Celebrity Coverage
Love, basketball and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ historic winning streak – here’s why you should care – the essence
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 22: Coco Jones and Ella Mai attend the Coco Jones Tour with Ebony Riley at The Fonda Theater on August 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Interscope Records)
Listen, I understand. Basketball is probably not your thing.
But you haven’t got to be a basketball fan to understand a very good story, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are serving us one among the better of the season.
After an undefeated 15-0 start, they’re on the right track one step away from making NBA historyand tonight they’ll face the defending champion Boston Celtics in a game that got the crowd excited. But here’s the real tea: It’s not nearly basketball. We’re talking a couple of team that embraces NBA legends and gets into the same discussion as the most dominant teams we have ever seen.
First, let’s discuss star power. Cavs star Donovan Mitchell doesn’t just dominate on the court – he’s turn into the subject of great relationship speculation that has everyone talking. From the end of 2023 there are rumors about his relationship with Coco Jonesthe Grammy Award winner who first caught everyone’s attention along with her breakout role in the “Bel-Air” reboot. Their potential relationship has sent the web right into a frenzy – two rising stars at the top of their game, each breaking barriers in music and sports.
Add the Celtics star to the mix Jayson Tatum is in a relationship with one other R&B queen, Ella Maiand today’s duel suddenly aroused greater interest in us. At just 25 years old, Tatum is already carrying the weight of Boston’s basketball legacy, and we love his relationship with Mai, who was rumored to have welcomed a baby boy with Tatum over the summer. She also recently released an EP titled ‘3’ which is claimed to be dedicated to her boo.
But let’s get back to the Cavs. This team doesn’t just win – it dominates. Their 15-0 start gives them the second-best streak in NBA history, putting them in the same league as the legends. If they win tonight, they shall be 16-0 and inch closer to the all-time record set by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors. With head coach Kenny Atkinson setting the record for many consecutive wins to begin his latest job, this team must rewrite what it means to take the field.
And while Donovan Mitchell leads the way on the court, let’s not forget the Cavaliers’ secret weapon: the quirky social media mascot referred to as Victory Frog. What began as a funny meme has turn into a full-fledged phenomenon, with fans crediting the cartoon amphibian with the band’s unstoppable energy. Think of it as a Cavs good luck charm and a straightforward solution to take part on social media discussions without having to know any of the basketball jargon.
Tonight, Cleveland will face its hardest challenge ever against Boston, which boasts an 11-3 record and one among the league’s brightest stars, Jayson Tatum. Tatum scores a wide ranging time beyond regulation victory, proving he knows perform under pressure and reminding everyone why he is taken into account one among the most clutch players in the league. However, with Cleveland’s historic streak and Donovan Mitchell playing a few of the best basketball of his profession, the Cavs are determined to take care of their undefeated status.
If you’re wondering why this is very important to you, consider it this fashion: sports are culture. They connect with music, fashion and social media in ways in which create shared moments. Whether it’s Coco Jones cheering for her man, fans turning the Victory Frog right into a viral sensation, or the Cavs making history in real time, there’s something about this team that feels larger than basketball. Plus, in case your man is glued to the TV tonight, you can throw in an informal query: “Did you know Donovan Mitchell is dating Coco Jones?” and he’ll think that you know something, something (or a minimum of he’ll give you a sideways look)!
So tune in or try the highlights – it is not each day you get to witness history being made. And if basketball’s still not your thing, a minimum of you know the playlist: Coco and Ella Mai don’t give a rattling.
Celebrity Coverage
Beyoncé to star in Netflix’s Christmas NFL Christmas game – Essence
Photo credit: Julian Dakdouk for Parkwood Entertainment
This holiday season, fans will have the opportunity to unwrap a vacation gift like no other: Beyoncé will take the stage at Netflix’s inaugural NFL Christmas Game on December 25. The superstar will perform during halftime of the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium at 4:30 PM ET.
Marking her return to her hometown, Ms. Knowles-Carter’s performance shall be her first live performance of songs from her genre-defying, record-breaking album. The project, which recently earned 11 Grammy nominations, is now essentially the most nominated album by a female artist in history. Produced by Parkwood Entertainment and Jesse Collins Entertainment, the halftime show guarantees to be truly spectacular.
The legendary musician announced the news through her social media account, with the easy signature: “HOUSTON, TEXAS – 12/25/24.” Beyoncé’s history in the NFL is stuffed with stories and icons. Her electrifying Super Bowl performances in 2013 and 2016 remain cultural touchstones, drawing tens of millions of viewers and cementing her status as a halftime legend.
Netflix’s holiday lineup can even feature the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers game at 1 p.m. ET, continuing the NFL’s holiday tradition of holiday games. The partnership between Netflix and the NFL signals the start of what is predicted to be an annual event, with releases scheduled for 2025 and 2026.
Celebrity Coverage
‘This My Girl’: DeVon Franklin Introduces His New Lady
Arnold Turner/Getty Images on the 14th Annual Merge Awards
DeVon Franklin has a surprising woman on his arm.
The film producer, creator and minister appeared together with his recent girlfriend on the Merge Awards ceremony in early November, awarded to individuals who successfully mix faith with work within the entertainment industry. While talking to Brand Jasmine on the carpet, Franklin had coach Maria Castillo by his side. When asked if she can be his date for the evening, he went one step further.
“Is this my date? Absolutely. That’s my girl,” Franklin said. Impressed, the reporter then asked why it was so important to communicate clearly and “talk life” when you talk about the people in your life. He emphasized that calling her a “date” would mean she’s just a short lived presence in his life, but she’s way more than that.
“It’s critical. Sometimes you say “date” and it’s like “oh yeah, great, but that means a while.” When I say she’s my girl, I say it’s a commitment,” he said. “I think it’s very important when we commit to not getting in the way of verbalizing it, vocalizing it, especially in relationships. Because there are so many forces that can cause division and insecurity, it is critical that we communicate and clearly articulate our commitments.”
However, the awards ceremony was not their red carpet debut. In October, a few month after rumors began that they were dating, they went to The Pink Awards at The House of Hope Atlanta. They also looked great together on the event, which honors breast cancer survivors, their supporters and more.
Castillo is a preferred trainer for celebrities equivalent to Angela Simmons. She is understood for her Flawed & FIT program and has over 125,000 followers on Instagram. It comes from the Dominican Republic.
The last person Franklin was publicly related to was his ex-wife Meagan Good. He was married to the actress from 2012 until they announced their split in 2021. Shortly after the divorce was finalized, Good began dating actor Jonathan Majors. Earlier this 12 months, Franklin said that while the divorce had temporarily shaken up his belief system, he still had love for the actress and all the time would.
“Love is eternal. That’s why my love for her doesn’t end with marriage,” he told Nick Cannon. “My commitment to her well-being remains intact.”
But he also had no problem being honest and admitting how needed it was for him to confront the pain he felt after the top of their relationship. Doing this job gave him a positive perspective on things.
“I would not say it didn’t work. I would not say it didn’t work out,” Franklin said of their then-surprising ending. “Because perhaps he did exactly what he was attempting to do. This was also a perspective I needed to learn as I went through my recovery process.
Perhaps every thing happened that led them to the people they’re each with now. Either way, we’re glad each parties are moving on and finding love again.
Celebrity Coverage
Lena Waithe’s ‘Legacy Talk’ Podcast Celebrates the Stories, Strength and Influence of Black Women – Essence
Courtesy of Lemonada Media
Lena Waithe doesn’t just aim to entertain together with her latest project – she’s keen to create real connection, each public and deeply meaningful, about legacy and impact. With his recent podcast The Emmy-winning creator invites listeners into intimate conversations with the most influential women of color in the industry. “These aren’t just interviews,” he says. “These are conversations – you get a chance to listen to two black women really having fun and having a dialogue.”
Produced by Hillman, graduatethe series delves into the journeys of iconic characters akin to Sheryl Lee Ralph, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Jada Pinkett Smith and Debbie Allen. For Waithe, these guests are greater than just celebrities; these are individuals who had a huge effect on her life. “These are all women I know and are currently in the community with,” she explains. “But before I met them, I watched them, admired their work and was inspired by it.”
This program is greater than only a profession retrospective; is a tribute to the creativity and resilience that fuel these extraordinary women. The series offers listeners insight beyond industry insights, allowing them to attach with these women’s life journeys and understand how their experiences shape their artistry.
Preparing for every episode required Waithe to deeply immerse herself in her guests’ work. For example, before her session with Jada Pinkett, Smith revisited movies like , and others, discovering recent perspectives and ideas for conversation. “I can’t talk about everything because each podcast would be 10 hours long,” Waithe states. “But I really wanted to focus on a few projects where I felt like there was a theme or something unique that was worth exploring.”
During a one-on-one conversation with Jada, Waithe mentioned one of her co-stars, prompting an emotional response that surprised each women. “You never know what recalling a memory will bring to someone,” he reflects. This moment captures the essence of the series – it’s about reaching out to individual stories and witnessing the stories that bring them to life, each for the speaker and the listener.
A partnership between Hillman Grad and Lemonade media went easily, and each teams were committed to amplifying marginalized voices through storytelling. Waithe expresses her appreciation for the network, saying, “They’ve been great at finding brands and companies that make sense to me and what these conversations are really about.” This collaboration reinforces the series’ goal of preserving narratives and wisdom often missed by mainstream platforms.
The podcast celebrates the power of dialogue and the value of mentorship. Waithe anticipates that listeners across generations will feel inspired by this exchange and encourages them to succeed in out to their mentors, even in the event that they will not be recorded. “I hope to inspire people to talk to each other,” he says.
For Waithe, it’s a reminder that connecting with our inner selves allows us to create from a spot of authenticity. She hopes her listeners can even absorb this data. “It’s not just career advice — it’s their stories,” he says. The journeys of these extraordinary women are closely linked to their creative work, showing that legacy isn’t about fame; it’s about the memories we make and the lives we touch along the way.
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