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Lil Baby’s attorneys Drew Findling and Marissa Goldberg have responded to the Atlanta Police Department while distancing the Atlanta rapper (born Dominique Jones) from the alleged gang war and pair of teen murders the APD attempted to tie him to. Findling and Goldberg called the APD’s reference to Lil Baby “complete and total nonsense” while […]
The Billboard Family Hits of the Week compiles what’s new and worth your family’s time in music, movies, TV, books, games and more. Forget the mind-numbing scrolling and searching “what to watch for family movie night” … again. The best in family entertainment each week is all in one place, in this handy guide. Isn’t it satisfying to […]
With their first anniversary just a month away, UNIS looks back on a year of unforgettable moments and exciting changes. In an exclusive interview, the members share what they have learned, how they’ve evolved, and the new challenges they’re ready to embrace.In about a month, you’ll celebrate your one-year anniversary since debut. What has been the most memorable moment of the past year and why?
HYEONJU: My debut is the moment I remember most. It was UNIS’s very first step, and it remains vividly imprinted in my memory.
NANA: I feel the same way.
GEHLEE: I loved the experience of our very first fan signing at a shopping mall in the Philippines. It was my first time witnessing firsthand how deeply my hometown fans adore UNIS. It was truly an honor.
KOTOKO: For me, the day I first met our fans is unforgettable. Meeting those I had longed to see filled me with immense joy.
YUNHA: I believe our debut moment is the most memorable. Revealing UNIS to our eagerly waiting fans was incredibly nerve-racking!
ELISIA: It was during the KBS Music Festival, sharing the stage with our seniors in our first collaborative performance on such a grand scale. UNIS’s “Curious” featured a fresh, fun intro and an energetic dance break that made it especially enjoyable.
YOONA: I clearly remember when we received our first rookie award. It was a prize we had dreamed of, and it felt like a true recognition of all our hard work.
SEOWON: my birthday in 2025 stands out. It was the day I truly realized how much EverAfter supports me and why I started this journey.
Comparing your early days to now, what has been the biggest change?
HYEONJU: It’s the sense of responsibility. Initially, I felt an overwhelming pressure to “do well,” but now I trust my members and simply think, “We’ll be great.”
NANA: I’d say the biggest change is that I’ve grown 1cm taller since debuting!
GEHLEE: I feel much more relaxed and confident. The training after the debut has helped tremendously, and improving my Korean has made adaptation so much easier. I really feel like I’m on the right track now.
KOTOKO: It seems that everything has changed, especially my ability to express myself through a variety of facial expressions.
Over the past year, is there a particular skill or quality you’d like to pass on to your fellow members?
NANA: I want to learn English from ELISIA and GEHLEE!
KOTOKO: HYEONJU’s charisma is incredibly captivating.
ELISIA: I used to move gently and fluidly, but since coming to Korea, I’ve learned to execute sharper, move quickly.
YOONA: I admire ELISIA’s wide range of expressions on music shows and stage performances. I’d love to learn that from her.
SEOWON: I’d love to learn knitting from the talented YUNHA!
As a multinational group representing Korea, Japan, and the Philippines, how do you integrate this strength into your stage, performances, and music?
HYEONJU: Our multinational makeup naturally enhances our expressiveness.
NANA: Knowing the tastes of each country gives us a unique advantage to incorporate diverse elements into our performances.
KOTOKO: Our ability to cover Japanese, Filipino, and various other songs is a major strength.
YUNHA: Being multinational means we can cover songs from our respective countries and showcase new facets of ourselves in different languages.
YOONA: At fan signings, for instance, many international fans attend. We communicate in three languages and even perform cover dances to foreign songs.
With the fandom name “EverAfter” in mind, what special memories do you hope to create with your fans in the future?
GEHLEE: I dream of holding a concert just for EverAfter. Seeing fans holding light sticks and sparkling like stars on stage would be an unforgettable moment, Everafter our fandom name.
KOTOKO: I want to embark on a world tour and meet EverAfter fans around the globe.
SEOWON: I envision opening a café exclusively for EverAfter fans, staffed entirely by UNIS!
Which cities would you like to visit on a world tour?
HYEONJU: I want to visit countries on the other side of the globe. I’ve been to nearby countries, but I’ve yet to meet EverAfter fans from the farthest corners of the world.
NANA: Japan, since it’s my hometown. It would be a dream to visit on tour someday.
KOTOKO: Me too!
GEHLEE: Personally, I’d love to visit New York or Paris. Their fashion scenes fascinate me and meeting fans there would be incredibly exciting.
YUNHA: I’d go anywhere EverAfter is present. I visited Taiwan briefly for a performance and, although it was short, I loved the city’s vibe and would love to return.
ELISIA: I aim to perform at Japan’s Kyocera Dome. I want to become a world-star artist and take the stage there!
YOONA: I’d like to visit Singapore. It’s a country I’ve always wanted to see, with beautiful scenery and a wonderful atmosphere.
SEOWON: For me, it’s Paris and New York. I’ve always wanted to visit these cities at least once.
What is UNIS’s goal for this year?
HYEONJU, KOTOKO, YUNHA, ELISIA, YOONA, SEOWON: Our goal is to top all the music shows!
NANA: For me, it’s all about meeting as many EverAfter fans as possible!
GEHLEE: It would be amazing to hold a UNIS-only concert this year. Even though each of us brings a unique charm, we’re working together to deliver a spectacular performance.
What new aspects or endeavors can fans expect from UNIS in 2025?
HYEONJU: We plan to showcase many sides of UNIS that we haven’t had the chance to reveal before.
NANA: While we’ve always shown a cool image, we’d also love to show a cuter side of ourselves.
GEHLEE: I believe UNIS won’t be confined to a single concept. We’re ready to display everything from cute and lovable to chic and cool. Fans can look forward to a variety of styles next year.
YUNHA: Now that we’re nearing our first anniversary, we hope fans will see a more refined and dynamic performance that reflects our growth from countless stage experiences.
What must UNIS overcome to be recognized as the representative 5th generation girl group?
HYEONJU: I think it comes down to growth. We must continue to develop and show progress.
GEHLEE: To be acknowledged as the leading 5th generation girl group, we need to better showcase our unique identity. With so many amazing groups out there, it’s vital that we continually cultivate and enhance UNIS’s distinctive charm through our performances, music, and teamwork.
YUNHA: For me, it’s about mastering our mindset and always challenging ourselves with confidence is the key.
ELISIA: We must connect people of all generations through our music.
SEOWON: We need to carve out our own unique identity rather than being just another ordinary girl group. That’s how we can present ourselves as a fresh, innovative act to the public.
Are there any hidden talents or personal skills among the members that fans might not know about?
NANA: My fingers are very flexible!
GEHLEE: I’m not sure if it’s a talent, but I frequently notice “angel numbers” like 111, 2222, and 3737, whether on clocks, license plates, or suddenly appearing in my surroundings.
KOTOKO: I’d say it’s HYEONJU. She’s our very own “food expert” who knows all the best eats!
ELISIA: SEOWON can make the most amazing sauces. They’re so delicious, they completely blew me away!
YOONA
Image Credit: FandF Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: Yoondol-e or Yoondang-e (puppy)
My favorite song at the moment?: “To My X” by KYUNGSEO – The lyrics are so warm, and I’ve always admired this Sunbae!
But my favorite song of all time is?: “Good Parts” by LE SSERAFIM – It’s soft, warm, and uplifting—my perfect combo!
How to “heal” yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed?: Journaling about my day. If that doesn’t work, I read or listen to music!
My favorite quote or best advice someone gave me: Practice as seriously as you perform—that’s how you master the stage.
SEOWON
Image Credit: FandF Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: SEOWON: Lim-hamkki! (Lim-Hamster)
My favorite song at the moment?: “Just For Today I LOVE YOU” by BOYNEXTDOOR – I’m a fan of this style of music!
But my favorite song of all time is?: “Play Pretend” by Alex Sampson – It comforts me. I still listen to it all the time!
How to “heal” yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed?: I haven’t found my healing method yet. Maybe someday I will!
My favorite quote or best advice someone gave me: You don’t have to try so hard. If you’re struggling, that’s not happiness. Remember why you started. It’s a journey—perfection isn’t required.
KOTOKO
Image Credit: FandF Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: Ko-chan!
My favorite song at the moment?: “Classified” by OH MY GIRL – It magically melts my stress away!
But my favorite song of all time is?: “Candy Pop” by TWICE – I sang this during my audition. Full of memories!
How to “heal” yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed?: Putting stickers or playing games!
My favorite quote or best advice someone gave me: Try anything at least once.
GEHLEE
Image Credit: FandF Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: Princess!
My favorite song at the moment?: “Strategy” by TWICE – It’s my confidence anthem! I can’t stop humming it!
But my favorite song of all time is?: “Lovefool” by The Cardigans – My mom and I sing this out daily. Our ultimate bonding song!
How to “heal” yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed?: I write down my feelings, dance to my favorite song, or vent to someone close. Letting it all out helps me reset!
My favorite quote or best advice someone gave me: When hard times come, remember it’s just a step toward everything you’ve prayed for.
ELISIA
Image Credit: FandF Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: Baby/Ellie!
My favorite song at the moment?: “First Love” by Hikaru Utada – A Japanese song my family and I always sing together. It feels nostalgic!
But my favorite song of all time is?: “Times Are Hard for Dreamers” from Amelie, the Musical – It’s my anthem for chasing my K-pop dreams!
How to “heal” yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed?: Listening to music or curating new playlists!
My favorite quote or best advice someone gave me: Love yourself first before loving others.
NANA
Image Credit: FandF Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: Nana-chan!
My favorite song at the moment?: “Heroine” by Back Number – It’s a winter song, perfect for this chilly season!
But my favorite song of all time is?: “Last Dance” by BIGBANG – I danced to this as a kid, and it’s been my anthem ever since!
How to “heal” yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed?: Going outside!
My favorite quote or best advice someone gave me: Nana, there’s something only you can do.
HYEONJU
Image Credit: FandF Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: Jyu!
My favorite song at the moment?: “Toxic Till The End” by ROSE – I’ve always loved this ‘Sunbae(Senior in Korean)’, and now it’s stuck in my head!
But my favorite song of all time is?: “I Hate You, I Love You” by Gnash – My go-to song during my training days. Still holds a special place!
How to “heal” yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed?: Going outside for a walk!
My favorite quote or best advice someone gave me: You can do anything.
YUNHA
Image Credit: FandF Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: Bbang-ahji! (Puppy)
My favorite song at the moment?: “Gondry” by HYUKOH – I’m obsessed with calm, moody tracks lately.
But my favorite song of all time is?: “New Rules” by Dua Lipa – This song inspired me to become a singer. Life-changing!
How to “heal” yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed?: Drawing, reading, or crafting—hobbies keep negative thoughts away!
My favorite quote or best advice someone gave me: If you don’t speak up about your hunger, no one will know.
Janet Jackson is taking immersive audio to new heights with her new Las Vegas residency at Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas.
The two-hour show runs through 43 of Jackson’s biggest hits, including tracks “What Have You Done For Me Lately,” “Nasty” and “When I Think of You,” the single from her 1986 Control album that became her first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Powering the show is L-Acoustics’ most advanced loudspeaker deployment to date, with 242 speakers spread out across the stage and proscenium to evenly deliver high-quality sound to each of Resorts World Theater’s 5,000 seats.
The brains of L-Acoustics’ loudspeaker systems is L-ISA, the pioneering immersive audio platform that utilizes patented acoustic algorithms and proprietary technology to create ultra-high-resolution spatial audio with precise sound placement. By utilizing L-ISA, Jackson’s audio team was able to develop a carefully detailed soundscape for the show that’s designed to reinforce the artist-audience connection.
Started in 1984 by French physicist and Pink Floyd fan Christian Heil, L-Acoustics is best known for creating the modern speaker line array, a configuration for evenly distributed amplified sound that came to replace the stacked sound configuration rock bands relied on during the 1980s. L-ISA is an extension of that technology, equipping sound engineers with tools to sonically place any of the show’s 99 channels into specific locations throughout the theater. In using L-ISA for Jackson’s show, sound engineer Caram Costanzo was able to sonically space out instruments for better sound clarity, send other sounds in loops around the audience and enable Jackson’s vocals to follow her across the stage — with her voice even rising in height for one scene in which she utilizes a lift to hoist her atop the stage.
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“Whether you’re seated right in the middle or on the right or the left, the sound draws the audience in and creates greater intimacy,” says Scott Sugden, director of project management at L-Acoustics. “And as an artist on stage, [they] notice the audience is more captivated and engaged and it leads to a better experience for both the artist and the fan.”
This is far from the first time L-Acoustics has had a presence in Las Vegas. Adele used the company for her Weekends with Adele residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, as did fellow Resorts World alums Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan for their respective residencies at the hotel and casino. But Jackson’s show represents the company’s most advanced deployment on the strip to date.
Resorts World Theater — named the world’s highest-grossing venue with a capacity of less than 5,000 on Billboard’s annual Top Grossing Venues list for 2023 — boasts the first fixed install of L-ISA in Las Vegas, powered by seven line arrays across the front of the stage, each outfitted with 14 of the company’s k2 loudspeakers and complemented with a complex mix of out-fill and center hung arrays, subs, coaxials and processors.
“This theater is very unique in terms of sound design,” says L-Acoustics CEO Laurent Vaissié, noting the intimate interior design by Quebec theatrical architecture firm Scéno Plus at the venue, where the furthest seat from the stage is just 150 feet away. However, he adds, “It’s L-ISA that creates the show’s unique soundscape and brings it into three dimensions.”
Sugden says that while many audio aficionados have described the L-ISA system as immersive audio because of its ability to fully immerse the listener with sound, he prefers the term “hyperreal” because it “enhances the reality of the show.”
“It’s localizing her voice and making sure that it’s really intelligible and separated from the rest of the instruments we can localize on stage,” he said. “It’s much more than just surround sound; it’s the ability to position sound and the artist’s voice in ways that make the most sense. We have this canvas which allows the engineer and the artist to paint sound in three dimensions, and what they do with that is completely a creative choice.”
Janet Jackson: Las Vegas runs through May 31 at Resorts World Theater. For more information, visit rwlasvegas.com.
Kendrick Lamar has had a year full of big wins and big performances. We’re breaking down his hottest moments. What’s your favorite song that he’s dropped? Let us know in the comments! Tetris Kelly:It’s been Kendrick Lamar’s year, and as we’ve taken this month to highlight Latin and Black artists, we close out Black History […]
There will never be enough time or space to recognize all the unsung heroes and trailblazers in the music industry that deserve to be acknowledged. But as Black History Month winds down, one pioneer stands out: Regina Jones, former co-owner and editor-in-chief of the groundbreaking music and entertainment publication, SOUL Newspaper.
Predating Rolling Stone and Creem, Los Angeles-based SOUL became a cultural force as the first-of-its-kind newspaper chronicling Black music and entertainment from the mid-1960s through the early 1980s. That period saw the publication expand its reach and impact from local to nationwide and then international as it covered icons-in-the-making such as Quincy Jones, Richard Pryor, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder. SOUL and Jones’ intertwined journeys unfold in the new documentary, Who in the Hell Is Regina Jones?
As Jones notes in the documentary, SOUL was inspired by the flames that erupted during the Watts Riots in August 1965. She was 21, a mother of five and married to aspiring news reporter and radio DJ Ken Jones — later to become L.A. television’s first Black weeknight news anchor in L.A. She was also working as an LAPD dispatcher on the second shift when she took the first distress call about the riots on Aug. 11, after which she alerted her husband, who filed on-the-street radio reports during the six-day tumult.
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“As we watched the riots happening and saw our neighborhood burning,” Jones tells Billboard, “Ken said, ‘Something needs to be done for our people.’ That’s when he came up with the idea to start a newspaper primarily about Black music and entertainment. He was the visionary; I was the nuts-and-bolts implementer. That’s how SOUL was born.”
Less than a year later, the first 15-cent, eight-page weekly was published. Dated April 14, 1966, the cover featured James Brown and Mick Jagger alongside the headline, “White Artists Selling Negro ‘Soul.’” The first run sold 10,000 copies. By 1967, the newspaper had expanded to 16 pages published twice a month.
“It was hard work,” Jones recalls with a laugh about putting the issues together on their dining room table “with my five kids around me” before moving the operation into an office. At that point she had quit her LAPD job and was wearing several hats: handling the phone as the receptionist, hustling advertising and negotiating with distributors before adding editor-in-chief stripes after husband Ken clinched the television anchor gig.
Regina Jones
Courtesy of SOUL Newspaper
Among the innovative business strategies that Regina employed at SOUL was partnering with R&B radio stations around the country — such as KGFJ in L.A., WOL in Washington, D.C. and WWRL in New York — to publish branded editions with charts and advertisements provided by these local Black stations and DJs. At one point, SOUL’s reach was certified at 125,000 copies. And its key international markets included England and Japan.
SOUL’s pivotal role in raising visibility and awareness of Black music and artists was a crucial and influential turning point. But there were other uphill battles as well that Jones fought. Like when Donna Summer was the cover subject. Her team was going to give SOUL an image taken by a Caucasian photographer. “And I said, ‘No,’” remembers Jones. “’If you want her to be in SOUL, my photographers have to do the shoot.’” Summer’s team finally acquiesced. And instead of the 40-60 minutes originally slotted for the shoot, Summer gave the photographer four hours.
“I had to do things like that, call people out,” adds Jones. “I was a very militant young Black woman, so I immediately had to start hiring people of color.” With her self-described “foot on your butt” management style, she nurtured a staff of future stars in their own right. Among the names Jones proudly reels off are noted photographers Bruce Talamon and Howard Bingham, ex-SOUL editor/Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Leonard Pitts and journalists/writers Steve Ivory, Mike Terry and Connie Johnson.
By the early ‘80s, as the documentary relates, SOUL had gone monthly owing to the economic climate draining the ad pool plus burgeoning competition from other mainstream publications starting to tap into the Black music scene. And after 20-some years, Jones and husband Ken were divorcing. SOUL’s final issue was published May/June 1982. Donated to UCLA and Indiana University in 2010, the SOUL archives were digitized by Jones’ grandson Matt Jones and made available online in 2023.
Regina Jones with Dick Griffey and Desmond Tutu
Courtesy of SOLAR Records
But Jones wasn’t finished yet. She tells Billboard that she was “brought back to life” a year later when Black label executive Dick Griffey of SOLAR Records recruited her as his VP of publicity. At the time, the label’s roster included Shalamar, the Whispers, Lakeside, Midnight Star, The Deele and Klymaxx. While there, Jones also handled publicity for Jesse Jackson when Dick Griffey Productions signed on as West Coast manager for Jackson’s 1984 presidential run. Jones shares that it was she and OLAR promotion executive Darryl Stewart who orchestrated Jackson’s host gig on Saturday Night Live — the very first presidential candidate to do so.
Three years later, Jones launched her own PR firm. Among Regina Jones & Associates’ clients were Geffen and Capitol Records, the Black Women’s Forum and actress Cicely Tyson. A major client for 13 years was the NAACP Image Awards. Jones then joined the staff of Crystal Stairs, a well-known childcare development agency on the West Coast.
All of which is chronicled in Who In the Hell is Regina Jones?, which has been shown at the New Orleans Film Festival and Pan African Film Festival. “I wish I could tell you that I woke up one day and decided I wanted to be in the music business, a publisher, a publicist or fundraiser,” reflects Jones. “My life has been a lot of surprise gifts and blessings.”
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Source: Sonia Moskowitz / Getty / Jeffrey Epstein
MAGA land is not happy with the overhyped release of federal files pertaining to the late Jeffrey Epstein, those on the left have other reasons to be suspicious.
The federal files about the deceased financier accused of running a sex trafficking ring involving minors were supposed to deliver some bombshell new revelations, instead, the information that arrived on Thursday was full of info we already knew, leaving those on the right scratching their heads and screaming for answers on X, formerly Twitter.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican member of the House Oversight Committee, let her disappointment be known writing on X, “”THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR and a complete disappointment.”
She also noted that her committee did not review the release, adding, “GET US THE INFORMATION WE ASKED FOR!”
According to The Independent, the only new information revealed was that Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, actor Alec Baldwin, and supermodel Naomi Campbell were listed in Epstein’s phone contacts.
MAGA Faithful Believe A Conspiracy Is Happening
Others on the right believe there is a conspiracy afoot, which is why the release was so lackluster. One of those individuals, former One America News Network host Liz Wheeler, who saw the files, accused the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) of hiding information and “deceiving” Donald Trump’s Attorney General, Pam Bondi.
“We’re talking recordings, evidence, etc. The juicy stuff. Names,” Wheeler said on X. “These swamp creatures at SDNY deceived Bondi, Kash, and YOU. Be outraged that the binder is boring. You should be. Because the evil deep state LIED TO YOUR FACE.”
Right-wing personality Glenn Beck echoed similar sentiments even going as far as to say someone is undermining Felon 47, writing on X, “The Epstein files are a total joke. Who is subverting POTUS? [president of the United States].”
AG Pam Bondi Believes The FBI Is Hiding Files
Bondi also suggested that some files were being concealed by the organizations possessing them.
“Late yesterday, I learned from a source that the FBI Field Office in New York was in possession of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein,” Bondi wrote in a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel. “Despite my repeated requests, the FBI never disclosed the existence of these files.”
“When you and I spoke yesterday, you were just as surprised as I was to learn this new information,” she continued in the message, instructing Patel and the FBI to deliver “the full and complete Epstein files” to her by 8 am Friday morning and launch an investigation into “why my order to the FBI was not followed.”
“If there are gaps, we will find them,” Patel responded in a statement on Thursday. “If records have been hidden, we will uncover them.”
Is The Trump Administration Hiding Something?
AI & Crypto futurist Ed Krassenstein believes the Trump administration is hiding something, pointing out biases on their part and calling the release a disaster.
There was also that embarrassing moment of right-wing influencers who were invited to the White House to view the files, and had a whole photo-op happily holding up binders with information that we already knew.
Interestingly, those on the left also believe something is going on, and it has to do with Donald Trump’s involvement with Epstein, and his name possibly being scrubbed from any files by the loyalists like Kash Patel, who was confirmed to be FBI Director.
Welp.
Whatever the case, the Epstein reveal was a big flop, and social media is roasting everyone, especially those on the right who thought something significant was coming.
You can see those reactions in the gallery below.
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Source: Amy Sussman / Getty
Tony Buzbee might need his own legal counsel. A judge is seemingly in favor of Jay-Z’s defamation case against the lawyer going to trial.
As reported by Rolling Stone, Judge Mark H. Epstein has given the Roc Nation CEO an informal nod of approval with his claims that Tony Buzbee was intentionally trying to defame his character. On Tuesday (Feb. 25), the magistrate held a hearing where he explained there is validity to Jay-Z’s concern and questioned if Tony Buzbee proceeded with the lawsuit ethically. He pointed out that the lawyer said he would not reveal the names of the defendants in the now dismissed sexual assault case until a formal investigation was completed. But in a social media post a user speculated that the John Doe was Jay-Z to which Buzbee liked the comment.
“When someone says Doe is Carter, and [Buzbee] ‘likes’ it, it’s not unreasonable to infer that [Buzbee] has just affirmed that he’s right, that Doe is Carter,” Epstein said. “Not having done the investigation we’d all like one to do is not going to be enough to show actual malice, I know that. The concern I have is juxtaposing that with Mr. Buzbee’s statements that he was not going to bring a lawsuit until he had done a full investigation,” Epstein said. “I agree this is the hardest question of the case, the ‘actual malice’ question.”
The judge would go on to question how Tony Buzbee proceeded with this high-profile filing. “If you say, ‘I’m not going to name names until I’ve done real investigating,’ and then you name a name, isn’t the implication that you did conduct a real investigation? And if you didn’t, is it okay? Is actual malice still not satisfied when I’m telling the public, ‘I did a real investigation and this guy engaged in child rape,’ and actually, I didn’t?”
Judge Mark H. Epstein did not seem in favor of granting Jay-Z the green light to move forward with his extortion lawsuit against Tony Buzbee, but the next hearing on this case is scheduled for March 26.
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Lawsuits and allegations of violent sexual assault continue to follow the thoroughly disgraced music mogul, Sean “Diddy” Combs.
According to TMZ, this time, Diddy is accused of raping a male sex worker he hired to work one of his infamous “Freak-Off” events. In fact, not only did the plaintiff, identified as John Doe, accuse the “All About the Benjamins” creator of sodomizing him, but he also claims Diddy issued a threat to him that implied he was the person who ordered the killing of Tupac Shakur.
From TMZ:
John Doe says his nightmare began in 2012 when he met Diddy through a male-companion service he worked for in Florida.
He says he told Diddy he would travel to NYC to hook up with Diddy at the Intercontinental Hotel. When he entered the room, the man says he was met by Diddy and Diddy’s female companion.
The escort says Diddy commanded him to give oral sex to the woman for hours while performing degrading sex acts on her — similar to “Freak Offs” as defined by federal prosecutors in the criminal case against the Bad Boy Records CEO.
In addition, the escort says Diddy drugged him with a bottle of water and/or baby oil rubbed on his body, causing him to lose control of himself.
He says Diddy followed him into the bathroom and anally sodomized him. He says Diddy then said, “If I can get Pac hit, what the fuck do you think can happen to you?” The man claims he said he would keep his trap shut about the alleged sexual assault.
Rumors that Diddy was involved in Pac’s death have been floating around the internet for years — probably decades — as the mystery behind the 1996 violent killing of the Hip-Hop legend, to this day, has prompted far more questions than answers.
Of course, Diddy’s legal team has responded to the latest allegation against him in the same general way it has responded to the rest of the ever-mounting lawsuits: Nah, he didn’t do it no matter how many people have accused him.
“No matter how many lawsuits are filed — especially by individuals who refuse to put their own names behind their claims — it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone — man or woman, adult or minor,” Diddy’s legal reps told TMZ in a statement regarding the latest John Doe. “We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason. Fortunately, a fair and impartial judicial process exists to find the truth, and Mr. Combs is confident he will prevail in court.”
At this point, Diddy’s attorneys must be wearing out the “copy and paste” commands on their keyboards as they repeat the same statement over and over.
Welp — until the next one…
Kelsea Ballerini is halfway through her first-ever arena tour, and the country superstar took to Instagram on Thursday (Feb. 27) to reflect on the run so far.
“17 shows, half the tour is done. thank you for showing up so wholeheartedly, for decking out in glitter and making signs, for keeping it safe and fun for everyone,” she wrote alongside a carousel of sparkle-filled moments from the road, both onstage and off. “We feel so lucky to be doing this show for you, i really still can’t believe we get to do it 19 more times. my heart is full, my tank is empty, im gonna go eat some chicken nuggets and take a nice nap before we get back to it for the west coast. i adore and appreciate you more than i can say.”
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The “Cowboys Cry Too” singer’s Live on Tour is in support of her 2024 album Patterns, the follow-up to her 2022 full-length LP Subject to Change. Patterns gave Ballerini her first No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, and the album hit No. 4 on the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart.
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The 30-city Kelsea Ballerini Live on Tour trek features support from MaRynn Taylor and Maisie Peters. It kicked off back in January, and features the singer traveling across Chicago, Milwaukee, Nashville, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Philadelphia, Boston, Tampa, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Las Vegas before the run wraps up on March 30 at the Ball Arena in Denver.
For this run, Ballerini is donating $1 from every ticket sold to her Feel Your Way Through Foundation, which works to minimize the stigma around mental health conversations.