#MAGAB: Raamla Mohamed For Essence Magazine's Black Women In Hollywood:
As a veteran in the fast-paced world of network television, Raamla Mohamed has learned how to craft TV magic—swiftly. “My writing process is like Maxwell,” says Mohamed, 43. “Whenever, wherever, whatever.”
The creator and showrunner of the Hulu legal drama Reasonable Doubt takes no shortcuts, however, when it comes to the narratives she presents on-screen. Having climbed up the ranks in the entertainment industry—working as an intern at Fox Searchlight while earning a Master’s in Fine Arts from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, then landing her first job as a PA on the reality show Trading Spouses—she’s no stranger to working hard. Her big break came in the form of a writer’s PA gig, during season six of Grey’s Anatomy. This placed her in Shondaland, where she remained for the next nine years: as a researcher on Scandal, then moving up to staff writer and eventually supervising producer.
“That show was so important to a lot of Black women,” says Mohamed of the ABC political drama. “Kerry Washington was the first Black woman to headline a network show on television in 37 years. For me, seeing how that impacted other Black women, how people showed up for Kerry, how people showed up for Shonda Rhimes, and also that it was a hit show—that inspired me to want to put more Black women on television.”
Mohamed does exactly that with Jax (played by Emayatzy Corinealdi) and her group of girlfriends in Reasonable Doubt. The show features a crew of relatable women who, like many of us, excel in one area of adult life—often professional roles—yet struggle with relationships, parenting or other aspects of the everyday.
“I feel like we often think we have to be one or the other, either ratchet or professional, and that can really separate us as Black women,” says Mohamed. “A lot of my friends are both, and there’s nothing wrong with it,” she adds with a laugh. “We can listen to Juvenile and also be in a courtroom. And I really want to see more characters on television who represent that dichotomy and show that we are not just one voice.”
“Black love is not just romance. It’s platonic love, familial love. It’s supporting each other.”
Mohamed is particularly keen to continue exploring expressions of Black love in the series, which has been renewed for a third season. “Black love is really the theme of my show right now,” she says, “and it’s not just romance. It’s platonic love. It’s familial love. It’s showing the importance of us supporting each other—whether in partnership, friendship or professional relationships.”
Mohamed practices that approach in real life. She has stacked the creative team behind the series with other Black women, including co-executive producer Natasha Tash Gray, directors Julie Dash and Numa Perrier, and writers such as Michelle Flowers, Loy A. Webb and Natalia Temesgen. “As a Black woman in a leadership position, it’s very important for me to have other Black women in production on set,” she explains. “The more that other people see us in various roles—whether it’s as a PA or someone like me, who’s a showrunner—the more it normalizes us being in this world and having these positions. When I have PAs or ADs or anyone working on set, and they see me in charge, I think it inspires them to know, I can do this, too.”
It was ESSENCE’s 2024 Black Women in Hollywood honoree Nkechi Okoro Carroll who served as that inspiration and encouragement for Mohamed on her journey. “When I met her, she was a co-executive producer, and she was someone I could reach out to and talk to about being a Black writer in this industry,” Mohamed says. “She was accessible. And I’m just so happy for her, because at one point she had three shows on the air, and she is still the exact same person. I could text her right now and ask her a question.”
Mohamed, who’s thrilled to be among the 2025 class of BWIH honorees, didn’t get into the business of Hollywood to seek accolades, or even to simply entertain—though, she admits, “I really do enjoy when people come up to me and say they love the show and that they’ve told their friends about it.” But she’s even more moved when viewers describe connections they’ve made between their own lives and those of the characters she’s created. “I’ve had people tell me they’ve gotten into couple’s therapy because of the show,” she says, “or they have a better understanding of abuse that a friend has experienced. For me, being able to tell those stories, and have it impact people’s lives like that, is really important—because I remember being younger and watching television shows that I loved, and I also remember how they got me through hard times. That keeps me motivated.”
As a veteran in the fast-paced world of network television, Raamla Mohamed has learned how to craft TV magic—swiftly. “My writing process is like Maxwell,” says Mohamed, 43. “Whenever, wherever, whatever.”
“That show was so important to a lot of Black women,” says Mohamed of the ABC political drama. “Kerry Washington was the first Black woman to headline a network show on television in 37 years. For me, seeing how that impacted other Black women, how people showed up for Kerry, how people showed up for Shonda Rhimes, and also that it was a hit show—that inspired me to want to put more Black women on television.”
“I feel like we often think we have to be one or the other, either ratchet or professional, and that can really separate us as Black women,” says Mohamed. “A lot of my friends are both, and there’s nothing wrong with it,” she adds with a laugh. “We can listen to Juvenile and also be in a courtroom. And I really want to see more characters on television who represent that dichotomy and show that we are not just one voice.”
“Black love is not just romance. It’s platonic love, familial love. It’s supporting each other.”
Mohamed is particularly keen to continue exploring expressions of Black love in the series, which has been renewed for a third season. “Black love is really the theme of my show right now,” she says, “and it’s not just romance. It’s platonic love. It’s familial love. It’s showing the importance of us supporting each other—whether in partnership, friendship or professional relationships.”
Mohamed practices that approach in real life. She has stacked the creative team behind the series with other Black women, including co-executive producer Natasha Tash Gray, directors Julie Dash and Numa Perrier, and writers such as Michelle Flowers, Loy A. Webb and Natalia Temesgen. “As a Black woman in a leadership position, it’s very important for me to have other Black women in production on set,” she explains. “The more that other people see us in various roles—whether it’s as a PA or someone like me, who’s a showrunner—the more it normalizes us being in this world and having these positions. When I have PAs or ADs or anyone working on set, and they see me in charge, I think it inspires them to know, I can do this, too.”
It was ESSENCE’s 2024 Black Women in Hollywood honoree Nkechi Okoro Carroll who served as that inspiration and encouragement for Mohamed on her journey. “When I met her, she was a co-executive producer, and she was someone I could reach out to and talk to about being a Black writer in this industry,” Mohamed says. “She was accessible. And I’m just so happy for her, because at one point she had three shows on the air, and she is still the exact same person. I could text her right now and ask her a question.”
Mohamed, who’s thrilled to be among the 2025 class of BWIH honorees, didn’t get into the business of Hollywood to seek accolades, or even to simply entertain—though, she admits, “I really do enjoy when people come up to me and say they love the show and that they’ve told their friends about it.” But she’s even more moved when viewers describe connections they’ve made between their own lives and those of the characters she’s created. “I’ve had people tell me they’ve gotten into couple’s therapy because of the show,” she says, “or they have a better understanding of abuse that a friend has experienced. For me, being able to tell those stories, and have it impact people’s lives like that, is really important—because I remember being younger and watching television shows that I loved, and I also remember how they got me through hard times. That keeps me motivated.”
As Mohamed continues to be the change she wants to see in the industry, she’s hopeful about the future of entertainment for Black creatives—despite global, national and local events that have the potential to threaten hard-won progress.
#RHOP: Real Housewives of Potomac Season 10 Filming Will Proceed Without Karen Huger amid Prison Sentence
A source says that production on the Bravo reality show will proceed with its upcoming 10th season as Huger is behind bars. Cameras are expected to pick up officially at the end of March, the insider says.
That doesn't mean she's being kicked off the show. Huger, 61, could still return in the future, according to the source, especially if her sentence is reduced. She has 30 days to appeal the judge's decision, and 90 days to ask the judge to reconsider his order.
A rep for Huger did not respond to a request for comment.
Huger was an original cast member since RHOP premiered in January 2016. The series, following the lives of a group of women living in and around the affluent Maryland suburb, helped make Huger a household name and catapulted "The Grand Dame" — a moniker given to Huger by costar Gizelle Bryant — into the Bravo lexicon
The reality star has been a mainstay on RHOP since, never missing a season as a full-time Housewife even during difficult times, like after the death of her parents.
She was a presence throughout season 9, too, where her March 2024 drunk driving crash and subsequent arrest was a hot topic among Bryant and costars Ashley Darby, Wendy Osefo, Mia Thornton, Keiarna Stewart, Stacey Rusch, Jassi Rideaux and Jacqueline Blake.
The mother of two only missed the RHOP season 9 reunion after checking herself into a private recovery program in Florida. She later explained in a video that aired on the reunion's first part that she was in treatment to "get to the bottom" of "taking antidepressants and drinking."
"I’m not an alcoholic, let’s be clear," she said, later thanking her costars in a second video message that aired on the reunion for their support.
Despite likely not appearing on season 10, Huger is expected to still be discussed. A source tells PEOPLE Bryant even told attendees at her City Winery event on Wednesday that she would be open to filming a visit to see Huger in jail next season if producers could get clearance.
Many of Huger's other costars have spoken out about her sentencing already, with Darby telling Tamron Hall that she "cried like a baby" when she heard the news" and Osefo sharing with PEOPLE, "I always wish her well, and I'm just keeping her in prayer."
As for the show’s future trajectory, Osefo said she believes the RHOP cast can continue without her.
"With this group, we have found a way to navigate with her presence and without her presence,” Osefo said. "Looking at the reunion, I think that we maneuvered in a positive way as a collective, as a unit. I wish her the best, but I think that the Potomac brand still is strong."
The Real Housewives of Potomac season 9 reunion wraps Sunday (8 p.m. ET) on Bravo. Episodes stream the next day on Peacock.
#MusicNews: Estelle Releases New Single “Love on Love”
Estelle returns with the release of her brand new single “Love on Love”. The release is accompanied by a live performance of the song. This is the third offering from her upcoming album and follows the releases of ‘Fire’ featuring Joi and her empowering lead single ‘Oh I’.
Estelle returns with the release of her brand new single “Love on Love”. The release is accompanied by a live performance of the song. This is the third offering from her upcoming album and follows the releases of ‘Fire’ featuring Joi and her empowering lead single ‘Oh I’.
LISTEN HERE:
“Love on Love” was written and produced by Estelle and Keith Harris and reflects ongoing global protests, delivering a bold and urgent message that love is the only force capable of driving out darkness. Estelle adds about the song:
“When I think of how I respond to any attempt to suppress people’s rights and peace, I always go to love. Love doesn’t always show up as passive, sometimes it shows up as a fiery ray of light to let whoever know, “There’s joy and light over here – we’re not going for it”.
Stay tuned for more details on Estelle’s forthcoming album, arriving later this year.
“When I think of how I respond to any attempt to suppress people’s rights and peace, I always go to love. Love doesn’t always show up as passive, sometimes it shows up as a fiery ray of light to let whoever know, “There’s joy and light over here – we’re not going for it”.
Stay tuned for more details on Estelle’s forthcoming album, arriving later this year.
#HipHopNews: The Notorious B.I.G.’s Publishing and Publicity Rights to Be Sold for Over $100 Million – Report
On Friday (Feb. 28), The Hollywood Reporter named music publishing company Primary Wave as the prospective buyer. The rapper's brief catalog is up for $100 million, as are his master rights, which are commanding an additional $30 million to $50 million. According to sources, the deal will encompass 50 percent of both the late rapper's publishing and master rights, with the addition of publicity rights, which include image, voice and other identifiable characteristics like standout song lyrics. The deal will reportedly close in the next few weeks.
Primary Wave's roster of late entertainer catalogs includes Bob Marley, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross and others.
We have reached out to Primary Wave and Biggie's estate for comment. The pending sale comes just a week after Biggie's mother, Voletta Wallace, died at the age of 78. Biggie's mom passed away on Feb. 21 in Stroudsburg, Pa. Monroe County Coroner, Thomas Yanac, confirmed to XXL that Wallace had been in hospice care leading up to her death. She died of natural causes.
Previous to her death, Ms. Wallace ran the Brooklyn, N.Y. rapper's estate following his murder in 1997. In 2011, she signed a licensing deal with Brand Sense Partners to manage licensing and merchandising for the Brooklyn native’s name and likeness. Through her business moves, she helped raise Biggie's estate's estimated worth from $10 million to $160 million, according to TMZ.
Biggie's estate is currently being represented by Mark Pitts and Wayne Barrow of ByStorm Entertainment.
On Friday (Feb. 28), The Hollywood Reporter named music publishing company Primary Wave as the prospective buyer. The rapper's brief catalog is up for $100 million, as are his master rights, which are commanding an additional $30 million to $50 million. According to sources, the deal will encompass 50 percent of both the late rapper's publishing and master rights, with the addition of publicity rights, which include image, voice and other identifiable characteristics like standout song lyrics. The deal will reportedly close in the next few weeks.
Primary Wave's roster of late entertainer catalogs includes Bob Marley, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross and others.
We have reached out to Primary Wave and Biggie's estate for comment. The pending sale comes just a week after Biggie's mother, Voletta Wallace, died at the age of 78. Biggie's mom passed away on Feb. 21 in Stroudsburg, Pa. Monroe County Coroner, Thomas Yanac, confirmed to XXL that Wallace had been in hospice care leading up to her death. She died of natural causes.
Previous to her death, Ms. Wallace ran the Brooklyn, N.Y. rapper's estate following his murder in 1997. In 2011, she signed a licensing deal with Brand Sense Partners to manage licensing and merchandising for the Brooklyn native’s name and likeness. Through her business moves, she helped raise Biggie's estate's estimated worth from $10 million to $160 million, according to TMZ.
Biggie's estate is currently being represented by Mark Pitts and Wayne Barrow of ByStorm Entertainment.
#OSCARS2025: Oscars 2025 Full Winners List: 'Anora' Big Winner With Five Trophies
The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien, brought an unexpected surprises and snubs. "Anora," a gritty, Brooklyn-set screwball flick directed by Sean Baker, stood out as the night's biggest winner, taking home five Oscars, including best picture and best director.
Baker, who also won awards for best screenplay and best editing, emphasized the importance of the theatrical experience in his acceptance speeches. "Where did we fall in love with movies? At the movie theater," Baker said, urging filmmakers to continue making films for the big screen as more and more movies are going straight to streaming platforms.
Adrien Brody, who portrayed a Holocaust survivor in "The Brutalist," took home the best actor award, adding to his previous win for "The Pianist." Brody's heartfelt speech touched on the "lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression and of antisemitism and racism and othering," and called for a more inclusive world.
Mikey Madison, winning best actress for her role in "Anora," also made history as the first Gen Z lead acting prize winner. Madison's victory marks a significant milestone, highlighting the evolving talent in Hollywood.
Supporting roles saw Kieran Culkin winning his first Oscar for "A Real Pain" and Zoe Saldana for "Emilia Perez." Saldana, the first American of Dominican origin to win an Academy Award, proudly celebrated her heritage and the "quiet heroism and power in a woman" represented by her character.
In the animated category, the wordless Latvian environmental film "Flow" won best animated feature, signaling a shift towards more international and unconventional storytelling. Director Gints Zilbalodis expressed hopes that the win would "open doors to independent animated filmmakers around the world."
The ceremony also acknowledged the resilience of Los Angeles following the devastating wildfires earlier this year, with tributes and a charitable component to support fire victims.
While host Conan kicked off the show with humorous jabs at celebrity attendees, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo set an emotional tone with a medley from "Wicked," which won awards for production and costume design.
Other notable wins included "No Other Land" for best documentary, highlighting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and "I'm Still Here" for best international feature, a poignant look at resistance during Brazil's military dictatorship.
Among the snubs was Demi Moore who previously collected numerous Best Actress wins at the pre-Oscars awards including the Golden Globes for her acting comeback in "The Substance".
In a rare politically charged moment, co-director Basel Adra of "No Other Land" expressed a heartfelt wish for his daughter to not live under the same conditions of "surveillance and home demolitions" that his community faces daily.
While the night favored musical performances and light-hearted moments, it didn't shy away from delivering powerful messages through film, proving that cinema remains a vital and resonant art form.
Best Picture: "Anora"
Best Actress: Mikey Madison - "Anora"
Best Actor: Adrien Brody - "The Brutalist"
Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldana - "Emilia Perez"
Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin - "A Real Pain"
Best Director: Sean Baker - "Anora"
Best International Feature: "I'm Still Here" - Brazil
Best Animated Feature: "Flow"
Best Original Screenplay: "Anora" - Sean Baker
Best Adapted Screenplay: "Conclave" - Peter Straughan
Best Original Song: "El Mal" - "Emilia Perez"
Best Original Score: "The Brutalist"
Best Documentary Feature: "No Other Land"
Best Costume Design: "Wicked"
Best Make-Up and Hairstyling: "The Substance"
Best Production Design: "Wicked"
Best Sound: "Dune: Part Two"
Best Film Editing: "Anora"
Best Cinematography: "The Brutalist"
Best Visual Effects: "Dune: Part Two"
Best Live Action Short: "I'm Not a Robot"
Best Animated Short: "In the Shadow of the Cypress"
Best Documentary Short: "The Only Girl in the Orchestra"
Baker, who also won awards for best screenplay and best editing, emphasized the importance of the theatrical experience in his acceptance speeches. "Where did we fall in love with movies? At the movie theater," Baker said, urging filmmakers to continue making films for the big screen as more and more movies are going straight to streaming platforms.
Adrien Brody, who portrayed a Holocaust survivor in "The Brutalist," took home the best actor award, adding to his previous win for "The Pianist." Brody's heartfelt speech touched on the "lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression and of antisemitism and racism and othering," and called for a more inclusive world.
Mikey Madison, winning best actress for her role in "Anora," also made history as the first Gen Z lead acting prize winner. Madison's victory marks a significant milestone, highlighting the evolving talent in Hollywood.
Supporting roles saw Kieran Culkin winning his first Oscar for "A Real Pain" and Zoe Saldana for "Emilia Perez." Saldana, the first American of Dominican origin to win an Academy Award, proudly celebrated her heritage and the "quiet heroism and power in a woman" represented by her character.
In the animated category, the wordless Latvian environmental film "Flow" won best animated feature, signaling a shift towards more international and unconventional storytelling. Director Gints Zilbalodis expressed hopes that the win would "open doors to independent animated filmmakers around the world."
The ceremony also acknowledged the resilience of Los Angeles following the devastating wildfires earlier this year, with tributes and a charitable component to support fire victims.
While host Conan kicked off the show with humorous jabs at celebrity attendees, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo set an emotional tone with a medley from "Wicked," which won awards for production and costume design.
Other notable wins included "No Other Land" for best documentary, highlighting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and "I'm Still Here" for best international feature, a poignant look at resistance during Brazil's military dictatorship.
Among the snubs was Demi Moore who previously collected numerous Best Actress wins at the pre-Oscars awards including the Golden Globes for her acting comeback in "The Substance".
In a rare politically charged moment, co-director Basel Adra of "No Other Land" expressed a heartfelt wish for his daughter to not live under the same conditions of "surveillance and home demolitions" that his community faces daily.
While the night favored musical performances and light-hearted moments, it didn't shy away from delivering powerful messages through film, proving that cinema remains a vital and resonant art form.
Best Picture: "Anora"
Best Actress: Mikey Madison - "Anora"
Best Actor: Adrien Brody - "The Brutalist"
Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldana - "Emilia Perez"
Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin - "A Real Pain"
Best Director: Sean Baker - "Anora"
Best International Feature: "I'm Still Here" - Brazil
Best Animated Feature: "Flow"
Best Original Screenplay: "Anora" - Sean Baker
Best Adapted Screenplay: "Conclave" - Peter Straughan
Best Original Song: "El Mal" - "Emilia Perez"
Best Original Score: "The Brutalist"
Best Documentary Feature: "No Other Land"
Best Costume Design: "Wicked"
Best Make-Up and Hairstyling: "The Substance"
Best Production Design: "Wicked"
Best Sound: "Dune: Part Two"
Best Film Editing: "Anora"
Best Cinematography: "The Brutalist"
Best Visual Effects: "Dune: Part Two"
Best Live Action Short: "I'm Not a Robot"
Best Animated Short: "In the Shadow of the Cypress"
Best Documentary Short: "The Only Girl in the Orchestra"
Tamika Scott Tells Her Sister LaTocha Scott to “Pull Up, Let’s Talk”
Tamika Scott and her family have been no strangers to the spotlight as part of the iconic girl group Xscape; she and her sister LaTocha have gone through many ups and downs. But fans all over hope the latest news will be the catalyst to reunite the estranged sisters and put them on the path to healing.
LaTocha spoke out on social media through the viral “Residuals” challenge to share her side of some of the things that have been going on in her life. If you don’t know, in this challenge, you sing to Chris Browns hit song, but LaTocha used this as an opportunity to show us she’s still got the vocal skills and air out some grievances she’s had in her family life. She also addressed the ongoing tension with her sister, saying she missed Tamika and even shared her thoughts on being kicked out of the group Xscape, calling it insane.
Rickey Smiley Morning Show host and friend of the Scott sisters DaBrat called Tamika and invited her on the show to talk about everything.
Tamika said in her interview, “She definitely ate vocally, you know, but you know. But in real life, you know, I think it’s it’s the great.It’s a genius marketing strategy for her new music.We haven’t, you know, talked. She hasn’t My number is the same. The address is the same. So if this is real, sis pull up. You know I’m cooking now, let’s do breakfast.”
She went on to encourage her sister to come and talk things out so they could talk. She also went on to clear up some things from her side of the story and asked everyone to pray for her sister and everything she is going through.
Tamika Scott and her family have been no strangers to the spotlight as part of the iconic girl group Xscape; she and her sister LaTocha have gone through many ups and downs. But fans all over hope the latest news will be the catalyst to reunite the estranged sisters and put them on the path to healing.
LaTocha spoke out on social media through the viral “Residuals” challenge to share her side of some of the things that have been going on in her life. If you don’t know, in this challenge, you sing to Chris Browns hit song, but LaTocha used this as an opportunity to show us she’s still got the vocal skills and air out some grievances she’s had in her family life. She also addressed the ongoing tension with her sister, saying she missed Tamika and even shared her thoughts on being kicked out of the group Xscape, calling it insane.
Rickey Smiley Morning Show host and friend of the Scott sisters DaBrat called Tamika and invited her on the show to talk about everything.
Tamika said in her interview, “She definitely ate vocally, you know, but you know. But in real life, you know, I think it’s it’s the great.It’s a genius marketing strategy for her new music.We haven’t, you know, talked. She hasn’t My number is the same. The address is the same. So if this is real, sis pull up. You know I’m cooking now, let’s do breakfast.”
She went on to encourage her sister to come and talk things out so they could talk. She also went on to clear up some things from her side of the story and asked everyone to pray for her sister and everything she is going through.
Former Youth Pastor Timothy Anderson claims Bishop TD Jakes of Sexual Misconduct
A man who claims he worked as a youth pastor for T.D. Jakes in the 1990s has accused the megachurch leader of trying to kiss him. The accusation was lodged a week after Jakes formally denied separate allegations he sexually assaulted former pastor Duane Youngblood when he was a teenager and his older brother, Pastor Richard Edwin Youngblood.
The new claim from 57-year-old Timothy Anderson of Manatee County, Florida, is part of a legal response filed on Feb. 21 by Duane Youngblood’s attorney, Tyrone A. Blackburn, in support of a motion seeking to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by Jakes, the founder of the 80,000-member Potter's House in Dallas, Texas, against his accusers.
Dustin Pusch, a lawyer for Jakes, has already dismissed Anderson’s claim, telling the Dallas Morning News that Anderson is an unreliable ally of the Youngbloods who are trying to destroy Jakes' reputation.
“Mr. Jakes filed a lawsuit against disgraced former minister and convicted child predator Duane Youngblood and other conspirators in response to Mr. Youngblood’s calculated disinformation campaign aimed at destroying Mr. Jakes’s reputation, extracting millions from Mr. Jakes, and launching a new career for himself,” Pusch said in an emailed statement to the Dallas Morning News on Tuesday.
“In a desperate attempt to avoid accountability for his knowingly false accusations and to distract from his reprehensible conduct, Mr. Youngblood has enlisted felons, family members, and other completely unreliable allies to lob yet more false accusations at Mr. Jakes.”
In a sworn affidavit, Anderson recalled that while staying at a hotel during a conference hosted by Jakes in 1996, he shared a room with Duane Youngblood, whom he knew through the Higher Ground Always Abounding Organization, where he had served as youth evangelist for about three to four years.
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He claims that he had just been asked by Jakes to relocate to Dallas to serve as his youth pastor and shared that request with Duane Youngblood. During the conference, he claims Duane Youngblood warned him to be careful about unwanted advances from Jakes after sharing what he and his brother had allegedly experienced.
In the affidavit, Anderson discussed his own history of finding faith after his dysfunctional life as a foster child forced him into the streets and the ills it had to offer, like drugs and other crimes.
“The church became my home, and the people there became my family. I found strength in the support of my pastor, Bishop Sherman Watkins, who had stood by me from the beginning, and in the wisdom of other leaders who helped guide me along the way,” he said.
His testimony would soon lead him into leadership and he became a licensed and ordained elder at Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies. He said in ministry, he began to experience surprising sexual advances from ministry leaders as he worked as a young evangelist.
He said the opportunity to work for Jakes had felt like the opportunity of a lifetime, so when the megachurch leader offered him $24,000 to serve as his youth pastor in Dallas, which was a third of what he was making as an evangelist, he believed the sacrifice would be worth it.
The filing alleges Jakes promised that in addition to the $24,000 salary, he would be able to supplement his income by taking on assignments outside of his youth pastor duties. Soon after he began working with Jakes, Anderson claims he began having uncomfortable encounters with the megachurch leader.
“I arrived in Dallas, eager to work alongside Bishop Jakes and excited about the future. However, my first encounter with him in his new mansion, when I was tasked with assembling furniture, set the tone for a new kind of discomfort. While I had hoped to discuss ministry with him, to learn from him as a mentor, something unexpected happened. At one point, he went into his bathroom and, when he returned, passed by me naked,” Anderson alleges in the affidavit.
“I was stunned. I turned away, trying to downplay the situation in my mind. This was Bishop Jakes, after all — this opportunity was a dream come true, or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself. I didn’t want to make things awkward. I didn’t want to be seen as homophobic or judgmental. I told myself that I couldn’t let a single uncomfortable moment ruin this chance to learn from one of the greatest preachers of my generation.”
Over time, according to Anderson, more uncomfortable situations would happen until Jakes tried to kiss him.
Anderson recalled being offered an opportunity to preach in Japan but Jakes allegedly told him he couldn’t go because it would interfere with his duties at the Potter’s House. He said when he reminded Jakes of the agreement they had — that he would be able to supplement his income with other preaching assignments — Jakes made it clear that he needed to choose between working as his youth pastor or going back to being an evangelist.
Anderson said he was so overwhelmed by the choice Jakes gave him “I began to cry.”
“I knew from my past experiences — experiences that had caused so much pain — that this wasn’t just a decision about ministry or a job. It was about power, control, and manipulation. The more I thought about it, the more I broke down emotionally,” he recalled.
“I paced his office, trying to make sense of everything, trying to breathe through the overwhelming sadness. As I walked back and forth, trying to process what was happening, Bishop Jakes stood up, grabbed a box of tissues, and walked toward me. His words were cold, calculated: ‘It sounds like you have a decision to make.’ And then, in a move that left me paralyzed with confusion, he grabbed me and tried to kiss me,” Anderson alleged. “My mind was racing. Emotionally distraught, I pushed him away and tried to regain some control over my emotions.”
Anderson said he continued to cry, hoping Jakes would show him compassion, but it never came.
“The tissues were placed in front of me like a symbol of my brokenness, and I told him how much I loved him, how difficult this decision was for me. I was trying to hold onto whatever shred of dignity I had left. But his response was chilling. He reminded me again that it was his ministry, his leadership, and that if he gave me what I wanted — my chance to go to Japan — then I wouldn’t understand the principles of authority,” Anderson said.
Two weeks later, Anderson explained, “I made the difficult decision to return to evangelism.”
In a filing earlier this month, Jakes declared under penalty of perjury that the claims made against him by the Youngblood brothers and multiple John Does are malicious lies.
In another motion to dismiss Jakes’ lawsuit, Richard Youngblood claims that similar to his younger brother’s experience, Jakes tried to sexually assault him years ago, while he shared a hotel room with the bishop during a ministry trip. Jakes allegedly climbed into his bed and pressed his body against him with an erection.
In a sworn affidavit last Friday, Richard Youngblood reiterated his claim while denying claims by Jakes’ camp that he is seeking revenge against Jakes for not supporting his younger brother while he was being prosecuted for sex crimes. Richard Youngblood also insisted that he never tried seeking a job from Jakes or the Potter’s House.
“The plaintiff attempts to discredit my testimony by alleging that my claims are motivated by bitterness or personal gain. This is untrue. My sworn statement details events that occurred in the late 1980s, which I have carried privately for decades. The core issue here is not my personal history but rather the specific actions of Bishop T.D. Jakes that I personally experienced, Richard Youngblood stated.
“I never wavered in my account of the incident in the EconoLodge in Westover, WV. The fact that I shared what happened with a church elder immediately after the incident (Silas Wheeler) shows that I was not fabricating this decades later for personal gain. If my intentions were deceitful, why would I have confided in others at that time?” he asked.
“Additionally, I confided in Minister Derrick Faison, who lived in the duplex with me. When I asked if Bishop Jakes had ever tried anything with him, he responded, ‘I’ve never been woke up with nothing like that.’ This statement further proves that I was seeking understanding about what had happened to me,” he said.
Richard Youngblood further stated that he also told his then-wife what he claims Jakes did to him. Afterward, Jakes is accused of telling Youngblood's wife that he was a liar, which he attributes to the breakdown of his marriage.
“Like many others, I once believed that I was following a man of God who had integrity — a spiritual leader who could guide me in ministry. I was willing to uproot my life, move my family, and dedicate my time and effort to serving in his ministry,” Richard Youngblood said. “What I discovered was not the man I thought I was following. Instead, I came to realize that Bishop Jakes was at best bisexual and at worst a closeted homosexual — something that deeply conflicted with the image he projected to his followers and the church at large.”
The new claim from 57-year-old Timothy Anderson of Manatee County, Florida, is part of a legal response filed on Feb. 21 by Duane Youngblood’s attorney, Tyrone A. Blackburn, in support of a motion seeking to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by Jakes, the founder of the 80,000-member Potter's House in Dallas, Texas, against his accusers.
Dustin Pusch, a lawyer for Jakes, has already dismissed Anderson’s claim, telling the Dallas Morning News that Anderson is an unreliable ally of the Youngbloods who are trying to destroy Jakes' reputation.
“Mr. Jakes filed a lawsuit against disgraced former minister and convicted child predator Duane Youngblood and other conspirators in response to Mr. Youngblood’s calculated disinformation campaign aimed at destroying Mr. Jakes’s reputation, extracting millions from Mr. Jakes, and launching a new career for himself,” Pusch said in an emailed statement to the Dallas Morning News on Tuesday.
“In a desperate attempt to avoid accountability for his knowingly false accusations and to distract from his reprehensible conduct, Mr. Youngblood has enlisted felons, family members, and other completely unreliable allies to lob yet more false accusations at Mr. Jakes.”
In a sworn affidavit, Anderson recalled that while staying at a hotel during a conference hosted by Jakes in 1996, he shared a room with Duane Youngblood, whom he knew through the Higher Ground Always Abounding Organization, where he had served as youth evangelist for about three to four years.
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He claims that he had just been asked by Jakes to relocate to Dallas to serve as his youth pastor and shared that request with Duane Youngblood. During the conference, he claims Duane Youngblood warned him to be careful about unwanted advances from Jakes after sharing what he and his brother had allegedly experienced.
In the affidavit, Anderson discussed his own history of finding faith after his dysfunctional life as a foster child forced him into the streets and the ills it had to offer, like drugs and other crimes.
“The church became my home, and the people there became my family. I found strength in the support of my pastor, Bishop Sherman Watkins, who had stood by me from the beginning, and in the wisdom of other leaders who helped guide me along the way,” he said.
His testimony would soon lead him into leadership and he became a licensed and ordained elder at Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies. He said in ministry, he began to experience surprising sexual advances from ministry leaders as he worked as a young evangelist.
He said the opportunity to work for Jakes had felt like the opportunity of a lifetime, so when the megachurch leader offered him $24,000 to serve as his youth pastor in Dallas, which was a third of what he was making as an evangelist, he believed the sacrifice would be worth it.
The filing alleges Jakes promised that in addition to the $24,000 salary, he would be able to supplement his income by taking on assignments outside of his youth pastor duties. Soon after he began working with Jakes, Anderson claims he began having uncomfortable encounters with the megachurch leader.
“I arrived in Dallas, eager to work alongside Bishop Jakes and excited about the future. However, my first encounter with him in his new mansion, when I was tasked with assembling furniture, set the tone for a new kind of discomfort. While I had hoped to discuss ministry with him, to learn from him as a mentor, something unexpected happened. At one point, he went into his bathroom and, when he returned, passed by me naked,” Anderson alleges in the affidavit.
“I was stunned. I turned away, trying to downplay the situation in my mind. This was Bishop Jakes, after all — this opportunity was a dream come true, or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself. I didn’t want to make things awkward. I didn’t want to be seen as homophobic or judgmental. I told myself that I couldn’t let a single uncomfortable moment ruin this chance to learn from one of the greatest preachers of my generation.”
Over time, according to Anderson, more uncomfortable situations would happen until Jakes tried to kiss him.
Anderson recalled being offered an opportunity to preach in Japan but Jakes allegedly told him he couldn’t go because it would interfere with his duties at the Potter’s House. He said when he reminded Jakes of the agreement they had — that he would be able to supplement his income with other preaching assignments — Jakes made it clear that he needed to choose between working as his youth pastor or going back to being an evangelist.
Anderson said he was so overwhelmed by the choice Jakes gave him “I began to cry.”
“I knew from my past experiences — experiences that had caused so much pain — that this wasn’t just a decision about ministry or a job. It was about power, control, and manipulation. The more I thought about it, the more I broke down emotionally,” he recalled.
“I paced his office, trying to make sense of everything, trying to breathe through the overwhelming sadness. As I walked back and forth, trying to process what was happening, Bishop Jakes stood up, grabbed a box of tissues, and walked toward me. His words were cold, calculated: ‘It sounds like you have a decision to make.’ And then, in a move that left me paralyzed with confusion, he grabbed me and tried to kiss me,” Anderson alleged. “My mind was racing. Emotionally distraught, I pushed him away and tried to regain some control over my emotions.”
Anderson said he continued to cry, hoping Jakes would show him compassion, but it never came.
“The tissues were placed in front of me like a symbol of my brokenness, and I told him how much I loved him, how difficult this decision was for me. I was trying to hold onto whatever shred of dignity I had left. But his response was chilling. He reminded me again that it was his ministry, his leadership, and that if he gave me what I wanted — my chance to go to Japan — then I wouldn’t understand the principles of authority,” Anderson said.
Two weeks later, Anderson explained, “I made the difficult decision to return to evangelism.”
In a filing earlier this month, Jakes declared under penalty of perjury that the claims made against him by the Youngblood brothers and multiple John Does are malicious lies.
In another motion to dismiss Jakes’ lawsuit, Richard Youngblood claims that similar to his younger brother’s experience, Jakes tried to sexually assault him years ago, while he shared a hotel room with the bishop during a ministry trip. Jakes allegedly climbed into his bed and pressed his body against him with an erection.
In a sworn affidavit last Friday, Richard Youngblood reiterated his claim while denying claims by Jakes’ camp that he is seeking revenge against Jakes for not supporting his younger brother while he was being prosecuted for sex crimes. Richard Youngblood also insisted that he never tried seeking a job from Jakes or the Potter’s House.
“The plaintiff attempts to discredit my testimony by alleging that my claims are motivated by bitterness or personal gain. This is untrue. My sworn statement details events that occurred in the late 1980s, which I have carried privately for decades. The core issue here is not my personal history but rather the specific actions of Bishop T.D. Jakes that I personally experienced, Richard Youngblood stated.
“I never wavered in my account of the incident in the EconoLodge in Westover, WV. The fact that I shared what happened with a church elder immediately after the incident (Silas Wheeler) shows that I was not fabricating this decades later for personal gain. If my intentions were deceitful, why would I have confided in others at that time?” he asked.
“Additionally, I confided in Minister Derrick Faison, who lived in the duplex with me. When I asked if Bishop Jakes had ever tried anything with him, he responded, ‘I’ve never been woke up with nothing like that.’ This statement further proves that I was seeking understanding about what had happened to me,” he said.
Richard Youngblood further stated that he also told his then-wife what he claims Jakes did to him. Afterward, Jakes is accused of telling Youngblood's wife that he was a liar, which he attributes to the breakdown of his marriage.
“Like many others, I once believed that I was following a man of God who had integrity — a spiritual leader who could guide me in ministry. I was willing to uproot my life, move my family, and dedicate my time and effort to serving in his ministry,” Richard Youngblood said. “What I discovered was not the man I thought I was following. Instead, I came to realize that Bishop Jakes was at best bisexual and at worst a closeted homosexual — something that deeply conflicted with the image he projected to his followers and the church at large.”
Drake Has Settled His Lawsuit with iHeartMedia
Last year, in a pre-action petition to his defamation of character lawsuit against Universal Music Group for distributing Kendrick Lamar's Drake diss track, "Not Like Us," Drake accused iHeartMedia of accepting payola to boost NLU radio airplay
Drake and iHeartMedia have reached a settlement... Drake has reached a settlement with Texas-based iHeartMedia in his ongoing legal dispute over Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us," according to court records.
In November, Drake filed a legal petition in Bexar County, Texas, where San Antonio is located, alleging that iHeartMedia had received illegal payments from Universal Music Group to boost radio airplay for "Not Like Us." UMG is the parent record label for both Drake and Lamar.
The petition, a precursor to a potential lawsuit, had sought depositions from corporate representatives of both companies.
In a court document filed Thursday, attorneys for Drake said the rapper and iHeartMedia had "reached an amicable resolution of the dispute" but did not offer any other information.
"We are pleased that the parties were able to reach a settlement satisfactory to both sides, and have no further comment on this matter," Drake's legal team said in a statement.
Last year, in a pre-action petition to his defamation of character lawsuit against Universal Music Group for distributing Kendrick Lamar's Drake diss track, "Not Like Us," Drake accused iHeartMedia of accepting payola to boost NLU radio airplay
Drake and iHeartMedia have reached a settlement... Drake has reached a settlement with Texas-based iHeartMedia in his ongoing legal dispute over Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us," according to court records.
In November, Drake filed a legal petition in Bexar County, Texas, where San Antonio is located, alleging that iHeartMedia had received illegal payments from Universal Music Group to boost radio airplay for "Not Like Us." UMG is the parent record label for both Drake and Lamar.
The petition, a precursor to a potential lawsuit, had sought depositions from corporate representatives of both companies.
In a court document filed Thursday, attorneys for Drake said the rapper and iHeartMedia had "reached an amicable resolution of the dispute" but did not offer any other information.
"We are pleased that the parties were able to reach a settlement satisfactory to both sides, and have no further comment on this matter," Drake's legal team said in a statement.
Jodie Turner-Smith Sparks Romance Rumors With Indie Artist Moses Sumney
Jodie Turner-Smith, 38, seems to be embracing a new chapter. On Thursday, February 27 at the 18th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards in Los Angeles, the "Star Wars: The Acolyte" actress was spotted in a cozy display alongside indie musician Moses Sumney, 32, igniting romance rumors as they made a fashionable appearance together.
Turner-Smith, dressed in a black leather jacket, mini skirt, and knee-high boots, was seen receiving a kiss on the cheek from Sumney, who sported a matching leather outfit. The intimate moment and their coordinated looks did not go unnoticed.
Sumney has released albums like "Aromanticism" (2017) and "Græ" (2020), and even ventured into acting with appearances in HBO's "The Idol". He was romantically linked to Emily Ratajkowski after seen vacationing together in the Grand Cayman Islands last year.
Turner-Smith and Sumney's cozy outing comes amidst a tumultuous period for the actress, who split from actor Joshua Jackson, 46, in October 2023. They are now embroiled in legal battles over child support and custody. Turner-Smith accused Jackson of not paying child support for their four-year-old daughter, Juno, while Jackson is seeking sole custody of their little girl.
Despite these controversies, Turner-Smith appears to maintain a measured perspective on co-parenting. "He can do whatever he wants," she told GLAMOUR, as long as any partners are "good to Juno and be good to Juno's mum, because I'm going to be Juno's mum forever."
Turner-Smith's focus remains on her daughter while she's navigating the difficulties of custody battle. "It's an adjustment period for anyone when they split up with someone because you're used to being with your child all the time," she stated.
Turner-Smith, dressed in a black leather jacket, mini skirt, and knee-high boots, was seen receiving a kiss on the cheek from Sumney, who sported a matching leather outfit. The intimate moment and their coordinated looks did not go unnoticed.
Sumney has released albums like "Aromanticism" (2017) and "Græ" (2020), and even ventured into acting with appearances in HBO's "The Idol". He was romantically linked to Emily Ratajkowski after seen vacationing together in the Grand Cayman Islands last year.
Turner-Smith and Sumney's cozy outing comes amidst a tumultuous period for the actress, who split from actor Joshua Jackson, 46, in October 2023. They are now embroiled in legal battles over child support and custody. Turner-Smith accused Jackson of not paying child support for their four-year-old daughter, Juno, while Jackson is seeking sole custody of their little girl.
Despite these controversies, Turner-Smith appears to maintain a measured perspective on co-parenting. "He can do whatever he wants," she told GLAMOUR, as long as any partners are "good to Juno and be good to Juno's mum, because I'm going to be Juno's mum forever."
Turner-Smith's focus remains on her daughter while she's navigating the difficulties of custody battle. "It's an adjustment period for anyone when they split up with someone because you're used to being with your child all the time," she stated.
Offset Demands Joint Custody of He and Cardi B Kids
Back in December after Cardi B publicly demanded Offset sign their divorce papers, he agreed as long as he was granted joint custody of their three kids
The father of six is standing on business as far as his three kids with Cardi are concerned...According to legal docs obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Offset is requesting joint legal custody of the 3 children he shares with Cardi ... although he does say Cardi's place should be the primary residence for the kids.
Back in December after Cardi B publicly demanded Offset sign their divorce papers, he agreed as long as he was granted joint custody of their three kids
The father of six is standing on business as far as his three kids with Cardi are concerned...According to legal docs obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Offset is requesting joint legal custody of the 3 children he shares with Cardi ... although he does say Cardi's place should be the primary residence for the kids.
He's also asking the court to lay out each parent's child support obligations.
In addition, the ex-Migos rapper is asking the court to divvy up the couple's marital property, and thinks it's appropriate they each pay their own lawyer fees.
Paul Tazewell becomes first Black man to win an Oscar for best costume design
Paul Tazewell made history at the Oscars, becoming the first Black man to win best costume design.
Tazewell won for his masterful design work in “Wicked” at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday. It is his first win and second nomination. He was previously nominated in the category for his work on Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.”
“I’m the first Black man to receive the costume design award,” he said in his acceptance speech, which was met with a couple standing ovations. “I’m so proud of this.”
Backstage, Tazewell said winning the award is the pinnacle of his career. He said he feels humbled to inspire other Black men aspiring to become costume designers.
“I’ve been designing costumes for over 35 years — that has been on Broadway and now it’s film,” he said. “There was never a Black male designer who I saw that I could follow and see as an inspiration. But to realize now that it’s actually me.”
Before the Oscars, Tazewell won awards at BAFTA, Critics Choice and Costume Designers Guild awards. He’s the second Black person to in the category after Ruth E. Carter made history for her work in 2018 for “Black Panther,” which made her the first African American to win in the category.
Carter became the first Black woman to win two Oscars in 2023.
“She has paved the way for designers of color,” Tazewell said.
In his acceptance speech, Tazewell thanked “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthis Erivo.
“To my muses, Cynthia and Ariana and all the other cast,” he said. “Thank you for trusting me with bringing your characters to life. This is everything.”
Tazewell built a legendary career, winning an Emmy in 2018 for his costume work on “The Wiz Live!” and a Tony for “Hamilton.” He worked with Erivo on the 2019 film “Harriet,” which was his first feature film.
Tazewell, who has earned nine Tony nominations, gained notoriety through theater projects such as “The Color Purple,” “In the Heights,” “MJ the Musical,” “Suffs” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
Tazewell won for his masterful design work in “Wicked” at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday. It is his first win and second nomination. He was previously nominated in the category for his work on Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.”
“I’m the first Black man to receive the costume design award,” he said in his acceptance speech, which was met with a couple standing ovations. “I’m so proud of this.”
Backstage, Tazewell said winning the award is the pinnacle of his career. He said he feels humbled to inspire other Black men aspiring to become costume designers.
“I’ve been designing costumes for over 35 years — that has been on Broadway and now it’s film,” he said. “There was never a Black male designer who I saw that I could follow and see as an inspiration. But to realize now that it’s actually me.”
Before the Oscars, Tazewell won awards at BAFTA, Critics Choice and Costume Designers Guild awards. He’s the second Black person to in the category after Ruth E. Carter made history for her work in 2018 for “Black Panther,” which made her the first African American to win in the category.
Carter became the first Black woman to win two Oscars in 2023.
“She has paved the way for designers of color,” Tazewell said.
In his acceptance speech, Tazewell thanked “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthis Erivo.
“To my muses, Cynthia and Ariana and all the other cast,” he said. “Thank you for trusting me with bringing your characters to life. This is everything.”
Tazewell built a legendary career, winning an Emmy in 2018 for his costume work on “The Wiz Live!” and a Tony for “Hamilton.” He worked with Erivo on the 2019 film “Harriet,” which was his first feature film.
Tazewell, who has earned nine Tony nominations, gained notoriety through theater projects such as “The Color Purple,” “In the Heights,” “MJ the Musical,” “Suffs” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
Zoe Saldaña apologizes to 'Mexicans who felt offended' by Emilia Pérez
Oscar winner Zoe Saldaña has apologised to any Mexicans who felt offended by the depiction of their country in her film Emilia Pérez.
The Avatar star won Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars on Sunday for her performance in the controversial crime musical, which has been heavily criticised by the Mexican and transgender community.
Backstage after her win, Saldaña was asked to respond to the criticism by a Mexican journalist who declared that Emilia Pérez has been "really hurtful for us Mexicans".
"First of all, I'm very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention," she replied. "We came from a place of love and I stand by that. I don't share your opinion. For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We were making a film about friendship. We were making a film about four women."
Saldaña insisted that the film was about the relationships between four women - played by herself, Selena Gomez, Karla Sofía Gascón and Adriana Paz - and they could have been of any nationality.
"These women are still very universal women that are struggling every day, but trying to survive systemic oppression and trying to find the most authentic voices," she continued. "So I will stand by that, but I'm also always open to sit down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters, and with love and respect, having a great conversation on how Emilia could have been done better. I have no problem. I welcome it."
During her acceptance speech, the Guardians of the Galaxy star celebrated being the first American of Dominican origin to receive an Academy Award and dedicated her prize to her grandmother.
Emilia Pérez went into the ceremony with 13 nominations but only came away with two wins - Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Song for El Mal. Its 11 losses make it the all-time biggest loser in Oscars history alongside The Color Purple and The Power of the Dog.
Oscar winner Zoe Saldaña has apologised to any Mexicans who felt offended by the depiction of their country in her film Emilia Pérez.
The Avatar star won Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars on Sunday for her performance in the controversial crime musical, which has been heavily criticised by the Mexican and transgender community.
Backstage after her win, Saldaña was asked to respond to the criticism by a Mexican journalist who declared that Emilia Pérez has been "really hurtful for us Mexicans".
"First of all, I'm very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention," she replied. "We came from a place of love and I stand by that. I don't share your opinion. For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We were making a film about friendship. We were making a film about four women."
Saldaña insisted that the film was about the relationships between four women - played by herself, Selena Gomez, Karla Sofía Gascón and Adriana Paz - and they could have been of any nationality.
"These women are still very universal women that are struggling every day, but trying to survive systemic oppression and trying to find the most authentic voices," she continued. "So I will stand by that, but I'm also always open to sit down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters, and with love and respect, having a great conversation on how Emilia could have been done better. I have no problem. I welcome it."
During her acceptance speech, the Guardians of the Galaxy star celebrated being the first American of Dominican origin to receive an Academy Award and dedicated her prize to her grandmother.
Emilia Pérez went into the ceremony with 13 nominations but only came away with two wins - Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Song for El Mal. Its 11 losses make it the all-time biggest loser in Oscars history alongside The Color Purple and The Power of the Dog.
Gervonta Davis blames hair product for burning his eyes during controversial draw against Lamont Roach Jr.
Gervonta Davis said that hair product running into his eyes caused him to voluntarily take a knee during his controversial WBA lightweight title retention against Lamont Roach Jr.
Saturday’s fight at Barclays Center in New York ended as a majority draw, with one judge scoring the contest 115-113 in Davis’ favor and the other two scoring it 114-114.
But many felt that Roach was deserving of the victory after Davis, nicknamed Tank, opted to put his knee to the canvass in the ninth round. He then made his way over to the side of the ring and got his trainer to briefly wipe his face with a towel.
“The rules do state if you voluntarily take the knee, then that’s an automatic count,” Roach, the WBA super featherweight champion making his lightweight debut, said at a news conference.
“But it is what it is. I wasn’t relying on that. I was relying on what I was doing in there. I think I was taking control, I think I was landing more shots, I think I was landing more power shots. I thought I was doing my thing. But if that was counted as a knockdown, I would win the majority decision.”
In an X post which Roach shared, Terence Crawford, who has won titles in multiple divisions, said that “The Reaper” was “robbed” of victory, writing: “Never seen someone take a knee and they don’t count it as a knock down.”
Boxing journalist Dan Rafael also took to X, calling the decision not to grant a knockdown an “utter disgrace.”
Davis, however, said on X that he “landed the most punches in the fight” and deserved to win, adding: “He didn’t even hit me w(ith) a punch when I took the knee. I get it though, I shouldn’t have done that but that hair grease was burning my eyes!”
The result means that Davis retains his title but suffers the first draw of his career after winning all of his previous 30 fights, including 28 by knockout.
Speaking at a press conference, the 30-year-old said that he had run water over his hair before the fight but should have used more to remove the hair product.
“I didn’t want to get caught while my eyes were burning, you can get knocked out like that,” Davis said about his decision to get his face wiped in the ninth round.
“So I’d rather take the knee. But I didn’t know that you could get disqualified for all that. When he (the referee) started counting, I’m like, ‘What the hell?’”
Davis added that he had also lost track of the rounds during the fight, thinking it would be longer than it actually was. He suggested that having ring girls, who hold signs showing the number of the next round, would have helped him to keep track.
Davis’ coach, Barry Hunter, told a press conference that his fighter had thought it was round eight when it was actually round 12, explaining: “I think maybe it was a lack of focus just for a little bit – and we’ll fix that.”
Both Davis and Roach, who now has a record of 25 wins, one loss and two draws, said that a rematch would be on the cards in the future.
“I thought I did enough to get the victory over a spectacular fighter,” said Roach. “I told you all that from the beginning: I got the skills to pay the motherf**king bills, I’ve been telling y’all that. I’m just glad I got to show it … I can’t wait to dance again.”
Saturday’s fight at Barclays Center in New York ended as a majority draw, with one judge scoring the contest 115-113 in Davis’ favor and the other two scoring it 114-114.
But many felt that Roach was deserving of the victory after Davis, nicknamed Tank, opted to put his knee to the canvass in the ninth round. He then made his way over to the side of the ring and got his trainer to briefly wipe his face with a towel.
“The rules do state if you voluntarily take the knee, then that’s an automatic count,” Roach, the WBA super featherweight champion making his lightweight debut, said at a news conference.
“But it is what it is. I wasn’t relying on that. I was relying on what I was doing in there. I think I was taking control, I think I was landing more shots, I think I was landing more power shots. I thought I was doing my thing. But if that was counted as a knockdown, I would win the majority decision.”
In an X post which Roach shared, Terence Crawford, who has won titles in multiple divisions, said that “The Reaper” was “robbed” of victory, writing: “Never seen someone take a knee and they don’t count it as a knock down.”
Boxing journalist Dan Rafael also took to X, calling the decision not to grant a knockdown an “utter disgrace.”
Davis, however, said on X that he “landed the most punches in the fight” and deserved to win, adding: “He didn’t even hit me w(ith) a punch when I took the knee. I get it though, I shouldn’t have done that but that hair grease was burning my eyes!”
The result means that Davis retains his title but suffers the first draw of his career after winning all of his previous 30 fights, including 28 by knockout.
Speaking at a press conference, the 30-year-old said that he had run water over his hair before the fight but should have used more to remove the hair product.
“I didn’t want to get caught while my eyes were burning, you can get knocked out like that,” Davis said about his decision to get his face wiped in the ninth round.
“So I’d rather take the knee. But I didn’t know that you could get disqualified for all that. When he (the referee) started counting, I’m like, ‘What the hell?’”
Davis added that he had also lost track of the rounds during the fight, thinking it would be longer than it actually was. He suggested that having ring girls, who hold signs showing the number of the next round, would have helped him to keep track.
Davis’ coach, Barry Hunter, told a press conference that his fighter had thought it was round eight when it was actually round 12, explaining: “I think maybe it was a lack of focus just for a little bit – and we’ll fix that.”
Both Davis and Roach, who now has a record of 25 wins, one loss and two draws, said that a rematch would be on the cards in the future.
“I thought I did enough to get the victory over a spectacular fighter,” said Roach. “I told you all that from the beginning: I got the skills to pay the motherf**king bills, I’ve been telling y’all that. I’m just glad I got to show it … I can’t wait to dance again.”
HOT or NOT? Megan Thee Stallion Revealing Green Dress for Vanity Fair Oscars Party
Megan Thee Stallion rocked two very colorful looks while attending events for the 2025 Oscars on Sunday night (March 2) in Los Angeles.
The 30-year-old “Hot Girl Summer” rapper opted for a vibrant orange gown while attending Elton John‘s annual Oscars viewing party.
However, she changed it up by slipping into a revealing green outfit before heading to the Vanity Fair Oscars Party, which was hosted at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
Megan‘s second look was comprised of a fitted green skirt, which was topped off with feathers. It left her chest totally exposed, and she covered up with matching pasties.
Megan Thee Stallion rocked two very colorful looks while attending events for the 2025 Oscars on Sunday night (March 2) in Los Angeles.
The 30-year-old “Hot Girl Summer” rapper opted for a vibrant orange gown while attending Elton John‘s annual Oscars viewing party.
However, she changed it up by slipping into a revealing green outfit before heading to the Vanity Fair Oscars Party, which was hosted at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
Megan‘s second look was comprised of a fitted green skirt, which was topped off with feathers. It left her chest totally exposed, and she covered up with matching pasties.
What do you think, Is it Hot or Not?
Diddy and Luigi Mangione on Lockdown Following Brooklyn Jail ‘Race Riot’
Sean “Diddy” Combs and fellow inmate Luigi Mangione are facing even stricter confinement at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) after a violent brawl erupted among inmates last week. The “race riot,” reportedly involving over 40 prisoners, led to a facility-wide lockdown, temporarily suspending all family and friend visits for at least a month.
MDC Placed on Lockdown After Massive Fight
According to DailyMail.com’s podcast The Trial of Diddy, federal prison consultant Sam Mangel revealed that MDC has been in “modified operation” since last week’s incident. While Combs, Mangione, and other high-profile inmates, including disgraced crypto king Sam Bankman-Fried, were not directly involved, all prisoners in the facility are being subjected to the same restrictive measures.
Speaking on The Trial of Diddy, Mangel detailed the harsh conditions Combs now faces under lockdown:
“He’s locked down now, at least 23 out of 24 hours. I’m sure they allow him out at least three times a week for a shower, maybe to make a phone call, but that’s about it. So he’s being fed in his cell, it’s a six by nine cell with a little slat for a window.”
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) confirmed that multiple inmates were involved in the February 22 altercation, which resulted in several injuries, with two individuals requiring outside medical treatment. No prison staff were harmed in the melee.
Despite being housed separately from the violent incident, Combs and Mangione remain fully affected by the lockdown. Mangel explained that while they are segregated from general population disturbances, they are still subjected to the same restrictive measures as all other inmates.
“They’re on a truly segregated floor from everybody else. Now, they are punished the same as everyone else in the facility. Unfortunately, while fortunately, they might be safer.”
Before the lockdown, Diddy reportedly interacted with fellow inmates, passing the time by playing spades and board games. According to Mangel, Combs appeared to be adjusting to his incarceration:
“It was around holiday time, so I believe he was as depressed as any other guy that was there that couldn’t be with their family… but he was as friendly and congenial as everyone else on that floor. I’m sure he laughed at times.”
Despite the grim reality of his situation, Combs remains hopeful. He and other pre-trial detainees still believe in their chances of beating their charges.
MDC, which houses over 1,600 inmates, has long been criticized for its inhumane conditions. In 2019, the facility made headlines after prisoners endured days without heat or electricity in winter. The recent riot only reinforces its reputation as a dangerous and poorly managed institution.
Combs has been locked up at MDC since his arrest last September on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. He has been denied bail multiple times and remains in custody awaiting trial on May 5.
If convicted, Mangel suggests that Combs should be placed in USP Tucson, a high-security prison with a specialized unit for sex offenders, where he would receive higher protection from other inmates.
“If I were consulting him, should he be found guilty, I would be working with his legal team to get him to the best facility based upon his sentence.”
For now, Combs remains confined to his small cell, with only legal visits permitted while MDC remains under lockdown. As his trial date approaches, the Bad Boy mogul faces an uncertain future, where his fate now rests in the hands of the court system.
MDC Placed on Lockdown After Massive Fight
According to DailyMail.com’s podcast The Trial of Diddy, federal prison consultant Sam Mangel revealed that MDC has been in “modified operation” since last week’s incident. While Combs, Mangione, and other high-profile inmates, including disgraced crypto king Sam Bankman-Fried, were not directly involved, all prisoners in the facility are being subjected to the same restrictive measures.
Speaking on The Trial of Diddy, Mangel detailed the harsh conditions Combs now faces under lockdown:
“He’s locked down now, at least 23 out of 24 hours. I’m sure they allow him out at least three times a week for a shower, maybe to make a phone call, but that’s about it. So he’s being fed in his cell, it’s a six by nine cell with a little slat for a window.”
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) confirmed that multiple inmates were involved in the February 22 altercation, which resulted in several injuries, with two individuals requiring outside medical treatment. No prison staff were harmed in the melee.
Despite being housed separately from the violent incident, Combs and Mangione remain fully affected by the lockdown. Mangel explained that while they are segregated from general population disturbances, they are still subjected to the same restrictive measures as all other inmates.
“They’re on a truly segregated floor from everybody else. Now, they are punished the same as everyone else in the facility. Unfortunately, while fortunately, they might be safer.”
Before the lockdown, Diddy reportedly interacted with fellow inmates, passing the time by playing spades and board games. According to Mangel, Combs appeared to be adjusting to his incarceration:
“It was around holiday time, so I believe he was as depressed as any other guy that was there that couldn’t be with their family… but he was as friendly and congenial as everyone else on that floor. I’m sure he laughed at times.”
Despite the grim reality of his situation, Combs remains hopeful. He and other pre-trial detainees still believe in their chances of beating their charges.
MDC, which houses over 1,600 inmates, has long been criticized for its inhumane conditions. In 2019, the facility made headlines after prisoners endured days without heat or electricity in winter. The recent riot only reinforces its reputation as a dangerous and poorly managed institution.
Combs has been locked up at MDC since his arrest last September on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. He has been denied bail multiple times and remains in custody awaiting trial on May 5.
If convicted, Mangel suggests that Combs should be placed in USP Tucson, a high-security prison with a specialized unit for sex offenders, where he would receive higher protection from other inmates.
“If I were consulting him, should he be found guilty, I would be working with his legal team to get him to the best facility based upon his sentence.”
For now, Combs remains confined to his small cell, with only legal visits permitted while MDC remains under lockdown. As his trial date approaches, the Bad Boy mogul faces an uncertain future, where his fate now rests in the hands of the court system.
Serena Williams Becomes Part-Owner of WNBA’s Toronto Tempo
History is being made during Women’s History Month! The WNBA‘s newest expansion team, the Toronto Tempo, made an exciting announcement Monday morning. Tennis legend Serena Williams was introduced as a partial owner of the team, joining Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures. Williams’ history with Canada is interesting, and many may not be aware of it.
She made her professional debut in 1995 in a qualifier shortly after her 14th birthday. She won her first Rogers Cup in 2001 and went on to become a three-time champion of the Canadian-based tournament.
In April of last year, Williams hinted on CNN that she wanted to add a WNBA team to her investment portfolio. This opportunity seemed to come at the perfect time, and she expressed her excitement in a statement.
“This moment is not just about basketball; it’s about showcasing the true value and potential of female athletes,” Williams said in a statement released by the team. “I have always said that women’s sports are an incredible investment opportunity. I am excited to partner with Larry and all of Canada in creating this new WNBA franchise and legacy.”
As one of the greatest female athletes of all time, Williams’ addition brings value in many ways, and her creativity will be on display as the team prepares to debut in May 2026. She will play a role in future jersey designs and unique merchandise collaborations—a huge move for both the franchise and Williams as a businesswoman. She is no stranger to investing, already holding stakes in the Miami Dolphins and Angel City FC.
History is being made during Women’s History Month! The WNBA‘s newest expansion team, the Toronto Tempo, made an exciting announcement Monday morning. Tennis legend Serena Williams was introduced as a partial owner of the team, joining Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures. Williams’ history with Canada is interesting, and many may not be aware of it.
She made her professional debut in 1995 in a qualifier shortly after her 14th birthday. She won her first Rogers Cup in 2001 and went on to become a three-time champion of the Canadian-based tournament.
In April of last year, Williams hinted on CNN that she wanted to add a WNBA team to her investment portfolio. This opportunity seemed to come at the perfect time, and she expressed her excitement in a statement.
“This moment is not just about basketball; it’s about showcasing the true value and potential of female athletes,” Williams said in a statement released by the team. “I have always said that women’s sports are an incredible investment opportunity. I am excited to partner with Larry and all of Canada in creating this new WNBA franchise and legacy.”
As one of the greatest female athletes of all time, Williams’ addition brings value in many ways, and her creativity will be on display as the team prepares to debut in May 2026. She will play a role in future jersey designs and unique merchandise collaborations—a huge move for both the franchise and Williams as a businesswoman. She is no stranger to investing, already holding stakes in the Miami Dolphins and Angel City FC.
Former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo Declares NYC Mayoral Run: “Our City Is in Crisis”
Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, has officially entered the race for New York City mayor.
His long-anticipated candidacy was announced in a 17-minute video, where he positioned himself as the leader to pull the city out of a crisis.
“Our city is in crisis,” Cuomo declared on Twitter. “That’s why I am running to be Mayor of New York City.”
Despite sexual harassment allegations leading to his 2021 resignation, Cuomo remains an optimistic contender, with strong name recognition and deep political ties. Polls suggest he could be a frontrunner, even against a crowded Democratic primary field, including Comptroller Brad Lander and state Senators Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie.
Cuomo has already secured a major endorsement from Congressman Ritchie Torres, who called him “a Mr. Tough Guy.” However, opponents are not holding back. At a recent forum, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani took aim, saying, “Unlike Mayor Adams, who raised your rent, or Governor Cuomo, who put you in Tier 6, I have the guts to ask for your endorsement in person.”
Meanwhile, Cuomo continues to face scrutiny over his past, including a DOJ report accusing him of creating a “sexually hostile work environment” and a controversial COVID-19 nursing home policy. His attorney maintains his innocence, dismissing the DOJ findings as “deeply flawed.”
His long-anticipated candidacy was announced in a 17-minute video, where he positioned himself as the leader to pull the city out of a crisis.
“Our city is in crisis,” Cuomo declared on Twitter. “That’s why I am running to be Mayor of New York City.”
Despite sexual harassment allegations leading to his 2021 resignation, Cuomo remains an optimistic contender, with strong name recognition and deep political ties. Polls suggest he could be a frontrunner, even against a crowded Democratic primary field, including Comptroller Brad Lander and state Senators Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie.
Cuomo has already secured a major endorsement from Congressman Ritchie Torres, who called him “a Mr. Tough Guy.” However, opponents are not holding back. At a recent forum, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani took aim, saying, “Unlike Mayor Adams, who raised your rent, or Governor Cuomo, who put you in Tier 6, I have the guts to ask for your endorsement in person.”
Meanwhile, Cuomo continues to face scrutiny over his past, including a DOJ report accusing him of creating a “sexually hostile work environment” and a controversial COVID-19 nursing home policy. His attorney maintains his innocence, dismissing the DOJ findings as “deeply flawed.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Duality
The Duality of Men at Walmart
The Duality of Men at Walmart
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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