This week in Hot Topics! Kanye, Cardi, NFL Draft, & the Royal Baby!

THIS WEEK HAS BEEN A HAPPENIN' ONE!

John Legend tweeted "We got love. We agree to disagree" this Friday (courtesy of Twitter/people.com)

Kanye West is still tweeting his "right to individual thought" on Twitter, going so far as to supporting "his brother" President Donald Trump; he stated that the two "have dragon energy" (whatever that means). This firestorm led to his fellow musicians reaching out via Twitter on his recent behavior, from crooner John Legend to Chance the Rapper. Legend "agreed to disagree" with the "Late Registration" rapper on his political views, followed up with a dinner with both their families. Chance stated that all people have the right to have their own political views, saying that all African-Americans do not "have to be Democrats".

Kanye out in LA sporting the Republican red Trump "Make America Great Again" hat (courtesy of people.com)

Many root Kanye's tweets to the 2007 loss of his mother, Donda West. She died from pre-existing heart conditions while undergoing a cosmetic surgery procedure at the hands of Dr. Jan Adams. After his mom's tragic death, he blamed himself for the loss for many years, leading to a 2015 hospitalization.

West with his mother Donda at the Grammy Awards in 2005 (courtesy of mic.com)

What's even more shocking is that he "forgave" the surgeon after hating him for over a decade; more surprising is his newly-proposed album cover photo of Dr. Adams he sent to a friend in a way to "stop hating". Judging by his recent Tweets and behavior, it's no wonder why this isn't a surprise.

The 'Bodak Yellow" rapper performing at Coachella on April 21st (courtesy of people.com)

In other hip-hop news, Cardi B said on her Instagram that she will be taking time off from performing to focus on the birth of her first child with Migos rapper Offset. She is 7 months along, due early this summer. She said that she is constantly tired and "can barely breathe". Well, if you saw her Coachella performance two weekends ago, you'll see exactly why she'd want to take some time off! Kudos to her and new baby!

Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield (courtesy of wikipedia.com) 

This past week also had a lot of sports fans talking, including myself. In the first round of the NFL Draft, Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first pick. The 21-year-old has a lot riding on him, given his recent Heisman Trophy win and the Browns' (less than stellar) record. Hopefully he'll bring some hope to the team.

Penn State RB Saquon Barkley is drafted by the New York Giants (courtesy of akronbeaconjournal.com)

BUT, in more exciting news, Penn State RB Saqoun Barkley got selected by my favorite team the New York Giants! The Nittany Lion junior was drafted in the second pick of the first round, immediately following Mayfield. Earlier this year, there was talk of the Coplay, PA native as a shoe-in for the Eagles, particularly after their most recent and first Superbowl win. Alas, he will be welcomed by the G-Men to bring them back to victory!

The baby has a name! Welcome to the world Prince Louis Arthur Charles! (courtesy of nbcnews.com)

In royal baby news, Will and Kate have named their newborn son Louis Arthur Charles! Louis is decidated to Prince Phillip's grandfather Prince Louis Alexander of Battenberg; the name descended to William's own full name, William Arthur Phillip Louis, as well as the baby's new older brother Prince George Alexander Louis. Arthur is the name of Queen Victoria's youngest and favorite child Prince Arthur. Charles, of course, is past down from Will's father, Prince Charles, who is next in line for the throne. The child's full title is for sure a mouthful: His Royal Highness, Prince Louis Arthur Charles of Cambridge. Congrats to the royal family!

For more hot topics, please be sure to check out the latest posts and the IG page @popkulturewithpk!

This weekend in Pop Kulture!

Sorry for keeping you all out of the loop these last few days! Here's the low-down on the hot topics! 

Prince William & Duchess Kate welcome their new bubbly baby boy yesterday outside of St. Mary's Hospital in London. (courtesy of bbc.com)

Yesterday morning, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William & Kate, welcomed a baby boy at 11:01 AM at Saint Mary's Hospital in London. This is the couple's third child and second son together. He is now fifth-in-line for the throne, placing Prince Harry after him.

Future royal (married) couple Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (courtesy of wikipedia.com)

In other royal news, the upcoming nuptials of Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle are well underway. The ceremony is to be televised live in the United States and the UK on Saturday May 19th at 6 AM EST. Since Markle is American, it would make perfect sense that the wedding will be broadcast throughout the world. This will be the second marriage for the Suits actress, who was married to director Trevor Engelson from 2011 - 2013. This will be the first marriage for the Prince of Wales.

Shania Twain at the Billboard Music Awards in 2014 (courtesy of aol.com)

On to some more domestic news, country singer Shania Twain is under fire for comments regarding her hypothetical ballot casting for the US Presidential Election. When asked whom she would vote for President, she said she'd vote for Donald Trump. However, she recanted her statement by stating that she was distracted by the question. If true, this will come as a bit of a shock after she turned down Trump's offer to sing at his inauguration!

FLOTUS Melania Trump smiling next to former President Barack Obama (courtesy of moviemagic.com)

At the funeral of Barbara Bush, tensions between the current and former White House Administrations. First Lady Melania Trump sat next to former President Barack Obama during the ceremony and appeared to be civil and even at times exchanging smiles. Social media swarmed at the chance to make memes surrounding her lack of smiles throughout the Presidency thus far. President Trump was not in attendance for the ceremony due to business obligations in Florida.

Barbara P. Bush (1925 - 2018)

Former First Lady Barbara Bush (courtesy of wikipedia.com)

This afternoon, former First Lady Barbara Bush, passed away at the age of 92 in Houston, TX. Her husband, former President George H. W. Bush, by her side.

The former First Couple celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary, making the pair the longest-married couple in presidential history.

During her time as Second Lady of the United States during the Reagan administration, Mrs. Bush focused her work on homelessness and literacy. She believed that homelessness connects to illiteracy, prompting the development of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. She was active with the White House Endowment Trust and the White House Historical Association. Known for her easy-going personality, she was beloved by the public and White House staff alike.

The Bushes have five children together: former President George Walker, former Governor of Florida John Ellis "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy.

"Jersey Shore" is Back in an-all new reboot!

Get crazy, get wild, let's party, get loud!

The principal group photo for "Jersey Shore: Family Vacation" (courtesy of nj,com)

You heard right! MTV's smash-hit reality series "Jersey Shore" is back in an all-new "Family Vacation" edition! All the original cast-mates (with the exception of Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola) will reunite for the first time since 2012! Spending the next two months in Miami's South Beach, the group anticipates some repeated history along with some new obstacles amidst serious relationships and parenthood.

No longer are the days of the gang participating in "DTF" relationships; still here are the rituals of the "GTL" lifestyle (gym, tan, and laundry)! The larger-than-life antics of these "guidos" and "guidettes" are expected to keep the show afloat in terms of ratings. The series' teaser trailers sure show that some situations are about to go down in South Beach (totally no pun intended).

The original cast photo from Season 1 (courtesy of variety.com)

The first episode was a two-hour special catching us up the group's current lives. Everyone has started families and/or are in serious relationships in the midst of their great successes...except the Situation, who is facing jail for tax fraud amounting to $9 million! He and his brother, Marc, plead guilty to charges in the New Jersey Supreme Court last year. The sentencing looks as though it will be delayed as long as he's on the show, during which time he has transformed into a "Jesus", as proclaimed by meatballs Deena and Snooki. He stated that he does not drink, drug, or smoke and is being consistent on his two-year sobriety. Go Situation!

It seems that Ronnie is still not over his tumultuous (or trainwreck of a) relationship with Sammi. While chatting with Deena in a nightclub, he claimed that Sammi was not their friend and thus does not support anyone in the cast because of her choice not to appear in the series. Deena and Sammi are good friends, which surprised me given their initial arguments during Deena's season 3 entry (GET REAL!) But nonetheless, Sammi is a grown woman and it was her decision not to participate in the reunion. We'd much rather have the real "Sweetheart" than a life-sized Barbie doll of her, too.

More of a mannequin Sammi than a life-like doll...(courtesy of thewrap.com)

Speaking of tension in the house, Vinny and Snooki have not closed the chapter on their history together rooting back to season 2. The Staten Island native and the "Princess of Poughkeepsie" have unresolved issues regarding their on-and-off hook-ups that resulted in their falling out later on. Little do people know that Vinny met Jionni's sister in Seaside right around the time Snooki dated him. While in a rage, Snooki said that Vinny's presence "will ruin her marriage". If Nicole is so over Vinny, will the tension blow over quicker?

Tune in Thursday nights at 8 PM to catch the latest craziness of "Jerzdays"! And you will see a glimpse of "Staten Island dump" Angelina Pivarnick making a scene in the next episode!