celebrity news
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Issa Rae confirmed that she has no interest in working with Amanda Seales in a recent appearance in New York.
It looks as if there will be no future collaborations between Insecure star and writer Issa Rae and former co-star Amanda Seales, based on comments Rae recently made. The Breakfast Club aired comments that were recorded at an event for Viarae, the star’s prosecco brand, which was held in Brooklyn, New York. In the clip, Rae was asked if there was anyone whom she would never work with again. “I mean, anybody who’s on a podcast to talk shit about me,” she responded at the 2:03 mark, adding: “I’ve had great experiences with everybody I’ve worked with though. So for the most part, like, I’m always grateful when people come back.”
The audience immediately went into a frenzy, realizing that Rae was likely referring to Seales, who in her appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast in April said she was done protecting Issa because she felt she wasn’t vested in the best interests of Black women overall. Seales referred to the 2019 incident between her and Rae’s publicist, Vanessa Anderson, when Anderson requested that Seales be removed from an Emmy Awards party Rae was hosting. Seales then recalled that Rae called her directly to express that the ejection was not her doing and arranged a phone call between Anderson and Seales to patch things up.
Seales would go on to state that Rae’s failure to promote her show, Get Your Life (which was under Rae’s HOORAE Media) and Anderson initiating a “smear campaign” against her that Rae didn’t intervene in left tensions on the Insecure set heightened and made her feel unprotected while there.
“They keep saying, you know, that I’m this mean girl on this set, that I harmed these people on this set,” Seales said. “I just want to point out something very basic. How can I be a mean girl on a set that ain’t my set? How? It’s your show. You are my boss. I don’t even have the capacity to be the mean girl here because you can fire me,” she added, continuing: “So there’s no way for me to be a mean girl in this situation. And I know some people that may buck up against, like, the confirmation bias that they’ve created, but it simply is the truth.”
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DaBaby has announced a new mental health platform aimed at helping young people struggling with the challenges of the day. DaBaby launched DaBaby Cares in honor of his brother, who lost his life to suicide during National Suicide Prevention Month.
DaBaby, real name Jonathan Kirk, announced the launch of DaBaby Cares this past Wednesday (September 25) along with a toolkit and other resources aimed at helping young people with their mental health journey.
The North Carolina rapper shared his new platform’s mission statement, which can be read in full below:
On November 3rd, 2020 my brother Glenn Johnson committed suicide, leaving behind 3 beautiful daughters and an amazing son. I believe that if more of the correct resources were in place to support mental health awareness and self-love the world would see far less of these tragedies. In honor of my brother’s untimely passing I have become devoted to utilizing my platform and resources to provide the tools needed to combat mental health issues. Breaking the long going cycle of mental illness in minority communities & normalizing the conversation around mental health. Join me in my journey to save lives one step at a time, while preventing families around the world from enduring the tragic pain of losing a loved one.
Partnering with the Mental Health America of Central Carolinas organization, the platform has published a Youth Mental Health 101 resource available for download. DaBaby also announced the launch of the Glenn Johnson for Mental Health initiative which will run through his larger platform addressing the mental health needs of all.
To learn more, click here.
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Photo: Getty
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Justin Johnson, one of two individuals who were charged with gunning down popular Memphis rapper Young Dolph in 2021, has been sentenced to life behind bars. Also known as a hopeful rapper under the stage name Straight Drop, Justin Johnson’s case was deliberated in just under four hours according to local reports.
Justin Johnson, 26, was found guilty on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and felon in possession of a firearm. Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Mitchell read the verdict on Thursday (September 26). Jurors heard three days of testimony and closing arguments on the fourth day. According to reports, Johnson did not take the stand during the hearings.
The sister of Young Dolph shared a statement with the media after Johnson’s verdict was heard:
On Nov. 17, 2021, our lives changed forever. A son, a father, a brother, a friend, a businessman, a music artist, a philanthropist, and life partner are among just some of the titles that my brother Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. held. Titles that have now left a missing piece in the lives of so many. I want to thank the jury for their service and decision in this case to bring us one step closer to justice for our family, friends, supporters, and the community that has supported us during this time.
…
“We realize this act of violence has impacted so many outside of our family and friends. Your outpouring of love and support throughout this process does not go unnoticed. We ask that instead of focusing on those who committed this crime, you focus on that man that Adolph Robert Thornton was. Regardless of the name that you may know him as, such as Adolph, Dolph, or Young Dolph, we ask you to remember the man that enjoyed being a father and spending time with his family. We ask that you remember the man who enjoyed giving opportunities to those who were often overlooked and counted out. We ask that you remember the man who enjoyed giving back to others and being an inspiration to those who come from less than ideal backgrounds, and knowing that they are seen and can change their outcomes and the lives of others by doing something positive. We will continue to heal and keep Adolph’s legacy alive.
In addition, Young Dolph’s partner, Mia Jaye, shared a statement via Instagram with a picture of the rapper alongside his family.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Daniel Zuchnik / Getty
The relationship between Offset and Cardi B has been all over the place as of late and though the two are going through a divorce, Cardi just gave birth to the couple’s third child. But it seems like she might’ve done some dirt while impregnated with Offset’s bun in her oven.
According to Page Six, Cardi took to Instagram Live on Wednesday (Sept. 25) to go off on her estranged husband, Offset. While doing her live she claimed that Offset was threatening to take back all of the lavish gifts he blessed her with during their union.
“I find it funny that n—as think that they can f—k on anything, but when I start talking to n—as, you want to threaten me with taking s—t that I f—king worked my ass off for. You want to play those games with me? We gon’ play them games too.”
She added, “You want to take my s—t because I’m moving on? Move on. Why can’t you move on?”
Not one to keep his Twitter fingers idle, Offset jumped in the comments and blew everyone’s mind away with a low-key disturbing accusation.
Per Page Six:
Amid their ongoing divorce, the “Clout” rapper took to the comments of his estranged wife’s Instagram Live on Wednesday to accuse her of sleeping with someone else while she was pregnant.
“U f–ked with a baby inside, tell the truth!!” he wrote, per a screenshot from the recording, which was shared on X.
Not long after, Cardi seemingly confirmed the accusation on her X account, posting, “AND DID !!!!!!”
It’s unclear when the alleged hookup took place, but the “Money” hitmaker filed for divorce from the former Migos rapper in July.
Well, can’t say we saw that one coming!
AND DID !!!!!!
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) September 25, 2024
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While we don’t blame Cardi for moving on with her life and entertaining other men after her separation, sleeping with another man, allegedly, while having your ex’s seed growing inside of you is kind of out there. On the flip side, Offset has been accused of cheating on Cardi multiple times during their marriage, so we can’t be out here judging people. To each their own, right?
Needless to say, the divorce proceedings in this case have the potential to get very ugly and best believe social media will be right there willing and waiting to get into the nitty gritty of every detail and magnify it by a thousand on X, Facebook, Instagram and maybe even Donald Trump’s struggle social media website too.
What do y’all think about Offset calling out Cardi B for sleeping with another man while preggers? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
When it comes parenthood, many fathers and mothers try their best to steer their children clear of the struggles they’ve lived in their own lives as experience provides the best kind of wisdom. So when T.I. and Boosie Badazz saw their own kids acting a fool while shooting their own music video, they put on their dad hats and put them on to game.
This past Tuesday (Sept. 24) a video clip of T.I. and Boosie Badazz chastising their sons on the set of their music video began to go viral as the hustlers turned-rap stars took issue with the kids brandishing firearms in front of the camera. With both men knowing a thing or two about gun charges, they didn’t take too kindly to seeing their sons King Harris and Tootie Raw using actual guns as props for their rap video with Boosie asking “Why y’all gotta have guns?”
After Tip chimed in with “What is it about the guns, man?” he went on to remind his blue-haired son that “The manner in which you portray your lifestyle, the sh*t don’t look legitimate, sir!” It was then that both Boosie and T.I. stated that they couldn’t support the image that the kids were portraying in their music videos before T.I. asked them who would take the fall if police showed up and began asking who the guns belonged to. Reminding them that though having guns are legal, if anyone has drugs on them then that’ll be considered “possession of a firearm in commission of a crime, sir. That is a felony!” T.I. got that parenting thing down pretty good. Just sayin’.
Clearly dismayed with what his son had going on on the set of his music video, T.I. asked, “What y’all don’t make no muthaf*ckin’ love music? Y’all got girls out here. Why you don’t talk about being in love?!”
We’re not gonna lie, that was pretty damn funny.
Boosie meanwhile is still fighting his own gun charges, so we’re sure he doesn’t want to have to share a lawyer with his son anytime soon.
While we don’t know if their kids will take heed to their words of wisdom, we just like to see T.I. and Boosie on the same page when it comes to parenting their kids.
Check out the video of the interaction below, and let us know your thoughts on the situation in the comments section below.
Boosie & T.I. pressing their sons for having guns in their music video 🫡💯
“Why y’all don’t make love music”
pic.twitter.com/acUimvzNr4
— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) September 24, 2024
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When it was revealed that authorities discovered a thousand bottles of baby oil during the raid of one of Diddy’s properties, much was made about the unusual stockpile of slippery moisturizer as people said it was more evidence of Diddy’s freakiness while others suggested it was laced with drugs.
Looking to dispel anymore rumors surrounding the infamous baby oil scandal, one of Diddy’s lawyers is offering up an explanation around the unnecessary amount of baby oil at a single residence, and well, OK…
According to TMZ, Attorney Marc Agnifilo spoke to TMZ for their upcoming documentary, The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment. In an effort to defend his client Agnifilo suggested that Diddy’s now-infamous “freak offs” were simply threesomes and that he wasn’t sure if Diddy actually had a thousand bottles of baby oil (even though that’s the number the district attorney put in print) but said that Diddy might’ve bought in bulk as there’s a Costco located near each one of Diddy’s home.
Agnifilo even stated, “I don’t know why you need a thousand. One bottle of baby oil goes a long way.” (LOL)
Diddy knows why he needed that much baby oil. With rumors that the feds actually confiscated all of the bottles to possibly test for drugs, we may have some answers come trial time as Agnifilo said Diddy will more than likely take the stand in his own defense.
Check out the trailer for TMZ’s The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment, and let us know if you’ll be checking for it when it hits Tubi sometime soon.
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While more individuals continue to share their negative experiences with Diddy, Ray J says he partied with the mogul on several occasions and never witnessed any criminal activities.
As spotted on TMZ, the tech entrepreneur recently spoke to Chris Cuomo on CUOMO. While he discussed a variety of topics, it was his response to partying with Diddy that was the highlight of the interview. When asked if he was witness to any of the alleged “freak offs,” he made it clear he did not. “We’ve never seen the stuff that’s being said and the stuff that people are finding out, like, I’ve never been in rooms that people are talking about, and I never knew they existed” he explained.
The “Wait A Minute” singer also went on to add that entertainers and high-profile celebrities should learn from this moment. “We’ve all been around him, at least in my era, and have looked up to him,” Ray J said. “And this situation is super unfortunate, but it’s important to learn a lesson right right now and ensure the next generation understands how to move differently with transparency and integrity,” he continued. In closing, Ray J shared that artists of the previous generation need to be “accountable” and said, “I don’t think this is a time to tear anybody down.”
You can view some of the interview below.
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Source: Keith Griner / Getty
Chingy has dropped out of the lineup of performers at a Republican fundraiser featuring Donald Trump Jr. after public pressure.
The rapper Chingy found himself the subject of some controversy for being part of a concert event supporting LGBTQ Republicans, and he’s now dropped out of it while still defending his initial decision. The “Red, White & Rock” event is set to take place in Nashville, Tennessee, as announced by the organizers, the Log Cabin Republicans. Chingy jumped in the comments of another publication that posted the flyer last Saturday (Sept. 21), writing: “I’m a say this one time. MY JOB IS TO PERFORM AND I GET PAID TO PERFORM, NOT [CARE] ABOUT POLITICS. NOW YALL FIND SUMIN ELSE TO DO WITH YURR TIME.”
Quite a lineup of headliners for the Log Cabin (LBGT) Republican event. pic.twitter.com/ne2yPMPQqu
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) September 20, 2024
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The “Red, White & Rock” event was also scheduled to have Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, in attendance along with a collection of mid-level artists. Ticket prices range from $1,000 to $50,000 for VIP access. The “Right Thurr” rapper would go on to duke it out in the comments with other people, responding to one who called him broke by writing: “You can’t be down bad when you just bought a 500k house pimp,” adding: ”Those people don’t hate me because they love my music. Music isn’t racist and that’s how I play it.”
“All this nonsense y’all creating bothers me none. I’m a performer, whether these people are political, homosexual, or whatever—they all love music… I have classic records they all love, and I will perform them for them. So I hope that helps you understand that my job as an artist is to perform and make timeless music. That I did.” he wrote, also expressing anger at media outlets not covering his being honored by the city of St. Louis, Missouri, with “Chingy Day” on Sept. 14. He’d eventually bow out of performing at the event.
“YOU KNO WHAT JUS CAUSE I DONT WANT [TO] BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MESS. I HAVE DECLINED PERFORMING AND NO IM [NOT] A TRUMP SUPPORTER NOR SUPPORTER OF ANYONE ELSE BUT CHINGY. THURR YOU HAVE IT,”
Chingy’s involvement in the event is the latest effort by Republicans to draw more rappers and rap personalities into supporting former President Donald Trump. It follows Brooklyn artist Fivio Foreign’s social media posts attending a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, which also saw him roundly roasted online.
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Late last year, the sneaker world was shocked to learn that Social Status owner, James Whitner, was under investigation for reselling sneakers from his own clothing store to Chinese nationals. Now, it seems like Whitner is ready to take a massive loss in the ongoing back-and-forth with authorities.
According to Nice Kicks, Whitner is readying to forfeit up to $1.2 million dollars that was federally seized during the investigation after failing to file a claim for the money before the deadline of Sept. 20. After having previously asked for four extensions in the civil forfeiture, it seems like Whitner is ready to cut his losses and move forward however he feels is best for himself and his business.
Per Nice Kicks:
The focal point of the forfeiture action is $1,199,530 in cash seized from the apartment of Whitner’s close associate, Antwain Freeman, in August 2021. Prosecutors assert that this money was linked to an “unlicensed money transmitting business involving Chinese money couriers,” implicating Whitner, Freeman, and others.
The Whitaker Group issued a statement (located in full below) denying the allegations, emphasizing their commitment to legal compliance and transparency in inventory management. It also highlights the collaboration with Nike, a major partner headquartered in Oregon, and asserts that the allegations are baseless and unrelated to their business or community.
While Whitner and his partners are still under investigation for selling millions of dollars worth of sneakers to Chinese buyers in an apparent money laundering scheme, the Social Status owner feels he’ll ultimately be vindicated once all the facts come out in a court of law as he feels politics are at play here and he’s done nothing wrong.
We disagree with the USAO’s allegations concerning our business and remain appreciative of the extraordinary support our vendor partners have shown and continue to show throughout this process. Our success has made us an easy target caught in the middle of a U.S. financial and regulatory war with China of which we have no part in.
We look forward to defending our business and operating model while continuing to proudly serve the communities that have embraced us over the last 20 years. This complaint will not deter us from continuing to tell our stories and build a legacy of excellence and we will continue to vigorously defend our business and all that they contribute to culture, commerce and the community.
Well, he’s definitely got his work cut out for him. When the U.S. government comes for your business, it’s going to get complicated and ugly.
What do y’all think of James Whitner maintaining his innocence in all of this? Let us know in the comments section below.
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One of Diddy’s most tenured employees has quit. The Bad Boy founder’s public relations strategist of 20 years has apparently resigned.
As reported by Digital Music News, the Nathalie Moar has worked with the disgraced media mogul for the last two decades. According to the outlet, she was instrumental in shaping his public image as the Executive Vice President of Communications at Combs Enterprises. Additionally, she contributed to some of Diddy’s biggest ventures including Sean John fragrance, the Bad Boy Reunion tour and his very lucrative spirits business. Digital Music News sent her a message to her Combs Enterprises email and received an automated message saying, “THIS EMAIL IS NO LONGER ACTIVE.”
A anonymous source tells Daily Mail that the executive has indeed resigned. “Nathalie is gone. She is 100% gone. She quit today and had no other choice” they said. “She had to quit what else was she going to do? This situation left her with no other option.” The source went on to detail that Moar was such an integral part of Diddy’s staff that she will most likely be questioned regarding his upcoming trial. “Diddy was her entire world. She will surely be deposed for this if she has not been already. She has most likely had her cell phone confiscated—who knows what is on there.”
Nathalie Moar has yet to formally comment on Diddy’s indictment.