Super Bowl Halftime Show Controversy!
Fans and critics alike swarmed social media to compare Levine's shirtless torso to the Chipotle brown paper bag and throwback bed sheets from Target. Let's not forget to mention the countless comparisons of his *voluntary* shirt removal to the *failed* stunt pulled by Janet Jackson AND Justin Timberlake on the same platform fifteen years prior. I do not consider the latter comparison to be fair due to the nature of the clothing removals; Levine's was voluntary and he knew what he was doing, whereas Janet and Justin pulled a stunt that went totally awry.
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| An ORIGINAL Pop Kulture meme! |
Miss Jackson (if you're nasty) took the fall for the fiasco, to the point at which former CBS/Viacom boss Les Moonves blacklisted her music from all subsidiary radio stations. She was uninvited to the 2004 Grammys the following weekend; meanwhile, Justin attended that year's ceremony and won the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance ("Cry Me a River") and Best Pop Vocal Album (Justified). Jackson's Damita Jo album received an RIAA platinum certification, but it was not enough to salvage the damage done to her career. Timberlake stated in an interview with MTV that he felt as though society did place a heavier blame onto Jackson due to her race, whether intentionally or not. This does deem true - looking back at past SBHT performances, there were stunts that left viewers at home and in the stadiums stunned - take for example, British recording artist MIA giving the middle finger during her act with Madonna and Nicki Minaj. Five-second delay or not, there must be an accountability factor to each performer on the country's biggest stage. And countless memes to follow!
Wendy Williams Show Drama!
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| What's goin' on with Wendy?! (photo from www.goodhousekeeping.com) |
In the meantime in New York, there is a story that continues to grow each day due to increased speculation: the behind-the-scenes drama in the Wendy Williams Show studio! Now, before you guys get any ideas, I LOVE Wendy - she helped my get through some of the roughest times throughout the years, even when she was a radio DJ in the Empire State. Her comedic timing is iconic and her tea is always hot (and lemony!). But this is a story I must report in the name of love. Any-who, a series of panel hosts and Nick Cannon took her place during her absence to tell the latest in celebrity news and hot topics. I must say, they did a decent job, particularly Nick. He is a funny man at heart and knows how to work the audience solo. But I say decent because there is no one like the Queen of the Tea! There is no morning talk show host who is so open with her mess of a show and her crew (hey Suzanne and Norman!). This being said, the allegations of her husband, Kevin, or if you read/see outside sources, Kelvin, cheating on her, beating on her, and leaving her for his *alleged* pregnant mistress Shamira Hudson, piled up to the point to which fans want her to address the tea on HER life after all these years of dishing on everyone else's dirt. While Nick did give an update on her health, saying to studio and at-home audiences "not to get too comfortable...because she will be coming back", many still do not buy it.
Staff and production crew reportedly called those who ordered tickets to the upcoming shows to ensure that they will attend even though Wendy remains absent. Additionally, according to Lailah Lynn, WWS staffers are upset that Williams did not contact them regarding her condition in relation to their employment statuses. If Fox cancels the show, that leaves hundreds of producers and crew members out of a job left to scramble for another gig. And there's a rumor going around that Steve Harvey will replace Wendy on her time-slot; in ALL honesty, I do NOT think this should happen because of the two opposite natures of their personalities.
Photographers spotted the former shock jockette in South Florida only two weeks ago with no makeup and a "street wig" leaving a CVS with a friend. The reason for her being in FL more likely than not is her retired parents as well as her college-aged son living in the state. In the meantime, Kevin (or Kelvin, I cannot keep up), had the dirt spilled by his own MOTHER, Pearlet Hunter! Pearlet claimed that her son choke out her daughter-in-law and kicked the sh*t out of her on another occasion, according to blogger LoveBScott. I hope that all is okay in the Williams-Hunter kingdom and that our queen returns to her purple throne soon!
Jussie Smollett Assault Aftermath!
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| Jussie Smollett at an event for Empire (photo from www.out.com) |
This story is one that is very close to my heart, in terms of humanity and LGBTQ+ awareness. At around 2 a.m. on January 28th, Empire star Jussie Smollett faced a brutal attack in Chicago by two white men in ski masks. The two perpetrators came up behind Smollett, screaming "Are you that [expletive] Empire [expletive]?!", then tied a noose around his neck, kicked him, poured bleach on him, and left yelling "This is MAGA country!". Smollett then walked to the doctor immediately, then was admitted to the hospital that same night. The doctor discovered that he bruised his ribs and had cuts on his face. Not to mention the PTSD from this horrible act. This past weekend, he performed at the Troubadour in LA, addressing the incident and his strength through it all as he "fought the f**k back". He stated that he did not want to let [his assailants] win", making his appearance all the more important to his fans, the LGBTQ+ community, and the African American community. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a full supporter of the African American community, this attack is clearly a planned hate crime; Smollett received scathing hate mail while filming his hit show, with depictions of lynching alongside homophobic and racist profanities. In 2019, we HAVE to do better. Prayers, thoughts, and love to Jussie, his family, and the entire Empire cast.
21 Savage Gets Deported!
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| 21 Savage at the MTV VMAs Red Carpet (photo from WGXA.com) |
With this story, I learned that Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage is actually British! All this time, myself, along with the public, believed that he was from the island of Dominica! But the "Bank Account" rapper hails from London, immigrating to the US when he was 12 years old, during which time he entered the country with a visa. Upon his arrival to the ATL, 21 (born Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph) partook in a life of crime, from selling hard drugs to carrying unregistered weapons; I guess the name "savage" was literal! He began his rap career in the underground and Sound Cloud scene, with his debut mixtape The Slaughter Tape, followed by his single "Bank Account" as well as collaborations with fellow rappers like Drake ("Sneakin'"), Post Malone ("Rockstar"), Migos and Metro Boomin' (Without Warning), and Cardi B ("Bartier Cardi").
With his musical career soaring to the top of Billboard Hot 100 Charts and the Top Hip-Hop Singles Charts, he gained additional exposure via his links to Philly-born video vixen Amber Rose. Unfortunately, ICE ordered his deportation due to his residence without legal documentation, sparking outrage in the hip-hop world as well as various other celebrity circles. Many fellow artists posted the "Free 21 Savage" photo alongside the "#BlackLivesMatter" campaign in regards to his deportation, including rival raptresses Cardi B and Nicki Minaj. Cardi posted on her Instagram that we has a society need to educate ourselves in regards to such issues affecting the black community and that 21 did not enter the US illegally. In the meantime, her beef with conservative political commentator Tomi Lahren cooks on! Lahren, donned the "White Power Barbie" (not my words), tweeted Sunday "I got one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight ICE agents ready to deport ya" (in reference to his "Bank Account" lyrics), to which the Bronxette replied 'Don't let me get my leash". Mhm! Crazy! I just hope that 21 Savage comes back to the US, earns an entertainment visa, or whatever visa for which is eligible, and brings the world together through his beats. Prayers to you, 21!
Liam Neeson in HOT water! Racist or nah?
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| Liam Neeson during a Good Morning America interview Tuesday morning (photo from www.cnn.com) |
In this day and age, there are many sensitive subjects being brought to light, and race is no exception. Actor Liam Neeson described in a radio interview that he got into character for his role in the upcoming dramedy Cold Pursuit. During his press junket, he detailed his experience with dealing with a now-deceased female friend's vicious rape by man who happened to be a black man as well as a stranger. He stated that he "waited [outside of the pub with a club] for about a week" hoping that some black [person] would start a fight with him. Given that this incident was forty years ago, it was indeed ignorant of Neeson to say such a thing; however, he clarified in an interview with Robin Roberts of Good Morning America that he vented his frustration and would have done so regardless of the man's race.
Following the story, celebrities and civilians alike took to social media to deem Neeson a racist who did not understand the scope of what he said. Widows co-star Michelle Rodriguez supported his stance on the issue, stating that "this is [expletive]" and that his affection towards fellow co-star Viola Davis in the film proves that he is anything but a bigot. Neeson thankfully received the necessary help he needed with his family, friends, and his priest, who suggested he "power walk" for two hours a day, to which he attested significantly aided his rage over the issue.
Liam Neeson is an actor, thus requiring him to go to great lengths to get into character (method acting, anyone?). As an experienced performer, I can attest that you must get into your deepest emotions not only to act the part, but also BE the part. Neeson never condoned such ignorance or behavior and clarified his feelings and statements on several, very public platforms. He simply did his job to perform to the best of his potential and hopefully earn a lot of money on the film.
Stay tuned for ALL the latest in Hollywood dish! AND my next radio show is back on WED, 2/13 @ 10 PM ONLY ON TUNEIN! Check out the link in the "Live Radio Hour" page! :)
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