• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 10, 2023

Egyptian Broadcaster Making Queen Cleopatra Film With Light-Skinned Actress

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The people of Egypt are not here for the Black actress Netflix has cast in its Queen Cleopatra docudrama and will make their own version that highlights the “light skin” they believe the real queen had.

On Wednesday, the Al Wathaeqya channel—a government-owned Egyptian broadcaster with the country’s United Media Services— announced it will start production on a high-end docudrama about Queen Cleopatra based on the “utmost levels” of research and accuracy, NBC News reports.

The new Egyptian-made film comes in response to the backlash Netflix received for casting a Black actress to play Cleopatra in the Jada Pinkett Smith-produced docudrama series African Queens. Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities was among the vocal opponents of the Netflix docudrama with the government entity in charge of heritage claiming the mixed-race British actress Adele James does not represent the real queen. They say belonged to a Greek-speaking dynasty and of European descent.

“Statues of Queen Cleopatra confirm that she had Hellenistic (Greek) features, distinguished by light skin, a drawn-out nose and thin lips.” the Council tweeted.

News of Egypt’s Queen Cleopatra film came the same day Egyptian lawyer Amr Abdel Salam filed an urgent lawsuit with the Administrative Court demanding Egyptian authorities force Netflix to suspend its Queen Cleopatra documentary, the Egypt Independent reports.

Egyptian comedian and journalist Bassem Youssef also slammed Netflix’s docudrama as a falsification of history that was “stealing my culture.”

“We are not supposed to be angry for [depicting] Cleopatra as white, black, Greek, or African. We should take the dialogue to an area where people can respect you and support you, without alienating them,” he said.

The outrage over African Queens isn’t surprising, considering that Kevin Hart canceled a show in Egypt after upsetting the country by reportedly calling its residents Black.

RELATED CONTENT: Kevin Hart Show in Egypt Canceled: Egyptians Reportedly Outraged He Called Them Black

• News

by Iman Milner

May 10, 2023

Nia Long To Be Honored At Reel Works ChangeMakers Gala

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Nia Long is once again proving that her time is always now!

Later this month, Long will be recognized as a 2023 ChangeMaker for her and television roles spanning nearly four decades by Reel Works, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The 52-year-old actress is enjoying continued success and further cementing her legacy with rave reviews in projects like You People and The Best Man: The Final Chapters. It is the type of career resurgence that is not always possible for women over 40 in the industry, especially Black women.

Long is aware of how seldom a moment like the one she’s been having can come around for artists.

She told Collider earlier this year, “One never knows when all these projects are going to come out, so you just do the work when it comes and you hope that it’s good, and you just move forward. For everything to be coming out at once, I’m not going to lie, it’s a little overwhelming, but I’m grateful. I’m grateful, and I feel blessed, and I feel this body of work is very diverse and very different.”

When Long is called upon she delivers with the sort of grace and skill that is only rivaled by few. This approach and her commitment to giving voice to the women she plays that helped Reel Works choose the Love Jones actress to be honored.

“It is a privilege to highlight Nia Long’s illustrious career and the barriers she has broken as part of this year’s Reel Works ChangeMakers Gala,” said Reel Works CEO and co-founder John Williams. “Nia, Val [Boreland] and Ego [Nwodim] all stand as inspirations for our students, and we look forward to welcoming these industry-leading women with open arms into the community we have built here.”

“To be recognized by an organization like Reel Works that works to empower the next generation of creatives is the highest of honors,” Long said. “I am incredibly grateful to the team there for including me in this special evening and inviting me to share in their students’ compelling storytelling.”

That Nia Long reign just won’t let up.

The tradition of a championship team being invited to the White House may not be as glamorous as in previous years. 

Here’s another example. According to CNN, the University of Georgia football team, which recently won the national championship, has declined to visit the White House. The June 12 date wasn’t doable apparently. 

The University of Georgia’s Athletic Association released a written statement that the date was not “feasible” for the football team, but they were “appreciative of the invitation and look forward to other opportunities for Georgia teams moving forward.”

The Bulldogs demolished the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs 65-7 in January’s NCAA College Football Playoff National Championship. It was the Bulldogs’ second straight championship and completed a 15-0 season.

The team wasn’t invited to the White House after last year’s championship due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Earlier this week, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden said the White House will host the winner of the NCAA Woman’s Basketball Championship, the Louisiana State University Tigers, as well as the men’s NCAA Basketball Championship winners, the University of Connecticut Huskies, on May 26.

Previously, there was speculation if the LSU Tigers would accept an invitation to the White House because the Tigers, with a team of primarily Black players, beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, whose team comprises mainly white players. Jill Biden, in what many labeled a racist move, said both teams should be invited to the White House, which had never been done. 

The Tigers’ star Angel Reese and her teammates were offended by the offer. Later, in an interview on ESPN’s SportsCenter, Reese confirmed she will join her teammates at the White House. The invite is just whipped cream on a run of endorsements for Reese, which include a deal with Mercedes Benz dealership and a spot in Sports Illustrated‘s Swimsuit Issue.  

• News

by Iman Milner

May 10, 2023

‘Real Housewives of Miami’ Star Guerdy Abraira Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis

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Real Housewives of Miami star Guerdy Abraira revealed her breast cancer diagnosis alongside a warning for other women via an Instagram post.

Abraira said she received the news from her doctor while “having the time of my life” in St. Barts.

“It took me a while to process it all and this is why I took a break from social media last month as many noticed,” she said. “For now I am preparing for my upcoming surgery and then will come my treatment plan. This process is definitely intense and what I ask of you is empowerment not pity.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Guerdy Abraira, Event Stylist (@guerdydesign)

The 45-year-old reality TV fan favorite’s diagnosis follows a recent report that suggests Black women should consider doing early screening for breast cancer.

“Guidelines for screening actually already do recommend basing a woman’s time to initiate screening on the risk of developing cancer, though race and ethnicity have not been traditional factors that go into these decisions,” Dr. Rachel Freedman, a breast oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute told CNN earlier this year.

Most women follow the recommendation to start mammograms at 50; however, family history and personal choice can sometimes cause them to start them earlier. Early detection can be a lifesaver for Black women, who account for 12% of the lifetime breast cancer risk for American women.

Abraira expressed gratitude for having her diagnosis at the beginning of her journey. “I am lucky that this breast cancer was discovered at an early stage—it is still scary of course, but I have love and support from those around me and that alone is the fuel that I need,” she said. She also offered encouraging words for women who may be putting off finding out where they stand. “For those who do not get health checks regularly, I urge you to. Your life depends on it.”

A Los Angeles-based cosmetologist received backlash from the internet after weaving her 3-year-old daughter’s hair. 

The hairstylist outlined the process via TikTok, where she performed the step-by-step service on the child.

The mother who goes by Allthajazzglaminc stated that her daughter Cady used to pull at her hair leaving bald patches in the back and sides of her head.

The professional hairstylist decided to mask the bald spots by adding kinky textured hair extensions that closely matched the child’s natural hair.  

@allthatjazzglamincould you put a sew in in your toddlers hair?! I mean y’all are doing braids with braiding hair and beads and crochets so what’s the difference? She has only raw human hair in her head and it’s undetectable! We used @designessentials products for her shampoo and love how the Honey Crème adds a ton of humectants to her hair and allows our conditioner to seal in moisture. The (1/4) of a bundle was the deep curly texture from @theglamstrand Cady LOVED the outcome!♬ original sound – ALL THAT JAZZ GLAM INC

The mother gave a detailed explanation of how she added the weave to her daughter’s hair pointing out that she was careful not to add extra tension to her three-year-old’s scalp. 

The mom said wanted to give her child an age-appropriate hairstyle. 

“We’re not trying to add super length, we’re not trying to give grown, we are trying to give three-year-old” the mother said in the now-viral video. 

Social media users were quick to share their disdain for the mother’s decision and the hairstyle for various reasons. Some expressed the sew-in technique would cause damage to the little girl’s scalp while others deemed the weave to be unnecessary for a child of that age. 

“Nothing is wrong with babies being bald. They’re babies. It’s adorable,” said Twitter user @Darkskinellie1

 Already projecting your insecurities on a baby is crazy.”  said @bitbyawolfvia on Twitter 

Indoctrinating children into desirability practices is what needs to be spoken on cause why are you that insecure about your own baby’s hair like this??? https://t.co/aCh21QhUEH

— Mareesha W (@doulamareesha) May 8, 2023

The stylist also received a tremendous amount of support from social media users.  

“Cady’s Hair looks super cute and she looks happy. Great job, mom,” said Instagram user Youplusfabulous.

These mixed reactions are par for the course. Hair has always been a sensitive issue for Black women and girls, but the TikiTok mom seems to be taking all the critique in stride. 

“Opinions are Opinions but as a tenured cosmetologist, I know what I’m doing. We’re excited to show you guys the growth,” she said. 

RELATED CONTENT: Netflix’s ‘Queen Charlotte’ Star Shares Emotional Response To Feeling Seen By Hairstylists on Set

Don’t even try to associate Lionel Richie’s good looks with plastic surgery. The music legend says his ageless beauty is thanks to three key ingredients that don’t include knives and needles.

The “All Night Long” singer was at the eighth annual Hollywood Beauty Awards where he explained why he’s never gone under the knife to perfect his physical appearance, like many of his Hollywood counterparts.

“[Plastic surgery] locks you in for that year [while you recover]—and after that you can’t go naturally, you’re staying right there,” Richie told The Daily Mail. “You try and go back to reset, and you can’t,’ he said, adding: ‘[And] that s*** goes wrong!'”

According to the 73-year-old musician, getting plastic surgery might alter his natural appearance too much ahead of meeting his maker.

“God might not recognize me, so I want to make sure he knows me,” Richie joked.

As to what Richie does to maintain his youthful look after more than seven decades of life, the “We Are The World” contributor credits his appearance to the wonders of water, sleep, and good loving.

“Water, sleep, and sweat, not too much red meat,” he said about how he takes care of himself. “I know it’s real boring. [Sex] will work also and it’s good for your heart.”

His comments come after he sparked speculation about his ageless appearance during his performance at a concert in celebration of the coronation of King Charles on Sunday night.

“How is Lionel Richie 73, he looks so young 😳,” one person wrote on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Hannn_95x/status/1655305402039386112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

“he’s had so much Botox that’s why😂,” one user wrote in response.

But the answer is no, according to Richie, who has been dating Swiss-Caribbean model Lisa Parigi since 2014, according to Hollywood Life.

With a 40-year age gap between them, Richie likely works hard to keep up with his much younger girlfriend. That hard work is paying off.

RELATED CONTENT: Lionel Richie to Receive 2022 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize

• News

by Iman Milner

May 10, 2023

‘His Name Is George Floyd’ Wins Pulitzer Prize For Best Nonfiction Book

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The murder of George Floyd reverberated around the world, inspiring a modern-day civil rights movement and a host of creative projects paying homage to the slain father of one.

One such artistic endeavor is now the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for the best general nonfiction book. His Name Is George Floyd, was co-authored by Washington Post reporters Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa. The book chronicles the history of systemic racism that affected every aspect of Floyd’s life—from his family’s roots in North Carolina to the endless fight for equality in housing, education, healthcare, criminal justice and policing—leading up to his untimely and tragic death.

Samuels broke the news of the momentous occasion via Twitter, saying, “I hope this Pulitzer recognition helps to extend and vivify this necessary conversation we need to have in this country about the roots of our problems. And to remind people that George Floyd’s life mattered—truly mattered—[to] the many who loved him.”

I hope this Pulitzer recognition helps to extend and vivify this necessary conversation we need to have in this country, about the roots of our problems. And to remind people that George Floyd’s life mattered – truly mattered – the many who loved him: https://t.co/77A4H9uH8a

— Robert Samuels (@newsbysamuels) May 9, 2023

Since Floyd’s murder at the hands of Derek Chauvin, the eyes of the country have seemed to gain more clarity around the root of the injustices that the Black community has faced. This is something Samuels and Olorunnipa make a key in their story about Floyd.

With access to his journals, Samuels says that what they revealed was a man whose life was much more than just the last 8 minutes the world was able to see“There’s this stereotype that a person who looks like George Floyd, with his size and his education level, that probably would not be very introspective. But when those diary entries and letters and text messages were shown, that’s not what we saw. We saw a person who really thought about his position in the world, but also a sense of optimism and persistence about life,” Samuels told MPR News.

• News

by Iman Milner

May 10, 2023

Congressman George Santos In Federal Custody, Indicted On 13 Counts

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New York Republican Rep. George Santos is in federal custody after the Justice Department unsealed a 13-count indictment resulting in his arrest.

According to CNN, his charges include seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives. Santos, who gained notoriety through his outlandish comments and over-exaggeration of his experience and knowledge in the political landscape, is expected to appear in federal court in New York’s Eastern District later today.

Santos is being accused of using money supplied by his supporters to fund his lavish lifestyle before his election to Congress and telling mistruths to gain sympathy. According to the indictment, he “executed a scheme to defraud supporters of his candidacy for the House and to obtain money from them by fraudulently inducing them to contribute funds” to an LLC he ran under the pretense that the cash would be used to support his candidacy. Instead, the Congressman spent “thousands of dollars of the solicited funds on personal expenses, including luxury designer clothing and credit card payments,” according to Insider.

Then there were more alleged lies.

After officially taking office in 2023, reports began to surface about several key aspects of his background, used to aid in his election, being false. The lies included the circumstances surrounding the death of his mother, his employment history, and two universities he claimed to be an alumnus of—which he later denied attending. Running on Trump-era talking points—promises to restore the “greatness” of the country and to “take it back” from outsiders—Santos had clear intentions to vie for reelection in 2024 before his indictment. Positing himself alongside right-wing trolls hasn’t seemed to work to his benefit, as many in the Republican Party have motioned to have him step down from his position. “I would love to see someone new run because I can tell you that we will hold that seat and so the sooner Santos leaves, the sooner we can get someone in there that is not a liar,” New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said, according to CNN.

Santos is not afraid of losing his seat in Congress, even in the face of these charges. He will still be allowed to participate in congressional proceedings and considerations.

After successfully evading attorneys trying to serve him papers in a lawsuit against FTX celebrity endorsers, Shaquille O’Neal was finally served the legal documents. But not so fast! According to lawyers representing O’Neal, he was never properly served, and because of this, the claims against the NBA Hall of Famer should be dismissed.

According to Business Insider, in a recent court filing, Shaq’s attorneys said the legal paperwork was “tossed” in front of Shaq’s car as he drove away from his Georgia residence. They also claim the documents were left “on the road where they landed.”

“Mr. O’Neal has not evaded service by failing to be at the residences where plaintiffs belatedly attempted service or by driving past strangers who approached his car.”

This latest action by the TNT commentator has placed Adam Moskowitz, managing partner at The Moskowitz Law Firm, in disbelief.

In a written statement to the media outlet, he says, “It is really disappointing and surreal. The video will show Mr. O’Neal finally being served, after many months of hiding, as he attempts to possibly injure the process server. We expected better from an officer of the law. Mr. O’Neal and his lawyers need to stop running and finally deal with the serious allegations.”

In March, Moskowitz tweeted that his law firm finally got the paperwork to Shaq after he evaded them for months. He represents investors in the cryptocurrency company FTX who filed a class-action lawsuit against the retired basketball player and other celebrities who endorsed the firm.

Earlier this year, The New York Post reported that Shaq was successfully avoiding being served the legal documents from the lawsuit. O’Neal is among several celebrities named in the case filed in December based on their involvement with the bankrupted cryptocurrency company FTX. Other stars, like NBA champion Stephen Curry, and NFL champion, Tom Brady, were also named in the lawsuit filed by an investor in the company, Edwin Garri.

The company, previously the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange behind Binance, filed for bankruptcy in November.

Tariq Trotter, also known as the lead vocalist Black Thought of the hip-hop band, The Roots, is releasing a new book set for release on Nov. 14.

He announced via an Instagram post shared with his followers that his book, “The Upcycled Self,” would be released this fall and published under the One World imprint of Random House Books.

 

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A post shared by Black Thought (@blackthought)

The book is available for preorder on Amazon for $26.99 for the hardcover—no word yet if there will be a paperback or e-book available for purchase as well.

A description of the book on the Penguin Random House website reads, “The Upcycled Self explores Black Thought’s mind frame as he expresses the dramatic stories of the “four powerful relationships” that molded him—community, friends, art, and family. It’s the “beautifully bluesy story of a boy genius’s coming of age that illuminates the redemptive power of the upcycle.”

Less than two years ago, Black Thought released an Audible Original project, “7 Years,” that took us on a journey from the beginning of his career as a burgeoning rapper.

In another Instagram post, he acknowledged the Audible project showcased “important periods” that shaped him into the man he had become.

“It’s inspired by one of my life theories that every 7 years, I should be actively working to become better creatively, emotionally, personally, and mentally as my body also changes and new cells replace the old. So in this piece of words and music, I’m sharing some of these key important periods that have made me into the man I am today—with an original musical score that highlights the very first freestyle I ever wrote to our @theroots classics to performances of some of my more recent pieces.”

By penning the book, he joins his drummer, business partner, and bandmate, Questlove, who recently released a book of his own last month called “The Rhyme of Time.”