Posts Tagged: cancel culture

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DaBaby Slams ‘Cry Babies’ During First Performance Since Rolling Loud in Miami

Johnny Nunez/WireImage

DaBaby clapped back at "cry babies" during his first performance since his headline-grabbing homophobic outburst at the Rolling Loud music festival last month.

The 29-year-old rapper was humbled after NY radio station Hot 97 allowed him to perform at its Summer Jam festival at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, August 22.

A plethora of summer music festivals canceled the outspoken rapper's bookings after he uttered anti-HIV and anti-LGBT+ insults at Rolling Loud.

Before DaBaby took to the stage, a pre-recorded video was shown in which he thanked Hot 97 for letting him "to share my gift, share my blessing with y'all out here live on this stage amongst all the chaos and all the backlash."

Johnny Nunez/WireImage

"They accepted my sincerity and all my apologies when I said I never, ever meant to offend anybody or say anything to make anybody feel any type of way live on that stage a few weeks ago.

"Hot 97 was also willing to stick they neck out on the line, willing to go against all odds with everything going on out here in the world, and still allow me to come out here on this stage and utilize they platform to help the world move forward."

After DaBaby hit the stage, he took the opportunity to apologize once again to the LGBT+ community:

"I never in my life meant to offend anybody, you know, and I apologize... that ain't even how I rock.

"But check this out, other than the people that was truly offended, I feel like the rest of y'all motherf**kers are being cry babies."

His remarks neatly segued into "Cry Baby" - his hit collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion.
 

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Mike Richards Quits As Jeopardy! Host After Sexist Comments Surface

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Mike Richards is out as the new "Jeopardy!" host after sexist comments he made on an old podcast resurfaced on the Internet.

Richards succeeded legendary Alex Trebek who hosted the quiz game show for 37 seasons until his death in 2020.

Richards, who is also executive producer of the show, won a Daytime Emmy as Executive Producer of The Price is Right in 2016.

Taping of "Jeopardy!" has been halted and previous guest hosts will be brought back to tape new shows.

He apologized profusely for the sexist jokes he made seven years ago. However, he stepped down on Friday after the backlash grew on social media.

Richards quit the show a day after The Anti-Defamation League demanded an investigation into past statements he made on an old podcast series.

In a statement, Richards said the backlash had created "too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show."

According to Variety.com, in the podcast, Richards had asked his female assistant and his female co-host if they had taken nude photos. In another episode, he called his co-host a "booth ho*."

"We support Mike's decision to step down as host," Sony Pictures TV said in a statement.

"We were surprised this week to learn of Mike's 2013/2014 podcast and the offensive language he used in the past. We have spoken with him about our concerns and our expectations moving forward."

Fans of Jeopardy! complained that their choices for host were overlooked for Richards.

Fan favorites for host included LeVar Burton, Katie Couric and Laura Coates.

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Saweetie speaks on homophobia in rap: ‘We all bleed the same’

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Saweetie commented on homophobia in rap after fellow rapper DaBaby was "canceled" for uttering anti-ghey and anti-HIV comments at Rolling Loud festival in Miami.

Saweetie insists people should "respect each other" as all humans are the same regardless of gender identity or sexual preference.

Getty Images via Victoria Ford

The curvaceous rapper (pictured far right) says all people are "equal" and calls for more to be done to stop the spread of hate toward LGBT+ people.

Speaking about her LGBTQ fans, Saweetie tells PEOPLE:

"I think that it's important that we all respect each other. We all bleed the same. We're all human beings. I was raised in a household that believes in respecting everyone, no matter who they are, no matter what they do, because at the end of the day, we're all equal.

"We all need to call out what we're uncomfortable with. We need to call out what we stand for and for what we believe is right."

Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for McDonald's

The rapper's growing popularity landed her a corporate sponsorship and her own Saweetie Meal from McDonald's.

Saweetie's comments come after DaBaby deleted his apology that his publicist wrote to the LGBT+ community on his Instagram page.

The post read:

"I want to apologize to the LGBTQ+ community for the hurtful and triggering comments I made. Again, I apologize for my misinformed comments about HIV/AIDS and I knew education on this is important. Love to all. God bless."

The rapper was widely criticized for his original comments about HIV and AIDS. He has lost millions in endorsements and summer festival bookings.

Rich Fury/Getty Images

DaBaby said on stage:

"If you didn't show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually-transmitted diseases, that'll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cell phone lighter up...

"Fellas, if you ain't sucking d**k in the parking lot, put your cell phone lighter up."

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50 Cent Says DaBaby Will Bounce Back: ‘Remember, They Canceled Chris Brown 5, 6 Times?’

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50 Cent is confident the world will forget DaBaby's homophobic rant in Miami, and welcome him back with open arms.

DaBaby, real name Jonathan Kirk, was "canceled" after uttering anti-HIV and anti-LGBT+ comments during his set at Rolling Loud music festival last month.

The 29-year-old was dropped by a plethora of summer music festivals including Lollapalooza, Governors Ball, Parklife, Day N Vegas, ACL Fest, iHeartRadio Music Festival, and Can't Wait Live concert, among others.

Prince Williams/Wireimage


 
READ ALSO: DaBaby Deletes Apology to LGBT+ Community From Instagram Page
 
The pint-sized rapper further angered LGBT+ groups by deleting his publicist's apology to the LGBT+ community from his Instagram page.

But rapper 50 Cent doesn't believe DaBaby's homophobic rant is enough to cancel his rap career.

In an interview with E!'s Nightly Pop, Fiddy said DaBaby just doesn't realize he's a rap superstar who should watch what he says.

The 46-year-old rap veteran said DaBaby could benefit from media training.

"He just transitioned from being in that pool that everyone's in, as a rap artist. They didn't notify him that he's turning into a superstar. There's nobody that tells you, 'now you're being held to these standards that are mainstream standards that you can't say things, you can't do these different things.'

"He's just two years into his career, there's no artist development, no A&R... and he's definitely had no media training."

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DaBaby rejects calls by LGBT+ and HIV/AIDS Organizations to meet, as canceled gigs grow

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Instagram

More music festivals have dropped DaBaby after he again refused to meet with LGBT+ and HIV/AIDS groups to develop a comprehensive anti-stigma campaign.

The 29-year-old rapper sparked outrage by uttering anti-HIV, anti-ghey comments at Rolling Loud in Miami.

On Friday, Aug. 6, it was announced singer Ne-Yo will replace DaBaby in the lineup at the Can't Wait Live concert in Philadelphia next week.

Rich Fury/Getty Images

Multiple LGBT+ and HIV/AIDS organizations have contacted the rapper's reps to schedule a day they can meet to "educate" him about homosexuality and HIV/AIDS.

GLAAD published an open letter to DaBaby on its website:

"We heard your inaccurate and harmful comments at Rolling Loud and have read your Instagram apology. However, at a time when HIV continues to disproportionately impact Black Americans and queer and transgender people of color, a dialogue is critical. We must address the miseducation about HIV, expressed in your comments, and the impact it has on various communities.

"You can be a powerful and influential voice, especially across your home base in the South, where the Black community's needs are notoriously under-represented across every public spectrum. We encourage you to share this information with your fans and followers, and become an agent of truth and change."

Kevin Winter/Gtty Images

However, DaBaby has reportedly declined to meet with the groups.

DaBaby has lost lucrative gigs at Lollapalooza music festival, Governors Ball, Parklife, Day N Vegas, ACL Fest, and the iHeartRadio Music Festival, among others.

LGBT+ groups fear DaBaby, whose real name is Jonathan Kirk, sabotaged their efforts to raise HIV awareness and increase LGBT+ visibility in the Black community.

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DaBaby Reportedly Lost Lollapalooza Gig After Failing to Deliver Apology Video

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Earlier this month, it was reported that rapper DaBaby did not respond to requests from LGBT+ groups to help create an HIV awareness and anti-stigma campaign targeting Black males.

DaBaby was "canceled" after uttering anti-HIV and anti-LGBT+ comments during his set at Rolling Loud music festival in Miami last month.

In addition to the PSA campaign, the "Suge" rapper was asked by music festival organizers to record a video of his "sincere and heartfelt" apology to the LGBT+ community.

According to industry insiders, DaBaby agreed to record a video in which he planned to confess that he was "touched" by a male family acquaintance as a child.

That incident reportedly fueled his longstanding hostility and resentment toward homosexuals as an adult.

READ ALSO: Elton John Drives the Final Nail Into DaBaby's Rap Career

As reported by Billboard, a publicist for DaBaby reached out to seven fall festival promoters and assured them that the video was forthcoming.

Rich Fury/Getty Images

The apology video was to be played before he hit the stage at Lollapalooza. However, DaBaby missed the deadline to submit the video to Lollapalooza organizers for their approval.

He was dropped from the lineup and his slot was given to another rapper with feminine tendencies, Young Thug.

DaBaby has since lost lucrative gigs at other music festivals including Governors Ball, Parklife, Day N Vegas, ACL Fest, and the iHeartRadio Music Festival.

To control the significant damage to his rap career, DaBaby's publicist wrote a heartfelt apology to the LGBT+ community and shared it on the rapper's Instagram.

But the third party apology was too little, too late.
 

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Madonna, Questlove Slam DaBaby After Anti-HIV Rant

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Getty Images, Instagram

Madonna and musician Questlove joined the ranks of celebrities and VIPs condemning rapper DaBaby for his insensitive anti-HIV rant at Rolling Loud festival.

Madonna said she plans to "pray" over DaBaby's "ignorance" in response to his offensive comments about people living with HIV at Miami's Rolling Loud festival on Sunday.
 

READ ALSO: T.I. feels betrayed by LGBT+ community bullying him and DaBaby

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She shared a clip of the 29-year-old's controversial speech on Instagram, in which the "canceled" rapper told the audience:

"If you didn't show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases, that'll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cellphone lighter up.

"Ladies, if your p**sy smell like water, put your cellphone lighter up. Fellas, if you ain't sucking d**k in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up."

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

The 62-year-old star captioned the post:

"If you're going to make hateful remarks to the LGBTQ+ community about HIV/AIDS then know your facts: After decades of hard-won scientific research - there are lifesaving medicines available to children born with HIV, to people who contract HIV through blood transfusions, dirty needles or exchange of bodily fluids.

"I want to put my cellphone lighter up and pray for your ignorance, No one dies of AIDS in 2 or 3 weeks anymore. Thank God. And your sexist remarks about Ladies who's p**sies need to smell like water only encourage more discrimination against women who fight daily against the oppression of living under the constraints of the Male Gaze.

"People like you are the reason we are still living in a world divided by fear. All Human beings should be treated with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, sexual preference or religious beliefs. AMEN.(sic)"

Responding to Madonna's criticism, DaBaby wrote on his Instagram Stories: "Hey Mo, don't shake up dem t**ties!"

Meanwhile, The Roots drummer Questlove, 50, also blasted DaBaby, calling him an "idiot".

"Somebody Gotta say it: Homophobia/Transphobia/Xenophobia/Misogyny/Racism - this should go w/o saying is morally wrong," Questlove wrote on Instagram.

"That was f**ked up & wrong. I had to say something. Again I'm not doing this for 'what do you want a cookie bro w your love ye one another posts?' Black people already have a code about publicly criticizing so I'll admit I was slow to do this because I mean he don't know me from Adam. So this will prolly get marked as 'old hater' territory."

As predicted, DaBaby replied to Questlove:

"I ain't even tryna be funny when I say... I do not know who dis n***a is dawg and do not care bout loosing you as a fan my boy LOL @questlove."

DaBaby's upcoming shows have been canceled and clothier BooHooMAN dropped him as a celebrity sponsor.

The industry is outraged over DaBaby's rant. They say, DaBaby - whose real name is Jonathan Kirk - sabotaged their efforts to raise HIV awareness and increase LGBT+ visibility in the Black community.

They fear many down low rappers will slip back undercover due to DaBaby's homophobic rant.

DaBaby hasn't responded to their requests to create an HIV awareness and anti-stigma campaign targeting Black males.

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Elton John Drives the Final Nail Into DaBaby’s Rap Career

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Elton John politely joined the public backlash against rapper DaBaby for his anti-ghey and anti-HIV rant at Rolling Loud.

The openly ghey pop icon slammed rapper DaBaby for stigmatizing HIV/AIDS survivors with his hateful speech on July 25 in Miami, Florida.

The rapper urged concertgoers who didn't have HIV or AIDS or "any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases" to "put your cellphone light in the air".

He also urged heterosexual men to raise their cellphones high if they didn't give oral sex to other males in the parking lot.

Gerardo Mora/Getty Images

DaBaby immediately received backlash for his remarks from gay rights activists and officials, and now Sir Elton John is criticizing him for adding to "stigma and discrimination".

"We've been shocked to read about the HIV misinformation and homophobic statements made at a recent DaBaby show," he wrote on Instagram.

"This fuels stigma and discrimination and is the opposite of what our world needs to fight the AIDS epidemic.

"HIV misinformation and homophobia have no place in the music industry. We must break down the stigma around HIV and not spread it. As musicians, it's our job to bring people together."

DaBaby has now apologized twice for his verbal rampage, tweeting:

"Anybody who done ever been effected by AIDS/HIV y'all got the right to be upset, what I said was insensitive even though I have no intentions on offending anybody [sic]."

DaBaby is officially canceled. Several of the rapper's upcoming shows have been canceled by club promoters who don't want their venues destroyed by angry protesters.

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‘Empire’ spin-off, featuring Taraji P. Henson, delayed indefinitely

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The long-awaited 'Empire' spin-off, featuring Taraji P. Henson, has been put on hold indefinitely and probably forever.

The hip-hop soap opera, which was canceled last year due to poor ratings and the Jussie Smollett scandal, was set to transform into a new spin-off series.

However, Taraji - who plays the part of Cookie Lyon - revealed that plans for the new show have been delayed again.

Taraji explained that the new series - which was originally due to air last year - was "put to rest".

ShotbyNYP / BACKGRID

"I think we're gonna put it to rest for a sec. For me, the script has to be right. It has to be worthy of the audience. We have to give the audience something incredible, and sometimes, I think you need time, time away. I think absence makes the heart grow fonder."

Maciel / BACKGRID

Jussie was let go from 'Empire' after he was arrested for perpetrating a hoax involving two friends who were paid to shout racial and homophobic slurs at him, pour bleach on the actor and tie a noose around his neck in January 2019.

Meanwhile, Taraji is preparing to host the BET Awards this weekend in Los Angeles.

She told 'Entertainment Tonight', "It's all about the fashion. I would have to say for this one, it's about the entrance. I'm always going to try to make you laugh and forget about the woes and the troubles of the world, so look forward to a lot of fun, a lot of laughter, because that's what I like to do."

Taraji also revealed that the upcoming show will focus on celebrating the influence and achievements of black women, like Queen Latifah.

She said: "What I love particularly about this year, is that we are celebrating the black woman. This is the year of the black woman because the black woman has made incredible strides in changing history, politics, music - you name it, we done it."

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Michael Costello begged Chrissy Teigen to stop bullying him: ‘I am suffering more than you can imagine’

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WENN.com, Getty Images

Michael Costello says Chrissy Teigen's online bullying left him depressed and suicidal.

Costello, 38, issued a statement accusing Teigen of spreading fake photos and racist rumors about him on social media in 2014.

The Fashion designer is best known for his appearance on the eighth season of Project Runway.

Costello's accusations came hours after Teigen apologized a second time for cyberbullying Courtney Stodden and others.

"I didn't want to do this, but I can not be happy until I speak my mind," he wrote in a lengthy post on Instagram.

"I need to heal and in order for me to do that I must reveal what I've been going through. I wanted to kill myself and I still am traumatized, depressed, and have thoughts of suicide."

He continued:

"When I reached out to Chrissy Teigen to communicate that I was the victim of a vindictive cyber slander and that everything she thought I was is not who I am, she told me that my career was over and that all my doors will be shut from there on."

Costello also shared screenshots of DMs he sent Teigen begging her to stop saying he called someone a racial slur.

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However, fashion designer Maxie James accused Costello of calling her a "Black ni**er b*tch" when they bumped into each other in a fabric store.

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James also admitted she nearly "whooped his a**" and almost went to jail.

"Whew one thing about that karma boy! it aaaaalways finds its way back around! even if it’s 7 years later! Michael Costello got the nerve to be playing victim of being bullied, but called his self bullying 7 years ago and called me a Black N****r B*** in a fabric store downtown. He had the wrong one tho cus I most certainly whooped his a** and almost went to jail too. Thank GOD for his mercy us I seriously LOST IT. I never experienced racism before. All I knew to do was FIGHT."