Entertainment
Have you ever wondered about the real father of Billie Jean’s son?
“This man ruined my life,” explains Bill Cooper, adjusting his sunglasses. “He tried to make my mom look like a skeezer… Do people even say ‘skeezer’? NO? Scalpel. Jazzybell?”
If Bill makes it look like he’s stuck in the ’80s, it’s because, in some ways, he’s. For years, 44-year-old Bill Cooper lived in relative solitude. Suffers from agoraphobia, a mental condition brought on by social anxiety that makes him avoid leaving the house. On the rare occasions when the single computer engineer leaves the Southern California suburban home he shares along with his mother, it’s never during the day.
– Bill did it too heliophobia, fear of brilliant or intense sunlight,” explains Bill’s mother, Belinda, who joined theGrio for our exclusive interview. “That’s why he at all times wears sunglasses. But I feel he’s hiding because he’s paranoid. I blame myself. I should never have told him what That Man said about me.
“It’s not your fault,” Bill interjects. “The police asked you an issue and you told the truth. Plus, you technically never said he was “the one.” You just said he could be my father. This man began to disclose himself as soon as he heard that he was the subject of a police investigation. Writing this song was bullshit and This Man knows it.
“That Man” is what the Coopers call the singer, songwriter and maybe the most superstar to ever walk on the moon: Michael Joseph Jackson.
When That Man released his sixth solo project November 30, 1982nobody could have predicted that this may make Jackson the undisputed “King of Pop”. Until 2018, Jackson’s breakthrough album was the best-selling project in recorded music history. For critics and fans, the seven songs on the album constitute the magnum opus of the global superstar.
According to the police, the entire album is an alibi.
But for the Coopers, Thriller is greater than just a group of songs. It’s an atomic bomb that tore their world apart. This is the subject of Belinda’s ire and the bane of Bill’s existence. More importantly, it’s an origin story. This is nearly, but not quite, sort of the true story of Belinda Jeanette Cooper and her only child, William – or as they’re known around the world:
Billie Jean and her son.
Belinda the Beautiful
Belinda Cooper resides proof that Black doesn’t crack.
At the age of 65, Cooper’s stunning beauty is as evident as the day she began her profession as a model, actress and wonder pageant contestant. “Belinda was a bad mama,” Sheila D’Roni told Grio. “As bad as she could be.”
D’Roni knows a thing or two about beautiful women. Before she began hosting, organizing and judging beauty pageants, the woman generally known as Sheila “The 10” D’Roni earned her nickname during the 1962 Miss Thang beauty pageant. As the first contestant in the now-defunct competition to attain perfect scores in every category, D’Roni saw Belinda’s potential. “Back then, black women weren’t allowed to enter major beauty pageants,” D’Roni said. “Miss Thang was principally Miss Black America. Former Miss Thangs include Thelma Evans, Foxy Brown and Helen Willis. And I used to be the queen of black beauty queens… Until Belinda got here along.
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On October 23, 1980, 21-year-old Belinda Cooper broke D’Roni’s scoring record and was crowned Miss Thang 1980. To have a good time, D’Roni invited Belinda to a VIP afterparty at a neighborhood nightclub. Just then, one of the invited stars approached the couple pretty young Thangs.
“This guy with Jheri curls came up and started talking to us,” Belinda told Grio. “Apart from just a few small film roles, it was my first time participating in a beauty pageant. So I knew he was attempting to make me think I looked like a beauty queen from a movie. I just waved at him and said, “It’s me.”
“He accused me of making a scene and kept asking me to dance,” Belinda continued. “The VIP section was too crowded, so we danced on the floor in rounds. He wasn’t really my type – his hair was too greasy. But I won’t lie – This Man could cut a rug! Plus he was consistently buying drinks. I finally told him my name was Billie Jean, which technically wasn’t a lie. That’s what my grandmother called me. After an evening of drinking, dancing and competing, I used to be pretty exhausted. So when he suggested that he should walk me home, I agreed. It was the worst mistake of my life. I blame it on boogie.
Many partygoers confirmed Belinda’s version of events, including when the couple left to walk the three blocks to Belinda’s apartment. “When I saw them leaving, it didn’t seem strange to me,” said a nightclub bouncer, who asked to not be named since it wasn’t I need to start out something. “Mike was smiling from ear to ear like, “The girl is mine.’ I assumed it was just that human nature, but Jackson had an odd look in his eyes. That was the last time I saw them.”
Two months after the superstar who later became “That Man” disappeared on a cold October evening with a girl he knew only as “Billie Jean,” the 1980 Miss Thang winner made history again.
“It is with great disappointment that we accept the resignation of Belinda Jeanette Cooper,” read a press release from Miss Thang Beauty, Inc. “Unfortunately, her pregnancy will prevent her from fulfilling her duties as Miss Thang 1980. While we can’t comment on the rumors about her baby’s father, we wish her all the best in her future endeavors. We also ask for prayers for her quick recovery after the terrible crime she experienced.”
This is where Belinda’s story changed into a nightmare.
Emotion killer
Public sources indicate that in the weeks leading as much as the Miss Thang pageant, there have been 12 fatal attacks in the vicinity of Belinda Cooper’s apartment. Although the attacker left bloodstains on the carpet of the only surviving victim (a girl named Annie, who was not well), DNA science had not yet developed enough to find out the victim’s identity. smooth criminal. According to FBI profilers, the perpetrator likely committed the murders because he derived pleasure from “homicide-related wood.” However, to today the mystery of the serial murders stays unsolved.
“A woman never talks about her personal life,” Belinda told Grio. “Let me just say that when he was in my apartment, This Man didn’t do anything I didn’t want him to do. When we finished, um… talking, we stood outside waiting for That Man’s limo to pick him up. Then everything happened.”
What happened? Was Billie Jean the thirteenth victim? Was Jackson involved?
To piece together the events of that evening, Grio reviewed police interviews with Jackson, Cooper and folks in the area.
Belinda says there was a full moon that night (which Grio confirmed). She and Jackson were waiting outside for his limo to choose him up when she commented on how beautiful the moon looked. “I was just about to tell him my real name,” Belinda recalls. “But as soon as he checked out the moon, he began behaving strangely. You know what it’s like when you all lose interest. Then I heard a sound. It was already near midnight, so I wondered what was lurking in the dark. I do not remember much after that.
Our investigation shows that neighbors remember hearing a high-pitched scream followed by disturbing laughter. “I’m an alto, so it wasn’t me,” she added. “I remember screaming, but I was too scared.” Belinda described a person who appeared out of nowhere, which inserts the description of Thrill’s killer. “He was a tall, slim Caucasian man with long fingernails and a unkempt beard,” Belinda told Grio. “He kind of looked like a hairier, green-eyed guy Chet Holmgren. I froze when he looked me straight in the eyes. But apparently someone wasn’t paralyzed. I looked around and That Man had already beaten him. Then I fainted.”
When Belinda woke up in the hospital, she asked if Michael Jackson had survived the attack. Unfortunately, doctors, nurses and police assumed she was still delirious or drunk. She was in the hospital for weeks and thought Michael Jackson was dead. When it turned out that she was pregnant during a routine medical examination, she assumed that the deceased singer was the father of her child. A number of months later, at her homecoming party, the DJ played the second song from her primary album in the country. As everyone danced, Belinda slowly realized that Jackson had not only abandoned her, but had also abandoned any involvement in the life of her yet unborn child.
Is this kid the son of That Man?
William James Cooper isn’t focused on taking a DNA test.
“Why would I want a father who doesn’t want me,” Grio said. “I believe my mother. Besides, where do I get a DNA sample?”
Neither Bill nor his mother ever filed a paternity suit. In fact, Belinda at all times insisted on Jackson. However, when Belinda told her son the story of her strange encounter with the King of Pop, Bill dropped out of school and commenced his own investigation into the unsolved murders and the identity of his biological father. “It was mostly about bullying,” Bill explained. “My classmates called me ‘Willie the Werewolf’ because I don’t love daylight. Or perhaps it’s because I had a full beard after I was seven. Anyway, I told my third grade teacher that I used to be an Audi 5000 and went to nighttime school as an alternative.
Unfortunately, after years of collecting evidence, Bill still has not solved any of the puzzles. Instead, he’s specializing in his engineering profession. He admits to smoking marijuana 28 days a month, which helps relieve his anxiety. “I don’t feel comfortable during the day,” he explained. “I really don’t feel comfortable at night either, except on a full moon. The only salvation is Reefer.”
Meanwhile, Belinda has been off work since the attack. She received a big settlement in her discrimination lawsuit against Miss Thang. He also receives a big monthly check from an anonymous donor. “All I know is it’s a return address 2300 Jackson Street, she said. “It’s probably a coincidence, but I don’t question fate.”
When asked in the event that they ever wondered if the song “Thriller” could be a real origin story and never “Billie Jean,” Bill fell silent while his mother revealed the strangest part of their entire story.
“Can I tell you a secret?” – Belinda asked. “Neither of us has ever heard this album.”
Now it’s weird.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg’s wife Shante looks like herself again, months after sparking health concerns from fans who noticed a drastic change in her appearance
Shante “Boss Lady” Broadus is popping heads again for all the best reasons! Snoop Dogg’s wife of 27 years has spent months under the watchful eye of fans who have grown concerned about her health amid years of infidelity rumors.
She appears to have lost a lot of weight in photos shared on Instagram in June. Now, three months later, those self same fans are praising her for looking higher than ever.
Shante added a carousel of photos of herself and others from her cousin’s birthday celebration, which took place on September 16.
For the all-white event, she wore a pantsuit with cascading layers of sheer material that gave her outfit the look of a gown. The fashion selection also camouflaged her figure well, effectively stopping onlookers from commenting on whether she looked too big or too small.
This comments the post was proof that not only did everyone find her style “flawless,” but in addition they loved all the pieces about her subtle, glamorous look.
Shante kept her makeup easy, choosing a natural look and a twin-braided hairstyle, prompting one fan to comment that she “looks like a teenager.”
Elsewhere in the comments, someone wrote that she “still looks 20.” Several people called her beautiful, gorgeous, and even “stunning.” “BossLady, what kind of water are you drinking, because honey, listen, your skin is “skinning,” one other blissful fan joked.
Another person who was present and saw earlier comments accusing Shante of hiding health issues said her stunning appearance put an end to any speculative jokes. “They were talking s**t about you and you came back looking 20 times better, well you were always beautiful, you feel it. But you show off, boss.”
Snoop Dogg and His Wife Shante Broadus, 25 Years Later: Yes, Marriage Can Work photo: twitter.com/Kqka4yzkIp
— Dr. Penking™🇳🇬🇦🇺 (@drpenking) August 26, 2023
Snoop’s wife and mother of his three children, sons Cordae and Cordell and daughter Cori (the rapper also has a son named Julian, who was born in 1998, a 12 months after his wedding) has never addressed the rumors about her health.
Although the posts that raised eyebrows, all of them have a few things in common. In them, Shante often wears headscarves and loose clothing, and never a little bit of makeup. Whether she’s dressed elegantly or not, her husband’s love and admiration are unwavering.
The “Doggystyle” artist recently told People magazine that despite their marriage going through a “rocky road,” she is basically the yin to his yang, saying “the good to the bad is her,” and that there’s nothing that might ever tear their relationship apart.
The couple has long struggled with quite a few cheating rumors, mostly involving Snoop.
And while Shante is tight-lipped about her personal life, some followers can’t help but wonder if a few of her cryptic relationship posts are inspired by her marriage. Only Broadus’ family knows the reality.
“I have a strong wife with a strong backbone and a good heart — she loves and cares, and we were meant to be together,” Snoop said. “When we said we were going to get married, we were married until death do us part. Isn’t that what it sounds like? Not until the fights, arguments, or finances do us part, but until death do us part.”
Hollywood’s journey toward diversity has been long and infrequently slow. But the 2024 Emmy Awards were one other step forward in recognizing the contributions of creators, actors and directors of color. Of the 96 possible acting nominations this 12 months, 30 nominees they were people of color, including 17 black people nominatedRecognition of talent transcended racial lines, with nominations also coming from the LGBTQ and Indigenous communities.
This 12 months’s level of diversity continues to be a positive trend for Black creators, actors and directors, signaling long-awaited recognition from the industry, making history times.
An awesome (and unexpected) victory
The 2024 Emmy Awards Gala brought some surprises, including a special moment when Lamorne Morris won his first Emmy for his role in . In a lightweight and emotional acceptance speech, Morris thanked God, his mother and jokingly acknowledged his daughter’s approval while gushing about fellow nominee Robert Downey Jr. The win not only highlighted Morris’ talent, but in addition contributed to the growing representation of black actors who’re recognized for his or her craft.
Black Actors and Actresses Nominations and Past Trends
Here are a few of the 17 black nominees who were recognized for his or her work on screen:
- Idris Elba, Lead Actor in a Drama Series for “Hijack”
- Donald Glover, Lead Actor in a Drama Series for “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”
- Quinta Brunson, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, for “Abbott Elementary”
- Ayo Edebiri, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, for her role in the film “The Bear”
Supporting actors and actresses from series like “Abbot Elementary,” “Fargo” and “The Bear” also ranked high amongst the nominees, with the likes of legendary Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tyler James Williams and Lionel Boyce amongst them.
For a few of the nominees, this wasn’t their first time on the Emmy red carpet. This 12 months’s nomination was Idris Elba’s sixth, while Donald Glover previously took home acting and directing awards for his work on “Atlanta” in 2017. He was the first black director to win Emmy for Directing for a Comedy Series.
While the 2024 Emmys signal progress, the industry still has an extended technique to go. Historically, black performers have been severely underrepresented at the Emmys. Between 1966 and 2014, fewer than 5% of nominations for lead actor in a comedy or drama went to black actors. The deceased Sammy Davis Jr. was one among the first black performers to be honored for “Best Special Performance” in 1956, but it surely could be years before similar honors became more common.
In 1963, Harry Belafonte made history as the first black person to win an Emmy for a special appearance, marking an early win for black representation in an era when such recognition was rare. But it wasn’t until the Eighties that black actors began to make more consistent strides. Isabella Sanfordfor instance, she became the first black woman to win the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1981 for her role as Louise Jefferson in .
In 1990, James Earl Jones he won for his performance Jackie Harry made history as the first and only black woman to win the award in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category.
Recently, historic nominations have included: Viola Daviswho in 2015 became the first black woman to win the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in . Her iconic acceptance speech underscored the ongoing battle for opportunity in Hollywood: “The only thing that separates women of color from everyone else is opportunity.” The moment became a cultural touchstone, inspiring future generations of performers. Sterling K. Brown in 2016 and 2017 for his roles in the movies and , he won two Emmy Awards in a row.
Black Excellence Behind the Camera
The 2024 Emmy Awards also saw an increase in recognition for Black talent behind the camera. Salli Richardson-Whitfield was nominated as director of a drama series for guiding “Beat LA” in Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, making her the first Black woman nominated in the category — a groundbreaking achievement for gender and racial diversity at the awards show.
In addition to his nominations for his work on camera, Donald Glover has been nominated as a author for “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” This isn’t Glover’s first foray behind the scenes at the Emmys, but his continued presence on the nominee list bodes well for black creators in Hollywood.
Diversity also appears on the nomination lists for lesser-known awards, equivalent to the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Program (Prerecorded), which incorporates comedian Trevor Noah’s “Where Was I” and Dave Chappelle’s “The Dreamer.”
What the 2024 Emmys Mean for Black Representation in Hollywood
The increased attendance at the Emmys and other elite Hollywood awards shows in recent times reflects calls from artists and activists to acknowledge their labor. “Issa Rae”I support all blacks“The comments from 2017 and 2022 likely still ring true, and she or he’s probably not the just one rooting for more representation amongst Emmy winners.
Just like the ancestors, equivalent to Harry Belafonte—the first Black person to win an Emmy—broke molds and pioneered diversity on the small screen. The Black actors, actresses, creators and directors who earned a spot at the 2024 Emmys, whether or not they won of their category or not, are breaking barriers and helping to construct a more inclusive industry that may welcome more Black talent in the future.
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Courtesy of Cécred
First she ripped out our edges. Now she’s going to bring them back. Beyoncé’s hair care company, Cécred, has unveiled the new addition to the road with a pop-up installation in SoHo… and it’s thick.
On Saturday, International news has been transformed right into a Chrome launchpad for the new product: Restoring hair and drop edgesFormulated to extend hair density by 1.5x, the elixir comes packaged in a chic silver dropper bottle – a packaging that stands out from other products within the line.
The drops, aptly encapsulated within the slogan “Get Thick,” goal breakage and thinning hair on the ends and lengths. The product has a serum formula, meaning it’s lightweight and absorbs directly into the hair and scalp. There isn’t any must rinse and is designed for each day use.
For best results, the team encourages consumers to make use of the serum twice each day for at the very least 16 weeks. The science behind the formula relies on patented Bioactive Keratin Ferment technology and delivers five peptides that support hair growth. “1 drop, 5 powerful peptides,” the corporate declares.
Members Cecred The team, including Beyoncé’s hair stylist Neal Farinahand Brand Education Director Dr. Kari Williamswere present to support the product launch and engage participants. The pop-up attracted over 500 people We cannot wait to check the new drops and learn more about them.
Chrome windows were lined with shiny new bottles, and a metal kiosk delivered a special edition of the Get Thick newsletter, offering detailed product information. Meanwhile, a sweet station dishing out champagne-flavored drinks cotton candy with edible glitter accomplished the entire.
The first 500 guests received a full-size bottle of Restoring Hair and Edge Drops, while subsequent guests received product samples. All were also capable of purchase the larger Cécred line at a reduced price. The event staff, wearing all-white Cécred jumpsuits, moved the road of Bey stans—who, after all, sang along to Beyoncé’s discography while they waited—along with the friendly, communal energy that the brand itself strives to cultivate.
Bobby, a fan dressed head to toe in Renaissance gear, arrived at 3:30 a.m. to be sure that he was first in line. Aden, 18, boarded a bus from Philadelphia for his first solo trip, while Ciera and her friends followed, hats in tow, three hours before the event began. Several got here prepared to attend in line with folding chairs and Renaissance tour fans.
Fans were asked in the event that they would still use the products without the queen’s name, and all responded with a convincing yes. “It’s in the name,” Aden told ESSENCE. The products work and encourage consumers to pour love and respect into their crowns.
Consumers of various hair types, ages, and ethnicities shared their personal experiences with the brand, citing the moisturizing balm and deep conditioner as repeat favorites. “My favorite product is the conditioner because I really like how silky it makes my hair. My hair gets really tangled, but after 2-3 washes it’s so much easier to detangle,” Ciera shared.
Two clients, one with less dense, straight hair and the opposite with thick, wavy hair, described how Cécred restored moisture and strength to their hair after multiple bleaching and coloring cycles. Estela detailed how the products worked on her own dry, loose curls and her daughter’s tight curls. “It’s hard to find curl products that are good and work. These work.”
Protection, health and hydration were crucial goals of the participants by way of hair care. That is why the new regenerating serum, already available on the market on cecred.com, is certain to arouse interest.
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