#MAGFAB: Lupita N'yongo is heating up ELLE's Summer Cover
And looks good!
#RHOA: Who Is Terry, Drew Sidora's Romantic Interest on RHOA Season 17?
Drew Sidora's new "friend" Terry D, aka Temper Boi, surprised her on The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 17 with the perfect gift to complement her Beyoncé-inspired cowgirl costume: an actual horse.
Drew and her RHOA castmates had gotten all dressed up in honor of Shamea Morton Mwangi's Rum Bum launch in Episode 16 when Terry arrived at the event with the unexpected gift. In the interim, Shamea's husband, Gerald Mwangi, had ushered everyone outside to see the horse. Unsure of how to react, Drew first said she was "so embarrassed" by her potential new romantic interest's over-the-top gesture.
"This is mine?" she asked. "Oh, my God. I don't know what I'm gonna do with her." Terry, for his part, replied, "That's what we're gonna figure out."
As it turned out, he already had some things to make up for with Drew (more on that below). Read on for details on Terry and his romance with Drew on RHOA.
Who is Terry D on RHOA Season 17?
Terry D is a potential love interest for Drew Sidora on RHOA Season 17. On Instagram, he referred to himself as the "proud owner" of two Atlanta businesses, Uptown Soul Food and Flatbush Barber Shop. Terry's social media also indicates that he's a musician under the moniker STP Temp and has also worked as an ATL party promoter.
Drew's hairstylist Walter introduced her to Terry at a work event that was documented in Season 17, Episode 11 of RHOA.
Drew elaborated in an Episode 11 confessional that she was hosting a health fair as part of her role as an Endometriosis Association ambassador when Walter told her that she needed to start dating Terry, who was at the event. From there, castmate Pinky Cole, who was also in attendance, intervened and invited Terry to her skating party as Drew's plus-one.
As Drew put it to a producer, "I do not wish to have a roster, I did not ask to have a roster, I don't have time to have a roster." (After all, she'd already gone on dates with another "friend" named Blakk Tatted earlier this season.)
Either way, her castmates still attempted to play matchmaker and referred to Terry as Drew's "man" when he showed up at Pinky's skating party. Drew, meanwhile, appeared to be hesitant, urging them all to stop pushing the issue, though the two were seen skating around the roller rink together, later on.
Fast-forward to Episode 16, and Drew revealed that Terry had no-showed to a date they planned, prior to Shamea's party.
After recapping how she met Terry and had seen him again at Pinky's skate party, Drew recounted to a producer how Walter had subsequently convinced her to go on a date with him. That's when a clip rolled showing Drew talking on the phone to Walter, who informed her that Terry "left" the date before it even began, because he was "scared."
"He's a no-show," Drew added in her Episode 16 confessional. "I'm humiliated. And now here we are at Shamea's Halloween party, and I'm stuck with a f--kin' horse. I'm so mad at Walter."
Why Drew Sidora was hesitant to date anybody on RHOA Season 17
Amid her earlier romance with Blakk, Drew explained that it was more important to keep her "energy and focus" on her three children, Josiah, Machai, and Aniya, as well as her "three-year-long divorce journey" with ex Ralph Pittman, rather than her love life.
#MusicNews: Is Fifth Harmony Making a Comeback Ahead of Anniversary? The Fans think so....
It looks like Fifth Harmony is planning to make its upcoming anniversary worth it for fans, with the girl group teasing a surprise on Instagram that some Harmonizers think might be a full-fledged comeback.
Here’s Camila Cabello’s Reaction to Fifth Harmony’s Reunion After Seven Years
In a joint post on social media by Fifth Harmony Shop and former members Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane and Lauren Jauregui, the ladies shared a simple black poster reading, simply, “Fifth Harmony.”
“happy birthday to us,” the caption read. “next week.”
The open-ended post leaves room for a lot of speculation as to what the band is teasing, and a lot of fans are wondering whether it’s a reunion in the works. “a rumored fifth harmony comeback im not just sat baby im the whole chair,” one person wrote on X.
Journalist Tomas Mier, however, wrote on X that the teaser is simply for “a merch drop celebrating the anniversary,” but added that Fifth Harmony did recently sign with UTA talent agent Mike G, possibly indicating that something more is in the works.
Billboard has reached out to reps for the girl group members and UTA for comment.
Fifth Harmony first formed in July 2012, making it almost exactly 14 years since the former quintet was assembled on X Factor. The original lineup consisted of Brooke, Jane, Jauregui, Normani and Camila Cabello, becoming a foursome after Cabello left the group in December 2016 to pursue a solo career. By the time the quartet disbanded in 2018, the members had notched eight hits on the Billboard Hot 100 — including No. 4 smash “Work From Home” — and five entries on the Billboard 200.
In August last year, Brooke, Jane, Jauregui and Normani reunited on stage for the first time in seven years at a Jonas Brothers concert in Dallas.
#HipHopNews: .Jay-Z Adds More Shows in London & Los Angeles to Continue His 30-Year Celebration
Hov will now be taking the stage at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5, which will be followed by his previously scheduled Paris stop at Stade De France on Sept. 10. In addition to the Oct. 23 SoFi Stadium show, Jay will go back-to-back in Los Angeles with another performance slated for Oct. 24. at SoFi.
The tour dates come in celebration of 30 years since Jay delivered his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, which peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard 200 in 1996. It’s unclear if the shows’ setlists will be similar to his Yankee Stadium shows and tailored to the anniversaries of RD and The Blueprint.
Tickets will be available with a pre-sale starting on Wednesday (July 29) at 10 a.m. local time on Live Nation’s website before the general public has a shot on Thursday (July 30) at 10 a.m. local time. Citi cardmembers as well as O2 and Virgin Media customers will have access to the pre-sale.
Hov is fresh off selling out Yankee Stadium for three consecutive nights earlier in July. Night one saw Jay take fans down memory lane in celebration of Reasonable Doubt‘s 30th anniversary, while the second show served as a victory lap for 25 years of The Blueprint.
Jay-Z’s Extra Innings show to close out his Yankee Stadium trifecta was a memorable affair: The concert was delayed until after midnight ET on July 11 due to a security breach by unticketed fans, and wrapped up closer to 3 a.m. ET. The star-studded performance saw guest appearances from Beyoncé, Rihanna, Usher, Jeezy, Clipse, Pharrell, Slick Rick, The-Dream, Teyana Taylor, Fat Joe and Jadakiss.
Wife of Chiefs' Eric Bieniemy shot by couple's son at home
The wife of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was allegedly shot by the couple's son Sunday night at the family's home in Virginia.
Mia Bieniemy, 57, was hospitalized in stable condition Monday. Police in Loudoun County, Virginia, confirmed that a woman was being treated for "serious injuries" from multiple gunshot wounds but did not disclose her identity.
Elijah Zion Bieniemy, 27, was arrested and charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside of a dwelling, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. Sources told ESPN that Mia Bieniemy was shot in the chest and arm.
"Our hearts go out to Eric Bieniemy," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after Monday's practice. "Mia is stable, which is a plus. We all love EB, and you hate seeing those things happen."
Elijah Bieniemy is being held without bond at a detention center in Loudoun County, according to police.
Eric Bieniemy left Chiefs' training camp and was not in attendance for Monday's practice. He was with the Chiefs on Sunday in St. Joseph, Missouri, at the campus of Missouri Western State for their second practice of training camp.
Reid said there is no timetable on Bieniemy's return to the Chiefs, adding that pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier will take over Bieniemy's duties during his absence.
"We'll just see how things go," Reid said. "[This is] real life, you take care of that. She's a saint, one of God's good blessings. But things happen."
Loudoun County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Leah Paul said Monday that police responded to a report of a shooting at a home located on the 20000 block of Northpark Drive in Ashburn, Virginia, at 7:32 p.m. ET Sunday.
The sheriff's office said later Monday that its investigation was ongoing.
"These kinds of things happen, but there's always a blessing in there somewhere," Reid said. "I know things will work out. The most important thing is that EB has an opportunity to spend some time [with his family] and take care of that business. Everybody loves EB. He's a great person.
"Things happen. You have to work through it, and time will have to be involved in this to help heal a little bit. It'll all work out in the long run."
Bieniemy rejoined the Chiefs earlier this year as their offensive coordinator, a position he previously held from 2018 to 2022. He was part of Reid's initial staff in Kansas City in 2013 and spent five seasons as the running backs coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator. Over the next five seasons, Bieniemy helped the Chiefs reach three Super Bowls and win two of them while helping to direct one of the NFL's best offenses.
He interviewed for several head coaching jobs but was continually skipped over. He went to the Washington Commanders in 2023 in hopes of burnishing his résumé, but the team struggled and coach Ron Rivera's staff was let go.
Bieniemy then spent one season as the offensive coordinator at UCLA before working last season as the running backs coach with the Chicago Bears.
Alabama university bans bonnets and du-rags for upcoming school year
Tuskegee University recently announced updates to its dress code policy and behavioral standards for students beginning this academic year.
The new dress code prohibits students from wearing bedroom shoes, bonnets and du-rags in classrooms and the cafeteria, according to its text.
“Revealing clothing” will also be banned in classrooms, dining areas and official university events such as Convocation.
Students attending professional events or business meetings must wear business suits and appropriate footwear under the updated guidelines.
Tuskegee President Dr. Mark A. Brown said the changes aim to give students a “solid foundation for the workforce they will enter once they leave Tuskegee” rather than limit their college experience, according to HBCU Gameday
The policies also address classroom behavior.
Students must keep cellphones turned off during class unless professors give specific permission to use them.
The university will monitor attendance more closely, viewing regular class participation as essential to academic success, according to the updated policy.
Trey Songz Avoids Jail Time in Nightclub Assault Case, Sentenced to Conditional Discharge
Trey Songz will not serve any jail time in connection with his arrest last year on charges that he punched a nightclub employee in New York City, closing out a legal saga that stretched across two separate incidents just over a week apart.
The singer, born Tremaine Aldon Neverson, appeared in court Wednesday and received a sentence of one year of conditional discharge tied to a non-criminal violation of second-degree harassment.
Under the terms of that sentence, Neverson avoids both incarceration and probation so long as he stays in compliance with the court's conditions over the next 365 days. The outcome marks a significant reduction from the charges he originally faced.
The case traces back to early December, when Neverson was arrested and charged in connection with two unrelated altercations at different Manhattan venues. The first stemmed from an incident on December 4 at Dramma Night Club in Times Square, where prosecutors accused him of striking an employee in the face. That confrontation initially led to charges of harassment and misdemeanor attempted assault.
Following the arrest, Neverson completed a course of mental health treatment and satisfied a series of court-ordered conditions, which allowed him to withdraw his original misdemeanor plea. He now stands convicted solely of harassment, a violation that does not carry criminal weight under New York law.
The second incident unfolded at Mira, a restaurant and hookah lounge in Manhattan, where Neverson was accused of causing roughly $1,500 in property damage. Authorities said the destruction included hookahs, DJ equipment and furniture, and the singer was initially hit with a felony count of second-degree criminal mischief as a result. That charge did not survive scrutiny, however, as the Manhattan District Attorney's Office ultimately dropped it.
Neverson's attorney, Mitchell Schuster, has maintained that his client bore no responsibility for what happened at Mira and instead characterized him as the target of an unprovoked confrontation. According to a statement Schuster previously provided, a group of individuals approached Neverson and tried to close in around him, prompting his security detail to step in on his behalf. Schuster described the resulting chaos as an altercation that erupted only after his security team moved to shield Neverson and get the situation under control, framing the entire episode as a matter of self-protection rather than aggression on the singer's part.
Taken together, the two cases painted a complicated picture of Neverson's final weeks of last year, with the singer facing scrutiny on multiple fronts before prosecutors and the court ultimately narrowed the scope of what stuck.
The felony charge from the Mira incident evaporated entirely, while the more serious misdemeanor charge tied to the Times Square altercation gave way to a lesser violation once Neverson met the conditions set by the court. That progression suggests prosecutors and the judge weighed his compliance with treatment requirements heavily in determining how the case should ultimately resolve.
Neither his legal team nor representatives for the artist have indicated whether any additional conditions, such as continued mental health treatment or restrictions on his conduct, are attached to the discharge.
The resolution effectively closes the book on a pair of legal entanglements that had followed the R&B artist since last December, though it remains to be seen whether the episodes will have any lasting impact on his public standing or upcoming professional commitments.
David Jonsson vs Damson Idris: Fans divided over Marvel's casting of new Black Panther
At SDCC, Marvel announced Jonsson's casting as T'Challa's son in 'Black Panther 3' which is set to release in 2028
Marvel Studios' decision to cast David Jonsson as the next Black Panther has generated mixed reactions across social media, with fans divided over the future of one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's most iconic characters.
The online response came following the studio's announcement at San Diego Comic-Con.
During the Hall H presentation, director Ryan Coogler confirmed that Jonsson, known for Alien: Romulus and The Long Walk, will portray the adult son of T'Challa in Black Panther 3.
The character was first introduced as a young child during the closing moments of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and is set to inherit the Black Panther mantle when the film is released on December 15, 2028.
The announcement quickly sparked debate online, with fans expressing a range of opinions about Marvel's casting choice.
Many welcomed Jonsson's selection, praising his recent performances and describing him as a strong fit for the role.
One fan wrote, “David Jonsson as T’Challa Jr is such great news, absolutely amazing actor.”
Another described the casting as “inspired casting”, while several others pointed to Jonsson's performance in The Long Walk as evidence that he was ready to lead a major Marvel film.
Others, however, said they had expected Damson Idris to take on the role instead.
“I thought it was going to be Damson Idris,” one fan commented.
Another added, “I wanted Damson Idris as T’Challa, but David Jonsson will be really good too.”
A separate group questioned Marvel's broader creative direction, arguing that the studio should have recast T'Challa rather than introducing an adult version of his son.
“Just give me T’Challa… there is 0 reason to not recast at this point. No actor is bigger than the role,” one social media user wrote.
Another said, “Bring back T’Challa or no dice.”
Some fans also raised questions about the timeline, noting that T'Challa's son was introduced as a young child in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and wondering how the character would now be portrayed as an adult.
Marvel has not publicly addressed the online discussion surrounding the casting.
The announcement nevertheless marks a significant new chapter for the Black Panther franchise as the series continues following the death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020.
Dwyane Wade Gets Street Named After Him in Illinois Hometown: ‘Bigger Than Me’
The street where Dwyane Wade grew up has officially been named after the former NBA player.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Village of Robbins, Illinois, permanently and legally renamed South Claire Boulevard to Dwyane Wade Boulevard on Sunday (July 26) at a ceremony and community celebration that also marked its inaugural Dwyane Wade Day.
Wade documented the experience on Instagram, posting a Story where he posed alongside his father, Dwyane Wade Sr.: "Where it all [started]! 14051 S. Claire Blvd now known as 14051 Dwyane Wade Blvd!” the former Miami Heat star wrote.
Wade also spoke about what the moment meant to him to ceremony attendees. "How do you put into words what it feels like to be honored on a street that helped raise you? I've been blessed with a life I never could've imagined,” said the 44-year-old. “But standing here yesterday, seeing familiar faces, being on this street I've run up and down so many times, it feels different than anywhere else I've been in this world
Wade also acknowledged that the community that raised him saw him as “a kid whose family was looking for a chance.” “Don't wait for the world to see you; see yourself first and believe in you,” he continued.
Along with Wade’s father, the former athlete’s wife, actress Gabrielle Union and daughters Kaavia James Union Wade and Zaya Wade were on stage during the ceremony.
By Monday (July 27), Wade would post a picture of himself and his father holding up his street sign on Instagram. “Yesterday was bigger than me! It wasn’t about a name on a boulevard—it was about every dream that started on that street, and every dream that’s still walking it,” he captioned the post.
Earlier in the day, Wade hosted a free youth basketball camp for local children, in addition to a shoe giveaway. Following a community chat, the renaming ceremony was held along with a block party at 139th Street.
Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' Posts $87 Million Second Weekend, Crosses $600 Million Worldwide
During its second weekend in domestic theaters, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey grossed an impressive $87 million, a decline of just 30 percent.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, the film had a 30 percent drop in its second weekend at the domestic box office after grossing $123.5 million in its first weekend. It’s the third-best second weekend performance ever for a film that opened above $100 million, trailing Wicked and Top Gun: Maverick. It also holds the distinction of being the second-best second weekend for an R-rated film, behind only Deadpool & Wolverine's $97 million.
The film, which features a stacked cast led by Matt Damon, has so far earned $286.4 million at the domestic box office, while its worldwide gross has now reached an estimated $639.9 million. Produced on a budget of $250 million, the biggest budget of a Nolan-directed movie since 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises.
IMAX has been a driving force behind the success of The Odyssey so far. The format accounted for $48 million globally in the second weekend alone and has generated $140 million, or 53 percent of the film's total gross through two weekends, per Deadline. That makes The Odyssey the second-fastest title to surpass $100 million in IMAX history, reaching that mark in just 10 days behind only Avengers: Endgame.
Considering the film was shot entirely on IMAX’s 70mm film cameras, the first narrative movie to do so, it’s no surprise that customers have wanted to see the epic adaptation of Homer’s poem on the biggest screen possible.
The film has not yet opened in China, Japan, or South Korea, markets that could significantly extend its worldwide trajectory.
Karamo Brown & Jussie Smollett Link Arms During Their Sunday Date Night
Just a few weeks after reports emerged that Empire actor Jussie Smollett and Queer Eye‘s Karamo Brown are dating, we have new photos of their pair together.
If you don’t know, in late June, the 44-year-old actor and 45-year-old talk show host and reality TV star were seen together as reports suggested they were officially an item. Karamo then seemingly gushed about him in an interview and said he believes they’ll get married.
In these new photos, Karamo and Jussie were photographed with their arms linked while out and about for a date night on Sunday (July 26) in West Hollywood, Calif.
Carly Simon Reveals Parkinson’s Disease & Skin Cancer Diagnoses
Musician Carly Simon is revealing what has been going on in her life after years out of the spotlight.
The 83-year-old “You’re So Vain” songstress has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and revealed a past cancer diagnosis. In the midst of all of this, she has been working on a new album.
If you don’t know, according to Mayo Clinic, Parkinson’s Disease “is a movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time. The nervous system is a network of nerve cells that controls many parts of the body, including movement.”
So many people have written to me, kindly wondering about my relative silence, asking how I am and what I have been doing. The truth is, I’ve been learning how to live with Parkinson’s disease.
It has taken me some time to understand the diagnosis, to adjust to it, and to decide how much I wanted to say about it publicly. Parkinson’s is different for everyone, and it can be unpredictable. Some days I’m so tired I can’t get the day moving at all. On others, it gives me a little more room to move, think, work, and feel like myself.
The problems began with arthritis in both knees and one hip. I eventually had all three joints replaced, out with the old and in with delicate bouquets of metal and plastic. After three replacement surgeries, I assumed my difficulty walking was simply an unfortunate and rather ironic part of the recovery process.
But my mobility continued to worsen. I had trouble standing up from low chairs and deep couches without someone offering me an arm. Overstuffed furniture became my enemy. Once seated, I could feel as though I had been swallowed by the chair and might remain there permanently, like a guest who had badly overstayed her welcome.
Eventually, there were periods when I could not walk without considerable help. My family and I knew that something more was going on. After an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
I began treatment, including taking medication to help with stiffness and other symptoms. There is no tidy or predictable schedule to the illness. It does not consult my calendar before deciding what kind of day I am going to have.
Parkinson’s is usually associated with movement, tremors, and balance, but it can affect much more than the body. It can bring anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and apathy. The apathy is particularly strange. You can find yourself lying there like a starfish drying in the sun, arms pointing in all directions, while nothing inside is telling you to get up, read, watch, write, sing, call someone, or do much of anything at all.
That has been one of the hardest things to explain. It is not simply sadness or laziness. It is as though the part of the brain that sends out invitations to participate in life has temporarily misplaced the guest list.
During this same period, I was also treated for basal cell carcinoma on my face. The cancer was removed, but the surgery affected my appearance and made me more self-conscious about being seen in public. I have always been more critical of my appearance than anyone else could possibly imagine (check out the irony of having written “You’re So Vain.”), and this gave my inner critic quite a lot of new material.
Between my mobility issues, the Parkinson’s diagnosis, the surgery, and the emotional effects of it all, withdrawing from public view was the most palatable reaction. If a person is allowed to hibernate during both winter and summer, then I have become an all-season bear.
But I have not stopped living, and I have not stopped working.
In the middle of all this, I began recording a new album, Comes in Waves. That still feels mysterious to me. Music has always known when to arrive. It has rescued me more times that I can count. It is like a cat or dog that quietly appears beside you when it senses you are not quite yourself.
The album includes songs and fragments of songs that had been waiting for me, some for years. There were melodies, verses, and ideas written down and tucked away for some unknown future when I would have the time and attention to finish them.
Apparently, that future is now.
Working on the music gave shape to days that did not always have much shape. It gave me somewhere to go without having to leave the room. It reminded me that illness can change your life without becoming the whole of your life.
I do not consider Parkinson’s a gift or a blessing. It is neither. It is difficult, frustrating, and sometimes frightening. I am still learning how to live with it and how to accept it without feeling that I have surrendered something essential.
I am still writing, singing, imagining, laughing, worrying, remembering, and occasionally getting trapped in an overstuffed chair.
I am deeply grateful to my children, my family, my friends, my caregivers, and the medical professionals who have helped me through this. Their love and patience have carried me through days when my own reserves were not enough.
I wanted to share this now because so many people have reached out with genuine concern. I am touched by that concern, even when I have not known how to respond.
These days I move more slowly, I lean on others more than I once did, and I have learned to accept that every day will look a little different. But I am still very much here.
With love, Carly (via People).
Usher Fan Claps Back at ‘Hating H**es’ After Viral Nashville Concert Moment: ‘PRETTY PRIVILEGES’
Gabrielle Cheyenne says she wasn't told what the onstage appearance involved and rejects criticism over her reaction.
*When Usher abruptly ended an onstage interaction with a concertgoer during his Nashville performance, social media quickly decided the fan had ruined the moment. Now, the woman at the center of the viral clip is telling her side of the story, Complex reports.
The incident happened during the singer’s July 25 concert while he performed “Can U Handle It?,” a segment of the show that often features Usher bringing female fans onstage for a sensual performance. After inviting one woman to join him on a bed set piece, he noticed she appeared uncomfortable.
Rather than continue, Usher stepped back and addressed the crowd. “I don’t think she want to be on the stage,” he said before ending the interaction and booting the woman off stage.
Video of the exchange went viral, prompting thousands of comments from viewers who questioned the woman’s subdued reaction. Some joked that she appeared uninterested, while others wondered why she agreed to participate if she wasn’t going to engage with the singer.
The woman, identified by LiveBitez as Gabrielle Cheyenne, responded on Facebook after the criticism gained momentum.
“First off NOBODY is declining to go on stage. I looked good asf, you thought I wasn’t gonna let THOUSANDS of people see me?? On the big screen, where you bitches will never be????” she wrote.
Cheyenne also explained that neither she nor her mother expected the moment.
“My mom and I had FLOOR SEATS. Their team approached us and moved us to VIP before the show even started !! PRETTY PRIVILEGES something you hoes will never know about!!”
According to Cheyenne, the surprise came after the upgrade.
“They don’t say who you’re going up there for!! Y’all wanted me to get up there and fck him atp ?? CHATT FOLKS AREN’T USED TO ANYTHING. That’s the most exciting thing that would’ve happened in y’all little ass lives !! Fck yall, DISRESPECTFULLY.”
Cheyenne later clarified that her earlier Facebook comments were not directed at everyone criticizing her online. In an Instagram Story, she said the post was aimed specifically at what she described as “hating h**es” in her hometown of Chattanooga.
“Hence why it says CHATT FOLKS AREN’T USED TO ANYTHING,” she wrote.
In a separate Instagram Story, Cheyenne defended her response to the backlash, saying, “My attitude isn’t ‘nasty’ until I’m provoked. Y’all aren’t gonna get on the internet calling me out my name and disrespecting me and expect me to keep it cool! Y’all don’t know me in real life!”
She added that the criticism had gone too far, writing, “I’m quiet and keep to myself, but don’t think that y’all are gonna bully me about an EXPERIENCE that y’all didn’t get.”
Watch her ackward moment with Usher in the X clip an also below.👇🏾
Former President Obama surprises WNBA All-Stars at practice
Barack Obama surprised the WNBA All-Stars on Friday, visiting them at the Obama Presidential Center's indoor basketball court. He shook hands, posed for photos and even gave a little heartfelt advice to Caitlin Clark.
The Indiana Fever guard, an All-Star for the third time, has been at the center of media and social media debates and commentaries since she entered the WNBA in 2024 as the No. 1 pick. The former president told Clark to hold on to her joy.
"You're great. You're fantastic. Don't let all this nonsense get you down," Obama said to the 24-year-old Clark in a video posted on social media by X user @zulueditsae. "You know, I always say one of the things that was luckiest for me was that I didn't get famous until I was like 45. You're my daughters' age.
"To have that much immersion in nonsense ... don't lose that joy. The game's the game, and you're a hooper. You're always hooping, and you're on a nice little run right now."
Clark, whose 17-10 Fever have won five of their past six games entering the All-Star break, asked Obama for a photo and later said how much his words meant to her.
"You always remember why you play the game. I play it because I love it, and I haven't lost that joy," Clark told reporters. "There's going to be some people that love you and some people that hate you, and that's just the reality of the world when you get into a position like this. That's also a good thing for the game. Not everybody's going to be your biggest fan.
"I'm trying to navigate a lot of different things while trying to play basketball at the same time. So it was cool to hear that from him. And I think, honestly, it's probably a good reminder for all of us of treating people with respect, treating people with grace, and definitely a moment I'll probably remember for the rest of my life. My hands don't get .
Obama's visit resonated with the players. Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey was surprised when Obama mentioned her WNBA-record-tying 53-point game June 25.
"I was thinking, 'Did he see it when it was happening? Was he rooting for me?'" a smiling Mabrey said. "It's just really cool that somebody as big to this world as him, who does everything he does, would know something like that and would come and talk to us."
The players said the interaction with the former president was one of the highlights of All-Star Weekend, which is in the Windy City for the second time.
Chicago previously hosted the game in 2022, but the event has grown. Back then, the game was at Wintrust Arena, which holds 10,387. This year, it will be at the larger United Center (8:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ABC), which holds 20,917.
Friday morning's media session was at the Obama Presidential Center, which opened in June. As the WNBA celebrates its 30th season this year, the players showed their appreciation for Obama, long known for his love of hoops.
The New York Liberty's Breanna Stewart visited the Obama White House every year she was at UConn, as the Huskies won four consecutive NCAA titles from 2013 to 2016.
"So it was like this annual thing. We go, we see him, see how he's doing and what's changed over the year," Stewart said. "I've crossed paths with him a few more times after that ... I check in on how the family is. He's a great person to have in my corner. For him to now take the time to ask about my family, it just shows how caring and meaningful he is.
"President Obama is a huge basketball fan, advocate, and it's always good to see him, whether it's throughout his term or just the impact and the change that he makes when he's out of the office.
Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve visited Obama with her team after the Lynx won WNBA titles in 2011, 2013 and 2015. During the third visit -- in June 2016 -- Reeve's son, Oliver, then 19 months old, started to cry when the president was speaking.
Obama stopped his speech to joke, "Oliver is upset that mom is up here and he's not," inviting Reeve to bring the toddler onto the stage, where he exchanged a high-five with Obama.
On Friday, Obama spoke again with Reeve and her son, now age 11.
"He thinks he's famous because you can go on YouTube, and if you search for President Obama high-five baby and he comes up," Reeve said. "That's the first thing he tells friends. [Obama] just has a way of making you feel special, so we appreciate his connection to the WNBA."
The Atlanta Dream's Angel Reese joked that she "sort of" encountered Obama in Chicago first on Thursday.
"It's so funny because when my plane was landing yesterday, he was right next to my plane," Reese said. "They were like, 'VIP, nobody can get off the plane!' I'm like, 'Well, we're VIP too.' Then they said, 'Obama,' and I was like, 'Oh, OK, OK.'"
Obama told the players that he would not be able to attend Saturday's All-Star Game because of a prior commitment that he and his wife, Michelle, have. But he said he wanted at least to interact with the All-Stars.
"I know many of you have been involved in ventures off the court, looking out for other young people and inspiring them," Obama said. "I just want to say thanks."
He added that he doesn't play full-court basketball these days "to protect my Achilles" but that he did inaugurate the Obama Presidential Center court with a game of HORSE.
"Which I lost," he said.
Obama did get in just a little hooping, briefly guarding the Liberty's 6-foot-6 center Jonquel Jones as she dribbled the ball
"He's a cool guy, and so I'm just like, 'I have a basketball, I'm here at their center, and I'm just going to go joke around and try to play basketball with him,'" Jones said. "He's got a good defensive stance. I was pretty surprised. But yeah, just a lighthearted moment. I think an amazing moment for me too, because I look up to him so much."
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
I have no words
I really don't
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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