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Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are preparing for what many are calling the wedding of the century, with plans that have many questioning their choices and motives.

The Amazon founder and former TV journalist are set to exchange vows between June 24 and June 26 at an unconventional venue that has sparked both curiosity and criticism among onlookers.

Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez get roasted over their over the top wedding plans this summer. (Photo: @laurenwsanchez)

According to alleged sources who spoke with The U.S. Sun, the billionaire couple will tie the knot at an iconic open-air theater situated on a Venetian island in Italy.

The details of their upcoming nuptials reveal a celebration of extraordinary opulence, with approximately 200 guests expected to attend the ceremony.

Adding to the extravagance, musical legends Elton John and Lady Gaga are reportedly booked to perform for the attendees. The couple has secured luxury accommodations throughout the city, including an $11,600-per-night Grand Canal Suite at the prestigious Aman Venice hotel.

“The word is that they have booked the theater, which has been restored,” the person claimed to The U.S. Sun.

Adding, “It’s not your usual venue for a wedding, it would be iconic. Everyone is talking about the wedding and it’s going to be a huge celebration.”

The venue, which remains officially unnamed in reports, shows a two-week block of unavailable dates on its website.

The guest list reads like a who’s who of global celebrities.

Invitees reportedly include Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, and Katy Perry. The political world will also be represented, with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, along with model Karlie Kloss and her husband Joshua Kushner expected to attend.

Perhaps most notably, President Donald Trump has reportedly received an invitation, after Sánchez and Bezos had front-row seats at his inauguration in January.

While the couple’s lavish plans have captivated the media, social media users have been less than impressed, with many criticizing what they perceive as excessive displays of wealth and questionable relationship dynamics.

“I don’t like her, but well, since she is the other woman, getting married in a church would be hypocritical. So good for them for choosing something different,” one Y! Entertainment reader commented, alluding to the controversial beginnings of the couple’s relationship.

Another skeptical reader from the Daily Mail wrote, “I still don’t think it’s going to happen.. why should he buy the cow, he’s already getting the milk.”

One user focused on the financial aspects of the union.

“Love to see the prenuptial,” they quipped, before adding, “I don’t even know why he’s bothering to marry her tbh. Obviously, they’ve been living together once the affair was outed.”

Another suggested, “This marriage is going to make Jeff Bezos a millionaire.”

Many wonder about the couple’s prenuptial agreement, curious as to how Bezos will protect his vast fortune

While there is no evidence she is primarily interested in Bezos’ wealth, the stark financial contrast between them – her $30 million net worth versus his $203 billion fortune – has fueled such speculation.

The cynicism continued with one writing, “Bezos is going to feel like the Ringmaster at a Grand Circus with this bunch of narcissists surrounding him. Spending days on end with these phoney people would drive any normal person mad. It’s a good thing there are no normal people invited to this wedding.”

Perhaps most bluntly, one simply stated: “They’ll be divorced in a year.”

Preparations for Jeff Bezos’ wedding in Venice have drawn major attention.

Morris Ceron, director general of the Venice council, said he began working to bring the celebration to the city after learning of it from Domenico Dolce seven months ago.

“I got to work to bring this marriage of the century to Venice—that’s how it started,” Ceron said. Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro pushed back on speculation, calling certain rumors about the details of wedding  “completely unfounded.”

While the exact details are still under wraps, one thing for sure is that the world will be watching for what people think will be the “wedding of the century.”

‘This Marriage Is Going to Make Jeff Bezos a Millionaire’: Jeff Bezos’ Financial Status in Jeopardy as He Prepares for Over-the-Top Wedding with Fiancée Lauren Sánchez

Christopher Schwarzenegger says, “It was a big process” to shed the pounds that once held him back from fitting in with his peers. The 27-year-old has been turning heads for a few years since debuting a slimmer body, and the journey is hardly over. 

“I started in 2019 when I was living in Australia. I was on this big trip. I made it a big [deal] like, ‘Oh, I’m going to go out and do all this stuff, be in Australia,’ and I just saw how much my weight was prohibiting me from doing the everyday activities,” he said during the Beacher Vitality Happy & Healthy Summit on May 10 in Los Angeles, per People.

Arnold Schwarzennegar’s Christopher reveals the secret to his dramatic weight loss as critics compare his physique to Irish twin brother Joseph Baena. Photos: Schwarzennegar/Instagram; Joebaena/Instagram.

“I was like, ‘I want to go skydiving.’ And my friends were like, ‘Yeah, no shot.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, I can’t skydive,’” he added. The University of Michigan graduate is the youngest of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver’s four children, who include older siblings Katherine, Christina, and Patrick.

The “Terminator” actor is also dad to son Joseph Baena, whom he fathered during his 25-year marriage, which ended in 2021, with  housekeeper Mildred Patricia Baena. His youngest sons were both born in 1997.

Christopher’s vulnerable remarks about his weight struggles included revealing that he “tried everything” before having a significant breakthrough. “I was doing meal delivery things in high school, and I remember feeling like a weirdo when I was bringing weird lunches to school,” he said of the trial-and-error process.

Christopher Schwarzenegger impresses with remarkable weight loss at family Easter gathering. pic.twitter.com/xhOBnEwYZR

— NewsGate (@news__gate) April 21, 2025

To his surprise, the secret to his weight loss had less to do with what he consumed and more so with what he was willing to give up. “I gave up bread for Lent… I’m a good Catholic boy, so I’m not going to break it. And that was my one rule… I lost 30 pounds just through that,” he told the summit attendees.

Not everyone was convinced that the former California governor’s offspring was honest about his tactics that seemed too “far-fetched” to be the truth. A skeptic scoffed, “DUHH!  Lose 30 pounds by giving up eating “Bread”?  Impossible!”

Similarly, someone else stated, “Sorry not buying it! Unless he was ingesting 14 loaves a day just giving up bread wasn’t going to do it. Maria has always struggled with her weight and he has her gene.”

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A post shared by Joseph Baena (@joebaena)

A third individual opined, “Just admit you’re on Ozempic.” In his remarks about his slim-down, Christopher insisted that “It’s not an overnight thing” and that “even still to this day … when you’re saying, oh, before and after photos … I don’t feel like I’m an after yet. I don’t feel like I’m at the point.”

A fourth person quipped, “Meanwhile the maid’s son is a fitness fanatic and looks just like his father…Do some pushups away from the table pal.” Maria and Arnold’s kids reportedly “don’t love Joe” and have yet to embrace the bodybuilder. The Hollywood veteran, however, has always treated his son “very fairly” and has remained a present parent throughout his life.

‘Impossible’: Fans Are In Disbelief After Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Son Christopher Reveals Secret to His Jaw-Dropping Weight Loss Transformation

She was told she was “a threat.” She was making other customers uncomfortable, but 40-year-old Kenya Moore said she’s still trying to piece together the events that led her to leave a northern Colorado outdoor store on Friday after a discussion with the store employee.

Kenya Hodges, who posted a video of the exchange with a manager of Jax’s in Loveland to her TikTok account under the title “racism at its finest,” says she had never encountered such blatant racial profiling.

A manager of Jax’s in Loveland told a Black TikToker that other shoppers feel threatened by her. (Photo: TikTok/Waterbuzz)

“I’m a threat because I was enjoying my time shopping by dancing – however I was accused of singing and talking on the phone as well which somehow poses a threat and the need to have the cops called … y’all just watch and see how she changes her tone once I tell her I was recording and going to post on Social Media – this is real life and it really is unfortunate,” Hodges, 40, wrote alongside her video.

The incident that started the conversation between the woman and the store manager was not recorded, forcing observers to take the involved parties at their word. Hodges said she was trying on a hat, taking pictures of it to post on her social media accounts, when a security guard approached her, asked if she was OK then left. Hodges said she was dancing to her music, as she often does.

A few minutes later, the guard returns with a woman who appears to be a store manager. Hodges said she asked her to sit down and told her she was in the way of other customers.

“There was no one else around,” Hodges recalled to Atlanta Black Star in an interview. She no longer felt comfortable and was no longer interested in buying the hat she had tried on.

Atlanta Black Star has reached out to store management for comment.

“People posting a negative review of a store that they’ve only heard one side of the story. Show the video, then have an opinion,” wrote one woman.

Another viewer wanted proof “that people were actually threatened, “or did the employee not like her.”

According to the manager, customers had complained about Hodges allegedly singing, dancing and talking loudly on her phone inside the store. (Hodges says she was only dancing.) She later heard the manager refer to her as a “threat” and decided at that point to leave on her own accord.

“So being happy is a crime now? Lord!” questioned one viewer.

The manager, who appears nervous about the encounter, “couldn’t even articulate what the problem was,” noted another viewer.

“Black joy irritates some people,” concluded another viewer.

The manager told Hodges she did not feel threatened by her.

“You were standing there dancing and singing, they wanted to shop,” she told her.

“They felt threatened … I don’t know,” the manager said.

The shopper sought clarification about how exactly she was “a threat.”

The manager told her she was welcome back into the store, “as long as you don’t cause problems.”

“As people of color, this is an everyday thing,” one viewer commented on the video.

Many commenters suggested Hodges hire an attorney, saying she was discriminated against by Jax.

Hodges said she is leaving her options open.

“If people don’t speak up, it’ll keep on happening,” she said.

‘They Felt Threatened’: Black Jax’s Shopper Told She Was Making Other Customers ‘Afraid’ Inside Colorado Retailer By Dancing and Singing In Store, Video Shows

Toni Braxton seemingly turned her son’s college graduation into a runway moment, showing up in a sizzling outfit that had fans asking, “Was this a commencement or a concert?”

The singer attended Howard University’s 157th commencement on May 10 to watch her 22-year-old Diezel Braxton-Lewis walk across the stage. She was accompanied by her mother, Evelyn Braxton, her other son, Denim Braxton, her ex-husband, Keri Lewis, and some other extended family members.

Toni Braxton’s seductive outfit at her son’s graduation sends fans into a frenzy. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Island Records)

Both Toni and Diezel shared moments from the big day on Instagram on May 11, which also happened to be Mother’s Day.

While many fans filled the comments with praise for Diezel’s accomplishment, others seemed to be distracted by Toni’s controversial outfit. 

The seven-time Grammy-award-winning singer went for an all-black-outfit which included a blazer, a bodysuit — with no pants underneath — a black lace skirt, and a black wide-brim hat with a veil.

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A post shared by Diezel Braxton-Lewis (@diezel.braxton)

Some people quickly jumped into Diezel’s comments condemning his mother’s outfit choice.

One person asked, “Why did she wear that?”

Another said, “You would wear sheer with your a– out at a special moment like that? As a parent? Toni is beautiful we all know that, im just saying not appropriate for a child’s graduation.”

A third wrote, “Congratulations to him!!! but girl wtf you got on,” while a fourth added, “I wish my mama would.” 

Toni Braxton with her celebrating her son Diezel Braxton-Lewis’ graduation, and her son Denim Braxton. (Photo: @diezel.braxton/Instagram)

But Braxton was too busy celebrating her son’s moment to care what others had to say. In her post, she shared a video of an emotional Diezel shedding tears as he stood in line preparing to walk across the stage. 

In her caption she wrote, “I got the best Mother’s Day gift! My son is officially a HOWARD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE!! I’m so proud of you @diezel.braxton and can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll accomplish! YOU DID THAT! Proud #BoyMom.”

Toni has never been afraid to be a little risqué with her wardrobe choices. It seems fans want her to be more cautious about the appropriate time to do so. In fact, she did that in March when her and Lewis’ first son, Denim, 23, graduated from the Fashion Institute Of Merchandising And Design. 

In the photo of Braxton and Lewis posing together, with Denim flanked by his two parents, his mom wore a dark blue halter jumpsuit. 

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A post shared by Toni Braxton (@tonibraxton)

Braxton welcomed her two sons with Lewis during their 12 year marriage that ended in 2013. Diezel was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old, but, according to Essence, she has said that he no longer has it.

The outlet said she told Access Hollywood in 2020, “My youngest son, as everyone knows, my son Diezel suffers from – or I should say suffered from autism. He [has] no signs of autism.” She went on to say she is “one of the lucky parents” because Diezel “is off the spectrum.”

While his older brother seems to be pursuing a modeling career, Diezel shared on April 9 that he got accepted into the British American Drama Academy for the summer intensive program. It’s the same academy the late Chadwick Boseman attended in 1998. 

‘I Wish My Mama Would’: Toni Braxton Slammed for Wearing See-Through Outfit to Her Son’s Graduation

A Hispanic woman who sued the Township of Woodbridge, New Jersey for excessive force, claiming police officers violently assaulted her as she stepped out of the shower, will receive a $197,500 settlement.

Katiria Ortiz was 30 years old on June 21, 2018, when police raided her South Amboy home, allegedly seeking to stop her from destroying evidence of drug trafficking by her ex-husband, Joshua Pardo.

Pardo had been under surveillance by the Woodbridge Police narcotics investigation unit, and was seen driving away from Ortiz’s house that morning. Police had a search warrant for Pardo and his vehicle, and tried to pull him over. Pardo fled, and an officer saw him fling a bag out of the car during the chase. That bag was later found to contain smaller baggies of cocaine.

Detective Juan Carlos Bonilla, Jr. (Right) was one of 10 Woodbridge, New Jersey police officers named as defendants in an excessive force lawsuit settled in February, 2025. (Photos: Township of Woodbridge Police Department, Flickr and Facebook Profile).

Another officer later testified he saw Pardo appearing to make a call on his cellphone, and that the narcotics team suspected he might be calling Ortiz to alert her to hide other contraband.

What happened next has been hotly disputed by Ortiz, the police and their lawyers during a six-year legal battle.

According to her lawsuit filed in federal court in 2019, Ortiz had dropped off her 8-year-old daughter at school that morning. Pardo, whom she had divorced in 2014 and who lived with his father, had then come by to pick up an SUV she was borrowing from him to take care of a registration issue at the motor vehicle department.

About 15 minutes after he left, she said Pardo called to say he was being pulled over by police, but then the call dropped. When she called him back, he didn’t pick up. She said she then got in the shower in the bathroom off her third-floor bedroom, as she needed to get ready for work.

At that point, Woodbridge Police Detectives Juan Carlos Bonilla, Jr. and Brian Jaremczac broke into her basement door with a battering ram. The officers made their way up the stairs, allegedly kicking and throwing her three dogs against a wall “until they became docile,” the complaint says.

In a 2022 deposition, Ortiz testified that she heard her dogs “barking like crazy,” and stepped out of the still-running shower and began to pat herself dry with a towel when the bathroom door “exploded open.” She says she was then struck in the face by “something black” that was “the size of a gun,” and momentarily passed out.

When she came to, she said, she was naked on the floor, “spread eagle,” looking up at Bonilla, who was holding a gun, and Jaremczac, who was holding a battering ram. Dressed in plain clothes, they hadn’t identified themselves as police officers, and she was afraid they might be there to burglarize her home or rape her, the lawsuit said. Her nose was gushing blood.

Bonilla grabbed her and dragged her to her bed, ignoring her when she asked several times for something to wear, finally throwing her a “house gown,” she claimed. When she asked for a search warrant, the officers did not produce one, and told her, “Shut the f—k up, we don’t have to answer your questions,” she recounted.

Several more officers then arrived, and a female officer allowed Ortiz to get fully dressed, and EMS personnel tended to her bloody nose, which was broken, and to a cut on her face.

Meanwhile, several officers searched her home and, according to police reports, found a backpack with Pardo’s credit cards, a plastic bag containing cocaine residue, and $3,006 in cash wrapped in rubbed bands hidden in the toilet tank.

In her court pleadings, Ortiz insisted that she never saw Pardo’s backpack in her home, and that the $3,006 in cash was not in the toilet but in her purse inside a closet, along with an invoice for an upcoming root canal procedure.

Ortiz was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, tampering, obstruction, money laundering, and throwing bodily fluids at an officer. (Bonilla claimed that she threw her blood at him, which she denied).

Ortiz was treated at a hospital for her injuries then held in jail for seven days before the charges were dismissed on May 31, 2019, the lawsuit says.

As a result of her arrest and incarceration, her daughter was removed from her and placed in her mother’s care for three months by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families Child Protection and Permanency Unit.

In her amended complaint filed on behalf of herself and her daughter in 2021, Ortiz sued Woodbridge Township and 10 police officers for excessive force and cover up, false imprisonment, assault and battery, sexual assault, denial of medical care, negligence and infliction of emotional distress, citing violation of state and federal laws.

She argued that the police officers illegally searched her home, assaulted her, detained and arrested her with no probable cause or a reasonable, good faith basis to believe she was involved with drug dealing or any other crime, then later falsified reports and lied to a grand jury to cover their tracks.

Their “objectively unreasonable, excessive and conscious shocking physical force” caused her serious bodily harm, she claimed.

She sought a jury trial to determine compensatory, consequential, special and punitive damages to address her physical injuries, impairment and disfigurement, pain and emotional distress, medical and psychological treatment, and property damage.

In their depositions and pleadings, including a Statement of Material Facts filed in support of their motion for summary judgment in September 2024, the officers named in the lawsuit disputed many elements of Ortiz’s account of the incident at her home and its aftermath.

Bonilla asserted that the narcotics team had credible information from surveillance and a confidential informant indicating that Pardo, who had been seen coming and going from her house, was dealing cocaine and living there, and that a judicial official had properly granted a search warrant of Pardo, his car and Ortiz’s home.

The officers also knew that Ortiz had been arrested in 2011 for cocaine possession, obstruction, and resisting arrest. Those charges were dismissed after Ortiz completed a pre-trial intervention program, but it gave them reason to believe she might interfere in their investigation of her ex, they said.

Bonilla said he and Det. Jaremczak were acting with “ordinary caution” and “in good faith” when, due to exigent circumstances created by Pardo’s perceived attempt to alert Ortiz of police activity, they forced entry into her home. Upon hearing running water and a person “shuffling around” in her bathroom, Bonilla said he kicked down the locked bathroom door in an effort to stop her from destroying evidence.

When he did so, the door struck Ortiz in the face, immediately causing her nose to bleed, he said. He denied striking her with a gun.

The defendants’ statement of fact notes that Ortiz filed a tort claim in September 2018 alleging that officers had slammed the door into her face, and that she said the same to medical personnel who treated her.

“Plaintiff is unable to consistently articulate how she sustained an injury,” the defendants’ attorneys argued in their motion for summary judgment brief in September 2024.

Ortiz was treated by EMS at her house but waved off additional medical care three times on the day of her arrest, the officers alleged, until finally complaining of pain while at the jail that afternoon, when she agreed to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

The Town of Woodbridge and the defendant police officers contended that Ortiz stipulated to (or agreed to accept the validity of) probable cause for her arrest, the exigent circumstances for police entering the house, and the authorized search warrant in exchange for dismissal of all the charges against her in 2018.

Ortiz countered in a deposition and court documents that she had only stipulated to probable cause for the search warrant, not for her arrest, which she maintained was not justified by the circumstances, and that police had no good reason to believe she had committed a crime.

The parties had not yet engaged in a court-supervised settlement conference, which was postponed last year. They reached settlement terms out of court in January and notified the judge to terminate the case.

The $197,500 settlement between Ortiz and the Township of Woodbridge and its insurance carrier was first reported by Transparencynj.com, a New Jersey government watchdog website. The settlement agreement signed by Ortiz on Feb. 14 states that none of the defendants admit liability, that all expressly deny any wrongdoing, and releases them forever from all claims.

In March, attorneys for Ortiz notified U.S. District Court Judge Jessica Allen that the case had been settled as to all defendants. In April, the parties filed documents with the court confirming that all of the plaintiffs’ claims against Woodbridge and all law enforcement defendants were voluntarily dismissed, without legal costs to any party.

‘We Don’t Have to Answer Your Questions!’: Plainclothes New Jersey Town Cops Broke Into Woman’s Home and Allegedly Assaulted Her While Showering, Now City Must Pay $197K

A judge declared a mistrial this week after a jury could not reach a unanimous verdict in the trial of a former Michigan cop who was charged with murder for the shooting death of a Black man in 2022.

Former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr, 34, was being tried for second-degree murder after fatally shooting 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya, a Congolese immigrant, in the back of the head in April 2022.

Christopher Schurr filed a motion in a federal court to dismiss a civil complaint file by Patrick Lyoya’s family. (Photos: YouTube screenshots)

Cellphone video and bodycam footage showed Schurr struggling with Lyoya on the lawn of a home during a traffic stop. Authorities said Lyoya managed to grab hold of Schurr’s Taser. In the end, Schurr climbed on top of Lyoya, who was face-down on the ground, and fired one fatal shot to the back of the 26-year-old’s head.

Schurr’s attorneys staked their case on a self-defense claim, arguing that Lyoya had control of Schurr’s Taser during the struggle. Prosecutors argued that Schurr’s lethal actions amounted to excessive force.

Jurors heard testimony from policing experts, eyewitnesses, investigators, and Schurr himself. Use-of-force experts whom defense attorneys called to the stand argued that Schurr was well within his rights to use deadly force after Lyoya had control of his Taser. Policing experts called by the prosecution argued that Schurr acted improperly during the encounter.

After prosecutors rested their case, Schurr’s defense team filed a motion for a mistrial, arguing that their subject matter experts relied on outdated policies about tactical procedures in their testimonies.

The judge overseeing the case rejected the motion, stating that she does “not believe that the experts’ testimony rises to the level of requiring a mistrial.”

But the court proceedings ended in a mistrial anyway on May 8 when the jury announced it could not reach a unanimous verdict after roughly 20 hours of deliberation.

During a virtual news conference, Lyoya’s family said they were “extremely disappointed” by the trial result and said they were “reborn of the wound” of Lyoya’s death.

“The image of my son being killed, it came back again,” Lyoya’s father, Peter Lyoya, said in his native language, via a family translator, according to WOOD. “We were fighting and we thought we were getting to the close of this case and were going to get the justice. I want to say that (the hung jury) hurt my family, my wife. We are bleeding, we are in pain.”

Lyoya’s mother said that she was waiting for Schurr to apologize to her family when he was testifying, but she felt like he showed no remorse, saying, “It seemed like he only killed an animal. That’s how he presented himself,” Dorcas Lyoya said through a translator, the Detroit Free Press reported.

“I didn’t give up on my son, and we’re not going to be tired until we find justice for our son,” she added.

Prosecutor Chris Becker said he spoke to some of the jury members, who said their stalemate was the result of indecision about the dangers the Taser posed during the struggle and the totality of the circumstances compared to the moment Lyoya was shot. Ultimately, they could not determine whether Lyoya’s death was murder.

“What happened today is not what anybody expected or wanted,” Becker told reporters in the courthouse. “We were hoping to get a conclusion. We thought we’d put a good case forward. Obviously, the jury thought differently. They were hung.”

Becker added that he has not yet decided to retry the case in front of a new jury, stating, “It’s a process and I’m not going to rush into it.”

Schurr’s lead defense attorney, Michael Borgula, said Schurr is grateful he wasn’t found guilty, but is disappointed by the lack of resolution. Borgula also opposed any efforts to try the case again.

“This is not ‘winners and losers’ in this case. Christopher Schurr never wanted to take a life,” Borgula said. “I guarantee you he is the nicest man, and this is the most difficult thing he’s ever had to deal with, that decision in that split second. We cannot declare victory, because there really is no winning here. A man died, and that is a very serious thing.”

The mistrial incited large demonstrations in downtown Grand Rapids, where protestors called on Becker to move for a retrial after gathering outside the courthouse.

Becker said a decision to retry the case should come down in a matter of weeks.

“I’m not going to let this drag out,” he said. “I’m going to be considerate of the community. I think this is a big, big decision, I’m not going to rush through it … but it’s not going to be June. I don’t have a specific timeline, but I hope to know relatively soon.”

‘Like He Killed an Animal’: Family Outraged After White Cop Who Sat on Black Man and Fired Fatal Shot to the Back of the Head Walks Away with Mistrial — Lawyer Calls Him the ‘Nicest Man’

“Black-ish” star Marsai Martin opened a can of worms last month during her appearance on “The Breakfast Club” when her TV dad Anthony Anderson dropped a bomb about Martin’s “NASCAR driver guy.”

The 20-year-old filmmaker and CEO has reportedly been dating trailblazing NASCAR star Rajah Caruth though fans are racing to find out more about their relationship.

While there is little known about their relationship, it seems Martin has found a “special person” in Caruth.

Marsai Martin’s Nascar boyfriend revealed after she gushes about him. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 presented by Prime Video) (Photo: @rajahcaruth_/Instagram) Who Is Rajah Kirby Caruth?

Rajah Kirby Caruth, 22, was born on June 11, 2002. Raised between Washington D.C. and Brooklyn, he was nurtured by his father, Roger, an assistant professor in the Department of Strategic, Legal, and Management Communication at the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, and his mother, Samantha Caruth, the Associate Director of Family Engagement at American University. He also has his sister, Liyah Caruth, who is 20 years old.

Caruth’s love for racing began when he was just a small child after watching Disney’s 2006 animated movie “Cars.” His love for racing grew when he turned 12 and his parents surprised him by taking him to watch the NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.

His racing career started at the age of 16 online. After his family held fundraisers, they were able to purchase him an iRacing simulator, which is where he would spend hours at a time racing. In fact, he even traded his real driver’s license for the chance to race virtually in the eNASCAR Ignite Series.

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Caruth was accepted into the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program and quickly made his mark. In 2020, he became the first African American to win a late model race at Greenville-Pickens Speedway. He finished third in the ARCA Menards Series East standings in 2021, then moved to the NASCAR Truck Series in 2022.

By March 2024, he earned a major national win in Las Vegas. While racing, he completed a degree in Motorsports Management at Winston-Salem State University, graduating in December 2024.

Today, Caruth races full time for Spire Motorsports and currently ranks 13th in the standings with two top-5 finishes.

Marsai Gushes Over Rajah’s Kindness During April Interview

It’s not clear when or how Martin and Caruth met. In fact, the couple kept their relationship pretty mum but according to online reports they have been together for at least a year. In May 2024, they were spotted at his Wright Brand 250 race when pictures surfaced of Caruth kissing the “G20” star on the head at North Wilkesboro, N.C. 

Martin talked about how she wants her man to show up in an April 11 interview on “The Breakfast Club.” She said, “Honestly, I think it’s communication and listening and understanding and the willing[ness] to understand. I feel like at times I’ve had multiple conversations with a bunch of different people and I think the main thing is them ready to respond without actually listening and understanding what the whole situation is.”

With a little push from her TV dad and “G20” co-star, Anthony Anderson, the producer revealed that so far Caruth is a winner in those categories. “And he’s really great at that honestly,” Martin said. Listing out what Caruth is great at specifically she said he’s, “emotional, vulnerable, understanding.”

“I think that’s the utmost important thing that a lot of men kind of lack is vulnerability and being able to have that emotion and have this kind of stance of what a man should look like,” she added.

The Dallas, Texas, native sweetly explained how much Caruth means to her. She said, “He’s my patience. He’s my stability.”

When it comes to relationships, “I think just being as open as possible to have that communication is the top priority for me. As long as you’re listening and hearing me and know what’s going on in my life and reassurance is everything. So all of that is important,” she explained.

Following Martin and Anderson’s interview, photos of Martin and Caruth hit the internet on May 5, showing the two at a NASCAR race on two separate occasions. In one sweet image, he can be seen giving her a kiss on the forehead.

It’s something about those forehead kisses,” wrote one Instagram user. Another said, ‘Handsome, accomplished, & age appropriate. Love this for her :).”

Referring to Anderson, a third added, “Baby, he def a second dad embarrassing her and telling all her business.”

A fourth noted, “I know she’s an adult now, but i wasn’t ready!! I’m still not!!” Though many advised, Caruth, “Better treat her right.”

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Martin didn’t reveal how long she’s been dating Caruth, but she did hint at enjoying the couple’s activities.

On April 9, she said on “The Angie Martinez Show” that even though she is of age she doesn’t care to go to bars and that she doesn’t like to be around a lot of people. Instead, she said with a smile, “I just like being with my person at a house. Quiet, the spa, cooking and just working out. And kind of just having some sense of stability.”

‘Telling All Her Business’: Marsai Martin’s NASCAR Boyfriend Revealed In Photos Weeks After Anthony Anderson’s Not-So-Subtle Interview Hint

Emma Heming Willis, the wife of famed actor Bruce Willis, has reportedly ignited controversy within the actor’s family circle following the announcement of her upcoming memoir about caring for her husband.

Some family members have reportedly expressed concern about the book exploiting Willis’ battle with dementia for publicity and profit.

While “The Unexpected Journey” is being promoted as a heartfelt tribute and caregiver’s guide ahead of its September release, a new tabloid report suggests insiders believe the timing is troubling, as the 70-year-old “Die Hard” star’s condition continues to worsen behind closed doors.

An insider has shared that Bruce Willis’ family opposes his new wife, Emma Willis, new book, and talking openly about his dementia. (Photo by emmahemingwillis/Instagram)

What was intended to uplift others has instead allegedly exposed fractures in the tight-knit Willis family.

While Emma describes the memoir as “shaped by love,” RadarOnline reports an alleged insider close to Bruce says it’s a misstep that puts her need for visibility above his need for peace.

The person states they believe the family, who has guarded Bruce’s privacy since his 2022 aphasia diagnosis and 2023 frontotemporal dementia revelation, now feels blindsided.

“People understand Emma’s grief and that her experience might help others,” the alleged insider shared. “But using Bruce’s name to sell a book, while he’s still battling aphasia and dementia at home with the family?”

For the unnamed purported insider, the optics are hard to ignore.

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Emma has already begun promoting the book, posting intimate photos of Bruce, granting interviews, and gearing up for a national press run. For some within Bruce’s circle, it feels like too much, too soon.

“She’s been doing interviews, posting constantly, and now she’s gearing up for a full-scale book tour,” the alleged friend of the family said. “Some of us feel Bruce deserves more protection — not more publicity.”

Emma, for her part, stands by the decision.

“I know that no two caregiving journeys are the same,” she writes in the book. “But we are connected by the same unchosen thread. … I’m here to let you know that you are not alone.”

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The tension is all the more striking when compared to the tone set by Bruce’s ex-wife, Demi Moore. The former pair were married for 13 years, from 1987 to 2000. He married Emma years later in 2009.

The two women have long presented a united front — Emma even referred to Demi as part of their “blended family” — but their differing approaches have sparked fresh debate. Demi, who shares three daughters with Bruce, has chosen to speak about his condition sparingly and with careful restraint.

“You have to be in real deep acceptance of what [the disease] is,” Demi said in October 2024. “For where he’s at, he is stable.”

She said she meets Bruce “where he’s at,” offering wisdom without oversharing.

Meanwhile, it’s been Bruce’s older daughters — Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah — who have given heartfelt yet measured updates.

Rumer recently told the “Loose Women” talk show,  “He’s doing great… what’s so beautiful is the way that we rally around each other. We really are a unit.”

Scout echoed that unity, telling SiriusXM, “My dad is so surrounded by love… I feel incredibly grateful that my family is so close. My stepmom, my little sisters, my mom, my dad— my dad has a lot of really powerful women around him.”

Tallulah, who has publicly discussed her own mental health struggles, reflected on how the experience has deepened their bond.

“There are painful days, but there’s so much love, and I really do think we’d be best friends. I think he’s very proud of me,” she said on the “Today” show last fall.

The girls recently linked up to connect with their dad to celebrate his 70th birthday in March.

Some remain unconvinced, if the tabloid report is to be believed. But what is true is that Bruce’s condition has steadily worsened. Emma has shared in past interviews that an early warning sign was the return of his childhood stutter — initially brushed off as “just Bruce being Bruce.” Since his retirement, she’s taken on the role of full-time caregiver, a task she has described as both isolating and eye-opening.

On Instagram, she described the book as “very personal” and said writing it was part of her healing. “I hope it helps others as much as it helped me,” Emma posted.

‘Bruce Deserves More Protection’: Bruce Willis’ Family Feels Betrayed as Wife Emma Announces Tell-All Book Revealing Their Private Struggles Amid His Declining Dementia Battle

The new top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles is offering a controversial plea deal to Trevor Kirk, a former L.A. sheriff’s deputy convicted by a jury of felony use of excessive force against a Black woman, allowing him to instead plead guilty to a misdemeanor.

The unusual post-trial plea agreement, obtained by Atlanta Black Star, has prompted several assistant U.S. Attorneys who prosecuted Kirk to resign. And the federal judge who presided over his three-day trial in February is now questioning the legality of the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to strike a jury’s felony civil rights verdict.

Kirk was found guilty on Feb. 6 of one count of felony deprivation of rights under color of law after a three-day criminal trial on charges that he used unreasonable and unnecessary force on Jacy Houseton, a Black woman suspect he assaulted and pepper-sprayed while responding to a reported robbery.

L.A. Deputy Sheriff Trevor Kirk (right) was convicted of using excessive force on Jacy Houseton during this June 24, 2023 arrest in Lancaster. (Photo: ABC7/Lancaster video screenshot)

In June 2023, Kirk and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Felipe Alejandre, Jr. responded to the robbery call at a grocery store in Lancaster, north of L.A., and came upon Damon Barnes, 56, who was carrying a cake he had purchased, and Houseton, 58, who was sitting in a car. The two matched the description of the reported robbers.

Police video showed that Alejandre detained Barnes without incident, but prosecutors said that Kirk was “unjustifiably violent” with Houseton, who had gotten out of the car and was filming Barnes’ arrest, telling the deputies they were on YouTube Live, reported Legalaffairsandtrials.com.

Without giving her any commands, Kirk grabbed Houseton by her arm, hooked his hand behind her neck, and threw her to the ground, a grand jury indictment stated. Then he threatened to punch her, placed his knee into her back and neck, and pepper sprayed her in the face twice.

Houseton received medical treatment at a hospital after the assault, and suffered a blunt force head injury, contusions and abrasions on multiple parts of her body, chemical conjunctivitis, and other injuries.

Houseton and Barnes settled their lawsuit against Kirk, Alejandre and the sheriff’s department for $3 million in March, and are awaiting its approval from the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, LegalAffairs reported.

Before his ultra-lenient plea deal was extended by Bill Essayli, the new Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Kirk was facing a sentencing hearing later this month in his criminal case before U.S. District Court Judge Stephen W. Wilson, who had denied his motion for acquittal in April.

Kirk, who was “relieved of duty” in 2023 but is still employed by the sheriff’s department, had argued there was insufficient evidence to support the jury’s verdict of felony excessive force.

But Wilson ruled there was, citing “extensive body cam footage” that revealed he had made no effort to de-escalate the situation and instead used “objectively unreasonable force” against Houseton, who was not armed, not attempting to flee, not attacking him, and not actively committing a crime.

Kirk faced up to 10 years in prison for his felony conviction, according to U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines.

The plea agreement filed last week says if Kirk pleads guilty to misdemeanor deprivation of rights under color of law, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will “move to strike the jury’s finding” that he injured his victim, which made the crime a felony.

A misdemeanor conviction of deprivation of rights carries a maximum sentence of one year. The government agreed to recommend a year of probation, and federal prosecutors also aren’t barring Kirk from working as a law enforcement officer.

The judge doesn’t have to accept the prosecutors’ sentencing recommendation, according to the proposed plea agreement, which specifies that Wilson “may consider the stricken jury finding in determining the applicable Sentencing Guidelines range, the propriety and extent of any departure from that range, and the sentence to be imposed.”

Caree Harper, an attorney for Houseton, called the deal “a slap in the face of justice.”

“I’m not just disappointed. I’m appalled at the notion that the new administration thinks they can overturn a lawful jury verdict,” she said, adding that the Trump administration is “putting us way back into the 1800s with this crap.”

The three assistant U.S. attorneys who prosecuted Kirk — Eli Alcaraz, Michael Morse and Brian Faerstein — as well as Cassie Palmer, the chief of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section, formally withdrew from the case last Friday, making no public comments.

Alcaraz, Faerstein and Palmer resigned their jobs completely, the Los Angeles Times reported.

On Wednesday, Judge Wilson, a 1985 Ronald Reagan appointee, questioned the legality of the proposed motion to strike the felony verdict.

In a terse order posted to the case court docket, Wilson wrote, “The Court has questions as to its authority to grant such a motion,” and ordered the prosecutors to file a briefing to explain their requested action by May 13, reported Legalaffairs.

The Los Angeles Sheriffs’ Professional Association, a union for L.A. County sheriff’s deputies that has supported Kirk since his initial charge, issued this statement Monday: 

“We are encouraged by the recent development in Deputy Trevor Kirk’s case and will continue to monitor the upcoming sentencing closely,” said Nick Wilson, a spokesman for the union. “While this case should never have been prosecuted in the first place, we are deeply grateful the Department of Justice took a second, impartial look at the facts and merits.”  

Essayli, a Trump loyalist who resigned from the California State Assembly on April 1 to preside over the nation’s most populous federal court district, endorsed Nick Wilson for the Assembly in 2024 and donated $2,500 to his election campaign, LegalAffairs reported.

Retired U.S. District Judge Andrew J. Guilford of the Central District of California said Kirk’s post-trial plea deal diminishes “the sacredness of a unanimous jury verdict which required only two hours of deliberation. …The Grand Jury is diminished. A statement against police violence is diminished. The important indicting power of a U.S. Attorney is made out to be a political act.”

Judge Wilson is scheduled to take up the proposed plea agreement and sentencing of Kirk on May 19.

‘I’m Appalled’: White Sheriff’s Deputy Convicted of Violently Assaulting Black Woman Was Facing Prison, Now New Trump-Appointed Prosecutor Wants to Erase Jury Verdict and Let Him Walk

Melania Trump was briefly spotted at the White House on Thursday, May 8, attending a ceremony for military mothers in honor of Mother’s Day.

She unveiled a commemorative postage stamp honoring former first lady Barbara Bush. While the moment was meant to celebrate family and legacy, it only intensified questions about Melania’s whereabouts — and her role — during the first months of her husband’s second term.

Most people are wondering, “Where is Melania?”

Melania Trump has spent less than two weeks at the White House since Trump’s second inauguration in January. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Since Donald Trump’s return to the White House 108 days ago, Melania has reportedly spent fewer than 14 days there. She’s been reportedly splitting her time between the White House, their Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, and New York City, where their son Barron attends New York University as a freshman.

Multiple sources familiar with the family say the former model and first lady has instead preferred to stay in New York or Palm Beach, avoiding her official White House duties.

“We haven’t seen such a low-profile first lady since Bess Truman, and that’s going way back in living memory, nearly 80 years ago,” said Katherine Jellison, a historian at Ohio University who studies first ladies, according to the New York Times. “Mrs. Truman, like Mrs. Trump, preferred returning to her home base whenever she had the chance.”

Melania’s absence has sparked widespread speculation online. Some see it as a quiet rebellion. Others believe she’s simply over the politics and public scrutiny. Regardless of the reason, the internet has plenty to say.

Yahoo! News readers were particularly vocal.

“Hmm. She doesn’t want to be first lady. She just wants to live her rich life away from her husband ….playing the game,” one comment read.

Another added, “Just 14 days. They’re no longer a couple, and she can’t stand The Orange Man. Doesn’t she have a boyfriend anyway?”

“Who could blame her. Everyone with any sense avoids that thing,” said another.

Someone else made a pointed observation, “Coincidentally, tRump has only spent two weeks in the White House.”

Along the same lines, one tweeted, “Are you sure it was Melania on all 14 days? Most likely, if Trump ever touched her, it was the fake Melania always wearing sunglasses.”

Are you sure it was Melania on all 14 days? Most likely, if Trump ever touched her, it was the fake Melania always wearing sunglasses.

— BJSnaz (@SnazBj) May 8, 2025

Still, those close to her say there are deeper reasons behind her distance.

After two assassination attempts against her husband — one during a campaign rally, another involving an armed man near a Trump property — Melania became even more private and security-conscious. Already known for staying out of the spotlight, the incidents reportedly rattled her further.

Her top priority remains her 19-year-old son Barron, who is currently finishing his freshman year at New York University. Melania’s devotion to his well-being has been a consistent theme throughout her time as first lady.

“I will be in the White House. And, you know, when I need to be in New York, I will be in New York. When I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach. But my first priority is, you know, to be a mom, to be a first lady, to be a wife,” she said in a Fox News interview before her husband took office again.

With Melania out of view, President Trump has occasionally stepped into roles traditionally reserved for the first lady — picking out residence lighting, greeting tourists in the East Wing, and even commenting, “The first lady worked very hard in making it perfect,” during a tour she didn’t attend.

Despite her low visibility, Melania has quietly pursued business ventures. She launched her own cryptocurrency token and reportedly secured a $40 million Amazon deal to produce a documentary about her life in the White House. She is listed as executive producer on the project, which remains under wraps.

Mary Jordan, author of “The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump,” says her absence doesn’t mean she and Donald Trump are distant.

“The trials and the cases in court have infuriated her and drawn her closer to Trump. She believes that he has been persecuted,” Jordan told The Times. “Melania is enormously close to Barron and he is really into the fact that his father is president.”

Even so, their public image continues to raise eyebrows. Melania skipped Trump’s court dates and campaign rallies throughout 2024, avoiding the media circus and leaving many to wonder if she’s opted out of being first lady altogether.

As Trump prepares for an overseas trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, Melania is not expected to join.

The last time the two appeared publicly together was at Pope Francis’ funeral in Vatican City, which coincided with her 55th birthday. Afterward, they returned to New Jersey. She entered a waiting SUV while Trump boarded Marine One solo, following a quick kiss on the tarmac.

Whether her absence is about personal boundaries, political disinterest, or long-standing marital dynamics, Melania Trump continues to chart her own path — largely away from the public eye and far from Washington.

‘She Doesn’t Want to Be First Lady’: Melania Trump Pops Up Following Report Claiming She’s Only Spent 14 Days at the White House Since Trump Took Office

Over 30 years after “Living Single” debuted, cast members continue to highlight its influence on television and its comparison to a predominately white show.

The sitcom, which featured Kim Coles, Kim Fields, Queen Latifah, T.C. Carson, Erika Alexander, and John Henton as 20-somethings living in a Brooklyn brownstone, aired for five seasons from 1993 to 1998 on Fox, predating NBC’s “Friends” by a year.

Kim Coles and Erika Alexander talk about their show, “Living Single” and its influence on the hit show, “Friends.” (Photo of Kim Coles by JC Olivera/Getty Images, Photo of Erika Alexander by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

The conversation around the two shows resurfaced when Coles responded emphatically to a question from Jess Hilarious during her appearance with former cast mate Erika Alexander on the May 2 episode of “The Breakfast Club” radio show.

Coles was asked whether “Friends” owed its success to the groundwork laid by “Living Single.”

“One hundred thousand percent, one hundred thousand percent,” she answered.

According to Coles, Warren Littlefield, who was president of NBC at the time, had been asked if there was any show he wished he could have purchased that season, to which he allegedly replied, “I wish I bought ‘Living Single.’”

A year later, “Friends” premiered on NBC.

Queen Latifah had the same account during a 2019 appearance on “Watch What Happens Live” with Andy Cohen.

“We knew we had already been doing that,” Latifah explained. “It was one of those things where there was a guy called Warren Littlefield, who used to run NBC, and they asked him, ‘When all the new shows came out, if there was any show you could have, which one would it be?’ And he said ‘Living Single’. … And then he created ‘Friends.’”

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“Friends” aired on NBC from 1994-2004, and “Living Single” was on Fox from 1993-1998. But Alexander back and forth with David Schwimmer, who played Ross on “Friends,” regarding the influence, in 2020 after Schwimmer’s controversial statement about a reboot.

Erika Alexander and David Schwimmer Exchange (Photo: @EAlexTheGreat/X)

“I was a fan of Living Single, and was not implying Friends was the first of its kind. To my knowledge, Friends (which came a year later) was inspired by Marta & David’s own lives and circle of friends living in NY in their twenties,” Schwimmer responded. “If it was based on Living Single you’d have to ask them.

⁦@DavidSchwimmer⁩ 4 yr edutainment. Help me school him ⁦@IAMQUEENLATIFAH⁩ ⁦@kimcoles⁩ ⁦@KimVFields⁩ ⁦#TCCarson #JohnHenton ⁦@warnerbrostv⁩ #elvisdidntinventrocknroll https://t.co/MRJQBnULlU

— Erika Alexander (@EAlexTheGreat) January 28, 2020

“It’s entirely possible that Warner Brothers and NBC, encouraged by the success of Living Single, gave the Friends pilot a green light,” he continued. “I honestly don’t know, but seems likely! If that’s the case, we are all indebted to Living Single for paving the way.” 

The claims gained credibility from observers even during the shows’ original runs.

Allan Jonson of the Chicago Tribune noted as early as 1995, “Before ‘Friends’ became the runaway hit it is, there was already a show about six young urban professionals hanging out together and toiling away in New York City: ‘Living Single.'”

Despite the similarities in concept, Coles noted on “The Breakfast Club” the stark disparities between the two productions.

“We were both Warner Brothers production. We were on this little ranch lot, you know, off to the side, and they were … we have a cafeteria, and you have little bicycles you can get from here to here and there,” she explained. Most significantly, “The salary disparity were huge, very different. They had access, they had to marketing, the access they had to all the money and all the things was very different than what we had.”

These revelations sparked varied reactions from viewers of a clip of Cole’s remarks posted on Instagram.

“Friends has a whole episode that steals scenes from Living Single,” one commenter asserted.

Another appreciated the historical context, “They literally ripped off Living Single… that had an ALL black cast… friends even ripped off every characters profession. They knew what they were doing.”

A third comment directly addressed racial dynamics, “You can’t tell white folks this. They believe that this TRUTH never happened.”

Taking a more conciliatory view, one person wrote, “They were BOTH successful shows that both stood the test of time and aged like fine wine. Why we always gotta compare?”

The discussion around representation gained renewed attention when “Friends” co-creator Marta Kauffman pledged $4 million to Brandeis University to support its African and African American Studies department. Kauffman admitted she was “embarrassed” about the lack of diversity on her show, which was set in diverse New York City but featured minimal Black and brown faces over its decade-long run.

“It was after what happened to George Floyd that I began to wrestle with my having bought into systemic racism in ways I was never aware of,” Kauffman revealed. “That was really the moment that I began to examine the ways I had participated. I knew then I needed to course-correct.”

Some cast members were aware of these shortcomings during production. David Schwimmer, who portrayed Ross, admitted in 2020 that he believed ‘Friends’ lack of diversity was “just wrong” and revealed that he had pushed for his character to date women of color, a move that ultimately led to the casting of Aisha Tyler as the show’s first Black recurring cast member.

Despite the controversies, both shows maintain their places in television history.

“Living Single” continues to air in reruns, and in 2019, Latifah hinted at a possible revival of the Emmy-nominated series. “We’re actually working on it,” she said. “It’s not there yet, but hopefully we can get it happening.”

Cole and Alexander also believe there is a possibility of having a reboot.

Until then, the duo is promoting their rewatch podcast, “Reliving Single,” set to launch on May 7, hoping to introduce a new generation to the show that not only helped make them household names but also influenced one of NBC’s biggest hit shows.

‘They Knew What They Were Doing’: ‘Living Single’ Star Kim Coles Exposes What Network Exec Said Before ‘Friends’ Brutal Takeover

New York Attorney General Letitia James kept an even keel during a community impact hearing where she was heckled about an investigation the Trump administration has launched into allegations that James committed mortgage fraud.

James hosted the hearing at SUNY Westchester College on May 8 alongside several other state attorneys general to discuss the impact of Trump’s federal restructuring plans on New Yorkers and to defend critical social assistance programs.

Trump supporter heckled New York AG Letitia James (Credit: Fox News Video Screengrab)

During the Q&A portion of the hearing, one Donald Trump supporter took to the mic to needle her about the mortgage fraud investigation and challenge her lawsuit against the president, which accused him and his family members of fraudulently inflating his net worth and the value of his business assets to defraud lenders.

“Will you apologize to President Trump for wasting millions of dollars and the state of New York for a witch trial, and how does it feel to know that you will be imprisoned for mortgage fraud?” the man asked around the 52 minute mark.

The heckler’s question was only met with a chorus of boos and jeers from dozens of audience members before he was escorted out by security.

“Thank you for coming,” James said coolly, before directing some remarks to the audience. “We want to thank him for coming. We respect all opinions. Everybody knows those allegations are baseless. They’re discredited, and so we want to thank him.”

Last month, Trump-appointed Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte sent a criminal referral to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, requesting her office look into allegations mentioned in “media reports” that James misrepresented properties she owns in New York and Virginia and lied on financial documents to secure loans.

In Pulte’s letter to Bondi, he wrote that James “has, in multiple instances, falsified bank documents and property records to acquire government-backed assistance and loans and more favorable loan terms.”

Pulte accused James of designating a property in Norfolk, Virginia, as her principal residence, despite serving and residing in the state of New York. He also alleged that she purchased a five-unit property in Brooklyn with a loan only authorized for four units.

James’s defense attorney, Abbe Lowell, sent the Justice Department a letter denouncing the allegations and claiming they are connected to Trump’s animosity against the state attorney general, calling the referral an “act of personal retribution.”

Trump previously condemned James and her complaint, which resulted in a civil trial in which he was ordered to pay $454 million after being found liable for fraud in New York.

He dubbed the trial a “political witch hunt” numerous times, and his ire toward James landed her on a list of his political adversaries. In a more recent attack on James’ character, the president called her a “horrible human being,” “a sick person,” and “a total crook.”

Multiple reports state that the Department of Justice has just launched an investigation into James’ real estate transactions linked to loans and property purchases in New York and Virginia.

In response to the criminal referral Pulte filed, a spokesperson for James’ office told media outlets, “Attorney General James is focused every single day on protecting New Yorkers, especially as this Administration weaponizes the federal government against the rule of law and the Constitution. She will not be intimidated by bullies — no matter who they are.”

‘How Does It Feel Knowing You’ll Be Imprisoned?’: Defiant Trump Supporter Tries to Embarrass Letitia James Over Fraud Allegations — Her Clapback Riles Up the Crowd

What started as an opportunity to finally see one of the world’s greatest performers live turned into a nightmare for Daily Mail senior entertainment reporter Jacques Peterson, he reported this week.

The British tabloid’s reporter purchased tickets for a recent date Inglewood, California, date on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour and took to the platform to put her, the ticket vendor, and the production on blast.

Concert critic says Beyoncé concert was the worse show he ever attended because of his bad seats. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Despite not being the biggest Beyoncé fan, according to his description of himself, Peterson was drawn to the superstar’s latest country music venture and thought declining ticket sales would make it the perfect time to experience Queen Bey’s legendary stage presence firsthand on what apparently was the second concert of the tour.

In his concert review for the May 2 date in suburban Los Angeles, the writer admitted to being a huge fan of Beyoncé’s history-making “Cowboy Carter” album, praising its breathtaking production and vocal arrangements that showcase a level of artistry rarely seen from the singer’s pop contemporaries.

With high expectations, Peterson splurged on tickets priced at over $350 each in the first elevation section, just above the floor area at SoFi Stadium.

“I couldn’t believe that I’d spent $700 for me and my friend to see Bey live, but she is the most awarded artist in Grammy history and has been lauded as the greatest performer to ever grace the stage,” Peterson wrote, recounting the anticipation of what should have been the concert of a lifetime.

The excitement quickly faded when an usher led Peterson to seats with severely obstructed views.

Gigantic scaffolding and a large box-shaped structure blocked much of the stage, despite Peterson’s “careful research” of the seating arrangement beforehand.

No warnings about obstructed views appeared on the tickets, either, leaving Peterson feeling “completely bamboozled.”

To make matters worse, the stadium speakers were pointed directly at Peterson’s section, causing deafening and distorted sound.

Combined with freezing air conditioning that seemed to target only their area, the concert quickly became unbearable. Peterson missed Beyoncé riding a mechanical bull onstage while attempting to resolve the seating issue with confused staff members amid the overwhelming noise.

After the show, Peterson sought a refund from Ticketmaster, which initially only returned the $114 service fee. However, as of May 5, Ticketmaster has since refunded the full $700 ticket cost.

The incident sparked various reactions from Daily Mail readers.

One commenter simply stated, “The show was amazing,” sharing what the critic did not see, while another suggested, “Your issue should be with Ticketmaster.”

Some placed blame on Peterson, with one reader writing, “How ever pays 700 for a ticket is out of their mind.”

Another claimed, “You spent $700 for behind the stage tickets. I’m quite certain you were warned.”

One particularly unsympathetic response read, “$700 for a ticket! Well, that’s a self inflicted injury. Word on the street was that the tickets were not selling and someone decided to buy before they went down to $25.00. Financial genius.”

Peterson’s experience comes amid reports that Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour is struggling with ticket sales.

Resale prices have reportedly plummeted below $60 in some markets, with thousands of seats remaining empty across multiple stadiums.

Financial experts suggest this sales slump may indicate broader economic concerns, as luxury entertainment expenses are often the first casualties of consumer belt-tightening amid recession fears.

The contrast is stark compared to Beyoncé’s previous Renaissance tour. Opening night tickets for Cowboy Carter in Los Angeles were available for just $44 on resale platform Gametime, while Renaissance tour tickets started at $115 in Philadelphia just two years ago.

Some tickets are said to be as cheap as McDonald’s Happy Meals.

Due to its low demand, @Beyonce's "Cowboy Carter Tour" tickets ($20) are now cheaper than a McDonald's Minecraft meal ($21.39). pic.twitter.com/CfvJW1Y1zt

— Robin from RENAISSANCE aka CASS (@Unhinged_Cass) April 23, 2025

Despite these challenges, tour promoter Live Nation presents a different perspective, stating the tour was over 94 percent sold as of mid-March, with 10 additional dates added to the original 22-show schedule. The company emphasized “tremendous demand” and characterized the tour as a “record-breaking run,” with the schedule ultimately expanding to 32 performances.

Billboard projects the tour will still generate approximately $325 million, averaging about $10.15 million per show—only slightly below the Renaissance tour’s $10.33 million average. This indicates that while individual ticket prices may be declining, Beyoncé’s overall revenue projections remain robust.

Not all reviews have been negative. Billboard veteran reporter Gail Mitchell described how fans were aglow about the opening night concert at SoFi last week, with two declaring, “We’re going to scream our faces off!” at the venue as they waited for the singer to take the stage.

That’s wrap on another incredible night!

COWBOY CARTER TOUR = The Greatest Concert of All Time! https://t.co/tOEdFZrnMW pic.twitter.com/Dr4MDnWKs1

— NotBeyoncebutViolence (@ourhermitage) May 5, 2025

Mitchell’s review reported fans extolled the nearly three-hour April 28 performance as “fun,” “amazing,” and “memorable,” and she highlighted Beyoncé’s strong-voiced performances, mesmerizing video imagery, and empowering themes throughout the show.

#Beyonce closes her #CowboyCarter
Sunday May 4 2025
show at SoFi Stadium pic.twitter.com/m43hKXRIG7

— IG: iLissaNJ (@iLissaNJ) May 5, 2025

For Peterson, the only glimpses of Beyoncé’s masterful stage presence and flawless choreography were visible between the obstructions, making the experience even more painful.

“I’ve seen almost every pop star from Beyonce’s generation in concert— Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Britney, JLo, Justin, Miley, Pink, Christina— and this was by far the worst concert experience I’ve ever had,” Peterson declared, lamenting that the singer’s remarkable talent only heightened the disappointment of having the night ruined by seating issues.

‘Worst Concert Experience of My Life’: Beyoncé Fan Leaves SoFi Concert Furious After Experience Took a Shocking Turn — Ticketmaster Quietly Responds

Sherri Shepherd is apologizing after talking dirty to another woman’s husband — and Patti Labelle might be to blame. 

Shepherd had Kerry Washington and her “Shadow Force” co-star Omar Sy as guests on “The Sherri Shepherd Show” to talk about the upcoming film when the talk show host suddenly got carried away.

Enthralled by Sy’s French accent, the “Beauty Shop” actress almost got in trouble trying to speak a little French herself on the May 8 show, prompting her to issue an on-air apology.

Sherri Shepherd apologizes to an actor’s wife on air after reciting some of Patti LaBelle’s seductive lyrics during the show. (Photo: Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic, Josh Brasted/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

She interrupted the interview to tell Trappes, France, native, “The French accent is taking me” to which Washington responds, “It’s his superpower. It’s one of his superpowers.”

Shepherd agrees and adds, “You have this beautiful French accent even in the movie and all I can think about, I’m looking at you – all I know is Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir.”

These are infamous lyrics that come from Labelle’s 1994 hit song “Lady Marmalade.”

Washington let out a shriek as Sy fell out laughing on the couch. The “Scandal” star warned Shepherd, “You got to be careful out here talking to people like that.”  Shepherd responded, “I don’t even know what it mean. What’d I just say? What did I say to you, because that’s all the French I know.”

Washington looked over to Sy and asked, “You want to tell her.” He nods and said, “You need to know that you asked me to sleep with me.” Shepherd began to playfully stutter before Sy interjected and said, “And you said it ‘Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir’ it means “Would you want to sleep with me, tonight?”

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Shepherd, immediately attempting to right her wrongs, asked, “What camera do I need to look at to apologize to Omar’s wife?” She said, “Mrs. Sy, I am so sorry.” Sy is married to his long-time sweetheart Hélène Sy. The two have known each other since they were teens and have been married since 2007. They share three daughters and two sons.

Shepherd quickly moved on and said, “Omg well the next question, do you have an uncle or a brother that talks like you? That would like that I just said Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir? Somebody in your family look like you.”

In Shepherd’s Instagram clip of the interview with her, Sy, and Washington, fans reacted. 

“Had the same reaction when I first learned what that meant. I said OK PATTI,” said one. 

Another shocked fan wrote, “Omg, all this time, that’s what we have been singing this song.”

Another fan who wasn’t buying Shepherd’s act said, “Sherri knew. We all use that line.”

And this fan wasn’t far off. It seems Shepherd either forgot or maybe she was fibbing about not knowing the meaning,  because two years ago, Labelle herself came on to the show and told the host what the lyrics meant. It was actually Labelle who said she didn’t know  the meaning before she sang them.

In the April 2023 episode, she revealed that she was on her way to New Orleans with songwriter Allen Toussaint and her bandmates and she wanted to immediately record the “Lady Marmalade” song because she believed it was going to be a hit. 

“And it was a hit,” she said, “I had no clue it meant ‘Will you sleep with me tonight?’” Shepherd responded, “Really? You didn’t know what it was? Did you know French?” Labelle said she didn’t know French either. 

When talking to Sy and Washington, Shepherd asked for one more request from Sy. 

“I know you married, but can you just pretend for one moment,  say something to me romantic in France – in French I got to hear it,” Shepherd said. Per her request, he told her “‘Sherri, I’m going to the bank at 5 to get some money out because I need eat eggs and milk,’” in French, and it led to her sliding off the couch and onto the floor. 

The trio talked a lot about the “Shadow Force” movie. In the film, which was released on May 9, Sy and Washington’s character play a husband and wife who used to be in a spy organization and ran away after breaking the rules and falling in love. Now they are on a mission to protect their son from the organization, which is attempting to track them down. 

‘What We Have Been Singing?’: Sherri Shepherd Stunned After Learning the Truth About Patti LaBelle’s Most Iconic Lyrics

Did you know Leonardo DiCaprio made his Met Gala debut in 2025? The acclaimed actor avoided walking the fashion event’s red carpet, but a photograph of him with his young girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti surfaced online.

The verified Vogue Instagram page shared a black-and-white picture of DiCaprio, 50, and Ceretti, 26, from the Met Gala on May 5. Dressed in a black tuxedo, the Academy Award winner blocked his face from the camera in the shot.

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio blocked his face from being photographed while out with his girlfriend at the 2025 Met Gala. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

Ceretti did pose for photographers as she walked the Met Gala carpet in New York City solo. The Italian supermodel wore a navy Moncler x EE72 dress for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute fundraiser.

Reactions to DiCaprio’s below-the-radar Met Gala appearance poured in online. Social media users voiced their thoughts on the “Great Gatsby” star only popping up with Ceretti in a viral Instagram post.

“What is she doing with him? She’s a goddess!” one spectator wondered about Ceretti’s choosing to date the infamous Hollywood bachelor.

A second poster wrote, “Can’t believe women still want to be with this when everybody knows how it’s gonna end.” A third commented, “Then why did he come there if he doesn’t want to be photographed?”

DiCaprio’s 24-year age gap with Ceretti was brought up in the comment section several times, too. A third jokingly asked, “Isn’t he like 25 years older than her?”

One Leonardo fan supported his decision to skip the red carpet, posting, “How fashionable and cool of him to not even want to be there or actually contribute at all, really.”

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DiCaprio and Ceretti reportedly met at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023. The pair’s initial public sighting took place in August 2023 when they were spotted out in Santa Barbara, California.

Page Six reported that Vittoria met Leo’s mother, Irmelin Indenbirken, in September 2023 during a family trip to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana Museum in Milan, Italy. They have kept their relationship relatively private over the last two years.

Bae Leonardo DiCaprio & Vittoria Ceretti were spotted departing from Es Codolar airport in Ibiza on Wednesday (April 30th). The pair were on their way back to New York as Vittoria attended The King's Trust 4th Annual Global Gala held the following night.#LeonardoDiCaprio pic.twitter.com/utBQr8dQZO

— Daily Leo DiCaprio (@dailyleodicapri) May 4, 2025

An insider associated with the couple claimed told a tabloid in November 2023 that DiCaprio was ready to be “exclusive” after being “completely smitten” with Ceretti. In March 2024, rumors that Leo proposed to his current flame spread online after she was seen rocking a ring on her finger.

“Leo and Vittoria are not engaged,” a source informed Us Weekly in response to the possible engagement gossip. “She’s wearing a ring she’s had for years.”

Despite having a long list of high-profile exes dating back to the 1990s, DiCaprio has never been married. The former child actor has been romantically linked to Bridget Hall, Gisele Bündchen, Blake Lively, Camila Morrone, and Gigi Hadid.

DiCaprio apparently has no interest in ever walking down the aisle for a wedding ceremony. In January, a source purportedly told Page Six, “Leo doesn’t feel the need to tie the knot to make things official in his eyes.”

Ceretti was married prior to hooking up with DiCaprio. The face of the 2014 Dolce & Gabbana fall campaign wed Italian-American DJ Matteo Milleri in June 2020 before divorcing in June 2023, one month after her initial interaction with Leo.

DiCaprio’s latest romance has not stopped him from adding more movie roles to his legendary filmography. He will lead director Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” film, which is scheduled for release on Sept. 26. The cast also features Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti.

‘Isn’t He Like 25 Years Older Than Her?’: Leonardo DiCaprio Hides His Face in New Photos with Younger Girlfriend During Public Outing

Anyone who photographs or films a woman breastfeeding without consent in the UK faces being put on a sex offender register and jailed for up to two years. But that didn’t stop one older white man from brazenly filming a Black mother and her infant daughter while on a public bus near Manchester.

For any new mother, an outing with a newborn can be stressful, but having your breasts photographed mid-feed takes the stress to a whole new level.

A series of TikTok videos posted by the outraged woman that have now gone viral show the offender ignoring her pleas to delete the video.

A passenger confronts a man filming a woman nursing her baby on the bus. (Photo: TikTok/armomimi2)

“Can you delete the video, please? Can you delete the video?” the mom asks.

The man flips her the bird and tells a Black male passenger to “f**k off” when he tries to intervene. Despite several strangers coming to her defense, the obstinate senior refused to delete his illegal video, even when confronted by the bus driver, who stopped the bus and pulled over to investigate the ruckus.   

In a bit of sweet justice, the man was eventually kicked off the bus and followed by two helpful young men when he tried to make a run for it. His location was forwarded to the police.

“I was on the bus going home then my baby started crying. I pick her up to breastfeed her, then someone called my attention that a man was videoing me and zooming on my bre$t,” read the caption on @amormimi2’s first video. Viewers can see the offender dismissively waving off a Black man who stepped up to help, telling the good Samaritan to “f**k off. You don’t get to see my phone.”

A second video picks up moments later, after the man allegedly said he had the right to film the young Black mother because he is white. “So you think you have the right to film me while I’m breastfeeding my baby. That’s so sad, mate,” the mother exclaimed, all while juggling her baby and her phone to film the bizarre encounter. “Seriously, that’s really sad, and I think about [posting] you.”

“I don’t care,” he shot back before giving the mom the middle finger and telling her to “f**k off.” There’s always the possibility that a situation like this would be ignored or laughed off by strangers, but several passengers on UK Bus 219 jumped in to express their outrage.

“Thank God for these people on the bus. I have hope in humanity,” one wrote in the comments section of @amormimi2’s video.

Unfortunately, it took extreme action for this particular voyeur to stop. In the third video, the bus driver suddenly appeared on camera and heatedly confronted the man, blocking him from exiting while threatening to call the police.

“Why would you do certain things?” he repeatedly demanded as the white man made a sudden move toward him and yelled “f**k off!” yet again.

According to the audio, the passengers said the man cited his race as an excuse for violating the mother’s privacy, but he denied it in the video.

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“He said because he’s English, he has the right to do it,” the mom can be heard saying.

“You’re letting down our side,” quipped the white bus driver as he checked the phone’s camera roll to ensure the video was deleted. “Manchester bus drivers don’t mess about… fair play to all the good people on the bus,” read one of hundreds of comments on TikTok. “People who find breastfeeding odd really concern me! They have sexualized breastfeeding, it’s terrible,” wrote another.

In the U.S., a mother’s right to breastfeed anywhere in public or private is protected under the law. And thanks to Obama’s 2010 Affordable Care Act, every employer must provide a “reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk.” But when it comes to women being photographed without their consent while breastfeeding, that’s another story. Unfortunately, there’s no federal law prohibiting it.

‘Because I’m White’: Man Who Illegally Filmed Black Mom Breastfeeding on Bus Sparks Outrage, Gets Kicked Off by Furious Driver 

Gabrielle Union is one fierce mama who has never shied away from discussions about her marriage and children.The actress has been married to former NBA star Dwyane Wade for nearly 11 years and became stepmother to Zaire, 23, Dahveon, 21, Zaya, 17, whom Wade had with his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches, and 11-year-old Xavier whom he welcomed with Aja Metoyer when he and Union were on a break in their relationship. 

 Union dreamed of being a mother herself and giving birth to her own child. But had some unexpected struggles with fertility after multiple attempts at getting pregnant and she and Wade resulted in getting a surrogate to have their daughter Kaavia Wade, who is now 6. The decision wasn’t easy for her knowing that her body couldn’t produce a child, and it didn’t make it any better that fans were putting her down after learning about it.

In a Marie Claire interview, the “Being Mary Jane” star talked about the backlash after her daughter was born via surrogate and also opened up about the help she received due to not being prepared when she expanded her family.

Gabrielle Union responses to inital backlash she got for using surrogate to have her daughter. (Photo: @gabunion/Instagram)

On Nov. 8, 2018, Union surprised her followers with the arrival of Kaavia by sharing three photos of her and Wade holding her in a hospital bed. The 52-year-old was wearing a hospital gown performing skin to skin with her child. Buried in the thousands of supportive comments were negative ones criticizing her. 

For example, one person said, “Why are you in a hospital bed? Lol maybe you need your mental state checked! That isn’t normal.”

Someone else wrote, “Why are you in a hospital gown exhausted if you didn’t give birth?? That’s so wrong!”

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Reflecting on this, Union said she thinks she was met with those reactions, “Because it’s different and because every single person’s surrogacy journey is different. It’s like any time there’s any kind of variance in the experience, it’s, See, I told you. You shouldn’t explore this option to expand your family.”

And while she was able to provide a response to the unfavorable feedback, she has no problem standing up for herself. To those critics she has a “Bring It On”-esque response. 

She said, “First of all, nobody has the balls to say that sh-t to my face, so I don’t say sh-t because nobody’s said sh-t. But also I think I lead with an I don’t give a f-ck attitude. If I had the ability to do this myself, I would’ve. Your baby’s here and your baby’s awesome. My baby’s here and my baby’s awesome.”

When it comes to any sort of criticism behind their parenting or family, Union said, “The commentary is the fear personified. If I can be your punching bag, swing away. These are phantom punches. They’re not landing when you’ve been in therapy as long as I have. You recognize hurt people try to hurt people. You tried it, but it doesn’t land.”

In her 2023 memoir, “You Got Anything Stronger?” Union candidly shared with fans that she had “eight or nine miscarriages” before looking to surrogacy as an option. And while she is grateful to have her daughter here, she still struggles with the idea that her body couldn’t carry a child. 

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“I’ll never have peace with it, ever. And that’s not a what-anybody-has-to-say thing; that’s just—my yearning has never dissipated,” she said. “But for me, it felt like failure. My body failed. It just felt like such a f-cking public humiliation. Surrogacy felt like a cuckold; watching somebody do something I can’t do. To be there for somebody else succeeding where I failed—it is a mind f-ck for people who have had my journey and who feel similarly.”

When Kaavia finally arrived she quickly became a social media meme with her signature glaring and unimpressed facial expressions. At just a few months old, Union and Wade dubbed her the Shady Baby, and the internet ran with the title. Her presence brought much excitement and joy to the Wade household, but “The Perfect Find” star soon realized that she wasn’t as ready to have a child as she expected and needed the extra help. Thankfully her sister, Tracy Union, jumped at the opportunity to be a helping hand.

“My little sister lives with us and has for the last five years,” Union said. “A year in I was like, not only do I not have it, the little bit that I thought I had, I’m woefully unprepared and I need help. I need help that knows how I was raised, that has the same belief systems; that’s my sister.”

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Gabrielle Union Hits Back After Being Shamed for Years About Surrogacy Decision—Now She Admits She Wasn’t Ready and Had to Hire Her Sister as Full-Time Nanny