News

UPDATE …

In a statement to TMZ, Nelly says: “The truth will come out, and I will be vindicated. These types of false allegations undermine real claims of sexual abuse/harassment by real victims.”

He’s also defending his GF, Shantel, saying she’s been through enough. “I am a father to a beautiful strong woman. I was raised by a strong single woman. I love them all very much. I own my actions and take responsibility for my conduct with Monique Greene. We had CONSENSUAL sex after meeting in a club. Period. And for that I had to deal with the repercussions of my poor choice. I am repairing the trust that I broke with Shantel, I have apologized to my family and friends for the embarrassment I have caused them. And, I am committed to be a better man.”

Nelly adds, “I do NOT plan on walking away quietly. I have to speak up for my family and for the real victims strong enough to come forward and face people that have actually assaulted them.”

KIM PORTER (DIDDY’S EX-GIRLFRIEND) DEAD AT 47 – UPDATE: SOURCE SAYS SHE WAS SICK FOR WEEKS

Earlier, we reported …

*Damn, damn, damn. If you believe these new accusations, St. Louis rapper Nelly has let his little head get him in serious trouble … again.

This time, a woman is suing him for an alleged sexual assault after one of his shows in England. The unidentified woman (she filed the claim as a Jane Doe), asserts Nelly masturbated in front of her multiple times after a December 2017 concert in Essex. By the way, according to TMZ, Nelly was under criminal investigation in February after the woman came forward with the allegations.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, she says they met during a meet-and-greet and he whispered in her ear to stay behind. She did, but that’s when she claims he dropped his pants and started masturbating while saying, “You want this d**k don’t you.”

JILL SCOTT: SINGER EXPLAINS WHY SHE SIMULATES SEX ACTS DURING CONCERT [LISTEN]

Doe claims she rebuffed him several times but Nelly would not back off, and told her he wanted to ejaculate on her. She says she told him something to effect of … “You may have more quid in your bank than I do. But this doesn’t make you any more special. Pull your trousers back up and f*** off.”

The woman claims Nelly got aggressive and clenched his fist — and when she asked if he was going to hit her, he allegedly said … “No I’m just frustrated. I’m not used to not getting my way, just do it.” She claims he forced his penis into her mouth, and that’s when she jumped back and was able to flee the room.

The woman is also suing Nelly’s GF, Shantel Jackson, for calling her a liar on Twitter.

Lastly, if you recall, Nelly and another woman, Monique Greene, reached a mutual settlement after he was accused of raping her on his tour bus in October 2017.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/nelly-facing-new-legal-issue-from-uk-woman-suing-him-for-sexual-assault-graphic-details/

*Former first lady Michelle Obama served up a candid interview with “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts ahead of the Tuesday release of her highly anticipated memoir “Becoming,” and she shared the vital advice she’d give her pre-White House self if she could travel back in time. 

“You know the hard parts were the things that I expected,” Michelle Obama told Roberts in the exclusive interview.

“That it was gonna be hard, you know? Being the first black anything is gonna be hard.”

“So much of this country lives in isolation and we just don’t know each other. … There were people who didn’t know what a black woman was and sounded like. And, so I knew that was gonna be a challenge, that I’d have to earn my grace — and I experienced that on the campaign trail,” she said.

Obama and Roberts’ conversation covered a range of topics including Michelle’s miscarriage, going through IVF, Donald Trump Obama’s candidacy for president.

Watch the clip below.

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She also explained that when she saw her husband on the cover of Time magazine in October 2006 with the headline, “Why Barack Obama could be the next president,” she couldn’t bring herself to read it. 

“I think I did what a lot of black folks were doing,” she told Roberts. “We were afraid to hope because it’s hard to believe that the country that oppressed you could one day be led by you, you know?”

Michelle shared that while she totally supported Barack’s run for the presidency, she didn’t think he’d win. 

“I mean, my grandparents, you know, lived through segregation,” she continued. “My grandfather, his grandfather was a slave, you know? So this, these memories were real. And they didn’t think the country was ready. And, and so my attitude was a reflection of that skepticism.”

On the campaign trail, she was insulted and her patriotism was questioned.

“I write about those, you know, those nasty times where people, you know, called me Barack’s ‘baby mama,’ you know? Accused me of not loving my country. … Told me I was angry,” she said. And, I was, like, ‘This isn’t me. Wait, wait, people. This isn’t who I am.'”

As reported by abcnews.go.com, Obama admitted to Roberts that the criticism she endured during her husband’s campaign hurt.

“I don’t think we do each other a service by pretending like hurtful things don’t hurt,” she told Roberts.

“And, that’s what I’ve come to. … I need to own that hurt. I need to talk about it. I need to put it out there for myself so that I can heal from it. But at the time, oh gosh, you know? I wasn’t gonna allow myself to feel victimized from it because there was no time to hurt in that role.”

As we previously reported, Michelle Obama heavily criticized Donald Trump in her much-anticipated memoir, “Becoming,” and says he jeopardized her family’s safety by propagating the false ‘birther’ conspiracy theory.

“The whole [birther] thing was crazy and mean-spirited, of course, its underlying bigotry and xenophobia hardly concealed. But it was also dangerous, deliberately meant to stir up the wingnuts and kooks,” she writes. “What if someone with an unstable mind loaded a gun and drove to Washington? What if that person went looking for our girls? Donald Trump, with his loud and reckless innuendos, was putting my family’s safety at risk. And for this I’d never forgive him.”

Trump responded Friday to Obama’s comments by pointing the finger at his predecessor.

“She got paid a lot of money to write a book and they always expect a little controversy,” Trump told reporters. “I’ll give you a little controversy back, I’ll never forgive [President Barack Obama] for what he did to our U.S. military. It was depleted, and I had to fix it.”

“What he did to our military made this country very unsafe for you and you and you,” he added.

Roberts’ candid conversation with Obama aired during a primetime ABC News special, “Becoming Michelle: A First Lady’s Journey with Robin Roberts,” on Sunday ( Nov. 11).  

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/michelle-obama-on-whether-she-thought-barack-could-win-the-white-house-watch/

*On an upcoming episode of “Rickey Smiley For Real,” the comedian hangs with singer/talk show host Syleena Johnson and reality TV star/talk show host Quad Webb-Lunceford of “Sister Circle Live.”

When the two ladies visit Rickey Smiley at his “Dish Nation” offices to tape a segment for their daytime talker, he charms them with his hilarious antics and his infamous “Roll Tide.”

Get a glimpse of the conversation via the clip above.

“Rickey Smiley For Real” airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on TV One.

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In related news, we previously reported that Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) announced it has selected  TV One’s Cleo TV and Afrotainment’s Afro to be broadly distributed on Comcast Cable systems beginning in January 2019.

“We’re at a pivotal moment in history where women are making a huge impact in our society and culture, especially women of color,” said Michelle Rice, TV One’s General Manager.  “CLEO TV will offer a diverse mix of lifestyle and entertainment content through the unique lens of Millennial and young Gen-X women of color, an audience segment that is currently underserved.  CLEO TV will leverage the comprehensive media platform of our parent company Urban One, Inc. which includes digital, television and radio divisions that will each play an integral role in bringing this new network to the marketplace.  We are grateful to Comcast for the tremendous opportunity to elevate new voices in our industry.”

About Afrotainment

Afrotainment, a Florida-based company edits, operates and distributes eight networks from its state-of-the-art film and television studios in Orlando and Queens, New York. Afrotainment channels are available in the US and Canada via cable, satellite, fiber-optic and OTT platforms. Visit www.afrotainment.us for more information.

About CLEO TV 

Launching in January 2019, CLEO TV is a lifestyle and entertainment network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color.  Derived from the name Cleopatra, one of the most powerful, trendsetting, rule-breaking and iconic women in history, CLEO TV will offer quality content that defies negative and cultural stereotypes of today’s modern women.  The network promises a unique and diverse offering of short-form and long-form content including travel, home design, cooking, talk shows, movies, docu-series, sitcoms and much more.  CLEO TV is solely owned by Urban One, Inc., formerly known as Radio One, Inc. [NASDAQ: UONE and UONEK, www.urban1.com], the largest African-American owned multi-media company primarily targeting Black and urban audiences.

Source:https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/rickey-smiley-keeps-sister-circle-hosts-rolling-with-laughter-watch/

*Mo’Nique left a sour taste in the mouths of many when she stood up for herself against streaming platform Netflix, accusing the company of racial and gender bias. She even called out radio personality Charlamagne tha God for giving her “Donkey of the Day” for defending fellow comedian Roseanne Barr, after she was slammed for a racist tweet.

As reported by thejasminebrand.com, Mo revisits these controversies in a new interview and explains why she thinks Charlamagne puts poison on airwaves and why she doesn’t regret putting Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, and Lee Daniels on blast. 

See the excerpts below (via theJasminebrand).

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Does she regret what she said about Winfrey, Perry, and Daniels:

Never. Lemme tell you something, I said one thing on stage a couple years ago at the Apollo about (“Precious” producer) Oprah Winfrey, (“Precious” director”) Lee Daniels and (“Precious” producer) Tyler Perry, and people say, ‘Do you regret saying that?’ And then I pause and I say, ‘Hell no, I don’t regret it.’ I meant every word I said.

Adding,

That movie cost $10 million to make and it made $63 million. I was paid $50,000. And because black actresses are so underpaid, Lee Daniels thought that was a lot of money. I’m going to quote him, in my dressing room, as we were between scenes: ‘I got you paid on this one.’ And I said, ‘Lee, I say this with all humility, but that’s not money. Baby, I make that in one hour standing up on the stage doing comedy.’ In their minds, I’m a fat black woman and I should be honored that they were even calling on me. But if I’m in Cannes for even one day and I’m making you money but I’m not making me money, I cannot do that.

Why she did it:

The biggest risk is me saying nothing and the woman in the mirror looking back at me saying, ‘You’re such a coward.’ That’s the risk. When that woman looks back at me in the mirror, I want her to say, ‘You damn right. You damn right. Keep going.’

Her feelings towards Charlamange tha God:

Because I know that every morning he turns that button on, he’s poisoning my community. It makes me sick to my stomach. So I wasn’t trying to be funny or offensive — I’m going to call you by your name because we’re having a real conversation right now. We’re not in pretend — and that name is pretend. We’ve got to talk for real right now. And when he calls me Donkey of the Day because I was asking for equality, are you crazy? When you hear a man say that, I had to talk to him — with love also, because I love that brother. But it’s disheartening to know that he sits behind that microphone and millions of people listen to the poison that he puts in our community. So I’m gonna keep on speaking about the inequality in Hollywood. I have to.

The Oscar-winning actress alludes to her late-night BET talk show being called as a result of her being blackballed:

I will say ‘The Mo’Nique Show’ was the highest rated show in that time slot in the history of BET and it doubled the ratings for the network. Now, I can’t make that make sense. Can you? We got picked up for a third season and then that was called back. Think about the timing of all of this and I’m going to let you put this all together. I can’t assume nothing. But I’m just telling you, think about the timing. How do you let go of a show that’s doubled the numbers for your network — with no explanation?

Source:https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/monique-has-no-regrets-about-putting-oprah-lee-daniels-tyler-perry-on-blast/

*They don’t call this little heffa “Bad Bhabie” for nothin’. Her real name is Danielle Bregoli and she straight went at Iggy Azalea by throwing a clear liquid (water?) at her inside Cardi B’s Fashion Nova launch event at Boulevard 3 in Hollywood Wednesday night.

TMZ was there and reports that it was pure bedlam in the aftermath of the attack: Iggy’s crew started talking smack at Bhabie while her security held her (Bhabie) back. They couldn’t stop her from running her mouth, though. But then again, you’re talking about a wild-ass 15-year-old rapper attacking a 28-year-old rapper who’s also known to be crazy at times.

Anyway, so what made Bhabie to go at Azalea in the first place? The beef apparently started because Iggy talked stuff on social media, saying who would even go to one of Bhabie’s shows? Well, Miss Danielle fired back that Iggy should so she could remember what a sold-out show looks like (Ouch. Good, Bad Bhabie).

Outside the venue, Danielle was still stoked and she insisted “ain’t nobody worried about that f**kin’ hoe!!”

As for Iggy Azalea, she was all cool and calm … totally unfazed unfazed by the situation, she said she hopes it wasn’t alcohol Bhabie threw because “she’s a little kid.”

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Imagine me scrambling around on the floor in a dirty night club trying to hit a teenage girl.
Girl. NO.
I’m grown and will simply have you REMOVED and continue enjoying myself.
 #YouNotSpecial
Anything else from her mouth is ignored –
it’s too preschool for me.

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) November 15, 2018

Anyway I’ll let y’all know about the 2.7 million dollar distribution deal i came back to LA to sign later this week. I have big girl things to do –
Gotta go!

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) November 15, 2018

Now y’all saw the video I’m sure you understand why I spent the rest of the night laughing and unbothered by that foolishness.

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) November 15, 2018

She also addressed the altercation in an Instagram Story:

“I’m driving home, so I have to look at the road, but I’ve got a long drive so I want to say this while I can before I forget. I get that this little girl has made a name for herself acting a damn fool on television and online, but I’m a grown-up. I’m not about to waste my energy on that shit or be fighting a kid in a club. Come on. I came to get a check. I left with a check. You left with your bags stuffed over there and you look silly. I’m not going to be scrambling around on the floor for a 15-year-old girl on the internet. I have to laugh. I don’t know. I just think people want clout really bad. Mama, good luck with your career. You’re young. You’re going to look back on this and you’re going to really feel dumb. I just think that shit’s lame as hell, but maybe it’s ’cause I’m a grown-up.”

Bhad Bhabie also took to her Instagram Story to get her 2 cents in:

“Bye broke bich. Bye hoe. Glad u left wit a bag cuz u certainly ain’t making no money from music anymore. It’s simple. Don’t talk all sorts of shit on the internet n come up to me like u my friend. Some of these hoes like u fake n 2 faced as fuckk vbut I’m NOT that bich.”

This story leaves us with two questions:

1. How did a 15-year-juvenile old get into the club in the first place?
2. If the two had actually fought, who would you have picked? The kid or the adult?

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/white-girl-rapper-drama-bad-bhabie-attacks-iggy-azalea-with-drink-and-mouth-watch/

*On Thursday, Nov. 15, The Real welcomes back guest co-host White House Correspondent, Washington Bureau Chief of American Urban Radio Networks and CNN Political Analyst April Ryan.

Today, the ladies discuss the difference between commitment and complacency in a job and if should children’s school photos be retouched. Also, co-host Jeannie Mai describes her father’s selflessness when she attempts to give him presents.

Then actress, comedian, and now author Kym Whitley stops by to talk about her book, The Delusion of Cinderella, running into former students from her teaching days, and the travel hacks that she swears by.

And New York City week continues as The Real gives away a bundle of cash to a lucky viewer in Hotline Bling!

Kym Whitley’s Travel Hacks

April Ryan: So, Kym. You travel a lot for work and the holidays are coming up… So, do you have any great travel hacks for us, you know?

Kym Whitley: Oh…

Jeannie Mai: Yea.

April: Uh oh!

Kym: Y’all know me. This one knows me.

April: Look at her smile. And she’s rocking the smile.

Kym: Okay, ‘cuz you know some of the airlines, you don’t have assigned seats.

Adrienne Houghton: Yea.

Kym: So, when I get on there, I want to sit by myself.  So, I get on there, I put on my neck pillow on my head, I start coughing (makes coughing sound).

April: You make yourself look crazy.

Kym: Oh, yea. I do bird calls. (makes bird calling noises)

Adrienne: Yea, I’m not sitting next to you.

Loni Love: Keep on walking by.

Kym: When I tell you, people call, they walk on by. I cough on my hand and be like ‘how you doing?’

Adrienne: Oh my gosh!

Kym: And then for some, I make myself real wide. I’ll be like this. (stretches out her arms)

April: And I believe her! I believe you!

Website: thereal.com

Twitter: @TheRealDaytime

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealdaytime

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/therealdaytime

Instagram: http://instagram.com/therealdaytime

Photo  credit: Robert Voets/Warner Bros. Television

About The Real

Led by bold, diverse and outspoken Emmy Award-winning hosts, Adrienne Houghton, Loni Love, Jeannie Mai and Tamera Mowry-Housley all frankly say what women are actually thinking. THE REAL is a live daily, one-hour NAACP Image Award-winning and Emmy-nominated talk show on Fox Television Stations and in national syndication (check local listings), with a rebroadcast on cable network Bounce. The hosts’ unique perspectives are brought to life through candid conversations about their personal lives, current events, beauty, fashion and relationships (nothing is off limits). Unlike other talk shows, THE REAL hosts are admittedly a “work in progress,” and fearlessly invite viewers to reflect on their own lives and opinions. Fresh points of view, youthful energy and passion have made THE REAL a platform for multicultural women. Produced by Telepictures Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, The Real is led by Executive Producer, Rachel Miskowiec (Good Morning America, Katie, The Tyra Banks Show, Judge Hatchett, The Ricki Lake Show) and shot in Los Angeles, California.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/the-real-welcomes-back-kym-whitley-and-new-york-week-continues-with-guest-co-host-april-ryan/

*Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is presenting Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at 4:00 pm.

Mexico’s most prestigious folkloric dance company presents a colorful evening of traditional dance and music with sophisticated costumes and powerful and accomplished dancers. Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández is the number one promoter of Mexican dance throughout the world. The Dance Troupe takes a journey into the diverse Mexican cultures – past and present!

In 1952, dancer and choreographer Amalia Hernandez founded the BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE MÉXICO, having embarked at a very early age on a never-ending quest to rescue the dancing traditions of Mexico. This vital search became a basic need to express not only in Mexico, but includes the rest of the world. Her goal was to share the beauty of the Universe in motion through Mexican dances from the pre-Colombian era, the Hispanic Viceroy period, and the popular period of the Revolutionary years.

In 1954, Amalia began to garner recognition as a highly respected cultural representative of Mexico. In her earliest ballets, the audience saw modern dances and dances that travel back in time bringing back to life the lords of heaven and earth,, the jaguars, the gods born of human flesh; and thirty different cultures that blossomed in centuries past. All of these elements together gave Amalia Hernández the inspiration to create the Ballet Folklórico de México. A weekly program on Mexican television sponsored by the government aired the Ballet’s initial performances. Merely a few years into their formation, the company achieved a degree of international success that has been maintained for over fifty years.

Amalia Hernández and the Ballet Folklórico de México have since created over forty ballets for upwards of seventy dancers. The music, technical rigor, elaborate costuming and Amalia’s choreography have helped the Ballet and its followers disseminate the zest for rich Mexican tradition and folklore throughout the world. Since 1959, the company has been permanently housed at the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City. The institution has two main artistic companies called The First Company and the Resident Company, both whom alternate tours and performances in Mexico and abroad. The company has currently given over 5,000 performances and both Amalia Hernández and the Ballet Folklórico de México have been distinguished with more than 300 awards recognizing their artistic merits.

Lehman Center is under renovation so concert goers will find the lobbies have been upgraded for ADA compliance with new ramps and carpeting. The interior of the theater has new seating, carpeted aisles, and finished flooring as well. The $15.4 million dollar refurbishment of the Center is expected to be completed by mid-2019 and will include 5,400 square feet of enlarged space with a new main entrance and a redesigned box office, plus new administration offices and restroom facilities on the first and mezzanine floors, and an elevator. The Center seats 2,278 people in the concert hall and is the largest of its kind in the borough. Funding for the project is being provided by the Office of the Governor, the New York State Legislature, the Bronx delegation of the New York City Council, and the Office of the Bronx Borough President. Additional funding is being raised with a seat naming initiative, which allows community members to make a personal connection with one of New York City’s most important not-for-profit entertainment venues.

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is on the campus of Lehman College/CUNY located at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468. Tickets for BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE MÉXICO featured on Sunday, November 18th, 2018 at 4:00 pm are $45, $40, $25 | Children 12 & under pay $10 for any seat. Call the Lehman Center Box Office for tickets at 718-960-8833 or via online access at http://www.LehmanCenter.org.

Deardra Shuler has experience in theatre, music, concert promotion, television and publishing. She was affiliated with the Negro Ensemble Company and is a former manager of the children’s theatre,”TADA.” She has produced and promoted concerts in Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, and Radio City Music Hall.
Ms. Shuler is the former Editor and Managing Editor of three New York City minority newspapers. Presently, she is the Entertainment Editor of The Black Star News. As a freelance writer she writes for several New York City newspapers; including the Examiner, Amsterdam News and Eurweb.

Deardra freelances for Afrocentricnews in California. She is the former PR chairman for the FESPACO film festival in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Africa, and is presently program manager for BlakeRadio.com where she also hosts her own show “Topically Yours.”

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/people-of-note-ballet-folklorico-de-mexico-de-amalia-hernandez-on-the-lehman-center-stage/

*Motown friends and family came together last week in Tarzana (CA), to enjoy the 11th Annual “Friends of Fuller Gordy Strikefest,” one of the most anticipated bowling, concert, dining and philanthropic events of the season.

Entertainment celebrities, business leaders and Motown alumni showed up last Wednesday, November 7, to celebrate the legacy of Fuller Gordy, a Motown Vice-President and older brother of Motown Founder Berry Gordy, who was known throughout the entertainment industry as a caring humanitarian and mentor to many. A successful bowler, Fuller Gordy became the first black bowler, from Michigan, to be inducted into the Professional Bowlers’ Association.

“He was always a leader,” said Berry Gordy of Fuller during the evening. “So, if I had one word to describe tonight, it would be gratitude. His granddaughter (Karla) and daughter (Iris) have done such a wonderful job every year. It’s so much fun and everybody has a good time.”

Fuller’s daughter, Iris Gordy, a former Motown vice president and granddaughter, Karla Gordy Bristol, a TV and social media talk show host, founded “Friends of Fuller Gordy Strikefest,” which is the event of the year for an organization dedicated to honoring outstanding young individuals and organizations that inspire, educate and uplift. Their 2018 honoree is the Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant, founded by Lisa Ruffin, which spotlights girls ages 6-12.

One of the attendees was the 2018 Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant winner Nasreen el Shabazz and her mom, Sheryl Lively, who was happy the pageant and Ruffin received recognition.

“She (Nasreen) had done it four times in a row before she finally won,” said Lively. “We encourage her to follow her dreams and never to give up. It was hard, because it took her four times. She just turned 12 and she was 8 when she started.”

“This kind of event, it teaches you never to give up,” Lively continued. “Life is hard and you’ll have challenges and stuff, but you still have to follow your dreams. This was hard and it was hard for me as a mother to see her hurt, but she gave it everything she could. But if you want something, you have to keep going for it and I’m really proud of her that she didn’t give up.”

Lively is also glad Ruffin and the pageant was getting recognition.

“Oh, my God! She is all for the kids”, said Lively. “She’s done this for 25 years and just when it seemed it was time to fold or give up, she keeps going, The young ladies she’s brought to her pageant, they come back with college degrees.”

“So, I’m just honored to be here with Motown and I’m so happy for Lisa, that she’s getting honored and acknowledged, because she’s so deserving of it.”

As for the 2018 Little Miss African American Pageant winner herself, Nasreen el Shabazz, she said the pageant teaches you to be confident, love you for yourself and to go after your dreams.

“I kept going even after falling short a few times because I just thought, ‘This wasn’t my year. It was another girl’s year, she said. “So if I kept trying, I felt it would eventually be my year – and I kept trying and it was!”

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As for Lisa Ruffin, she could hardly contain her emotion over her organization and her being honored at Strikefest.

“I’m totally overwhelmed. I’m extremely overwhelmed and so thankful,” said Ruffin. “I’m still shocked, actually, because I just did this from my heart and that’s how the organization has been operating for 25 years. So for people of this stature to acknowledge our work, it’s just shocking to me.”

“I want my girls to experience things it may have taken me 30 years to experience”, she said. “I want them to know if they have the confidence and the drive, they can do anything. If I see a girl  has an interest in science or math or dance classes, we try to make that happen. We start at a young age, 6-12, because we feel it’s important to teach them good habits early, rather than wait for them to develop bad habits and correct them. So we want them to get it right the first time – and it seems to be working!

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Speaking of pageants, Miss Black California of 1971, Kathleen Bradley, was in attendance as well.

“Well, I know Iris and Karla and I went to the first one,” Bradley said. “It’s just a great opportunity for me to come and be able to help lend my celebrity, raise some money and have good times with friends and family for a very worthy cause.”

“It’s a pleasure to be able to honor Fuller Gordy – who was the most wonderful guy and when I was with the singing group The Love Machine in the Seventies, so it’s great to be back with the Motown family now.”

David Kershenbaum, a multi-platinum record producer whose clients included Tracy Chapman and Lauren Taines were also in attendance.

“I like what Iris and Karla are doing,” said Taines. “They’re raising money to fund various educational projects, so I help how I can and what I like is they are raising money for various educational concerns for the kids.”

“I met Karla a couple of months ago and she invited me and I thought it was such a worthwhile cause,” said Kershenbaum.”I love charities and I certainly love education for children.”

“I also grew up with Motown, so it’s particularly dear to my heart,” he added. “I was looking and thinking about how when Motown was at it’s peak, how wonderful the times were – how innocent and easier it was to create something special than it is today..That music was a soundtrack for many people who had a chance to listen.”

One of the bands that contributed to Motown’s heyday was Switch, who performed at Strikefest.

“We’re friends of Iris and Karla and we’ve known of the event for years,” said Greg Williams, one of the group’s founders. “We knew a lot about Fuller, so we understand the event. It’s an annual event in his honor to represent his philanthropy over the years.”

“We signed with Motown in 1978 and were there for five years and sold 8 million records. So we’re part of their history as well, ” said Williams. “This is our family. Our folks.”

Karla Gordy Bristol said she was happy the way the night went.

“The Fuller Gordy Strikefest, which I’ve been doing for 11 years, with my mother – well, this may have been the most exciting night,” said Gordy Bristol. “To see the happy faces throughout the room, and people coming up to me saying, ‘This is amazing!’ … and everybody being warm to each other – I really love that. That lets me know that we’re doing something great – and doing something that must continue.”

Gordy Bristol also feels the event reflects on her family’s legacy.

“It says a lot,” she said. “I think it shows people what the Gordy family is about – that they’re a loving family, a giving family, a caring family and that they’re down to Earth and enjoy people.”

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/motowns-legacy-rolls-on-with-the-11th-annual-friends-of-fuller-gordy-strikefest/

*After video circulated of a Black student getting escorted out of class, the University of Texas at San Antonio opened an investigation that has resulted in the white professor who called the police being relieved of her duties for the rest of the semester.

Biology instructor Anita Moss sparked outrage Monday after she called the police on a Black female student who had allegedly rested her feet on a chair. Moss had repeatedly asked students to take their feet off chairs in what was described as a “pet peeve” of the professor, according to a report by interim dean Howard Grimes published Wednesday, per nydailynews.com.

“So this happened today in class, a girl had her feet up and the professor called the police after calling our class uncivil,” student Apurva Rawal tweeted along with video of the incident.

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Rashida Strober’s Story About Women Growing Up Black and Ugly

The student at the center of the controversy, with the Twitter handle @FavoritePaigeee, wrote on Monday:  “Upon entering class I was told I needed to leave or would be escorted out by officers, I never disobeyed the student code of conduct. Not once. A police report is being filed atm, this is just the beginning. Thanks for your support!”

According to the report, Moss was so incensed by the ongoing problem of student disobedience that she attempted to send “FavoritePaigeee” an email on Sunday telling her not to show up for class until they could discuss the situation, but the message was mistakenly sent to another student in the class, according to Grimes.

When the student showed up for class on Monday, Moss told her to leave after showing her the email. 

Grimes writes in the report that the student said: “this class is very important to me and attending this class is part of my grade and I do not want to miss the lecture as we have a test coming on Wednesday.”

When Moss threatened to call the police, the student said, “do what you need to do.” She was then hauled away by three officers.

“I did not believe she was calling them [police] but, sure enough, they came a few minutes after she had stopped talking on the phone,” a student in the class told ABC News. “They escorted [her] out and once the police had left out of the classroom, a lot of students started telling [the lecturer] she had done wrong, she was being disruptive of class time and she had taken matters out of control.”

The school determined that Moss “failed to manage her classroom effectively.” She will be allowed to return to her classroom in the spring if she meets certain requirements.

Meanwhile, the student at the center of the classroom incident issued the following statement:

The last couple of days have brought a whirlwind of emotions. The support I have received, especially from my classmates, has been very encouraging for me.

I have served in many leadership roles on campus through student organizations, on-campus employment, and as a UTSA mentor to local high school students in underprivileged areas. I am passionate about UTSA and its sense of community.

Throughout these investigations, I have been repeatedly asked whether I believe the incident on Monday was based on racism. My answer is no. However, the investigations confirmed that my professor has struggled with misidentifying me with other students.

My professor apologized to me today for her classroom reaction, and I apologized to her if my behavior appeared to be disruptive, unprofessional, or uncivil as a student. I am eager to move forward and put this behind me.

I have expressed interest in being a participant in discussions on how students from underrepresented groups are treated inside and outside the classroom.

I would like to thank the UTSA faculty and staff for the efficiency with which this matter was handled. To the UTSA students who provided witness accounts in the university’s investigations and to those who communicated their support: Thank you so much.

Moving forward, I would ask the public and the news media to respect my privacy so I may continue my studies without distraction.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/white-lecturer-has-utsa-student-escorted-out-of-class-by-police-for-having-feet-propped-up/

This weekend (tonight and Saturday night), Snoop Dogg‘s autobiographical stage production “Redemption of a Dogg” will be in SoCal and if you plan on going, beware that Tamar Braxton, who co-stars, might start trippin’. Yes, we know, there’s nothing new about Tamar trippin’. But here’s the deal. She did just that this past Sunday night when the play stopped in D.C. and caused serious problems for all involved.

OK, now that we have your attention, you’re wondering what happened? Well, theJasmineBrand is reporting that Braxton allegedly refused to go on stage for the show’s second act due her food not being able to get past security.

The story goes that according to a source, a friend of Braxton was attempting to deliver the food, but never made it due to security not allowing the friend backstage. The source also details how the combustible singer became hysterical and refused to take the stage to finish out the show.

READ: JADA PINKETT-SMITH RECALLS BEING CALLED A N*GG*R B*TCH BY WHITE POLICE OFFICERS

Meanwhile, the regularly scheduled 15 minute intermission was extended to over an hour to deal with the situation, says the source”

“This isn’t my first rodeo as it pertains to live theater, but I’ve never, ever seen anyone quit over something like this and disappoint their fans this way. She was completely hysterical and totally out of control. She kept screaming, She’s not here for this. Then saying, ‘I’m so sick of this s**t.’ Then she said, ‘you can do this damn show without her,’ again, addressing herself in the third person.”

So, that meant that Braxton’s character, Angel, had to be played by one of the show’s dancers, and “American Idol” finalist LaToya London ended up singing Braxton’s songs off stage. At that point there needed to be an excuse for the audience, so the show’s creator and director, Je’Caryous Johnson, told the paying customers that Braxton could make the final curtain call because she was experiencing an emergency.

The report goes on to say that neither Braxton nor Snoop have publicly spoken about the issue, but Tamar did promote the show’s tonight’s show at the Microsoft Theater on Instagram:

Oh yeah, one last thing. The report made mention of this one important, critical fact: prior to the delivery, security was unaware the food was supposed to be delivered.

Oops.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/tamar-trips-out-and-doesnt-finish-snoop-dogg-play-because-food-wasnt-delivered-during-intermission-report/

*The year’s best movie and a must see, “Green Book,” debunks white supremacists’ theory of superiority—in more ways than one. An average intelligent person would know that nothing could come of whites staying in the same hotel, eating at the same restaurant, or using the same bathroom as a black man. Yet, this depraved concept by many pseudo intelligent, wealthy whites existed as late as the 1960s.

“Green Book” tells an important story of race relations in America, but just as important is the relationship between Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) and his chauffer, Tony “Lip” Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen). When Tony ends up behind bars, Don tells him, “You can never win with violence.” Ironically, one of Mortensen’s best films is “A History of Violence.”

When bouncer Tony from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx, is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley, a world-class pianist, who lives at Carnegie Hall, on a concert tour through the Deep South, they must rely on “The Green Book” to guide them to the few establishments that were safe for blacks. Confronted with racism, and the dangers of Jim Crow laws, they set aside their differences and form a lifetime bond.

Directed by Peter Farrelly, “Green Book” also stars Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco, Dimiter D. Marinov, and Don Stark.

‘Widows’

“Widows” is a familiar heist story but this time around women are in the driver’s seat. In the hands of director Steve McQueen, not only is the female centric concept different but the casting, particularly with Viola Davis as the desperate grieving wife left to clean up husband Harry Rawlins’ (Liam Neeson) mess. And kudos go the McQueen for the scene that show their son stopped by cops.

The story of “Widows” is set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands’ criminal activities, take fate into their own hands, and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.

Michelle Rodriguez, Colin Farrell, Cynthia Erivo,  Robert Duvall, Elizabeth Debicki, Daniel Kaluuya, Carrie Coon, and Brian Tyree also star.

‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grendelwald’

“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grendelwald” (“FB”), directed by David Yates, picks up where “Fantastic Beasts” left off. The powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne).

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander to help. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

“FB” continues to amaze with its spectacular special effects and character engagements. A favorite “beast” is Nagini (Claudia Kim). One of the creepiest onscreen transformations is James Earl Jones in “Conan The Barbarian.” Kim comes close to that.

J.K. Rowlands has always been inclusive with casting and “FB” is no exception. Members of the black cast include Zoe Kravitz, Carmen Ejogo, Cornell John, Claudius Peters, William Nadylam, Jessica Williams, Isaura Barbé-Brown, Hugh Quarshie, Johanna Thea, and Thea Lamb.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/weekend-watch-green-book-debunks-theory-of-white-supremacists/

*Porsha Williams’ fiance/baby daddy has been slapped with a lawsuit for selling subpar items at his weave and extensions company, Queen Virgin Remy Hair.

RadarOnline.com reports that Dennis McKinley has been accused by Kimberly Garlick of “selling faulty merchandise” in the amount of $400 and “refusing to mediate” in June 2014. McKinley filed a motion to dismiss the civil suit later that year.

“Plaintiff Kimberly Garlick improperly filed an action against Defendant,” the court papers read. “Defendant denies all of Plaintiff’s allegations. Specifically, Plaintiff alleges that Defendant sold faulty merchandise and refused to mediate.”

He claimed that Garlick “falsely indicated that she has an account with Defendant.”

“There is no legitimate basis under the facts of this case to substantiate a claim upon which relief may be granted,” he continued. “Defendant has never sold any merchandise to Plaintiff nor has had any dealings with Plaintiff, and therefore is an improperly named party to the lawsuit.”

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In September 2014, the Plaintiff asked for the case to be dismissed with prejudice.

In October, McKinley hit ex-girlfriend Shanise Thomason with a lawsuit for “trademark infringement, conversion and other wrongful acts” in regards to Queen Virgin Remy.

He claimed Thomason had no “ownership rights or interests in Queen Virgin Remy,” but that didn’t stop her from allegedly stealing $5,900 worth of merchandise from a retail store in Georgia on February 9, 2015, the report states. 

“Defendant Thomason entered the Queen Virgin Remy retail store in Columbus and unlawfully took Queen Virgin Remy hair products from the store without paying,” the May 8, 2015 complaint read. “Thomason entered into the Columbus store with a large black trash bag. She walked behind the front counter of the store and opened the door to the store’s stock room. She removed hair products inventory from storage bins and placed them into the black trash bag and left the store with the black trash bag filled with Queen Virgin Remy hair products.”

The ex-couple agreed upon a confidential settlement in 2018.

Meanwhile, Williams, 37, announced her pregnancy with McKinley in September. They are expecting a baby girl.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/porsha-williams-fiance-accused-of-selling-faulty-merchandise-at-hair-company/

*”Widows” is the rare Hollywood production that subverts your expectations in a positive way – while still leaving you feeling slightly unsatisfied when it ends.

The premise is refreshing. Turning the “men avenging a falling female loved one” on its head, “Widows” has its protagonists losing the men in their lived to a botched robbery and then trying to survive and thrive.

However, in the hands of director Steve McQueen, don’t expect a typical action/revenge picture. If anything, the film is a slow burn, with McQueen prioritizing putting the meat of characterization onto his characters’ bones rather than guns in their hands.

In short, don’t expect a female “Expendables” movie going into “Widows”.

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Tamar Trips Out and Doesn’t Finish Snoop Dogg Play Because Her Food Wasn’t Delivered During Intermission: Report

*Migos rappers Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff have filed a lawsuit against their former business partner for refusing to pay royalties from a clothing line they worked on.

According to court documents obtained by The Blast, the trio signed a deal in 2015 with Yung Rich Nation for work on a line of clothing, jewelry, and other apparel. Migos were to be paid a percentage from the sales but they accuse YRN of failing to properly pay up and refusing to provide accounting receipts. 

The group says YRN has produced Migos-related clothes without their permission, such as “Culture” — the name of two of their albums, and “Bad and Boujee,” the name of their hit record.

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Migos is suing for an injunction prohibiting the company from continuing to profit off their brand and for unspecified damages, the report states. 

And here’s more from The Blast:

Yung Rich Nation actually sued Migos over the same deal earlier this year. YRN claimed Quavo, Offset and Takeoff were supposed to wear the clothes in six music videos a year, participate in four photo shoots and make at least six appearances in stores.

The company claimed instead of following through on their deal, Migos went and entered into a separate deal with Universal Music Group to sell band apparel and ceased to work on the planned line with them.

YRN sued Migos seeking unspecified damages.

In related news, Migos and Sean Kingston have been hit with a lawsuit by a limo driver who claims he was injured after being caught up in a brawl between the hip-hop stars.

Michael Gradney has sued over the incident that went down February 21, 2017, in Las Vegas. He claims that while standing outside the limo, a fight broke out between Kingston, Migos and two other males and he was knocked down in the melee and “severely injured.”

According to The Blast report:

Gradney claims the Migos then ordered him to get back in the car and drive them away. He says throughout the ordeal, he “feared for his life.”

The driver is suing for assault and battery, and seeking unspecified damages for the alleged permanent physical and psychological injuries he suffered, the report states.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/migos-sue-ex-business-partner-over-clothing-line-group-hit-with-lawsuit-by-limo-driver-injured-in-sean-kingston-fight/

Dungey oversaw ABC Entertainment since February 2016 and had been with the company since 2004 when she joined ABC Studios as vice president of drama development. With her at the helm, shows like “American Idol,” “Roseanne” and “The Good Doctor,” moved the network from fourth place among 18- to 49-year-olds to a three-way tie for second last season, according to Adweek.

While ABC quickly canceled “Roseanne,” it’s No. 1 show, in May after its star, Roseanne Barr’s racist tweet, Dungey told Adweek that in looking back on the debacle: “I don’t know that there’s anything we could have done differently.”

She added:

“I still am glad we made the show and brought this group of people together, because I’m hopeful that [Barr-free spinoff] ‘The Conners’ is going to continue this legacy in a new and different way,” she said at the time.

TRENDING: TAMAR TRIPS OUT AND DOESN’T FINISH SNOOP DOGG PLAY BECAUSE HER FOOD WASN’T DELIVERED DURING INTERMISSION: REPORT

OK, but what’s up with Dungey leaving her position? So far no one’s talking. But could it have something to do with her decision to can Roseanne Barr? Hmm, maybe, but we just don’t know at this point.

Meanwhile, Dungey is holding her head high because of what she achieved on her watch.

“I’m incredibly proud of what the team and I have accomplished over the years and all the meaningful and impactful programming we’ve developed,” Dungey, who will stay on in a transition period, said in a statement. “This job has been the highlight of my career. While I’ve loved every moment, and knew I could call ABC home for many years to come, I’m excited to tackle new challenges.”

Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger in a statement: “I’m grateful to Channing for her significant contributions and unwavering dedication to the success of ABC over the past 14 years. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to work with and mentor Channing; her curiosity, passion and creativity will ensure she is successful in whatever path she chooses going forward.”

*A 28-year-old Australian-born Seattle resident named Jack Chapman, also known as Pup Tank, is making international headlines after dying from from “silicone embolism syndrome” resulting in hemorrhaging in the lungs, after injecting silicone into his scrotum to please his cult leader lover, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office told The Stranger this week.

Chapman, pictured right, was reportedly a kink enthusiast who was part of the dominance-submission cult scene in Seattle, according to the Daily Mail UK.

Dylan Hafertepen, pictured left, was the leader of an “inflation fetish” cult that requires members to inject their genitals with liquid silicone. He has thousands of followers on social media and is known for posting photos with his slaves, whom he calls his “his pups” or “obedient puppies.”

Several of Hafertepen’s slaves appear to have artificially enlarged genitals as well as extremely muscular bodies.

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Chapman’s mother, Linda, blames Hafertepen for turning her son on to the body modification lifestyle that resulted in his death. Chapman reportedly traveled from Melbourne to the U.S. to meet the cult leader and he eventually moved in with Hafertepen and four other men.

“It was devotion, it was like some sort of clan, family, like a cult. And to prove their devotion to him they had to change their bodies,” Linda said on the Australian talk show The Project.

“He was not the Jack that I sent over there. He had no self-esteem, he’d lost himself in this cult. This was a disturbed boy,” she added.

Linda confronted Hafertepen in an episode of “The Project” on Tuesday, after he traveled to Melbourne to deliver her son’s ashes to her.

She described Jack as “Someone who feels so badly about themselves, someone who was vulnerable, who just wanted your love at any cost… and the cost of his life.”

In the weeks before he died, Jack allegedly changed his will, leaving his $200,000 inheritance to Mr. Hafertepen.

“Three weeks before he dies he writes a will and leaves everything to Dylan. If that’s not suspicious I don’t know what is,” she told The Project.

Hafertepen deactivated several of his social media accounts after Chapman’s death. It is not known who injected silicone into Chapman’s scrotum.

No charges have been filed in Jack’s death.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/man-dies-after-injecting-silicone-into-his-genitals-to-please-cult-leader/

*Intelligent, beautiful, and talented are words that are frequently used when describing glamorous Florence LaRue, the original member of the legendary 5^th Dimension.

Whether on stage performing, lecturing, or serving as a celebrity judge for beauty pageants, such as Miss Universe, Miss LaRue juggles her roles as mother, grandmother, speaker, actress, vocalist, and humanitarian with the same electric perfection that she devotes to ballads such as “One Less Bell” which bears The 5^th Dimension trademark.

“I give my best to whatever I am involved with,” explains the concerned citizen, who is also a six-time GRAMMY® winning star.

Although she plans to continue with The 5^th Dimension, Miss LaRue is excited about the new direction her career has taken as a solo artist. She has added two titles behind her name: After writing the lyrics to the beautiful ballad, “Say,” recorded by The 5^th Dimension, Florence was inspired to continue her song writing. She is also in the process of completing a soon to be published book, “Let YOUR Light Shine,” “The Physical, Mental and Spiritual Dimensions of Beauty.”

Florence is also excited about her one woman show, “Just As I Am,” which has received rave reviews. Mrs. Mary Sias, president of the Kentucky State University where Miss LaRue presented her show stated: “While the music was uplifting and exciting and delivered with an amazing energy, it was the story interwoven between the songs that was spellbinding.”

Miss LaRue will perform a few specially selected songs at 1:30pm followed by a meet and greet with fans.

About Make It Mar Vista + Mar Vista Art Walk: For the fifth consecutive year, Mar Vista will be celebrating the Shop Local, Shop Small movement.  Sponsored by American Express Small Business Saturday®, this year’s theme is a WINTER WONDERLAND – complete with falling snow and an ice skating rink – and is partnered with the Winter Holiday edition of the Mar Vista Art Walk.

When/Where:  Saturday, November 24, 2018 from 12pm to 10pm on Venice Blvd in Mar Vista

About Small Business Saturday®:  Dedicated to supporting the diverse range of local businesses that create jobs, help boost the economy, and enhance neighborhoods around the country, Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010 in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: getting more customers. To learn more at and connect:  ShopSmall.com, instagram.com/shopsmall, facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday.

About Mar Vista Chamber of Commerce:

The Mar Vista Chamber of Commerce is an alliance of local business owners that provides advocacy, education, inspiration and support to increase revenue for and awareness of local businesses by promoting Mar Vista as a desirable place to live, work and shop, allowing these businesses to contribute to the prosperity of our community.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/florence-larue-singer-actor-and-humanitarian-to-perform-at-make-it-mar-vista-event/

*“Whenever we make a movie we use real issues,” said Sean Anders (Horrible Bosses), director and co-writer of the new Paramount Picture presentation of Instant Family starring Academy Award nominated Mark Wahlberg (Transformers) and based loosely on Sean’s own life experience adopting siblings arriving in theatres November 16, 2018. When asked why he put that experience on screen Sanders said, “It had been a few years since we adopted the kids…thought it kind of funny.”

Instant Family, arriving in theatres November 16, 2018, was indeed funny in fact it was beyond funny it was hilarious. It follows Pete (Wahlberg) and his wife Ellie, played by Emmy nominated Rose Byrne (“Neighbors”), a childless couple realizing their need to nurture a baby. They decide to adopted and care for the innocent and orphaned.

They go through all the classes, meetings and finally reach the end of the program where they can attend an event where available children are present. They meet a strong willed teenager and decide she really needs them, and surprisingly they discover she has two young siblings. How they form a bond with the three siblings – a strong willed teenager, an abused preteen and a needed baby sister – is warming to the heart and funny to the bone.

Anders, Wahlberg John Morris and Steve Levinson are producers on the Rated PG – 13 family project. It also stars Isabela Moner (Transformers: The Last Knight); Emmy nominated Tig Notaro (“Fresh Off the Boat”); Emmy winner Margo Martindale (“The Good Wife”); Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer (The Help), Julianna Gamiz, and Gustavo Quiroz. www.InstantFamilyMovie.com

The wizard tale birthed from the Harry Potter saga called Fantastic Beasts returns with a second take on the story with the Warner Bros. Pictures presentation of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald arriving in theatres November 16, 2018. Fantastic Beasts 2 is the 10^th installation of the wizard world franchise. Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander the Minister of Magic with Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean) starring as Dark Wizard Grindelwald and Jude Law as Dumbledore the professor of wizardry who hires Redmayne to take care of the dark wizard problem, a task only he is qualified for.

The Rated PG-13 drama/fantasy is a mystical cliff-hanger that will keep you on the edge of your seats and it has an ending that will leave you wanting more. It follows Eddie’s attempt at finding Grindelwald with his friends in tow that include Jacob Kowalski (Dan Folgler), Tina (Katherine Waterston) Newts love interest and Leta Lestrange (Zoe Kravitz) as Newts’ brother’s love interest and Theseus Scamander (Callum Turner) Newts brother – a wizard law office also on the hunt for Grindelwald.

Grindelwald is building a team of pure wizards and the last is Credence (Ezra Miller) an orphaned baby he believes to be the poor blood Wizard he needs to finally rule the world of non-wizards. Credence is on the search for his heritage and Jacob is also on the search for Queenie (Alison Sudol) his love interest who is on the run. He broke the law; she fell in love with a non-wizard – Jacob Kowalski.

Fantastic Beast 2 is directed by David Yates and is a British/American production filmed in London, Switzerland and Paris. It is produced by David Heyman, J. K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram. www.FantasticBeasts2Full.org

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: “Uplifting Minds II” Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 21, 2019) and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/the-pulse-of-entertainment-instant-family-is-hilarious-fantastic-beasts-2-is-a-mystical-cliff-hanger/

*The prominent Chicago pastor has come under fire for kicking a cross-dressing male out of his church Sunday night.

Pastor Antonio Rocquemore of Power House International Ministries is speaking out about the incident after advocates of the LGBTQ came for his head.

In response, Rocquemore said the male member had been repeatedly warned that he would not be allowed to dress like a female during service.

As reported by christianpost.com, a clip showing Rocquemore rebuking the church member was first highlighted by Christian James Lhuillier.

“Some of y’all are going to have to excuse my language but I am tired of this sh*t. In a place that is supposed to be a place of change, a place of deliverance, whatever you want to call it why would you destroy someone in front of a room full of people?” Lhuillier asked.

“This is the kind of bullsh*t that causes people to go home and commit suicide. Sh*t like this is the reason that the church has no power in 2018 because they are so worried about the wrong things. I know drag queens and transsexuals that can pray you out of sickness faster and some of these preachers that collect your love offerings every Sunday,” he continued.

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“I would have turned that church clean out do you hear me!!!!!!!!! It’s time for us to stand up for what we believe and stand in our truth and walk away from these ministries that bash who we are. Too many illegitimate relationships have been created trying to conform to a mold you were never meant to fit. I have a great deal of respect for the house of God. But I wish upon wishes upon wishes that had been me. The city of Chicago would never forget my name!” Lhuillier ended.

In the complete recording of the service on the church’s Facebook page, Rocquemore warns his members to guard their minds before calling out the drag queen.

“Can you leave my church and go put on man clothes?” he asked firmly.

“And don’t come here like that no more,” he continued as someone can be heard in the video declaring “thank you Jesus!”

“I hold a standard in here. Whatever you do on the outside is your business, but I will not let drag queens come in here. And if you’re gonna come in here you’re gonna come in here dressed like a man …. If you’re a man, dress like a man. If you’re a woman, dress like a woman. I’m not going to allow it. My salvation is more important and God is holding me accountable,” he added. “… you will not be wearing weaves and heels and fooling people up in here.”

In a follow-up response to the criticism, the pastor explained that the young man has been a church member for several months and had expressed a desire to embrace his manhood. He said the church had also been working privately with him and warned him several times that he couldn’t “dress like a female” during worship, the report states. 

“He was not put out the church because he was gay. First of all I don’t bash nothing. I don’t separate sin. Sin is sin. There is no need to bash one or the other if you’re preaching the word,” Rocquemore said.

“… When you join my church, all the rules and regulations is told to you then. If you ever slip up [on the rules] we would still take you privately and go over them again. This particular situation, this young man was told several times in private. I went to him personally myself,” the pastor said.

On that Sunday night, when he challenged the pastor during service, Rocquemore said he had no choice but to rebuke him publicly.

“He challenged me publicly and I challenged him back publicly. I asked the young man to leave. There was no security taking him out … sir can you please change clothes,” he said.

 Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/pastor-under-fire-for-kicking-cross-dressing-male-member-out-of-church-service-watch/

*Idris Elba has been named People’s 2018 Sexiest Man Alive and while many women agree that the magazine finally got it right (after naming Blake Shelton the sexist last year), decider.com contributor Claire Spellberg has noted that “I’m not sure Idris Elba knows how to make out.”

Spellberg breaks down her reasoning using gifs to support her theory about Elba’s kissing skills… get into it below.

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Spellberg writes:

As Stringer Bell in The Wire, Elba kisses with so much tongue that you’d think he’s a dog trying to get the last bit of peanut butter out of a jar. We’re talking full-on licking, plus some slurping noises that definitely did not deserve to make it into the final sound mix.

While Stringer Bell’s friends (and enemies) got to bone like 24/7 on The Wire, old man String didn’t get his chance until Season 2, when he started dating Donette (Shamyl Brown) while her boyfriend, D’Angelo Barksdale, was in prison. When they hit it off, I was super excited. But alas, that excitement quickly faded when I saw that Stringer kisses like a seventh grader. Stringer goes in IMMEDIATELY with his tongue, and it would be generous to say that he sticks the landing. Instead of making out with Donette’s mouth, his tongue kind of catches on her chin, and he’s forced to (or wants to?) lick his way up until he hits her lips.

While many adoring fans would love to be licked by Mr. Elba, some might agree with Spellberg that all his extra tongue action is a deal breaker. 

pellberg writes:

I get it: people french in different ways. But you cannot — I repeat, CANNOT — tell me that I should be able to see your tongue before it makes it into someone else’s mouth. Elba goes tip-first (obviously I’m referring to the tip of his tongue) in each of his sex scenes in The Wire, practically all of which were with Brown’s Donette. Here’s Stringer grossly kissing Donnette in Season 2 Episode 3, “Hot Shots”:

Elba shows off his tongue once again in Season 3 Episode 4, “Amsterdam.” This time, String lands a little closer to Donette’s mouth, but there’s still an unsettling moment where his tongue leads the charge in their kiss, effectively negating anything sexy about the moment.

Meanwhile, this writer can’t help but think how lucky the actress was to have her mouth molested by Idris’ tongue.

pellberg ends her piece with: The verdict? Idris Elba may be the Sexiest Man Alive, but he’s still a gross kisser.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/idris-elba-may-be-the-sexiest-man-alive-but-for-some-hes-a-gross-kisser/