#MAGFAB: Bono Covers ESQUIRE’s Summer Issue
U2 frontman Bono spent the past few years reexamining his life and career. Now he’s back with new projects, new music, and a fresh sense of urgency to change the world. This ESQUIRE cover story, “Bono Has Another Story to Tell” by Senior Digital Director Madison Vain, is on Esquire.com now and will be in the Summer issue, available by June 17 everywhere magazines are sold.
On what the Edge’s grandkids call him: Bono seems surprised by the query. “Bono,” he says after a pause. He knows it might sound silly. “You have to remember,” he adds, “Edge’s mother used to call him Edge.”
On taking himself too seriously: “I’m starting to realize that I don’t trust people who don’t make me laugh…and I wonder, was I one of them?”
On recovery for open-heart surgery in 2016 and its complications: Recovery was hard, and the massive thirty-year-anniversary tour for the Joshua Tree album loomed. “The loss of air” is what he remembers most of the aftermath, a complication that arose following the successful operation. Four decades of sprinting around stadiums while singing—screaming—had given him a lung capacity far greater than his peers. But Bono suddenly felt like he’d lost control of the intake. “It terrified me,” he says. “I’d never been so terrified.”
On the TV and streaming shows he watches: Someone in his office recommended the Chef’s Table docuseries. “I said, Come on, you cannot be serious,” recalls Bono. “I’ve got to watch Chef’s Table?” Assuming you, like me, are very much a person who engages with regular life (TV), I am certain you can guess how this story ends: Bono’s first Netflix binge. He loved the episode that followed Evan Funke through Bologna (“he’s got a great value system”) and the one focused on Jeong Kwan, a Buddhist nun who cooks for visitors at her temple (“incredible!”) and, of course, the Francis Mallmann installment (“I’m like, wow. And I had just met him on tour”). His eldest, Jordan, got him into Fleabag. His second daughter, Eve, an actress who has found onscreen success in Bad Sisters and The Perfect Couple, introduced him to The Kardashians. At some point, he even caught some Love Island.
On stepping down from the shared board of his foundations ONE and (RED) in 2023: “I’m the wrong sex, wrong age, wrong color, wrong ethnicity, and I’m not African.” Still, it’s obvious how hard the decision was. Is. “You need to find your place, don’t you? Where to be useful. I had found a place where I could be useful,” he says. He misses it.
On having a messiah complex: “Any rock star worth their salt has to.”
On his politics: “I describe myself as a radical centrist. And I am sure that that sounds absurd, but I am also sure that is how we get through the future. What’s being served up on the far left and on the far right is not where we need to be.”
On what’s happening in the U.S., geopolitically: “The United States has been a promised land to a lot of people, but it looks like it’s about to break that promise,” he says. “I can understand people coming to a place where they say, ‘I don’t see why the United States has to pay for aid, drugs, or anything else in places far away where there is no vote.’ I think that position is dumb. I think it makes a lot of geopolitical troubles for you down the road, but I can understand it.” What he cannot accept is “the delight that was taken in the destruction of life-support systems—pulling them out of the wall—that’s the clue to the true nature of this. Evil walks amongst us, but it is rarely this obvious.”
On the current geopolitical climate being the moment that truly unifies Europe: “I always say, ‘Europe is a thought that needs to become a feeling.’ We’re 450 million people—we’ve got a lot. And if we can keep the European project a romantic one, that could be a great thing.”
On the new U2 album the band is working on: It’s early days, but Bono can’t believe how good the new material sounds. “Everyone in the band seems desperate for it,” he says. “It’s like their lives depend on it.” He pauses briefly. “And, as I tell them, they do
On U2’s audience: “I hope they’re going to still be there for us. We’ve pushed them to their elastic limit over the years. And now it’s a long time that we’ve been away. But I still think that we can create a soundtrack for people who want to take on the world.”
On taking himself too seriously: “I’m starting to realize that I don’t trust people who don’t make me laugh…and I wonder, was I one of them?”
On recovery for open-heart surgery in 2016 and its complications: Recovery was hard, and the massive thirty-year-anniversary tour for the Joshua Tree album loomed. “The loss of air” is what he remembers most of the aftermath, a complication that arose following the successful operation. Four decades of sprinting around stadiums while singing—screaming—had given him a lung capacity far greater than his peers. But Bono suddenly felt like he’d lost control of the intake. “It terrified me,” he says. “I’d never been so terrified.”
On the TV and streaming shows he watches: Someone in his office recommended the Chef’s Table docuseries. “I said, Come on, you cannot be serious,” recalls Bono. “I’ve got to watch Chef’s Table?” Assuming you, like me, are very much a person who engages with regular life (TV), I am certain you can guess how this story ends: Bono’s first Netflix binge. He loved the episode that followed Evan Funke through Bologna (“he’s got a great value system”) and the one focused on Jeong Kwan, a Buddhist nun who cooks for visitors at her temple (“incredible!”) and, of course, the Francis Mallmann installment (“I’m like, wow. And I had just met him on tour”). His eldest, Jordan, got him into Fleabag. His second daughter, Eve, an actress who has found onscreen success in Bad Sisters and The Perfect Couple, introduced him to The Kardashians. At some point, he even caught some Love Island.
On stepping down from the shared board of his foundations ONE and (RED) in 2023: “I’m the wrong sex, wrong age, wrong color, wrong ethnicity, and I’m not African.” Still, it’s obvious how hard the decision was. Is. “You need to find your place, don’t you? Where to be useful. I had found a place where I could be useful,” he says. He misses it.
On having a messiah complex: “Any rock star worth their salt has to.”
On his politics: “I describe myself as a radical centrist. And I am sure that that sounds absurd, but I am also sure that is how we get through the future. What’s being served up on the far left and on the far right is not where we need to be.”
On what’s happening in the U.S., geopolitically: “The United States has been a promised land to a lot of people, but it looks like it’s about to break that promise,” he says. “I can understand people coming to a place where they say, ‘I don’t see why the United States has to pay for aid, drugs, or anything else in places far away where there is no vote.’ I think that position is dumb. I think it makes a lot of geopolitical troubles for you down the road, but I can understand it.” What he cannot accept is “the delight that was taken in the destruction of life-support systems—pulling them out of the wall—that’s the clue to the true nature of this. Evil walks amongst us, but it is rarely this obvious.”
On the current geopolitical climate being the moment that truly unifies Europe: “I always say, ‘Europe is a thought that needs to become a feeling.’ We’re 450 million people—we’ve got a lot. And if we can keep the European project a romantic one, that could be a great thing.”
On the new U2 album the band is working on: It’s early days, but Bono can’t believe how good the new material sounds. “Everyone in the band seems desperate for it,” he says. “It’s like their lives depend on it.” He pauses briefly. “And, as I tell them, they do
Nice!
#RHOA: Former Housewife Monyetta Shaw Carter 45, Diagnosed With Cancer
Real Housewives of Atlantastar Monyetta Shaw-Carter was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024. She opened up about her diagnosis and treatment in an interview with People magazine.
"I had a biopsy about 10 years ago and it came back benign. Then last year in September I was doing a self-check because I felt this random sensation that I can’t really describe in my left boob. It was like nothing I’ve ever felt before. It was literally like my body was alerting me that something was wrong," Shaw-Carter told the outlet in an interview published on May 31.
Shaw-Carter, 45, was told that she had stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. Her treatment included a lumpectomy — the surgical removal of the tumor and the tissue around it — which was done in January. She then underwent 16 rounds of radiation.
Due to the slow-growing nature of the tumor, its grade — and likely because her oncologist got clean margins after surgery — Shaw-Carter did not need chemotherapy. She completed her treatment in early May.
"Because I caught the cancer early, I will be here for my kids. There’s nothing more important than getting checked often and early to protect your future. Our health is irreplaceable. I can’t thank my exceptional doctors and nurses enough. They are our heroes," she told People.
Shaw-Carter also shared her interview on Instagram, where fans reacted, sending her love and support.
"Prayers up I’m 6 years free of it 6 months of chemotherapy 5 1/2 weeks of radiation & 12 major surgeries GOD CAN," one person wrote.
"Praying. You never know what someone may be going through," someone else said.
Shaw-Carter has two children with her ex, NE-YO. She married Heath Carter in 2021. She was a friend-of on RHOA for Seasons 14 and 15 and a guest on Season 16.
"I had a biopsy about 10 years ago and it came back benign. Then last year in September I was doing a self-check because I felt this random sensation that I can’t really describe in my left boob. It was like nothing I’ve ever felt before. It was literally like my body was alerting me that something was wrong," Shaw-Carter told the outlet in an interview published on May 31.
Shaw-Carter, 45, was told that she had stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. Her treatment included a lumpectomy — the surgical removal of the tumor and the tissue around it — which was done in January. She then underwent 16 rounds of radiation.
Due to the slow-growing nature of the tumor, its grade — and likely because her oncologist got clean margins after surgery — Shaw-Carter did not need chemotherapy. She completed her treatment in early May.
"Because I caught the cancer early, I will be here for my kids. There’s nothing more important than getting checked often and early to protect your future. Our health is irreplaceable. I can’t thank my exceptional doctors and nurses enough. They are our heroes," she told People.
Shaw-Carter also shared her interview on Instagram, where fans reacted, sending her love and support.
"Prayers up I’m 6 years free of it 6 months of chemotherapy 5 1/2 weeks of radiation & 12 major surgeries GOD CAN," one person wrote.
"Praying. You never know what someone may be going through," someone else said.
Shaw-Carter has two children with her ex, NE-YO. She married Heath Carter in 2021. She was a friend-of on RHOA for Seasons 14 and 15 and a guest on Season 16.
#NewMusic from Justine Skye Has a New Single “Oh Lala”
R&B sensation Justine Skye has just shared her single “Oh Lala” produced by KAYTRANADA.
This is the Warner Records debut for Justine Skye, and is a euphoric ode to sweaty dancefloor revelry; a sensual, sparkling escape into rhythm, release, and self-liberation.
In addition to producing the song, KAYTRANADA stars alongside Skye in the video, continuing the undeniable chemistry that they have both on record and in real life. “Oh Lala” can also be heard in Nike’s new Air Max DN8 campaign starring Skye, which premiered last week. Justine Skye adds about the song:
“‘Oh Lala’ is the first single of a new beginning for me, a world where tempo and dance are the leading force. It’s about chasing happiness through movement. After going through so much emotionally, I hit a point where I just wanted to feel good again. For me, that happened on the dance floor, being carefree with like-minded people—whether in Brooklyn, L.A., or Ibiza. I wanted to make music that matched that energy. Something sexy, something free, something that lets you forget everything but the moment you’re in.”
R&B sensation Justine Skye has just shared her single “Oh Lala” produced by KAYTRANADA.
This is the Warner Records debut for Justine Skye, and is a euphoric ode to sweaty dancefloor revelry; a sensual, sparkling escape into rhythm, release, and self-liberation.
In addition to producing the song, KAYTRANADA stars alongside Skye in the video, continuing the undeniable chemistry that they have both on record and in real life. “Oh Lala” can also be heard in Nike’s new Air Max DN8 campaign starring Skye, which premiered last week. Justine Skye adds about the song:
“‘Oh Lala’ is the first single of a new beginning for me, a world where tempo and dance are the leading force. It’s about chasing happiness through movement. After going through so much emotionally, I hit a point where I just wanted to feel good again. For me, that happened on the dance floor, being carefree with like-minded people—whether in Brooklyn, L.A., or Ibiza. I wanted to make music that matched that energy. Something sexy, something free, something that lets you forget everything but the moment you’re in.”
LISTEN HERE:
“Oh Lala” is just the first taste of what’s to come, with more music and moments planned for summer and beyond.
“Oh Lala” is just the first taste of what’s to come, with more music and moments planned for summer and beyond.
#HipHopNews: Kendrick Lamar's 'Luther' & 'Not Like Us' End Historic Chart Run
Kendrick Lamar‘s “Luther” and “Not Like Us” have finally had their historic chart runs ended.
“Luther”, which had been at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for a record breaking thirteen weeks, has been deposed by Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae’s “What I Want”.
The hit single has now slid down to number five on the chart after originally being released last November.
“Not Like Us”, which last week broke the record for most weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for a rap song, has also fell off the chart entirely.
It had previously spent a record 52 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.
Kendrick did take another loss at the American Music Awards earlier this week where he was widely expected to clean up at the ceremony.
While the Compton superstar did pick up a win for Favorite Hip Hop Song with “Not Like Us”, he was otherwise shut out at the ceremony.
Lamar was nominated across five other categories including Artist of the Year but was beaten by Billie Eilish.
Eilish also triumphed over Lamar in Album of the Year and Song of the Year.
The biggest upset came in the Hip Hop categories with Eminem taking home both Favorite Hip Hop Artist and Favorite Hip Hop Album.
Lamar and SZA were also nominated for Collaboration of the Year but beaten by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga with their smash hit “Die With A Smile”.
“Luther”, which had been at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for a record breaking thirteen weeks, has been deposed by Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae’s “What I Want”.
The hit single has now slid down to number five on the chart after originally being released last November.
“Not Like Us”, which last week broke the record for most weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for a rap song, has also fell off the chart entirely.
It had previously spent a record 52 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.
Kendrick did take another loss at the American Music Awards earlier this week where he was widely expected to clean up at the ceremony.
While the Compton superstar did pick up a win for Favorite Hip Hop Song with “Not Like Us”, he was otherwise shut out at the ceremony.
Lamar was nominated across five other categories including Artist of the Year but was beaten by Billie Eilish.
Eilish also triumphed over Lamar in Album of the Year and Song of the Year.
The biggest upset came in the Hip Hop categories with Eminem taking home both Favorite Hip Hop Artist and Favorite Hip Hop Album.
Lamar and SZA were also nominated for Collaboration of the Year but beaten by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga with their smash hit “Die With A Smile”.
Ms. Lauryn Hill Celebrates 50th Birthday With Surprise, Star-Studded Affair
Ms. Lauryn Hill celebrated her 50th birthday with close friends and family, to her surprise. On Monday (May 26), the Grammy-winner was gifted a star-studded affair, hosted at FlyFish Club, featured music, dancing, and Crown Royal Deluxe cocktails, including the brand’s rarest variant, Crown Royal 31 Year Old.
Guests included Rapsody, Dave Chappelle, Rah Digga, and more. A clip shared to social media by photographer Walik Goshorn highlighted the toast made by comedian Chappelle.
“You have no idea how hard it is to be 50 years old and beautiful,” exclaimed Chappelle to welcomed cheers from partygoers.
“We went through all of it. Survived it, and here we are tonight, your friends, your family and your colleagues, and your peers. I flew to New York just for this…I would not have missed this for the world. I love you. Happy 50th birthday.”
In her fifth decade, the acclaimed musician is not to be counted out. Earlier this year, Ms. Lauryn Hill made her Met Gala debut wearing an eye-catching, yellow, double-breasted suit and a classic Hermès Kelly bag. She also took the stage at the 2025 Jazz In The Gardens festival and solidified her legacy by welcoming Doechii, who won this year’s Grammy award for Best Rap Album, which Hill became the first woman to win in 1997.
Ms. Lauryn Hill celebrated her 50th birthday with close friends and family, to her surprise. On Monday (May 26), the Grammy-winner was gifted a star-studded affair, hosted at FlyFish Club, featured music, dancing, and Crown Royal Deluxe cocktails, including the brand’s rarest variant, Crown Royal 31 Year Old.
Guests included Rapsody, Dave Chappelle, Rah Digga, and more. A clip shared to social media by photographer Walik Goshorn highlighted the toast made by comedian Chappelle.
“You have no idea how hard it is to be 50 years old and beautiful,” exclaimed Chappelle to welcomed cheers from partygoers.
“We went through all of it. Survived it, and here we are tonight, your friends, your family and your colleagues, and your peers. I flew to New York just for this…I would not have missed this for the world. I love you. Happy 50th birthday.”
In her fifth decade, the acclaimed musician is not to be counted out. Earlier this year, Ms. Lauryn Hill made her Met Gala debut wearing an eye-catching, yellow, double-breasted suit and a classic Hermès Kelly bag. She also took the stage at the 2025 Jazz In The Gardens festival and solidified her legacy by welcoming Doechii, who won this year’s Grammy award for Best Rap Album, which Hill became the first woman to win in 1997.
Tyler Perry & Terri J. Vaughn Sued Over Netflix Series ‘She The People’ For Allegedly Copying Nonprofit’s Name & Concept
Tyler Perry is facing a lawsuit over his upcoming Netflix series “She The People,” which a nonprofit founder claims infringes on her organization’s brand identity and mission.
Aimee Allison, president and founder of the nonprofit She the People, filed the suit just ahead of the show’s release.
The complaint names Netflix, Perry, his company Tyler Vision, LLC, and actress Terri Vaughn as defendants. Allison alleges she previously worked with Vaughn to develop a docuseries based on the She the People concept, which focuses on uplifting women of color in politics.
According to the lawsuit, the new scripted series borrows heavily from themes, narratives, and branding central to her nonprofit’s work, potentially misleading audiences and damaging the organization’s reputation.
Allison is seeking unspecified damages and has requested the court to intervene in the show’s release. Representatives for Perry, Vaughn, and Netflix have not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
Aimee Allison, president and founder of the nonprofit She the People, filed the suit just ahead of the show’s release.
The complaint names Netflix, Perry, his company Tyler Vision, LLC, and actress Terri Vaughn as defendants. Allison alleges she previously worked with Vaughn to develop a docuseries based on the She the People concept, which focuses on uplifting women of color in politics.
According to the lawsuit, the new scripted series borrows heavily from themes, narratives, and branding central to her nonprofit’s work, potentially misleading audiences and damaging the organization’s reputation.
Allison is seeking unspecified damages and has requested the court to intervene in the show’s release. Representatives for Perry, Vaughn, and Netflix have not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
Woody McClain Issues Public Apology to Cam Newton Before “Funky Friday” Podcast Drops
Actor Woody McClain, known for his role in “Power Book II: Ghost,” is attempting to make amends with NFL star Cam Newton, though it’s unclear why.
On Saturday, McClain took to Threads to issue a public apology to Newton and his “Funky Friday” podcast team, stating, “I want to apologize to @cam and His Team for my actions on his podcast!!!”
The specifics of the incident prompting the apology remain a mystery, as McClain did not provide further details. McClain’s decision to address the issue publicly suggests a desire to take responsibility before the episode airs.
Newton or the “Funky Friday” crew has yet to comment on the matter, and the episode in question has not been released. However, it isn’t the first time that Newton welcomed a controversial guest. Jonathan Majors and comedian Corey Holcomb have also appeared on the platform, both making headlines. McClain is not known for distasteful headlines, but given that such messy moments typically attract significant views, Newton will likely unveil the episode in the coming days.
Actor Woody McClain, known for his role in “Power Book II: Ghost,” is attempting to make amends with NFL star Cam Newton, though it’s unclear why.
On Saturday, McClain took to Threads to issue a public apology to Newton and his “Funky Friday” podcast team, stating, “I want to apologize to @cam and His Team for my actions on his podcast!!!”
The specifics of the incident prompting the apology remain a mystery, as McClain did not provide further details. McClain’s decision to address the issue publicly suggests a desire to take responsibility before the episode airs.
Ray J Hits Back at Suge Knight, Denies He Was Ever Diddy's 'Lover'
Ray J has denied Suge Knight’s claim that he and Diddy were once romantically involved.
The singer addressed Knight’s comments on a Twitch livestream on Friday (May 30), stating that they were untrue and he was disappointed in the incarcerated mogul.
"Ray J and Puffy are lovers bro, really?" Ray J began. "That’s what Suge is trying to say. Suge disappointed me and let me know that Suge’s a complete cunt. I’ve always had Suge’s back."
In a shocking turn, Ray J then claimed that the former Death Row Records boss rapes men. "Suge is a big ass raper/taker of men bro," he alleged. "I mean a real taker. He can't deny this, bro. We used to go to the store and get that ni**a like 25 sticks of butter." Ray J then alleged that Knight would insert the butter in other people’s rectal areas to use as lubricant.
Ray J’s allegations didn’t end there. He also claimed that Knight had sexual relations with men and women’s ears and noses.
Ray J’s allegations came as a response to Knight’s recent telephone interview with Piers Morgan where he claimed that Ray J and Diddy were romantic with each other.
"Ray J and Puffy was definitely lovers," Knight claimed. "Puffy allegedly gave him 10 million dollars to put out an album about the two brothers loving each other."
In the same interview, Knight alleged (again) that Dr. Dre put up tens of thousands of dollars to have him killed.
While discussing the use of California's three-strikes law in connection with the voluntary manslaughter case that he’s currently behind bars for after a no-contest plea, Knight brought up Dre, who previously denied the claims.
"I’m not supposed to have any strikes," Knight said. "Also, they have proof of the guys with the guns, they got proof of payments where Andre Young paid these guys to kill me with a personal check. $20,000 here, money there. And they all agreed they was paid to kill me."
Ray J has denied Suge Knight’s claim that he and Diddy were once romantically involved.
The singer addressed Knight’s comments on a Twitch livestream on Friday (May 30), stating that they were untrue and he was disappointed in the incarcerated mogul.
"Ray J and Puffy are lovers bro, really?" Ray J began. "That’s what Suge is trying to say. Suge disappointed me and let me know that Suge’s a complete cunt. I’ve always had Suge’s back."
In a shocking turn, Ray J then claimed that the former Death Row Records boss rapes men. "Suge is a big ass raper/taker of men bro," he alleged. "I mean a real taker. He can't deny this, bro. We used to go to the store and get that ni**a like 25 sticks of butter." Ray J then alleged that Knight would insert the butter in other people’s rectal areas to use as lubricant.
Ray J’s allegations didn’t end there. He also claimed that Knight had sexual relations with men and women’s ears and noses.
Ray J’s allegations came as a response to Knight’s recent telephone interview with Piers Morgan where he claimed that Ray J and Diddy were romantic with each other.
"Ray J and Puffy was definitely lovers," Knight claimed. "Puffy allegedly gave him 10 million dollars to put out an album about the two brothers loving each other."
In the same interview, Knight alleged (again) that Dr. Dre put up tens of thousands of dollars to have him killed.
While discussing the use of California's three-strikes law in connection with the voluntary manslaughter case that he’s currently behind bars for after a no-contest plea, Knight brought up Dre, who previously denied the claims.
"I’m not supposed to have any strikes," Knight said. "Also, they have proof of the guys with the guns, they got proof of payments where Andre Young paid these guys to kill me with a personal check. $20,000 here, money there. And they all agreed they was paid to kill me."
TNT’s Long Goodbye: ‘Inside the NBA’ Stays, but Games Are Almost Gone
Along with the Knicks, TNT Sports got another chance to savor the NBA TV apple after New York’s victory over the Pacers on Thursday night.
With Indiana leading New York 3–1, Thursday’s Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals could have been TNT’s swan song after 36 years of televising NBA games in the U.S.
Yes, the iconic Inside the NBA will survive via a licensing deal with ESPN. But whether TNT gets one more playoff telecast or two in this best-of-seven series, it’s over after this season. NBA games will shift to NBC Sports, Amazon Prime Video, and incumbent ESPN starting with the 2025–26 season. However, TNT will remain in business with the NBA for overseas games and NBA Digital.
Given the make-or-break nature of last night’s telecast, TNT admirably played it straight. Play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan was the usual pro’s pro. He also took pains to praise TNT’s live-game camera operators and producers who may be out of a job next season. As columnist David Aldridge wrote on X/Twitter: “Love when Harlan names as many people on the @NBAonTNT production staff for game broadcasts as he can before signing off. No one knows how hard those folks work, 48-50 weeks a year, whether on hoops, baseball or football, to make the people in front of the camera look good.”
Before and after the game, the Inside the NBA cast of Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson brought their usual mix of humor, basketball bona fides, and bombast.
Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns was one of the stars of the game. But that didn’t stop Barkley from asking, “Why do you be getting them dumb fouls?” Answered KAT: “God only knows. … I’ve got to do a much better job.”
Barkley also declared that Game 6 is a “must-win” for the Pacers in Indiana. “If they come back here, they’re going to get another ass-kicking like they did tonight,” he said from the hardwood floor of Madison Square Garden in New York.
Barring any changes, ESPN boss Jimmy Pitaro told me he expects to keep the Inside the NBA “band” together next season. While the show will air on ESPN, TNT will retain 100% editorial control, and the cast will remain TNT employees. The last block fell into place when Front Office Sports broke the news that O’Neal was signing a contract extension worth more than $15 million a year.
The Diesel went on a pregame screed to remind loyal viewers—and ESPN—what to expect when the wild and woolly Inside the NBA moves to Disney’s airwaves this fall.
Said O’Neal: “Whatever network we go to, we’re bringing the pain. Just letting you know, right now. I know everybody’s sad. Aw, it’s not going to be the show. The show is still here, baby. You can never kill the four horsemen. We coming. We coming to take spots. We coming to kick ass. We coming to take names. And we’re doing it our way.”
With Indiana leading New York 3–1, Thursday’s Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals could have been TNT’s swan song after 36 years of televising NBA games in the U.S.
Yes, the iconic Inside the NBA will survive via a licensing deal with ESPN. But whether TNT gets one more playoff telecast or two in this best-of-seven series, it’s over after this season. NBA games will shift to NBC Sports, Amazon Prime Video, and incumbent ESPN starting with the 2025–26 season. However, TNT will remain in business with the NBA for overseas games and NBA Digital.
Given the make-or-break nature of last night’s telecast, TNT admirably played it straight. Play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan was the usual pro’s pro. He also took pains to praise TNT’s live-game camera operators and producers who may be out of a job next season. As columnist David Aldridge wrote on X/Twitter: “Love when Harlan names as many people on the @NBAonTNT production staff for game broadcasts as he can before signing off. No one knows how hard those folks work, 48-50 weeks a year, whether on hoops, baseball or football, to make the people in front of the camera look good.”
Before and after the game, the Inside the NBA cast of Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson brought their usual mix of humor, basketball bona fides, and bombast.
Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns was one of the stars of the game. But that didn’t stop Barkley from asking, “Why do you be getting them dumb fouls?” Answered KAT: “God only knows. … I’ve got to do a much better job.”
Barkley also declared that Game 6 is a “must-win” for the Pacers in Indiana. “If they come back here, they’re going to get another ass-kicking like they did tonight,” he said from the hardwood floor of Madison Square Garden in New York.
Barring any changes, ESPN boss Jimmy Pitaro told me he expects to keep the Inside the NBA “band” together next season. While the show will air on ESPN, TNT will retain 100% editorial control, and the cast will remain TNT employees. The last block fell into place when Front Office Sports broke the news that O’Neal was signing a contract extension worth more than $15 million a year.
The Diesel went on a pregame screed to remind loyal viewers—and ESPN—what to expect when the wild and woolly Inside the NBA moves to Disney’s airwaves this fall.
Said O’Neal: “Whatever network we go to, we’re bringing the pain. Just letting you know, right now. I know everybody’s sad. Aw, it’s not going to be the show. The show is still here, baby. You can never kill the four horsemen. We coming. We coming to take spots. We coming to kick ass. We coming to take names. And we’re doing it our way.”
Nicci Gilbert Ordered To Pay $170K In Ongoing ‘P-Valley’ Lawsuit
The Brownstone singer continues to allege that the hit Starz series ‘P-Valley’ is a ripoff of her past production, ‘Soul Kittens Cabaret.’
The battle between Nicci Gilbert and Hollywood studio Lionsgate has been going on for years, as the Brownstone singer continues to allege that the hit Starz series P-Valley is a ripoff of her past production, Soul Kittens Cabaret.
Now, in the latest development, Gilbert has been ordered to pay Lionsgate, which distributes Starz, $170,000 for the studio’s legal fees. Following the judgment, Gilbert took to social media with a lengthy response, alleging that intellectual property theft is akin to “violence.”
According to BallerAlert, she also called out the coverage of high-profile celebrity trials involving the likes of Sean “Diddy” Combs and Tory Lanez, saying that her legal issue is just as important because paying $170,000 is robbing her of the generational wealth she has acquired.
“The system only works for the wealthy and powerful,” she wrote. “If you think what’s happening to me can’t happen to you—keep watching.” Gilbert already lost the lawsuit, that she initially filed in 2022, when a judge in December 2023 ruled that neither Lionsgate nor Starz stole her intellectual property to create P-Valley.
The following year, in December 2024, a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel turned down Gilbert’s appeal of the prior judgment. The three-judge panel ruled that no reasonable juror could find any substantial similarities between Soul Kittens Cabaret and P-Valley.
“Many of the purported similarities between the works are based on unprotectable elements such as generic plot devices … familiar stock scenes and themes … or scènes à faire that ‘flow naturally’ from the basic premise of dancers or performers at a cabaret or exotic dancing venue,” the panel said in its judgement.
Meanwhile, after a three-year wait, it appears that season three of P-Valley will finally premiere sometime this year, as cast members have teased the forthcoming season and confirmed that it has finished shooting.
The Brownstone singer continues to allege that the hit Starz series ‘P-Valley’ is a ripoff of her past production, ‘Soul Kittens Cabaret.’
The battle between Nicci Gilbert and Hollywood studio Lionsgate has been going on for years, as the Brownstone singer continues to allege that the hit Starz series P-Valley is a ripoff of her past production, Soul Kittens Cabaret.
Now, in the latest development, Gilbert has been ordered to pay Lionsgate, which distributes Starz, $170,000 for the studio’s legal fees. Following the judgment, Gilbert took to social media with a lengthy response, alleging that intellectual property theft is akin to “violence.”
According to BallerAlert, she also called out the coverage of high-profile celebrity trials involving the likes of Sean “Diddy” Combs and Tory Lanez, saying that her legal issue is just as important because paying $170,000 is robbing her of the generational wealth she has acquired.
“The system only works for the wealthy and powerful,” she wrote. “If you think what’s happening to me can’t happen to you—keep watching.” Gilbert already lost the lawsuit, that she initially filed in 2022, when a judge in December 2023 ruled that neither Lionsgate nor Starz stole her intellectual property to create P-Valley.
The following year, in December 2024, a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel turned down Gilbert’s appeal of the prior judgment. The three-judge panel ruled that no reasonable juror could find any substantial similarities between Soul Kittens Cabaret and P-Valley.
“Many of the purported similarities between the works are based on unprotectable elements such as generic plot devices … familiar stock scenes and themes … or scènes à faire that ‘flow naturally’ from the basic premise of dancers or performers at a cabaret or exotic dancing venue,” the panel said in its judgement.
Meanwhile, after a three-year wait, it appears that season three of P-Valley will finally premiere sometime this year, as cast members have teased the forthcoming season and confirmed that it has finished shooting.
Vanessa Bryant Seemingly Addresses Claims She’s Pregnant in Poignant Instagram Post
Vanessa Bryant has seemingly shut down online speculation regarding an unfounded pregnancy.
Vanessa, 43, took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday, June 1, to share a captioned meme of Rihanna bobbing about water with a snorkel mask atop her forehead, carrying a drink and flipping her middle finger. The caption read, “Me protecting my peace, not pregnant & having fun all summer.”
The Story arrived amid online chatter that suggested the widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant was expecting her fifth child.
Additional Instagram Stories on Sunday evening also seemingly shone a light on Vanessa’s current mindset, with a later post sharing candid text from a self development and motivation Instagram account. “The only way to impress me, is by being a good person,” the post read. “I don’t care what you have, what you wear, where you live, or what you drive. I just have deep respect for people with pure hearts and good intentions.”
A third Story featured a second photo of Rihanna, 37, as part of another online meme, accompanied by the caption, “I’m not mean, I’m just not the one.”
Vanessa, who was married to Kobe from 2001 until the athlete’s passing in 2020, is mother to four children: Natalia, 22, Bianka, 8, Capri, 5, and Gianna, who also passed away in 2020.
The businesswoman and philanthropist offered fans a look into how close her family has remained over time, sharing a video from a winter vacation with Natalia, Bianka and Capri at the end of December 2024. In the footage, the girls were seen hitting the slopes for some skiing and posing in front of Christmas trees as they enjoyed their winter wonderland.
On April 6, Gianna, a rising star in women’s basketball, was remembered by the sporting community after Connecticut’s UConn Huskies celebrated winning the women’s NCAA basketball championship. Vanessa shared an Instagram note about the team’s success that mentioned her late daughter at the time.
“Gigi would’ve loved being there with you,” the mother wrote via her Instagram Stories. “When you think you can’t, UConn ~ Gianna Bryant 💔❤️.” Vanessa also tagged UConn head coach, Geno Auriemma, and congratulated him on the title win, which marked the school’s 12th national title and first since 2016.
Kobe and Gianna were both killed in a January 2020 helicopter crash that also took the lives of seven other people. Kobe was 41 years old and Gianna was 13.
Vanessa, 43, took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday, June 1, to share a captioned meme of Rihanna bobbing about water with a snorkel mask atop her forehead, carrying a drink and flipping her middle finger. The caption read, “Me protecting my peace, not pregnant & having fun all summer.”
The Story arrived amid online chatter that suggested the widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant was expecting her fifth child.
Additional Instagram Stories on Sunday evening also seemingly shone a light on Vanessa’s current mindset, with a later post sharing candid text from a self development and motivation Instagram account. “The only way to impress me, is by being a good person,” the post read. “I don’t care what you have, what you wear, where you live, or what you drive. I just have deep respect for people with pure hearts and good intentions.”
A third Story featured a second photo of Rihanna, 37, as part of another online meme, accompanied by the caption, “I’m not mean, I’m just not the one.”
Vanessa, who was married to Kobe from 2001 until the athlete’s passing in 2020, is mother to four children: Natalia, 22, Bianka, 8, Capri, 5, and Gianna, who also passed away in 2020.
The businesswoman and philanthropist offered fans a look into how close her family has remained over time, sharing a video from a winter vacation with Natalia, Bianka and Capri at the end of December 2024. In the footage, the girls were seen hitting the slopes for some skiing and posing in front of Christmas trees as they enjoyed their winter wonderland.
On April 6, Gianna, a rising star in women’s basketball, was remembered by the sporting community after Connecticut’s UConn Huskies celebrated winning the women’s NCAA basketball championship. Vanessa shared an Instagram note about the team’s success that mentioned her late daughter at the time.
“Gigi would’ve loved being there with you,” the mother wrote via her Instagram Stories. “When you think you can’t, UConn ~ Gianna Bryant 💔❤️.” Vanessa also tagged UConn head coach, Geno Auriemma, and congratulated him on the title win, which marked the school’s 12th national title and first since 2016.
Kobe and Gianna were both killed in a January 2020 helicopter crash that also took the lives of seven other people. Kobe was 41 years old and Gianna was 13.
Bill Maher sparks backlash over Cassie and Diddy comments
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
Bill Maher has ignited fury over his latest comments about the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial.
To close out Friday night’s Real Time With Bill Maher episode, the host delivered a monologue about the music mogul’s ongoing trial and his thoughts on abuse and stardom.
Combs is facing is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy charges. He was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged he threatened, abused, and coerced victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” between 2004 and 2024. Combs has denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
“Diddy is a bad dude, really bad,” Maher began. “And we should lock him up and throw away the baby oil,” he continued in his signature satirical style.
He then segued into discussing the trial in the context of the post-Me Too movement era, saying: “Things have changed enough so that moving forward, the rule should be if you’re being abused, you gotta leave right away.”
“Now I completely understand why in the past women often did not do that,” Maher continued. “I understand, as counter-intuitive as it seems, why an abused woman would send complementary texts or emails to her abuser after the abuse. And that everywhere, women felt, for good reason, that O.G. predators like Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein would never be held accountable. Why not at least get something out of it?”
He continued, noting that the alleged perpetrators of abuse were “surrounded by all sorts of enablers” who “lured women into unsafe spaces,” and “cowards who knew what was going on but didn’t dare expose the person who signed their paycheck.”
“In that scenario,” Maher continued, “it was not illogical for an abused woman to say, ‘Well, if I can’t get justice for my pain, can I at least get a receipt?’”
Maher went on to point out that aforementioned abusers Cosby and Weinstein went to prison, with the latter expected to die behind bars. He also pointed out that post-Me Too movement reporting indicates women are more likely to speak up against mistreatment and abuse.
Still, he reiterated being “aware that it can be difficult to leave an abusive relationship.” He then said that women should go to the police right away instead of journaling in the aftermath of experiencing mistreatment or abuse. “And most importantly, don’t keep f****** him,” he said, seemingly referring to Combs’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura’s pattern of repeatedly returning to the music mogul despite the alleged abuse she experienced.
After brief applause, he continued: “Your only contemporaneous notes about what he did should be the police report. It’s not victim shaming to expect women to have the agency to leave toxic relationships. Quite the contrary, to not expect that is infantilizing them.”
Maher then noted that if Combs were to walk free, it could be due to the alleged text messages from Ventura “expressing what’s often called enthusiastic consent to their sex life.” Ventura’s texts were cross-examined as part of Combs’s trial.
“I get it. Part of the allure of the music industry is you wanna be a star,” Maher continued. “And music is, to begin with, highly sexualized.”
“But if we’re going to have an honest conversation about abuse, we also have to have an honest conversation about what people are willing to do for stardom,” he added. “If you want a number one record on the charts so bad you’ll take a number one in the face, some of that is on you.”
Maher continued: “If you’re literally being held captive, that’s one thing. But if you’re putting up with whatever for love or for your career, then you need to have a little more honesty and accountability about that.”
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, nearly 1 in 3 college women say they’ve been in an abusive relationship, and, on average, it takes a woman about seven tries to leave an abusive relationship for good.
Maher’s monologue prompted intense backlash from women for failing to understand the difficulty in leaving abusive relationships, with several citing the 2016 hotel surveillance video that captured Ventura attempting to flee Combs while participating in one of his “freak offs.”
“That’s insanely ignorant, we have seen in the video that she tried to leave… yes women will be believed way faster than in the past, but still the abuse is not black and white,” one woman wrote on Facebook.
“Like she tried to leave the hotel? Don’t be a pig, Bill,” someone else wrote.
“Until people are in a domestic violence relationship. They had no understanding of how hard it is to get out of one. It’s not as easy as it seems,” another said.
“Floored by people who do not understand abusive relationships. You don't know what was actually going on. To say she stayed for the money is probably the crulest thing to say. Bill Maher is just a jerk,” someone else chimed in.
“Of course a man would make this comment. You have no idea what it is like to be in an abusive relationship and to get out of it. You need to just shut up about something you no nothing about,” someone else wrote on X.
Another shared: “Obviously, doesn’t know anything about grooming, domestic violence abuse or keeping his f****** mouth shut!”
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
Bill Maher has ignited fury over his latest comments about the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial.
To close out Friday night’s Real Time With Bill Maher episode, the host delivered a monologue about the music mogul’s ongoing trial and his thoughts on abuse and stardom.
Combs is facing is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy charges. He was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged he threatened, abused, and coerced victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” between 2004 and 2024. Combs has denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
“Diddy is a bad dude, really bad,” Maher began. “And we should lock him up and throw away the baby oil,” he continued in his signature satirical style.
He then segued into discussing the trial in the context of the post-Me Too movement era, saying: “Things have changed enough so that moving forward, the rule should be if you’re being abused, you gotta leave right away.”
“Now I completely understand why in the past women often did not do that,” Maher continued. “I understand, as counter-intuitive as it seems, why an abused woman would send complementary texts or emails to her abuser after the abuse. And that everywhere, women felt, for good reason, that O.G. predators like Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein would never be held accountable. Why not at least get something out of it?”
He continued, noting that the alleged perpetrators of abuse were “surrounded by all sorts of enablers” who “lured women into unsafe spaces,” and “cowards who knew what was going on but didn’t dare expose the person who signed their paycheck.”
“In that scenario,” Maher continued, “it was not illogical for an abused woman to say, ‘Well, if I can’t get justice for my pain, can I at least get a receipt?’”
Maher went on to point out that aforementioned abusers Cosby and Weinstein went to prison, with the latter expected to die behind bars. He also pointed out that post-Me Too movement reporting indicates women are more likely to speak up against mistreatment and abuse.
Still, he reiterated being “aware that it can be difficult to leave an abusive relationship.” He then said that women should go to the police right away instead of journaling in the aftermath of experiencing mistreatment or abuse. “And most importantly, don’t keep f****** him,” he said, seemingly referring to Combs’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura’s pattern of repeatedly returning to the music mogul despite the alleged abuse she experienced.
After brief applause, he continued: “Your only contemporaneous notes about what he did should be the police report. It’s not victim shaming to expect women to have the agency to leave toxic relationships. Quite the contrary, to not expect that is infantilizing them.”
Maher then noted that if Combs were to walk free, it could be due to the alleged text messages from Ventura “expressing what’s often called enthusiastic consent to their sex life.” Ventura’s texts were cross-examined as part of Combs’s trial.
“I get it. Part of the allure of the music industry is you wanna be a star,” Maher continued. “And music is, to begin with, highly sexualized.”
“But if we’re going to have an honest conversation about abuse, we also have to have an honest conversation about what people are willing to do for stardom,” he added. “If you want a number one record on the charts so bad you’ll take a number one in the face, some of that is on you.”
Maher continued: “If you’re literally being held captive, that’s one thing. But if you’re putting up with whatever for love or for your career, then you need to have a little more honesty and accountability about that.”
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, nearly 1 in 3 college women say they’ve been in an abusive relationship, and, on average, it takes a woman about seven tries to leave an abusive relationship for good.
Maher’s monologue prompted intense backlash from women for failing to understand the difficulty in leaving abusive relationships, with several citing the 2016 hotel surveillance video that captured Ventura attempting to flee Combs while participating in one of his “freak offs.”
“That’s insanely ignorant, we have seen in the video that she tried to leave… yes women will be believed way faster than in the past, but still the abuse is not black and white,” one woman wrote on Facebook.
“Like she tried to leave the hotel? Don’t be a pig, Bill,” someone else wrote.
“Until people are in a domestic violence relationship. They had no understanding of how hard it is to get out of one. It’s not as easy as it seems,” another said.
“Floored by people who do not understand abusive relationships. You don't know what was actually going on. To say she stayed for the money is probably the crulest thing to say. Bill Maher is just a jerk,” someone else chimed in.
“Of course a man would make this comment. You have no idea what it is like to be in an abusive relationship and to get out of it. You need to just shut up about something you no nothing about,” someone else wrote on X.
Another shared: “Obviously, doesn’t know anything about grooming, domestic violence abuse or keeping his f****** mouth shut!”
JoJo Siwa Confirms Relationship with Chris Hughes, Responds to Rumors It's a PR Stunt
JoJo Siwa has officially confirmed she’s in a relationship with Celebrity Big Brother cast mate Chris Hughes, despite it being kind of obvious to her fans!
The 22-year-old entertainer and 32-year-old television personality first sparked romance speculation inside the house, but never confirmed their romance…until today.
In a new interview, JoJo was asked about rumors that they’re a couple and rumors that they faked attention inside the reality TV show house.
“No, this is a very genuine connection – we’re not faking a thing,” JoJo told The Guardian. “People can see our chemistry, and they got to see it develop. I think everyone’s just curious, and I can’t blame them.”
She was then asked if the relationship is platonic or romantic.
She replied, “It’s not platonic any more, and it’s been a beautiful development, a beautiful connection, and I’m absolutely head over heels for him and he’s the same way.”
About if it’s a PR stunt, she shared, “Clearly, you’ve never been around us. I won’t ever speak for him, but for me personally, the happiness in my life just radiates off of me right now. Literally yesterday, I was massaging my cheeks; I’ve never [before] been in pain from smiling so much.”
The 22-year-old entertainer and 32-year-old television personality first sparked romance speculation inside the house, but never confirmed their romance…until today.
In a new interview, JoJo was asked about rumors that they’re a couple and rumors that they faked attention inside the reality TV show house.
“No, this is a very genuine connection – we’re not faking a thing,” JoJo told The Guardian. “People can see our chemistry, and they got to see it develop. I think everyone’s just curious, and I can’t blame them.”
She was then asked if the relationship is platonic or romantic.
She replied, “It’s not platonic any more, and it’s been a beautiful development, a beautiful connection, and I’m absolutely head over heels for him and he’s the same way.”
About if it’s a PR stunt, she shared, “Clearly, you’ve never been around us. I won’t ever speak for him, but for me personally, the happiness in my life just radiates off of me right now. Literally yesterday, I was massaging my cheeks; I’ve never [before] been in pain from smiling so much.”
Dolly Parton Reveals What She Really Thought About Beyonce’s ‘Completely Different’ Cover of ‘Jolene’
Beyoncé reimagines Dolly Parton's iconic song "Jolene" on her 2024 Cowboy Carter album, transforming it from a plea into a powerful warning
Dolly Parton praises Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, calling the album “really, really good” and expressing pride in the bold reinterpretation of her 1973 hit
Parton appears twice on Cowboy Carter, including as a fictional radio DJ on the track "Dolly P" and in a cameo at the start of Beyoncé’s song "Tyrant" Don’t come for her man!
Dolly Parton’s 1973 hit, “Jolene," has had Parton fans singing along for decades, but in 2024, Beyoncé put a modern spin on it.
Beyoncé, 43, covered the song on her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, changing the tone and key lyrics of the song to serve as more of a warning instead of Parton’s plea.
For example, where Parton sings, “I’m beggin’ of you, please don’t take my man,” Beyonce declares, “I’m warning you, don’t come for my man.”
In an interview with PEOPLE tied to the release of her single-serve frozen meals with Conagra brands, Parton gushed about Beyoncé and her musical talent.
“I’m a huge fan of hers — I mean, who's not? Everybody loves her,” Parton said. “I think she's a magnificent artist, beautiful and the dancing in addition to the singing.”
Parton called Cowboy Carter a “really, really good album,” one that features two cameos from the Country Music Hall of Famer.
Parton is heard in the track "Dolly P," in which she plays a fake radio DJ queuing up the next set of songs. The "9 to 5" singer also contributed to the song "Tyrant," which is featured later on the record.
The 10th track on the album is Beyoncé’s fiery rendition of “Jolene,” which Parton loved.
“I was just honored that she, of course, did a completely different take on ‘Jolene’ than than my version of it," Parton tells PEOPLE. "Hers was more like, ‘Well, you're not getting him, you're not taking him, you're going to go through me to get him.’ Mine was more like, ‘Please don't take him!’ So I loved her interpretation."
She continued, “As a writer, you like to hear how different people interpret your songs, and how they put their own spin and do their own take on it. But I was very proud of it, and I hope her tour does great, and I'm sure it will. People seem to be loving it.”
Beyoncé is currently on the road for the Cowboy Carter Tour, which is set to conclude on July 26, in Paradise, Nev.
Beyoncé reimagines Dolly Parton's iconic song "Jolene" on her 2024 Cowboy Carter album, transforming it from a plea into a powerful warning
Dolly Parton praises Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, calling the album “really, really good” and expressing pride in the bold reinterpretation of her 1973 hit
Parton appears twice on Cowboy Carter, including as a fictional radio DJ on the track "Dolly P" and in a cameo at the start of Beyoncé’s song "Tyrant" Don’t come for her man!
Dolly Parton’s 1973 hit, “Jolene," has had Parton fans singing along for decades, but in 2024, Beyoncé put a modern spin on it.
Beyoncé, 43, covered the song on her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, changing the tone and key lyrics of the song to serve as more of a warning instead of Parton’s plea.
For example, where Parton sings, “I’m beggin’ of you, please don’t take my man,” Beyonce declares, “I’m warning you, don’t come for my man.”
In an interview with PEOPLE tied to the release of her single-serve frozen meals with Conagra brands, Parton gushed about Beyoncé and her musical talent.
“I’m a huge fan of hers — I mean, who's not? Everybody loves her,” Parton said. “I think she's a magnificent artist, beautiful and the dancing in addition to the singing.”
Parton called Cowboy Carter a “really, really good album,” one that features two cameos from the Country Music Hall of Famer.
Parton is heard in the track "Dolly P," in which she plays a fake radio DJ queuing up the next set of songs. The "9 to 5" singer also contributed to the song "Tyrant," which is featured later on the record.
The 10th track on the album is Beyoncé’s fiery rendition of “Jolene,” which Parton loved.
“I was just honored that she, of course, did a completely different take on ‘Jolene’ than than my version of it," Parton tells PEOPLE. "Hers was more like, ‘Well, you're not getting him, you're not taking him, you're going to go through me to get him.’ Mine was more like, ‘Please don't take him!’ So I loved her interpretation."
She continued, “As a writer, you like to hear how different people interpret your songs, and how they put their own spin and do their own take on it. But I was very proud of it, and I hope her tour does great, and I'm sure it will. People seem to be loving it.”
Beyoncé is currently on the road for the Cowboy Carter Tour, which is set to conclude on July 26, in Paradise, Nev.
Billy Porter Reveals the 2 Performances He Saw as a Pre-Teen That Made Him Want to ‘Live My Life as an Artist’
Billy Porter revealed the two shows he saw as a pre-teen that made him decide to devote his life to the arts
The Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner told PEOPLE he saw The Wiz and Dreamgirls, and his life was forever changed
Porter made history when he became the first openly gay Black man to win an Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2019
Billy Porter says he was forever changed by two specific stage shows that he saw when he was young.
While speaking exclusively to PEOPLE about his early artistic influences, the Tony Award winner, 55, recalled the live stage moments he witnessed in his pre-teens that made him realize he needed to devote his life to the arts.
“Seeing the national touring company of The Wiz and the Tony Award performance of Dreamgirls where Jennifer Holliday introduced the song ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ into the zeitgeist in the same year, which was circa 1981, was the turning point in my life. That was the year I knew I would live my life as an artist,” he says.
The Broadway star also opened up about the significance of his show Pose, a TV drama that ran from 2018 to 2021, which explored various aspects of drag ball culture in the 1980s.
“I don’t believe we could completely comprehend how important our work was on Pose while we were in it,” he shares. “I recently returned to the series and watched all three seasons in three days. I was struck by the attention to the details and truth of the trans experience. There is no stone unturned.
“Everything you need to know about the history of LGBTQ+ community during the AIDS crisis is laid bare. The show should be required reading for everyone on the planet — particularly in this present moment of erasure of all things that make some White people in power uncomfortable,” he adds.
Porter, however, said that he wasn’t immediately sold when he heard the concept of the show, which was co-created by Ryan Murphy.
“When I was told that Ryan Murphy was committed to telling the ball culture story of the ’80s and ’90s during the AIDS crisis, I was hopeful and trepidatious. As a Black, gay man who lived through the era, and with the history of appropriation and theft of our community over the years, I was happy to hear that Ryan’s concept was to center Black and Brown transgender stories on the show.
“No one in a position of power in the entertainment industry had ever been brave enough to tell our story before then,” he continues. “Pose told truth and shifted something very profound in our world through the power of art. There’s hope and healing in our show. And I am forever grateful to have been chosen to be a part of it.”
Porter — who made history in 2019 when he became the first openly gay Black man to win an Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Pray Tell in Pose — told PEOPLE that he hopes the trend continues.
“I may be the first, and I do not want to be the last. We’ve come a long way and there is so much farther to go. I would like to live in a world where Black, queer firsts are not a thing anymore. I’m a dreamer. Maybe someday,” he says.
The Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner told PEOPLE he saw The Wiz and Dreamgirls, and his life was forever changed
Porter made history when he became the first openly gay Black man to win an Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2019
Billy Porter says he was forever changed by two specific stage shows that he saw when he was young.
While speaking exclusively to PEOPLE about his early artistic influences, the Tony Award winner, 55, recalled the live stage moments he witnessed in his pre-teens that made him realize he needed to devote his life to the arts.
“Seeing the national touring company of The Wiz and the Tony Award performance of Dreamgirls where Jennifer Holliday introduced the song ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ into the zeitgeist in the same year, which was circa 1981, was the turning point in my life. That was the year I knew I would live my life as an artist,” he says.
The Broadway star also opened up about the significance of his show Pose, a TV drama that ran from 2018 to 2021, which explored various aspects of drag ball culture in the 1980s.
“I don’t believe we could completely comprehend how important our work was on Pose while we were in it,” he shares. “I recently returned to the series and watched all three seasons in three days. I was struck by the attention to the details and truth of the trans experience. There is no stone unturned.
“Everything you need to know about the history of LGBTQ+ community during the AIDS crisis is laid bare. The show should be required reading for everyone on the planet — particularly in this present moment of erasure of all things that make some White people in power uncomfortable,” he adds.
Porter, however, said that he wasn’t immediately sold when he heard the concept of the show, which was co-created by Ryan Murphy.
“When I was told that Ryan Murphy was committed to telling the ball culture story of the ’80s and ’90s during the AIDS crisis, I was hopeful and trepidatious. As a Black, gay man who lived through the era, and with the history of appropriation and theft of our community over the years, I was happy to hear that Ryan’s concept was to center Black and Brown transgender stories on the show.
“No one in a position of power in the entertainment industry had ever been brave enough to tell our story before then,” he continues. “Pose told truth and shifted something very profound in our world through the power of art. There’s hope and healing in our show. And I am forever grateful to have been chosen to be a part of it.”
Porter — who made history in 2019 when he became the first openly gay Black man to win an Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Pray Tell in Pose — told PEOPLE that he hopes the trend continues.
“I may be the first, and I do not want to be the last. We’ve come a long way and there is so much farther to go. I would like to live in a world where Black, queer firsts are not a thing anymore. I’m a dreamer. Maybe someday,” he says.
Joy Reid Launches Bold New Podcast and YouTube Show
*Acclaimed journalist and political commentator Joy-Ann Reid is stepping into a new era with The Joy Reid Show, a fresh, unapologetic podcast and YouTube series launching June 9. Known for her sharp analysis and fearless reporting, Reid is expanding her platform to deliver unfiltered commentary and deep-dive conversations with a diverse range of influential guests.
Streaming every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the show aims to blend incisive political insight with humor, culture, and audience interaction. Produced by Image Lab Media Group and filmed in a custom basement-style studio in Washington, D.C., the program will feature a dynamic format that’s both intimate and intellectually rich.
According to the news release, the series kicks off with a slate of high-profile guests. Newark Mayor and 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial hopeful Ras Baraka will appear in a special preview episode, airing just ahead of the state’s June 10 primary. Comedian and late-night writer Amber Ruffin headlines the debut episode, while Ebrahim Rasool, former South African ambassador to the U.S., is also set to join Reid in upcoming conversations.
Reid, a bestselling author and longtime voice in political media, describes the new project as a natural extension of her mission to amplify underrepresented perspectives. “Throughout my career, I’ve been proud to serve as a trustworthy voice in journalism, particularly as a Black woman in spaces where the perspectives of women, and particularly women of color, are too often underrepresented,” she said.
“This new podcast marks an exciting new chapter, an opportunity to reach broader audiences, build vibrant communities, and lead thoughtful conversations on the issues that matter. I’m looking forward to offering a perspective that is both informed and unapologetically authentic,” Reid added.
Each Monday and Wednesday, audiences can expect Reid’s trademark take on current events, from politics and policy to entertainment and pop culture, alongside interviews with thought leaders and cultural influencers. Fridays, dubbed “Freestyle Fridays,” will turn the spotlight on the audience, with Reid engaging live in real-time dialogue and Q&A sessions featuring surprise guests.
Fan-favorite segments like “Who Won the Week?” will return, and the show will also tap into Reid’s loyal following from her Substack newsletter, Joy’s House, which boasts over 160,000 subscribers. Plans are already underway to expand The Joy Reid Show to a five-day-a-week format later in the year.
With its bold voice and immersive format, The Joy Reid Show is poised to become a must-watch (and must-listen) destination for anyone seeking perspective, purpose, and a healthy dose of straight talk.
*Acclaimed journalist and political commentator Joy-Ann Reid is stepping into a new era with The Joy Reid Show, a fresh, unapologetic podcast and YouTube series launching June 9. Known for her sharp analysis and fearless reporting, Reid is expanding her platform to deliver unfiltered commentary and deep-dive conversations with a diverse range of influential guests.
Streaming every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the show aims to blend incisive political insight with humor, culture, and audience interaction. Produced by Image Lab Media Group and filmed in a custom basement-style studio in Washington, D.C., the program will feature a dynamic format that’s both intimate and intellectually rich.
According to the news release, the series kicks off with a slate of high-profile guests. Newark Mayor and 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial hopeful Ras Baraka will appear in a special preview episode, airing just ahead of the state’s June 10 primary. Comedian and late-night writer Amber Ruffin headlines the debut episode, while Ebrahim Rasool, former South African ambassador to the U.S., is also set to join Reid in upcoming conversations.
Reid, a bestselling author and longtime voice in political media, describes the new project as a natural extension of her mission to amplify underrepresented perspectives. “Throughout my career, I’ve been proud to serve as a trustworthy voice in journalism, particularly as a Black woman in spaces where the perspectives of women, and particularly women of color, are too often underrepresented,” she said.
“This new podcast marks an exciting new chapter, an opportunity to reach broader audiences, build vibrant communities, and lead thoughtful conversations on the issues that matter. I’m looking forward to offering a perspective that is both informed and unapologetically authentic,” Reid added.
Each Monday and Wednesday, audiences can expect Reid’s trademark take on current events, from politics and policy to entertainment and pop culture, alongside interviews with thought leaders and cultural influencers. Fridays, dubbed “Freestyle Fridays,” will turn the spotlight on the audience, with Reid engaging live in real-time dialogue and Q&A sessions featuring surprise guests.
Fan-favorite segments like “Who Won the Week?” will return, and the show will also tap into Reid’s loyal following from her Substack newsletter, Joy’s House, which boasts over 160,000 subscribers. Plans are already underway to expand The Joy Reid Show to a five-day-a-week format later in the year.
With its bold voice and immersive format, The Joy Reid Show is poised to become a must-watch (and must-listen) destination for anyone seeking perspective, purpose, and a healthy dose of straight talk.
Megan Thee Stallion’s Lawsuit Against Milagro Gramz Heats Up as Blogger Dropped by Her Second Lawyer
Megan Thee Stallion is pressing forward with her high-profile defamation lawsuit, and her target, blogger Milagro Gramz, is now scrambling to defend herself, again without a lawyer.
According to All Hip-Hop, Gramz, who is accused of launching a smear campaign on behalf of Tory Lanez, has just lost her second attorney in less than a month. Michael Hayden, with California non-profit Unite the People Inc., filed to withdraw from the case, citing that they couldn’t afford local Florida counsel.
“Financial difficulties have arisen with Unite the People Inc. and [Milagro Gramz], making it unreasonably difficult for Unite the People Inc. to continue to effectively represent [Milagro Gramz] as Pro Hac Vice counsel,” Hayden wrote in court documents.
“Unite the People currently has two licensed attorneys, who specialize in criminal law, who handle large caseloads…Without local Florida counsel to act as lead counsel, Unite the People cannot continue…or it would suffer extreme financial burden (likely ruin),” he added.
Gramz’s previous Florida attorney, Michael A. Pancier, also withdrew earlier in May over unpaid fees and irreconcilable differences.
Megan’s lawsuit claims Gramz spread false stories about her, including accusations of perjury, alcoholism, and mental health issues. It also alleges Gramz distributed a deepfake pornographic video of the rapper.
Now representing herself, Gramz is asking for public support. Her GiveSendGo campaign, “Save New Media,” aims to raise $100,000 to cover her legal costs.
She says she’s being unfairly targeted for being an independent voice. Megan has not spoken out publicly about this matter.
According to All Hip-Hop, Gramz, who is accused of launching a smear campaign on behalf of Tory Lanez, has just lost her second attorney in less than a month. Michael Hayden, with California non-profit Unite the People Inc., filed to withdraw from the case, citing that they couldn’t afford local Florida counsel.
“Financial difficulties have arisen with Unite the People Inc. and [Milagro Gramz], making it unreasonably difficult for Unite the People Inc. to continue to effectively represent [Milagro Gramz] as Pro Hac Vice counsel,” Hayden wrote in court documents.
“Unite the People currently has two licensed attorneys, who specialize in criminal law, who handle large caseloads…Without local Florida counsel to act as lead counsel, Unite the People cannot continue…or it would suffer extreme financial burden (likely ruin),” he added.
Gramz’s previous Florida attorney, Michael A. Pancier, also withdrew earlier in May over unpaid fees and irreconcilable differences.
Megan’s lawsuit claims Gramz spread false stories about her, including accusations of perjury, alcoholism, and mental health issues. It also alleges Gramz distributed a deepfake pornographic video of the rapper.
Now representing herself, Gramz is asking for public support. Her GiveSendGo campaign, “Save New Media,” aims to raise $100,000 to cover her legal costs.
She says she’s being unfairly targeted for being an independent voice. Megan has not spoken out publicly about this matter.
Suspect potentially facing murder charges after Colorado attack on Israeli hostage protesters
A man who shouted "free Palestine" and used a "makeshift flamethrower" to attack people marching in support of Israeli hostages held by Hamas is potentially facing two counts of first-degree murder, Colorado authorities said early Monday.
The Boulder County Sheriff's Office said on its daily booking sheet early that Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, of El Paso County, Colorado, could be charged with two counts of first-degree murder — one with "extreme indifference" and one listed as "deliberation with intent — nonfamily — gun."
Soliman also faces being charged with one count of attempted murder, one count of first-degree assault, one count of causing serious injury to an at-risk adult or someone over 70 and one count of using explosives or incendiary devices.
He was booked in at three minutes to midnight, and his bail has been set at $10 million. Soliman is set to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. ET), according to online police records.
Authorities have yet to formally confirm that anyone has died as a result of the attack, and there has been no update on the condition of the other injured victims.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said Soliman was in the country illegally and labeled the incident a "terror attack."
"He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa," Miller said in a post on X. "In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit."
Miller ended his post by saying: "Suicidal migration must be fully reversed."
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, whose mother was born in a concentration camp and whose grandparents survived the Holocaust, said the attack appeared to be "a hate crime given the group that was targeted." Weiser said his office was ready to support local prosecutors when the time comes to file any possible charges.
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a Sunday night statement on X that the bureau was already investigating a "targeted terror attack."
A Boulder Police spokesperson said Sunday night that four men and four women were injured, between 52 and 88 years old.
They were at or near a weekly demonstration to support awareness of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas militants, officials said.
Soliman was taken into custody at the scene, Mark Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Denver office, said at a news conference Sunday evening. The assault was being investigated as an act of terrorism, he said.
The group Run for Their Lives — Boulder has been holding the demonstrations fairly regularly, sometimes weekly, following the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct.7, 2023, the group has said.
More than 250 hostages were taken during the attack. Following multiple waves of releases and several deaths, 23 are believed to still be alive.
Redfearn described what dispatchers were told about Sunday's attack in front of the historic Boulder County Courthouse at 1:26 p.m.: "There was a man with a weapon and ... people were being set on fire."
Two senior law enforcement officials stressed that the investigation is in its early stages. They said Soliman is an Egyptian national who seemingly acted alone. They said he has no previous significant contact with law enforcement.
An initial review of Soliman's possible social media accounts has not answered questions about a motive or point to any particular ideology, the two senior law enforcement officials said.
The officials said they are looking into eyewitness reports saying the attacker dressed as a landscaper or otherwise donned workmen's clothing to blend in before the attack.
Redfearn said Soliman suffered minor injuries that required hospitalization upon arrest.
He added that it’s too early to say whether the group supporting the release of hostages was specifically targeted. “It’s way too early to speculate motive,” he said.
Flowers on the hood of a patrol car during a news conference at the Boulder Police Department.Bethany Baker / USA Today
Run for Their Lives said in a media kit that it "started for the sole reason of advocating for the release of the hostages. ... We set our principles very specifically to be a safe, quiet, peaceful, inclusive of all religions, non-political global initiative."
Group members in Boulder did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Brooke Coffman was walking down Pearl Street on her lunch break Sunday when she saw a commotion near the courthouse. Worried someone was "getting beat up," she approached the area.
Then, "I saw this big fire go up," Coffman told NBC affiliate KUSA of Denver.
Coffman said she called 911 as she rushed toward the fiery scene.
She said she saw two women "rolling around a little bit" in their underwear after having stripped out of their burning clothes with "really bad burns all up on their legs." Another woman nearby, also with burns on her legs, was screaming.
Coffman could barely make out the face of one of the women, she said, choking up, adding the woman's hair was burned off.
"It just wasn't a good scene," Coffman said.
Others nearby rushed to the scene with jugs of water, dousing the victims, Coffman said. She said that she saw at least seven people down, mostly older women, but that she heard there were more victims, including children.
Police at the scene of an “act of terror” on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colo., on Sunday.Colorado Sun via ZUMA Press Wire
She said she saw a shirtless man, presumably the suspect, screaming while he waved a glass bottle that contained a liquid.
Social media video of the immediate aftermath of the attack, including the police response, shows a man without a shirt holding what appears to be a clear bottle with a white top in each hand, shouting, standing away from people and shaking the bottles as he paced.
Tactical teams get into position following the incident in Boulder on Sunday.Chet Strange / Getty Images
A joint statement from multiple Boulder Jewish organizations and congregations noted that the Jewish community has experienced similar events in recent memory.
“When events like this enter our own community, we are shaken,” the organizations said. “Our hope is that we come together for one another.”
“Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured,” the statement read.FBI says 8 injured in Colorado attack by man with makeshift flamethrower who yelled ‘Free Palestine’
Witnesses recounted the dramatic scenes after eight people, calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, were injured at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, by a man who police say used a makeshift flamethrower and hurled an incendiary device into a crowd.
Several people were injured and some may have been set on fire at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, police said. Police said a man was taken into custody in an attack that the FBI immediately described as an act of terror. Boulder police said there were “several victims” in the attack.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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