Celebrity Coverage
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Arrested in New York After Grand Jury Indictment – Essence
Photo credit: Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images
Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested Monday night on the Park Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan after being indicted by a grand jury, authorities said. Combs, who has faced multiple sexual assault lawsuits and a federal human trafficking investigation over the past 12 months, was detained by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, CNN reports.
The specific charges against the music mogul remain unclear, but U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams confirmed the arrest in a press release. “Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY,” he said. “We expect to file a motion to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time.”
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, criticized the choice to file charges, calling the indictment “unfair.” According to the report, Agnifilo said, “We are disappointed with the decision to bring what we believe is an unfair indictment against Mr. Combs by the United States Attorney’s Office. Sean “Diddy” Combs is a music icon, a self-made entrepreneur, a loving family man, and a proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years constructing an empire, adoring his children, and dealing to uplift the black community.”
Agnifilo continued by emphasizing his client’s cooperation with investigators, adding, “To his credit, Mr. Combs has cooperated with this investigation and voluntarily moved to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve judgment until you know all the facts. These are the actions of an innocent man who has nothing to hide and is eager to clear his name in court.”
Combs, 54, has been under intense scrutiny in recent months, and the arrest is the most recent in a series of legal challenges he has faced. The federal investigation features a human trafficking probe and a series of sexual assault lawsuits. In one in all the most recent cases, former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard filed a lawsuit on Sept. 10 accusing Combs of verbal abuse, sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Earlier this 12 months, Homeland Security agents raided Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami as a part of a human trafficking investigation. HSI confirmed the searches in a press release, saying, “Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York conducted the law enforcement action as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.”
Combs also got here under fire in May when CNN released a video of him physically attacking his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, in 2016. The video was consistent with allegations made in lawsuit filed by Ventura in November 2023. Although the lawsuit was settled the day after it was filed, it added to a growing list of legal issues the entrepreneur has faced.
Celebrity Coverage
Judith Jamison’s iconic moments of beauty and dance – the essence
Getty Images
Judith Jamison, American dancer and former artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, died over the weekend at the age of 81. According to Christopher Zunner, Ailey’s spokesman, announced that Jamison died Saturday in New York after a brief illness surrounded by close friends.
Jamison began studying ballet at the age of six at the Judimar School of Dance. After years of dedication and practice, she joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1965. There, for 15 years in a row, she became one of the most eminent soloists.
After her time there, she appeared as a guest dancer with various ballet corporations and on Broadway. Ultimately, Jamison returned to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as artistic director, a position she held for 21 years and was later promoted to creative director emeritus.
Not only was she an icon on stage and in her choreography, but she was also a source of inspiration with timeless beauty. Her first performance of the legendary song “Revelations” was in 1970, when she rocked wing eyeliner, daring eye shadow and long eyelashes. She then traveled to the UK in 1973 to perform at their Alvin Ailey studio, wearing natural hair and no makeup. The dancer wore a head wrap with minimal makeup the following yr at the New York premiere.
In 1978, she performed Ailey’s legendary dance “Cry” along with her natural hair – which he choreographed in honor of his mother and dedicated to black women. In 1979, she played Carola Polakov Resort, showing off her natural chocolate skin in Ready to Wear Advance. In her Broadway debut, she played the lead in Sophisticated Ladies, wearing red lipstick, eyeliner and long eyelashes. Fast forward to 2018, Jamison attended Black Girls Rock 2018 wearing striking eyeliner and a bald head to just accept the Living Legend Award.
And he’s an everlasting legend. We are endlessly grateful for Jamison’s work and inspiration through various mediums. Her legacy will survive. Below, to have a good time Jamison’s beautiful life, a compilation of some of her most inspiring beauty moments over the years.
Celebrity Coverage
Young, talented and winning: Coco Gauff becomes youngest WTA Finals champion in 20 years with historic victory – Essence
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – NOVEMBER 09: Coco Gauff of the United States poses with the Billie Jean King trophy after defeating Qinwen Zheng of China in the singles final on the last day of the WTA Finals in Riyadh as a part of the Hologic WTA Tour 2024 at King Saud University Arena, November 9 2024 in Riyad, Saudi Arabia (photo by Robert Obrazy Prange/Getty)
Coco Gauffstar power just reached a brand new level. In a 12 months in which she established herself as one of the crucial dynamic forces in tennis, she wrapped up her tally in historic style.
Gauff once more made history by becoming the youngest player in twenty years to win the celebrated WTA Finals held in Riyad, Saudi Arabia (the last feat was achieved by Maria Sharapova in 2004). In a season characterised by determination, resilience and record-breaking performances, the 20-year-old defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen in a tough-fought three-set match.
In addition to winning the WTA Finals, she has now won the largest single prize in WTA history – a staggering $4.8 million, in response to Tennis Channel. After she secured victory, Gauff reflected on the record-breaking nature of her victory. “I asked (about the record) right after I received the match,” she said. “Was he the youngest? This must be some kind of record.”
Reflecting on the milestone, she added: “It’s pretty cool. “It just goes to show that age is a number in both cases, old and young.”
WTA Finals victory builds on the momentum Gauff has built in 2023 first Grand Slam victory on the US Opencementing her rapid ascent in the tennis world. For fans who’ve followed her since she burst onto the scene at age 15, Gauff’s rise has been a masterclass in patience, determination and learning from failure. Her victory in the WTA Finals was not a straight path; in her last match, she lost the primary set before coming back with the tenacity she is thought for and ultimately securing the 2024 WTA title.
Out of court, Gauff spoke openly concerning the labor and mental strength it took to get up to now. Surrounded by a robust support system, she is quick to understand her team and family – those that have been by her side because the starting of her journey. She knows her victories reverberate off the court and she welcomes the responsibility, seeing her success as a chance to encourage and uplift.
While her recent victories have been monumental, this appears to be the start of an extended and promising journey – one in which Gauff may redefine what it means to be a tennis star. For Gauff, that is only the start.
Celebrity Coverage
Jason Lee from “Hollywood Unlocked” wins the bid for California city hall
On November 5, celebrity blogger and reality star Jason Lee was elected to the Stockton, California, city council. Lee ran for the District 6 seat, defeating Vice Mayor Kimberly Warmsly.
Lee posted a celebratory message on Instagram thanking voters and emphasizing his commitment to improving the Stockton community.
“I am deeply honored to have earned the support and trust of my neighbors, my hometown voters, and you.”
“Now I begin the work of creating safer and stronger communities, improving our quality of life and charting our next chapter,” he said.
According to . He moved out of the city in his youth and has been traveling around the world ever since. Still, Lee believes the city government isn’t doing a satisfactory job of caring for the community.
“I just grew up in south Stockton I knew my friends were there (and) my grandmother was there. We had a good time and then there were funerals,” Lee said. “Unfortunately, until I left South Stockton and saw the world, I didn’t really understand how South Stockton had been neglected for decades…I’m not saying there wasn’t some work, but there wasn’t much of it.”
Lee says running for office reminds him of his life before entertainment.
“Running for office reminded me of when I worked for the Union for 11 years at SEIU. It’s really purposeful work,” Lee states. “But being able to help people in my community where I grew up, where my family still lives and where I returned is the most important thing to me. This is my passion.”
The newly elected city councilor showed that he is not going to give in to pressure and is able to defend his beliefs in business. Recently, Lee became famous after his clash with music mogul Jay-Z.
Following the allegations against music executive Sean “P Diddy” Combs, Lee opened up about the power of Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s alleged transgressions.
The podcast host claims that Jay-Z’s associates continuously contact him and he is not going to be intimidated by threats.
“JAY-Z, I know you’re watching because people are calling me. Stop having people call me. You can call me yourself, you know how to get my number. People call me. Call me yourself because this is going to go viral over here,” Lee said.
“I will tell you the audience that if I do go missing, all the calls I get are about him,” he continued.
Congratulations to Lee on his recent political journey.
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