Entertainment
Outrage Grows as Oprah Winfrey Called a ‘Scam’ Over $10M People of Maui Fund While Supporting Kamala Harris Campaign
Oprah Winfrey, 70, stays a polarizing public figure. Her recent endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign sparked outrage amongst critics who’ve criticized Winfrey’s previous, highly publicized charitable efforts.
In August 2023, a series of fires devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui. The OWN founder teamed up with fellow Hollywood mogul Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, 52, to launch the People’s Fund of Maui for residents, initially donating $10 million.
The fiery disaster caused greater than 100 deaths and $5.5 billion in damage, and reportedly displaced about 12,000 people. Winfrey, who owns 1,000 acres of land on Maui, and Johnson, whose Anoaʻi family line comes from neighboring Samoa within the South Pacific, have faced constant criticism over the past 12 months.
“We’ve been meeting with community leaders over the last few weeks to try to figure out what we can do,” Winfrey said on the “Today” show in August 2023.
The Rock added: “In this time of need, you want to take care of people’s biggest need, and that’s to give them money… It’s going to take a long time to rebuild. It’s probably going to get a little worse before it gets a little better. But we’re here, we’re doing what we can.”
Winfrey’s recent appearance on the Democratic National Convention on August twenty first again raised questions on the cash earmarked for Hawaiians.
The X meme account went viral on Aug. 28 after it was reported that Winfrey had donated $150 million to Kamala Harris’ campaign. While “The Color Purple” star endorsed Harris for president, reports of a nine-figure contribution to the Democratic politician are unconfirmed.
“Almost a year ago, Oprah and Johnson faced backlash after asking struggling farmers to donate to a Maui fund they launched to help wildfire victims. Oprah and Johnson pledged $10 million,” one person wrote.
Page X, whose headline features Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, also wrote: “A year later, some wildfire victims still have not been found, hundreds, if not thousands, of Maui residents are still homeless, and the island has yet to be rebuilt.” That X post garnered 2.3 million views in 20 hours.
Many of the responses included unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about Winfrey’s motive. For example, one person It was speculated that the legendary talk show host’s real goal was to “buy out Hawaii.”
Another critic of Winfrey decided‘Oprah is a fraud and a con artist.’ The Rock also got here under fire online after calling himself a ‘free thinker’ and a ‘patriot’ published“She’s a servant of the elite and a tool. I can’t say what I think of Oprah here.”
In contrast, some X users have objected to the narrative that Winfrey gave Kamala Harris’ team $150 million. Someone else he stated“These stupid posts are getting more and more popular. A donation of that size isn’t even legal and you’d at least see it on ABC News.”
Other as well as“So what happened to the amount people donated?”
According to an April 2024 article published in The Journal Associated Press Press AgencyThe People’s Fund of Maui initiative has raised nearly $60 million through the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
The money was reportedly distributed to greater than 8,100 adults between September 2023 and February 2024. The Associated Press also confirmed that greater than 20,000 individuals and corporations have contributed to the fund.
Local Lana Vierra and 10 members of her family lost their homes within the Maui wildfires. The grandmother of 4 told the AP that every one but one of her adult relatives received six monthly payments of $1,200 from the People’s Fund.
Additionally, Honolulu Civil BeatThe online nonprofit news organization previously reported that the primary round of payments from The People’s Fund went out in September 2023 to greater than 5,000 Maui residents.
Fact Checking Website Snopes debunked quite a few accusations related to the People’s Fund of Maui. For example, the positioning flagged as false a rumor that “Aquaman” actor and Hawaiian native Jason Momoa accused Winfrey and The Rock of “stealing money from the poor.”
The Harpo Productions founder delivered a surprising speech on the Democratic convention, where the independent voter discussed her decision to support the previous California senator for president.
“I really care about this country,” Winfrey said. CBS News why she endorsed Harris. The Mississippi-raised billionaire also said, “The most important thing to me is that decency and respect are on the list. And that’s why I was willing to do it.”
Johnson revealed on Trevor Noah’s “What Now?” podcast that he has been approached by multiple political parties about potentially running for president. In an April 2024 interview, Fox NewsThe former WWE wrestler said he won’t endorse any candidate for president in 2024.
Entertainment
Kendrick Lamar Releases Surprise Album ‘GNX’; group chats are going crazy
There are few things more exciting than receiving an infinite barrage of text messages at the very same time in numerous group chats. This normally implies that something vital has happened in popular culture. Well, the exact same thing happened about noon on November 22, within the yr of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four. Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, higher often called Kendrick Lamar, released the album “GNX”, nod towards Buick Grand National Regal GNXa rare muscle automobile released in 1987 – which also happens to be the yr Kendrick was born.
“GNX” is coming to the tip of what has been a banner yr for Kendrick Lamar. From epic diss records geared toward Drake, to creating the largest song of his profession (and a Drake diss track) on “Not Like Us”, to the “Pop Out” concert streaming live to tell the tale Amazon Prime, Kendrick won this yr. He even received seven Grammy nominations, mostly for “Not Like Us.” And this victory will proceed in the brand new yr. In September, it was announced that Kendrick would stay Super Bowl 2025 headliner will happen in New Orleans. This announcement sparked some controversy and comments from several New Orleans legends similar to Juvenile and most notably Lil Wayne, who felt disrespected; Kendrick immediately refers to this topic within the opening song of the album (all stylized in lower case), “wacced out murals”.
The thing is, Kendrick didn’t sleep for many of 2024. And then, while the remaining of us were minding our own business, listening to other albums that had just dropped, like Ice Cube’s “Man Down,” I began receiving text after text… and I knew that would only mean that something vital happened.
At this point in my life (and possibly even yours), Kendrick Lamar releases are a drop-everything-and-listen event. I immediately went to the streaming service, launched “GNX” and pressed “Play”.
I need to admit that the primary time I heard the album I used to be a bit confused. Kendrick has probably never been more popular or famous; if there was ever a time to drag a Kanye West and release his own version of “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” – an album largely produced as Kanye’s best and most representative of Kanye’s greatness – now could be the time. “GNX” has a far more modern West Coast vibe and is certainly more for his die-hard fans than anyone who just began gaining attention due to his beef with Drake. Maybe that was the purpose; possibly not.
Either way, I can imagine that folks whose favorite lines are “OV-Ho” won’t be immediately thrilled. I wasn’t immediately blown away (though very amused by how sensitive Kendrick is to what people say about him on social media, well, everyone), but as is all the time the case with Kendrick albums, repeated listens are likely to correct any immediate monotony that I even have about his projects. For example, now that I’ve listened to it just a few times, I can not wait to listen to black college bands playing “tv off” style, which seems like a cousin of “Not Like Us.” The Shoot, Bayou Classic, which also takes place yearly in New Orleans on Thanksgiving Day, stands out as the first time we hear a band playing “TV off.”
Since the album didn’t come out long enough to be reviewed, group chats and social media were abuzz with immediate reactions. This is the a part of music releases I really like, where everyone seems to be listening to the identical thing, offering premature takes that will not even delay the following day. I’m not different; I’m sure I’ll say something about this album that can sound silly by Monday. Shoot, I can have already done it. But that is what happens when great artists release music. We spend time with others after which we refer to them, analyze them, criticize them, praise them, destroy them and let all our prejudices fly free. Love it.
It’s value noting that certainly one of Drake’s diss tracks that did not appear during last summer’s fracas was titled “The Heart Part 6,” and was an apparent try to usurp Kendrick’s pre-album practice of removing a non-album song titled “The Heart.” Well, Kendrick has a song on his recent album called, you guessed it, “The Heart, Pt. 6,” which I feel will probably be released soon Drake. Good job, Kenny.
Argue.
Entertainment
New music this week: Tyla, Lola Brooke, Coco Jones and more – Essence
Happy Friday, people! Whether you are drinking a warm beverage or preparing for a fun-filled weekend, this week’s latest music releases set the tone. From sensual R&B melodies to powerful hip-hop anthems, these songs have something for everybody.
Coco Jones leads the pack along with her seasonal album, and Tyla offers a heartfelt change of tone with “Tears.” Miguel’s smooth “Always Time” and Jorja Smith’s tender “Stay Another Day” showcase R&B at its finest, while Lola Brooke and Killer Mike turn up the warmth on “Go To Yo Head” and “Warryn’s Groove,” respectively. Today’s list also includes music from Eric Bellinger, Coi Leray, Blxst and more.
Below you possibly can read our list of latest products.
Entertainment
Serena Williams is cutting short divorce talks for a second time after the couple reunited and put months of rumors to rest
Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian are still doing well despite months of unconfirmed divorce rumors.
On November 17, Williams and the Reddit co-founder took a walk down memory lane and tested one another by asking questions on themselves and their family in a recent promotional ad. The couple ate a few of their favorite meals and meanwhile checked their glucose levels using Hello Lingo, a glucose monitoring device.
Nearly five minutes into the recording, Williams tested her husband’s memory by asking, “Who said I love you first?”
Ohanian, who shares two daughters, Olimpia and Adira, with the tennis legend, responds quickly by saying, “Mmm,” before writing his answer on the board.
“It’s like ‘The Newlywed Game,'” Williams said, writing down her answer, referring to the mid-Nineteen Sixties show “The Newlywed Game,” which tested couples who had been married for lower than two years to see if how much they learn about their relationship. amplifier.
Both Williams and Ohanian turn the board over to reveal their answers and, quite shockingly, they received two different answers. Ohanian wrote that Williams said it first, but Williams claims it was Ohanian.
“Come now. Are you going to lie about this? he declared to Williams, who responded with a laugh: “I said I would be honest.”
“That’s not an honest answer,” Ohanian continued. “I still keep in mind that phone call. Oh, you realize I felt the same, but you certainly said it first.
Williams joked: “My glucose levels were high. I ate some ice cream, my glucose level was too high. Then I tell this guy and I feel like saying things I would not normally say. The moment ended with Williams replaying how she told Ohanian those three special words.
Of course, there was no shortage of reactions from fans who showed their love for the couple and how well they interact of their normal element.
One YouTube commenter he wrote“It’s great to see Serena and Alexis in this normal environment, they are so lovely and have great charisma. I love them even more now and I feel great chemistry between them.”
Someone else said: “I liked this part. They seem to really like each other.”
However, as rumors swirled about problems of their marriage, one fan was confused by the video shared on Instagram.
“I thought I read that they got divorced?” he wrote one person in Williams’ comment section.
Someone else also addressed the rumors, writing: “Where are the haters who said divorce was imminent? Sometimes people will be crazy. Seriously, how are you going to even start assuming things like that about people you have never met?
We got married here 7 years ago. Now we will take these two out for donuts. Happy anniversary 🎉 Thank you for giving me two of the best people we’ve got ever met. You are a tremendous mom. I’m very glad to have met you @serenawilliams @olympiaohanian @adiraohanian pic.twitter.com/5ntPujrYDh
— Alexis Ohanian 🇦🇲 (@alexisohanian) November 17, 2024
This summer, fans began speculating that Williams and her seven-year marriage to Ohanian were in trouble after they noticed she hadn’t posted from him on her social media pages in some time.
Moreover, Ohanian was noticeably absent from the June premiere of the documentary “In the Arena: Serena Williams” and was also absent from her side at the Met Gala in May.
But they got back together this summer after they attended the Paris Olympics with their daughter Olympia in July.
Among the many viral moments spent with the Ohanian family, she organizes: umbrella for his wife and the European commentator – who didn’t realize he was her husband – and called Ohanian Serena’s “umbrella holder”.
The tech guru reacted to the moment hilariously by snapping a photo of himself holding an umbrella over himself and his daughter.
Ohanian joked, “I am also a personal Olympia umbrella owner. Sidebar: You all set the bar too low for me and celebrity daddies only get flowers for *admitting* they have kids.”
The proud dad is probably also Adira’s personal umbrella holder.
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