Sabrina Carpenter released her eagerly awaited sixth studio album, Short n’ Sweet via Island Records on Friday.
Short n’ Sweet spawned the chart topping hits “Please Please Please”, “Espresso”, and her new single “Taste.”
Pop superstar Taylor Swift shouted out her former Eras Tour mate on Friday, saying, “Go Support Our Girl!”
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Taylor Swift wrote on social media, “Short. Sweet. Has made an extraordinary album.”
Sabrina was Taylor’s opening act on the Eras Tour’s Latin American, Asian and Australian dates.
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Short n’ Sweet showcases Sabrina’s show stopping vocals and has been poised as one of the most anticipated albums of 2024. Short n’ Sweet represents the pop superstar’s culmination of a historic year.
Sabrina, 25, made her “Saturday Night Live” debut in May on the season finale where she performed “Espresso” and “Feather/Nonsense.” Her highly anticipated sixth studio album, Short n’ Sweet, is out now.
Watch the music video for Sabrina’s hit single “Espresso” below.
The U.S. Secret Service suspended multiple agents after former President Donald Trump was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July.
5 Secret Service agents were placed on paid suspension amid an ongoing investigation into the shooting.
The suspended agents include one from Trump’s personal security team and four from the Pittsburgh field office, including the head agent in charge that day.
Trump’s ear was grazed by a bullet as he spoke to supporters at an outdoor rally on July 13. The 20-year-old shooter was able to get off 8 shots with a high-powered rifle before he was killed by a sniper.
One rally attendee died and two others were injured in the shooting.
The 5 agents had been reassigned to administrative desk duties immediately after the shooting, CNN reported.
“The U.S. Secret Service is committed to investigating the decisions and actions of personnel related to the event in Butler, Pennsylvania and the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump,” said Anthony Guglielmi, U.S. Secret Service chief of communications, in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “The U.S. Secret Service’s mission assurance review is progressing, and we are examining the processes, procedures and factors that led to this operational failure.”
On Aug, 21, Trump held his first outdoor rally since the shooting. He was surrounded by bulletproof glass at the rally.
The Washington Examiner reported the former president stepped from behind the glass to help an elderly attendee who passed out from the heat.
Trump shook the woman’s hand and gave her a hug as he called for a doctor to check on her. Trump noted that many of his supporters waited for days in the sweltering heat to attend his rally.
Wonderful man doing wonderful things! Trump hugs lady that passed out! In North Carolina Today. pic.twitter.com/GcWrbwNwfP
Judge Greg Mathis is back on the market. His wife, Linda Reese Mathis, filed for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences.”
Linda Mathis listed the date of their separation as July 17, 2024. She applied for spousal support and she asked the court to waive her requirement to pay spousal support to Mathis.
It is unclear if the couple had a prenuptial agreement in place.
Linda earned income in a reality TV series titled “Mathis Family Matters” on E! Network. The series aired after Mathis retired from his daytime Emmy Award-winning reality court show “Judge Mathis.”
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The Mathises are pictured in Nov. 2022 with sons Amir (right), Greg Jr. (2nd from left) and Greg Jr.’s boyfriend, Elliott Cooper (left).
In the TV series, Mathis said his marriage to Linda and his family were his greatest achievements.
“The star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is certainly my highest professional achievement,” he said. “But I got to say, it was really my family that was the foundation of my success. After coming out of the streets in Detroit, Linda allowed me to work 15 hours a day, 5, 6 days a week, so it’s that support that allowed me the success that you see.”
“Our love and support runs deep,” Linda Mathis added. “That’s how the Mathis family rolls.”
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The couple met in college. They were married 39 years and shared four children, Jade, 39, Camara, 36, Greg Jr., 35, and Amir, 34.
In an interview, Mathis said he had a “wholesome family” who never fight.
“We are a whole family, a wholesome family,” he said. “We all have our flaws, but we don’t fight. Never have… If we have to fight, the answer is no [to returning].”
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Linda agreed, adding, “Black families are great families and no, they’re not filled with inner fighting… We want to have a strong influence on our community and show that.”
However, sources say the final straw for Linda came when Mathis made derogatory remarks about Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in an interview in July.
The former criminal court judge called Harris “corrupt” and said she slept her way to the top. Sources say the ex couple had different opinions about Harris and politics in general.
FYI: Video contains language that may be offensive to some viewers.
Judge Joe Brown calls Kamala Harris a piece of sh*t and calls her an old hoe.
COVID vaccine mandates, facemasks, and lockdowns are making a comeback.
Vice President Kamala Harris has set COVID vaccine mandates for all campaign workers.
The Harris-Walz campaign requires staffers to be “up to date” on COVID vaccines.
Coincidentally, just this week the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) signed off on new COVID boosters from Pfizer and Moderna.
ABC News reports: “The FDA approved and granted emergency use authorization Thursday for updated COVID-19 vaccines for the upcoming fall and winter season.”
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) urges everyone ages 6 months and older to get vaccinated.
Shipments of the new vaccines could be available in Walgreens and CVS stores by Monday.
The COVID injections target “new variants” according to REUTERS.
“Vaccination continues to be the cornerstone of COVID-19 prevention,” said Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
“Given waning immunity of the population from previous exposure to the virus and from prior vaccination, we strongly encourage those who are eligible to consider receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine to provide better protection against currently circulating variants.”
Prior to 2020, previous exposure to a virus provided some protection to a virus – even better protection than vaccines. However, the CDC changed the definition of vaccination in 2021.
If COVID SHOTS were to save our lives, then why isn’t CHEMO FREE? Why isn’t INSULIN FREE? pic.twitter.com/tss6FS7V0C
For hours, the Democratic National Convention teased that Beyonce would be the “celebrity guest” on Thursday night.
“BEYONCÉ PERFORMING AT DNC’S FINAL NIGHT!!!” TMZ announced in all caps.
NBC Chicago wrote: “Did White House political director just drop major hint about Beyoncé DNC appearance?”
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“Beyoncé to perform at Democratic convention: read a headline at The Hill.
“SHE’S THERE!!!!!!” the X account @beyoncepress announced, alongside a video of a black SUV driving through Chicago’s River North neighborhood escorted by a police motorcade.
Americans who stayed up late (while the rest of us were asleep) expected to see Beyonce and Taylor Swift endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. Instead, it turned out that Harris herself was the celebrity guest.
Harris made a surprise appearance on Monday night at the DNC. She stood onstage and waved to the half empty seats in the building. The Democrats needed the DNC to go out with a bang on Thursday night when Harris accepted the nomination.
Instead, Harris walked onstage to the sound of Beyonce’s “Freedom.” But Beyonce wasn’t walking alongside her.
I’m told the Democrats tried their best to get Beyonce there. They probably begged and pleaded with Michelle Obama to call Beyonce.
Columnist Laura Bassett wrote: “teasing a huge surprise guest and leaking that it’s both beyonce and taylor swift just to get people to tune in is actually kind of funny.”
Another Twitter user wrote: “In case you haven’t figured it out yet, you were duped. The Democrats screwed you all again. There was no George W Bush, Taylor Swift or Beyoncé. Never was. The surprise guest all along was Kamala Harris! They are openly mocking you, gaslighting you.”
They wanted to fill seats. Without a celebrity performing, they wouldn’t have been able to fill enough seats, to fool the public into thinking she’s popular.
A third user wrote: LIES: “Democrats lied to media outlets and to voters that Beyoncé and possibly another ‘special’ guest would perform ahead of Kamala Harris’s speech. CNN reveals it was all a lie to get people to watch.”
TMZ later admitted they falsely reported Beyonce’s appearance at DNC: “We got this one wrong.”
People will hold out hope Beyonce is coming out until the final balloon hits the floor. pic.twitter.com/XgzQ6Ks9gZ
It’s been a tough few weeks for singer/actor Tyrese who suffered a mental breakdown on social media recently.
Tyrese is stressed out because his ex-wife, Samantha Lee, wants to increase her child support to $40,000 a month.
“I’m doing the best I can with every 24 hours I get,” Tyrese told The Breakfast Club co-host Charlamagne. “I don’t need no tissue. Black men cry,” Tyrese said through tears.
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Tyrese and his second wife, Samantha Lee, separated in 2020 after four years of marriage. They share a 6-year-old daughter named Soraya.
A judge ordered the “Fast & Furious” star to pay Samantha $10,000 a month in child support. Additionally, he was ordered to pay over $630,000 in back child support and lawyer fees.
Now 2 years later, Samantha is back in court seeking an increase in her child support.
In a new video, Tyrese complained that Samantha earns $150,000 on social media. He said her attorney demanded his bank records and tax returns.
“Are you not aware of the damage that you caused?” he said, referring to Samantha.
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“I just got another letter from her lawyers requesting that I send over all of my tax returns and all of my bank statements. Because she’s trying to get $20,000, and I think they’re trying to take it up to, like [$40,000],” he said.
“They’ve been looking at all of my movies and all of the shows I’ve been doing, and they’re over there like bloodsucking lawyers, rubbing their hands. Samantha’s doing the same thing – rubbing her hands.”
“I’m out here stressed the f*** out,” he added.
Tyrese admits he's stressed out and says his baby mama, who makes close to $150k a year from social media, is trying to increase his monthly child support payments to $40k. pic.twitter.com/PRGypl4f8R
Sexyy Red is the latest artist to cancels shows due to low ticket sales. The raunchy rapper was forced to cancel multiple dates in Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon.
Last month, the “SkeeYee” rapper denied rumors that her “Sexyy Red 4 President Tour” was canceled due to low ticket sales. She claimed major promoters were trying to sabotage her tour because she’s using a Black promoter.
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“My fans are buying tickets we’re doin just fine,” she wrote. “We not canceling no tour dis cancelling sh*t all cap.
Unfortunately, she spoke too soon.
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Critics blamed Sexyy Red’s promoter for booking arenas instead of club dates for the C-list rapper.
According to reports, cities in the South are selling better than other venues in the North and Midwest where Sexyy Red is booked to perform.
Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
R&B crooner Usher was forced to postpone the opening dates of his “Past Present Future” tour in Atlanta due to low ticket sales. Fans gagged at the ticket prices that ranged from $249 to $886.
Fans made the easy choice between buying groceries and gas or concert tickets.
Usher’s three Atlanta shows were rescheduled for December. Ticket prices are slashed in half for the December shows.
It isn’t clear if concertgoers who previously purchased full price tickets will get half of their money back for the December shows.
Juvenile accused American Airlines of unfairly bumping him from first class to coach. The rapper chose to get off the plane rather than move to a coach seat.
Juvenile shared video of his encounter with American Airlines employees who politely asked him to change seats.
The 49-year-old “Back Dat Azz Up” rapper was on the flight with his wife, Shadonna Jones. But only Juvenile was asked to move.
“We have the seats,” Jones said to the employees. “I’m his wife, so how could you downgrade him and I can still stay?”
A flight attendant told Jones she was going off of the information in her system.
Juvenile addressed his fans on a livestream video. “Man, they trynna kick me off the plane y’all,” he said. “They trynna take me out of first-class.”
“Where are you tryna put him at?” asked Jones. A male flight attendant responded, ‘We’re gonna put him in coach.”
But Juvie responded, “You ain’t putting me in no coach, man. This ain’t never happened to me in my life. I’m a celebrity, I’m telling you. This is gonna be repercussions… I’ma get off the plane.”
In a follow-up video, Juvenile, born Terius Gray, said he would catch a flight on another airline to make it to his concert in Fort Worth, Texas. Juvie is currently on his “Back That Azz Up 25th Anniversary” tour with Mannie Fresh.
An American Airlines rep gave the following statement to Simpleflying.com:
“American Airlines strives to provide a positive experience to every traveler and we apologize for Mr. Gray’s recent experience with us. An unplanned change in aircraft type affected his seat assignment, and we regret he wasn’t notified prior to boarding. A member of our team has spoken with Mr. Gray personally to resolve the situation.”
Simple Flying explained that airlines can downgrade passengers for any reason, such as when a flight is overbooked or to accommodate a crew member. Some carriers compensate passengers by offering thousands or dollars in credit for future flights.
Four Fulton County Jail guards were arrested afor smuggling cell phones, cigarettes, chicken pot pies, and other contraband to inmates.
Fulton County deputies arrested Laquana Ballard, 34, Regina Harris, 26, Anesia Silas, 24, and 26-year-old Aisha Tate. All four are charged with smuggling contraband, including cell phones and cigarettes, to inmates.
Ballard is also charged with sending explicit photos and videos to an inmate. While Tate is accused of having inappropriate sex with an inmate, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat released a statement on Wednesday condemning the actions of his former employees.
“These women unfortunately chose to be on the wrong side of the law by fraternizing with residents. They will now have to face the consequences for the crimes they are accused of committing,” the statement read.
The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that more arrests may be forthcoming.
All four former guards were granted bond.
The Fulton County Jail has been plagued by problems including inmate deaths. The State Senate Subcommittee, which was formed last year to investigate the jail, is set to release its final report on Friday.
Memphis police are searching for a brazen porch pirate who stole “one-of-a-kind” sneakers from Penny Hardaway’s home.
The porch pirate stole boxes containing exclusive sneakers from Hardaway’s $4.25 million mansion on Aug. 8.
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The boxes contained 26 pairs of the F&F SLAM x Nike Air Foamposite One sneakers.
Surveillance video obtained by ESPN shows a male suspect pushing a shopping cart with the stolen packages.
Police released still photos of the thief to the news media on Wednesday.
Memphis PD
“Officers were advised that camera footage had captured the male pushing a shopping cart and stealing multiple packages,” a police report said.
Memphis TV station WREG, which first reported the news, said the exclusive Foamposite sneakers can’t be found in stores.
Nike’s Foamposite line were made popular by Hardaway when he starred for the Orlando Magic in the 1990s.
Hardaway was a standout on the men’s basketball team at the University of Memphis, where he is now head coach. He spent most of his NBA career with the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns.
