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Serena Williams shared a funny anecdote about trying to deposit a very large check at a drive-thru during her career.
Tennis great Serena Williams was beloved and respected for her drive, but in a recent interview, she shared a story about how her focus led her to have a mishap at a bank’s drive-thru window.
Williams was the guest on a recent episode of the highly popular Hot Ones series from First We Feast. During the interview, as Williams got to dig in on some spicy wings, at the 11-minute mark host Sean Evans asked: “Is it true that you rarely collected your winnings your first year on tour and then once tried unsuccessfully to cash your first million-dollar check in a drive-thru ATM?”
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“Yeah, those are all true,” the 23-time Grand Slam champion confirmed. “I never played for money, I played ’cause I loved the sport. I wanted to be the best. I wanted to win.” She continued, saying: “So my tax guy, he would be like, ‘You didn’t get your money?’ and I’d be like, ‘Oh, I didn’t get that one in Zurich,’ ‘Oh, I forgot that one in Moscow,’…I was just playing to win, and if I didn’t win, I wasn’t thinking. I was just so angry, that I wanted to find a way to get better and win the next time.”
It turned out that her focus led her to collect a very substantial amount of earnings. “I got my check and it was a million dollars,” Williams said. “Like, okay, I’m gonna go deposit it. I’d never really spent a lot of money. I was so serious. I don’t know what happened to me, I used to be serious. So I just went through the drive-thru … and the guy was like, ‘Uh, I think you need to come inside for this.’” Evans and Williams laughed as she said, “lessons to learn.”
The story was one of a few notable anecdotes that Williams shared, including a look at the stylish outfits she wore during her career including a denim suit she said was inspired by one that another tennis champion, Andre Agassi, wore on the court. Her Hot Ones appearance comes as her ESPN+ documentary series, In The Arena: Serena Williams makes its debut on Wednesday (July 10).
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Photo: Erika Goldring / Getty
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Source: Louis Vuitton / Louis Vuitton
Pharrell’s highly anticipated Louis Vuitton collaboration is upon us, and if you have a few thousand dollars to spare in that shoe box, you might want to get in on this.
After creating much buzz with his Timberland x Louis Vuitton boots earlier this year, Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton workwear capsule collection will be hitting the shelves next week. According to Highsnobiety, the pieces will be available for prelaunch for the ballers who have money to burn. That’s not us. Just sayin’.
Per Highsnobiety:
Louis Vuitton’s workwear capsule will be available for prelaunch on Louis Vuitton’s website and app come July 18 before officially releasing to select flagship stores on August 8. Expect prices to sit in typical LV range: that is to say, around $3,000 for the Timbs.
It’s meaty, comprising all that aforementioned apparel: hardy chore coats, dusters, double-knee pants, and Western shirts, embroidered, embellished, studded and sumptuously cut from overdyed earth-toned LV monogram jacquard.
While the attire in the collection is pretty dope, many will be looking to snag a pair of those Timberland boots as they are indeed the star of the show. But at $3,000 a pair, don’t be surprised if you only see rappers and entertainers stunting in those buttery suede worker boots as that’s basically two months worth of rent for the average Joe.
There is Louis Vuitton’s riff on timeless Timberland 6″ boot, fabricated in LV’s Fiesso d’Artico footwear atelier of Italian nubuck, dappled with gilded eyelets, and stamped with the LV monogram. This is the one with which Pharrell secured his place in the history books.
It’s joined by the Louis Vuitton by Timberland LV Boot, which blows up the original 6″ boot’s silhouette by 15 percent and thus reaches similar XXXL scale to Pharrell’s favored puffy trainers.
One has to wonder what resale would be on a pair of those Timberlands.
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Will you be trying to cop anything from Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton collection? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Louis Vuitton continues to add their all-star roster. They have announced Pusha T as their newest brand ambassador.
Source: Louis Vuitton / Louis Vuitton
As spotted on High Snobiety, the Virginia Beach, Virginia, native is taking his talents back to the fashion industry. This week, the luxury apparel brand named Pusha T as a Louis Vuitton House Ambassador. LV expressed their enthusiasm regarding the partnership in a formal statement. “His ambassadorial nomination at Louis Vuitton is a testament to his commitment to artistry and a strong personal style, both echoing the Maison’s own dedication to unique expression across fashion and culture,” read a press release. “Pusha T’s role as House Ambassador underscores Louis Vuitton’s vision of bringing together diverse cultural influences to build powerful storytelling within its storied menswear universe. The Maison looks forward to this exciting collaborative journey ahead.”
This is not the first time the “Numbers On The Board” MC has worked with the label. Back in January, he walked the runway for Louis Vuitton’s Paris Fashion Week show. Last month, he and his brother No Malice attended LV Spring Summer 2025 show and premiered their new song “The Birds Don’t Sing.” Featuring John Legend on the hook, the duo addressed the loss of their parents and the bereavement that followed.
Current Louis Vuitton House brand ambassadors include Rihanna, LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama and Gong Yoo.
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Source: @JustInMyView / R1 Digital
A few months ago, it was reported that Tekashi 6ix9ine’s fancy automobiles were repossessed by IRS agents as the “Gummo” rapper owes Uncle Sam millions in unpaid taxes. Now, those cars are up for auction for anybody who doesn’t mind riding around in a luxury car that once belonged to the world’s most famous snitch.
According to GSAAuctions.gov, a few of Tekashi’s exotic cars are now on the auction block, including a paint-splattered 2019 Lamborghini Urus and his 2017 Bentley Continental GT Speed. While bidding has started at a modest $20,000 a piece, don’t think you’ll be getting any of these cars for a steal as we’re sure that there’s a few ballers out there willing to pay “top dollar” for a used Lambo or Bentley.
The auction is live from July 8 to July 23, so anyone interested will have some time to save up some dollars in hopes of landing one or both of these fancy automobiles. Imagine Tekashi actually bids on these and wins? How funny would that be? You never know with that fool.
Check out pics of the cars, and let us know if you’d put a bid on these cars in the comments section below.
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Actor Chet Hanks has publically come out against hate groups using his “White Boy Summer” song and catchphrase for ill intent and recruitment.
On Wednesday (July 3), Chet Hanks, the son of the renowned actor, Tom Hanks, denounced the usage of his trending song and catchphrase “White Boy Summer” by white nationalist groups. In a post on Instagram, the actor posted a quick video with the caption: “White boy summer was created to be fun, playful, and a celebration of fly white boys who love beautiful queens of every race,” he wrote. “Anything else that it has been twisted into to support any kind of hate or bigotry against any group of people is deplorable and I condemn it. I hope that we all can spread love to each other and treat each other with kindness and dignity.”
The post comes after a report issued by the Global Project Against Hate & Extremism (GPAHE), which explicitly named Hanks’ song and phrase, coined in 2021, as a rallying slogan for white nationalist groups in their communications on the private social media platform Telegram and other outreach efforts online in addition to promoting acts of violence. The report names the Proud Boys extremist group as one of the first adopters in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, along with other domestic groups and those based in European nations like France and Finland. “This is the story of how an influential person with a large social media audience can inspire a viral and dangerous narrative and motivate white supremacist groups worldwide,” the report stated.
Hanks has tried to distance himself from these groups using “White Boy Summer” in the past. “Take it how you want, I’m not talking about Trump, Nascar-type white. I’m talking about me, (rappers) Jon B. Jack Harlow-type white boys. Let me know if you guys can vibe with that, and get ready. ‘Cause I am,” he wrote back in 2021. But the Your Honor actor came under intense scrutiny on his initial attempt to sell merchandise with the phrase that bore a font that was strikingly similar to that used by white extremist groups, as well as the typeface used on Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf.”
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Source: @mr_camron / Instagram
Cam’ron celebrated Independence Day his own way. The rapper wore O.J. Simpson’s NFL football uniform with pride.
As reported by HipHopDX, the Harlem, New York, native isn’t using the holiday to pay his respects to Amerikkka. On Thursday, July 4, he found himself in Las Vegas for a private party. In signature fashion he threw all cares out the window and wore Orenthal James Simpson’s iconic look to the event. The outfit included O.J.’s Buffalo Bills jersey, pants and even the original helmet two-bar face mask. To further make the cipher complete he carried a football in one hand and wore the Nike Air Jordan Cherry 11 retro sneakers on feet.
“OJ was here!!!! Happy INDEPENDENCE DAY! This ain’t really Our holiday.. But it feels good not to have to answer to nobody!! #FreeNigga #IIWII,” the caption read. While the post seemed to just highlight Cam’ron’s cosplay range some of his followers assume it was a shot at Stephen A. Smith who recently called out BET for celebrating O.J. Simpson during the 2024 BET Awards.
“Did y’all see the in memoriam segment paying tribute to quote, ‘Black excellence,’ that we unfortunately lost this year?” he said on the opening segment of his self-titled show. “There was a notable silence from the crowd when the image of O.J. Simpson appeared on the big screen. You may recall O.J. Simpson died this past April after a battle with cancer. Yes, he is known for being a Hall of Famer on the football field out of USC, and ultimately with the Buffalo Bills in his NFL career, but he was also accused of double murder!”
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Smith also called out that the late great didn’t side with people of color once he became successful but also reminding us of his infamous “I’m not Black, I’m O.J.,” quote. Simpson was a frequent guest on Cam’ron’s sports talk show It Is What It Is. You can see Cam’ron’s outfit below.
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Flavor Flav’s efforts to save the cheddar bay biscuits are getting traction. Red Lobster has announced a new meal in his name.
As spotted on The Grio, the seafood restaurant chain is making it clear that the Public Enemy member’s efforts did not go unappreciated. This week the Orlando, Florida-based company announced the launch of “Flavor Flav’s Faves.” The meal includes a Maine lobster tail, snow crab legs, garlic shrimp scampi, and bacon mac and cheese, plus a side dish.
The “911 Is A Joke” rapper expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership in a formal statement. “As a long-time Red Lobster fan, I’m fired up to bring a little bit of my own flavor to fans with a meal featuring my seafood favorites,” he said. “You gotta get to Red Lobster and give it a try because this signature meal is hype, boy!”
Red Lobster detailed why the limited-time menu was a no brainer. “When you have someone like Flavor Flav who shows their love for a brand by ordering the entire menu, you know there is a lot more fun to be had,” said Sara Bittorf, chief experience officer at Red Lobster. “Flavor Flav’s passion for Red Lobster is unmatched, and we’re excited to bring our guests a flavor experience unlike any other.”
Along with the launch of Flavor Flav’s Faves, Red Lobster also launched some new menu items including the Creamy Crab Carbonara, the Crab & Lobster Duo and the Snow Crab & Crab-Topped Steak. Earlier this year the chain announced bankruptcy after taking a huge hit on their endless shrimp promotion. Upon hearing the news Flavor Flav ordered every item off the menu in an attempt to save the franchise.
The Flavor Flav Fave’s offering is available during Crabfest.
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Source: Jerritt Clark / Getty
Lee Daniels and Lena Waithe were among the attendees at the renowned event held in Los Angeles at the end of Black Music Month.
Last Friday (June 28), the Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles, California, was the site of the Innovators and Leaders Awards Brunch, held by the esteemed Culture Creators Foundation. The non-profit group’s premier event was a fundraiser brunch for its mission of being a platform to recognize and salute those making significant contributions to the culture, business and entertainment industries. It was marked by the appearance of some notable figures such as director Lee Daniels and producer and director Lena Waithe, who were on hand to present awards. BET was a main sponsor of the event along with Möet Hennessy, Lexus and Rap Snacks.
Source: Jerritt Clark / Getty
Journalist and NAACP Image Award nominee Gia Peppers served as the host of the expansive event, which began with “The Collective Conversation,” a talk between rapper and actor Joey Bada$$ and political strategist Quentin James about the ways that the community can be more politically informed and engaged with emphasis placed on voting and advocating for more diversity and increases in Black employment. After a performance by Roc Nation’s remarkable R&B band, Infinity Song, actress and singer Teyana Taylor was surprised by Waithe who presented her with the Innovator of the Year Award, providing a heartwarming moment for all attending.
Source: Jerritt Clark / Getty
A similar moment occurred as CAA agent and board member Lorrie Bartlett was honored with the ICON Award by her longtime friend Daniels on stage. “I have had an incredible run and I feel so proud and lucky when I think about all I have accomplished thus far. Here’s the truth: more often than not, you have to make your own luck. The pathway to success is not the same for everybody,” Bartlett said to the audience. Other guests at the brunch included former honoree L.A. Reid, Andra Day, Regina King, Omarion, Debra Lee, YK Osiris, Alex Isley, Vanessa Estelle Williams, Pretty Vee, Trevor Jackson, Elijah Blake, Estelle, Cory Hardrict, designer Karl Kani, Flau’Jae, Jasper Hagen and Jessica Betts.
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
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Chet Hanks’ aka Shabba Hanks aka Tom’s Son’s redemption arc comes with some wild stories. He says cokeheads told him he was abusing the drug.
As reported by Page Six, the Your Honor actor made a recent appearance on Bradley Martyn’s Raw Talk podcast. The Los Angeles, California, native discussed a variety of topics during the almost two-hour interview. He openly talked about his struggles with drug abuse, specifically cocaine. “The drug I had the most problem with was just f****ing coke, dude,” he revealed. Hanks went on to admit he was an addict to the white powder. “I’m a f***ing cokehead, straight-up,” he said before adding, “Not anymore, but that is my drug of choice — cocaine, bro, like Tony Montana.”
The “White Boy Summer” rapper went on to admit that he was doing so much that his co-conspirators were advising him to slow down. “I would go do coke with the cokeheads, and they would be telling me, like, ‘Yo, chill, bro. … Wait a second. Give it like 15 minutes.’” Thankfully, Chet kicked the habit by going to rehab and eventually found God in the process.
You can view Chet Hanks’ Raw Talk interview below.
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Source: @champagnepapi / Instagram
On Monday (July 1), the internet reacted in all kinds of ways when a video of Rick Ross and his crew getting jumped in Vancouver, Canada, by Drake super fans hit the web, and now it seems like the King of the North is practicing a bit of trolling over the incident with his latest social media post.
Following the release of the video, Drake took to his IG page to post a pic and a video of himself and his crew enjoying some outside weather at his mansion as Drizzy raps along to “Northern Touch” by the Rascalz, who hail from Vancouver. Coincidence that Drake is listening to a rap group that represents the city where Ross and company got jumped? Maybe, but we doubt it.
Drake also dropped another video in which he wished his fellow Canadians a “Happy Canada Day” before saying, “Cheers to the whole country” and taking a sip of some adult juice with a slice of lemon in it. Fancy!
50 Cent meanwhile didn’t miss the opportunity to continue to troll his former rival Rick Ross as well with a new video. While Fiddy called it a “very unfortunate situation that took place in Canada” and said, “I hope that brother made it home safely,” he ended his quick reaction by saying Ross should call on Meek Mill’s Dream Chasers crew or the “305 killers” before laughing it off as he’s known to do.
Man we hope this doesn’t lead to North vs. South Hip-Hop war like the East vs. West thing in the ’90s.
What are your thoughts on Rick Ross getting jumped in Canada for playing Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss song “Not Like Us”? Fair or foul? Let us know in the comments section below.