Bruno Mars and Cardi B were out here drippin’ in “Finesse” Sunday night (Jan. 28) at the 2018 Grammys.
In one of the night’s most anticipated performances, Bruno and Bardi lit the Grammys stage up as they brought their “In Living Color”-inspired music video to life, complete with 90’s outfits and the word “Finesse” written in large letters behind them.
The duo’s set kicked off with a solo verse from Cardi, followed by Bruno and the Hooligans, who wowed the audience with a quick dance break in the middle of the performance. Cardi then came back out for a second time, and she and Mars ended their joint performance together. This marks Cardi B’s first time ever performing on the main stage at an award show.
WATCH BRUNO MARS AND CARDI B’S 2018 GRAMMYS PERFORMANCE HERE:
Cardi B was nominated for two Grammys, both of which she unfortunately lost. Meanwhile, Bruno Mars won all seven of the awards he was nominated for—Song of the Year (“That’s What I Like”), Best R&B Song (“That’s What I Like”), Best R&B Album (24K Magic), Best R&B Performance (“That’s what I Like”), Record of the Year (“24K Magic”), Album of the Year (24K Magic) and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical (24K Magic).
Lady Gaga kept things very light and simple for her 2018 Grammys performance.
Sitting in front of grand piano covered in feathers that looked like angel wings, Gaga played an emotional rendition of her Joanne album’s title track and dedicated her performance to her late aunt Joanne, who died in 1974 of lupus complications at 19 years old.
“This is for my father’s late sister, Joanne,” said Gaga, who was accompanied by Mark Ronson on the guitar. “This is for love and compassion even when you can’t understand.”
Following a brief pause, Gaga then segued into her hit single “Million Reasons.”
Kendrick Lamar opened the 60th Annual Grammy Awards Sunday night (Jan. 28) with a powerful, politically charged performance that featured a lot of fire (literally and figuratively) as well as appearances from legendary rock band U2 and comedy legend Dave Chapelle.
Joined by masked dancers in military fatigues beneath screens displaying a waving American flag, Lamar kicked off the show with a performance of “XXX,” which was followed by a brief appearance from U2’s Bono and The Edge.
Afterward, Dave Chappelle took the stage and introduced himself, saying, “I just wanted to remind the audience that the only thing more frightening than watching a black man be honest in America, is being an honest black man in America.”
Kendrick then returned to the stage and continued his set, this time performing “King’s Dead.” The first song performed by Kendrick is a cut from his critically acclaimed 2017 album DAMN, which earned him seven Grammy nods this year—the second most behind JAY-Z’s eight. The second song comes from the “Black Panther” soundtrack, which was produced by Kendrick.
Before the show even started, K. Dot had already won the awards for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance and Best Music Video. Not too long after his performance, the rapper also won the award for Best Rap/Sung Performance for “Loyalty,” his collaboration with Rihanna.
We’ve known that Toni Braxton and Birdman are dating for nearly two years now. But even so, its still puzzling how and why this odd couple came to be. For the first time, Toni is opening up about what’s special about the surprising pairing.
Toni stopped by The Angie Martinez Show earlier this week. When the radio host noted Toni’s “good girl” image, the “Un-Break My Heart” singer revealed that Birdman makes her feel “alive.”
“We’re the girls who got caught up in the image of being a good girl and forgot to read the book. And forgot to be, happy. Bad boys remind you that you’re alive.”
She says the rapper is a gentleman and plans extravagant date nights for the couple, which she has to “bring him down” from so it could just be a normal night out.
Toni recounts that Birdman was by her side back in 2016 while she battled serious complications of Lupus. She says the two weren’t even dating at the time.
“When I was on tour in 2016 I was really sick, I had a really bad flare (referring to her Lupus)…there was a rumor that I died…every day I was on tour, he was there with me. If he left, he would come back. We weren’t anything; he was my friend, he was there.”
Toni also shut down speculation the two are secretly married, a rumor that was started by Toni’s own sister, Tamar Braxton. Toni says that she and Birdman are NOT married and the ring she now wears on her left was just a birthday gift.
Birdman and Toni have been dating since mid-2016 and already has the stamp of approval from Tamar the Braxton family matriarch, Evelyn.
As more than a dozen women come forward to accuse Russell Simmons of sexual assault, his ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons is coming to his defense, stating the allegations are “nothing like the person I have known” for over 25 years.
The day after filmmaker Jennifer Jarosik accused Russell of rape in a $5 million lawsuit, Kimora broke her silence on the scandal to a TMZ videographer on Thursday (Jan. 25). “I love him; We’re still friends,” she said of Russell before adding that she believes he’s innocent of the allegations.
Kimora later took to Instagram to elaborate. Despite the allegations, she described Russell as a “caring and supportive father” who has worked to “uplift disenfranchised communities.”
“I have known Russell for over 25 years. We were close friends, married, divorced and have remained friends, co-parents and partners throughout it all. These allegations against him are nothing like the person I have known in all that time. I have known him to be a caring and supportive father and someone who has worked tirelessly to uplift disenfranchised communities.”
However, she also made it clear that she supports those who speak out against sexual harassment and assault.
“This is a pivotal moment in which men are being held accountable for their abuses of power and denigrating behavior towards women in all spheres. As a mother of two daughters, I believe that no one should ever be shamed or portrayed as an unreliable witness to their own experience for speaking up.”
In the past few months, at least 15 women have accused Russell of sexual assault and Jennifer Jarosik is the 6th to accuse him of rape. She claims the mogul raped her at his Los Angeles home in 2016.
Jarosik filed a lawsuit against Russell—her friend of 10 years—on Wednesday (Jan. 24), seeking $5 million in damages. She alleges in the suit:
“Simmons got aggressive and pushed Plaintiff [Jarosik] on his bed. Plaintiff tried to force Defendant to stay away from her and in doing so, Defendant knocked Plaintiff off his bed, and Plaintiff hit her head and then Defendant pounced on her while she was still in shock and fear, and proceeded to rape her.”
“These horrific accusations have shocked me to my core and all of my relations have been consensual,” Russell wrote in a statement in response to Jarosik’s allegation.
“I look forward to having my day in court—where, unlike the court of public opinion, I will have the ability to make use of fair processes that ensure that justice will be done and that the full truth will be known.”
Russell’s statement continued:
“In recent weeks, some former business, creative and romantic partners have aired grievances as claims I categorically reject. In some of these instances, financial motives and direct contradictory witness testimony has been supplied to the media, which has been completely left out of stories. The current allegations range from the patently untrue to the frivolous and hurtful. The presumption of innocent until proven guilty must not be replaced by ‘Guilty by Accusation.’”
Two other women filed reports against Russell Simmons earlier this month claiming he raped them. Several other women have made similar claims, including filmmaker Jenny Lumet, whose graphic open letter caused him to step down from his companies.
Sonja Norwood is again coming to one of her children’s defense. After Princess Love seemingly accused husband Ray J of cheating on her while she’s currently pregnant, his mother is standing by his side hoping Princess publicly apologizes for making the “false accusation.”
In Instagram posts on Tuesday (Jan. 23), Sonja wrote that Princess should issue a “public apology” after suggesting on social media that Ray J cheated. Sonja also praised her son for “standing for your belief” amid the accusations.
“False accusations in a public forum deserves a PUBLIC APOLOGY. It takes a strong person to say sorry but a stronger person to show forgiveness. Proud of you @rayj – keep standing for your belief!”
In a separate post, Sonja maintained that facts matter and implied Princess was given wrong information by strangers and friends.
“Rather than drawing a conclusion, judging and then reacting, try FACT FINDING for truth. It will save you a lot of emotional stress, and embarrassment. Every message given to you by a stranger and sometimes your friends may need a little #factfinding”
Ray responded to Princess’ allegations on Tuesday in an IG post. In the note to self, he wrote that he’s been faithful in his marriage and is not going to let the negative energy deter him from his “path to greatness.” He wrote in part:
“God is in control of everything Ray- dont let this negative energy get 2 you Ray- You are doing everything right – from being faithful – staying focused on the goal and treating everyone with respect and love…
“Keep God first – be patient in your relationship -Listen and learn Ray – stay on your postive path to greatness – but most of all stand up for what you believe in Ray”
Earlier this week Princess Love implicitly accused Ray J of cheating on her after a woman in the shower allegedly could be seen in one of Ray’s Instagram Live videos. Ray was wearing only a towel and many claimed they saw one, maybe 2 women in the background, however, its hard to tell for sure.
Princess made several cryptic social media posts about men cheating and lying, and even deleted photos of Ray from her Instagram.
“To me, for better or worse doesn’t mean cheating… that’s like saying stay with a man that beats you,” she wrote in a tweet that has since been deleted.
Ray J and Princess wed in August 2016, and in November 2017, the announced they are expecting their first child together.
The name David Joyner may not ring any bells, but the popular children’s TV character he played for over a decade sure will.
Joyner, who played Barney from 1991 to 2001 (FYI: Joyner dressed up in the costume and was responsible for Barney’s physical motions, while actor Bob West provided the voice), recently sat down with VICE for an interview, in which he revealed that he pays his bills these days by working as a “tantra massage specialist and spiritual healer.”
After Joyner left “Barney & Friends” in 2001, he moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to act. He’s appeared on popular TV shows like “Shameless,” “That 70’s Show,” “24” and “The Young and the Restless.” According to Vice, he also graduated from ITT Technical Institute and worked as a software analyst for Texas Instruments.
Joyner, now 54, exclusively works with about 30 female clients he calls “goddesses” with the goal of fully releasing a woman’s “blocked energy.” A full session—which includes a ritual bath, chakra balancing and a massage that ends with “mind-blowing orgasms”—lasts between three and four hours and costs $350.
“When the lingam [penis] and the yoni [vagina] meet, there’s a certain energy that takes place that hands on the body alone cannot create,” Joyner, who focuses on about two to four women per week, told Vice. “Even through G-spot massage, it’s still not the same energy that flows.”
While Joyner’s new occupation seems like a far cry from anything we expected to hear about the man who once played Barney, Joyner says becoming a tantric sexual healer was a natural transition for him. In fact, Joyner says his tantric training came in handy when he would have to be in the 70 pound Barney costume, which could reach temperatures up to 120 degrees at times.
“A lot of the elements of Barney were a lot of the things I was training within tantra,” he explained. “I always said it was never an accident, and that I was meant to do this character. The energy I brought up [while] in the costume is based on the foundation of tantra, which is love. Everything stems, grows, and evolves from love. Even when you have emotionally blocked energy, the best way to remove it is to remove it with love, and then replace it with God’s divine love. Love heals and allows you to continue to grow.”
This takes the “I love you, you love me” song to a whole ‘nother level, right?
Joyner added, “Before I got into the [Barney] costume, I would pray and ask God to allow his loving divine spirit to flow through me through the costume and let that draw the kids. That energy would always draw them in. Children are more connected spiritually than [adults]. A lot of times when I see infants and I’m out and about at the grocery store or whatever, they start staring at me. I make the joke, ‘You know who I am.’”
The mission statement on his website tantraharmony.com states: “Connecting your mind, body and spirit together as one, in perfect harmony. Achieving a higher and more blissful state of awareness to your sexuality, and who you are as a spiritual being.”
Joyner says he doesn’t use condoms with his clients because they “block the energy,” though he routinely provides his STD test results to prospective clients, who are also asked to disclose any STDs in a signed consent form before their first session. According to other tantra coaches, however, these methods are highly unorthodox.
Kaya Kwan Yin, a tantra life coach with more than 100 hours of training who works primarily with male clients, says the idea that condoms could “block energy” sounds “shady” and “ridiculous.” She told Vice, “Tantric sex can happen with your clothes on. What typically looks like penis and vagina penetration is often referred to as ‘full union’ in contemporary practice. Sexual energy penetrates clothes, condoms, countries, and beyond. Having sex with clients in the world of tantra is more of an anomaly than the norm.”
Joyner, however, doesn’t share that belief with Yin. “Once the lingam is inside the yoni, there’s a technique where you don’t even move,” he said. “You’re harmonizing spiritually and consciously, as you’re looking into each other’s eyes, and you’re feeling each other’s energy take place. This is about energy moving up,” which he says goes beyond the realm of physical sex and into spiritual sex. “A lot of women have never really had spiritual sex,” Joyner said.
For those unfamiliar with tantra, Matthias Rose, a certified tantra educator with the Source School of Tantra and founder of the Moksha Tantra Center in Seattle, describes it as “a spiritual science of consciousness. Its goal is to liberate us from the unconscious programming that keeps us from recognizing the divinity in ourselves and all beings.” He added, “If there is corruption, it came about in the marketing of books, videos, and ultimately escort services that all began to use the word tantra as a shorthand for ‘mindful sexuality.’ Sex sells, so… there you have it.”
Rose says he “strongly” disagrees with Joyner’s method of tantra sex therapy. “I can’t say there’s never a place for intercourse; it’s part of the tantric toolset, but in a client/practitioner relationship, it’s almost always never needed—particularly for healing purposes.”
Kimberly Resnick Anderson, a sex therapist and professor of psychiatry at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, also disagrees with Joyner’s practice, especially the fact that he has unprotected sex with his clients. “Even porn stars in California use a condom,” she says. “It’s the law. For him not to use condoms is medically unethical and irresponsible. This is outrageous and far outside the standard of care.”
Whatever Joyner is doing, his clients seem to be enjoying it.
From Vice:
Joyner began his current practice in 2004, and finds clients any number of ways, from word of mouth to converting women he’s met on Tinder into believers. He sees clients in their homes all over LA, from Brentwood to Long Beach to deep in the Valley—and even out of state. His website contains several “Goddess Testimonials,” each more breathless than the last in its effusive praise of Joyner and the benefits of sessions with him. Joyner says that before or during his initial consultation with a client, if he feels they’re not ready for, or can’t handle the spiritual experience—or are simply looking for a physical release—he will not take them on.
One client, Lisa, 50, who like Joyner’s other clients preferred to use a pseudonym to maintain privacy, said by phone that she found Joyner through Tinder. She had intercourse with him around the third session and described it as a “spiritual awakening.” She’s now been a client for three years. She says it took her a few sessions before she was comfortable enough with Joyner to have intercourse. “It wasn’t as if I felt like I had to have a full session to get there, but then again it was like, maybe I do,” she says. Lisa has also occasionally insisted that Joyner wear a condom when they have sex.
Another client, Indigo, 53, works as a nurse. She spends her life caring for others, she told VICE by phone, and considers her sessions with Joyner time to focus on herself. “I didn’t go all the way the first time, because he could feel my hesitation,” she says. “But after the first few sessions, I started to really let go.”
None of the three clients VICE spoke to, provided through Joyner, say they felt pressured or coerced into sex with Joyner, who also vehemently denies anything of the sort. Joyner has no claims filed against him for sexual harassment or coercion for sex in Los Angeles, according to a statement provided to VICE by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Now, you might be thinking, “This sounds like prostitution, and it can’t be legal, right?” In the state of California, massage with the intent of arousal is considered solicitation. So to protect himself, Joyner consulted with a police officer friend to help him write a contract that all of his potential clients are required to sign stating that they’re not law enforcement or part of a sting operation. Because the first session is free, the lack of money being exchanged constitutes legal consent, which, he contends, is his legal loophole.
But, according to California defense attorney Jonathan Kelman, the fact that Joyner charges for subsequent sessions means that if a client happened to complain to authorities, he could be charged with prostitution, if said session included intercourse or massage with the intent of arousal. “You can’t legally have sex with someone in exchange for money,” Kelman says. “If I have a client who gets arrested for exchanging a Big Mac for sex, that’s, by definition, prostitution.”
Joyner, however, is adamant that his practice is fully compliant with California law. “Not all of my sessions have sex or ‘spiritual intimacy.’ It’s only in the full sessions when someone is ready to take the sexual energy to a higher level,” he said. “Because then it’s about understanding that when the lingam and the yoni connect there’s a spiritual exchange that takes place, not physical pleasure. It’s not about sex or trying to coerce someone into having sex. It’s about removing emotionally blocked energy.”
Stephen White, the head writer of “Barney & Friends” from 1992 to 2005, told Vice he thought tantra sex therapy was an “interesting transition” for Joyner’s career, but added that he knew Joyner was a “very spiritual guy.”
White said, “When I found out the detail of what’s involved in tantra, I was surprised. I thought it was an interesting transition for Barney. It’s kind of still the ‘I love you, you love me’ deal, but different. I don’t judge or anything, but that’s a side of David I didn’t know.”
If after reading this you feel as though your childhood has been ruined because Barney is now having unprotected tantric sex with dozens of women who he considers “clients,” you’re probably not alone. However, Joyner has clearly moved on from his past as a children’s TV show character.
“Barney was beautiful. Barney was very, very good to me,” he said in an interview with Business Insider last year. “I loved being Barney. I loved everything about being Barney. But that chapter is gone.”
Wow! Despite currently expecting their first child together, Ray J and Princess Love’s marriage might be in trouble. Cryptic social media posts by Princess hint that Ray J may have cheated on his pregnant wife.
On Saturday (Jan. 20), Princess posted a meme on Instagram about men not changing for the better and women eventually leaving the relationship. “Keep foolin the world but you can’t fool me anymore,” she captioned the post along with a peace sign emoji.
Over the past few days, Princess posted several tweets that suggest she (and possibly her marriage) is being tested at the moment.
She even allegedly compared cheating to abuse in a now-deleted tweet:
“To me, for better or worse doesn’t mean cheating.. that’s like saying stay with a man that beats you”
The social media posts are very cryptic and don’t explicitly state whether she’s talking about her own marriage, a friend’s relationship, or just in general terms. However, she has responded to a few tweets offering her support and denouncing cheating.
But did Ray J really cheat on his pregnant wife (à la Kevin Hart)? According to The Jasmine Brand, he very well might have. In a bathroom video Ray J posted over the weekend while promoting a party in a towel, many say they can see a woman in the shower, though TJB was unable to spot the supposed woman.
Ray J and Princess got married in August 2016. Prior to the nuptials, Princess was concerned about Ray’s player lifestyle and cheating ways, which was their main storyline on Love & Hip-Hop Hollywood. Ray promised his fiancée that he had changed and would remain faithful to her.
Black Twitter and Instagram had a lot say after Ciara inadvertently implied women should “level up” to meet the expectations of men if they want really want to find a husband. However, the backlash caused the singer to clarify her intentions.
Over the weekend, the happily married Mrs. Russell Wilson gave single women some unsolicited advice on how to get chose. She posted a clip of a sermon by Pastor John Gray in which he said too many are “walking in the spirit of girlfriend” and therefore can’t find a husband.
“You’re not a wife when I marry you, you’re a wife when I find you… A wife is the presence of your character.
“Too many women wanna be married but you’re walking in the spirit of ‘girlfriend.’ Walk like you’re already taken… Carry yourself like you’re already taken and I promise you, when you carry yourself like a wife, your husband will find you.”
“#LevelUp. Don’t Settle,” Ciara agreed and captioned the post, which led to an onslaught of social media backlash. Many disagreed that women should change themselves and act a certain way to attract a man. Ciara was also dragged for perpetuating the archaic notion that all women aspire to be a “wife.”
“level up”? these types of messages are so toxic to women. your value does not depend on a man wanting you and marriage is not the be all and end all. ciara is basic af for spreading this https://t.co/EQqTBDAIwa
Getting married to a half-baked man is the easiest mess to do. Someone should tell Ciara and her Pastor that today's women choose to be single until men #LevelUp! Marriage is a decision not an accomplishment dammit! ?????
I’m not touching the Ciara topic but I do believe that it’s sad that society programs women to believe that the greatest thing they can accomplish is to find a husband
Believing her post had been misconstrued, Ciara responded to the backlash. She explained that she needed to learn how to love herself before someone could love her in the “perfect” way she wanted.
As you recall, Ciara had an extremely messy break-up with Future and the two share a three-year-old son together. She married Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in 2016 and they welcomed a daughter in 2017. Many have referred to Ciara and Wilson as #RelationshipGoals.
All the guessing and speculation of the name of the newest Baby West can finally come to an end. Just as anticipation reached a fever pitch, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have revealed the name of their third child!
Kim revealed the name of her daughter via her app on Friday. It’s unclear if the couple chose the name earlier in their surrogate’s pregnancy or after meeting their newborn daughter. Kanye grew up on the South Side of Chicago.
Kim also added that the baby’s nickname will be Chi, pronounced “Shy.”
Baby Chi was born via surrogacy on January 15 and weighed 7 lbs., 6 oz. Kim and Kanye were both in the room when she was born and Kim was the first to have skin-to-skin contact. Kim announced her daughter’s birth via her app on Tuesday (Jan. 16).
“Kanye and I are happy to announce the arrival of our healthy, beautiful baby girl. We are incredibly grateful to our surrogate who made our dreams come true with the greatest gift one could give and to our wonderful doctors and nurses for their special care. North and Saint are especially thrilled to welcome their baby sister.”
This is Kim and Kanye’s third child. They also have daughter North, 4, and son Saint, 2. We wish the family of five well.
Of course once the news hit Twitter, the jokes and memes came right in like clockwork:
How Chicago West sleeps at night knowing that there’s haters pressed about her name but her net worth at 4 days old is more than yours in a life time. pic.twitter.com/AQOsxeztXB
*white parent voice* I can't believe Kim and Kanye named their baby girl Chicago West, that's ridiculous! Oh no, it's almost 4:30, I need to pick up my kids Lakynn and Nayvie. pic.twitter.com/NfToiowbfh
Things are definitely not great for Orlando Brown, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at his mugshot. The former child actor was smiling ear to ear after being arrested for battery.
Cops were called to Brown’s apartment in Barstow, California Thursday morning (Jan. 18) following a family disturbance. Brown, his girlfriend, and the girlfriend’s mother were all involved in a verbal argument that got very heated.
Following protocol, police checked the system and discovered Brown and his girlfriend’s mother had outstanding warrants and both were subsequently arrested.
The former That’s So Raven star was taken to Barstow Jail and booked on the following charges: Battery against a spouse, resisting arrest, and possession of a controlled substance. He still remains locked up with bail set at $25,000.
Brown’s arrest stems from a 2016 incident in which he allegedly hit his girlfriend in a police parking lot. It’s unclear if the victim is the same girlfriend he was arguing with on Thursday.
Brown took to Instagram to deny certain details of the 2016 arrest when it first reported by TMZ and other publications. He wrote:
“Right when I find peace of mind, TMZ says its ‘ridiculing time. So ‘allegedly’ I beat my women up..and walked into torrance jail with ‘kristal meth’ on me….Brace yourselves for this one.”
“The devil is a lie i feel him breathing’ Kanye said it best…Its ok thoe…Be sure to watch TMZ….This is an interesting one…Even to me! Real talk!”
Over the past few years, Brown has exhibited some truly odd and downright disturbing behavior, including giving interviews clearly high to claiming Raven-Symone aborted his child to leaking his own sex tape.
Let’s hope the 30-year-old can pull it together. But judging by that creepy mugshot, it won’t be anytime soon.
Sheree Whitfield really thought she was doing something when she brought up NeNe Leakes’ old mugshots. Unfortunately, her little shade backfired and NeNe is the one getting the last laugh.
Thanks to Sheree, NeNe is ready to embrace and profit from her past. On Tuesday (Jan. 16), NeNe took to Instagram to debut two t-shirts available on her online boutique featuring a mugshot from an arrest from 25 years ago. “From MUGSHOTS to MILLIONS,” she wrote.
One of the shirts also includes the phrase “Growing Pains.” NeNe explains that growing up without her father and mother contributed to behavior that led to her being arrested when she was 25.
“Growing up without my mother or father i experienced many growing pains but without them, i could not be who i am or have accomplished the things that i have today.
“Your past does NOT determine your future. From Trial to Triumph i hope that i can inspire anybody to embrace and not be ashamed of what your past has made you become today!”
NeNe’s new “mugshot collection” was inspired after Sheree tried to come for her by bringing up her old mugshot during the most recent episode of Real Housewives of Atlanta. Sheree was feeling some type of way after NeNe questioned her relationship with Tyrone Gilliams—who is currently in jail for fraud—and called him a con-artist.
Leakes later said on Watch What Happens Live!:
“I really don’t care about Shereé bringing up a mugshot. Anybody can get a mugshot. A mugshot does not equal 10 years in prison for doing a Ponzi scheme.
“And by the way, Shereé can be worried about her own mugshot, her son got a mugshot and her man got a mugshot.”
NeNe’s own run-in with laws occurred back in the early 1990’s. A 25-year-old Linnethia Johnson was arrested in 1992 on three felony counts and one misdemeanor count of thefts of service from a phone company.
She pleaded guilty to all four counts and was ordered to repay $2,650 and was placed on two years of probation. However, NeNe was later arrested three more times for violating her probation and shoplifting.
NeNe’s mugshot t-shirts are expected to go on sale later this week exclusively at her Swagg Boutique in Atlanta and its website.
21-year-old Tyler Hilinski, a quarterback for Washington State, was found dead of an apparent suicide Tuesday (Jan 16) in Pullman, WA.
Pullman police said Hilinksi suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was found with a rifle and a suicide note next to him.
Police said they were dispatched to Hilinski’s apartment after he failed to “show up for practice earlier in the day.”
Hilinski, a native of Claremont, California, had just finished his redshirt sophomore season for the Cougars. He enrolled at Washington State in January 2015 after attending Upland High School in Southern California.
He started the team’s “Holiday Bowl” game against Michigan State last month, and was due to take over as the starting QB next season.
Washington State president Kirk Schulz tweeted, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hilinski family.”
Washington State student body president Jordan Frost wrote on Twitter, “My deepest condolences and prayers go to the Hilinski family. May God give them peace and restoration in this time,” and provided the number to the school’s 24-hour counseling line.
My deepest condolences and prayers go to the Hilinski family. May God give them peace and restoration in this time. Cougs, if you or someone you know is impacted by this loss please reach out to our 24 hour counseling line 509-334-1133.
Hilinski’s younger brother, Ryan, is a highly-regarded quarterback prospect in the Class of 2019, ESPN reported.
Pullman Police detectives and the Whitman County Coroner’s Office said they were “conducting a thorough investigation” to confirm Hilinski’s cause and manner of death.
Why watch the show when the real drama is going down on social media? While the latest episode of Real Housewives of Atlanta was still airing, Kandi Burruss and Kim Zolciak engaged in an all-out social media war.
In a tweet on Sunday (Jan. 14), Kandi begged “lying ass bitch” Kim to stop making accusations about her and her husband, Todd Tucker’s sex life.
“I’m sick of these bitches lying on me. @KimZolciak I have NEVER wanted you or your box… lying ass bitch”
I’m sick of these bitches lying on me. @KimZolciak I have NEVER wanted you or your box. And stop swearing on your kids while you’re telling lies. Lying ass bitch. Somebody’s really reaching for a permanent peach here… This is my house. You’re just a visitor!
During Sunday’s RHOA episode, Kim privately told Sheree Whitfield that Kandi once propositioned her for oral sex.
“I also know a lot about, you know, Kandi… On my kid’s life if God strikes me dead, I wouldn’t let her eat my box,” Kim told Sheree. She doubled-down on the claim in her confessional. “I’m not saying that to be mean, I’m telling you the f**king truth!”
The allegation was too much for Kandi, who faced date rape allegations and sex dungeon rumors throughout last season and went in on Kim on social media. “PSA: stop lying @Kimzolciak!” Kandi wrote in a separate tweet.
Because Kim just loves being messy and rude, she also got on Twitter to call Kandi and Todd “full on swingers” and said that Kandi only has an RHOA peach because she (Kim) is the one who helped make the show popular in season one. “If it weren’t for me there would be no house. Remember I built this house!” Kim tweeted.
If anybody is lying it’s you @Kandi You and your husband are full on swingers fucking all kinds of girls and can NEVER admit it. And bitch if it weren’t for me there would be no house. Remember I built this house!” ?
Kim and Kandi have not seen it for each other since Kim refused to pay Kandi any royalties for writing and producing her little song, “Tardy for the Party” in 2009, which resulted in a lawsuit.
Nonetheless, they have let bygones be bygones and seem to be pretty cordial over the past few years. But this latest mess Kim has conjured up just may cause round two for the frenemies.
All I can say is that the season 10 reunion show is already must-see TV as Kim is expected to join the ladies and I’m sure this social media war will also be addressed.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta is currently airing Sunday nights on Bravo.
Tia Mowry just revealed the gender of her baby and it’s a girl!
The actor and cooking show host produced an 11-minute video of clever gender reveal ideas, teasing watchers that she would reveal the gender of her own baby at the end. Taking a bite out of a white cake pop that was pink on the inside, she made the announcement.
“We’re having a girl! We’re having a girl! [My son] Cree is going to have a baby sister. We are so excited.”
This will be Tia and husband Cory Hardrict’s second child. The family made the adorable announcement they were expecting in November.
Despite how it may look, Tia tells her viewers that she is not having twins.
“I feel like I’m kind of big for how many months I am. Like, my belly is just like—bam! It’s just like, ‘Hello! Hello, world!’ So, when I’m around my mom, she’s always like, ‘Tia, are you sure you’re just having one?’ I’m like, ‘Mom, do not put that on me. I don’t want to have any twins.'”
“I don’t know why people think that just because you’re a twin, you want to have twins. No… I’m not having twins, people! Even though it may look like I’m having twins, ’cause I’m you know…Woo-hoo!”
Even though she’s not having twins, Tia’s gender reveal does make a cute coincidence wither her own twin, Tamera Mowry. Both twins will now have a boy and girl, with their sons being the firstborn and the daughters the second child.
Tia still has not revealed her due date, but we wish her a happy and healthy pregnancy.
The king of DNA and lie detector tests is offering his services to a few celebrities that may need his help.
Maury Povich is willing to help OJ Simpson and Cardi put an end to the drama in their lives by respectively offering them paternity and lie detector tests.
“I’ll help OJ with this DNA drama,” the Maury Povich Show wrote in The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section regarding Simpson denying he’s the father of Khloe Kardashian. “I’ll prove he is NOT the father!”
Speculation and rumors that that OJ is Khloe’s real father instead of Robert Kardashian have been going around for nearly a decade.
However, earlier this week, Simpson attempted to put an end to the rumors when TMZ asked if congratulations were in order for Khloe’s pregnancy. He said he needed no congratulations because he is in no way related to Khloe or her unborn child.
“Well, for Bob, God bless his soul, yeah. But I don’t know for me. I don’t think for me. I didn’t have nothing to do with it…
“Congratulations to her. But trust me, I didn’t have nothing to do with it. I would be proud if I had anything to do with it, but I don’t. God bless her.”
Simpson’s real daughter, Arnelle, is seen laughing to the whole insinuation in the background. “Really?!” she added, followed by a definitive, “No.”
Simpson was close friends with Robert Kardashian, who also contributed to his defense team during the murder trial in 1995.
And as for Cardi B, Maury wants to get to the bottom of the cheating scandal her fiancé Offset has caused. Uncle Maury tweeted:
.@iamcardib if you ever need a Lie Detector Test or have more relationship drama…you know you can always call Uncle Maury!
Several videos of the Migos rapper in bed with other women have surfaced, suggesting he’s been cheating on Cardi. She’s vaguely confirmed the rumors and said she has a decision to make regarding her relationship.
Maury even spoke to Us Weekly about offering a lie detector test to Offset.
“Cardi B. seems to be having some trust issues in her personal life. My show deals with these types of complicated situations on a daily basis. We would love to help Cardi B. uncover the truth.”
It’s unlikely Cardi B and Offset and OJ Simpson will appear on The Maury Povich Show, but I’m sure we’d all tune if they did.
David Otunga has won another round is his battle against ex-fiancée Jennifer Hudson. The former WWE star will not face any charges after Hudson accused him of domestic violence.
Burr Ridge, Illinois police has concluded their investigation into a matter Hudson reported back in November. Police have decided not to file any charges against Otunga and considers the case closed.
Following the news that the investigation was closed, he posted a Ghandi quote on Instagram. “Truth is by nature self-evident. As soon as you remove the cobwebs of ignorance that surround it, it shines clear.”
Hudson filed a protective order against Otunga in November, claiming the former pro wrestled grabbed their 8-year-old son and violently pushed her out of their master bedroom. “I am now living in fear of further action David might take,” she stated in the report.
She also added that Otunga had exhibited “aggressive, threatening behavior” toward her and once taunted her with a gun in a separate incident.
Otunga denied these allegations in November through a statement by his lawyer, Tracy Rizzo.
“Mr. Otunga has never abused or harassed Ms. Hudson or their son, and it is unfortunate, especially in today’s climate, that she would feel the need to make these false allegations against him.”
The couple of 10 years broke up last year, which sparked a custody battle over their son, as well, as the physical abuse allegations. Hudson eventually voluntarily dropped the order of protection and the two were able to reach a temporary custody agreement for the holidays.
Oprah Winfrey got Hollywood super excited about a potential 2020 presidential run following her inspiring Golden Globes speech earlier this week. But there’s one Hollywood celebrity who’s definitely not here for a President Winfrey.
Singer Seal slammed Oprah on Wednesday (Jan. 10) for her rousing #MeToo and Time’s Up speech. He posted a meme insinuating that Oprah’s “been part of the problem for decades” when it comes to sexual harassment in Hollywood due to her association with Harvey Weinstein.
Seal wrote on Instagram:
“Oh I forgot, that’s right…..you’d heard the rumours but you had no idea he was actually serially assaulting young stary-eyed actresses who in turn had no idea what they were getting into. My bad. #SanctimoniousHollywood”
Allegations against the disgraced Hollywood giant obviously sparked the #MeToo movement when more than 30 women came forward to accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct. Seal’s post suggests that Oprah knew about Weinstein’s behavior, but never spoke out, a criticism that that other Hollywood heavyweights like Meryl Streep have also faced.
Despite her professional relationship with Weinstein, Oprah has made it clear that she stands with his accusers and other victims of sexual harassment. “If we make this just about Harvey Weinstein, then we will have lost this [watershed] moment,” Oprah told CBS News as Weinstein’s scandal grew back in October 2017.
“I think this is a moment where no matter what business you work in, there have been women who not only had the disease to please, that’s a part of it, but who felt that in order to keep my job, in order to keep my positioning, in order to keep moving forward, I’ve got to smile, I’ve got to look the other way, I’ve got to pretend he didn’t say that, I’ve got to pretend he didn’t touch me – I think those days are about to be over.”
It was also reported in October that Oprah had privately lent her support to Weinstein. However, her reps quickly shut down the report and clarified that she was only interested in doing a 60 Minutes interview with Weinstein in hopes that he would admit his inappropriate behavior.
“Oprah has not spoken to Harvey Weinstein directly. Someone from his team reached out to her to see if she would talk to him, and she said she would if it was for an interview. There are no plans for an interview at this time…
“She was only interested if he’d look in the mirror and give her the honest, bone marrow truth.”
Though she didn’t mention Weinstein by name, the crux of Oprah’s Golden Globes speech was that a “new day is on the horizon” due to the #MeToo movement and the brave women and men speaking out against sexual abuse and harassment in the workplace.
Reports suggest Oprah is “actively thinking” and “intrigued” by the idea of running for President of the United States in 2020, but she has made no official announcement and has previously denied any plans of running for elected office.
Anyone who is unaware of the #MeToo movement empowering women across the country to speak out against sexual harassment is either incredibly ignorant or grossly misogynistic. In Floyd Mayweather’s case, he’s probably both.
The boxing legend unsurprisingly dismissed the movement by bragging about his personal wealth during an interview with Men’s Health while at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to promote his virtual reality boxing workout experience.
“The who?” a confused Mayweather asked when a female interviewer asked him how men “can grow in 2018” in light of the #MeToo movement. She attempted to explain the movement until he interrupted her to brag about his private jets and expensive cars.
“When you say ‘me too’ … When somebody is like, ‘I got a Rolls Royce,’ I be like ‘me too.’ When somebody say they got a private jet, I say, “Me too. I got two. Me too.”
Mayweather’s ignorance didn’t stop there, either. The interviewer once again tried to interject, but he admitted he wasn’t aware of the #MeToo cause and went on to flaunt his billion-dollar earnings.
“Well, I didn’t know! My Me Too movement from the beginning was whenever somebody said what they have I’m like, ‘me too.’ Somebody say they got a billion dollars, I say, ‘I made a billion dollars, me too.’”
Expressing little solidarity and dismissing women’s fight against sexual harassment shouldn’t be too surprising coming from a man who has a long history of domestic violence, including spending 90 days in jail for domestic battery in 2012.
Floyd Mayweather is a convicted abuser. Asking him to comment on #metoo is… I don't have the words. The idea of it makes me physically ill though.
Still, the interviewer attempted to appeal to Mayweather’s “sensitive side” when it comes to women being sexually harassed and abused. Though it was a struggle and I think he was still clueless of what the #MeToo movement actually is, Mayweather was eventually able to say that sexual harassment “[isn’t] cool at all.”
“Of course. I mean, you live and you learn. I think everyone, if you’re in an uncomfortable position, you have to pray about it, you know, talk about it, and I think that, you know, sexual harassment, I don’t think it’s cool at all.
In addition to being accused of being misogynistic, Mayweather has also been hot water due to racist and homophobic remarks.
Someone decided to play “patty cake” on Harvey Weinstein’s face … and a bystander caught the whole thing on video so that we can all point and laugh together!
According to TMZ, Weinstein was dining with his sober coach at Elements restaurant at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain resort in Scottsdale Arizona when two men sat at a table adjacent to his.
One of the men, identified simply as “Steve,” walked up to Weinstein and told him he loved his movies and wanted to take a picture with him. Steve said Weinstein became “belligerent” and told him to “buzz off,” TMZ reported.
The restaurant’s manager, however, said Weinstein wasn’t belligerent, he was actually “very sweet about it,” she said, and he (allegedly) told the guy “I’d rather not take a picture right now.” The manager said the two shook hands and Weinstein went back to stuffing his fat, disgusting face. But, whatevs, that’s NOT the point of this article.
Around 9 p.m., as Weinstein and his sober coach prepared to leave the restaurant, it just so happened Steve and his friend were on their way out as well, and Steve used that opportunity to do something for the culture. Steve, who told TMZ that he had “quite a bit to drink,” told his friend to pull out his cell phone and record what was about to happen.
Initial reports stated that Steve tried to “punch” Weinstein, but neither of the blows landed. However, video footage later shared by TMZ tells a totally different story. The clip shows Steve giving a messy-looking Weinstein two quick back-handed slaps to the face, and the hits were apparently hard enough to make the Hollywood rapist—who appeared to be drunk as well—stumble a bit.
“Get the f**k out of here, you’re a piece of s**t. F**king with those women… Get your f**king ass out of here,” Steve can be heard in the video telling Weinstein, as the disgraced film producer’s sober coach tries to put his hand in front of the camera to get the cameraman to stop filming the incident.
Reps for Weinstein told Page Six that Weinstein “is still OK and in good spirits” and that no police report was filed. “Looks like the guy just patty-caked him twice,” a rep said.
TMZ reported that the man behind the camera asked Weinstein if he wanted to call the police, but Weinstein declined and everyone went their separate ways.
Weinstein has been living in Arizona at a rehab facility following accusations from nearly 100 women that he sexually harassed/assaulted them. Among the accusers were actresses Ashley Judd, Salma Hayek, Lupita Nyong’o and Gwyneth Paltrow. Despite the MASSIVE number of accusations, Weinstein has repeatedly denied the claims through a rep, saying, “Any allegations of nonconsensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein.”
Contrary to rumors that Weinstein was in Los Angeles during the Golden Globes last week, Weinstein’s reps confirmed he was NOT in Hollywood, and was in Arizona the whole time.
