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'FRO ENVY! Kelly Rowland Hits The Gym Au Natural & Fab

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As if Kelly Rowland could get any more perfect.  Ya girl did just that, though.  Peep her glorious crown of au natural hair inside...

 

We stan a natural queen!

Kelly Rowland is currently in Sydney, Australia to tape a new season of "The Voice." In between taping, chick is keepig that bangin' a-- body right in the gym AND proving that you don't have to have wiggery or weavery to still look sexy.  Women can always kill it with or without.

The actress/singer hit the streets in athleisure wear - likely a 'fit from her Fabletics line - on her way to the gym rocking her frotastic crown of gorgeous hair. The singer was au natural for the outing and looked amazing while doing so. Don't get us wrong, we love a good weave, but her 'fro is flawlessly FAB.

It's nice to see Kellz not only lend her talents to campaigns, but also LIVE by the same encouraging messages she spreads.

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The 38-year-old mom recently partnered with Dove and created a hair anthem that every young girl can rock out and relate to. The song is titled, "Crown," and it's an empowerment track to encourage girls to love their hair in every form.

The "Kisses Down Low" singer recently opened up about her own self-journey to loving her locs.

"My insecurities with my hair started when I was a little kid," the singer told Marie Claire last month. "I don’t think my mom did it intentionally, but I was given a chemical perm to straighten my curly hair at the age of five. That’s when I thought maybe my hair wasn’t okay. My mom had super-thick and beautiful hair, but it was hard for her to deal with on her own. Maybe she thought it was too much for me to manage, which is why she gave me a perm. Parents are doing this by accident, but they don’t realize this fear is being put onto the child. You have to celebrate their curls, coils, and texture from a very young age."

She added:

"I have fun with my natural hair. I wake up and condition my hair, detangle, add oils for extra hydration, and let it do its own thing. I love taking my hair down and wearing my fro-it feels amazing. When you’re in the mirror, take advantage of that quality time with your natural hair. Tell yourself you’re beautiful. It should be a part of the experience."

YAS!

By the way, Kellz has been in the studio working on new music:

 

 
 
 
 
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Photos: MEGA/KHAPGG


KING ISH: LeBron James Passes His Idol Michael Jordan On NBA's All-Time Scoring List + 2 Chainz Gifts Bron Diamonds After Historic Feat

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King ish only! LeBron James has passed Michael Jordan on the NBA's all-time scoring list. And he's humble as pie. See his post-game interview, plus the moment 2 Chainz gifted Bron the diamond necklace off his game after his historic night inside...

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Last night was a historic night for LeBron James!

The Los Angeles Lakers baller moved past his idol Michael Jordan on the NBA's career scoring list, landing at the No. 4 spot.

King James and the Lakers went head-to-head against the Denver Nuggets and the NBA legend-in-the-making tied Jordan at 32,292 career points half way through the second quarter. Then, he scored his 32,293rd point on a layup at the 5:38 mark.

It was a surreal moment for James as Jordan has been his idol since he was a kid. King James hopped on Twitter before the game to express his excitement as he anticpated the big feat:

 

 

 

Today, he posted: 

 

 

After historic point, the Lakers waited until the next timeout to honor King James. Everyone in attendance stood up and applauded him during a tribute video that was played in the arena. LeBron ended the game with a total 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Unfortunately for the Lakers, the Nuggets ended up beating them, 115-99.

Peep highlights from the game below:

In the stands...

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Rapper 2 Chainz sat courtside with his wife Kesha Ward and their kiddies.

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After the game, the Atlanta rapper gifted LeBron one of his diamond necklaces right off his neck.

"Thank you for everything … I love you bro,” 2 Chainz is heard telling LeBron.

Peep the clip:

 

 

FUN FACT: LeBron is an executive producer on 2 Chainz’s recently released album, Rap or Go to the League, which dropped March 1st.

King James' Queen Savannah James posted up some #Facts to celebrate her husband's newest accomplishment:

 

 

Stan for your man.

In his post-game interview, LeBron was incredibly humble as he shared how much MJ has influenced his basketball career:

"Of all the stuff I've done in my career, this ranks right up there at the top with winning a championship," James said. "For a kid from Akron, Ohio, that needed inspiration and needed some type of positive influence, MJ was that guy for me. I watched him from afar, wanted to be like MJ, wanted to shoot fadeaways like MJ, wanted to stick my tongue out on dunks like MJ, wanted to wear my sneakers like MJ. I wanted kids to look up to me at some point like MJ and it's just crazy, to be honest. It's beyond crazy."

Also, King James, who's starring and producing Space Jam 2, rocked a pair of Nike LeBron 16s designed in the style of the Air Jordan III "white cement" model. He wrote "Thank you M.J. 23" on the side of one of the sneakers.

Congrats, LeBron James!

Also...

Since it doesn't look like the Lakers will be making it into the playoffs this year (for the sixth straight season), the team has reportedly decided to put King James on a minutes restriction for the remainder of the season. There are 16 games left in the season:

 

 

Get some rest, Bron.

Photos: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill/Splash

Porsha Williams' Winter Wonderland Baby Shower, Celebrated With 'RHOA' Co-Stars & Kenya Moore + Chance The Rapper's Super Sweet 'Storytime' About Fiancé

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Porsha Williams and her fiance Dennis McKinley celebrated their upcoming arrival with a huge baby shower fit for a princess. And several of Porsha's "Real Housewives of Atlanta" co-stars were in the mix. Go inside her winter wonderland themed bash, plus read Chance The Rapper's super sweet storytime inside...

First a baby reveal and now the baby shower!

Porsha Williams and her future husband Dennis McKinley were over the moon as they celebrated their new bundle of joy at their winter wonderland themed baby shower.

Held at Suada Studio in Atlanta, the decor featured shades of rose gold and all of the guests were asked to wear all white. The space featured ice sculptures, white flowers from Akeem Clayton, delicate linen napkins, and more. The floor read "Celebrating PJ," and the initials "PJ" were embellished on the back of the chairs. If you didn't already know, PJ is the nickname Porsha gave her baby girl.

 

The first-time mom to be wore a custom, handmade dress by Derron Cherry, styled by Jeremy Hanes. And she looked great.

The 37-year-old soon-to-be first-time mom gushed to PEOPLE:

“The day was magical. It was amazing to walk into a room and feel that much love. I have such a tremendous support system around me and women who lift me up and are just so incredibly happy for me.

“I’ve waited a really really long time for this moment,” she added. “I am cherishing each minute and enjoy every day being pregnant. It’s a blessing for us.”

Aww!

Several of her "RHOA" co-stars were in the mix, including Cynthia Bailey, Eva Marcille, Shamari DeVoe, Marlo Hampton, Tanya Sam, her bestie Shamea Morton, and her sister Lauren. Former "RHOA" star and new mom Kenya Moore was also in attendance. However, Porsha's "big sis" NeNe Leakes was noticeably missing.

Guests had an array of dishes to indulvge in, including hors d’oeuvres like seasonal fruit, baked brie, teriyaki chicken tenderloin and shrimp ceviche served on edible spoons.

For the buffet station, guests could choose from organic kale salad, lemon rosemary chicken breast with caper sauce, pan-seared salmon with red-onion marmalade, roasted potatoes, orecchiette pasta with chardonnay cream sauce and pesto, green beans and grilled ciabbata.

For dessert, they had homemade banana pudding and Georgia peach cobbler. Yum!

“There also wasn’t a space on the dance floor,” Porsha said about the event. “The room was filled with laughter and zero stress — only well wishes for the McKinleys.”

Watch Porsha and Dennis get it in on the dance floor below:

 

 

Congrats again to the couple!

Speaking of couples...

 

 

Chance The Rapper is set to tie the knot this weekend to his fiancee Kirsten Corley. Before they head down the aisle, the Chi-town rapper hopped on Twitter to share the story about how he met his future wife when they were only 9. It's the cutest thing ever! Grab your tissues and read the full story above.

Photos: @stanlophotography via PEOPLE

Because It's Int'l Women's Day – We SALUTE Arkansas Sen. Stephanie Flowers Over EPIC 'Stand Your Ground' Read + McDonald's Attacker Gets Jail Time

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Sen. Stephanie Flowers is a WHOLE mood on this International Women's Day. Get into her EPIC speech about the Stand Your Ground bill, plus get the latest on the white man who attacked a black female McDonald's employee inside...

Today is International Women's Day and Arkansas State Senator Stephanie Flowers def makes us proud to be women!

Sen. Flowers, the only black member in the Senate Judiciary Committee, served up a fiery speech about the "stand your ground" laws that are on the verge of being passed in her state.  This is case in point why women, especially women of color, are needed in law-making spaces such as state government. #BalanceforBetter

Before she could say anything, committee chairman Senator Alan Clark tried to rush her speech, but she was quick with a clapback:“I’ll be as quick as I can, as quick as it takes to kill somebody, I guess," she responded. At that moment, we knew she was about to let them HAVE.IT.

Once she had the floor, she opened up about her fears for her son, who would be impacted by the new laws, if they are passed. She said living in Arkansas, she regularly feared for his safety.  He is now 27-years-old. Sen. Flowers argued that the "stand your ground" law wouldn't be applicable for people of color, and that it would give gun owners who are not black the privilege to shoot people of color with no consequences.

“It doesn’t take much to look on the local news every night and see how many black kids, black boys, black men, are being killed with these ‘stand your ground’ defenses that these people raise, and they get off,” she said.

“I take issue with that. I’m the only person here of color, OK? I am a mother too. And I have a son. And I care as much for my son as y’all care for yours. But my son doesn't walk the same path as yours does. So this debate deserves more time.”

“Do I have a right to stand my ground with some crazy-ass person walking around with a doggone gun?," she asked. "I don’t know what the hell he intends to do. But I know I am scared, I feel threatened.”

Sen. Clark then tried to silence Sen. Flowers and she was NOT having it.

"Senator," said Clark.

"Senator, shit," responded Flowers.

"I'm telling you, this deserves more attention," she said. "You want to come up here with all these NRA bills and all these bills that ALEC has. I'm talking about my son's life! And I'm talking about the lives of other black kids!"

Clark then told her,“Senator, you need to stop,” but this only riled her up even more.

“No, the hell I don't,” she responded. “What are you going to do, shoot me? Do what the hell you want to do, go ahead, but you can’t silence me. You got your damn silence gun bill out the damn chamber today, but you are not gonna silence me."

YASSSSS! After she said what she had to say, she dipped out on the meeting. If our State Senators aren't cutting for us like this, they're not getting our vote in the next election.  Period.

According to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, the Republican-majority committee voted 4-3 against the bill, with three Democrats and one Republican in opposition. Senator Bob Ballinger, who sponsored the legislation, said he would revive it at a later time.

Get into this incredible woman's speech below:

Loves it! 

In other news...

Remember the man who attacked the McDonalds employee (Yasmine James - above, middle), caught those hands, and the video went viral? If not, catch up HERE.

By the way, he kicked another female employee, Tateona Bell, in the stomach while she stood by the door as he exited the establishment.

Well, he finally went before a judge and was just sentenced to 2-months in jail, according to the Tampa Bay Times. We're shocked he received jail time, however, he's not going to spend much time there.

40-year-old Daniel Willis Taylor was sentenced to 60 days in jail and credited with 58 days already served after he pleaded no contest to two counts of battery. Oh.

The judge ordered him to stay away from the two women involved in the indicdent, as well as the McDonald's restaurant where the attack occurred.

He has to pay $1,000 in fines or volunteer almost 120 hours of community service, along with a mental evaluation and treatment.

Yasmine James - the McDonald's worker who beat him down after he grabbed her up - spoke out about the horrifying incident after lawyering up with two black female attorneys.

“It really scared me when he grabbed me. I didn’t know if he had a knife, a gun or anything,” Yasmine told The Grio after the assault. “He assaulted me, but he also kicked another girl in the stomach on his way out. He should’ve gotten more than a misdemeanor. To me that won’t teach him a lesson at all.“

The 20-year-old has teamed up with black female attorneys, Michele Rayner-Goolsby and Shannon Ligon, and has become an advocate for the the #LastStrawMovement: advocating against workplace violence & safety for woman & all workers.

“No one, especially a woman of color, should have to go through this at their place of business. No one should have to do it,” Yasmine's attorney Michele Rayner-Goolsby told ESSENCE. “That shows that we can’t even do the daily task without being attacked.”

She has been on the front line, protesting for everyone to get justice:

 

 

 

A queen.

We hope she's suing his a** too. Two days in jail and a $1,000 fine definitely does not fit the crime he committed.

 

Photos: UAPB News/Instagram

Aoki Lee Simmons Called The N-Word At School, And She Handled It Like A Pro + CNN Gets Officially Called Out By NAACP & NABJ For Lack Of Inclusion

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Even celebrity can't escape racism. Go inside to see how Aoki Lee Simmons handled a situation where she was called the n-word by a non-black classmate, plus the latest on the NAACP putting pressure on CNN for lack of inclusion inside...

 

Aoki Lee Simmons - daughter of Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons - is making her parents proud with the way she's handling blatant racism inside her own high school.

The high school student - who recently applied to Yale and Harvard - put one of her non-black classmates on blast for repeatedly calling her the n-word. Aoki reached her breaking point, so she hopped on Instagram Live to air out her frustrations about the way this one particular classmate keeps disrespecting her.

“I know so many people go through the same thing, it’s not just me and we all have these kinds of problems. But I am so over people at my school being racist and no one doing anything about it,” she said in the live video posted to her Instagram account.

Listen, Aoki doesn't have time for racist kids in her school because she's focused on getting into Yale and Harvard. OK?

“I don’t have time for you. And this particular kid. I swear all day long - he's white - he just can not stop saying the n-word. It’s like his favorite thing to say. I don’t even use it like that. He just loves to use it and see how far he can push it and all of his friends don’t care. They all think they’re ‘woke’ nice good people (his friends), but they don’t stop him.”

The future college student shared how the racist classmate has done plenty of mean things to her over the 3-years they've been in school together, but his last assault was the last straw for her. She said they were assigned to work on a project together, however, she was the only one doing all the work. While working, she began mumbling to herself as she was writing. This "thug" asked her:

"'N*gger are you on crack or something?' I was like, 'WHAT? What are you talking about?'"

Aoki said she has been asking him to STOP calling her the n-word since she met him. He hasn't and it makes her SO mad. She's just trying to live her life and he keeps invading her space with hateful comments. She has given up trying to get him to stop using the word all together, but she will NOT allow him to keep calling her the n-word. PERIOD.

Peep her live below:

 

After she put up her video, she doubled down on her comments about NOT allowing people to disrespect her:

 

We hate she had to go through something like this, but she's handling it like a pro! Salute!

In other news...

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CNN is getting called out by advocacy groups for their lack of representation in leadership roles at the network. Somebody had to do it.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has joined the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and they are putting the network on blast for not hiring more African-American executives.

“CNN’s lack of black representation in leadership roles is troubling and another example of the media industry’s reluctance to address an issue that continues to plague newsrooms across the country,” the NAACP said in a statement via their website. “It is vital that news organizations reflect the diversity of our country, which includes people of color in key decision-making roles which are responsible for shaping news coverage and providing nuanced perspectives, especially around issues directly impacting Black America.

“NAACP finds it offensive that CNN President Jeff Zucker refuses to address this issue.”

"Until concrete steps are taken by CNN, the NAACP stands firmly with NABJ and asks that WarnerMedia conduct a diversity and inclusion audit of all its news divisions. We will continue to hold the media industry accountable for their insufficient response and actions toward diversity.”

CNN issued a statement that said they would be willing to meet with NABJ, however, they do not want News One commentator Roland Martin in the mix. The statement reads:

For months, we have been working with NABJ to schedule a meeting because the relationship between CNN and NABJ is very important to us. As we have told them many times, we look forward to a thoughtful discussion about how both of our organizations can continue to work together. Unfortunately, the significant and reckless damage that Roland Martin did to CNN while partnering with us during a 2016 Democratic Town Hall has made any meeting that includes him untenable. Mr. Martin displayed an unprecedented and egregious lack of journalistic ethics and integrity by leaking questions prior to the town hall. As a result, we have told NABJ that CNN will not participate in any meeting that includes him. We have made it abundantly clear that we would be more than happy to sit down with the rest of their leadership team as soon as possible, and that offer still stands.

Thoughts?

Photo: Aoki's IG/photo.ua / Shutterstock.com

'Broke & Suicidal' R.Kelly Accused By Two More Women - One Who Claims Abuse At 13, Still In Jail Over Child Support Payments He Wants Lowered

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This guy.  R.Kelly - who was thrown back in jail a couple days ago for not paying his child support back payment on time - now wants his payments LOWERED.  He also explains why he allegedly doesn't have the money, and folks are saying he's becoming suicidal.  Details inside.

After the absolute foolery that was that tragic CBS "This Morning" interview, R.Kelly's freedom while out on bail was cut extra short.  Days prior, he was released on $100K bond in his case where he's facing 10 charges of sexual abuse, but on Wednesday, he was already back in jail.  This time for failing to pay back the minimum $161K of the more than $200K he owes ex-wife Drea Kelly in back child support.  By the way, he was told a month ago about this deadline.

According to new reports, R. is begging the judge today to lower his payment amount:

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ ... the singer planned to file a motion Monday to reduce the amount of money he owes his ex-wife, Drea Kelly, in back child support. Once filed, the judge would review the case and issue a ruling, but that could take several days. There's also no guarantee the judge would grant a reduction.

That was Kelly's initial plan. Plan B, we're told, is trying to scrape together the $161k through the assistance of others -- not unlike the woman who paid the $100k to bail him out last month.

If either of these plans work - and we wouldn't be surprised if he found a #FreeRKelly supporter to spend their hard earned coin on him - he could be out of Cook County Jail today.  We shall see.

So where did this dude's money go?  It seems he's been struggling for years.  His Chicago mansion was foreclosed on years ago, he was evicted for illegally living in a music studio in Chicago (and being funny with his money when it came to payments there, too), and most of his music has been pulled from radio stations everywhere. Royalties may not be what they used to be.

R. said in a newly released portion of his CBS interview that people have been "stealing from him."  Apparently, since he's admittedly illiterate, he never accessed or managed his own money. But he knows he "only has $350K left."

 

 

Now that he sees the walls closing in on him, it wouldn't be a shock if these new reports of him allegedly being suicidal behind bars are true. Radar Online says an insider told them:

“He was told not to go on television by his lawyers but he ignored the advice. We are dealing with a man who believes he lost everything. He’s suicidal. I don’t know how much more he can or will take.”

The police department spoke on it - without outright confirming - saying:

“He’s on 24-hour observation,” Sophia Ansari, spokesperson for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, told Radar.

R.'s own brother, Carey Kelly, said back in January on ABC News that "Robert isn't built for jail":

“I’m concerned about others harming him as well, but the reason why I say Robert might harm himself is because he won’t want to face the gangbangers [and others].”

“Robert would be suicidal because he can’t do that for years,” he continued. “The easy way out would be for him to take his life.”

Meanwhile, two new accusers - one being a witness named Sabrina - have come forward.

Gloria Allred tells TMZ ... a woman has come forward with details that support the claims Latresa Scaff and Rochelle Washington -- Allred's clients -- made about Kelly attacking them after a Baltimore concert in 1995.

As we reported, Latresa and Rochelle claim R. Kelly picked them out of the crowd, plied them with drugs and alcohol, invited them to his hotel room and had sex with Latresa without her consent. Both women were minors at the time.

We're told the witness -- who is going only by her first name, Sabrina -- says she saw Latresa and Rochelle in the hotel lobby the night of the alleged incident. She says she noticed Latresa bent over in pain getting out of the hotel elevator.

Sabrina says she offered help and when she asked what happened ... they said R. Kelly assaulted Latresa. We're told Sabrina came forward after seeing Latresa and Rochelle's recent news conference.

Also, a 30-year-old woman in Detroit is claiming R.Kelly abused her when she was just 13-years-old and later gave her herpes at 17. CBS News Chicago says police are anxiously waiting to speak with her:

Detroit detectives are looking into allegations that Kelly and the girl first “engaged in sexual intercourse at an undisclosed hotel” in December 2001, sources said.

The victim, who was 13 years old at the time, said she was visiting her mother and made contact with a friend, who is Kelly’s assistant, sources said.

Kelly and the alleged victim first had sex at the Detroit hotel on Dec. 30, 2001, sources told Edwards. The alleged victim said she and Kelly also had sex at a Detroit recording studio a few weeks later. The woman, now 30, visited Kelly at his home in Atlanta for a period of four years, where she said the singer gave her herpes when she was 17 years old.

It's unclear where her parents were when she was allegedly allowed to fly back and forth to Chicago multiple times at those ages. The alleged victim is believed to be represented by Gloria Allred, who said she had "No comment" on this particular allegation.

 

 

Photo: AP News

MAKE IT MAKE SENSE! How Does Tyga Keep Buying More Whips While Constantly Getting Hit By The Repo Man?

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Tyga stays getting his cars repossessed, but folks keep giving him new whips. Deets on his latest vehicle splurge and more inside...

Tyga is literally the king of having his cars repossessed as luxury whips have been taken from his possession several times in the past. However, folks keep lending him new whips, and he keeps getting them.

One thing is for sure, he isn't going to let a repossession keep him from riding around in style. According to TMZ, the "Taste" rapper just copped a red 2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan - the luxury line's new SUV. Oh, he's fancy.

The reported purchase hit him steep in his pockets (IF he paid for it) since they start selling at $325,000. Not only that, the site reported Tyga was spotted in Beverly Hills shopping for a Lamborghini last week. Really?

He posted from his new whip yesterday:

So check it, remember when Tyga got dragged out of Floyd Mayweather's birthday bash last month? Well, it's reported he copped the red luxury SUV before the club drama, which actually popped off over a Maybach that got repo'd. It's reported the club dispute was over a Maybach that was loaned to Tyga. The individuals involved wanted to "chat" with him about the loan, and it resulted in the west coast rapper getting thrown out the club. A photographer on the scene said he tried to grab gun from a security guard to handle the situation.

Days later, Tyga posted a picture with the men who yoked him up on his Instagram, confirming everything was all good between them. He has since deleted the post.

But, there's more drama...

 
 
 
 
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Player shit only.

A post shared by T-Raww (@tyga) on

A rental company, Midway Rent-A-Car, filed a lawsuit against the rapper for a pair of luxury whips he neglected. According to TMZ, he bailed on payments for a 2012 Ferrari 458 Spider and a 2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost back when he rented them in 2016. They said payments stopped coming in and now they want $128,000 in damages.

Oh, and there's more....

A warrant was reportedly issued for Tyga's arrest after he missed a recent court appearance. A woman named Shyanne Riekena sued him after she was injured at one his concerts years ago. She received a 4-inch gash in her head after a light stand fell from the ceiling. His name was on the paper work for the rented equipment and she ended up winning her case in 2015. He owes her $250,000 and she has yet to receive it.

A rep for Tyga explained to TMZ why he didn't make it to court: "Due to a last minute work obligation Tyga was traveling and was forced to miss his debtor's exam. The judge issued the bench warrant for the sole purpose of ensuring Tyga will sit for the next Debtor's exam."

Hmph.

This is only more fuel for Tyga's rap enemy Soulja Boy if/when he drops that diss track he has been teasing on social media.

 

 

EXTRAS:

1. A sound producer is suing J. Cole and Bryson Tiller (as well as Sony Music, Roc Nation and RCA Records) for allegedly using his track for their own respective tracks. STORY

Photo: Backgrid

Jussie Smollett Indicted By Grand Jury On 16 Felony Charges For Allegedly Lying To Police

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Jussie Smollett has just been indicted by a Cook County grand jury on 16 felony counts for allegedly filing a false police reports. Deets inside...

 

Jussie Smollett's legal troubles just got worse.

The "Empire" actor has been indicted by a Cook County grand jury on 16 felony counts for allegedly lying to police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime, according to NBC News.

As you know, the State Attorney's Office charged him with felony disorderly conduct last month and he was released on a $100,000 bond.

It's alleged he staged the attack because he was upset about his pay on the show.

“Jussie Smollett knew that at the time … there was no reasonable ground for believing that such offenses had been committed,” according to the indictment.

So, how did he end up raking up so many felony charges on top of the first charge?

Apparently, the grand jury handed up two sets of charges - one for his initial reports to Chicago PD and the others from his 2nd interview with Chicago PD. The specific allegations–“false report of offense”– are Class 4 felonies.

Each of the new charges could carry up to four years in jail.

As you know the Osundairo brothers - Ola and Abel - blew up the case when they revealed Jussie allegedly hired them for the "attack" that went down at 2AM on January 29th. The actor allegedly paid them #3,500 (although some reports suggest the money was for training him in preparation for a music video) to physically assault him, tie a noose around his neck and shout racial and homophobic slurs.

Hate mail was sent to Jussie at the Chicago studio where "Empire" is filmed and it's still unclear who exactly sent the letter. Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson announced Jussie was the one who sent the racist, homophobic letter. However, the FBI confirmed they have not drawn any conclusions yet. The brothers allegedly told the grand jury they did not send the letter.

Whoever sent the letter - if convicted - could be facing five years behind bars.

The "Empire" star has denied any involvement in orchestrating an attack. He later sat down with Robin Roberts for an interview on "Good Morning America" to try and prove his innocence.

Jussie Smollett is due back in court from the disorderly conduct charge on March 14th.

Also, the Chicago PD has reportedly opened an internal investigation to determine who leaked information about Jussie's case. Also, several Northwestern hospital workers have been fired for accessing his medical records.

While Jussie should be punished for his actions IF he lied, are 16 felony charges overkill or nah?

Photo: AP/Kamil Krzaczynski


RUN ME MY COIN! Gayle King Wants 'George Stephanopoulos Money' To Stay On 'CBS This Morning' + Talks R. Kelly Interview On Late Night TV

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Gayle King is in negotiations with CBS News to stay on "CBS This Morning" and she wants all her coins. Get the latest, plus what she said about the R. Kelly interview on late night TV inside...

Can a sister get equal pay?

Gayle King has been all in the headlines this week after clips from her explosive R. Kelly interview was released. And it just so happens, she's currenly in the midst of a multi-million dollar renegotiation with CBS News to stay on “CBS This Morning." Perfect timing.

According to Page Six, Gayle wants “George Stephanopoulos money” to stay on the morning show. The morning show host currently receives $6 million a year and she has one-year left on her current deal.

“Gayle is holding the show together, she wants George money — he got between $15 and $18 million to stay on at ABC," a source dished to the site.

The site shared details about how Gayle was ready to chuck the deuces to CBS following the firing of Charlie Rose and Les Moonves.

Here's what went down and more behind-the-scenes deets:

She was furious over the departure of her EP Ryan Kadro in December after his exit was mistakenly linked with CBS’s payoffs.

We were also told how her co-host Norah O’Donnell’s future on “This Morning” is in doubt as she may oust Jeff Glor from the nightly news spot and take the show to DC.

It’s also believed that new CBS News president Susan Zirinsky is keen to spend more money to keep great talent at the network.

Tonight, Gayle King will take over television with her Friday night special, “The Gayle King Interview with R. Kelly.” The hour-long special will feature her sitdown with the embattled singer, unaired footage from the 80-minute chat, and interviews with his "girlfriends," Joycelyn Savage& Azriel Clary.

Be sure to tune in TONIGHT at 8pm EST on CBS.

Also...

The daytime co-anchor stopped "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" (atop, outside the studio) to share the backstory of how her interview with R. Kelly went down. She shared she met Robert Kelly five years ago at a birthday party, however, they did not have a friendship, so she wanted to introduce herself before the interview. She revealed he has a Christmas tree that he's had up since 1993 as tribute to his mother.

The infamous photo of the Grammy Award winner standing over her, waving his arms, while yelling and screaming was taken by her makeup artist, Lazarus, who she didn't even know was in the room. She said he captured about 800 pictures from the interview. Sheesh.

When clips of R. Kelly came out, showing him cutting up during the interview, people were concerned for her safety. Not Gayle. She said she never felt like he was going to do anything to her. Her first thought was "please don't stop the interview."

“My initial thought was, ‘Please don’t leave. Please don’t leave. Please don’t leave,’ because I thought ‘I’m not done with my questions,’” she said.

Oh, and she also CHECKED FOX News' "The Five" commentator Jesse Watters. He tried to give her a backhanded compliment by saying her R. Kelly interview was better than her Jussie Smollett interview. His co-panelist Dana Perino corrected him and told him that he confused her with Robin Roberts. She said she emailed Dana and the email said: “Thank you for letting [Watters] know we’re two different people. And could you let the rest of your colleagues know that all black people do not look alike.”

YAS!

Peep the interview above. She also dished on her interview with Joycelyn and Azriel, and whether or not she will be muting R. Kelly (and Michael Jackson) below:

Photo: INSTAR

Andrew Gillum Is Up To Something! Making 'Major Announcement' Soon + Michelle Obama's Alma Mater Names Athletic Facility After Her

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Andrew Gillum has a major announcement coming up. Is he running for President? Go inside to find out, plus deets on Michelle Obama's alma mater honoring her...

Get ready! Andrew Gillum has an announcement to make.

The former Tallahassee Mayor is set to make a "major announcement" on March 20th in Miami, according to his website that he used during his gubernatorial run. He's using the same slogan, "Bring It Home."

Gillum posted a video on his Twitter account (Forward Florida, Gillum’s statewide political action committee) to put everyone on notice he's cooking up something:

 

 

He also sent out an email that sounds real president-ish:

Friend -

We came so close to winning our state back last year. It still stings — especially when I think about the people who lose when we lose elections.

But what I’ve realized, is that the legacy of our campaign was never going to be defined by victory or defeat on one day.

Last year, we inspired the biggest progressive movement in the history of our state. Over 70,000 of you took Florida’s future into your own hands, volunteering to knock on doors, make phone calls, or text your friends.

And on Election Day, more than four million Floridians, from every corner of the state — black, white, Latino, rich, poor, men, women, young and old — showed up to support our campaign, because we believed in hope, decency, and a government that represents all of us.

And let me tell you: I still believe.

That’s why I’m inviting you to join me on March 20 in South Florida when I announce the future of this movement. Will you join me?

We’ll announce the details soon, so save the date — I need you there.

Because what we fought for last year still holds true today. Health care should be a right and not a privilege. Teachers should be paid what they are worth. Our water and air should be safe for our children.

And most importantly: we need to do everything in our power to make Donald Trump a one-term president.

This fight is about the future of our state and our nation. I’m not going anywhere — and I know neither are you. We have to stand strong and speak out.

I believe that we will win. I’ll see you on March 20.

Let’s bring it home,

Andrew Gillum

It's unclear what exactly his major announcement is. Some people think he's going to run for president, while others believe he may run for Senate. Maybe he's gunning for Marco Rubio's spot.

Last night, Mr. Gillum was in Austin, TX for the SXSW Festival (standing alongside Chris Bosh) where he served up a speech about voter turnout in Florida and committing to making a better life for the American people. He also talked about wanting to encourage Democratic voters to make it to the polls and reversing Republican gains in Florida:

 

 

Hmm...what do you think the big announcement will be?

By the way, Mr. Gillum is asked to be present for a hearing on April 24th after a state Ethics Commission found probable cause that he violated ethics laws when he accepted trips to Costa Rica, New York, and tickets to the Broadway hit musical, “Hamilton."

 

In other political news...

Forever First Lady Michelle Obama is getting honored by her alma mater.

According to reports, Mrs. Obama's high school Whitney Young Magnet High School is name its brand new athletic complex after her, which would be her first namesake since leaving the White House.

ABC7 Chicago reports:

Construction began last summer on the new $4.3 million facility. Crews are waiting for warmer weather to finish the project.

Obama visited the high school during a visit to her hometown for an exclusive interview with "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts in November 2018. As a photo of a young Obama, then named Michelle Robinson, hung on a wall nearby, the former first lady shared lessons with the girls about how she found her voice in high school.

Sweet!

Whitney Young Principal Joyce Kenner said they told her about the namesake back in November when she visited the school.

“She didn’t say very much, but she seemed very excited that we would consider doing that. And since it’s for the community, she said she was happy to be part of it,” Kenner told the Chicago Times. “She understands the importance of exercise. It’s all about keeping students fit. She embodies that spirit of athleticism.”

Congrats, FLOTUS!

Photo: Getty/JStone / Shutterstock.com

Jussie Smollett Received Hella Opportunities After Attack Story Broke, Now They've Dried Up + Lawyer Calls Indictment A 'Distraction' & 'Vindictive'

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After Jussie Smollett's attack story broke, folks were hitting him up left and right. Now, not so much. Deets on the "Empire" star losing opportunities, plus what his lawyer, Mark Geragos, has to say about his felony indictment inside...

Right after Jussie Smollett's attack story broke, his career was on the cusp of taking off even more.  This definitely gives legs to the theory that Jussie allegedly concoted this attack for PR purposes in his career.

Sources close to Jussie's situation reportedly told TMZ that the "Empire" star's Hollywood life before the attack was thriving. He was allegedly receiving entertainment opportunities "every other week, if not weekly."

After the alleged attack came to light, his star power got even bigger. Sources told the site Jussie was getting hit up nonstop for roles in movies, TV gigs, and commercials. Folks also was trying to nab that first interview since the attack and they were also reaching out for appearances.

When news broke that the attack could have been a hoax, the offers began to dry up. Once he was arrested on a felony charge of disorderly conduct in filing a false police report, people began to back away. As expected, no one is hitting him up right now...for anything.

As you know, "Empire" decided to axe Jussie's character from the last two episodes on the hit FOX series to keep tensions down on set. His co-stars are torn on whether to support him or not.

Yesterday, the actor was indicted by a Cook County grand jury on 16 felony charges for lying to the police. They charged him for his initial reports to Chicago PD and the other charges stem from his 2nd interview with the police. The allegations - "false report of offense”– are Class 4 felonies.

As previously reported, the Chicago PD has launched an internal investigation over concerns about information (some that was false) leaking to the media. That could possibly help him in his case.

About that indictment though, do you feel like they are doing the most? Jussie's lawyer, Mark Geragos, surely does.

After his client was brought up on 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct and false report of offense, Mark Geragos spoke out SLAMMING the indictment. He said the indictment was "overkill," "vindictive," and a "distraction" from the internal investigation into Jussie's case.

“The fact of an indictment was not unexpected,” Mark said. “We knew that there is no way they would expose their evidence to a public airing and subject their witnesses to cross-examination.” “What is unexpected, however, is the prosecutorial overkill in charging 16 separate counts against Jussie,” the CNN contributor added.

“This redundant and vindictive indictment is nothing more than a desperate attempt to make headlines in order to distract from the internal investigation launched to investigate the outrageous leaking of false information by the Chicago Police Department and the shameless and illegal invasion of Jussie’s privacy in tampering with his medical records,” the lawyer asserted. “Jussie adamantly maintains his innocence even if law enforcement has robbed him of that presumption.”

While 16 felony charges sound like an automatic long prison term, it may not be in Jussie's case. Deadline reports:

Each of the new charges carries a potential sentence of up to three years, though they are usually bundled together as one upon convictions. However, realistically, in cases likes this and with such Class 4 felonies, a plea bargain and probation is likely the outcome rather than a long-term jail sentence – unless Smollett decided he wanted to fight this at trial.

Thoughts?

Photo: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

SXSW PREMIERE: Jordan Peele Says 'Us' Reflects Our Country & The Real Evil Could Be Starring 'Us' In Our Face + 'Us' Frightens LA, NYC & ATL!

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Jordan Peele's new thriller US debuted at SXSW in Austin and the creator is dishing deets on what the horror film is about. And we're more shook. See the SXSW red carpet flicks, plus pics from the movie's LA, NYC and Atlanta screenings inside...

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Listen, we were shook when the first trailer for Jordan Peele's horror film Us dropped. Now, we're even more shooooook.

Last night, US was shown for the first time simultaneously across the United States. Jordan Peele - who wrote, directed and produced - made his way to Austin, TX for the US premiere during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals held at Paramount Theater. Opening for SXSW is a HUGE deal.

During his introduction to the movie, Peele made it clear that US is "about a lot of things."

 

The movie is about a financially comfortable family (played by Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi WrightJoseph, and Evan Alex) find themselves under attack by their doppelgangers while on vacation in Santa Cruz. Their doppelgangers are coming after them with a vengeance since their lives have been anything but easy. The obvious theme is that humans can be their own worst enemies, but Peele says there's a political theme as well.

“I have a very clear meaning and commentary I’m trying to strike with this film, but I also wanted to design a film that was very person for every individual,” said Peele. “On the broader stroke of things, this movie is about this country. And when I decided to write this movie, I was stricken by the fact we are in a time where we fear the other. Whether it is the mysterious invader that we think is going to come and kill us, take our jobs, or the faction that we don’t live near that voted a different way than us. We’re all about pointing the finger and I wanted to suggest that maybe the monster we really need to look at has our face. Maybe the evil is us.” 

Whew. A word. He also said Lupita "scared the sh*t out of me" when she was in character.

Anyone else feel like Jordan is about to be Alfred Hitchcock 2.0?

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Lupita Nyong'o served up futuristic vibes with her hair and makeup when she hit the carpet in a winter white cut-out Honayda suit and Lauren Klassen jewelry. Her hairstyle was inspired by Snoop Dogg and her makeup was inspired by the "fierce '80s music videos from artists like Annie Lennox, Grace Jones, and Daryl Hannah," according to her makeup artist Nick Barose.

Of course, he used all Lancôme products since she's the global ambassador.

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The whole US fam was also in the mix, including Winston Duke, Shahidi Wright Joseph, and Evan Alex.

 

In Los Angeles last night...

Celebs and tastemakers made their way to the Pacific Design Center for the first-look at the highly anticipated film simultaneously. Married couple John Legend and Chrissy Teigen left the kiddies at home for a hot date night.

Grammy nominated singer Janelle Monae was in the mix with her US t-shirt.

Fine a** Lance Gross came out to peep the horror flick.

Sorry To Bother You star LaKeith Stanfield showed off his edgy style.

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, who's working on the sequel, came out to support.

"Insecure" star Sarunas Jackson was all smiles.

Sports journalist Jemele Hil, radio personality Big Boy and TMZ writer Van Lanthan were also in the mix. 

 

In in Atlanta...

Folks made their way to SCAD Atlanta for the ATL screening. "RHOA" star Kandi Burruss, rapper David Banner, Kandi's family - Todd Tucker and Riley Burruss - rapper Ludacris, radio host Big Tigger and former reality star Monyetta Shaw came out to see the horror thriller: 

In the Big Apple...

 

"Power" star Naturi Naughton, Power 105's Angela Yee, fashion designer Dapper Don, "The View" co-host Sunny Hostin, activist DeRay Mckesson, journalist Shaun King and his daughter were in attendance at the Whitby Hotel for the US screening:

TheYBF.com was in the mix too at the NYC screening.  Check out ourIG Stories for what went down.

US hits theaters March 22nd. Y'all ready?

Photos: Robin Marshall/Dave Kotinsky /Paras Griffin Getty Images for Universal Pictures

YBF PODCAST: R.Kelly, White Reality TV, 'Marriage Bootcamp' Foolery & 'Wish A MFer Would!'-isms

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We're recapping the foolery of the week on the latest episode of The YBF Podcast.  Listen inside.

 

 

Natasha's friend Darius is back in the hot topics seat with her to chop it up about the foolery of the week.

Before going BACK to jail over child support (and getting out today), R.Kelly failed miserably at his Oscar performance audition that was his interview with the most unbothered queen in America - Gayle King.  White reality tv has us stressed out, Soulja Boy & Nia Riley's abusive relationship has us mad disturbed on "Marriage Bootcamp", so does Lil Mo & Karl Durgan's "marriage", "Leaving Neverland" and Oprah's reaction to it, and Tamron Hall's pregnancy announcement makes Natasha get REAL about the ish women over 25 or 30 have to deal with when deciding whether to have kids.

 

 

Photos: Getty

J.Lo & A-Rod Make It Official, They're Engaged! See That MASSIVE Rock!

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We DEF saw this coming, and clearly so did Alex Rodriguez who was seemingly just waiting on this massive a-- rock to be finished or his new fiancé Jennifer Lopez. Get into the couple's engagement news inside.

She said YES! Future Hall of Famer Alex Rodriguez dropped the news with a killer Instagram post late Saturday night while he and everyody's fave Fly Girl turned actress/singer/producer mogul, Jennifer Lopez, were on one of their umpteen baecations. JLo loves an engagement and a wedding, doesn't she?  We love love too, so we're not even mad.

A-Rod and JLo put up matching posts on their social media pages showing off this crater of a ring, an emerald cut diamond that reminds us a lot of Beyoncé's bomb 10 carat engagement ring.

The twosome are currently in their happy place on a beach, so it's only right that's where Alex popped the question:

 

Jenny posted the same pic and tagged Ellen Degeneres, who joked with her back in November that Alex needs to step it up after her "El Anillo" song dropped. 

 

And here we are.

 
 
 
 
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Down time

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When the New York born and bred couple started dating 2 years ago, it was almost crazy how they weren't ALREADY a longtime married couple.  They're both divorced with similar Latin backgrounds, 2 kids a piece, both keep reinventing themselves in high powered careers, and both at the top of their game in their respective lanes. 

And they still level up each other's lives - JLo gives A-Rod an extra dose of star power and Alex gives her major credibility and advice when it comes to business.

 

Plus, when they pose it up with their kids as one big happy family, they look like they've been one family all along.  Cute.

By the way, a man who goes to great lengths every time to make sure he gets all your best angles for the 'Gram is a damn keeper.

We've been saying since they went public with their relationship that they're literally a perfect match on paper. They seem to be living their best lives together in real life too, attached at the hip and madly in love. Maybe third time's (second time's for Alex) def the charm for Jenny.

 

Congrats!

 

Photos: Instagram/Joe Seer & DFree for Shutterstock.com

'SNL' Wins The Night With R. Kelly 'Call Me Victim' Jokes + Host Idris Elba Morphs Into An Angry White Woman + WNBA Gold Diggers Spotlight Unequal Pay

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"Saturday Night Live" hit hard with the R. Kelly jokes, while fie AF in his green suit Idris Elba brought the laughs as an angry white woman. Get your laugh on inside...

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Gayle King's explosive interview with R. Kelly was definitely the highlight of the week, so it's no surprise "Saturday Night Live" decided to do a parody skit. And, of course, it's funny AF.

In the skit, Leslie Jones played unbothered Gayle King and Kenan Thompson played off-the-rails R. Kelly where Kenan served up the perfect performance of the embattled singer, insisting he was a "victim" and he would break out into song at a moment's notice. As you know, Robert Kelly is facing 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges and has maintained his innocence.

“People think that I’m some kind of monster. I’m here to remove all the doubt. My lawyer was telling me no, but my ego, my ego was telling me yes,” Kenan said, which was a play on Kelly's "Bump 'N Grind" lyrics.

Kenan would randomly break into song a la "Trapped In The Closet".

“It’s ten o’clock in the morning and I’m talking to Oprah’s friend. If I can just get through this, everybody’s gonna love me again," Kenan sung.

When asked about LIFETIME's "Surviving R. Kelly" docu-series, fake Kellz got super emotional.

“These people made a six-part documentary about me. Six! That’s almost ten and not one of them said a nice thing about me. They made it seem like I was the devil, and even if I was, you can’t think of one nice thing to say about the devil?”

“I can,” he added. “Nice horns, gives good advice.”

Lordt.

Kenan ranted just like Kelly did in the interview and Leslie hit him with that epic "Robert..."  Ha.

Get your laugh on below:

 

Also...

"SNL" star Pete Davidson compared R. Kelly's situation to people who still support the Catholic Church.

“If you support the Catholic church, isn’t that the same thing as being an R. Kelly fan?” he asked. “I don’t really see the difference, only one’s music is significantly better."

Pete also brought up the most recent sexual assault allegations made against the late Michael Jackson:

“I’m not saying it’s an easy decision, I’m just saying you don’t know how good someone’s music really is until you find out they’re a pedophile,” he continued. “And the reason everybody’s so upset is because R. Kelly and Michael Jackson made great music. If I found out Macklemore did some stuff, I’d be happy to free up the space on my iPhone.”

Peep the clip above.

 

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Fine a** Idris Elba made his "Saturday Night Live" debut last night, hitting the stage in a green suit for his opening monologue. Damn, he's fine. The British hottie, who stars in the upcoming Netflix comedy series "Turn Up Charlie," did a run down of how he made it big in Hollywood. He went from a club bouncer, to a DJ, to landing a spot on "The Wire," and the rest is history. Check it:

 

Over the last year or so, white women have been transformed into epic social media memes for calling the cops on black people for the most ridiculous things. We have BBQ Betty, Permit Patty, and Cornerstore Caroline, to name a few. Well, don't mess with Idris when he's angry because he'll turn into an impossible white lady, dubbed The Impossible Hulk. They should have named her Aggressive Annie.

Peep the clip below:

In the "Gold Diggers" clip...

Idris, Kenan and Chris Redd are male WNBA gold diggers looking to nab them a professional basketball star so they can "live the good life." Problem is, WNBA stars don't get paid as much as NBA stars. And the skit was spot on with shining light on how the woman aren't paid fairly and then told us why. Peep the clip above.

As for the musical entertainment...

Grammy nominated singer Khalid hit the stage to perform his hit "Better." Get into his soulful set above.

 

By the way, Idris' "Turn Up Charlie" premieres March 15th on Netflix.

Photos: Will Heath/Rosalind O'Connor/NBC


George Foreman Speaks Out After His Daughter Freeda Foreman Is Found Dead Inside Her Home

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Freeda Foreman - daughter of former heavyweight champion George Foreman - was found dead inside of her Houston home. Details surrounding her death, plus what George Foreman posted inside...

In terribly sad news, Freeda Foreman - daughter of former heavyweight champion George Foreman - has passed away at the age of 42. According to KTRK, the 42-year-old former boxer was found unresponsive in her suburban Houston home. It's reported a family member found her late Saturday.

Right now, Freeda's cause of death is unclear and police officials don't suspect foul play.

Born in 1976, Freedom followed in her dad's footsteps, becoming a professional boxer in 2000. As a professional, she won her first five fights. After losing her sixth fight, she ended up retiring from the sport to focus on her family and other projects. She then became a boxing promoter.

Freeda leaves behind a husband, two daughters, three grandchildren, her parents, and 11 siblings. She's one of Foreman’s seven daughters.

This morning, George Foreman posted to Twitter following his daughter's death:

 

Hundreds of fans have been offering up their condolences to the boxing champ. We send ours to the Foreman family as well.

Stay strong, champ! 

Photos: Getty

GUESS WHO'S BIZACK?! Kimora Lee Simmons Relaunches Baby Phat With Daughters Ming & Aoki Lee Simmons

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Kimora Lee Simmons is relaunching her iconic Baby Phat brand and she's bringing her daughters - Ming& Aoki Lee Simmons - on board to help. More inside...

Fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons - who we've noticed is going by Kimora Lee Simmons Lessiner these days - is bringing back her uber popular streetwear brand, Baby Phat. If you're old enough, you remember the Baby Phat bomber jackets, sweatsuits, and jeans with the sexy cat logo embroidered on the back. And those epic fashion shows.

Under the Phat Fashions brand (created by her ex-husband Russell Simmons), Baby Phat was def a staple on the fashion scene in the early 2000s (it launched in 1999) and it was one of Phat Fashions’ most profitable brands with sales in excess of $1 billion. Phat Fashions was sold to Kellwood in 2004, and Kimora ended up parting ways with the company in 2010 after they fell on hard times.

Now, it's making a comeback.

The former model recently purchased the brand, although, she won't reveal the purchasing price.

“We had to hunt around to find it," was her answer to how much she had to cough up to get her brand back.

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The mom/mogul revealed to WWD that her teenage daughters -Ming Lee Simmons& Aoki Lee Simmons- are the reason she wanted to relaunch the brand.

“It’s perfect timing for this,” she said. “Over the past several years, we realized the brand resonates with people and lives deep in their souls.”

Kimora said young people like her 16-and 19-year-old daughters - who were a staple in the shows when they could barely walk - have a "need for messaging" that is similar to what Baby Phat did during its prime twenty years ago.

So, when can fans expect to cop pieces? Soon! The label is set to relaunch this spring. Here's what you can expect from the new line:

It will be a “mainstream sportswear” collection for Millennials targeted to the mid-tier retail level. She plans on tapping into her “amazing personal archive” as inspiration for the collection, which will have “retro” elements that will be modernized, as well as new looks.

So expect a hint of nostalgia — including the brand’s signature Baby Phat rhinestone T — along with “new messaging,” she said. “We’re working fast and furiously and have a lot up our sleeves.”

Leissner said a collaboration will also be part of the relaunch, but she is keeping the details of that under wraps for now.

The fashion designer - who still owns her high-end KLS women's collection - made the announcement as she joined UN Women and the Gender Innovation Coalition for Change to celebrate International Women's Day.

Peep her interview with Bloomberg Markets and Finance where she announces the relaunch and a new "She Innovates" initiative below:

Will you be dropping coins on Baby Phat 2.0?

Photo: Kimora Lee Simmons

Lupita Nyong'o Credits African-American Women For The Natural Hair Revolution, Explains Why She's Not Defined By Her Hair

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Natural hair slayer Lupita Nyong'o graces the cover of Net-A-Porter's PorterEDIT where she talks about African-American women changing the hair game and learning to embrace her own natural hair. More inside...

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Lupita Nyong'o is no stranger to heating up the magazine circuit, whether print or digital. And she's not afraid of rocking her own natural coils for covers, photoshoot spreads, red carpets, and anywhere really.

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Since she popped up on the Hollywood scene, the Oscar winner has been championing natural styles, serving up au natural hairstyles on the carpet, proving you don't have to have a head full of weave or wiggery to look chic, fierce and fabulous.

The Kenyan beauty covers NET-A-PORTER's weekly digital magazine, PorterEdit, where she credits African-American women for being at the forefront of the natural hair revolution.

"There’s been a whole revolution, led by African America for sure, where we are embracing our natural hair texture and returning to a past glory," the 36-year-old dished to the magazine.

Not to be defined by her hair, Lupita - who stars in Jordan Peele's horror film US - loves to do different things with her hair with help from her hairstylist, Vernon François. He was the mastermind behind her Snopp Dogg-inspired look on the red carpet at the US premiere during SXSW.

“I don’t feel defined by my hair, and I think that’s why I like to play with it. I remember when I was a teenager in Kenya, I had relaxed hair and I decided on a whim that I was going to cut it all off and grow my hair natural. I’d been going to the same hairstylist for years – he was a Kenyan, like me, and when I went natural, he didn’t know what to do with it. He was like, ‘They don’t teach us how to style natural hair in school.’"

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The Black Panther starlet said she'll see a hairstyle out on the streets, snap a picture of it, and will send it to her hairstylist to see if he can recreate with some of his own flare added to it. She said she hopes to show little girls who have hair like hers that they can get creative with their styles.

“My hairstylist Vernon François is great. Though [his styles] may be fresh, they’re not original. We look at images [from the past], then apply it to who we are today. I think part of it is that when my previous hairdresser said he didn’t know what to do with my hair, I didn’t know what to do with my hair either, because I hadn’t seen [what was possible]. I was just in Benin [in West Africa] and I saw this woman with a gorgeous hairdo and I took a picture of it. I was like, ‘Okay, research.’ When you see it, then you know it can happen and then you can make it happen. For me, the red carpet and [shoots like] this are opportunities to provide another image that can be a reference for some girl somewhere with hair like me to get creative.”

At a young age, Lupita realized she was a feminist before she even knew the term.

“I come from a very sexist society [growing up in Kenya]. I did need to be conditioned for that kind of world, but it was always a step removed from my home life. My outlook from very young was that women can do whatever they want," she shared.

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"I remember a teacher saying, ‘You can’t whistle. You’re a girl,’ and I was like, ‘Yes, I can,’ and I whistled some more. I didn’t understand what he was saying. I was a tomboy. I would climb trees. But it was like, ‘Don’t climb trees. You’re a girl.’ I’m like, ‘But my feet work. Why would I not want to climb a tree?’ I was just raised different. My mom used to work for the International Planned Parenthood Federation, so she’s always been involved in women’s issues. My father raised us without any regard to our gender. I was a feminist before I knew that was a term. When I heard Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s speech, We Should All Be Feminists, I was like, ‘Oh, I’m a feminist. That’s what I’ve been talking about all this time.’”

Cute.

You can read her full interview here.

Also, check her behind-the-scenes interview during her photoshoot here:

Photos: Paola Kudacki via Net-A-Porter

Chance The Rapper Marries His Childhood Sweetheart Kirsten Corley, Kanye & Kim, Dave Chappelle & Kirk Franklin In The Mix

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Chance The Rapper married his childhood sweetheart Kirsten Corley over the weekend and several of his celeb friends were in attendance. Go inside the nuptials....

Chance The Rapper is now Chance The Husband! 

 

 
 
 
 
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The Bennetts

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The Grammy Award winner tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend/mother of his daughter, Kirsten Corley, in an intimate outdoor ceremony at the Pelican Hill resort in Newport Beach, California.

The couple said "I Do" in front of 150 of their closest family and friends as they stood under a huge rotunda that overlooked the ocean. Gorge. The decorations were all white with white roses lining the aisle and scattered white petals, a source told E! News.

"The bride, Kirsten, wore a strapless white dress and Chance wore a white tux with a black bow tie. It was a romantic ceremony and a string quartet played as they entered. In the middle of the ceremony, their little daughter Kensli ran up and Chance picked her up and held her. It was very sweet and loving to watch."

Aww!

Before he made it down the aisle, he shared a super sweet story about how he and Kirsten met.

“I knew I was gonna marry that girl,” he tweeted. “Sixteen years later it’s happening. This wknd is the time, and the place is my wedding. I’m gonna dance with my wife because this is my destiny.”

Read the full story HERE and grab some tissues. It'll have you teary-eyed.

Also, Chance and Kirsten have actually been legally married for a few months already. According to the Chicago Tribune, they wed in a civil ceremony at the Cook County clerk's office in Chicago on December 27th.

Several of Chance's celeb friends came out to celebrate his union, including rapped/Chi-town native Kanye West and his wife, comedian Dave Chappelle and gospel singer Kirk Franklin. His dad was all smiles.

"Me and the men who mentored me," Chance captioned on IG.

 

 

It's reported the Wests were the last guests to arrive, so that's probably why they're standing up in the back in the pictures above.

The Coloring Book rapper popped the question to Kirsten on the 4th of July last year during a family cookout in Chicago. They welcomed their daughter, Kensli, in 2015. They broke up in 2016 and reconciled the following year.

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Chance's brother, Taylor Bennett, and his girlfriend/son's mother, Kayla, snapped a pic together on their way to the wedding.

Twinsies!

After the nuptials...

 

 

The happy couple showed off their wedding rings. Cute!

Congrats, Chance & Kirsten!

Photos: Chance's IG/Taylor's IG

Tinashe, Draya, Julissa Bermudez & More Get Colorful For Christian Cowan's Powerpuff Girls Show + Phaedra Parks Supports Kym Whitley At Book Signing

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Tinashe, Draya, Julissa Bermudez and more hit up Christian Cowan's colorful Powerpuff Girls fashion show and they looked the part. Go inside to see their 'fits, plus shots of Phaedra Parks and Kym Whitley kiki'n it up at her Atlanta book signing....

In honor of International Women’s Day, Christian Cowan teamed up with Cartoon Network's crime-fighting girl squad, The Powerpuff Girls, for an extra colorful fashion show in Los Angeles. The designer and the makers of the girl squad put together a collection to benefit "She's The First," a non-profit that fights gender inequality through education.

All the ladies got dressed up in colorful and sparkly outfits to fit the theme of the fashion show. Singer Tinashe, who recently split with RCA Records, rolled up on the scene in a silver metallic Christian Cowan mini dress paired with Rene Caovilla Cleo platform sandals and Jennifer Fisher Karla hoops.

Sitting on the front row, Tinashe snapped it up with German singer-songwriter Kim Petras.

Besties Draya (who's currently in Mexico) and Julissa Bermudez were also on the scene, dressed in vibrant colors to match the theme of the show.

 

 

Before she made it to the show, Julissa flexed in her neon green dress.

Shantel Jackson - Nelly's fiancee - didn't rock a bold or bright color, but she came through with the bling.

 

Styled by Zadrian Smith, "Bunk'd" star Skai Jackson looked like a real-life Powerpuff girl in a green Christian Cowan dress from the Fall 2019 collection paired with Ruthie Davis sandals.

 

Peep a clip from the runway show below:

 

Fun times. 

Down South...

Famed actress/comedian Kym Whitley jetted to Atlanta for a private book signing for her urban fiction book, "Delusion of Cinderella." Former "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Phaedra Parks hosted the lavish signing inside her Buckhead home.

Werk, Phae!

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Kym also looked great.

Kym's Delusion of Cinderella is at bookstores and online.

 

Photos: Getty/Splash/Instar/Paras Griffin

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