Don Lemon goes for shock value on his nightly program.
As he was introducing his program Don Lemon holds up a Confederate flag and a big board with NIGGER over it.
He was defending President Barack Obama's use of the word on a podcast with Marc Maron. His stunt managed to attract the social media with signs of their own.
Don Lemon went on CNN...and held up a sign that said nigger.
Good night. I'm done.
CNN's most annoying agitator is Don Lemon. Mediaite ranks him one of the worst cable news host to ever have a program. He, Al Sharpton, The Five, Ed Schultz and our favorite pain in the ass Sean Hannity are ranked the worst cable news programs to ever exist.
He is no Sean Hannity. Hannity is by far the worst cable news host to ever have a television program.
Sean Hannity is the most annoying conservative agitator and the biggest concern troll to exist.
Lemon isn't close to Hannity in annoying, but his antics are a pain for some. Some believe he has a huge ego and needs a reality check.
I give the man his respect. One of the best journalist in the business. He's got a great gig over at CNN. He was promoted to weeknights and offers commentary and news on his program. Sometimes his stupidity gets in the way, and usually he gets into a debate with someone who will likely put his ego in place.
Being an openly gay Black man in the business of news is an achievement for him. He opened up about his youth and what inspired him to publicly acknowledge his sexuality.
Lemon should take his role as a journalist more seriously. This stunt begs for attention.
Don, you don't have to put on a clown nose like Sean Hannity and Megyn Kelly. They already have clowns watching their buffoonery. It's not worth explaining that their audience is a bunch of old farts.
They parade this stuff without even using the racial slur. The network that may have inspired that man to kill nine innocent worshipers in Charleston got enough of that from the Bonnie and Clyde of Black extremism.
Have you seen them Black extremists Deneen Borelli and Kevin Jackson?
Get it through your head, CNN is respected. Your antics ruin the respect.
Albert Evans, a former New York City Ballet principal dancer and one of the most prominent African Americans in classical dance, has died at the age of 46.
We here at World News Today send our condolences to the family of Albert Evans.
Evans died at Mount Sinai, Monday night following a bout with an illness.
Evans was one of the only two African-American dancers in the New York City Ballet. The first dancer was Arthur Mitchell.
As a principal dancer, Evans maintained a huge variety of roles in the Ballet repertoire.
From classical to modern, from George Blaanchie to Jerome Robbins to Christopher Wheeldon, Evans had rose through the ranks. He joined the New York Ballet in 1988.
He became a soloist in 1991 and then a principal in 1995.
New York City Ballet Company lost a great iconic figure in classical dance.
Evans retired in 2010 with an emotional farewell performance, and has been serving as a ballet master for the company until his passing.
There's an outpouring of grief for the lost of a legendary dancer.
"The entire New York City Ballet family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved friend and college Albert Evans," said Peter Martins, the company's ballet master and chief. released in a statement.
"Kind, warm, generous, and always a joy to be with, Albert is quite simply irreplaceable".
Instead of calling it terrorism, the junk food media and agitators think of this as a mental illness. Instead of thinking this event was motivated by race, they believe it's an attack on the Christian faith. When they said that Obama politicizes tragedies, we wait for the next mass shooting to occur.
Who's fault for the mass shootings in America?
A. Barack Obama
B. The Republican Party
C. The Democratic Party
D. The Junk Food Media (i.e. cable news, talk radio, the bloggers, the agitators etc.)
E. The Shooter
F. All Of These Above
Okay, easy answer it's the shooter. But if you answer A, B, C, then you're right in some way.
President Barack Obama has spoken many times on the wake of tragedies in the United States.
He's called upon Congress to do something about it. The Congress has failed in the wake of numerous mass shootings in America. They can't pass a simple background check law because they fear the National Rifle Association.
Concern trolls like Matt Drudge focus on Black crime.
The NRA believes that any law that involves gun control is impeding on the owner's right to sale a firearm to a terrorist.
The most recent shootings of nine at a Charleston, SC church to the morning incident in Cincinnati where a police officer was gunned down, has got the nation talking.
The concern trolls are often trigger happy when it comes to the blame game. They finger someone other than the perpetrator for these tragedies.
Yeah, the rhetoric is overheated by those on the left and the right. Yeah, I've singled out mostly our conservative agitators in the media of creating the racial divide. I believe the liberal agitator exploit the racial divide.
For every shooting in America, there's talk about what the shooter's motives were. Witness said that Charleston shooter Dylann Storm Roof told a woman that he wanted to shoot because in his mind, Blacks are raping our White women, taking over the government and ruining the country.
That seems pretty racially motivated. Despite the conservative agitators trying to make it less than what it seems, Black America has seen it one too many times.
And of course, the verb crew. The would have, should have, could have, may have crowd.
These old farts are concern trolls too. When an event that occurs in America involving Black men, these agitators find some way to change the subject. They often focus on Barack Obama as the reasons for racial unrest. Their audience could be inspired to carry out a terrorist attack.
Again, a person who is motivated to shot will not care who gets hits. A concealed carry shooter will likely be the first person gunned down. Cause a shooter isn't going talk to you. He's gonna shot you.
Let's blame Obama, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, Black America, Democrats, Republicans, liberals, conservatives and whoever we can type in our social media comment section.
You have a right to point the finger at everyone but the shooter. Given the polarizing media coverage of shootings and the racial divide, it's expected that someone will find some issue with it.
Black right wing troll Kevin Jackson.
There's no difference between a 21 year old who killed nine to a 21 year old who killed a member of law enforcement. But to the concern trolls, it's a matter of that racial skin color.
So tell me what event happened in America that involved guns?
I mean there's probably over 100 incidents within the minute I've typed.
Concern trolls are pathetic. They often find some tangent to a situation. Check it. If there were six major events where the police used brutal or deadly force on Black Americans, the concern troll will find some reason to discredit the need for better policing.
The concern troll will bitch about Black crime in America. They will say that without cops, armed vigilantes, stop-and-frisk tactics, Blacks wouldn't cause so much crime.
They say that Blacks, Hispanics, Muslims shouldn't own firearms. They believe that Obama doesn't talk about criminal behavior by Black America. They believe that Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are not concerned.
Oh course, they're concerned. Sharpton has done many events in which he's discussed the gun violence in Chicago and many other cities.
Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Kevin Jackson, Bill O'Reilly, Fox News The Drudge Report, Colin Flaherty and Charles C. Johnson are notorious concern trolls. They have no shame in what they do. They are considered enemies of the Black community. Those who associate around them are often extremists.
These agitators say in one breath the need for gun control. This need only applies for non-White citizens. They can't go a day without dragging President Barack Obama's name into a controversy.
How many more times?
Mass shootings in America is almost like a daily occurrence.
Words by Jon Stewart. The comedian may end his season with these powerful words. Retirement is one thing he's looking forward too. But in the meanwhile, he continues on with his style of taking on the news. In this video, he didn't joke much about the tragedy. He basically went right on it.
South Carolina Democratic state senator Clementa Pickney is one of the victims of a horrible mass shooting.
South Carolina state senator is one of the many killed in a mass murder in Charleston.
This is a breaking update. Nine people were killed in this horrific tragedy.
The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest AME church in the South was rocked by a mass massacre. This act of terrorism was done by a man who had no care for the lives of those who wanted the right to congregate in a church.
Charleston city police are searching for a suspect in this horrific tragedy. World News Today send our condolences to those killed in this tragedy.
The incident happened around 9pm. The city police prompted a large response. At least six ambulances were at the church.
The governor of South Carolina, Republican Nikki Haley and the White House were informed about this tonight. Haley releases a press statement on this.
Mass shooting in South Carolina church.
“Michael, Rena, Nalin and I are praying for the victims and families touched by tonight's senseless tragedy at Emanuel AME Church. While we do not yet know all of the details, we do know that we'll never understand what motivates anyone to enter one of our places of worship and take the life of another. Please join us in lifting up the victims and their families with our love and prayers.”
The suspect is a White male in his 20s. The man was clean shaven, slender build and wearing a grey sweatshirt, blue jeans and Timberland boots.
This historically black church attracts hundreds of worshippers. The church has one of the largest congregations south of Baltimore.
Clementa Pinckney is the lead pastor. He is an elected Democratic state senator from the Charleston area.
The church was doing Bible study and the alleged shooter starting firing on worshipers.
Early a young man was apprehended, but he was later released. People from the scene posted on the social media that the man apprehended isn't involved.
Tragedy in South Carolina.
The police confirmed that the shooter is at large. This will require the FBI and South Carolina's A.I.M. involvement.
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley confirmed in a statement there have been fatalities.
“We’re still gathering information so it’s not the time yet for details,” he said. “I will say that this is an unspeakable and heartbreaking tragedy in this most historic church, an evil and hateful person took the lives of citizens who had come to worship and pray together.”
Riley said city police were being assisted by sheriff’s deputies, the State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI.
A bomb threat reportedly called in to a nearby hotel prompted authorities to close Meeting Street to traffic.
Republican contenders Jeb Bush and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) have issued statements on the tragedy. The White House will release a statement shortly.
And before we jump into the blame game. We first want to say that the shooter (or shooters) are responsible for this. The junk food media often wants to look into the partisan views of a criminal.
Say if the criminal is a White guy. Liberals want to assume that the guy is a die-hard conservative who relishes in guns. The shooter has hatred towards progressive views, race, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs and social beliefs.
Conservatives want to assume that the guy is a liberal. If it's a Black, Hispanic, Muslim or White guy, they will automatically blame President Barack Obama. Conservatives tell stories of what they could have done if they were armed, complain about the media jumping to conclusions, and say that the suspect is a liberal activist.
A.I.M. is active in manhunt.
We can't confirm if the suspect is a White extremist! But some are declaring this to be a hate crime.
Rachel Dolezal and her two sons. In an interview with Matt Lauer, Dolezal says that no matter what anyone says about her, she's "Black" and her family matters than someone's opinion.
If Black women dye their hair blonde, red, hazel, or different color, they're still Black. If a White woman dyes their hair, tan their skin and talks in a matter of being Black, then they're Black.
This is what the former president of the NAACP is considering herself as and she's defiant about it.
In damage control, Rachel Dolezal appears on the junk food media outlets to dispute the charges hurled at her. This became a talked about story.
Her biological parents came out and told the junk food media that Rachel's been estranged from them for nearly a decade. She was outed by her parents for being trapped in the wrong skin. Basically she's a Black woman trapped in a White woman's body.
The media has found out that she tried to sue Howard University, a historically Black college because she felt that she wasn't getting her dues because she was a White woman.
Her ex-husband had promised to spill the dirt for $$$$$. The conservative Craigslist linked a Radar story about a mysterious sex tape circulating online. It shows Dolezal in it. Did he leak it?
Dolezal resigned as the president of the western branch of the NAACP.
What Black women think about it?
Mostly in a negative way.
She's a white woman who disguised herself as Black woman. She tries to act Black and use a Black woman's beauty as an excuse. This managed to become a national discussion on White privilege.
Many believe that she should be called out for being a fake to the cause.
It's a shame that despite all the good she's done, this one incident tarnished it.
I've said this time after time, the NAACP is not a Black group. It's devoted to civil rights and equal rights for all. It accepts anyone of color. It doesn't matter if you're Black, Brown, White, or other.
You support their cause, you're welcomed with open arms.
The racist right is aiming at the NAACP and of course President Barack Obama. They see the oldest civil rights organization and the president as the biggest racists to ever exist.
Dolezal appears on Melissa Harris-Perry and the Today show to discuss the controversy.
Pressure mounts as embattled regional president calls it quits.
Rachel Dolezal is under fire for lying about her race. The NAACP is cautiously supporting her despite cries for her to resign. Dolezal is the current president of the western region's NAACP.
The western NAACP based in Spokane, Washington.
The issue that has her in jeopardy is the fact that she's a White woman and for nearly a decade she pretended to be a Black woman.
Lying about your race is crime in the court of public opinion. It's a crime when you do lie on a government form. What she done when she was appointed a liaison for Spokane's civil rights division. She checked herself as Black.
For the last few years, some have questioned her biography. She created controversy by posing with a Black man who she claimed as her father.
Her biological parents and siblings had enough. They want to bring her back to earth. Her mother and father came out swinging. Dolezal is feuding with her family. The family decided to play their "trump" card being the "race" card.
I guess this bombshell will not end with corruption at the oldest civil rights group.
Dolezal was going to organize a press conference to address the controversy. She postpone the press conference. Instead she decides on calling it quits.
The NAACP again told the junk food media, that it's not a solely Black organization. Anyone who believes in equal rights for all Americans is welcomed to join.
Art imitates life. Rachel Dolezal resigns from the NAACP as their president after the junk food media discovered she lied Black to get in.
But some Black people believe that Dolezal's white privilege has maintained this farce and she should be fired out the cannon.
Kind of like the Donald Sterling controversy. The NAACP looked the other way when it accepted that huge check from the former Los Angeles Clippers owner.
Sterling got recorded saying that Blacks are disgusting and he won't want them in the presence of his NBA team and games.
Dolezal will continue to be a reminder to conservatives on how the NAACP has done nothing for the Black community and they see them as racial agitators. They will now use Rachel Dolezal as their proof.
And no amount of good will save her. For some in the Black community, they think it was about time to revoke her "ghetto pass".
Your thoughts on this controversy are welcomed. Me and S. Baldwin will continue to follow this controversy.
Civil rights leader told tales of Blackness. In reality she's a white woman. Her family outed her in this bitter family feud.
I think I've talked about this before. But if I haven't, let's get down to business. The oldest civil rights group is facing a controversy. One of its chapter presidents is under fire for being a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Before I go into it, let's first get this out the way.
Yes, there are White people in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Yes, the NAACP is progressive on issues such as civil rights, gay rights and gun control.
Yes, the NAACP has been controversial in some of its past commentary. This issue is considered a controversy in the eyes of agitators. It's not big but the junk food media will make it big.
The Republican Party and conservatives want to claim they founded the NAACP back in them days. But in the same breath they now call it a "racist" organization because of its progressive stances on social issues.
All the good she's done and they still want her out.
It's not a solely Black group. The NAACP is a group devoted to the equal rights for all Americans.
Enter Rachel Dolezal, the president of the Spokane chapter of the NAACP. She's under fire because she falsely claimed that's she Black. She's dodging the cameras and closing her social media off.
It's a big topic in the city of Spokane and the junk food media is invested in outing the fake.
CNN reports the mother of Rachel Dolezal made the claim that she is white Her mother said Friday that her daughter "has not explained to us why she is doing what she's doing and being dishonest and deceptive with her identity."
Her mother told the local junk food media that their daughter has never been black, biracial or non-white. She even showed hundreds of pictures of her in her "natural look".
Ruthanne Dolezal said her daughter Rachel gradually began referring to herself as black around 2007 and that "she has never claimed to be biracial or African-American in our presence."
She married a Black man and became a step-mom to his family. Her parents probably disapproved of it.
The parents last talked to their daughter "some years ago," with Ruthanne Dolezal saying "Rachel has not wanted to have contact with us."
The NAACP issued a statement Friday on Rachel Dolezal's "enduring a legal issue with her family," saying, "We respect her privacy in this matter."
"One's racial identity is not a qualifying criteria or disqualifying standard for NAACP leadership," the group said. "The NAACP Alaska-Oregon-Washington State Conference stands behind Ms. Dolezal's advocacy record."
For one thing, why discredit the good that's been done by Dolezal?
So what you're saying is that she's a phony!
She lied Black to become the president of region's NAACP.
Nice tan.
So you're telling the public that because she's born White (or refused to be labeled as such), you want her out?
So if she acts, talk like and slept with Black, she shouldn't be a part the NAACP.
Nice. So I guess she's going to be fired out the cannon for being White.
Hate to tell you folks, that White people are welcomed into the NAACP.
The NAACP also was founded by three White people.
This comes in the wake of death threats being sent to the NAACP.
They are trying to discredit her as a legitimate civil rights leader. The agitators are trying to say she staged the death threats that were sent to the Spokane NAACP.
Black women: Do you believe that Dolezal's actions merit her being fired from the NAACP?
Black America: Dolezal is working for the good of all Americans as a part of the NAACP. Is the fact that she doesn't want to be labeled by race an issue for you?
ABC adds entertainer Raven-Symoné to The View. A throwback from her hit Disney series That's So Raven.
That's so Raven.
Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman professionally is an actress, singer, model and activist.
She was a Cheetah Girl. She was Hanging With Mr. Cooper. She was a Cosby kid. She was a singer who debuted an album at the young age of 7. Men drooled over her when she done the modeling gig.
Now during the daytime, she will give her opinion on the latest issues.
ABC announced that The View will continue another season with Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie Perez, Nicole Wallace and Raven-Symoné.
She is the youngest co-host so far to join the daytime program.
It's struggling since the departure of Barbara Walters and the recent cannon firings of Sherri Shepard, Jenny McCarthy and Rosie O'Donnell. O'Donnell's return was clouded with controversy.
Whoopi Goldberg, Nicole Wallace, Rosie Perez, and Raven-Symoné. ABC announced that Raven-Symoné will continue on as a co-host and have a formal debut in the Fall.
Whoopi was appointed as moderator and Rosie often clashed with her over that. The cannon fired her out again. Although O'Donnell stated that she's dealing with personal matters involving her estranged wife, the junk food media knew it was a matter of time before she was going to be loaded in the cannon.
CBS daytime is winning the war. The Talk is in striking distance of The View and this is concerning to Walters and co-executive producer Bill Wolff.
Adding Raven-Symoné could be beneficial. I mean she's extremely passionate about issues like McCarthy. So expect a dash of controversial statements from Raven.
Her recent features were on Fox's Empire and ABC's black-ish.
Gone are the Disney themed cliches and the normal. She is extremely eccentric but still a down to earth woman to meet.
She turned all that away. She picked up a pack of smokes, dyed her hair like Miley Cyrus and started the spiral. Like most Disney stars, they hated the image. They had to erase the image. Raven-Symoné is no different.
A few years back, the entertainer publicly acknowledged that she's a lesbian and told tales of being tired of the being a "label".
She resides in either Los Angeles or Atlanta with her daughter and girlfriend AzMarie Livingston.
Caitlyn Jenner shows the world that she's not afraid of who she is.
The former athlete and reality television star has finally told the world know who she truly is.
Introducing Caitlyn Jenner, the former Bruce Jenner. Jenner broke ABC News records by telling her story about coming out to the Kardashian-Jenner clan as a transgender woman.
Posing in Vanity Fair Magazine, Caitlyn shows off the new look and is happy.
The magazine will certain drive sales.
Jenner 65, went forth through surgery and breast augmentation. Jenner now rocks a huge 36 CC breast size. The reality turd is sporting off every hot looking dress.
No secrets here. I'm free to be me....Caitlyn Jenner.
ABC's Diane Sawyer managed to bring 17.9 million viewers to Friday night. When Jenner told the world that she was happy her family was willing to accept this change.
The patriarch of the Kardashians and Jenners loves his family.
After years of speculation, the world finally can meet the true beauty of Ms. Jenner.
The controversial reality family has been in the news lately. Underage reality turd Kylie Jenner is dating older and yet moronic rapper Tyga and he is planning on knocking her up once she turns 18.
Khloe Kardashian is dating Somali born rapper French Montana. The founder of Coke Boys Music is mourning the loss of his friend Chinx who was gunned down a few weeks back. Khloe and French Montana have denied being a couple but they've been awful cozy about their friendship.
Kim Kardashian-West is expecting another reality star in her huge family. She and husband rapper/producer/celebrity agitator Kanye West announced they're on the second round of parenting.
Again reality television sucks. I have to admit that Kim K and her family are the reasons to why reality television is fucked up.
How To Get Away With Murder is co-produced by Peter Nowalk and Shonda Rhimes and it features Broadway's famed Viola Davis. The ABC drama is a go for second season.
HTGAWM for short is one highly praised drama. I'm a fan of the series.
Viola plays the role of Annalise Keating as a law professor at a prestigious Philadelphia university who, with four of her students, becomes entwined in a murder plot.
One of the most famous scenes was Annalise taking off her wig, her eyelashes and wiping off the makeup and showing the natural side of her. It was ad lib and it was Viola's idea.
Kerry Washington, Viola Davis and Ellen Pompeo.
She wanted to do this as a reminder to women that beauty is inner deep.
There was something for me that I didn’t buy about Annalise in private. It felt like who she was in private had to be diametrically opposed to who she was in public. And so in order to do that, I felt like I had to physically take the wig off. I mean, I have no eyebrows. I have eyelashes that I put on, and there was something extremely vulnerable about that act -- and I know it seems like a very simple act at the end of the day -- but for me, that simple act really surmounted to something very powerful in the end, because what it was was someone being very, very private in public, which is absolutely the cornerstone of what we do as artists.
That episode was epic.
Rhimes have gotten fans talking about controversial seasons of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal.
She promises fans that they will be even better.
A lot of talk coming from the killing of Meredith Grey's husband Derrick Shepard (played by Patrick Dempsey). Fans weren't happy about the decision to write off Dempsey's character.
The Florida courts rule in the death of Robert Champion.
Robert Champion's death in a hazing incident led to some of the band members tapping license plates.
Back in the 2011, Champion a drum major who attended Florida A&M was given a serious beat down on a charter bus. When they tried to wake him up, they found Champion unconscious.
He collapsed after undergoing a ritual referred to as "the gauntlet", in which band members must walk from the front of the bus to the back while other band members kick, punch, and hit him with straps, drum sticks and other objects. Fellow band members told detectives that the ritual is required in order to be considered for leadership positions.
His family considered it to be a hate crime because they believed (or assured) their son was gay.
It took a few hours in the courtroom to find some of the 15 members guilty of manslaughter.
That charge alone could land the guilty in the iron college for 5 to 20 years.
The AP reports the jurors left the courtroom around 3:50 p.m. to being deliberating, following closing arguments and jury instructions Friday.
In his closings, a prosecutor said the three remaining defendants on trial for the hazing death of a Florida A&M drum major didn't beat him because they disliked him but because it was tradition.
A total of 15 defendants were charged originally, but most took plea deals.
State Attorney Jeff Ashton said Friday during closing arguments that Robert Champion's death was the result of a hazing tradition that was ingrained in the school's famed band.
Closing arguments were delayed after Ashton wanted to find out if jurors were influenced by the sight of two defendants praying outside the courtroom.
Five of the six jurors said they saw Aaron Golson and Benjamin McNamee praying.
Judge Renee Roche questioned the jurors but no one said it would influence them.
McNamee, Golson and Darryl Cearnel are the final three defendants charged with manslaughter and hazing in Champion's death.
Champion's beating death aboard a band bus parked outside an Orlando hotel after a football game exposed a culture of hazing within the school's famed band.
The medical examiner testified Thursday morning. She told the court how the hazing ritual killed FAMU drum major Robert Champion.
Jussie Smollett is making the news clear about his personal life.
The Fox hit drama Empire keeps pulling in.
Everybody love some Cookie. The character is played by Taraj P. Henson. Her and her estrange husband Lucious Lyon are co owners of Empire Entertainment. Cookie spent time in the iron college and she came out swinging. She became the breakout character of the show. Cookie is trying to get back with Lucious and bring the family back together. She is also a motivator. She is the woman who gets what she wants whenever she wants.
Lucious is dealing with the ALS disease that may end his life. He's trying to figure out who's capable of running his business in the likelihood he passes. He has three sons, Andre, Jamal and Hakeem. Lucious is caught between loving his fiance Anika and his ex-wife Cookie. He's also competing with his former mentor in this battle for success. Lucious is played by Terrance Howard.
Andre is the oldest son. He's ruthless, cunning and just about as cutthroat as his father. But deep within Andre is the fact he is bipolar. Lucious doesn't approve of his marriage to a White woman. Andre struggles with resentment towards his talented brothers. He felt that during his younger days, he lost out the childhood trying to help Jamal and Hakeem through their days. Trai Byers plays Andre.
Hakeem is the youngest. He's a rapper and the hard head of the family. He's spoiled. He's apparently the favorite son of Lucious. He is a player of sorts. He's trying to bound with his mother Cookie. While being the famed-obsessed son, Hakeem is the most controversial of the group. He went off on paparazzi and called out President Barack Obama. He is played by Bryshere Gray.
Fox's breakout series Empire broke records. This is the highest watched series. Black viewers make up 80% of the viewing audience.
The middle child is Jamal. Jamal was in the beginning a closeted gay singer. But in some episodes he came out and made Lucious upset. Jamal is the father of a daughter and is struggling to find himself in a world where gay Black singers are often ridiculed. Cookie loves Jamal and she is proud he came out despite Lucious threatening to end ties with him. The irony of this is that art intimidates life.
Jamal is played by Jussie Smollett, a famed actor and singer. He and his siblings are professional actors.
Today, the news broke that Jussie acknowledged his sexuality.
Smollett acknowledged that he's gay. And he's proud of that. It kind of forced out when Malik Yoba, told the junk food media that Jussie is "openly gay" and his passionate about LGBT rights.
"Empire" star Jussie Smollett opened up about his sexuality for the first time in an intimate interview with Ellen DeGeneres.
Interestingly, the 31-year-old actor opted to arrange a backstage chat with DeGeneres after his official appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," which airs March 9, to speak about the subject. However, he stopped short of using the terms "gay" and "bisexual" in the clip.
"It was really important to me to make sure that it got across that there is no closet," he said. "There’s never been a closet that I’ve been in. I don’t own a closet, I got a dresser, but I don’t have a closet, but I have a home and that is my responsibility to protect that home."
He then quipped, "My mama knows, my mama likes me a lot and yes, I take her to 'The Sound of Music' sing-along every single year."
"Empire" has already received heaps of praise for its gay-inclusive plot. On the smash Fox series, Smollett plays Jamal Lyon, an openly gay singer-songwriter who is the ex-boyfriend of Michael Sanchez (Rafael de La Fuente).
In his "Ellen" appearance, Smollett revealed that he landed his "Empire" audition after sending co-creator Lee Daniels a private message on Instagram. He was called back for seven auditions before he got the role.
Smollett also signed a deal with Sony Urban this year.
"They just shot that motherfucking man right here....[Yeah], I'm going record this shit", says the person using his camera phone.
"Take a good look it's the Black motherfucking [cop] that killed this man....." said the person filming in the final minutes.
The social media and the price of fame. The filmmaker wanted to post this on the internet. Instead of holding evidence in the case of a trial, he clearly advocated the officer's side of the story. See reactionary brings nothing but trouble. Now this filmmaker will be harassed or subject to death threats.
The negative publicity. The Los Angeles Police Department is just like New York. With the power comes the respect. They are well respected by a majority. But the minority, ahem, hates the LAPD.
The LAPD has a controversial history. There's been many officer involved incidents where suspects of color were injured or killed. The controversial tactics used in an arrest are often mirrored in legal action.
All the mixture of tension brought to you by the folks who post on YouTube.
As reported, an officer has the legal right to lie in order to justify a traffic citation, an arrest, and a shooting.
The suspect is dead and the LAPD is doing damage control.
Today, I just saw this video that is extremely disturbing. The LAPD was apprehending two individuals and I guess after a brief confrontation, one of the many LAPD officers opened fired on the suspect.
According to the LAPD, the suspect was reaching for the arresting officer's gun. There were minor injuries for the two arresting officers. The Los Angeles Times reports that Cmdr. Andrew Smith said officers assigned to the LAPD's Central Division and Safer Cities Initiative — a task force focused on skid row — responded to the location about noon Sunday after receiving a 911 call reporting a possible robbery.
The possible robbery ended with a man being shot and a woman being arrested.
The LAPD doing damage control after a filmmaker records them opening fire on an unarmed suspect.
Did they obtain evidence of the suspect robbing someone of property?
The deceased is apparently homeless
What did the woman do?
The woman seen in the video recording picking up an officer's baton was detained and is expected to be arrested, Smith said. She had not been booked as of 9 p.m. Sunday, and it was unclear what charges she would face, but Smith said the arrest would stem from her picking up the baton.
Smith said that, based on the video recording, it was unclear what the officers told the man before they fired. He said investigators would use audio enhancement software to determine what exactly was said and when.
"Of course we're aware of the video," he said. "Any video that shows someone losing their life in an altercation with police is going to be disturbing. It's disturbing for police officers to watch."
Disturbing!
Hell, the police are pissed that a man filmed the officer killing an unarmed suspect. The person named Anthony Blackburn posted it on the social media. It's graphic so you will have to click on the link posted right below.
If there weren't people so frustrated with the police in the wake of high profile shootings such as the Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, John Crawford and Akai Gurley controversies, you wouldn't see camera phones being used.
And to make this clear, you are allowed to film police. They may try to "justify" an arrest by saying you're impeding on an arresting officer or disorderly conduct. You can lawyer up and tell the judge that you had a right to film public servants while on duty.
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO FILM THE POLICE!
I think some in the LAPD will be humming "mean ol' Mike Brown". There will be some who probably high-five each other when they kill a suspect they accused of threatening the life of an officer.
The LAPD will place the shooting officer on administrative leave. The officer will contact his union boss, an attorney and a therapist. He will say that "that guy reached for his gun!"
LAPD stand in pose trying to keep the peace.
Remember an arresting officer can "stretch" the truth when writing a statement on the situation.
Evidence technicians and other officers will wrap the police tape over areas and other officers may "step" on evidence.
"It's always tragic when there's a loss of life in one of these situations," Smith continued. "It's not an incident taken lightly by any police officer. But we are committed to everyone involved and to the public to conduct a thorough and complete investigation."
Smith said investigators were looking for any other video that captured the incident, including footage from the body cameras some of the officers may have been wearing. Officers assigned to the Safer Cities Initiative were part of the LAPD's pilot program for the new technology and are equipped with the devices.
At least one officer involved in the incident was wearing a body camera, Smith said.
Well let's hope those body cameras were in use when this event happened. Maybe a camera worn by the arresting or assisting officer could provide a better look into how this shooting was justified.
The dramatic confrontation was caught on video, which was later posted on Facebook (the video contains foul language). It shows a group of officers getting into a scuffle with a man standing on a sidewalk littered with tents and other debris.
The man continues to scuffle with four of the officers, even after he's wrestled to the ground. What appears to be one of the officers is heard saying "Drop the gun. Drop the gun."
Then, at least one of the officers opens fire on the man, who remained on the ground with at least two officers near him.
Five gunshots are heard on the recording.
Police have not identified the dead man or said how many officers were involved, or how many shots were fired. The man was declared dead at a hospital shortly after the shooting, which occurred about noon, according to police spokesman Sgt. Barry Montgomery.
He said that at one point during the struggle a Taser had been deployed, but investigators did not know if it was used on the man who was subsequently shot.
Witnesses at the scene identified the victim by his street name, “Africa”, and gave conflicting accounts of what they saw.
Dennis Horne, 29, said Africa had been fighting with someone else in his tent when police arrived.
When Africa refused to comply with a police order to come out of the tent, officers used the Taser on him and dragged him out, Horne said. The officers tackled Africa to the ground, where he continued to fight, which led to the fatal shooting, according to Horne.
“It's sad,” Horne said. “There's no justification to take somebody's life.”
Another witness, Lonnie Franklin, 53, said five to six officers pulled up in three to four cars as Africa was lying face down on the sidewalk. The officers approached with guns drawn yelling, ”Down, down,” according to Franklin.
When Africa got up and started fighting, the officers “went straight to lethal force,” Franklin said.
But Jose Gil, 38 , said he saw the man swinging at the police and then heard one of the officers say, “Gun, gun, he's got my gun!” before police fired multiple shots.
Another witness, who asked not to be identified, said the man punched and kicked the officers and reached for one of their service weapons before the officers fired at least seven times.
An area resident, who identified himself as Booker T. Washington, said police had come by repeatedly to ask Africa to take down his tent. People are allowed to sleep on the streets from 9 p.m to 6 a.m., but they are supposed to remove their tents in the daytime under a court agreement.
“This man got shot over a tent,” Washington said.
Ina Murphy, who lives in an apartment nearby, said Africa had arrived in the area about four or five months ago. He told her he had recently been released after spending 10 years in a mental facility, Murphy said.
Police Commission President Steve Soboroff first saw the video of the shooting via social media. He was watching it again when reached by a Times reporter Sunday evening, trying to hear what exactly the officers had said to the man.
"My heart just started pounding just watching it," Soboroff said. "I feel the adrenaline. These situations are just so horrific."
He stressed that the LAPD, the independent inspector general and the district attorney's office would all investigate the shooting "very, very carefully."
"Of course I would encourage people not to rush to judgment. It's not fair to anybody. It's not fair to the family of the victim or the victim or the officers," he said. "We'll find out what happened."
Montgomery said Sunday evening that investigators were in the process of interviewing "loads of people" who were in the area at the time of the shooting. He said there would potentially be more video recordings of the incident, noting that he could see two surveillance cameras mounted on buildings at the scene.
It was still unclear how many officers fired their weapons or what was said to the man before he was shot, Montgomery said.
The LA Times noted the words rush to judgement.
This is what that annoying conservative agitator does.
Say if this event makes it to the cable news agitators.
Some agitator will find some reason to agitate it. He is the prime agitator of an event that involves race. Most would find it in Rev. Perm, but seriously that annoying conservative agitator is a defender of "white rights". He is often the guy who likes to side with the officer (or vigilante) because Black leaders or President Barack Obama address concerns.
Melissa Harris-Perry, Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon, Tom Joyner, Rev. Perm, that annoying conservative agitator, Crazy-ass Alex Jones, O'Loofus, the Craigslist of conservative agitation, Tavis Smiley and Breitfart are the agitators. They often exploit these controversies for ratings or click bait.
Who are you going to believe the officer or the dead suspect?
"The heavens are crying right now," said General Jeff Page, known around skid row as the "mayor" of the poverty-stricken neighborhood, as rains poured on the crowd gathered around him. He went over the events of the day that led to the fatal shooting of Africa, whom Page called "one of our loved ones."
In the crowd was Yannick Babou, 34, a street vendor who works in skid row. Babou said he came out to show his frustration and anger with law enforcement.
"I'm not anti-police. I think we need police in society," Babou said. "But I think we need to hold police accountable when they do something wrong."
We here at Journal de la Reyna send our condolences to "Africa", the unarmed man killed by police.
This must be one of the most desperate attempts for courtroom agitator Nancy Grace.
She would host rapper 2 Chainz on her program to discuss marijuana and the children.
Don't forget that you must be 17 years old to purchase an album with the parental advisory label.
So I don't see the point in saying the children when you have to be an adult to buy a 2 Chainz album?
HLN is dying and I guess to siphon off those age 25 -54 demo from Loserville, they'll host a A-list rapper who frequently talks about hip-hop and weed.
Since I don't have the cable news, I often look at the websites such as Mediaite and The Huffington Post for the most outrageous moments in cable news.
The last time I've mentioned 2 Chainz was the fact he was shot at in San Francisco. Yeah, don't forget that appearance on the CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls.
Yeah, he preparing for his third album on Def Jam and releasing his newest mixtape T.R.U. Jack City in late January. He also launched his own imprint called T.R.U. - The Real University (or The Real U).
Springfield, Ohio got hit hard with the news of two anchor stores at the Upper Valley Mall closing.
The micropolitian area of Springfield, Ohio got hammered with some of the worst news ever. The only mall in the area is going to lose two anchor stores. The Upper Valley Mall which is located three miles from Springfield will be a "dead mall".
Springfield is 22 miles from Dayton, Ohio. It was part of the Dayton metropolitan area until 2010.
The U.S. Census broke off Springfield from the Dayton area. It also redistrict this area for House Weeper John Boenher (R-OH).
Wondering what Weeper and insurgent Jim Jordan (R-OH) could do help bring Upper Valley Mall back to its glory?
Built in 1971 by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corp. from Youngstown, the mall features five anchor stores and offers four sit down restaurants. The Upper Valley Mall is located on the city's west side just off US-68. The mall was owned by Simon Property Group, an Indianapolis, Indiana based company. It is currently bank owned.
J.C. Penny's and Macy's announced their shutting down in late Spring. The stores both along with MC Sports and Sears made up the mall. The mall seen a significant decrease in human traffic since the 2000s.
The mall had at one time had five anchor stores. It once had Dayton's based Elder-Beerman (Bon Ton, Inc) and Old Navy.
J.C. Penny's also decided to close up shop at the Eastland Mall in Columbus and one in Greenville a city that's 35 miles from Dayton.
Kmart also closed its only Springfield location. There are now five locations in the metro Dayton area.
Me and S. Baldwin follow DeadMalls.com. It's an informative and yes sad take on them days of the great urban retail centers we once grew up knowing.
In death, you'll be honored as a brave person. You are loved and no one can deny the fact that you are truly a woman.
This new year marks a tragedy. On December 28, a transgender teen was killed on Interstate 71 near the community of South Lebanon, Ohio.
Her life is being honored by millions.
This tragedy will start a discussion about bullying and coming out as trangender. It's rough for a teen who comes out as transgender.
I can say that at least 40 teens commit suicide because of bullying.
Some teens are heartbroken when their families aren't supportive.
Leelah Alcorn was only 17 when she came out as transgender. The focal purpose of this young teen's death will become a rally call for all teens who suffer from bullying and harassment from fellow peers.
Leelah was from Kings Mills, a community that's about 20 miles from Cincinnati. Although born male, Leelah couldn't fit in. She want to be the woman she could be. Her stuanchly conservative parents wanted to raise a "good Christian" boy and thought being transgender is being a phase.
On her Tumblr blog, she left a suicide note that went viral. Take discretion in reading this.
Please don’t be sad, it’s for the better. The life I would’ve lived isn’t worth living in… because I’m transgender. I could go into detail explaining why I feel that way, but this note is probably going to be lengthy enough as it is. To put it simply, I feel like a girl trapped in a boy’s body, and I’ve felt that way ever since I was 4. I never knew there was a word for that feeling, nor was it possible for a boy to become a girl, so I never told anyone and I just continued to do traditionally “boyish” things to try to fit in.
When I was 14, I learned what transgender meant and cried of happiness. After 10 years of confusion I finally understood who I was. I immediately told my mom, and she reacted extremely negatively, telling me that it was a phase, that I would never truly be a girl, that God doesn’t make mistakes, that I am wrong. If you are reading this, parents, please don’t tell this to your kids. Even if you are Christian or are against transgender people don’t ever say that to someone, especially your kid. That won’t do anything but make them hate them self. That’s exactly what it did to me.
My mom started taking me to a therapist, but would only take me to christian therapists, (who were all very biased) so I never actually got the therapy I needed to cure me of my depression. I only got more christians telling me that I was selfish and wrong and that I should look to God for help.
Beautiful Leelah Alcorn touched millions.
When I was 16 I realized that my parents would never come around, and that I would have to wait until I was 18 to start any sort of transitioning treatment, which absolutely broke my heart. The longer you wait, the harder it is to transition. I felt hopeless, that I was just going to look like a man in drag for the rest of my life. On my 16th birthday, when I didn’t receive consent from my parents to start transitioning, I cried myself to sleep.
I formed a sort of a “fuck you” attitude towards my parents and came out as gay at school, thinking that maybe if I eased into coming out as trans it would be less of a shock. Although the reaction from my friends was positive, my parents were pissed. They felt like I was attacking their image, and that I was an embarrassment to them. They wanted me to be their perfect little straight christian boy, and that’s obviously not what I wanted.
So they took me out of public school, took away my laptop and phone, and forbid me of getting on any sort of social media, completely isolating me from my friends. This was probably the part of my life when I was the most depressed, and I’m surprised I didn’t kill myself. I was completely alone for 5 months. No friends, no support, no love. Just my parent’s disappointment and the cruelty of loneliness.
At the end of the school year, my parents finally came around and gave me my phone and let me back on social media. I was excited, I finally had my friends back. They were extremely excited to see me and talk to me, but only at first. Eventually they realized they didn’t actually give a shit about me, and I felt even lonelier than I did before. The only friends I thought I had only liked me because they saw me five times a week.
After a summer of having almost no friends plus the weight of having to think about college, save money for moving out, keep my grades up, go to church each week and feel like shit because everyone there is against everything I live for, I have decided I’ve had enough. I’m never going to transition successfully, even when I move out. I’m never going to be happy with the way I look or sound. I’m never going to have enough friends to satisfy me. I’m never going to have enough love to satisfy me. I’m never going to find a man who loves me. I’m never going to be happy. Either I live the rest of my life as a lonely man who wishes he were a woman or I live my life as a lonelier woman who hates herself. There’s no winning. There’s no way out. I’m sad enough already, I don’t need my life to get any worse. People say “it gets better” but that isn’t true in my case. It gets worse. Each day I get worse.
That’s the gist of it, that’s why I feel like killing myself. Sorry if that’s not a good enough reason for you, it’s good enough for me. As for my will, I want 100% of the things that I legally own to be sold and the money (plus my money in the bank) to be given to trans civil rights movements and support groups, I don’t give a shit which one. The only way I will rest in peace is if one day transgender people aren’t treated the way I was, they’re treated like humans, with valid feelings and human rights. Gender needs to be taught about in schools, the earlier the better. My death needs to mean something. My death needs to be counted in the number of transgender people who commit suicide this year. I want someone to look at that number and say “that’s fucked up” and fix it. Fix society. Please.
Goodbye,
(Leelah) Josh Alcorn
It's a damn shame that her family wasn't approving of this. This is the most devestating thing in a child's life when a parent just can't understand.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Alcorn walked 4 miles from her middle-class Kings Mills neighborhood with its views of Kings Island to Interstate 71. There, she was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer. The highway was closed for more than a hour.
By Tuesday evening, Leelah's story had become a worldwide story - one of how transgender teens often feel alone and afraid. The hashtag #LeelahAlcorn was topping Twitter; news sites worldwide had picked up the story; and someone had even created a Wikipedia page for Alcorn.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate; no charges have been filed. Her body was sent to the Montgomery County coroner for an autopsy, which will take several weeks.
Alcorn's family declined to comment to The Enquirer. In a statement via the Kings Local School District, the family requested privacy.
Alcorn's mother, Carla Wood Alcorn, wrote on Facebook Sunday, "My sweet 16-year-old son, Leelah Joshua Ryan Alcorn, went home to Heaven this morning. He was out for an early morning walk and was hit by a truck. Thank you for the messages and kindness and concern you have sent our way. Please continue to keep us in your prayers." The post has since been taken down.
According to the school statement, Alcorn attended Kings schools and was most recently enrolled as an 11th grader at the Ohio Virtual Academy, an online school.
We here at Journal de la Reyna send our condolences to the family of Leelah Alcorn. I've decided to not use the biological name out of respect for her.
The nation third largest retailer is going out like the cassette tape.
I was listening to the Associated Press radio reports this morning and I heard something that had me shaking my head. I never thought I would say this, but I have this feeling that 2015 will not be a good year for the "Blue Light Specials"
I predict in five years, the nation's discount department store Kmart will be a part of American history. It will be on the way out like most popular retailers that went out of business during its downward spiral. The nation's third largest discount retailer will be gone. Leaving Walmart and Target as the only discount retailers in the world.
Kmart is a nationwide retailer of electronics, toys, clothing, bedding, furniture and home decor.
The retailer was founded by Sebastian S. Kresge. When he passed away in 1966, his company joined the hyperstore movement as Kmart in 1977. It was based in Detroit's suburb of Troy until 2005.
It moved to Hoffman Estates, Illinois in 2006 when Sears found some ounce of hope for Kmart.
In the Dayton, Ohio suburb of Trotwood, Kmart closed in 2013. The suburb is dubbed a "ghost town" for the massive departure of big box stores and the demise of the Salem Mall, Dayton's first indoor shopping center.
When Sears was struggling, the company thought the best idea to save the business was to merge with Kmart.
I guess the merger isn't helping the struggling retailer. Sears Holding Group which owns Sears and Kmart are seeing the shoppers not interested in the deals they're offering.
Kmart is the only retailer that still advocates layaway.
In my opinion, the average Kmart is like a hot mess. The store looks "dirty" but at least some of their workers are friendly at best. Cleanliness is the first thing most shoppers see when they enter a Kmart.
If they see dirty floors, damaged products, potential opportunities for theft, poor lighting, potholes in the parking lot and limited selection of products, shoppers turn away. That is a fact.
I live in Dayton, Ohio. There's four locations in Englewood, Beavercreek, Riverside and Springboro. These are the remaining locations in the metro area.
They're on the verge of shutting down the remaining stores in the area. I am guessing Englewood and Riverside are next on the list of stores on the close.
Kmart recently closed the Trotwood store in 2013 and Fairborn store in 2014.
Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) is a major shopping day for Americans. The retailers are hoping to see the BLACK in sales. That usually means that a healthy economy comes from families shopping at malls, discount stores, car dealerships and even local businesses.
The malls, Kmart, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, Loews, and other big box stores depend on the Black Friday sales. If they can have a healthy Black Friday, they can be motivated to opening up potential stores in other areas. They can hire more employees and offer more deals.
This is a nightmare if a retailer fails to generate Black Friday success.
If that's not capitalism, then I don't know what I can tell ya!
Okay, what's your thoughts on this?
*Please note that anonymous comments are deleted no exceptions!
After being treated for Ebola, Nina Pham and Amber Vinson were the subject of death threats. The president and the Center for Disease Control are trying to calm the extreme overreaction to Ebola. The president embraces the first American on soil to have the dangerous virus.
When the conservatives go bonkers!
An iconic picture of President Barack Obama hugging the first American on soil to be exposed to the Ebola virus. Nina Pham is the first American who was diagnosis with Ebola after treating Thomas Eric Duncan. He would die of Ebola and soon Nina and Amber Vinson would be infected with it.
The panic over Ebola is the Republican Party's hope to win back Congress.
They are spreading misinformation about Ebola. And of course, they're also trying their hardest to make the case that President Barack Obama and the gubmint are the real threat.
The Republicans in the senate have stalled a nominee for the surgeon general position.
And yet, are bitching about how the president isn't doing enough to stop the crisis.
Sometimes I wish we didn't have a 24/7 news cycle. Because the folks over at Last Place News, Obama News and Loserville have certainly spread the word that Ebola is flying in the skies.
Ebola is a contiguous virus that can be spread through body fluids. It's extremely low for a person to catch it. If you don't take care of yourself, then you're at risk for it. If someone showing signs of Ebola, they will go to the hospital and the health care professionals will do their best to treat the person infected with the virus.
Last year the actress made the news when she made her "outing".
Now the entertainer Raven-Symoné wants to tell the world that she identifies herself as American first, everything else last.
That got the junk food media's attention.
When talking the queen of daytime Oprah Winfrey, the actress addressed her heritage and her possible roots tracing back to the earlier times.
"I'm tired of being labeled, I'm an American. I'm not an African-American; I'm an American."
Also Oprah asked the actress about her dating life. Well of course, she admitted that she's dating a woman but doesn't want to be labeled a "lesbian".
"I don't want to be labeled gay, I want to be a human who loves humans."
Some didn't take kind to the words
"I'm not African American I'm American."- Raven Symone
The Black Race wants to trade her for this guy pic.twitter.com/oYDVsPD9O7
— BuiltFordTough (@Blackkout__) October 13, 2014
Lol wait wait wait....Raven Symone. Girl. "I didn't say I'm not black!" But you said you're colorless. Words mean things!
— Rhymes with Sara (@BirdOfTaradise) October 11, 2014
Poor @TheRevAl ...... Had 1 white dude & 2 Black women on ALL UP IN ARMS that #RavenSymone said,"I'm not African-American, I'm American!"
— SeldenGADawgs (@SeldenGADawgs) October 7, 2014
And of course the entertainer slams her critics. She said that "Of course, she's Black". She doesn't want the world to see her as this "BLACK" entertainer who happens to be a "LESBIAN".
A long time ago, August 25, 2001, Aaliyah, famed entertainer died in a plane crash in the Bahamas.
The world lost a legendary talent who's down to earth appeal attracted millions of fans.
Lifetime is running an original movie based on her life. The junk food media thinks that it's going to be full of controversy because it doesn't really tell the story of Aaliyah.
Nickelodeon star Alexandra Shipp portrays the late singer Aaliyah. Previously entertainer Zendaya was going to portray the late singer. But death threats and harsh criticism forced her to drop the project.
Alexandra Shipp portrays Aaliyah in Lifetime movie.
In the synopsis, Lifetime will run the movie on November 15. Lifetime’s Original Movie, “Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B,” starring Alexandra Shipp (“House of Anubis”) as the beloved actress and music sensation, is set to premiere Saturday, November 15, at 8pm ET/PT.
The two-hour movie event is executive produced by Howard Braunstein, Debra Martin Chase and Wendy Williams, and based on the bestseller “Aaliyah: More Than a Woman” by former Time Magazine music editor Christopher John Farley (Game World).
Before Beyoncé and before Rihanna, self-proclaimed “street but sweet” Aaliyah was poised to become a global icon with top-selling albums, a hot movie career and an adoring fan base.
The film follows the beautiful and talented performer’s inspirational journey, from her debut on “Star Search” at the age of ten to the challenges she faced during her rise to become the Princess of R&B.
On August 25, 2001, at the height of her popularity, her life was tragically cut short when a plane carrying the singer and some of her video crew crashed after takeoff from a Bahamian runway.
Although just 22-years-old at the time of her death, Aaliyah continues to lead a legacy as Billboard’s tenth most famous R&B artist of the past 25 years and one of the recording industry’s most successful artists in history.
Multi-talented actress and singer/songwriter Alexandra Shipp starred as KT Rush in the Nickelodeon series “House of Anubis.” Additional credits include the upcoming film “Drumline 2: A New Beat,” “ Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,” “Ray Donovan,” “Victorious,” “Switched at Birth” and “Awkward.” Shipp is currently filming Universal Pictures’ “Straight Outta Compton.”
“Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B” also stars Rachael Crawford (“The Man”) and Sterling Jarvis (“The Sentinel”) as Aaliyah’s parents Diane and Mike Haughton; A.J. Saudin (“Degrassi,” “The Next Generation”) as Aaliyah’s brother Rashad Haughton; and Lyriq Bent (“Saw IV”) as her uncle and music manager Barry Hankerson. The film also stars Anthony Grant as Damon Dash, Izaak Smith (“Mirror, Mirror”) as Timbaland, Elise Neal (“The Soul Man”) as Gladys Knight and Chattrisse Dolabaille (“Home Away”) as Missy Elliot. “Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B” is produced by Aaliyah Productions, Inc. Howard Braunstein (“The Informant!”) Debra Martin Chase (“The Princess Diaries,” “Sparkle”) and Wendy Williams (“Wendy Williams Show”) serve as executive producers. Steve Solomos serves as producer. Bradley Walsh (“Turn the Beat Around”) directs from a script written by Michael Elliot (“Brown Sugar”).
