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USA women’s polo chooses Flavor Flav as propagandist for the Paris Olympics

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Maggie Steffens asked for more support for the U.S. women’s water polo team, and the captain received one particularly surprising response.

From a watch-wearing rap icon.

Posted by Steffens’ post on Instagram, Flavor Flav helped the U.S. team win an unprecedented fourth consecutive gold medal at the Paris Summer Olympics. It is finalizing a deal that can make it a sponsor of water polo in the US and an official propagandist for a program geared toward increasing the highlight.

Flav, 65, the founder and propagator of Public Enemy propaganda, immediately threw himself into his recent duties, highlighting several of the team’s best players in social media. She also plans to observe the women’s team play in Paris.

“When I go out and watch the water polo team… ‘USA!’ USA!’ Yo, I’m gonna be the biggest hype they’ve ever experienced in their lives,” he he said AP on Friday. “I’m going to be larger than any cheerleader they’ve ever had of their life. I’ll root for this team and I’ll root for this team to win the gold medal.

Flavor Flav at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California on April 1, 2024 (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

The victory is the typical result for the U.S. women’s team since the 2012 Olympics. However, it has not attracted as much attention or support as similarly dominant American programs, largely because water polo stays a distinct segment sport in most of the world.

This – combined with a little bit of nostalgia – prompted 30-year-old Steffens, the last member of the 2012 band, to post on Instagram. Expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to play and her love for the sport, she also encouraged anyone reading the post to get to know her team and highlighted the ongoing financial struggles of most Olympians.

“We got a lot of comments like, ‘Oh, that’s great what you did.’ It’s a shame you’re not a soccer or basketball player because your team would get a lot more exposure and a lot more support,” Steffens said Friday from Paris, where the team is on a training trip ahead of the Olympics.

“Instead, we are still in the same place we were 12 years ago, which is not my goal. I always wanted to push the sport forward.”

In front of us is Flav, who, along with the group Public Enemy, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Flav’s manager brought this post to his attention and decided he desired to help.

“There’s one thing about me: I know what it’s like to want to make your dream come true,” said Flav, who is thought for wearing a big clock on a sequence around his neck. “I know what it’s like to want to achieve a goal, and I’m the type of person that if I see you trying, I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

Steffens said it was “very surreal” when Flav – whose legal name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr. – he contacted her. When asked what she knew about Flav and the Public Enemy before the merger, Steffens immediately mimicked the frequent “Flavor Flav!” declaration.

Team United States gold medalists pose after receiving their medals during the women’s gold medal match between Spain and the United States on day 15 of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games at Tatsumi Water Polo Center on August 7, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo: Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)

Steffens is certainly one of the oldest players on the U.S. team, but she said 24-year-old Ryann Neushul has Public Enemy in her top five players on Spotify. Several of the team’s coaches and Steffens’ family were also enthusiastic about the collaboration.

“My whole family was like, ‘Is this true?’ Flav is now part of the water polo world?” Steffens said. “I thought, ‘I don’t know what’s going on, but I want to wear a watch now and that’s how I feel.'”

Steffens and the American team even have one other major supporter in Taylor Swift. On Friday evening, at La Défense Arena – the venue of the women’s water polo final that took place on August 10, they took part in a concert by a musician from the Eras Tour.

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Women’s national team manager Ally Beck contacted Swift’s camp and surprised the team with tickets. Flav said he also contacted Swift’s team, but the tickets had already been approved.

Flav, who’s working on one other tour with Public Enemy that might start later this yr, then held up a T-shirt along with his picture and the words “KING SWIFTIE.”

“I’m proud to support Taylor. … Flavor Flav is the Swiftie, the king of all Swifties,” he said.

This is one other bond Flav shares along with his recent favorite band.


This article was originally published on : thegrio.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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