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Trey Songz ordered to pay $11 million for beating up a cop

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Trey Songz was ordered to pay $11 million to a police officer who went to pick up his wife from Songz’s hotel room in 2021.

A Las Vegas judge ordered Songz to pay $11 million to Tyrell Dunn who suffered serious injuries during the fracas.

The incident happened in November 2021 when Songz invited a group of women to his hotel room to celebrate his birthday. Dunn later went to the Cosmopolitan Hotel to pick up his wife who was in the room with Songz.

Dunn claimed that his wife called him in distress and yelled for help because she was being held against her will.

When Dunn arrived at the hotel, Songz and his security beat up the Maryland cop after he refused to leave. Dunn sustained multiple injuries including fractured eye sockets, black eyes, and facial abrasions.

In April 2022, Songz was found not guilty of assaulting Dunn in the criminal case. So Dunn filed a civil lawsuit seeking punitive damages for his pain and suffering.

The judge found Songz in default because he refused to respond to the lawsuit. Songz now has 30 days to appeal the default judgment.

It isn’t clear if Dunn and his wife are still married.

Sean Combs’ Bond Hearing Pushed Back Until Next Week

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Sean Combs
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The federal judge overseeing Sean Combs’ third bond hearing has pushed back the hearing until next week. Judge Arun Subramanian is considering Combs’ third request for bail after 2 judges previously rejected his $50 million bond proposal.

According to reports, Combs’ attorneys sent a private security firm to his Upper East Side apartment building to install more cameras. Judge Subramanian said in a letter that the bond proposal “does not come close to ensuring the security of the community.”

Combs hoped to be released from jail before Thanksgiving. He reportedly told family members the food in jail gave him indigestion.

Johnny Nunez/WireImage

In court on Monday, Combs’ lawyers compared the music mogul to his friend President-elect Donald Trump, who was convicted of dozens of crimes before he won re-election.

Trump routinely used social media to speak out against local district attorneys and federal prosecutors. Trump constantly defied gag orders put in place by judges.

Combs’ lawyers said the same standards should apply when it comes to free speech. They said his phone calls from jail fall under freedom of speech.

Combs is accused of using an app banned by the Bureau of Prisons called ContactMeASAP.com. He also allegedly used phone privileges of other inmates to contact people he should not be speaking to.

State prosecutors said Combs should stay in the MDC federal lockup in Brooklyn until his trial in May 2025. They said his release on bond raised concerns about the safety of witnesses and his accusers.

The state cited an alleged “pattern of violence” toward women and his own staff. In their own letter, defense attorneys argued Combs has been unconstitutionally held in jail and silenced since he was first arrested in September.

Drake Files Second Complaint Against UMG Over Kendrick’s ‘Not Like Us’

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Rapper Drake filed a second legal complaint against Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the music corporation of defamation over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.”

In his complaint, obtained by Billboard magazine, Drake said UMG could have stopped the release of a song “falsely accusing him of being a sex offender.”

The second complaint was filed a day after Drake accused UMG of conspiring with Spotify to “artificially inflate” the popularity of “Not Like Us”.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

The Canadian rapper claimed that both companies conspired to make the song more popular than it actually was.

The new filing, made public on Tuesday, said UMG knew that Kendrick’s song “falsely” accused him of being a “certified pedophile” and “predator” but chose to release it anyway.

“UMG… could have refused to release or distribute the song or required the offending material to be edited and/or removed,” Drake’s lawyers wrote. “But UMG chose to do the opposite. UMG designed, financed and then executed a plan to turn ‘Not Like Us’ into a viral mega – hit with the intent of using the spectacle of harm to Drake and his businesses to drive consumer hysteria and, of course, massive revenues. That plan succeeded, likely beyond UMG’s wildest expectations.”

The first lawsuit, filed on Monday, claims UMG potentially “funneled payments” to iHeart Radio as part of a “pay-to-play scheme” to promote the song on the radio.

Drake’s attorneys claim that UMG violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. They also allege deceptive business practices and false advertising under New York state law.

Drake’s lawyers say they already have enough evidence to pursue a “claim for defamation” against UMG, but that they might also add claims of civil fraud and racketeering.

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UMG responded to the filing on Monday, calling the allegations false.

“The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue,” UMG wrote in its response. “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”

The filing also alleges that UMG conspired with other streaming services to boost streaming numbers.

“UMG appears to have used similar tactics with other streaming services. On information and belief, UMG paid, or approved payments to, Apple Inc. to have its voice-activated digital assistant ‘Siri’ purposely misdirect users to ‘Not Like Us.'”

“UMG did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices,” the complaint continues. “It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.”

Many bloggers helped to fan the flames of hysteria over the song. They might be added to the lawsuit later on.

Fury Over Massive Pay Gap Between ‘Wicked’ Stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

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The rumored salaries of “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are going viral – and fans are not happy about the massive pay gap.

Cynthia Erivo, 37, plays Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande, 31, stars as Glinda the Good Witch.

The movie broke a box office record for the best Monday ever in November. The musical raked in $114 million in the U.S., while dominating the box office in the UK and Ireland.

“Wicked” easily beat Denzel Washington’s “Gladiator II” at the domestic box office.

But fans are upset about the salary gap between Wicked’s stars, Ariana and Cynthia.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
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Cynthia – the star of the movie – was reportedly paid $1 million while the supporting actress Ariana is being paid $15 million.

To make matters even worse, actors Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum, who play Madame Morrible and the Wizard, reportedly earned $2 million each.

Michael Kovac/Getty Images

Thankfully Cynthia’s wife, director Lena Waithe, is the breadwinner in the family.

Fans expressed their outrage over the pay disparity on X (Twitter).

One fan tweeted: “Ariana getting paid over $10M more than Cynthia doesn’t sit right with me…”

Another person wrote: “It’s not making sense.”

One fan said Ariana split her $15 million paycheck with Cynthia so she would earn more than a measly $1 million.

But others said the pay gap was still “unfair.”

This is the sweetest interview you will see all week (Video)

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TikTok star Taylen Biggs interviewed Maia Kealoha, the actress who plays Lilo in the upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch movie.

The amazing thing about this interview is the professionalism, maturity and politeness of Taylen, 11, and Maia, 7. These adorable kids will melt your heart.

The video was viewed over 17 million times on TikTok. Be sure and watch the video all the way to the end.

Maia, who was born in Hawaii, was plucked out of grade school for the role of Lilo.

Taylen is more well-known as an Instagram star. She was only 9 months old when she was discovered by a modeling agent. Taylen and her younger sister Aleia have modeled for Kardashian Kids. She was chosen from other Instagram kids for the children’s clothing line owned by Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian.

One Reddit user wrote: “How is this little interviewer more professional than me, whomst could be her grandmother?”

Another person wrote: “I love her interviews. She asks such thoughtful questions and her style is unmatched.”

A third person wrote: “How sweet is the way the interviewer handled her dress? These are two lovely, thoughtful and poised little ladies!”

Watch the video below.

@biggs Queens celebrate Queens like Moana ?? thank you @Maia?Kealoha for this moment! #fyp #foryou #fp #moana2 #disney #liloandstitch #TheRock #maui #hawaiitiktok #dwaynejohnson #biggs #disneyanimation #disneymovies #disneytiktok #kidactor #redcarpet #fpy? #style #moana #disneyprincess #girlboss #queens ? original sound – BIGGS

Judge grants woman’s request to name rapper Takeoff’s mother in sëxual assault lawsuit

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Takeoff and Titiana Davenport
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A California judge granted a woman’s request to substitute late rapper Takeoff’s mother for him in a sexual assault lawsuit.

In the lawsuit, filed in Van Nuys Superior Court, the woman, identified as Jane Doe, alleged Takeoff (born Kirshnik Khari Ball) sexually assaulted her at a house party in Encino, California on June 23, 2020.

On Friday, Judge Huey P. Cotton granted Jane Doe’s motion to name Takeoff’s mother, Titiana Patrice Davenport, as the defendant in the case. In a previous ruling, a Georgia probate judge designated Davenport as the administrator of her late son’s estate.

Doe is seeking $6 million for her pain and suffering.

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Takeoff, 28, a member of the Atlanta rap trio Migos, was fatally shot on Nov. 1, 2022, at a bowling alley in Houston, Texas.

Davenport filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Houston bowling alley where her son was killed. But Judge Cotton delayed the proceedings in that case until Doe’s case is resolved.

According to Doe’s lawsuit, Takeoff made several advances that Doe rejected. She later went to a bedroom to lie down, but despite her saying she was not interested, Takeoff allegedly followed her into the bedroom and “forced himself on her and engaged in sexual intercourse.”

It is not clear if Doe filed a police report.

Wendy Williams Is ‘Permanently Incapacitated’ from Dementia Battle

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Wendy Williams has lost her battle with dementia, according to new documents filed by her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, in a NY court. The documents, obtained by The U.S. Sun, stated that Williams “has been afflicted by early-onset dementia and, as a result, has become cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated.”

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The filing further states, “In January 2022, after becoming aware of a pattern of disturbing events concerning [Wendy’s] welfare and finances, Wells Fargo took the highly unusual step of initiating a guardianship proceeding on its own initiative in the Supreme Court of New York, New York County (the ‘Guardianship Proceeding’), to seek the court appointment of an independent guardian for [Wendy’s] financial affairs.”

A judge appointed legal guardianship to protect Williams’ finances.

MediaPunch / BACKGRID

The revelation about her worsening condition came amid an ongoing legal battle over the Lifetime TV series “Where is Wendy Williams?” The documentary showed the former daytime TV host dealing with alcohol addiction, alongside health and financial issues.

A lawsuit claimed that the TV series exploited Williams, and said that she did not have the ability to consent to the series due to her health ailments.

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The new filing asked the court to redact (conceal) information about her “health, familial relationships, and finances” to preserve her privacy, according to the newspaper outlet.

Williams was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia in 2023. Her mental health conditions were publicly revealed earlier this year.

Meghan Markle Releases Statement Amid ‘Professional Separation’ from Prince Harry

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MEGA/WENN

Meghan Markle issued a statement amid her “professional separation” from Prince Harry after attending another holiday event alone.

Sources in Meghan and Harry’s camp say they are in the midst of a “professional separation” and they are going their separate ways for the holidays.

Meghan released the statement following her solo appearance at a Thanksgiving event last week, without husband Prince Harry.

MEGA

The former “Suits” actress posted the statement on their Archewell website following the Thanksgiving event. She opened up about the “heartfelt dinner” she hosted for Afghan women with their partner organization, Mina’s List.

“This initiative has spent the past year building community through storytelling and creating a safe space for women who have resettled in the US from Afghanistan,” the statement read.

“The evening included a shared meal that encouraged open conversation centered on gratitude and resilience,” she continued.

“The dinner was hosted at Our Place, founded by Shiza Shahid, where the participants were gifted with new cookware for the upcoming holiday season.”

Meghan’s statement comes as Harry attended Invictus Games-related events in Vancouver without Megan last week.

Gregg DeGuire/WWD via Getty Images

Meanwwhile Meghan joined her celebrity pals at a beauty launch event without her husband.

Meghan attended the Highbrow Hippie Launch Party held at Gjelina in Venice, California on Nov. 14 — without Prince Harry. The single mom wore a stylish black, sleeveless pant set for the evening’s event. She is pictured with Kadi Lee (center) and Serge Normant.

Both Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, have attended holiday events separately for the first time since their royal wedding in England in 2018.

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Reports out of England suggest that Harry and Meghan’s marriage is “in a very bad state” and there is no hope of reconciliation.

Harry and Meghan share two minor children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Fans of Prince Harry and Meghan are taking the news hard. A lot of people are upset — and in denial — but divorce is a part of life. Both Meghan and Harry will remain amicable and co-parent their children together.

Krispy Kreme Reveals Merry Grinchmas Doughnut Collection

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Krispy Kreme Grinchmas Collection
Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme reveals a new festive holiday collection of doughnuts (or donuts) including 3 new tasty treats inspired by Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

The doughnut company is offering three new How the Grinch Stole Christmas-themed doughnuts starting on Friday, Nov. 29. The Merry Grinchmas Doughnut Collection is offered for a limited time only!

“Our Merry Grinchmas doughnuts are guaranteed to make even the Grinchiest Grinch smile,” said Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme’s global chief brand officer.

Krispy Kreme Grinchmas Collection
Krispy Kreme

The mouthwatering treats include a new Grinch donut with a rich creamy filling. The donut is dipped in Grinch-green icing with a frosting smirk and glowing yellow eyes.

Other new doughnuts in the Merry Grinchmas Collection includes different characters from the iconic Dr. Seuss story: Grinchy Claus Doughnut and Cindy-Lou Who Merry Berry Tree Doughnut.

Krispy Kreme Grinchmas Collection
Krispy Kreme

Each box of the Merry Grinchmas Doughnut Collection will also come with the fan favorites Santa Belly Doughnut and Holiday Sprinkle Doughnut.

Grinchy Claus Doughnut is an Original Glazed doughnut dipped in chocolate icing, topped with white buttercream, Christmas crispies and Grinch piece.

The Santa Belly Doughnut is an unglazed doughnut filled with white cream, dipped in red icing and decorated with a frosting belt. Fans who prefer a glazed doughnut can opt for the Holiday Sprinkle Doughnut, which is dipped in chocolate icing and holiday sprinkles.

On Dec. 12 Krispy Kreme will bring back their annual 12/12 “Day of the Dozens,” which will offer customers $1 Original Glazed dozen when they purchase any dozen at a regular price.

Food Recalls That Could Affect Your Thanksgiving Dinner

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued food recalls that could affect your Thanksgiving dinner.

Several food items have been identified by the FDA as having been contaminated with the potentially deadly bacteria E.coli.

E.coli can cause food poisoning in undercooked or raw hamburgers or lunch meat. Symptoms of E.coli can include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes fever.

The FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have recalled the following food items for illness outbreaks and potential contamination.

Please review the list of recalled foods carefully to avoid ruining your Thanksgiving holiday.

1. Carrots

food recall

The FDA announced a voluntary recall of organic carrots by Grimmway Farms in California pending an investigation of an E.coli outbreak. Check your food labels. The organic whole carrots were available for retail purchase from Aug. 14 through Oct. 23, 2024, from the following brands: 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O Organics, President’s Choice, Simple Truth, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans and Wholesome Pantry.

If you bought carrots by Grimmway Farms, dispose of them immediately.

2. Ground beef

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The USDA announced on Nov. 20 that Wolverine Packing Co. in Detroit, Michigan, has recalled nearly 168,000 pounds of ground beef that could have been contaminated with E.coli. The fresh meat products have a “use by” date of Nov. 14, 2024, and the frozen products have a labeled production date on Oct. 22, 2024. “These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” the agency said.

3. Ready-to-eat meat

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Yu Shang Food, Inc., located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, recalled nearly 73,000 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products due to possible listeria contamination. The agency warned that these products could be in the refrigerators and freezers of consumers and urged buyers not to consume them.

“These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” the agency said.

Not on the FDA’s list is MrBeast and Logan Paul’s “Lunchly” brand of pre-packaged meals for children. Prepackaged meals are sometimes served at the children’s table during Thanksgiving.

The Lunchly brand went viral recently when moms found mold in the food. If you have Lunchly meals, check the packaging for signs of contamination or damage.