by Kandiss Edwards

April 17, 2025

Don’t Keep It on the Down Low: ‘CrazySexyCool—The TLC Musical’ Coming Summer 2026

The story of Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins, Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes, and Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas is being made into a musical!

The story of TLC, the best-selling American girl group of all time, will be the subject of a new musical, CrazySexyCool–The TLC Musical.

The show will debut at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. Production will run from June 12 to August 9, 2026, as part of the theater’s 75th anniversary season.

The musical, named after TLC’s 1994 Diamond album, chronicles the trio’s rise, personal struggles, and influence on music and culture. It features hits like “Waterfalls,” “Creep,” and “No Scrubs” and will explore the group behind salacious headlines: Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas.

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Kwame Kwei-Armah will write and direct the CrazySexyCool, with choreography by Chloe O. Davis. The musical is produced by Diggit Theatrical Group, with Stephen Gabriel serving as executive producer.

“Bringing this story to the stage is a dream come true. We have performed in a lot of different venues all over the world throughout our career, but bringing our story and music to the theater is a totally new and exciting challenge,” said T-Boz in a statement.

Chilli added, “Audiences will get to hear our story—mostly fact with a sprinkle of fiction—told in our own way, and of course… !”

TLC’s journey was marked by both triumph and tragedy. Despite selling over 65 million records worldwide, the group faced financial hardships. In 1995, the group filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Additionally, internal conflicts and the untimely death of Left Eye in 2002 slowed the group’s momentum.

Yet, T-Boz and Chilli continue to honor the group’s legacy through tours, new music, and, now, this theatrical production.

Tickets for CrazySexyCool–The TLC Musical will be available as part of Arena Stage’s season packages, with individual tickets expected to go on sale closer to the show’s premiere.

by Mitti Hicks

April 17, 2025

Federal Judge Finds Probable Cause To Hold Trump Administration in Contempt Over Deportation

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg says he can hold officials in attempt for “willful disregard” of his order to stop transferring deportees to El Salvador to the notorious maximum security prison.

In the latest battle between the Trump administration and the judicial system, a federal judge said he has found probable cause to hold Trump administration officials in criminal contempt. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg says he can hold officials in contempt for “willful disregard” of his order to stop transferring deportees to El Salvador to the notorious maximum security prison.

Last month, Judge Boasberg, an Obama appointee, found that the government rushed to fly two planes carrying hundreds of passengers to the Salvadoran prison just hours after he barred the government from doing so, Politico reported.

“The Court ultimately determines that the Government’s actions on that day demonstrate a willful disregard for its Order, sufficient for the Court to conclude that probable cause exists to find the Government in criminal contempt,” Boasberg wrote in a 46-page decision.

Boasberg said the Trump administration stonedwalled and refused to provide the court information during hearings after his initial order. However, officials from the Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act to carry out the rushed deportations and argued that divulging into details would jeopardize state secrets.

“The Constitution does not tolerate willful disobedience of judicial orders — especially by officials of a coordinate branch who have sworn an oath to uphold it,” he added.

The Trump Administration Tests Court’s Limits

The latest ruling from Boasberg comes as the Trump administration continues to test how far it can push the limit with court orders.

Boasberg did not identify specific officials he might refer for criminal prosecution. Criminal contempt can be punished by fines or imprisonment.

All of this comes amid what has become one of the highest profile immigration case involving a Maryland man who was wrongly deported to El Salvador. The Trump administration says it has no plans of returning Kilmar Abrego Garcia, despite a federal judge’s order to bring him back.

Nigerians, visa, Trump, interview, Nigeria, travel

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 17, 2025

Nigerians Applying For U.S. Visas To Face New Interview Requirements Before Approval

The new interview requirements will take effect starting April 22.

Nigerians applying for visas to the United States should expect new interview requirements ahead of their arrival.

The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria announced that the new applicant criteria will take effect on April 22. Business Insider Africa says the changes will help increase efficiency and streamline the visa application process.

Applicants must now bring an additional form to their visa interviews to confirm their appointment. Nigerians in Abuja and Lagos seeking a U.S. visa must bring the DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation/barcode number to proceed.

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The embassy released a statement confirming this update to the visa process.

“Starting April 22, 2025, all visa applicants in Abuja and Lagos must bring a DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation/barcode number (starting with ‘AA’ and followed by ’00’ – two zeroes) that matches the one used to make their appointment online. You must also schedule your appointment at the location you selected when filling out your DS-160.”

The statement also detailed that the location selected when filling out the form is where one must complete the on-site interview. Moreover, any former DS-160 form barcodes from previous applications will become invalid.

The embassy emphasized that the new measure will be strictly enforced. Applicants whose barcode/confirmation numbers do not match their appointment details cannot enter the consular section, thus canceling the interview.

However, support for those whose DS-160 numbers do not align with the interview confirmation can still receive help. Applicants with this issue can log into their AVITS account on the Online Visa/Preclearance Application Facility account website. There, they can submit a ticket for correction.

The changes come as U.S. foreign policy shifts under the Trump administration. Trump has not directly targeted Nigeria with his new orders, although he did so during his first term. However, the heavier focus on immigration control still impacts all current and potential visa holders across many nations.

Trump has already drafted a proposed travel ban impacting several African countries. The list includes those in the continent’s Western region, such as Chad, The Gambia, and The Democratic Republic of Congo. Although Nigeria remains off this list, its new visa interview requirements could result in fewer approvals for the foreseeable future.

Nigerians are encouraged to remain up-to-date with all new rulings on the U.S. Embassy’s website.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 17, 2025

Sheryl Lee Ralph Says She ‘Put The Work In’ To Receive A Star On The Hollywood Walk of Fame

Sheryl Lee Ralph looks back on what led her to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Sheryl Lee Ralph is celebrating nearly 50 years in Hollywood and the dedication that led to her earning a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Emmy-winning actress opened up ahead of her April 16 induction ceremony, reflecting on the triumphs, setbacks, mentorship, and bold moves it took to sustain a career as a Black actress in the fiercely competitive entertainment industry.

“If I have the honor of a star, anybody can — if it’s something you’re really willing to put the work in for, or if you have a sugar daddy or a sugar mama who just wants to give it to you. But —it probably won’t be that. More than likely, you’re going to have to do some work,” Ralph told Variety.

Ralph beamed with joy — and shed a few happy tears — as she accepted her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a stunning black sleeveless gown.

“Look at what the universe has done,” she told the crowd before thanking God, Goddess, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for the honor.

Prior to the ceremony, Ralph expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love from fans who’ve followed her journey from the start. From her breakout role in Sidney Poitier’s 1977 comedy A Piece of the Action to her Emmy-winning performance as Barbara Howard on ABC’s Abbott Elementary, Ralph is proudly soaking in the rewards of decades of dedication.

“I am very fortunate, because I have something that I don’t think a lot of performers get and that is the appreciation and the respect of your audience,” Ralph said.

“I just came back from a 20-hour trip, and the pilots came out and said, ‘We love you. Would you take a picture with us?’ I was like, ‘These are guys, and the Black guy didn’t even have to tell the white guy who I was!’ Walking through the airport, people are like, ‘Hello, queen. Hope you have a good flight.’ They pass me notes. Like, what in the whole wide world? Does it get much better than this?”

“OK, yeah, I could win an Oscar,” she jokingly added. “But I don’t know if it would be any better. I feel good. I feel happy. I’m loving it.”

Brian Steel Added To Diddy’s Defense Team For Upcoming Federal Trial

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 17, 2025

Brian Steel Added To Diddy’s Defense Team For Upcoming Federal Trial

Steel was the lead attorney in the Young Thug RICO trial

Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, is joining the defense team for Sean “Diddy” Combs’s upcoming federal trial.

Famed court reporter Meghann Cuniff posted the news on her social media account and included the paperwork that the attorney filed April 15 in the U.S. Southern District Court of New York.

Here’s something I didn’t expect to write:

Young Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel has joined Sean “Diddy’ Combs’ criminal defense team. pic.twitter.com/1PD3g3ksr4

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) April 15, 2025

Steel became a household name during the Young Thug RICO trial, the longest criminal trial in Georgia history.

In Steel’s motion to be included on Diddy’s defense team, he admitted to being held in contempt during Thug’s trial. Steel was held in contempt by Judge Ural Glanville after he refused to divulge a source who told him about an ex parte conversation that took place before court that day, Fox 5 reported. The judge was removed from the case shortly after the incident.

The misdemeanor contempt conviction was reversed when, through an appeal by Steel, the Supreme Court of Georgia issued a unanimous decision in the attorney’s favor.

“On June 10, 2024, I was held in contempt by a Superior Court Judge in Fulton County, Georgia, in State of Georgia v. Jeffery Williams et al., Case Number 22SC 183 572, when the judge wrongfully ordered that I reveal privileged information.”
– Diddy’s new lawyer Brian Steel pic.twitter.com/4q0EOSxra9

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) April 15, 2025

According to NPR, Young Thug (real name Jeffrey Williams) pleaded guilty on Oct. 31, 2024, after prosecutors requested that he be sentenced to 25 in prison and 20 on probation.

Fulton County Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced the rapper to a total sentence of 40 years, with him serving the first five in prison. However, Whitaker allowed him to go free when she commuted the five years due to being in custody for more than 900 days after he was initially booked in May 2022.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 17, 2025

Black Market Facebook Groups Selling Rideshare Accounts Without Background Checks

Researchers identified at least 80 Facebook groups where members were selling rideshare accounts that bypass required background checks.

New research reveals that black market Facebook groups are offering rideshare accounts to buyers looking to bypass mandatory background checks.

A new report from the nonprofit tech watchdog Tech Transparency Project identified at least 80 Facebook groups where users frequently discuss buying, selling, and renting driver accounts for Uber, DoorDash, and UK-based Deliveroo, CNN reported. Researchers are looking into these “black market groups” as they may allow individuals to bypass background checks and license requirements, putting users at risk.

“It’s incredibly concerning because part of the reason Uber has been such an attractive tool for women, in particular, is because there’s some sort of semblance of safety when there’s tracking of who this person is … if something were to happen,” said Tech Transparency Project Director Katie Paul. “If that’s not the case, then what’s the point of using this platform?”

One group, “UBER ACCOUNT FOR RENT WORLDWIDE,” has over 22,000 members and includes exchanges where members can be seen soliciting Uber accounts in cities nationwide.

“Need an Uber Eats account in Jacksonville, FL ASAP.” “I have one,” one exchange reads.

“Looking for an Uber Eats account to rent in Virginia.”

“Available,” says another.

Researchers warn that these black market groups allow unlicensed rideshare or delivery drivers to pose as legitimate drivers, putting users at risk who rely on platforms like Uber and DoorDash to properly vet their workers. Spokespeople for popular rideshare and food delivery platforms are speaking out.

“Our tough approach is delivering clear results: we’re deactivating more fraudulent accounts, conducting more real-time identity checks, and preventing more offenders from returning,” DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley said.

“When we determine that an account holder is engaging in account sharing or other forms of fraud, we ban their account from the platform,” an Uber spokesperson said.

After learning about the report, a Meta spokesperson said the company would review the findings and remove any content that violated its policies. So far, five Facebook groups — including “UBER ACCOUNT FOR RENT WORLDWIDE” — have been removed for breaking Meta’s rules on fraud, scams, and deceptive practices.

Marvin Sapp, church, congregants, 40K, tithe, offerings

by Kandiss Edwards

April 17, 2025

Is Pastor Marvin Sapp Trolling With New Single ‘Close the Door?’

Pastor Marvin Sapp is taking the lemons handed to him and is "building a lemonade company."

Pastor Marvin Sapp is turning viral backlash into inspiration with his latest single, “Close the Door.”

Sapp announced the release on Instagram following criticism over a now-viral clip in which he urged church ushers to “close the door” while requesting donations. The “Best in Me” singer said he’s ready to move past what he described as being “misunderstood, misrepresented, misinterpreted and even maligned.”

He hopes that when the song drops on April 18, Good Friday, it will redirect attention from the controversy back to God.

“‘Close the Door’ isn’t just a song, it’s a soundtrack for survival,” Sapp wrote. “I’m releasing it this Good Friday, the day we honor the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Just like He closed the door on death, Hell, and the grave, I’m closing the door on the noise, the pain, and everything that tried to break me.”

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A post shared by Marvin Sapp (@marvinsapp)

The controversy stirred strong reactions across the religious community, with some questioning Sapp’s intentions and calling. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on the online backlash, including comments accusing the Best In Me singer of being a hustler and a false prophet. Critics also raised concerns about the $40,000 donation request, asking where the funds would be directed.

In response, Sapp appeared on The Breakfast Club, where he revealed that he and his staff at Chosen Vessel Cathedral had received death threats. He stood by his decision to solicit donations and to instruct ushers to shut the sanctuary doors during the offering, calling it a vulnerable time in the service.

Mega churches like Chosen Vessel often receive substantial offerings. With thousands of congregants each Sunday, the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt institutions can become targets for theft and criticism. The rise of internet culture has only amplified scrutiny of wealth within religious institutions and their leaders. Pastor Keion Henderson of Lighthouse Church faced backlash for requesting $2,100 from each member, while televangelist Creflo Dollar has long drawn criticism for his private jet and estimated $20 million net worth.

While some continue questioning Sapp’s actions, others see his response as redemptive. He’s no stranger to transforming controversy and pain into praise. In his Instagram post, he said he believes his trials and new song will ultimately benefit the church community.

“This song will bless you,” he wrote. “I believe that with everything in me. My assignment in this season through this song is to help you close the door, too.”

sundown town, Vidor,Texas, Yung Mooch, youTuber

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 17, 2025

Black YouTuber Learns Hard Lesson About Texas ‘Sundown Town’ In Real-Time, City Leader Claims Times Have Changed

Vidor, Texas, is known for its racist ideologies which led the gas station attendant to warn Mooch about about going there

YouTuber Yung Mooch learned how unwelcome he would be if he visited Vidor, Texas, a known sundown town.

In a clip posted on Instagram, Mooch and a friend stopped at a gas station approximately 30 minutes outside of Vidor and asked an attendant if they would be welcomed there. With a look of shock, the attendant barely hesitated before responding.

“It’s a very racist town. Better stay away from there,” the unidentified woman warned.

After other gas station customers warned the duo the same, the woman doubled down and detailed what could happen if the Black men went.

“They’ll hang people, drag people,” she said.

When Mooch’s friend attempted to reconfirm what she said, the woman reiterated, saying, “There’s a big possibility.”

The full 30-minute video on YouTube shows a Black man asking Mooch why he would consider going to a sundown town. Mooch’s response is that he is “testing the waters.”

The man then asked if the men had protection.

Other towns like Vidor, which is just east of Houston, were known as a racist hub in the Deep South. There are dozens of such towns across the U.S., but in Texas, there are more than 10, but Vidor has a particular reputation. In the early 1990s, according to Fox 26, the federal government attempted to integrate the town, but ultimately, the Black families living there were driven out.

However, things have seemingly changed since then. City leaders claim to welcome everybody to come and see for themselves.

“We’re not the same Vidor that people think we are,” City Manager Robbie Hood said. “This Vidor…We’re caring people, we love everybody. And I would say to the people that don’t think that to be necessarily true, come visit our city. You’ll see exactly who we are.”

There may be some truth there. In 2023, Vidor residents got rid of a small group of white supremacists sporting camouflage pants, black shirts, and the Aryan Freedom Network flag that set up shop with its logo on the Battle Flag of the Confederacy, as well as signs mentioning “white pride” and showing a swastika.

After police were sent due to calls of a disturbance between the group and residents, Vidor Police Chief Rod Carroll said the racist group confessed that the town was the first where they didn’t feel welcome.

As the group took over a public corner, Vidor residents joined in with their own signs reading, “We stand against racism.”

“We love everyone,” and “This community is not racist.”

“The reality is, you know, Vidor is not the Vidor of 40 years ago, and I’m actually proud of the citizenry for standing up against bigotry,” the police chief said.

Green Book Global defines a sundown town as one with unwritten rules to keep minorities out. Some towns will close at sundown to make it hard for Black people to gain employment or have hotels that refuse to serve non-white guests.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 17, 2025

Meghan Markle Reveals She Had ‘To Learn To Detach’ To Get Through Miscarriage

Meghan Markle opens up about her miscarriage to support a friend navigating pregnancy loss.

Meghan Markle opened up about her 2020 miscarriage to offer support to a friend still coping with her own pregnancy loss.

In the second episode of her Confessions of a Female Founder podcast, released on April 15, the Duchess of Sussex opened up about coping with pregnancy loss. While speaking with Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and CEO of Moms First, Markle reflected on grief and the importance of redesigning the workplace to support women better.

“I’ve spoken about the miscarriage that we experienced,” Markle said. “I think in some parallel way, when you have to learn to detach from the thing that you have so much promise and hope for and to be able to be OK at a certain point to let something go that you plan to love for a long time.”

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Saujani thanked Markle for her “really insightful” encouragement, joking that it felt like the royal had been “reading [her] diaries.”

“I don’t think anyone’s seen it that way [or], like, said it that way for me,” she said.

Markle was respectful with her approach to the sensitive subject, checking whether Saujani, 49, was “comfortable talking about it.”

“And I’ll bring this up if you’re comfortable talking about it because I know you’ve spoken publicly about it as you’re doing Girls Who Code, all the interpersonal things that are happening for you at that time, and the miscarriages that you’ve experienced,” Markle said.

This marks the second time Markle has spoken publicly about her miscarriage, following her emotional July 2020 account shared in a New York Times Op-Ed published that November.

“Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few,” she wrote at the time.

Prince Harry addressed his wife’s miscarriage in their 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan. He blamed the loss on the intense stress and sleeplessness Markle experienced during her legal battle with the Daily Mail. They share two children — Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

Oprah Winfrey, Stanford University, Dr. Bongeka Zuma, black billionaires

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 17, 2025

Onlookers Speculate If Oprah Winfrey And Sharon Osbourne Are Experiencing ‘Ozempic Feet’

Fans are speculating whether Oprah Winfrey is showing signs of a surprising new weight-loss drug side effect known as "Ozempic feet."

As the Ozempic craze continues to sweep through Hollywood, growing awareness of the drug’s potential side effects has fans speculating about changes in some stars’ appearances. The latest buzz centers on Oprah Winfrey and Sharon Osbourne, with onlookers questioning whether they might be experiencing what’s dubbed “Ozempic feet.”

Both Winfrey and Osbourne have openly admitted to using weight-loss medications. Recent photos have sparked speculation that the two stars may be experiencing “Ozempic feet”—a term used to describe sagging or aging skin on the feet caused by rapid fat loss, Daily Mail reports.

TV viewers noticed visible wrinkling on Winfrey’s feet when the 71-year-old media icon appeared onstage at the 55th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Osbourne, 72, recently shared a photo with her grandson on Instagram, prompting eagle-eyed fans to point out signs of significant weight loss in her feet.

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A post shared by Sharon Osbourne (@sharonosbourne)

“Ozempic feet” is the latest concern added to a growing list of side effects tied to rapid fat loss, including “Ozempic face” and “Ozempic butt.” According to Dr. Barry Weintraub, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in New York, a significant drop in body fat can affect water retention and lead to noticeable sagging in the feet.

“Without having had the opportunity to examine Sharon in person, the veiny and sagging skin on the top and sides of the foot might be a result of the new lack of water retention due to a decreased BMI caused by Ozempic or other such weight-loss drug,” Dr. Weintraub said. “As the heart becomes less taxed with extra weight, the water retention decreases, and the substructures of the foot (veins, tendons, bones) often become more visible.”

While Ozempic and its sister drug, Mounjaro, are FDA-approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the drugs have gained widespread off-label use for weight loss, particularly among celebrities. Recent data found that one in eight Americans has used a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic.

Now, fans are questioning whether Winfrey and Osbourne may be among the first public figures showing signs of the drug’s unexpected foot-related side effects. This comes after Winfrey revealed her use of a weight-loss drug in December 2023 after she “released my own shame about it.”

“I now use it as I feel I need it, as a tool to manage not yo-yoing,” she said at the time.

“The fact that there’s a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for. I’m absolutely done with the shaming from other people and particularly myself.”