Monday, September 1, 2025

The Daily Buzz For Sep 2☕📰☕

FOLLOW US ON BLUESKY!

#MAGFAB: Sharon Stone for Harper's Bazaar España - September 2025
HOT!


#RHOA: Porsha Williams Joins ‘Brilliant Minds’ Cast For Season 2 Premiere
The Season 2 premiere of Brilliant Minds is just weeks away and lineup of guest stars is pretty exciting.

The Zachary Quinto-led medical drama is set to start strong with the first episode of the season after leaving the first season on a cliffhanger. To kick things off for Season 2, Brilliant Minds is bringing in Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams to stir things up.
Williams confirmed the news at the end of July after Variety reported that she was added as one of four exciting guest stars who will make appearances. With the season premiere coming up in just a few short weeks, we’re taking a look at Williams’ role and how she’ll be moving the plot forward for Dr. Oliver Wolf and the rest of the crew at the fictional Bronx General Hospital.

According to the synopsis, Williams will play the role of Bitsy, “an affluent Upper West Side housewife who sees Dr. Carol Pierce (Tamberla Perry) at her private practice. She knows all the gossip about everyone, on every medical board in New York City.” Her appearance comes in the Season 2 premiere episode, and, after that, we likely won’t see Bitsy again.

There’s little else known about Williams’ appearance, as much of the Brilliant Minds Season 2 details have been kept under wraps. However, we can assume that with Bitsy showing up in Dr. Pierce’s office, she’ll spill some dirt on Dr. Wolf or members of his team that will help move the storylines forward and even open up new ones.
This is not Williams’ acting debut, and while she is best known for her time on reality TV, the RHOA star has been featured in guest roles before on Insecure and Star. She has also played parts in TV movies, including Sharknado 5: Global Swarming and, most recently, Single Black Female 3: The Final Chapter.

The Season 1 finale left fans on a cliffhanger when Dr. Wolf’s father, Dr. Noah Wolf (Mandy Patinkin), showed up after claims that he’d been dead for years. That threw Zachary Quinto’s character for a loop as he had to wrestle with knowing that both parents lied to him while also working in his mother’s hospital.
The real dilemma is that the elder Dr. Wolf reveals he came to see his son because he is suffering from a rare disorder, and only his son can help him figure out what is going on. Season 2 will seemingly pick back up with the father-son face-off, as the younger Dr. Wolf tangles with feelings of anger and betrayal.

Meanwhile, the show must go on at Bronx General Hospital, where Dr. Wolf and his team are tasked with diagnosing a host of rare neurological disorders
Season 2 of Brilliant Minds premieres on Monday, September 22 at 10/9c on NBC.


#NewMusic from Bilal “Live On”

Bilal adds his contributions to the Soul In the Horn Compilation with the brand new single “Live On”.

Soul in the Horn Vol. 1 is the first official album release from the legendary NYC-based party and global music platform founded by DJ Natasha Diggs and DProsper. Curated with love and intention, this all-original collection spans horn-infused soul, house, jazz, hip-hop, and dance music of the diaspora.

LISTEN HERE: 

This deluxe 3xLP vinyl release brings together a handpicked group of innovators and musical voices moving the culture forward.


#HipHopNews: Nicki Minaj Hints At Sabrina Carpenter Collaboration After Showing Love To 'Man's Best Friend'
Nicki Minaj shared Sabrina Carpenter’s new song on Instagram, fueling speculation of a future collaboration.
The artists have shown mutual support, especially during Carpenter’s battle against Travis Scott for No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Social media users are buzzing about a possible remix or feature, though no official announcement has been made.

The Barbz now have a possible Nicki Minaj and Sabrina Carpenter collaboration to look forward to. On Friday (Aug. 29), the rapper showed love to “Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry,” one of the new songs from the pop star’s latest album, Man’s Best Friend.
Minaj shared the record on her Instagram Stories, followed by Vogue’s Entertainment Director, Sergio Kletnoy, reposting it and writing, “My girls… [Nicki Minaj and Sabrina Carpenter], collab?” Carpenter reacted with a few heart emojis and the words “Love affair.”

The “FTCU” hitmaker then replied, “Don’t worry, [Sergio],” with a salute emoji. Minaj and Carpenter have exchanged plenty of love over the past year, especially during Short ‘n’ Sweet and DAYS BEFORE RODEO’s battle for No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

“This one’s for Nicki,” Carpenter tweeted on the heels of Scott releasing multiple versions of his LP to help secure the top spot. Minaj caught wind of the shout-out and returned the love during an Instagram Live later that night. “Shout out to Sabrina Carpenter. Shout out to all the Sabrina Carpenter fans,” she said.

Maybe the Minaj co-sign was the push she needed, considering the project narrowly edged out Scott’s reissue by just over a thousand in sales. Short ’n’ Sweet ultimately moved 362,000 album-equivalent units in its opening week.
Earlier this year, Minaj named the singer as one of her favorite newer artists in an interview with Vogue Italia. “A superstar is a superstar, and if you are one, you’ll find a way to shine — with or without social media,” she told the publication before praising Carpenter. “I didn’t know she’d been around that long when I started listening to her. A breath of fresh air.”

It may be a while before fans get a Minaj and Carpenter collaboration, but given that the “Espresso” hitmaker just dropped her seventh studio album, fans are convinced now is the time. “All Sabrina has to do to get that 400,000 [units] is add a Nicki remix to the standard version,” one user joked on X.

Another added, “I love whatever’s going on between Nicki Minaj and Sabrina Carpenter.”


#USOPEN: Taylor Townsend’s US Open run comes to an end losing to Czechia’s Barbora Krejcikova

Looking to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her singles career, Taylor Townsend fell just short.
The 29-year-old American lost her way in a 6-1, 6-7 (13), 3-6 defeat at the hands of Czechia’s Barbora Krejcikova on Sunday evening, blowing a one-set lead and eight total match points inside a jam-packed Louis Armstrong Stadium.

A riveting three-hour, four-minute clash concluded with Townsend pulling her hat over her teary eyes.
She later agreed with the notion that this was the toughest singles loss of her career.
Krejcikova now will face another American in Jessica Pegula on Tuesday.

“I’m exactly where I need to be, that’s it,” Townsend said of what she’s learned from this singles run. “I’m playing the tennis that I need to play to be inside the top 20, top 10, to win a Grand Slam. She’s a two-time Grand Slam champion. I’ve beaten a Grand Slam champion this tournament. So I have everything that I need.

“It’s just about now, just keep getting the reps and keep putting myself in these types of positions. This hurts, but it’s part of competition.”
After a postmatch exchange with second-round opponent Jelena Ostapenko, in which the Latvian hurled insults across the net, Townsend quickly became the player of the tournament.
She’s had the U.S. Open crowd behind her in a different way than the American players usually do, and Sunday was no different.
The class she displayed earned her many new supporters, who had nearly every single seat filled in Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Townsend needed just 28 minutes to take the first set, in which the world No. 139 hit 93 percent of her first serves in.
There was zero doubt in her play at first, but it steadily crept in as the second set progressed.
It wasn’t until the first game of the second set that Townsend committed her first double-fault of the match.

There was simply much more pushback from Krejcikova in the second set, but it came down to the very end.
As “Here we go, Taylor!” chants and claps soared out of the open roof of Louis Armstrong, Krejcikova broke Townsend to go up 6-5. Townsend responded with a break of her own to force a tiebreaker, in which Krejcikova saved seven match points — including three in a row — before taking the set.

“I was holding my breath, just like you guys,” Townsend said with a smile. “It was intense for sure. But, I mean, it was high-level tennis. I can’t get mad. Fractions of a centimeter, of an inch. The backhand down the line on the match point, where I barely clipped the line. You know, like, what do you do?”
It was clear Townsend started to run out of gas in the third set.
The fire had subsided and the execution wavered.

Krejcikova jumped out to a 4-2 lead before Townsend broke her in the seventh game, which led to Townsend letting out an emphatic yell in celebration.

Capitalizing on her third breakpoint, Krejcikova took a 5-3 advantage and ground out the final game to victory.
“We still got a lot of tennis to play,” Townsend said, referencing her doubles run with partner Katerina Siniakova that will resume Monday. “I’m here for the doubles, and so never know what type of catalyst or catapult that this match will propel me forward. I truly believe that this whole tournament has been a game-changer for me. More than anything — I don’t feel — I know that I’m exactly where I need to be in order to fulfill every goal I have as a tennis player.”


Will Smith cleverly fires back at AI concert crowd rumors
Will Smith has delivered the perfect comeback to critics who accused him of using artificial intelligence to create fake crowds at his recent concert, responding with a video so clever it has fans and celebrities alike applauding his sense of humor.
The controversy began earlier this month when the actor posted an Instagram video from his Based on a True Story tour, showing himself performing his song “You Can Make It” for what appeared to be an enthusiastic audience. However, viewers quickly began scrutinizing the footage, with many claiming the crowd looked artificially generated.

The rumors gained additional traction when rock band Green Day appeared to reference the controversy on their own social media. The group shared a concert video on Instagram with a pointed caption reading “Don’t need A.I. for our crowds,” seemingly throwing shade at Smith’s situation.

This celebrity commentary amplified the discussion further, bringing the alleged AI controversy into mainstream entertainment news and putting pressure on Smith to address the growing speculation.
Rather than issuing a traditional denial, Smith chose a completely unexpected approach on August 30th. The actor posted a new Instagram video that appeared to show another concert performance, complete with his characteristic energy and showmanship.

The video begins with Smith addressing what appears to be another packed venue, shouting enthusiastically about turning up the energy level. He asks if everyone is ready for the show, building anticipation in his typical charismatic style.
Smith then begins counting down to amp up the crowd’s excitement, and as the camera pans across the audience, viewers are treated to an absolutely unexpected sight. Instead of showing a human audience, the camera reveals rows upon rows of digital cats filling the concert venue.

The feline audience appears to be enthusiastically enjoying the performance, creating a surreal and hilarious visual that perfectly addresses the AI allegations while showcasing Smith’s willingness to embrace absurdity.
The video was created in collaboration with Tyler Bernabe, known professionally as jboogxcreative, a digital creator who specializes in mixed media content incorporating artificial intelligence and visual effects. This partnership allowed Smith to create a response that was both technically impressive and comedically brilliant.

Smith captioned his post with “Crowd was poppin’ tonite!!” though many fans noted the audience appeared to be more accurately described as “skippity pappin'” given their feline nature.
The creative response immediately caught the attention of Smith’s celebrity friends and colleagues. Questlove, the renowned drummer and producer, admitted the digital cats startled him, while Tatyana Ali, Smith’s former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air costar, showed her support for his creative approach.

Social media users quickly embraced Smith’s cat-filled response, with many creating their own cat-related puns and jokes. Comments flooded in with phrases like “That crowd was not catting around” and “Ya gotta be kitten me,” showing how the audience appreciated both the humor and the clever way Smith addressed the controversy.

The response represents a masterclass in crisis management through humor, transforming a potentially damaging rumor into an opportunity for positive engagement with fans and media coverage.
Smith‘s approach demonstrates his understanding of modern social media culture, where humor and creativity often prove more effective than traditional public relations responses. By collaborating with a digital artist known for AI and VFX work, he also showed appreciation for the technology that was at the center of the original controversy.

The cat concert video has become a perfect example of how celebrities can transform potentially negative situations into opportunities for creative expression and positive fan engagement, proving that sometimes the best response to serious accusations is simply not to take them too seriously.


Marlon Wayans Picks Up High School Diploma From 1990 that forgot to pick up

After 35 years, actor Marlon Wayans can finally hang up his high school diploma. What was supposed to be just a CBS interview at Wayans’ former high school also became a retrieval for his diploma.
The comedian visited LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts to film a segment about his time as a student there. According to the school’s Facebook post, administrators realized he had never received his physical diploma despite completing all graduation requirements with his class in 1990.

The Scary Movie actor posted a photo on Instagram holding up his certificate to celebrate the occasion. “Just got my LAG diploma….35 years later,” he wrote.

After graduating, Wayans attended the prestigious Howard University for a year. He dropped out his sophomore year to follow in his brother, Keenan Ivory Wayans’ footsteps, who starred in the 1988 Blaxpliotation spoof “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka.” 
Wayans then appeared with his other older brother Damon in the 1992 hit comedy “Mo’ Money.” The same year he was introduced to the cast of “In Living Color.” He went on to co-create and co-star with his other brother Shawn in the hit WB sitcom “The Wayans Bros.” for five years.


Rudy Giuliani hospitalized with broken vertebra after car accident, spokesperson says
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalized with a broken vertebrae after a car accident, his spokesperson said on Sunday.
Giuliani, 81, was traveling on a highway in New Hampshire when his car was "struck from behind at high speed," said Michael Ragusa, who is also his head of security.
"He was transported to a nearby trauma center, where he was diagnosed with a fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations and contusions, as well as injuries to his left arm and lower leg," Ragusa wrote on social media. "His business partner and medical provider were promptly contacted and arrived at the hospital to oversee his care."

Although Giuliani was injured, he is "in good spirits and recovering tremendously," he said. The incident was not a "targeted attack," Ragusa added, and asked people to "refrain from spreading unfounded conspiracy theories."
Giuliani is "fully alert and conscious, and his medical team is pleased with his progress," Ragusa said in a statement to NPR on Sunday evening.
"The Mayor is eager to return to his work and looks forward to getting back to business in just a few days," he added.

Before the accident, Giuliani had been "flagged down" by a woman who was involved in a domestic violence incident and he "immediately rendered assistance and contacted 911," Ragusa also stated. The former mayor remained on scene until law enforcement arrived to ensure the woman's safety.
New Hampshire State Police said in a statement released Sunday night they were investigating a domestic violence incident on I-93 in Manchester before 10 p.m. ET when the crash occurred on the other side of the interstate.

"As a result of the collision, both vehicles went into the median and were heavily damaged. Troopers and fire personnel, who were at the scene of the first incident, witnessed the collision and quickly crossed the interstate to render aid," the police said.
Three people, including Giuliani and the driver of the car he was traveling in, suffered "non-life-threatening injuries and were taken by ambulance to area hospitals for treatment," the police also said.

Andrew Giuliani, his son, thanked those who reached out and called his father tough in a social media post on Sunday.
The former mayor of New York became "America's mayor" in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center towers in the country's largest city. He continued to be a prominent face in Republican politics, becoming a key piece of President Trump's legal team challenging the 2020 election results, making false claims about widespread voter fraud that have been roundly debunked.

In the wake of that, Giuliani has faced significant legal troubles of his own. He was indicted in both Georgia and Arizona related to his role in attempts to overturn the 2020 election. In a separate case, Giuliani was ordered by a federal jury to pay two former Georgia election workers $148 million for defamation after he claimed the pair engaged in a fake ballot processing scheme. He was found to be in contempt of court for failing to comply with that judgement in January.


Katt Williams Has Been Cleared in the Death of Comedian

For the past week comedian Billy Sorrells has been accusing comedian Katt Williams of being complicit in the death of comedian Reggie Carroll after he was fatally shot at a house registered to Katt's LLC 

Katt has been cleared of any wrongdoing.. According to HumorMillTV
The DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office has officially cleared comedian Katt Williams of any involvement in the tragic shooting death of fellow comedian Reginald “Reggie” Carroll, putting an end to 8 days of speculation and online accusations surrounding the case.
Carroll, 52, was fatally shot on August 20, 2025, in Southaven, Mississippi. The incident sparked widespread grief across the comedy community and prompted intense scrutiny after it was revealed that the suspect, Tranell “Too Tall” Williams, was a member of Katt Williams’ touring security team.

According to the DA’s office, there is no evidence linking Katt Williams to the planning, execution, or aftermath of the shooting. The investigation confirmed that the fatal incident occurred at a residence associated with Williams’ tour operations, but prosecutors emphasized that proximity does not imply culpability.
“Mr. Williams was not present at the time of the shooting, nor is there any indication that he had prior knowledge of the suspect’s actions,” the DA’s office stated in a press release. “We have reviewed all available evidence, including witness statements, surveillance footage, and communications records. Based on these findings, Mr. Williams is not a person of interest in this case.”

With the DA’s statement now public, Williams is expected to remain focused on his ongoing tour and upcoming projects. He has not yet issued a personal statement regarding the clearance, but is reportedly cooperating with authorities and Carroll’s family.


Gary, Indiana Throws Block Party Honoring Michael Jackson On His 67th Birthday
Michael Jackson’s hometown of Gary, Indiana, came together to celebrate the King of Pop’s birthday with a massive block party outside his childhood home. Had he lived, the legendary entertainer would have turned 67 this year.
CBS Chicago reported that on Friday, August 29, fans and locals gathered for the “Jackson Street Block Party” at 2300 Jackson Street, a location just steps away from Roosevelt High School where Jackson’s older brother Jackie once studied.

Family members Marlon and Jackie Jackson returned to their hometown for the event and shared heartfelt words with the crowd. “Even when we go around the world, we talk about Gary, Indiana. Everybody know where this is,” Marlon said. Jackie added, “Without you, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We love you guys for that.”

The celebration also featured a surprise appearance from comedian Chris Tucker, a longtime friend of Michael. Tucker entertained the crowd with an impromptu performance of “You Rock My World,” the same track whose music video he starred in alongside Jackson back in 2001. Speaking with CBS Chicago, Tucker said he felt “honored” and “blessed” that Gary is known as the birthplace of “the world’s most famous entertainer and the world’s most famous entertainment family.”

The festivities continued the next day with a special tribute at Roosevelt High in memory of Tito Jackson, who passed away in September of last year.

Adding to the week’s personal milestones for the Jackson family, Michael’s eldest son Prince shared on the Gram that he married his longtime partner Molly Schirmang. “8 years down [infinity emoji] to go. Molly and I have spent a lot of time together and made incredible memories. We’ve traveled the world, graduated and grown so much together. I’m excited for this next chapter in our lives as we continue to grow and make great memories. I love you babs [kissy face emoji],” Prince wrote in a heartfelt post alongside photos of their wedding celebration.
The weekend events reminded fans that Michael Jackson’s music and legacy remain deeply rooted in Gary, while his family continues to honor his memory and share their own milestones with the world.


Solange Knowles thanks sister Beyoncé for letting her write this one special song

The artist shared that she had contributed to some of Beyoncés major hits, including “Upgrade U” and “Get Me Bodied,” along with Kelly Rowland’s catalog.
Fans of the multi-talented Knowles sisters may have been surprised to find out that Solange Knowles contributed to some of Beyoncés major throwback hits. Solange, 39, posted about some of her credits on X, and thanked her older sister for trusting her pen.

“my sistersss gave baby solo a chance and I’ll nevaaa forgetttt it,” Solange wrote in a post with screenshots of two Beyoncé “B’DAY” tracks, “Upgrade U,” featuring Jay-Z and “Get Me Bodied.” She said her “bars and melodies” are on both fo the tracks.
The sisters have long been collaborators. Even before Beyoncé was a solo artist, Solange had written music for her girl group, Destiny’s Child, and made an appearance pregnant with her son Julez in the “Soldier” music video. Despite never wanting to be a part of the girl group herself, she even performed on stage with them, once filling in for an injured backup dancer during a tour.

Solange performed with her sister on stage at Beyoncé’s Coachella headlining performance in 2019, which was dubbed “Beychella” by fans. She performed the dance from the “Get Me Bodied” extended mix, which she is also in the music video for. Beyoncé also has a writing credit on Solange’s debut album, “Solo Star,” which came out in 2002.

Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé’s former Destiny’s Child bandmate and a cousin of the Knowles sisters, also got shouted out by Solange. According to Solange, she was only 15 years old when she wrote and was featured on Rowland’s solo debut album, “Simply Deep.” She quoted a video that her father, Matthew Knowles, posted five years ago of her singing with Rowland as they were working on the album. She has written for both Rowland and Destiny’s Child’s third bandmate, Michelle Williams.

“s/o to my big sis Kelly for hearing me writing emo jams in the back of the bus and encouraging me and trusting my lil 15 year old self to write on her debuttt, it really all started there!” she wrote on X. Though Rowland is not a biological sister of Solange and Beyoncé, she was raised with the two as a “bonus daughter” as their mother Tina Knowles calls her.
Though she’s long been in the industry, Solange’s songwriting skills rose to mainstream prominence after the success of her 2016 third studio album, “A Seat at the Table,” which earned her her first Grammy award for its lead single, “Cranes in the Sky.”


Fifth Harmony Reunites for Performance at Jonas Brothers Concert
Fifth Harmony is back! The girl group drew attention online earlier on Sunday (August 31) when they posted to their X account for the first time since 2018.
The sudden activity left fans wondering if the group was going to be reuniting. At the Jonas Brothers show in Dallas later the same night, Fifth Harmony made a surprise appearance to perform their hit song “Work from Home.”

A video showing the group perform was posted online and shows Ally Brooke, Normani, Dinah Jane, and Lauren Jauregui back on stage together for the first time since they went on hiatus in 2018.
It was previously revealed that Fifth Harmony would be reuniting in 2025 as a quartet. Their performance as a group on August 31 without former member Camila Cabello appears to be the start of their comeback.

In addition to the performance, Fifth Harmony’s website was updated with new merch after previously having a cryptic message that something would be “coming soon.” The new merch says Dallas, TX on the sleeve as an homage to the city where they performed and on the back, asks “Where were you on August 31, 2025?”
Head to FifthHaromy.com to pick up their special comeback merch.


‘SNL’ Stars Bowen Yang, Marcello Hernández, Chloe Fineman and More React to Cast Exodus
Amid the cast shake-up at Saturday Night Live, current and former stars are sharing their reactions to the news ahead of season 51.
Last week, it was revealed that Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim have exited the long-running NBC sketch comedy series — the most departures since 2022, when eight people left SNL ahead of season 48.

Some of those leaving took to their respective social media accounts to announce their departures, leading other current and former SNL stars to react in the comments.
Longfellow shared on Instagram that he’s leaving after three seasons. Bowen Yang responded to his post, writing, “Jesus WAS Chinese. I love you Michael.” The Wicked actor was referencing Longfellow’s claim during one of his previous Weekend Update segments.

Marcello Hernández also shared, “Love bro, thank you for letting me cfb whenever, my roommate,” to which Longfellow replied, “the ps5, shes yours now brother.”
Wakim added, “Yellow room forever u can play as many bones songs as u want.”
Molly Shannon, who was a castmember on SNL from 1995 to 2001 and returned to host in 2007 and 2023, also commented on Longfellow’s post, “You RULE michael. So honored and happy to have gotten to meet you and work with you. Congratulations on an excellent run on SNL! love talking to you when I was there. Wishing you so much continued success.”

As for Walker, who is also departing the NBC comedy show after three seasons, Chloe Fineman wrote under his post on Instagram, “I’ll miss being your pregnant wife all the time!!!!!” Gardner also commented, “I love you.”
Shannon added, “So nice meeting you Devon! Wishing you so much continued success.”

Wakim, who is exiting SNL after one season, previously shared on social media that it wasn’t his choice to exit the show. Former castmember Punkie Johnson, who left the show last year, responded, “Omg at first glance I thought this was a birthday post… this is really truly surprising… I’m glad you are focusing on the good and are proud of yourself and the work you put in not many people can say they were on SNL and for the 50th in legendary… You a legend baby… Outside ain’t bad. Welcome back.”

Fineman also commented, “Your such a stat and ill miss sitting next to the best dressed man at table read!!!”
Gardner, who was a castmember on SNL for eight seasons, has yet to comment on her departure on social media.
Executive producer Lorne Michaels and castmember Kenan Thompson previously teased that cast changes were likely. It’s unclear if more people are expected to leave the show ahead of the season 51 premiere on Oct. 4.


Colman Domingo claps back at haters criticizing him for being in drag in Sabrina Carpenter's new 'Tears' video

Colman Domingo isn't wasting any tears on his haters.
The Oscar-nominated actor is too busy celebrating after making his music video debut in the video for Sabrina Carpenter's new single "Tears." But as usual, some social media users can't help but hone in on negativity. The scintillating video, taking inspiration from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, sees Domingo decked out in drag, playing a character clearly inspired by the musical's transgender alien scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter.

One X user complained of Domingo's role, "Hollywood ain’t s---. Colman Domingo is a solid actor... Had to put him in drag in Sabrina Carpenter’s video huh? Bulls---."
Though Domingo wasn't tagged in the post, he did pen a response: "It’s a character. Like all the characters I play. Calm down brother," he wrote. "Enjoy the video and the fun that it possesses. Dance it out! It ain’t that deep."

He then offered some wisdom from drag legend RuPaul, adding, "'We are born naked and everything else is drag.' Suits, t-shirts, dresses. All drag."
The music video sees Carpenter come under the tutelage of Domingo’s fashionable and magnetic character. Picking up where her "Manchild" music video left off earlier this summer, the video sees Carpenter stumble from the wreckage of a car crash only to be greeted by Domingo, who invites her in for a sultry makeover and disco-infused dance break with his fellow queens. All the while, she sings about her dream of dating a man who treats her with some basic human decency.

Domingo's appearance in the music video took some fans by surprise. When it premiered Friday night, one X user shared a clip with the caption, "Colman Domingo dancing in drag with Sabrina Carpenter was not on my bingo card for 2025 but here we are!"
Domingo responded, resharing the post with the laugh-crying emoji and writing, "Didn’t see that coming did ya? Thank you Sabs for inviting me to truly play."

The only clue of Domingo's appearance in the video came approximately one minute before it debuted. "About to break the internet. Tears. Protect all the Dolls," he wrote in the 11:59 p.m. post, the latter phrase being an expression of support for trans women.
Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
Carpenter is also celebrating the collaboration between the two stars. When she first shared the Bardia Zeinali-directed video on Instagram, she made sure to honor "the truly incomparable, magnetic, and fantastic Colman Domingo," adding, "wish we were still dancing in the street at 4 am."

She later wrote "you are a DREAM" while quoting Domingo's post.
The "Tears" video coincided with the release of Carpenter's seventh studio album, Man's Best Friend, which is available now.


Cam Newton Lands Multi-Year Deal with ESPN
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton has officially secured a multi-year deal with ESPN to become a recurring contributor on First Take, the network announced Wednesday. His expanded role begins Thursday with a live broadcast from Norfolk State University, part of the show’s ongoing HBCU tour.
Newton, who first became a regular presence on First Take in October 2024, will now appear more frequently—potentially several times a week—though his schedule remains flexible as he continues to balance other media commitments.

ESPN’s Executive Vice President David Roberts called Newton “a unique talent who is authentically himself, and that’s a key ingredient for success on First Take. Cam is also an ultimate team player. All of us at ESPN look forward to watching Cam create a strong connection with his teammates and our fans.”

For Newton, the move represents another step in his post-football career. “I am excited to be back with the First Taketeam and share my voice on all things sports,” Newton said. “This is an incredible opportunity for me to connect with fans and bring my passion and knowledge to a show I’ve always admired.”
The former Carolina Panthers star will join the familiar lineup of Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim, and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo for both in-studio and on-campus broadcasts, adding his outspoken personality and football pedigree to one of ESPN’s flagship debate shows.


Apostle David E. Taylor Arrested in Multi-State Forced Labor Case

Internet and television apostle David Taylor was arrested in North Carolina on Wednesday after the FBI conducted multi-state raids on several of his properties. Taylor, leader of the Kingdom of God Global Church (formerly Joshua Media Ministries), was arrested along with his executive director, Michelle Brannon,  on 10 federal counts of forced labor and money laundering conspiracy that alleges they exploited dozens of individuals working in call centers they operated around the country.  The indictment was filed in Michigan, where the trial is expected to take place. Brannon was arrested in Florida. The Department of Justice described the case as a major human trafficking operation under the façade of a religious ministry.

Taylor and Brannon operated call centers in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri, where unpaid workers—referred to as “armor bearers”— solicited donations.
“Money laundering is tax evasion in progress, and in this case, the proceeds funded an alleged human trafficking ring and supported a luxury lifestyle under the guise of a religious ministry,” said Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of IRS Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office. “IRS-CI stands committed to fighting human trafficking and labor exploitation, and pursuing those who hide their profits gained from the extreme victimization of the vulnerable.”

Victims reportedly suffered psychological and physical abuse and were deprived of sleep, food, and freedom of movement. They worked for extended hours without compensation.  Some were allegedly forced to sleep in garages or ministry houses, as indicated in a 20-page court filing, and were punished if they failed to meet daily fundraising quotas. According to the DOJ, punishment could include “public humiliation, additional work, food and shelter restrictions, psychological abuse, forced repentance, sleep deprivation, physical assaults, and threats of divine judgment in the form of sickness, accidents, and eternal damnation.”

The ministry has reportedly raised over $50 million in call center operations since 2014.  While depriving workers of pay,  Taylor and Brannon lived lavishly, purchasing luxury cars, boats, jet skis, and real estate.
A bystander told CBS 13 in Durham, NC, that they were suspicious of the activity in the church.  They saw as many as 50 cars on the property daily, and people entering the building frequently with bags of food.

Taylor, 53, allegedly ordered staff to transport women to him and ensure they took emergency contraceptives, raising serious ethical and legal concerns.
Brannon 56, ran operations out of Florida, where she resided in a pristine mansion.

Before this bust, Apostle Taylor had become known as a man of ill repute in both his business and personal life.  Gospel singer Vicki Yohe, who previously dated  Taylor, spoke out publicly, saying she was “taken advantage of” and is now working to expose his abuses.  Several years ago, Yohe publicly called Taylor a cult leader and admitted that she was quiet out of fear he would release risqué photos she had sent to him.  Another allegation has Taylor had being accused of not paying for the use of a set for staging and was sued for $2 million.  He was also besmirched as a false prophet and was known for scolding his workers, whom he called sons and daughters, publicly.  On social media, various people have complained about his shady conduct for years.

Yohe began to expose her ex online two years ago and is no longer holding back about both suspects following the arrest.  Since the arrest, she posted a video saying, “I experienced firsthand the abuse, the lies, and the corruption of both of the individuals who were arrested.  What a shame they are to authentic churches and ministries…”
Families of the victims, including one woman who disappeared after joining the ministry, expressed hope that the arrests would bring justice and accountability.

Taylor and Brannon could face between 20 and 60 years in prison if convicted.


Ray Lewis Says Shannon Sharpe Chose ‘The Devil’s Popularity’ Over Godly Influence
NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis has spoken candidly about his longtime friendship and eventual rift with fellow Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe. In a newly surfaced interview from Patrick Bet-David’s Valuetainment platform, Lewis admitted he was disappointed in Sharpe’s post-football career choices, particularly his podcast and television content.

“I wouldn’t in a million years believe the things that Shannon has said now,” Lewis said. “I never saw Shannon with a drink my entire career, and then I kind of started to watch him… We went our separate ways because I’m like, hmm, you’re gonna take that route. I can’t go that route.”

Lewis argued that Sharpe’s “route” focused more on popularity and money than influence and faith. “Everybody wants to be popular, everybody wants to make money. That’s a tightrope. The devil has the ability to make you popular. God has the ability to give you influence.”
Sports commentator Jason Whitlock aired the clip on his own show, interpreting Lewis’s words as proof of Sharpe’s willingness to chase fame at any cost. “What he said here about Shannon Sharpe is what frustrates me… There’s nothing they won’t do for money. There’s nothing inauthentic they won’t do for money,” Whitlock said.

Whitlock positioned Lewis as an authentic but flawed spiritual leader, in the mold of the late Jim Brown. In contrast, he painted Sharpe as a figure willing to compromise authenticity for worldly success, popularity, and income
Lewis and Sharpe, both Baltimore Ravens legends, were once close teammates. For years, fans have speculated about a personal rift, but Lewis rarely addressed the topic directly. This new interview marks one of the first times he acknowledged distance between them.

Lewis stopped short of calling Sharpe “fake.” Instead, he presented their relationship as a moral and spiritual fork in the road, with Sharpe choosing fame and Lewis choosing faith. Whitlock, however, escalated the interpretation, claiming Sharpe “will do anything for money.”
The full Valuetainment interview with Lewis has not yet been released, but this short clip has already reignited debate about authenticity, influence, and the price of fame in sports media.


Cracker Barrel Quietly Scrubs Pride and DEI Pages From Website After Logo Backlash

Cracker Barrel is making waves again, this time not just over a logo change. After facing intense backlash for its short-lived logo redesign, the company has also quietly removed key web pages supporting Pride and diversity efforts.
Archived versions of the site show that Cracker Barrel once featured a dedicated “Pride page” detailing its LGBTQ+ Alliance and participation in Nashville Pride parades. A separate diversity and inclusion page also highlighted goals to “recruit and advance strong, racially and ethnically diverse talent.”

Another section of the site is used to promote employee-led groups for Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ+, and neurodivergent employees. That’s gone too
A Cracker Barrel spokesperson told CNN, “We recently made updates to the Cracker Barrel website, including adding new content and removing out-of-date content.” As for the employee groups, the company explained it made changes to “focus all sponsorships or events on our corporate giving initiatives: addressing food insecurity, supporting community needs through food, and reducing food waste.”

The quiet content removals come as DEI and LGBTQ+ programs continue to face pushback from conservative figures. Even President Trump called out Cracker Barrel’s logo change, later taking credit for the company’s return to its classic design.

Cracker Barrel has not commented on whether these employee programs are still active or if they were dissolved completely.


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Courtesy of P.O.Wm
PUNCH and JIMMY
Out shopping with Mommy


HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM 

No comments:

Post a Comment

The Daily Buzz For Sep 12☕📰☕

FOLLOW US ON BLUESKY! #MAGFAB: Kathy Bates For Variety Magazine In a new cover story for VARIETY, Emmy-nominated “Matlock” star Kathy Bates ...