring, which features a 14-karat crown encrusted with cabochon rubies and pave diamonds, bears the inscription "Pac & Dada 1996," an homage to Tupac's engagement to actress Kidada Jones. It represents not only Tupac's personal journey but also his influential legacy in the West Coast rap scene, a legacy that Lamar passionately upholds.

During his Juneteenth concert at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, Lamar set the stage ablaze by altering the lyrics of his track "Euphoria" to include, "Give me Tupac's ring back and maybe I'll give you a little respect." This public demand has not only inflamed the already intense rivalry but also captured the attention of fans and the media alike.

To add another layer to the controversy, Maksud Agadjani, a jeweler based in New York City, has offered to create a replica of the ring for Lamar. In a video posted on Facebook, Agadjani showcased the duplicate piece while saying, "Kendrick is telling Drake to give up Tupac's ring. Well, this is Tupac's ring right here, this is a replica of the original one purchased by Drake, and Kendrick's not happy about that."

Lamar has also called out Drake for using an AI-generated version of Tupac's voice in a track, asking pointedly, "Am I battlin' ghost or AI?" This question highlights Lamar's ongoing concerns about authenticity in the music industry and his determination to protect the legacy of those who paved the way.


Remy Ma’s 23-Year-Old Son Arraigned On 7-count Indictment Including Murder

According to reports, the 23-year-old was arraigned on Tuesday (June 25) on a seven-count indictment charging him with murder in the first and second degrees, four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and reckless endangerment in the first degree. As reported, Scott and his associate, Richard Swygert, were allegedly involved in a 2021 murder-for-hire job that occurred in Queens and resulted in the death of 47-year-old Darius Guillebeaux.

Swygert, who was already in custody at the time of Scott’s recent arrest due to his alleged involvement in other murder cases, was also formally charged on Tuesday. Both men are being held without bail. If convicted of the top count, Scott faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Swygert, 22, faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.


Celine Dion Suffers Scary Seizure On Camera In New Doc Amid Stiff Person Syndrome Battle

Celine Dion isn’t holding anything back in her new documentary, “I Am: Celine Dion.”
The project, released on (June 25) on Prime Video, gives fans an inside look at Celine Dion’s real life, including her battle with stiff person syndrome. For those unaware, the progressive, neurological disorder causes muscle stiffness in the torso and limbs, and a heightened sensitivity to noise, touch and emotional stress, which can set off painful muscle spasms.

Revealing to viewers how challenging it can be to live with stiff person syndrome, one scene in the doc shows Celine Dion suffering a scary seizure. The heart-wrenching moment begins with the beloved “All By Myself” singer visiting her doctor for an evaluation. During the appointment, she starts to have spasms, and two medical professionals attempt to move her locked body into a more safe and comfortable position. Dion looks scared while the doctors continue to calmly talk to her as she seemingly has no control of her body.

Things become more intense as Celine starts to experience a seizure. She’s then given a nasal spray medication that reportedly treats the nervous system. The footage also captures tears running down the Grammy Award winner’s face. After her body calms down an emotional Dion says she’s “so embarrassed. I don’t know how to express it, like, it’s just … you know, like, to not have control of yourself?”

As we reported, In December 2022, Dion revealed she’d been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome. She recently gave an interview with PEOPLE where she shared how her use of Valium to help cope could have been “fatal.” She said,
“We started with two milligrams to see if it would help, and then 2.5, and then 3, and 15 and 50.”
It could have been fatal. I did not question the level because I don’t know medicine. I thought it was going to be okay. And you learn — you learn through your mistakes.”


Jeffrey Wright Joins Michael Fassbender in ‘The Agency’

Jeffrey Wright will star alongside Michael Fassbender in their espionage thriller series “The Agency.”
Wright joins the cast of the Paramount+ with Showtime show as Henry, a mentor and director of operations to Martian (Fassbender), a covert CIA agent who is ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station.

Based on French drama series “Le Bureau des Légendes,” known as “The Bureau” internationally, “The Agency” will follow Martian as his career, his real identity and his mission are pitted against his heart, hurling them both into a deadly game of international intrigue and espionage, per the official logline.

“Jeffrey Wright doesn’t just portray characters — he inhabits them completely, infusing each role with raw, emotional power and profound, psychological insight,” Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global co-CEO and Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios president and CEO, said in a Wednesday statement. “We are thrilled to have him join Michael Fassbender and our creative dream team of Joe Wright, Jez and John-Henry Butterworth, Grant Heslov and George Clooney.”

Wright recently starred in Cord Jefferson’s “American Fiction” as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, a performance that earned him nominations from the Academy Awards, Gotham Awards, Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, SAG Awards and NAACP Image Awards, as well as an Independent Spirit Awards win.

His upcoming projects include Spike Lee’s “High and Low,” in which he stars opposite Denzel Washington, and “The Last of Us” Season 2, where he will reprise his voice role as Isaac from the “The Last of Us Part II” video game.
Produced by Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, “The Agency” is also executive produced by Keith Cox and Nina L. Diaz for Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios; David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin and Bob Yari for 101 Studios; Alex Berger for TOP-The Originals Productions; and Ashley Stern and Pascal Breton for Federation Studios/Federation Entertainment of America.

Joe Wright (“Pride and Prejudice,” “The Darkest Hour”) is set to direct the first two episodes and will executive produce the series alongside Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth (“Ford v Ferrari,” “Edge of Tomorrow”), who wrote all 10 episodes.


Teen Track Star Quincy Wilson Can Still Achieve His Paris Olympics Dream

He has yet to earn his driver’s license, but 16-year-old track phenom Quincy Wilson has earned himself a chance to go to the Paris Olympics this summer.
Competing against elite athletes nearly twice his age in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Ore., the high school sophomore broke the under-18 world record in the 400 meters—a mark that dated back 42 years—when he ran a 44.66 in the first round on Friday. Then on Sunday, he surpassed his own mark with a 44.59 finish to advance to Monday’s final.

In front of an energized crowd at Hayward Field on Monday night, Wilson, donning his singlet from Bullis High School in Potomac, Maryland, finished sixth in the final with a time of 44.94 seconds, denying him an automatic bid to Paris. Winner Quincy Hall finished in a personal-best 44.17 seconds to qualify, followed by Michael Norman (44.41) and Chris Bailey (44.42).

While those three will represent the U.S. in the 400 in Paris in less than a month, Wilson’s opportunity to join Team USA at the Summer Games is not lost. He could still become a 2024 Olympian if he is selected for the U.S. relay pool, a decision made by the men’s relay coach Mike Marsh and a USA Track & Field selection panel after trials are complete. In addition to the three men who qualified for the individual 400-meter event, the U.S. can bring four more runners: two for the men’s 4x400-meter relay and two for the mixed relay. For Tokyo, for example, the top seven finishers in the 400-meter final at U.S. trials were all selected as part of the relay pool.

“I can’t be disappointed,” Wilson said after Monday’s final. “At the end of the day, I’m 16 years old running…grown-man times.”
If selected for the relay pool, Wilson will become the youngest American male to make the Olympic track and field team, and the first 16-year-old since Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone qualified for the Rio Games in 2016. Any preparation for that driver’s license will also have to wait.

“It’s spectacular,” said Tokyo 4x400 relay gold medalist Norman, after the semifinal race. “A 16-year-old coming out here, competing like a true competitor, not letting the moment get too big but living in the moment.”


George Latimer defeats House ‘squad’ member Jamaal Bowman in historic New York Democratic primary

New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman lost his Democratic primary to Westchester County Executive George Latimer, marking the first defeat for a member of the House “Squad” of progressive lawmakers.
The result in New York’s 16th Congressional District is also a victory for pro-Israel groups, which backed Latimer with historic levels of spending during the campaign. According to ad tracking firm AdImpact, the race was the most expensive House primary on record.

Bowman, 48, a former middle school principal in the Bronx, was first elected in 2020 after unseating longtime Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel, a pro-Israel hawk, in the primary. That race, much like this one, centered on accusations that the incumbent had lost touch with the diverse, but heavily segregated district, which spans parts of Bronx and Westchester counties.

Latimer, 70, a Democratic political fixture for decades who entered the race at the urging of pro-Israel groups, argued that Bowman’s vocal opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza and his combative political style were out of step with the electorate, which includes a significant Jewish population in Westchester.

But a campaign that was widely expected to highlight rifts in the Democratic coalition over Israel and Gaza soon morphed into something more fraught, as issues of race and class at home – papered over for years in a diverse but largely segregated district – came together to create one of the ugliest Democratic primaries in years. Latimer, in arguing Bowman’s political style was unbecoming and mismatched to the district’s electorate, said the incumbent’s “constituency is Dearborn, Michigan,” the majority Arab American midwestern city, and in an interview last week, argued that Bowman enjoyed “an obvious ethnic benefit.” Bowman was the first Black man elected to represent the New York district.

Already under fire over his call for a ceasefire days after Hamas’ October 7 attack inside Israel, Bowman damaged any chance of rapprochement with liberal pro-Israel voters when, in mid-November, he told a small gathering of pro-Palestinian protesters that reports of sexual violence by Hamas were “propaganda.” (He later apologized, acknowledging a United Nations report.) In January, J Street – a liberal pro-Israel group that previously backed Bowman – rescinded its endorsement of the congressman, citing broad “differences between us in framing and approach.”

Latimer celebrated his victory on Tuesday night by telling supporters, in a clear jab at Bowman, that the results meant “we turn a page and we say that we believe in inclusion of everybody in our representation.”
“We have to fight to make sure that we do not vilify each other, that we remember that we’re all Americans and that our common future is bound together,” Latimer added. “This country cannot afford to splinter into little pieces and every single representative has to understand the necessity for unity so that we can move forward as a nation.”

Bowman at his own election night gathering in Yonkers conceded defeat but looked ahead to bigger fights on the horizon.
“We musn’t ever stop. This race was never about me and me alone. It was never about this district and this district alone,” Bowman said. “It was always about all of us. Now our opponents, not opponent, may have won this round at this time, in this place. But this will be a battle for our humanity and justice for the rest of our lives.”

By the final days of the campaign, progressives had dug in deep in their bid to hold Bowman’s seat amid an advertising onslaught led by the United Democracy Project, the super PAC of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. UDP spent about $15 million, while another outside group, Democratic Majority for Israel, invested a little more than $1 million. A third PAC, the crypto-aligned Fairshake, also backed Latimer with more than $2 million in spending.

The expenditures for Latimer outpaced the spending on Bowman’s behalf – from Justice Democrats, the Working Families Party and the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC – by a more than 7-1 margin.

At a rally for Bowman on Saturday in the South Bronx – outside the district’s border – Sen. Bernie Sanders warned that the outcome in the 16th District would radiate across the country.
“This election is one of the most important in the modern history of America. It really is,” the Vermont independent said. “Because this election is not about Jamaal vs. Mr. Latimer. This election is about whether or not the billionaire class and the oligarchs will control the United States government.”

Mark Mellman, a longtime political strategist and founder of Democratic Majority for Israel, said that the New York race would have an impact on future contests.
“Elections carry messages and politicians always interpret elections. And I will say members of the press also interpret elections,” he said. “It’s important that the message of this election be that being pro-Israel is not just wise policy, it’s also smart politics.”
But Mellman, who said his group had polling that showed Bowman trailing Latimer by double digits before the television blitz began, insisted the Israel debate sometimes obscured Bowman’s more basic problems.

“He and his language are divisive,” Mellman said. “And whether he is talking at the rally the other day, or whether he is talking about Israel in general, or he is talking about other issues, he’s very divisive.”
Speaking before Sanders and after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over the weekend, Bowman opened with a salty stemwinder aimed at AIPAC.

“We are going to show f**king AIPAC the power of the motherf**king South Bronx,” Bowman said. “People ask me why I got a foul mouth,” he added, accusing his opponents of attacking his family. “What am I supposed to do?”
Bowman on Tuesday night seemed to allude to that moment – and what his critics and rivals described as “divisive” rhetoric.

“I would like to make a public apology for sometimes using foul language,” Bowman said. “But we should not be well adjusted to a sick society.”

Progressive groups lashed out late Tuesday after the race was called for Latimer. Calling Bowman “one of the most transformational leaders of our generation,” Justice Democrats executive director Alexandra Rojas, whose group recruited Bowman to run in 2020, echoed Sanders days earlier.
“This race for AIPAC – the single largest outside group spending in Democratic primaries – is so much bigger than re-electing a Congressman,” Rojas said in a statement. “It is part of their final attempts to stop a rising tide of a new generation of voters and leaders who refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice at home or abroad.”

AIPAC’s political arm entered the primary season pledging to spend, along with its affiliated groups, up to $100 million across the board against candidates critical of Israel’s war with Hamas. But their spending had failed to move the dial in any key races before Tuesday.

Bowman, who was among the first federal lawmakers to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, had already fallen out with parts of the district. His occasionally odd behavior – including an incident when he pulled a fire alarm in the Capitol – damaged his standing with even some liberal supporters. Latimer, who is popular with local establishment figures – including Hillary Clinton, who endorsed him – entered the campaign as a familiar face promising a more restrained political manner.

Latimer is seen as a shoo-in for the general election in the deep-blue district, which would have backed Joe Biden under the current lines by 45 points in 2020. Former Scarsdale Mayor Miriam Flisser was unopposed for the Republican nomination.


Ariana Grande is getting dragged for saying her dream dinner date is Jeffrey Dahmer

Ariana Grande is getting dragged after revealing on a podcast that she had once told younger fans at a Q&A that her dream dinner date guest is Jeffrey Dahmer.
Last week, on Penn Badgley’s Podcrushed (where her voice weirdly changed pitch), around 30 mins into part two of the interview Ariana Grande said: “I was infatuated with serial killers when I was younger.”

She then said the Q&A where she revealed her Jeffrey Dahmer fascination: “It was in between me being Cat (Sam & Cat) and pop stuff, so it was like a younger group, and they were with parents, and someone said, ‘If you could have dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?'”

After the fan asked the question, Ariana said to the parents: “Mum and dad is it okay if I give the real answer? And they were like, sure what’s the answer? And I was like, Jeffrey Dahmer’s pretty fascinating.’

“I think I would have loved to have met him. You know maybe with a third party or someone involved. I have questions.
The internet has backlashed against this comment with a Reddit user saying: “Joking about wanting to have dinner with him is sick and horribly offensive to the victims’ families, who are still alive and affected by the tragedy.”

Another Reddit user wrote: “Instead of sharing something meaningful with her younger fans, mentioning someone who inspired her or had a positive impact on her, she chose to try to be ‘edgy’ and ‘quirky’.”
Another tweeted: “Telling small children that your dream dinner date is with a cannibalistic mass murderer is normal?”

The podcast then goes onto say that Ariana’s mum, Joan, is really into horror so that is where the singer’s fascination with true crime may have come from.
Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was arrested in 1991 for the murder and disarmament of 17 males. Evan Peters recently portrayed him in a recent Netflix series about the criminal.

Ariana Grande hasn’t currently hasn’t responded to the backlash against her comment about Jeffrey Dahmer.

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES

Courtesy of P.O.Wm

When You Just Need To Take A Nap

You know, sometimes life gets way too overwhelming and all you want to do is take a good nap. Apparently, this is exactly what happened to this guy.

EVENING GOODIES: Meet Miguel

Meet Miguel! You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember to exercise CAUTION AT WORK!

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HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!

EFREM