WTF is wrong with people? Mother’s Day was marred for crowds in New Orleans this weekend after a parade for the occasion was shattered by gun violence . Via NOLA.com reports : A Mother’s Day second-line shooting on Frenchmen Street in the 7th Ward, on Sunday about 1:45 p.m., left 19 people injured, according to the latest NOPD numbers. Earlier Sunday afternoon, NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas said that about 12 people had been injured, but the toll later grew to 19, with the NOPD explaining that some victims initially hadn’t reported being injured and more people continue to come forward. Police said 10 adult men, seven adult women, a 10-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl were struck by bullets. Both of the 10-year-old victims had graze wounds to the body and were in good condition. A man and a woman were reported to be in surgery Sunday evening. The shooting occurred in the 1400 block of Frenchmen Street at the intersection of North Villere Street. Immediately after the shooting police reported seeing three suspects running from the scene. One suspect was seen running on Frenchman toward North Claiborne, police said. NOPD spokeswoman Remi Braden said many of the victims were grazed, some by bullets that ricocheted. “At this point, there are no fatalities, and most of the wounds are not life-threatening,” she said in an email. “But all medical conditions are not known at this time as victims were rushed to nearby hospitals,” Braden continued. “Detectives are conducting interviews, retrieving any surveillance video in the area and, of course, collecting all evidence. This is an extremely unusual occurrence, and we’re confident that we will make swift arrests.” In a separate report an FBI spokeswoman made sure to be clear this incident was not the work of terrorists: Mary Beth Romig, a spokeswoman for the FBI in New Orleans, said federal investigators have no indication that the shooting was an act of terrorism. ‘‘It’s strictly an act of street violence in New Orleans,’’ she said. What the hell is going on? We can’t even have a peaceful Mother’s Day second line? We gotta do better people. Lauren McGaughy/Michael DeMocker/NOLA.com/Times-Picayune
British director Joe Wright has emerged as a favorite to direct the wildly anticipated movie adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey, reports indicate. Gus Van Sant has reportedly been angling for the job, as well, so who knows, but Wright, 40, has ties with both Universal and Focus Features. The director has helmed Anna Karenina, Hanna, Pride and Atonement , which features some major heat. The man can film a sex scene, people! As for who he’d be filming, should he in fact land this major directorial role? That remains to be seen, but the speculation is off the charts as always. Who should play Christian and Ana? Vote in our polls after the jump! Ian Somerhalder Alex Pettyfer Stephen Amell Matt Bomer Ryan Gosling Ryan Phillippe Alexander Skarsgard Henry Cavill Chris Evans Tom Hardy Other (cite in comments) View Poll » Mila Kunis Lily Collins Nina Dobrev Alexis Bledel Shailene Woodley Lucy Hale Minka Kelly Allison Williams Emma Watson Ashley Benson Other (cite in comments) View Poll »
Gravity is the latest “isolation” movie that follows one person’s–or in this case two people’s–terrifying battles against harsh, stark, nature. Think Castaway or 127 Hours or any of the Twilight movies (in this case you, the audience member are the one stranded in isolation). The difference with Gravity , starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, is that it takes place in space. Everything’s way more terrifying in space. Check out the first Gravity poster : Bullock and Clooney play Dr. Ryan Stone and Commander Matt Kowalsky, who are on a mission to space. While on a spacewalk, their ship blows up, leaving them stranded, with no communication to Earth. Alfonso Cuarón directs the film, which is set to premiere October 4.
Where is Kim Porter? Probably cracking her whip on some poor personal assistant who is on her hands and knees scrubbing the dog poo stains out of her carpet. At least that’s what the latest lawsuit against her alleges. Via RadarOnline reports : The baby mama of Sean John Combs, aka Puff Daddy, Diddy and P. Diddy, is being sued by a former assistant who claims she made her work like a slave up to 99.5 hours each week! According to the lawsuit, obtained exclusively by RadarOnline.com, Amanda Jansen was hired to work for Kim Porter in November 2011. “Pursuant to the employment agreement, Ms. Jansen was to work 99.5 hours per week. These hours included 13.5 hour shifts on Monday through Friday and 24 hour shifts (8 hours of which were unpaid) Saturday and Sunday,” the lawsuit says. “Thus, Ms. Jansen did not have regularly scheduled days off.” Among the duties Jansen was ordered to perform, the suit alleges, were cooking for the household and staff, going to Costco and “cleaning the floor if the family dog urinated, or defecated in the house.” But the living quarters provided for Amanda, the documents claim, were “abysmal” and the bedroom door didn’t have a lock. Prior to being fired, lawyers for Amanda say she conveyed her concerns that she was being short-changed to Porter and was summarily dismissed shortly thereafter. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. It’s the second lawsuit in successive months to be filed against Porter: last month, Dawn Drago, filed papers in a court alleging that Porter chain-smoked sticky icky in the house while her children were home. In the latest case, Jansen is being repped by famed attorneys Tamar Arminak and Patrick Reider. Poor thang! Kim can’t win these days between Diddy ditching her for Cassie and the help snitching on her left and right. VH1 Continue reading →
Dear Bossip , I have been seeing a guy since February of last year and in October we finally decided to make it exclusive. It has been a relationship full with lots of ups and downs because we are polar opposites. Everything from how and where we were raised, to education, and et cetera. To put it in simple terms, he’s more of the street savvy guy while I am more of the spoiled girl who had an easy life. His different perspective and outlook is what made me interested in him. However, I realized that his outlook on relationships differ from mine as well. I feel so dumb in writing about this, but social media has become a venom in our relationship. When we first started dating, I did not have a Facebook account, I was going thru one of those temporary phases of privacy I would like to say. Probably weeks later, I opened a Facebook account, and we joked around about not adding each other as a friend. At that time our relationship was still so fresh, I didn’t mind. We went on a cruise, I posted pictures of us together, and let’s just say some people were slightly shocked that me and him were seeing each other. Like I said he is very different from what I dated. After seeing the photos, some people took it amongst themselves to reach out to me, and disclose his colorful history in regards to women. I told him about it, and we had a discussion of what I was told. I am not really into the he said/she said gossip, and I also believe that everyone does have a past, as long as it stays there. But I will admit that I felt a certain way about it. As we became more serious with one another, I suggested for us to become friends, and he was adamant in saying no. He used the excuse that Facebook brought a lot of friction between his last relationship so he vowed that the next relationship he will delete his Facebook. Mind you, I know a couple of the girls he messed around with in his past, and they were all his Facebook friends. Fast forward, he deleted his Facebook, however, I still had mine. He would casually mention I should delete my Facebook, but I was insistent in saying no. Now moving to the main issue, and unfortunately Facebook wasn’t the only social media site we argued about. Here comes along Instagram, same thing, but this time I never asked him about being a follower. I just requested to be one, and he threw a huge fit, and ended up deleting his IG. This behavior was beyond suspicious to me. But I eventually got over it. So, he did not have IG for a while, until he reopened his account in December. Mind you, he never told me he opened his IG again. I found out because a mutual friend followed him, and it popped up on my timeline. I was beyond livid. I brought it up to him and we just got into another argument. The whole point is according to him, I can follow him, however, he will not follow me because he does not want to see guys liking my pictures and etc. And, on top of that he will not put any pictures of us on IG because he likes his relationships to be private…but then again he has pictures of his son. Am I getting played here for a sucker? We are about to move in together, and we just started shopping for engagement rings (because I do not play roommates) but I cannot stop letting his rules of social media bother me. I feel beyond insecure when it comes to it and I always bring it up in arguments. I feel like why is he hiding me? I mean I know all his friends, all his family is following me and etc, but I can’t help but feel insecure. Should I believe his rules or do you think he is using IG for other purposes, like to be unfaithful? – Instagrammed Insecure Dear Ms. Instagrammed Insecure , SMDH! I can’t with you all and these damn social media sites. UGH!!!! They are truly the bane of relationships. People fight, argue, break-up, divorce, and do all crazy sorts of –ish because they won’t change their status to “in a relationship,” or, someone puts, “it’s complicated,” and you won’t add them or follow them. Just delete the damn –ish and stay off the computer! How about that?!?! Y’all are acting like you’re thirteen years old. I can’t believe that you’re moving in together, and talking about engagement, yet, you can’t even manage your social life together. He doesn’t want you following him on Facebook. He doesn’t want to follow you on Instagram because he doesn’t want to see other guys liking your pictures. And, he won’t put any pictures of you and him together on Instragram because he wants his relationship to remain private. Then, he is adding, and deleting accounts because you follow him, but then he secretly opens another one without your knowledge. (You’re out of your league) Uhm, sweetie, if you can’t see and smell the deception happening here, then that poor little spoiled girl routine of trying to date the bad savvy street smart guy will only leave you strung out on some hood street fighting other ratchet birds your man is sleeping with. He is internet community d**k, and you’re sharing him with the other ratchet birds who fell for his asinine bull-ish talking about, “I don’t want anyone to know about our relationship and I want to keep it private.” Uhm, hell to the naw! Why does he need to keep you private and hidden in the shadows? If you’re his woman, then he will be happy and proud to show the world that you are his woman. (You’re out of your league) These silly a** games are for the birds. And, I need for you to stop all that damn chirping. UGH! Girl, stop trying to be cute chirping through the hood, and get a freaking backbone. He doesn’t want you following each other on Facebook because he doesn’t want any of his other women to know about you! He doesn’t want to post any photos of you and him together on Instagram because his other women will find out he is cheating on them!! HELLO!!! You stated that your friends called you up and told you about his sordid past, and you knew he was from the streets, so did you not think him being a player would cease because he met you? (You’re out of your league) Girl, I can’t with you! I swear some of you can have everything staring you right in the face, and won’t see the damn STOP sign because all you see is, “But, I love him.” Your man keeps up this internet charade and games because it’s a place to keep all his women in one locale and place to remain in contact with. He creates accounts without your knowledge because he doesn’t want you knowing or discovering his dirt. If you’re shopping for engagement rings, then don’t you think he would be happy and proud to share that he found a woman he can settle down with? A woman he loves and wants to share with the world? Thus, he will end all other relationships and boldly post photos, status updates, and the like about your love! Girl, you can’t be this naïve. You can’t be!! (Chirp, chirp) You’re out of your league. Obviously, and it’s apparent to me that you are the naïve chick who is willing to put up with his antics and games. You are the one woman who is probably not like the other girls he runs through, but, you’re not quite the woman to settle him down because he doesn’t want anyone to know about you. Yes, you may know the family and friends, but he has created this illusion for you and painted this picture of him being ready to commit, however, his actions are clearly not those of a man who is ready to be a one woman man. (You’re out of your league) So, get into marriage counseling before you commit to marrying him, and before you move in together. If he hasn’t changed, or is willing to change his player ways, and if his views on relationships are still different from yours, then it’s time to move on. You don’t want to add a headache of social media into your life because you will find yourself snooping through his phone and computer searching for his screen names, anonymous accounts, and other things he will be hiding from you. And, then you’ll be trolling the streets chirping looking for your man at some other woman’s house. Either you both end your social media pages, and focus on one another, and your family and friends, or you have one account each, and you follow one another. But, either way, stop playing the role of spoiled naïve girl because it’s not cute or attractive. No one will feel sorry for you. Open your eyes to this movie playing out because we all know how it ends. – Terrance Dean Hey Bossip Fam, what do you think? Share your opinions and thoughts below! Also, e-mail all your questions Terrance Dean : loveandrelationships@bossip.com Follow Terrance Dean on Twitter : @terrancedean “LIKE” Terrance Dean on Facebook , click HERE! Make sure to order my books Mogul: A Novel (Atria Books – June 2011; $15); Hiding In Hip Hop (Atria Books – June 2008); and Straight From Your Gay Best Friend – The Straight Up Truth About Relationships, Love, And Having A Fabulous Life (Agate/Bolden Books – November 2010; $15). They are available in bookstores everywhere, and on Amazon, click HERE!
Looks like Steve Hirsch made the right call in opening up his checkbook. Online streaming of the now-infamous Farrah Abraham sex tape , which went live Monday, was so intense that it crashed Vivid Entertainment’s site. Backdoor Teen Mom was viewed more than 2 MILLION times in just 12 hours Monday, annihilating a record previously held by … well, you take a guess. The Kim Kardashian sex tape was viewed a mere 600,000 times during the same time frame in 2007, but that’s a little misleading for a couple of reasons: Farrah may be better known now than Kim was before Ray J hit it first. The web and sex tape industry have grown exponentially since then. A Kim Kardashian-Kanye West sex tape today would crush Farrah’s totals, impressive as they are. But in any case, it looks like Abraham’s plan worked. Vivid’s site actually crashed Monday morning due to interest in her romp with James Deen, which she initially planned to pass off as a “leaked” tape. Turns out people will still pay for straight up porn minus the intrigue. Hirsch, Vivid’s CEO, paid the Teen Mom star close to $1 million for the rights to the video, which seemed way too high for who she is, but clearly wasn’t. Vivid tells TMZ that despite the technical problems, they were able to procure additional servers to help handle, as they put it, “the immense load.” Speaking of immense loads … you know what, forget it.
Cedric Brooks, a Jamaican saxophone player and influential roots musician lauded by many as a reggae great, has passed away at the age of 70. One of his sisters, Paulette Keise, said Brooks died Friday of cardiac arrest in Queens. He fell ill years ago, she said, losing his ability to speak. Brooks began his quietly legendary music career in the late 1960s as a studio musician, playing in songs such as Burning Spear’s “Door Peep.” He had hits with trumpeter David Madden including “Money Maker” and “Mystic Mood” and was part of the Jamaican ska band The Skatalites. He is survived by seven children and four sisters.
It’s about to be on between a pair of THG favorites. At least night’s Costume Institute Gala in New York City, Jennifer Lawrence stunned in a Christian Dior gown, while Emma Watson showed off more skin than usual in a black number of her own. Both are young. Both are talented. Both are awesome. But only one can win this Fashion Face-Off! Will it be The Bling Ring star or the Oscar winner? Vote now: Fashion Face-Off! Jennifer Lawrence Click Here To Vote for Jennifer Emma Watson Click Here To Vote for Emma Jennifer Lawrence or Emma Watson? Which young superstar impressed you most at the 2013 MET Gala? View Poll » Elsewhere, we’ve pitted Nina Dobrev against Julianne Hough . Follow that link and let your voice be heard!
Chris Brown has confirmed that he and Rihanna have in fact split, again. He gave an interview this weekend in which he put it in no uncertain terms. Rihanna’s absence – and Karrueche Tran ‘s presence – on Chris Brown’s 24th birthday did not go unnoticed, and the star was asked about it Sunday. In a new interview with the Australian radio station 2DayFM, he said: “I’mma do it solo. I mean, at the end of the day, shawty doin’ her own thing, she on the road. It’s always gonna be love. I’m a grown man, just gotta move forward.” It sounds like the distance wasn’t the only factor in the split, though. “People have differences, different wants and needs. At the end of the day she’s a young girl. I can’t be focused on wife-ing somebody that young.” “I’m young too. I’m doin’ my thing.” “I just got to step forward and be a man and be the best Chris Brown I can be, instead of worrying about whoever else is going to be in my side pocket,” he said. Chris also Tweeted this morning, “Imma just focus on my music.” The die was cast last week when Rihanna fan kiss photos emerged and he said his birthday plans included “trying to see as many girls as possible.” Now we know the rumors were true. It’s over. But for how long? We know how up and down Chris and Rihanna are, so it wouldn’t be surprising if, down the road, they’ll be able to rekindle the flame and prioritize it. For now, though, it looks like shawty doin’ her own thing.
Chris Brown has confirmed that he and Rihanna have in fact split, again. He gave an interview this weekend in which he put it in no uncertain terms. Rihanna’s absence – and Karrueche Tran ‘s presence – on Chris Brown’s 24th birthday did not go unnoticed, and the star was asked about it Sunday. In a new interview with the Australian radio station 2DayFM, he said: “I’mma do it solo. I mean, at the end of the day, shawty doin’ her own thing, she on the road. It’s always gonna be love. I’m a grown man, just gotta move forward.” It sounds like the distance wasn’t the only factor in the split, though. “People have differences, different wants and needs. At the end of the day she’s a young girl. I can’t be focused on wife-ing somebody that young.” “I’m young too. I’m doin’ my thing.” “I just got to step forward and be a man and be the best Chris Brown I can be, instead of worrying about whoever else is going to be in my side pocket,” he said. Chris also Tweeted this morning, “Imma just focus on my music.” The die was cast last week when Rihanna fan kiss photos emerged and he said his birthday plans included “trying to see as many girls as possible.” Now we know the rumors were true. It’s over. But for how long? We know how up and down Chris and Rihanna are, so it wouldn’t be surprising if, down the road, they’ll be able to rekindle the flame and prioritize it. For now, though, it looks like shawty doin’ her own thing.
