#MAGFAB: Michelle Yeoh for Vogue Taiwan - May 2025
In docs filed by her attorney, the disso queen Laura Wasser, Jodie says she wants their 5-year-old to move to a new school next year, but Josh is standing in the way. She says she researched the new school, conferred with Joshua about it and made sure it was close enough to his home -- yet, she claims he's refusing to get on board.
As for the other terms ... Joshua will pay $2,787/month in child support, but no monthly spousal support -- they settled on a lump sum. Jodie's also asking him to pay $75K for her attorney fees in the school battle.
They met during his 2018 birthday party, and their relationship moved fast with them getting engaged months later -- and, then getting a wedding license at the Beverly Hills courthouse ... long before people even knew they were romantically together.
FAB!
#RHOA: Porsha Williams Claims RHOA is only Giving You ‘Half of Reality’?
Porsha Williams has been serving up plenty of drama during Season 16 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Not only is she navigating a messy divorce from her husband, Simon Guobadia, but there is upheaval among the RHOA peaches. And much of the chaos leads right back to Porsha. Now, she is giving her opinion about her portrayal this season. Production may want to cover their eyes.
Of course, Porsha has issues with Drew Sidora working on her musical career with Porsha’s baby daddy, Dennis McKinley. Porsha didn’t invite Drew to her Nashville birthday trip, but Drew crashed with Angela Oakley’s support. At the end of the trip, Porsha found out that Dennis was filming for RHOA with Drew, which Porsha had asked him not to do.
Then, during a late-night chat by the pool with some of her co-stars, Porsha commented that she might have sex with Angela’s husband, Charles Oakley. Unfortunately for Porsha, Angela overheard and even tried to film the smack-talk session. Yikes!
Meanwhile, Porsha also shaded her longtime bestie, Shamea Morton. Shamea played a recording of her new song, and Porsha insisted that it was Drew singing. What in the world?
So, when a fan took to X and questioned Porsha’s behavior this season, it wasn’t a shock. “I was so excited for your return just to see you being so mean, dismissive,” the fan wrote. “This is with love.” The user added a melting face with their comment.
“I’m with you on that. Too bad you are getting half of reality,” Porsha replied with a shrugging emoji. “Check out my YouTube (Porsha4real). It’s in real time, love.”
Some housewives who are having an unflattering season are quick to jump to being the victim of a bad edit. After watching the rest of Season 16 of RHOA, we will have to see whether Porsha is correct.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs on Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo and Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
Porsha Williams has been serving up plenty of drama during Season 16 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Not only is she navigating a messy divorce from her husband, Simon Guobadia, but there is upheaval among the RHOA peaches. And much of the chaos leads right back to Porsha. Now, she is giving her opinion about her portrayal this season. Production may want to cover their eyes.
Of course, Porsha has issues with Drew Sidora working on her musical career with Porsha’s baby daddy, Dennis McKinley. Porsha didn’t invite Drew to her Nashville birthday trip, but Drew crashed with Angela Oakley’s support. At the end of the trip, Porsha found out that Dennis was filming for RHOA with Drew, which Porsha had asked him not to do.
Then, during a late-night chat by the pool with some of her co-stars, Porsha commented that she might have sex with Angela’s husband, Charles Oakley. Unfortunately for Porsha, Angela overheard and even tried to film the smack-talk session. Yikes!
Meanwhile, Porsha also shaded her longtime bestie, Shamea Morton. Shamea played a recording of her new song, and Porsha insisted that it was Drew singing. What in the world?
So, when a fan took to X and questioned Porsha’s behavior this season, it wasn’t a shock. “I was so excited for your return just to see you being so mean, dismissive,” the fan wrote. “This is with love.” The user added a melting face with their comment.
“I’m with you on that. Too bad you are getting half of reality,” Porsha replied with a shrugging emoji. “Check out my YouTube (Porsha4real). It’s in real time, love.”
Some housewives who are having an unflattering season are quick to jump to being the victim of a bad edit. After watching the rest of Season 16 of RHOA, we will have to see whether Porsha is correct.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs on Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo and Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
#NewMusicVideo from Eric Benét Releases “Can’t Wait” Featuring Keri Hilson
Just days after dropping his brand new single “Can’t Wait” featuring Keri Hilson, R&B legend Eric Benét returns with a visual to accompany the song.
Set in a feel-good club scene, and complete with a cameo from legendary DJ D-Nice, the video effortlessly captures the track’s smooth energy and undeniable danceability.
“Can’t Wait” is the first single off Benét’s upcoming duets album, The Co-Star, which is set to release on June 6th. The concept of hte new album expands on the collaborative concept of his successful DUETS EP and brings to life an artistic vision he’s had for nearly a decade.
Over the course of the 13-song album, Benét positions himself as the “co-star” to each artist – expertly complimenting the unique vocal stylings of each of his duet partners. The project taps in R&B heavy-hitters like Keri Hilson, India Arie, and many more as it explores the genre in a new light.
Using classic R&B as a vehicle, the album plays with old-school sounds, Brazilian bossa nova beats, swelling orchestral moments, and even Spanish guitar. Intentional with every collaboration on the project, Eric also dials in young producers to invigorate each track with a fresh take as he emerges in the new R&B space.
Set in a feel-good club scene, and complete with a cameo from legendary DJ D-Nice, the video effortlessly captures the track’s smooth energy and undeniable danceability.
“Can’t Wait” is the first single off Benét’s upcoming duets album, The Co-Star, which is set to release on June 6th. The concept of hte new album expands on the collaborative concept of his successful DUETS EP and brings to life an artistic vision he’s had for nearly a decade.
Over the course of the 13-song album, Benét positions himself as the “co-star” to each artist – expertly complimenting the unique vocal stylings of each of his duet partners. The project taps in R&B heavy-hitters like Keri Hilson, India Arie, and many more as it explores the genre in a new light.
Using classic R&B as a vehicle, the album plays with old-school sounds, Brazilian bossa nova beats, swelling orchestral moments, and even Spanish guitar. Intentional with every collaboration on the project, Eric also dials in young producers to invigorate each track with a fresh take as he emerges in the new R&B space.
#HipHopNews: Legendary West Coast Crew Tha Alkaholiks Return With New Album ‘Daaam!’
“Anything you can do, they can do fresher”! Tha Alkaholiks (Tash, J-Ro & E-Swift) are a vital component of the highly influential West Coast collective the Likwit Crew, which was founded by King Tee, and consisted of Tha Alkaholiks, Xzibit, The Lootpack (Madlib, Wildchild & DJ Romes), Defari, Declaime & Phil Da Agony.
Tha Liks released their first four albums on the iconic Loud Records imprint and along the way collaborated with luminaries such as The Neptunes, Danger Mouse, Nas, Q-Tip, Madlib, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Busta Rhymes, Diamond D, Marley Marl, Keith Murray and LL Cool J, among others. The group’s sophomore album, Coast II Coast, is a quintessential, underrated gem in the vast West Coast Hip-Hop pantheon.
Now, the notoriously spirited, hard partyin’ West Coast trio are back together, releasing their first new album, Daaam!, in close to two decades, and “At It Again” as they revisit a few of their classics, alongside five new tracks.
You can lean into the new re-recorded versions of Likwidation favorite “Hip Hop Drunkies,” featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard, or 21 & Over’s “Only When I’m Drunk,” but then listen to the trio’s new tracks like “Hands 2 The Ceiling” or “MJ PT. 2,” as well as “At It Again,” and it’s almost like the influential trio never left; the hiatus that never happened.
With appearances from special guests Planet Asia and spookybands, Daaam! is both an intoxicating dose of 90s rap nostalgia, and an astonishing step into the future for Tha Liks – and it’s sometimes both, simultaneously.
For golden age rap connoisseurs, a new album from Tha Alkaholiks is a welcome and surprise treat; and it’s no surprise that Tha Alkaholiks still make you say Daaam!
“Anything you can do, they can do fresher”! Tha Alkaholiks (Tash, J-Ro & E-Swift) are a vital component of the highly influential West Coast collective the Likwit Crew, which was founded by King Tee, and consisted of Tha Alkaholiks, Xzibit, The Lootpack (Madlib, Wildchild & DJ Romes), Defari, Declaime & Phil Da Agony.
Tha Liks released their first four albums on the iconic Loud Records imprint and along the way collaborated with luminaries such as The Neptunes, Danger Mouse, Nas, Q-Tip, Madlib, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Busta Rhymes, Diamond D, Marley Marl, Keith Murray and LL Cool J, among others. The group’s sophomore album, Coast II Coast, is a quintessential, underrated gem in the vast West Coast Hip-Hop pantheon.
Now, the notoriously spirited, hard partyin’ West Coast trio are back together, releasing their first new album, Daaam!, in close to two decades, and “At It Again” as they revisit a few of their classics, alongside five new tracks.
You can lean into the new re-recorded versions of Likwidation favorite “Hip Hop Drunkies,” featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard, or 21 & Over’s “Only When I’m Drunk,” but then listen to the trio’s new tracks like “Hands 2 The Ceiling” or “MJ PT. 2,” as well as “At It Again,” and it’s almost like the influential trio never left; the hiatus that never happened.
With appearances from special guests Planet Asia and spookybands, Daaam! is both an intoxicating dose of 90s rap nostalgia, and an astonishing step into the future for Tha Liks – and it’s sometimes both, simultaneously.
For golden age rap connoisseurs, a new album from Tha Alkaholiks is a welcome and surprise treat; and it’s no surprise that Tha Alkaholiks still make you say Daaam!
STREAM IT HERE:
Bottom’s Up!! Tha Alkaholiks Daaam! is now available at all DSP’s via Cleopatra Records.
Bottom’s Up!! Tha Alkaholiks Daaam! is now available at all DSP’s via Cleopatra Records.
#BoxOfficeNews: Disney and Marvel's 'Thunderbolts*' snares $76 million domestic opening
A group of unconventional antiheroes has jumpstarted the summer box office.
Disney and Marvel's "Thunderbolts*" tallied an estimated $76 million during its domestic opening weekend, the third highest debut of 2025.
Including international ticket sales, the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe flick snared an estimated $162.1 million globally.
"With the debut of 'Thunderbolts*,' May is shaping up to be one the best on record," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.
Last year, the summer box office — which kicks off the first weekend in May and runs through Labor Day — struggled at the start, with Universal's "The Fall Guy" only snapping up $28 million in its first three days. It was the first year since 2009 that a Marvel film wasn't on the slate to start the season.
Marvel films have struggled in recent years to live up to the record-setting achievements of "Avengers: Endgame" in 2019. For every box office hit there was a major miss, and audiences bemoaned the studio's quality inconsistencies. Even in the last year, "The Marvels" and "Captain America: Brave New World" underwhelmed, while "Deadpool & Wolverine" overperformed.
"Every franchise movie faces its share of tailwinds and headwinds, inherent and external factors that dictate what audience anticipation and response will be," said Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory. "But there's no doubt 'Thunderbolts*' is a moment worth a victory lap for Marvel after several years of wildly varying sentiment toward multiple films and streaming series."
While $76 million is middle of the pack for the MCU, it's a strong performance for "Thunderbolts*," box office analysts told CNBC.
"To launch an ensemble of junior varsity characters unfamiliar to many outside the core fan base, and to do so with some of the best word of mouth the MCU has seen from critics and audiences in years, is a fresh reminder of what Marvel is capable of when the creative engine fires on all cylinders," Robbins said.
"Thunderbolts*" currently holds an 88% "Fresh" rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, from 257 reviews and a 94% rating from audiences.
"The opening weekend performance of 'Thunderbolts*' is just the beginning for this well-reviewed crowd-pleaser," said Comscore's Dergarabedian. "[It] looks to follow in the tradition of 'A Minecraft Movie' and 'Sinners,' with long-term playability."
In recent weeks, Warner Bros.' "A Minecraft Movie" and "Sinners" have consistently lured in moviegoers, with smaller-than-average weekly attendance drops. The hope is that "Thunderbolts*" will continue that trend.
Disney and Marvel's "Thunderbolts*" tallied an estimated $76 million during its domestic opening weekend, the third highest debut of 2025.
Including international ticket sales, the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe flick snared an estimated $162.1 million globally.
"With the debut of 'Thunderbolts*,' May is shaping up to be one the best on record," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.
Last year, the summer box office — which kicks off the first weekend in May and runs through Labor Day — struggled at the start, with Universal's "The Fall Guy" only snapping up $28 million in its first three days. It was the first year since 2009 that a Marvel film wasn't on the slate to start the season.
Marvel films have struggled in recent years to live up to the record-setting achievements of "Avengers: Endgame" in 2019. For every box office hit there was a major miss, and audiences bemoaned the studio's quality inconsistencies. Even in the last year, "The Marvels" and "Captain America: Brave New World" underwhelmed, while "Deadpool & Wolverine" overperformed.
"Every franchise movie faces its share of tailwinds and headwinds, inherent and external factors that dictate what audience anticipation and response will be," said Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory. "But there's no doubt 'Thunderbolts*' is a moment worth a victory lap for Marvel after several years of wildly varying sentiment toward multiple films and streaming series."
While $76 million is middle of the pack for the MCU, it's a strong performance for "Thunderbolts*," box office analysts told CNBC.
"To launch an ensemble of junior varsity characters unfamiliar to many outside the core fan base, and to do so with some of the best word of mouth the MCU has seen from critics and audiences in years, is a fresh reminder of what Marvel is capable of when the creative engine fires on all cylinders," Robbins said.
"Thunderbolts*" currently holds an 88% "Fresh" rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, from 257 reviews and a 94% rating from audiences.
"The opening weekend performance of 'Thunderbolts*' is just the beginning for this well-reviewed crowd-pleaser," said Comscore's Dergarabedian. "[It] looks to follow in the tradition of 'A Minecraft Movie' and 'Sinners,' with long-term playability."
In recent weeks, Warner Bros.' "A Minecraft Movie" and "Sinners" have consistently lured in moviegoers, with smaller-than-average weekly attendance drops. The hope is that "Thunderbolts*" will continue that trend.
Lady Gaga holds a MASSIVE concert in Rio and Brazilian police arrest 2 people over alleged bombing plot
Police in Brazil said on Sunday that two people have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to detonate explosives at a free Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro.
The Rio event on Saturday was the biggest show of the pop star’s career that attracted an estimated 2.5 million fans to Copacabana Beach and had crowds screaming and dancing along.
Police in Brazil said on Sunday that two people have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to detonate explosives at a free Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro.
The Rio event on Saturday was the biggest show of the pop star’s career that attracted an estimated 2.5 million fans to Copacabana Beach and had crowds screaming and dancing along.
WATCH THE ENTIRE SHOW BELOW
Felipe Cury, secretary of the Rio police, said authorities believed the suspects sought to target Brazil’s LGBTQ community.
“They were clearly saying that they were planning an attack at Lady Gaga’s concert motivated by sexual orientation,” Cury told a press conference on Sunday.
Rio Police chief Luiz Lima said the group disseminated hate speech and violent content online “aimed at gaining notoriety in order to attract more viewers, more participants — most of them teenagers, many of them children.”
Even as Brazilian authorities said they arrested suspects in the hours before Lady Gaga’s show, the event went ahead without disruption — leading some to question the seriousness of the threat. Serious security concerns typically lead organizers to cancel such massive events — as happened with Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna last year.
Police said said nothing about the alleged plot at the time to in an effort to “avoid panic” and “the distortion of information.”
A spokesperson for Lady Gaga said the pop star and her team “learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning. Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks.”
The statement added: “Her team worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place.”
Security was tight at Saturday’s concert, with 5,200 military and police officers deployed to the beach where fans were reveling in the pop singer’s classic hits like “Born This Way,” which became something of an LGBTQ anthem after its 2011 release.
Authorities arrested two people in connection with the alleged plot — a man described as the group’s leader in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul on illegal weapons possession charges, and a teenager in Rio on child pornography charges. Police did not elaborate on their exact roles in the plot or on how the group came to target Lady Gaga’s free concert.
“Those involved were recruiting participants, including teenagers, to carry out integrated attacks using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails,” police said.
The Justice Ministry said that it determined the group posed a “risk to public order.” It said the group falsely presented themselves online as “Little Monsters” — Lady Gaga’s nickname for her fans — in order to lure teeangers into “networks with violent and self-destructive content.”
During a series of raids on the homes of 15 suspects across several Brazilian states, authorities confiscated phones and other electronic devices. Although police said they believed homemade bombs were intended for use in the planned attack, there was no mention of the raids turning up any weapons or explosive material.
Cury said one of the suspects whose home was raided in the city of Macaé, near Rio, “had a religious motivation” and “claimed the singer (Lady Gaga) was a Satanist.”
Lady Gaga has expressed gratitude for the enormous crowd in an Instagram post that said nothing of the alleged plot.
“Nothing could prepare me for the feeling I had during last night’s show — the absolute pride and joy I felt singing for the people of Brazil,” she wrote. “The sight of the crowd during my opening songs took my breath away. Your heart shines so bright, your culture is so vibrant and special, I hope you know how grateful I am to have shared this historical moment with you.”
Her free beach concert stood out at a time of surging ticket prices for live music around the world as concert-goers pay budget-busting costs to see their favorite artists. Last month she performed at Coachella Valley music festival in California, where tickets fetched upwards of $600 for one weekend.
Rio has done this before — last May, superstar Madonna performed the finale to her latest world tower for some 1.6 million fans on the sprawling sands of Copacabana Beach.
Felipe Cury, secretary of the Rio police, said authorities believed the suspects sought to target Brazil’s LGBTQ community.
“They were clearly saying that they were planning an attack at Lady Gaga’s concert motivated by sexual orientation,” Cury told a press conference on Sunday.
Rio Police chief Luiz Lima said the group disseminated hate speech and violent content online “aimed at gaining notoriety in order to attract more viewers, more participants — most of them teenagers, many of them children.”
Even as Brazilian authorities said they arrested suspects in the hours before Lady Gaga’s show, the event went ahead without disruption — leading some to question the seriousness of the threat. Serious security concerns typically lead organizers to cancel such massive events — as happened with Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna last year.
Police said said nothing about the alleged plot at the time to in an effort to “avoid panic” and “the distortion of information.”
A spokesperson for Lady Gaga said the pop star and her team “learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning. Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks.”
The statement added: “Her team worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place.”
Security was tight at Saturday’s concert, with 5,200 military and police officers deployed to the beach where fans were reveling in the pop singer’s classic hits like “Born This Way,” which became something of an LGBTQ anthem after its 2011 release.
Authorities arrested two people in connection with the alleged plot — a man described as the group’s leader in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul on illegal weapons possession charges, and a teenager in Rio on child pornography charges. Police did not elaborate on their exact roles in the plot or on how the group came to target Lady Gaga’s free concert.
“Those involved were recruiting participants, including teenagers, to carry out integrated attacks using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails,” police said.
The Justice Ministry said that it determined the group posed a “risk to public order.” It said the group falsely presented themselves online as “Little Monsters” — Lady Gaga’s nickname for her fans — in order to lure teeangers into “networks with violent and self-destructive content.”
During a series of raids on the homes of 15 suspects across several Brazilian states, authorities confiscated phones and other electronic devices. Although police said they believed homemade bombs were intended for use in the planned attack, there was no mention of the raids turning up any weapons or explosive material.
Cury said one of the suspects whose home was raided in the city of Macaé, near Rio, “had a religious motivation” and “claimed the singer (Lady Gaga) was a Satanist.”
Lady Gaga has expressed gratitude for the enormous crowd in an Instagram post that said nothing of the alleged plot.
“Nothing could prepare me for the feeling I had during last night’s show — the absolute pride and joy I felt singing for the people of Brazil,” she wrote. “The sight of the crowd during my opening songs took my breath away. Your heart shines so bright, your culture is so vibrant and special, I hope you know how grateful I am to have shared this historical moment with you.”
Her free beach concert stood out at a time of surging ticket prices for live music around the world as concert-goers pay budget-busting costs to see their favorite artists. Last month she performed at Coachella Valley music festival in California, where tickets fetched upwards of $600 for one weekend.
Rio has done this before — last May, superstar Madonna performed the finale to her latest world tower for some 1.6 million fans on the sprawling sands of Copacabana Beach.
‘Floribama Shore’ Star Kirk Medas Has Passed Away At 33 After Battle With Pancreatitis
“Floribama Shore” star Kirk Medas has died at 33 after a two-week ICU stay battling necrotizing pancreatitis and liver failure, his family confirmed.
Executive producer SallyAnn Salsano and 495 Productions told TMZ,
“We are heartbroken over the passing of Kirk Medas…He was more than a cast member; he was family.” They added, “Our hearts are with his loved ones… We will forever cherish the joy and memories he gave us.”
Former costar Nilsa Prowant shared,
“He was there for me over the past eight years… even walking my mom down the aisle. I love Kirk and his family a lot.”
Let’s continue to keep his loved ones in our thoughts and prayers
Executive producer SallyAnn Salsano and 495 Productions told TMZ,
“We are heartbroken over the passing of Kirk Medas…He was more than a cast member; he was family.” They added, “Our hearts are with his loved ones… We will forever cherish the joy and memories he gave us.”
Former costar Nilsa Prowant shared,
“He was there for me over the past eight years… even walking my mom down the aisle. I love Kirk and his family a lot.”
Let’s continue to keep his loved ones in our thoughts and prayers
Kevin Garnett And Girlfriend Involved In Domestic Dispute In Los Angeles Apartment
Kevin Garnett was recently involved in a domestic dispute in his Los Angeles residence. His girlfriend, Teare Candelier, was the one who made the call to the cops on April 27, and the couple has since released a joint response regarding the situation.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ Candelier called 911 just before 2 a.m. that night after the “escalated” argument. Cops took a report upon arrival although the retired NBA star had left the premises by that time. Candelier refused medical care.
In a joint statement to the outlet released Sunday (May 4), the two expressed contrition for the events that occurred and said they would have rather not gotten police involved. “We deeply regret that a personal disagreement escalated and inappropriately involved authorities. It was never our intention to involve others in a moment that should have remained private,” it read.
They then assured they were ready to move on from the situation in private. “Like most couples, we have disagreements, but our commitment to each other remains strong, and we move forward with renewed respect, understanding, and love,” the statement concluded. According to New York Post, the argument never got physical besides when Garnett “moved Candelier out of the way of the doorway.”
Nicknamed “the Big Ticket,” Garnett is widely regarded as one of the best professional basketball players of all time. He is a 15x NBA All-Star and one of five NBA players to have won both the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. The 48-year-old most famously played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Boston Celtics, and also went to the Brooklyn Nets before returning to the Wolves prior to retiring.
Although his professional basketball career came to an official end in 2016, he is still commentating on the game he loves via KG Certified, his current show with Paul Pierce.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ Candelier called 911 just before 2 a.m. that night after the “escalated” argument. Cops took a report upon arrival although the retired NBA star had left the premises by that time. Candelier refused medical care.
In a joint statement to the outlet released Sunday (May 4), the two expressed contrition for the events that occurred and said they would have rather not gotten police involved. “We deeply regret that a personal disagreement escalated and inappropriately involved authorities. It was never our intention to involve others in a moment that should have remained private,” it read.
They then assured they were ready to move on from the situation in private. “Like most couples, we have disagreements, but our commitment to each other remains strong, and we move forward with renewed respect, understanding, and love,” the statement concluded. According to New York Post, the argument never got physical besides when Garnett “moved Candelier out of the way of the doorway.”
Nicknamed “the Big Ticket,” Garnett is widely regarded as one of the best professional basketball players of all time. He is a 15x NBA All-Star and one of five NBA players to have won both the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. The 48-year-old most famously played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Boston Celtics, and also went to the Brooklyn Nets before returning to the Wolves prior to retiring.
Although his professional basketball career came to an official end in 2016, he is still commentating on the game he loves via KG Certified, his current show with Paul Pierce.
Philadelphia Eagles A.J. Brown proposes to girlfriend with the help of John Legend
A.J. Brown announced his proposal to his girlfriend Kelsey Riley on Saturday -- with the help of none other than John Legend.
It's been a ring-filled few months for the wide receiver, who helped the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in February. Now, Brown will add a ring for his personal life to one earned in his professional one.
The elegant proposal featured the award-winning musician Legend serenading the couple as he played a piano.
"Congratulations to you both," Legend wrote in the comments of Brown and Riley's joint post. "Thank you for including me."
Another post by Brown from the proposal expressed his appreciation for a number of important people in his life. A number of Brown's Eagles teammates were featured in the photo, including DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson and Nakobe Dean.
It's been a ring-filled few months for the wide receiver, who helped the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in February. Now, Brown will add a ring for his personal life to one earned in his professional one.
The elegant proposal featured the award-winning musician Legend serenading the couple as he played a piano.
"Congratulations to you both," Legend wrote in the comments of Brown and Riley's joint post. "Thank you for including me."
Another post by Brown from the proposal expressed his appreciation for a number of important people in his life. A number of Brown's Eagles teammates were featured in the photo, including DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson and Nakobe Dean.
Viola Davis Explained How Juilliard Trained Her To Be A 'Perfect White Actress'
Viola Davis reflected on how The Juilliard School shaped her as an actor, even as she navigated a space where whiteness was the unspoken standard.
In an April 27 interview on the podcast “Talk Easy With Sam Fragoso,” Davis discussed a range of topics, including the specific challenges Black actors face — and how she learned to pivot.
“At Juilliard, what was the objective of their training? Were they shaping you into a good actress or a perfect white actress?” Fragoso asked.
The EGOT winner, without missing a beat, said, “Definitely a perfect white actress” — a response that prompted Fragoso to ask what, exactly, that meant for her.
“What it looks like, it’s technical training in order to deal with the classics — in order to deal with the Strindbergs, and the O’Neills, and the Chekhovs, and the Shakespeares. I totally understand that, to get your voice … but what it denies is the human being behind all of that,” she explained.
She elaborated on a double standard that persists: Black actors are often “tasked” with showing their “range” by mastering “white work.”
“If I can master Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams’ ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ — I can do the best I can with Tennessee Williams, but he writes for fragile, white women. Beautiful work, but it’s not me,” she said.
Davis went on to critique the industry’s inequities and its narrow definitions of versatility.
“You can have a white actress who’s 54 or 55 years old, which is a great age to play Mama in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ — is she going to be able to pull off Mama in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’? Is she going to be able to pull off Beneatha? Is she going to be able to pull off Molly in Joe Turner’s ‘Come and Gone,’ when Molly says, ‘I ain’t going south’ and make me believe it? They don’t have to do that,” Davis said.
She continued, noting that white students at Juilliard are trained to inhabit white characters. Meanwhile, Black students are expected to show breadth, typically through the Western canon, while the work of Black writers are often excluded.
“Then, once I leave Juilliard, guess what? Most of what I will be asked to do are Black characters, which people will not feel that I am Black enough,” she said. “So then I’m caught in a quagmire, this sort of in between place, of sort of not understanding how to use myself as the canvas.”
Davis admitted that she often didn’t feel like herself at Juilliard, despite the irony that her authenticity was what earned her a place there in the first place.
In an April 27 interview on the podcast “Talk Easy With Sam Fragoso,” Davis discussed a range of topics, including the specific challenges Black actors face — and how she learned to pivot.
“At Juilliard, what was the objective of their training? Were they shaping you into a good actress or a perfect white actress?” Fragoso asked.
The EGOT winner, without missing a beat, said, “Definitely a perfect white actress” — a response that prompted Fragoso to ask what, exactly, that meant for her.
“What it looks like, it’s technical training in order to deal with the classics — in order to deal with the Strindbergs, and the O’Neills, and the Chekhovs, and the Shakespeares. I totally understand that, to get your voice … but what it denies is the human being behind all of that,” she explained.
She elaborated on a double standard that persists: Black actors are often “tasked” with showing their “range” by mastering “white work.”
“If I can master Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams’ ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ — I can do the best I can with Tennessee Williams, but he writes for fragile, white women. Beautiful work, but it’s not me,” she said.
Davis went on to critique the industry’s inequities and its narrow definitions of versatility.
“You can have a white actress who’s 54 or 55 years old, which is a great age to play Mama in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ — is she going to be able to pull off Mama in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’? Is she going to be able to pull off Beneatha? Is she going to be able to pull off Molly in Joe Turner’s ‘Come and Gone,’ when Molly says, ‘I ain’t going south’ and make me believe it? They don’t have to do that,” Davis said.
She continued, noting that white students at Juilliard are trained to inhabit white characters. Meanwhile, Black students are expected to show breadth, typically through the Western canon, while the work of Black writers are often excluded.
“Then, once I leave Juilliard, guess what? Most of what I will be asked to do are Black characters, which people will not feel that I am Black enough,” she said. “So then I’m caught in a quagmire, this sort of in between place, of sort of not understanding how to use myself as the canvas.”
Davis admitted that she often didn’t feel like herself at Juilliard, despite the irony that her authenticity was what earned her a place there in the first place.
LaQuan Smith Welcomes Taraji P. Henson, Babyface, And More To Star-Studded Pre-Met Gala Party
LaQuan Smith is one of the most innovative and provocative designers of his generation, so it only makes sense that he made his presence known during this week’s Met Gala, as the theme for this year is ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.’
Ahead of today’s (May 5) activities, the fashion professional let his preverbal hair down for a soiree celebrating the occasion, as the designer welcomed his celebrity pals and fellow style mavens to NYC’s Cafe Zaffri in Union Square May 4, one day before the biggest night in fashion goes down further uptown.
Guests including Taraji P. Henson, Babyface, and Flau’jae Johnson all dressed to impress for the dinner party before mixing and mingling with fellow guests.
LaQuan Smith is one of the most innovative and provocative designers of his generation, so it only makes sense that he made his presence known during this week’s Met Gala, as the theme for this year is ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.’
Ahead of today’s (May 5) activities, the fashion professional let his preverbal hair down for a soiree celebrating the occasion, as the designer welcomed his celebrity pals and fellow style mavens to NYC’s Cafe Zaffri in Union Square May 4, one day before the biggest night in fashion goes down further uptown.
Guests including Taraji P. Henson, Babyface, and Flau’jae Johnson all dressed to impress for the dinner party before mixing and mingling with fellow guests.
Jeezy Given Jail Time Warning For Failing To Comply To Divorce Terms
Jeezy and Jeannie Mai‘s 2023 divorce is still ongoing as the former couple continues to butt heads with the terms of the split. The latest issue stems from Jeezy “willfully disobeying” terms within their divorce, which garnered him a “stern warning” by a Georgia judge. This could potentially lead to jail time if he continues with failing to comply, InTouch reports.
During an April 28 hearing, the judge found Jeezy had “willfully failed” to deliver the title of a 2021 Range Rover to his ex-wife. This was a requirement in their divorce settlement and Mai’s attorneys confirmed to the court that Jeezy had cured the issues raised in her petition for contempt. According to the outlet, “any future failure to comply with the court’s order may result in sanctions, which he said could be in the form of incarceration.”
The only issue that remained to be addressed was the “Put On” rapper’s previous demand for Mai to pay $20,000 to cover the legal fees that have allegedly accumulated throughout the divorce process. On March 17, Jeezy requested payment from the former The Real host after she accused him of contempt, resulting in him fighting her “frivolous” accusations and racking up the bill. InTouch reports the judge “shut down” his demand for attorney fees during the recent hearing.
Jeannie Mai and Jeezy got married in March 2021 in an intimate ceremony. They share one daughter together named Monaco Mai Jenkins, 3. Jeezy filed for divorce in October 2023, and the TV host said she was blindsided as she found out he did so at the same time as “the rest of the world.” Since the filing, the two have been going back-and-forth on the terms of their public split.
Since then, the situation snowballed into a series of hurdles. Earlier this year, Mai got the police involved during an incident at Jeezy’s residence last month after the rapper allegedly did not allow her to retrieve her things from his Georgia home. The rapper stated he blocked her from entering during the agreed time frame because he was concerned about her having access to his residence and “no way of knowing if [Jeannie] is planting listening devices or cameras in his home.”
During an April 28 hearing, the judge found Jeezy had “willfully failed” to deliver the title of a 2021 Range Rover to his ex-wife. This was a requirement in their divorce settlement and Mai’s attorneys confirmed to the court that Jeezy had cured the issues raised in her petition for contempt. According to the outlet, “any future failure to comply with the court’s order may result in sanctions, which he said could be in the form of incarceration.”
The only issue that remained to be addressed was the “Put On” rapper’s previous demand for Mai to pay $20,000 to cover the legal fees that have allegedly accumulated throughout the divorce process. On March 17, Jeezy requested payment from the former The Real host after she accused him of contempt, resulting in him fighting her “frivolous” accusations and racking up the bill. InTouch reports the judge “shut down” his demand for attorney fees during the recent hearing.
Jeannie Mai and Jeezy got married in March 2021 in an intimate ceremony. They share one daughter together named Monaco Mai Jenkins, 3. Jeezy filed for divorce in October 2023, and the TV host said she was blindsided as she found out he did so at the same time as “the rest of the world.” Since the filing, the two have been going back-and-forth on the terms of their public split.
Since then, the situation snowballed into a series of hurdles. Earlier this year, Mai got the police involved during an incident at Jeezy’s residence last month after the rapper allegedly did not allow her to retrieve her things from his Georgia home. The rapper stated he blocked her from entering during the agreed time frame because he was concerned about her having access to his residence and “no way of knowing if [Jeannie] is planting listening devices or cameras in his home.”
Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner Smith Settle Their Divorce
Two years ago actress Jodie Turner Smith filed for divorce from actor Joshua Jackson after four years of marriage and one child together. The divorce is now final...
Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith are on the same page when it comes to most of their divorce terms -- but when it comes to grade school, they're still going at it in court.
According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Joshua and Jodie have hammered out a divorce settlement. According to the docs, the couple used a mediator to come up with a temporary schedule to govern the 50-50 custody of their daughter, Juno.
What they can't agree on is ... where Juno's gonna go to school, and now Jodie wants the judge to force Joshua to adhere to a court order that gives her the power to pick Juno's elementary school.
Two years ago actress Jodie Turner Smith filed for divorce from actor Joshua Jackson after four years of marriage and one child together. The divorce is now final...
Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith are on the same page when it comes to most of their divorce terms -- but when it comes to grade school, they're still going at it in court.
According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Joshua and Jodie have hammered out a divorce settlement. According to the docs, the couple used a mediator to come up with a temporary schedule to govern the 50-50 custody of their daughter, Juno.
What they can't agree on is ... where Juno's gonna go to school, and now Jodie wants the judge to force Joshua to adhere to a court order that gives her the power to pick Juno's elementary school.
In docs filed by her attorney, the disso queen Laura Wasser, Jodie says she wants their 5-year-old to move to a new school next year, but Josh is standing in the way. She says she researched the new school, conferred with Joshua about it and made sure it was close enough to his home -- yet, she claims he's refusing to get on board.
As for the other terms ... Joshua will pay $2,787/month in child support, but no monthly spousal support -- they settled on a lump sum. Jodie's also asking him to pay $75K for her attorney fees in the school battle.
They met during his 2018 birthday party, and their relationship moved fast with them getting engaged months later -- and, then getting a wedding license at the Beverly Hills courthouse ... long before people even knew they were romantically together.
Kanye Posts NSFW Tweet About Having Sex With Female Employees
Ye has sent out another round of controversial tweets, this time sharing lewd comments about his female employees.
"That employee pussy hits different," Ye tweeted over this weekend. "If a bitch don't let me smash we not friends," he wrote in another tweet.
While Ye didn't mention anyone specifically, it should be noted that he has been accused of sexual assault by his former employee, Lauren Pisciotta. He was also accused of sexual misconduct by Audri Nix. Pisciotta alleged that Ye drugged and raped her at a Diddy party, accusations she made in an 88-page lawsuit. In it, Ye was described as “predatory, aggressive, compulsive, vulgar, perverse, and frighteningly calculative," according to the Daily Mail.
Ye has denied the allegations, and continues to use sex as a way to provoke. "I used to do this hug where I press my cock against the girls leg and place my hands right where my pinky can touch the top of their ass," Ye wrote in a since-deleted tweet. "I'm a walking me too," he wrote in another.
Despite the accusations, Ye has not been charged with any crimes.
"That employee pussy hits different," Ye tweeted over this weekend. "If a bitch don't let me smash we not friends," he wrote in another tweet.
While Ye didn't mention anyone specifically, it should be noted that he has been accused of sexual assault by his former employee, Lauren Pisciotta. He was also accused of sexual misconduct by Audri Nix. Pisciotta alleged that Ye drugged and raped her at a Diddy party, accusations she made in an 88-page lawsuit. In it, Ye was described as “predatory, aggressive, compulsive, vulgar, perverse, and frighteningly calculative," according to the Daily Mail.
Ye has denied the allegations, and continues to use sex as a way to provoke. "I used to do this hug where I press my cock against the girls leg and place my hands right where my pinky can touch the top of their ass," Ye wrote in a since-deleted tweet. "I'm a walking me too," he wrote in another.
Despite the accusations, Ye has not been charged with any crimes.
Misa Hylton Reportedly Open to Dropping $5 Million Lawsuit Against Mary J. Blige if Vado’s Career is Restored
Misa Hylton may be willing to drop her $5 million lawsuit against longtime friend Mary J. Blige if the singer makes things right with her signed artist, Vado.
In case you missed it, Hylton claims Blige and her company, Beautiful Life Productions, sabotaged Vado’s career by pressuring him to end his management deal with Hylton. The suit alleges that Mary threatened to block him from touring or releasing music if he didn’t comply, and followed through on those threats.
“Ms. Hylton did not want this to become a public matter,” her attorney Nicholas Ramcharitar told AllHipHop. “She exhausted every avenue before resorting to the courts. It’s tragic. These women were closer than biological sisters…This lawsuit wasn’t Plan A, it was Plan Z.”
He said the last time they spoke was on the Amalfi Coast in August.
“After that, radio silence. No texts, no calls, no invites,” Ramcharitar added. He also claimed Blige kept the rapper off her recent tour, despite promises.
According to the suit, Hylton and Vado inked a management deal in July 2023, granting her 20% of his earnings, followed by his distribution deal with Mary’s company in October. But by July 2024, Hylton alleges Blige threatened to shelve Vado’s finished album unless he dropped Misa, reportedly influenced by Blige’s boyfriend and security chief, who allegedly wanted to manage Vado himself.
Hylton claims to have private messages as proof and says Blige’s actions left Vado in “economic servitude.”
“If Mary steps up… yeah, that could move the needle,” Ramcharitar said. “But there’s more to consider.”
Misa Hylton may be willing to drop her $5 million lawsuit against longtime friend Mary J. Blige if the singer makes things right with her signed artist, Vado.
In case you missed it, Hylton claims Blige and her company, Beautiful Life Productions, sabotaged Vado’s career by pressuring him to end his management deal with Hylton. The suit alleges that Mary threatened to block him from touring or releasing music if he didn’t comply, and followed through on those threats.
“Ms. Hylton did not want this to become a public matter,” her attorney Nicholas Ramcharitar told AllHipHop. “She exhausted every avenue before resorting to the courts. It’s tragic. These women were closer than biological sisters…This lawsuit wasn’t Plan A, it was Plan Z.”
He said the last time they spoke was on the Amalfi Coast in August.
“After that, radio silence. No texts, no calls, no invites,” Ramcharitar added. He also claimed Blige kept the rapper off her recent tour, despite promises.
According to the suit, Hylton and Vado inked a management deal in July 2023, granting her 20% of his earnings, followed by his distribution deal with Mary’s company in October. But by July 2024, Hylton alleges Blige threatened to shelve Vado’s finished album unless he dropped Misa, reportedly influenced by Blige’s boyfriend and security chief, who allegedly wanted to manage Vado himself.
Hylton claims to have private messages as proof and says Blige’s actions left Vado in “economic servitude.”
“If Mary steps up… yeah, that could move the needle,” Ramcharitar said. “But there’s more to consider.”
Brittany Renner hints she married Kevin Gates
Social media is ablaze with controversy after Instagram influencer Brittany Renner dropped a bombshell hinting at her alleged marriage to the notorious rapper Kevin Gates.
Renner posted a photo carousel featuring her and Gates at the “Basketball Wives” premiere party on Saturday, May 3 that has the internet humming with rumors and innuendos.
Are Brittany Renner and Kevin Gates married? In one of the photos, Renner clearly shows off a large wedding ring to her five million Instagram followers. Even more telling was what Renner penned in the caption section that has folks buzzing.
“‘You don’t fit on this show, and that’s why you’re a fit for this show.‘ Last night at the #BasketballWives Season 12 premiere party with my huzband,“ Renner wrote, appearing to confirm a major relationship milestone.
Brittany Renner and Kevin Gates are stirring up quite a storm with their recent activities.Gates and Renner have been the talk of the town ever since their public appearances. Gates, in particular, caused a stir when he made disrespectful comments about LeBron James’ wife, Savannah, using vulgar language to suggest she’s not as enamored with her superstar husband as many fans believe.
Days after firing off on LeBron and Savannah, James, Gates, and Renner showed up with courtside seats at the next Lakers game to, in the opinion of fans, provoke James into a courtside confrontation.
Kevin Gates and Brittany Renner are not winning any popularity contests with their fans.Fans looked askance at Gates and Renner’s dalliances as of late
“Why she sing that like she was the villain in a Disney movie,” one observer stated, while a second said, “These people weird af lmao.”
One person joked sardonically, “Two little microwave Muslims, they belong together. They look like the perfect couple. They’re both crazy,” while a fourth opined, “She’s starting to take on his personality, and it’s scary.”
A fifth likens this to a car crash, saying, “Perfect example of TRAUMA BONDING,”
A sixth fan warned Renner, “You will lose him how you got him,” while a seventh said, “She is the only one that wants him. It’s sad. His wife doesn’t want him. She is so pitiful.”
One fan theorized that Gates’ longtime girlfriend, Dreka, is behind the scenes manipulating the action: “Yall be happy this like her first big thing a man did for her the rest dawgged her out as she was finding a way she found her match and a show … dreaka somewhere managing miss Brittney she gonna bring that money back to her as a sister wife .. she’s for show.”
Social media is ablaze with controversy after Instagram influencer Brittany Renner dropped a bombshell hinting at her alleged marriage to the notorious rapper Kevin Gates.
Renner posted a photo carousel featuring her and Gates at the “Basketball Wives” premiere party on Saturday, May 3 that has the internet humming with rumors and innuendos.
Are Brittany Renner and Kevin Gates married? In one of the photos, Renner clearly shows off a large wedding ring to her five million Instagram followers. Even more telling was what Renner penned in the caption section that has folks buzzing.
“‘You don’t fit on this show, and that’s why you’re a fit for this show.‘ Last night at the #BasketballWives Season 12 premiere party with my huzband,“ Renner wrote, appearing to confirm a major relationship milestone.
Brittany Renner and Kevin Gates are stirring up quite a storm with their recent activities.Gates and Renner have been the talk of the town ever since their public appearances. Gates, in particular, caused a stir when he made disrespectful comments about LeBron James’ wife, Savannah, using vulgar language to suggest she’s not as enamored with her superstar husband as many fans believe.
Days after firing off on LeBron and Savannah, James, Gates, and Renner showed up with courtside seats at the next Lakers game to, in the opinion of fans, provoke James into a courtside confrontation.
Kevin Gates and Brittany Renner are not winning any popularity contests with their fans.Fans looked askance at Gates and Renner’s dalliances as of late
“Why she sing that like she was the villain in a Disney movie,” one observer stated, while a second said, “These people weird af lmao.”
One person joked sardonically, “Two little microwave Muslims, they belong together. They look like the perfect couple. They’re both crazy,” while a fourth opined, “She’s starting to take on his personality, and it’s scary.”
A fifth likens this to a car crash, saying, “Perfect example of TRAUMA BONDING,”
A sixth fan warned Renner, “You will lose him how you got him,” while a seventh said, “She is the only one that wants him. It’s sad. His wife doesn’t want him. She is so pitiful.”
One fan theorized that Gates’ longtime girlfriend, Dreka, is behind the scenes manipulating the action: “Yall be happy this like her first big thing a man did for her the rest dawgged her out as she was finding a way she found her match and a show … dreaka somewhere managing miss Brittney she gonna bring that money back to her as a sister wife .. she’s for show.”
Pinky Cole’s BarVegan Atlanta Closes After Four Years, Teases New Venture Coming This Summer
Pinky Cole’s BarVegan in Atlanta is closing its doors. After four years, the plant-based restaurant and cocktail bar, founded by Cole, will bid farewell later today (May 5).
In an Instagram post, BarVegan shared: “This past month, April 2025, the decision was made to close the location that created the hookahless blueprint, paving the way for similar vegan bars across the country, BarVegan Atlanta.”
The closure appears to be part of a broader restructuring of Cole’s business ventures, as her other restaurant brand, Slutty Vegan, has closed its Duluth, Spelman College, and Georgia Tech locations.
While this marks the end of an era, the restaurant teases that something new may be on the horizon:
“This chapter may be closing, but the story doesn’t end there. Stay tuned; there’s more coming to Atlanta this summer. Rumor has it, we may just be a part of it.” Good Luck to her!
In an Instagram post, BarVegan shared: “This past month, April 2025, the decision was made to close the location that created the hookahless blueprint, paving the way for similar vegan bars across the country, BarVegan Atlanta.”
The closure appears to be part of a broader restructuring of Cole’s business ventures, as her other restaurant brand, Slutty Vegan, has closed its Duluth, Spelman College, and Georgia Tech locations.
While this marks the end of an era, the restaurant teases that something new may be on the horizon:
“This chapter may be closing, but the story doesn’t end there. Stay tuned; there’s more coming to Atlanta this summer. Rumor has it, we may just be a part of it.” Good Luck to her!
Hmmmmmmmmmmm, White House Walks Back Trump’s Push for 100% Tariff on Foreign Films
Federal Judge Extends Block on Trump’s Plan to Cut Funding for Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Youth
A day after Donald Trump declared plans to slap a 100% tariff on foreign-produced films, the White House appeared to backpedal on the idea, sparking confusion across the entertainment industry.
On May 4, Trump took to social media announcing he had authorized the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to begin implementing the tariffs, claiming it was necessary to combat overseas incentives that threaten Hollywood’s future.
“We won’t let other countries kill our film industry with their incentives,” Trump posted. “This is a national security threat. It’s messaging. It’s propaganda.”
But by May 5, the White House attempted to temper the declaration, stating that “no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made.” White House spokesman Kush Desai said the administration is still “exploring all options” to deliver on Trump’s directive while protecting national and economic security.
The lack of specifics left industry insiders puzzled. It remains unclear how or when such tariffs would be applied, or whether they would target streaming content in addition to theatrical releases. The Motion Picture Association, which represents major studios, declined to comment.
Trump’s social media statement also triggered concern abroad. Officials in Australia and New Zealand, both of which host major Hollywood productions, pushed back, pledging to protect their local film industries. Marvel’s recent blockbusters and Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” franchise were filmed in those regions.
The entertainment industry has increasingly moved production overseas in recent years, lured by generous tax breaks and rebates. Trump argued this exodus harms the U.S. economy and creates a dangerous messaging imbalance.
But data from the Motion Picture Association suggests otherwise. A 2023 report showed the U.S. film and TV industry holds a $15.3 billion global trade surplus and supports over 2 million American jobs. More than half of big-budget U.S. productions now shoot abroad, according to industry tracker ProdPro.
The tariff announcement is the latest in a string of aggressive trade policies from Trump’s second term, which have already rattled markets and sparked diplomatic friction. His administration has imposed new duties on steel, aluminum, autos, and now threatens broader sectors with sweeping economic penalties.
Federal Judge Extends Block on Trump’s Plan to Cut Funding for Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Youth
A day after Donald Trump declared plans to slap a 100% tariff on foreign-produced films, the White House appeared to backpedal on the idea, sparking confusion across the entertainment industry.
On May 4, Trump took to social media announcing he had authorized the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to begin implementing the tariffs, claiming it was necessary to combat overseas incentives that threaten Hollywood’s future.
“We won’t let other countries kill our film industry with their incentives,” Trump posted. “This is a national security threat. It’s messaging. It’s propaganda.”
But by May 5, the White House attempted to temper the declaration, stating that “no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made.” White House spokesman Kush Desai said the administration is still “exploring all options” to deliver on Trump’s directive while protecting national and economic security.
The lack of specifics left industry insiders puzzled. It remains unclear how or when such tariffs would be applied, or whether they would target streaming content in addition to theatrical releases. The Motion Picture Association, which represents major studios, declined to comment.
Trump’s social media statement also triggered concern abroad. Officials in Australia and New Zealand, both of which host major Hollywood productions, pushed back, pledging to protect their local film industries. Marvel’s recent blockbusters and Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” franchise were filmed in those regions.
The entertainment industry has increasingly moved production overseas in recent years, lured by generous tax breaks and rebates. Trump argued this exodus harms the U.S. economy and creates a dangerous messaging imbalance.
But data from the Motion Picture Association suggests otherwise. A 2023 report showed the U.S. film and TV industry holds a $15.3 billion global trade surplus and supports over 2 million American jobs. More than half of big-budget U.S. productions now shoot abroad, according to industry tracker ProdPro.
The tariff announcement is the latest in a string of aggressive trade policies from Trump’s second term, which have already rattled markets and sparked diplomatic friction. His administration has imposed new duties on steel, aluminum, autos, and now threatens broader sectors with sweeping economic penalties.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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