Source: jayk7 / Getty Gregory and Marcia Abbott landed in the news this week after an explosive scandal broke open that the family paid thousands of dollars to get their daughter into college. Their son, Malcolm, who apparently is a rapper, defended his parents all while, you guessed it, smoking a blunt. New York Post reports : Their “rapper” son, Malcolm, popped out of the family’s Fifth Avenue building to smoke a giant blunt — while defending his parents and bragging about his latest CD. “They’re blowing this whole thing out of proportion,” said Malcolm Abbott outside the home that overlooks the Metropolitan Museum of Art. “I believe everyone has a right to go to college, man.” In between drags, Malcolm, whose father is the founder of food and beverage distributor International Dispensing Corp., admitted, “I didn’t go to college.” The toker, who sports a ponytail and raps under the name “Billa,” then shamelessly plugged his music. “Check out my CD, ‘Cheese and Crackers,’ ” he said of his 2018 five-track record that includes a song titled “If I Lost My Money.” The scandal has been connected to a series of emerging details that families paid William “Rick” Singer to bake the numbers to get these privileged pups into colleges and universities although their grades didn’t reflect their entry. If you must hear Billa, check out the video below. View this post on Instagram Billa- Casting Couch!!! Bump #billyoul8r A post shared by malcom abbott (@billatherapper) on Mar 9, 2019 at 6:51pm PST — Photo: Getty
There’s a reason Tarana Burke named her movement supporting Black women and girls who are survivors of sexual assault Me Too: We all have a story. While the depth of abuse we experience may differ — from sexual harassment to sexual violence — Black women are still more likely than women of other populations to get sexually harassed at work, but does that mean we should come to expect abuse from men in power? Check out that conversation on this week’s episode of Listen to Black Women and weigh in in the comments section. Listen To Black Women is a new show from HelloBeautiful and MadameNoire that discusses the issues that affect us most while incorporating the voices of our audience and experts. Each week, the show will gather insights from of our readers by asking them a series of questions related to the show topic. We’ll also be sharing thoughts from social media and the Internet at large as hosts Shamika Sanders, Africa Miranda, Keyaira Kelly weigh in with their opinions. This show doesn’t work without you so be sure to take our weekly polls, share the videos with your network, and leave feedback everywhere you can. We’re listening to you. RELATED STORIES: Take This Week’s Listen To Black Women Poll On Cheating, Men, & Relationships Listen To Black Women| Why Are Black Women Being Left Out Of The Mass Incarceration Conversation?
When someone is praising Piers Morgan, you know that it’s going to be a mess. With the release of the chilling Leaving Neverland documentary about two men who accuse Michael Jackson of childhood sex abuse, he’s a hot topic. But T.I. is citing an old interview of Jackson’s and claiming that allegations against him are merely an “agenda against our culture.” T.I. has, in the past, used his fame and platform for good cuases — such as marijuana reform. Unfortunately, this week, he responded to the Leaving Neverland documentary by sharing a 1999 Michael Jackson interview. T.I. begins his caption: “Pierce Morgan a real one for this.” “I would slit my wrists before I would [harm a child]. I would never ever,” Jackson said in the old interview. “If it [weren’t] for children, I would throw in the towel,” he can be heard saying. “I would kill myself. I wouldn’t care to live.” Jackson is saying that he could never abuse a child because he loves them so much. “Let this man speak for himself to defend his legacy,” T.I. writes alongside the interview clip. He insists: “Don’t just listen to one side and expect to find truth.” For the record, Michael Jackson’s side told its tale repeatedly over the years, in interviews and in court. Notably, the two men featured in Leaving Neverland had helped to tell Michael’s side when they were much younger. But T.I. suggests that any current discussion of Jackson’s legacy amounts to badmouthing someone who cannot respond. “Oh that’s right…” he writes. “Dead men can’t speak.” “So what was the point again?” T.I. asks. Some would say that the truth is either always or almost always its own rewward, that it holds intrinsic value. Others would say that every #MeToo story, including those in Leaving Neverland, helps spread awareness of powerful sexual predators. But T.I. believes that there is another motive. He suggests: “Destroy another strong black historical LEGEND?!?!” Yikes, dude. “[There are] several examples of pedophilia in American History…” T.I. points out. That is absolutely true. “if y’all pulling up all our old s–t…” he begins. T.I. continues: “we gotta examine ELVIS PRESLEY, HUGH HEPHNER, and a whole slew of others.” He suggests that these individuals are “guilty of the same if not more!!!” We won’t litigate his characterization of those men, but we’ll note that Elvis has certainly been accused of preying upon multiple 14-year-old girls. Though Michael Jackson’s alleged victims were closer to half of that age, we believe that all sexual predators should be exposed and reviled. T.I. then implies that Michael Jackson is being mentioned as the result of a racist conspiracy. “BUT WHY US all the time?” he asks. It seems clear that he is also thinking of the recent and long overdue arrests of disgraced rapper R. Kelly . “There’s an agenda to destroy OUR CULTURE,” he theorizes. In his mind, sex abuse survivors telling their stories is part of a larger scheme. He claims: “These are assaults against OUR CULTURE!!!” “Make no mistake of it!!!” T.I. concludes. Questions about why the accusers are coming forward now are best answered by this satirical headline from The Onion . We understand that it is frustrating and disappointing when a celebrity or other entertainer whom you admire does something bad. But the “threat” to expose other accused sexual predators is empty. All sexual predators are bad. His suggestion that there’s some sinister agenda plays right into the arguments made by the likes of R. Kelly and Bryan Singer. R. Kelly has suggested that accusations against him are the result of him being a successful black man. Bryan Singer has accused allegations against him as being homophobic in nature. There have been real conspiracies against minorities. Abuse survivors telling their stories are not examples of that. If T.I. really want to make a plea and do some good, he should just remind people to not harass Michael Jackson’s kids about what their father may have done. View Slideshow: Leaving Neverland: Michael Jackson Victims Reveal Sickening New Allegations
Source: E! Entertainment / Getty Oprah famously interview Michael Jackson at his estate in 1993. They laughed, they smiled, he charmed us with his moonwalk. Fast-forward to today and she’s being slammed for interviewing the alleged survivors of Leaving Neverland. View this post on Instagram #PressPlay: #MoNique and her husband #SidneyHicks share their thoughts on #Oprah and her decision to interview #MichaelJackson’s #LeavingNeverland accusers!! A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) on Mar 7, 2019 at 10:44am PST Comedienne Mo’nique particularly had a problem with Oprah’s interview and questioned if she did it for ratings? “Here’s a man that was found not guilty in the eyes of the law,” Mo said during the broadcast with her husband Sidney Hicks. “And you wait for 10 years after this man was deceased, to now do an interview with people who said they lied.” She added, “For me, it’s sad and disheartening. That man welcomed you in his home. And you spoke of how beautiful, and all the love this man has shown children all over the world.” Clearly Mo isn’t letting up in Oprah anytime soon. “When we’re calling someone a molester and they’re no longer here… Michael Jackson is not here to defend himself, which is a major problem. [He was] found not guilty… then you come back and you allow these two men to get on your platform and tell this story, and that man cannot defend himself, who does that?” What say you? Was Oprah in the right or the wrong? RELATED STORIES: The ‘Leaving Neverland’ Documentary Left Michael Jackson Fans Polarized Bobby Brown Says He Taught Michael Jackson How To Do The Moonwalk
Tragic news today out of the music and television world: Janice Freeman, a beloved contestant on The Voice in 2017, died on Saturday evening of complications related to a blood clot. She was 33 years old. According to TMZ, who spoke to the singer’s family, Freeman was at home in West Covina with her husband, Dion, when she began to have trouble beathing. Dion reportedly called 911 and had to perform CPR on his wife until paramedics arrived. Janice was then pronounced dead around 5:30 p.m. at a local hospital. “We are heartbroken to report that Janice Marie Freeman passed away on March 2, 2019 from an extreme case of pneumonia,” Freeman’s rep told E! News and other outlets. Continues this statement: “She was a survivor and fighter, and a beautiful force in this world. Janice gained notoriety through her success on NBC’s The Voice as a member of Miley Cyrus’s team. “Her story inspired fans nationwide, having successfully battled cervical cancer and living her life to the fullest while fighting lupus.” Freeman also overcame cervical cancer and meningitis, but this blood clot allegedly traveled to her lungs and there was nothing that could be done to save her. The artist advanced all the way to the final 11 on Season 13 of The Voice. She was a member of Team Miley Cyrus and stayed in close touch with the superstar, actually sharing an emotional thank you video dedicated to Cyrus after the celebrity assisted Freeman and her loved ones when they were searching for a place to live last year. “Thank you ALL but she found us placement until we found permanent housing, gave me the deposit, covered me for 6 months so I can get on my feet!” Freeman tweeted at the time, adding: “@MileyCyrus you are one of my closest friends and what you did for me and my family Im praying GOD gives you the desire of your heart!” Wrote Miley as a caption to the photo below, upon learning of Freeman’s death: Thank you @janicefreeman.. for everything. This represents you perfectly.” She’s referring, as you can see here, to the picture of a rainbow. Concludes the statement from Freeman’s rep: “Her friends and family greatly appreciate your prayers, call, and texts during this time, and ask that they be given space to remember everything that Janice was to them as they process and mourn her loss. “She is survived by her husband Dion, daughter Hannah, her mother Janice, brothers and sisters , and many extended family.” In response to this awful piece of news, Jennifer Hudson also commented on Instagram. “@janicefreeman the voice of hers we got to hear and the bit of life we got to watch her live was a blessing and inspiration to us all!” the Oscar winner wrote. “My heart and prayers go out to @janicefreeman daughter and family ! @mileycyrus @nbcthevoice #ripjanicefreeman” Just a few weeks ago, meanwhile, Freeman shared her own heartfelt message on Instagram. This is what she wrote: “I want to give ALL praises to THE FATHER for this healing process! It has been a difficult, trying, discouraging, mentally draining, etc last 3 months I have had to deal with in a very long time! “But God is FAITHFUL and HE is healing my body and I’m starting to see a little clearly again!… I’m so grateful and overwhelmed because HE loves me so in spite of me deserving it or not.” This is so awful. May Janice Freeman rest in peace. We’ll update this story if we learn any new information about what transpired. And we send our condolences to Freeman’s friends and loved ones. View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Died in 2019: In Memoriam
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Oprah Already Knows Her After Neverland Interview Will Get Hate Oprah Winfrey already knows that she’s going to be sparking some controversy with her new special After Neverland , an interview with the two men who have accused Michael Jackson of sexually abusing them when they were young. “I’m gonna get it,” the talk show host predicted during a taping of the broadcast on Wednesday. But, Oprah argued, the issue of sexual abuse is too important to remain silent no matter how much her program angers the “gloved one’s” fans. “This movie transcends Michael Jackson,” she told an audience of over 100 abuse survivors. “It allows us to see societal corruption.” The program is set to air on March 4, which comes after the second and final episode of the upcoming HBO documentary. Leaving Neverland is a four-hour investigation into the claims of Jackson accusers, Wade Robson and James Safechuck and Winfrey was joined on stage by the two men along with the director Dan Reed for a talk that was filled mixed emotions. Winfrey made it clear that she finds the men’s allegations credible, but the Jackson estate has continued to push back against Robson and Safechuck. Before going public with his abuse claims in 2013, Robson was known for being one of Jackson’s most avid defenders, denying the pop star had ever behaved inappropriately while serving as a key defense witness in the pop star’s 2005 child molestation trial. Safechuck also testified that he was never abused as part of the singer’s 1993 molestation trial, but declined to testify on his behalf in the follow-up trial. Both men say they were groomed by Jackson to stay quiet as he repeatedly told them that their lives would be ruined if they broke their silence.
Gun violence survivor Jermaine Hawkins speaks with Reec about a traumatic incident where he became a victim of gun violence and the life-changing effects it had on him. Follow Jermaine at http://instagram.com/jizzlestillhere/
Source: Fulton County Sheriff’s Office / WSB TV / Fulton County Sheriff’s Office / WSB TV TMZ released the audio of Bow Wow’s girlfriend, Kiyomi Leslie ‘s call to 911 on the night she and Bow Wow had their altercation. On the call she claims the police came before the her call and she was held up in the bedroom when the police arrived. Related: Bow Wow Arrested In Atlanta After Fight With Woman Listen to call below: The call that sent police out the first time was placed by the building manager after another resident complained about the noise. Listen below: The two were both arrested later that night and charged with misdemeanor battery. Related: Bow Wow & His Daughter Have The Cutest Moments On Social Media! [VIDEO] Stay up-to-date by following us on Facebook, Twitter and on Instagram at @hiphopdetroit.
A hashtag, #IBelieveVanessa, is getting a growing number of contributors on Twitter from people who support the Scripps College professor who accused Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of sexual assault—which he has denied. Educator and political commentator Melissa Harris-Perry is among those who have sided with Vanessa Tyson . See Also: Northam Now Says It Wasn’t Him In The Racist Yearbook Photo Tyson released a statement in which she officially identified herself as the accuser in the alleged July 2004 encounter, The Washington Post reported. “I cannot believe, given my obvious distress, that Mr. Fairfax thought this forced sexual act was consensual. To be very clear, I did not want to engage in oral sex with Mr. Fairfax and I never gave any form of consent. Quite the opposite. I consciously avoided Mr. Fairfax for the remainder of the Convention and I never spoke to him again,” Tyson’s statement said in part. Professor who accused Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of 2004 sexual assault issues statement detailing alleged incident https://t.co/YFeruFI5Dc — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 6, 2019 This statement adds to the growing turmoil for Virginia’s top elected Democrats. The state’s governor and attorney general have admitted recently to wearing blackface in the 1980s. Tyson first approached The Post about her allegation in November 2017 after Fairfax won his election. But the newspaper said it declined to publish her story because it could not corroborate either her version or Fairfax’s recollection of exactly what happened. Tyson’s allegation was resurfaced recently by Big League Politics, a fringe right-wing news website that also published the racist photographs from Gov. Ralph Northam ’s medical school yearbook. “I know Vanessa. I taught Vanessa when she was a student #IBelieveVanessa ,” tweeted Harris-Perry. Here are tweets from more of Tyson’s supporters. Realized that for some, why #IBelieveVanessa is trending is a question. https://t.co/7M1VnVy1bZ Here's why we stand with @VanessaCTyson #MeToo #MeTooPoliSci — Nadia E. Brown (@BrownPhDGirl) February 6, 2019 I believe Vanessa Tyson. I've always admired her work and generosity as a scholar. I now admire her strength and courage. #metoo #IBelieveVanessa — Jennifer R. Garcia (@JGarciaForrest) February 5, 2019 Dr. @VanessaCTyson is one of the most brilliant, dedicated, and generous scholars I know. I am proud to call her my friend. She is an amazing advocate for junior scholars, for WOC, and for survivors. I believe her. #IBelieveVanessa — Dr. Julia Marin Hellwege (@JuliaHellwege) February 5, 2019 Fairfax and Tyson first met in Boston at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. She recalled Fairfax asking her to walk with him to his hotel room to retrieve some papers. Tyson said the sexual encounter began with consensual kissing. But she said Fairfax guided her to the bed and forced her to perform oral sex. Fairfax, who was not married at the time, has described the encounter as consensual. On Monday, Fairfax threatened legal action against Big League Politics for its “false and unsubstantiated allegations” based on Tyson’s claim. The lieutenant governor said in his statement that The Post found “significant red flags and inconsistencies” in Tyson’s story. However, the newspaper denied Fairfax’s claim about find red flags when it investigated Tyson’s allegations and underscored that it simply could not corroborate either version of the encounter. SEE ALSO: Another Blackface Yearbook Photo Surfaces From Ralph Northam’s Alma Mater Republican Kirk Cox Could Become Virginia Governor If Scandals Bring Down Democrats [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3833240″ overlay=”true”]
Now that former The Real Housewives of Orange County star Alexis Bellino is divorced , what comes next? We have our answer: ol’ Jesus Jugs is dating again. On Super Bowl Sunday, Alexis showed off her team spirit — and her new boyfriend! See why fans are asking if she’s pregnant. Alexis Bellino is not being subtle about her new man — or about where her football team loyalties lie. Posing alongside boyfriend Andy Bohn, she made it clear which side she supported. “RAMS Fam here @acbohn #loveisintheair #myforever” It’s always nice to see someone rooting against the New England Patriots (even for me, and I don’t follow sports). It’s not technically a surprise, as many find that their loyalties are with the team geographically closest to where they live. The L.A. Rams are going to claim lots of loyalty on the West Coast. Fans paid more attention to her declaration of affection for Andy Bohn. And they could not help but notice his hand placement. A hand over someone’s belly is almost a universal sign for pregnancy or thoughts about pregnancy. Naturally, nosey fans asked Alexis if she was eating Super Bowl snacks for two. “No I’m not preggers,” Alexis replied. Well, that’s good to know. So why are their hands placed the way that they are? “He is holding my hand,” she clarified. However, she then dropped a bombshell. “But,” Alexis wrote. “We wouldn’t mind one more in the future.” Over time, she apparently grew fatigued with some of the less positive remarks, as she added to the captions of both images: “Positive Vibes only,” Alexis implored her fans and followers. “No negative comments please.” There were additional negative comments. “Fans” love to jump to conclusions. “Heard he’s a married man,” wrote one follower, clearly aiming to shame Alexis. “Shame,” the follower continued. “And thought you were miss religious.” The name Jesus Jugs has stuck with Alexis, through the years, for better or for worse. Alexis wanted to clear up the misunderstanding. “Was married,” she clarified. “In middle of divorce.” Speaking of being in the middle of a divorce, Alexis had to go through all of that last year. She split from her longtime husband, Jim Bellino. Alexis adn Jim share 12-year-old son James and 11-year-old twin daughters, Melania and Mackenna. (We feel genuine pity for Melania, whose parents could never have known how infamous her otherwise beautiful name would one day become) Alexis is 42 years old. She could give birth at this age, but it would not be without its risks. Divorce is never fun, and neither Alexis nor Jim had an easy time with it, despite efforts to keep things civil for the sake o the children. These days, both former spouses have moved on. Alexis is dating Andy Bohn. And Jim Bellino is trying to sue the pants off of Tamra Judge and Shannon Beador . Jim alleges that some offhand comments and some rumors that the two women shared during an appearance on a podcast were malicious. He says that they cost him $1 million worth of business, and that Tamra and Shannon had planned in advance to have that effect. Wow. View Slideshow: The Real Housewives of Orange County Premiere Just Gave Us So Much More Hope For Season 13
