celebrity news
Page: 2
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Sinners, a new film from director Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan in a lead role, was released to the wider public this week, and the early returns are in. On X, many are praising Coogler and Jordan for delivering a wild, western movie-inspired vampire romp.
Sinners takes place in the 1930s in the Southern United States and features Michael B. Jordan as twin brothers Elijah “Smoke” Moore and Elias “Stack” Moore. Delroy Lindo, Wunmi Mosaku, Buddy Guy, Saul Williams, and Omar Benson Miller also star in the film.
The plot follows the Moore brothers as they return home to Mississippi after living in Chicago, attempting to change their former ways. The brothers, realizing the North was just as racist as the South, steal money from some Chicago gangsters and head back home to open up a juke joint. However, arriving back home, they encounter a growing evil in the form of vampires in their hometown.
Jordan has received kudos for pulling double duty as Smoke and Stack. The film also touches on some of the racial tension of the times with Hailee Steinfeld playing the role of Stack’s love interest, Mary, who is passing for a white woman despite being part Black. Also, there is heavy emphasis on music in the film, in particular the Blues, and how it plays into the overall narrative is cleverly done.
On X, fans, including LeBron James and LeVar Burton, are saying that Sinners delivers the big-screen thrills, stating that Ryan Coogler has yet again delivered some movie magic. Of course, there are requisite criticisms, and we’ll try to share comments from all sides below.
Sinners is in theaters now. Learn more here.
—
Photo: Sony Classical / Sony Masterworks / Sinners Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Aaron Rodgers, once considered one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, is starting the inevitable wall of Father Time despite still being courted by some teams. Aaron Rodgers broke his silence for the first time this offseason, and called “bullsh*t ” on rumors surrounding his time and eventual split with the New York Jets and blasting the team for not delivering his firing in March over the phone.
Aaron Rodgers was a guest on The Pat McAfee Show and dished on several topics, including a February meeting with New York Jets incoming coach Aaron Glenn, which didn’t exactly go as planned. Glenn, a former NFL cornerback and defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions previously, reportedly asked Rodgers if he was still ready to go, but things went left.
“I think we are going to have this long conversation,” Rodgers said regarding his meeting with Coach Glenn. ” I’ve flown across the country, and 20 seconds in, he goes and he leans to the edge of his seat and says, ‘So, you want to play football?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m interested.’ And he was like, ‘We’re going in a different direction at quarterback.’”
Rodgers went on to say that instead of leaving his home in California to have the quick conversation in New Jersey, the team could’ve just called him and said they weren’t moving ahead with him in the role. Rodgers said that he’s speaking about the situation with the Jets because his sister, Mia Rodgers, who serves as his publicist, urged him to do so and address the “bullsh*t” out there surrounding his career.
On whether or not he intends to play this coming season, Rodgers said he’s spoken with the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers since being cut by the Jets. However, the Giants have shored up their QB ranks with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston signing with the team. The Vikings have also leaned in on J.J. McCarthy, which leaves the Steelers as the last reported viable option.
Rodgers added that he’s more concerned with his new relationship and focusing his time on helping a pair of unnamed people through what he framed as serious situations.
Aaron Rodgers saw his name trending on X, formerly Twitter, and we’ve got the reactions below.
—
Photo: Tom Jenkins / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Sedona Prince, a standout player for Texas Christian University’s women’s basketball team, was thought to be a valuable WNBA prospect due to her size and experience. However, Sedona Prince went undrafted in this year’s WNBA draft amid abuse allegations and other concerns.
As reported by Page Six, Sedona Prince, who played her seventh and final year at TCU, did not have her name called in the WNBA draft despite helping the Horned Frogs reach the Elite Eight in this past NCAA women’s basketball tournament. At 6-foot-7, Prince averaged 17.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
However, the reports of a January altercation between Prince and a woman she was dating at the top of this year hung over the player’s head. Taking to TikTok, Olivia Stabile accused Prince of several instances of physical and emotional abuse, prompting Prince to fire back with her account countering the claims. They both filed charges of domestic violence against one another as well.
Beyond the altercation with her former partner, Prince has been dogged by injuries, and at 24, she would be coming in as one of the older players in the WNBA as a rookie. Still, Sedona Prince’s size and abilities are sure to be in demand for teams, and she may be able to earn a tryout.
—
Photo: Sarah Stier / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Martin fans were treated to a heartwarming reunion last year and proved that the popular 1990s sitcom still has its fair share of fans in the 21st Century. Now, it’s being announced that Tommy Davidson will reprise a beloved character in a Martin spinoff series, Varnell Hill, which will be coming to BET+.
Deadline reports that BET+ has ordered Varnell Hill to the service with Martin Lawrence serving as an executive producer, along with Bentley Evans in the shared role. Jesse Collins is also named as one of the executive producers for the series. The outlet adds that while Lawrence hasn’t been announced to be a part of the show, it’s believed he’ll show up for some cameos.
The series will feature eight episodes and will examine the behind-the-scenes happenings at The Varnell Hill Show, the late-night talk show helmed by Davidson’s character. The series is promising celebrity cameos and will examine Hill’s attempts to keep his show going and some of the pitfalls that come along with running the shop.
“Did you miss me? Well, now you don’t have to! I’m excited and honored to be a part of such a creative project with the brilliant mind of Martin Lawrence, over 30 years in the making,” Davidson said about Varnell Hill. “Fans have requested it, and now it’s coming to BET+.”
Congratulations to Tommy Davidson!
—
Photo: Michael S. Schwartz / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
John Boyega is now a solidified actor due to his various stage, television, and film roles for more than a decade and counting. Before landing his big role in the Star Wars franchise, John Boyega shared a heartwarming story of how his finances were in a bad place before being cast as Finn in the last Star Wars trilogy.
John Boyega sat down at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo last Saturday (April 12) with Happy Sad Confused podcast host Josh Horowitz, as reported by PEOPLE. In the chat, Boyega, 33, shared that he endured a grueling auditioning process with director and producer J.J. Abrams that ended up being not for naught.
“I had been auditioning for so long, so I felt like he kind of took away my dignity a little bit,” Boyega said during the chat. “So I decided to pretend as if I was busy, you know, when you just pretend that you’re busy. ‘I got other stuff to do, J.J.,’ “
Boyega added that he pretended to be busy and attempted to brush Abrams off, saying that he was out at an art show. The reality for Boyega was that Abrams wanted to meet at a local restaurant, and Boyega was compelled to make the meeting. However, with just £45 in his bank account, which is just under $60 in USD, Boyega had to use a good amount of his funds to meet with the director.
Fearful that Abrams was setting up the meeting to tell him he didn’t get the part, Boyega began to appeal that he could audition again and rattled off the various accents he could do. However, Abrams ended all suspense by using the moment to tell Boyega that he would be appearing in the latest Star Wars films.
John Boyega would star as the defecting stormtrooper Finn alongside Daisy Ridley, who played the role of chief protagonist Rey, and Adam Driver in the role of Kylo Ren. Boyega has been critical of the Star Wars fandom, which has engaged in reported toxic behavior online over Abrams’ casting choices.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Megan Thee Stallion took to the Coachella 2025 stage and delivered one of the most dynamic sets of her career, and there were several surprises in store for the fans watching in person and at home. On X, the reactions to Megan Thee Stallion’s high-energy performance and the surprise guest appearances of Queen Latifah, Victoria Monet, and Ciara added to the excitement.
Megan Thee Stallion was one of the last two headlining acts for the first weekend of Coachella, and her set on Sunday (April 13) was one for the ages. Running through hits like “Star,” “Body,” “Big Ole Freak,” and dipping into earlier mixtape cuts like “Cognac Queen,” the Houston Hottie looked and sounded marvelous. But just when we thought Hot Girl Meg was all we were getting, Queen Latifah appeared out of nowhere to drop some quick bars.
Following that moment, Victoria Monet’s cameo was another shock out of thin air, and the chemistry the pair shared was incredible to witness. And just when the crowd was already worked to a frenzy, Ciara came out and showed off some of her legendary dance moves and solid vocals.
Megan Thee Stallion was the next to closing act, yielding the stage to Post Malone after briefly running over time as she exited the stage to her global smash, “Star,” and told the crowd she’ll be back to rock the Coachella stage next weekend. Some fans online were rightly upset at the Coachella stage crew cutting off Megan’s microphone just as “Star” was set to roll.
Not for nothing, the show could’ve ended there, no diss to all of Posty’s fans out there.
On X, formerly Twitter, fans are still processing what they witnessed tonight at Coachella, and we’re in the same boat. Check out the reactions below.
—
Photo: Christopher Polk / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Allen Berezovsky / Getty
Manzaro Joseph filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging that at a 2015 party for King Combs, he witnessed a bevy of questionable acts and detailed superstar couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé as attendees. Manzaro Joseph has since amended his lawsuit, taking out the names of Jay-Z and Beyoncé, but still intends to move ahead on Diddy.
TMZ Hip Hop reports that Manzaro Joseph’s lawsuit from earlier this month, where he claimed Diddy forced him to wear a mask afixed with a penis, has since been amended to and no longer has the couple named as witnesses to the alleged “freak off” event. Joseph’s earlier account said that he was forced to wear the mask and paraded around the party, claiming the singer confronted him at one point.
The outlet added in its reporting that sources close to the matter say that Joseph’s attorney was warned by Alex Spiro, the attorney for Jay-Z and his wife, adding that the Carters were not in or near Miami at the time of the alleged party for Diddy’s son.
Manzaro Joseph is still going ahead with the lawsuit, which also names Emilio Estefan and other celebrities who lived on Star Island in Miami, where Joseph claims these acts took place.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
A star attorney who has represented Hunter Biden, Chris Brown, and Michael Jackson in previous times has been named to lead the defense team for Sean “Diddy” Combs. Mark Geragos was named as an advisor along with his daughter, Teny Geragos, but it appears he’s all but set to take the reins of Diddy’s explosive case.
Page Six ran an exclusive report regarding the addition of Mark Geragos to the legal team for Sean “Diddy” Combs, getting those details by way of insider sources providing information to the outlet. As noted in the report, Geragos has worked with the Menedez Brothers, Roger Cinton, and several other high-profile clients throughout his career.
Combs is set to face trial on May 5, and his team is currently headed by Marc Agnifilo, who has represented Luigi Mangione and Martin Shkreli, among other notable cases. Currently, this is a six-person team; one attorney, Anthony Ricco, left the case last month. It isn’t known if Geragos is Ricco’s replacement or if other members will join the legal defense team.–
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: MEGA / Getty
Soulja Boy will have to pay his former assistant $4 million in compensatory damages and an additional $250,000 in punitive damages in connection with a civil lawsuit. Jane Doe accused Soulja Boy of assault, sexual battery, and harassment and launched a lawsuit in 2021.
Both Rolling Stone and Pitchfork have extensively covered the case involving Soulja Boy and Jane Doe, with details coming forth that the pair did enter into a consensual physical relationship that later took a turn for the worse, according to Doe.
Speaking with Rolling Stone, Jane Doe said that while she feels vindicated, her hope is that the “Crank That” rapper won’t do this again to anyone else.
“I feel like I got justice. Obviously, it’s not going to return everything I lost. I lost way more than I gained. My hope is he doesn’t do this to any more women,” Doe told the outlet.
In a statement to the outlet, Soulja Boy is vowing to appeal the matter.
“The district attorney never filed charges. I was never charged or convicted of this, criminally. So, to be accused of this civilly is beyond me. I’ve never done any of the things they’re accusing me of. I just feel like this is very unfair,” the rapper born DeAndre Cortez Way said to Rolling Stone.He then added, “I want to make it clear that I’m innocent. This case was never about justice. It was about money and personal gain, and I will not let that stand. I am committed to filing an appeal and fighting for the truth to be revealed.”For victims of sexual assault, domestic partner violence, and abuse, please see the following to find out how to get assistance:
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotlinehttps://www.rainn.org1 800 656 HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text LineSMS: Text “HELLO” or “HOLA” to 741-741
The National Domestic Violence Hotlinehttps://thehotline.org1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
—
Photo:
HipHopWired Featured Video
Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr. has pleaded not guilty to a flurry of charges he’s facing in connection with racketeering, gang violence, and murder. The mother of one of Big U’s alleged murder victims, Rayshawn Williams, believes that the music executive and assumed gang boss committed the crime.
TMZ Hip Hop spoke with the mother and sister of Rayshawn Williams outside of a Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles location in California. Shadonna Brown took questions from the outlet’s reporter regarding Big U’s ongoing case, and she didn’t mince words about her assessment of Henley and his alleged involvement in the death of her son.
Court documents highlight that Henley carried out a hit against Williams, who was a rapper signed to Henley’s Uneek Music label, after a dispute in Las Vegas went awry. FBI agent Andrew Roosa said that Williams was flown to Las Vegas in January 2021 by Henley and was slated to record music, but didn’t show up to the sessions. This appeared to anger Henley, who flew to Las Vegas to oversee the sessions. After that, what occurred remains a mystery.
Brown says her “mother’s intuition” is what led her to believe Big U was responsible for her son’s murder. Even further, it appeared that Williams recorded a song dissing his label boss, even down to how he would pass away. Williams was found shot several times in a Nevada landfill, and some suggest that the hit was carried out due to the diss track.
Williams and Henley’s son played football together in high school, highlighting the depth of the bond they seemed to share. Brown has since launched a GoFundMe to relocate for what she says are safety reasons. She also added that Henley never contacted her after the death of her son.
—Photo: Getty