Source: Santiago Felipe / Getty Jussie Smollett will not appear in the final two episodes of ‘Empire.’ The actor, who plays Jamal Lyon on the musical drama, has been suspended from the series show producers announced Friday. “The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us. Jussie has been an important member of our EMPIRE family for the past five years and we care about him deeply. While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out. We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew members who work on our show and to avoid further disruption on set, we have decided to remove the role of ‘Jamal’ from the final two episodes of the season.” -Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer, executive producers of EMPIRE. According to TMZ , Smollett went straight to the ‘Empire’ set after his bail hearing in a Chicago courtroom. He tearfully addressed the cast and crew, saying, “”I’m sorry I’ve put you all through this and not answered any calls. I wanted to say I’m sorry and, you know me, I would never do this to any of you, you are my family. I swear to God, I did not do this.” Related: Update: Jussie Smollett Staged Attack Over Dissatisfaction With Empire Pay Smollett said he was attacked back on January 29th by two MAGA supporters who threw a chemical on him, called him anti-gay and racist slurs, and put a rope around his neck. His legal team issued a statement Thursday night calling him “a young man of impeccable character and integrity who fiercely and solemnly maintains his innocence.” [ione_media_gallery src=”https://92q.com” id=”4072131″ overlay=”true”]
Source: VALERIE MACON / Getty Emotions are high following reports from the Chicago Police Department that Jussie Smollett staged his January 28 attack. Reactions from political commentators, social media users, and celebrities close to Smollett have opened up conversations about hate crimes, the trustworthiness of police and the power of the media. As we reported earlier and according to Jussie’s interview with Good Morning America last week, the Empire star says he was picking up food from Subway one night when someone called him a racist and homophobic slur. Jussie was then allegedly attacked by two masked men who poured an unknown substance on him and put a noose around his neck. The alleged incident sparked social media outrage and at first, the CPD reported that they were treating Smollett like a victim. But now, according to ABC7 , police are saying Smollett paid two Nigerian brothers $3,500 to stage his attack. The 36-year-old is now being charged with one count of felony disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. Jussie turned himself in to authorities on Thursday and if convicted, he can face up to three years in prison and substantial fines. In a press conference, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said Smollett staged the incident because he was “dissatisfied with his salary.” Jussie allegedly staged his attack with the Osundairo brothers — one of them was Smollett’s personal trainer while the other one was an extra on Empire. S urveillance footage shows the brothers purchasing the ski masks allegedly used in the attack, and it also shows them buying a red ball cap and gloves. Even before the alleged attack, police claim Jussie faked a letter he received on the Chicago set of Empire that included racist and homophobic statements. The letter, which was sent on January 22, is currently in the FBI crime lab for analysis. According to an ABC7 legal analyst, Jussie could also face charges for the letter if it’s proven to be a hoax, and he could possibly serve up to five years in prison. All this updated information has caused a roller coaster of emotions from people. 20th Century Fox and Fox Entertainment released a statement Thursday morning reading: “We understand the seriousness of this matter and we respect the legal process. We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options.” Meanwhile, some people are already labeling Smollett as guilty even before a trial has started: https://twitter.com/missnemmanuel/status/1098647071241003009 Others are already hoping he’ll see prison time if found guilty… If found guilty, Jussie Smollett should not only serve prison time, but he should also be forced to pay back every cent to the Chicago PD that was spent on his hate crime hoax. — #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) February 21, 2019 Then, of course, people like Trump used Jussie’s case as another excuse to defend MAGA minions. . @JussieSmollett – what about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? #MAGA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2019 But despite how bleak everything seems, there are still people supporting Jussie no matter the outcome of the case. I don’t pretend to know what really happened. But I continue to pray for Jussie’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. I also continue to support and BELIEVE the victims of hate crimes, sexual assault, other forms of violence. https://t.co/qcoebf3i7n — Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) February 21, 2019 I’ve been vocal about this situation & my love for Jussie & his entire family. I will continue to hope for the best for everyone involved as things continue to unfold. And I, like all of you, will watch them unfold. But believing victims is always the right choice. Always. — yvette nicole brown (@YNB) February 21, 2019 Many people continue to remain supportive, especially because of the Chicago Police Department’s long history of corruption. The cover-up of Laquan McDonald ‘s murder by Chicago officials and the almost 20 years of Chicago police torture cases serve as two examples of CPD’s corruption. The Chicago PD has dedicated immense energy to arresting Jussie, versus waiting 13 months to release the tape of 17yo Laquan McDonald being shot by a Chicago Police Officer. The dash cam video of the shooting showed McDonald had been walking away from the police when he was shot. https://t.co/rGqXaNSqrz — Eliza Orlins (@eorlins) February 21, 2019 Some people even gave personal examples of not being treated fairly by the CPD… Let me say this as a black, gay ex-Chicago resident (not reporter): A few years ago my neighbors spewed racist and homophobic epithets at me and friends, lit a grill under my porch and tried to smoke us off. Chicago police wouldn’t let me even file a report. — Zach Stafford (@ZachStafford) February 21, 2019 Superintendent Eddie Johnson also annoyed a lot of people when he spoke about the Jussie case, saying , “I just wish that the families of gun violence in this city got this much attention because that’s who really deserves the amount of attention that we’re giving to this particular incident.” Ironcially, CPD has had a low homicide clearance rate even before the Jussie case. According to ABC7 , only a reported 17 percent of murders were solved in 2017 alone. So once again, the CPD has a history of not being good, and some social media users let this be known. *Looks at CPD clearance rate* Lmao https://t.co/MydJ8UpNhW — JBG (@jeauxsef_) February 21, 2019 Chicago handled this Jussie case fast as hell. You done showed your cards CPD, fix your clearance rate now. #JussieSmollettHoax — Jennyfer (@TheNavigaytor) February 21, 2019 Chicago PD has murdered people with guns and covered it up, though. https://t.co/QyOVNt1J6k — Bree Newsome Bass (@BreeNewsome) February 21, 2019 I'm pretty sure the murder of Laquan McDonald and the cover up carried out from CPD to the mayor's office as well as decades of systemic racism against Black Chicagoans has done more to “damage the image of Chicago” than the Smollett case has. — Bree Newsome Bass (@BreeNewsome) February 21, 2019 Meanwhile, Jussie’s family still seems to be supporting him, with his siblings Jazz, Jake and Jocqui showing up to Chicago court on Thursday for Jussie’s bail hearing . Even some of Jussie’s celebrity friends are continuing to keep him in their prayers. Tyler Perry spoke on Jussie’s situation on Facebook and used the disappearance of Terrance Williams and Felipe Santos as an intro: “How I wish that the disappearance of Terrance Williams and Felipe Santos could get half as much attention as this Jussie Smollett thing. I have personally spoken to Jussie, and he is adamant that he’s telling the truth. Also, everyone that I know who knows him says that he is not the kind of person who would make up such a horrible and awful thing. Yet the evidence seems to state otherwise. I’m lost for words. To stoke fears and raise racial tensions is wrong in every situation on ALL SIDES! Yet my prayers are still with him and his family and our Nation. CAN WE PLEASE STOP THE HATE!” Sides will surely continue to be taken. But Jussie’s defense urges people to acknowledge due process before coming to any conclusions. In a statement, Smollett’s lawyer wrote: “Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked. Given these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense.” The saga continues.
Source: Westend61 / Getty Some Local Residents Are Calling For The Teachers Involved To Be Fired Folks just won’t let go of the racist imagery of the past (and present) whether it’s Black History Month or not. According to New York Daily News , one Long Island middle school joins the list of people making light of hurtful symbols when teachers displayed a photo collage that included a picture of two nooses labeled “back to school necklaces.” Text reading “Ha ha” and “#Yes” were beside the noose pics. It all went down at Roosevelt Middle School where most of the students are people of color. Many parents and other officials were outraged by the imagery. “I was very upset about it. I mean, if they feel that way then they’re in the wrong school district,” Yvette Hudson of Roosevelt said to News12 Long Island . According to the office of the Hempstead Town Supervisors, 45 percent of Roosevelt Middle Schools’s students are Black while 55 percent are Hispanic or Latino as of the 2017-2018 school year. Some people of Hempstead tried to actually defend the actions of the teachers involved. “That may not be what they’re trying to say,” Savitri Lekhram said. “It’s probably just a joke, it probably has nothing to do with African-Americans or anything. But at the same time they can still draw that connection.” The Roosevelt School district issued a brief statement calling the situation a “personnel matter,” and they couldn’t comment further on specifics. They did say, however, “The Roosevelt School District is aware of the inappropriate conduct at the Roosevelt Middle School. The Board of Education was made aware of this incident on Thursday, February 7, 2019, an investigation was immediately initiated, and appropriate action taken. The Board of Education has zero tolerance for the display of racially offensive images.” One local pastor wasn’t satisfied with this statement however, and he wants the teachers involved to be fired. Arthur Mackey Jr. of Mount Sinai Baptist Church said a friend who works at the school notified him about the noose pictures. “Once that was brought to my attention and I saw the picture, we knew that we had to stand up and inform the public,” Mackey told NBC News . “All we’re asking is after a thorough investigation, that whoever is involved in this racist image be fired.” Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen echoed the same sentiments in a statement that was issued on Sunday. “This imagery that was on display in a Roosevelt Middle School classroom is undoubtedly racist and should not be tolerated in our Town, or any other community,” said Gillen. “The imagery is also deeply insensitive and troubling to anyone with mental health issues and those contemplating suicide.” There’s no word yet if any faculty involved has been let go.
Source: Derrick Salters/WENN.com / WENN In the days since the alleged attack suffered by Jussie Smollett in Chicago, authorities have battled theories and speculation surrounding the incident. Now, it’s come out that the FBI is looking into mail sent to the studios where Empire is filmed to gather more intel. TMZ reports : Sources on set tell us a private security company was hired by the show and met with FBI agents to establish a protocol for inspecting all incoming mail. We’re told the team wears gloves so the evidence in question is not contaminated. The security team has 2 functions … to flag threatening, incoming mail and alert the FBI, and to possibly link new items to the letter Jussie already received, containing homophobic and racists epithets along with an image of a noose. Our sources say the security team has already flagged “hate mail,” but we’re told that it’s nothing new. The show has been targeted by racists and homophobes in the past, but now everyone is on high alert and the FBI is screening all of it. The outlet adds that sources tell them security on set is extra tight in the wake of the attack. — Photo: WENN
Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. ( Terms and conditions ). Source: Monica Morgan / Getty Minister Louis Farrakhan is officially a part of purple and gold team. 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 Earlier this month, the 85-year-old Nation of Islam leader was initiated as a member of Omega Psi Phi at the fraternity’s Atlanta headquarters. No probate, but Farrakhan confirmed the news on Twitter with a celebratory photos in his Que paraphernalia. Thank you to my brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for presenting me with an Honorary Membership. As long as we live, let’s strive for those fundamental principles that make an Omega man a man after God. pic.twitter.com/Y5kHTFKaCV — MINISTER FARRAKHAN (@LouisFarrakhan) February 3, 2019 Not a stranger to HBCU traditions, Farrakhan attended Winston Salem Teachers College before it became Winston Salem State University on a track scholarship. Congrats, minister! See a list of other famous Omega men below… [ione_media_gallery src=”https://rickeysmileymorningshow.com” id=”1663636″ overlay=”true”] ALSO TRENDING ON RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM : Bow Wow Arrested In Atlanta After Fight With Woman 21 Savage Arrested By ICE Agents, Says He’s A UK Citizen Jussie Smollett Speaks Out For the 1st Time After Attack Follow @TheRSMS
Source: Gregory Shamus / Getty Kyrie Irving is learning that being a leader of a bunch of overachieving young stars is tough as hell in the NBA . It’s such a daunting task in fact that Irving had to call his former teammate LeBron James and apologize for being the same way during their time together on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kyrie on calling LeBron: “The responsibility of being the best in the world and leading your team is something that is not meant for many people. … Only few are meant for it, or chosen for it, and I feel like the best person to call was him.” — Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) January 17, 2019 Look at the growth. The epiphany and phone call happened after a very tough loss to the Orlando Magic last Saturday Irving revealed Wednesday night. Fresh off a fantastic performance helping his Celtics who have looked shaky at times this season seal the victory against Kawhi Leonard led Toronto Raptors, the crafty PG revealed the details of the call between the two stars. “I had to call ‘Bron and tell him I apologize for being that young player that wanted everything at his fingertips. I wanted to be the guy that led us to a championship. I wanted to be the leader. I wanted to be all that.” “He’s been in this situation, been there with me, where I’ve been the young guy, been the 22-year-old kid, wanting everything, wanting everything right now.” “The responsibility of being the best player in the world and leading a team is something that’s not meant for many people. And ‘Bron was one of those guys that came to Cleveland and tried to really show us what it’s like to win a championship. And it was hard for him. Sometimes getting the most out of the group is not the easiest thing in the world. Fewer are meant for it or chosen for it. And I felt like the best person to call was him.” Irving also pointed out that he should have kept his criticism of his young teammates “in house” after the loss to the Magic. “I did a poor job of setting an example for these young guys what it’s like to get something out of your teammates,” he said. “Going forward, I want to test these young guys, but I can’t do it publicly. That was a learning experience for me, realizing the magnitude of my voice and what I mean to these guys.” Maybe this will help put the Celtics who were pegged as favorites to dominate to the Eastern Conference and possibly dethrone the Warriors live up to those expectations. Kyrie explains why he called LeBron James after finally understood what being a leader is all about pic.twitter.com/oZsXKIMeSq — Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) January 17, 2019 — Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty
The more things change, the more they stay the same apparently. Are yall gonna be running to the Apple store to buy something that your phone can already do? Via | HotNewHipHop Can they compete with smartphones though? Apple isn’t satisfied with selling people $1,000 cell phones. The company began its domination of handheld devices with the iPod, and the tech geniuses over at Macotakara , via Gizmodo , believe Apple will be revamping the device in 2019. In the early 2000’s, MP3 devices became the new cool way to listen to music. CD sales plummeted as millions around the world began downloading music. The creation of the MP3 and streaming steered the music industry down the digital path, and soon after, services like Spotify and Apple Music were created. READ MORE
We all talk about current events, but Wendy Williams delights in the personal misfortunes of the rich and famous. She slammed Khloe as pathetic for staying with her cheating baby daddy, but sometimes, cheating rumors hit closer to home. Reports say that her husband has been unfaithful, but Wendy is laughing them off. HollywoodLife reports that Wendy Williams isn’t even a little concerned that Kevin Hunter is leading a double life. ” Wendy ‘s marriage with Kevin is as solid as ever,” the insider announces. “She is laughing at some of the infidelity rumors,” the source says. ” Which have popped up yet again.” ” Wendy is happily married,” the insider emphasizes. “And,” the source clarifies. “She has no plans to leave or divorce Kevin.” Meaning that she doesn’t believe that Kevin is cheating on her and isn’t interested in using even the rumors of it to end her marriage. Wendy, who beams with glee on television as famous marriages crumble apart, isn’t loving the attention. For once. ” Wendy doesn’t appreciate people taking shots at her or her marriage,” the insider says. There are any number of couples about whom she has speculated wildly for minutes at a time on her syndicated television show who know the feeling. “But,” the source notes. “She had gotten used to it.” The insider cannot resist adding: “although it is not nice, appreciated or valid.” It is very natural for people, at work or at home, to discuss the daily lives of famous people. That can even include a bit of gloating when someone gets a well-deserved dose of misfortune in their otherwise perfect lives. That’s human nature. And there’s usually nothing wrong with that. But Wendy Williams takes things to another level. She has been characterized by some as acting like some sort of demon that feeds off of human misery. The dissolution of a celebrity marriage is like catnip to Wendy. It’s interesting, to say the least, to know that she’s not enjoying her own marriage being under a microscope. Wendy has experienced a couple of health scares recently. On Halloween of 2017, Wendy Williams collapsed on live television , and ultimately blamed it on menopause … and then on Graves’ disease. Much more recently, however, she appeared to slur her words when introducing The Lox. Some worried that she had suffered a stroke, as slurred speech is a tell-tale symptom. She says that this was not the case. Wendy placed the blame on painkillers that she took for an injured shoulder. “Needless to say, whatever today’s performance was with the legendary The Lox, who said such nice things,” Wendy later wrote. She continued: “I have no regrets and I appreciate everyone’s genuine concern for my wellness and care” “I will get some much needed rest and healing over these next couple of weeks,” she promised. “(Yes I am definitely juicing over the next couple of weeks),” she revealed. “Sorry again,” Wendy concluded. “I love you all. Happy Holidays” Well, we certainly don’t wish Wendy any ill health, so we hope that she is feeling much better in 2019. View Slideshow: 14 Talk Show Hosts Who Should Never Speak Again
Tyler and Catelynn Baltierra are in a sort of weird place these days. The couple is married, and also expecting a baby, but also living apart. As documented on multiple episodes of Teen Mom OG, Tyler and Catelynn are trying a separation because the former feels like he needs some space at times. It's an unusual arrangement, and Catelynn isn't fully on board, but both MTV stars swear they are committed to their marriage. Along those lines, they just gushed adorably about each other on Instagram! Scroll down to see what we mean and to take solace in Catelynn and Tyler's future. We think they're gonna be okay, guys… 1. This Latest Lovefest Started with a Poem Tyler penned a lengthy one as a caption to the photo you see here. For context sake, we’re gonna go ahead and share the entire thing … 2. Part 1: my brain is not normal/my thoughts aren’t desirable/my desires are uncomfortable/they may all be relatable/but man they’re despicable/I’m so sick of being difficult/& fighting these emotions/that I need to start accepting/it’s so damn pitiful! 3. Part 2: I’m always putting everyone else ahead of me but yet they don’t seem to see that I refuse to sacrifice for the one person that truly matters which is me & I don’t mean to sound conceited but if you don’t love yourself & ignore all those dreams that just collect dust on the shelf you can never really be any help to yourself. 4. Part 3: So don’t put everyone else ahead of the truth, that realizing the most important one is you if you ever want to win…because without a healthy you, you’ll never be any help to anyone in the end #WritingIsFreeing. 5. Pretty Dark, Right? We’d say! And we weren’t the only ones concerned for Tyler after reading this. 6. Fans Were Also Concerned: View Slideshow
