Source: Portland Press Herald / Getty It’s nothing like a home remedy to fix a funky situation or in this case, to light someone up who’s trespassing on your property. According to USA Today , this is exactly what happened when an Alabama man broke into a woman’s house. Cops say they responded to a domestic dispute call on Thursday and found Larondrick Macklin, 31, with burns on his face. He reportedly broke into the woman’s house armed with a gun and she defended herself by throwing a pot of hot grease on him. Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. ( Terms and conditions ). A detective with the Decatur Police Department said he learned that Macklin was the “primary aggressor in the altercation.” He was taken to the hospital after the hot grease was thrown in his face. BURGLARY ARREST: On 8/2, the DPD arrested Larondrick Macklin as a suspect in a domestic dispute. Macklin had entered the victim’s house with a firearm, and the victim defended herself with a pot containing hot grease. “The defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty.” pic.twitter.com/YOfPJkc01I — Decatur, AL Police (@DecaturALPD) August 6, 2019 Sign Up For Our Newsletter! Close Thank you for subscribing! Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. Email Submit It’s currently unclear whether Macklin had a relationship with the alleged victim. “Since the situation was of a domestic nature, we are not at liberty to discuss the relationship between the victim and the suspect at this time,” a police spokeswoman said. Macklin was arrested on charges of first-degree burglary and first-degree domestic violence. He was taken to jail after receiving medical attention and in lieu of $300,000 bond. ALSO TRENDING ON RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM : Rapper Shot And Killed In Houston See Lauren London’s Moving Birthday Note To Nipsey Hussle’s Sister Baby Shower Goals: Keyshia Cole Celebrates New Baby Boy On A Yacht [PHOTOS] Follow @TheRSMS
Source: James Devaney / Getty Aaliyah Is Going To Be Honored With Her Own Wax Figure The Princess of R&B is finally getting her own wax figure. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is going to honor Aaliyah with a figure of her in their throwback room. Starting on August 22, fans will be able to jam and reminisce with the late icon at the museum. The famous Las Vegas museum is also hosting a contest for some lucky fans to attend the VIP launch party for the unveiling of the figure. To enter, contestants must share their best Aaliyah-inspired look with the hashtag #ShowUsYourAaliyah on Instagram and the Aaliyah app. You can find out more info here . In a video announcement for the new figure, Aaliyah’s brother gives us all insight into how dedicated she was to her fans before announcing the big news. Check out the video below to hear all about the upcoming honor:
Source: Pattanaphong Khuankaew / EyeEm / Getty Cyntoia Brown Is Finally Released From Prison Cyntoia Brown is FREE! According to CNN , the now 31-year-old was sentenced to life in prison when she was only 16 after killing a man who paid her for sex. In January, she was granted clemency by then-Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, according to the Tennessee Department of Corrections. Now, Cyntoia is finally returning to a life outside bars. “I look forward to using my experiences to help other women and girls suffering abuse and exploitation,” Brown said after being released on Wednesday. Brown’s case drew national attention over the years with activists, lawmakers and even celebrities like Rihanna bringing attention to her case. The hashtag #FreeCyntoiaBrown even went viral on social media back in 2017 . Brown will be coming out with a bachelor’s degree and she’s collaborated with Tennessee’s Juvenile Justice System to help advise young people who are at risk. “She is light years today, as a woman, different from the traumatized 16-year-old that she was,” Derri Smith, CEO and founder of non-profit End Slavery Tennessee, said back in January. “She’s mentoring troubled youth, working on her college degree, she is planning a nonprofit so she can help other young people.” Congrats to Cyntoia and hopefully we can expect more great things!
Source: Tony Rivetti / Getty Actress Afton Williamson , who played the role of Talia Bishop on ABC’s The Rookie , has quit the show amid claims of sexual harassment and assault along with racial discrimination. In an Instagram post, Williamson announced her departure while naming those who carried out the alleged acts. “I will not be returning for Season 2 of The Rookie,” Williamson wrote in the caption for the post. “I owe it to you my amazing fans to share the Truth. Throughout the filming of the pilot, I experienced Racial Discrimination/Racially Charged inappropriate comments from the hair department and bullying from Executive Producers.” She added, “During the Season, it continued along with Sexual Harassment from a recurring guest star, Demetrius Grosse, and the racist commentary & bullying from the Hair Dept. Head, Sally Ciganovich escalated into Sexual Assault at our Wrap party. The Sexual Harassment though reported directly to the Showrunner/EP remained undocumented and was not reported to HR as promised. Ciganovich was fired ONLY after the sexual assault and NOT for an entire year of outward racism/racially charged language and bullying behavior in and out of the Hair and Makeup trailer. HR protocol was never adhered to following the above reports given by me to my Showrunner/EP and an investigation was never issued for any of my claims.” In the following post, Williamson thanked her fans and supporters after making her announcement. “I am so beyond overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, kind words, scriptures, strength filled quotes and devout support that has come my way. One Instagram post is just like those 2 fish and 5 loaves of Bread,” Willamson wrote. “The rippling effect it has had in just a few hours shows how much this world is aching with victims of racism, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse all of it. I am no stranger to all of the above even before this experience. But it is through this experience and my platform that God pushed me to use the power within me.” View the posts below. View this post on Instagram I will not be returning for Season 2 of The Rookie. I owe it to you my amazing fans to share the Truth. Throughout the filming of the pilot, I experienced Racial Discrimination/Racially Charged inappropriate comments from the hair department and bullying from Executive Producers. During the Season, it continued along with Sexual Harassment from a recurring guest star,Demetrius Grosse,and the racist commentary & bullying from the Hair Dept.Head, Sally Ciganovich escalated into Sexual Assault at our Wrap party.The Sexual Harassment though reported directly to the Showrunner/EP remained undocumented and was not reported to HR as promised.Ciganovich was fired ONLY after the sexual assault and NOT for an entire year of outward racism/racially charged language and bullying behavior in and out of the Hair and Makeup trailer. HR protocol was never adhered to following the above reports given by me to my Showrunner/EP and an investigation was never issued for any of my claims. The only time I was asked to participate in an investigation was after a meeting I called in June following our Season 2 announcement. This meeting included the Showrunner and two other producers as well as my agent and SAG-AFTRA Union Rep. It was clear to all present in the meeting that the Showrunner had not shared my reports with the any of the producers. After my initial report of sexual harassment, I was assured that Grosse would be fired. I was also asked to film with him the very next day as a courtesy to the script, even though we had not begun filming the episode yet. Grosse reappeared on our call sheet at the end of the season, I was even written in scenes with him. I asked the Showrunner about this and he admitted to me that the Grosse had not been fired nor had he gotten HR involved. I was asked to return this season, and promised that “everything was handled.” The investigation hadn’t even begun and Season 2 had already started filming. I turned it down and I walked. Now is the best time in the world to be a woman and I have a platform so it’s time to use my Voice. Strength comes from within. It comes from Above. “Greater is He that is within Me than he that is in the world” A post shared by Afton Williamson (@therealaftonw) on Aug 4, 2019 at 1:12am PDT View this post on Instagram To my Fans, my Friends, my Supporters: I want to Thank EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU. I am so beyond overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, kind words, scriptures, strength filled quotes and devout support that has come my way. One Instagram post is just like those 2 fish and 5 loaves of Bread. The rippling effect it has had in just a few hours shows how much this world is aching with victims of racism, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse all of it. I am no stranger to all of the above even before this experience. But it is through this experience and my platform that God pushed me to use the power within me. It just takes a VOICE. I never imagined so many of us have experienced these horrible circumstances and that can NO LONGER GO UNHEARD. We have a voice. ALL OF US. It is our DUTY to use it. I used to fear the word Victim. I scoffed at it because all I was told when these injustices happened to me, was to Survive. Survivor I am. Victim I am also. A victim of injustice. A victim of assault. A victim of abuse and harassment. If you have experienced any of the above, you are too and I for one stand with you and I’m no longer afraid to be vocal about it. We Can Stand Together. Let’s Change This Sickness. That Change starts with US. This season on The Rookie, I was sexually harassed by fellow actor Demetrius Grosse. I was Racially Bullied and Discriminated against and Sexually Assaulted by Hair Department Head Sally Nicole Ciganovich. Let’s BE the CHANGE we WANT to SEE A post shared by Afton Williamson (@therealaftonw) on Aug 5, 2019 at 5:06pm PDT — Photo: Getty
Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty M amie Till-Mobley, mother of Emmett Till, will be the central focus for season one of ABC’s Women of the Movement, a new series that will highlight and chronicle the civil-rights movement “as told by the women behind it.” The series will be produced by Jay-Z and Will Smith, both of whom were vital to securing the show a spot on ABC’s lineup. The show will focus on Mamie Till, whose son — Emmett Till — was lynched by a white mob in Mississippi for allegedly winking at a white woman in 1955. Following his death, Till-Mobley went on to join a forces with major players in the fight for civil rights justice following her son’s death. She dedicated the rest of her life to the civil justice and reform until her own passing in 2003. Jay-Z originally teamed up with HBO to work on a miniseries surround Emmet Till, where Taraji P. Henson was set to play his mother, but when director John Middleton died in April, the project was believed to be dissolved. It is not confirmed, but speculated that Women of the Movement is a the product of the work already done into the aforementioned miniseries surround Till. When proposed with the possibility of grabbing the rights to this, ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke instantly loved the idea as the series would turn attention to the women who were responsible for so many key events associated with the civil rights movement. This move aligns perfectly with Burke’s proposition to get more women in programming at the station.
Source: VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images / Getty FX Renews “Atlanta” And “Snowfall” FX has renewed two of their most popular shows for new seasons. Donald Glover’s “Atlanta ” will return for season 4, as well as the late John Singleton’s “FX.” The news comes as production has yet to begin on “Atlanta” season 3. Variety reports that FX made the “Atlanta” announcement Tuesday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. “What more can be said about ‘Atlanta’ than the critical acclaim and accolades that Donald, Paul, Dianne, Stephen and Hiro have earned for two exceptional seasons of what is clearly one of the best shows on television,” said Eric Schrier, president of FX Entertainment. “This group of collaborators and cast have created one of the most original, innovative stories of this generation and we are proud to be their partners.” View this post on Instagram when you hit add to cart twice. atlanta seasons 3 and 4 will be filming this spring. A post shared by fxnetworks (@fxnetworks) on Aug 6, 2019 at 2:09pm PDT As for “Snowfall”, season 4 will premiere in 2020. The renewal was also announced Tuesday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. “ Snowfall has continued its creative leap forward this season with the hard work and contributions of John Singleton and the brilliant performance of Damson Idris ,” said Grad. “We are grateful to Dave Andron, Thomas Schlamme, Michael London, Trevor Engelson and Walter Mosley for honoring John’s legacy through their commitment to building on the artistic excellence of Snowfall with a fourth season on FX.” Congrats to the talented actors on BOTH of these shows! View this post on Instagram Can’t stop, won’t stop. #SnowfallFX is coming back for Season 4. A post shared by Snowfall (@snowfallfx) on Aug 6, 2019 at 2:44pm PDT
Source: Apega/WENN.com / WENN Serena Williams Covers ESSENCE Serena Williams is covering ESSENCE’s September global fashion issue. In it, the tennis great/greatest athlete rocks face paint by artist Laolu and later rocks designers duds by Carolina Herrera, Giuseppe Zanotti, Talbot Runhof, Issey Miyake and more. The photos were taken by photographer Kwaku Alston and styled by ESSENCE Fashion Director Marielle Bobo. The multi-hyphenate wife/mom/entrepreneur also told ESSENCE’s Entertainment Director Cori Murray all about her S By Serena New York Fashion Week moment, what she looks for in fashion, the importance of speaking up and freedom. View this post on Instagram September is coming!! Thank you @Essence for this opportunity to be seen and heard on the cover of the September issue. Photographer: @kwakualston Visual Art: @laolunyc Makeup: @natashagrossmakeupartist Styling: @mariellebobo Hair: @vernonfrancois A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Aug 6, 2019 at 6:09am PDT ON WHAT SHE LOOKS FOR IN FASHION: “Wow. I love fashion, obviously. It has to connect to me, first of all. I like things that are unusual, but also a little classic. It depends: It could be a crazy pop of color, and it’ll totally get me excited. Or it could be something fresh I haven’t seen before. Honestly, I can go in any direction. Just depends on how I feel…” ON HER “S BY SERENA” NYFW MOMENT: “Everything that’s on the runway will be ready for sale for 24 hours on September 10th. As far as the clothing, we really wanted to have fun and be confident. It’s kind of like all the aspects of my life. But not just my life, most women’s lives. We have a job, or we have somewhere to go for an event, or we have something more serious that we wanted to dress down for, or we might want to go out with our friends and relax, or we may just be walking around the house as a mom. So when we were designing the collection, we wanted to speak to every aspect of that woman…” ON BODY POSITIVITY IN FASHION: “We want to be inclusive. We have an extended size, and we call it great because I don’t like the word “plus.” So we call it S Great because every woman is great. Hopefully, the word “great” will catch on and people will get rid of the word “plus.” ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SPEAKING UP AND FREEDOM: “Freedom means standing up and not being afraid to say, ‘I’m here’ or ‘Hear my voice’ or ‘This isn’t what I agreed to’ or ‘This isn’t fair and that isn’t right.’ I’ve done it my whole career. It’s knowing where I’ve come from, knowing my history, in particular, the sport that I’m in. When I first started, there weren’t a lot of people who looked like me. So it was really important to always help other people feel as if this is something they could also be a part of…” View this post on Instagram “When you invest in yourself, it helps your confidence, and you’ll know forever that whether you make it or not, you stepped up to the plate.”- @serenawilliams Tap the in bio for more on our Global Fashion Issue. ( : @kwakualston) A post shared by ESSENCE (@essence) on Aug 6, 2019 at 6:34am PDT Take another look at Serena for ESSENCE on the flip.
Source: Emma McIntyre / Getty Chance the Rapper’s “debut” album The Big Day isn’t getting the rave reviews the rapper thought it would. He took to Twitter to respond to the criticism and had some very eye-opening responses. The album which boasts appearances from Ari Lennox , Gucci Mane, CocoRosie and more is just isn’t impressing fans. Chance’s response to the negative takes on his album was quite interesting. The Acid Rap crafter claimed he believes some of his supporters want him to kill himself. I’m getting this crazy feeling that people want me to kill myself — The Big Day out now (@chancetherapper) August 5, 2019 He quickly reassured fans he has no intentions of inflicting self-harm on himself, stating in another Tweet: “That’s not my vibe at all, but I feel the push.” That’s not my vibe at all, but i feel the push. — The Big Day out now (@chancetherapper) August 5, 2019 The moment of self-reflection continued with Chance using his Twitter account to “let some of these feelings go” in a thread of Tweets. He touched on how feels people want him to be ashamed before showing appreciation to those who reached out to him over the past few days. He also expressed his happiness for being able to spend time with his family and doing things he used to before getting consumed in the album-making process. And I feel like even more than that, some people want me to feel ashamed. — The Big Day out now (@chancetherapper) August 5, 2019 Shame is heavy yo. And feeling shame for something that you were once prideful about is super heavy. — The Big Day out now (@chancetherapper) August 5, 2019 He closed out the conversation with a joke pointing out that 100% thing he is sure of is that he loves his wife. The clever swipe is a jab at criticism from fans who claim that all he rapped about on the album. That I LOVE my wife — The Big Day out now (@chancetherapper) August 5, 2019 Its clear Chance is sensitive about his work, and the negative reviews hit him a bit hard. But as long as he still in a good place mentally is all the matters, cause that Tweet talking about suicide is a bit scary. You can head here to read the entire thread . — Photo: Emma McIntyre / Getty
Source: Curtis Baker/FX / Curtis Baker/FX We’re still eagerly awaiting the third season of Atlanta . But today (August 6), we learned has already renewed the Donald Glover-helmed series for a fourth season. Deadline reports that the news was revealed at FX’s presentation at the TCA summer press tour. Production for both season 3 and 4 is set to begin next spring, with each series consisting of eight episodes. “What more can be said about Atlanta than the critical acclaim and accolades that Donald, Paul, Dianne, Stephen and Hiro have earned for two exceptional seasons of what is clearly one of the best shows on television,” said FX Entertainment President Eric Schrier. “This group of collaborators and cast have created one of the most original, innovative stories of this generation and we are proud to be their partners.” Season 2, dubbed ‘Atlanta Robbin’ Season,’ wrapped up way back in May 2018. Meanwhile, damn near the entire main cast—besides Glover; Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Stanfield and Zazie Beatz—have become certified stars.
Source: Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Billy Ray Cyrus Was Forced To Change One Of His Lines On “Old Town Road” Billy Ray Cyrus is known for being a legend in the world of country music–but more recently, he’s been making headlines for everything surrounding his contributions to Lil Nas X’s smash hit, “Old Town Road.” Last week, the legendary musician did an interview with Taste Of Country , where he talked about how he discovered Lil Nas X, what he thought of “Old Town Road” the first time he heard it, why he decided to jump on the song, and more. Beside the usual discussion surrounding the record breaking song, Billy Ray Cyrus also revealed some brand new information about his process when making his contribution. According to the Kentucky native, the writing process for his verse took only about “eight to ten minutes” for him to do in its entirety. Once he was finished putting pen to paper, the record label was mostly happy with it, except for one line. “For some reason I thought it would be funny to say, ‘Baby’s got a habit: diamond rings and marijuana,’” the country singer revealed to Taste Of Country . “See? I thought it was funny. That song could’ve DONE something,” he continued as the hosts laughed. The label ended up coming back to Billy with some simple notes about his verse: “everything but the marijuana.” In the end, after establishing that putting a line about weed in the song probably wouldn’t be their best move, somebody suggested that Billy say “Fendi sports bras” instead of “marijuana.” “And I thought, well, it’s probably good, because I don’t know what that is,” Cyrus explained to the hosts. Here’s how that section of Cyrus’ verse sounds today: “Hat down, cross town, livin’ like a rockstar/ Spent a lot of money on my brand new guitar/ Baby’s got a habit: diamond rings and Fendi sports bras/ Ridin’ down Rodeo in my Maserati sports car” And that’s how we ended up with the “Old Town Road” verse we know and love today. As we all already know by now, Lil Nas X’s single has been breaking non-stop records, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for the 18th week in a row, beating out “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee , featuring Justin Bieber , and “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men , which ruled for 16 weeks each, in 2017 and 1995-96, respectively. Would the song still be just as successful if Billy kept that line about marijuana in there? Who knows. But right now, it’s unstoppable.
