#MAGFAB: Gwyneth Paltrow Is British VOGUE’s November Cover Star!
Junk food? “Oh, last night,” she says. “A friend came over and I ate a chocolate-covered Oreo. That is trans fats to the max. That’s, like, seed oils all the way. But once in a while it’s so important to follow those cravings. I love it.” Her 50s have tempered her in many ways. “I think it’s all about balance. Going too strongly in any direction is never good.”
“I do believe there’s a strange energy in the world right now and I like to disconnect from it as much as possible. I’m at peace when I’m home and I hopefully have a couple of kids rattling around, but this is also where I feel so incredibly lucky about my marriage and the kind of friendship that we have, and companionship, and kismet. Because I could just be with him in the most simple of all surroundings and be totally fulfilled and in a good place.”
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#RHOA: Real Housewives’ Stacey Rusch, Cynthia Bailey Show Support for Wendy Osefo After Her Fraud Arrest
The Real Housewives stars including Stacey Rusch and Cynthia Bailey are showing their support for Wendy Osefo after she and husband Eddie were arrested on fraud charges earlier this month.
On Sunday, October 19, Wendy — one of the stars of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Potomac — broke her silence following her and Eddie’s October 9 arrests in an Instagram post. “And through it all, GOD remains faithful. Thank you for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers for myself and most importantly my family during this time. We are forever grateful🙏🏾,” the former Johns Hopkins University professor wrote.
In the comments section of Wendy’s post, stars from across the Real Housewives universe showed their support for Wendy, 41, including her RHOP costar Stacey.
Wendy responded to her costar, “@msstaceyrusch Thank you for being a true friend and sister. I love you 🤍.”
The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Cynthia, 58, dropped three red heart emojis on Wendy’s post, while former Atlanta Housewife Marlo Hampton left four fire emojis, responding to Wendy’s photos of her posing in a black and white dress.
Former RHOP “friend” Jacqueline Blake wrote, “❤️❤️🙏🏿🙏🏿 He always shows up in our darkest times. Stay strong for them babies.”
Fellow former “friend” Askale Davis wrote, “But God! 🙌🏾🙌🏾”
Wendy and husband Eddie, also 41, were indicted on charges including insurance fraud, conspiracy insurance fraud and making false statements to police officers earlier this month, per court documents obtained by Us Weekly.
The couple were arrested on October 9, but bailed the following day after they each posted $50,000 bail, the Carroll County Detention Center confirmed to Us.
“Dr. Wendy Osefo and her husband, Edward Osefo, are back home safely with their family and in good spirits,” a rep for the couple told Us in a statement at the time. “They are grateful for the outpouring of concern and support from friends, fans, and colleagues. The Osefos, alongside their legal team, look forward to their day in court. At this time, they respectfully ask for privacy as they focus on their family and the legal process ahead.”
The indictment came after the Osefos reported a burglary to the Carroll County Sherriff’s Office in April 2024, claiming that they had returned home from a vacation in Jamaica to find several handbags, jewelry and other luxury items had been stolen. The couple filed multiple insurance claims with various companies for the items and received payouts, authorities said.
The police department became suspicious of the couple’s claims, alleging that several items reported stolen were returned for a refund at the point of purchase. Police said they also found images of Wendy “wearing jewelry that had been reported stolen after the burglary took place.”
The police also obtained email correspondence between Wendy and her husband in which Eddie allegedly asked if there were “additional high-value items we can add to this inventory listing (i.e., Chanel shoes, etc.)? I’m trying to get the total to exceed $423,000 which is our policy maximum.”
Following the arrests, RHOP cast member Ashley Darby quickly took aim at Wendy during an event in Washington, D.C. “We’re making melodies, not felonies, if you know what I mean,” Ashley, 37, said while performing at Mr. Henry’s on October 10, per Page Six.
“I’m just throwing it out there,” she reportedly said. “In case there’s some confusion, that’s what we’re doing around here. That’s all I’m doing here. Just making melodies. This ain’t news to us. This just news to y’all.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County’s Tamra Judge claimed she received a message from one of Wendy’s neighbors casting doubt on her and Eddie’s burglary claims.
“Her neighbor slid into my DM. [She said] basically, they all got notices on their front door or in their mailbox that there had been a burglary at Wendy and Eddie’s house. And instantly, the whole entire neighborhood was thinking, ‘This is insurance fraud,’” Tamra said on her “Two Ts in a Pod” podcast on Tuesday, October 14.
#MusicNews: Raheem DeVaughn Announces His “20 Lessons Of Love” Tour
Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and celebrated host of WHUR’s 96.3 Original Quiet Storm, Raheem DeVaughn, is set to embark on his highly anticipated “20 Lessons of Love Tour,” supported by Gilead Sciences.
The nationwide tour is scheduled to launch on October 12, 2025, in Honolulu, HI, and will traverse the United States before concluding on January 31, 2026, in Augusta, GA. Key metropolitan stops include Oakland, Boston, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. Known for his dynamic stage presence and rich catalog of deeply moving R&B, DeVaughn promises fans an unforgettable concert experience centered on the universal and enduring theme of love.
The “20 Lessons of Love Tour” also serves as a landmark celebration, marking the 20th anniversary of DeVaughn’s critically acclaimed debut album, The Love Experience. This influential 2005 release introduced the world to his unique soulful sound and conscious perspective, featuring seminal tracks such as “Guess Who Loves You More” and “You.”
In a statement regarding the tour’s intent, DeVaughn shared his philosophy: “Love is the common thread that unites us all. With this tour, I want to create a space where people can not only celebrate love, but also learn, grow, and heal through it.”
The tour will pay tribute to this two-decade milestone, offering fans a celebratory journey through the music, artistic growth, and social impact of one of R&B’s most compelling voices.
“20 LESSONS OF LOVE TOUR” Starring RAHEEM DEVAUGHN
• Oct 12 – Honolulu, HI
• Nov 21 – New York, NY
• Nov 23 – Boston, MA
• Nov 25 – Oakland, CA
• Nov 26 – Oakland, CA
• Nov 28 – Houston, TX
• Dec 11 – Cincinnati, OH
• Dec 12 – Florence, SC
• Dec 19 – Richmond, VA
• Dec 20 – Philadelphia, PA
• Dec 22 – St. Louis, MO
• Dec 23 – St. Louis, MO
• Dec 26 – Chicago, IL
• Dec 28 – Chicago, IL
• Dec 29 – Chicago, IL
• Dec 31 – Bethesda, MD
• Jan 01 – Atlanta, GA
• Jan 02 – Atlanta, GA
• Jan 04 – Atlanta, GA
• Jan 05 – Atlanta, GA
• Jan 09 – Nashville, TN
• Jan 17 – Pittsburgh, PA
• Jan 31 – Augusta, GA
Get your tix!
#HipHopNews: NLE The Great Says He Took a Break From Music to Get His Spirit Right
NLE The Great, formerly NLE Choppa, recently opened up about taking a hiatus from music to get his spirit right.
On Oct. 10, the Memphis rapper was a guest on gospel singer Kirk Franklin's Den of Kings YouTube channel along with Dr. Jay Barnett, comedian KevOnStage, Ray J, and actor Jonathan Majors, for a roundtable conversation. During the chat, NLE talked about taking a four-month break from music.
"I just sat down for three or four months. I took a break," NLE revealed. "I could have made 4, 5, 6, $10 million. I left it all on the plate to sit down because something in my spirit wasn't right."
NLE says that during that time, he returned to his roots in Memphis and got grounded. He went on a 112-day "seek" where he journaled in nature and got closer to God.
"He gave me dreams," NLE continued. "People that I needed to get away from, snakes, rats, whoever. He put everything under a microscope in my life."
While NLE has been on a deep spiritual journey, he still has questions about institutional religion. During the chat, he also voiced opposition to Christians praising Jesus instead of God, to which Jonathan Major responded by telling NLE to reread the Bible.
Despite his raunchy content, NLE The Great has been on a spiritual journey throughout his career. He appeared to take another step over the summer, when he announced he would be going by the name NLE The Great and released the song "Messiah."
Cardi B Criticizes Trump Over Food Stamp Cuts Ahead Of Thanksgiving
Cardi B voiced sharp criticism of the Trump administration’s food assistance policies during a Saturday (October 18) Twitter Spaces session. She warned that families may struggle to afford Thanksgiving meals due to recent cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“People are complaining that they have taken away food stamps,” the Grammy-winning artist said. “Thanksgiving is next month, no turkey for some of y’all.”
The Bronx native reminded listeners about her previous warnings during her campaign support for Vice President Kamala Harris.
“These are the type of things I was trying to tell y’all about when I was talking about the Trump administration,” she stated. “But all y’all cared about was me saying ‘Shrump.'”
Cardi B’s comments come as millions of Americans face potential loss of food assistance benefits.
The Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025” cut approximately $186 billion from SNAP funding through 2034, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates.
The legislation tightened work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents.
Starting in late 2025, many low-income adults will lose SNAP eligibility. The changes affect nearly 3 million young adults nationwide.
About 20 states will see their waivers end on November 2, 2025, potentially affecting thousands of families.
States with SNAP error rates above 6% will lose federal funding beginning in fiscal year 2028.
Food assistance advocates warn that SNAP cuts will significantly impact families and the broader economy. State officials describe potential benefit pauses as devastating for vulnerable populations.
The timing of Cardi B’s criticism coincides with rising food costs and economic uncertainty. Many families rely on SNAP benefits to supplement their grocery budgets, especially during holiday seasons.
The rapper also criticized tariffs that drive up prices for both luxury and everyday items. She emphasized that working-class families bear the burden when public programs face cuts.
Cardi B actively campaigned for Harris during the 2024 presidential election. She spoke at a Milwaukee rally in November, describing Trump as a “bully” and expressing her initial reluctance to vote before Harris changed her mind.
“I wasn’t going to vote, but Kamala changed my mind,” she said at the Wisconsin event. The rapper wore an all-white outfit while delivering her endorsement speech.
Brandy Apologizes After Abruptly Ending Chicago Show Due to Health Scare
Brandy is expressing gratitude and transparency after her Chicago concert came to an unexpected halt due to a health scare.
In a heartfelt message shared with fans, the Grammy-winning singer apologized for the abrupt end to her performance, explaining that after weeks of nonstop rehearsals, she began to experience dehydration and feelings of wanting to faint during the show.
“Everyone involved agreed that prioritizing my well-being was of the utmost importance,” she wrote.
Despite feeling unwell, Brandy said she attempted to return to the stage and finish her set. However, due to technical challenges, she wasn’t able to fully connect with the production. “I really appreciate everyone’s best efforts,” she added.
The “Full Moon” singer went on to thank her longtime collaborator Monica for stepping in with “grace and professionalism,” along with the entire crew for their care and support.
Brandy shared that she saw a doctor after leaving the arena and has since taken “the proper precautions” to move forward. She assured fans that she’s recovering and eager to get back on stage.
“I look forward to returning to the stage—stronger and more grateful than ever—alongside my girl, Monica, tonight in Indianapolis,” she concluded.
Kevin Durant Signs Two-Year, $90 Million Extension With Houston Rockets
Kevin Durant is locking in his future with the Houston Rockets. The 17-season NBA veteran — who joined Houston this summer as part of a historic seven-team trade — has reportedly agreed to a two-year, $90 million extension, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The new deal ensures the two-time NBA MVP will likely finish his career in Houston.
Durant, who turns 37 in September, has built one of the most decorated resumes in basketball history — 15 All-Star appearances and two NBA Finals MVPs from his championship runs.
Before inking this deal, Durant was on an expiring contract valued at $54.7 million for the 2025–26 season. When he was traded, he was eligible for a two-year, $122 million extension, and could have earned an additional $2 million by waiting six months. But the superstar forward chose stability over maximum money, opting for a $90 million extension instead.
As one of the league’s most accomplished players, Durant appears focused less on contract details and more on ending his career on a high note — chasing another championship with the Rockets, a franchise looking to solidify its return to contention.
Jason Weaver Welcomes Baby Boy River Jeremiah: ‘I’m So Blessed!’
Jason Weaver is officially on diaper duty! The beloved actor and singer, best known for his role on “The Chi” and his iconic vocals in Disney’s The Lion King, took to social media to share that he’s welcomed a beautiful baby boy named River Jeremiah Weaver.
The proud dad posted an adorable photo of himself holding his newborn alongside an emotional caption filled with gratitude, love, and a little humor about his new role as “chief diaper changer.”
In his post, Jason Weaver poured his heart out, thanking God for blessing him and his partner, Gabby, with a healthy baby boy.
He also expressed deep appreciation for Gabby, praising her as a “beautiful, amazing, incredible, and phenomenal lady” for bringing their child into the world with strength and grace.
Jason also took time to show love to the medical team at Wellstar OB-GYN, giving them a big shoutout for their excellent care.
And in true Weaver fashion, he wrapped up his message with humor, joking that baby River “stays droppin’ some big ones.”
This is the second child for Jason Weaver, who’s also the proud father of 24-year-old Jaylen.
While the actor tends to keep his personal life private, his fans were thrilled to see him share such a special moment.
Congratulations to Jason Weaver and Gabby on their new bundle of joy!
“It is quite something, being this person in the culture for all these years,” she continues. “It is a lot to hold because energy is real. The superstring physicists proved this. A molecule flying towards someone can change direction with intention, with thought behind it. To me it feels real. So to your point, I’m pretty good at being able to weather the storms, but sometimes there’s an accumulation of energy that makes me feel pretty fragile. Ultimately I’m just a mammal like anyone, but I’m expected to have this superhuman capacity to body all of this energy and thought.”
Junk food? “Oh, last night,” she says. “A friend came over and I ate a chocolate-covered Oreo. That is trans fats to the max. That’s, like, seed oils all the way. But once in a while it’s so important to follow those cravings. I love it.” Her 50s have tempered her in many ways. “I think it’s all about balance. Going too strongly in any direction is never good.”
GET YOUR COPY!
#RHOA: Real Housewives’ Stacey Rusch, Cynthia Bailey Show Support for Wendy Osefo After Her Fraud Arrest
On Sunday, October 19, Wendy — one of the stars of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Potomac — broke her silence following her and Eddie’s October 9 arrests in an Instagram post. “And through it all, GOD remains faithful. Thank you for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers for myself and most importantly my family during this time. We are forever grateful🙏🏾,” the former Johns Hopkins University professor wrote.
In the comments section of Wendy’s post, stars from across the Real Housewives universe showed their support for Wendy, 41, including her RHOP costar Stacey.
Wendy responded to her costar, “@msstaceyrusch Thank you for being a true friend and sister. I love you 🤍.”
The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Cynthia, 58, dropped three red heart emojis on Wendy’s post, while former Atlanta Housewife Marlo Hampton left four fire emojis, responding to Wendy’s photos of her posing in a black and white dress.
Former RHOP “friend” Jacqueline Blake wrote, “❤️❤️🙏🏿🙏🏿 He always shows up in our darkest times. Stay strong for them babies.”
Fellow former “friend” Askale Davis wrote, “But God! 🙌🏾🙌🏾”
Wendy and husband Eddie, also 41, were indicted on charges including insurance fraud, conspiracy insurance fraud and making false statements to police officers earlier this month, per court documents obtained by Us Weekly.
The couple were arrested on October 9, but bailed the following day after they each posted $50,000 bail, the Carroll County Detention Center confirmed to Us.
“Dr. Wendy Osefo and her husband, Edward Osefo, are back home safely with their family and in good spirits,” a rep for the couple told Us in a statement at the time. “They are grateful for the outpouring of concern and support from friends, fans, and colleagues. The Osefos, alongside their legal team, look forward to their day in court. At this time, they respectfully ask for privacy as they focus on their family and the legal process ahead.”
The indictment came after the Osefos reported a burglary to the Carroll County Sherriff’s Office in April 2024, claiming that they had returned home from a vacation in Jamaica to find several handbags, jewelry and other luxury items had been stolen. The couple filed multiple insurance claims with various companies for the items and received payouts, authorities said.
The police department became suspicious of the couple’s claims, alleging that several items reported stolen were returned for a refund at the point of purchase. Police said they also found images of Wendy “wearing jewelry that had been reported stolen after the burglary took place.”
The police also obtained email correspondence between Wendy and her husband in which Eddie allegedly asked if there were “additional high-value items we can add to this inventory listing (i.e., Chanel shoes, etc.)? I’m trying to get the total to exceed $423,000 which is our policy maximum.”
Following the arrests, RHOP cast member Ashley Darby quickly took aim at Wendy during an event in Washington, D.C. “We’re making melodies, not felonies, if you know what I mean,” Ashley, 37, said while performing at Mr. Henry’s on October 10, per Page Six.
“I’m just throwing it out there,” she reportedly said. “In case there’s some confusion, that’s what we’re doing around here. That’s all I’m doing here. Just making melodies. This ain’t news to us. This just news to y’all.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County’s Tamra Judge claimed she received a message from one of Wendy’s neighbors casting doubt on her and Eddie’s burglary claims.
“Her neighbor slid into my DM. [She said] basically, they all got notices on their front door or in their mailbox that there had been a burglary at Wendy and Eddie’s house. And instantly, the whole entire neighborhood was thinking, ‘This is insurance fraud,’” Tamra said on her “Two Ts in a Pod” podcast on Tuesday, October 14.
#MusicNews: Raheem DeVaughn Announces His “20 Lessons Of Love” Tour
Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and celebrated host of WHUR’s 96.3 Original Quiet Storm, Raheem DeVaughn, is set to embark on his highly anticipated “20 Lessons of Love Tour,” supported by Gilead Sciences.
The nationwide tour is scheduled to launch on October 12, 2025, in Honolulu, HI, and will traverse the United States before concluding on January 31, 2026, in Augusta, GA. Key metropolitan stops include Oakland, Boston, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. Known for his dynamic stage presence and rich catalog of deeply moving R&B, DeVaughn promises fans an unforgettable concert experience centered on the universal and enduring theme of love.
The “20 Lessons of Love Tour” also serves as a landmark celebration, marking the 20th anniversary of DeVaughn’s critically acclaimed debut album, The Love Experience. This influential 2005 release introduced the world to his unique soulful sound and conscious perspective, featuring seminal tracks such as “Guess Who Loves You More” and “You.”
In a statement regarding the tour’s intent, DeVaughn shared his philosophy: “Love is the common thread that unites us all. With this tour, I want to create a space where people can not only celebrate love, but also learn, grow, and heal through it.”
The tour will pay tribute to this two-decade milestone, offering fans a celebratory journey through the music, artistic growth, and social impact of one of R&B’s most compelling voices.
“20 LESSONS OF LOVE TOUR” Starring RAHEEM DEVAUGHN
• Oct 12 – Honolulu, HI
• Nov 21 – New York, NY
• Nov 23 – Boston, MA
• Nov 25 – Oakland, CA
• Nov 26 – Oakland, CA
• Nov 28 – Houston, TX
• Dec 11 – Cincinnati, OH
• Dec 12 – Florence, SC
• Dec 19 – Richmond, VA
• Dec 20 – Philadelphia, PA
• Dec 22 – St. Louis, MO
• Dec 23 – St. Louis, MO
• Dec 26 – Chicago, IL
• Dec 28 – Chicago, IL
• Dec 29 – Chicago, IL
• Dec 31 – Bethesda, MD
• Jan 01 – Atlanta, GA
• Jan 02 – Atlanta, GA
• Jan 04 – Atlanta, GA
• Jan 05 – Atlanta, GA
• Jan 09 – Nashville, TN
• Jan 17 – Pittsburgh, PA
• Jan 31 – Augusta, GA
Get your tix!
#HipHopNews: NLE The Great Says He Took a Break From Music to Get His Spirit Right
On Oct. 10, the Memphis rapper was a guest on gospel singer Kirk Franklin's Den of Kings YouTube channel along with Dr. Jay Barnett, comedian KevOnStage, Ray J, and actor Jonathan Majors, for a roundtable conversation. During the chat, NLE talked about taking a four-month break from music.
"I just sat down for three or four months. I took a break," NLE revealed. "I could have made 4, 5, 6, $10 million. I left it all on the plate to sit down because something in my spirit wasn't right."
NLE says that during that time, he returned to his roots in Memphis and got grounded. He went on a 112-day "seek" where he journaled in nature and got closer to God.
"He gave me dreams," NLE continued. "People that I needed to get away from, snakes, rats, whoever. He put everything under a microscope in my life."
While NLE has been on a deep spiritual journey, he still has questions about institutional religion. During the chat, he also voiced opposition to Christians praising Jesus instead of God, to which Jonathan Major responded by telling NLE to reread the Bible.
Despite his raunchy content, NLE The Great has been on a spiritual journey throughout his career. He appeared to take another step over the summer, when he announced he would be going by the name NLE The Great and released the song "Messiah."
Cardi B Criticizes Trump Over Food Stamp Cuts Ahead Of Thanksgiving
Cardi B voiced sharp criticism of the Trump administration’s food assistance policies during a Saturday (October 18) Twitter Spaces session. She warned that families may struggle to afford Thanksgiving meals due to recent cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“People are complaining that they have taken away food stamps,” the Grammy-winning artist said. “Thanksgiving is next month, no turkey for some of y’all.”
The Bronx native reminded listeners about her previous warnings during her campaign support for Vice President Kamala Harris.
“These are the type of things I was trying to tell y’all about when I was talking about the Trump administration,” she stated. “But all y’all cared about was me saying ‘Shrump.'”
Cardi B’s comments come as millions of Americans face potential loss of food assistance benefits.
The Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025” cut approximately $186 billion from SNAP funding through 2034, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates.
The legislation tightened work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents.
Starting in late 2025, many low-income adults will lose SNAP eligibility. The changes affect nearly 3 million young adults nationwide.
About 20 states will see their waivers end on November 2, 2025, potentially affecting thousands of families.
States with SNAP error rates above 6% will lose federal funding beginning in fiscal year 2028.
Food assistance advocates warn that SNAP cuts will significantly impact families and the broader economy. State officials describe potential benefit pauses as devastating for vulnerable populations.
The timing of Cardi B’s criticism coincides with rising food costs and economic uncertainty. Many families rely on SNAP benefits to supplement their grocery budgets, especially during holiday seasons.
The rapper also criticized tariffs that drive up prices for both luxury and everyday items. She emphasized that working-class families bear the burden when public programs face cuts.
Cardi B actively campaigned for Harris during the 2024 presidential election. She spoke at a Milwaukee rally in November, describing Trump as a “bully” and expressing her initial reluctance to vote before Harris changed her mind.
“I wasn’t going to vote, but Kamala changed my mind,” she said at the Wisconsin event. The rapper wore an all-white outfit while delivering her endorsement speech.
Brandy Apologizes After Abruptly Ending Chicago Show Due to Health Scare
In a heartfelt message shared with fans, the Grammy-winning singer apologized for the abrupt end to her performance, explaining that after weeks of nonstop rehearsals, she began to experience dehydration and feelings of wanting to faint during the show.
“Everyone involved agreed that prioritizing my well-being was of the utmost importance,” she wrote.
Despite feeling unwell, Brandy said she attempted to return to the stage and finish her set. However, due to technical challenges, she wasn’t able to fully connect with the production. “I really appreciate everyone’s best efforts,” she added.
The “Full Moon” singer went on to thank her longtime collaborator Monica for stepping in with “grace and professionalism,” along with the entire crew for their care and support.
Brandy shared that she saw a doctor after leaving the arena and has since taken “the proper precautions” to move forward. She assured fans that she’s recovering and eager to get back on stage.
“I look forward to returning to the stage—stronger and more grateful than ever—alongside my girl, Monica, tonight in Indianapolis,” she concluded.
Kevin Durant Signs Two-Year, $90 Million Extension With Houston Rockets
Durant, who turns 37 in September, has built one of the most decorated resumes in basketball history — 15 All-Star appearances and two NBA Finals MVPs from his championship runs.
Before inking this deal, Durant was on an expiring contract valued at $54.7 million for the 2025–26 season. When he was traded, he was eligible for a two-year, $122 million extension, and could have earned an additional $2 million by waiting six months. But the superstar forward chose stability over maximum money, opting for a $90 million extension instead.
As one of the league’s most accomplished players, Durant appears focused less on contract details and more on ending his career on a high note — chasing another championship with the Rockets, a franchise looking to solidify its return to contention.
Jason Weaver Welcomes Baby Boy River Jeremiah: ‘I’m So Blessed!’
Jason Weaver is officially on diaper duty! The beloved actor and singer, best known for his role on “The Chi” and his iconic vocals in Disney’s The Lion King, took to social media to share that he’s welcomed a beautiful baby boy named River Jeremiah Weaver.
The proud dad posted an adorable photo of himself holding his newborn alongside an emotional caption filled with gratitude, love, and a little humor about his new role as “chief diaper changer.”
In his post, Jason Weaver poured his heart out, thanking God for blessing him and his partner, Gabby, with a healthy baby boy.
He also expressed deep appreciation for Gabby, praising her as a “beautiful, amazing, incredible, and phenomenal lady” for bringing their child into the world with strength and grace.
Jason also took time to show love to the medical team at Wellstar OB-GYN, giving them a big shoutout for their excellent care.
And in true Weaver fashion, he wrapped up his message with humor, joking that baby River “stays droppin’ some big ones.”
This is the second child for Jason Weaver, who’s also the proud father of 24-year-old Jaylen.
While the actor tends to keep his personal life private, his fans were thrilled to see him share such a special moment.
Congratulations to Jason Weaver and Gabby on their new bundle of joy!
Ex-NFL Star Doug Martin Dies Suddenly In Police Custody After Medical Emergency
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin died Saturday at 36 after collapsing during an arrest in Oakland.
Police said Martin resisted briefly as officers attempted to detain him. After being taken into custody, he became unresponsive. Paramedics transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning,” his family said in a statement. “Cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time.”
The Oakland Police Department’s Homicide Section and Internal Affairs Bureau have launched investigations into the incident.
Additional reviews are being conducted by the Oakland City Police Commission, the Community Police Review Agency and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.
The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues.
Martin, 36, was a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, selected 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A native of Stockton, California, and a standout at Boise State, he earned the nickname “Muscle Hamster” for his compact frame and aggressive running style.
He spent six seasons with the Buccaneers before finishing his career with the Oakland Raiders in 2018.
Additional reviews are being conducted by the Oakland City Police Commission, the Community Police Review Agency and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.
The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues.
Martin, 36, was a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, selected 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A native of Stockton, California, and a standout at Boise State, he earned the nickname “Muscle Hamster” for his compact frame and aggressive running style.
He spent six seasons with the Buccaneers before finishing his career with the Oakland Raiders in 2018.
Philadelphia woman Kada Scott Remains have been found in a Park
Investigators found a woman's remains in a shallow grave Saturday in the area where Scott's personal belongings were found days earlier.
Police discovered human remains at an abandoned school while searching for Kada Scott, the 23-year-old Philadelphia woman who has been missing since she failed to come home from an overnight shift two weeks ago.
Investigators found the remains in a shallow grave on Saturday in the same area where Scott’s personal belongings were found days earlier, according to John Stanford, deputy commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department. Police said a tip came in to investigators directing them to search the wooded area around Ada H. Lewis Middle School.
That’s where the woman’s remains were found, Stanford said. The remains have been sent to the medical examiner’s office to determine the identity, Stanford said.
“We are not going to confirm at this point that it is Ms. Kada Scott, because that has to be done by the medical examiner’s office,” Stanford said Saturday. “But we have been in communication with her family as to this process and the fact that we have recovered a human being. And so at this point, it’s still a lot of work to be done.”
Scott was reported missing by her mother on Oct. 5 after the 23-year-old failed to return home from an overnight shift at an assisted living facility where she worked. She was scheduled from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., her father, Kevin, told NBC’s “Dateline.”
He said that Scott’s mother reached out to him, and when they realized neither had heard from their daughter, they tried to call her. Their calls were sent straight to voicemail.
That was unlike their daughter, he said. Scott’s mother then called the assisted living facility, The Terrace at Chestnut Hill, which said their daughter left her shift early, at around 10:30 p.m. the night before. Police found Scott’s mother’s car, which she drove to work, in the employee parking lot without her personal belongings.
“She had an iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch in her bag, but they were not inside the vehicle,” her father said. “Whatever happened, she took her belongings with her.”
Police found a card with Scott’s name and other items believed to be hers, including an iPhone case, at Ada H. Lewis Middle School on Wednesday. Investigators returned to search the grounds of the abandoned school, where the shallow grave was found.
A suspect has been identified in the case. Keon King, 21, turned himself in on Tuesday, police said.
Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said last week that evidence showed it was “pretty clear” Scott had been in communication with King.
“That individual appears to meet her shortly after she leaves her place of work, and shortly after that, she disappears off the footprint,” Vanore said.
Police also found a 1999 metallic gold Toyota Camry that they previously said they believed to be connected with King but did not provide additional details. The car is being transported for “comprehensive forensic processing,” police said.
King was also investigated earlier this year in the alleged kidnapping and strangulation of another individual, according to Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski. But the charges were dropped after the victim failed to appear in court.
That case has been reopened, Toczylowski said last week.
Court records show that King has been charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, stalking, criminal use of communication facility, recklessly endangering another person, and tampering with evidence. He has not entered a plea for the charges.
King is being held in jail on $2.5 million bail, records show.
An attorney representing King did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News on Sunday.
Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson is “heartbroken and deeply disturbed” by the news of remains being found in the search for Scott. He said in a statement posted to Instagram on Saturday night that the city must commit itself to protecting women and demanding accountability.
“My deepest condolences go out to Kada’s family, friends, and loved ones during this unimaginably painful time,” Johnson said. “Ms. Scott was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her — a Penn State graduate who had just begun her career in caregiving.”
Investigators found a woman's remains in a shallow grave Saturday in the area where Scott's personal belongings were found days earlier.
Police discovered human remains at an abandoned school while searching for Kada Scott, the 23-year-old Philadelphia woman who has been missing since she failed to come home from an overnight shift two weeks ago.
Investigators found the remains in a shallow grave on Saturday in the same area where Scott’s personal belongings were found days earlier, according to John Stanford, deputy commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department. Police said a tip came in to investigators directing them to search the wooded area around Ada H. Lewis Middle School.
That’s where the woman’s remains were found, Stanford said. The remains have been sent to the medical examiner’s office to determine the identity, Stanford said.
“We are not going to confirm at this point that it is Ms. Kada Scott, because that has to be done by the medical examiner’s office,” Stanford said Saturday. “But we have been in communication with her family as to this process and the fact that we have recovered a human being. And so at this point, it’s still a lot of work to be done.”
Scott was reported missing by her mother on Oct. 5 after the 23-year-old failed to return home from an overnight shift at an assisted living facility where she worked. She was scheduled from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., her father, Kevin, told NBC’s “Dateline.”
He said that Scott’s mother reached out to him, and when they realized neither had heard from their daughter, they tried to call her. Their calls were sent straight to voicemail.
That was unlike their daughter, he said. Scott’s mother then called the assisted living facility, The Terrace at Chestnut Hill, which said their daughter left her shift early, at around 10:30 p.m. the night before. Police found Scott’s mother’s car, which she drove to work, in the employee parking lot without her personal belongings.
“She had an iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch in her bag, but they were not inside the vehicle,” her father said. “Whatever happened, she took her belongings with her.”
Police found a card with Scott’s name and other items believed to be hers, including an iPhone case, at Ada H. Lewis Middle School on Wednesday. Investigators returned to search the grounds of the abandoned school, where the shallow grave was found.
A suspect has been identified in the case. Keon King, 21, turned himself in on Tuesday, police said.
Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said last week that evidence showed it was “pretty clear” Scott had been in communication with King.
“That individual appears to meet her shortly after she leaves her place of work, and shortly after that, she disappears off the footprint,” Vanore said.
Police also found a 1999 metallic gold Toyota Camry that they previously said they believed to be connected with King but did not provide additional details. The car is being transported for “comprehensive forensic processing,” police said.
King was also investigated earlier this year in the alleged kidnapping and strangulation of another individual, according to Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski. But the charges were dropped after the victim failed to appear in court.
That case has been reopened, Toczylowski said last week.
Court records show that King has been charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, stalking, criminal use of communication facility, recklessly endangering another person, and tampering with evidence. He has not entered a plea for the charges.
King is being held in jail on $2.5 million bail, records show.
An attorney representing King did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News on Sunday.
Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson is “heartbroken and deeply disturbed” by the news of remains being found in the search for Scott. He said in a statement posted to Instagram on Saturday night that the city must commit itself to protecting women and demanding accountability.
“My deepest condolences go out to Kada’s family, friends, and loved ones during this unimaginably painful time,” Johnson said. “Ms. Scott was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her — a Penn State graduate who had just begun her career in caregiving.”
Jennifer Lopez Doesn’t Believe Any Of Her Exes “Truly Loved” Her
Jennifer Lopez was asked if she’d ever been truly loved, and the answer will shock you.
“No,” she replied when asked by Howard Stern if she thinks she’s ever “truly been loved” during her recent appearance on The Howard Stern Show. Lopez did admit, however, that she has experienced truly loving someone else.
The mother of two explained, “What I learned, it’s not that I’m not lovable — it’s that they’re not capable. … They don’t have it in them.” Lopez confessed, “They gave me what they had. They gave me all of it, every time. All the rings, all the things I could ever want. The houses, the rings, the marriage. All of it.”
Part of the issue was also that Lopez “didn’t love myself” in those relationships. The Kiss Of The Spider Woman actress has been married and divorced four times, with the most recent instance being Ben Affleck, whom she reunited with 20 years after they first met and dated. She has 17-year-old twins, Max and Emme, with ex-husband Marc Anthony.
Lopez later admitted that her last divorce was “the best thing that ever happened to me.” She explained, “Because it really made me journey into— I mean, I had a religious coach, I had a therapist, a couple’s therapist, an individual therapist, I had a coach to understand addiction. I had everything. I was like, ‘I’m gonna f**kin’ figure this s**t out if it kills me.'”
The 56-year-old has learned that the “core of the thing is you — it’s nobody else,” adding, “Now I’m able to sit here in a much more self-assured, self-aware way of the things that have happened to me, whether my mother, my father, in my own life, how I learned to love, how I felt neglected — all the things that are in your head as a person — and know who I am and just really appreciate that person.”
Lopez told Stern that she’s now “really comfortable and good in being myself, all the good parts and all the kind of complicated things.” She shared that she’s never experienced that fully in her past relationships.
Earlier this month, she and Affleck reunited at the New York premiere of her latest film (which he was a producer on). Despite the run-in, a source confirmed that there won’t be a “romantic reunion” between them, but noted that the former pair are “in a really good place.”
Back in March, Affleck told GQ that Lopez is “somebody I have a lot of respect for” and said that “no scandal, no soap opera, no intrigue” led to their divorce.
As far as future relationships are concerned, Lopez hinted at keeping those private.
“No,” she replied when asked by Howard Stern if she thinks she’s ever “truly been loved” during her recent appearance on The Howard Stern Show. Lopez did admit, however, that she has experienced truly loving someone else.
The mother of two explained, “What I learned, it’s not that I’m not lovable — it’s that they’re not capable. … They don’t have it in them.” Lopez confessed, “They gave me what they had. They gave me all of it, every time. All the rings, all the things I could ever want. The houses, the rings, the marriage. All of it.”
Part of the issue was also that Lopez “didn’t love myself” in those relationships. The Kiss Of The Spider Woman actress has been married and divorced four times, with the most recent instance being Ben Affleck, whom she reunited with 20 years after they first met and dated. She has 17-year-old twins, Max and Emme, with ex-husband Marc Anthony.
Lopez later admitted that her last divorce was “the best thing that ever happened to me.” She explained, “Because it really made me journey into— I mean, I had a religious coach, I had a therapist, a couple’s therapist, an individual therapist, I had a coach to understand addiction. I had everything. I was like, ‘I’m gonna f**kin’ figure this s**t out if it kills me.'”
The 56-year-old has learned that the “core of the thing is you — it’s nobody else,” adding, “Now I’m able to sit here in a much more self-assured, self-aware way of the things that have happened to me, whether my mother, my father, in my own life, how I learned to love, how I felt neglected — all the things that are in your head as a person — and know who I am and just really appreciate that person.”
Lopez told Stern that she’s now “really comfortable and good in being myself, all the good parts and all the kind of complicated things.” She shared that she’s never experienced that fully in her past relationships.
Earlier this month, she and Affleck reunited at the New York premiere of her latest film (which he was a producer on). Despite the run-in, a source confirmed that there won’t be a “romantic reunion” between them, but noted that the former pair are “in a really good place.”
Back in March, Affleck told GQ that Lopez is “somebody I have a lot of respect for” and said that “no scandal, no soap opera, no intrigue” led to their divorce.
As far as future relationships are concerned, Lopez hinted at keeping those private.
Rockmond Dunbar Loses Vaccine Lawsuit Against Disney
Last week actor Rockmond Dunbar faced off against Disney in federal court after he was fired from the hit TV series '911' for refusing the Covid-19 vaccination
The verdict was swift and Dunbar had an outburst in court after testifying that he lost everything fighting the case...
A jury on Friday rejected “9-1-1” actor Rockmond Dunbar‘s claim that he was fired from the show due to his religious conviction against getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
The eight-member federal jury found unanimously in favor of Disney-owned 20th Television. When the verdict was read, Dunbar put his head in his hands.
“Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!” he shouted, and then turned to his wife and children, who were sitting in the gallery. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. We’ll be okay.”
Dunbar sued the company in 2022, alleging that the production failed to accommodate his belief in the tenets of the Congregation of Universal Wisdom, which disapproves of vaccines and other medical interventions.
Dunbar’s character, Michael Grant, was written out of the show in 2021, once the company imposed a vaccine mandate on actors and crew members on set. During a four-day trial in Los Angeles, Dunbar testified about his belief that the COVID vaccine is harmful and against God’s teachings.
“Man created the COVID-19 vaccine to separate you from God,” he said. “This is a spiritual war. This is a war of evil against good. I stood on the side of good. I stood on the side of God. I stood on the shoulders of God.”
Disney’s lawyers, led by Maria Rodriguez of McDermott Will & Schulte, argued that Dunbar lacked credibility. She noted that Dunbar routinely takes synthetic testosterone and anastrozole, which the leader of the Congregation of Universal Wisdom called “sacrilegious.”
Dunbar acknowledged on the witness stand that he is not “perfect.” In her closing argument, Rodriguez scrolled through a list of 37 medications Dunbar has taken.
“This is way far from perfect,” she said. “This isn’t even close.”
Dunbar testified that he was making $100,000 an episode, and was paid even for episodes in which his character did not appear.
“It was a dream job,” he said. “It was like winning the lottery.”
Dunbar testified that since his firing, he has struggled to find work.
“I’m underwater. I’ve spent my entire retirement,” he said. “This has taken my life into a hole financially that I will never be able to get out of.” But he said he had acted on instruction from God not to take the vaccine, and stands by that.
“Take my cars, my money — I don’t care. You have to leave here with your soul intact,” he said. “This is my spiritual test and I passed.”
Simone Biles Confirms Breast Implants Speculation?
Simone Biles appears to be addressing all the speculation that she had plastic surgery.
Over the summer, the 28-year-old Olympic gymnast sparked rumors that she got breast implants when she attended the 2025 ESPYS with husband Jonathan Owens.
In a new Instagram Story, Simone seemingly confirmed that she did in fact get implants.
On Wednesday (October 15), Simone shared a video of herself jumping on her in-ground trampoline at her and the 30-year-old pro football player’s new home in Texas.
Along with the video, Simone wrote, “First flip – in a year – at the new house – with new [cherry emojis].” The cherry emojis appear to be a subtle nod to her new breast implants.
Earlier this year, Simone addressed the possibility of competing in the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be taking place in Los Angeles.
Over the summer, the 28-year-old Olympic gymnast sparked rumors that she got breast implants when she attended the 2025 ESPYS with husband Jonathan Owens.
In a new Instagram Story, Simone seemingly confirmed that she did in fact get implants.
On Wednesday (October 15), Simone shared a video of herself jumping on her in-ground trampoline at her and the 30-year-old pro football player’s new home in Texas.
Along with the video, Simone wrote, “First flip – in a year – at the new house – with new [cherry emojis].” The cherry emojis appear to be a subtle nod to her new breast implants.
Earlier this year, Simone addressed the possibility of competing in the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be taking place in Los Angeles.
Katt Williams Receives Honorary Doctorate from Miles College
Katt Williams received an honorary doctorate from Miles College on Oct. 16, recognizing his accomplishments in entertainment and his new partnership with the school to support student opportunities in film and media.
“It’s not every day that people get an honorary doctorate,” Miles President Bobbie Knight said before calling Williams to the stage, per AL.com. “It’s because of you and what you have done, and we just want to show you how much we appreciate you and recognize you for the work you have done.”
Williams spent several days in Alabama meeting with college leaders to solidify a partnership between Miles students and his planned studio in Anniston. In 2024, he purchased part of the former Fort McClellan military base to develop the site.
“President Knight’s vision is to integrate AI into every facet of the institution and this opportunity to partner with Katt Williams advances that vision,” said Chuck Faush, Miles’ chief innovation and growth officer. “Specifically, aligning with his studio development and plan in Anniston creates career ladders and provides real world learning for our student entrepreneurs.”
Dressed in a black cap and gown, Williams told the Miles College audience he was honored with his trademark humor. “In a very short period of time, no one could deserve this more than me,” he said. “It was going to take a mighty fine institution to recognize that.”
Williams previosuly told GQ magazine that he had ambitions of following in Tyler Perry’s footsteps by becoming a movie mogul. “It’s just not fair to put all that pressure on Tyler Perry,” the comedian said. “He can only do so much.”
Katt Williams received an honorary doctorate from Miles College on Oct. 16, recognizing his accomplishments in entertainment and his new partnership with the school to support student opportunities in film and media.
“It’s not every day that people get an honorary doctorate,” Miles President Bobbie Knight said before calling Williams to the stage, per AL.com. “It’s because of you and what you have done, and we just want to show you how much we appreciate you and recognize you for the work you have done.”
Williams spent several days in Alabama meeting with college leaders to solidify a partnership between Miles students and his planned studio in Anniston. In 2024, he purchased part of the former Fort McClellan military base to develop the site.
“President Knight’s vision is to integrate AI into every facet of the institution and this opportunity to partner with Katt Williams advances that vision,” said Chuck Faush, Miles’ chief innovation and growth officer. “Specifically, aligning with his studio development and plan in Anniston creates career ladders and provides real world learning for our student entrepreneurs.”
Dressed in a black cap and gown, Williams told the Miles College audience he was honored with his trademark humor. “In a very short period of time, no one could deserve this more than me,” he said. “It was going to take a mighty fine institution to recognize that.”
Williams previosuly told GQ magazine that he had ambitions of following in Tyler Perry’s footsteps by becoming a movie mogul. “It’s just not fair to put all that pressure on Tyler Perry,” the comedian said. “He can only do so much.”
Colman Domingo cast as Cowardly Lion in ‘Wicked: For Good’
The Cowardly Lion is off to see the wizard! Colman Domingo, that is. The Oscar nominee has joined the cast of Wicked: For Good as the Cowardly Lion. The news was announced on Monday in a joint Instagram reel shared by Domingo and the movie’s official account.
In the video, Domingo hides behind a stuffed lion and then reveals his face.
“See you in Oz!” the Oscar-nominated actor says, before winking at the camera.
News of Domingo joining the cast comes after filmmaker Jon M. Chu, the director of both Wicked and Wicked: For Good, teased that an A-list actor would be in the role. Chu previously told Deadline that he reached out to the star he wanted to voice the Cowardly Lion — now revealed to be Domingo — via direct message on Instagram.
“I was like, ‘It’s not a ton of lines, but maybe you have a little time. I know you’re busy. I’ll come to you.’ He was like, ‘Why the f*** not, let’s go!’ And then we went ahead and recorded the lines,” Chu told the outlet, before adding, “Man, wait until the red carpet when the actor who gave us the Cowardly Lion’s voice steps foot on it. It’ll be wild.”
In Wicked, Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo) and Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) rescue the Cowardly Lion as a young cub, after Dr. Dillamond is apprehended and a new professor brings a caged lion into class. The professor speaks of how by caging the animal it’ll never learn to speak — which is the ultimate goal. Elphaba, angered by these remarks, uses her powers to generate a moment where she and Fiyero can grab the cub, run into the forest and set him free.
The Cowardly Lion is among a handful of characters in Wicked: For Good that hail from the film’s source material, The Wizard of Oz. Given that the Chu-directed sequel overlaps with events of the original film, fans have speculated that we’ll see the original quartet — the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and Dorothy — all together in the upcoming film.
Along with Erivo and Bailey, Wicked: For Good, which is in theaters Nov. 21, will also see the return of its star-studded main cast, which includes Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp, Bowen Yang as Pfannee, Bronwyn James as ShenShen and Ethan Slater as Boq Woodsman.
In the video, Domingo hides behind a stuffed lion and then reveals his face.
“See you in Oz!” the Oscar-nominated actor says, before winking at the camera.
News of Domingo joining the cast comes after filmmaker Jon M. Chu, the director of both Wicked and Wicked: For Good, teased that an A-list actor would be in the role. Chu previously told Deadline that he reached out to the star he wanted to voice the Cowardly Lion — now revealed to be Domingo — via direct message on Instagram.
“I was like, ‘It’s not a ton of lines, but maybe you have a little time. I know you’re busy. I’ll come to you.’ He was like, ‘Why the f*** not, let’s go!’ And then we went ahead and recorded the lines,” Chu told the outlet, before adding, “Man, wait until the red carpet when the actor who gave us the Cowardly Lion’s voice steps foot on it. It’ll be wild.”
In Wicked, Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo) and Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) rescue the Cowardly Lion as a young cub, after Dr. Dillamond is apprehended and a new professor brings a caged lion into class. The professor speaks of how by caging the animal it’ll never learn to speak — which is the ultimate goal. Elphaba, angered by these remarks, uses her powers to generate a moment where she and Fiyero can grab the cub, run into the forest and set him free.
The Cowardly Lion is among a handful of characters in Wicked: For Good that hail from the film’s source material, The Wizard of Oz. Given that the Chu-directed sequel overlaps with events of the original film, fans have speculated that we’ll see the original quartet — the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and Dorothy — all together in the upcoming film.
Along with Erivo and Bailey, Wicked: For Good, which is in theaters Nov. 21, will also see the return of its star-studded main cast, which includes Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp, Bowen Yang as Pfannee, Bronwyn James as ShenShen and Ethan Slater as Boq Woodsman.
#BoxOfficeNews: Black Phone 2 Is the #1 Movie With $26 Million
We are just a couple weeks away from Halloween and another horror sequel took advantage of that. It’s about as high as the numbers get this weekend as it made more than the next four films on the list combined. One of the new openers in that grouping is an unfortunate reminder of the dire state of the “R”-rated comedy in a time when we should all be looking for a laugh.
When Scott Derrickson’s adaptation of Joe Hill’s The Black Phone hit theaters in June of 2022, it had the 13th best opening of the year up to that point with $23.6 million. On the same weekend as Elvis’ $31.2 million. It went on to gross over $90 million domestic and $161 million globally. With an $18 million budget, it was second only to Smile amongst the most successful horror films of the year. 2025 has certainly turned into the year of horror profit with The Conjuring: Last Rites, Weapons, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and Sinners leading the way.
Derrickson’s Black Phone 2 arrives three years later with a mild downgrade with critics (74% vs. 81%) but a solid $26.5 million to lead the way just a couple of weeks before Halloween. Smile 2 opened on the same weekend last year to $23 million and went on to gross just over $69 million. It was second place on Halloween with competition from Terrifier 3 in third place. Black Phone 2 has a clear runway to horror’s holiday (which will be on a Friday this year) with no direct competition for the genre crowd unless they are busy seeing Bruce Springsteen or Colleen Hoover films or singing along to KPop Demon Hunters as Netflix just announced for that weekend.
As long as word of mouth is decent, this should be able to make its way to at least $60 million. Both Zombieland films opened between $24-27 million and made their way to over $73 million. David Gordon Green’s The Exorcist: Believer began with $26.4 million and finished with over $65 million. Happy Death Day and Dracula Untold opened with $26 million and $23.5 million, respectively, and finished with $55.6 million and $56.2 million, respectively. Black Phone 2, with its increased $30 million budget, is certainly hoping for the Smile 2 run. Globally the film is at $42 million.
A few years ago, Sony platformed Dumb Money in September to the eventual tune of $13.9 million total domestic, which is neither here nor there other than Seth Rogen went from Dumb Money to Good Fortune, including winning several Emmys this year. Lionsgate’s release of Aziz Ansari’s feature directorial debut, with a 78% from critics, opened to just $6.2 million in third place. The modern Sullivan’s Travels/Trading Places riff with the added angel Keanu Reeves was made for a reported $30 million.
Angels in cinema over the years have ranged from comedies (Michael, Dogma) to romance (City of Angels, Date with an Angel) to horror (Legion, The Prophecy). Just to name a few. Don’t worry we certainly don’t forget classics like It’s a Wonderful Life or Wings of Desire either. But the focus will be less on “audiences want less angels” and more on “where is the audience for R-rated comedies?” Since the pandemic, here are the top grossers in that category.
Anyone But You ($88.3 million), Jackass Forever ($57.7 million), No Hard Feelings ($50.4 million), One Of Them Days ($50.0 million), Poor Things ($34.5 million), Asteroid City ($28.1 million), Strays ($23.9 million), Like a Boss ($22.1 million), American Fiction ($21.0 million), and The Holdovers ($20.3 million).
That may even be stretching the boundary of the comedy label but the marketplace has been so light for this brand of film that Yorgos Lanthimos, Wes Anderson, and Alexander Payne made the list. Not to mention Cord Jefferson who, when he won the screenplay Oscar for American Fiction, implored Hollywood to “instead of making one $200 million movie, try making 20 $10 million movies. Or 50 $4 million movies.” Which is great — as long as audiences show up. In a perfect world for Good Fortune, they would look at the miniscule $6 million that Anyone But You (the second worst-reviewed film in that group) opened to and expanded through word-of-mouth over the holidays to the top of that list. But this certainly is not a perfect world.
There’s another film that could have easily gone from the King of the Crop section straight into Rotten Returns this weekend. Disney certainly did not need another high-profile bomb after Snow White and Elio this year, but Tron: Ares is shaping up to be just that and then some. Not quite as dire as Snow but worse than Elio and a number that will take some focus off of One Battle After Another. A drop of 67% down to $11.1 million puts Ares at just $54.5 million after 10 days. That is the second worst sophomore weekend for an October release opening over $30 million. (Halloween Ends had an $8 million second weekend.) $100 million domestic is well off the table and with only another $48 million overseas, $200 million may be as well. China and Japan accounted for just under $43 million of Tron: Legacy’s international gross. Japan only chipped in $1.1 million last weekend and it opened in China this weekend to $2.8 million. Snow White had made $66.9 million in its first ten days after a $14.3 million second weekend. That could put Ares’ final total between $70-75 million domestic. Possibly less than ever Morbius.
Reports are starting to break on how Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another could be in the hole $100 million by the time it leaves theaters. As of now, it is still here in the top five, grossing $3.7 million this weekend. That brings its 24-day total to $61.9 million domestic. That is still a couple million ahead of Killers of the Flower Moon, keeping Battle on pace to break $70 million domestic. Globally, the film is past $162 million, which is more than any $130+ million Netflix project has made in theaters. The film is also now 35th on the list we introduced last week of 2.5+ hour “R”-rated films; 19 of which have been nominated for Best Picture and six have won. Anderson’s film will also increase the numbers on one, or possibly both, of those lists.
Derek Cianfrance’s Roofman opened to just $8 million last weekend. This week, it is down to $3.7 million to bring its total to $15.5 million. That is a little over a million than the Justin Timberlake/Ben Affleck gambling film, Runner Runner, which had a $3.77 million second weekend. Continuing on that path could get the film just over $20 million total. As mentioned last week, that is right in the lane of Tatum’s previous three films, Magic Mike’s Last Dance, Fly Me to the Moon, and Blink Twice, which all finished between $20-26 million.
For the past five weeks, there have been at least three horror films in the top ten. This week we are down to two, with the leading Black Phone 2 and the concluding The Conjuring: Last Rites, which is in its seventh weekend of release and has passed $175 million domestic and $305 million internationally for a total of $482 million. Even if it comes up short of hitting the half-a-billion mark, it has already made it into the top five highest-grossing horror films of all-time, inflation notwithstanding.
Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt opened to $158,679 in six theaters last weekend. The $26,447 per theater average was the 8th best of the year (and fourth best amongst limited releases) for films released in at least two venues. This week, it expanded to 1,300 theaters, where the Julia Roberts-led drama grossed just $1.56 million. When his film, Bones and All (82%), moved from five theaters into 2,727 in its second weekend, it made just $3.6 million. That and Challengers (88%) are the only films that made it into as many theaters as Hunt, though the new one is also the worst-reviewed film on his resume to date, with a 44%. Hunt certainly won’t reach the $18 million made by his Oscar player, Call Me By Your Name (95%), but it may even struggle to best last year’s Queer (78%), with Daniel Craig, which made $3.7 million and was in never more than 460 theaters.
Rounding out the rest of the top ten, the latest from Angel Studios is in sixth place. Truth & Treason made $2.72 million and is actually the second-best reviewed film (92%) in their three-year history. Their best was this year’s family film, Sketch (97%), which grossed just a total of $8.1 million. Angel’s last three releases, including Sketch and The Senior, all opened between $2.4-2.72 million. Last week’s faith-based drama, Soul On Fire, fell to $1.3 million, bringing its total to $5.5 million. Finally, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie made $1.6 million, driving its domestic total to $29.9 million. Getting over $30 million here and $58 million globally are minor consolations for the $32 million production.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle ends its top ten run with $1.3 million and over $131 million domestic. With over $659 million worldwide, we currently have a global top five for 2025 that includes this and Ne Zha 2 combining for $2.55 billion.
It is limited release season and this week we have Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind (91%),mwith Josh O’Connell, in five theaters. The Mubi release grossed $104,000. Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident (97%) made $68,000 in three theaters and Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, with Ethan Hawke and Margaret Qualley, opened to $67,000 in five theaters.
Todd Rohal’s Fuck My Son! from Cartuna, which played the Toronto Film Festival and Fantastic Fest, is going the roadshow route and promising to never be available to watch online. In four late shows at New York’s IFC Center this weekend, it grossed $8,500. Next weekend, it moves to Los Angeles. Texas the week after, followed by Brooklyn, San Francisco, and Chicago, and continues with a string of bookings into next February.
Jeremy Allen White steps into the shoes of the legendary rocker in Scott Cooper’s Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere. The film is hoping to follow in the footsteps of other successful music biopics as well as be an awards player this season. After its showings at Telluride and the New York Film Festival, the film has a 74% with critics. After last year’s success of It Ends With Us, Paramount is hoping their Colleen Hoover adaptation, Regretting You, strikes a chord with audiences. (So far, they aren’t screening the film for press.) Finally, the latest film from Yorgos Lanthimos, with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, Bugonia, hits theaters in a limited release before going wide the following.
FULL LIST OF BOX OFFICE RESULTS: OCTOBER 17-19, 2025
Black Phone 2 – $26.5 million ($26.5 million total)
Tron: Ares – $11.1 million ($54.5 million total)
Good Fortune – $6.2 million ($6.2 million total)
One Battle After Another – $4.0 million ($61.9 million total)
Roofman – $3.7 million ($15.5 million total)
Truth & Treason – $2.7 million ($2.7 million total)
The Conjuring: Last Rites – $2.9 million ($172.4 million total)
After the Hunt – $1.56 million ($1.7 million total)
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie – $3.3 million ($26.4 million total)
Soul On Fire – $3.0 million ($3.0 million total)
Bishop Marvin Winans Calls Out Church Member for Only Donating $1,200 at Fundraiser
During a recent church fundraiser, Bishop Marvin Winans reportedly criticized a congregation member for contributing less than the requested amount.
The incident involved Roberta McCoy, who offered $1,000 plus an additional $235, totaling $1,200.
Winans immediately addressed the discrepancy. “Well, that ain’t what I asked you to do,” he said, pointing out that the intended offering was $2,000, or “$1,000 plus $1,000.” When McCoy responded that she would work on providing the remaining $800, Winans reiterated his disappointment with her initial donation.
The incident involved Roberta McCoy, who offered $1,000 plus an additional $235, totaling $1,200.
Winans immediately addressed the discrepancy. “Well, that ain’t what I asked you to do,” he said, pointing out that the intended offering was $2,000, or “$1,000 plus $1,000.” When McCoy responded that she would work on providing the remaining $800, Winans reiterated his disappointment with her initial donation.
WATCH
The video captures the moment as Winans emphasized the importance of meeting the requested offering. “The request was for $1,000 plus $1,000,” he told the congregation, highlighting that expectations for contributions were clear from the start.
The interaction has since circulated online, prompting discussions about fundraising practices and the way church leaders communicate donation expectations.
Some viewers defended Winans’ insistence on following the requested offering, while others felt the rebuke was unnecessarily harsh.
The video captures the moment as Winans emphasized the importance of meeting the requested offering. “The request was for $1,000 plus $1,000,” he told the congregation, highlighting that expectations for contributions were clear from the start.
The interaction has since circulated online, prompting discussions about fundraising practices and the way church leaders communicate donation expectations.
Some viewers defended Winans’ insistence on following the requested offering, while others felt the rebuke was unnecessarily harsh.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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