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How Clay from ‘Love Is Blind’ became one of the most fascinating people on the reality show – Andscape

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Warning: This article comprises spoilers from season six

As a black man, watching other black men on reality shows is stressful. It’s beautiful when black men come on these shows and display emotional intelligence and true, real love and look after black women. Yet often these men emerge bringing with them their very own brand of colorism and misogyny. , the sixth season of the Netflix dating series wherein strangers propose to one another unnoticed, is full of problematic Black men, in addition to just a few people who give us hope.

Clay Gravesande, one of this season’s heroes, started off as a stereotypically troublesome one-dimensional character. But as the season progressed, it became one of the most complicated depictions of black masculinity, generational trauma and inner turmoil in the history of reality television.

Clay began the season as an easily identifiable villain. When we meet him, he tells his potential partner, Amber Desiree Smith (aka AD), that he won’t select a girl unless he knows what she looks like. “I just have to be attracted to you,” Clay explained. “My favorite attribute is the mouth, the ass and so on. This sounds shallow, but when I’m going to propose to you, I want to know what your best qualities are.

Eventually, AD and Clay get engaged in the pod before going on vacation to the Dominican Republic, after which return home to seek out out in the event that they wish to get married in just a few weeks. He spent these weeks with Clay, exploring his pathology, fears and doubts about marriage.

His problematic comments continued, namely when he told AD that he would not let her gain an excessive amount of weight because he would tell her to “go to the f***ing gym.” He even went so far as to say that he would force her to exercise while she was pregnant. Seeing this, I rolled my eyes, once more frustrated that we had one other black man on a reality dating show who was prepared to mistreat a black woman.

However, as the season progressed, Clay began to debate deeper issues in his life. We learn that a significant role in his uncertainty about marriage was played by his father, whom he greatly admires. Clay described his dad several times as a suave womanizer. We later learn that Clay’s parents, Trevor and Margarita, have been married for over twenty years and that his father has been unfaithful for most of that point. According to Clay, when he was cheating on his mother as a toddler, his dad would take him on “high treason trips.” And Clay’s issues along with his father have coloured his relationship with AD – a lot in order that he talks about how frightened he’s about his marriage failing at every turn. Most of their scenes together revolve around Clay’s fears of infidelity and his readiness to be a husband.

While Clay struggles along with his own internal struggles about marriage, he always affirms how AD helps him and “checks” him when he’s flawed. Throughout their relationship, AD showed great patience and at all times assured Clay that he would give you the chance to see their relationship through to the end. However, the series doesn’t show exactly what Clay does for AD, although we do see him taking her on a romantic date just a few days before their wedding. The classic “Black woman builds up black man with nothing in return” scenario plays out on screen. The drama had me screaming at the screen for AD to see the red flags and leave Clay alone before she was doomed to a long time of basking in a person who had nothing to supply her. As time passes, it seems inevitable that this shall be their fate.

Of course, they each reach the season finale, where they prepare for the wedding and choose at the altar whether or not they really need to get married. But before the ceremony begins, Clay’s dad visits. Their dynamics are immediately visible. Clay’s face lights up as soon as he sees Trevor, who wastes no time telling Clay – and subsequently the audience – about his athletic prowess as a toddler and the way he almost made it to the Olympics. During the conversation, Clay transforms back into a toddler and seeks his father’s acceptance of his decision and where he’s.

The period leading as much as the wedding makes Clay’s decision seem a foregone conclusion. Before that, he celebrates along with his brothers and friends. He never mentions any hesitation. And he smiles as the ceremony begins, even reciting the vows – for instance: “I want to thank you for your patience” – mainly for what AD is doing for him. Everything indicates that they may each say “yes”.

But things aren’t going so easily.

AD said, “Yes.” Clay, nevertheless, shockingly replies no. “I don’t think I have an obligation to say yes,” he tells her. “I still need a job. I still have to get to the point where I’m 100%… I know I’m not fully ready for marriage and you deserve the best.”

I could not imagine it. Neither could social media viewers. At first I used to be outraged by AD.

How dare Clay refuse a girl who has done a lot for him and been so patient? However, the longer this episode went on, the more I noticed something: Clay’s rejection of AD is the first time we see him show her true love, one that puts her first, whether or not that was his actual intention. or not.

Everything Clay said at the altar was absolutely right. He wasn’t able to marry AD. He wasn’t ready to present her every thing he had. The vow he made to her before saying no was proof. Clay was capable of marry AD and see his life greatly improve by being with a girl who was willing to assist him grow. Most men simply resolve on this kind of marriage, desirous to profit from the fruits of a girl’s exertions and “build” them. Clay – in a moment that was somewhere between panic, uncertainty, and selfless love – had spared AD a few years of falling right into a man who wasn’t able to pour anything into her.

Clay’s rejection of AD was one of those unforgettable reality show twists. But a later scene turned the entire episode into something we rarely see on TV, in real life or anywhere else.

While AD and Clay cope with the consequences of his decisions, his parents must reckon with what they only saw. Their conversation is transformative, they usually discuss how the consequences of their marriage and divorce impacted Clay’s entire life. Margarita adamantly demands that Trevor have a serious talk with Clay in order that he doesn’t carry his shame and fears into his future relationships.

At that moment, the cameras captured an actual moment that I can not stop desirous about. While talking to his ex-wife, Trevor pauses, rubs his nose, and chokes just a little. As he does so, the camera focuses on Margarita, who’s taking a look at him with pure frustration on her face, and she or he slowly rolls her eyes internally. Margarita knows what’s coming. She’s seen it for over twenty years and is prepared for what comes next: “I never had the best role models,” Trevor explains, launching right into a monologue about how his father passed on his trauma to him. Margarita’s response was so real for anyone who has needed to live with explanations (and excuses) that do not take much work to heal and evolve. This is very true for black women who’ve needed to endure marriages like hers.

After Margarita cuts off Trevor’s excuses, the most necessary exchange yet occurs.

“Tell him to meet someone like his mom,” Trevor says with a smirk, as if his light-hearted moment would lighten the conversation.

“Yes, but you met me,” she tells him. “But you weren’t good to me.”

This word. Declaration. A requirement that he also acknowledge the pain he feels again after hearing about Trevor’s “infidelity trips” with Clay. It’s a refusal to capitulate to Trevor’s charming gaslighting. And it’s a cry for help for a suffering son.

The scene seemed too deep for something as boring as a reality show, nevertheless it’s also the type of scene that cannot be written. For a black woman to truthfully come to terms together with her ex-husband who has abused her for a long time and be heard seems like a pivotal and cathartic moment.

Clay’s rejection of AD probably means they will not have the conversation his parents just had. But it frees AD to seek out someone higher, worthy of her kindness and who will give it back to her.

At the end of the episode, AD is devastated and asks herself why men often leave relationships in a greater situation after experiencing her love, but she is left with nothing. I hope he sees Clay’s decision as a likelihood to alter that. I hope she will look back on their last moment together after being rejected, with Clay still attempting to get emotional support and affection from her without offering any comfort in return. I hope this reveals that men like him won’t ever be there for her.

Which brings me back to Clay. The last time we saw him, he was sad, ashamed and unsure of his decision. He looked shocked and walked away along with his head down. I do not know what’s next for Clay. I do not know if it can ever change. He has a lot pain and generational trauma to cope with.

And he must consult with his dad.

Upon first viewing, it is easy to see Clay as just one other troubled and problematic man in a history of problematic brothers on reality dating shows. But this season showed us quite a bit of what got him up to now in his life in a raw, unfiltered way that we just don’t often see in entertainment. Whatever happens next, Clay Gravesande shall be one of the most talked about characters we have seen on reality TV.

DavidDennis Jr. is a senior author at Andscape and winner of the American Mosaic Journalism Prize. His book titled The Movement Made Us shall be released in 2022. David is a graduate of Davidson College.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Beyoncé’s Mom Tina Knowles Responds to Dolly Parton After CMA Skip Was Called ‘Fake’

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Tina Knowles is denying speculation that she responded to legendary country artist Dolly Parton in defense of her daughter.

Just two days after Parton attempted to deny rumors that the Country Music Awards had stripped Beyoncé of her nominations for Cowboy Carter , an Instagram comment that appeared to come from Knowles’ verified account went viral in response to Parton’s post.

But not so fast! Mama Tina now claims: “It’s a fake, not from me!”

Beyonce's mom responds to Dolly Parton
Tina Knowles is criticizing a post by which she claims to have responded to Dolly Parton for omitting Beyonce on “Cowboy Carter.” (Photo: @mstinaknowles; @beyonce/Instagram; @Dollyparton/Instagram.)

The “fake” comment was concerning the “Here You Come Again” singer and was originally shared by The Neighborhood Talk, who later deleted their post.

The comment read: “Oh Ms. Dolly, we love you, but Bey has spent her ENTIRE life working hard since she was 9! She has country roots too. She has mastered her craft and broken records in EVERY genre. So to say she hasn’t ‘spent her life’ in country music is to diminish all the work she has put in.”

It continued: “Bey doesn’t have to stick to one lane to earn respect – her talent and work ethic speak for themselves! She puts in the work, and no one else is asked to ‘spend their life’ in one place to be appreciated! #been country.”

Before the post was deemed fake, it sparked some debate on the topic. Some people supported what they saw as Knowles’ retort, including one one who said, “This just goes to show that white women will always be white women. No matter who they are.”

Another person compared the CMAs’ treatment of the “Irreplaceable” singer to the way in which they treat white hip-hop artist Post Malone, who also appeared in “Cowboy Carter” and who coincidentally receive 4 nominations after releasing his first country album this yr.

“If Post Malone could make the jump from hip-hop to country, then Beyoncé should be able to do the exact same thing! It’s not even about whether you think her album is good or not, it’s unfair to be written off because you’re Beyoncé.”

Tina Knowles says Dolly Parton’s retort is allegedly false. @theneighborhoodtalk/Instagram

Others respectfully sided with Parton. One person said, “Mom… Ms. Dolly is right. It was a special album. And an album that doesn’t deserve an award just because it’s Beyonce.”

Another wrote: “Dolly Parton was polite and tried to be honest about how it went down. I don’t think she meant any harm or had much love for Beyonce from a public perspective. I think Ms. Tina could have handled it differently, but I understand she’s a mama bear too. It’s just a trophy at the end of the day.”

Beyoncé released her first country album, “Cowboy Carter,” in March, years after having an experience on the 2016 CMAs where she “didn’t feel welcome.” The Houston-born artist performed her first country song, “Daddy Lessons,” alongside The Chicks, formerly referred to as The Dixie Chicks. Despite receiving much praise for her performance, she was also met with boos from the audience and racist tweets from onlookers.

So when the awards show didn’t include her in any of the categories nominated this yr, the Beyhive immediately called it a foul. But Parton doesn’t imagine the omission was “intentional.”

In response to Parton’s allegations he said Variety September 17: “Well, you never know. There are so many great country artists that I think probably in the country music community, they probably thought, well, we can’t leave out some of these guys who dedicate their whole lives to this.”

She later added, “So I don’t think it was a matter of cutting myself off, of intentionally doing it. I think it was just more of what the country charts were doing and country artists who were doing it all the time, rather than just a special album.”

Overall, Parton showed great love for Beyoncé and gave her permission for the project. She even appears twice on the album, and a song is called after her.

“But it was a great album,” she said. She could be very, very pleased with it, and I believe everyone in country music welcomed it with open arms and thought it was good.”


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Fans warn Shedeur Sanders to beware of Kardashian curse after Colorado star spotted with Kendall Jenner

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Deion and Shedeur Sanders call out constant disrespect from their doubters.

Shedeur Sanders has been generating quite a bit of buzz recently and is claimed to be a highly anticipated prospect in next 12 months’s NFL Draft.

But being the Colorado Buffaloes quarterback and son of former NFL player and current Colorado coach Deion Sanders also brings with it a potentially unwanted highlight. Shedeur’s clip goes viral after the 22-year-old was spotted embracing Kendall Jenner.

Deion Sanders' son Shedeur defends his father's coaching skills after criticism from former athletes.
Deion Sanders’ son Shedeur speaks out in defense of his father’s coaching skills after being criticized by former athletes. (Photo: @deionsanders/Instagram)

The content creator posted the clip and wrote, “Shedeur Sanders met up with Kendall Jenner, who was recently in Boulder.” Jenner was in Boulder — the house of the University of Colorado — because she was traveling to different cities to promote her brand of liqueur 818 Tequila.

Since the video only shows Jenner’s upper body and Shedeur’s back, who happened to be wearing a hoodie, it’s unclear if she was serving drinks during their meeting, but it surely appeared he was waiting in line to greet her. After a couple of people in front of him moved out of the way in which, he went over to hug Jenner and said, “How are you?” before the video ended.

Many fans warned Shedeur against getting close to Jenner.

One person said, “Nothing good happens when a BLACK athlete dates a Kardashian/Jenner,” and one other said, “Oh no. I’m scolding, I’m scolding!”

A 3rd person wrote: “Stay away from our quarterback. Kardashian/Jenner can’t remember the last athlete who had a successful relationship with one of these girls.”

Of all five Kardashian-Jenner girls, Khloé and Kendall have mostly dated NBA players. Khloé, who’s best known for her marriage and divorce from NBA player Lamar Odom, dated Minnesota Timberwolves player Rashad McCants from 2008 to 2009. He was then traded to the Sacramento Kings, where he played just one season and was never drafted by one other team.

Speaking to Charlotte’s Observer in 2017, McCants said his relationship with Khloé made people query his commitment to the NBA. “Without that in-game situation, I’m a $60-70 million player,” McCants said. “Easily.”

Later in 2009, after only one month of dating, Khloe married Los Angeles Lakers star Odom. The two documented their wedding on the truth show Khloe and Lamar, but their relationship began to crumble, and Odom’s secret struggles with substance abuse began to come to light in 2013. Later that 12 months, Odom was arrested for driving under the influence. From 2011 to 2014, he played for the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, after which the LA Clippers before becoming a free agent. He then went to the EuroLeague, where he played in two games before injuring his back.

Then in April 2014 he signed with the Knicks before the team waived it in July of the identical 12 months.

Then there’s Khloé’s infamous relationship with Cleveland Cavaliers player Tristan Thompson. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star had two children with Thompson, but their relationship was severely strained by Thompson’s repeated infidelities. Nevertheless, Thompson’s 13-year NBA profession didn’t end there, and he’s currently on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster.

As for her younger sister Kendall, she briefly dated Brooklyn Nets player Ben Simmons from 2018 to 2019. Simmons was named Rookie of the Year in 2018 and an All-Star in 2019. However, the next seasons became difficult for Simmons after his Philadelphia 76ers team lost to the Atlanta Hawks within the Eastern Conference semifinals in an especially close seven-game series in 2021. He apparently felt that blamed for the Game 7 loss, Simmons never played for the 76ers again before being traded to Brooklyn. He ultimately missed the whole 2021-22 season, even after arriving in Brooklyn mid-season. Since then, battling knee and back injuries — which resulted in each knee and back surgeries — Simmons has played in only 57 games over the past three seasons.

Following this relationship, Kendall dated Phoenix Suns player Devin Booker for 2 years from 2020 to 2022.

It is currently unclear what her relationship status is, but it surely looks like she is likely to be rekindling her relationship with Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny in 2023. They were spotted together in Paris, holding hands in June of this 12 months.

Shedeur’s relationship status is uncertain, because it appears he and actress Storm Reid have quietly split after making their red carpet debut last 12 months.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Kamala Harris’ Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour Turns Into ‘Scandal’ Cast Reunion

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Gladiators reunite within the name of democracy.

The solid of Shonda Rhimes’ hit series Scandal will reunite to affix Vice President Kamala Harris and her partner Tim Walz in Michigan for his or her Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour. Actors Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Guillermo Díaz, Bellamy Young, Katie Lowes, Dan Bucatinsky, Scott Foley, Portia de Rossi, George Newbern, Jeff Perry and Cornelius Smith Jr. will join Harris-Walz for the campaign launch in Madison Heights.

According to The Hollywood ReporterThe solid’s appearance on the political tour is an element of the Democratic presidential candidate’s technique to win the 2024 election. According to the Harris-Walz campaign, the tour’s mission is to “highlight the stark contrast between Vice President Harris and Governor Walz, who will restore Roe v. Wade protections when Congress passes legislation to that effect, and Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, who will enact their dangerous Project 2025 agenda to ban abortion nationwide, restrict access to contraceptives, force states to report women’s miscarriages and abortions, and threaten access to in vitro fertilization.”

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The Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour, which kicks off September 3 in Florida, plans to go to key states across the country to debate the stakes of reproductive rights with Democratic and Republican communities. During the last presidential debate, attention focused on abortion rights and in vitro fertilization (IVF), as Harris pledged to revive nationwide reproductive rights, while Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump refused to commit to vetoing a nationwide abortion ban if he wins the election.

In August, “Scandal” stars Washington and Goldwyn, known for his or her iconic roles as Olivia Pope and fictional President Fitzgerald Grant, thrilled fans by reuniting to co-host the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Over the years, Washington has develop into known for her political advocacy. As a Democratic supporter, the actress has not only partnered with nonprofits to debate abortion rights, but additionally launched her own nonprofit, Influence Change, which “recruits other artists to promote civic engagement.”

“Democracies work best when everyone votes. As a public figure, it’s important to me to remind people of their political power and share any information I have that helps them step into their power,” she said, as previously reported by theGrio. “Artists, musicians, athletes, actors and creators have a unique opportunity to encourage voters. The combined reach of our networks can be used to inspire participation and ensure that more people take their rightful place as active participants in our democracy. I’m not speaking out because I’m an artist; I’m speaking out because I’m an American.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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