★★★
Macklemore Returns to Seattle After Ed Sheeran Tour
Raven Symone Undermining Black Women Beauty Pageant
Former Miss Teen USA Runner-Up Gloria Almonte Claims Raven-Symoné Bragged About Voting Against “The Black Girl” At 2001 Pageant… As Resurfaced Identity Comments Trigger MASSIVE Backlash!! (DETAILS)
Honey, clear off your timelines, dust off your pageant sashes, and grab a front-row seat, because we’ve got the absolute messiest pop-culture firestorm taking over social media today! Raven-Symoné is finding herself in the hottest seat of her career as past comments, controversial podcast clips, and now quarter-century-old allegations are all crashing down at once!
The latest shockwave comes straight from former Miss Teen USA 2001 first runner-up Gloria Almonte (representing New York), who publicly claimed that a 15-year-old Raven—who served as a celebrity judge for the live broadcast—approached her after the show to brag about voting for her over the eventual Black winner, Marissa Whitley (Miss Missouri). As a Puerto Rican woman reflecting on this moment, Gloria’s recollection raises serious questions about identity and respect within spaces of Black excellence.
The 2001 Pageant Allegation: “I Didn’t Vote For The Black Girl!”
Taking to social media platform Threads to drop her bombshell recollection, Gloria Almonte revealed that after 25 years, a sudden epiphany hit her regarding her interaction with the Disney star at the coronation after-party:
- The Coronation Party Encounter: Gloria claims Raven approached her surrounded by energy, allegedly blurting out that she voted for Gloria instead of “the Black girl” (referring to Marissa Whitley, who made history winning the title).
- Overwhelmed In The Moment: Gloria explained that as a teenager dealing with placing second, endless press interviews, and pageant chaos, the comment didn’t fully register at the time.
- Looking Back 25 Years Later: “Now, I’m like… WTF you mean Black girl? Her name is Marissa. Miss Missouri!” Gloria wrote online. “Mind you, you had all of our information in front of you prior to the telecast. What is wrong with this woman?”
Official pageant records do confirm Raven was a celebrity judge in 2001 and Whitley won the crown, though Almonte’s specific account of their private conversation remains unverified.
“Was She Black?” The Resurfaced Podcast Clip That Started The Firestorm!
Almonte’s allegation lands at an extraordinarily messy moment for Raven-Symoné, as the star was already facing intense online heat over a resurfaced clip from her podcast, Tea Time with Raven and Miranda!
During an episode featuring media personality Kalen Allen, the guest praised Raven’s iconic Disney character Raven Baxter, describing the character and her fictional family as “Black as f—”. Raven instantly stopped the conversation, asking: “Was she Black?” When Kalen pointed out the obviously Black family portrayed on the hit Disney Channel show, Raven pushed back, asking him to strip color away: “Make them green, and hear the words. What color are they?”
- The “Colorless” Challenge: Following viral backlash, Kalen cleared the air on Threads, doubling down that Raven Baxter was indeed “Black AF” regardless of how her portrayer views the character.
- Deeper Questions: Many began questioning whether this denial connects to broader patterns in how some celebrities distance themselves from explicit conversations around race and cultural identity.
Oprah Interviews, “Watermelondrea” & Marriage Backlash!
As the internet digs up Raven’s entire history, fans are pulling up classic controversial receipts that paint a picture worth examining closely:
- The 2014 Oprah Interview: Fans revived her famous 2014 sit-down with Oprah Winfrey, where she declared she was “not an African American” but rather “an American” and a “colorless person”—comments she later clarified were about rejecting labels rather than her Blackness.
- The View Controversies: People also brought up her 2015 stint on The View, where she infamously claimed she wouldn’t hire someone with a “ghetto name” like “Watermelondrea,” sparking conversations about respectability politics and judgment.
- Defending Her Wife: The current scrutiny even touched her marriage to wife Miranda Maday! After fans dragged Miranda for revealing she didn’t grow up watching That’s So Raven, Raven jumped to her wife’s defense, stating she specifically wanted a partner who wasn’t a superfan of her childhood fame.
Social Media Explodes: “She’s Been Showing Us For 20 Years!”
As soon as Gloria Almonte’s pageant allegations hit the blogs right alongside the resurfaced podcast clip, social media users blew up comment sections in pure exhaustion:
“Raven-Symoné asking if Raven Baxter was Black is the most insane level of revisionist history I have ever seen in my life!” one top commenter wrote on X.
Another fan added: “Between ‘colorless,’ ‘Watermelondrea,’ and now this 2001 pageant story… when people show you who they are, believe them the first time!”
Honey, between 2001 pageant tea, “colorless” TV characters, and internet commentary, Raven-Symoné’s public relations team has a full-time crisis on their hands! The cumulative effect of these moments raises important conversations about how we navigate identity within the entertainment industry and what accountability truly looks like.
What do you think about Gloria Almonte’s 25-year-old pageant claims and Raven’s recent comments? Let’s talk about it in the comments below!
★m★
Black Stars Honored on the Walk of Fame
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 28: Nia Long attends the 2026 BET Awards at Peacock Theater on June 28, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame might seem like just another Hollywood fixture. But for Black artists, it represents something deeper: the culmination of decades-long careers, and often the dreams of their entire families and communities watching from home.
Nia Long became the latest to receive this honor when the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce celebrated her achievement in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The ceremony drew a who’s who of entertainment: Snoop Dogg, her “Love Jones” co-stars Larenz Tate and Bill Bellamy, Courtney B. Vance, Terence Howard, and “Michael” producer Graham King all showed up to mark the occasion. Both Snoop and King offered remarks honoring her remarkable career.
Nia Long received the 2,857th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in September 2026, cementing her place among the entertainment industry’s most respected performers.
Other Recent Honorees
Angélique Kidjo
GRAMMY-winning musician Angélique Kidjo was honored with the 2,854th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in August 2026.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony received the 2,851st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in July 2026.
Keith David
Veteran actor Keith David was honored with the 2,847th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in June.
Paulinho da Costa
Famed musician Paulinho da Costa was honored with the 2,844th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in May 2026.
Brandy Norwood
Brandy Norwood received the 2,839th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in March 2026.
Bill Duke
Veteran actor Bill Duke was honored with the 2,837th star for his achievements in February 2026.
The Isley Brothers
The Isley Brothers were honored with the 2,834th star in January 2026 during a special ceremony in Hollywood.
Courtney B. Vance
Courtney B. Vance was honored with the 2,831st star in December 2025. His wife, Angela Bassett, and children attended for his special honor.
Chadwick Boseman
A handful of famous figures attended the late actor’s ceremony. His “Black Panther” family members—Letitia Wright, Michael B. Jordan, and director Ryan Coogler—showed up alongside his brothers and his wife Simone Ledward.
Sherri Shepherd
Sherri Shepherd was honored with the 2,827th star. Famous faces that came to honor her included Ira Bernstein, Niecy Nash, and Tyler Perry.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
“Dreamgirls” and Emmy-winning “Abbott Elementary” star Sheryl Lee Ralph received the 2,808th star on the Walk of Fame. Celebrity guests who came to celebrate her included Quinta Brunson and Loretta Devine.
Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes received the 2,818th star on the Walk of Fame in August. Celebrity guest speakers present included Chris Rock, LL Cool J, and Chuck D.
Glynn Turman
“A Different World” and “Queen Sugar” star Glynn Turman received the 2,816th star on the Walk of Fame in July. Notable stars in attendance included Ava DuVernay and Don Cheadle.
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington had an already legendary career when she received the 2,796th star on December 2. Tyler Perry and Shonda Rhimes spoke at her ceremony, highlighting her generosity, friendship, and artistry. Washington herself shared a personal story about her uncle taking a photo with a star bearing his name, expressing hope that others would get to share similar moments with her own star.
Martha Reeves
After a long road that included crowdfunding for her own star, Motown legend Martha Reeves was finally honored with the 2,776th star on the Walk of Fame. Her decades of hits with the Vandellas made this recognition long overdue.
Dr. Dre
The rapper and producer’s influence on music and entertainment is undeniable. His star is located near Snoop Dogg’s in front of Jimmy Kimmel’s theater.
Lenny Kravitz
Rock star Lenny Kravitz finally received his star after a career spanning multiple decades and genres. His daughter Zoë Kravitz, Denzel Washington, and Earth, Wind & Fire legend Verdine White were among those celebrating his achievement.
Garrett Morris
As one of “Saturday Night Live’s” original cast members, Garrett Morris is a legitimate part of television history and comedy legend. Beyond his SNL work, he appeared on “Martin,” “The Jamie Foxx Show,” and countless 1980s TV series. His star was long overdue.
Charlie Wilson
The funk and R&B legend’s career spans decades of unforgettable music.
George Clinton
The Walk of Fame got significantly cooler when George Clinton added his name to it.
Darius Rucker
The country music superstar and Hootie and the Blowfish frontman was surrounded by his kids as he received his star.
Ludacris
The rapper and actor was joined by the entire “Fast & Furious” family, as well as hip-hop legends like Queen Latifah, as his long career was celebrated.
Michael B. Jordan
The actor and director has become a Hollywood icon in a remarkably short time, so his star came as no surprise.
Sheila E.
Sheila E. influenced countless elements of modern pop music, so it was long overdue when she received her star in 2023.
Melba Moore
Stars on the Walk of Fame come with a substantial $75,000 price tag. When the money can’t be raised through traditional channels, sometimes other artists step up. Singer Melba Moore revealed that comedian Katt Williams sponsored her star.
Martin Lawrence
From comedy specials to blockbuster films to hit TV shows, Martin Lawrence’s impact across multiple mediums is immeasurable. Few artists are more deserving of recognition.
Octavia Spencer
Oscar winner Octavia Spencer was honored by “Spirited” co-star Will Ferrell in one of the most entertaining ceremonies on record.
Tupac Shakur
The rapper and actor’s sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, accepted the star for her legendary brother.
Nipsey Hussle
It’s fitting that Los Angeles native Nipsey Hussle will be forever recognized on one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Holly Robinson Peete
Her husband Rodney Peete, Magic Johnson, and LeVar Burton were among the famous faces who saluted the fan-favorite actress and producer.
Kenan Thompson
In addition to his family, many of his “SNL” co-stars were on hand to celebrate the comedy superstar.
Ice-T
The “Law & Order” universe turned out in force for the rapper-turned-TV detective’s ceremony.
Ashanti
Ashanti’s catalog has secured its place in popular music history. Chances are good you’ve got multiple songs on your playlist right now.
★TR★
Tay Keith Cause of Death Revealed
★★★
Mary Cosby Returns to RHOSLC After Son’s Death
Mary Cosby says she never considered staying home, and she is finally answering the question that has followed her since the spring: why she let Bravo’s cameras back into her home three weeks after her son died.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star lost her only child, Robert Cosby Jr., in February. He was 23. Salt Lake City police responded to a reported overdose on Feb. 23 and found him dead at the scene; the medical examiner has not released a cause of death. Production on the show’s seventh season, which was set to begin that same week, was paused, and Mary Cosby was told she could sit out as long as she needed. She came back in three weeks, a decision she’s now explaining for the first time in a new interview with Vulture.
Cosby wasn’t always well-received on the show, but sentiment shifted in season five when her son’s addiction and recovery attempts played out on camera. In a November 2024 episode, viewers watched the two have a raw, tearful conversation in which Robert Jr., then 21, described mixing Xanax with cocaine, molly and acid. Days later, Cosby told Andy Cohen on “Watch What Happens Live” that her son had completed a month in rehab and “came out a new person.”
By September 2025, Robert was arrested after breaking into a house through a dog door and allegedly assaulting a person inside.
The decision to return to filming three weeks after his death sparked severe online backlash, with many questioning her choice. In her Vulture interview, Cosby explained that Noah Samton, senior vice president of current production for Bravo and Peacock unscripted, initially told her she could take off for a year. She chose not to.
“When it first happened, Noah told me I didn’t have to come back. He’s like, ‘You don’t have to worry about your job. You take a year off, you take a season off, you will have your job,'” Cosby explained. “And I thought, if I do that, then I’m gonna go darker into what I’m in. I’m gonna just sit at home. I’m gonna think about it. I’m gonna constantly be at ends. ‘Why, what, how, when, what could I have done better, what could I have changed?’ I would have beat myself up. So I told Noah, ‘No, I want to work. I want to distract myself. I want to keep my mind on something positive.'”
Her husband supported the decision and trusted her instincts about what she needed to do in order to “create boundaries” and “protect” herself.
“I wasn’t delirious and distraught. During that time, I realized that dying from a broken heart is a choice. It came to me, like: ‘You can just choose not to even go on.’ I thought, ‘Well, maybe my journey and what I was put on this Earth for are not done.’ His is done. Mine isn’t. I need to keep going to see what’s in the end,” she said.
In the days following her son’s death, housewives from her franchise and others showed up. Cosby said the women visited, sent gift baskets and brought food, acting “like family” during an impossible time.
As season seven begins, Cosby said that coming back to film felt different this time around. She now has nothing to lose while dealing with the ladies on the show and the petty dynamics that can emerge.
“This year I had nothing to lose. That was my mindset all the way through. What can I do now that can completely go wrong? And the women were not allowed to go after me, so that was a blessing,” Cosby said with a laugh. “I don’t have to rip anybody apart. I think that I needed to be dealt with fragilely. I don’t know what version would show up if they were to come at me.”
Getting back in front of the camera “felt good” and was something she “needed,” she said. She noted a shift in how she’s treated on set now, describing it as being given space to “perform differently.”
“For the first time, that showed up. They paid more attention to me, didn’t put me in the background like I can’t talk. My son would want me to keep going. He would want me to shine. He’d want me to be the best I can be in whatever I’m doing in life,” she said.
★TR★
CT and Phaedra’s Romance: Years in Making
Reality TV News
It has been two years since TV audiences watched Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello occupy opposite sides on The Traitors, but it seems their unlikely chemistry is very much in play. The former opponents are now officially a couple. Parks confirmed their romance and shared their future plans ahead of a planned outing together.
It has been two years since TV audiences watched Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello occupy opposite sides on The Traitors, but it seems their unlikely chemistry is very much in play. The former opponents are now officially a couple. Parks confirmed their romance and shared their future plans ahead of a planned outing together.
It has been two years since TV audiences watched Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello occupy opposite sides on The Traitors, but it seems their unlikely chemistry is very much in play. The former opponents are now officially a couple. Parks confirmed their romance and shared their future plans ahead of a planned outing together.
Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello confirm their romance ahead of their red carpet debut
Phaedra Parks has made things official with CT Tamburello. On September 4, she appeared on Jeff Lewis’ SiriusXM show and gushed about her new romance after Lewis questioned if her status as Tamburello’s plus-one at the Emmys was a “platonic thing.” While Parks has played it coy in the past, she was honest and open this time around, telling Lewis, “No, it’s not.” Her style was effortless—a true statement piece moment that had everyone talking about her red carpet appearance.
The romance didn’t come out of nowhere. Rumors had been building for weeks after Tamburello posted a photo of Parks on Instagram in early August, captioning it, “Anybody want to throw a good word in for me!? … still looking for a +1 for the Emmys.” Parks responded almost immediately: “Baby I’m already yours.” From there, the flirtation escalated quickly, with Parks referring to Tamburello as “her man” and Tamburello sharing increasingly affectionate posts of his own. Fans suspect the romance likely bloomed sometime in June.
Fans saw it coming
While the pair have officially confirmed their romance this year, fans have seen it coming for years. Their connection actually traces back to 2023. Phaedra and CT met while filming Season 2 of Peacock’s The Traitors together. While they spent much of the season on opposite sides of the game, they developed an instant bond, with sparks flying from the very beginning. It’s the kind of Phaedra Parks connection that keeps people invested in reality television.
Their rapport didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling, either. In a March 2024 interview with Extra, Phaedra gushed about her former castmate, insisting that she would love to work with him again. She went on to call him a “gentleman” and an “alpha male.” CT was more guarded, insisting that nothing happened between them, but he did confirm that they had a bond during filming. The chemistry was undeniable—like a carefully curated reading list that just makes sense.
Now, more than two years after their season aired, they are finally giving it a chance in real life. Whether the relationship becomes a fixture on future Bravo or Peacock programming remains to be seen. It’s a fresh chapter in both their stories, one that fans have been rooting for since day one.
This isn’t the first time they’ve dated co-stars
Falling for a fellow competitor isn’t new territory for either Phaedra Parks or CT Tamburello. They each have a well-documented history of on-screen romances that began on set. Phaedra met one of her recent boyfriends, Cheick Kone, on the set of Married to Medicine. Phaedra’s marriage to Apollo Nida played out in front of Bravo audiences on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, complete with designer handbags and all the glamour that comes with the franchise.
CT Tamburello has been connected to co-stars, too. He is perhaps best known for his years-long, on-again-off-again relationship with Diem Brown, whom he met on MTV’s The Duel in 2006. The two became one of The Challenge franchise’s most iconic couples, with Brown’s ovarian cancer battle playing out publicly on-camera and Tamburello supporting her through it. Brown died in 2014; Tamburello was by her side. Their love story remains a testament to loyalty and devotion in the reality TV world.
★m★
Black Caucus SO VOTE Campaign for 2026 Midterms
Congressional Black Caucus Institute just rolled out SO VOTE, a new civic engagement push aimed at getting Black voters to the polls ahead of the 2026 midterms. The multimillion-dollar initiative launches as National Voter Registration Day approaches, targeting low-propensity and rural Black voters through community organizing, digital outreach and strategic partnerships.
The effort signals a recognition that reaching Black voters requires meeting them where they actually are. That means HBCU campuses, neighborhood cookouts, social media feeds and direct messaging. Congressional Black Caucus Institute leaders are banking on a blend of ground game and digital strategy to convert voters who’ve tuned out or felt invisible to the political process.
Building From the Ground Up
Rep. Jim Clyburn framed the stakes plainly. Young Black voters, rural communities and people skeptical their vote matters all factor into the calculus. “If you feel groceries are too high, SO VOTE,” Clyburn said. “If you feel energy costs are through the roof, and Medicare should be expanded, SO VOTE.”
The messaging is deliberate. It’s not abstract civics talk. It’s rooted in material concerns that shape daily life: inflation, healthcare, the cost of living. That resonates differently than generic get-out-the-vote appeals.
The timing matters. The Supreme Court’s April decision in Louisiana v. Callais weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, and the Trump administration’s Justice Department has already moved against majority-Black districts. Voting access itself is under pressure. That context makes voter mobilization feel less like routine politics and more like defensive action.
Cedric Richmond, a former Louisiana congressman, emphasized the human dimension. “We will go out and talk to Black families that pay more while working harder and falling behind,” he said. That includes people pushed out of the workforce and those carrying the heaviest burden of economic strain.
The Youth Factor
Young voters present a particular challenge. According to Richmond, 43 percent of people ages 18 to 29 say voting isn’t important at all. That’s not apathy born from laziness. It’s disconnection. They don’t see themselves reflected in political outcomes or feel heard by institutions claiming to represent them.
SO VOTE’s strategy acknowledges that. Traditional door-knocking gets paired with WhatsApp outreach, algorithmic targeting and what organizers call “surround sound” messaging. Clip farming, direct messaging, polling place information sharing. The playbook is modern and messier than old-school campaigns.
The initiative also commits to rural America. Farmers, people without adequate healthcare, residents in underserved inner cities. These are voters who’ve watched themselves disappear from political conversation, replaced by swing state suburbs and college-educated exurbs.
Whether SO VOTE can translate messaging into turnout remains open. What’s clear is that the Congressional Black Caucus Institute sees 2026 as consequential enough to commit serious resources to the effort. Black voter participation will likely determine midterm outcomes. This initiative is built on that assumption.
★TR★
Diddy’s Attorneys File Motion to Withdraw Over Fees
★★★
Harry & Meghan Pull Kids From UK School – Security
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 14: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (Anvam) in Southbank on April 14, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. Meghan and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex are on a four-day visit to Australia, with engagements across Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. (Photo by Jonathan Brady-Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are barely two months into their UK return, and complications keep stacking up. After moving back to England with their two children in late August, the couple faced a public rebuke from Buckingham Palace, which released a letter from King Charles III to government officials clarifying that they wouldn’t hold working royal status. Now they’re dealing with an even more immediate problem: their kids had to leave school after just two days.
Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, started at their new school this September but are no longer enrolled there. According to the Daily Mail, the removal came down to security concerns raised by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s protective team. The journey from their home to the school created operational challenges that the security staff couldn’t adequately manage.
Friends close to the couple told Hello! that while security checks had been completed before the family relocated, nobody anticipated how difficult the daily commute would be. The school itself was fine. The route, though, presented problems. “It’s a real shame, because they absolutely adored the school, the kids and their parents,” one source said. “It was perfect for them in every way, and the children really enjoyed their time there. They really wanted to make it work, but they had to make a difficult decision based on the fact that the team couldn’t make the school run operationally secure.”
This development carries fresh weight given Harry’s ongoing fight over security arrangements. He appealed for publicly funded protection after losing it when the family moved to the United States in 2020, but his appeal was denied in May. At that point, he told the BBC he couldn’t imagine returning to the UK under such conditions. The Royal and VIP Executive Committee is currently reviewing what level of protection the family actually needs, and this school situation may strengthen their case for reassessment.
The children are now enrolled elsewhere. According to Hello!, they’ve already been added to the new school’s parent group chat. A spokesperson for the couple emphasized that their decision to withdraw isn’t a critique of the original institution. “The parents remain extremely grateful to all the teachers and staff for the love, care, and effort they have shown their family. This decision should in no way be interpreted as a reflection on the school or the exceptional care the children have received there.”
★TR★
Drake’s Goth Baddie Hot Topic Makeover
★★★