Source: Disney / Disney Leo season is among us, people! The fifth sign of the astrological year began on Tuesday and is here to snatch our edges until August 22. Leo’s have a reputation for being confident, carefree, powerhouse, full of conceit and strong mindedness. And those are their good qualities. On the flip side, the lions have a tendency to be pretty vain and overbearing. They tend to love excited most of the time, and even a little drama. But be sure to shower them with praise and attention if you want to stay on their good side. Some of our favorite people in the world were born under Leo sign. Everyone from Barack Obama, to Jennifer Lopez, to Halle Berry are reppin’ that Lion gang. But do they have anything in common? @NatalieTweets: Leo’s have such a bad reputation, yes, we are intimidating, fiery and bad ass stubborn people but…we have such a lovely side too! We care ALOT! Love hard and stand up for what and who we believe in! But we do like having our own way and I guess that sometimes can be annoying @Astropoets: Assertive. Hot. Demanding of your attention but aware you want them even more. Leos are seductive. A Leo is allure. They will save you & not mention it at all. They are protectors. Leo ambition is unrivaled. Their ego huge. So what? It’s called star power. Welcome to Leo season. If you happen to know a Leo, which most of us most likely do, don’t let their fiery persona fool you. They may be lions, but there’s still a cub buried in there somewhere. Check the flip for some interesting Leo facts, and hit us on Twitter to share your thoughts.
Source: E. JASON WAMBSGANS / Getty The fall of R. Kelly has been spectacular to witness and it’s only going to get worse from this point out. Adding insult to injury, Kelly’s crisis manager, Darrell Johnson, pretty much spotted the jig to come and got out of dodge promptly after an interview with CBS News’ Gayle King . CBS News reports : “I step down as crisis manager for personal reasons. Mr. Kelly is in good hands with Mr. Greenberg,” Johnson said, referring to Steve Greenberg, the criminal defense attorney who heads Kelly’s legal team in Chicago. The news come hours after Johnson appeared on “CBS This Morning” and told co-host Gayle King that he would never leave his own daughter alone with an accused pedophile. Pressed on whether he wouldn’t leave his daughter alone with Kelly specifically, Johnson repeated: “I would not leave my daughter with anyone that’s accused of being a pedophile. I would not.” When King pointed out the seeming contradiction of defending Kelly, an accused pedophile, and simultaneously saying he wouldn’t trust his own daughter alone with anyone accused of that crime, Johnson repeated, “I wouldn’t leave my daughter with anyone — I’m going to say it again — that’s accused of being a pedophile.” The fact remains that Johnson was on the payroll defending Kelly so either the money ran out or he spotted an upcoming jig. — Photo: Getty
Source: Derrick Salters/WENN.com / WENN Elizabeth Warren Is Putting Her Plan For Student Loan Debt Into Action As the race heats up between more than a dozen Democratic Presidential candidates, there are certain issues that continue to be brought up time and time again both on the campaign trail and during debates. One of those issues is student loan debt, with the idea of some sort of debt forgiveness being at the top of a lot of a lot of voters’ list. Senator Elizabeth Warren has been vocal about her plan for student loan forgiveness over the past couple of months, but now, she’s really putting that plan into action. The Massachusetts politician introduced a bill on Tuesday that would forgive student loans for tens of millions of Americans, which would mean three-quarters of borrowers would have their balances reset to zero. The Senator first released her plan to do this very thing back in April, but the legislation–which has been dubbed the Student Loan Debt Relief Act–offers new details on how she would go about dismantling the country’s outstanding student debt, which is soon expected to exceed $2 trillion. Under Warren’s newly introduced proposal, borrowers with household incomes under $100,000 would get $50,000 of their student debt completely forgiven. People who earn between $100,000 and $250,000 would be eligible for forgiveness on a sliding scale. And those who earn more than $250,000 would not get any debt relief. For those wondering about the logistics of this whole thing: the degree of debt forgiveness a person receives would be determined by their income in the most recent tax year and the loan cancellations would take about a year from the time the bill is enacted to complete. Though most people crippled by their student loan debt are probably huge fans of this idea, not everyone is on board with completely cancelling out such a tab. Consumer advocacy groups like the National Consumer Law Center came out in support of the plan, saying, “we support bills like the Student Loan Debt Relief Act because it recognizes the enormity of the crisis facing today’s borrowers.” Others oppose the plan, like President and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association Richard Hunt , who says, “this proposal does nothing to decrease the cost of college and does not help future students.” But all in all, the proposal is popular among voters. In a Politico/Morning Consult poll , 56% of registered voters said they support the Massachusetts senator’s proposal to cancel outstanding education loans by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans. Only 27% of voters said they opposed the plan. Here’s what people on Twitter had to say about Warren’s controversial plan: How is that fair to those students who PAID their loans? — Deborah VanderHamm (@DeborahVanderH2) July 23, 2019 https://twitter.com/megagenesiz/status/1153787718511390723?s=20 A start but too means-tested, the @IlhanMN and @BernieSanders plan is far better! — Tim Johnson (@tim_in_mpls) July 23, 2019 We need to hold on to the House & win the Senate for that to happen. — Lisa4AlFranken2020 (@LisaMikol1969) July 23, 2019 If you cancel it , where does it go? — Jeter (G-TeR) (@j_schafer1) July 23, 2019 Say what you want, but @ewarren is the real deal. #Warren2020 President Elizabeth Warren. — Steven (@abrusteven) July 23, 2019 What is next? Cancel people’s home loans? Car loans? Lower the interest rates. Provide a path to work off the loan via work in at need parts of the country. People need to take responsibility for their actions. — Yojimbo 2000 (@yojimbo_2000) July 23, 2019 I would be grateful for zero interest and maybe all the interest I've paid to be applied to my principle. I have paid down my loan only a few hundred bucks after years of payments because of interest. — BendaBoo (@MarlanaBenda) July 23, 2019
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty A Phaedra Parks and Kandi Burruss reunion is looking less and less likely these days as the ladies can’t seem to do what’s necessary to move forward. Earlier this month, Phaedra shared her opinion on Kandi saying she would have to sit out Real Housewives of Atlanta if they considered bringing her former friend back . “I find it amusing, because if she is that concerned about me three years later, I must have really impacted her life,” Phaedra told The Daily Mail . “So I’m glad I touched her like that.” But Kandi doesn’t find anything about Phaedra funny, especially after she was found to have been the one who helped start the rumor that Kandi and husband Todd were was trying to drug and take advantage of Porsha Williams sexually. That rumor was found to not be true, and during the reunion, when it came out that Phaedra was the one behind it, she seemed more confused than remorseful . While Kandi and Porsha have since been able to mend things, Kandi and Phaedra weren’t able to. 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 With that in mind, you can imagine Kandi’s disappointment when she found out about Phaedra’s recent comments. “I just find it very sad that she has no remorse for what she did,” Kandi said late last week on PEOPLE TV’s Reality Check. “She didn’t see anything wrong with that? I feel like, if anybody did what she did to me to her sons in the future, she would have a totally different outlook on the situation, and so I think she should just rethink it. Hey, if she doesn’t that’s cool. She’s canceled in my book, anyway.” SEE ALSO: Kandi’s Daughter, Riley Burruss, Goes To Prom [PHOTOS] When asked if she still wouldn’t consider filming RHOA with Phaedra if she returned, Kandi confirmed that her stance hadn’t changed. “Nah [laughs]. We’re in different places in our lives and she’s right, it is three years later, but it’s not anything that you can play down as if it was nothing,” she said. “If somebody says, ‘Yeah, you know I just accused you of drugging people and taking them back to take advantage of them, that’s nothing. You should be over it.’ Like, really? Uh no.” You can see what Kandi had to say for herself at the 14:34 mark below: Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. ( Terms and conditions ). [ione_media_gallery src=”https://rickeysmileymorningshow.com” id=”1972093″ overlay=”true”] This story was originally published on MadameNoire.com . ALSO TRENDING ON RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM : C’mon Son: These Black Shows Were Cancelled Way Too Soon Newborn Dies After Grandfather Gives Him Taste Of Alcohol At A Party Elba Family Flyness: Idris, Sabrina & Isan Show Out As A Family [PHOTOS] Follow @TheRSMS
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Despite setting aside a feud of sorts with Naomi Campbell years ago, Tyra Banks isn’t fond of people referring to their past issues as a “rivalry.” “It wasn’t a rivalry and I’m very sensitive to that word because a rivalry is with two equals to me, whereas one was very dominant, she was a supermodel, and I was just some new girl that got on a plane from Paris and was studying fashion in magazines at a fashion library,” she told the Wall Street Journal. Now 45, Banks has a better idea of why it seemed that at 17, while working in Paris, and for years later, she and Campbell couldn’t seem to get along. She blames the idea of tokenism. “I had very painful early days in Paris. As much as I was booking every single fashion show, people didn’t know I was going home at night crying my eyes out because a woman I was looking up to seemed like she just didn’t want me to be there and was doing everything in her power to make me go away,” she said. “I didn’t understand that as a young girl, like ‘Why is she doing this? This is so evil, this is so awful.’ The adult me understands that she was reacting to an industry that was all about a token.” 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 “When this one girl, Kate Moss came on the scene, they weren’t telling Christy Turlington,’You better look out, Kate Moss has some high cheekbones like you do, Christy!’ When Shalom Harlow came on the scene, they weren’t ‘Linda Evangelista, look out! Another brunette is on the loose!’ But when I came on the scene, ‘Naomi look out! There’s a Black girl that’s going to take your spot!’” she added. “Only one spot available.” For the record, in 2005, Campbell sat down with Banks on her now-defunct eponymous talk show and they were able to seemingly hash out their issues. Before doing so, Banks accused her of having her cut from fashion shows and saying the newer model was trying to be like her and even look like her. Campbell didn’t recall a lot of these incidents, but took responsibility for her behavior, admitting that she was young, immature and a little bit jealous. “I didn’t know myself at that age. I don’t know what between 20 to 25-year-old really does know themselves at that age, especially in such a whirlwind career,” Campbell said. “What I was envious of you was that you had your mother with you. I was never able to have my mother with me. I always remember you had your mother with you at all your shows and she was always there with you and I wished that I could have my mother with me.” Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. ( Terms and conditions ). In 2013, Campbell also admitted what Banks now sees was the case, which is that the fashion industry made the women feel as though there could only be one “it” Black girl. “It does bug me and irk me that two women of the same ilk, we’re women of color, have to be pitted against each other. You can have more than one woman of color in a fashion show. Unfortunately, back then, it was like, ‘O.K., we’ll just have one,’ so the other one would feel like, ‘Oh, she put me out,’” Campbell told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live . “I’m very proud of Tyra and what she’s done with America’s Next Top Model . I’m proud of her, I’m proud to know her. And I’m not into the pitting game.” Check out Banks’ thoughts on why there previously wasn’t a sisterhood between them at the 11:03 mark below: This story was originally published on MadameNoire.com . [ione_media_gallery src=”https://rickeysmileymorningshow.com” id=”1998292″ overlay=”true”] ALSO TRENDING ON RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM : Drake Casts Tyra Banks As His Love Interest In “Child’s Play” [NEW MUSIC VIDEO] Then & Now: 14 Pics That Prove That At 49, Naomi Campbell Is Aging Like A Fine Wine Mother Or Sister? 10 Times Naomi Campbell’s Mom Proved She’s The Real Supermodel Follow @TheRSMS
Source: Focus Features / Focus Features Over two years ago, we reported that Cynthia Erivo would take on the role of Harriet Tubman in a new film. Since then, there were questions about whether or not Erivo should take on such an iconic American figure not only because she was raised in the United Kingdom, without a lineage of slavery in her past, there was also her support of Luvvie Ajayi in the midst of a controversy that left many Black people with the sense that Ajayi didn’t respect Black culture. And if one doesn’t have the utmost respect for American Black culture, portraying one of our greatest legends should come with questions. 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 Erivo addressed this in an Instagram post when her casting announcement was made. View this post on Instagram I struggled a little with whether or not to post anything about this role, because even though there is so much celebration and encouragement coming through, there’s also anger and offense spurred on by my being from the UK…..I guess there is a bigger conversation to be had about heritage and experience, also about who Harriet really was. That can not be had in an Instagram post, what I will say is that my journey to this woman has been long and detailed and one I have not taken lightly. Nothing has been given to me without me first putting the work in, people speak of foreign privilege and truthfully life would be unbelievably easy if that were applied to me but that is not my portion. I fought for the role of Celie, and spilled blood sweat and tears playing her, the same applies for every role I’ve earned, this will be no different. I hope that I do everyone, even those who are in doubt or are upset, proud. I hope I quell your fears, because I understand that is what it is. I cannot tell how protective I am of this woman and her story. I posted this because I cannot allow people to make me neglect to celebrate this honor. This story has gone unnoted for long enough and @debramchase Daniela Taplin and @focusfeatures are the perfect home the beautiful way Kasi Lemmons has told this story is more than a blessing. I am glad to be given the opportunity to bring the life of Harriet Tubman to you. I would be lying if I didn’t make it clear that this is scary, and I thank you in advance for the support. Love you much. ALL OF YOU! Yours truly A post shared by cynthiaerivo (@cynthiaerivo) on Sep 15, 2018 at 8:15am PDT But time has passed, temperatures have cooled. And the trailer for the movie has finally dropped. The film, according to Focus Features is “based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, Harriet tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.” Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. ( Terms and conditions ). The film will be directed and co-written Kasi Lemmons, the Black woman behind Eve’s Bayou, Black Nativity and Talk to Me. Erivo will be joined by Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton), Janelle Monáe (Moonlight), Joe Alwyn, Jennifer Nettles and Clarke Peters. SEE ALSO: The Design For The Harriet Tubman $20 Bill Has Been Leaked Take a look of a few of these people in action in the trailer below. This story was originally posted on madamenoire.com . [ione_media_gallery src=”https://rickeysmileymorningshow.com” id=”1970387″ overlay=”true”] ALSO TRENDING ON RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM : Drake Casts Tyra Banks As His Love Interest In “Child’s Play” [NEW MUSIC VIDEO] Then & Now: 14 Pics That Prove That At 49, Naomi Campbell Is Aging Like A Fine Wine Mother Or Sister? 10 Times Naomi Campbell’s Mom Proved She’s The Real Supermodel Follow @TheRSMS
Source: Splash News / Splash News The Internet will not let stuff die, and this was proven once again when conversations around The Lion King turned into a revisiting of the Japanese anime Kimba the White Lion. The similarities are uncanny. Disney needs to speak up about this. I still love both #Kimba and #LionKing but it's just that Disney needs to admit that they were “inspired” by Kimba. pic.twitter.com/0HYMwvO51F — Crispyr (@Crispyr4) July 23, 2019 According to The Hollywood Reporter , Kimba was an animated series that aired in the 1960s and it was based on the 1950 manga Jungle Emperor created by Osamu Tezuka. Now Tezuka wasn’t just some low-level employee who did storyboards for a B-level animation studio. Tezuka, who died in 1989, is literally considered the father of manga (Japanese comics) and some have even christened him the Walt Disney of Japan (well, him and another animation great, Hayao Miyazaki ). So when The Lion King came out in 1994 claiming to be an original story, certain folks couldn’t help but notice similarities between the Disney flick and Kimba . Although Kimba has more themes dealing with animals and human interactions, both Kimba and The Lion King are coming-of-age stories focused on an African lion cub whose father was killed in the first act. Even if Kimba had different storylines, the series had similar characters to The Lion King , including a villain with a Black mane and a scar-like eye and a bird who served as the voice of reason to the lion cub. Check out more similarities for yourself below. I meeeean…. Both animations are very similar-like. Disney representatives have repeatedly said that they didn’t rip Kimba off to make The Lion King and at one point, the co-director for 1994’s The Lion King , Rob Minkoff told the Times : “Frankly, I’m not familiar with [the TV series]. I know for a fact that [ Kimba ] has never been discussed as long as I’ve been on the project.” A screenwriter on The Lion King , Linda Woolverton added, “This is the first I’ve heard of Kimba or Tezuka. I never heard anything or saw anything about his work.” Welp, that’s that, right? Nope. Hit the flip for incidents that followed that’ll have you questioning whether The Lion King might have taken more than enough inspiration from Kimba.
Source: Taylor Hill / Getty Kid Cudi is making big moves with “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris with a new animated music series coming to Netflix! Via THR The innovative series will showcase music from Cudi’s new album, which follows a young man on his journey to discover love. Cudi ( How to Make It in America, Westworld ) will write, star in and executive produce the series. The project, described as the first of its kind, hails from Barris’ Khalabo Ink Society banner, with the Black-ish creator on board to exec produce. Ian Edelman ( The After Party ) will reteam with Cudi on the show and will write and exec produce the offering.
Source: Red Music / Red Music According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram , a Tarrant County court jury has sentenced Tay-K to 55 years in prison after he was found guilty of one count of murder in the death of Ethan Walker and pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated robbery. Tay-K, real name Taymor McIntyre was found guilty on the murder charge on July 19. During his trial, prosecutors referenced to his music video for “The Race,” a track which made the rapper a rising star and a controversial figure all the same. The victim, Ethan Walker, was shot and killed during a July 2016 home invasion involving Tay-K and six other individuals. Tay-K subsequently was arrested after the incident and placed on house arrest. However, he and a codefendant, Jalen Bell, cut their ankle monitors and fled authorities, leading to a nationwide manhunt. The video for “The Race” was filmed as the Arlington rapper evaded authorities. He still faces a number of charges for other crimes such as the murder of 23-year-old Mark Anthony Saldivar in a Chick-Fil-A parking lot in San Antonio as well as an assault of 65-year-old Skip Pepe in Arlington’s Cravens Park. The Latest Music, Celebrities and Interviews: 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
