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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.


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The second Kehlani concert in New York was canceled, this time due to “security and safety problems”

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Another upcoming Kehlani concert, which is to happen in Summersage at Central Park in the Pride month, has been dismissed.

On Monday, May 5, just just a few weeks after her concert was canceled on the University of Cornell, Summerstage announced that they cancel the upcoming Kehlani concert after receiving security and safety problems from the office of the mayor of New York Eric Adams.

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“We were notified by the mayor’s office that they have concerns about security and safety problems in connection with the Kehlani concert of June 26,” said the organizers Statement published in social media–Sums that the fears result directly from the “controversy regarding the decision of the University of Cornell” to cancel its program.

“We strongly and definitely believe in all kinds of artistic expression. However, the safety of our guests and artists is of great importance,” the organizers continued. “In the light of these fears, the concert was dismissed.”

The 30-year-old R&B singer responded to the news by publishing “Lol” and noticed that their post was the primary to hear about news, together with fans, AP News Reported.

In posts about news concerning the threads, the singer “After Hours” wrote: “The second program canceled by the state of New York! Reminder: We were played Barclays. :)”

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On Tuesday, Adams said that officials wondered if the Kehlani concert in Central Park would affect public safety before making a call CBS messages.

“We wanted to conduct an analysis and make sure that it is not so, and on the basis, without the need to review this full analysis (City Parks Foundation) made this determination,” said Adams.

This cancellation occurs after the Cornell University decision concerning the cancellation of the Kehlani program in April for its constant and loud support of Palestine in the course of the ongoing conflict in gas. Michael Kotlikoff, Michael Kotlikoff, was to perform in the course of the annual “Slopa Day”, when the president of the University of Cornell said that she would now not perform after she allegedly “was in favor of anti -Semitic, anti -Israeli sentiments in performances, films and social media.”

After dismissal, Kehlani began to social media to clean the air round her position.

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“I am not anti-Semitic or anti-war. I am an anti-denominant, counteracting the Israeli government, anti-excist to whole people, antibulating innocent children, men and women. This is what I am anti-anti-“-said the singer Instagram video. “The first living at the beginning of this genocide was a really beautiful Jewish organization called Jewish voices (sic) for peace, and I still learn and work with really influential Jewish organizers against this Ludobom.”

In the signature, she continued to write that in addition to Cornell University, other attempts to cancel her programs were made.

“If you want to cancel me on your occasion or because of your Zionism. Do not do it anti-Żyko,” Kehlani wrote in the signature.

Shiloh Hendrix collected over $ 600,000 after he called the black child a breed. Kandia Demon works to make sure he never sees the cents

(Tagstotransate) Israel Palestine Conflict (T) Cornell University

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Hanna John -Kamen at Thunderbolts* and always ready for a rapprochement – essence

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Killer Action Role on television, science fiction Odyssey Outlaws and Hyper Dystopian Stories are stuffed with the film Hanna John-Kamen as a performer with strength in her emotional performance on the screen. A 35-yr-old English actress known for her roles in movies reminiscent of Andas, just like the television program, Likeand is ready to bring her to her because she had large roles supporting in lots of successful franchises. He represents his role Ghost (Ava Starr) in Marvel. Directed by Jake Schreier, The Asterisk within the title of the film is a real show Way Marvel, and the filmmaker intended to be this story to be the departure of Disney franchise and resign how very different it’s from the more shiny repertoire of Marvel’s movies.

“Jake’s lens of this film was very, tonally specific”, he describes John-Kamen through the conversation. “It was like creating an independent film in the Marvel universe – Jake had a level of sensitivity and nurturing this story.” Re-reembodiment John-Kamena Ava Starr as a spirit, a killer for employment, is a key paria of the newly formed group, which was later recognized within the film as Thunderbolts, the name developed by the character of David Harbor, Aleksiej Andreovitch (Red Guardian).

Hanna John-Kamen on Thunderbolts* and always ready for a rapprochement
(LR) John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian (David Harbor) and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) at Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts*. Photo of Chuck Zlotnicka. © 2025 Marvel.

The family roots of John-Kamen reach her Nigerian father and Norwegian mother, who performed significantly different works as a criminal psychologist and fashion model. With her established experience in Performance’s art, she was in a position to introduce her history of upbringing in a house stuffed with beauty and brains in her roles on the screen. The English contractor doesn’t stop his roles on television and film and cooperated with the maestros cinema, reminiscent of Steven Spielberg (), and now Jake Schreier. “It’s quite difficult, because when you filter abroad, you revolve with a time difference that is easier to say than to do,” says John-Kamen. “In this world it can be a lonely lifestyle that concerns the spirit, and I grounded, taking breath and seeing my loved ones, friends and hugging my dog.”

Hanna John-Kamen on Thunderbolts* and always ready for a rapprochement
(LR) John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) and Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) in Thunderbolts Marvel Studios*. Photo due to the kindness of Marvel Studios. © 2024 Marvel.

Florence Pugh leads as Yelena Belova, a self -sighted super agent who suffers from disturbing episodes that recreate memories of the past that persecute her. The unusual childhood injury Belova led her to becoming a one who acts essentially the most alone. Belova and Starr are a fortress behind Anti Hero Alliance of the Thunderbolts. They are the one women in a six -person organization who meets with controversial forces. “He, very, controls himself, his body and making decisions very much,” the John-Kamen explores. “She is Fort Knox and is a lonely wolf.”

Hanna John-Kamen on Thunderbolts* and always ready for a rapprochement
(LR) Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell) and Red Guardian/Alexei Shostakov (David Harbor) at Thunderbolts Marvel Studios*. Photo due to the kindness of Marvel Studios. © 2024 Marvel.

The unusual moments of the comedy from the forged, which incorporates Sebastian Stan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lewis Pullman and many others, does so related and feel more human than OR. Without having shiny superpowers, which make up lightning, they’re forced to face their reality without pursuing fandoms and public support. In the film Arch Nemesis Thunderbolt is the vengeful figure of Louis-Dreyfus, Valentina Allegra de Fountaine-infiltrating director who tries to control and remove the Marvel Hero team.

Hanna John-Kamen on Thunderbolts* and always ready for a rapprochement
Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) at Thunderbolts Marvel Studios*. Photo due to the kindness of Marvel Studios. © 2024 Marvel.

During the 2 -hour journey, which makes up the history of Thunderbolt’s origin, the audience experiences the best way these qualified warriors are still fighting for the worst problems. Ava Starr stays under the radar for many of the film because he has more sequences than words. “Her guard is very elevated,” says John-Kamen. Ava Starr appears when Yelena Belova needs her most to avoid wasting the world overtaken by darkness. The character of Lewis Pullman, Robert “Bob” Reynolds, is armed against Thunderbolts, and his arch symbolizes how our minds could be as powerful because the uncomfortable villain.

Hanna John-Kamen on Thunderbolts* and always ready for a rapprochement
(LR): Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbor), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and John Walker (Wyatt Russell) in Marvel Studios “Thunderbolts* © 2024 Marvel.

Schreier’s approach to this film within the Marvel series was to enlarge greater than outside, removes all glamorous aesthetics that makes the heroes so aspirative. Even in Thunderbolts marketing, a wheat box standing in the midst of the box is caught to satirize the trail of superheroes created within the Marvel cinema. Each anti -hero character stands in front of its own internal battles created by the trauma and wounded within the script by Eric Pearson. “We really laughed between shots,” Hanna warns me, talking concerning the heavier facets of the film. “I really created this beautiful family in this cast.”

In general, that is a story that follows wounded individuals who learn to treat. Along the best way, they establish a family bond and support system. In 2025, when people can feel more disconnected, the narrative of Thunderbolts hits the home harder, watching the characters construct sufficient confidence and mental Harta to face in themselves and their newly discovered friends. “I think that at the end of this movie I want you to hug a loved one or make sure someone feels safe and informed him that they do not have to boldly smile,” John-Kamen says.

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The shocking commitment of Larsa Pippen towards a new younger man lights a furious warning a year after parting from his son Michael Jordan

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Lars Pippen knows find out how to make boys from basketball in love.

The star “The Real Housewives of Miami” is in a relationship with the previous international basketball player Jeff Cobym, and he already has several necessary intentions after only 4 months of dates. On Sunday, May 4, Coby, a graduate of the University of Columbia, who played in Pro Ball mainly in Spain and Latin America after graduation, and happily shared the plans to marry Pippen within the near future, and even revealed their alleged wedding date.

New Boo Jeff cobym Larsa Pippen pronounces wedding plans (photo: @BardarsapiPiPen/Instagram, @JC40A3/Twitter)

They each walked through the noisy part of Miami TMZ paparazzi. Initially, they ignored the crew and walked on – so long as Cobby suddenly shouted over his shoulder: “We got married in November 2025!” Then he quickly improved the year to 2026.

Cameramnik was falling back to ask the previous Ivy League player to repeat himself and met with the reply “Let’s get married”. Lars, who remained mute during interaction, suddenly checked out Coby, after which raised her hand to her face and closed her eyes with seemingly embarrassment.

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But he continued: “Let’s get married. It will be a beautiful marriage. November 2025.”

Another person paparazzi asked Coby: “Are you proposing now?” He replied: “I can’t tell you when I’m going to propose.”

The new couple met in January through the tenth anniversary of Bash to the DBC Fitness gym David Alexander. According to TMZIt was Alexander who played in Matchmaker between them, and so they quickly became exclusive.

Fans commented In the news under the Baller Alert post.

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One person asked: “He can get them, why can’t he stop them?”

The second person wrote: “Good, so he will give up the name Scottie, please.”

This wouldn’t be Larsa for the primary time, when she was a lady, she was married to Chicago Bulls Scottie Pippen for 19 years and together she welcomed 4 children: Scotty Pippen Jr., 24, Preston Pippen, 21, Justin Pippen, 18 and 16-year-old Sophia Pippen. Larsa submitted a divorce application with Scottie in 2016, reconciled, but again submitted the applying in 2017 and finalized in December 2021.

Someone else in TMZ comments She criticized Larsa for her dating men who’re much younger than her because she is 31 years old and she or he is 50 years old.

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“He will meet with people Scottie Jr.

(From the left) Lars Pippen and her were: Scottie Pippen, Malik Beasley and Marcus Jordan. (Photos: @Larsapippen/Instagram, @ScottiepiPen/Instagram, @mbeasy5/Instagram: @heirmj523/Instagram)

Larsa was about 45 years old when she began to fulfill with 23-year-old Beasley.

The player Detroit Pistons had an affair with Larsa in 2020, when he was already married to a woman named Montana Yao. There were disputes in social media, and Yao calls him to cheat, and Lars claimed that Beasley was separated from Yao. Yao even submitted an application for separation. When Lars and Beasley finished all the things 4 months, he publicly apologized to Yao and returned together.

But from March 2025, Yao has filed for separation for the second time. Just a few weeks later – still in March – Beasley submitted a divorce application, and later confirmed that he saw the model on Instagram named Natalia Garibotto.

After this defeat with Beasley, Lars began to fulfill with Marcus Jordan, the second son of the NBA player Michael Jordan, who was a former colleague from Scotti’s team.

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Her and Jordan’s relationship began in 2022 and were together in July 2024. It was one other relationship during which Lars was condemned for the age difference. She was 48 years old and he was 32 years old. As for Cober, there have been conversations about wedding Between her and the previous basketball player of the university, but they never reached the engagement point before their relationship broke up.

Time will tell if Lars and what they really jump from the brooms.

(Tagstranslate) Larsa Pippen

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