Source: NewsOne Now Screenshots / NewsOne Now A $15 federal minimum wage is one step closer to becoming a reality. Thursday, House Democrats approved legislation to raise the federal minimum wage for the first time in a decade. Lawmakers were able to pass the bill after centrists won concessions for a slower phase-in, over six years instead of five. They also won assurances the pay hike could be halted midway if a study shows job losses or other adverse effects. Unfortunately, the bill has almost no chance in the Republican-controlled Senate. Source: AP Join Our Text Club To Get The Latest Music, Entertainment, Contests And Breaking News On Your Phone. Text BALTIMORE to 24042 to join!
The young girl who was recorded in the infamous and wide-spread tape of R. Kelly engaging in sexual acts is going back on years of precedence and cooperating with investigators in the child pornography case against the R&B singer. You may recall in the 2008 trial against Kelly, the girl in the tape along with her family members refused to testify against the singer. The decision, many believe, ultimately resulted in the jury acquitting the singer. But things have changed since 2008. Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. ( Terms and conditions ). Our society’s awareness and understanding of sexual assault has increased while Kelly’s funds have dwindled. According to The New York Times , the extent of this girl’s cooperation with authorities isn’t clear, her lawyer, Christopher L. Brown spoke of her willingness to work with authorities days after Kelly was accused, in a federal indictment, of paying the girl and her father to lie to investigators to protect him. In the indictment, Kelly gave the girl and her family gifts, money before and after the trial in exchange for her lying to investigators, being unavailable for interviews and refusing to testify against him. In addition to child pornography, Kelly is facing state and federal charges of obstruction of justice, sexual assault and racketeering. He is accused of perpetrating these acts against 12 women, at least eight of which were underage at the time he was sexually involved with them. Earlier this week, Kelly who wore ankle shackles along with his orange jumpsuit, pled not guilty to the charges. Though his attorney argued that he was not a flight risk and had appeared at all of his court appointments on time, a judge denied bond calling the case “extraordinarily serious.” If convicted, Kelly would face the maximum of 195 years in prison. Prosecutors believe that there were many more girls, beyond the initially cited 12, who were victim to Kelly’s abuse. This decades-long history of abuse was documented through witness and survivor testimony in the dream hampton produced documentary “Surviving R. Kelly” which aired on Lifetime this past January. It’s impact cannot be overstated and a month later, Kelly was facing new charges in Chicago. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girl’s family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. In our exclusive interview, she shared that the decision cost her the relationship with her family. Since the news of her niece’s cooperation has been made public, Sparkle says she is thrilled. “I’m beyond pleased to finally hear the mountain I’ve tirelessly worked on moving over the years is now being assisted with the help of my niece and her parents! Of course I’m in full unwavering support of them and their act of courage!” 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 This story was originally published on MadameNoire.com . ALSO TRENDING ON RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM : Ja Rule’s Daughter Brittney Atkins Looking Like Her Daddy’s Twin [PHOTOS] Taraji P. Henson Unveils Her Natural Hair, Reveals Plans To Launch Haircare Brand [PHOTO] Karlie Redd’s Rarely Seen Daughter Appeared On Love And Hip Hop Atlanta And She’s Her Mom’s Twin [VIDEO] Follow @TheRSMS
Source: Roy Rochlin /Maury Phillips / Getty Apryl Jones Makes Official “Love & Hip Hop: Hollyweird” Return And Explains Her Fizz Situationship Are YOU ready for Apryl Jones ‘ return to television? You might want to brace yourself for this unfiltered version we’re about to get. VH1 just released their first #LHHH interview with the 32-year-old and she catches us up on her life, new attitude, and why Fizz deserves all of the sex she’s giving him. View this post on Instagram Just me and my wine in @fashionnova A post shared by Apryl (@aprylsjones) on Jul 13, 2019 at 5:32pm PDT The mother of Omarion’s two kiddies has been making headlines after her relationship with his music partner Fizz was uncovered. In this clip, Apryl reveals just how difficult it has been to communicate with her baby daddy for the past 2-3 years. She says that’s where “Drew” aka Fizz comes in to help with her children. [Drew] is definitely someone who I always consider as an angel sent into my life. He has been there for the course of just, the sh*t I deal with the father of my kids; just helping me in that aspect. I’m a single mom, I have no family in LA. It’s awesome to be able to have a friend who chooses to do what’s right; to be there to support his friend and make sure I’m healthy mentally. I’m honestly grateful for him. Apryl says Omarion is making co-parenting hard for her. There is no relationship between Omarion and I. We co-parent and we can’t even do that. I would honestly say it’s probably the worst it’s been in our relationship because we don’t communicate because HE won’t communicate. So it’s hard to be dealing with court, having children, my son is about to be starting school. That’s where we are. Apryl adds just how Fizz has stepped in to pick up Omari’s fatherly slack When it pertains to me dealing with the father of my children, [Fizz] has stepped in. He sees the way Omari doesn’t communicate, and when he does communicate it’s ignorant at times. Me and him are as close as we are because he’s dealing with someone who is almost similar to his children. We have that compatibility. When he sees that I don’t have anyone helping me with the children, he’ll be like “look, you gotta go work. You gotta go make your money”, you know? What a friend would do. Here is here, hit play. Previously, Moniece (Fizz’s baby mama) revealed that Apryl and Fizz are officially living together . This interesting, because Omarion is pretty tight-lipped about his personal life and Apryl is spilling it all! Are you ready to watch this relationship unfold, weekly? Hit the flip for more of Apryl and her banging bawwdy.
Source: MStudioImages / Getty Faceapp had social media going crazy over the past week with people posting pictures of what they would look like as seniors. It even started a viral hashtag called the #faceappchallenge but now people who participated may have voluntarily given their information to Russians. Experts are concerned about the privacy and security of the app and it’s permissions and what it could be collecting from it’s users. Basically if you have the app the Russians who created the app can now have access to your personal information and identity which could pose a problem on many levels. Via NYPost: But be warned: FaceApp, which you grant permission to access your photo gallery, also includes in their Terms and Conditions that they have the right to modify, reproduce and publish any of the images you process through its AI. That means that your face could end up being commercialized — or worse. UK-based Digitas strategist James Whatley said on Twitter, “You grant FaceApp a perpetual, irrevocable… royalty-free… license to use, adapt, publish, distribute your user content… in all media formats… when you post or otherwise share.” That means they can also use your real name, your username or “any likeness provided” in any format without notifying, much less paying, you. They can retain that material as long as they want, even after you delete the app, and you won’t be able to stop them. Even those who set their Apple iOS photo permissions to “never,” as Tech Crunch points
Source: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com / WENN In the months since the tragic death of Nipsey Hussle , the family has taken steps to make sure that the legacy of the rapper remains intact. Given Nip’s many business holdings, there is a lot at stake and Lauren London is making sure their son, Kross, will benefit from his late father’s efforts. The Blast reports : According to documents obtained by The Blast, London filed to establish guardianship of her 2-year-old son, Kross Asghedom. London writes that Kross is “anticipated to inherit approximately One Million Dollars at the close of” Nipsey Hussle’s estate. The actress writes that she is the person taking care of the minor child, and will look out for his “best interests” as he receives the lucrative inheritance from his deceased father. Because London and Nipsey weren’t married, London filed for the guardianship to make certain monies due to Kross will be handled with care. — Photo: WENN
Source: Ryan Herron / Getty A computer glitch in the Georgia DDS system seems to be causing serious issues with some Georgia drivers licenses. According to WSBTV, a technical error in the system has been duplicating old charges, putting charges on your record that you have already resolved. Coweta County officials have stated around 2,000 records were incorrectly sent to the state and they’re working to try to get this issue fixed. If you think your drivers license could be suspended, you can check your status here. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE 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
Source: DAVE J. HOGAN / Getty There are so many amazing perks that have come out of the Lion King promo this week. Sure, we get to hear from the cast and director of the highly anticipated flick — but most importantly, we get an actual Beyonce interview out the whole thing. That’s right. The queen Bey is using her speaking voice as she chats with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts about her role as Nala, and how the Lion King soundtrack, which she curated and produced, is “a love letter to Africa”. JUST ANNOUNCED: ' #TheLionKing Can You Feel the Love Tonight? with @RobinRoberts ' special will feature the EXCLUSIVE WORLDWIDE PREMIERE of @Beyonce 's music video for “Spirit” & an exclusive interview with the superstar! Watch TONIGHT at 8pmET on @ABCNetwork https://t.co/mfhnDwVq7G pic.twitter.com/bd884lHSy9 — Good Morning America (@GMA) July 16, 2019 We also get new music from the star, whose clearly gunning for her Emmy and Oscar this year. And let’s not forget the glorious, voluptuousness that is her new MILF bod. Those thick thighs are certainly out here saving lives. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on Jul 16, 2019 at 12:22am PDT Beyoncé is unapologetically serving thick thighs, cellulite, and melanin and I’m HERE FOR ITTTTT!!!! Look at my QUEEN https://t.co/nw0QsSouQm — cнℓσε (@chloeelizvbeth) July 14, 2019 But back to that interview, though! It’s been years since we’ve seen an actual sit down interview with Bey. The most we’ve heard her speak in the last decade was when she was receiving an award. In case you forgot about her deep, sultry, southern voice, hit the flip to check out some of the times Beyonce’s accent was THICKKK.
Source: Leon Bennett / Getty The Game has largely avoided paying off a massive $7 million judgment in a sexual assault matter involving a contestant of his now-defunct VH1 reality series, She Got Game . Although Priscilla Rainey was denied seizure of Game’s royalties this past April, it appears now she will have access to those monies until the judgment is fully settled. The Blast reports : A judge has ordered that rapper The Game won’t see a dime of his music royalties until a $7 million judgment is paid off. According to court documents obtained by The Blast, a Los Angeles judge granted a motion brought by Priscilla Rainey, which will allow her to collect any money that comes in for The Game from his record label or royalties paid to him. In essence, all money that Game will be paid from Sound Exchange and the Entertainment One label will be seized until the debt is settled. — Photo: Getty
Source: Nuccio DiNuzzo / Getty R. Kelly isn’t going anywhere. A judge ruled today (July 16) that the accused child sexual predator will be held without bond as he awaits federal trial. According to the Chicago Sun-Times , prosecutors described the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer as “an extreme danger to the community, especially to minor girls” during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The prosecutors also made sure to point out the extreme risk of Kelly obstructing justice. Part of the new charges he was hit with include allegations of paying off the families of accusers so they wouldn’t cooperate with the authorities . Kelly’s lawyer went with the there’s no way his client can flee because he’s broke play. “Unlike his most famous song — ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ — Mr. Kelly doesn’t like to fly,” Greenberg reportedly said. Well, the judge wasn’t having it. Kelly is currently being held in Chicago’s downtown Metropolitan Correctional Center. Right now, R. Kelly is facing 18 charges in Brooklyn and Chicago for various alleged crimes involving minors, including 10 victims. R. Kelly was acquitted of child pornography in 2008.
Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Beyonce has been the undeniable star of the promo run for the new live-action Lion King movie dropping this weekend in theaters across America. She’s been killing the red carpets . Now she’s dropped the music video for the first single,”Spirit,” off of the movie’s soundtrack. That’s all well and good, Bey. Good for you, now can we talk about the STAR of the show, here? Great. Because Blue Ivy is all up in the video and she came to destroy. We submit to our new president and overlord Miss Blue Ivy. Her petty is on another level! After the people said Black Girls can’t have red hair in reference to Disney picking Halle Bailey as Ariel for the Little Mermaid. What Beyoncé and Blue Ivy go do? Get red hair! This is intentional! Cc Freeform pic.twitter.com/kOZ3G1UF0h — Kanye West Indies (@Dimpled_Kyle868) July 17, 2019 Peep how they responded to the Little Mermaid backlash by giving her red hair? Oh, they did NOT come to play. Peep how Blue Ivy’s performance has scorched Twitter to ashes.
