Source: Jeff Kravitz / Getty HBO Releases ‘Watchmen’ Official Trailer Watchmen is about to be HBO’s hottest new franchise series and we couldn’t be more excited for the premiere. The comic book adaptation is sure to fulfill the nerdiest dreams, not to mention it stars one of our personal faves, Regina King . Today, we get our first “official” look at the series with a full trailer. You’re gonna wanna see this. Press play below. HYPE!!!!
For the last several weeks, we’ve been documenting the many ways in which June Shannon is in trouble with her family. But these issues between loves ones suddenly seem harmless and unimportant. Because June Shannon is now in serious trouble with the law. The long-time reality star — who rose to fame as the mother of a child beauty pageant contestant on Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and who now anchors her very own series, Mama June: From Not to Hot — has been indicted on a charge of felony drug possession. Said charge stems from a March arrest during which time cops in Alabama said Shannon had on her person both crack cocaine and a glass pipe. She was caught in a gas station parking lot at that time, arguing loudly with terrible boyfriend Geno Doak. He was also arrested back then for drug charges and domestic violence and both he and Shannon have now also been hit with a misdemeanor charge for paraphernalia. According to TMZ, Mama June was not at the Alabama courthouse Friday for this indictment. However, in a strange twist (although perhaps not to strange, given this family’s history), her sister was there with a camera crew, hoping to stage some sort of intervention. This would have been the second intervention relatives held for June in the past few months, as they previously tried to convince her to leave Doak and focus on her children’s well-being. Alas, June has seemingly chosen Geno over daughters Alana and Lauryn. The former is currently residing with the latter and has said she won’t return home until her mother leaves Geno. On September 1, Alana posted a selfie on Instagram and as a caption she wrote: “It’s ok not to be ok sometimes it’s hard to follow your heart doesn’t mean you losing everybody bruising.” Fans of the young star took to the comments and began to share their love and support for her during this challenging time in her family’s life. More recently, various sources have reported that Shannon is selling everything she can just to make ends meet and won’t even have anywhere to live in the near future. She plans to just ride around in an RV with Doak and, we presume, at least try not to ger arrested again. It’s all rather tragic when you remember there is at least one young kid involved here. As for this latest, significant legal situation? Shannon is due to be in court for a hearing later this month. She has not yet commented on the indictment nor has WEtv yet canceled her reality show. But the network really would be well-served to distance itself from this troubled start as quickly as possible and in as strong terms as it possibly can. We’re thinking of you, Alana. Try to hang in there, okay? View Slideshow: June Shannon: Living Out of Vile Hotel Rooms with Crazy BF Geno After Crack Arrest!?
Source: Hello Beautiful / Courtesy of Hello Beautiful and Madame Noire On Wednesday evening, Madame Noire and Hello Beautiful held a screening for ‘ The Weekend ,’ a new screenplay written and directed by Stella Meghie. The rom com is about a comedian named Zadie, played by Sasheer Zamata, who spends the weekend at her judgmental mothers’ (played by Kym Whitley) bed and breakfast with her ex-boyfriend (played by Tone Bell) and his new girlfriend (played by DeWanda Wise). The movie begins with Zadie doing a stand-up routine essentially discussing how stupid it is to think she could actually be friends with her ex-boyfriend before leading us directly into the movie. The trailer for this movie doesn’t do the actual movie justice. I was pleasantly surprised when watching this movie at the painfully honest, relatable moments that many Black women can feel when fully trying to let go of an ex. The movie is beautifully shot and the lighting for the movie is extremely well done. I loved that Meghie cast two dark skin women to play the lead and illustrate that they are desirable by men whether it’s with their natural hair or their weaves. The movie shows the range of DeWanda Wises’ acting and Sasheer Zamata will leave you gasping for air with laughter. At the screening, actor Tone Bell was in conversation with Madame Noire culture editor Veronica Wells and admitted that out of all the actors’ Zamata ad-libbed the most. He further revealed, “We had a lot of fun with this movie but many parts were cut out, I realize, if they left it in, it would have been a totally different movie.” I’m glad it’s the movie it turned out to be. It was refreshing and relatable and easily can become a cult classic in the Black community. I haven’t felt anything so authentic since Awkward Black Girl back in its YouTube days. Zamata is undoubtedly the star and in future I want to see everything and anything she’s involved in. The movie releases Friday, September 13th and will be available in select theaters and on demand. This is definitely one to watch! Keep clicking to see images from the screening party in New York City hosted by Madame Noire and Hello Beautiful .
Source: GEOFF ROBINS / Getty Keke Palmer is living her best life! When the 26-year-old triple threat isn’t busy sharing co-hosting duties on Strahan, Sara and Michael , she’s working on other projects in TV, film and social media. Her most recent foray onto the big screen is Hustlers , female-helmed stripper revenge drama that also stars Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B, Constance Wu, and Lizzo. Palmer plays Mercedes, a crafty comedic vixen who is down with the #GirlGang of strippers hustling unwitting clients out of money. Hustlers is in theaters today, and we got to briefly chat Palmer about preparing for the film, her NYFW debut, comedic aspirations, and how the Marvel Universe would be a good look for her! Hello Beautiful: Tell me about Mercedes and what attracted you to the role? Keke Palmer: What attracted me was that when I read some of her lines, I felt like she was a bit of a comic relief, and I really love and have been excited in the past few years with just my skits on my [social media], and just really going into comedy and embracing that aspect of myself. So, I was excited about the opportunity to showcase some of that, but then also just the entire group of women that I would be working with. The director was great. This is a movie that’s very gag-worthy where it’s like, strippers and Jennifer Lopez! Yes! But then to meet her and to know that it’s a movie that had depth, that the production also put women in a very powerful position and that it was going to be very cinematic; I was like, okay, I really want to be a part of this! HB: Your character didn’t have any pole routines, but I heard you went and took some classes at Foxy Fitness in Manhattan. Is that true? KP: Yes. HB: Did you train with Ashley Fox? KP: I did go there but I feel bad that I don’t remember the girl’s name, but I did go there. I know that Foxy Fitness is where we went and did a training class. I just wanted to try it because so often people at say that it’s such a good workout and there’s also so much fun. So I was just like in my life. I’ve been trying to make time to go to one and when I did the movie I said, they’ve got somebody that’s doing classes. I might as well just go and so me and Lili [Reinhart] went and we had a blast, but it was not easy. HB: Did you learn anything about the pole community that you didn’t know before? KP: I think I really understood that pole dancing is a true art. Even if you are a stripper in the club, it doesn’t mean you know how to pole dance. That’s something that some girls never learn or never play with. So for me, I was just like, if you’re a pole answer you are dope! HB: Okay, so you had a big moment at NYFW. You walked your first runway with cornrows and red lipstick. So what did that mean to you? What does that mean for the brown girls out there who might still be afraid to wear red lipstick or think that brains can’t be chic? KP: We got to step into ourselves and own ourselves, which I think many of us do! This is the thing, people might have comments about your hair being this way or being that way, but I think the real point is that it’s about what you think. So if you’re not into something then cool, that’s your prerogative, but we can’t do it based off of what other people think about us. And I think the most beautiful thing about you is what is uniquely you. I did the big chop a couple of years ago and embracing my natural curls and finding ways to compliment them has been such an amazing and empowering journey for me because don’t nobody have this hair! This is my journey. Just don’t get to a place where you feel like what you have already isn’t good and like you have to fix it. HB: So speaking of hair, I heard you know how to do hair like with sewins and what not! KP: Yup, I do! HB: Do you know how to braid too? KP: Yep. HB: With extensions? KP: I do know how to braid with extensions, but I need to get better at tucking. HB: So let’s say you’re going on vacation soon and don’t feel like dealing with your hair. What would be your go-to braided style? KP: I would just do two braids. HB: With hair added or just natural? KP: I would do it with my natural hair, especially if I’m on vacation. Who the hell I’m tryna impress [laughs]? I’m on vacation love, two braids! And then if I had somebody do it, I might do individuals. Braids are always a perfect go-to. HB: Absolutely and they last forever. Well not forever— KP: But they do, somewhat! HB: Going back to red lipstick, what’s your favorite red right now? KP: I used to feel like yuck about dark colors, but not because of my complexion, because sometimes I felt like it aged me. I always try to keep a very youthful type of look, but I’ve learned different ways to rock red lips that have made me feel like, okay, this is a moment. This is how I pull the look together. I think really figuring out, you know, maybe I don’t go heavy on the eyeshadow, maybe I do something lighter, or maybe just an eyeliner is what I need and sometimes I’m not going to go too heavy on the contour but I’ll go heavier on the lip. It’s about finding different ways to enhance it. I think because a red lip, I don’t care what comes out you are. It’s always strong color in matching it and figure out what it looks good with. HB: Back on a more serious note, how do you feel about black female visibility in the media right now? I feel like It’s always changing. It’s always Ebbs and flows. I feel like sometimes it’s what you seek out. It depends on what you’re looking for; if you’re looking for something that’s commercial. We don’t always see that Black Panther moment [but] I want to be the kind of person that says I’m happy we’re getting a Harriet Tubman film. I’m happy that Viola Davis has her own hit show. I’m happy that Will Smith broke the record on Netflix. There are great people out there that are representing and getting major platforms to do it, but of course, at the end of the day, the more people that we can have of color, of more diversity, the better. We can have men and women, young and old, Black and White. That way, more our stuff is going to look realistic to the world. If we only have certain people that are putting the movies together and putting the music together, putting the Fashion shows together, they’re not going to relate to as much to the other groups that are being ignored. I want more representation to be behind the scenes because if they’re behind the scenes then we’re going to see it in front. HB: It’s funny you mentioned a Black Panther moment because I high Key want you to be part of the Marvel Universe. I want you to play Madam Slay or something! KP: O h my God! I would love to be a part of Marvel! And you know I’m with Disney now, girl! That would be a dream. I would love to do an action movie. HB: What are some other types of roles are you looking forward to? KP: I’m definitely in the bag of comedies and action. I’m loving to do that kind of thing or a coming of age story, like to put you in the mind of an everyday movie. So often, especially as black people, we either do something very dramatic or it’s just funny, but it’s never like Bridget Jones’s Diary or the kind of movies that Jennifer Aniston. We don’t often get those kinds of things from the perspective of, I’m just a Black woman living life and that’s why I’m excited for Issa Rae’s new movie, The Photograph because I think it’s going to be just a day in the life. You know, I want to see Black women, just everyday Black women. I also really love Taraji’s What Women Want. I love those kinds of movies where it’s just like this just a story, that’s just how life is, it’s just a vibe. That’s something I’m very interested in giving especially to the millennial, young adult a generation. HB: You mentioned the sketches you do online earlier, and I’ve seen some on Instagram. It’s so unique because you only have a certain amount of time to convey your message so talk about why you’ve opened yourself to that lane as an actress? KP: [Social Media] is a very powerful tool because in this industry, especially knowing how it is with traditional talent, it’s kind of hard because there’s only so much you can do when it comes to people seeing you for a role. And, wanting to produce things takes a lot of time. When I produced Pimp, that took us almost six years. So social media is something that you can do quick and fast and you can create an avenue for yourself that maybe the industry doesn’t see for you and you can actually accumulate data and proof that it works and you can learn your audience and then it becomes easier when you go to knock down the door. A s a creative rebel was just saying that this is what I want to do. I had no platform to really do it other than this one so I’m going to do it. And at first, people didn’t know what was going on when I did, “The gag is!” or when I did, “Southern Belles.” It was something that they didn’t expect but it’s just me expressing myself, following my audience and just really trying to entertain and also have fun doing it. RELATED POSTS GET THE LOOK: Keke Palmer’s Black and Neon Style Won’t Set You Back One Month’s Rent Money! Cardi B Cast In Stripper Revenge Drama With J-Lo And Keke Palmer
Source: JOSEPH PREZIOSO / Getty Felicity Huffman Has Been Sentenced To 2 Weeks in Prison Felicity Huffman has finally been sentenced for her role in the nationwide college admissions scandal. According to reports from TMZ , the Desperate Housewives actress was sentenced to only 14 days in prison on Friday in a Boston federal courtroom. “I am deeply sorry to the students, parents, colleges and universities impacted by my actions,” she said during the hearing. “I have inflicted more damage (on her daughter) than I could’ve ever imagined. I was frightened, I was stupid and I was so wrong. I am deeply ashamed of what I have done.” This sentencing comes about a week after news that prosecutors recommended a month behind bars, arguing that house arrest at a luxurious pad is far from being a punishment. The actress’ legal team was pushing for no prison time after Huffman admitted to paying a proctor $15,000 to inflate her daughter’s SAT scores. The 56-year-old will begin her sentence on October 25 and in addition to the prison time, she was fined $30,000, received a year of supervised release, and has been ordered to complete 250 hours of community service. Though the high-profile actress receiving any jail time is relatively shocking, 14 days is nothing compared to sentences for those like Tanya McDowell , the black mother serving 12 years for sending her child to school in a better district. Are we surprised? No. Are we disappointed? Absolutely.
Source: Momorad / Getty Former Ohio Teenager Acquitted On Charges Of Murdering Her Newborn baby 20-year old Brooke Skylar Richardson was found not guilty on Friday after being accused of killing her newborn baby and burying her in the backyard. The former Ohio cheerleader was acquitted on three serious charges, including aggravated murder and involuntary manslaughter — however, the jury did find her guilty of gross abuse of a corpse which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison. According to reports , the defense team argued during the trial that Richardson, who was a high school cheerleader at the time, was scared because the baby, which she named Annabelle, was stillborn. Meanwhile, prosecutors suggested that Richardson killed her baby and then buried the body in the backyard of her family’s home in Carlisle, Ohio days after her high school prom because she did not want to “ruin her perfect life”. Assistant prosecutor Steven Knippen said in court: “Shortly, after murdering her daughter and placing her daughter in the dirt, and not even having the decency to cover it with a blanket, she sent two elated text messages: My belly is back, my belly is back.” The shocking verdict came after an eight-day trial during which jurors had to decide whether Richardson was just a frightened 17-year old who experienced a stillbirth or “a cold-blooded murderer”; and they chose the latter. The young defendant was sentenced to three years of basic supervision but will serve no more jail time. As part of the sentence she was set to spend seven days in the county jail, but Warren County Judge Donald Oda II credited her with time already served. Meanwhile, there are women of color sitting in jail for crimes they actually didn’t do. SMH. This story totally reeks of White privilege.
Source: Gotham / Getty Stephen A. Smith Invites Nessa And Colin Kaepernick Onto ‘First Take’ Nessa Diab , radio/TV host and the esteemed significant other of one Colin Kaepernick , stepped to Stephen A. Smith at a New York radio station yesterday to address some of the things he and others had reported about the blackballed quarterback. SAS says that despite the sensitive nature of everything surrounding Kaepernick and the NFL, Nessa and her team were very respectful, but they did not bite their tongues about incorrectly reported “news”. Press play to see Stephen A. explain how it went down. . @Stephenasmith extends an invite to Colin Kaepernick, Nessa Diab and Eric Reid to be on the show after having a brief conversation with Nessa yesterday. pic.twitter.com/v7tvAYGfZx — First Take (@FirstTake) September 13, 2019 Do you think Colin and Nessa will accept Stephen A.’s offer? Should they?
There was one troubling sight on Jersey Shore: Family Vacation this week… … along with many signs of serious trouble on the horizon. But let’s start with the former, shall we? Let’s start with the roommates heading to Las Vegas to watch Vinny Guadagnino take part in Sin City’s most scandalous male striptease show, Chippendales. Poor Vinny, however, ended up spraining his ankle before his month-long residency could begin — and he was petrified of what the show’s producers might say in response. Thankfully, the “Keto Guido” smiled and joked and charmed their socks off like only he can convincing them he would merely stay off the injured foot until he had to go stage. This meant he was bound to a scooter the entire time. Cue the mockery! Pauly D especially went off on his pal for this mode of transportation, while Vinny mom called her son multiple times to check in on him. “Hi, Vin,” Paula said out of extreme concern when he answered the phone. “How you doin’, honey? Oh my God, Vinny. I wanted to kill myself when I saw you on that scooter. Is it still swollen, Vin? Buy the bags of peas.” “Ma, they have ice packs. I don’t need peas,” Vinny responded. “Well, the peas conform to the ankle, that’s why. I swear to God,” she explained. Rolling his eyes, Vinny said the typical son stuff and hung up the phone, only to have her call back moments later. “Buy the bags of the mixed vegetables, anything,” his mom begged, again quite solemnly. While this was all in good fun, Vinny and Pauly were later legitimately concerned about Ronnie’s ongoing erratic behavior. “I haven’t talked to Ronnie since his daughter’s birthday, and I just assumed everything was good because when he’s quiet on social media, there’s nothing,” Pauly said, adding: “Then I know he was in Cabo right now. “And then all of a sudden, he’s posting erratically again. That’s how I know something’s wrong, I just don’t know what’s wrong. I hope he’s okay.” “Me, too,” Vinny replied. “But our instincts are usually right. I wanna sit here and be like, ‘Oh, it’s fine. He turned his life around.’ But we always say that, and then it gets 10 times worse. And that shit is toxic.” That shit, of course, is Ronnie’s romance with Jen Harley . Speaking in his confessional, Pauly made it clear this wasn’t just for show. He’s sincerely worried. “I keep up with Ronnie on social media. That’s how I know what he’s up to. So I check in once in a while, and check that he’s in Mexico. I’m like, ‘Great, alright, he’s with his friends, having a good time.’ “And then he posts a photo of the baby. I’m like, ‘Alright, he wants to show that he’s missing his baby. That’s fine.’ “Then another baby photo, another baby photo. When he posts this, I know something’s wrong.” To their great, these stars approached Ronnie and asked how he was doing. (He checked into rehab early this year for alcoholism and depression .) They didn’t fear the confronation, but they did grow scared over what he had to say. “Me and Jen are good, bro,” Ron said when Pauly asked how his relationship with Harley was going, continuing as follows: “Yeah, we’re good. We haven’t been fighting. Everything’s been going good lately, you know? “Today’s a good day, and that’s all I can worry about. I just — I been good, bro. Just one day at a time, and that’s really all I can do, bro.” Will Jen be stopping by Vegas any time soon? No, Ronnie retorted. “I have my life with her, and I have my life with you guys. I’m just kind of cleaning up my mess at this point from last year, if you wanna just call it that.” Pauly said he understood, yet the whole conversation was so awkward. He later told the camera he wanted to give Ron “the benefit of the doubt because he’s coming out of rehab. Maybe he’s fine. Maybe they’re good. I don’t know. “Listen, he’s my brother at the end of the day. I wanna see his life flourish! I don’t wanna see it turn into a mess. But the past is the past; he keeps reliving it.” After Ronnie exited, Pauly FaceTimed Vinny to let him know what Ron had said about Jen. “I can feel and sense a Ronpage about to happen,” he said ominously. “But I hope I’m wrong.” Nope, man. You were not totally wrong . View Slideshow: Jersey Shore: Battered Ronnie Lies to Protect Jen Harley AGAIN For Some Reason!
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.
