Entertainment
Michael Jackson’s sordid family drama and their scandalous love triangle are back in the spotlight after the studio released a photo of his nephew playing the pop icon in the new film
Earlier this month, Lionsgate shocked the world by releasing a teaser for the upcoming film “Michael,” a Jackson family-authorized biopic chronicling the life of the legendary King of Pop, Michael J. Jackson. The prospect of this highly anticipated film, first announced in January 2023, captivated viewers who were wondering who would play Michael.
Taking on the role of the iconic star is Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew and son of his brother, Jermaine Jackson, who bears a striking resemblance to his late uncle.
Last month, photos emerged of Jaafar on stage in a recreation of his uncle’s iconic “Man in the Mirror” look from his legendary 1992-93 Dangerous Tour.
“Michael” “will give viewers a fascinating and honest portrait of the brilliant but complicated man who became the King of Pop,” he says official description of the film. “The film captures his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale – from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, exemplified in his most iconic performances. Like never before, viewers will have the opportunity to look inside one of the most influential and pioneering artists the world has ever seen.”
Both fans and critics agree that the 27-year-old is the perfect selection for the role. Except Jaafar looksthe young artist made his life singing and dancing, similar to the artist of “Thriller”.
However, with the spotlight shining on him, they return to controversial facets of the Jackson family, especially his mother, Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza.
Alejandra, a Colombian model and designer, shares children with two brothers from the Jackson clan: Jermaine Jackson and Randy Jackson of The Jacksons. Making Jaafar her kid’s brother and cousin.
Mom tried to film a reality show with all the kids, however it never got off the air.
Alejandra first met Randy, the youngest brother of the Jackson family, in 1986, when she was a fashion student at UCLA. He was 24 years old then.
They dated for several years, during which they welcomed two children: Genevieve Katherine Jackson, born in 1989, and a son named Steven Randall Jackson Jr., born in 1992. However, Randy never married the mother of his children.
“Randy didn’t treat me like I was the one” – Alejandra he said.
She wasn’t the one for the former playboy. Randy later married Eliza Shaffy, whom he believed he loved, the same 12 months his daughter was born. However, the marriage ended in divorce the same 12 months his son with Alejandra was born. Randy and Eliza had a daughter together named Stevanna Jackson, born in 1990.
In addition to being a cheater, Randy was accused of being violent back in the day and was even charged with battery in 1991 for beating up Eliza and their 7-month-old baby.
He pleaded not guilty to harassment and was given a two-year probation and ordered to attend a domestic violence program. He didn’t complete the program and was arrested again later that 12 months after Eliza reported continued harassment.
Another woman Randy dated who claimed he physically abused her was Bernadette Swann. They dated in the Eighties, and once, after an alleged argument, she ran away from him and sought refuge in Tina Turner’s house. As the woman tried to flee Jackson, he allegedly broke into the “What’s Love Got to Do With It” singer’s property, prompting her to fireside a warning shot.
Turner selected to not press charges to avoid negative publicity.
Alejandra felt that Jermaine was the exact opposite of her brother and stated that he “was more of a family ace” told by Jackson family friend Stacy Brown for the New York Post in 2013.
The South American woman saw how her older brother treated his children and the women from his two previous relationships and thought her fate can be higher with him than with Randy.
The “Let’s Get Serious” singer was first married to Hazel Gordy, daughter of Motown founder Berry Gordy, and had three children: Jermaine La Jaune “Jay” Jackson Jr. in 1977, Autumn Joi Jackson in 1978 and Jaimy Jermaine Jackson in 1987.
He also fathered two children with one other woman, Margaret Maldonado. These children were Jeremy Maldonado Jackson in 1986, conceived during his marriage to Gordy, and Jourdynn Michael Jackson in 1989.
After divorcing Gordy in 1988 and splitting from Margaret, he began dating Alejandra in 1993, despite opposition from family members including his mother, Katherine Jackson, and younger brother Randy.
They married in 1995 and welcomed two children: Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson, born in 1996, and Jermajesty Jermaine Jackson, born in 2000.
After the wedding, Randy was furious.
“Joe Blow on the street, but my brother? In the same house?” he once said, according to Brown. He continued his tirade against Brown and even called Alejandro a “pig” and his brother a “stupid.”
Randy’s disgust spilled over into the way he provided for his children. He withheld child support for his children with Alejandra. Luckily, his brother stepped in and made sure to take care of them.
Although Jermaine respected his brother’s children, he held him in contempt.
“He’s an asshole. He shouldn’t let his feelings for me or Alejandra come between taking care of his children,” Jermaine told Brown. “He needs to deal with it, put all the little things behind him and act like a man.”
After raising 4 cousin siblings with Alejandra, Jermaine eventually grew drained of their relationship and began searching for one other partner. After converting to Islam, he married a second wife named Lawanda in 1999, in accordance with Islamic traditions.
Jermaine then split from Alejandra in 2004 after discovering that she had been married to a man named Nicholas Ray since 1987 in exchange for a green card after entering college. Since she was already married, her marriage to Jermaine was annulled.
A 12 months later, the star entered into one other legal marriage with Halima Rashid, a wealthy woman from the Middle East. Halima divorced him in 2016, after greater than a decade of marriage.
Despite how complicated the family tree is, the children appear to get along well and are well adjusted, as seen by their appearances on the reality show “The Jacksons: Next Generation.”
Those working on the new film appear to think Jaafar is exceptionally well-adjusted and embodied his uncle on the big screen.
“It’s incredibly exciting to watch Jaafar bring Michael to life” – Antoine Fuqua, director of the biopic, he said Last 12 months’s variety. “When I first met Jaafar, there was an incredible bond, he has a natural ability to imitate Michael and great chemistry with the camera.”
The solid also includes Oscar nominee Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson’s father, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson’s mother and Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael.
Colman Domingo and Nia Long play Michael Jackson’s parents in his biopic. pic.twitter.com/PG3cDsqnoo
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 30, 2024
Graham King said he and his team conducted a worldwide casting call and couldn’t find anyone higher, telling Variety: “It was clear he was the only person to take on the role.” When King met him, he was “impressed by the way he organically embodied Michael’s spirit and personality,” he added.
The world will watch how successfully he copes with the media’s intrusion into his life, perhaps having inherited exceptional resilience from being raised in a family accustomed to regulate. What could seem strange to others is solely abnormal to him.
Entertainment
An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit
Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”
She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.
Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.
On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”
One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.
Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.
Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, cropped a photograph of him in a jumpsuit and then set Instagram on fire with her look.https://t.co/n7YNGctQFE pic.twitter.com/DNKP2i9o9C
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) December 2, 2024
When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.
Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”
Lauren Sanchez 2003 vs. Lauren Sanchez 2024
Nothing to see here, people, move on#LaurenSanchez pic.twitter.com/mgr4vj6mFq
— Occam was right (@OccamWasRight) November 21, 2024
Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”
Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.
Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.
Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.
Entertainment
Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape
India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.
“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”
Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.
Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.
Name:
India Shawn
Hometown:
Los Angeles
Artistic soundscape
Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric
The oldest musical memory
Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.
Influences
For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.
Creative process
Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”
Challenges and development
As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”
Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.
Current project
“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”
Entertainment
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
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