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“Power of the Dream” Offers an Intimate Look at the 2020 WNBA Season – Andscape

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The racial reckoning that gripped the country with Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020 set the stage for the WNBA to hitch the fight against social injustice.

New Prime Video documentary directed by Dawn Porter gives viewers an intimate look at the 2020 WNBA season. While isolated in a bubble – affectionately often known as the Wubble by fans – at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, it provides an exclusive look at how 144 WNBA players handled the coronavirus pandemic as they prepared to begin the season, advisable for girls who died after encounters with police that directly impacted the 2020 election. To say the story was gripping could be an understatement.

“When they started describing what it was like, I thought, ‘Sure, why wouldn’t I want to talk about how the WNBA helped save democracy?’ So that’s how it started,” Porter, who directed award-winning documentaries about civil rights activist John Lewis and the assassination of presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, told Andscape.

After a yr of production, archival materials and a movie of a retired American soccer star Megan Rapinoeon a cell phone, the documentary shows viewers the first meeting with the future US senator Rafał Warnockprinting Vote Warnock T-shirts and intense collective meetings about whether postpone matches following the August 2020 shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Andscape recently sat down with Porter to debate the impact of the WNBA and the impact of the film.


Why was it so necessary to detail the origins of the WNBA and its history of support on this documentary?

This is a extremely necessary query that goes to the heart of this film. When you bring latest fans to women’s basketball, you desire to be certain that folks understand the struggle that helped bring women’s basketball to where it’s today in terms of respect, but in addition understand what it took to get so far in advocacy. Supporting yourself and the sport in the name of respect. Everyone likes to say that fighting for things is in our DNA. They do not have the luxury of people assuming they’re unbelievable top-level athletes. They must demand respect. As a bunch, they at all times worked collectively because that they had to work together to extend their pay (and) get travel support.

When all these social justice crises were happening in the United States, there was no intention to stay silent. They said, “We fought hard for this platform, but as individuals we are people who care about people who look like us.” And they weren’t going to sit down idly by while people were being murdered in the streets.

What exclusive behind-the-scenes content should loyal WNBA fans who follow the motion continue to exist Wubble expect?

The mobile phone footage (Megan Rapinoe) is just a few of the footage we’ve got to make use of in the film to indicate what the conditions were like, what their protest meetings were like and the way they coped. Not everyone feels the same. Not everyone was convinced that they needs to be collective, but they worked through it to succeed in group consensus. So all this could be seen in the film. How they got here up with the idea of ​​wearing these T-shirts after which saw them printing them. You see this meeting with Raphael Warnock and also you see how their support began long before lockdown was introduced. You see the history of what they have been doing all along and also you see that their support during the pandemic has been an extension of what they have been doing consistently.

Given the divisive media controversies which have plagued the league a lot this season, how do you think that this film offers greater insight into the league’s players?

(Sue Bird) emphasizes that the league is far more about supporting one another, but each teams are competitors. They play physical and I feel individuals who have not watched them play may need been surprised. I do not know what they expected. Basketball is a physical sport they usually are playing a physical game. They’re competitors. But this doesn’t indicate hostility or anger. People impose this narrative on others. I feel while you look at what (the WNBA) has done collectively and consistently over so a few years, that to me is who they’re. That’s why I feel the video will help. We’ve been doing this for over a yr. So that is how we preface all this controversy, it wasn’t like we desired to tell a selected narrative. We just told the narrative that was already there.

What did you study WNBA players during the filming process?

I used to be moved, inspired and proud of these women. They are intelligent, strategic, persistent, fearless and honest. It would begin to get really hard for them and at some point Layshia Clarendon, who was on Dream at the time, said: “I have to step back for a moment – it’s too much.” Then Sue Bird stepped in. You see them saying that is what I want and you then see people coming and helping.

So I definitely think you see a story of collective motion that’s so mature, mature beyond the years, beyond their years. All this – asking, in search of, begging and persuading. They put all their energy and skill into working to elect a Democratic senator, who then, by the way, flipped the Senate, put Democrats on top of things, and was in a position to vote for (Supreme Court Justice) Ketanji Brown Jackson.

What do you hope latest and seasoned fans alike take away from this documentary?

I hope they’ll see a unique dimension of the league. But I also hope they understand it. We have some really cool sequences where we’re just watching great basketball. So we do not lose basketball for activism. Basketball is there. So I hope people can have an even deeper respect for the W that comes out of this. They can have come for the game, but I feel they’ll come out for the women. So I’m really excited for people to learn just just a little bit more about who some of these other players are. (People) start talking about ‘Say Her Name’ and I feel they’ll mention a couple of more names.

Mia Berry is senior HBCU author at Andscape, covering every part from sports to student-led protests. She’s from Detroit (What’s up, Doe!), a protracted-suffering Detroit sports fan and Notre Dame alum who randomly shouts “Go Irish.”

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Wendy Williams’ predictions about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s relationship resurface after reality star reveals family drama

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Wendy Williams has at all times been unrivaled in the case of predicting celebrity drama.

She once famously shouted out Sean “Diddy” Combs, hinting that something fishy was occurring behind the scenes. So when he was arrested in September 2024, many individuals immediately noticed that this media specialist had been ahead of the curve for years.

It seems that Wendy could have also seen the tip of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s marriage long before it happened.

Wendy Williams’ marriage to Kevin Hunter is on the rocks within the wake of her previous predictions about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s marriage. (Photos: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images; Robert Kamau/GC Images)

AND restored clip The June 13, 2013 episode of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” went viral on TikTok, with fans calling Wendy an “oracle” for predicting Kim and Kanye’s eventual split.

In the video, also available on YouTube, Wendy casually shares her thoughts on their relationship while viewers applaud her for being right.

“What do you think about Kim and Kanye?” – asked Ellen DeGeneres throughout the segment.

Wendy replied, “I mean, I’m pleased for her. She wanted a baby. “I said (please don’t laugh and don’t encourage me), but I said she would be a single mom and he would have a lot of problems.”

Fans immediately understood what gave the impression of a prophecy.

“Wendy said so,” one person wrote within the comments.

Another joked: “Wendy can tell you a joke but she’ll never lie,” while another person declared: “Wendy was an oracle.”

“Wendy tried not to say what was on her mind,” one other fan added.

On YouTube, one viewer excellent“He’s right about Kim and Kanye and this is what’s happening before our eyes.”

Wendy had an undeniable talent for reading celebrities and spilling their “tea,” and her tackle Kardashian and West was no exception.

The couple began dating in 2012, quickly becoming one in all Hollywood’s most famous couples. They welcomed their first child, North, in 2013 and tied the knot in 2014 in a lavish Italian wedding. After the marriage, they’d three more children: Saint, Chicago and Psalm.

In early 2021, Kimye’s relationship fell apart and the influential billionaire filed for divorce after months of speculation about Kanye’s mental problems and public outbursts. The divorce was finalized in late 2022, with the mother awarded primary custody of the youngsters.

Kardashian recently opened up about her experiences with single parenthood on an episode of iHeart’s “What The Winkler?” of November 12. podcast together with her best friend Zoe Winkler, daughter of actor Henry Winkler.

After the comment, it gave the impression of Wendy’s prediction had come true in an uncanny way.

The reality star’s ex-husband and father of kids has been in Asia for months together with his recent wife Bianca Censori, leaving her to lift the youngsters alone. The last public sighting of the youngsters with the “Vultures” rapper was almost two months ago.

During the podcast, Winkler called Kardashian’s situation “crazy.”

As the “Kardashian” star explained why she avoids talking about this topic publicly“These conversations tend to be judgmental,” she said, adding that “I’m basically raising four kids on my own.”

West spends many of the 12 months traveling around Asia together with his second wife, Bianca Censori. Therefore, on a regular basis child-related responsibilities fall on Kim, but she noted that she has great support in the shape of her siblings and mother.

“But sometimes in the middle of the night,” she continued, “when everyone’s sleeping in your bed and kicking you and crying and waking you up — it’s not something I talk about a lot because I feel like there’s always a lot of judgment, otherwise people always they’ll immediately say, “Oh, but you have the means to have nannies and have help.” And I think that no matter what help I get, I’m basically raising four kids on my own.”

The mom also addressed the concept that she had the “resources” to have a military of nannies.

For her, doing many things on her own gives her “bonding time” together with her children. She said. “This is really important to me. (…) Taking them to school every day is just what I have to do, no matter what.”

Kardashian even compared her morning routine to a pit stop in a race. “Brush your teeth, brush your teeth, brush your teeth, OK, get dressed, get dressed, do your hair,” she described.

Regardless of Williams’ previous predictions about what sort of mother Kim could be, several social media users wondered why she did not have the identical revelation when it got here to the turmoil that ended her 22-year marriage.

One person he said“Interesting! But she didn’t see her own marriage fall apart? while another said: “She didn’t expect her marriage to collapse like this!”

The former media activist married Kevin Hunter on November 30, 1999, and filed for divorce in 2019, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce got here after Williams discovered Hunter had welcomed a toddler together with his lover Sharina Hudson. Their divorce was not finalized until 2020.

Hunter received monthly child support checks in the quantity of $250,000 until “The Wendy Williams Show” resulted in June 2022. Due to suspicions about Wendy’s health, she was placed under guardianship. However, her ex-husband, with whom she shares 24-year-old Kevin Hunter Jr., now claims she “falsely concealed” $48 million in reference to their divorce.

During the interview, Kardashian even touched on discipline, mentioning how her son Saint once posted an anti-Kamala Harris message on Instagram and promoted his Fortnite account to hundreds of thousands of followers right after the presidential election.

“It’s like if your child said a bad word or something that made you feel humiliated…” Kim said.

She added: “When Saint took my phone and posted… my publicist texted me, ‘This is what you’re posting on Election Day?’ And I said, “It’s a baby.” He has no idea.

The reality star said that despite all of the pressure she feels about being a single mom, she loves every moment of being a mom.

While Wendy didn’t predict how the Kardashian-West kids would end up, she did nail it when it got here to their parents: Kanye’s lack of reliability and Kim’s deep desire to be a mom.

Reflecting on Wendy’s predictions, fans enjoyed her spot-on insight into Kim and Kanye’s dynamic. As one fan wrote, and many individuals said, “I miss her so much.”


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Lindsay Lohan looks unrecognizable as fans are shocked by her ‘latest face’ in photos

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Former ’90s Disney star Lindsay Lohan is popping heads with her radiant latest look only a 12 months and a half after welcoming her son Luai.

Once known for her rebellious Hollywood antics, the previous child star has undergone a striking transformation that has left fans in awe.

According to reports, she didn’t undergo any cosmetic surgery to attain this latest look, which is as a result of her lifestyle change and wonderful composition.

After years of being a crazy Hollywood child, Lindsay Lohan surprises her fans with a brand new, healthy look. (Photo: Instagram/ @bravowwhl )

Lohan who he didn’t like his freckles in his youth, he now wears them as an indication of self-confidence. However, relating to red carpet appearances, her latest makeup style makes people think that she underwent cosmetic surgery to remove them.

After that, the conversation began appeared this week on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.

The 38-year-old’s radiant appearance marks a pointy departure from her childhood days and shows a girl who has embraced maturity and motherhood with grace and sweetness.

One fan said: “This is a really nice flare and BACK.”

Another added: “I want what she did to her face. It looks AMAZING.”

Even when Extra TV caught up with her on the New York premiere of her latest Netflix holiday movie “Our Little Secret,” people were there out of breath.

Wearing a surprising black dress with a sheer bottom, Lohan had her blonde hair tousled around her shoulders. She walked the red carpet with her husband Bader Shammas and was later met by co-stars Kristin Chenoweth and Ian Harding, as well as her mother Dina and brothers Dakota and Michael Jr.

People in the comments were very enthusiastic about her appearance.

“I do not even recognize her, she’s modified a lot. She looks healthy and joyful,” one person said.

“Wow, some work has been done on her face; however, it also looks healthy,” one other person said.

A 3rd wrote: “I love her new face.”

Lohan was also accused of using Botox as several people continued to indicate the difference in her appearance in recent months.

“Correct!! Looks great but completely different,” one person said.

Others said: “Lindsay is back on top! You look amazing @lindsaylohan,” and added: “I’m so joyful for her. All adults, married and with children. I hope she is so joyful.

Lohan and Bader Shammas have been married since April 2022. Friends of the actress, who has taken a step back from the highlight in recent years, credit her transition to a healthier lifestyle, According to to the Daily Mail.

She reportedly incorporates Pilates exercises, regular workouts and other “natural beauty routines” into her routine.

In addition to lifestyle changes, the “Parent Trap” star dedicates herself to skincare, facials and high-quality makeup to focus on her natural features. The combination of self-care and discipline left fans amazed, with many commenting on her youthful and refined appearance.

An insider allegedly told the web site: “Lindsay didn’t outsource any work. She owes her appearance to a healthy lifestyle. He doesn’t take drugs, eats thoroughly and likes to cleanse.

“She constantly undergoes facials and other natural beauty treatments,” the person said.

“He also does pilates and exercises. He is in better shape than ever,” the praise continued.

This transformation is greater than skin-deep for Lohan, whose journey has been a testament to non-public growth and self-acceptance.

Over the years, Lohan has evolved from a star she closely follows party ways devoted mother and wife.

The “Mean Girl” star’s transformation is an inspiring reminder that individuals can grow up and understand what is going on on. Her journey from a troubled Hollywood past to a glittering, confident present highlights the positive impact of prioritizing health, well-being and self-love.

For fans, her latest look shouldn’t be only external beauty, but in addition a mirrored image of a girl who has found balance and success in her life.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Gary Owen’s response to Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical threat to white comedians talking about black women draws stern warning from fans

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After last 12 months’s defeat to Drake on “Not Like Us,” rapper Kendrick Lamar caused one other storm with the surprise release of his latest album, “GNX.”

The 12-track project, which landed without warning on November 22, caused a storm not just for its good lyricism, but in addition for its sharp commentary on cultural dynamics.

One line specifically from the opening track “Wacced Out Murals” caused controversy: “Don’t let any white comedian talk about a black woman, it’s the law.”

Kendrick Lamar’s recent song features a line that apparently struck a chord with white comedian Gary Owen. (Photos: Kendrick Lamar, Arturo Holmes/MG23/Getty Images, @garyowencomedy/Instagram)

A line from the album’s opening song caused a wave of shock on the Internet. While some thought it was directed at white comedian Andrew Schulz, who has been heavily criticized for his controversial comments about black women, fellow white comedian Gary Owen decided to join the conversation.

Owen, who has been touring with Black comedians because the Nineteen Nineties (including performing popular stand-up specials on BET’s “Comic View”) and has 4 Black children, posted a photograph on his Instagram he wrote“If this is the law, that makes me a criminal.”

This daring move gave the impression of a giant mistake for the “Ride Along” actor, who publicly admitted to cheating on his black ex-wife, allegedly together with his recent black wife, Brianna Johnson. Even today, he talks a lot about his ex-wife, Kenya Duke, during a few of his comedy sketches that she asked him to stop mentioning her.

Likewise, a lot of his 2.1 million fans didn’t feel it.

“Gary, sit down. This is not for you,” one person wrote of their comments section, while one other warned: “Hold carefully lol.”

A 3rd comment read: “You’re too comfortable.”

Two others said: “And this is why you all should stop giving away all these free tickets. Too comfortable in spaces and conversations where he doesn’t belong” and “Yes, I should have kept that in the draft.”

Some tried to distract from the warmth by saying, “He’s talking about Andrew Schulz, you’re good.” Another joked: “You have the get out of jail free card, Gary, however the damage has already been done.

It is unclear whether Owen knew about Schulz’s story and was almost canceled.

In July, Schulz hosted James Duncan and Fuhad Dawodu’s podcast “Shxtsngigs” on his show “Flagrant.”

The group joked about the so-called “black girl effect,” during which black women supposedly “light up” their white boyfriends by improving their style. Schulz went further, joking that black women “complain” and are “stressful.”

Talking about white boys’ recent hairstyles, he said, “they’re shaving their hair because it’s starting to fall out because he’s so stressed out being around this black girl who complains all the time.”

Duncan and Dawodu laughed together before the white comedian continued his joke: “They grow beards because they need a pillow after they get hit. I feel the black girl effect could also be a protective instinct.

Since not one of the Black hosts corrected him or laughed, they were met with a barrage of backlash that forced them to apologize.

Black women around the globe were expected to get up and defend them. Other popular names resembling ESPN host Ryan Clark have weighed in on the controversy.

Clark was quick to dismiss Schulz and stated that perhaps his connections to people like Charlamagne Tha God made him feel “too comfortable.”

Addressing the difficulty on “The Pivot” podcast, he said he didn’t care whether it was a giant deal for Duncan and Dawodu to meet the “Flagrant” host. He also explained the Black woman’s experience and why the joke wasn’t funny.

It seems that is why the “Not Like Us” rapper’s bars just hit the mark.

“GNX” is a conversation that celebrates Lamar’s unparalleled artistry, but in addition opens a dialogue about cultural boundaries, responsibility and respect.

It’s unclear whether Schulz will address the criticism, but one thing is obvious to fans: Kendrick Lamar doesn’t just make music — he speaks out and challenges anyone who says something. Owen might want to take his fans’ suggestion to watch out – this is similar man who almost ended Drake’s profession.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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