Speaking exclusively to Rolling Out and BIPOC media via BIPOCXChange.com, executive producers of the NAACP Image Awards’ nominated television movie, First Lady Of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story, Judge Greg Mathis, and Welch talk about telling her true story, and showing both the glamorous rise and the tragic fall associated with the “dope game.”

In this clip, moderator D’essence Smiley of rolling out, asks Welch and Mathis what audiences, familiar with the BMF on STARZ series, learn watching her biopic.

“That you go to prison for many years, you don’t see that on the series; the detrimental experience to your family, you don’t see that…you don’t see how your life has been turned upside down forever,” says Mathis.

In a candid moment, Welch addresses her portrayal in the series.  Fans and followers of the STARZ series may remember the social media firestorm created during season one of BMF.  Welch went public about “Markeisha” (played by LaLa Anthony) being depicted as a predator, and immediately challenged how the character based on her life was being shown in the series.

“I don’t want young girls to think this is how it is; me chasing a young boy.  I don’t like the way they are showing my character, I think I’m a strong independent woman, and always have been, even though I chose the wrong.

In the wide-ranging interview, Welch talks about wanting hers to be a cautionary tale that shows the impact on the family, the abandonment of friends and loved ones, and her true story.  Judge Mathis echoed Welch’s sentiment and offered commentary about showing the true realities versus the glorification of the drug game.

Welch and Mathis, were joined by the film’s stars, Michelle Mitchenor (“First Wives Club”), and Tobias Truvillions (“City On A Hill”), for an FYC conversation hosted by Rolling Out, Plume | The Nominees Are.   In partnership with MegaMind Media, Plume is an interview series created exclusively by and for BIPOC media.

First Lady Of BMF is nominated for two NAACP Image Awards: Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special and Outstanding Directing In A Television Movie.  Vivica A. Fox earns her first directing nomination in her feature film directorial debut.

Voting for the NAACP Image Awards’ closes this Saturday, February 24.

Cast your vote now at vote.naacpimageawards.net. 

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW: HERE

The post TONESA WELCH BLAST STARZ SERIES BMF OVER FALSE PORTRAYAL AND DEPICTION AS A PREDATOR appeared first on Urban News Now.

NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson spoke out about coping with the loss of several family members, including wife Chandra Janway Johnson‘s parents and nephew.

“Our family is devastated by the profound loss of [Terry] Lynn, Jack and Dalton Janway,” Johnson wrote via Instagram on Friday, July 28. “We have been humbled by the outpouring of love and support during this unthinkably sad time and remain grateful for all of your compassion.”

The seven-time NASCAR champion’s three family members were found dead by officials on Monday, June 26 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Local law enforcement received a 911 call over reports of a disturbance and gunshots.

Muskogee Police spokesperson Lynn Hamlin said at the time via NPR that investigators believe Terry Lynn Janway shot and killed her husband, Jack Janway, and 11-year-old grandson Dalton before shooting herself.

In the immediate aftermath of the deaths, Johnson pulled out of the NASCAR Cup Series event in Chicago. “The Johnson family has asked for privacy at this time and no further statements will be made,” racing team Legacy Motor Club said in a statement at the time.

The racing organization also shared a statement supporting Johnson’s family while they grieve. “We are saddened by the tragic deaths of members of Chandra Johnson’s family,” NASCAR said in a June statement. “The entire NASCAR family extends its deepest support and condolences during this difficult time to Chandra, Jimmie and the entire Johnson & Janway families.”

Jimmie and Chandra have been together for over 20 years. The model and the racing star met in 2002 after NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon introduced them. They said “I do” in 2004 before welcoming two daughters.

Scroll down to learn more about Jimmie Johnson and Chandra Janway Johnson’s extended family:

Gary Johnson and Catherine “Cathy” Johnson (née Dunnill)

When Jimmie was growing up, his dad, Gary, was a truck driver for B.F. Goodrich and later a heavy…

Read the full article here

The post Jimmie Johnson and Chandra Janway’s Family Guide appeared first on Urban News Now.

Taylor Swift is clearly doing fine on “some new s—t,” and she’s letting Swifties know during The Eras Tour.

During Swift’s Saturday, July 29, concert, the Grammy winner subtly revealed how she was feeling about her past relationships and breakups.

“Fake love out on the town / Cryin’ in the bathroom for some dude / Whose name I cannot remember now,” Swift sang while performing “All of the Girls You Loved Before” for the Santa Clara, California, crowd, per TikTok concert footage.

As she crooned the “name I cannot remember” lyrics, Swift shook her head and gave a brief wink.

While the pop star — who kicked off her Eras Tour in March in Arizona — did not further reveal what the wink or the lyric represented, fans started swapping theories on social media.

“All of the Girls You Loved Before,” one of Swift’s Saturday surprise songs, was released earlier this year and categorized under her LP Lover. Due to the romantic lyrics and its inclusion in the 2019 album, fans immediately speculated that the track was dedicated to Joe Alwyn, Swift’s partner of six years before they split earlier this year, who was also the inspiration for several other Lover songs. After noticing Swift’s wink on Saturday, fans thought she was hinting that she has completely moved on from Alwyn, 32.

“Damn it’s over [for real],” a social media user tweeted on Saturday, thinking that the wink meant Swift had gotten over the Conversations With Friends alum after their April breakup. Another added: “ITS JOEVER.”

Others quickly pointed out that the lyric in question was probably not about Alwyn, thinking that Jake Gyllenhaal was the more likely subject. They thought that the “cryin’ in the bathroom” line calls back to a similar line in Swift’s 10-minute version of “All Too Well,” a song that is widely rumored to be about her whirlwind romance and breakup with the Brokeback Mountain star, 42. (Neither Swift nor…

Read the full article here

The post Taylor Swift Hints She’s Moved On From Past Relationships During ‘Eras Tour’ Concert — With 1 Wink appeared first on Urban News Now.

Tori Kelly is on the mend after she was hospitalized for blood clots, and her husband, André Murillo, is grateful for her continued improvements.

“I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has prayed for Tori and sent any ounce of love her way,” Murillo, 33, wrote via his Instagram Story on Saturday, July 29. “I believe it moved mountains. Fear gripped me hard but God is bigger than my fears.”

He continued: “I can never thank you all enough. Tori is doing much better and I believe you all have something to do with that .”

The 33-year-old singer, who married Murillo in 2018, also shared a brief update on her health on Saturday. Kelly swooned over the handmade card that Murillo had crafted on behalf of their two dogs, Frodo and Dobby. “Love you mom!!! Get better soon,” the note read, which featured painted paw prints from the pooches.

News broke one week earlier that Kelly had been rushed to the emergency room on July 23 after she passed out the night before. Doctors soon found blood clots in her legs and lungs, according to a TMZ report.

Two days later, Murillo seemingly alluded to the health scare when he posted footage of Kelly and Justin Bieber‘s “Where Do I Fit In” duet onto his Instagram Story.

“When I’m all alone and fear is all I see / Sitting in the silence with these insecurities. And then you remind me, you’re holding me tight / And you love me completely, you’re always by my side,” she sings on the track, which came out in 2018.

Murillo has continued to share updates on Kelly’s prognosis. “Tori is smiling again and feeling stronger. Not fully out of the woods but we see the sun. Just waiting on a few more answers,” he wrote via his Instagram Story on Wednesday, July 26. “Your love and kindness has been overwhelming. Thank you so much .”

The next day, Kelly broke her silence about the ordeal.

Sign up for Us Weekly’s free, daily newsletter and…

Read the full article here

The post Tori Kelly’s Husband Andre Murillo Gushes That She’s ‘Doing Much Better’ After Health Scare appeared first on Urban News Now.

It seems like Barbie has everything — girl power, big laughs, more shades of pink than any of Us knew existed — but director Greta Gerwig had to cut a few things from the massive blockbuster.

All the Fart Jokes

Gerwig admitted that she and film editor Nick Houy wanted to get several flatulence quips in Barbie, but they just couldn’t to squeeze them in.

“We had like a fart opera in the middle [of Barbie]. I thought it was really funny,” Gerwig recalled on a July 2023 episode of IndieWire‘s “Filmmaker Toolkit” podcast. “And that was not the consensus.”

“It was in the wrong place, too,” Houy added. “We need to work it into a more significant narrative moment next time.”

Gerwig added that she wanted to get fart jokes into Lady Bird or Little Women, but they agreed to scrap the gassy quips “about two-thirds through the edit” each time.

Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet’s Cameos

While Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starred as the main Barbie and Ken in the film, which hit theaters on Friday, July 21, Gerwig intended to have Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet play small roles. She previously directed the duo in her solo directorial debut, Lady Bird, in 2017 as well as her 2019 remake of Little Women.

“Well, it was always going to have to be a sort of smaller thing because [Ronan] was actually producing at the time, which I am so proud of her for. And of course, it’s brilliant. But it was going to be a specialty cameo,” Gerwig told CinemaBlend in an interview published earlier this month.

Unfortunately, the scheduling didn’t work out for Ronan, and then similar obstacles prevented Chalamet from appearing. “I was also going to do a specialty cameo with Timmy, and both of them couldn’t do it and I was so annoyed. But I love them so much,” Gerwig shared.

Barbie and Ken’s Kiss

Barbie is not a very romantic movie. Though Robbie’s Barbie is dating Gosling’s Ken, the doll would rather have every night…

Read the full article here

The post What Was Cut From ‘Barbie’? Ken’s Kiss, Timothee Chalamet’s Cameo and More appeared first on Urban News Now.

Madonna is grateful for her six children following her health scare and hospital stay.

“Love from family and friends is the best medicine. One month out of the hospital and I can reflect,” the Queen of Pop, 64, wrote via her Instagram on Sunday, July 30, alongside photos with daughter Lourdes, 26, and son David, 17. “As a mother you can really get caught up In the needs of your children and the seemingly endless giving. But when the chips were down my children really showed up for me. I saw a side to them I had never seen before. It made all the difference.”

Madonna, who was admitted to the hospital in June after a bacterial infection, also praised the “love and support” of her friends. She was even gifted a Polaroid of Keith Haring wearing a jacket with Michael Jackson’s face on it, which was taken by legendary artist Andy Warhol, by her longtime manager Guy Oseary.

“A perfect triangle of brilliance. [An] artist who touched so many lives including my own,” she wrote on Sunday. “I sobbed when I opened this gift because I realized how lucky I am to be alive. And how fortunate I am to have known these people and so many others who are also gone. … And thank you to all my angels who protected me and let me stay to finish doing my work !”

Us Weekly confirmed in June that Madonna had been hospitalized in the ICU for several days after developing a serious infection. Less than one week later, Madonna — who postponed her Celebration world tour to recovery — was discharged from the medical facility and returned home.

“Although Madonna is looking forward to getting back to work as soon as possible, she’s also taking her recovery seriously and isn’t going to rush anything because she is focused on her health above all else,” a source exclusively told Us earlier this month.“She has an incredible support system around her and appreciates all the love she’s received. It’s a work in progress but she’s…

Read the full article here

The post Madonna Praises Her Kids for Stepping Up ‘When the Chips Were Down’ During Her Hospitalization appeared first on Urban News Now.

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

Shorts season is here and one thing has become immediately clear: We don’t actually own enough shorts! And the shorts we do own? Probably not our favorite. We’ll throw them on to take the garbage out or go for a walk with the dog, but in terms of extended wear, we would rather leave them stuffed away in the dresser.

What about working out though? When it comes to sweaty cardio and muscle-training sessions, summer is the real deal, leaving us dripping after just a few minutes. Some pairs of shorts just aren’t made for it. They will soak through and rub at your inner thighs, chafing and riding up. We need a pair made to resist those common urges — and if we can wear them for lounging or even casual outings too, that’s even better!

Get the 90 Degree by Reflex Soft and Comfy Activewear Lounge Shorts for just $17 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of article update, August 18, 2022, but are subject to change.

These fan-favorite shorts are racking up thousands of reviews thanks to their impeccable design. These aren’t your average gym shorts, and you can see that even just from looking at photos online. They are not baggy, long and loose like mesh shorts, but they aren’t skin-tight like workout tights or biker shorts. They ride the line in the middle, creating a pulled-together look that’s nice enough to wear out!

This look is further enhanced by a mid-rise drawstring waist, pockets at the sides and cuffed hems, which emphasize a lifted effect that will flatter endlessly — complementing your figure and shaping to perfection!

Get the 90 Degree by Reflex Soft and Comfy Activewear Lounge Shorts for just $17 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of article update, August 18, 2022, but are subject to change.

As for feel, These number one bestselling shorts are made of a…

Read the full article here

The post These Flattering, Fan-Favorite Shorts Won’t Chafe — Or Ride Up! appeared first on Urban News Now.

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

Our skin is always in need of some improvement, even when we feel it’s looking particularly soft and supple. Here’s the thing — it never lasts! The eternal chase to find products which can assist our complexions in the quest to reach their full potential is far from easy — but the journey can slow down when we come across something truly special.

That’s precisely how we feel about this restorative cream from Avène, which can reportedly transform your skin in just two days — seriously! This is an intensive moisturizer which protects your skin and enriches its natural barrier with the right nutrients to prevent it from deteriorating, and it boasts reviews which confidently back it up.

Get the Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream for $42 at Avène! 

You may think this is just a basic moisturizer, but when you discover the proper nourishing cream, the last step in your skincare routine can truly make all the difference. What makes this one elevated compared to other moisturizers truly boils down to the ingredient list, and the roster for this cream is at an all-star level. This is not merely a hydrating treatment, but a protective treatment which can strengthen your skin to withstand environmental stressors that may result in issues like redness, uneven skin tone and general dullness. When your skin is properly hydrated and has the ideal nutrients that include postbiotics, zinc-sulfate and Avène’s signature thermal spring water, it’s a force to be reckoned with.

We won’t pretend like we’re certified dermatologists, but we like to consult our savvy reviewers when we encounter a particular product to see if it measures up to the hype. And from what we’ve read in ecstatic shopper testimonials, this cream is an absolute lifesaver! If anyone out there deals with redness or skin that’s sensitive (a.k.a. most of Us!),…

Read the full article here

The post This Healing Cream With 500+ Reviews Shows Skin Improvements in 2 Days appeared first on Urban News Now.

Jennifer Pedranti and boyfriend Ryan Boyajian have navigated cheating speculation throughout her debut season on The Real Housewives of Orange County.

“We have had a lot of conversations about it. You know, it’s taken up a lot of headspace for us because we don’t understand it,” Jennifer, 46, exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, July 27. “I’m so grateful Ryan manages it the way that he does. I can just head spin about it. Like, ‘This doesn’t make sense. I don’t know this, I don’t know.’ But he keeps me a little bit more grounded with it, and he sees it for what it is. And we, thank God, are just in a great space. Everybody says ‘the [Housewives] curse,’ you know? And we think that’s not gonna happen.”

Jennifer’s romance with Ryan, 46, raised eyebrows among her costars when she joined the cast for season 17. The RHOC stars, led by Tamra Judge, criticized the twosome for allegedly getting together prior to Jennifer’s 2021 split from ex-husband William Pedranti. Tamra, 55, even referred to Ryan as the “town whore” in the July 5 episode of the Bravo hit and accused him of infidelity.

Tamra further claimed during the Wednesday, July 26, episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen that the couple had used the scandal to get cast on RHOC. “Jen was going through the casting process when she actually found out that Ryan was cheating on her — and she chose to stay with him because she’s afraid she wouldn’t get cast on the show,” Tamra alleged, noting she had “a lot” of conversations with Jennifer about the dilemma.

Jennifer, however, denied the claims while speaking with Us.

“What? I mean, what are you even talking about? Like, you think I’m gonna stay in a cheating relationship because I’m worried I’m not gonna get cast?” Jennifer — who shares five children with William, 51 — told Us. “That’s like the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. I’m not trying to be rude,…

Read the full article here

The post RHOC’s Jennifer Pedranti Says Ryan Boyajian Cheating Rumors Have ‘Taken Up a Lot of Headspace’ appeared first on Urban News Now.

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

Let’s get one thing straight: We’re all familiar with the classic, boho-style dress. It’s usually made from a thinner lightweight material, fits loosely on the body and has slight ruffle touches throughout. We own countless iterations of this type of frock, and it’s not that we don’t love the look, but we like to switch things up from time to time.

That’s precisely why we’re so thrilled to find this maxi dress from The Drop. Simply put, it takes everything we adore about the quintessential boho look and kicks it up a notch. If you’ve been yearning to break out of your daily summer dress uniform but don’t want to veer too far outside of your comfort zone, you’ve officially met your match!

Get The Drop Women’s April One-Shoulder Cutout Tiered Midi Dress for prices starting at $63 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, July 30, 2023, but are subject to change. 

With this dress, you’re still getting an effortless, flowy vibe, but with some seriously modern upgrades. We’ll start with the cutouts at the waist, because they’re absolutely fantastic! They’re perfectly placed at the right spot on the mid-section to give you a slimmer silhouette, while still showing a dash of skin in the process. These cutouts aren’t overwhelming, so even if your sense of style is a bit more conservative, these slight side slits won’t make you feel uncomfortable.

Get The Drop Women’s April One-Shoulder Cutout Tiered Midi Dress for prices starting at $63 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, July 30, 2023, but are subject to change. 

The one-shoulder sleeve is the final finishing feature which made Us instantly fall for this dress. It provides a slightly more unique edge that’s oh-so-suitable for late summer shindigs. Best of all, the wide variety…

Read the full article here

The post This Show-Stopping Dress Will Ace All of Your Late Summer Events appeared first on Urban News Now.