Source: Gary Gershoff / Getty T.I. partnered with New Birth Missionary Baptist over the weekend to bail out 23 nonviolent offenders for the Easter holiday. The group of nonviolent, mostly “first-time” offenders were bailed out thanks to a partnership program with the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia. “It’s almost like finally meeting the good Samaritan—somebody who you don’t know that you didn’t see coming,” New Birth’s senior pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant said of the initiative, which helped raise an estimated $120,000 against its initial $40,000 goal. View this post on Instagram Breaking news from the AJC News Desk New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has raised $120,000 to provide bail for first-time, nonviolent offenders in four Georgia counties. The “Bail Out” program was designed to give men and women a second chance, beginning Easter weekend. The program targets DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett and Rockdale counties. It will also help with job readiness. It began as a $40,000 local challenge within the New Birth congregation and quickly grew to $120,000 and a larger metro movement. WE ARE NEW BIRTH @newbirthmbc @jamalhbryant A post shared by New Birth MBC (@newbirthmbc) on Apr 20, 2019 at 7:52am PDT Seven women and 16 men were bailed out in time to enjoy Easter with friends and family. The initiative, which utilizes donations to assist with the launching of college savings accounts for the children of those bailed out. T.I. and Scrapp Deleon of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta serve as partners. RELATED: Lamar Odom Calls TMZ Out For Targeting Black Men: ‘I Know What They’re Doing To Brothers’ RELATED: Master P Surprises 9-Year-Old Gun Violence Victim In Kentucky RELATED: T.I.: “As A Black Man You Were Born A Target.”
Source: Handout / Getty Rapper YNW Melly , who was charged in February on two counts of first-degree murder for allegedly shooting and killing two of his friends, is facing the death penalty. Melly, real name Jamell Demons allegedly shot and killed YNW Juvy (real name Chris Thomas) and YNW Sakchaster (real name Anthony Williams) in October of 2018. According to police, Melly shot and killed the two men, ages 20 and 21 in the backseat of a car, then drove around for an extended period of time with the bodies until he could create an alibi. Police claim that Melly then got an associates, YNW Bortlen (real name Cortlen Henry) to drive the bodies of Williams and Thomas to the hospital and tell authorities that the four were victims of a drive-by shooting. Both Melly and Bortlen claim they are innocent in the killings. XXL has obtained court documents showing that the State of Florida is seeking the death penalty against Melly because they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the rapper “killed his friends for financial gain” and that “the murder was speciously heinous, atrocious or cruel, and he committed homicide in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner.” Florida, along with Texas is one of 30 states in the United States where capital punishment is legal. RELATED: Rapper YNW Milly Charged In Double Murder Case In Florida RELATED: Mother Of Alleged YNW Melly Murder Victim Blasts Rapper, Considered Him Family RELATED: YNW Melly Rode Around With Dead Bodies In The Whip To Fake Drive By: Report
Source: CBS / CBS Tichina Arnold is clear: Never count her out, because she’s not going anywhere, but up. The actress, known for her iconic role as Pam on “Martin and having a career that has spanned more than three decades, is back on network television playing Tina Butler on the CBS hit comedy, “The Neighborhood.” Acting alongside the beloved Cedric the Entertainer , their freshman sitcom centers on how one African-American family adjusts to a white Midwestern family moving into their predominantly Black Los Angeles neighborhood. The season finale, which airs on April 22, tackles white privilege head-on by using humor to interrogate how Black and white folks get treated in certain spaces i.e a nearby snooty country club. Not surprisingly, Arnold is absolutely hilarious in it and the episode provides us with a much-needed lesson on motherhood, white privilege and the power of friendship. HelloBeautiful sat down with the seasoned actress to talk about the comedy’s finale, the importance of tackling issues of race through laughter and how blessed she feels to be working in the industry that she loves. HelloBeautiful: So, the first season of “The Neighborhood” wraps tonight! How are you feeling? Tichina Arnold: Oh, it feels great. It’s been such an amazing experience to be on this show and tonight’s episode is something special. HB: The season finale focuses on white privilege, which we know can be a heavy topic. Why is engaging in these conversations about race and gentrification with laughter important to you? TA: The show’s concept is loosely based on the life of the show’s creator Jim Reynolds. He was the new white neighbor and knows first-hand what these conversations and experiences look like, so what a better way to teach people and broaden people’s horizons and thinking through laughter? Laughter is great for the soul, it can help usher in life lessons and teach us how to get along and accept each other’s differences. HB: Did the topics from the season finale, especially around white privilege, spark any interesting conversations among the cast? TA: You know, the cast talks about this topic all the time. We’re pretty open and speak about it amongst ourselves, especially at the table reads, which is important. But the key for me is not take yourself too seriously [with the material] because that would make “The Neighborhood” a different show. But we definitely want to ask these tough questions and don’t shy away from them. We also want to know what our viewers think. We love to hear your opinions! HB: Did the topics the show addresses attract you to the role? TA: Most definitely! The idea of gentrification is real to a lot of people, including my own family, my parents. We lived in different neighborhoods that were gentrified by different cultures and it’s a huge change that a lot of people don’t initially accept. They worry about what it’s going to do, will it be good and how will these changes impact them. HB: And rightfully so… TA: Definitely. During the season, we see that Calvin was pretty resistant to that change and with good reason some of the time. [Laughs] But I also kind of see him like Archie Bunker—ignorant to certain things, things he’s never experienced. So it’s a journey for him, but also a means for him to teach others too. In one episode, he explains to Dave [played by Max Greenfield] how his family lived in that neighborhood for a very long time and when the white people moved in and then left, the town went down and the Black residents worked hard to keep it together. Now, that the white people are back, the area got better. There’s a frustration there and these are important points that need to be heard. HB: Speaking of Cedric, you two have such amazing chemistry on the show! TA: It’s been crazy…I’ve known Cedric for a very long time and he’s one of my favorite celebrity friends that I’ve never worked with all these years! So I was pretty excited about being cast with him on the show. It’s all love between us. And having a genuine love and respect with someone right there is a winning combination. You just can’t lose. Source: CBS / CBS HB: For your character Tina, what do you love about playing her? TA: Tina is so open and wants to learn more and that’s magic. I also love the relationship between Tina and Gemma [played by Beth Behrs ]. It’s not often that we see a white woman and a Black woman be friends [as equals] and have this organic relationship. We’ve gotten such a great response to them and it’s refreshing to see people from totally different ethnic backgrounds getting along and having fun with one another. HB: I recently saw that you have Beth have also become good friends in real-life too. TA: Our friendship has truly impacted my life. We have so much fun together and we are not afraid to ask each other questions. If there is something in the script [about white people] I just do not understand, I will ask her, “Beth, what is this? What is froyo?” [Laughs] And she’ll tell me it means “frozen yogurt.” And I’m like, “Oh, that’s a white girl thing.” We just laugh. But she is so kind-hearted and loud and she can even twerk. HB: The two of you are the queens of physical comedy on the show with Beth recently telling PEOPLE that she looks at y’all as Lucy and Ethel from “I Love Lucy.” TA: Ha! I’d say we are more Laverne and Shirley. But we LOVE physical comedy and to be able to do that on this show is incredible. We both were class clowns as little kids and Beth is so fearless. So to be able to act with someone who is the same way as you is amazing. And I can get wild. Like they will tell me on set, “Tichina relax, calm down!” But I can’t help it. View this post on Instagram Missing my @theneighborhood fam So much ! Don’t miss an all new episode tomorrow night! 8pm @cbstv ! A post shared by Beth Behrs (@bethbehrs) on Apr 14, 2019 at 7:38am PDT HB: Why do you love to make people laugh? TA: When I was a little girl, in order in get out of trouble, I used to make my mother laugh so she wouldn’t punish me for whatever thing I had done. Then I realized that I loved to act a fool and make my family crack up. I truly believe that laughter is a wonderful gift and helps us live longer. HB: So…good news: “The Neighborhood” got picked up for a second season! Congrats. TA: Thank you! We were so happy and shocked, because with TV you just never know! But we’re ready for next season. HB: If you could have anyone guest star next season, who would it be? TA: Ooooh… Rita Morena ! I was able to act with her in “Happily Divorced.” She’s fantastic. Also, Garret Morris —who was on “Martin” with me and “Two Broke Girls” with Beth. It would be a little family reunion! We had Marla Gibbs on the show before and I like people like Marilu Henner (from “Taxi” and “Evening Shade”), actors who are established and have had long careers on TV. It’s always good to see them still working, because trust: Actors love to work. View this post on Instagram Try to #BeHappy with who you are… just ignore your friend screaming while you do it. Lmao at @johnnywright220 A post shared by TICHINA ARNOLD (@tichinaarnold) on Mar 26, 2019 at 6:56am PDT HB: Finally, looking at your 36-year career, did you ever expect you would be here? TA: I was pigeonholed for a minute in my career and not a lot people know that I wasn’t always working over the years. It was hard, but that’s the nature of the business. You have to keep proving yourself over and over again and through the work. For me, I always knew that I had a gift to give to the world and I never gave up. And in show business, you have to love it, even when it doesn’t love you back. You just keep going on, and here I am. The Neighborhood Season 1 finale airs Monday, April 22 at 8/7c on CBS. RELATED NEWS: Issa Rae: Marsai Martin Outshined Me In Karaoke While Filming ‘Little’ EXCLUSIVE: Kelly Rowland On The Power Of Loving Your ‘Crown And Glory’ EXCLUSIVE: ‘Pose’s’ Angelica Ross On Why Black Transgender Women Deserve To See Themselves On The Screen [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”2848104″ overlay=”true”]
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty LHHATL Cast Talks Karlie Redd’s Love Life Karlie Redd has had a long, and we mean LONG, list of ex-boyfriends, baes, boos, and whatever else you wanna call them. The common denominator is that none of them stuck and every relationship ended before Karlie could say “I do”. The cast of Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta gathered to discuss whether Karlie’s new man will be “The one”. How embarrassing that no one thinks you can keep a man or find love.
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty T.I., Scrapp De Leon Help Raise Money To Release Prisoners A little positivity! Over 20 people were angle bonded out of jail this weekend with the help of T.I. and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. According to 11alive , those bailed out were first-time nonviolent offenders in DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett and Rockdale counties. The church said the kind gesture started as a $40,000 local challenge within the New Birth congregation quickly grew into a $120,000 regional movement. Eventually T.I. and Scrapp DeLeon from VH1’s Love and Hip Hop partnered with a local church, helping them exceed their goal. Reportedly, the Bail Out program will continue to assist the development and reform of the beneficiaries, with each scheduled to attend a meeting every week. Some of the money raised has also been put aside to help their children attend college. T.I. was jailed twice in Atlanta: on a federal weapons charge and for violating probation. Scrapp DeLeon was recently released from jail after two years for allegedly trafficking marijuana. Good for them!
Source: 3rd Eye/WENN.COM / WENN The Game was in danger of having his royalties seized by the woman who accused him of sexual assault and won a $7 million judgment against him that she claims went unpaid. The West Coast rapper can breathe somewhat easier, this after it was reported that a judge won’t order him to hand over his royalties. The Blast reports : The judge said the motion was improperly filed and there is no real emergency. He notes Rainey could seize the royalties in the future but not at this moment. She recently asked for a judge to assign all rights, title and royalties in any money or payments, explaining he is releasing “Born to Rap” later this year. Rainey said he still owes her $7,254,123.18 on the judgment she won and wants all his royalties to be paid to her until the debt is settled. Priscilla Rainey was a contestant on The Game’s VH1 reality show “She’s Got Game.” In her 2015 lawsuit, she claimed that during production the rapper sexually assaulted her by forcefully reaching his hand inside her dress to rub her bare vagina and buttocks. The Game has not made any public remarks about the latest developments of the case. — Photo: WENN
Source: FREDERIC J. BROWN / Getty Michael Avenatti has been dogged with accusations of doing some shady business of late, including trying to put the squeeze onto Nike before the apparel company got the drop on him and countered his moves. Now, a new report is alleging that the attorney embezzled money from NBA player Hassan Whiteside after he intercepted a $2 million settlement in order to buy shares into a private jet. Los Angeles Times reports: When Hassan Whiteside of the Miami Heat wired $2.75 million to Michael Avenatti in January 2017, the pro basketball player intended most of the money to go to his former girlfriend, Alexis Gardner. Avenatti was Gardner’s attorney. An actress and barista, she’d hired him just a few weeks before to negotiate a settlement of a potential lawsuit against Whiteside. It’s unclear what she would have alleged. Avenatti quickly struck a $3-million deal, and the $2.75 million was Whiteside’s first payment. Avenatti, prosecutors say, was entitled to take just over $1 million in legal fees, leaving the rest for Gardner. Instead, they allege, Avenatti hid Whiteside’s payment from her and immediately took $2.5 million to buy a share of a private jet. The full story of Avenatti’s alleged embezzlement from Gardner came to light in bank records and in the April 10 indictment of the Los Angeles lawyer by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana. Read the full details of this report by following this link . — Photo: Getty
Source: Lil Nas X / Columbia Records Lil Nas X became an unlikely star with his “country-trap” track “Old Town Road” dominating the charts and forcing the industry to think about song classification. After dipping his toe in the country waters, the rising artist teased a rock-tinged track for the masses over the weekend. As he gears up for his debut album, Lil Nas X has been in promotion mode via his Instagram page, which now has over 1 million followers. With the success of “Old Town Road,” many are anticipating what sound he’s going for next and a track with Ryan Tedder is in the works. Tedder, as some might know, is a singer-songwriter and lead vocalist for OneRepublic. Taking to Twitter, Lil Nas X let the fans in on the process of the track. y’all think they gone let me on the rock charts? pic.twitter.com/I6dMZzO1HI — nope (@LilNasX) April 20, 2019 There isn’t much in the way of details on the track, but Nas X did let the cat Tedder cat out of the bag along with a new non-album track “Titanic” that’s out now. ryan tedder & lil nas x https://t.co/Jl0hVqFEJX — nope (@LilNasX) April 20, 2019 It appears that Swae Lee is also working on Lil Nas X in the studio as well. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lil Nas X (@lilnasx) on Apr 22, 2019 at 12:39am PDT — Photo: Columbia Records
Source: Judy Eddy/WENN.com / WENN Looks like Nipsey Hussle ‘s death has affected how Meek Mill is going about his business as the Philadelphia representative has taken to Twitter to let everyone know he’s done with social media. Well, parts of social media anyway. Last night the Dream Chaser’s head honcho took to Twitter to let his fans know that from here on out it’s “No social media … all real life!” No social media …. all real life! — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) April 20, 2019 After posting that tweet, Meek then went on to delete his Instagram account to prove that he’s taking a break from the Internet and all the love and hate that comes with it. For those who didn’t know, Meek and Nipsey had been working on a joint project just prior to his murder and it seems like the shock of that harsh reality has influenced Meek’s way of life for the foreseeable future…on Instagram only apparently. He’s since been tweeting like its business as usual about a range of things, including his absence on Instagram. I’m on real life vibes right now … lol I be tired of seeing all that capping sometimes https://t.co/JWqTde8zsJ — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) April 22, 2019 Well, at least his fans can interact with him via tweets. Something’s better than nothing. — Photo: WENN
Source: Splash News / Splash News Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky Becomes New President Of Ukraine We’ve truly reached the times were anyone can become president, regardless of your political experience. According to ABC News , a Ukrainian comedian proved this to be true when he was elected as the president of Ukraine by a landslide. According to a national exit poll, Volodymyr Zelensky received 73% of the vote, knocking out the country’s incumbent president Petro Poroshenko , who conceded defeat. Zelensky will now lead one of the poorest countries in Europe which is still in a war with Russia that has killed 13,000 people since 2014. The 41-year-old presidential elect called his win a symbol for political change for other countries in the region. “I’m not yet officially the president, but as a citizen of Ukraine, I can say to all countries in the post-Soviet Union, look at us. Anything is possible!” No lies here. Zelensky’s win comes in the midst of deep dissatisfaction among Ukrainians with their political establishment, and weariness with the war. He ran on a platform of fighting corruption and upending the political elite, which is viewed as corrupt and indifferent to the concerns of everyday Ukrainians. Zelensky’s opponent, Poroshenko, is a 53-year-old billionaire confectionary tycoon who came to power on the back of mass protests in 2014 that toppled the country’s then-Russian-backed president, Viktor Yanukovych. He was one politician who couldn’t shake the perception that he supported corruption, thus Zelensky seemed like the better choice for many. “On the one hand, it’s not the best president for me, but at least he has no experience in corruption or all the things that our politicians have,” said Anna Dysheleva, a marketing executive. Despite promising to root out corrupted officials and end the war, Zelensky has barely made any detailed policy proposals. He’s also avoided the media and refused interviews. He mostly campaigned as a version of his on-screen persona, and instead of political rallies, he held stand-up comedy shows. Smh. On Zelensky’s T.V. show Servant of the People , Zelensky plays a schoolteacher who gets catapulted into the presidency when his rant about corruption goes viral. Once president, he dodges the traditional perks of his office and battles oligarchs who usually direct Ukrainian politics. Ironically, Zelensky came to power in spite of his relationship to one of Ukraine’s most controversial oligarchs, Ihor Kolomoisky, whose television channel, 1+1, airs Zelensky’s show. Kolomoisky has been in effective exile ever since Ukrainian authorities nationalized his bank, Privat Bank, accusing him and his colleagues of stealing billions of dollars from its account-holders. Some folks now fear Kolomoisky will follow Zelensky into power. Regardless, there are still some citizens and activists who support Zelensky. Prominent liberal journalist and member of parliament, Serhi Leshchenko said, “There is huge room for people to join his team with reform-minded orientation. I believe that he is a responsible, reliable person.” Mhm. We’ll wait and find out.
