Source: WENN.com / WENN The blatant privilege of it all. Actress Felicity Huffman , who was one of the biggest names caught up in the college admissions scandal, just received her punishment for trying to bribe her kid’s way into college. Her sentence? 14 days in prison. According to NBC News , Huffman was sentenced on Friday. Joined by her actor husband, William H. Macy , Huffman was also sentenced to a fine of $30,000 and 250 hours of community service. “I am deeply sorry to the students, schools, and universities, that are impacted by my actions,” Huffman said, while choking up. “I take full responsibility for my actions and as a first step for making amends for my crime. I will accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate.” U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, who handed down the sentence, said the scandal demonstrated a major imbalance in America in which rich parents are able to give their kids more advantages. She said she didn’t relish sending Huffman to prison, but she believed it was the right decision. “I don’t think anyone wants to be going to prison, I do think this is the right sentence here,” said Talwani. “You move forward and you can rebuild your life after this. You pay your dues.” Yet there are tons of Black people in prison for minor non-violent offenses serving way more time than 14 days. Of course, much of Twitter wasn’t happy with Huffman’s sentencing. Huffman pleaded guilty to mail fraud and honest services fraud for dishing out $15,000 to college fixer Rick Singer to cheat on daughter Sophia Grace Macy’s SAT test back in 2017. Yet, she somehow evaded a prison system in which the less wealthy and less White folks aren’t so lucky. Ironically, probation officials initially said the government was at fault for setting Huffman’s sentencing range at four to nine months because the amount of money she paid should not be a factor in how she’s sentenced. They said Huffman should be subject to the lowest sentencing guidelines of zero prison time to six months. It looks like they got what they wanted. “The mere fact that prosecutors asked for such little prison time showed that Huffman appeared to be in good position to avoid time behind bars,” said NBC legal analyst Danny Cevallos. “Federal courts are under obligation to avoid ‘unwarranted sentencing disparities.’ A sentence of incarceration for Felicity Huffman sure seems like an unwarranted sentencing disparity.” So basically, there are people who think her sentencing is actually too severe. Again, folks on Twitter had thoughts. Watch whiteness work https://t.co/YAiIxqoVnQ — Black Aziz aNANsi (@Freeyourmindkid) September 13, 2019 Let's be real. Felicity Huffman's sentence is an invitation to rich white parents all over America: Cheat if you must. You're safe. https://t.co/NrUlr3Hubh — Anand Giridharadas (@AnandWrites) September 13, 2019 Hit the next pages for more pointed reactions.
Source: Sean Drakes / Getty When I found out that I was going to Kerby Jean-Raymond’s Pyer Moss show, I couldn’t feel my legs for a minute and it felt like the room was spinning around me at 100 mph. Granted, I had been to one of the designer’s shows a few seasons ago and had loved every single second of it, but this time, it was extremely different. In just two short years, Kerby has gone from a Black designer to watch to the designer of the moment, and dare I say, a designer of the century. He’s the type of public figure that urban kids can quickly identify, among the Off-Whites and Balenciagas splattered on every streetwear roundup. He’s the fashion designer whose clothing is clean and respectable — he’s not really gimmicky or peacocky just for the sake of show, but his clothes pack a bunch and are well-tailored. He’s the Black designer who straddles this fence between resources and talent, one minute discussing in magazine spreads how he received death threats for his Spring ‘16 show, and then the next minute taking out Kings Theater to well over a thousand spectators as the entire fashion world stopped for a moment in time. Attempting to write about the Pyer Moss S/S 2020 Collection feels like trying to explain what water tastes like to the malnourished, or what love feels like to one who has only known trauma. I suppose I should also point out that other than the extraordinary rise in Kerby’s career over the past few years, the other reason why the invitation to his show was downright unbelievable to me was because I wasn’t being asked to attend as press. I was simply being asked to attend on my own accord. Working press during NYFW is a marathon, indeed, but it’s also exhausting as hell. Fighting to get quotes, to snap photos, to ensure you’ve received all the assets you need before jet-setting off to the next show or to your laptop to sit down and write, write, write, can feel emotionally and spiritually draining. There were moments throughout the season I had to work press for shows, and that was totally fine: Building TheBlondeMisfit.com has been the act and labor of love that I have sought to create space in, but being Black media and press is also a who’s who game. Sometimes you don’t get the quote, or you don’t get the angle. Sometimes the larger outlet does steal your material and you’re not acknowledged, or everyone else’s team of five has the same responsibilities as your team of one. So to know that for one night, the show of my dreams only asked for me to sit back and enjoy without the added responsibility of work afterwards? I was moved, and after seeing the show, I was thankful. Source: Sean Drakes / Getty There are a lot of show reviews on Pyer Moss’s latest collection, and honestly, I stand by them all. There’s interviews, backstage looks, features, and so much more. This third collection focused on the contributions of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, also known as the Black woman who invented Rock’N’Roll. With jewelry done by Johnny Nelson, an entire choir named “The Pyer Moss Tabernacle Drip Choir Drenched in The Blood,” parts of design by Christopher John Rogers, and more, the show was not just Black. It was undeniably Black. The choir sang hits from influential Black women in music, from Lil’ Kim to Tina Turner, as beautifully dripped clothing walked the runway. We saw tailored suits, pleated asymmetric skirting, plunging necklines, and evening wear ready for the red carpet. We saw the color block moto jackets in partnership with Sean John, and the iconic “Vote or Die” T-shirt re-emerge in today’s troubling political climate. But throughout the show, I couldn’t help but find myself putting the phone down in an attempt to just enjoy this moment — it wasn’t the Black models, or the Black clothing, or the Black choir, or the thousand people filled into this theater for this Black man and his team. It was the message of what fashion can be and what it should be. View this post on Instagram At @pyermoss last night. I never thought I could belong in fashion, and I still don't think that I do. I'm hypercritical of myself and my talents, and I oftentimes wonder if I'm taking on too much and if I will fumble the bag. But I have had so many people, family, friends, and you all, who have loved me from near and far, who have poured into me and have affirmed me in this space. To know that wherever I plant my seed, it blossoms. Whatever I touch, it gets to grow. That the work I've put in hasn't gone unseen, and that I have little angels all around me working those overtime hours. This is because I have given God all of my gifts, and have asked Him to order my steps and my anointing. I've asked Him to show people that TheBlondeMisfit isn't on man's timing, but on God's. HE will put you in the presence of great men and women, and to be in the presence of the impact that @kerbito brought to fashion literally made me cry. It is divine orchestration that proves I was meant to be there. That I am doing fine and that God is making a way. I may not always know what's on the other side of fear, but I know who holds the keys. It was an honor to wear THREE black designers last night to the most undeniably groundbreaking, thought-provoking, memorizing, and Blackest show I have ever seen. Thank You Kerby for letting God use you as a vessel for the people, and for reminding me how powerful purpose truly is. A post shared by Jamé Jackson (@theblondemisfit) on Sep 9, 2019 at 11:13am PDT Friends and family know I believe I’m a fashion ‘outsider’, thus the ‘misfit’ misnomer. Even as I learn and meet more people, take up more space, and fill more rooms, I learn that the collective thought of fashion has changed over the years, and that there are still misunderstood misfits in fashion. There are still people who are thinking in colors, and shapes, and hues, whereas the majority are still thinking about what they had for breakfast that morning. As the models did their final walk and the choir belted out a gospel song that’s lyrics sought for God to make one over again, tears streamed my face as I realized I was sitting in on a moment of history. A reclamation of Black women and our bodies and our narratives, not just in fashion, but in history, was taking place right on the stage in the presence of a multicultural and multidimensional crowd. I felt the spirit in the theater, the same spirit I feel on Sunday mornings when I head to church and reconcile that God’s gotten me through another week, or the same spirit I feel when I give honor and praise in the wee hours in the morning when I know I am spiritually under attack. It’s the same spirit I know my mommy and grandmommy felt walking the floorboards as they prayed to a Creator to make a way out of no way, and surely, He always did. I felt God’s face shine upon us and confirm that we, as a people, would be alright. But more importantly, I saw what divine manifestation can look like for another when you walk in purpose. That is what is missing from these show reviews I’ve been reading, who have accurately discussed the beauty of the clothing, or the choir, or the resounding speech that started the show. The show reviews that probably gave you the backstory of how droves of people were standing outside the Theater for blocks and blocks, hundreds, if not thousands of people there just to see if they could buy a ticket. I’m sure you’ve read the reviews of people discussing the power and the magnitude of Kerby’s show, some even calling it his “church” and what’s next in fashion. But walking away, I saw the purpose of something so much more than clothing or a review. Sunday night is a hope for anyone out there with a dream and a prayer, with faith the size of a mustard seed, that if it’s of God, He can truly change the game with your gifts. He can change the industry with your talents. The clothes and the music and celebrity sightings are all gravy to the entré, which brings us back to center and makes us question for the rest of our lives are we operating in purpose or are we solely skating by. I want to thank Kerby for relighting a fire within me and all who attended. For honoring the Black women who have come before, and will undoubtedly come after us. And for all of those who understand now more than ever we can reclaim that power and use it to channel true change in the industry. I never want that feeling I felt to die, nor the feeling that being an ‘outsider’ is wrong when God is using your vision for a larger purpose. The world stopped for Kerby, they can stop for us as well. DON’T MISS: #NYFWNOIR: Studio One Eighty Nine Brought The Motherland To New York Fashion Week #NYFWNOIR: Maki Oh Continues To Define Afromodernism To The West #NYFWNOIR: Here’s How This Black Designer Got Beyoncé To Wear Her Shoes [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”3058068″ overlay=”true”]
Source: GP Images / Getty When we think of celebs debuting a new hair lewk, The Weeknd is the last person that comes to mind. A true fly below the radar type of guy, the singer mostly gets attention for his soothing voice and high-profile relationships. Many of us know the Canada native for his chunky locs and cropped cut styles. So, once we found out that the “ Try Me ” singer was generating buzz in the hair department, we were immediately intrigued! The true epitome of the saying “new hair, who’s this?,” the singer debuted his new TWA at the TIFF premiere of his upcoming film, Uncut Gems . The star hasn’t been in the public eye lately so once the photo made its rounds, it’s safe to say we were all shook. If you ask us, the star is serving major Lionel Richie meets Tito Jackson vibes with this mane move. It’s definitely out of the box for the singer (real name Abel Makkonen Tesfaye), but in true creative nature, there is absolutely nothing wrong with changing up your look. While we’re still getting over our shock of his head-turning new ‘do, Black Twitter has been having a field day! From hilarious jokes to predictions of a new album on the way, we can always count on our Twitter family to give us a good laugh. Keep clicking to check out some of the funny and lowkey true tweets about The Weeknd’s hair transformation.
John Wesley, a long-time actor likely best known for his role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, died Saturday after a long battle with multiple myeloma. He was 72 years old. Gerry Pass, Wesley’s manager and producer, confirmed this unfortunate news in a statement that read: John Wesley was a gift to the world, for his kindness and grace are immortalized in his works of theatre, TV and film. I am heartbroken to have lost a dear friend today. A veteran of the Vietnam War and a graduate of UCSD with a MFA degree, Wesley had over 100 roles in film and television on his resume… including an episode of the aforementioned sitcom where he played the father of a girl that bullied Will’s cousin, Ashley. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, of course, is the show on which Will Smith for his giant break. Wesley may be a familiar face to almost anyone who has watched television over the past couple decades, however. He also played Mr. Jim, the barber shop owner on Martin and the all-knowing janitor Willie on The Jamie Foxx Show. The actor’s dramatic TV guest roles included appearances on JAG, Hill Street Blues and In the Heat of the Night. Over the course of a very impressive career, Wesley worked with talens such as Denzel Washington, Albert Finney, Barbra Streisand, Tim Burton and Morgan Freeman. Here is a blurry photo of him acting alongside Smith: In the wake of Wesley’s passing, numerous stars, fans and organizations have taken to social media in order to pay tribute to the late actor. “We are honored to have had John Wesley at our festival. Farewell dear man. Journey well. We send our love with you. Thank you, John,” the Hollywood Women’s Film Festival organization wrote, for example. “We send our love to John’s family and to our beloved Michael Learned, our friend Producer Gerry Pass and the entire cast and crew,” the group added. A Facebook commenter also came across the news and wrote: “I actually cried reading the article only [because] his work was so moving and level of shows and tv is astonishing to say the least. Rest easy former army veteran may you find peace.” Wesley is survived by his wife, Jenny Houston; his mother, Hazel Baskin; his daughters, Kimiko Kamiel Houston and Kinshasha Houston; stepson, Kyler Richie; nine siblings and seven grandchildren. May he rest in peace. View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Died in 2019: In Memoriam
She may not be a housewife, but we’re guessing Felicity Huffman is feeling mighty desperate these days, Along with fellow actress Lori Loughlin, Huffman is one of the faces of the college admissions bribery scandal , which made tabloid headlines back in March and continues to create endless legal nightmares for many well-heeled, but ethically-deficient parents. Basically, Loughlin and Huffman stand accused of handing out bribes in order to ensure their children’s admission to top colleges. Loughlin refused a plea deal and is planning to fight her charges in front of a judge. Huffman accepted a deal from prosecutors — but it looks like the court is still planning to make an example of her. According to documents filed on Friday, the U.S. Attorney’s office is recommending that Huffman pay a fine of $20,000 and serve one month in federal prison. “Huffman’s conduct was deliberate and manifestly criminal: it was wrong, she knew it was wrong, and she actively participated in manipulating her daughter’s guidance counselor, the testing services and the schools to which her daughter applied,” the documents read. “Her efforts weren’t driven by need or desperation, by a sense of entitlement, or at least moral cluelessness, facilitated by wealth and insularity,” prosecutors wrote. “Millions of parents send their kids to college every year. “All of them care as much as she does about the children’s fortunes. But they don’t buy fake SAT scores and joke about (‘Ruh ro!’) along the way.” The “Ruh ro!” remark is a reference to a comment Huffman made in an email to co-conspirator Rick Singer when she learned that her daughter’s high school would be using its own proctor for the SAT, which would make it more difficult for her daughter to cheat on the exam. Needless to say, it sounds as though prosecutors are taking Huffman’s case quite personally — and she’s certainly not receiving much sympathy from the public. According to TMZ, 27 people submitted letters of support defending Huffman’s actions, including her husband, William H. Macy, and her Desperate Housewives co-star Eva Longoria. But it doesn’t sound like those B-list pleas will be enough to keep Huffman from serving time. We imagine Loughlin — who, again, refused the deal that was offered to her by prosecutors — is shaking in her designer boots at the moment.
Last week, the music world was stunned by the death of Kylie Rae Harris . The 30-year-old country music sensation was killed in a multiple-car accident while driving to a gig near Taos, New Mexico. A 16-year-old girl named Mria Elena Cruz was also killed in the September 4 crash. Now, in a shocking turn of events, police have revealed that Harris appears to have been responsible for the crash, and alcohol may have been a factor. “At this time I will say with most certainty that Miss Cruz was an innocent victim of this senseless crash caused by Ms. Harris,” Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said during a recent press conference. While authorities have not decisively concluded that Harris was drunk at the time of the accident, they apparently have reason to believe that she was drinking on the night of the crash. The singer was arrested on DUI charges in 2017 and ordered to install an ignition interlock device on her vehicle, multiple outlets indicate. Previously, she had received a speeding citation. Police say speed was also a factor in last week’s accident. Rather eerily, Harris’ last Instagram post included this fond reflection of her life on the road: “I’ve been driving for almost 12 hours and you would think that’s so exhausting and boring but like, the last couple of hours driving through the mountains and remembering my place in the back seat as a little kid when my dad was making these treks here,” Harris said. “Like, it was the f–king best,” In another strange coincidence, Harris filmed a video just hours before her death, in which she spoke about the fact that several of her family members have died near Taos. “My grandparents lived here, my uncle still lives here,” she told the camera. “Literally, everybody that was here has passed away, except for my uncle, and including my dad.” Harris’ passing was confirmed in a statement released by her publicist last Wednesday night: “We are heartbroken to confirm that Kylie Rae Harris passed away in a car accident last night. “We have no further details to share, and ask for privacy for her family at this time. Everyone that knew Kylie knew how much she loved her family and, beyond that, how much she loved music. “The best tribute to her unmatched enthusiasm for both is to spread as much love as you can today, and listen to music that fully inspires you.” Our thoughts go out to the Harris and Cruz families at this difficult time. We’ll have further information on this developing story as more information becomes available. View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Died in 2019: In Memoriam
Source: Prince Williams / Getty Quality Control’s newest signee Layton Greene is vying for the R&B Princess crown with her cutesy single “Leave Em Alone.” But, aside from bad boys, what else can’t Layton Greene live without? We caught up with the singer to get that answer. Press play below. See Also: Layton Greene Talks About Being Signed To Quality Control, Her Musical Inspirations+ Plays Think Quick See Also: YBN Cordae Puts His 90s Knowledge To The Test [Exclusive Video] See Also: Is Jess Hilarious Getting Her Own TV Show? | One to Know with Raven Paris Join Our Text Club To Get The Latest Music, Entertainment, Contests And Breaking News On Your Phone. Text BALTIMORE to 24042 to join!
Source: Coachella 2015 – Week 1 – Day 1 – Performances Featuring: Azealia Banks Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 10 Apr 2015 Credit: WENNCHELLA/WENN.com Lizzo has officially made it. No we are not talking about the MTV Music Awards. She is now the target of one of music’s most spiteful detractors. As spotted on Complex Azealia Banks has decided to throw her two cents on pop’s newest sweetheart. The Harlem native left a series of scathing comments aimed at Lizzo suggesting the singer is doing the jig for the man. “Lmao the fact that the public and the media has been keeping this fat girl joke going for so long is honestly peak boredom” she wrote. But wait the hate doesn’t stop there. Banks, who hasn’t had a song buzzing since 2011 with “212”, also criticized Liz’s chart topping hit “Truth Hurts” and her swag. “The song is not good, nor is the dumpy fat girl spectacle live set she does. Saddest bit is that the girl is legit talented and truly only being allowed to shine so long as she allows herself to be this millennial mammy of sorts.” She proceeded to also throw other artists under the bus and if we are reading this right puts herself in the same light as Beyoncé. “Like illiterate Cardi then fat Lizzo. They are really choosing the worst of the black womens crop to advertise America with,” she wrote. “I guess they saw us moving too fast with it because if you realize, after Beyoncé became political in ways they didn’t like the elite stopped giving her that top top spot and started cycling out these lessers like Cardi and Lizzo (even Lil Nas X trash ass buckbreak mountain anthem) giving them Beyoncé level accolades while both being no where near the level of black female excellence she is.” You can read her rant in full below. Azealia banks attack lizzo pic.twitter.com/VPuxpmb2C5 — nicole145 (@nicole31556167) September 3, 2019 Photo: Carsten Windhorst/WENN.com
Source: Charles Mitchell Jr. / Charles Mitchell Jr. Atlanta Singer/Songwriter RAE Releases New Single “Run, Jump, Fly” We LOVE good music — don’t you? We LOVE new music sooooo much that we were hype to hear Atlanta singer/songwriter RAE has been working with one of our favorite production teams Milk + Sizz on a new EP and we’re extra hype to share her new single “Run, Jump, Fly” – which was just released. View this post on Instagram RUN JUMP FLY | Your greatness is on the other side of your fears. PUSH past them. New Music by @lovealwaysrae_ #OUTNOW Produced and Co-Written by @Milknsizz. : @fre8tive . . . . #ProdbyMilknsizz #MilknSizz #Songwriters #Producer #HipHop #RnB #Soul #Pop #NewMusic #Atlanta #Inspire #Run #Jump #Fly #Inspiration A post shared by Milk+Sizz (@milknsizz) on Aug 16, 2019 at 4:46am PDT Milk + Sizz posted a teaser clip with visuals but you can listen to the song below: About the Record: RAE, a singer/songwriter and true ATLien, releases new single “Run, Jump, Fly” Produced and Co-Written by American and Latin Grammy Award Winning husband and wife team Milk +Sizz, who will be Executive Producing her upcoming EP, Such A Lady. The song beautifully describes her transition from touring the world with Janelle Monae to leaping out front as a leading lady. Follow RAE on Instagram @lovealwaysrae_ and visit her website www.lovealwaysrae.com Stay connected with Milk+Sizz on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @MilknSizz.
Source: SplashNews / Splash News Rihanna Dines Out In Santa Monica With Billionaire Boyfriend Hassan Jameel And Family After two years together, RihRih is happily loving it up with Hassan Jameel still! And it looks like the couple has her family’s approval. Source: INF Photo/ SplashNews / Splash News Just this week, Rihanna, her billionaire boyfriend Jameel, Rih’s mom Monica Braithwaite and one of the singer/Fenty designer’s brothers were spied dining at the new Mason restaurant in Santa Monica. The dinner went down Tuesday, according to E! News reports . The 31-year-old Bajan entertainer and entrepreneur was witnessed outside the restaurant wearing a beige dress with a thigh high slit, complemented with strappy stiletto sandals. “They enjoyed a full dinner of Mason’s signature seafood & steak plates with wine and specialty cocktails,” a source told E! News. “At one point, they were arm in arm. They stayed a good few hours of the night until dark.” Arm in arm eh? Sounds affectionate. And it seems that it’s not just Rihanna’s family who approve. In June, ELLE published a photo of the couple cuddling in the Amalfi Coast while lunching with a group believed to be HIS family! The photo agency who took the snap revealed the couple took a boat ride and had lunch at Lo Scoglio in Nerano with the group. That’s a good sign right? Rihanna and the 30-year-old vice chairman of his family-owned conglomerate, Abdul Latif Jameel, have been linked since June 2017 when they were photographed kissing in Spain, but some reports say the couple have been dating as early as January 2017. Rihanna relocated to London earlier this year which some folks have speculated may have been in order to be closer to Jameel, although her Fenty line is designed in France and manufactured in Italy, so it also is a logical business move. Speaking of business, Jameel’s family business owns exclusive Toyota distribution rights in Saudi Arabia, the family owns their own pro soccer league and the family fortune is estimated to be around $1.5 billion. Not bad riiiight?!
