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Meet the Black woman designing the WNBA’s coolest apparel, Andscape

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Founder and owner of the streetwear brand Playa Society Esther Wallace she all the time knew what was occurring in women’s basketball. Her latest clothing collaboration of the WNBA pays tribute to those that helped construct the buzz around women’s basketball.

“We knew we were awesome,” Wallace said. “But we’re glad the rest of the world is catching up. This collection pays tribute to those who made it – the players, the creators – everyone who knew we were cool and did the work to get us here.”

The Summer 2024 collection features a cream hoodie and T-shirt with the words “If You’re Just Now Tuning Into Women’s Basketball, We Told You So” in the WNBA orange colorway. The products can be available on the brand’s website from Friday. The slogan describes Wallace’s partnership with the Playa Society and her commitment to elevating players.

For Wallace, who also designed a brand new clothing line for the Golden State Valkyries, that is his second collaboration with the WNBA this month. The Valkyries are an affiliate team of the Golden State Warriors in the WNBA and one among them two latest expansion teams inducted into the WNBA since 2008. Named after a gaggle of female warriors from Norse mythology, the team will play its first season in 2025. The clothes are already left sold out twice because it was first released.

Wallace told Andscape he doesn’t have words to explain the opportunity to work so closely with the WNBA, but it surely’s been an extended time coming.

Golden State Valkyries T-shirt by Playa Society.

Briele Chanel

“I don’t even think it’s a flattering word,” Wallace told Andscape. “I don’t know what words to use. To (tentatively) receive an email from the Golden State Warriors” – the two teams share an office – “to keep up with those early conversations like, ‘we don’t have a name yet, we don’t know what it’s going to look like yet, but we know we want some Playa Society merchandise”, it was cool.

Wallace wasn’t stressed about how all the pieces got here together for her Valkyrie clothing collection. Yes, she was creating works before the band had a reputation, but these are her favorite projects. Everything she did at Playa Society prepared her for this.

“It’s like playing clutch, right?” Wallace said. “Quarter four and I got to finish the project and then see everyone’s reaction and how much everyone liked the product, which was cool because I was like, OK, I did it in quarter four and I got the win. It was special.”

Even as a toddler, Wallace knew she desired to design clothes. “I was that kid who walked around with a sketchbook,” she recalls. “I took it everywhere. It was my whole childhood.” She began sewing clothes for herself and even assumed that she would go to review at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

In January 2018, Esther Wallace launched her streetwear brand Playa Society. The company’s name was inspired by a scene from the movie

Briele Chanel

“However,” Wallace said, “I was very tall.” While people round her urged her to play basketball, she insisted on becoming a designer. “I was very stubborn.”

It wasn’t until she dropped out of performing arts highschool, where she began studying costume design, that she began to wonder what her life on the court may be like.

“All my friends went to regular public school, and I dropped out after about three days and ended up going there,” Wallace said. “I didn’t realize the school had the No. 1 girls basketball team in the state and a few of the top basketball players in the country. Of course, I didn’t know that because I wasn’t eager about basketball in any respect.

She was convinced to take up basketball during her sophomore 12 months of school and went to a basketball game at the University of Massachusetts (Wallace is from nearby Springfield). UMass played against Temple, which was a life-changing experience for her.

“This is Temple, where Dawn Staley trains,” Wallace explained. “So I see Dawn Staley on the sidelines, Candace Dupree, who was playing at the time, and all these black girls. I say to myself, “Oh my God, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.” All he needed to do was see Staley and her team and Wallace forgot about design.

Wallace thought she would play basketball so long as possible after which coach. During her master’s studies, she played abroad. “I wrote my master’s thesis on the misrepresentation and underrepresentation of women’s sports in sports advertising.”

Although Wallace maintains that she wasn’t desirous about starting an organization at the time, “someone at one point asked, ‘Why don’t you solve this problem?’ “

From that moment on, she began to assume what it could be like if, as a substitute of coaching women’s basketball, she could design and influence women’s basketball. Wallace returned to the United States in 2014 and went to work.

“I started playing around with my own screen printing designs, I tried to build my own printing machine, but it was a disaster,” she said.

Instead, Wallace designed the pieces and took them to be printed. In 2017, she developed a straightforward but direct T-shirt. The word “woman” has been crossed out above the word “athlete” on a separate line. The business took off.

“When I was designing it, I had a feeling it could probably be big,” she said. “So at first I was nervous about putting it out there because I wasn’t sure, but I finally put it out there and all of a sudden I was selling hundreds of these T-shirts.”

Initially, she printed the T-shirts in batches of 40-50 pieces, and when those sold out, she increased the variety of T-shirts to 100 pieces. The T-shirts simply sold out. “When I started selling them, it was on tables at the market. Something like that, but when I put it on the Internet, I was selling hundreds of things like that.”

That’s when it became clear to Wallace what he wanted to construct the brand around. She gave herself two months to develop Playa Society as an idea, name and brand.

Wallace said she knew she needed an appointment. Otherwise she would never have decided to publish anything. “I assumed wherever you were could be adequate. I kept telling myself the same thing,” she added. “I’m a perfectionist and I could just separate things endlessly.”

Playa Society was established in January 2018. The company’s name was inspired by a scene from the movie.

“Like a lot of young black girls, I was obsessed with ,” Wallace said. “Is this scene when Monica gets excited in the automotive, she says, “I’m a ball game.” This conversation was always the essence of what I wanted to create – just defending it at that moment was the energy I needed. The “ball playa” part really stood out. I wanted (my brand) to be rooted in community, so I played around with what that language could appear to be, and eventually I got here across Playa Society.”

Wallace launched her brand, and WNBA players embraced it almost immediately. In April 2018, it was worn by WNBA star Candace Parker “Sportsman” T-shirt. on former NBA player Kevin Garnett’s show on TNT. It was a giant moment for Wallace, personally and professionally.

“The message was attached to her for some reason. It gave me some energy and enthusiasm to continue,” she added. “I was giving jerseys to all the NBA players at a time when no other brand was thinking about the WNBA or women’s basketball, so I was building those connections.”

At one point in the summer of 2018, all of the WNBA players were wearing Wallace uniforms because the National Women’s Basketball Association bought them from her, and getting the players’ support meant loads to them. “Sue Bird was one of my first clients. Sylvia Fowles. Natasha Cloud always buys,” Wallace said, naming a few of her early supporters.

For Wallace, having that support simply made her wish to push harder for her girls. In 2020 (COVID-19 lockdown), she left her job at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she was chargeable for marketing. It was the biggest risk she had ever taken, but that summer she sold “thousands” of “The Athlete” T-shirt, which was still her principal product at the time.

The following summer, Wallace had a probability to check with someone in the WNBA and pitched the idea of ​​working with the Playa Society. Wallace said she treated the conversation as practice for the future, but the WNBA liked her ideas. “They said, ‘Yes!’ and I thought, “really?” “

Her first WNBA collection launched in September 2021. It included a hoodie, sweatpants with matching team logos on the leg, and a T-shirt with the WNBA logo.

“I remember it sold out,” Wallace recalled. “It got here back once I was using (e-commerce platform) Shopify and Shopify notifications made money sound. All I remember is that it faded and faded, after which it began to fade. Wallace then checked and noticed that her first release had sold out inside the first hour.

She said it was a vital day and she or he continues to answer this request. “It was just a matter of building it all as the community grew, as women’s basketball grew. Responding to the need and desire for better merch, but also exploring new designs.” This was a challenge because Wallace operated largely as a one-man band.

While the designer is worked up to see the WNBA shine in a brand new highlight, she desires to make it clear that the attention should not be fleeting. “WNBA, the product was good. It was great and it will only get better,” Wallace said. “It must be the focus of everyone here, so it is not like we suddenly have an excellent product. Many things have been missed and underrepresented.

I hope I can do loads more because I do know plenty of people can be focused on what’s happening now. I just wish to have fun the game and ladies as an entire, not only right away.

Channing Hargrove is Andscape’s senior fashion author. It’s easier than admitting how strongly you discover with the lyrics “Single Black Woman Addicted to Retail.”


This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Jennifer Lopez allegedly wants ‘revenge’ on Ben Affleck, revealing how he ‘let her down’ in the bedroom amid embarrassing divorce

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jlo-ben-affleck revenge

Soon-to-be-four-time divorcee Jennifer Lopez is reportedly gearing up to disclose unflattering details about her relationship with Ben Affleck following their recent split.

According to a brand new report, Lopez, 55, who has previously praised their passionate sex life in her music, is now considering changing her praise and should be preparing to release a song that paints a very different picture.

jlo-ben-affleck revenge
Sources claim that singer Jennifer Lopez wants to embarrass her soon-to-be ex-husband Ben Affleck with songs about his poor bedroom performance. (Photos: @jlo/(Instagram; Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

As tensions between them intensify following their breakup, a more essential side of their time together begins to come back to light.

Lopez, who once bragged about watching the “Good Will Hunting” actor have sex in the bedroom while singing sensual lyrics in “The Greatest Love Story Never Told,” appears to be changing his tune on Affleck’s abilities in the bedroom.

“When things were going well between them, J.Lo put Ben and his bedroom skills on a pedestal,” the insider said. revealed to In Touch, “but she’s taken off her rose-tinted glasses and is telling people he was actually a pretty selfish and basic lover.”

This marks a major change from Lopez’s previous tributes to Affleck, in which she appeared to idolize him each personally and physically.

Her latest album, This Is Me… Now: A Love Story, released in February, was intended to have a good time their renewed romance.

Lopez’s ninth studio album featured a companion film that showcased their relationship in a vibrant light. While she produced the project herself, In Touch’s alleged source claims that Affleck played a major role behind the scenes, likely controlling the narrative greater than people realize.

Just two months after the project’s premiere, the couple announced their end of collaboration and have remained separated ever since.

However, Lopez’s tone has reportedly modified drastically. She not praises Affleck’s talent but as a substitute expresses frustrations about their personal lives, especially his mediocre performance in the bedroom, a brand new report claims.

“She’s so pissed she wrote all those sexy lyrics about him,” an alleged insider told In Touch, claiming Lopez is considering writing one other song that exposes Affleck’s flaws.

The person said at the time: “She says she’s now ready to write a breakup song that hits where it hurts most and makes up to him for all the ways he let her down, including in the bedroom.”

Adding that Lopez uses writing as an outlet for her emotions and that her team is fully supportive of the idea, the anonymous spokesperson said, “She’s very emotional and angry right now, and part of the way she deals with her emotions is by keeping a journal and writing. Her team is encouraging her to channel that into songwriting.”

Lopez’s longtime manager Benny Medina and her team are reportedly urging her to pursue the project, though some speculate they’ve been working behind the scenes to break Affleck’s image since their marriage began to unravel.

This alleged manipulation is not any stranger to those that have previously been involved with Lopez’s life.

Her first husband, Ojani Noa, recently spoke to the Daily Mail about the similar treatment he experienced during his marriage to the star.

“(Her people) wanted her to look good for everything that was coming out — the movie, the album, and they didn’t want any bad publicity,” Noa claimed. “They made it sound like I didn’t want to be with her, and it was the opposite.”

There’s no word on whether Lopez plans to officially channel her frustrations with Affleck into recent music. She’s currently promoting her latest film, “Unstoppable,” a project she co-produced with Affleck and his longtime friend Matt Damon. Lopez recently attended the Toronto International Film Festival to advertise the film, although Affleck was noticeably absent.

Despite their split, the duo have remained in touch, reportedly raising their combined family together. Lopez and Affleck were recently spotted at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where they met up with their children — Affleck’s daughter Seraphina, 15, son Samuel, 12, and Lopez’s twins, Emme and Max, 16 — for a family chat.

Art often imitates life, and Lopez’s story suggests she could use this tumultuous time to fuel her creativity. Whether it’s a chart-topping song or successful movie, the fallout from this breakup could encourage her next big hit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMFIOGsIdA


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Fans slam Oprah Winfrey’s ‘shady’ move to hide her secrets after blocking upcoming documentary on her life

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oprah winfrey documentary

Oprah Winfrey has officially halted production on her online documentary, but fans want to know why.

The billionaire actress and former talk show host reportedly spent “a fortune” to make sure the docuseries never saw the sunshine of day after she fell out with Oscar-winning filmmaker and director Kevin Macdonald over the biopic project.

oprah winfrey documentary
Oprah Winfrey faces criticism after paying a “fortune” to block a documentary about her life. (Photo: MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images)

According to Page SixA rep for the 70-year-old media mogul confirmed she paid to shelve the documentary after her content take care of Apple expired in September 2022.

“As her Apple TV+ deal was coming to an end, Ms. Winfrey purchased the rights to her docuseries and has since decided to put the documentary on hold,” Oprah’s spokesperson told Page Six.

Additionally, one other source said, “Kevin made a video, but Oprah didn’t like it and refused to make changes, so Oprah gave Apple her fee back.”

While speculation suggested McDonald refused to comply with Winfrey’s requests to edit, the TV personality’s team denied the claims, with Oprah’s camp insisting to Page Six that “it just wasn’t the right time to do the documentary.”

It comes amid speculation that Winfrey spent “millions” on the rights to the documentary. However, Team Oprah dismissed the concept the deal was price seven figures.

Deadline Originally announced as an Oprah Winfrey documentary for Apple TV+ in January 2021, MacDonald teamed up with Emmy-nominated producer Lisa Erspamer to create the now-cancelled biopic, which was to be presented in two parts.

They previously worked together on the documentary “Whitney,” which premiered in U.S. theaters in July 2018.

Internet users reacted to the news that the documentary had been frozen, with many wondering whether Winfrey was fearful that some damaging information was about to be released.

“Well isn’t that suspicious!” one person wrote within the Page Six comments section. Another person asked, “What is she afraid of or hiding?”

Similar footage appeared on the X program. For example, in response to an article concerning the cancellation of the documentary, an individual identifying himself as a Donald Trump supporter he tweeted“What is Oprah hiding?”

Another X account published“Oprah Winfrey spent a fortune to prevent a documentary from being released, that sounds credible… money tells the truth… not the truth.”

Winfrey was a goal of conservatives throughout the 2024 presidential campaign. The Tennessee State University graduate endorsed Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris, drawing the ire of Donald Trump’s MAGA legion.

After making a surprise appearance on the Democratic National Convention in August 2024, Winfrey faced backlash from Trump supporters over allegations of abuse related to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa.

Winfrey apologized to the parents of scholars who accused a Leadership Academy worker of molestation in 2007. Tiny Makopo, a dormitory supervisor at the college, he was acquitted of 14 charges related to allegations of abuse.

Winfrey’s announcement that she would hold a virtual “Unite for America” ​​rally in support of Harris also sparked outrage from the appropriate.

Critics have relentlessly hounded the “Beloved” star over her alleged “disappearance of girls” allegations, despite no evidence to support the disappearance of any Leadership Academy students.

Oprah Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi. After graduating from college and dealing in journalism, she became a household name, hosting the favored program “The Oprah Winfrey Show” from September 1986 to May 2011.

The so-called “Queen of All Media” has built an empire price $3 billion. Winfrey earned an Oscar nomination for her role within the 1985 film “The Color Purple.” She can be a two-time Emmy winner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMFIOGsIdA

This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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‘Family Matters’ Star Jaleel White Admits to ‘Damage’ He Suffered Playing Steve Urkel

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Jaleel White opens up about the

Fan-favorite Family Matters actor Jaleel White was a fan favorite on the enduring ’90s sitcom, which ultimately resulted in damage to his voice.

White, who played Steve and Steffon Urkel, was a special guest at this yr’s 90s Con in Daytona Beach, Florida. On Sunday, September 15, he spoke on a panel moderated by “Halloweentown” star Kimberly J. Brown.

Jaleel White talks about the
Jaleel White opens up in regards to the “damage” he suffered while playing Steve Urkel on Family Matters. (Photo: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic)

According to Peoplethe 2 discussed the 47-year-old’s run because the country’s favorite nerdy neighbor. White revealed that the “high-pitched, nasal” voice that has develop into synonymous along with his character actually “damaged” his voice.

He said he saw a physician and was told, “What happened was that I spoke in the same tone for a long time during puberty. If the tone had been everywhere, it wouldn’t have damaged it as much.”

He added: “It’s in remission and I feel good now.”White, who joined the solid of the hit series when he was 12, told Brown that his voice problems got worse when he was about “15 or 16.”

“I felt like I was really losing control. I kept getting messages from the network saying, ‘We can’t hear him. Please be more clear,’” White said. “It was terrifying for me.”

He told the audience that he didn’t work with a vocal coach during his time on the show, so he didn’t know the way to properly protect his voice. People magazine also reported that White, who’s now the host of the sport show “The Flip Side,” is now working with a vocal coach and a physician to protect his vocal cords and “get them under control.”

White expressed no regrets when asked if he would change Urkel’s famous voice. “I wouldn’t do anything differently. It was a great experience and a small sacrifice to make to leave a hell of a legacy,” he said.

Family Matters aired from September 22, 1989 to July 17, 1998. During this time, White’s voice was also very talked-about within the animation world, as he lent his voice to Sonic within the Sonic the Hedgehog series from 1993 to 1996.

Although he has played many roles in his nearly 40-year profession, White is best often known as the sensible pest Urkel. But it wasn’t meant to be.

On a 2021 episode of TVOne’s Uncensored , White revealed that his suspenders-wearing character was supposed to appear on the sitcom only once. But his infectious personality and “did I do that?” catchphrase caught America by surprise, and the writers kept him, unknowingly making him the star of the show. He confessed that the remaining of the solid didn’t prefer it.

“I wasn’t cast at all,” he says within the clip. “They knew what it was about… I didn’t think about being cast in ‘Family Matters,’ because it was just going to be a guest appearance, one and that was it.”

In this episode, White examines the initial resistance from the “three adult” solid members, who already had established careers but now felt they were being overshadowed by a toddler actor.

The “Three Grownups” featured Jo Marie Payton, who played Harriette Winslow, whose character was based on the TV series “Perfect Friends,” Vel Johnson, who played Carl Winslow and gained notoriety for “Die Hard,” and Aunt Rachel, played by Thelma Hopkins, who starred in the favored Eighties sitcom “Gimme a Break!”

“I didn’t see myself stepping on anybody’s toes, stealing anybody’s shine,” White said within the “Uncensored” special, later adding, “And I don’t have to keep telling adults that. They know what I mean.”

In 2022, Payton revealed that White “wanted to physically fight” her after she objected to a scene through which he portrayed Urkel’s “gangsta” cousin, OGD, which stood for Original Gangsta Dawg.

But she admitted that she’s had nothing but love in her life these days, something she revealed in an interview with Atlanta Black Star last October.

“I don’t like to repeat things. Things happen and we move on,” Payton explained, sharing that she expressed the identical sentiment during a performance at 90s Con this yr.

YouTube courtesy of People

“As I said on that panel, if I saw Jaleel today and he said, ‘Hey, Jo Marie,’ I would hug him. No hard feelings,” she added.

At the price of his voice, White made Steve Urkel one of the recognizable figures in American television history and a popular culture icon.

In his upcoming memoir, “Growing Up Urkel,” White recounts his life as a toddler actor and the way he became an adult star. The book is about to hit shelves in November.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMFIOGsIdA


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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