Entertainment
WWE’s Uneven Attempts to Reach Black Fans – Andscape
Pro wrestling has all the time had an advanced relationship with race, largely due to its history of using stereotypes and derogatory portrayals of athletes. For a long time, World Wrestling Entertainment, America’s largest pro wrestling company, has exploited offensive themes of black wrestlers in its programming while stifling the recognition of a few of its most talented black stars. In recent years, the corporate has showcased talents comparable to Kofi Kingston, Bobby Lashley, Bianca Belair and more, awarding them championships and mainstream attention for his or her efforts. However, there remains to be unrest amongst fans who proceed to demand more representation higher up on WWE cards. Last week, the corporate openly responded to these concerns by incorporating Black culture into its shows and tipping its hat to WWE’s most loyal Black fans. The results show how far WWE has are available Black representation and what obstacles lie ahead.
The first sound you hear while watching WWE’s October 5 premium live event in Atlanta is Future rapping the lyrics “my b— with it too” from the album “GTA” from his album with Metro Boomin. As the song plays over the State Farm Arena speakers, WWE announcer Michael Cole recaps the show’s matches and cuts to a video skit featuring WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and WWE Hall of Famer and the corporate’s Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque having Metro Boomin as an envoy series. The live event was hosted by Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair and Naomi, a triumvirate of Black female wrestlers who’ve develop into a number of the sport’s biggest stars, often gaining popularity with their Black Girl Magic brand of wrestling.
The event felt like a celebration of the Black fans who were there the idea of WWE’s popularity and current viewership and revenue growth – just take a look at all of the hashtags and comments on social media for a given episode , or . However, Bad Blood was not without justified criticism from Black fans. The show didn’t feature any black wrestlers in any matches. Cargill, Belair and Naomi are the one Black wrestlers to perform at top-quality live events in months, and there was no Black singles champion on WWE’s major roster throughout 2024. Black wrestlers have also been absent from major feuds within the WWE company.
The juxtaposition of a live event that brought together black fans in a black city with black entertainers from that city while there have been no black wrestlers within the ring was too obvious to ignore. At the post-WWE press conference, Levesque, WWE’s chief creative officer, was asked in regards to the lack of black characters within the series. His answer it was disappointing.
“I don’t see a difference in anyone. I don’t see color, I don’t see nationality, I don’t see any of that. I just see talent. I don’t see any difference between men and women. I see talent,” Levesque said. “We tell stories about these talents, how they handle them, how they can represent them and how we can develop them. I don’t follow all this. I do what’s important and what’s best, what’s best in storytelling and what’s best delivered, and that’s what happens. It is no different than the men and women who are the main events. Whatever the biggest stories are, that’s where we’re going to go.”
The response was immediate and justified. Levesque’s use of the “I don’t see color” trope was as lazy and dismissive a response as possible. Not seeing colours is just not seeing the experiences that make us who we’re. And not seeing color in an industry that relies heavily on degrading characters due to color of their skin is an insult.
If you squint, you may see the problem in highlighting Black talent from a WWE perspective. Some of this was down to bad luck: the corporate’s next big black star, Big E, in 2022, he suffered a profession-threatening broken neckderailing his profession and leading to the demise of his group The New Day. So much of the corporate’s television time is taken up by The Bloodline storyline, led by Roman Reigns and his Samoan brothers, leaving a live broadcast that does not engage them or the wrestlers of their ecosystem at a premium. At the identical time, there was an exodus of black talent from WWE, with wrestlers comparable to Ricochet, Lashley and MVP leaving the corporate and moving to rival AEW. However, it’s also a mirrored image of their dissatisfaction with being a component of WWE and the way they were treated by the corporate.
Still, Levesque’s comments stunned the corporate into realizing they needed to send a greater message. So on October 8, WWE opened the printed at showcasing every black champion in the corporate — Women’s Tag Team Champions Cargill and Belair, Champion Trick Williams and NXT North American Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan — stand within the ring at the identical time. Friday featured a women’s tag team championship match between Cargill and Belair and the tag team of Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson. This can be the primary time 4 black women competed for the tag team championships in WWE history, which was confirmed on-air by the announce team.
Bad Blood and Levesque’s follow-up to the disastrous press conference was an excellent-faith gesture from an organization that understands it must do right by its black fans, even when it has stumbled to this point. At the very least, the willingness to truly embrace black viewers is a step in the best direction for an organization that has long insulted black fans without even fascinated by trying to fix it. Still, WWE has a great distance to go to get to a spot where more black faces are more visible in major events with championships at stake. With a flood of black talent and an organization that could be very aware of the necessity to highlight that talent, it looks like it’s only a matter of time before black wrestlers return to the highest of the cardboard, however it needs to be an urgent goal that WWE needs to prioritize to ensure that potential stars to develop into mainstream players.
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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