Entertainment
Bobby Brown was kidnapped and Whitney Houston paid $400,000 to rescue him
There was a moment when Whitney Houston he would do anything for his love, Bobby Brown – even when it meant paying a $400,000 ransom to save the lifetime of R&B’s bad boy.
David “Popcorn” Collins, a former Harlem, New York, mobster, said Bobby Brown had no conflicts when his gang, the Preacher Crew, led by Clarence Heatley, also often called “Preacher,” kidnapped him in 90. Collins was an eyewitness to all the conspiracy and has shared his account of what happened on various platforms, most notably in his books Preacher of the Streets andHarlem No More: The David Collins Story“
“It was April 1993. Whitney’s film ‘The Bodyguard’ and its album were huge hits,” he said. he said in an interview with The National Enquirer in 2009, before telling what happened the night his gang decided to kidnap certainly one of music’s biggest stars.
Preacher, the leader of the gang, and his crew decided to go to Atlantic City, New Jersey to taste some bottled beer. Going out on a whim was a lifestyle for The Preacher Crew, an enormous spender known for making huge amounts of cash selling cocaine, crack, heroin, PCP, and other drugs in Harlem and the Bronx.
The night was filled with loud parties. However, things took a special turn once they met a dealer named “Luke” from New Jersey, who claimed that he and his crew had an argument with Bobby Brown. The “Don’t Be Cruel” singer reportedly owed them $25,000 for a kilogram of cocaine he purchased from them via consignment.
“When we see that motherfucker Bobby Brown, we’re going to kill him,” Collins tells Luke in an interview with Preacher. – He borrowed a Coke from us about three months ago and has been avoiding us.
Brown was a star in 1993. His second solo album sold over 7 million copies, and five songs from the project reached the highest ten of the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
He also married Whitney Houston in 1992. The couple shared a lavish mansion in Mendham, New Jersey, and since Mendham was situated right over the George Washington Bridge, Bobby often traveled to New York to frequent The New Yorker, the identical club where Sean’s “Puffy” Combs., Jennifer Lopezand rapper Bad Boy Shyne years later, he took part within the infamous shooting.
Knowing where Bobby frolicked at night, Preacher and his crew offered to settle Bobby’s debt.
“Preacher came up with the idea of making a lot more than $25,000,” Collins told the National Enquirer.
“Tell you what, let me buy this beef from you. I’ll give you $10,000 now and it’s not your problem anymore. It is my problem. You have nothing to do with this” – Preacher he saidaccording to Collins.
The Preacher Crew, which terrorized the Bronx and Harlem, was liable for 47 murders within the early Nineteen Nineties. The notorious gang was known for its torture tactics. They cut off body parts and even killed to get what they wanted.
After paying Luke and his crew $10,000 to fix the issue, Preacher hatched a plan and in a clever move, the crew recruited a horny Harlem vixen to lure Bobby Brown at The New Yorker nightclub.
Dressed to impress, she sat down nearby, hoping to strike up a conversation with him. The first night, Bobby didn’t talk to the sexy lure; nonetheless, the subsequent night she managed to lure the R&B star outside, leading Brown directly to The Preacher Crew’s van, which was waiting to kidnap him for a fast but discreet kidnapping.
The kidnapping was a part of the Preacher Crew’s 1987 plan kidnapped Joanna Nichols, wife of Lorenzo “Fat Cat” Nichols, holding her for a ransom of $77,000. She was finally released. On December 5, 1989 Donnell PorterThe 12-year-old brother of a Harlem legend Rich Porter, which Mitch was based on within the movie “Paid In Full”, was kidnapped and held for a ransom of $500,000. The family failed to raise funds to save the 12-year-old. After Rich Porter was killed on January 3, 1990 and was now unable to collect the ransom, The Preacher Crew killed Donnell, wrapped him in 14 black plastic bags, and dumped his body on a Manhattan bike path. On January 30, his body was present in a state of deep decomposition.
Rich Porter and Donnell Porter. 1984. pic.twitter.com/XVClcTK4dJ
— Boss (@_ValTown_) March 24, 2024
After Brown was kidnapped, The Preacher Crew transported him to a Bronx apartment illegally occupied by Preacher, in certainly one of the various abandoned buildings within the borough.
Inside, a person named Malik took charge, stripped Brown naked, tied him up and stuffed a rag in his mouth.
“He was a weird guy from Virginia,” Collins says, describing Malik. “He was a military brat. As you understand, he had military experience.
Upon learning that the person he had tied up was a multi-platinum selling singer from New Edition, Malik bizarrely tried to force him to perform.
“Sing a song fn,” Malik recalls demanding to Collins.
When Brown refused to sing, Malik took a lighter, grabbed the naked Brown’s penis, and then allegedly burned the hair from his scrotum.
Throughout the ordeal, Brown remained reserved and exposed.
“Then the Preacher came and took the rag out of Bobby’s mouth. “It’s a shame we have to kill you,” Collins reveals in his book. The R&B star begged for his life, begging for his wife to repay the debt.
“Preacher left the venue and his men terrorized Bobby for two hours. They kicked him. They told him they would kill Whitney. One of them put a gun to his head. “Bobby was crying when the Preacher returned to the room and begged for the Preacher to let him call Whitney.” excerpt from Collins’ book reads.
In the tip, Preacher allowed Brown one call to his celebrity wife. After the phone call, Preacher and his men took advantage of her husband’s miserable situation to negotiate a $400,000 payout.
Upon learning of the conditions for his freedom, the mobsters told Whitney Houston not to involve the authorities.
Houston, wearing oversized glasses and a wig, arrived alone in a taxi on the Bronx facility with a bag containing money that will secure her husband’s release. Unfazed by the dingy apartment and the damaging and armed hustlers within the room, she entered the apartment, boldly threw money on the ground and demanded someone tell her where Brown was.
The men told her he was in the opposite room, and when she discovered where he was, she wasted no time in reaching him, untiing him, and demanding that the lads who had kidnapped her man take his clothes.
“They came to an agreement. Personally, she was going to bring in $400,000 to get her man back. The next day she did just that. She wore a wig. She paid the money. “Bobby could have left,” Collins recalled.
Collins says that while the “I Will Always Love You” singer was composed and strong in the course of the ordeal, her husband was a crying wreck.
“You know, you have gangsters sitting there with guns in their hands,” he said. “She was a gangster. … She got here for that motherfucker.
Witnessing her assertiveness, Collins said he and his crew rediscovered the lads’s respect for Houston’s strength, loyalty and devotion to the one they love.
Houston and Brown were married from 1992 to 2007. Their marriage was tormented by drug addiction and physical abuse. At the identical time, Houston recorded her best-selling album “The Bodyguard”, which sold over 45 million copies worldwide.
Clarence “The Preacher” Heatley was indicted on July 15, 1996, on three counts of murder and conspiracy to aid racketeering on the age of 43. In February 1999 he accepted a settlement, pleading guilty to racketeering and murder conspiracy in reference to 13 drug-related killings to avoid the death penalty. He is currently serving a life sentence.
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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