Maino knows a thing or two about slapping up somebody for disrespect. The New York rapper swung by A G & A Pimp with G-Man and J-Que and opened up abut his latest single with Macy Gray in “All Again,” how he thought DaBaby handled himself well in the mall when confronted by a fellow North Carolina rapper , what it means to him to have his brother home after doing more than two decades behind bars, whether or not he’s ever had problems in Las Vegas, why respect is such a big deal for him and why he was ALL about business during his time on Love & Hip Hop . On Watching DaBaby Fight In The Mall: “Would I’ve done the same thing? Probably. He clinked him right on up. Listen, it’s the respect though, it’s greater than anything. What we doing now? Are we at a place where we can’t go places and we gon’ be disrespected? Not me, not never.” Watch the full interview up top and subscribe to the Box’s YouTube channel for more exclusive content! RELATED: 11 Hunky Pics Of Maino Looking Like A Whole Zaddy
Source: SplashNews.com / Splash News “The Chi” Showrunner Speaks On Jason Mitchell More details are surfacing about those Jason Mitchell misconduct claims. After people expressed doubt about Tiffany Boone’s claims that he costar sexually harassed her on set, the show’s second-season showrunner is making some damning accusations. Ayanna Floyd told The Hollywood Reporter that she personally filed a complaint about Mitchell and was a “target of his rage and inappropriateness.” She’s also directly contrasting claims that Lena Waithe, “The Chi’s” creator/EP, was unaware of Jason’s actions until the second season of the show. According to Floyd, “EVERYONE was well aware of Jason’s behavior,” Lena included, and Floyd was made aware of it at the beginning of season two. “When I took the helm in season two, it was Lena who informed me of the issues between Jason Mitchell and Tiffany Boone from season one, and that Tiffany was thinking of leaving the show because of it,” says Floyd to THR. “As a result of this information, I discussed Tiffany’s claims with the studio’s HR department and set up HR presentations for the writers, cast and crew. Ultimately, everyone was well aware of Jason’s behavior and his multiple HR cases, including Lena, the creator and an executive producer of the show, who is very involved at the studio and network level.” Adds Floyd, “As showrunner, I did everything I could to deal with his behavior, by speaking with the studio’s HR department multiple times and instructing one actress to call HR herself, before I became a target of his rage and inappropriateness, and had to report him to HR, as well.” Source: SplashNews.com / Splash News The Hollywood Reporter’s story is very detailed, and in it, they note that Lena previously spoke out in alignment with the “Me Too” movement. Lena said if one of her show’s stars acted inappropriately, they’d be promptly “killed off the series.” “So why didn’t Mitchell’s character go down in a volley of onscreen bullets?” wonders The Hollywood Reporter. “I’ve been very involved in Time’s Up and that movement, and for season two, we’re making sure that women feel safe,” Waithe told The Hollywood Reporter in June 2018. “[I]f you want to play that game and be disrespectful or misbehave on set with an actress or anyone, I’ll happily call Showtime and say, ‘This person has to go,’ and you will get shot up and it’ll be a wonderful finale.” Lena sent in a statement about the ongoing drama surrounding her show and she praised Tiffany Boone for coming forward. She declined to say much else. “I think Tiffany is a wonderful actress and an extremely brave woman. I wish her nothing but success in the future. I look forward to getting back to work on season three.” Source: SplashNews.com / Splash News There’s lots more to unpack here like Mitchell reportedly being given a “second chance”—until his actions got him booted from Netflix’s “Desperados.” Sources told THR almost immediately after Mitchell came onset for the film actresses complained about his behavior. “There were two incidents in four days,” says an insider to THR. After “Desperados”, “The Chi” pulled the plug on Jason Mitchell too. View this post on Instagram Watch @shothechi only on @showtime at 10pm every Sunday A post shared by Jason Mitchell (@jasonmitchellactor) on May 1, 2019 at 11:08am PDT So far, the actor’s yet to speak on the controversy surrounding him. When do YOU think Jason Mitchell will break his silence???
Source: Christian Vierig / Getty Swae Lee Agrees With Meek Mill About Cosmopolitan Hotel This past weekend Meek Mill blew the whistle on the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas when a couple of soup cookie security guards stopped him and the Dreamchasers from entering the building. TMZ ran up on Swae Lee and asked him what he thought of the situation. Ironically enough, he says he JUST had an incident there as well. Press play below to find out what happened. SMH.
Source: The Washington Post / Getty Lonnie Bunch Becomes First African American To Lead Smithsonian Institution Congratulations are in order! This past Tuesday, Lonnie G. Bunch III became the first Black man to lead the Smithsonian Institution, as it was announced that he will replace David Skorton as secretary. “I am excited to work with the Board of Regents and my colleagues throughout the Institution to build upon its legacy and to ensure that the Smithsonian will be even more relevant and more meaningful and reach more people in the future,” Bunch said in a statement, USA Today reports. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Smithsonian Institution chancellor, doubled down on just how much Bunch deserves the title. “Lonnie Bunch guided, from concept to completion, the complex effort to build the premier museum celebrating African American achievements,” Roberts said, according to CNN . “I look forward to working with him as we approach the Smithsonian’s 175th anniversary, to increase its relevance and role as a beloved American institution and public trust.” “According to the institution, in addition to working at the African American museum, Bunch also had stints at the National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum, and served for a number of years as president of the Chicago Historical Society,” the site continues. Our Founding Director Lonnie G. Bunch III was today named the Secretary of the @Smithsonian Institution. As Secretary, Bunch will oversee 19 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, numerous research centers, and several education units and centers. Congrats to Secretary Bunch! pic.twitter.com/2ZET3X1hWo — Smithsonian NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) May 28, 2019 As stated in the announcement above, Bunch will oversee 19 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, and more. Now, that’s Black Excellence!
Source: The Washington Post / Getty Lonnie Bunch Becomes First African American To Lead Smithsonian Institution Congratulations are in order! This past Tuesday, Lonnie G. Bunch III became the first Black man to lead the Smithsonian Institution, as it was announced that he will replace David Skorton as secretary. “I am excited to work with the Board of Regents and my colleagues throughout the Institution to build upon its legacy and to ensure that the Smithsonian will be even more relevant and more meaningful and reach more people in the future,” Bunch said in a statement, USA Today reports. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Smithsonian Institution chancellor, doubled down on just how much Bunch deserves the title. “Lonnie Bunch guided, from concept to completion, the complex effort to build the premier museum celebrating African American achievements,” Roberts said, according to CNN . “I look forward to working with him as we approach the Smithsonian’s 175th anniversary, to increase its relevance and role as a beloved American institution and public trust.” “According to the institution, in addition to working at the African American museum, Bunch also had stints at the National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum, and served for a number of years as president of the Chicago Historical Society,” the site continues. Our Founding Director Lonnie G. Bunch III was today named the Secretary of the @Smithsonian Institution. As Secretary, Bunch will oversee 19 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, numerous research centers, and several education units and centers. Congrats to Secretary Bunch! pic.twitter.com/2ZET3X1hWo — Smithsonian NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) May 28, 2019 As stated in the announcement above, Bunch will oversee 19 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, and more. Now, that’s Black Excellence!
Source: Courtesy of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network / Courtesy of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network “Iyanla Fix My Life” Returns For 6th Season On OWN Iyanla is back y’all! “ Iyanla: Fix My Life” returns for Season 6 this Saturday, June 1st and if the super trailer is any indication, this one is a doozy! Here’s more details about the new season of “Iyanla: Fix My Life” In this dramatic new season of the series, the Mitchell family returns for more episodes in search of Iyanla’s help. In part one, Iyanla reunites with the family and finds that they have fallen back into old patterns: Michael, Jr. has gone back to making lewd videos, Markis’s guilt about failing his family has led to a suicide attempt and one sibling went MIA. In part two of this multi-episode story, Iyanla sits down with the oldest sibling, Kizzy, to help her understand that she is no different from the mother who abandoned her; meanwhile, Iyanla sits Michael, Jr. down with mother Leronda to gain a greater understanding of an untreated mental health issue – one causes emotional outbursts and spurs him to post degrading videos of himself on social media; and lastly, Iyanla addresses the violent breakdown during the previous episode between Marvin and Melvin around one brother’s discomfort with his own sexuality. In a final attempt to move beyond the burden of resentment they hold towards their mother and each other, Iyanla jumps in between the chaos of family squabbles, breakdowns and blowups by making each member face their core issues of deeply rooted mistrust. In subsequent episodes, Iyanla meets with a troubled young woman born in prison to a drug-addicted mother. Hours before being born, her 22-year-old father was notified he had a daughter on the way—a daughter that he was neither expecting nor sure he wanted. Lil’Karla marinated in a womb of “unwantedness” and grew up among family that she claims raised her in that same spirit, which she uses as an excuse for a lifetime’s worth of bad behavior. Also, Iyanla proves the old saying “If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother,” as she deals with two separate cases of manipulative women who will do anything in their power to control their adult children, followed by a couple who are desperately trying to save their marriage. Iyanla continues her work as she sits down with a father and his three sons – two of which he suspects are not actually his. YIKES… Sounds like a lot of family drama that many of us can relate to — or hopefully are blessed enough not to relate to. OWN is also launching a podcast version of its award-winning series “Iyanla: Fix My Life” available June 18 on Apple Podcasts. The “Iyanla: Fix My Life” podcast will feature previously aired content from the critically-acclaimed series’ most popular interviews featuring spiritual life coach Iyanla Vanzant, as she helps those who are struggling, guiding them toward a new way of living and encouraging them to do the work necessary for real change. “Iyanla: Fix My Life” podcast will roll out a new episode every Tuesday beginning on June 18 available on Apple Podcasts, including episodes with the following featured guests: former NFL star Chad Ochocinco Johnson and reality TV star Evelyn Lozada; popular radio personality “Sasha the Diva”; former “Real Housewife of Atlanta” Sheree Whitfield; rapper, actor and reality TV star Saigon; and reality television star Arica Adams, better known as “Hazel-E.” Sounds like a great way to refresh some classic content. Will you be tuning in? “Iyanla: Fix My Life” will return to the network’s Saturday night lineup with its new episodes beginning Saturday, June 1 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.
Source: Courtesy of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network / Courtesy of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network “Iyanla Fix My Life” Returns For 6th Season On OWN Iyanla is back y’all! “ Iyanla: Fix My Life” returns for Season 6 this Saturday, June 1st and if the super trailer is any indication, this one is a doozy! Here’s more details about the new season of “Iyanla: Fix My Life” In this dramatic new season of the series, the Mitchell family returns for more episodes in search of Iyanla’s help. In part one, Iyanla reunites with the family and finds that they have fallen back into old patterns: Michael, Jr. has gone back to making lewd videos, Markis’s guilt about failing his family has led to a suicide attempt and one sibling went MIA. In part two of this multi-episode story, Iyanla sits down with the oldest sibling, Kizzy, to help her understand that she is no different from the mother who abandoned her; meanwhile, Iyanla sits Michael, Jr. down with mother Leronda to gain a greater understanding of an untreated mental health issue – one causes emotional outbursts and spurs him to post degrading videos of himself on social media; and lastly, Iyanla addresses the violent breakdown during the previous episode between Marvin and Melvin around one brother’s discomfort with his own sexuality. In a final attempt to move beyond the burden of resentment they hold towards their mother and each other, Iyanla jumps in between the chaos of family squabbles, breakdowns and blowups by making each member face their core issues of deeply rooted mistrust. In subsequent episodes, Iyanla meets with a troubled young woman born in prison to a drug-addicted mother. Hours before being born, her 22-year-old father was notified he had a daughter on the way—a daughter that he was neither expecting nor sure he wanted. Lil’Karla marinated in a womb of “unwantedness” and grew up among family that she claims raised her in that same spirit, which she uses as an excuse for a lifetime’s worth of bad behavior. Also, Iyanla proves the old saying “If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother,” as she deals with two separate cases of manipulative women who will do anything in their power to control their adult children, followed by a couple who are desperately trying to save their marriage. Iyanla continues her work as she sits down with a father and his three sons – two of which he suspects are not actually his. YIKES… Sounds like a lot of family drama that many of us can relate to — or hopefully are blessed enough not to relate to. OWN is also launching a podcast version of its award-winning series “Iyanla: Fix My Life” available June 18 on Apple Podcasts. The “Iyanla: Fix My Life” podcast will feature previously aired content from the critically-acclaimed series’ most popular interviews featuring spiritual life coach Iyanla Vanzant, as she helps those who are struggling, guiding them toward a new way of living and encouraging them to do the work necessary for real change. “Iyanla: Fix My Life” podcast will roll out a new episode every Tuesday beginning on June 18 available on Apple Podcasts, including episodes with the following featured guests: former NFL star Chad Ochocinco Johnson and reality TV star Evelyn Lozada; popular radio personality “Sasha the Diva”; former “Real Housewife of Atlanta” Sheree Whitfield; rapper, actor and reality TV star Saigon; and reality television star Arica Adams, better known as “Hazel-E.” Sounds like a great way to refresh some classic content. Will you be tuning in? “Iyanla: Fix My Life” will return to the network’s Saturday night lineup with its new episodes beginning Saturday, June 1 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.
Back in March, we reported on the sad news that beloved Jeopardy host Alex Trebek was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer . Today, Trebek is updating fans on his condition. Alex Trebek Cancer Update And even though it’s not phrased in the form a question, we’re happy to accept his response: “It’s kind of mind-boggling,” Trebek says in the video above. “The doctors said they hadn’t seen this kind of positive result in their memory… some of the tumors have already shrunk by more than 50 percent.” Trebek added that he’s “near remission” which is astonishingly good news, particularly given the disease’s 9 percent survival rate. “I’ve got a couple million people out there who have expressed their good thoughts, their positive energy directed toward me and their prayers,” he shared. “I told the doctors, this has to be more than just the chemo, and they agreed it could very well be an important part of this.” The nost added: “I’ve got a lot of love out there headed in my direction and a lot of prayers, and I will never ever minimize the value of that.” In a previous interview with fellow cancer survivior Robin Roberts, Trebek revealed that his condition has taken a tremendous emotional toll: “What I’m not used to [is] dealing with the surges that come on suddenly of deep, deep sadness and it brings tears to my eye, I’ve discovered in this whole episode, ladies and gentlemen, that I’m a bit of a wuss,” he said. As for how his illness has affected his hosting duties, Trebek revealed it hasn’t always been easy: “I taped the show and then I made it to the dressing room on one occasion, just barely, before I writhed in pain and cried in pain,” Trebek recalled. “And I had 15 minutes before the next show. So, I got myself together and spasms of that kind usually last about 10 to 15 minutes. So, all right, here we go again: ‘Anybody got any pain pills?’ And, I don’t like taking pain pills. But I got through it.” Currently, Jeopardy fans are thrilling to an historic run by James Holzauer, who recently passed the $2 million mark to become the show’s second winningest contestant of all time behind the legendary Ken Jennings. From the way things are going, it looks as though James will remain on the show for quite some time. And here’s hoping Alex will be, as well.
Back in March, we reported on the sad news that beloved Jeopardy host Alex Trebek was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer . Today, Trebek is updating fans on his condition. Alex Trebek Cancer Update And even though it’s not phrased in the form a question, we’re happy to accept his response: “It’s kind of mind-boggling,” Trebek says in the video above. “The doctors said they hadn’t seen this kind of positive result in their memory… some of the tumors have already shrunk by more than 50 percent.” Trebek added that he’s “near remission” which is astonishingly good news, particularly given the disease’s 9 percent survival rate. “I’ve got a couple million people out there who have expressed their good thoughts, their positive energy directed toward me and their prayers,” he shared. “I told the doctors, this has to be more than just the chemo, and they agreed it could very well be an important part of this.” The nost added: “I’ve got a lot of love out there headed in my direction and a lot of prayers, and I will never ever minimize the value of that.” In a previous interview with fellow cancer survivior Robin Roberts, Trebek revealed that his condition has taken a tremendous emotional toll: “What I’m not used to [is] dealing with the surges that come on suddenly of deep, deep sadness and it brings tears to my eye, I’ve discovered in this whole episode, ladies and gentlemen, that I’m a bit of a wuss,” he said. As for how his illness has affected his hosting duties, Trebek revealed it hasn’t always been easy: “I taped the show and then I made it to the dressing room on one occasion, just barely, before I writhed in pain and cried in pain,” Trebek recalled. “And I had 15 minutes before the next show. So, I got myself together and spasms of that kind usually last about 10 to 15 minutes. So, all right, here we go again: ‘Anybody got any pain pills?’ And, I don’t like taking pain pills. But I got through it.” Currently, Jeopardy fans are thrilling to an historic run by James Holzauer, who recently passed the $2 million mark to become the show’s second winningest contestant of all time behind the legendary Ken Jennings. From the way things are going, it looks as though James will remain on the show for quite some time. And here’s hoping Alex will be, as well.
It’s a wild week for shocking accusations in celebrity memoirs. First, Lamar Odom claimed a pimp tried to kill him, and now former Saturday Night Live star Chris Kattan has leveled some appalling accusations at iconic producer Lorne Michaels. Kattan was an SNL regular from 1996 to 2003. He played a number of recurring characters, most notably one half of the Roxbury Guys, alongside Will Ferrell. In homage to his most famous schtick, Kattan titled his newly-released memoir Baby, Don’t Hurt Me . And unlike SNL stars past, he didn’t hold back in his portrayal of the show’s famously domineering — and oddly humorous — creator, Lorne Michaels. When Roxbury was adapted into a movie in 1998 (for our younger readers — this used to be a common practice for popular SNL sketches), Amy Heckerling was tapped to direct. Following the success of such films as Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Clueless , Heckerling was one of the most in-demand comedy directors in Hollywood. And it seems Michaels was willing to go to great lengths to keep her attached to the project. Or more accurately, he was willing to pressure his employees to go to great lengths. “Paramount would only do the movie if Amy signed on as a director, not as a producer,” Kattan writes. “[Michaels] wanted to make sure the movie happened, then [he] had to keep Amy happy.” He recalls a phone call with Michaels in which his boss instructed in him just how to keep Heckerling happy” “Chris, I’m not saying you have to f–k her, but it wouldn’t hurt,” he recalls Michaels saying. And so, Kattan got it on with Heckerling — and was respectful to Lorne in the process: “She thought it would be fun to have sex on Lorne’s desk,” he writes. “Wow, what a great idea! Jesus Christ. I said a polite ‘F–k, no!’ to that, so we ended up going to her office and having sex on … yep, you guessed it, the ‘casting couch.’ ” Michaels’ camp has issued a firm denial, stating simply: “This did not happen.” Obviously, we can’t say for certain who’s telling the truth — but it would be a pretty random story for Kattan to make up 20 years later.
