Entertainment
Harlem Globetrotter Alexis Morris is the first lady of AND1 and she is here to stay – Andscape
A brand of basketball clothing and shoes AND1 the first and only signatory, Alexis Morris, wants to be a pioneer in the world of streetball. Seeing an NCAA national champion in a streetball environment is recent to her fans, but it surely’s immediately home to Morris.
In late May, the Harlem Globetrotter agreed to join AND1 because she was searching for a chance to pave a path for girls with an identical background to hers.
Morris wanted to be part of a “cultural explosion” that was different from what people thought a brand deal should appear like, just as she spearheaded a turning point in women’s basketball popularity after winning a national championship together with her teammate LSU Angel Reese.
The left-handed defenseman’s path from start to finish hasn’t been traditional, but she likes it that way. Morris began her collegiate profession under coach Kim Mulkey at Baylor University, then moved on to Rutgers University and Texas A&M University. After leaving Texas A&M, she thought she would never play basketball again until Mulkey gave her yet another likelihood at LSU. As a fifth-grader, she scored 15.4 points and 4.1 assists as the point guard on the Tigers’ national championship team.
The Texas native was chosen twenty second overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2023 WNBA Draft. She was later released during the preseason and believes that had that not happened, she would never have gotten the opportunity to sign with AND1.
Andscape caught up with Morris between guard practices preparing for AND1 upcoming Open Run event on Sunday at Coney Island in New York.
When you first began playing basketball, how did you approach constructing your sneaker collection?
I actually began getting inquisitive about my booty once I was a senior in highschool. In the starting, I used to be a player who showed up just to play basketball. I got here to the gym in Adidas shorts and Nike shoes. It didn’t matter to me. When I went to college, I got into it much more. I modeled my shoes and merchandise after the jerseys we wore that day, especially at LSU. We had one white uniform with purple lettering, with which I at all times wore purple shoes. I am unable to do ‘matches’, but I like to bring out the colours.
Once you have chosen your shoes, how will you set together the rest of your outfit?
I wear a sleeve on the court. Sometimes I feel like doing all or nothing with a scarf, sleeve and tights, or nothing in any respect. When I began wearing tights, my teammates at all times did it and sometimes teased me and said, “I stretched out my legs today.” But then there’s “Lex Luthor” and I’m in that zone. If I wear this headband, just understand it’s Lex Luthor and it’s going to be one of those nights. Most basketball players can relate to this. Once you set this headband on, I feel like I’m going to play one of the best games of my life.
What is so special about you that AND1 wanted to sign you as their first athlete?
AND1 is a movement powered by Black people, Black culture, inner cities and urban basketball. I’m all these items. I grew up in Beaumont, Texas. Resources were minimal and it was hard. But I’m lucky to be someone who has made it. I grew up playing streetball and that is what made me great. Being in AND1 is like coming home for me. We are perfect for one another. Most of the time I used to be twiddling with the boys and had to fight for my place on the court, but 90% of the belongings you do in life are based on self-confidence and I understand that.
What are you most looking forward to creating with AND1?
There is a continuing need for girls’s representation in sports and especially in street culture. People are attempting to displace street culture, but it surely was street culture that gave rise to basketball. It’s loot. I’m excited to design my collection. Obtaining an original collection is a dream come true for me. It’s something I’ve at all times wanted to do.
I can empower Black athletes and Black creators. I present a more androgynous side that is also underrepresented. You do not have to be the girliest of girls to wear my collection. I would like to incorporate some NIL offerings under the Alexis Morris brand into AND1. I’m searching for my first athlete to invite on board.
How does a cope with a streetwear brand help young athletes realize that there are non-traditional ways to gain support?
Even before I signed, I checked out A’ja Wilson and Nike in her shoes, Angel (Reese) and Reebok, Caitlin (Clark) and Dana Evans. I actually have the same feelings and excitement that they created for me, and I would like to create them for other female athletes. I can provide tangible proof that little girls, young women and Black women across the country can see what happens while you dream big, different and ambitious.
What would it not mean to you to be the first WNBA player to integrate the AND1 brand and culture into the league?
I am unable to wait to get back to the WNBA. Since I used to be 8 years old, my goal was to not only make the team, but in addition play in the season. There is a misconception that I hate WNBA veterans and expect them to resign from positions they’ve worked for. This is how they earn a living. I apologize to the people I offended. Without these comments I could not be where I’m today.
I’m never going to hand over on myself. I feel it should be cool to bring different audiences together. The WNBA now has much more viewership and marketing, which might draw much more attention to the street culture atmosphere. Since being an element of the Harlem Globetrotters, I’ve also learned so much of streetball moves and I’m looking forward to implementing them in organized basketball. I’ll give you the option to express all my experiences. If I come back, I’ll definitely be somewhat more cunning.
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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