#MAGFAB: Abrar Mohamed Models for Spring 2024 High Jewelry Story for Vogue Arabia April 2024
Model Abrar Mohamed poses in a high jewelry fashion story featuring the world’s most illustrious houses. Pablo Patane styles Mohamed in Bulgari, Cartier, Chaumet, Chopard, Louis Vuitton, Van Cleef & Arpels and more.
Photographer Desiree Mattsson is in the studio for Vogue Arabia’s April 2024 issue./ Beauty by Daniel Kolaric
#RHOA Needed A Cast Shake-Up, Says Cynthia Bailey
After a few polarizing seasons of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, longtime fans are interested in seeing how the Season 16 cast shakeup will work out. Three new cast members are joining while Cynthia Bailey is returning as a friend of the show after being a full-time cast member from Seasons 3-13. She recently discussed her return and thoughts on the new cast.
Why Cynthia Bailey Says a New 'RHOA' Cast Was a Good Idea
In a chat with Page Six, the former supermodel says a shakeup was necessary. “I feel like the show has been just OK for the past couple of years. No shade, but it just has. And it has not thrived the way Atlanta has always thrived,” she said. “We were No. 1 for so long. And to watch it not be No. 1 was really hard, even sitting on the sidelines. It really, really was. So, I think some new blood was needed, and from what I can tell, these ladies seem like they really have it going on, and I’m so excited to meet them.”
Her exit was always viewed as a hiatus. She later revealed it was to protect her marriage to Mike Hill. They’ve since divorced. “I’ve always been open to the idea of popping in and out as a friend. I did it last season. My fans loved it, I loved it,” she said. “Bravo was able to work around my schedule just letting me get in where I fit in. And they made it known to me that they were interested in me being a full-time friend, being a friend in a more official capacity this time.”
Production on Season 16 recently kicked off. The show is slated to begin airing again in early 2025.
#MusicNews: Marques Houston Returns With New Single “Last Drop”
R&B veteran Marques Houston is back with his brand new single “Last Drop”.
The song combines the emotion and melody of Tevin Campbell’s “Can We Talk”, while also being a uniquely Marques Houston expression.
The new single is a return to the signature blend of smooth vocals, compelling lyrics, and infectious beats that we’ve come to know Marques Houston for. Also out now is a visual to accompany the song which was directed by Chris Stokes. This is his first offering since he released the single “Admit It” earlier this year.
WATCH HERE
Now “Last Drop” represents a new chapter in Houston’s musical journey, offering listeners a fresh perspective on love, passion, and desire. He adds:
“I’m thrilled to share ‘Last Drop’ with my fans. This song is deeply personal to me, and I hope it connects with listeners on a profound level. It’s about savoring every moment and giving your all in love, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it.”
Stay tuned for more later this year from Marques Houston.
#HipHopNews: Tyla, Vince Staples, D4vd, FLO, And More To Perform At Lollapalooza's 2024 Aftershows
Set for Aug. 1 to 4 in Chicago’s Grant Park, Lollapalooza boasts a star-studded lineup this year, including Tyler, The Creator; SZA, Future x Metro Boomin, and Sexyy Red. However, the excitement is expected to extend beyond the festival grounds with a series of official late-night aftershows announced today (May 28) by the event organizers.
2024’s bill will see artists like Tyla, Vince Staples, d4vd, FLO, Raye, Teezo Touchdown, Killer Mike, and several others taking the stage at various small venues across the Windy City. The additional performances are slated to run from July 30 to Aug. 4.
Tickets for the aftershows go on sale this Friday (May 31) at 10 a.m. CT. More details and purchasing options can be found on the Lollapalooza website. See the full docket below.
On the other hand, Lollapalooza tickets have been available for purchase for some time, with a range of options still open. The festival’s website currently lists one-day general admission starting at $149.
For fans who missed his headlining sets at Coachella in April, Tyler will be performing on Aug. 1. Although the IGOR artist confirmed there won’t be any new music dropping until 2025, attendees can likely catch him do renditions of “See You Again” and “EARFQUAKE,” among other favorites.
Meanwhile, Lollapalooza will be among one of Tyla’s first festivals for the second half of 2024. In March, she canceled her eponymous trek — and any fêtes in the interim — due to worsening injuries.
“Tour is definitely going to come, probably late in the year. For now, I want to do more visuals and more interacting with people,” she told ELLE earlier this month. “And I’m excited to see how the music travels and what people create out of it because I already know people are going to come up with whatever they come up with, so I’m looking forward to seeing how they do that.”
Alfonso Ribeiro doesn't 'need or ever want' Tyler Perry 'to do anything for me'
I guess Alfonso Ribeiro is doing fine. When someone on Twitter suggested to the actor/host/director that Tyler Perry, himself a writer/director/actor, "revamp" Ribeiro's career, he responded: "I don't need or ever want that man to do anything for me."
The two do have a professional history, however; Ribeiro directed 12 episodes of the Perry-created sitcom Meet the Browns in 2009 and 2010.
Ribeiro's signature role, of course, is The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's Carlton Banks, the preppy cousin of Will Smith's main character, who famously did a certain move that, for decades, has been known as "the Carlton dance."
He told Today in September 2022 that fans were still into it.
"You come to grips with the idea that that person existed and that reality for you existed and, for me, I've come to the realization that when people come up to me on the street and they're like, 'Do the dance,' it's like, 'Really? You're asking me to dance for you?'"
All these years later — Fresh Prince was on the air from 1990 to 1996 — he's come to terms with it.
"It's really their experience and you learn to get that empathy where you can kind of say, 'This is about you and what you had in your house and I can appreciate it.' I'm still not dancing. But I get to appreciate other people’s experience with me as that character."
Stephanie Mills to Play Hermes in Hadestown on Broadway
Grammy Award winner Stephanie Mills will return to Broadway to play Hermes in the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown. Her first performance will be July 2, coinciding with the start dates of Maia Reficco and Yola. Mills takes over from Jon Jon Briones, who plays his final performance June 30.
Mills originated the role of Dorothy in the first Broadway production of The Wiz in 1975. Her last appearance on Broadway was for a special concert in 1989.
With a Tony-winning score by Anaïs Mitchell and Tony-winning direction by Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown resets the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in a soot-blackened underworld ruled over by a cruel industrialist named Hades.
Hadestown currently stars Ani DiFranco as Persephone, Jordan Fisher as Orpheus, Jon Jon Briones as Hermes, Phillip Boykin as Hades, and Isa Briones as Eurydice. They are joined by Jessie Shelton, Kay Trinidad, and Brit West as the Fates. The chorus of Workers is played by Emily Afton, Malcolm Armwood, Sayo Oni, Alex Puette and Grace Yoo. The cast includes swings Sojourner Brown, Brandon Cameron, Tara Jackson, Max Kumangai, Yael “YaYa Reich, and Tanner Ray Wilson.
Jon Jon Briones, Isa Briones, and Ani DiFranco will all play their final performance on Sunday, June 30.
Gladys Knight reflects on life and career with 80th birthday post: “I am honored”
Happy milestone birthday to the woman nicknamed the Empress of Soul. Gladys Knight turned 80 on Tuesday, and the legendary singer took to Instagram to reflect on her life and career.
“80 years of beautiful life, love, service, celebration, achievement, falling down, faith, fun, lessons, blessings, friendship, collaboration, soul sharing and more,” she wrote. “I am so grateful to celebrate another amazing birthday. I am honored to live this wonderful life.”
She added, “Thank you for all your love, support, celebration, prayers, well wishes, warm thoughts every day in each year. I truly love you!”
On her Instagram Story, the “Midnight Train to Georgia” singer reposted birthday wishes from celebrity friends like Kelly Rowland, Holly Robinson Peete, Jennifer Hudson and Shanice.
On May 24, Knight attended a surprise 80th birthday party for fellow legend Patti LaBelle, who is nicknamed the Godmother of Soul.
Busta Rhymes Unfazed By Gay Allegations As He Continues Birthday Celebration
Busta Rhymes is seemingly unfazed by gay allegations. Instead of paying attention to and wasting time addressing the rumors, the rapper continued his birthday celebration with another party at an Atlanta bar.
On Tuesday, May 28, the hip-hop artist, who turned 52 years old on May 20, took to his Instagram page to share footage of him partying at RoseBar Atlanta with his friends. He looked excited while posing with male friends and a female fan in the video.
"Y'ALL KNOW THE MANTRA!! THE BLESSINGS DON'T STOP SO WE AIN'T NEVER GONNA STOP!! BIG BDAY CELEBRATION IN ATL!!" he captioned the video. "SALUTE @redbottomsal FOR PUTTING TOGETHER @rosebaratl @jazzepha FOR PULLING UP AND ALL THE LOVE FROM THE CITY THAT PULLED UP!! THE BDAY CELEBRATION CONTINUES!!"
One day before, Busta also celebrated his 52nd birthday on a yacht. "THE BLESSINGS DON'T STOP EVER SO WE AIN'T STOPPING NEVER!!! THE BIG #BLOCKBUSTA BDAY FOR THE DRAGON CONTINUES WITH SOME PRE BDAY CELEBRATION ACTION FOR MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER @heyimcie GETTING ULTRA LITTY WITH THE FAMILY," he wrote along with a video of the bash. He went on thanking those "MAKING IT A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!!"
Busta, whose real name is Trevor George Smith Jr., continued his birthday celebration amid allegations by a former bodyguard that the star would always request the company of "fun boys." The former bodyguard, Big Homie CC, called the rapper a "super zest monster."
"All my promoter homies would say, we need to bring some 'fun boys' in the [VIP] section for Busta," the bodyguard explained. He continued, "I was out with Don Benjamin [a model/rapper] and the club we ended up going to, Busta Rhymes [was in there.]"
Big Homie CC said among his entourage was their lawyer, who happens to be gay. "Busta Rhymes wanted [the lawyer] in his section so bad. Busta pulled [the lawyer] into his section, and stuck him in a corner. He stayed with Busta and them," he recounted, claiming that Busta's alleged gay activities are "common knowledge."
Another man made a similar allegation about Busta's sexuality. The male YouTuber, who is gay, claimed that the 1990s rapper tried to "pick him up." The YouTuber, who was dating another guy at the time, said Busta saw him outside of a club and invited him into the club with him to hang out in the rapper's VIP section.
Busta allegedly "grabbed his hand softly" and asked to join in the VIP. The YouTuber said he thought Busta was just being generous, so he agreed to go into the club with Busta. But his boyfriend got jealous and the two men got into a fight on a New York City street. The YouTuber never managed to get inside the club with Busta.
Busta has not responded to the gay allegations.
Diddy's Lawyer Insists To Separate 'Facts From Fiction' After Classmates Detail Alleged Abuse On GF
More people have spoken up about Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' dark side. Amid federal investigation for alleged sex trafficking and multiple lawsuits accusing him of sexual abuse and drugging, his close friends and former associates have spoken out against him.
On Tuesday, May 28, Rolling Stone published its six-month investigation into the horrified allegations leveled against the Bad Boy Records founder. According to the publication, "out of 300-plus people contacted for this investigation, more than 50 were willing to speak about their experiences. Those who did speak about Combs describe a complicated man with opposing personas."
While outwardly Diddy would be seen as "unapologetically driven, generous, and jovial, even silly at times," those "who got close enough to him discovered something darker behind the facade: a menacing figure who desperately wants to be accepted and admired, who uses public declarations of devotion, splashy donations, and boasts that he is 'Brother Love' to hide an undercurrent of alleged abuse and violence."
Some instances cited by the outlet include his alleged beating of a label executive bloody after he became romantically involved with Diddy's ex-partner Kim Porter, and allegedly trying to solicit sex from a woman on his payroll.
The magazine also spoke with Diddy's classmates at Howard University, who detailed his alleged abuse on his then-girlfriend with a belt. "Puff is out here acting crazy. He's beating her," one classmate recalled what fellow students said at the time.
"He screamed and hollered and acted a stone fool until she came downstairs," another Howard student who witnessed the alleged attack told the outlet. She said Diddy used what appeared to be a belt to strike the young woman "all over the place."
The witness said Diddy appeared "super angry" and was "screaming at the top of his lungs." The second witness added that the rapper "whupped her butt - like really whupped her butt," adding that they thought the woman was clearly terrorized. "She was trying to defend herself a little bit. She was crying. And we were telling him, 'Get off of her.' We were screaming for her," the witness claimed, which was confirmed by a third witness.
Photographer Monqiue Bunn, meanwhile, suggested Notorious B.I.G.'s death could have been more sinister than initially thought. "[Biggie] was absolutely about to leave Puff," Monqiue said of the late rapper, who was signed to Bad Boy Records. "I know for a fact [because] he told me that." Another source added, "Everybody wanted to leave Puffy. Everybody leaves him."
In response to the article, Diddy's lawyer Jonathan Davis said in a statement to the outlet, "Mr. Combs cannot comment on settled litigation, will not comment on pending litigation, and cannot address every allegation picked up by the press from any source, no matter how unreliable."
The lawyer added, "We are aware that the proper authorities are conducting a thorough investigation and therefore have confidence any important issues will be addressed in the proper forum, where the rules distinguish facts from fiction."
Darius Rucker Addresses His Drug Arrest
in Williamson County, Tennessee. Rucker, 58, shared his side of the story during an interview on the "Today" show, where he recounted the unexpected sequence of events that led authorities to take him into custody nearly a year after his initial traffic stop.
The saga began in February 2023 when police in Franklin, Tennessee, pulled Rucker over due to an expired vehicle tag. During the stop, officers reportedly caught the scent of marijuana emanating from his car.
Despite Rucker's claim that he had not smoked that night, further investigation revealed a THC pen and 14 unmarked purple pills, later identified as psilocin or magic mushrooms. Rucker attributed these items to his girlfriend.
"I went down and we handled it. My lawyers are taking care of it. It is what it is," Rucker remarked with simplicity during his "Today" show appearance.
Initially released by the police pending identification of the substances, Rucker believed the case was over. However, in December 2023, a warrant was unexpectedly issued for his arrest. Rucker turned himself in on February 1, 2024, facing two counts of simple possession/casual exchange of a controlled substance and one count of a violation of the state's vehicle registration law.
"The crazy thing was, they let me go. And it was a year later that I get a phone call that said there was a warrant for my arrest," Rucker explained, reflecting on the unusual timeline.
In parallel, Rucker touches upon his past drug struggles in his newly released memoir, "Life's Too Short." He vividly recounts his years of substance abuse, candidly discussing his consumption of mushrooms, ecstasy, and cocaine. The memoir is as much an ode to recovery as it is a window into his rock-and-roll lifestyle. Rucker credits Beth Leonard, his ex-wife and mother to his children Jack and Daniella, for helping him quit and change his life.
"When I quit, I quit. It was the best thing that's ever happened to me. I say all the time that Beth saved my life when she did that," said Rucker.
In the face of ongoing legal issues, Rucker remains optimistic and focused on his career and family. He continues to make music and is preparing for an upcoming 50-date tour with Hootie & the Blowfish, celebrating their 30th-anniversary tour of the album "Cracked Rear View".
Cardi B Defends Pornography After Candace Owens Calls for Ban: 'Is It That Bad for Y'all?'
Owens previously claimed pornography is a "psychological weapon intended to weaken our men"
After the conservative political commentator took to social media with a call to "ban pornography" earlier this month, Cardi shared her thoughts on the matter — and the rapper doesn't think X-rated content is all "that bad."
"Ban pornography. It is a psychological weapon intended to weaken our men," wrote Owens, 35, in a post shared to X (formerly Twitter) on May 21.
The former Daily Wire personality elaborated further in follow-up posts, writing that pornography was "created by the most depraved among our human race to psychologically introduce homosexuality, pedophilia and incest—religious sacraments to satanists."
According to TMZ, Owens' statements were later posted by a blog to Instagram, which prompted the "WAP" rapper to chime in on the platform: "Ommmggg why yall so against porn ? Is it that bad for yall ?"
"I enjoy it but I don’t know," continued Cardi, 31, per the outlet. "I guess is like a 6 time a year thing .I personally don’t feel no connection or addiction to it just a little quick one two ….NOTHING LIKE REAL INTIMACY!"
In a follow-up comment, TMZ reported, the Grammy winner urged that people could use pornography as a learning tool, claiming the explicit material "actually should teach men how to please a woman."
Owens and Cardi have publicly disagreed on various political and social issues in the past, with the former TV host criticizing the rapper's explicitly sexual songs like "WAP" as well as President Joe Biden's choice to do an interview with her around the 2020 election.
In a recent interview with Vogue, Cardi spoke about the backlash "WAP" received from some groups upon its release in 2020. "Maybe because we’re more mainstream now, the song reached more conservative people over the internet," she told the outlet.
"I guess it made some soccer moms cry. But I cannot believe the song became so political," added Cardi. "I am very used to hearing explicit lyrics from women. Growing up I listened to Trina, Khia, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown. Their lyrics were more explicit than mine!"
Isabella Strahan Celebrates 19th Birthday Belatedly After Being Unconscious Due to Brain Cancer Surgery
Isabella Strahan is commemorating a belated milestone. Michael Strahan's daughter recently spent the day baking cupcakes with friends and family as an overdue celebration of her 19th birthday last year, for which she was unconscious after undergoing emergency surgery for brain cancer.
"We're doing a little birthday celebration because I was not conscious for it," Isabella said with a laugh in a May 28 vlog posted on YouTube. "Happy birthday!"
In throwback footage included in her video, Isabella appeared to be resting in her hospital bed as her twin sister Sophia Strahan was decorated the room with balloons. Meanwhile, Isabella's other friends were seen gathering around the bed.
Isabella underwent a procedure to have a malignant tumor removed from the base of her brain on Oct. 27, a day before her 19th birthday. The operation came just two days after Isabella threw up blood, prompting her to seek medical treatment for severe headaches she was experiencing at the time.
"It sent a signal about how serious it was," her dad Michael shared of the ordeal in a January interview with ABC News, recalling how doctors recommended that she should have the cancerous mass removed "as soon as possible."
He continued, "There were times when she was in a lot of pain. She was sleeping a lot."
After the surgery, Isabella went through a month of rehab to learn how to walk again. She entered radiation therapy in January, before starting chemotherapy the following month.
Since then, the model has undergone two more brain surgeries, as well as three rounds of chemotherapy treatments.
"Tomorrow's really my last day of chemo," she said in a May 21 vlog. "It's crazy and then it's my last cycle and then I'm done. It's insane."
Colton Underwood & Husband Jordan C. Brown Don't Know Whose Sperm Was Used to Conceive Baby
Last month, the 32-year-old reality star and husband Jordan C. Brown announced that they are expecting their first child together, a baby boy, via surrogate.
In a new interview, Colton revealed that he and the 38-year-old political strategist don’t know whose sperm was used to conceive their unborn baby.
“We told our doctor to put the healthiest embryo in,” Colton shared on The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever with Chris Harrison. “And then for the next one, switch the genetics.”
Colton went on to say that the doctor knows his and Jordan‘s “game plan” for their future family.
“I have a good chance we’re gonna be able to tell, but we sort of did that to protect ourselves,” Colton explained. “I didn’t want people coming up on the streets being like, ‘Whose is it?’ And we, like, look at each other. Like, it’s our kid and our baby.”
Host Chris Harrison jokingly responded, “First of all, no matter what, whoever your child is with, they’re going to say, ‘Oh my God. He looks just like you!’”
Chris, 52, then asked, “So, you’re going to have two kids. Is that what you’re saying?”
“That’s the game plan,” Colton answered, before specifying that the doctor will “use the other sperm for the other child.”
Also during the podcast, Colton talked about the fertility process, explaining that he and Jordan did an egg retrieval and split the eggs “half and half.”
He also said that they are keeping their egg donor’s identity private, but said that he and Jordan “wanted somebody who was adventurous and spontaneous.”
“It was definitely a process,” Colton noted.
Colton has been very open about the other fertility struggles he and Jordan have faced as they tried to start a family.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s Friends Are Divided on Whether Marriage Can Be Saved
Jennifer Lopez looked as stunning as ever when she stepped onto the red carpet at the premiere of her new Netflix film, Atlas, at the Egyptian Theatre in L.A. on May 20. Dressed in a cropped white top and a black, floor-length mermaid-cut Greta Constantine skirt, the glamorous star posed for photos and waved to fans.
Despite appearances, an eyewitness shares in the latest issue of Us Weekly that Lopez, 54, wasn’t her usual “bubbly” self at the event.
“There weren’t a lot of big smiles, even for photographers,” says the eyewitness, noting that Lopez wore her wedding band but not her 8.5-carat diamond engagement ring. “It seemed like she was just going through the motions.”
The press tour for Atlas hasn’t come at the most opportune time for Lopez. Earlier this month, news broke that she and husband Ben Affleck have hit a rough patch, with Affleck, 51, leaving their $60 million Beverly Hills mansion to stay at a nearby rental while they figure out their next steps.
One source close to the couple — who wed in the summer of 2022, nearly 20 years after calling off their first engagement — says the decision to spend time apart was mutual: “They are taking some space to work out whether or not the relationship is right for both of them.”
According to a source close to Lopez, things between the Shotgun Wedding actress and Affleck began coming to a head a few months ago.
“Jennifer had started ramping up her work commitments and prepping for her tour,” says the source. “She’s very focused on work and overextends herself.”
Lopez is set to kick off her 30-date This Is Me…Now Tour on June 26 in Florida. The source says Affleck “doesn’t agree with Jennifer’s lifestyle” and has felt “worn down” by the marriage.
“He’s been checked out,” the source says, noting that the pair are on “two completely different pages most of the time. The honeymoon phase has worn off.”
A second Lopez source says the couple’s work commitments have also caused friction at home. “Both have demanding careers that often require them to be in different cities,” the source explains.
Lopez was recently in NYC filming the upcoming musical Kiss of the Spider Woman, while Affleck, who’s started shooting The Accountant 2, stayed in L.A. The scheduling, says the source, “highlighted the emotional and physical distance between them.”
Communication is an additional source of contention. “Over time, Jennifer and Ben found it increasingly difficult to communicate effectively,” explains the source, “and small misunderstandings grew into significant arguments.”
The source says Lopez prefers to talk things out when conflicts arise, while Affleck tends to withdraw. “They have fundamentally different approaches to conflict.”
There are basic personality clashes as well. Lopez is known for being an open book, sharing intimate details of her life with her fans in interviews and via social media. She reflected on her past relationships — and her reunion with Affleck — in February’s $20 million self-financed musical film, This Is Me... Now: A Love Story, and its accompanying documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told.
In the doc, Affleck himself muses on their differences, saying, “Getting back together, I said, ‘Listen, one of the things I don’t want is a relationship on social media. Then I sort of realized it’s not a fair thing to ask. It’s sort of like, you’re gonna marry a boat captain, and you go, ‘Well, I don’t like the water,’” he said. “[We are] two people with different kinds of approaches trying to learn to compromise.”
The source close to the couple says that rumors of Lopez being high-maintenance are inaccurate, adding that the pair’s issues are “complex.”
The second Lopez source says disagreements over things like finances and parenting “have exacerbated” their issues. (Lopez shares twins Emme and Max, 16, with ex Marc Anthony; Affleck shares Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and 12-year-old Samuel with ex Jennifer Garner.)
There’s a lot at stake. For Lopez, a fourth divorce could be a source of embarrassment. “She’s upset,” says the first Lopez source, “and really did think she and Ben would be endgame this time around.”
The second Lopez source adds that after the pair were so open about their love and reunion, the idea of a split could be uncomfortable.
Lopez was put in an uneasy position during a Wednesday, May 22, press event for Atlas in Mexico City when a reporter asked about divorce rumors. “You know better than that,” Lopez told the reporter before costar Simu Liu quickly came to her defense. “Don’t come in with that energy, please,” Liu said, adding, “Jen is a producer on this movie and the reason why I am here and why [castmate] Sterling [K. Brown] was in this beautiful movie is because [she] cares. Jen cares about things like representation and diversity. She’s a boss.”
The second source says Lopez has been “committed to working on the marriage” and is pushing for them to get help. Affleck, meanwhile, was initially hesitant but is starting to “invest more.”
The source adds that “[Ben has] struggled with loneliness” since moving out of their home “and realized how much he misses Jen.”
For now, they’re at an impasse. While they were apart, “Ben and Jen kept in touch primarily to discuss essential matters and updates,” says the second Lopez source.
Friends are torn about where Lopez and Affleck should go from here. “Some believe they can work it out with time and effort, pointing to their deep bond. Others think the relationship has run its course.”
For now, Lopez and Affleck are “both reassessing their priorities,” adds the source, “and [figuring out] what they truly want from the marriage.”
Rome Flynn to Joins Season 4 of MGM+ Series ‘Godfather of Harlem’
Daytime Emmy-winner Rome Flynn (ex-Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful) can add another plum role to his already extensive list of TV and movie credits.
Now, Flynn is set to recur in season 4 of Godfather of Harlem on MGM+. According to Deadline, “Flynn will portray real-life gangster Frank Lucas.”
The series describes Flynn’s back-story as “a country boy from North Carolina who ventured to Harlem and, after initial friction with gangster Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker), eventually rose to become Bumpy’s fierce defender and right-hand man.”
Movie buff’s know that Oscar-winner Denzel Washington depicted Frank Lucas in the movie American Gangster. However, Flynn will portray Lucas in this origin story which begins 10 years earlier than the film.
Godfather of Harlem tells a story inspired by infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson (Whitaker), who in the early 1960s returned from 11 years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles. In the upcoming fourth season, its Flynn’s character of Frank Lucas who will give Bumpy a run for his money in the emergence of himself as a nee gang leader for the territory.
Flynn shared this statement on his casting: “I’m filled with gratitude! Thrilled to be a part of the Godfather of Harlem universe and breathe new life into the legend of Frank Lucas. I have so much admiration for Forest Whitaker. Working opposite him, being led by the brilliant creator Chris Brancato, is truly a gift. An actor’s dream.”
“When I saw Rome’s audition, I immediately knew we’d found our man – equal parts charming and ruthless, savvy and suave. Rome is a wonderful actor who can go toe-to-toe with Forest Whitaker and our other great performers,” added series co-creator Chris Brancato.
Since departing B&B, Flynn has landed choice roles on How to Get Away with Murder, Chicago Fire, Raising Dion and Dear White People, NCIS: New Orleans, MacGyver, and more.
Jennifer Lopez’s $90 Million Las Vegas Residency Deal in Jeopardy Amid Tour Struggles
*Jennifer Lopez‘s much-anticipated $90 million Las Vegas residency deal is facing uncertainty. Back in February, the “Jenny From the Block” singer, 54, was reported to be in talks for a lucrative 90-show residency at The Park MGM Theater in Las Vegas, with a reported offer of $1 million per concert. However, recent developments suggest that the deal is now shaky.
Casino executives have become hesitant due to the poor performance of Lopez’s new album and tour, according to The NY Post.
“MGM is watching her not doing well on the road. They are very nervous. It’s pretty rare you have a poor tour and then go to Vegas,” a source told the publication.
Insiders believe that the lack of ticket sales will likely lead to a significant pay cut for Lopez, with her potential earnings dropping to between $500,000 and $600,000 per show, and a reduction in the number of concerts from the originally planned 90 shows.
Despite the setbacks, discussions between Lopez and MGM are reportedly ongoing, although no deal has been signed yet. Representatives for Jennifer Lopez and MGM have not responded to requests for comment.
Earlier this year, The Mirror reported that J.Lo was gearing up for a dazzling Las Vegas residency, following the success of her “All I Have” run from 2016 to 2018 at Caesars Palace. The new show was expected to be a major coup for The Park Theater.
However, trouble began for Lopez when she canceled shows across seven cities for her highly-anticipated tour, set to kick off in late June. The cancellations included stops in Nashville, New Orleans, Raleigh, Atlanta, Houston, Cleveland, and Tampa, with no explanation provided by her team.
In April, it was revealed that her tour, originally named “This Is Me… Now: The Tour,” had been rebranded to “This Is Me… Live,” with a focus on her greatest hits rather than her latest album. The rebrand was aimed at drawing in fans from her previous work, inspired by the successful tours of Taylor Swift and Madonna.
Despite the changes, ticket sales have remained slow, with blocks of seating still available at multiple venues and resale sites offering tickets for as little as $10.
This has led to speculation that the tour might be canceled to avoid further embarrassment, but Lopez and her manager, Benny Medina, are determined to proceed, Daily Mail reports.
“J.Lo is overexposed and has put herself out there way too much,” one insider suggested, noting the string of public appearances and projects that have kept her in the spotlight. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Jennifer Lopez can turn things around and secure her place in Las Vegas once again.
Pastor Keion Henderson Asks for Apologies From Critics Upset He Told Woman to ‘Hush’ During Worship
Pastor Keion Henderson says that he has made amends with the woman critics say he publicly shamed for causing an un-Godly disturbance in the sanctuary.
The Christian leader recently told “97.9 The Box” radio hosts that while he is accustomed to the critical views within the church, becoming a staple on the gossip site the Shade Room, has been a completely different experience.
The Lighthouse Church founder has become somewhat of a celebrity in his own right thanks to his marriage to Shaunie Henderson, formerly O’Neal, the ex-wife of retired NBA star Shaquille O’Neal.
The former basketball wife married her second husband in May 2022. The couple shared their love story and journey down the aisle on their show “Shaunie & Keion’s Destination I Do.” The reality TV producer and pastor have a blended family of six, with five children belonging to the “Undefeated” author and Keion’s daughter from a previous relationship.
In early May, a clip of him telling a worshiper to “hush” and “silence in the name of Jesus” during a livestreamed service went viral. Both he and the woman faced a barrage of commentary about the incident, some of which included condemnation of his actions and the woman’s alleged wailing for attention instead of bringing glory to the Holy Father.
One perspective on the exchange read, “She’s always loud like this and he’s never stopped her. Finally, he got fed up and did.. he saw through it. He’s let her have her moments.” A second stated, “I get both sides…We can cry out for Jesus to get His attention but sometimes we have to silence the noise to hear to heed His attention.
Some others felt she should have been shown some grace. “I am concerned about the lady,” fellow Pastor Deitrick Haddon shared during an interview. “As a shepherd, your responsibility is to cover the sheep.”
Another individual shared, “I would like to hear from her!!! Her side of the story. Because, no matter what she is a soul to save. This approach was dead wrong. It is embarrassing and could have been done differently.”
Pastor Keion previously said that he and several members of the church have addressed the woman’s disruptive behavior over the span of four years, but she has continued to be a disorderly fixture during times of worship.
“All noise in church ain’t the Holy Spirit, and all I know for sure is that what I did in that moment was appropriate, whether somebody outside of The Lighthouse Church or not understands that,” he explained in the recent discussion regarding the matter.
“Now what I feel bad about is what happened to her in her life because I live this space she doesn’t,” he continued, speaking to the nature of his status as a public figure. “This is the difficulty of this internet sensationalism. The only reason it went viral is because people made money. Because I have asked people to be quiet before y’all knew who I was, but nobody played it.”
He added additional context by sharing that Shaunie shared that he had gone viral while service was ongoing.
Pastor Keion also admitted that his own “dogmatic” church upbringing greatly influenced how he handled the situation with the churchgoer.
“I understood in that moment OK well some of what took place was my roots, which I’m gonna have to address ‘cause it was a reflex reaction to something I grew up seeing and I recognize that the world has changed, people are a lot more sensitive than they used to be,” said the author of “The Lazy Love.”
“So I didn’t go through the moment without learning, and I don’t want anybody to think that my head was in the sand and that my feet was dug in like I shall not be moved.”
Furthermore, the former aspiring professional basketball player stated, “I learned in the process that I pastor in a generation that is not the one I grew up in and that I pastor in the world that does not look like the one I grew up in. So now I have to adjust as a leader. I do ask that the people who think she deserves an apology, which she got, give — I ask for yours too. So don’t ask me to be forgiving and you’re not either.”
Thus far, the wailing worshipper Pastor Keion has not come forward with any social media posts explaining her side of the story.
Model Abrar Mohamed poses in a high jewelry fashion story featuring the world’s most illustrious houses. Pablo Patane styles Mohamed in Bulgari, Cartier, Chaumet, Chopard, Louis Vuitton, Van Cleef & Arpels and more.
#RHOA Needed A Cast Shake-Up, Says Cynthia Bailey
After a few polarizing seasons of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, longtime fans are interested in seeing how the Season 16 cast shakeup will work out. Three new cast members are joining while Cynthia Bailey is returning as a friend of the show after being a full-time cast member from Seasons 3-13. She recently discussed her return and thoughts on the new cast.
Why Cynthia Bailey Says a New 'RHOA' Cast Was a Good Idea
In a chat with Page Six, the former supermodel says a shakeup was necessary. “I feel like the show has been just OK for the past couple of years. No shade, but it just has. And it has not thrived the way Atlanta has always thrived,” she said. “We were No. 1 for so long. And to watch it not be No. 1 was really hard, even sitting on the sidelines. It really, really was. So, I think some new blood was needed, and from what I can tell, these ladies seem like they really have it going on, and I’m so excited to meet them.”
Her exit was always viewed as a hiatus. She later revealed it was to protect her marriage to Mike Hill. They’ve since divorced. “I’ve always been open to the idea of popping in and out as a friend. I did it last season. My fans loved it, I loved it,” she said. “Bravo was able to work around my schedule just letting me get in where I fit in. And they made it known to me that they were interested in me being a full-time friend, being a friend in a more official capacity this time.”
Production on Season 16 recently kicked off. The show is slated to begin airing again in early 2025.
#MusicNews: Marques Houston Returns With New Single “Last Drop”
R&B veteran Marques Houston is back with his brand new single “Last Drop”.
The song combines the emotion and melody of Tevin Campbell’s “Can We Talk”, while also being a uniquely Marques Houston expression.
The new single is a return to the signature blend of smooth vocals, compelling lyrics, and infectious beats that we’ve come to know Marques Houston for. Also out now is a visual to accompany the song which was directed by Chris Stokes. This is his first offering since he released the single “Admit It” earlier this year.
WATCH HERE
Now “Last Drop” represents a new chapter in Houston’s musical journey, offering listeners a fresh perspective on love, passion, and desire. He adds:
“I’m thrilled to share ‘Last Drop’ with my fans. This song is deeply personal to me, and I hope it connects with listeners on a profound level. It’s about savoring every moment and giving your all in love, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it.”
Stay tuned for more later this year from Marques Houston.
#HipHopNews: Tyla, Vince Staples, D4vd, FLO, And More To Perform At Lollapalooza's 2024 Aftershows
Set for Aug. 1 to 4 in Chicago’s Grant Park, Lollapalooza boasts a star-studded lineup this year, including Tyler, The Creator; SZA, Future x Metro Boomin, and Sexyy Red. However, the excitement is expected to extend beyond the festival grounds with a series of official late-night aftershows announced today (May 28) by the event organizers.
2024’s bill will see artists like Tyla, Vince Staples, d4vd, FLO, Raye, Teezo Touchdown, Killer Mike, and several others taking the stage at various small venues across the Windy City. The additional performances are slated to run from July 30 to Aug. 4.
Tickets for the aftershows go on sale this Friday (May 31) at 10 a.m. CT. More details and purchasing options can be found on the Lollapalooza website. See the full docket below.
On the other hand, Lollapalooza tickets have been available for purchase for some time, with a range of options still open. The festival’s website currently lists one-day general admission starting at $149.
For fans who missed his headlining sets at Coachella in April, Tyler will be performing on Aug. 1. Although the IGOR artist confirmed there won’t be any new music dropping until 2025, attendees can likely catch him do renditions of “See You Again” and “EARFQUAKE,” among other favorites.
Meanwhile, Lollapalooza will be among one of Tyla’s first festivals for the second half of 2024. In March, she canceled her eponymous trek — and any fêtes in the interim — due to worsening injuries.
“Tour is definitely going to come, probably late in the year. For now, I want to do more visuals and more interacting with people,” she told ELLE earlier this month. “And I’m excited to see how the music travels and what people create out of it because I already know people are going to come up with whatever they come up with, so I’m looking forward to seeing how they do that.”
Alfonso Ribeiro doesn't 'need or ever want' Tyler Perry 'to do anything for me'
The two do have a professional history, however; Ribeiro directed 12 episodes of the Perry-created sitcom Meet the Browns in 2009 and 2010.
Ribeiro's signature role, of course, is The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's Carlton Banks, the preppy cousin of Will Smith's main character, who famously did a certain move that, for decades, has been known as "the Carlton dance."
He told Today in September 2022 that fans were still into it.
"You come to grips with the idea that that person existed and that reality for you existed and, for me, I've come to the realization that when people come up to me on the street and they're like, 'Do the dance,' it's like, 'Really? You're asking me to dance for you?'"
All these years later — Fresh Prince was on the air from 1990 to 1996 — he's come to terms with it.
"It's really their experience and you learn to get that empathy where you can kind of say, 'This is about you and what you had in your house and I can appreciate it.' I'm still not dancing. But I get to appreciate other people’s experience with me as that character."
Stephanie Mills to Play Hermes in Hadestown on Broadway
Mills originated the role of Dorothy in the first Broadway production of The Wiz in 1975. Her last appearance on Broadway was for a special concert in 1989.
With a Tony-winning score by Anaïs Mitchell and Tony-winning direction by Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown resets the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in a soot-blackened underworld ruled over by a cruel industrialist named Hades.
Hadestown currently stars Ani DiFranco as Persephone, Jordan Fisher as Orpheus, Jon Jon Briones as Hermes, Phillip Boykin as Hades, and Isa Briones as Eurydice. They are joined by Jessie Shelton, Kay Trinidad, and Brit West as the Fates. The chorus of Workers is played by Emily Afton, Malcolm Armwood, Sayo Oni, Alex Puette and Grace Yoo. The cast includes swings Sojourner Brown, Brandon Cameron, Tara Jackson, Max Kumangai, Yael “YaYa Reich, and Tanner Ray Wilson.
Jon Jon Briones, Isa Briones, and Ani DiFranco will all play their final performance on Sunday, June 30.
Gladys Knight reflects on life and career with 80th birthday post: “I am honored”
“80 years of beautiful life, love, service, celebration, achievement, falling down, faith, fun, lessons, blessings, friendship, collaboration, soul sharing and more,” she wrote. “I am so grateful to celebrate another amazing birthday. I am honored to live this wonderful life.”
She added, “Thank you for all your love, support, celebration, prayers, well wishes, warm thoughts every day in each year. I truly love you!”
On her Instagram Story, the “Midnight Train to Georgia” singer reposted birthday wishes from celebrity friends like Kelly Rowland, Holly Robinson Peete, Jennifer Hudson and Shanice.
On May 24, Knight attended a surprise 80th birthday party for fellow legend Patti LaBelle, who is nicknamed the Godmother of Soul.
Busta Rhymes Unfazed By Gay Allegations As He Continues Birthday Celebration
Busta Rhymes is seemingly unfazed by gay allegations. Instead of paying attention to and wasting time addressing the rumors, the rapper continued his birthday celebration with another party at an Atlanta bar.
On Tuesday, May 28, the hip-hop artist, who turned 52 years old on May 20, took to his Instagram page to share footage of him partying at RoseBar Atlanta with his friends. He looked excited while posing with male friends and a female fan in the video.
"Y'ALL KNOW THE MANTRA!! THE BLESSINGS DON'T STOP SO WE AIN'T NEVER GONNA STOP!! BIG BDAY CELEBRATION IN ATL!!" he captioned the video. "SALUTE @redbottomsal FOR PUTTING TOGETHER @rosebaratl @jazzepha FOR PULLING UP AND ALL THE LOVE FROM THE CITY THAT PULLED UP!! THE BDAY CELEBRATION CONTINUES!!"
One day before, Busta also celebrated his 52nd birthday on a yacht. "THE BLESSINGS DON'T STOP EVER SO WE AIN'T STOPPING NEVER!!! THE BIG #BLOCKBUSTA BDAY FOR THE DRAGON CONTINUES WITH SOME PRE BDAY CELEBRATION ACTION FOR MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER @heyimcie GETTING ULTRA LITTY WITH THE FAMILY," he wrote along with a video of the bash. He went on thanking those "MAKING IT A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!!"
Busta, whose real name is Trevor George Smith Jr., continued his birthday celebration amid allegations by a former bodyguard that the star would always request the company of "fun boys." The former bodyguard, Big Homie CC, called the rapper a "super zest monster."
"All my promoter homies would say, we need to bring some 'fun boys' in the [VIP] section for Busta," the bodyguard explained. He continued, "I was out with Don Benjamin [a model/rapper] and the club we ended up going to, Busta Rhymes [was in there.]"
Big Homie CC said among his entourage was their lawyer, who happens to be gay. "Busta Rhymes wanted [the lawyer] in his section so bad. Busta pulled [the lawyer] into his section, and stuck him in a corner. He stayed with Busta and them," he recounted, claiming that Busta's alleged gay activities are "common knowledge."
Another man made a similar allegation about Busta's sexuality. The male YouTuber, who is gay, claimed that the 1990s rapper tried to "pick him up." The YouTuber, who was dating another guy at the time, said Busta saw him outside of a club and invited him into the club with him to hang out in the rapper's VIP section.
Busta allegedly "grabbed his hand softly" and asked to join in the VIP. The YouTuber said he thought Busta was just being generous, so he agreed to go into the club with Busta. But his boyfriend got jealous and the two men got into a fight on a New York City street. The YouTuber never managed to get inside the club with Busta.
Busta has not responded to the gay allegations.
Diddy's Lawyer Insists To Separate 'Facts From Fiction' After Classmates Detail Alleged Abuse On GF
On Tuesday, May 28, Rolling Stone published its six-month investigation into the horrified allegations leveled against the Bad Boy Records founder. According to the publication, "out of 300-plus people contacted for this investigation, more than 50 were willing to speak about their experiences. Those who did speak about Combs describe a complicated man with opposing personas."
While outwardly Diddy would be seen as "unapologetically driven, generous, and jovial, even silly at times," those "who got close enough to him discovered something darker behind the facade: a menacing figure who desperately wants to be accepted and admired, who uses public declarations of devotion, splashy donations, and boasts that he is 'Brother Love' to hide an undercurrent of alleged abuse and violence."
Some instances cited by the outlet include his alleged beating of a label executive bloody after he became romantically involved with Diddy's ex-partner Kim Porter, and allegedly trying to solicit sex from a woman on his payroll.
The magazine also spoke with Diddy's classmates at Howard University, who detailed his alleged abuse on his then-girlfriend with a belt. "Puff is out here acting crazy. He's beating her," one classmate recalled what fellow students said at the time.
"He screamed and hollered and acted a stone fool until she came downstairs," another Howard student who witnessed the alleged attack told the outlet. She said Diddy used what appeared to be a belt to strike the young woman "all over the place."
The witness said Diddy appeared "super angry" and was "screaming at the top of his lungs." The second witness added that the rapper "whupped her butt - like really whupped her butt," adding that they thought the woman was clearly terrorized. "She was trying to defend herself a little bit. She was crying. And we were telling him, 'Get off of her.' We were screaming for her," the witness claimed, which was confirmed by a third witness.
Photographer Monqiue Bunn, meanwhile, suggested Notorious B.I.G.'s death could have been more sinister than initially thought. "[Biggie] was absolutely about to leave Puff," Monqiue said of the late rapper, who was signed to Bad Boy Records. "I know for a fact [because] he told me that." Another source added, "Everybody wanted to leave Puffy. Everybody leaves him."
In response to the article, Diddy's lawyer Jonathan Davis said in a statement to the outlet, "Mr. Combs cannot comment on settled litigation, will not comment on pending litigation, and cannot address every allegation picked up by the press from any source, no matter how unreliable."
The lawyer added, "We are aware that the proper authorities are conducting a thorough investigation and therefore have confidence any important issues will be addressed in the proper forum, where the rules distinguish facts from fiction."
Darius Rucker Addresses His Drug Arrest
in Williamson County, Tennessee. Rucker, 58, shared his side of the story during an interview on the "Today" show, where he recounted the unexpected sequence of events that led authorities to take him into custody nearly a year after his initial traffic stop.
The saga began in February 2023 when police in Franklin, Tennessee, pulled Rucker over due to an expired vehicle tag. During the stop, officers reportedly caught the scent of marijuana emanating from his car.
Despite Rucker's claim that he had not smoked that night, further investigation revealed a THC pen and 14 unmarked purple pills, later identified as psilocin or magic mushrooms. Rucker attributed these items to his girlfriend.
"I went down and we handled it. My lawyers are taking care of it. It is what it is," Rucker remarked with simplicity during his "Today" show appearance.
Initially released by the police pending identification of the substances, Rucker believed the case was over. However, in December 2023, a warrant was unexpectedly issued for his arrest. Rucker turned himself in on February 1, 2024, facing two counts of simple possession/casual exchange of a controlled substance and one count of a violation of the state's vehicle registration law.
"The crazy thing was, they let me go. And it was a year later that I get a phone call that said there was a warrant for my arrest," Rucker explained, reflecting on the unusual timeline.
In parallel, Rucker touches upon his past drug struggles in his newly released memoir, "Life's Too Short." He vividly recounts his years of substance abuse, candidly discussing his consumption of mushrooms, ecstasy, and cocaine. The memoir is as much an ode to recovery as it is a window into his rock-and-roll lifestyle. Rucker credits Beth Leonard, his ex-wife and mother to his children Jack and Daniella, for helping him quit and change his life.
"When I quit, I quit. It was the best thing that's ever happened to me. I say all the time that Beth saved my life when she did that," said Rucker.
In the face of ongoing legal issues, Rucker remains optimistic and focused on his career and family. He continues to make music and is preparing for an upcoming 50-date tour with Hootie & the Blowfish, celebrating their 30th-anniversary tour of the album "Cracked Rear View".
Cardi B Defends Pornography After Candace Owens Calls for Ban: 'Is It That Bad for Y'all?'
After the conservative political commentator took to social media with a call to "ban pornography" earlier this month, Cardi shared her thoughts on the matter — and the rapper doesn't think X-rated content is all "that bad."
"Ban pornography. It is a psychological weapon intended to weaken our men," wrote Owens, 35, in a post shared to X (formerly Twitter) on May 21.
The former Daily Wire personality elaborated further in follow-up posts, writing that pornography was "created by the most depraved among our human race to psychologically introduce homosexuality, pedophilia and incest—religious sacraments to satanists."
According to TMZ, Owens' statements were later posted by a blog to Instagram, which prompted the "WAP" rapper to chime in on the platform: "Ommmggg why yall so against porn ? Is it that bad for yall ?"
"I enjoy it but I don’t know," continued Cardi, 31, per the outlet. "I guess is like a 6 time a year thing .I personally don’t feel no connection or addiction to it just a little quick one two ….NOTHING LIKE REAL INTIMACY!"
In a follow-up comment, TMZ reported, the Grammy winner urged that people could use pornography as a learning tool, claiming the explicit material "actually should teach men how to please a woman."
Owens and Cardi have publicly disagreed on various political and social issues in the past, with the former TV host criticizing the rapper's explicitly sexual songs like "WAP" as well as President Joe Biden's choice to do an interview with her around the 2020 election.
In a recent interview with Vogue, Cardi spoke about the backlash "WAP" received from some groups upon its release in 2020. "Maybe because we’re more mainstream now, the song reached more conservative people over the internet," she told the outlet.
"I guess it made some soccer moms cry. But I cannot believe the song became so political," added Cardi. "I am very used to hearing explicit lyrics from women. Growing up I listened to Trina, Khia, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown. Their lyrics were more explicit than mine!"
Isabella Strahan Celebrates 19th Birthday Belatedly After Being Unconscious Due to Brain Cancer Surgery
Isabella Strahan is commemorating a belated milestone. Michael Strahan's daughter recently spent the day baking cupcakes with friends and family as an overdue celebration of her 19th birthday last year, for which she was unconscious after undergoing emergency surgery for brain cancer.
"We're doing a little birthday celebration because I was not conscious for it," Isabella said with a laugh in a May 28 vlog posted on YouTube. "Happy birthday!"
In throwback footage included in her video, Isabella appeared to be resting in her hospital bed as her twin sister Sophia Strahan was decorated the room with balloons. Meanwhile, Isabella's other friends were seen gathering around the bed.
Isabella underwent a procedure to have a malignant tumor removed from the base of her brain on Oct. 27, a day before her 19th birthday. The operation came just two days after Isabella threw up blood, prompting her to seek medical treatment for severe headaches she was experiencing at the time.
"It sent a signal about how serious it was," her dad Michael shared of the ordeal in a January interview with ABC News, recalling how doctors recommended that she should have the cancerous mass removed "as soon as possible."
He continued, "There were times when she was in a lot of pain. She was sleeping a lot."
After the surgery, Isabella went through a month of rehab to learn how to walk again. She entered radiation therapy in January, before starting chemotherapy the following month.
Since then, the model has undergone two more brain surgeries, as well as three rounds of chemotherapy treatments.
"Tomorrow's really my last day of chemo," she said in a May 21 vlog. "It's crazy and then it's my last cycle and then I'm done. It's insane."
Colton Underwood & Husband Jordan C. Brown Don't Know Whose Sperm Was Used to Conceive Baby
In a new interview, Colton revealed that he and the 38-year-old political strategist don’t know whose sperm was used to conceive their unborn baby.
“We told our doctor to put the healthiest embryo in,” Colton shared on The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever with Chris Harrison. “And then for the next one, switch the genetics.”
Colton went on to say that the doctor knows his and Jordan‘s “game plan” for their future family.
“I have a good chance we’re gonna be able to tell, but we sort of did that to protect ourselves,” Colton explained. “I didn’t want people coming up on the streets being like, ‘Whose is it?’ And we, like, look at each other. Like, it’s our kid and our baby.”
Host Chris Harrison jokingly responded, “First of all, no matter what, whoever your child is with, they’re going to say, ‘Oh my God. He looks just like you!’”
Chris, 52, then asked, “So, you’re going to have two kids. Is that what you’re saying?”
“That’s the game plan,” Colton answered, before specifying that the doctor will “use the other sperm for the other child.”
Also during the podcast, Colton talked about the fertility process, explaining that he and Jordan did an egg retrieval and split the eggs “half and half.”
He also said that they are keeping their egg donor’s identity private, but said that he and Jordan “wanted somebody who was adventurous and spontaneous.”
“It was definitely a process,” Colton noted.
Colton has been very open about the other fertility struggles he and Jordan have faced as they tried to start a family.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s Friends Are Divided on Whether Marriage Can Be Saved
Jennifer Lopez looked as stunning as ever when she stepped onto the red carpet at the premiere of her new Netflix film, Atlas, at the Egyptian Theatre in L.A. on May 20. Dressed in a cropped white top and a black, floor-length mermaid-cut Greta Constantine skirt, the glamorous star posed for photos and waved to fans.
Despite appearances, an eyewitness shares in the latest issue of Us Weekly that Lopez, 54, wasn’t her usual “bubbly” self at the event.
“There weren’t a lot of big smiles, even for photographers,” says the eyewitness, noting that Lopez wore her wedding band but not her 8.5-carat diamond engagement ring. “It seemed like she was just going through the motions.”
The press tour for Atlas hasn’t come at the most opportune time for Lopez. Earlier this month, news broke that she and husband Ben Affleck have hit a rough patch, with Affleck, 51, leaving their $60 million Beverly Hills mansion to stay at a nearby rental while they figure out their next steps.
One source close to the couple — who wed in the summer of 2022, nearly 20 years after calling off their first engagement — says the decision to spend time apart was mutual: “They are taking some space to work out whether or not the relationship is right for both of them.”
According to a source close to Lopez, things between the Shotgun Wedding actress and Affleck began coming to a head a few months ago.
“Jennifer had started ramping up her work commitments and prepping for her tour,” says the source. “She’s very focused on work and overextends herself.”
Lopez is set to kick off her 30-date This Is Me…Now Tour on June 26 in Florida. The source says Affleck “doesn’t agree with Jennifer’s lifestyle” and has felt “worn down” by the marriage.
“He’s been checked out,” the source says, noting that the pair are on “two completely different pages most of the time. The honeymoon phase has worn off.”
A second Lopez source says the couple’s work commitments have also caused friction at home. “Both have demanding careers that often require them to be in different cities,” the source explains.
Lopez was recently in NYC filming the upcoming musical Kiss of the Spider Woman, while Affleck, who’s started shooting The Accountant 2, stayed in L.A. The scheduling, says the source, “highlighted the emotional and physical distance between them.”
Communication is an additional source of contention. “Over time, Jennifer and Ben found it increasingly difficult to communicate effectively,” explains the source, “and small misunderstandings grew into significant arguments.”
The source says Lopez prefers to talk things out when conflicts arise, while Affleck tends to withdraw. “They have fundamentally different approaches to conflict.”
There are basic personality clashes as well. Lopez is known for being an open book, sharing intimate details of her life with her fans in interviews and via social media. She reflected on her past relationships — and her reunion with Affleck — in February’s $20 million self-financed musical film, This Is Me... Now: A Love Story, and its accompanying documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told.
In the doc, Affleck himself muses on their differences, saying, “Getting back together, I said, ‘Listen, one of the things I don’t want is a relationship on social media. Then I sort of realized it’s not a fair thing to ask. It’s sort of like, you’re gonna marry a boat captain, and you go, ‘Well, I don’t like the water,’” he said. “[We are] two people with different kinds of approaches trying to learn to compromise.”
The source close to the couple says that rumors of Lopez being high-maintenance are inaccurate, adding that the pair’s issues are “complex.”
The second Lopez source says disagreements over things like finances and parenting “have exacerbated” their issues. (Lopez shares twins Emme and Max, 16, with ex Marc Anthony; Affleck shares Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and 12-year-old Samuel with ex Jennifer Garner.)
There’s a lot at stake. For Lopez, a fourth divorce could be a source of embarrassment. “She’s upset,” says the first Lopez source, “and really did think she and Ben would be endgame this time around.”
The second Lopez source adds that after the pair were so open about their love and reunion, the idea of a split could be uncomfortable.
Lopez was put in an uneasy position during a Wednesday, May 22, press event for Atlas in Mexico City when a reporter asked about divorce rumors. “You know better than that,” Lopez told the reporter before costar Simu Liu quickly came to her defense. “Don’t come in with that energy, please,” Liu said, adding, “Jen is a producer on this movie and the reason why I am here and why [castmate] Sterling [K. Brown] was in this beautiful movie is because [she] cares. Jen cares about things like representation and diversity. She’s a boss.”
The second source says Lopez has been “committed to working on the marriage” and is pushing for them to get help. Affleck, meanwhile, was initially hesitant but is starting to “invest more.”
The source adds that “[Ben has] struggled with loneliness” since moving out of their home “and realized how much he misses Jen.”
For now, they’re at an impasse. While they were apart, “Ben and Jen kept in touch primarily to discuss essential matters and updates,” says the second Lopez source.
Friends are torn about where Lopez and Affleck should go from here. “Some believe they can work it out with time and effort, pointing to their deep bond. Others think the relationship has run its course.”
For now, Lopez and Affleck are “both reassessing their priorities,” adds the source, “and [figuring out] what they truly want from the marriage.”
Rome Flynn to Joins Season 4 of MGM+ Series ‘Godfather of Harlem’
Now, Flynn is set to recur in season 4 of Godfather of Harlem on MGM+. According to Deadline, “Flynn will portray real-life gangster Frank Lucas.”
The series describes Flynn’s back-story as “a country boy from North Carolina who ventured to Harlem and, after initial friction with gangster Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker), eventually rose to become Bumpy’s fierce defender and right-hand man.”
Movie buff’s know that Oscar-winner Denzel Washington depicted Frank Lucas in the movie American Gangster. However, Flynn will portray Lucas in this origin story which begins 10 years earlier than the film.
Godfather of Harlem tells a story inspired by infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson (Whitaker), who in the early 1960s returned from 11 years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles. In the upcoming fourth season, its Flynn’s character of Frank Lucas who will give Bumpy a run for his money in the emergence of himself as a nee gang leader for the territory.
Flynn shared this statement on his casting: “I’m filled with gratitude! Thrilled to be a part of the Godfather of Harlem universe and breathe new life into the legend of Frank Lucas. I have so much admiration for Forest Whitaker. Working opposite him, being led by the brilliant creator Chris Brancato, is truly a gift. An actor’s dream.”
“When I saw Rome’s audition, I immediately knew we’d found our man – equal parts charming and ruthless, savvy and suave. Rome is a wonderful actor who can go toe-to-toe with Forest Whitaker and our other great performers,” added series co-creator Chris Brancato.
Since departing B&B, Flynn has landed choice roles on How to Get Away with Murder, Chicago Fire, Raising Dion and Dear White People, NCIS: New Orleans, MacGyver, and more.
Jennifer Lopez’s $90 Million Las Vegas Residency Deal in Jeopardy Amid Tour Struggles
*Jennifer Lopez‘s much-anticipated $90 million Las Vegas residency deal is facing uncertainty. Back in February, the “Jenny From the Block” singer, 54, was reported to be in talks for a lucrative 90-show residency at The Park MGM Theater in Las Vegas, with a reported offer of $1 million per concert. However, recent developments suggest that the deal is now shaky.
Casino executives have become hesitant due to the poor performance of Lopez’s new album and tour, according to The NY Post.
“MGM is watching her not doing well on the road. They are very nervous. It’s pretty rare you have a poor tour and then go to Vegas,” a source told the publication.
Insiders believe that the lack of ticket sales will likely lead to a significant pay cut for Lopez, with her potential earnings dropping to between $500,000 and $600,000 per show, and a reduction in the number of concerts from the originally planned 90 shows.
Despite the setbacks, discussions between Lopez and MGM are reportedly ongoing, although no deal has been signed yet. Representatives for Jennifer Lopez and MGM have not responded to requests for comment.
Earlier this year, The Mirror reported that J.Lo was gearing up for a dazzling Las Vegas residency, following the success of her “All I Have” run from 2016 to 2018 at Caesars Palace. The new show was expected to be a major coup for The Park Theater.
However, trouble began for Lopez when she canceled shows across seven cities for her highly-anticipated tour, set to kick off in late June. The cancellations included stops in Nashville, New Orleans, Raleigh, Atlanta, Houston, Cleveland, and Tampa, with no explanation provided by her team.
In April, it was revealed that her tour, originally named “This Is Me… Now: The Tour,” had been rebranded to “This Is Me… Live,” with a focus on her greatest hits rather than her latest album. The rebrand was aimed at drawing in fans from her previous work, inspired by the successful tours of Taylor Swift and Madonna.
Despite the changes, ticket sales have remained slow, with blocks of seating still available at multiple venues and resale sites offering tickets for as little as $10.
This has led to speculation that the tour might be canceled to avoid further embarrassment, but Lopez and her manager, Benny Medina, are determined to proceed, Daily Mail reports.
“J.Lo is overexposed and has put herself out there way too much,” one insider suggested, noting the string of public appearances and projects that have kept her in the spotlight. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Jennifer Lopez can turn things around and secure her place in Las Vegas once again.
Pastor Keion Henderson Asks for Apologies From Critics Upset He Told Woman to ‘Hush’ During Worship
Pastor Keion Henderson says that he has made amends with the woman critics say he publicly shamed for causing an un-Godly disturbance in the sanctuary.
The Christian leader recently told “97.9 The Box” radio hosts that while he is accustomed to the critical views within the church, becoming a staple on the gossip site the Shade Room, has been a completely different experience.
The Lighthouse Church founder has become somewhat of a celebrity in his own right thanks to his marriage to Shaunie Henderson, formerly O’Neal, the ex-wife of retired NBA star Shaquille O’Neal.
The former basketball wife married her second husband in May 2022. The couple shared their love story and journey down the aisle on their show “Shaunie & Keion’s Destination I Do.” The reality TV producer and pastor have a blended family of six, with five children belonging to the “Undefeated” author and Keion’s daughter from a previous relationship.
In early May, a clip of him telling a worshiper to “hush” and “silence in the name of Jesus” during a livestreamed service went viral. Both he and the woman faced a barrage of commentary about the incident, some of which included condemnation of his actions and the woman’s alleged wailing for attention instead of bringing glory to the Holy Father.
One perspective on the exchange read, “She’s always loud like this and he’s never stopped her. Finally, he got fed up and did.. he saw through it. He’s let her have her moments.” A second stated, “I get both sides…We can cry out for Jesus to get His attention but sometimes we have to silence the noise to hear to heed His attention.
Some others felt she should have been shown some grace. “I am concerned about the lady,” fellow Pastor Deitrick Haddon shared during an interview. “As a shepherd, your responsibility is to cover the sheep.”
Another individual shared, “I would like to hear from her!!! Her side of the story. Because, no matter what she is a soul to save. This approach was dead wrong. It is embarrassing and could have been done differently.”
Pastor Keion previously said that he and several members of the church have addressed the woman’s disruptive behavior over the span of four years, but she has continued to be a disorderly fixture during times of worship.
“All noise in church ain’t the Holy Spirit, and all I know for sure is that what I did in that moment was appropriate, whether somebody outside of The Lighthouse Church or not understands that,” he explained in the recent discussion regarding the matter.
“Now what I feel bad about is what happened to her in her life because I live this space she doesn’t,” he continued, speaking to the nature of his status as a public figure. “This is the difficulty of this internet sensationalism. The only reason it went viral is because people made money. Because I have asked people to be quiet before y’all knew who I was, but nobody played it.”
He added additional context by sharing that Shaunie shared that he had gone viral while service was ongoing.
Pastor Keion also admitted that his own “dogmatic” church upbringing greatly influenced how he handled the situation with the churchgoer.
“I understood in that moment OK well some of what took place was my roots, which I’m gonna have to address ‘cause it was a reflex reaction to something I grew up seeing and I recognize that the world has changed, people are a lot more sensitive than they used to be,” said the author of “The Lazy Love.”
“So I didn’t go through the moment without learning, and I don’t want anybody to think that my head was in the sand and that my feet was dug in like I shall not be moved.”
Furthermore, the former aspiring professional basketball player stated, “I learned in the process that I pastor in a generation that is not the one I grew up in and that I pastor in the world that does not look like the one I grew up in. So now I have to adjust as a leader. I do ask that the people who think she deserves an apology, which she got, give — I ask for yours too. So don’t ask me to be forgiving and you’re not either.”
Thus far, the wailing worshipper Pastor Keion has not come forward with any social media posts explaining her side of the story.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
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EVENING GOODIES: Meet KING TIM
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HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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