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Ice Cube’s ‘Historic’ $5 Million Offer to Caitlin Clark Exposes Double Standards in Treatment of Two College Stars Ahead of Their Rematch

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Women’s college basketball continues to attract national attention. Interest in the game peaked last yr, especially with the rise of athletes like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.

While it needs to be noted that South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley’s impressive run in Columbia, which has resulted in two championships to date, has helped spur the game’s newfound popularity, much of the credit goes to stars like Reese, Clark and Student USC freshman JuJu Watkins. in your unprecedented attention.

Some have even argued that girls’s college basketball has surpassed the lads’s game. The second round of the NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament concluded on Monday, with a median of greater than 800,000 viewers watching the primary two rounds of play. According to data compiled by Sports Business Journal, these viewership numbers represent a 108% increase over last yr’s viewing figures.

Earlier this month, Clark became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I men’s and ladies’s basketball and continues to break virtually every college basketball record. She led the Iowa Hawkeyes to one other stellar regular season and is widely viewed as the best women’s college basketball player of all time.

Iowa and LSU won their separate Sweet 16 games against Colorado and UCLA, respectively, on March 30, organising each teams for an intriguing Elite Eight rematch in the 2023 NCAA Championship Game.

Clark racked up name, image and likeness (NIL) deals and attracted an unprecedented amount of attention to Iowa City.

But amid her success on and off the basketball court, some seem to forget that Reese led the LSU Tigers to victory over Iowa in last yr’s national title game on April 2. named MVP of the NCAA Tournament last season and in addition received unanimous All-American honors.

Overtaking Clark and the Hawkeyes in the championship game took Reese, also often called “Bayou Barbie,” to recent heights. She currently boasts 2.7 million followers on Instagram and has gotten a tattoo surety agreements with fast food chain Raising Cane’s and Caktus AI technology, to name a number of.

Angel Reese’s on-court behavior has come under heavy criticism

However, Reese’s rise to fame was not without controversy. During the fourth quarter of last yr’s championship game between LSU and Iowa, Reese was seen waving his hand in front of his face. The move seemed to be an ode to wrestler John Cena, who popularized the “You Can’t See Me” gesture and catchphrase.

Reese looked toward Clark, pointing to her ring finger to symbolize the championship ring LSU would soon receive.

Some disagreed with Reese’s actions, with some arguing that Reese’s harsh criticism seemed to be based on her race and gender.

“I don’t fit this narrative. I don’t fit into the box you all want me to be in. “I’m too hoody.” “I’m too ghetto” – Yall has been telling me this all year, but when others do it, you don’t say anything. This is for girls who look like me,” Reese said at a news conference after LSU’s win.

Former sports and political broadcaster and current podcaster Kieth Olbermann didn’t hesitate to call Reese an “idiot” during his time on social media. Other social media users said Reese’s gesture was “classless.”

It needs to be noted that the response Reese received apparently didn’t keep in mind the undeniable fact that Clark did something eerily similar during Iowa State’s victory over Louisville in last yr’s tournament. However, it seems that marketing executives and enormous corporations were quicker to embrace Clark, a white woman from Des Moines, Iowa, but were more cautious when it got here to Reese.

The Black community actually honors Reese as she has turn out to be a cultural icon, but Middle America wasn’t entirely on board. Reese’s comments about her refusal to adhere to certain “narratives” speak to the double standards that Black athletes face – even those that are amongst the very best in their sport.

Reese also faced criticism throughout the current NCAA Tournament on March 24. She was accused of taunting Anastasia Boldyreva, a middle Tennessee player, by waving goodbye after Boldyreva was sidelined.

Cailtin Clark’s seven-figure Big3 offer

Hip-hop artist, actor, film producer and Big3 co-founder Ice Cube recently raised eyebrows when he made a “historic offer” to Clark in an attempt to persuade her to join the favored 3-on-3 league.

“But I won’t deny what already exists: BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn’t we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve great success in the BIG3.” Cube wrote on X.

TMZ initially reported that Big3’s offer was for as much as $5 million. Cube didn’t deny the reports when he appeared on ESPN’s “Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday.

The $5 million figure could be significantly higher than any base salary Clark could earn in the WNBA. According to Spotrac data, the utmost salaries of the 12 teams in the league are an estimated $1,463,200 per team entering the season. No women currently play in the Big3 basketball league.

While Cube accurately rates Clark as a “generational athlete,” Cube’s criticism of Cube’s offer to Clark appears to be less about who’s less talented than who is perhaps viewed as the very best American college athlete.

So if Clark was invited to play in the Big3, the query stays whether Reese, Watkins and other black college athletes received the same offer.

Reese, Watkins and other Black female athletes deserve recognition

You can actually argue that Clark’s background has created a somewhat built-in level of privilege that Reese and other black players don’t profit from. However, it appears that evidently the aforementioned Watkins is taking advantage of the trail set by Reese.

The 18-year-old broke nearly every University of Southern California women’s basketball record this season and helped bring the Trojans program back to life. Watkins has averaged 27 points per game this season, second in the nation behind Clark’s average of 31.7. (Reese’s season average of 18.7 points per game ranks forty fifth in the country).

USC’s resurgent season has attracted a protracted list of superstar athletes and Hollywood stars, from LeBron James to Kevin Hart. Reese’s success on the court and her decision to be an unapologetic black woman likely gave impetus to emerging black athletes.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit

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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.

Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez shows off a “winter white” look, weeks after critics slammed her busty latex outfit. (Photos: @laurenwsanchez/Instagram, Theimagedirect.com via Page Six)

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.

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.”

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.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape

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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.


Singer India Shawn grew up singing in church with her family. “I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” she said.

India Shawn

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.”

Sheila Matthews is a digital producer at Andscape and a proud HBCU graduate. She believes “Return of the Mack” must have won a Grammy, and her Twitter mentions are open to all debate.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence

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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.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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