Keanu Reeves Gets Emotional Over Death of ‘John Wick’ Co-Star Lance Reddick
Keanu Reeves couldn’t hold back his emotion when mourning the loss of his John Wick co-star, Lance Reddick, while on the red carpet recently.
Reeves was present for the Hollywood premiere of John Wick 4 on Monday, where the cast all wore blue ribbon pins in honor of Reddick’s memory, ETreported. He became emotional while remembering his late co-star, who appeared in all four John Wick films and was slated to appear in the upcoming Ballerina spinoff.
“Lance is a very beautiful person and special artist,” Reeves said. “His grace and dignity, his shining light of character was just something really special.”
“[I am] really grateful I had the chance to know him and work with him over almost 10 years,” he added.
Reeves’ latest statement came days after Riddick’s death was confirmed on March 17. Reps for the film star said the actor passed away at 60 from natural causes.
At the time the death was announced, Reeves and John Wick director Chad Stahelski released a joint statement mourning the loss of Reddick, who played the role of the concierge, Charon, in all of the franchise’s installments.
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick,” the pair said.
“He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family, and friends. We dedicate the film to his loving memory. We will miss him dearly.”
Lance Reddick had a number of impressive credits under his belt prior to his untimely passing. In addition to John Wick, Reddick was best known for his roles in cult classics, including Cedric Daniels in The Wire (2002–2008), Phillip Broyles in Fringe (2008–2013), and Chief Irvin Irving in Bosch (2014–2020). Last year he appeared in Resident Evil.
Reddick is survived by his wife Stephanie, and his two children, Yvonne Nicole and Christopher.
Yung Joc Explains Why Diddy Excels Over Jermaine Dupri as a Hip-Hop Mogul
Amid murmurings about an impending Verzuz battle between Jermaine Dupri and Diddy,rapperYung Joc explains why Diddy surpassed JD as a hip-hop mogul.
Joc made his hip-hop debut in 2006 under Diddy’s Bad Boy imprint. With classic hits like “It’s Goin Down” and “Bottle Poppin” under his belt, Joc found success in the early 2000s thanks largely to Diddy’s ability to align his artists with the style and sound that attracts audiences.
The rapper-turned-reality-star and radio personality recently appeared on Math Hoffa’s “Expert Opinion” podcast, where he explained why he feels Diddy excels over Dupri regarding their mogul status.
“I always felt like Diddy understood like how to go to the next level of what he was doing,” Joc said. “JD did too, but JD again was doing so many other things that he didn’t focus on his artistry as much as Diddy did.”
“Diddy kinda stands next to what’s hot… As he makes it hotter, or I’m a tell you what Diddy does, he will acknowledge what’s hot, and his acknowledgment brings awareness to what’s hot and he blows it up,” he continued.
Joc noted how much more acclaim Diddy receives in the entertainment industry than Dupri, despite JD’s history with artists like Usher and Mariah Carey. According to Joc, Diddy’s skillset as a marketing mastermind helped set him apart from fellow moguls like Dupri.
“In theory, you think of all parties involved, and nine times out of 10, who was the bigger party involved? Diddy. So he understands marketing, and that’s the difference that he got over JD,” Joc explained.
The Love & Hip Hop star believes JD chose to focus more on his craft as a music producer rather than being a chart-topping rapper like Diddy.
“As time went on, [JD] focused on his strengths as a producer and a writer more than as an artist or the flagship artist of his brand,” Joc said.
“No matter who [Diddy] had, he’s branded as the flagship of Bad Boy. JD is So So Def, but the other artists were bigger than JD.”
Parliament-Funkadelic Co-Founder Clarence “Fuzzy” Haskins has Died, Bootsy Collins Confirms
Clarence “Fuzzy” Haskins, co-founder and original member of the iconic Parliament-Funkadelic passed away at the age of 81.
Haskins’ bandmate Bootsy Collins announced his death on Friday via Twitter.
“Prayer’s going out to Clarence ‘Fuzzys’ Haskins family & friends. We lost his frequency today 3-17- 23,” Collins wrote.
“He was an original Parliament/Funkadelic inducted in the RHOF. We will miss u my friend, bandmate & Soul brother! Thx u for ur guidance in my pup year’s. Bootsy baby!!!”
The group’s mastermind, George Clinton, mourned Haskins’ death on Instagram Saturday in a post that shared a series of throwback photos of the legendary musician.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of an original Parliament-Funkadelic member Clarence Eugene ‘Fuzzy’ Haskins (born June 8, 1941-March 17th, 2023),” Clinton wrote.
Clinton’s photos highlighted his long history with Haskins, dating back to the start of their original group, the Parliaments, which was formed in the 1960s but morphed into Funkadelic and Parliament after their record label folded, Rolling Stonereported.
Clinton’s website posted a more in-depth eulogy, recounting Haskins’ history with the group and his significant contributions.
“Fuzzy wrote and co-wrote some of Funkadelic’s earliest classics, including ‘I Got A Thing’ (featuring his vocals) and ‘I Wanna Know If It’s Good To You,’” the website stated.
“He was a good drummer as well, as he proved on ‘Can You Get To That,’ which he also co-wrote. Some of Fuzzy’s best vocals appeared on Funkadelic’s 1972 LP America Eats Its Young, most notably on ‘Ms Lucifers Love.’”
“But singing wasn’t the only thing that Fuzzy brought to P-Funk,” the statement continued.
“He was known, during live P-Funk shows, to don skin-tight bodysuits and gyrate against the microphone pole as he whipped the crowd into a frenzy, especially when they performed ‘Standing on the Verge of Getting it On.’”
Haskins’ death comes over a year after the passing of Parliament-Funkadelic co-founder Calvin Simmons, who died in January 2022 at the age of 79 .
Breaking: Bomb Threat Halts Lawsuit Hearing Between NY Attorney General Letitia James and Donald Trump
Authorities paused a hearing today in a New York court room between New York Attorney General Letitia James and former President Donald Trump.
ABC Newsreported Manhattan court proceedings were temporarily halted on Tuesday morning after a bomb threat was allegedly called in via 911. That delayed the start of a hearing in a separate case, as James is suing Trump for $250 million, accusing him and his company of a fraud scheme going on for years.
About 15 people stood outside the Centre Street courthouse calling for Trump’s indictment, with only a handful of his supporters in close proximity. The New York Police Department made a statement, alerting about an increased uniformed presence in the city and stressed that “there are currently no credible threats” to the city.
New York officials have been monitoring online banter to identify threats. Portable metal barricades were distributed to guard streets and sidewalks, however, there were no immediate signs that Trump’s calls for protests were being recognized.
Ahead of predictions of Trump being indicted for hush money payments he allegedly made to porn star Stormy Daniels, Bloomberg reported NYPD has reminded supporters of the state’s strict gun laws, as Trump has called for protestors to “take our nation back!”
“As a general reminder, firearm permit holders may not carry firearms at First Amendment gatherings, courthouses, government buildings, and other legally-designated sensitive locations, as this is unlawful under New York State Law, except for certain law enforcement personnel.”
This won’t push the hearing back too much, as the grand jury is scheduled to return on Wednesday. Next steps are currently unclear. Trump’s trouble with the law doesn’t end in New York. Once this hearing concludes, headlines will be based in Georgia and Washington, D.C., as he faces other criminal probes that could end his upcoming Republican presidential bid.
Trevor Jackson Defends Chloe Bailey, Says ‘Swarm’ Sex Scene Is ‘Art’
Chloe Bailey fans were definitely up for a “Surprise” in one of her newest roles.
The award-winning singer and actress has her fans bothered after unfolding a sex scene in Donald Glover‘s new series, Swarm. But actor TrevorJackson thought his Grown-ish costar was simply portraying “art.”
Jackson told TMZ his perspective on Bailey’s scene when he was spotted at LAX on Monday. He said Bailey, in her right as a grown woman, is expressing her artistic freedom and she has his full support.
Bailey, who plays Marissa Jackson in the series, recently opened up about the fear she had when she learned she would be doing the scene with costarDamson Idris, who plays her boyfriend. She told Deadline that Idris made her feel really comfortable and relaxed on set.
“We were making a joke out of it so it took all the nervousness away from that,” Bailey said. “I have to give a lot of kudos to [Damson] as a man, for making me, as a woman, feel comfortable.”
Chloe Bailey on how Damson Idris made her comfortable filming her first love scene in ‘Swarm’ #SXSWpic.twitter.com/jKhKmlTHj4
The scene between Bailey and Idris sent Twitter into complete shock, following the scene’s airing. Twitter users picked the scene apart so much it even sparked a conversation about colorism, where actress Halle Berry was dragged into the matter.
Halle Berry was an established actress and had a long professional career and body of work before she took that role. Chloe is to thirsty starting her acting career off that way, she’s trying too hard.
According to one Twitter user who decided to drop a little history on the conversation, Bailey, 24, is around the same age as other prominent actors when they were featured in love scenes earlier in their careers.
“A reminder Pam Grier was 24 in “Coffy,” Jada Pinkett-Smith was 23 and Allen Payne was 25 in “Jason’s Lyric,” Larenz Tate was 21 and Nia Long was 25 in “Love Jones,” Taral Hicks was 24 in “Belly,” and so forth. I don’t see the big deal about her #Swarm scene,” the user wrote.
The First! FAMU Alumna Dr. Tamia Potter Matches with Vanderbilt As First Black Woman Neurosurgery Resident
Future med students will know her as a history-maker in the field.
2018 FAMU graduate Dr. Tamia Potter has made history after becoming the first African American neurosurgery resident to train at the Vanderbilt University College of Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery in its 148-year history.
The Florida native found out the exciting news last week during “National Match Day,” the third Thursday of March, where medical students all over are matched to a specialty and residency for training.
“Today on March 17th, 2023 I was blessed to be selected as the first African American female neurosurgery resident to train @VUMC_Neurosurg,” Potter wrote on her Twitter page to accompany videos and photos of her special day.
My first job was a certified nursing assistant at 17 years old in 2014.
Dr. Chelsea Mooreland extended her congratulations to Potter on Instagram.
“I could not be more proud of my amazingly talented and brilliant mentee who just so happens to be a Beta Alpha Soror and FAMU Alumnae,” Mooreland wrote in a post.
VUMC Neurosurgery posted a short message to its Twitter account welcoming the young doctor and its other newest residents to its family. “We are thrilled to announce our new Vanderbilt Neurosurgery residents! Congratulations- we are so excited to have you on our team!” the tweet read.
We are thrilled to announce our new Vanderbilt Neurosurgery residents! Congratulations- we are so excited to have you on our team! pic.twitter.com/6tVLmtHGZi
According to Rattler Nation, Potter completed her bachelors in chemistry at FAMU, where she was also an initiate of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The young scholar then went on to receive a full scholarship to attend Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine in Ohio. During her time studying at CWRU, Potter had 17 research publications, 12 citations, and 262 reads.
Businesses Prowess: Black Women Are Powering the U.S. Economy
Black women are the answer.
Various studies have found that Black women’s contributions to the U.S. economy as consumers, entrepreneurs, and employees play a key factor in the stability and success of the U.S. economy.
Black women are trendsetting consumers:
As trendsetters, brand loyalists, and early adopters, Black women have enormous influence as consumers. Setting valuable trends across mega industries such as music, television, fashion, and beauty, their standards even influence people’s buying decisions from other communities. Predictions from NielsenIQ show that by 2024, the buying power of the U.S. Black population is set to reach $1.8 trillion. Additionally, statistics estimate that by 2025, Black shoppers will have become an ever-growing consumer group as the population of Black people is expected to reach a 21% growth increase compared to the predicted 18% decrease in the non-Hispanic white population.
Black women continue to dive deeper into self-care, and when they find products that satisfy their demands, they put up the money. Data found that 38% of Black women say they will fork out more money for haircare products sold by Black-owned brands.
Markets are taking notice of these statistics, especially in industries such as Beauty and Haircare, which, according to the data analytics company, is a top category for Black consumers bringing in estimates of $2.29 billion in annual sales, and a total of approximately $7.42 billion in combined annual sales of beauty and skin.
Black Women are the highest-growing group of entrepreneurs:
Black women pursuing entrepreneurship has been a hot topic for several years. Unshackling themselves from workplaces and policies that weren’t made for their economic growth, Black women are finding niches in different markets and developing their own products that are of value to their community.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, experts have reported that Black businesses surged due to Black women becoming the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs. According to the latest female entrepreneurship data (2019), statistics on Black female entrepreneurship found that Black women account for 2.7 million or 21% of all women-owned businesses in the U.S., showing the highest growth in female-owned businesses with a 49.8% increase.
Employment participation rates rank over any other group:
Although spending and business ownership are significant factors in Black women powering the U.S. economy, their role in employment is a contributing component that should not be overlooked.
National Partnership for Women & Familiesreported that recent data on the women’s labor force found Black women’s participation rates remained the highest of any group since data collection started 50 years ago. January 2023 statistics showed Black women’s labor force participation was 62.6%, the highest compared to all other groups of women.
Economic progress is increasing thanks to Black women:
Bottomline, Black women may be the answer to economic recovery. Despite the long span of adversity they’ve faced in their financial position, decision-makers are coming to understand the benefit of ensuring Black women are well-represented and supported.
As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Goldman Sachs made a major contribution in 2021, centering Black women business owners around its investment strategy. The investment company committed $10 billion in direct investment capital and $100 million in philanthropic support to advance economic progress for approximately one million Black women across the U.S.
“Our newly published research, Black Womenomics, suggests that no investment could have a bigger impact than unlocking the economic potential of Black women,” said David M. Solomon, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, in a press release. “In the face of significant disparities, they’ve shown admirable resilience, especially as they’re starting businesses faster than anyone else in the U.S. Building on our 20-year history of investing in female entrepreneurs and underserved communities, we are now proud to partner with Black female-led organizations and an outstanding advisory council to invest in opportunities to unlock their economic and leadership potential.”
Research from the leading global financial institution found that reducing the earnings gap for Black women could generate over 1 million jobs in the U.S. and potentially increase the annual U.S. GDP by $300-450 billion in current dollars.
“Black women are at the center of this investment strategy because we know that capital has the power to affect change, and we know that Black women have the power to transform communities,” said Margaret Anadu, Global Head of Sustainability and Impact for Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
“If we can make our economy work for Black women, we all benefit,” Anadu added.
Maybe Earl Stevens should change his stage name to Entrepreneur-40 as he releases his latest product, Tycoon Vodka.
According to Complex, Stevens, known as hip-hop recording artist E-40, has introduced a new vodka line named Tycoon Vodka. The vodka, which is distilled six times, is named after one of his singles, Tycoon, which he released in 2016.
E-40 previewed the announcement last month on his Instagram account with a video showcasing the new product being packaged.
Last Thursday, March 16, the hip-hop legend announced that he had released Tycoon Vodka through a distribution deal with Southern Glazer’s.
The vodka is the newest liquor from his collection of spirits in the Earl Stevens Selections. His collection has various liquor brands, including more than 15 different still and sparkling wines; a golden lager beer, E. Cuarenta Cerveza; E. Cuarenta Tequila; Tycoon Cognac; Kuiper Belt Bourbon; Kuiper Belt Gin; as well as a range of pre-mixed cocktails.
The vodka can be purchased for $44.95 at Uptown Spirits.
Almost 10 years ago, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported the launching of Earl Stevens Selections.
“I’m trying to do it in a category of my own,” says Stevens in 2013. “I don’t know too many hip-hop artists with their own wine. I wanted to make sure I put my name on there. If they can have wines called Kendall Jackson, why can’t I have Earl Stevens Selections? I’ve been in the beverage business before. I had my own enhanced water, like Vitamin Water, except it was called 40 Water. I’m also the face of a Cognac called Landy Cognac. I get paid by the case of that, but as far as owning something…this Earl Stevens Selections is what I’m doing.”
His business has grown since then.
Just last month, E-40 donated six figures to his alma mater, Grambling State University, and the HBCU honored him by naming a campus recording studio after him.
Nick Cannon Praises ‘Remarkable’ Ex-Wife Mariah Carey: ‘She’s A Gift From God’
Five baby mamas later, Nick Cannon still has nothing but positive things to say about his ex-wife and first baby mama, Mariah Carey.
The Masked Singer host recently opened up about why he still considers Mariah to be the love of his life.
“Like the greatest? I mean, I always talk about that. Then, it goes viral and all her fans get mad at me,” he toldThe Shade Room.
“I was 12 years old with Mariah Carey pictures on my wall, and that becomes my wife,” he recalled. “And the fact that she’s the coolest person I ever met. She’s just always happy, always doing for others. No matter what’s happening in life. I’m like, ‘Wow, a person can really operate like that and don’t allow negative energy into they space.’ ”
“When I found that out about how remarkable she was, that woman is not human. She’s a gift from God,” he added.
The Wild N’ Out creator even credited his ex-wife for being a huge part of the upbeat bubbly personality that’s helped to continue his success in television.
“I get a lot of this delightful disposition from her,” he said.
Cannon and Carey share 11-year-old twins, Monroe and Moroccan. They parted ways in 2014 and officially filed for divorce the following year, E! Newsreported. The divorce was finalized in 2016.
Since calling it quits, the NCredible owner has welcomed 10 more children with five different women. Cannon also shares son Golden, 6, daughter Powerful Queen, 2, and son Rise Messiah, 5 months, with Brittany Bell; twin sons Zion and Zillion, 21 months, and daughter Beautiful Zeppelin, 4 months, with Abby De La Rosa; son Legendary Love, 8 months, with Bre Tiesi; daughter Onyx Ice Cole Cannon, 6 months, with LaNisha Cole; and daughter Halo Marie, 3 months, with Alyssa Scott.
Cannon’s first child with Scott, Zen, died of brain cancer in December 2021 at 5 months old.
Jordan Peele Has Two New Films Coming Fall & Christmas 2024
Jordan Peele fans have double the excitement coming their way in 2024 as Universal confirmed the release of two new films from the thriller filmmaker.
On Monday, Universal announced the release of two new Peele films, one horror film set for September 27, 2024, and another scheduled to open on Christmas day, Deadlinereported. While the horror film is a creation from Peele’s Monkey Paw imprint, the second film will just be directed by the Get Out creator.
There is no word on who will write and direct the September 2024 film, but the second film slated for a Christmas release date will be Peele’s fourth director project after his 2017 Oscar-winning hit Get Out, the 2019 horror movie Us, and 2022’s sci-fi thriller Nope.
Peele’s last film, Nope was released in July 2022 and brought in $44.3 million during its opening weekend. The film went on to gross $123.2M domestically and $171.2M worldwide.
His film coming on Christmas day 2024 will have some tough competition as the flick comes five days after Avatar 3 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. But Peele has proven successful in a day when it’s become harder to lure audiences into movie theaters.
Since inking his five-year deal with Universal in 2019, he has released two thrillers that grossed over $150 million, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter. The former Key and Peele comedy star has expressed his passion for filmmaking and getting movie lovers to continue the legacy of enjoying films in movie theaters.
“Everyone was saying that movie theaters as we know them might be gone — for me, the theatrical experience is everything,” Peele toldThe New York Times last year.
“It’s my link to myself and other people in so many ways and has taught me to love film. So I just wanted to make a movie that people would have to go to the theater to see.”
