Ludacris Bails On MAGA-Coded ‘Rock The Country’ Tour Amid Fan Backlash
The rapper’s team says his inclusion on the 2026 tour was a 'mix-up.'
Ludacris is no longer scheduled to appear on Kid Rock’s “Rock the Country” festival after his name briefly appeared on the tour’s 2026 lineup, prompting swift backlash from fans online. Representatives for both the festival and the rapper confirmed this week that his inclusion was unintentional.
The country music tour launched by Kid Rock in 2024 unveiled its 2026 lineup on Jan. 12, with Kid Rock once again headlining. The bill also featured Jason Aldean, Nelly, and a wide range of artists spanning rock and country music. Ludacris’s name appeared on the promotional poster alongside Nelly’s but was quietly removed by the morning of Jan. 16.
A spokesperson for “Rock the Country” confirmed to Rolling Stone that Ludacris would no longer be part of the festival and referred further questions to the rapper’s representatives. Ludacris’s team told the outlet the situation stemmed from an internal error. “It was a mix-up,” the representative said. “Lines got crossed and he wasn’t supposed to be on there.”
Reaction from fans was immediate, particularly from those who view the festival as aligned with President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. One fan posted a video on Instagram criticizing the rapper’s apparent involvement. “Luda, bro, what are you doing? I’m so confused,” the person said. “You got 48 hours to issue a statement… you got 48 hours to let us know you’re about to cancel this contract.”
While Ludacris has exited the lineup, Nelly remains one of the tour’s featured performers. The rapper performed during the festival’s inaugural run in 2024 and later appeared at President Trump’s 2025 inauguration. Nelly defended that decision at the time, citing his family’s military background. “I was born in a military base in Austin. My father served, my grandfather served, my uncle served, my auntie served,” he said. “If these people can give their life for the office, Nelly can perform for it.”
Although “Rock the Country” is not formally billed as a political event, it has included overt political moments. During the 2024 tour, Gavin Adcock launched an onstage rant against then-President Joe Biden, shouting, “F*** you Joe Biden, you c***sucking motherf***er.” That same year, Trump introduced Kid Rock’s set via a prerecorded video, declaring, “Fight, fight, fight, win, win, win, for the American people.”
Despite the controversy, the 2026 tour is moving forward with a high-profile roster. Along with Kid Rock and Aldean, the lineup includes Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Brooks & Dunn, Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, and others. The tour is set to visit eight U.S. cities, beginning May 1–2 in Belleville, Texas.
Industry observers note that the presence of mainstream country stars highlights a growing openness within Nashville toward Trump-aligned events, a shift from the industry’s more cautious approach during his first term.
Minneapolis Journalist On ICE Killing, Civil Rights Reckoning, And What Mass Media Is Missing
According to independent journalist Georgia Fort, a Minnesota native, Minneapolis did not become a flashpoint overnight.
Last week, 37-year-old Renee Good was fatally shot during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, sparking outrage across the country and further igniting protests across the city. In the days since, federal law enforcement activity has only intensified, and national attention has returned to a place many associate with the modern civil rights movement.
BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with independent journalist Georgia Fort, a Minnesota native, who described the sad familiarity she feels with the state of events. Fort owns and operates Power 104.7 FM and the nonprofit Center for Broadcast Journalism, which trains journalists and builds local media infrastructure.
“To be here in Minnesota and knowing what we experienced back in 2020, it just feels like it happened here twice,” Fort said. “There was protesting happening before Renee Good was fatally shot. But when Renee Good was shot and killed, the nation erupted in protest. Going back to 2020, it feels like we were the center point of this global movement. And it feels like we’re here again. Even though it’s very different this time, it feels a lot more intense. This time it’s the federal government, not local law enforcement.”
Fort, who is from nearby St. Paul, has spent years reporting on police accountability, civil unrest, and government response across the Twin Cities. She stresses that Minneapolis did not become a flashpoint overnight.
“The world came to know about the struggles here through George Floyd. But George Floyd didn’t happen in a vacuum,” she said. “There was the 18-day occupation in the middle of winter for Jamar Clark. There was Philando Castile. The world saw it, but things didn’t erupt nationally. It was still just our fight.”
She continued, “When you talk about Minnesota being ground zero, there’s been a continuation of injustices that developed organizations and leaders here that learned how to stand up, learned how to organize, learned how to use civil disobedience to push elected officials to make decisions that helped hold the line for our civil rights and constitutional rights.”
Fort recalled a recent conversation with a longtime organizer that reframed how she thinks about this moment. “I said, ‘We’re ground zero again,’ and she said, ‘What do you mean again? We never stopped being ground zero.’”
Being on the scene shortly after Renee Good was killed and documenting the aftermath underscored how layered the situation has become. Fort said that while national coverage has focused on the shooting itself, it has largely missed what was happening simultaneously across the city.
“There are daily protests happening in multiple locations at the same time,” she said. “There are rapid response groups reporting arrests every minute. That infrastructure received a cyberattack. The publisher of the big newspaper got attacked. These things are happening while people are in the streets, and I don’t think national media understands that part that people are experiencing.”
She also pointed to earlier ICE activity in Minnesota as context that is often left out. “In June, the first big ICE raid happened here, and there was a huge protest,” she said. “Days later, one of the protesters did an interview with us. She was arrested at my office.”
Fort said the woman, a Latina protester and legal U.S. citizen, was charged in ways that felt designed to discourage dissent. “They’ve delayed her trial four times. To me, that felt like intimidation. We’ve seen similar charges brought against protesters across the country, and a high percentage don’t hold up in court.”
For Fort, the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis raised questions that go beyond one incident. “The worst thing that could happen during an ICE arrest happened,” she said. “And I don’t know that elected officials still really know what they can do.”
She added, “One of the questions I keep asking myself is what power municipalities, counties, and states have to leverage against constitutional violations of residents. That nuance isn’t reflected in a significant way.”
That disconnect between rhetoric and action is something Fort says independent journalists are uniquely positioned to interrogate.
“National media helicopters in and then they leave,” she said. “They don’t have the context, the depth, or the relationships. Independent journalists usually have the trust of the community and can get a more raw perspective.”
She added that corporate outlets often rely on institutional sources. “They’re sourcing officials who have their own political agenda. They don’t want to jeopardize those relationships.”
Fort said independent journalists remain after the cameras move on. “The mayor says, ‘Get the F out,’ and it goes viral. But then what is the policy action? What’s the follow-up? Independent journalists are still here asking, ‘So now what?’”
Being on the ground also reveals contradictions that rarely make national headlines. “I was there on the crime scene after Renee Good was fatally shot,” Fort said. “I saw the Minneapolis Police Department and Hennepin County Sheriffs extend the crime scene so federal agents could exit safely. That wasn’t reported anywhere.”
Complicating coverage further is the rise of misinformation, particularly AI-generated content. “AI-generated images and videos are extremely dangerous for the spread of misinformation,” Fort said. “Now people say, ‘Look at this picture, watch this video,’ and it distorts reality.”
She noted that older audiences are especially vulnerable. “They don’t have the cues to identify what’s real and what’s AI. These tools are being weaponized to justify violations of constitutional and civil rights.”
According to Fort, because of the lack of in-depth coverage, it’s important to support independent Black-led media.
“People can help by taking some time to educate themselves,” she said. “Public schools don’t teach media literacy. Support doesn’t have to be money. It can be reading, listening, watching, or sharing the content that’s being produced by these companies. And then yes, there is the financial support that comes with it. If there’s a monthly subscription, a one-time contribution or if you represent an organization, you can advertise or sponsor, sponsor an event, run an ad, run a PSA.”
Former Nickelodeon Actress Kianna Underwood Killed In NYC Hit-And-Run
Police said the 33-year-old performer was hit while crossing the street in the early morning hours, and the driver fled the scene.
Former Nickelodeon child star Kianna Underwood was killed early Jan. 16 after being struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run crash in Brooklyn, New York, authorities said. Underwood, 33, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to law enforcement officials.
The incident occurred around 6:50 a.m. in the Brownsville neighborhood. The New York Police Department said Underwood was crossing at the intersection of Pitkin Avenue and Mother Gaston Boulevard—near Watkins Street—when she was hit by an SUV traveling westbound. Police identified the vehicle as a Ford SUV and said the driver fled the scene.
“There are no arrests, and the investigation remains ongoing by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad,” the department said in a statement.
Law enforcement sources toldTMZ that Underwood sustained catastrophic trauma to her head and torso. Investigators said she was struck as she crossed the street and was dragged beneath the vehicle for nearly two blocks before being left motionless in the roadway.
Emergency responders were dispatched after a 911 call was received shortly before 6:50 a.m., according to police. When EMS arrived, Underwood was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said the driver responsible has not yet been identified.
Underwood was best known for her work as a child actress on Nickelodeon. She appeared on the network’s sketch-comedy series “All That” in 2005 and also had a role on “Little Bill,” another popular children’s program. Her death has prompted an outpouring of shock and grief among fans who grew up watching her on television.
Police said the driver fled the area immediately following the crash. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
The NYPD emphasized that the case remains active. “The investigation remains ongoing,” the department said, reiterating that no suspects have been taken into custody.
Hit-and-run incidents have been a persistent concern across New York City, with officials urging drivers to stop and render aid after collisions. Leaving the scene of a fatal crash is a felony under state law.
As the investigation continues, authorities are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the vehicle and driver involved. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline.
Bad Bunny Unveils Super Bowl LX Halftime Trailer Celebrating Diversity
The global music star’s Apple Music-produced preview highlights unity, heritage, and anticipation ahead of his historic Super Bowl performance in February.
Bad Bunny has officially begun the countdown to his Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, releasing a new trailer that places his culture and global influence front and center ahead of the highly anticipated performance.
The Puerto Rican artist debuted the Apple Music-produced trailer on Jan. 16, offering fans an early look at the tone and message behind his upcoming halftime appearance. Filmed in Puerto Rico, the video features Bad Bunny dancing to his song “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” or “Unforgettable Dance,” alongside people of different races, ages, and genders beneath a flamboyant tree native to the island.
According to People, the trailer is meant to serve as “an open invitation, welcoming audiences around the world— no matter who you are or where you are from — to join Bad Bunny for his monumental Super Bowl Halftime performance and get excited for the rhythm, unity, and cultural richness that only Bad Bunny can bring to the global stage.”
Bad Bunny’s halftime show, presented by the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation, will take place Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The performance will air live on NBC, Telemundo, and Peacock during Super Bowl LX.
In a statement released when the performance was announced, Bad Bunny said the moment represents more than a personal milestone. “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” he said. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history.” He added in Spanish, “Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL,” encouraging fans to share the news with their families.
Can't wait to see what he brings. Super Bowl performances are always wild
The Super Bowl appearance comes while Bad Bunny is still on his Debí Tirar Más Fotos world tour, which is scheduled to continue through July. His momentum also extends into the upcoming 2026 Grammy Awards, where he has received six nominations. Those include Album of the Year, Best Música Urbana Album, and Best Album Cover for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” as well as Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “DtMF” and Best Global Musical Performance for “EoO.”
As part of the buildup to halftime, Apple Music has launched a “Road to Halftime” collection, featuring curated playlists and content spotlighting Bad Bunny’s catalog.
Before kickoff, viewers will also see performances from Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile, and Coco Jones, who are set to sing the national anthem, “America the Beautiful,” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” respectively.
Online users have flooded social media to comment on Bad Bunny’s trailer, with many expressing their excitement for the show, while others have aligned themselves with racially charged rhetoric about the Puerto Rican performer.
U.S. Exit From UN Forum On People Of African Descent Raises Global Alarm Over Racial Justice Efforts
Advocates warn the Trump administration’s withdrawal could stall international momentum on reparations and embolden resistance to racial equity worldwide.
The Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent has sparked concern among civil rights advocates and international leaders, who say the move could undermine global progress on racial and reparative justice, as reported by TheGrio.
The withdrawal was included in an executive memorandum signed last week by President Donald Trump, formally pulling the U.S. out of 66 international organizations. Among them was the U.N. Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, a body established by the U.N. General Assembly in 2021 to address the lasting impacts of colonialism and slavery on people of African descent worldwide.
Since first convening in 2022, the forum has served as a space for dialogue and policy development affecting Black communities globally, from more than 40 million African Americans in the United States to approximately 1.5 billion people across Africa and the broader diaspora.
“It was a space where Black people from all over the world could come and share their struggles, but also share their joy and see themselves in each other, even if they didn’t share the same language,” said Desirée Cormier Smith, founder and co-president of the Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice.
Cormier Smith previously served as the State Department’s first U.S. Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice under President Joe Biden. In that role, she advocated for U.S. support of the forum and co-led every American delegation to its annual meetings. She said the forum played a critical accountability role for governments. “From the government perspective, this space was needed because it forced governments, for at least one time of the year, to go on record about how they supported people of African descent,” she said.
Bishop Joseph Tolton, a Pan-African activist and president of Interconnected Justice, described the forum as a mechanism to unify global struggles. It helped communities “connect our struggles and create an apparatus to tell each other what our respective stories are, and then distill from that understanding and knowledge bank some action,” he said.
Victoria Kirby, director of public policy and programs at the National Black Justice Collective, called the forum a “story collector and documenter of the experiences of the Afro-diaspora across the globe,” noting that those records were “carefully” compiled to inform action by the U.N. and other governing bodies.
In just a few years, the forum laid the groundwork for discussions on global reparations, including proposals for a U.N. declaration on the human rights of people of African descent. “That would lead to repair in ways that we’ve seen the United Nations and other global bodies do for other populations across the globe,” Kirby said.
Following the withdrawal, the Trump administration accused the forum of promoting “victim-based social policies” and labeled it a “racist organization.” Advocates rejected that characterization, arguing the move reflects deeper hostility toward racial equity efforts.
“I don’t think any one of us would have wanted the Trump administration actively engaged… because it could have been nefarious and counterproductive,” Cormier Smith said. “However, there was no need to withdraw beyond it being racist clickbait for their base.”
Although advocates say the forum will continue its work without U.S. government participation, they warn the decision sends a broader signal. Tolton said it creates a “permission structure” for other nations to resist reparative justice, citing Haiti as a vulnerable example. “If there is no reparatory justice in Haiti, how does Haiti ever rebuild or redevelop itself?” he asked.
Global reparations strategist Gretchen Moore said the moment calls for long-term vision. “We need to be thinking 25 and 50 years from now,” she said, emphasizing that justice efforts must persist “no matter what administration, because administrations come and go.”
26 Men Charged In NCAA Basketball Gambling Scandal
'Protecting competition integrity is of the utmost importance for the NCAA,'NCAA President Charlie Baker said.
Twenty-six men have been charged in an alleged conspiracy to manipulate NCAA college basketball games.
According to The Athletic, the alleged scheme started in 2022 and involved 39 college basketball players who played on more than 17 teams in more than 29 Division I games. The charges were announced by federal prosecutors, who stated that the charges for the men were for their alleged roles in a plan to bribe and manipulate college games involving athletes who were active at the time of the schemes.
“Protecting competition integrity is of the utmost importance for the NCAA,” said NCAA President Charlie Baker in a statement on Thursday. “We are thankful for law enforcement agencies working to detect and combat integrity issues and match manipulation in college sports.”
Some of the suspects named were Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley, who were indicted in a federal district court in New York in October. Former LSU and NBA player Antonio Blakeney and several current college players, Kennesaw State’s Simeon Cottle, Eastern Michigan’s Carlos Hart, Delaware State’s Camian Shell, and Texas Southern’s Oumar Koureissi have also been named.
Several athletes played with DePaul, Nicholls State, Tulane, La Salle, Fordham, Northwestern State, Saint Louis, Buffalo, Robert Morris, Southern Miss, North Carolina A&T, Coppin State, University of New Orleans, Abilene Christian, Alabama State, and Kennesaw State.
Hennen and Fairley supposedly worked with Blakeney and others to manipulate college basketball games during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, according to an indictment by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Prosecutors claim that players were recruited with bribes and asked to help fix games so their teams would not cover the spread. Players were offered between $10,000 and $30,000 per game to be part of their gambling ring.
The scheme began in 2022, when Fairley and Hennen recruited Blakeney, a player for the Jiangsu Dragons in the Chinese Basketball Association, to fix games in that league. After making substantial money at the end of the season, $200,000, the scheme then moved to Division I college basketball games the next season.
The Mirai Meltdown ‘Nightmare:’ Toyota Allegedly Forced Collections After Telling Owners to Stop Paying
Attorney Jason Ingber feels his clients shouldn’t have to make decisions like this while dealing with Mirai, which is already difficult, calling it “just a cherry on top."
Owners of Toyota’s hydrogen-powered Mirai may be allowed to push a lawsuit on the company amid claims that having the car has been nothing but a “nightmare,” KTLA reports.
Drivers have expressed grievances about owning vehicles made by the popular Japanese company, including a lack of reliable infrastructure to keep the cars fueled. The toughest hurdle owners have had to face is being forced into payment collections after Toyota allegedly told them to pause on payments until the suit is resolved.
Collections can put a damper on people’s credit. Anthony Escobedo proudly boasted about building his impressive credit score to 814 out of 850, which is deemed “exceptional” or “excellent.” However, once Toyota reported him, all that changed, taking a 100-point dip. As a result, he wasn’t approved for an interest-free loan to assist with his wife’s medical care, forcing him to rely on high-interest credit cards.
It’s a similar situation for Julie Doumit, who suffered a 70-point drop in her credit score after she stopped making Mirai car payments amid instructions from Toyota. “Literally, the next month after they make this promise in writing that they will not debt collect … they reported me the very next month,” the car owner, who was making on-time payments for 46 months, said.
“I’m like, really? I mean, I’m just kind of in disbelief on how poorly Toyota has treated their customers.”
Attorney Jason Ingber, who represents some of the plaintiffs, says his clients have written assurances that they promised not to make payments, which was once “a big relief.” “This was a big relief, and then with the uncertainty of it, now some people have gone back to making payments,” he said.
“Some people threw their arms in the air because they already got negative credit reported. This is a fiasco within the fiasco that’s really cruel, in my opinion.”
Some drivers admit their beef with the company was resolved after contacting Toyota, with representatives claiming customer account notes were missed, indicating the bill payment was being paused and that it was not to be reported to collections.
Potential customers have visited Toyota’s massive 12,000-acre Arizona facility called the “Arizona Proving Grounds,” where the company develops and designs hydrogen cars, and serves as a testing hub for Toyota engineers, media, and visitors, according to Super Car Blondie. Despite some backlash, the car brand continues to add to its line with vehicles like the Tacoma H2 Overlander, and a fuel-cell semi-truck with a 400-mile range while pulling 80,000 pounds.
While Toyota continues its journey toward efficiency, Ingber hopes the company will rectify the issue. He feels his clients shouldn’t have to make decisions like this while dealing with the Mirai, which is already difficult, calling it “just a cherry on top.” “It’s one thing if [Toyota] never made this promise at all … That would’ve been fine. We’d try to get our pound of flesh at the end of the day in [court],” the attorney said.
“But then to give you false information and actively hurt you and create more confusion, that is really a dark, twisted thing to do to your own customers. That should not go unnoticed. People should be wary of that. This is a very arrogant corporation with bad intentions.”
Harris County, Texas Named Deadliest Place In The US For Black Mothers To Give Birth
New research identifies Harris County Texas as one of the deadliest places in the U.S. for Black women to give birth.
New research shows Harris County is the most dangerous place in the U.S. for Black women to give birth, with maternal and infant death rates that have at times surpassed both Texas and national averages.
A recent study by local public health officials found that from 2016 to 2020, Black women in Harris County had a maternal mortality rate of 83.4 deaths per 100,000 live births — the highest in the nation, Capital B News reports. In 2020, the national rate was 55.3 for Black women and 19.1 for white women.
Infant mortality for Black babies in Harris County was also alarming: 11.66 deaths per 1,000 births from 2016 to 2020, compared with a national rate of 5.4 per 1,000 in 2020. The alarming rates in Harris County have driven public health officials, researchers, and advocacy groups to intensify efforts to understand why Black mothers and infants are dying at such disproportionately high rates in the area.
Experts say addressing the crisis for Black mothers requires looking at systemic issues, including racial bias, unequal health care access, delays in treatment, and gaps in care. Houston OB-GYN Esohe Faith Ohuoba said the disparities largely stem from social determinants of health.
“Things like access to quality care, financial stability, housing, education, and even the stress that comes from navigating systemic inequities,” she said, adding how large the state of Texas is as another factor.
A major factor, Ohuba said, is the high levels of poor communication between a patient and a doctor.
“It is important that we are listening to patients, answering their questions, and paying close attention to their symptoms,” she said. “That’s where the quality of care and communication from the health care team becomes critical. Was the patient heard? Were warning signs recognized, and was treatment timely?”
As of 2024, Black women are three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes, with over 80% of these deaths considered preventable, according to the CDC. Experts say addressing the crisis requires confronting its root cause: racism within the medical system.
“Often it’s about systemic gaps in communication, cultural awareness, and trust,” Ohuoba said. “But the result is the same: Women of color don’t always receive the same level of attention or intervention as others.”
From 2019 to 2024, maternal morbidity rates in Texas rose 24.5%, while Harris County saw an even larger increase of 34.7%, according to an analysis by Teresa Do of the University of Texas at Austin. Local hospitals, including Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, Harris Health Ben Taub, and the Women’s Hospital of Texas, reported among the highest rates, in part because they treat the most complex, high-risk cases.
In 2024, Memorial Hermann recorded roughly 250 severe maternal morbidity cases per 10,000 deliveries. Hospitals say they are taking steps to address disparities, such as Memorial Hermann’s maternal health access committee and Texas Children’s quality‑assurance and performance‑improvement review of every case.
Black women are also leading efforts to improve maternal health. Rayna Reid Rayford founded Pregnant and Black, a nonprofit that connects Black expectant mothers with culturally competent care, advocates, and resources through a mobile app launching April 11 during Black Maternal Health Week.
Kay Matthews started The Shades of Blue Project in 2013, four months after losing a stillborn child, to raise awareness of the link between infant loss and mental health.
“It’s going to take more investment to allow the Black-led entities to take the helm and move the work forward. We need funding,” said Angela Doyinsola Aina, co-founder and executive director of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, which created the “Black Maternal Health Week” movement in 2016.
Middle School Counselor Placed On Leave Amid Claims Of Improper Messages To Minor
A middle school counselor in Baton Rouge has been placed on leave amid viral social media posts accusing him of inappropriately messaging a minor.
A Baton Rouge middle school counselor has been placed on administrative leave after allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to a 14-year-old girl.
A social media post recently accused Quinton Dixon, a counselor at Westdale Middle School, of sending inappropriate messages to a minor, WBRZ reported. In response, East Baton Rouge Schools said they were alerted to the allegations and promptly opened an investigation.
“Today, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System was made aware of these allegations and immediately launched an investigation,” EBR Schools said in a statement. “The employee has been placed on administrative leave while the Office of Human Resources conducts a thorough investigation. The district takes all such matters seriously and will take appropriate action based on the findings in accordance with our policies.”
The investigation announcement follows a Jan. 15 tweet from an anonymous user who shared screenshots from what they claimed was Dixon’s Instagram page, describing him as CEO and head coach of Louisiana A&C, a pressure-washing business owner, a school counselor, and a drummer.
One post on the account also labeled him “Newcomer School Counselor of the Year” at Westdale Middle School. The tweet then included purported private Instagram messages in which Dixon allegedly told a teen he noticed she missed the bus and offered her a ride home, and in another exchange, questioned whether she liked girls based on a photo with a female friend.
Aye twitter , do yo thang get this nigga fired . Tryna link wit my 14 year old cuz
“That’s my best friend lol,” the girl wrote in response.
In a separate message, Dixon is alleged to have told the girl she was “fire” and said he had wanted to “holla” at her before learning she was a student. The girl then informed him that she was 14 years old.
After the posts circulated online, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System confirmed on Jan. 16 that Dixon had been placed on administrative leave.
Paramount Scores First Look Deal With Issa Rae’s Hoorae Film & Television
The agreement formalizes an ongoing relationship between Rae's Hoorae and Paramount.
Issa Rae has signed a three-year first-look film and television production deal with Paramount.
Under the agreement, Rae will develop film and television projects through her production company, Hoorae Film & Television. The David Ellison-run Paramount will receive the first opportunity to consider the projects before bidding. The deal covers both theatrical films and television programming. The move positions Rae as a producing partner across multiple divisions within the studio, Deadlinereported.
Rae will work with Paramount Motion Picture Group co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, as well as Don Granger, president of the Motion Picture Group, and Matt Thunell, president of Paramount Television Studios. The agreement formalizes an ongoing relationship between Rae and the studio. In a statement, Goldberg and Greenstein commented on working with Rae and exploring her upcoming projects.
“Issa is a true creative force whose work consistently feels fresh, funny, and deeply human. She epitomizes the kind of exceptional artist we’re proud to partner with across film and TV to break new ground in elevated storytelling.”
Rae said she was looking ahead to the partnership.
“I’m excited to begin this next chapter with the team at Paramount and to continue telling stories that reflect the communities and voices that have supported my work,” Rae said.
Rae is best known as the creator and star of HBO’s Insecure and has expanded her work in recent years as a producer on multiple television projects. Through Hoorae, Rae has produced series including Rap Sh!t and Sweet Life: Los Angeles. Rae has also appeared in several feature films during her career, including The Photograph,The Lovebirds, and Barbie. The Paramount agreement marks a continuation of Rae’s shift toward studio-backed producing roles in both film and television.
While Paramount has dibs on Rae’s future projects, she’s still a free agent as an actress. Her first-look deal does not restrict Rae from acting in projects outside Paramount.
