Home Blog Page 24

Michael Jackson Biopic Sequel: 5 Must-See Things

editor
-
0
Michael Jackson Biopic Sequel: 5 Must-See Things

Michael Jackson biopic fans won’t have to wait much longer for part two. While theaters likely won’t see the billion-dollar sequel for at least another year, star Jaafar Jackson is already signaling that the film will tackle some genuinely heavy material. The King of Pop’s nephew recently spoke to GQ Middle East about what’s coming, and he’s made it clear the second installment won’t shy away from the complicated chapters of his uncle’s life.

Jackson teased that the sequel will address the infamous child sex abuse allegations and the subsequent trial that defined much of Jackson’s later years. The real-life nephew of the Michael Jackson estate says the film will offer his uncle’s perspective on these events, rather than relying on outside narratives. But beyond that legal reckoning, there are several iconic moments from Jackson’s career and personal life that could shape this second chapter.

The Child Sex Abuse Allegations and How They Affected the Family

Neverland Ranch near Santa Barbara, California

The allegations and trial have been covered extensively over the years, but Jaafar’s approach promises something different. Rather than recycling the same documentary angles, he says the film will “give even more insight from his point of view.” This intimate framing could offer audiences a more nuanced examination of how Jackson himself processed these events and their impact on his family. It’s a significant undertaking for any biopic, and one that requires both sensitivity and honesty.

The Iconic Super Bowl XXVII Halftime Show Performance

Jackson’s 1993 Super Bowl halftime performance remains one of the defining moments of his career. That January show essentially rewrote the rules for what a halftime performance could be, setting a standard that persists today. Any comprehensive biopic exploring his legacy would feel incomplete without capturing that cultural moment and its ripple effects on live performance as an art form.

The “Smooth Criminal” and “Remember the Time” Music Videos

Jaafar has already demonstrated he can execute Jackson’s choreography, including the legendary moonwalk. The “Smooth Criminal” video, with its iconic anti-gravity lean, and “Remember the Time,” featuring that Egyptian-influenced dance sequence, represent some of Jackson’s most visually inventive work. Seeing these recreated through a modern filmmaking lens could be a highlight of the sequel, especially given Jaafar’s clear command of the material.

Michael’s Famous Oprah Interview

Jackson’s sit-down with Oprah Winfrey stands as one of the most significant celebrity interviews ever filmed. That conversation covered everything from his personal struggles to his artistic vision, and it revealed a side of Jackson that many audiences had never seen. The interview remains endlessly quotable and culturally resonant. Recreating that moment for the film could give audiences fresh perspective on one of pop culture’s most memorable exchanges.

Michael’s Marriages and Becoming a Father

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson at the Chateau de Versailles in 1994

Jackson’s personal life often lived in the shadow of his public image, but his marriages to Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe, along with his role as a father to Prince Michael Jr. and Paris, shaped who he was off stage. These relationships humanize Jackson in ways that pure career retrospectives cannot. Exploring his evolution as a partner and parent would add real depth to the narrative, showing the man beyond the mythology.


★TR★

Tems on Born in the Wild: All Points East Performance

editor
-
0
Tems on Born in the Wild: All Points East Performance


Tems delivered a career-defining performance at All Points East in London, commanding the opening night of the festival with the kind of star power that reminded everyone why she’s become one of music’s most essential voices. Tems co-headlined the massive Victoria Park stage in front of 45,000 people, taking the crowd through her catalog with the poise of an artist who knows exactly who she is and what she can do. The night belonged to her from start to finish, but there was one moment that had the entire park locked in: when she brought out Dave for their UK No. 1 collaboration “Raindance,” the energy shifted into something transcendent. His hometown, their song, and thousands of voices singing every word created the kind of memory that people will be talking about for years.

What made Tems stand out wasn’t just her vocal command or the way she moved across that stage. The custom crochet look she wore felt intentional, a visual statement that matched the intimacy of her performance even in a space that massive. She’s proven herself as one of the most magnetic performers working right now, bringing both technical precision and genuine emotional connection to every single moment. For Black artists watching from the diaspora, seeing Tems own a festival stage like this—bringing her full self, her talent, and her vision without compromise—feels like witnessing the next generation claim their rightful space in global music culture.

North West Dreams of Working at Starbucks

editor
-
0
North West Dreams of Working at Starbucks

North West doesn’t exactly live a typical teenage life. With Kim Kardashian and Kanye West as parents, the 13-year-old has grown up in the spotlight as an emerging rapper. But when asked about her aspirations in a recent interview, she revealed something refreshingly grounded: she wants to work at Starbucks.

During a sit-down with Dazed Digital reporter Marios Mystidis, the conversation turned to what North West might pursue if music wasn’t in the picture. When asked if she’d consider basketball, she was quick to shut that down.

Instead, she expressed genuine interest in something much more everyday. “I wanna work at, like, Starbucks next year,” she said. “I think I can next year ’cause I’m gonna be 14, so … I think I can. I want to have a regular job, I guess.”

It’s not a passing comment, either. North seemed thoughtful about the desire for normalcy, suggesting she’s taking it seriously as a potential next move once she turns 14.

That said, music remains her primary focus. She described studio sessions as her idea of a “perfect day,” and it’s clear where her heart truly lies when it comes to career priorities.

Princess Diana-INLINE-hulu

Plans shifted recently when her scheduled “Kimokawaii” tour with Molly Santana was canceled without explanation. The reasons remain unclear, but North’s passion for creating music shows no signs of slowing down regardless.

Whether she’s making records or steaming espresso shots, North seems committed to charting her own path forward.


★★★

Rachel Leviss Revenge Porn Lawsuit Against Ariana Madix

editor
-
0
Rachel Leviss Revenge Porn Lawsuit Against Ariana Madix

Revenge porn allegations just got a major boost in court. Rachel Leviss scored a significant legal victory against Ariana Madix after a judge refused to dismiss her lawsuit over intimate videos discovered during the Scandoval breakup. This ruling keeps the case moving forward—and it’s a win for Leviss.

Madix had appealed an earlier ruling that allowed Leviss’ revenge porn allegations to continue. She argued that she didn’t send the recordings to the public and only forwarded them to Leviss after finding them on Tom Sandoval’s phone. The court disagreed, ruling that “she failed to meet her burden” of proving the challenged conduct was constitutionally protected. That’s a significant legal setback for Madix.

Leviss’ complaint tells a different story about what happened after Madix uncovered her affair with Sandoval in March 2023. According to the lawsuit, Madix obtained the sexually explicit material “without his authorization” before allegedly copying and sharing it. Leviss claims the videos went to Madix, herself and “other individuals whose identities are not currently known.” She has also alleged that people associated with Bravo received the content. This kind of breach raises serious questions about privacy and accountability.

Madix’s legal team tried to connect the dispute to the enormous public interest surrounding Scandoval, which dominated Vanderpump Rules and ended her nearly nine-year relationship with Sandoval. They wanted the case dismissed based on public figure status and First Amendment protections. That argument didn’t land with the judge.

The latest decision doesn’t determine whether Madix is actually liable—but it does mean Leviss’ claims can continue through the legal process. This is important because it validates that her allegations deserve a full hearing in court, not dismissal at an early stage.

Leviss joined Vanderpump Rules in 2016. Madix became a full-time cast member during Season 3, while Sandoval had appeared on the Bravo series since its 2013 debut. Madix is currently the host of Love Island USA and was nominated for an Emmy for the role. The reality TV world is watching this case closely.

★m★

Black Chicago Woman’s Self-Defense Case Plea Deal

editor
-
0
Black Chicago Woman’s Self-Defense Case Plea Deal

For nearly four years, Keshia Golden maintained she was not a murderer. She was a pregnant woman trying to survive an attack by an abusive partner. On Monday, Aug. 24, that narrative shifted when she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the 2022 stabbing death of her boyfriend, Calvin Sidney, according to FOX 32.

The plea deal represents a major pivot in a case that has always transcended the immediate facts of what happened in those seconds when Sidney was stabbed. At its core, it has been about what preceded that moment and whether the justice system is willing to recognize self-defense when the person acting is a Black woman claiming victimhood from domestic violence. Keshia Golden‘s case has become a flashpoint in that larger conversation.

What Happened That October Night

Golden was eight months pregnant when Sidney died following the couple’s baby shower in October 2022. According to her attorneys, Sidney attacked her, slamming her head against a counter. She grabbed a knife to protect herself and her unborn child.

“After the stab, I just ran out of the house,” Golden told the Sun-Times. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. I just wanted him to stop, basically. I didn’t know that it hit an artery.”

Prosecutors offered a different account, claiming Golden followed Sidney into a bedroom after the initial confrontation and stabbed him in the leg, striking his femoral artery. The disagreement over these moments became everything in how the case unfolded.

A Pattern of Violence

The relationship carried documented evidence of abuse. Police had responded to more than 50 domestic violence calls from the couple’s address, according to The 19th. Golden had obtained an order of protection against Sidney months before his death after alleging he punched her.

Dozens gather outside a Chicago courtroom to protest the first-degree murder charge against Keshia Golden, who fatally stabbed her boyfriend in 2022. Screenshot from YouTube.

That history became central to a growing movement of domestic violence advocates. They rallied outside the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office demanding prosecutors drop the case entirely. The argument was straightforward: survivors should not have to choose between defending themselves and risking decades in prison.

Context matters here. More than four in 10 Black women have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetimes, compared with about three in 10 white women, according to data from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. The racial disparity in who experiences abuse and, critically, whose claims of self-defense the justice system believes, hangs over cases like Golden’s.

The Deal

Golden had previously rejected a plea agreement requiring her to plead guilty to second-degree murder with probation. Her legal team argued that accepting a murder conviction would permanently brand her as a violent offender. The new deal was different: involuntary manslaughter, two years probation, and no requirement to register as a violent offender.

She will not spend decades behind bars. But the case has forced Chicago to reckon with uncomfortable questions about self-defense and domestic violence. For Black women specifically, there’s a question that persists: whose fear does the justice system take seriously?


★TR★

Serayah and Joey Bada$$ Breakup: What We Know

editor
-
0
Serayah and Joey Bada$$ Breakup: What We Know

Serayah McNeil ended her engagement to rapper Joey Bada$$ this week, and the announcement came with receipts. The “Empire” star posted a lengthy statement to Instagram detailing repeated infidelity throughout their relationship, sparking the kind of debate that only relationship drama can ignite on social media.

McNeil and Joey connected at a mutual friend’s birthday party in 2021, made things official in 2023, and moved fast. By February 2025, they announced a pregnancy. Within months, their son arrived, followed quickly by an engagement announcement. Serayah McNeil had become a fixture in the rapper’s world, and fans ate it up. This was particularly noteworthy given that Joey had previously spoken openly about being polyamorous and skeptical of monogamy, so the relationship felt like a genuine shift for him.

Things quieted down for months after the engagement news. Then, near the end of August 2026, McNeil shared a statement that changed everything. She wrote about choosing herself after recognizing patterns of betrayal during vulnerable moments. “If your intuition is telling you something is wrong, listen to it,” she said, adding that she refused to shrink herself to keep someone else comfortable.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 03: Serayah McNeill and Joey Bada$$ at an event in New York City on June 03, 2026. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

She initially said she’d stay quiet out of respect for their son, but then shifted course. In a since-deleted post, she got more specific, claiming Joey had asked her to move her life for him, proposed, then cheated repeatedly while denying he wanted that lifestyle. “I have my receipts,” she said, warning that “there’s no podcast he can get on, sweet-talking the world.”

The timing of her decision to go public sparked immediate disagreement. Some on social media questioned why she felt the need to air the breakup publicly at all, suggesting the move was counterproductive. “If I get cheated on, my next move would never be to tell the whole world,” one person wrote.

Others pushed back on that logic. Multiple voices on X pointed out that people announce breakups constantly, yet suddenly seem judgmental when infidelity is involved. “People announce that they break up all the time, but it’s so fascinating that whenever it’s because of cheating, y’all start hollering that she should’ve kept it private,” one user noted.

Some supporters were unambiguous in their stance. “I’m happy Serayah announced her separation from joey badass publicly and mentioned there was repeated infidelity,” wrote another. “These ni**as do not be good ppl. No need to keep their good image.”

Joey Bada$$ has not publicly addressed the breakup or McNeil’s allegations.


★TR★

T-Pain Blasts Streaming Rates After $100M Deal

editor
-
0
T-Pain Blasts Streaming Rates After $100M Deal

Music catalog sales have become a major financial move for artists protecting their legacies. T-Pain just joined that conversation—and his reasoning is deeply personal.

The “I’m Sprung” hitmaker sold his publishing catalog and select master rights to HarbourView Equity Partners in February 2025 for a rumored $100 million. During a recent Twitch stream, he explained why music catalog sales matter so much to him and his family’s future.

“You think I’mma leave my kids’ life and their future in the hands of the music industry?” T-Pain, 41, asked. “You got me f–ked up.”

Here’s what moved him to make this decision. The singer said artists were never consulted when streaming transformed how music generated revenue. It’s a real issue affecting artists across genres and generations.

“Suddenly, out of nowhere and without anybody’s consent, all of our music went from a dollar a song to 0.003 cents per play,” he said. “Nobody asked us s–t.”

The rapper feels the possibility of royalty rates falling further made a guaranteed payout more appealing than holding onto ownership indefinitely. It’s practical thinking wrapped in family protection—similar to how someone might invest in a nonstick cookware set for durability rather than replacing equipment constantly.

“I know exactly how much I want right now,” he said. “I know exactly what I would need to live out the rest of my life.”

The Grammy winner, born Faheem Rashad Najm, has three children, Lyriq, Muziq and Kaydnz, with wife Amber Najm. Securing their inheritance wasn’t just about money—it was about autonomy and peace of mind.

When the deal was announced, T-Pain said he was grateful his work would continue reaching listeners. He also made clear that selling the catalog did not mean retiring or stepping back from creation.

“I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon,” he said.

★m★

Destin Conrad on Roadrunner: Reggae Pivot Shines

editor
-
0
Destin Conrad on Roadrunner: Reggae Pivot Shines


Destin Conrad just made a bold statement with his new album Roadrunner, and it’s clear he’s playing by his own rules. Fresh off a Grammy nomination and being named an R&B rising star, the artist is leaning all the way into reggae and dancehall—a real left turn from the alt-R&B and jazz that built his name. This isn’t just a musical pivot; it’s a deliberate tribute to the Jamaican heritage he was raised on, and it proves that Destin Conrad refuses to be boxed in by industry expectations.

The project centers on life on the road and what it actually takes to be a touring artist, with tracks like “Favorite Lover” setting the tone for the entire journey. What makes this moment even more significant is that Roadrunner has already claimed the No. 1 spot on Apple Music’s reggae albums chart—a testament to how authentically he’s executed this vision. For artists of color navigating the often restrictive lanes of the music industry, Conrad’s willingness to honor his roots while maintaining creative control is a refreshing reminder that the most powerful moves come from staying true to who you are and where you come from.

Former Publicist Confessed Jax Romance by Text

editor
-
0
Former Publicist Confessed Jax Romance by Text

Celebrity relationships can get messy real quick, and Brittany Cartwright just spilled some serious tea about how she found out her ex Jax Taylor was dating her former publicist Lori Krebs. The timing? Absolutely wild.

Brittany, 37, opened up on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen about the betrayal, and honestly, the way it all went down was cold. According to her account, celebrity relationships get even messier when a professional boundary gets crossed like this.

“Lori sent me a text message, morning of, two hours before the TMZ photos came out,” Brittany explained. Talk about last-minute notice. Lori allegedly told her that “things had changed” between her and Jax, admitted Brittany would feel betrayed, and said she still loved Brittany and her 5-year-old son, Cruz. A statement like that doesn’t exactly soften the blow when you’re about to see vacation photos of your ex with your own publicist.

The photos in question showed Jax, 47, and Lori together at a resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Jax later confirmed the relationship status by replying to an Instagram user, “No thanks I am taken.”

What made this hit different for Brittany was the professional angle. Lori wasn’t just a friend—she was still actively working for her, collecting a retainer and taking 10% of her earnings. That’s the kind of breach of trust that stings on multiple levels.

“She was still my publicist,” Brittany said. “She was still getting a retainer from me. She was still making 10% of things for me.” It’s giving betrayal on top of betrayal.

Brittany pushed back against claims that she and Lori hadn’t been close. She pointed out that Lori had attended the show with her just months earlier in April and had been recently invited to her home. This wasn’t some distant work relationship—it was personal.

“I don’t care if Jax dates someone,” Brittany said, getting to the real issue. “It’s what she did!”

A source close to Lori countered that their friendship had already faded, while Jax accused Brittany of telling “blatant lies.” The drama continues, but one thing’s clear: this situation had layers, and the way it unfolded was far from respectful.

★m★

Black Women Home Exhibition Martha’s Vineyard

editor
-
0
Black Women Home Exhibition Martha’s Vineyard

There is no sterile white gallery wall separating the art from everyday life. Instead, imagine walking through bedrooms in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, encountering work by Black women artists in rooms devoted to themes such as protection, nurturing, memory and water.

A House Is Not a Home brings together 25 Black women artists to examine America’s 250-year history through the women whose labor, care and creativity helped build it, even when that work went unnamed or unrecognized. Curated by Jade Flint and artist Taylor Thomas, and presented by Long Gallery Harlem, the exhibition takes a different approach to remembering the country’s past.

Image courtesy of Long Gallery Harlem

“As we were approaching the 250th anniversary of America, we knew that there were going to be these very idealized, romanticized ideas about how this country was founded,” Flint said as she walked through the exhibition.

Image courtesy of Long Gallery Harlem

Flint and Thomas wanted to offer a different way of remembering America: by centering Black women not simply as witnesses to the country’s history, but as people who made the country what it is. The exhibition looks beyond the physical work of maintaining a home to what Flint calls the “emotional scaffold” required to keep families and communities together.

The experience unfolds inside an actual house, specifically Thomas’s parents’ home on Martha’s Vineyard. One room is dedicated to the many identities Black women carry at once: mother, wife, professional and caretaker, along with the challenge of maintaining a sense of self through all those transitions. Another room examines protection. One work references “The Negro Motorist Green Book,” which once helped Black travelers identify places where they could safely eat and move through the country. Katharen Wiese’s piece, “Safe Places,” uses handmade cotton paper arranged in a collage. Then there’s a room devoted to the relationship between Black people and water.

Image courtesy of Long Gallery Harlem

“Since we’re on Martha’s Vineyard, we wanted to talk about Black people’s relationship to water,” Flint explained. “Given the fact that we came here through the transatlantic slave trade, we could have continued to have a very traumatic relationship with water, and many of us still do. But being on this island, we wanted to highlight that Martha’s Vineyard hasn’t been a haven for Black people in the last few decades. Black people have been here since the 19th century, starting with the Black whalers and their wives, who made this place a home that we know it to be now.”

Many who have seen A House Is Not a Home have felt an immediate sense of recognition. “We’ve gotten tears, we’ve gotten joy,” Flint said. People have shared stories about their own mothers and their own experiences as wives and mothers.

The exhibition is in its final week at Martha’s Vineyard, and all the works are available for sale.


★TR★

1...232425...717Page 24 of 717