#MAGFAB: Samara Joy for ELLE Magazine!
h/t Tom and Lorenzo At 25, Grammy-winning vocalist Samara Joy is breathing new life into the rich legacy of jazz. In this ELLE Women in Music feature, she sits down with ELLE Features Editor Adrienne Gaffney to reflect on her viral rise on TikTok, the bold, self-assured sound of her new album Portrait, and how she’s stepping fully into her creative power.
Recorded in just three days, Portrait marks a breakthrough moment for Joy, capturing a time when she says she had to “grow up and stand up for [her] ideas.” The album follows a whirlwind few years: national tours, a holiday concert series with her musical family—including her 94-year-old grandfather—and a deepening connection to the jazz community that first embraced her online.
In this candid profile, Joy reflects on the invisible support she first felt through her online community, the early memories that shaped her love of music, and her hopes of inspiring a new generation of jazz listeners.
On joining TikTok while recording her debut album: Joy joined TikTok around the same time as she was recording her 2021 eponymously debut album. She’d been somewhat resistant to social media, but that quickly changed when she saw the reach it gave her. “I was scared that my content would look the same as everybody else’s—I thought, ‘I’m just singing to camera, everybody does this,’” she says. “But once a bunch of strangers started gravitating toward it, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, this is crazy.’ And I still feel this invisible but tangible embrace from the community.”
On how recording her album Portrait became a breakthrough moment for her confidence and artistry: Last October, Samara Joy released Portrait, her third album. Recorded over just three days, it gave her a new sense of power and creativity. “This album was different from my last two, because there was a period of time when I felt like I had to make a lot of decisions for myself and I had to grow up and stand up for myself and my ideas,” she says.
On being recognized by Regina King and being asked by her to record an original song for King’s film “Shirley”: “That was my first time being acknowledged by a celebrity in that way. I was like, “She knows who I am. Oh my God.” At that time, I had no social media presence. I had zero. It was none. I was not posting singing videos or anything. So that’s why I was like, ‘How did she find me?’”
On performing with her family on tour: She is on tour with Portrait through the summer, and late last year performed 13 shows with her family to promote a holiday album. She was joined by her 94-year-old grandfather, Elder Goldwire McLendon (who came out of retirement to join), as well as her father and her uncle and cousins, who are all vocalists. “Audiences come out to see my family perform together. It’s a beautiful thing because they get to share that memory with their own families,” Joy says. “My grandfather is getting the chance to see this legacy play out—to see all of us still enjoying music from when he and my grandmother first introduced it to us in church to now us being able to do it all together once again after a lot of detours.”
On what it was like growing up in a musical family: “It was constantly inspiring. My ears were trained early to listen to music in a different way. I enjoy thinking about why I loved my dad’s voice so much, and the riffs and runs he did and how he did them and where he placed them in the song. When he played bass, how melodic everything was. I feel like I learned from a place of singing with feeling and playing with feeling.”
On her first musical memory: “The first memory was fed to me by my dad, who has a cassette of me when I was three years old singing an Usher song. I think the song was “U Don’t Have to Call.” It’s one [memory] that I hold dear now—it’s like, “Whoa, I was three years old singing!” And my earliest memory was singing in church at 10 years old. My first solo was “Oh Happy Day.” I remember being nervous, but I had on my Easter dress.”
On her introduction to jazz: “I was introduced to jazz in high school, but I wasn’t really interested in doing it or listening to it. I just didn’t connect with it at that time. But I learned one or two jazz songs, and when it came time to choose a college, I was auditioning for different programs with those songs. I was hoping that even though I had very limited knowledge of this music, maybe they could see the potential with this one song.”
On how studying music expanded her approach to collaboration: “It broadened my perspective on collaboration, because we had all of these students with the same goal in one place. Up until that point, my relationship with music obviously stemmed from my family. It was nice to reframe my role and be able to listen and take in the music that was happening around me and [think about] how I could contribute to it and interact with it.”
Photographer: Adrienne Raquel
Stylist: Jan-Michael Quammie
Writer: Adrienne Gaffney
Hair: Lacy Redway
Makeup: Alexandra French
Manicure: Natalie Minerva
Recorded in just three days, Portrait marks a breakthrough moment for Joy, capturing a time when she says she had to “grow up and stand up for [her] ideas.” The album follows a whirlwind few years: national tours, a holiday concert series with her musical family—including her 94-year-old grandfather—and a deepening connection to the jazz community that first embraced her online.
In this candid profile, Joy reflects on the invisible support she first felt through her online community, the early memories that shaped her love of music, and her hopes of inspiring a new generation of jazz listeners.
On joining TikTok while recording her debut album: Joy joined TikTok around the same time as she was recording her 2021 eponymously debut album. She’d been somewhat resistant to social media, but that quickly changed when she saw the reach it gave her. “I was scared that my content would look the same as everybody else’s—I thought, ‘I’m just singing to camera, everybody does this,’” she says. “But once a bunch of strangers started gravitating toward it, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, this is crazy.’ And I still feel this invisible but tangible embrace from the community.”
On how recording her album Portrait became a breakthrough moment for her confidence and artistry: Last October, Samara Joy released Portrait, her third album. Recorded over just three days, it gave her a new sense of power and creativity. “This album was different from my last two, because there was a period of time when I felt like I had to make a lot of decisions for myself and I had to grow up and stand up for myself and my ideas,” she says.
On being recognized by Regina King and being asked by her to record an original song for King’s film “Shirley”: “That was my first time being acknowledged by a celebrity in that way. I was like, “She knows who I am. Oh my God.” At that time, I had no social media presence. I had zero. It was none. I was not posting singing videos or anything. So that’s why I was like, ‘How did she find me?’”
On performing with her family on tour: She is on tour with Portrait through the summer, and late last year performed 13 shows with her family to promote a holiday album. She was joined by her 94-year-old grandfather, Elder Goldwire McLendon (who came out of retirement to join), as well as her father and her uncle and cousins, who are all vocalists. “Audiences come out to see my family perform together. It’s a beautiful thing because they get to share that memory with their own families,” Joy says. “My grandfather is getting the chance to see this legacy play out—to see all of us still enjoying music from when he and my grandmother first introduced it to us in church to now us being able to do it all together once again after a lot of detours.”
On what it was like growing up in a musical family: “It was constantly inspiring. My ears were trained early to listen to music in a different way. I enjoy thinking about why I loved my dad’s voice so much, and the riffs and runs he did and how he did them and where he placed them in the song. When he played bass, how melodic everything was. I feel like I learned from a place of singing with feeling and playing with feeling.”
On her first musical memory: “The first memory was fed to me by my dad, who has a cassette of me when I was three years old singing an Usher song. I think the song was “U Don’t Have to Call.” It’s one [memory] that I hold dear now—it’s like, “Whoa, I was three years old singing!” And my earliest memory was singing in church at 10 years old. My first solo was “Oh Happy Day.” I remember being nervous, but I had on my Easter dress.”
On her introduction to jazz: “I was introduced to jazz in high school, but I wasn’t really interested in doing it or listening to it. I just didn’t connect with it at that time. But I learned one or two jazz songs, and when it came time to choose a college, I was auditioning for different programs with those songs. I was hoping that even though I had very limited knowledge of this music, maybe they could see the potential with this one song.”
On how studying music expanded her approach to collaboration: “It broadened my perspective on collaboration, because we had all of these students with the same goal in one place. Up until that point, my relationship with music obviously stemmed from my family. It was nice to reframe my role and be able to listen and take in the music that was happening around me and [think about] how I could contribute to it and interact with it.”
Photographer: Adrienne Raquel
Stylist: Jan-Michael Quammie
Writer: Adrienne Gaffney
Hair: Lacy Redway
Makeup: Alexandra French
Manicure: Natalie Minerva
#RHOA: Riley Burruss Offers a Career Update as She Prepares for Her Next Chapter
Riley Burruss is all grown up. Fans were introduced to the Georgia native back in 2009, when her mom, Kandi Burruss, joined The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 2 cast. Since then, the audience has seen Riley reach many incredible milestones and go from a “shy” 6-year-old girl to a young woman stepping out into the real world.
Viewers will get a closer look at Riley’s evolution in the first season of Next Gen NYC, an upcoming reality series that follows a group of friends navigating adulthood in the Big Apple. Ahead of the big premiere, Riley caught up with BravoTV.com to share more details about her life these days.
The Q&A began with a quick bio and immediately dove into the topic of employment.
“For work, I live the life of Riley,” she said with a smile while preparing for a Next Gen NYC photoshoot.
Riley graduated from New York University in May 2024, earning a Bachelor of Science in music business. She spoke about her career goals during a 2023 appearance on The Sharpton Sisters, explaining how her Grammy-winning mom inspired her path.
“Since [Kandi] was in the music industry, ever since I was younger, I knew I wanted to do something related to the music industry… and I don’t think I would’ve known that without her,” Riley said. “Seeing my mom in the studio, collaborating with other artists… I really like R&B and hip-hop, but I want to focus on Atlanta music… I want to focus on bringing [Atlanta music] to the top... kind of the early 2000s vibe. But I really want to work on A&R and developing more artists coming from Atlanta."
Since graduating from NYU, Riley has continued working as an influencer, landing gigs and partnerships with brands like Makeup Forever, Hppy Skincare, and Viva Naturals. She’s also entered the podcasting space, making regular appearances on Kandi’s Speak On It series.
“I think I’m outspoken, like my mom, but also still very chill and calm,” the 22-year-old said. “But living in the city, you get to be different than growing up in Atlanta.”
Riley also revealed the advice Kandi gave her before she began filming Next Gen NYC.
“I think the one main thing my mom told me was just to be true to yourself because as long you’re being true to yourself, you can’t really care about what other people are saying,” she explained. "If you’re being fake and doing fake stuff for the cameras, then, of course, you’re gonna feel weird when people are making comments about it.”
Viewers will get a closer look at Riley’s evolution in the first season of Next Gen NYC, an upcoming reality series that follows a group of friends navigating adulthood in the Big Apple. Ahead of the big premiere, Riley caught up with BravoTV.com to share more details about her life these days.
The Q&A began with a quick bio and immediately dove into the topic of employment.
“For work, I live the life of Riley,” she said with a smile while preparing for a Next Gen NYC photoshoot.
Riley graduated from New York University in May 2024, earning a Bachelor of Science in music business. She spoke about her career goals during a 2023 appearance on The Sharpton Sisters, explaining how her Grammy-winning mom inspired her path.
“Since [Kandi] was in the music industry, ever since I was younger, I knew I wanted to do something related to the music industry… and I don’t think I would’ve known that without her,” Riley said. “Seeing my mom in the studio, collaborating with other artists… I really like R&B and hip-hop, but I want to focus on Atlanta music… I want to focus on bringing [Atlanta music] to the top... kind of the early 2000s vibe. But I really want to work on A&R and developing more artists coming from Atlanta."
Since graduating from NYU, Riley has continued working as an influencer, landing gigs and partnerships with brands like Makeup Forever, Hppy Skincare, and Viva Naturals. She’s also entered the podcasting space, making regular appearances on Kandi’s Speak On It series.
“I think I’m outspoken, like my mom, but also still very chill and calm,” the 22-year-old said. “But living in the city, you get to be different than growing up in Atlanta.”
Riley also revealed the advice Kandi gave her before she began filming Next Gen NYC.
“I think the one main thing my mom told me was just to be true to yourself because as long you’re being true to yourself, you can’t really care about what other people are saying,” she explained. "If you’re being fake and doing fake stuff for the cameras, then, of course, you’re gonna feel weird when people are making comments about it.”
#NewMusic from Noel Gourdin Feat Kevin Ross “Might Let You Hit It”
Veteran soul singer Noel Gourdin is back with the brand new single “Might Let You Hit It” featuring Kevin Ross.
Veteran soul singer Noel Gourdin is back with the brand new single “Might Let You Hit It” featuring Kevin Ross.
LISTEN HERE:
Gourdin has been releasing a string of singles over the past few years, but has not released a new project since the album “City Heart, Southern Soul” in 2014.
#HipHopNews: Kanye West Claims Playboi Carti Pulled Up On Him With A Gun
Kanye West has claimed that Playboi Carti pulled up on him at the Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles with a gun.
During his controversial Twitch streaming debut, West made a number of accusations about his one-time collaborator as their feud appears to escalate beyond social media shots.
West said on the stream: “This n-gga told me he was at the Chateau with a gun, n-gga. What that mean, n-gga? And the n-gga say he don’t be on the internet. It’s like, if you don’t be on the internet, what are we talking about, then? I ain’t say nothing, then.”
Carti has yet to respond to West’s claims but tensions have been running high between the two ever since the “Magnolia” rapper dropped his long-awaited and highly successful third album, MUSIC.
On social media last month, West threatened to end Carti’s career, saying: “This n-gga is stupid, bro. You don’t know, when I’m dealing with my kids, this ain’t your niece, n-gga. This is my daughter, n-gga,” referencing the Atlanta rapper’s recent attempt to collaborate with his daughter North.
“Don’t fuck with me, boy! Don’t fucking play with me, n-gga! You letting these white people use us against each other, you letting these Jews use us against each other, n-gga. I put you on, n-gga!”
Kanye West has claimed that Playboi Carti pulled up on him at the Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles with a gun.
During his controversial Twitch streaming debut, West made a number of accusations about his one-time collaborator as their feud appears to escalate beyond social media shots.
West said on the stream: “This n-gga told me he was at the Chateau with a gun, n-gga. What that mean, n-gga? And the n-gga say he don’t be on the internet. It’s like, if you don’t be on the internet, what are we talking about, then? I ain’t say nothing, then.”
Carti has yet to respond to West’s claims but tensions have been running high between the two ever since the “Magnolia” rapper dropped his long-awaited and highly successful third album, MUSIC.
On social media last month, West threatened to end Carti’s career, saying: “This n-gga is stupid, bro. You don’t know, when I’m dealing with my kids, this ain’t your niece, n-gga. This is my daughter, n-gga,” referencing the Atlanta rapper’s recent attempt to collaborate with his daughter North.
“Don’t fuck with me, boy! Don’t fucking play with me, n-gga! You letting these white people use us against each other, you letting these Jews use us against each other, n-gga. I put you on, n-gga!”
BeyoncΓ© Kicks Off Cowboy Carter Rodeo Tour In Los Angeles
The historic sold-out show was held at the SoFi Stadium, marking the first of five nights Bey will captivate fans with her dynamic, vibrant, theatrical, and sultry three-hour set. As expected, she brought several hits from COWBOY CARTER to life including “II HANDS II HEAVEN,” “BODYGUARD,” “LEVII’S JEANS,” “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM,” “DESERT EAGLE,” and “16 CARRIAGES.” However, it was how she interpolated classics like Destiny’s Child “Bills, Bills, Bills,” “Run The World (Girls),” “Formation,” and “Apesh*t” into the set that really had the BeyHive fired up.
Not to mention, she welcomed fans back into the RENAISSANCE by breathing new life into “PURE/HONEY,” “CUFF IT,” “COZY,” “ALIEN SUPERSTAR,” and more. Other standout moments include Blue Ivy leading her own dance break to “Deja Vu” and Rumi making a rare appearance during “PROTECTOR.”
“I have the best fans in the world. I love you so much. We worked so hard to make this as perfect as we could for y’all. I hope y’all had fun,” Bey gushed during the show. Similar to the Renaissance World Tour, this event carried its own energy — and dress code, so prepare accordingly.
May 01, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium
May 04, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium
May 07, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium
May 09, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium
May 15, 2025 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field
May 17, 2025 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field
May 18, 2025 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field
May 22, 2025 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
May 24, 2025 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
May 25, 2025 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
May 28, 2025 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
May 29, 2025 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
June 05, 2025 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 07, 2025 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 10, 2025 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 12, 2025 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 14, 2025 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 16, 2025 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 19, 2025 – Paris, France – Stade de France
June 21, 2025 – Paris, France – Stade de France
June 22, 2025 – Paris, France – Stade de France
June 28, 2025 – Houston, TX – NRG Stadium
June 29, 2025 – Houston, TX – NRG Stadium
July 04, 2025 – Washington, D.C. – Northwest Stadium
July 07, 2025 – Washington, D.C. – Northwest Stadium
July 10, 2025 – Atlanta, GA – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 11, 2025 – Atlanta, GA – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 13, 2025 – Atlanta, GA – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 14, 2025 – Atlanta, GA – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 25, 2025 – Las Vegas, NV – Allegiant Stadium
July 26, 2025 – Las Vegas, NV – Allegiant Stadium
Judge Rules Sean “Diddy” Combs Won’t Face Forced Labor Allegations
Sean “Diddy” Combs will not face specific claims at his upcoming criminal trial. According to PEOPLE magazine, the 55-year-old will not be subjected to forced labor allegations, per Judge Arun Subramanian. The judge did, however, rule that the prosecution would be allowed to introduce new sex-trafficking evidence related to the freak-offs.
The decision was made as Combs’ lawyers spoke out against prosecutors and accused them of adding “new theories” and “new evidence.”
“It is impossible for the defense to investigate and respond to those new allegations in the next two weeks,” Combs’ lawyers asserted. “They further alleged that prosecutors have ‘explicitly conceded’ that ‘many’ of the alleged acts ‘were consensual,’ causing the defense to spend its time focusing on the alleged coerced incidents.”
The prosecutors responded, “The defendant’s request is yet another pretextual attempt to exclude powerful evidence against him without a proper legal basis.”
Earlier this month, the Harlem native was subjected to two new charges, one more count each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution related to a second victim. He was previously charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, one count of sex trafficking, and one count of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Victim-1 has been identified as Cassie Ventura, a pop star and former girlfriend of the disgraced mogul, whose November 2023 lawsuit initiated Diddy’s downfall. Ventura is set to testify at the criminal trial, and a disturbing video of Combs assaulting her will be introduced as evidence.
The Bad Boys Records founder entered a not guilty plea to the two newer charges: one count of sex trafficking and one count of transportation to engage in prostitution of “Victim-2.” He has previously pleaded not guilty to all charges.
“These are not new allegations or new accusers. These are the same individuals, former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion,” detailed Combs’ team.
Combs rejected a plea deal and will stand trial on May 5, 2025, as scheduled.
The decision was made as Combs’ lawyers spoke out against prosecutors and accused them of adding “new theories” and “new evidence.”
“It is impossible for the defense to investigate and respond to those new allegations in the next two weeks,” Combs’ lawyers asserted. “They further alleged that prosecutors have ‘explicitly conceded’ that ‘many’ of the alleged acts ‘were consensual,’ causing the defense to spend its time focusing on the alleged coerced incidents.”
The prosecutors responded, “The defendant’s request is yet another pretextual attempt to exclude powerful evidence against him without a proper legal basis.”
Earlier this month, the Harlem native was subjected to two new charges, one more count each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution related to a second victim. He was previously charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, one count of sex trafficking, and one count of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Victim-1 has been identified as Cassie Ventura, a pop star and former girlfriend of the disgraced mogul, whose November 2023 lawsuit initiated Diddy’s downfall. Ventura is set to testify at the criminal trial, and a disturbing video of Combs assaulting her will be introduced as evidence.
The Bad Boys Records founder entered a not guilty plea to the two newer charges: one count of sex trafficking and one count of transportation to engage in prostitution of “Victim-2.” He has previously pleaded not guilty to all charges.
“These are not new allegations or new accusers. These are the same individuals, former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion,” detailed Combs’ team.
Combs rejected a plea deal and will stand trial on May 5, 2025, as scheduled.
Shedeur Sanders Flexes With $1M In Cash At Star-Studded NFL Draft Party
Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders looks on during a ceremony to retire his jersey before the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field on April 19, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado. Dustin Bradford/Getty Images for ONIT
Shedeur Sanders, the rising football star and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, celebrated his entry into the league with an extravagant party in his hometown of Dallas, Texas that made headlines far beyond the sports world.
Held on Saturday (April 26), at venue Hyde & Seek, the event, according to NFL insider Dov Kleiman, was nothing short of a spectacle.
“Shedeur Sanders threw a MASSIVE party to celebrate being drafted by the Browns,” Kleiman wrote in a post on X.
“Sanders performed his hit rap songs and flexed over $100K in cash during the event. So many celebrities were in attendance as well. Cleveland drafted a superstar.”
Indeed, the party drew a star-studded guest list that included Kodak Black, Yung Miami, Shenseea, Loe Shimmy, and other notables from the entertainment and music industries.
The atmosphere blended celebration with performance, as Shedeur took the mic to perform his rap track “Perfect Timing,” further cementing his crossover appeal.
But perhaps the most eye-catching moment came when Shedeur was seen holding a Louis Vuitton briefcase stuffed with cash—a moment that sparked viral interest. While initial reports claimed the case held over $100,000, Shedeur’s older brother, Deion Sanders Jr., stepped in to clarify.
“Let’s tell the correct story now,” he wrote in a post responding to Kleiman on X. “It was actually a gift that he received… and it was a million.”
Sanders’ lavish shindig came after a days-long wait to be drafted into the NFL, as the former Colorado quarterback was ultimately selected in the fifth round with the 144th pick by the Cleveland Browns after initially being projected as a first-round pick.
The Johnny Unitas Award winner’s slide down draft boards became the over-arching topic of the 2025 NFL Draft, with detractors and insiders pointing to Sanders’ perceived arrogance, cocksure attitude, and lack of athleticism as reasons he was passed on by teams for multiple rounds.
However, Shedeur is now in a position to make the most of his opportunities, as he has been mentioned as a potential long-term starter in Cleveland if he’s able to beat out competing quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel in training camp this summer.
Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders looks on during a ceremony to retire his jersey before the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field on April 19, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado. Dustin Bradford/Getty Images for ONIT
Shedeur Sanders, the rising football star and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, celebrated his entry into the league with an extravagant party in his hometown of Dallas, Texas that made headlines far beyond the sports world.
Held on Saturday (April 26), at venue Hyde & Seek, the event, according to NFL insider Dov Kleiman, was nothing short of a spectacle.
“Shedeur Sanders threw a MASSIVE party to celebrate being drafted by the Browns,” Kleiman wrote in a post on X.
“Sanders performed his hit rap songs and flexed over $100K in cash during the event. So many celebrities were in attendance as well. Cleveland drafted a superstar.”
Indeed, the party drew a star-studded guest list that included Kodak Black, Yung Miami, Shenseea, Loe Shimmy, and other notables from the entertainment and music industries.
The atmosphere blended celebration with performance, as Shedeur took the mic to perform his rap track “Perfect Timing,” further cementing his crossover appeal.
But perhaps the most eye-catching moment came when Shedeur was seen holding a Louis Vuitton briefcase stuffed with cash—a moment that sparked viral interest. While initial reports claimed the case held over $100,000, Shedeur’s older brother, Deion Sanders Jr., stepped in to clarify.
“Let’s tell the correct story now,” he wrote in a post responding to Kleiman on X. “It was actually a gift that he received… and it was a million.”
Sanders’ lavish shindig came after a days-long wait to be drafted into the NFL, as the former Colorado quarterback was ultimately selected in the fifth round with the 144th pick by the Cleveland Browns after initially being projected as a first-round pick.
The Johnny Unitas Award winner’s slide down draft boards became the over-arching topic of the 2025 NFL Draft, with detractors and insiders pointing to Sanders’ perceived arrogance, cocksure attitude, and lack of athleticism as reasons he was passed on by teams for multiple rounds.
However, Shedeur is now in a position to make the most of his opportunities, as he has been mentioned as a potential long-term starter in Cleveland if he’s able to beat out competing quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel in training camp this summer.
Alijah Arenas Is 'Walking, Talking' After Cybertruck Accident and Expected to Leave the Hospital 'Very Soon'
Alijah Arenas is on the mend, less than a week after an early morning car accident.
Arenas, a five-star basketball recruit and the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, was placed in a medically induced coma after the crash, in which his Tesla Cybertruck struck a tree and a fire hydrant shortly before 5 a.m. on Thursday, April 24 in Los Angeles.
On the retired basketball player’s podcast Gil’s Arena on Monday, April 28, cohost Josiah Johnson shared that the younger Arenas was scheduled to be discharged from the hospital soon.
“Happy to announce that Alijah’s doing much better,” Johnson said. “Walking, talking, progressing very well, should be released from the hospital very soon. No major injuries as a result of the car accident.”
After the accident, the Arenas family thanked bystanders who were able to rescue Alijah, 18, from inside the truck, where he was trapped after it caught fire and heavy smoke began to penetrate its cabin.
"I remember hearing banging on the car window, but I couldn't see anything because the smoke was so thick. That's when I realized someone was inside," a bystander said, according to ESPN. "I tried to break the window, but it wouldn't give. Then I saw one of the windows was cracked just enough and we used everything we had to bend it and pull him out. The car was on fire. We just knew we had to get him out."
First responders transported Arenas to the hospital in serious condition and he was placed in a coma as a “precautionary measure due to smoke inhalation,” Johnson said on the podcast Monday.
He added that the teen — who committed to play at USC earlier this year — was returning home from an early morning session at the gym at the time of the accident.
USC head coach Eric Musselman was among those who spoke out following the scary incident.
“Please keep him, his teammates and friends and the entire Arenas family in your prayers,” Musselman said.
Alijah is Gilbert Arenas’ second-oldest child. Gilbert, a three-time NBA All-Star who spent most of his 12-year career with the Washington Wizards, shares four kids with his ex Laura Govan: Izela, Alijah, Hamiley and Aloni. Gilbert, 43, also shares a daughter Gia with his ex-girlfriend Lindsey Faulk.
Arenas, a five-star basketball recruit and the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, was placed in a medically induced coma after the crash, in which his Tesla Cybertruck struck a tree and a fire hydrant shortly before 5 a.m. on Thursday, April 24 in Los Angeles.
On the retired basketball player’s podcast Gil’s Arena on Monday, April 28, cohost Josiah Johnson shared that the younger Arenas was scheduled to be discharged from the hospital soon.
“Happy to announce that Alijah’s doing much better,” Johnson said. “Walking, talking, progressing very well, should be released from the hospital very soon. No major injuries as a result of the car accident.”
After the accident, the Arenas family thanked bystanders who were able to rescue Alijah, 18, from inside the truck, where he was trapped after it caught fire and heavy smoke began to penetrate its cabin.
"I remember hearing banging on the car window, but I couldn't see anything because the smoke was so thick. That's when I realized someone was inside," a bystander said, according to ESPN. "I tried to break the window, but it wouldn't give. Then I saw one of the windows was cracked just enough and we used everything we had to bend it and pull him out. The car was on fire. We just knew we had to get him out."
First responders transported Arenas to the hospital in serious condition and he was placed in a coma as a “precautionary measure due to smoke inhalation,” Johnson said on the podcast Monday.
He added that the teen — who committed to play at USC earlier this year — was returning home from an early morning session at the gym at the time of the accident.
USC head coach Eric Musselman was among those who spoke out following the scary incident.
“Please keep him, his teammates and friends and the entire Arenas family in your prayers,” Musselman said.
Alijah is Gilbert Arenas’ second-oldest child. Gilbert, a three-time NBA All-Star who spent most of his 12-year career with the Washington Wizards, shares four kids with his ex Laura Govan: Izela, Alijah, Hamiley and Aloni. Gilbert, 43, also shares a daughter Gia with his ex-girlfriend Lindsey Faulk.
Fat Joe Sues Ex-Hype Man Over Pedophile Claim: 'These Allegations Are Completely False'
Fat Joe is suing his former hype man for falsely claiming that the rapper is a pedophile on social media.
In the lawsuit documents obtained by Complex, Fat Joe — real name Joe Cartagena — claims that his former hypeman, Terrance Dixon, resorted to “countless posts on social media containing a torrent of wholly fabricated, grotesque, and scandalous allegations — accusing Cartagena of unspeakable acts such as pedophilia, statutory rape and sexual assault,” after failing to collect money he believed he was owed.
Fat Joe alleges that he worked together with Dixon (and compensated him handsomely) from 2006 to 2019. All these years later, the lawsuit alleges that Dixon believes the rapper blocked him from getting funding for a record label — ultimately pushing Dixon to approach Joe about compensation for working on some of the rapper’s songs.
Dixon hired lawyer Tyrone Blackburn — who’s also a defendant — and is known for representing Diddy accuser Lil Rodney in another case. Blackburn was previously criticized by a judge in the Lil Rodney case for having a pattern of “salacious” filings.
Together, the Dixon and Blackburn sought payment from Fat Joe — going as far as sending a written demand for compensation as a “ghostwriter and uncredit vocalist” on Mar. 23. Less than a month later on Apr. 21, Dixon and Blackburn allegedly threatened to file a complaint with other accusations such as sex trafficking, statutory rape, fraud, and forced labor — which Fat Joe claims are false.
Fat Joe alleges that Blackburn contacted him multiple times with threats via email, writing messages like, “We will report him to Homeland Security,” “playtime is over,” and the “case has just expanded into a Civil RICO case.”
Dixon also posted accusations on Instagram alleging that Fat Joe was sleeping with an underage girl and referred to the rapper as a pedophile.
In a statement to TMZ, Blackburn claimed that Fat Joe’s lawsuit is a cover-up. “It won't work. Fat Joe has a lot of explaining to do,” said Blackburn.
Fat Joe also released a statement, saying, “These allegations are completely false and part of a criminal conspiracy orchestrated between a disgruntled former hype man and his attorney. These two individuals have been scheming together to extort me with their elaborate and ludicrous demands changing by the day. The relentless threats, harassment, and defamation I’ve endured as they peddle salacious lies are utterly deplorable. I’m taking legal action to expose their misconduct and I’m fully confident that the facts will reveal this is nothing more than a deceptive and desperate scam.”
Prior to this lawsuit, Fat Joe and Dixon had issues that stretch back to at least 2023 when the latter posted a lengthy message warning Joe of problems to come in his future.
Fat Joe is suing his former hype man for falsely claiming that the rapper is a pedophile on social media.
In the lawsuit documents obtained by Complex, Fat Joe — real name Joe Cartagena — claims that his former hypeman, Terrance Dixon, resorted to “countless posts on social media containing a torrent of wholly fabricated, grotesque, and scandalous allegations — accusing Cartagena of unspeakable acts such as pedophilia, statutory rape and sexual assault,” after failing to collect money he believed he was owed.
Fat Joe alleges that he worked together with Dixon (and compensated him handsomely) from 2006 to 2019. All these years later, the lawsuit alleges that Dixon believes the rapper blocked him from getting funding for a record label — ultimately pushing Dixon to approach Joe about compensation for working on some of the rapper’s songs.
Dixon hired lawyer Tyrone Blackburn — who’s also a defendant — and is known for representing Diddy accuser Lil Rodney in another case. Blackburn was previously criticized by a judge in the Lil Rodney case for having a pattern of “salacious” filings.
Together, the Dixon and Blackburn sought payment from Fat Joe — going as far as sending a written demand for compensation as a “ghostwriter and uncredit vocalist” on Mar. 23. Less than a month later on Apr. 21, Dixon and Blackburn allegedly threatened to file a complaint with other accusations such as sex trafficking, statutory rape, fraud, and forced labor — which Fat Joe claims are false.
Fat Joe alleges that Blackburn contacted him multiple times with threats via email, writing messages like, “We will report him to Homeland Security,” “playtime is over,” and the “case has just expanded into a Civil RICO case.”
Dixon also posted accusations on Instagram alleging that Fat Joe was sleeping with an underage girl and referred to the rapper as a pedophile.
In a statement to TMZ, Blackburn claimed that Fat Joe’s lawsuit is a cover-up. “It won't work. Fat Joe has a lot of explaining to do,” said Blackburn.
Fat Joe also released a statement, saying, “These allegations are completely false and part of a criminal conspiracy orchestrated between a disgruntled former hype man and his attorney. These two individuals have been scheming together to extort me with their elaborate and ludicrous demands changing by the day. The relentless threats, harassment, and defamation I’ve endured as they peddle salacious lies are utterly deplorable. I’m taking legal action to expose their misconduct and I’m fully confident that the facts will reveal this is nothing more than a deceptive and desperate scam.”
Prior to this lawsuit, Fat Joe and Dixon had issues that stretch back to at least 2023 when the latter posted a lengthy message warning Joe of problems to come in his future.
Luka Doncic Donates $5,000 to Help Restore Vandalized Kobe and Gigi Bryant Mural in Los Angeles
The amount needed to restore a vandalized Kobe and Gianna 'Gigi' Bryant mural has been paid thanks to Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic.
On Tuesday (April 29), a mural of the father and daughter, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in January 2020, was found defaced in downtown Los Angeles. According to KTLA, the artwork was located on Main Street, adjacent to West 14th Street, and was made by Louie “Sloe” Motion shortly after the Bryants died along with seven others during the crash in Calabasas.
“Kobe is L.A. He and Gigi mean so much to this city, to the Lakers organization and to me personally,” Doncic said Tuesday through a representative, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I’m happy to do anything to help make sure he and his daughter are honored.”
The mural depicted Kobe kissing his daughter on the forehead but was vandalized with the tag being scribbled out, along with two expletive messages, per TMZ. A GoFundMe was launched to restore the mural, with the goal being quickly met due to a $5,000 donation given by the star via his Luka DonΔiΔ Foundation. The contribution was also confirmed to KTLA in an email from GoFundMe Communications Manager Alexandra White.
On Tuesday (April 29), a mural of the father and daughter, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in January 2020, was found defaced in downtown Los Angeles. According to KTLA, the artwork was located on Main Street, adjacent to West 14th Street, and was made by Louie “Sloe” Motion shortly after the Bryants died along with seven others during the crash in Calabasas.
“Kobe is L.A. He and Gigi mean so much to this city, to the Lakers organization and to me personally,” Doncic said Tuesday through a representative, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I’m happy to do anything to help make sure he and his daughter are honored.”
The mural depicted Kobe kissing his daughter on the forehead but was vandalized with the tag being scribbled out, along with two expletive messages, per TMZ. A GoFundMe was launched to restore the mural, with the goal being quickly met due to a $5,000 donation given by the star via his Luka DonΔiΔ Foundation. The contribution was also confirmed to KTLA in an email from GoFundMe Communications Manager Alexandra White.
“I’d like to say thank you to Luka and I’m proud he is a Laker now and representing Los Angeles and I know Kobe is proud,” Motions said in a statement to the Times. “I’m sure this alone will have him in the hearts of everyone in Los Angeles. Representing us the right way, a great hooper [and] soul. Thank u from Los Angeles Luka, I will return the favor.”
The Lakers star has shared his admiration for Bryant, along with gratitude that he met the NBA legend before his passing. Earlier this year, a mural depicting the players' first meeting at a December 2019 game was unveiled in L.A.
"He was talking my language. I saw Kobe talking Slovenian and I was really surprised," Doncic said in a postgame interview about the moment Kobe was heckling him during a game.
Fantasia Announces She’s Working on a Gospel Album
Finally! Fantasia Barrino is not running from her calling any longer, and she's releasing some gospel music! In a social media video posted to Instagram earlier this week, the American Idol singer announced she wouldn't be running from it anymore.
"God has been telling me to do a gospel album for years, and I've been running," said Barrino in the video. "But the world right now is dark, it's a lot going on... And so I want to give my Father, who's been so good to me, back what he deserves."
The video shows highlights of what seems to be the recording process of the album with a choir. She captured the post, "Someone asked: Why are you scared? I replied because my Abba actually means everything to me and my posture has to be different."
No further details about the album have been given out, but fans were immediately excited about the announcement. Many have heard Fantasia share her love for God and pour into people during interviews, so now a Gospel album just seems right.
Users took to the comments of the video announcement, sharing their excitement for the project. "The healing that is about to happen when this music is released!! The glory that God will receive!! I can’t wait!!" commented one user.
Fantasia first came to the forefront as the winner of the third season of American Idol. She has since released music and been featured in numerous television shows and movies, and taken her talents to Broadway. Most recently, she landed the role of Celie in the 2023 adaptation of The Color Purple.
Now, fans wait with anticipation for the release of her upcoming Gospel project
Finally! Fantasia Barrino is not running from her calling any longer, and she's releasing some gospel music! In a social media video posted to Instagram earlier this week, the American Idol singer announced she wouldn't be running from it anymore.
"God has been telling me to do a gospel album for years, and I've been running," said Barrino in the video. "But the world right now is dark, it's a lot going on... And so I want to give my Father, who's been so good to me, back what he deserves."
The video shows highlights of what seems to be the recording process of the album with a choir. She captured the post, "Someone asked: Why are you scared? I replied because my Abba actually means everything to me and my posture has to be different."
No further details about the album have been given out, but fans were immediately excited about the announcement. Many have heard Fantasia share her love for God and pour into people during interviews, so now a Gospel album just seems right.
Users took to the comments of the video announcement, sharing their excitement for the project. "The healing that is about to happen when this music is released!! The glory that God will receive!! I can’t wait!!" commented one user.
Fantasia first came to the forefront as the winner of the third season of American Idol. She has since released music and been featured in numerous television shows and movies, and taken her talents to Broadway. Most recently, she landed the role of Celie in the 2023 adaptation of The Color Purple.
Now, fans wait with anticipation for the release of her upcoming Gospel project
Chris Brown Accuser Files to Dismiss Defamation Lawsuit
Back in January Chris Brown filed a $500 million defamation of character lawsuit against Warner Bros. over the “Chris Brown: A History of Violence” docuseries that was largely based on a lawsuit filed against him that was dismissed
Now the woman at the center of the dismissed suit has filed to have Brown's defamation lawsuit tossed out...
From In Touch, The woman whose sixual assault lawsuit against Chris Brown was dismissed fired back at his $500 million defamation lawsuit against her, In Touch can exclusively report.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch, the woman, who sued Chris, 35, in 2022, using the pseudonym Jane Doe, for sexual assault, battery, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment, demanded his case against her be tossed out of court.
In her new filing, Jane argued that her speech and conduct in “furtherance of her free speech rights involved matters of legitimate concerns to the public, the publication of which is privileged under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.”
Her lawyer argued, “[Chris’] claims against [Jane] are barred, in whole or in part, because to the extent any statement that forms the basis for [Chris’] claims against [Jane] could be interpreted as asserting verifiable facts, those facts are substantially true and not materially false.”
Now the woman at the center of the dismissed suit has filed to have Brown's defamation lawsuit tossed out...
From In Touch, The woman whose sixual assault lawsuit against Chris Brown was dismissed fired back at his $500 million defamation lawsuit against her, In Touch can exclusively report.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch, the woman, who sued Chris, 35, in 2022, using the pseudonym Jane Doe, for sexual assault, battery, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment, demanded his case against her be tossed out of court.
In her new filing, Jane argued that her speech and conduct in “furtherance of her free speech rights involved matters of legitimate concerns to the public, the publication of which is privileged under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.”
Her lawyer argued, “[Chris’] claims against [Jane] are barred, in whole or in part, because to the extent any statement that forms the basis for [Chris’] claims against [Jane] could be interpreted as asserting verifiable facts, those facts are substantially true and not materially false.”
In addition, he said, “[Chris’] claims against [Jane] are barred, in whole or in part, because [Chris] has not suffered harm, injury in fact, or lost money or property as a result of any action or omission by [Jane].”
Jane demanded the suit be tossed and Chris cover her legal fees she racked up defending herself against the claims.
Their lawyer argued, “[Chris’] claims are barred, in whole or in part, to the extent that any statements and/or alleged implications that form the basis for the claims could be interpreted as asserting verifiable facts, those facts are not materially false and/or are substantially true.”
The lawyer added, “Plaintiff’s claims are barred, in whole or in part, because he is a public figure and Defendants did not publish any false statement or implication about him with constitutional actual malice.”
Chris’ lawyer, Levi G. McCathern, II previously told In Touch about the defendant’s motion stating, “Warner Bros.’ statements are nonsense. I informed them that the storyline they were promoting was false. Despite this, they proceeded forward, motivated solely by greed. It is ridiculous to take the position that their actions do not constitute malice.”
Robert De Niro's Daughter Airyn Comes Out As Transgender, Proudly Embraces Her Blackness
In a candid interview with Them, Airyn De Niro opened up about her life as one of Robert De Niro's seven children, her transition journey, and her career ambitions.
Airyn, who is studying to become a mental health counselor, wants to be recognized for her own merit rather than her famous last name. "Obviously, no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight," she said, emphasizing her desire for a normal childhood.
Robert De Niro welcomed Airyn and her twin brother Julian in 1995 with actress Toukie Smith. Despite their fame with De Niro's nine Oscar nominations and two wins, the parents have worked hard to keep their children's lives private.
"They just sort of reminded me that people really don't know anything about me," Airyn reflected on recent public appearances that spurred inaccuracies in the media.
Unlike the typical "nepo baby" label, Airyn stresses that her success will come on her own terms. "I wasn't brought up having a side part in one of dad's movies or going to business meetings or attending premieres. My dad was very big on us finding our own sort of path. I would want [success] to happen on my own merit," she shared.
Despite auditioning for notable roles, like Jules in "Euphoria", she is still working on building her acting resume.
The 29-year-old actress and aspiring model also discussed her body image struggles and feelings of not fitting in. "I was always told I was too much of something or not enough of something growing up: Too big, not skinny enough. Not Black enough, not white enough. Too feminine, not masculine enough. It was never just, 'You're just right, just the way you are.' "
The turning point for Airyn came after watching Halle Bailey's rendition of "The Little Mermaid", which inspired her to embrace her Blackness and her new identity.
"I think a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me," she explained. She began hormone therapy last November, hoping to be an inspiration for those who see themselves in her.
Airyn aims to advocate for mental health support among people of color and queer communities. "People of color and queer people definitely need more mental health advocacy and support," she expressed. "I'd want to hopefully be an inspiration for at least one other person like me who is Black, who is queer, who's not a size extra small."
Addressing the broader societal narrative, Airyn poignantly stated, "There's a difference between being visible and being seen. I've been visible. I don't think I've been seen yet." With her forthrightness and resilience, Airyn De Niro is taking steps not only to be seen but also to help others on their journey toward self-acceptance.
Airyn, who is studying to become a mental health counselor, wants to be recognized for her own merit rather than her famous last name. "Obviously, no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight," she said, emphasizing her desire for a normal childhood.
Robert De Niro welcomed Airyn and her twin brother Julian in 1995 with actress Toukie Smith. Despite their fame with De Niro's nine Oscar nominations and two wins, the parents have worked hard to keep their children's lives private.
"They just sort of reminded me that people really don't know anything about me," Airyn reflected on recent public appearances that spurred inaccuracies in the media.
Unlike the typical "nepo baby" label, Airyn stresses that her success will come on her own terms. "I wasn't brought up having a side part in one of dad's movies or going to business meetings or attending premieres. My dad was very big on us finding our own sort of path. I would want [success] to happen on my own merit," she shared.
Despite auditioning for notable roles, like Jules in "Euphoria", she is still working on building her acting resume.
The 29-year-old actress and aspiring model also discussed her body image struggles and feelings of not fitting in. "I was always told I was too much of something or not enough of something growing up: Too big, not skinny enough. Not Black enough, not white enough. Too feminine, not masculine enough. It was never just, 'You're just right, just the way you are.' "
The turning point for Airyn came after watching Halle Bailey's rendition of "The Little Mermaid", which inspired her to embrace her Blackness and her new identity.
"I think a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me," she explained. She began hormone therapy last November, hoping to be an inspiration for those who see themselves in her.
Airyn aims to advocate for mental health support among people of color and queer communities. "People of color and queer people definitely need more mental health advocacy and support," she expressed. "I'd want to hopefully be an inspiration for at least one other person like me who is Black, who is queer, who's not a size extra small."
Addressing the broader societal narrative, Airyn poignantly stated, "There's a difference between being visible and being seen. I've been visible. I don't think I've been seen yet." With her forthrightness and resilience, Airyn De Niro is taking steps not only to be seen but also to help others on their journey toward self-acceptance.
Megan Thee Stallion set to launch her own Popeyes location
Megan Thee Stallion is leveling up her empire with the announcement that she’s opening her own Popeyes franchise.
The Grammy-winning rapper took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes look at the early stages of construction.
“My very own @popeyes is opening this summer, Hotties! I just stopped by to check out the location — it’s still just the bones right now, but this is about to be the littest Popeyes ever!” she wrote.
This move into the fast food world isn’t her first time collaborating with Popeyes, she previously partnered with the chain for a hot sauce launch in 2021 but now, Megan is taking full ownership, bringing her signature flair to the business.
And the Popeyes news is just the start.
Megan has also dropped her latest single, “Whatever,” which marks the beginning of Act III, the next chapter in her MEGAN series.
The track blends confidence, raw energy, and the kind of punchy bars fans have come to expect from the Houston-born star.
On TikTok Live, Megan teased details about the upcoming album.
While she’s being strategic with who she features, she made one thing clear: “I only want to do features with artists I haven’t worked with yet, or ones I genuinely listen to in my own time…people I actually f*ck with.”
She went on to name one artist she’s hoping to collaborate with: Doechii.
When fans asked in the comments, Megan didn’t hesitate. “I love Doechii, b*tch. I do wanna do a song with Doechii. That is on my album wishlist.”
With a new restaurant on the way and fresh music heating up, Megan Thee Stallion is setting the tone for a major summer, one track, and one drumstick, at a time.
The Grammy-winning rapper took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes look at the early stages of construction.
“My very own @popeyes is opening this summer, Hotties! I just stopped by to check out the location — it’s still just the bones right now, but this is about to be the littest Popeyes ever!” she wrote.
This move into the fast food world isn’t her first time collaborating with Popeyes, she previously partnered with the chain for a hot sauce launch in 2021 but now, Megan is taking full ownership, bringing her signature flair to the business.
And the Popeyes news is just the start.
Megan has also dropped her latest single, “Whatever,” which marks the beginning of Act III, the next chapter in her MEGAN series.
The track blends confidence, raw energy, and the kind of punchy bars fans have come to expect from the Houston-born star.
On TikTok Live, Megan teased details about the upcoming album.
While she’s being strategic with who she features, she made one thing clear: “I only want to do features with artists I haven’t worked with yet, or ones I genuinely listen to in my own time…people I actually f*ck with.”
She went on to name one artist she’s hoping to collaborate with: Doechii.
When fans asked in the comments, Megan didn’t hesitate. “I love Doechii, b*tch. I do wanna do a song with Doechii. That is on my album wishlist.”
With a new restaurant on the way and fresh music heating up, Megan Thee Stallion is setting the tone for a major summer, one track, and one drumstick, at a time.
Kim Kardashian Paris Robbery Suspect Dies Before Trial
A suspect in Kim Kardashian’s 2016 robbery has died. As the trial of the Kardashians star’s alleged assailants began in a Paris courtroom April 28, the court confirmed one of the defendants in the case had passed away, according to The New York Times.
Additionally, another suspect was determined in court to be too ill to stand trial, according to the outlet.
Meanwhile, 10 other suspects—part of what the French media has dubbed The Grandpa Gang due to their advanced age at the time of the heist—face charges of robbery and kidnapping in connection to the incident, where the reality star was gagged, bound and placed in the bathroom of her hotel room while robbers stole millions of dollars’ worth of jewelry, according to NBC News.
The trial is set to run through May 23, with Kim, 44, set to take the stand May 13. Her attorney, Michael Rhodes, told NBC News his client has “tremendous appreciation and admiration for the French judicial system,” adding that she “has been treated with great respect by the French authorities.”
“They're going to shoot me in the back,” Kim described thinking as she discussed the incident with her sisters Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian. “There's no way out. It makes me so upset to think about it.”
In the years since the robbery, Kim has also discussed the long-term impact of surviving the traumatic ordeal.
“[My therapist] was like, ‘You think calm is your superpower. I think you are so desensitized from trauma that you literally are frozen in fight or flight,’” she said during an episode of The Kardashians in 2024. “So then she was like, ‘One time in life something happened, and you remained calm, and that worked for you. So you will always choose calm.’”
But in a confessional interview, Kim—who noted that her subdued demeanor “saved [her] life”—wondered whether she had adopted the mantra too fully
“I think I’ve let it get too calm to where people could take advantage of my calmness,” she pondered, “or I'm just turning into a full robot with no emotion.”
While Rhodes noted that the entrepreneur was “reserving her testimony for the court and jury,” she previously shared her recollection of the crime during a 2017 episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
“They're going to shoot me in the back,” Kim described thinking as she discussed the incident with her sisters Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian. “There's no way out. It makes me so upset to think about it.”
In the years since the robbery, Kim has also discussed the long-term impact of surviving the traumatic ordeal.
“[My therapist] was like, ‘You think calm is your superpower. I think you are so desensitized from trauma that you literally are frozen in fight or flight,’” she said during an episode of The Kardashians in 2024. “So then she was like, ‘One time in life something happened, and you remained calm, and that worked for you. So you will always choose calm.’”
But in a confessional interview, Kim—who noted that her subdued demeanor “saved [her] life”—wondered whether she had adopted the mantra too fully.
“I think I’ve let it get too calm to where people could take advantage of my calmness,” she pondered, “or I'm just turning into a full robot with no emotion.”
A suspect in Kim Kardashian’s 2016 robbery has died. As the trial of the Kardashians star’s alleged assailants began in a Paris courtroom April 28, the court confirmed one of the defendants in the case had passed away, according to The New York Times.
Additionally, another suspect was determined in court to be too ill to stand trial, according to the outlet.
Meanwhile, 10 other suspects—part of what the French media has dubbed The Grandpa Gang due to their advanced age at the time of the heist—face charges of robbery and kidnapping in connection to the incident, where the reality star was gagged, bound and placed in the bathroom of her hotel room while robbers stole millions of dollars’ worth of jewelry, according to NBC News.
The trial is set to run through May 23, with Kim, 44, set to take the stand May 13. Her attorney, Michael Rhodes, told NBC News his client has “tremendous appreciation and admiration for the French judicial system,” adding that she “has been treated with great respect by the French authorities.”
“They're going to shoot me in the back,” Kim described thinking as she discussed the incident with her sisters Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian. “There's no way out. It makes me so upset to think about it.”
In the years since the robbery, Kim has also discussed the long-term impact of surviving the traumatic ordeal.
“[My therapist] was like, ‘You think calm is your superpower. I think you are so desensitized from trauma that you literally are frozen in fight or flight,’” she said during an episode of The Kardashians in 2024. “So then she was like, ‘One time in life something happened, and you remained calm, and that worked for you. So you will always choose calm.’”
But in a confessional interview, Kim—who noted that her subdued demeanor “saved [her] life”—wondered whether she had adopted the mantra too fully
“I think I’ve let it get too calm to where people could take advantage of my calmness,” she pondered, “or I'm just turning into a full robot with no emotion.”
While Rhodes noted that the entrepreneur was “reserving her testimony for the court and jury,” she previously shared her recollection of the crime during a 2017 episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
“They're going to shoot me in the back,” Kim described thinking as she discussed the incident with her sisters Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian. “There's no way out. It makes me so upset to think about it.”
In the years since the robbery, Kim has also discussed the long-term impact of surviving the traumatic ordeal.
“[My therapist] was like, ‘You think calm is your superpower. I think you are so desensitized from trauma that you literally are frozen in fight or flight,’” she said during an episode of The Kardashians in 2024. “So then she was like, ‘One time in life something happened, and you remained calm, and that worked for you. So you will always choose calm.’”
But in a confessional interview, Kim—who noted that her subdued demeanor “saved [her] life”—wondered whether she had adopted the mantra too fully.
“I think I’ve let it get too calm to where people could take advantage of my calmness,” she pondered, “or I'm just turning into a full robot with no emotion.”
Brian McKnight Sues Jaguar Wright Over Claim He Abused Ex-Wife And Prostitutes
Brian McKnight has filed a lawsuit against fellow R&B singer Jaguar Wright over claims she allegedly made regarding his past relationship with ex-wife, Julie McKnight.
Within documents obtained by TMZ, McKnight claims that Wright defamed him by saying he was abusive towards ex-wife Julie, whom Wright claims is her cousin. The “Back At One” artist claims he never abused his former partner and says he was unaware of Wright’s alleged relation to is ex.
McKnight adds allegations that Wright claimed on social media that he hired prostitues only to physically assault them during sexual encounters, another claim the songwriter denies.
The crooner believes Wright knowingly shared these “lies” with the public, and is therefore suing for defamation, seeking unspecified damages
In recent years, Wright has become known for her celebrity-centered tales that often find her accusing these stars of heinous acts, notably claiming on a 2024 episode of Piers Morgan’s show Uncensored that JAY-Z and BeyoncΓ© are a “nasty little couple” who have “held people against their will,” and “put people on planes while they’re unconscious.”
“I’ve talked to hundreds [of victims] that I deal with still myself. I have three victims right now who are willing to give testimonies about not only what Mr. Carter has done to them, but his wife as well,” she said at the time.
While the Carters didn’t sue, they did have their legal reps reach out to Morgan and request that her “totally false claims” be removed from the interview.
“Well, Jaguar, unexpectedly, made several serious allegations about Jay-Z and BeyoncΓ© during that interview,” Morgan shared with his audience. “As I said in the moment, they were not present to respond or defend themselves, but now they have. We had lawyers contact us to say that those claims were totally false and have no basis in fact, and we’ve therefore complied with a legal request to cut them from the original interview.”
“Editing interviews is not something we do lightly at a show called Uncensored,” he added, “but like the proverbial cries of fire in a crowded theater, there are legal limits on us, too. And we apologize to Jay-Z and BeyoncΓ©.”
Within documents obtained by TMZ, McKnight claims that Wright defamed him by saying he was abusive towards ex-wife Julie, whom Wright claims is her cousin. The “Back At One” artist claims he never abused his former partner and says he was unaware of Wright’s alleged relation to is ex.
McKnight adds allegations that Wright claimed on social media that he hired prostitues only to physically assault them during sexual encounters, another claim the songwriter denies.
The crooner believes Wright knowingly shared these “lies” with the public, and is therefore suing for defamation, seeking unspecified damages
In recent years, Wright has become known for her celebrity-centered tales that often find her accusing these stars of heinous acts, notably claiming on a 2024 episode of Piers Morgan’s show Uncensored that JAY-Z and BeyoncΓ© are a “nasty little couple” who have “held people against their will,” and “put people on planes while they’re unconscious.”
“I’ve talked to hundreds [of victims] that I deal with still myself. I have three victims right now who are willing to give testimonies about not only what Mr. Carter has done to them, but his wife as well,” she said at the time.
While the Carters didn’t sue, they did have their legal reps reach out to Morgan and request that her “totally false claims” be removed from the interview.
“Well, Jaguar, unexpectedly, made several serious allegations about Jay-Z and BeyoncΓ© during that interview,” Morgan shared with his audience. “As I said in the moment, they were not present to respond or defend themselves, but now they have. We had lawyers contact us to say that those claims were totally false and have no basis in fact, and we’ve therefore complied with a legal request to cut them from the original interview.”
“Editing interviews is not something we do lightly at a show called Uncensored,” he added, “but like the proverbial cries of fire in a crowded theater, there are legal limits on us, too. And we apologize to Jay-Z and BeyoncΓ©.”
UPS to Cut 20,000 Jobs and Close 70+ Facilities as It Scales Back Amazon Deliveries
UPS is making some big changes this year, and it starts with cutting about 20,000 jobs and shutting down over 70 buildings across the country. The company announced this move as it significantly reduces the number of packages it handles for Amazon.
By the end of June, UPS says it will close 73 of its facilities—some owned, some leased—and more closures could be coming as the company continues to review its operations.
The major shift comes after UPS reassessed its decades-long relationship with Amazon. While the e-commerce giant is UPS’s biggest customer, company leadership says it’s not the most profitable one. In fact, UPS CEO Carol TomΓ© revealed earlier this year that Amazon’s business was actually dragging down profits in their U.S. domestic division.
UPS is making some big changes this year, and it starts with cutting about 20,000 jobs and shutting down over 70 buildings across the country. The company announced this move as it significantly reduces the number of packages it handles for Amazon.
By the end of June, UPS says it will close 73 of its facilities—some owned, some leased—and more closures could be coming as the company continues to review its operations.
The major shift comes after UPS reassessed its decades-long relationship with Amazon. While the e-commerce giant is UPS’s biggest customer, company leadership says it’s not the most profitable one. In fact, UPS CEO Carol TomΓ© revealed earlier this year that Amazon’s business was actually dragging down profits in their U.S. domestic division.
Instead of renewing the same level of service, UPS decided it was time to cut back on the volume of Amazon packages it handles. The company hopes this move will help streamline operations and boost profit margins, even if it means a smaller workforce and fewer facilities.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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