#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
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
“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
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
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
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
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 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
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'
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
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.
Enjoy!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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