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Why Usher’s visit to the disgraced Russell Simmons was a betrayal – Andscape

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One of my first big freelance assignments was an 800-word tribute to the music mogul and visionary I assumed I wanted to be after I grew up. The article was about his achievements before some award he would receive. It was about how I admired his ingenuity and greatness.

The article was about Russell Simmons.

Simmons, co-founding father of the hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings, has been around ever since accused of sexual assault and harassment by multiple women and was the subject of a documentary about these accusations. He also decided to spend the previous couple of years in Bali – with some speculation that he was living there to avoid the legal consequences he would face if he stayed in America.

Since taking day off, Simmons has openly surrounded himself with celebrity friends, despite the accusations leveled at him. a syndicated radio show had him as a guest, affectionately calling him Uncle Russ in 2020. Rappers Redman and The human method they featured it on their Verzuz in 2021 Actress Taraji P. Henson I took smiling photos with him in Bali last 12 months. A brand new, unexpected name was added to Simmons’ guest list: singer-songwriter Usher.

Every time the star poses in public with Simmons, it means greater than just supporting a friend. It’s public support. Usher should know that lending his fame to Simmons is greater than just hanging out with a friend, it’s a public declaration that he stands by a man whose trials will more than likely happen only in the court of public opinion. For Usher to do that at the height of his popularity and fame is beyond disappointing. This is betrayal.

This situation and our response to it’ll test our resolve to hold celebrities’ feet to the fire for his or her support of Simmons and others accused of abuse, and can remind us that no one, regardless of how much they’re loved, must be allowed to nothing to complain about the circumstances.

Usher Raymond IV has spent the previous couple of years having fun with the third or fourth highlight of his profession, establishing himself as one in all the R&B icons of his generation. Everything from his performance to his Las Vegas residency, all culminating in his Super Bowl halftime show in February, made Usher as popular as ever. I’m one in all those that rejoices in Usher’s renaissance, even writing about how his act of serenading women in Las Vegas caused insecure men and toxic masculinity to run amok. We have covered and celebrated Usher extensively on Andscape. Often, once you support someone or change into a superfan of them, it becomes easier to look away once they do something harmful. But celebrities’ biggest cheerleaders must be the first to call them out once they have clearly failed so many individuals who’ve supported them.

Usher’s visit to Simmons is undeniably embarrassing, and he at the very least deserves all the criticism he receives for such a decision. It was not nearly the visit, but about the public nature of the meeting, viz Simmons’ social media post celebrating this occasion.

“When I was at the lowest point of my life, I woke up and this man was sitting by my bed. I actually have known Usher since he was a child, but we truly bonded over our mutual love of self-discovery and our belief in yoga science as a direct path to realizing God consciousness inside ourselves… People, remember this… a friend is available in when others go… I’ll always remember the generosity of spirit I witnessed on this man. God bless you brother @usher 🙏🏾 I really like you!!!!”

I do know I should stop being surprised by such actions by celebrities and other people I do not know personally, but I’m still shocked and indignant by Usher’s decision. I feel the same way about comedian Katt Williams, who I also praised for the first few months of the 12 months for his honesty on the podcast and his comedic courage – even using him to contrast him with Dave Chappelle’s anti-transgender version of comedy. But Williams has since betrayed that good faith by turning on Joe Rogan’s podcast to discuss some silly conspiracy theories and his own brand of anti-transgender bias.

“20 years ago I knew transgender people were going to be fashionable,” Williams said as Rogan stared at him along with his mouth open. “…I noticed that was the earliest I had ever heard the word ‘transgender’ come from Baphomet, transgender. I knew that in Baphomet’s transgender ritual, to show allegiance to him, you had to kiss his ring.

The tirade was as senseless because it was dangerous: linking transgender individuals with Baphomet – seen primarily as satanic and occult figures – is as damaging as anything Chappelle has ever said. And it destroys the goodwill Williams has earned, especially recently.

The stars have discovered how to fight summonses for one of these crime. They consider it’s “cancel culture” and consider criticism an irrelevant tool for people who find themselves too sensitive to matter. But it’s just regular gas lighting. Williams and Usher specifically perpetuate the damage. In Usher’s case, he stands alongside a powerful man accused of harming several women. Williams says he’s using dangerous rhetoric about a community that already experiences disproportionate violence. And these two men do it at the height of their popularity, once they are most influential.

For those that consider these decisions don’t have any impact on us, they’re easy to ignore. Partying with celebrities should never obscure our love for the most vulnerable amongst us. We cannot love a celebrity an excessive amount of for our opinion about them to change. I had to change my views on Simmons, someone I admired enough to praise early in my profession. We have to be willing to change our feelings about these people after we receive latest information. This is what distinguishes us from blind fanatics.

Anything else is a failure on our part. Usher and Williams made their very own decisions. It is up to us to face the truth about these decisions and never ignore them.

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


This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Fans are declaring that Katt Williams is now Tyler Perry’s “Nemesis” after the comedian purchased a former military base just like Perry once did for his studio

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Katt Williams is now, no less than partly, considered a Hollywood whistleblower, but he desires to be known for calling the shots.

According to reports, the Emmy-winning actor and comedian is doing just that after purchasing a property that will house his own film studio.

“I can’t reveal the amount or the exact location yet, but I can confirm that he purchased a former military base in Alabama,” Williams’ publicist Amy Sisoyev confirmed. AL.com.

Katt Williams follows in the footsteps of Tyler Perry and buys a former military base to launch his production studio. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Vulture; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures)

Various media reports, equivalent to the outlet mentioned above, focused on Fort McClellan in Anniston, which was listed for sale for $1.5 million. The 3-million-square-foot property includes 10 barracks, several buildings and 90 acres of flat, undeveloped land.

Williams was reportedly a frequent visitor to the purchase. “This is a visionary endeavor and we look forward to the evolution of this historic site under his leadership,” said Connie Alexander, Luxe Group broker representing the seller.

The comedian first revealed his plans to grow to be a Tyler Perry-like mogul in a recent interview GQ published on November 20.

Regarding his plans for the studio, the Money Mike actor said: “It’s not fair that we’re putting this much pressure on Tyler Perry. There’s only a lot he can do.”

Earlier this 12 months, the billionaire entertainment mogul was amongst the celebrities named in Williams’ explosive “Club Shay Shay” discussion with host Shannon Sharpe.

Perry, a producer and director who also writes all of his projects, purchased most of the former Fort McPherson military base in 2015. The 330-acre installation positioned in southwest Atlanta is currently home to Perry’s state-of-the-art Tyler Studio.

The “Madea” star movies his shows and films on campus, which also rents out its quite a few sound stages to outside productions. Perry’s name got here up as Williams addressed a rift between him and fellow comedian Rickey Smiley over a decades-old film role.

The stand-up comedian told Sharpe: “I signed a contract saying I won’t work with Rickey Smiley again unless he’s in a dress. What was Rickey Smiley’s next movie? Was this the “first Sunday”? Was he wearing this dress? I bet you do; it’s in my contract. In this respect, he is a credible actor. He and Tyler Perry cannot play man to save lots of lives. They are played by good women and I imagine that the best actor should play the best role.

These demeaning words resurfaced as social media users reacted to news of the takeover. “The same guy who said that TP is now doing….nvm” – we read in certainly one of them tweet.

Second user he stated“Good for Katt. I’m glad they’re learning from Tyler Perry, the man in the dress. Tyler was first, he’s 50 now (it wasn’t a former military base, but you get the idea) and Katt. Continue to use your dress money to set an example for Tyler. “I can’t wait for Katt to introduce the community.”

50 Cent had the honor of getting his day in Shreveport, Louisiana after purchasing several properties, including G-Unit Film & TV Studios.

And the third individual he tweeted“Anti-tyl3r Perry and I feel that Katy will allow new, new BLACK talent to tell their stories here too, instead of being the only one making videos here.” But much more wrote messages congratulating Williams on his business enterprise.

At least one person saw the Emmy winner’s entry into the executive entertainment sphere as a likelihood to bring recent talent to the forefront.

“Please hire new writers and production staff. “This could be a really innovative move for Black filmmakers,” this person said he wrotethis sentiment was echoed by Loni Love after Perry’s “Black Divorce” premiered on Netflix.

“I love that Tyler is now paying black actors. “I wish he had hired black writers and directors with experience to help him with his films,” she wrote in X in July.

At this time, it is unclear when Katt Williams will begin to make progress in transforming military land. In the meantime, fans can expect to see him on the road again starting in January with his “Heaven on Earth” tour.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Widow of Stephen ‘tWitch’ boss Allison Holker slammed for dating a white boy after years of naive comments about raising children in white communities

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Allison Holker, widow of Stephen “tWitch” Boss, is clearly living her best life along with her recent man, but some fans aren’t too completely happy along with her.

On November 20, Holker posted a photo of her and her boyfriend Adam Edmunds embracing in what appears to be a street. She wore a dark dress with matching heels while her lover kept it casual in light pants and a dark shirt.

Stephen “tWitch” Boss’s widow, Allison Holker, is being slammed for finding love again two years after losing her husband. (Photo: @sir_twitch_alot/Instagram)

She wrote: “Thankful and happy! @adam.edmunds” in the caption.

Before dating Edmunds, Holker was on target to succeed in 10 years of marriage to “So You Think You Can Dance” star Stephen “TWitch” Boss. The couple met in 2006, but only made their relationship public in 2012. They married a yr later, in 2013.

However, Boss tragically committed suicide in December 2022, leaving Holker with two children and a stepdaughter with Holker.

Since her soft begin to her relationship with Edmunds, Holker has faced criticism about her leaving the Boss too quickly.

One person commented on this topic post“I frolicked in her shoes. My husband committed suicide a month after Twitch, which was almost 2 years ago, and I can not even imagine being in a relationship with someone that quickly. I even have two daughters who lost their dad and that is what I’m focused on without delay.”

Another one that responded in a different way said, “Can I just remind everyone who says ‘she moved on quickly’ that the marriage vows are ’till death do us part’ and NOT ’till death do us part’ you then will likely be sad for 10 years.” I can move on! Be completely happy for her. She has someone who will love her again and people beautiful girls of hers. If you possibly can’t be completely happy for her then possibly don’t comment…. I’m just saying…”

But another person felt concern for Holker’s two mixed-race children, Maddox, 8, and her 5-year-old daughter Zaia, whom she had with Boss.

The commenter, who is seemingly also a white woman with mixed children, said: “Why do so many WW have black children and then choose WM? I hope you teach your children about their culture and the reason…jmo.”

This is a topic that Holker considered. She and Boss were interviewed on “Entertainment Tonight” in 2020, when the Black Lives Matter movement was at its peak. Two parents expressed it their younger children were too young to grasp, regardless that Holker’s oldest daughter, Weslie Fowler, 16, asked questions and talked to her adolescent friends.

Holker even admitted to being “naive” about the subject at times because he grew up in a “very white community.”

But she said, “It’s time for us to tear down these walls. We have to open our eyes (to the fact) that this is really happening,” Holker said. “Just saying you’re not racist is not enough. We need to join in and help, because we are all in this fight. This is our world. This is the human race and we all need to be together and united.”

Later, the creator, entrepreneur and Boss said they might discuss the subject with their children after they become old. Holker continued: “We have mixed children and we would like to share this recommendation, this role and this education with them. “I think we’re not just educating our kids, but we really just want to educate others.”


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Lil Wayne, GloRilla and more will headline the Atlanta college football concert series

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Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Lil Wayne and GloRilla, Lil Wayne GloRilla AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!, Lil Wayne Glorilla State Farm Arena, AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!, college football concert series, Lil Wayne Glorilla college football concert, theGrio.com

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lil Wayne, GloRilla AND Camila Cabello are preparing to make their presence felt during the holiday concert series leading as much as the college football national championship game.

On Thursday, it was announced that the hit makers will headline the AT&T Playoff Live! will begin on January 18 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The two-day series will happen before National College Football Playoff Championship January 20, the same day as the presidential inauguration and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“The incredible line-up for this year’s AT&T Playoff Live playlist! will deliver an unforgettable experience in Atlanta where sports and music thrive together,” said Mark Wright, vice chairman of media services and sponsorships at AT&T. “It’s a great way to kick off the championship weekend and keep fans excited, regardless of which team they support.”

Hip-hop stars Lil Wayne and GloRilla will take the stage on January 18. Singers Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox are expected to perform on January 19.

Along with a series of live shows, country music artists Kane Brown and Ashley Cooke will perform in the Allstate Championship Tailgate, which will kick off the game day festivities. The tailgate performance will happen in front of Mercedes-Benz Stadium at Georgia International Plaza and The Home Depot Backyard.

Championship game ticket holders will have access to the tailgate concert.

Playoff Playlist Tickets Live! the series will go on sale on November 25 at 10:00 a.m. EST.

Previous performers in the concert series include Lenny Kravitz, Jack Harlow, Latto, Saweetie, Pitbull, Doja Cat, Usher, Meghan Trainor and Sting.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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