#FASHIONFAB: The DAME! Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka at the COLORS OF TIME Premiere
We do so love it when Dame Helen remembers that, around these parts, she’s known as the Queen of the sovereign nation of Fabulosita. Her Majesty ditched the Sicilian widow’s weeds that Dolce & Gabbana keep shoving her into and opted to get in touch with her regal side on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet.
We do so love it when Dame Helen remembers that, around these parts, she’s known as the Queen of the sovereign nation of Fabulosita. Her Majesty ditched the Sicilian widow’s weeds that Dolce & Gabbana keep shoving her into and opted to get in touch with her regal side on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet.
She looks DIVINE!
BREAKING: Former US Rep. Charles Rangel, who spent nearly 50 years representing New York, has died
Former U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, an outspoken, gravel-voiced Harlem Democrat who spent nearly five decades on Capitol Hill and was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, died Monday at age 94.
His family confirmed the death in a statement provided by City College of New York spokesperson Michelle Stent. He died at a hospital in New York, Stent said.
A veteran of the Korean War, he defeated legendary Harlem politician Adam Clayton Powell in 1970 to start his congressional career. During the next 40-plus years, he became a legend himself as dean of the New York congressional delegation and, in 2007, the first African American to chair the powerful Ways and Means Committee.
He stepped down from that committee amid an ethics cloud, and the House censured him in 2010. But he continued to serve in Congress until his retirement in 2017.
Rangel was the last surviving member of the Gang of Four — African American political figures who wielded great power in New York City and state politics. The others were David Dinkins, New York City’s first Black mayor; Percy Sutton, who was Manhattan Borough president; and Basil Paterson, a deputy mayor and New York secretary of state.
“Charlie was a true activist — we’ve marched together, been arrested together and painted crack houses together,” the Rev. Al Sharpton, leader of the National Action Network, said in a statement, noting that he met Rangel as a teenager.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a statement calling Rangel “a patriot, hero, statesman, leader, trailblazer, change agent and champion for justice who made his beloved Harlem, the City of New York and the United States of America a better place for all."
His family confirmed the death in a statement provided by City College of New York spokesperson Michelle Stent. He died at a hospital in New York, Stent said.
A veteran of the Korean War, he defeated legendary Harlem politician Adam Clayton Powell in 1970 to start his congressional career. During the next 40-plus years, he became a legend himself as dean of the New York congressional delegation and, in 2007, the first African American to chair the powerful Ways and Means Committee.
He stepped down from that committee amid an ethics cloud, and the House censured him in 2010. But he continued to serve in Congress until his retirement in 2017.
Rangel was the last surviving member of the Gang of Four — African American political figures who wielded great power in New York City and state politics. The others were David Dinkins, New York City’s first Black mayor; Percy Sutton, who was Manhattan Borough president; and Basil Paterson, a deputy mayor and New York secretary of state.
“Charlie was a true activist — we’ve marched together, been arrested together and painted crack houses together,” the Rev. Al Sharpton, leader of the National Action Network, said in a statement, noting that he met Rangel as a teenager.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a statement calling Rangel “a patriot, hero, statesman, leader, trailblazer, change agent and champion for justice who made his beloved Harlem, the City of New York and the United States of America a better place for all."
Few could forget Rangel after hearing him talk. His distinctive gravel-toned voice and wry sense of humor were a memorable mix.
That voice — one of the most liberal in the House — was loudest in opposition to the Iraq War, which he branded a “death tax” on poor people and minorities. In 2004, he tried to end the war by offering a bill to restart the military service draft. Republicans called his bluff and brought the bill to a vote. Even Rangel voted against it.
A year later, Rangel’s fight over the war became bitterly personal with then-Vice President Dick Cheney.
“I would like to believe he’s sick rather than just mean and evil,” Rangel said. After several such verbal jabs, Cheney hit back, saying Rangel was “losing it.”
The charismatic Harlem lawmaker rarely backed down from a fight after he first entered the House in 1971 as a dragon slayer of sorts, having unseated Powell in the Democratic congressional primary in 1970. The flamboyant elder Powell, a city political icon first elected to the House in 1944, was ill and haunted by scandal at the time.
In 1987, Congress approved what was known as the “Rangel amendment," which denied foreign tax credits to U.S. companies investing in apartheid-era South Africa.
The House censured him over ethics violations
Rangel became leader of the main tax-writing committee of the House, which has jurisdiction over programs including Social Security and Medicare, after the 2006 midterm elections when Democrats ended 12 years of Republican control of the chamber. But in 2010, a House ethics committee conducted a hearing on 13 counts of alleged financial and fundraising misconduct over issues surrounding financial disclosures and use of congressional resources.
He was convicted of 11 ethics violations. The House found he had failed to pay taxes on a vacation villa, filed misleading financial disclosure forms and improperly solicited donations for a college center from corporations with business before his committee.
The House followed the ethics committee’s recommendation that he be censured, the most serious punishment short of expulsion.
Rangel looked after his constituents, sponsoring empowerment zones with tax credits for businesses moving into economically depressed areas and developers of low income housing.
“I have always been committed to fighting for the little guy,” Rangel said in 2012.
Rangel was born June 11, 1930. During the Korean War, he earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He would always say that he measured his days, even the troubled ones around the ethics scandal, against the time in 1950 when he survived being wounded as other soldiers didn’t make it.
It became the title of his autobiography: “And I Haven’t Had A Bad Day Since.”
#RHOA: Phaedra Parks Says RHOA Firing 'Was Not My Best Moment' as She Returns to Franchise After 8 Years and Shades New Costars
There’s no place like home! Phaedra Parks made her return to The Real Housewives of Atlanta on Sunday, May 25, to take over Kenya Moore’s peach following her mid-season departure. None other than Porsha Williams stepped in to welcome Phaedra into the group after an eight-year break from the franchise.
“I heard you were looking for me. Here y’all go,” Phaedra, 51, declared. “I'm back where I belong. Baby, I am home.”
The attorney, who appeared on RHOA for seven seasons prior, was fired in 2017 when she admitted to spreading rumors that former Housewife Kandi Burruss and her husband Todd Tucker, who have consistently and vehemently denied the claims, allegedly planned to drug Porsha and Shamea Morton to take advantage of them sexually.
“Unfortunately, the last time you saw me wasn't my best moment,” Phaedra acknowledged in her confessional, although she went on to hint that she was not entirely to blame. “Now, we know I regret how I left the group, but he who is without fault cast the first stone.”
Since her exit, Phaedra and Porsha, 43, have made amends. In fact, Porsha said that once she went through her “healing process,” she hasn’t even thought about their fallout
“My relationship with Porsha is awesome,” Phaedra revealed. “We have had our ups and downs, but we've always maintained that friendship. When there is a true friendship, no matter what you go through, it can never be broken, and it's just like riding a bicycle. When we get together, we are rolling.”
“Wonder Twins, activate,” she added, referring to their old nickname.
As Porsha began to break down the dynamic of the group, Phaedra didn’t waste any time before throwing shade. After comparing Kelli Ferrell to a “garden gnome” for being “so tiny,” Phaedra took a jab at Brit Eady.
“Brit’s been a girl about town,” she said. “She’s a woman about the city. And countries, too. You know, she’s got more bodies than Willie, they say.”
Porsha, shocked at Phaedra’s comparison of Brit to Georgia mortician Willie Watkins, couldn’t contain her laughter. “Brit Eady, she’s been known to have a few suitors, but now she's a married woman,” Phaedra elaborated. “Hey, somebody wifed her up. So that chicken pot pie must be good and creamy.”
With nothing but good things to say about Shamea, the ladies moved on to discussing Drew Sidora, who has been in hot water after being accused of trying to sleep with Porsha’s ex-husband, Dennis McKinley.
“You know she’s working with my child's father?” Porsha asked Phaedra, who questioned, “They’re selling hot dogs?”
Porsha, however, clarified that it wasn’t Dennis’ food business the two were allegedly collaborating on. “Apparently they said she was sitting on the hot dog,” Porsha joked, insinuating they were having sex.
Phaedra then suggested that she thought Drew was romantically interested in women, but quipped, “On the streets, the people in Atlanta are very curious.”
As for Angela Oakley, Phaedra claimed she didn’t even know her husband of 10 years, Charles Oakley, was married. “This is the ki-ki I needed!” Porsha laughed before calling Kelli, who invited Phaedra on their upcoming girls’ trip to Granada, Spain.
At the end of the episode, Phaedra expressed her excitement to be back on the show, taking one last opportunity to take a dig at her new friend group. She referred to Kelli as “strawberry shortcake on steroids,” Drew as “the very fluid friend, Drew-zilla,” Brit as “the woman of our town,” and Angela as “the secret wife of Charles Oakley.”
“I cannot wait to dive in and have some fun,” Phaedra concluded. “Ooh, so delicious, like a buffet of foolishness."
“I heard you were looking for me. Here y’all go,” Phaedra, 51, declared. “I'm back where I belong. Baby, I am home.”
The attorney, who appeared on RHOA for seven seasons prior, was fired in 2017 when she admitted to spreading rumors that former Housewife Kandi Burruss and her husband Todd Tucker, who have consistently and vehemently denied the claims, allegedly planned to drug Porsha and Shamea Morton to take advantage of them sexually.
“Unfortunately, the last time you saw me wasn't my best moment,” Phaedra acknowledged in her confessional, although she went on to hint that she was not entirely to blame. “Now, we know I regret how I left the group, but he who is without fault cast the first stone.”
Since her exit, Phaedra and Porsha, 43, have made amends. In fact, Porsha said that once she went through her “healing process,” she hasn’t even thought about their fallout
“My relationship with Porsha is awesome,” Phaedra revealed. “We have had our ups and downs, but we've always maintained that friendship. When there is a true friendship, no matter what you go through, it can never be broken, and it's just like riding a bicycle. When we get together, we are rolling.”
“Wonder Twins, activate,” she added, referring to their old nickname.
As Porsha began to break down the dynamic of the group, Phaedra didn’t waste any time before throwing shade. After comparing Kelli Ferrell to a “garden gnome” for being “so tiny,” Phaedra took a jab at Brit Eady.
“Brit’s been a girl about town,” she said. “She’s a woman about the city. And countries, too. You know, she’s got more bodies than Willie, they say.”
Porsha, shocked at Phaedra’s comparison of Brit to Georgia mortician Willie Watkins, couldn’t contain her laughter. “Brit Eady, she’s been known to have a few suitors, but now she's a married woman,” Phaedra elaborated. “Hey, somebody wifed her up. So that chicken pot pie must be good and creamy.”
With nothing but good things to say about Shamea, the ladies moved on to discussing Drew Sidora, who has been in hot water after being accused of trying to sleep with Porsha’s ex-husband, Dennis McKinley.
“You know she’s working with my child's father?” Porsha asked Phaedra, who questioned, “They’re selling hot dogs?”
Porsha, however, clarified that it wasn’t Dennis’ food business the two were allegedly collaborating on. “Apparently they said she was sitting on the hot dog,” Porsha joked, insinuating they were having sex.
Phaedra then suggested that she thought Drew was romantically interested in women, but quipped, “On the streets, the people in Atlanta are very curious.”
As for Angela Oakley, Phaedra claimed she didn’t even know her husband of 10 years, Charles Oakley, was married. “This is the ki-ki I needed!” Porsha laughed before calling Kelli, who invited Phaedra on their upcoming girls’ trip to Granada, Spain.
At the end of the episode, Phaedra expressed her excitement to be back on the show, taking one last opportunity to take a dig at her new friend group. She referred to Kelli as “strawberry shortcake on steroids,” Drew as “the very fluid friend, Drew-zilla,” Brit as “the woman of our town,” and Angela as “the secret wife of Charles Oakley.”
“I cannot wait to dive in and have some fun,” Phaedra concluded. “Ooh, so delicious, like a buffet of foolishness."
#MusicNews: Mariah Carey to release ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’ 20th anniversary expanded edition
Mariah Carey‘s hit album The Emancipation of Mimi will celebrate it’s 20th anniversary this year and Carey has announced several releases to celebrate the milestone.
A post on Instagram reads: Happy “Mimi” Anniversary!! I’m excited to celebrate this one with you While working on #Mimi20, I got to relive all the memories from this pivotal moment in my personal and professional life. This album has some of my biggest hits to date, as well as some personal favorites that are very special to me. Let me know what your favorite Mimi lyric is and stay tuned for more surprises yet to come! Love, MC
Carey has personally compiled a collection of songs from Emancipation into a five-LP vinyl box set arriving May 30, featuring the original tracklist of hits including “It’s Like That,” “We Belong Together,” “Shake It Off,” “Say Somethin,’” “Fly Like a Bird” and “Get Your Number.” The special edition will also house dozens of bonus tracks, past remixes and collaborations with other artists, instrumentals, a capella takes, live recordings and more. There’s also a brand-new remix of “Don’t Forget About Us” by Kaytranada, which is out now, and a 28-page booklet that includes a personal letter from Mimi.
Mariah shared in a statement, “While working on this edition, I got to relive all the memories from this pivotal moment in my personal and professional life. This album has some of my biggest hits to date, as well as some personal favorites that are very special to me. Forgotten gems, unreleased bonus tracks and different remixes with incredible collaborators – all of these and more are now available in one place for the first time ever!”
A deluxe two-LP vinyl version will also be released, as well as an extended digital deluxe edition, with a selection of songs from the box set; both will be released May 30.
To pre-order, head HERE. https://mariahcarey.com/
Mariah Carey‘s hit album The Emancipation of Mimi will celebrate it’s 20th anniversary this year and Carey has announced several releases to celebrate the milestone.
A post on Instagram reads: Happy “Mimi” Anniversary!! I’m excited to celebrate this one with you While working on #Mimi20, I got to relive all the memories from this pivotal moment in my personal and professional life. This album has some of my biggest hits to date, as well as some personal favorites that are very special to me. Let me know what your favorite Mimi lyric is and stay tuned for more surprises yet to come! Love, MC
Carey has personally compiled a collection of songs from Emancipation into a five-LP vinyl box set arriving May 30, featuring the original tracklist of hits including “It’s Like That,” “We Belong Together,” “Shake It Off,” “Say Somethin,’” “Fly Like a Bird” and “Get Your Number.” The special edition will also house dozens of bonus tracks, past remixes and collaborations with other artists, instrumentals, a capella takes, live recordings and more. There’s also a brand-new remix of “Don’t Forget About Us” by Kaytranada, which is out now, and a 28-page booklet that includes a personal letter from Mimi.
Mariah shared in a statement, “While working on this edition, I got to relive all the memories from this pivotal moment in my personal and professional life. This album has some of my biggest hits to date, as well as some personal favorites that are very special to me. Forgotten gems, unreleased bonus tracks and different remixes with incredible collaborators – all of these and more are now available in one place for the first time ever!”
A deluxe two-LP vinyl version will also be released, as well as an extended digital deluxe edition, with a selection of songs from the box set; both will be released May 30.
To pre-order, head HERE. https://mariahcarey.com/
#HipHopNews: Questlove Thought Kendrick Lamar Was Dissing The Roots On 'squabble Up'
Questlove has admitted that he initially thought that Kendrick Lamar was dissing him and The Roots in his “Squabble Up” video.
Speaking on The Jennifer Hudson Show, the legendary drummer detailed his reaction to the video which contained an homage to The Roots’ “The Next Movement” clip.
He said: “I was so shocked because the way that people told me — I woke up to 30 K. Dot texts. I thought, ‘Oh no.’ He just dissed us. I thought it was something else. And they were like, ‘No, he paid tribute to y’all in this video.’”
Quest went on to say that he appreciated the reference: “It’s an honor, but it’s also a surprise when you see people acknowledging you after all this time.”
Questlove had previously spoken out about Kendrick Lamar’s feud with Drake, criticizing both men for their conduct in the beef.
“Nobody won the war,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “This wasn’t about skill. This was a wrestling match level mudslinging and takedown by any means necessary — women & children (& actual facts) be damned.
“Same audience wanting blood will soon put up ‘rip’ posts like they weren’t part of the problem. Hip Hop truly is dead.”
TDE boss Punch acknowledged that they had “seen” Questlove’s comments about the feud but there does not appear to be any lingering bad blood between the two camps.
Alongside a screenshot of a viral tweet highlighting the similarities between “squabble up” and “The Next Movement,” he wrote: “Damn now we GOTTA FINISH THIS LP huh? We back BABY!”
Quest followed up with a separate Instagram post thanking Kendrick and further confirming that a new Roots project is happening.
After recounting a “surreal” encounter with a fan in Germany, the drummer wrote: “My number one love is the music I create in @TheRoots — that is the fuel to my fire & sometimes if you love something you must set it free. Then if it returns to you it’s real.
“That said I wanna thank @kendricklamar for acknowledging something I thought noone saw or cared about. Feeling seen is a great feeling and I dont take it for granted. Yup, new album still coming lol.”
Speaking on The Jennifer Hudson Show, the legendary drummer detailed his reaction to the video which contained an homage to The Roots’ “The Next Movement” clip.
He said: “I was so shocked because the way that people told me — I woke up to 30 K. Dot texts. I thought, ‘Oh no.’ He just dissed us. I thought it was something else. And they were like, ‘No, he paid tribute to y’all in this video.’”
Quest went on to say that he appreciated the reference: “It’s an honor, but it’s also a surprise when you see people acknowledging you after all this time.”
Questlove had previously spoken out about Kendrick Lamar’s feud with Drake, criticizing both men for their conduct in the beef.
“Nobody won the war,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “This wasn’t about skill. This was a wrestling match level mudslinging and takedown by any means necessary — women & children (& actual facts) be damned.
“Same audience wanting blood will soon put up ‘rip’ posts like they weren’t part of the problem. Hip Hop truly is dead.”
TDE boss Punch acknowledged that they had “seen” Questlove’s comments about the feud but there does not appear to be any lingering bad blood between the two camps.
Alongside a screenshot of a viral tweet highlighting the similarities between “squabble up” and “The Next Movement,” he wrote: “Damn now we GOTTA FINISH THIS LP huh? We back BABY!”
Quest followed up with a separate Instagram post thanking Kendrick and further confirming that a new Roots project is happening.
After recounting a “surreal” encounter with a fan in Germany, the drummer wrote: “My number one love is the music I create in @TheRoots — that is the fuel to my fire & sometimes if you love something you must set it free. Then if it returns to you it’s real.
“That said I wanna thank @kendricklamar for acknowledging something I thought noone saw or cared about. Feeling seen is a great feeling and I dont take it for granted. Yup, new album still coming lol.”
Danity Kane’s Dawn Richard Denies Drugging Her Ex & Day 26 Member Que: ‘I Have Never Drugged Anyone’
Dawn Richard is shutting down allegations made by her ex and former Day 26 member, Que.
In a post and delete, the Danity Kane singer appeared to respond to Que’s recent claim that she gave him a pill back in the day, allegedly at Diddy’s request.
She wrote,“I want to be unequivocally clear: I have never drugged anyone, nor have I ever given anyone pills to take. The suggestion that I did so is categorically false. If such a belief were genuine, it would be inconsistent with the actions that followed.”
Que shared the allegation during his appearance on Aubrey O’Day’s podcast. He described a disturbing night at Diddy’s Hamptons estate, where he claimed he took a pill (horse tranquilizer) from Dawn, reportedly passed down from Diddy. He said his body heated up, he blacked out, and later woke up screaming in the bed of Diddy’s twin daughters.
If you recall, Dawn and Que met while filming Making the Band and dated for five years.
Dawn Richard is shutting down allegations made by her ex and former Day 26 member, Que.
In a post and delete, the Danity Kane singer appeared to respond to Que’s recent claim that she gave him a pill back in the day, allegedly at Diddy’s request.
She wrote,“I want to be unequivocally clear: I have never drugged anyone, nor have I ever given anyone pills to take. The suggestion that I did so is categorically false. If such a belief were genuine, it would be inconsistent with the actions that followed.”
Que shared the allegation during his appearance on Aubrey O’Day’s podcast. He described a disturbing night at Diddy’s Hamptons estate, where he claimed he took a pill (horse tranquilizer) from Dawn, reportedly passed down from Diddy. He said his body heated up, he blacked out, and later woke up screaming in the bed of Diddy’s twin daughters.
If you recall, Dawn and Que met while filming Making the Band and dated for five years.
Memorial Day Box Office Record Bonanza! ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Debuts to Massive $183 Million, ‘Mission: Impossible’ rakes in $77 Million
Movie theaters across the country were jamming as “Lilo & Stitch” and Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” fueled the largest Memorial Day holiday in history — and established several other benchmarks in the process.
Families turned out in force for Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch” remake, which collected a blockbuster $145.5 million in its opening weekend and an estimated $183 million through Monday. Those ticket sales defied projections and cemented a Memorial Day opening weekend record, overtaking a different Cruise tentpole, 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” with $126 million over the weekend and $160 million through the four days. “Lilo & Stitch” also secured the second-largest start across any four-day holiday weekend, behind only 2018’s “Black Panther,” which amassed $242 million over Presidents’ Day.
Meanwhile, older audiences showed up to watch Paramount and Skydance’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” which earned a series-best $63 million over the weekend and an estimated $77 million through Monday’s holiday. This eighth installment just narrowly beat 2018’s “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” ($61 million) to score the top debut of the 29-year-old franchise.
“A record opening on the eighth iteration is remarkable. It speaks to the longevity of the franchise,” says Paramount’s distribution chief Chris Aronson. “The spectacle of what Tom and McQ [director Christopher McQuarrie] put on screen is one-of-a-kind in today’s marketplace.”
Thanks to effective counterprogramming — and a huge assist by holdovers like “Final Destination Bloodlines,” “Thunderbolts*” and “Sinners” — this weekend delivered the best collective Memorial Day weekend haul with $322 million across all films. It’s been more than a decade since this many people went to the movies over the holiday frame; the prior record was established in 2013 with $314 million across all films, led by “Fast & Furious 6,” “The Hangover Part III” and “Star Trek Into Darkness.”
Cinema operators are rejoicing because Memorial Day is the official launch to summer movie season, which is the most profitable stretch for the movie business. (Historically, the four-month period has accounted for $4 billion, or around 40% of the annual box office.) It’s a huge improvement from last year, which started with a whimper rather than a bang as “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “Garfield” led the holiday’s worst showing in three decades with $132 million collectively.
“Every film on the release calendar for the rest of the summer is going to benefit from the momentum created over this monumental record-breaking Memorial weekend in theaters,” says senior Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian. “Last year’s abysmal Memorial frame took the wind out of the sails of the industry that took many weeks to counteract, and this year we don’t have that problem.”
“Lilo & Stitch” also ignited to $158.7 million at the international box office for a staggering $341.7 million global start. Disney spent $100 million to produce and another $100 million on marketing efforts for the kid friendly adventure about a chaotic alien who crash-lands in Hawaii and gets adopted by a young girl and her older sister. Dean Fleischer Camp directed the film, which is benefiting from generation-spanning appeal a short two decades after the original 2002 animated film.
“Lilo & Stitch” ranks as one of the top debuts for Disney’s live-action remakes, just behind 2019’s “The Lion King” ($191 million over three days) and 2017’s “Beauty and the Beast” ($174 million over three days). It’s an encouraging reversal for Disney after March’s “Snow White” remake had flatlined with $204 million globally against a $250 million budget. That’s right — “Lilo & Stitch” earned more in four days than “Snow White” did during its entire box office run. It helps that “Lilo & Stitch” was embraced by moviegoers with an “A” grade on CinemaScore exit polls.
“This is a sensational opening,” says David A. Gross of movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research of the “Lilo & Stitch” reboot. “It’s a crowd-pleaser, and the audience score is outstanding.”
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” added another $127 million overseas for a worldwide start of $190 million. Paramount began rolling out the film internationally a week ago and folded those grosses into this initial number. It’s a muscular start for the action epic, which requires an equally epic box office run to justify its eye-popping budget. “The Final Reckoning” is one of the most expensive films of all time. It cost a staggering $400 million, a figure that skyrocketed as Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie worked through a pandemic and two strikes, all while grappling with inflation. So the tentpole needs to become the highest-grossing of the series — that’s currently “Fallout” with $791 million worldwide — to climb out of the red.
Reviews aren’t as strong as its predecessor, 2023’s “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” which fell short of box office expectations in the wake of “Barbenheimer.” However, “The Final Reckoning” has been embraced with an “A-” grade on CinemaScore. The story, which features plenty of death-defying stunts from the 62-year-old Cruise, picks up as spy operative Ethan Hunt continues his race against time to find a rogue artificial intelligence known as the Entity.
“With this opening, and with excellent business overseas, ‘The Final Reckoning’ is going to make a lot of money,” Gross says. “But the costs are enormous, and it’ll be lucky to break-even. The delays were uncontrollable and unfortunate.”
In a distant third place, “Final Destination Bloodlines” earned a huge $19 million over the weekend and an estimated $24.5 million through Monday. The sixth installment in Warner Bros. and New Line’s long-running horror property, in which people die in increasingly insane incidents, has generated a healthy $94.6 million in North America and $187 million worldwide after just two weekends.
At No. 4, “Thunderbolts” brought in $9.5 million over the weekend and an estimated $12 million through Monday. Disney and Marvel’s comic book adventure has grossed $171 million domestically and $353 million globally after four weeks in theaters. Because theater owners get to keep half of ticket sales, “Thunderbolts” will struggle at this rate to turn a profit theatrically against its $180 million production budget.
“Sinners” rounded out the top five with $9.1 million over the weekend and an estimated $11.2 million through Monday. The Warner Bros. R-rated vampire thriller has been a box office juggernaut with $339 million globally, including $259 million domestically and $80 million internationally.
Meanwhile “Minecraft,” another Warner Bros. blockbuster, looks like it’ll fall just short of the $1 billion mark as the PG video game adaptation slows down with a remarkable $940 million globally after two months of release. It’s currently the biggest Hollywood movie of the year — though “Lilo & Stitch” could be coming for its box office crown.
Families turned out in force for Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch” remake, which collected a blockbuster $145.5 million in its opening weekend and an estimated $183 million through Monday. Those ticket sales defied projections and cemented a Memorial Day opening weekend record, overtaking a different Cruise tentpole, 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” with $126 million over the weekend and $160 million through the four days. “Lilo & Stitch” also secured the second-largest start across any four-day holiday weekend, behind only 2018’s “Black Panther,” which amassed $242 million over Presidents’ Day.
Meanwhile, older audiences showed up to watch Paramount and Skydance’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” which earned a series-best $63 million over the weekend and an estimated $77 million through Monday’s holiday. This eighth installment just narrowly beat 2018’s “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” ($61 million) to score the top debut of the 29-year-old franchise.
“A record opening on the eighth iteration is remarkable. It speaks to the longevity of the franchise,” says Paramount’s distribution chief Chris Aronson. “The spectacle of what Tom and McQ [director Christopher McQuarrie] put on screen is one-of-a-kind in today’s marketplace.”
Thanks to effective counterprogramming — and a huge assist by holdovers like “Final Destination Bloodlines,” “Thunderbolts*” and “Sinners” — this weekend delivered the best collective Memorial Day weekend haul with $322 million across all films. It’s been more than a decade since this many people went to the movies over the holiday frame; the prior record was established in 2013 with $314 million across all films, led by “Fast & Furious 6,” “The Hangover Part III” and “Star Trek Into Darkness.”
Cinema operators are rejoicing because Memorial Day is the official launch to summer movie season, which is the most profitable stretch for the movie business. (Historically, the four-month period has accounted for $4 billion, or around 40% of the annual box office.) It’s a huge improvement from last year, which started with a whimper rather than a bang as “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “Garfield” led the holiday’s worst showing in three decades with $132 million collectively.
“Every film on the release calendar for the rest of the summer is going to benefit from the momentum created over this monumental record-breaking Memorial weekend in theaters,” says senior Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian. “Last year’s abysmal Memorial frame took the wind out of the sails of the industry that took many weeks to counteract, and this year we don’t have that problem.”
“Lilo & Stitch” also ignited to $158.7 million at the international box office for a staggering $341.7 million global start. Disney spent $100 million to produce and another $100 million on marketing efforts for the kid friendly adventure about a chaotic alien who crash-lands in Hawaii and gets adopted by a young girl and her older sister. Dean Fleischer Camp directed the film, which is benefiting from generation-spanning appeal a short two decades after the original 2002 animated film.
“Lilo & Stitch” ranks as one of the top debuts for Disney’s live-action remakes, just behind 2019’s “The Lion King” ($191 million over three days) and 2017’s “Beauty and the Beast” ($174 million over three days). It’s an encouraging reversal for Disney after March’s “Snow White” remake had flatlined with $204 million globally against a $250 million budget. That’s right — “Lilo & Stitch” earned more in four days than “Snow White” did during its entire box office run. It helps that “Lilo & Stitch” was embraced by moviegoers with an “A” grade on CinemaScore exit polls.
“This is a sensational opening,” says David A. Gross of movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research of the “Lilo & Stitch” reboot. “It’s a crowd-pleaser, and the audience score is outstanding.”
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” added another $127 million overseas for a worldwide start of $190 million. Paramount began rolling out the film internationally a week ago and folded those grosses into this initial number. It’s a muscular start for the action epic, which requires an equally epic box office run to justify its eye-popping budget. “The Final Reckoning” is one of the most expensive films of all time. It cost a staggering $400 million, a figure that skyrocketed as Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie worked through a pandemic and two strikes, all while grappling with inflation. So the tentpole needs to become the highest-grossing of the series — that’s currently “Fallout” with $791 million worldwide — to climb out of the red.
Reviews aren’t as strong as its predecessor, 2023’s “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” which fell short of box office expectations in the wake of “Barbenheimer.” However, “The Final Reckoning” has been embraced with an “A-” grade on CinemaScore. The story, which features plenty of death-defying stunts from the 62-year-old Cruise, picks up as spy operative Ethan Hunt continues his race against time to find a rogue artificial intelligence known as the Entity.
“With this opening, and with excellent business overseas, ‘The Final Reckoning’ is going to make a lot of money,” Gross says. “But the costs are enormous, and it’ll be lucky to break-even. The delays were uncontrollable and unfortunate.”
In a distant third place, “Final Destination Bloodlines” earned a huge $19 million over the weekend and an estimated $24.5 million through Monday. The sixth installment in Warner Bros. and New Line’s long-running horror property, in which people die in increasingly insane incidents, has generated a healthy $94.6 million in North America and $187 million worldwide after just two weekends.
At No. 4, “Thunderbolts” brought in $9.5 million over the weekend and an estimated $12 million through Monday. Disney and Marvel’s comic book adventure has grossed $171 million domestically and $353 million globally after four weeks in theaters. Because theater owners get to keep half of ticket sales, “Thunderbolts” will struggle at this rate to turn a profit theatrically against its $180 million production budget.
“Sinners” rounded out the top five with $9.1 million over the weekend and an estimated $11.2 million through Monday. The Warner Bros. R-rated vampire thriller has been a box office juggernaut with $339 million globally, including $259 million domestically and $80 million internationally.
Meanwhile “Minecraft,” another Warner Bros. blockbuster, looks like it’ll fall just short of the $1 billion mark as the PG video game adaptation slows down with a remarkable $940 million globally after two months of release. It’s currently the biggest Hollywood movie of the year — though “Lilo & Stitch” could be coming for its box office crown.
Al B. Sure Called Out Over Kim Porter Claims
Two weeks ago singer / songwriter Al B. Sure went on a promo tour for his upcoming memoir, "Do You Believe Me Now?," where he implied Bad Boy Entertainment CEO, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, was to blame for his massive organ failure and Kim Porter's untimely death
Lawanda 'Lala' Lane, one of Kim Porter's closest friends and guardian for her surviving twin daughters Jesse and Delilah, says Al is way out of line and has no idea what he's talking about...
Lala tells TMZ: "Let me be very clear on Kim's passing. Nobody but her closest friends and our children were there...to speak so recklessly on stuff that you know nothing about..."
"You saw that women two months before, for an hour. You were not friends. You did not have a discussion... "
"It's wrong. It's wrong to her children. Wrong to her family...her father is still alive. It's wrong to us, her friends who have been there, and who were there, taking care of her...."
"No one expected this. For the world to take on this narrative and this craziness. What is the benefit for Sean not to have the mother of his kids..? There is no benefit!"
"She was not writing a book...she had kids who knew she was not well..."
Two weeks ago singer / songwriter Al B. Sure went on a promo tour for his upcoming memoir, "Do You Believe Me Now?," where he implied Bad Boy Entertainment CEO, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, was to blame for his massive organ failure and Kim Porter's untimely death
Lawanda 'Lala' Lane, one of Kim Porter's closest friends and guardian for her surviving twin daughters Jesse and Delilah, says Al is way out of line and has no idea what he's talking about...
Lala tells TMZ: "Let me be very clear on Kim's passing. Nobody but her closest friends and our children were there...to speak so recklessly on stuff that you know nothing about..."
"You saw that women two months before, for an hour. You were not friends. You did not have a discussion... "
"It's wrong. It's wrong to her children. Wrong to her family...her father is still alive. It's wrong to us, her friends who have been there, and who were there, taking care of her...."
"No one expected this. For the world to take on this narrative and this craziness. What is the benefit for Sean not to have the mother of his kids..? There is no benefit!"
"She was not writing a book...she had kids who knew she was not well..."
Chris Brown protected by inmates as singer's heartfelt note to one prisoner revealed
The 36-year-old American R&B artist was held at HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, after a judge denied bail in connection with a grievous bodily harm charge stemming from a 2023 nightclub incident. Despite fears he might be targeted due to his celebrity status and wealth, other inmates reportedly welcomed and protected him.
“Sometimes people will be targeted if other inmates know they have money, but they looked after him instead,” a source told The Sun. “They know he’s famous and also American, so not really aware of how prisons work over here.” With limited access to comforts inside the privately run facility, Brown reportedly stuck to basic meals and responded to nightly calls from fellow prisoners asking him to sing.
The note read: “To Dave, Thank you my brother, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me while I’ve been banged up. Keep being a good person. God sees all and he sees your heart. You’ll be home soon my bro. Cheers!!”
Brown was arrested early on May 15, at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, England, and was taken into custody the next day. He is accused of attacking music producer Abe Diaw with a bottle at London’s Tape nightclub in February 2023. Another man, U.S. citizen Omololu Akinlolu, 38, faces the same charge.
Both men are scheduled to appear at Southwark Crown Court on June 20 to enter pleas. Meanwhile, Brown has been granted permission to complete a previously scheduled 10-date U.K. tour across June and July as part of his bail conditions. He is then headed to the United States and visiting 36 cities including Miami, Boston, Atlanta, Houston, Las Vegas, Washington DC and more.
Outside the Lowry Hotel, fans gathered in hopes of catching a glimpse of the singer after his release. After he was set free, Brown took to his Instagram Story where he wrote: "FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!! BREEZE BOWL."
“Sometimes people will be targeted if other inmates know they have money, but they looked after him instead,” a source told The Sun. “They know he’s famous and also American, so not really aware of how prisons work over here.” With limited access to comforts inside the privately run facility, Brown reportedly stuck to basic meals and responded to nightly calls from fellow prisoners asking him to sing.
The note read: “To Dave, Thank you my brother, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me while I’ve been banged up. Keep being a good person. God sees all and he sees your heart. You’ll be home soon my bro. Cheers!!”
Brown was arrested early on May 15, at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, England, and was taken into custody the next day. He is accused of attacking music producer Abe Diaw with a bottle at London’s Tape nightclub in February 2023. Another man, U.S. citizen Omololu Akinlolu, 38, faces the same charge.
Both men are scheduled to appear at Southwark Crown Court on June 20 to enter pleas. Meanwhile, Brown has been granted permission to complete a previously scheduled 10-date U.K. tour across June and July as part of his bail conditions. He is then headed to the United States and visiting 36 cities including Miami, Boston, Atlanta, Houston, Las Vegas, Washington DC and more.
Outside the Lowry Hotel, fans gathered in hopes of catching a glimpse of the singer after his release. After he was set free, Brown took to his Instagram Story where he wrote: "FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!! BREEZE BOWL."
Claressa Shields Drags Nicki Minaj Into Messy Remy Ma Feud
Remy Ma and Papoose have been feuding online lately, and recently, his new boo Claressa Shields got involved.
It doesn't look like Remy Ma and Papoose's relationship drama will be coming to an end any time soon. In fact, the latter's new boo Claressa Shields recently got involved. She dragged another high-profile femcee into the mix too, making it clear that she's not dodging any smoke.
In a DM sent to Nicki Minaj, and shared on her Instagram Story, Shields invited her to her boxing match. "You Might as well come my the Fight! [sic]," she wrote, as captured by The Shade Room. "Queen of Rap!" It doesn't look like Nicki responded, but she does have a history of feuding with Remy.
During a recent stream, DJ Akademiks even suggested that the public needs to rethink their battle since Papoose alleged that he's written most of Remy's lyrics.
"If Remy Ma – which, a lot of people believe she won the battle versus Nicki Minaj," he began. "If she won the battle because of the song 'Shether,' but it was written by Papoose, that's a disqualification. I'm sorry. [...] The n***a did the Five Fingers of Death, like, the 'Alphabetical Slaughter.' This n***a Papoose been rhyming words for a living. [...] Is that fair game, though, chat? If your husband is also a great rapper and he wrote you some raps, is that ghostwritten or is that what the family said?"
Shields' latest post comes after Remy flaunted her new man, Eazy The Block Captain, on Instagram. She boasted about their romance in her caption, accusing Pap of being mad that she's happy in her current relationship.
"This is what Pawnpoose was threatening to post (and more)," she declared. "THIS WHY HE SO MAD
This why he wanna go to games and be seen cuz he THINKS it’s payback but I don’t care. He’s had photos & videos for years. HE mad that I am actually smiling & laughing again. I’m not ashamed of ANYTHING I have done."Claressa Shields Trolls Remy Ma by Inviting Nicki Minaj to Her Next Boxing Match
Over the weekend Remy Ma and her estranged husband Papoose went back and forth online over their messy break-up
Pap's girlfriend, boxer Claressa Shields, trolls Remy by inviting her arch enemy Nicki Minaj to her upcoming fight...
In a post on Instagram stories Claressa inboxes Nicki telling her "You might as well come to my fight, Queen of Rap!" using the big eyes emoji.
Remy Ma and Papoose have been feuding online lately, and recently, his new boo Claressa Shields got involved.
It doesn't look like Remy Ma and Papoose's relationship drama will be coming to an end any time soon. In fact, the latter's new boo Claressa Shields recently got involved. She dragged another high-profile femcee into the mix too, making it clear that she's not dodging any smoke.
In a DM sent to Nicki Minaj, and shared on her Instagram Story, Shields invited her to her boxing match. "You Might as well come my the Fight! [sic]," she wrote, as captured by The Shade Room. "Queen of Rap!" It doesn't look like Nicki responded, but she does have a history of feuding with Remy.
During a recent stream, DJ Akademiks even suggested that the public needs to rethink their battle since Papoose alleged that he's written most of Remy's lyrics.
"If Remy Ma – which, a lot of people believe she won the battle versus Nicki Minaj," he began. "If she won the battle because of the song 'Shether,' but it was written by Papoose, that's a disqualification. I'm sorry. [...] The n***a did the Five Fingers of Death, like, the 'Alphabetical Slaughter.' This n***a Papoose been rhyming words for a living. [...] Is that fair game, though, chat? If your husband is also a great rapper and he wrote you some raps, is that ghostwritten or is that what the family said?"
Shields' latest post comes after Remy flaunted her new man, Eazy The Block Captain, on Instagram. She boasted about their romance in her caption, accusing Pap of being mad that she's happy in her current relationship.
"This is what Pawnpoose was threatening to post (and more)," she declared. "THIS WHY HE SO MAD
This why he wanna go to games and be seen cuz he THINKS it’s payback but I don’t care. He’s had photos & videos for years. HE mad that I am actually smiling & laughing again. I’m not ashamed of ANYTHING I have done."Claressa Shields Trolls Remy Ma by Inviting Nicki Minaj to Her Next Boxing Match
Over the weekend Remy Ma and her estranged husband Papoose went back and forth online over their messy break-up
Pap's girlfriend, boxer Claressa Shields, trolls Remy by inviting her arch enemy Nicki Minaj to her upcoming fight...
In a post on Instagram stories Claressa inboxes Nicki telling her "You might as well come to my fight, Queen of Rap!" using the big eyes emoji.
Gianna Floyd Targeted by Bullies Amid Renewed Attacks on Her Father’s Legacy
Five years after George Floyd’s death, his daughter Gianna Floyd is still dealing with the kind of hate the world vowed to confront.=
The young girl, who once stood on the shoulders of retired NBA player Stephen Jackson and declared, “Daddy changed the world,” now 11, is being bullied at her Texas middle school—mocked and taunted by classmates repeating the same right-wing talking points used to discredit her father’s legacy.
“They’ve teased her at school,” a Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial reported. “They know about her father and the nasty things bad people say about him, so they repeat those words.”
Her mother, Roxie Washington, is struggling with how to respond. “Do I run up to the school and act like ‘Who did what?’ Or do I let her fight her own battle?” she said. “I don’t want her to feel like she’s by herself. But I want her to be able to stand on her own two feet.”
The emotional toll on Gianna comes as conservative figures amplify efforts to rewrite the facts surrounding Floyd’s death.
Ben Shapiro, who has launched a campaign to pardon Derek Chauvin, falsely claims Floyd died of a drug overdose—despite the medical examiner’s conclusion that Floyd died from “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression.”
Chauvin was convicted of murder and is serving 22½ years in prison.
The young girl, who once stood on the shoulders of retired NBA player Stephen Jackson and declared, “Daddy changed the world,” now 11, is being bullied at her Texas middle school—mocked and taunted by classmates repeating the same right-wing talking points used to discredit her father’s legacy.
“They’ve teased her at school,” a Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial reported. “They know about her father and the nasty things bad people say about him, so they repeat those words.”
Her mother, Roxie Washington, is struggling with how to respond. “Do I run up to the school and act like ‘Who did what?’ Or do I let her fight her own battle?” she said. “I don’t want her to feel like she’s by herself. But I want her to be able to stand on her own two feet.”
The emotional toll on Gianna comes as conservative figures amplify efforts to rewrite the facts surrounding Floyd’s death.
Ben Shapiro, who has launched a campaign to pardon Derek Chauvin, falsely claims Floyd died of a drug overdose—despite the medical examiner’s conclusion that Floyd died from “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression.”
Chauvin was convicted of murder and is serving 22½ years in prison.
Rihanna redefines maternity fashion with game-changing style in France
Rihanna has redefined maternity fashion across all three pregnancies, turning her baby bump into a bold style statement.
From the Met Gala to the Super Bowl, her looks have become cultural moments that challenge outdated norms.
Her unapologetic approach to pregnancy style is inspiring a new era of fashion-forward motherhood.
Rihanna is already turning the streets of France into her runway ahead of designer presentations for Paris Fashion Week in June. She had fans smitten with her Smurf blue dress with cut-outs, revealing her growing baby bump, as she posed for photos with ASAP Rocky at the 78th Cannes International Film Festival on Monday (May 19). The rapper’s new flick, Highest 2 Lowest, starring Denzel Washington and directed by Spike Lee, premiered at the annual event.
On Tuesday (May 20), she stepped out for the ultimate date night in a black dress with a thigh-high slit and a cropped top, leaving plenty of room for her midsection to be seen. Even a simple shopping trip the following day was an opportunity to casually flex her pregnant model swag in an elegant black dress with a fringe bottom.
Gone are the days of women rocking oversized and unflattering maternity wear. The chart-topping singer has successfully flipped and reversed fashion rules by daring to reimagine her sex appeal while looking effortlessly chic. Her outfit reveals throughout creating the miracle of life have been iconic moments in fashion and pop culture. From streetwear to red carpet gowns, the founder of the Fenty Beauty empire has pulled off every style.
“When I saw women dress during their pregnancy [in the past], I’d think that that was the only way. So, I challenged myself to push it further and really just have fun with [maternity style],” she told CNN while pregnant with son RZA in 2022. She continued, “Because there’s nothing more fun than a challenge for me. That’s where I get creative. That’s where I’m forced to come up with new ideas and new ways to make it work.”
The “Diamonds” songstress gave birth to her and Rocky’s second son, Riot Rose, in 2023. She is currently expecting their third child.
Rihanna has redefined maternity fashion across all three pregnancies, turning her baby bump into a bold style statement.
From the Met Gala to the Super Bowl, her looks have become cultural moments that challenge outdated norms.
Her unapologetic approach to pregnancy style is inspiring a new era of fashion-forward motherhood.
Rihanna is already turning the streets of France into her runway ahead of designer presentations for Paris Fashion Week in June. She had fans smitten with her Smurf blue dress with cut-outs, revealing her growing baby bump, as she posed for photos with ASAP Rocky at the 78th Cannes International Film Festival on Monday (May 19). The rapper’s new flick, Highest 2 Lowest, starring Denzel Washington and directed by Spike Lee, premiered at the annual event.
On Tuesday (May 20), she stepped out for the ultimate date night in a black dress with a thigh-high slit and a cropped top, leaving plenty of room for her midsection to be seen. Even a simple shopping trip the following day was an opportunity to casually flex her pregnant model swag in an elegant black dress with a fringe bottom.
Gone are the days of women rocking oversized and unflattering maternity wear. The chart-topping singer has successfully flipped and reversed fashion rules by daring to reimagine her sex appeal while looking effortlessly chic. Her outfit reveals throughout creating the miracle of life have been iconic moments in fashion and pop culture. From streetwear to red carpet gowns, the founder of the Fenty Beauty empire has pulled off every style.
“When I saw women dress during their pregnancy [in the past], I’d think that that was the only way. So, I challenged myself to push it further and really just have fun with [maternity style],” she told CNN while pregnant with son RZA in 2022. She continued, “Because there’s nothing more fun than a challenge for me. That’s where I get creative. That’s where I’m forced to come up with new ideas and new ways to make it work.”
The “Diamonds” songstress gave birth to her and Rocky’s second son, Riot Rose, in 2023. She is currently expecting their third child.
French President Emmanuel Macron Shoved in Face by Wife Brigitte While Arriving in Vietnam
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife are going viral. On Sunday (May 25), Emmanuel, 47, and First Lady Brigitte Macron arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam at the start of their Southeast Asia Tour.
After arriving at the airport, the door to the presidential plane was open and as Emmanuel walked into view, a hand was seen reaching out and shoving him in the face, as seen in a video shared by the BBC.
Brigitte, 72, then comes into view of the camera while wearing a red jacket. The person that shoved Emmanuel was also seen wearing a red jacket.
Despite Emmanuel initially appearing a little surprised by the push, he quickly composed himself before he and Brigitte departed the plane together.
After the video went viral, the Elysée Palace initially denied the accuracy of the video, according to French outlet Le Figaro. However, they have since downplayed the incident.
“It was a moment when the president and his wife were relaxing one last time before the start of the trip by having a laugh,” a palace official shared, per Reuters. “It was a moment of closeness.”
While stepping out on Monday (May 26), Emmanuel told reporter that he and Brigitte, whom he has been married to since 2007, were “just joking about as we do.”
“We are bickering and joking with my wife, and a video becomes a sort of geoplanetary catastrophe,” Emmanuel said, according to ABC News. “In the world we live in, we don’t have a lot of time to lose” on discussing such topics.
After arriving at the airport, the door to the presidential plane was open and as Emmanuel walked into view, a hand was seen reaching out and shoving him in the face, as seen in a video shared by the BBC.
Brigitte, 72, then comes into view of the camera while wearing a red jacket. The person that shoved Emmanuel was also seen wearing a red jacket.
Despite Emmanuel initially appearing a little surprised by the push, he quickly composed himself before he and Brigitte departed the plane together.
After the video went viral, the Elysée Palace initially denied the accuracy of the video, according to French outlet Le Figaro. However, they have since downplayed the incident.
“It was a moment when the president and his wife were relaxing one last time before the start of the trip by having a laugh,” a palace official shared, per Reuters. “It was a moment of closeness.”
While stepping out on Monday (May 26), Emmanuel told reporter that he and Brigitte, whom he has been married to since 2007, were “just joking about as we do.”
“We are bickering and joking with my wife, and a video becomes a sort of geoplanetary catastrophe,” Emmanuel said, according to ABC News. “In the world we live in, we don’t have a lot of time to lose” on discussing such topics.
Robin Thicke Proposes to April Love Geary For Second Time During Trip to Cannes
Robin Thicke is reconfirming his love to longtime partner April Love Geary!
The 48-year-old singer proposed to his 30-year-old model fiancée for a second time during a trip to Cannes this week, she revealed on Instagram on Sunday (May 25).
Cannes is also a special place for the couple as it’s the location where they made their public debut as a couple this time in 2015 when they attended a Cannes Film Festival party!
“Robin surprised me during our trip to Cannes by proposing to me again with a new ring that one of my best friends @nikkiwhatnikkiwho @establishedjewelry made, I’m so obsessed with it, thank you!!!😭” April shared in a joint post. ” This trip was such a dream. 🤍 I love you so much @robinthicke Also a huge thank you to @alilasky for clearing out the whole area and making sure there wasn’t a single person getting in the way 😂”
Robin first proposed over six years ago on Christmas Eve 2018 after over three years together.
In February 2024, Robin said they were looking at 2024 for a wedding date, but they have since remained engaged and have yet to tie the knot.
Robin and April are also parents to three children together – Mia, 7, Lola, 6, and Luca, 4.
Robin Thicke is reconfirming his love to longtime partner April Love Geary!
The 48-year-old singer proposed to his 30-year-old model fiancée for a second time during a trip to Cannes this week, she revealed on Instagram on Sunday (May 25).
Cannes is also a special place for the couple as it’s the location where they made their public debut as a couple this time in 2015 when they attended a Cannes Film Festival party!
“Robin surprised me during our trip to Cannes by proposing to me again with a new ring that one of my best friends @nikkiwhatnikkiwho @establishedjewelry made, I’m so obsessed with it, thank you!!!😭” April shared in a joint post. ” This trip was such a dream. 🤍 I love you so much @robinthicke Also a huge thank you to @alilasky for clearing out the whole area and making sure there wasn’t a single person getting in the way 😂”
Robin first proposed over six years ago on Christmas Eve 2018 after over three years together.
In February 2024, Robin said they were looking at 2024 for a wedding date, but they have since remained engaged and have yet to tie the knot.
Robin and April are also parents to three children together – Mia, 7, Lola, 6, and Luca, 4.
Kenan Thompson Suggests ‘A Lot of Change’ Is Coming For ‘SNL’ Season 51: ‘You Want Everyone to Stay Forever’
Longtime “Saturday Night Live” cast member Kenan Thompson is hinting at some major changes in Studio 8H.
In a recent conversation with Page Six, Thompson said that the cast of the prolific late-night sketch show may shift as “SNL” prepares for its 51st season.
Michael Che Gives Humiliating Apology to Scarlett Johansson for Lewd 'SNL' Jokes: 'I Was Just Lashing Out Because I'm Jealous ... I've Never Seen a Human Vagina'
“Especially this year where it feels like there’s maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year,” Thompson explained. “You want everyone to stay forever, knowing that people may be making decisions this summer…it’s always like you want your kids to stay young.”
Thompson has appeared in more seasons than any cast member in the show’s history at 22. Although he hasn’t signed on for his 23rd, he’s keeping an open mind about once again returning to “SNL.”
“You just never know what the future holds,” he said. “I don’t want to be in the way of someone else or I don’t want to be the stale old man riding the same thing. That doesn’t really happen that much at ‘SNL’ but there’s no guarantees, I guess.”
He maintained that “SNL” is still “one of his favorite places to be” despite his decades of commitment to the show.
Thompson has always been a staunch defender of “SNL,” and recently came to the defense of the show after musical guest Morgan Wallen abruptly walked off stage during the cast curtain call. Some interpreted the viral moment as a sign of disrespect.
“I don’t know what goes through people’s minds when they decide to do stuff like that,” Thompson said. “I don’t know if he understood the assignment or not, or if he was really feeling a certain kind of way.”
In a recent conversation with Page Six, Thompson said that the cast of the prolific late-night sketch show may shift as “SNL” prepares for its 51st season.
Michael Che Gives Humiliating Apology to Scarlett Johansson for Lewd 'SNL' Jokes: 'I Was Just Lashing Out Because I'm Jealous ... I've Never Seen a Human Vagina'
“Especially this year where it feels like there’s maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year,” Thompson explained. “You want everyone to stay forever, knowing that people may be making decisions this summer…it’s always like you want your kids to stay young.”
Thompson has appeared in more seasons than any cast member in the show’s history at 22. Although he hasn’t signed on for his 23rd, he’s keeping an open mind about once again returning to “SNL.”
“You just never know what the future holds,” he said. “I don’t want to be in the way of someone else or I don’t want to be the stale old man riding the same thing. That doesn’t really happen that much at ‘SNL’ but there’s no guarantees, I guess.”
He maintained that “SNL” is still “one of his favorite places to be” despite his decades of commitment to the show.
Thompson has always been a staunch defender of “SNL,” and recently came to the defense of the show after musical guest Morgan Wallen abruptly walked off stage during the cast curtain call. Some interpreted the viral moment as a sign of disrespect.
“I don’t know what goes through people’s minds when they decide to do stuff like that,” Thompson said. “I don’t know if he understood the assignment or not, or if he was really feeling a certain kind of way.”
Tatyana Ali Says Rose McGowan Protected Her From Bully on Film Set
Tatyani Ali says that Rose McGowan had her back on the set of Jawbreaker when she was getting bullied by a co-star.
The former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor took to Instagram to reflect on working on the 1999 film and opened up about McGowan’s impact on her.
“These are from Jawbreaker (1999),” Ali wrote, sharing stills from the movie. “I was the only one actually in high school when we shot this, and I dealt with a little bullying on set from one actress in particular. But one day, she tried it in front of everybody… and [Rose McGowan] told her to [shut the fuck up] in front of everybody! I will always love her for that!”
McGowan saw the post and hopped in the comments to say that she’d “do it again.” The actor then followed up by saying that Ali has that “[forever] combo” of “dignity, brains and beauty.”
Ali’s been in a reflective mood lately. A few days ago, she opened up about her mother preventing her from attending Hollywood after-parties in the ‘90s.
Ali shared images of her younger self standing in front of her mom’s minivan and explained the circumstances.
“Funny story lol, that’s my baby sister in the window of my mom’s minivan ... Only way I could go to my teen actor friends' club bday parties was if my mom drove me… and waited outside the whole time,” she wrote. “No after-parties for me... she was parked out front, ready to take me HOME!”
Ali also reflected on her upbringing and the support she received from her parents as a child actor in a recent interview with First for Women magazine.
“I am from New York and grew up in Long Island. I started acting when I was four years old and when I auditioned for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, it was from New York,” Ali recalled. “When I got that part, we all moved to California. It was a wild ride.”
Tatyani Ali says that Rose McGowan had her back on the set of Jawbreaker when she was getting bullied by a co-star.
The former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor took to Instagram to reflect on working on the 1999 film and opened up about McGowan’s impact on her.
“These are from Jawbreaker (1999),” Ali wrote, sharing stills from the movie. “I was the only one actually in high school when we shot this, and I dealt with a little bullying on set from one actress in particular. But one day, she tried it in front of everybody… and [Rose McGowan] told her to [shut the fuck up] in front of everybody! I will always love her for that!”
McGowan saw the post and hopped in the comments to say that she’d “do it again.” The actor then followed up by saying that Ali has that “[forever] combo” of “dignity, brains and beauty.”
Ali’s been in a reflective mood lately. A few days ago, she opened up about her mother preventing her from attending Hollywood after-parties in the ‘90s.
Ali shared images of her younger self standing in front of her mom’s minivan and explained the circumstances.
“Funny story lol, that’s my baby sister in the window of my mom’s minivan ... Only way I could go to my teen actor friends' club bday parties was if my mom drove me… and waited outside the whole time,” she wrote. “No after-parties for me... she was parked out front, ready to take me HOME!”
Ali also reflected on her upbringing and the support she received from her parents as a child actor in a recent interview with First for Women magazine.
“I am from New York and grew up in Long Island. I started acting when I was four years old and when I auditioned for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, it was from New York,” Ali recalled. “When I got that part, we all moved to California. It was a wild ride.”
Texas Teen Who Allegedly Stabbed Classmate Over Seat Dispute Will Be Tried as Adult, Faces Life In Prison
The 17-year-old charged with fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf at a Texas high school track meet will face trial as an adult.
Karmelo Anthony allegedly attacked Metcalf after being told he was sitting in the wrong seat. However, Anthony has maintained he was only defending himself. According to an arrest warrant, Anthony admitted, “I did it.” Prosecutors are pursuing a first-degree murder charge, and while the grand jury has yet to indict, Texas law permits adult charges for 16- and 17-year-olds in serious cases.
If convicted, Anthony could receive life with parole eligibility after 40 years, but not the death penalty.
“The Supreme Court has said… you can’t even get them life without parole,” said Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.
The case sparked renewed outrage when Anthony was allowed to graduate. Jeff Metcalf, Austin’s father, said he was “stonewalled” by school officials after trying to understand the decision.
“They said I have to make an appointment, which I did,” he told CBS News.
Reports say an agreement between the district and Anthony’s parents allowed the graduation.
“I’m just curious on how they arrived at it,” said Metcalf, who questioned whether Anthony met requirements under alternative education.
An honorary diploma for Austin is being discussed, but Metcalf expressed mixed emotions.
“It’s a nice gesture…but my son doesn’t get a diploma. So…maybe Mr. Anthony shouldn’t get one either.”
Anthony remains on house arrest, with bond reduced from $1 million to $250,000.
Karmelo Anthony allegedly attacked Metcalf after being told he was sitting in the wrong seat. However, Anthony has maintained he was only defending himself. According to an arrest warrant, Anthony admitted, “I did it.” Prosecutors are pursuing a first-degree murder charge, and while the grand jury has yet to indict, Texas law permits adult charges for 16- and 17-year-olds in serious cases.
If convicted, Anthony could receive life with parole eligibility after 40 years, but not the death penalty.
“The Supreme Court has said… you can’t even get them life without parole,” said Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.
The case sparked renewed outrage when Anthony was allowed to graduate. Jeff Metcalf, Austin’s father, said he was “stonewalled” by school officials after trying to understand the decision.
“They said I have to make an appointment, which I did,” he told CBS News.
Reports say an agreement between the district and Anthony’s parents allowed the graduation.
“I’m just curious on how they arrived at it,” said Metcalf, who questioned whether Anthony met requirements under alternative education.
An honorary diploma for Austin is being discussed, but Metcalf expressed mixed emotions.
“It’s a nice gesture…but my son doesn’t get a diploma. So…maybe Mr. Anthony shouldn’t get one either.”
Anthony remains on house arrest, with bond reduced from $1 million to $250,000.
Grand jury reportedly declines to charge woman who was accused in boyfriend's killing in central Georgia
WAYNESBORO, Ga. — A Burke County grand jury decided on Friday not to charge a woman who was accused in her boyfriend's killing in Waynesboro.
According to WRDW/WAGT, 25-year-old Hannah Cobb was accused of killing her boyfriend, 30-year-old Telvin Osborne, on Feb. 23. She had claimed he threatened her with a knife during an argument that night.
The case was presented to a grand jury on April 24, but they returned a "no bill" in the case, meaning no charges.
WRDW/WAGT obtained the 911 call where Cobb allegedly told the dispatcher she was checking the chamber of her gun and "it accidentally went off." She added it was stuck in the chamber, and she accidentally pulled the trigger, the report stated.
Although Cobb stated it was an accident, the Burke County sheriff told the Augusta station that Osborne's death was not classified as accidental and that both Osborne and Cobb had been drinking. The sheriff also said there was an altercation before the shooting.
Cobb was eventually charged with felony involuntary manslaughter and arrested. She was granted a $25,000 bond under conditions. A March hearing revealed conflicting accounts in the deadly shooting of Osborne, WRDW/WAGT reported.
Ring camera footage showed Cobb telling Osborne to leave. She later told investigators he returned with a knife and threatened her. Prosecutors said she locked him out, received threatening texts, and fled to the bathroom. When he forced his way in, she allegedly fired one shot.
The case sparked scrutiny on social media and on blogs that began posting about the case, examining the shifting narrative over whether the shooting was accidental as well as racial components in the case — including questions of how justice would be administered against Cobb, a white woman, as well as Osborne's own alleged past social media posts about white and Black women.
The Burke County Sheriff's Office addressed the social media attention and rumors of possible rioting regarding the outcome of the case on Facebook Friday.
"It is important to understand that the grand jury is a legal body tasked with hearing all evidence presented in a case before reaching a decision. While we recognize that this outcome may be upsetting or unpopular to some, we strongly urge everyone to refrain from actions that could further harm our community," the sheriff's office said. It further states that any violent acts or rioting will be handled under the law.
Well Hello BEAUTIFUL ❤️🔥🤩☀️
Prosecutors said Osborne and Cobb had been out at Augusta clubs until 2 a.m. and later argued at home. Cobb’s family described their relationship as chaotic and abusive, with accusations of cheating, the report stated.
Cobb called 911 and was applying pressure to Osborne’s wound when police arrived. He was found in the bedroom and later died at the hospital.
Formal charges could still be filed later, but the Burke County District Attorney told WRDW/WAGT that the case is closed.
WAYNESBORO, Ga. — A Burke County grand jury decided on Friday not to charge a woman who was accused in her boyfriend's killing in Waynesboro.
According to WRDW/WAGT, 25-year-old Hannah Cobb was accused of killing her boyfriend, 30-year-old Telvin Osborne, on Feb. 23. She had claimed he threatened her with a knife during an argument that night.
The case was presented to a grand jury on April 24, but they returned a "no bill" in the case, meaning no charges.
WRDW/WAGT obtained the 911 call where Cobb allegedly told the dispatcher she was checking the chamber of her gun and "it accidentally went off." She added it was stuck in the chamber, and she accidentally pulled the trigger, the report stated.
Although Cobb stated it was an accident, the Burke County sheriff told the Augusta station that Osborne's death was not classified as accidental and that both Osborne and Cobb had been drinking. The sheriff also said there was an altercation before the shooting.
Cobb was eventually charged with felony involuntary manslaughter and arrested. She was granted a $25,000 bond under conditions. A March hearing revealed conflicting accounts in the deadly shooting of Osborne, WRDW/WAGT reported.
Ring camera footage showed Cobb telling Osborne to leave. She later told investigators he returned with a knife and threatened her. Prosecutors said she locked him out, received threatening texts, and fled to the bathroom. When he forced his way in, she allegedly fired one shot.
The case sparked scrutiny on social media and on blogs that began posting about the case, examining the shifting narrative over whether the shooting was accidental as well as racial components in the case — including questions of how justice would be administered against Cobb, a white woman, as well as Osborne's own alleged past social media posts about white and Black women.
The Burke County Sheriff's Office addressed the social media attention and rumors of possible rioting regarding the outcome of the case on Facebook Friday.
"It is important to understand that the grand jury is a legal body tasked with hearing all evidence presented in a case before reaching a decision. While we recognize that this outcome may be upsetting or unpopular to some, we strongly urge everyone to refrain from actions that could further harm our community," the sheriff's office said. It further states that any violent acts or rioting will be handled under the law.
Well Hello BEAUTIFUL ❤️🔥🤩☀️
Prosecutors said Osborne and Cobb had been out at Augusta clubs until 2 a.m. and later argued at home. Cobb’s family described their relationship as chaotic and abusive, with accusations of cheating, the report stated.
Cobb called 911 and was applying pressure to Osborne’s wound when police arrived. He was found in the bedroom and later died at the hospital.
Formal charges could still be filed later, but the Burke County District Attorney told WRDW/WAGT that the case is closed.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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