(Photo by Brandon Williams/Getty Images) Dianna De La Garza Speaks On Demi Lovato’s Overdose Dianna De La Garza, Demi Lovato’s mom , describes the emotional night she heard news her daughter overdosed. She said she was too weak to drive to the hospital and thinks the prayers from fans are what helped save Demi’s life. Heavy stuff. Dianna says Demi is doing well. That’s great news! Demi also gave her blessing on her mom to speak on her, and the opioid crisis.
KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images Female McDonald’s Employees Stage A Major Walkout Scores of female McDonald’s employees are staging a #MeToo walkout across 10 major cities, according to reports from TMZ . The reason for this? The workers are going to be protesting the company’s alleged mishandling of sexual harassment complaints across several different stores. This strike is slated to begin during the lunch rush in certain major cities, which will include Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, San Francisco and Chicago. With that being said, this organized walkout won’t be going down at every McDonald’s location, only a select few throughout those cities mentioned above. This will be the first-ever nationwide walkout in protest of sexual harassment. With this demonstration, McDonald’s employees are protesting what they say is widespread sexual harassment by coworkers or superiors. Multiple workers throughout locations are alleging that they have been groped or that other employees propositioned them for sex. The employees–in conjunction with an advocacy group fighting for a minimum wage of $15 per hour–say that they were either retaliated against or fired after reporting the alleged incidents to supervisors. These employees are demanding, among other things, mandatory sexual harassment training for managers and a better enforcement of its “zero-tolerance” sexual harassment policy. Another advocacy group also plans to fly a plane over McDonald’s corporate headquarters in Chicago with a banner that’ll read, “McDonald’s: Stop Sexual Harassment.” A McDonald’s representative said the following in a statement to the people over at TMZ : “We have strong policies, procedures and training in place specifically designed to prevent sexual harassment. To ensure we are doing all that can be done, we have engaged experts in the areas of prevention and response including, RAINN, to evolve our policies so everyone who works at McDonald’s does so in a secure environment every day.”
Historically Black Colleges and Universities such as Howard University in Washington DC, Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, and Florida A&M University have been producing leaders for generations. From the Ph.D.’s stepping out of Morehouse College to the lawyers pushing through from Southern University in Louisiana, waving the HBCU flag sends a powerful message! Behind the brilliance are another wave of graduates who have paved their way through the entertainment industry and earned their star…Let’s salute the celebrities who credit HBCU’s for guiding them. Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Taraji P. Henson , Howard University Daring. Bold. In your face – now what? We all love a bossy, flashy, unapologetic woman that loves to stir up some drama – at least on television. That energy explains why Cookie from the hit series Empire is iconic. Her untouchable role explains why fans keep tuning into the show. Everything about her character proves that she is a force to be reckoned with. But did you know that this stellar actress is degree’d up? Taraji P. Henson graduated from the prestigious HBCU, Howard University with a degree in theater. Black girl power at its finest. Source: Shareif Ziyadat / Getty K. Michelle , Florida A&M University She may bring the drama on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and Love & Hip-Hop: New York, but this beautiful songbird also brings the brains when it comes to the books. Did you know that K. Michelle, who many consider to be overly vocal at times, received a full ride to attend Florida A&M University simply because of her vocals? An honors student who majored in Psychology, K. Michelle also had her sights on law school. She turned down the corporate world because of her musical interests. Good move. Source: Paras Griffin/Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Keisha Knight-Pulliam , Spelman College Little Rudy, professionally recognized as Keisha Knight-Pulliam from the 80’s-90’s hit, The Cosby Show is a proud Spelman College alum. Armed with a degree in Sociology, the stunning actress who has spent most of her life behind the lens is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Source: Fred Watkins / Getty Oprah Winfrey , Tennessee State University She doesn’t need a long introduction, because she is a mogul, a maven, and everything in between. Oprah Winfrey, who made her mark in the media arena is also a graduate of Tennessee State University. During her tenure, she majored in Communications and went on to host her own TV show, before diving into her OWN network and the magazine publishing space. A real success story, and black billionaire at that – we have to tip our hat when it comes to her monstrous work ethic and hustle. Source: Andrew Toth / Getty Anika Noni Rose , Florida A&M University Florida A&M University has pushed out some of the brightest alums, such as singer K. Michelle. Another actress who can add graduate to her portfolio is Anika Noni Rose, who starred in Dreamgirls. The theater major, who also starred and won rave reviews for her role as Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog has also starred as a bad girl in Starz, Power! Talk about switching it up. Source: Michael Tran / Getty Omarosa Manigault , Howard University She’s tough on politics. She’s tough in business. She’s even tougher on reality TV. Hate or love her, Omarosa Manigault is educated in every sense of the word. The former ‘Apprentice’ star and now author, boasts degrees from two HBCU’s. She holds a Master’s degree in Communications from Howard University and a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. She also holds a license to preach.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) Blacks Want British-Nigerian Cynthia Erivo Tossed From Harriet Tubman Biopic There is a diaspora war happening on twitter that started with Tevin Campbell, and it could possibly end over Harriet Tubman! Recently, it was announced that Tony winning actress Cynthia Erivo ( The Color Purple ) would play an icon in Black American history for the big screen. Harriet Tubman. But, folks are saying Erivo shares vitriol for Blacks who are descendents of slavery, therefore the role should go to someone else. How did Erivo’s critics conclude this? Well, she’s very close with a Nigerian representing twitter user named Luvvie. And Luvvie recently had old tweets resurface that displayed some disdain towards American Blacks. She made fun of Kwanzaa, calling herself an “elitist African” and condemned HBCU’s — like they were trash! All of these things and more came to light because Luvvie decided to tweet negatively about Tevin Campbell and a handful of American Black twitter users got tired of her trashing Blackness. The consensus was “Don’t speak for us, since you hate us.” In return, Luvvie justified her Blackness with a blog, in which Cynthia Erivo unabashedly supported. Do you think this means she’s anti-Black, like her Nigerian sister Luvvie is accused of being? Is this y’alls Harriet?? Embarrassing smh pic.twitter.com/McJgHlK1Ms — Nahum N (@passport_stamps) September 15, 2018 That wasn’t it either. Cynthia retweeted tweets about Black Americans being JEALOUS of Africans in the US. Yeah i learned something new today pic.twitter.com/hnSxHF5JrY — Anastasia Maxine Beaverhausen-Shaw (@CNRush) September 15, 2018 Critics of Cynthia Erivo in the role of Harriet feel like she secretly shares vitriol for Black culture, and hides it. But Cynthia DID defend her role in the upcoming film, saying: “Actors are free to go where they please for their work, but I dare you to do that fully as a Black woman in the U.K. If I see it, I applaud it.” “What was for someone else was never mine in the first place. Please believe that I have turned down roles I know I have no business playing. This role is not one of them….” “If you met me in the street and hadn’t heard me speak, would you know I was British, or would you simply see a Black woman?” That statement doesn’t address whether or not Cynthia respects Blackness, descendents of slaves and African-American Culture. Folks are waiting for some answers. What do YOU think of all of this? Hit the flip to see some of the point folks are making about Cynthia stepping down from this biopic. Are they justified?
Michael Steele/Getty Images/Michael Kovac/AMA2016/Getty Images for FIAT Is Drake Really Dating Bella Harris? Remember when we told you that Drake and 18-year-old model Bella Harris might be an item? Well BOTH of them are responding to those rumors amid reports that Drizzy shut down a Washington D.C. restaurant so they could have an intimate dinner date. According to Entertainment Tonight, however, Drake and Bella dating rumors are just untrue. “A source close to the rapper tells ET that despite recent rumors, Drake and Harris are not and have never been dating.” Not only that, Bella herself responded to the rumors on Instagram; “Coming off an amazing New York fashion week, I feel I need to set the record straight,” wrote Jimmy Jam’s daughter. “I did not dine in DC recently. I was happily working & dining in NYC everyday.” Welp, so much for that. Did YOU think something was up with Drizzy and the teen model?
Michael Hickey/Getty Images Lauryn Hill’s Tour Gets Some Interested Changes Several artists including Santigold, Nas, SZA, and Dave Chappelle were slated to perform for Lauryn Hill ‘s Miseducation 20th Anniversary tour–but it looks like that won’t be happening, as some performances were cut from the final roster. The cancellations were a surprise to many fans, who were only told that there were “production issues.” Santigold, one of the artist removed from tour dates, took to Twitter to explain her no-show. I’m sorry you paid to see us and we’re not there. That really bums me out. I’m also bummed that @MsLaurynHill and crew didn’t tell ppl why we’re not there. She took us off the bill. — Santigold (@Santigold) September 13, 2018 Nope not sick. So sorry I wasn’t able to perform for you all. Note I saw from @MsLaurynHill Mgmt team read… “Due to production issues, The Miseducation 20th Anniversary Tour is unable to accommodate Santigold’s performance this evening” — Santigold (@Santigold) September 13, 2018 The singer wrote that Hill and her tour organizers decided to “reduce the support” for Santigold’s set. Apparently Nas was also taken off the bill without much explanation. I will no longer be performing on The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill Tour at the following dates due to the tour organizers' decision to reduce the support. So sorry to disappoint my fans. 9/14: Vancouver, BC 9/15: Seattle, WA 9/22: Phoenix, AZ 9/26: Denver, CO — Santigold (@Santigold) September 15, 2018 Unfortunately for Lauryn Hill fans, this is far from the first issue that the Miseducation tour–and other Lauryn tours/dates in the past–has faced. Most recently, after she angered fans by showing up late in Toronto earlier this summer, several North American dates were canceled. These new problems come only a month after Robert Glasper claimed that Hill stole music during the making of her first album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill , and has failed to credit musicians in the past.
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Spotify 6LACK Is Mailing His East Atlanta Love Letter To LA 6LACK is really killing the game following the release of his latest album. The Atlanta native just dropped his sophomore project, East Atlanta Love Letter, and his fans seem to absolutely love the project. Not only did the artist spend time perfecting his music to make sure it reached it’s full potential, but it looks like he’s taking the time to make the album’s promotion just as perfect. For the initial East Atlanta Love Letter listening party, 6LACK invited fans to a drive-in movie theater-style event–and even ended up hopping into some attendees’ cars to listen to his project with them. 6lack was in the backseat of my car #nightMADE #eastatlantaloveletter pic.twitter.com/V5wT2nR4bc — SYNPH (@MyLifee_YourEnt) September 14, 2018 If that wasn’t already dope enough, he’s got more up his sleeve. 6LACK announced on Friday that his album release party is going to be a Magic City pop-up. The rapper is going to be bringing the spirit of Atlanta to the heart of Los Angeles with one of the city’s most infamous strip clubs making it’s way to the west coast. on mondays in ATL we do Magic City. i wanted to bring something special to the west coast to celebrate my new album #EastAtlantaLoveLetter . so this Monday for one night only we’re doing a @magiccityatl pop up w/ Rap Caviar & @LVRN in the heart of LA pic.twitter.com/LYtuyywhrG — bear (@6LACK) September 15, 2018 The event is set of Monday (September 17) at 10PM, and fans in Los Angeles who want to attend can RSVP here –though as of now, the website is password protected.
Michael Steele/Getty Images/Michael Kovac/AMA2016/Getty Images for FIAT Now wait a minute Drizzy… Drake Dating Bella Harris Rumors Continue To Swirl There’s more evidence to back up claims that Drake is indeed wooing a beautiful but VERY, VERY young model. As previously reported Drake’s reportedly “in his feelings” over Bella Harris, the 18-year-old daughter of legendary producer Jimmy Jam. Photo by Mike Coppola/FilmMagic Now Page Six is reporting that the stunner who graduated HIGH SCHOOL in June was spotted in D.C. this week where here maybe-baby Drake performed with the Migos during the “Drake And The Three Amigos” tour. The publication reports that Drake dined at RPM Italian in Washington, DC, with with the model and shut down the restaurant to make sure they had privacy. Not only that, some shady waitress allegedly leaked what they ate; “sweet corn agnolotti, spaghetti and meatballs, Mediterranean octopus and roasted salmon. Drake ordered the picatta moderno and whipped potatoes.” Amanda Edwards/WireImage The news is coming under scrutiny, considering the massive age difference; Drake is knocking on 32 and Bella is clearly barely legal. To make matters worse, E! News is adding that Drake and Bella have “known each other” for two years. Not creepy at all. What do YOU think about Drake possibly coupling up with a teen? This is very Blac Chyna / Tyga adjacent, right? Hit the flip for pics and opinions on Drizzy and baby Bella.
Source: (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) / Getty Eryn Allen Kane is back at it again with a soulful track to inspire the masses. In preparation for an upcoming EP , Eryn has dropped her new single “Feel the Need.” Eryn shows off her vocal dexterity in the track with smooth notes and an emotional climax that boldly asks “don’t you feel the need for love?” You can check out the song for yourself below! Eryn’s next musical efforts follow her widely celebrated EPs Aviary: Act I in 2015 and Aviary: Act II in 2016. Both projects were independently released and gained over 15 million streams and counting. With the two releases, Eryn gave us hints of her vocal prowess on tracks like “Have Mercy” and “How Many Times.” One of her biggest highlights also came when she was featured on a track with the one and only Prince. And we all know Prince doesn’t work with everybody. The Purple One chose Eryn to be featured on his song “Baltimore,” dedicated to Freddie Gray and the 2015 Baltimore uprising. In an interview with Global Grind , Eryn described her experience working with Prince saying, “At first it was really scary, and then it became a thing where he [Prince] felt like an uncle.” Eryn also bumped creative heads with Chance the Rapper in Chicago before anyone really knew of his music. “I knew Chance before Sasha Go Hard or any other Chicago artists,” Eryn said. “We started doing music together and then it snowballed. Once you start doing music with one person in Chicago, the word kind of gets around.” Now two EPs and a Prince feature later, Eryn is ready to expand her territory. But she still hasn’t seemed to lose her down to earth vibes. When she announced the cover art for “Feel the Need” on Instagram, she said, “I didn’t have any good ideas for cover art so I searched through my phone and found this pic my mom sent me a while back…it fit. Wallah.” Feels like the perfect match to us. Be sure to check out “Feel the Need” on Youtube and other streaming services listed here.
Image via Ian West – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images Will Smith Lovingly Clowns Jada Pinkett Smith’s Outfit If you and your beloved can’t set fire to one another (figuratively) and still do the nasty later that night, do you really have love in your life? For example, Will Smith posted this Instagram video of himself subtly and shadily DESTROYING Jada Pinkett Smith’s attire while the legendary MC Lyte was casually legend-ing in the background. Now, walk up to your significant other, flame their outfit, gauge their reaction and ask yourself “Do I REALLY have love in my life?”
