Source: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images/Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images / Getty Queen Latifah Continues To Support Jussie Smollett You can’t tell Queen Latifah s#!t about Jussie Smollett. Despite the fact that the Empire star was arrested and charged with filing a false police report story has a myriad of holes in it, Dana Owens is dedicated to her LBGT brother according to PageSix. “The guy I’ve seen has always been someone who cares about people, who cares about others, and who’s very kind and who’s always been cool and sweet. “And that’s just the guy I know. So until I can see some definitive proof — which I haven’t seen yet — then, you know, I gotta go with him until I see otherwise.” Until Jussie has his day in court there really isn’t much else to say about this case. Are you still #TeamJussie?
Source: Mike Coppola/Earl Gibson III/Getty / Getty Desus & Mero Interview Don Cheadle The brand rages on as the second episode of Desus & Mero aired on Showtime this past Thursday. This week’s illustrious guest was none other than Showtime’s Black Monday star Don Cheadle. Peep the story that Cheadle told about playing ball with Obama… On the next page, Don tells a story of a time that his mother G-checked him for being a d!ck to a fan.
Source: SOPA Images / Getty Los Angeles Man Accused Of Assaulting Girl He Met on Tinder Felony charges were filed against a 21-year-old man on Friday after he was accused of sexually assaulting a 12 year-old girl he met through Tinder . Sean Michael Rickard has been charged with three counts of lewd acts with a minor younger than 14 and one count each of distributing pornography to a minor with the intent to engage in sexual conduct and luring a child with the intent to commit a specified crime. Rickard is currently being held on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned sometime on Friday in the Santa Ana jail courtroom. A charter school student in Santa Ana, California, saw the alleged victim get into a car with an adult man Wednesday and snapped a photo that she showed her mother, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said. “She told her mom she thought it was weird, so the mom did the right thing and contacted the school and the school did the right thing and contacted us,” Bertagna said. Police determined who the girl was and began investigating Rickard. The two met through the Tinder app about eight months ago, after the girl claimed to be 19 years old, according to Rickard. A few weeks ago, before they would meet in person, she confided that she was 12 “and he didn’t care,” Bertagna alleged. On Wednesday, Rickard allegedly drove the girl to a parking lot in Santa Ana, where they engaged in sexual acts. After police began investigating the Anaheim man, they communicated with the suspect through the girl’s phone, pretending to be the alleged victim. Rickard sent a video of himself masturbating, and when he agreed to a meeting, the officers were there to arrest him, according to Bertagna.
Source: SOPA Images / Getty This year’s Black History Month should go on record as the weirdest one thus far. To top it all off, a 54-year old Civil Rights Activist came out as the leader of one of America’s Biggest Neo-Nazi groups with plans to destroy it from the inside. James Hart Stern has been named as the director and president of National Socialist Movement (NSM) after taking over for their former leader Jeff Schoep. Stern told WVIR that he had “no official or casual relationship with this group prior to February 2019,” and therefore cannot be held responsible for their actions. In a video on his website , Stern stated, “I have personally targeted eradicating the [Ku Klux Klan] and the National Socialist Movement, which are two organizations here in this country which have all too long been given privileges they don’t deserve. It is the decision of the National Socialist Movement to plead liable to all causes of actions listed in the complaint against it.” The Nationalist group is being sued for conspiracy and negligence following their involvement in the 2017 “Unite The Right” rally held in Charlottesville, Virginia. No word on how Stern rose to power but…this should be interesting to watch unfold.
Counting On stars Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson suffered a miscarriage late last year. Jessa Duggar is pregnant and showing off her baby bump at 25 weeks, but she’s not insensitive to Lauren’s pain. In fact, she’s penned a lengthy, lengthy tribute to her sister-in-law’s loss. “Pregnancy,” Jessa’s lengthy post begins. “Such a precious gift, and definitely not something I take for granted.” “As we look forward to meeting our baby,” she writes. “We’re also feeling an exceptional amount of grief.” That grief, Jessa explains, is “over my brother Josiah and sister-in-law Lauren’s loss of their baby.” “Lauren and I shared the exact same due date,” she reveals. “We have cried so many tears, both together and apart,” Jessa shares. “My heart aches for them.” “I weep when I think of how difficult it must be for her to see me pregnant in the very stages where she would’ve been,” Jessa writes. She says that Lauren should have kept pace “right up through the baby’s due date.” “And yet, even in a flood of emotions, there are perplexities of the human heart that may cause us to want to clam up or remain silent through such a trial,” Jessa observes. “Because of this,” she says. “Many people feel like they’re walking this road alone” “It is true that speaking for the sake of filling silence is not needful and is often hurtful,” Jessa continues, waxing philosophical. “I’ve watched Lauren converse with people who have been unknowingly insensitive,” she says. “And I am amazed by her graciousness.” “I’ve heard some try to give reasons or explanations, not realizing that their unsolicited opinions might be very painful, like salt to a wound,” Jessa says. Sometimes, the words that people use to comfort only cause greater pain. “One might never know the tears you cry at night as a result of their words flowing back through your head,” Jessa expresses. “Often times, ‘I love you and I’m praying for you’ along with a hug are quite sufficient,” she suggests. Jessa emphasizes: “We do not need to fill every silence with words.” “But at the same time,” Jessa continues. “Conversations of lost dreams should never feel suppressed.” “Silence can stifle healing,” she acknowledges. “But a carefully chosen word may work to help bring life and healing to the soul.” “We must all reinforce the fact that emotions over a life lost are not something to be resisted,” she suggests. “They’re not wrong,” Jessa emphasizes. “And you should never think that for a moment.” Grief is healthy, folks. “If you’ve lost a child, know this,” Jessa writes. “YOU ARE A MAMA, and you will never cease to think about and cherish the life you carried…” “So no matter how hard or difficult the journey,” she instructs. “Please don’t feel guilt over this.” It is around this point that Jessa’s message becomes too long for her captions and spills over into her images. “You’ll never stop wondering all of the details,” Jessa notes. “From what the baby would look like, hair color, eye color, personality, etc.” “It’s only natural,” she admits. “Your tender heart just goes to show what a loving, caring person you are.” “That you care so deeply for one you were only graced [to] hold for a short time,” Jessa affirms. “My heart aches for you,” Jessa expresses. “As topics of babies or pregnancy arise in conversation.” It sounds like Jessa is dealing with a version of survivor’s guilt . “It’s likely you were already acquainted with the first trimester symptoms of nausea, food aversions, and fatigue,” Jessa says. “And,” she predicts. “You would have given anything for the opportunity to labor and deliver your baby” Jessa notes that this would be the case: “No matter how long or painful the process.” “When complaining or grumblings are verbalized over colicky babies or sleep that’s been broken up for night feedings …” she begins. She continues: “… Oh, what you wouldn’t give to be in their shoes!” “We do continue to pray that God will bless you with a baby to hold in your arms,” Jessa writes. “But,” she notes. “This is not to insinuate that having another will remove the grief over one that’s been lost.” “That life can never be replaced,” she affirms. “And will forever hold a special place in your heart.” “Lauren, you’re such a positive, life-giving soul,” Jessa praises. She notes that this continues to be true “Even in walking through such a great hardship and suffering so much loss.” “I don’t know how you can grieve through such a trial,” Jessa confesses. “And at the same time be so thoughtful to say, ‘Jess, if you ever feel too sick or tired and need some help …'” “‘Do not hesitate to text or call,'” Jessa recalls Lauren saying. “‘I would be more than happy to make a meal, watch the boys, etc.'” “That is God’s grace,” Jessa writes. “And it radiates from your life.” “We love you both so much,” she concludes. “And pray that God would continue to comfort your hearts.” A miscarriage is tough enough without a pregnant in-law who is a constant reminder of what you don’t have. It’s good of Jessa to acknowledge this with so much compassion. View Slideshow: 33 Stars Who Have Suffered a Miscarriage
Source: Tetra Images/Getty Images / Getty Tamla Horsford Investigation Closed The investigation into the mysterious death of a Georgia woman is over—for now. Investigators announced during a news conference Wednesday that they’ve concluded that Tamla Horsford’s death was accidental after she allegedly fell off a deck during a “football moms” slumber party. During the news conference, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office announced they were closing the case because investigators said there was no evidence of foul play, reports WSBTV. The Sheriff’s Office added that they interviewed 30 people including people at the party before they reached their conclusion. They add that the medical examiner ruled that Tamla’s injuries were consistent with a fall from the home’s deck and added that acute ethanol intoxication (alcohol) was a factor. According to several people including Tamla’s best friend Michelle Graves, that just can’t be true. Michelle told WSBTV that an independent medical examiner found multiple injuries all over Tamla’s body and she and the family are fighting to have their voices heard. They’re totally lying,” Graves said on a phone call with reporter Mike Petchenik. “They’re not out of the woods, because this was not an accident.” Another person speaking out is Tamla’s father Kurtland St. Du Jour who spoke to Majic 107.5’s Ryan Cameron and is adamant that his daughter’s death was no accident. He cited a previous Facebook post from the owner of the house where Tamla died as proof. “Her injuries were not consistent with what they’re saying,” St. Du Jour said. “This is only was brought to light until we started pressuring them and they started getting pressure from everywhere else. […] The only thing we got was a death certificate with a lot of inconsistencies. […] The homeowner at one time went on Facebook and said “Nobody fell off a deck.” St. Du Jour believes that some of Tamla’s injuries were post-mortem and thinks she was “taken out” before her body was thrown from the deck. “Her wrist was cut, the bone was broken, where they said the body was, there was no blood pool. She was already dead.”
Source: David Cliff/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Nick Sandmann Suing The Washington Post Nick Sandmann, the teen seen smirking in that disturbing video of MAGA hat wearing children surrounding a Native American elder has filed a lawsuit. Sandmann and his attorneys claim that the Washington Post defamed him and “targeted and bullied” him with their coverage by publishing “a series of false and defamatory print and online articles.” The Hil reports that in the suit, lawyers claim Sandmann was “targeted” because of Washington Post’s “biased agenda” towards Cheeto In Chief. “The suit says that the newspaper wanted to “lead the charge against this child because he was a pawn in its political war against its political adversary.” The Post has responded and says they plan “to mount a vigorous defense.” Sandmann is seeking $50 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages for the “permanent harm to his reputation.” SMH, of couuuuurse Sandmann’s suing. Too bad other children who are “defamed” don’t have the resources this MAGA hat wearer does.
Source: Randall Michelson/Getty Images for Ignite / Getty Blueface “Thotiana” Remix Video Feat. Cardi B Cardi’s front and center in Blueface’s new video. Blood Bardi is rocking red bandanas alongside the L.A. rapper and rhyming about sex in the “Thotiana Remix” video. “B**** throw it back like a 10 Year Challenge/Take him to the crib then I push him on the sofa/Have his breath smelling like p***y and mimosa,” raps Bardi. The remix comes after Nicki’s “Barbiana” remix verse that she released on Queen Radio. Watch Blueface’s “Thotiana” Remix feat. Cardi B below.
We can’t believe we’re writing this, but … … a new development in the Jussie Smollett investigation has caused authorities to wonder whether the Empire actor actually staged his own attack late last month. As previously reported, surveillance footage taken from the vicinity around where the alleged assault took place early on the morning of January 29 depicted two men walking down the sidewalk . Police released photos of these two men and labeled them as “persons of interest” in the investigation. Here is one of the images unveiled to the public by the Chicago PD a couple weeks ago: According to TMZ and other outlets, the two men featured above were picked up by cops at O’Hare Airport on Wednesday night and taken in for questioning. Moreover, per WBBM TV reporter Charlie De Mar, the homes of these individuals were raided yesterday. Now here is where things get legitimately weird and troubling: The suspects are of Nigerian descent and both appeared as extras on Empire. Multiple insiders have told the local ABC affiliate in Chicago that police are investigating whether Smollett worked with these two men to stage the assault because Smollet’s character was being written off Empire. To be clear, no one associated with the police department has commented on this possibility just yet. However, Rob Elgas – a reporter at ABC 7 in Chicago – Tweeted the details of this theory on Thursday evening. He added that Smollett did not appear for a scheduled interview on Thursday. Brad Edwards, a reporter at CBS Chicago, has also cited a source who said that investigators believe the “non-cooperating 2 witnesses are co-conspirators in a potentially staged attack.” Smollett and his team have claimed on numerous occasions that the star was approached by two assailants around 2 a.m. on January 29. They say these assailants hurled racial and anti-gay epithets in Smollet’s direction; that they screamed he was in “MAGA country;” that theu doused him in bleach; and that they tied a rope around his neck. The attack made national headlines, with 2020 Presidential candidates such as Kamala Harris and Cory Booker commenting on the hate crime and President Trump also labeling it as “horrible.” In the days since, however, some people have questioned the validity of Smollett’s story. They’ve wondered why he didn’t call the police right away and why he’s seemed hesitant to turn over his cell phone, and/or non-redacted records for his cell phone, to the authorities. Smollett, who si 36 years old and who has been openly gay since 2015, appeared on Good Morning America on Thursday . He fought off tears at various points while talking to Robin Roberts and addressed those who doubted his story. “You don’t even want to see the truth,” he said of these critics, adding: “It feels like if I had said it was a Muslim, or a Mexican, or someone black, I feel like the doubters would have supported me a lot much more. A lot more. “And that says a lot about the place that we are in our country right now.” Roberts asked Smollett about the time lapse between the attack and his 911 call, to which Smollett said the following… Jussie Smollett Speaks on Horrific Attack “There’s a level of pride there. “We live in a society where, as a gay man, you are considered somehow, to be weak, and I’m not weak. I am not weak. And we, as a people, are not weak.” He went on to say it was “offensive” and “ridiculous” to allege that he was lying about this assault. UPDATE : A lawyer for the two suspects has talked to the aforementioned CBS reporter, Edwards. She’s confirmed that the men do know Smollett from their work on Empire, telling the journalist: “They do know Jussie. They have worked with him on Empire. My preliminary investigations show that on set it’s very tight. “They’re all very cordial with each other, so they’re baffled why they are people of interest.” Edwards writes that police took bleach, shoes, electronics, receipts and other items from the home of these men — and he quotes a “TOP SOURCE” who sayss: Indicators point to Smollett orchestrating the event. This is a truly crazy twist. We aren’t about to rush to judgment in either direction, but we will keep readers apprised as more news breaks. UPDATE : 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment have released a statement in response to the rumor that Smollett was being written off Empire. It reads as follows: “The idea that Jussie Smollett has been, or would be, written off EMPIRE is patently ridiculous. He remains a core player on this very successful series and we continue to stand by him.” Again, we will update this article as more information comes in.
MOTOWN RECORDING ARTISTS JAMESDAVIS SHARE MUSIC VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE “EVERGREEN” This ain’t ya Mama’s Motown! L.A. based sibling act JAMESDAVIS released their music video for latest single “Evergreen” today. The song remains a standout from the group’s 2018 EP, Lamplighter Vol. 1 [Motown], available now. Get it HERE . The video follows the trio as they perform their set on a downtown Los Angeles rooftop for an intimate night-time gig. JAMESDAVIS is a Los Angeles-based band comprised of fraternal twins Jess & Rey, and their younger brother, Auston. In addition to singing and songwriting the siblings also play instruments—piano, guitar and Maschine to name a few. They’ve performed and captivated audiences of all sizes—from small clubs and lounges to the large stages across the U.S. The band describes their 2015 self-titled debut EP as “an intimate collection that yearns for a connection with others, fitting for a group who describe themselves as out-going introverts.” Recorded in Auston’s bedroom, the project received praise and coverage from mainstream outlets and acclaim from industry veterans and musicians alike. Currently, JAMESDAVIS are in the midst of putting the finishing touches on their next project, due out soon. Hit the flip for more on JAMESDAVIS
