‘The Real’ Co-Hosts Explain Why They Never Replaced Tamar Braxton After Dramatic Exit
“You’re leaving too?” Tamera Mowry-Housley asks celebrity make up artist Renny Vasquez with that signature pout we all fell in love with on Sister, Sister.
He along with several other members of The Real‘s glam squad had been with the co-hosts since 5 a.m. that morning, and it was now close to 5 p.m. in the evening.
“OK! I love you!” she says when he confirms that he indeed has to run.
As Mowry-Housley plops down onto the couch beside her co-host, Adrienne Houghton, she scratches at a persistent stain on the singer’s knee. It was the smallest of gestures between the two co-hosts, but one you’d only expect from a sister just making sure her girl looks presentable for the last interview of the day.
When the ladies of The Real are in a room together, it is a complete love fest peppered with inside jokes. And the love is contagious. No one is exempt from it. Not this interviewer, not the make up artist, not even the show’s publicist.
Five seasons after being placed together by some very smart executives at 495 and Telepictures Productions, the co-hosts of The Real have sort of crossed the burning sands. Their Emmy win is proof of that. Their guests — which have included Issa Rae, Jada Pinkett Smith and forever first lady Michelle Obama — is also proof.
And they’ve been through some things. Most of which they’re happy to open up about during their popular “Girl Chat” segment.
“Back when you used to watch our show we had lots of games,” Jeannie Mai admitted. “Now, we’ve gotten so close and intimate with our fans, it’s a lot of ‘Girl Chat’ because we have a lot to talk about.”
“When you’re vulnerable, that’s when people start relating…and that is a powerful and beautiful thing,” Mowry-Housley added.
“There was a time when we were flooded with talk shows and they were just chopping them after the second season,” Loni Love continued. “We are continuing because…you have this chemistry of women who are discovering themselves, and opening themselves up and people are relating all across the world.”
Co-host and big sister of the foursome, Love, said proudly that “the hosts have not changed” during all five seasons. But fans who’ve been with them since earlier seasons have noticed one person indeed dropped the line — or if we’re forgetting the sorority analogy altogether — was forced off the show after season two.
The co-hosts only recently decided to open up about Tamar Braxton’s 2016 departure during their New York City press run earlier this month.
“That’s embarrassing when you get let go of a show. That’s embarrassing so sometimes it’s better to just not say nothing and let the process play out,” Love said of why the co-hosts remained silent. “Timing is everything.”
Mai added, “And we couldn’t say anything either because we have a job to uphold, and we also didn’t know what was going on because it’s just our job.”
Houghton said it’s also the reason why The Real hasn’t replaced Braxton, even after rumors swirled that she was being replaced by reality stars Joseline Hernandez, or Ray J.
“The same way we can’t get rid of people on the show, we also can’t stop them from adding one,” Houghton said, noting that the co-hosts preference is for the slot to remain unfilled.
She added that the ordeal was hard on the hosts, but it’s forged a sisterly bond between the foursome — one that they don’t take for granted.
“In all honesty, there was a moment in time when we said, ‘Why is this happening to us?’” Houghton recalled. “But because of going through that, we more than ever value this…and what we went through has made our bond so much stronger. And we’re grateful for that so we value this; its precious to us; and we don’t allow anything to infiltrate this.”
Looking over at Houghton, Mowry-Housley chimed in, finishing her sentence, “You can’t force this.”
Article via Essence
Researchers just found a bizarre ‘headless chicken monster’ swimming deep in the Antarctic Ocean
A “headless chicken monster” was spotted swimming in the Antarctic Ocean, Australian researchers announced Sunday.
The bizarre creature that does indeed look like it’s missing a head is actually a sea cucumber scientifically known as Enypniastes eximia. As if looking like a headless chicken wasn’t enough, it also has a webbed veil and a transparent body that shows its internal organs. The “monster” is also extremely active for a deep sea creature, and can measure up to 9-inches, past research has shown.
It was previously filmed in the Gulf of Mexico, and now the Australian Government announced researchers with the Australian Antarctic Division captured clear video of this odd sea cucumber flapping its veil and appearing to feed or crawl using its tentacles across the ocean floor.
This is the first time the headless chicken monster has been sighted in southern ocean waters, the Australian government noted in a release.
“The Southern Ocean is home to an incredible abundance and variety of marine life, including commercially sought-after species, the harvesting of which must be carefully managed for future generations,” Gillian Slocum, Australia’s Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources Commissioner, said in a statement.
Australian researchers were able to capture the rare sight using new technology attached to toothfish longlines.
“Some of the footage we are getting back from the cameras is breathtaking, including species we have never seen in this part of the world,” said Dirk Welsford, Australian Antarctic Division Program Leader.
The collected images and data, which will be presented at the annual CCAMLR meeting this week, will also show what areas of the ocean might be adversely affected by fishing, Welsford said.
Article via USAToday
Tamar Braxton’s Birthday Shout Out to Snoop Dogg Is Quickly Taken Over By Fans More Concerned with His Marriage
Tamar Braxton showed love to her friend rapper Snoop Dogg by reposting his wife Shante Broadus’ message to her husband on his birthday. Fans were not amused by Snoop and Broadus’ relationship due to the rappers past infidelity.
Broadus post’s on Saturday, included a picture of the rapper with the caption, “Happy C Day @snoopdogg?? #10-20-71.” The rapper responded to his wife’s post, “Love everything about u thank u for my kids and for being the boss of me. Aka @bosslady_ent I’m nothing without you.
Braxton admired their relationship and commented on their love in the post she reshared on her Instagram. In her caption she wrote, “See THIS is what i Be talmbout!!! It’s THIS man @snoopdogg birthday but his love for his woman @bosslady_ent mean more to him than HIMSELF!!!” She continued, “If I don’t mean this to the man I love then #bye You can HAVE IT!!!! Some of y’all is worried about the wrong thing @otgenasis said… “ but who gone FCK wit u tho?? In the end???” Happy birthday unc!! You two have inspired me THIS morning!!!❤️????”
Although the singer was making the couple relationship goals, fans were not feeling it and criticized Tamar and Snoop’s wife.
“He’s cheated on his wife several times and this inspires you??OK”
“Chile this man cheats cheats”
“he’s got hoes, and has cheated several time, his wife is a dummy”
Back in July, known socialite Celina Powell revealed that she and Snoop have been in relations with each other. She alleged that she’s been dealing with the rapper for months and revealed multiple text messages and direct message conversations. The rapper has openly refuted those claims.
Article via NYPost
Netflix angers black subscribers with targeted posters
Some subscribers see Chiwetel Ejiofor on the poster for ‘Love Actually’ despite the British actor only having a minor role in the film
Netflix has been accused of using “intrusive” advertising tactics to mislead subscribers based on their ethnicity.
When browsing content on Netflix, the streaming service will make suggestions on what to watch next based on your viewing habits.
However, black users have noticed that the images being used to promote certain films will include black actors, even if those actors only have minor roles.
One example is Love Actually. While the Richard Curtis film features an ensemble cast, with Hugh Grant as top billing, some viewers are seeing Chiwetel Ejiofor on the film’s Netflix thumbnail despite the British actor only having a minor role (he does not feature on the theatrical poster).
Similarly, the streaming service is promoting their original series The Good Cop, a murder mystery, with black characters front and centre on the thumbnail; the series’ principal cast are majority white.
On Twitter, writer Stacia L Brown pointed out how the poster for the Kelsey Grammer and Kristen Bell-starring Like Father was appearing with two black actors on the thumbnail.
“Other Black Netflix users: does your queue do this? Generate posters with the Black cast members on them to try to compel you to watch?” she wrote.
“This film stars Kristen Bell/Kelsey Grammer and these actors had maaaaybe a 10 cumulative minutes of screen time. 20 lines between them, tops.”
Tolani Shoneye, who hosts The Receipts Podcast, told The Guardian: “It’s intrusive. It’s the dark side of marketing. I noticed it a while ago with a Zac Efron film that I’d already seen, but Netflix kept showing me it as a Michael B Jordan movie.”
She continued: “There was 30 minutes of a romcom I ended up watching last week because I thought it was about the black couple I was shown on the poster. I want to see those stories. They know I want to see those stories. Why don’t they just make more of them?”
Netflix found that displaying certain images to people, depending on their viewing habits, they were more likely to watch a certain film or TV show. They introduced multiple images to promote a single film last December.
Tim Harrington, a senior broadcast research analyst, said: “Netflix’s recommendation engine is second to none, and works almost seamlessly in the background.
“But the algorithm for targeted artwork is shown as downright clunky when, say, [some] users are offered artwork for ITV’s Lewis with black actors despite both leads and almost the entire cast being white.
“Netflix knows a lot about you, perhaps even race, but their understanding of what to do with this information is currently rudimentary.”
Netflix responded to accusations of basing posters on a subscriber’s ethnicity by saying: “We don’t ask members for their race, gender or ethnicity so we cannot use this information to personalise their individual Netflix experience. The only information we use is a member’s viewing history.”
Article via Independent
‘Willy Wonka’ actress Diana Sowle dies at 88
Diana Sowle, who played Charlie Bucket’s mother in the beloved 1971 film “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory,” has died at 88.
Sowle’s representative confirmed to BBC News and Yahoo that the actress passed away Friday morning surrounded by family.
“She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and will be dearly missed,” said a statement released by the rep.
Sowle made her onscreen debut in “Willy Wonka” as Mrs. Bucket, famously singing “Cheer Up Charlie” in one memorable scene.
“It’s nice that it’s still so popular, and the reason I think it’s so popular is — if you’re a parent, you can send your child to that movie, there’s no violence, there’s no bad language and no sex,” she told the Baltimore Sun in 2015 about the enduring popularity of “Willy Wonka.” “And kids love the thought of going to a chocolate factory and someone wins the golden ticket and they have all these bad kids and good kids, and the bad kids lose out because they try to grab (everything) for themselves.”
Speaking about the film more than 40 years after its original release, Sowles poked fun at the fact that Charlie took his Grandpa Joe to Willy Wonka’s factory instead of his mother.
“Charlie should’ve taken his mom,” she told the newspaper. “He should’ve said, ‘Oh, that’s wonderful. Now I can buy my mother a beautiful dress!’ Never happened.”
She was one of the last living adult cast members from the beloved film. Her co-star Gene Wilder, who played Willy Wonka, died in 2016 of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
“We’d be working on a scene…and he would be coming in to film another scene, and he would join us on a lunch break and we’d have lunch,” Sowle told a public-access TV station from her home in Laurel, Maryland, about her time working with Wilder.
“He was so nice, he never acted like, ‘Oh I’m a bigger star than the rest of you’, he was always friendly and courteous and funny and told nice stories. I’m very sorry he passed away because I think he was a great talent and I think he was liked by many, many people.”
Sowle also appeared in the films “Clear And Present Danger” and “Guarding Tess,” both of which premiered in 1994.
Article via USAToday
Colorado mom warns of ‘choking game’ after losing 11-year-old son
ELIZABETH, Colo. – A Colorado mother who lost her son is warning other parents about the so-called “choking game.”
Tia Bodkins said the last thing she said to her 11-year-old son Carson was, “I love you very much I’m very proud of you,” before he went upstairs to pack for a family trip. Ten minutes later, he was not breathing. Bodkins said she performed CPR, paramedics administered treatment and the team at Children’s Hospital worked tirelessly to revive Carson, but his brain had gone without oxygen for too long.
Bodkins said her son had been playing ‘the choking game,’ which involves cutting off oxygen to the brain to achieve a feeling of being high. Those who play the game may have frequent headaches and bloodshot eyes, according to KDVR.
Bodkins told KDVR she wanted to come forward to warn parents about the importance of monitoring their child’s online activity – she thinks Carson may have found out about the “game” on the internet. She emphasizes that properly doing so means doing more than just activating safety settings.
“We have internet blocks, internet protections for all of the boys. But I had let him look at YouTube so he could learn skateboarding tricks, I assumed that’s what he was looking at,” Bodkins said.
She added that parents must check the online history as well. Stepfather Jason Davis said it’s vital to do what it takes to protect children, even if they don’t understand and it makes them feel resentful.
“As parents, the responsibility lies on us to go in and make sure [kids] are protected, and sometimes that might be an invasion of their privacy,” he said.
Carson was a very popular student who excelled at Legacy Academy in Elizabeth. His desk is marked with loving notes and a flower from grieving students. His locker adorned with final farewell messages.
Principal Kurt Naber told KDVR the school is providing counseling and support for students and teachers.
“It is heartbreaking to lose a student so young and it really hits home as the parent of a fifth-grader myself,” Naber said.
Naber added that information is key when it comes to arming parents against online dangers.
“This is probably more widespread than most parents and most schools would assume,” he said.
Carson loved sports and skateboarding, and those who knew him described him as a boy who made everyone laugh and smile. Bodkins said the entire family is trying to stay strong as they cope with the immeasurable pain of their loss.
“We’re living minute-by-minute. We’re all very sad. We miss him very much,” she said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for a skatepark or playground donation in Carson’s name.
For more information about the signs of The Choking Game and ways to keep your child safe visit the following websites:
G.A.S.P Games Adolescents Shouldn’t Play
Child Mind Institute
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Culture of Safety
via: https://pix11.com/2018/10/22/colorado-mom-warns-of-choking-game-after-losing-11-year-old-son/
Viral Video Shows Police Officer Hitting 14-Year-Old Girl Being Arrested in Florida
A viral video of a police officer hitting a 14-year-old girl during an arrest has caused outrage in a Florida community.
The video — posted to Instagram on Friday — shows a girl being held down by two officers, one man and one woman. The male officer hits the girl in the side twice as he holds her shorts.
“Why you hitting her?” someone in the video yells. “She can’t do that, her hands underneath her, the f*** you hitting her for?”
The police department in Coral Springs, about 30 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale, said in a statement on Facebook on Friday that the video does not show the entire incident that led to the arrest.
Police said the incident took place Thursday when officers were called to Coral Square Mall about unruly teens who had been harassing people and causing a disturbance. When officers met with mall security, a mother told officers one of the teens shoved her 5-year-old child to the ground. Mall security also told officers one of the teens hit another teen. Officers issued a trespassing warning to the unruly teens and barred them from the mall.
The teens then returned to the mall, police said, where a boy was taken into custody without incident, but the girl in the video began cursing and attempted to rile up the other teens. Officers tried to take the girl into custody, but police said she began to fight and resist arrest. It was at this time, police said, that they took the girl to the ground because of “her stature and aggressive behavior” and tried to get her to release her fists.
“As seen in the video she resisted arrest, and in order to have her to comply she was struck in the side to release her clenched fists – she was then handcuffed,” the Coral Springs Police Department said in its Facebook statement.
As officers were trying to put her in the patrol car, police said she “violently kicked” one of the officers.
“The Coral Springs Police Department believes in transparency,” the department’s statement read. “It is important for people to have all of the facts before rushing to judgment of an officer’s actions when faced with calls for service involving violent suspects — regardless of their age or gender.”
The girl’s mother, Jessica Dennis, told CNN affiliate WSVN-TV it was difficult for her to watch the video.
“She clearly wasn’t aggressive. Everyone could see she was laying there,” Dennis said. “So I just want justice to be served.”
Dennis told WSVN she hired attorney Meeghan Moldof, who said the officer used excessive force.
“It’s clear from the video that my client was on the ground,” Moldof told WSVN. “Her hands are under her belly, the officer’s knees are on her back, and he’s just gut-shotting her, like one after another.”
Middle-aged teacher called 11-year-old student her ‘boyfriend’: records
In a shocking case of twisted misconduct, a 41-year-old Bronx public-school teacher doted romantically on a fifth-grader — calling the 11-year-old her “boyfriend,” records show.
“As long as without sex, I think its(sic) legal,” teacher Yi Chen Cheng told a friend on Facebook, investigators found.
A Department of Education teacher for 16 years, Cheng taught music at PS 1 Courtlandt, a pre-K to 5th grade school in Mott Haven.
According to investigative reports and disciplinary records, Cheng sent the fifth-grader messages adorned with heart emojis, told him often, “I love you,” and expressed jealousy of his girlfriends.
With a phone she bought for him, they exchanged 563 texts and engaged in video chats at odd hours, chatting about kid stuff like basketball, going to the mall, and dating.
Cheng is one of two teachers recently fired after disturbing Facebook messages and texts came to light, reports by the city’s Special Commissioner of Investigation reveal.
In the other case, Dennis Colon, 46, a teacher at Mott Haven Village Preparatory HS in the Bronx, texted a student while driving in June 2017: “I f–king WISH you were my girlllllllllll,” the SCI reports.
Colon quickly texted other sheepish remarks, including, “Ugh should I have shut the f- -k up???” Moments later he texted: “Just got into an accident,” and sent a photo of his wrecked mini-van. “Waiting for a f–king Uber right now.”
The girl turned in screenshots. Records over three months showed 680 texts from Colon to her phone, and 350 from her to him. Confronted with his vulgar words, Colon claimed he was “drunk” at the time, quickly realized “it was a mistake,” and apologized. The DOE fired him.
In Cheng’s case, the boy told probers that his teacher never engaged in sexual behavior with him. The NYPD and Bronx District Attorney’s Office did not file criminal charges.
But a disciplinary hearing officer, Timothy Taylor, terminated Cheng, calling her conduct “particularly shocking.”
Records show her estranged husband, who shared a Facebook password, was stunned to discover a trove of notes between Cheng and the pre-teen boy.
“Don’t use me as a bargaining chip for your gf [girlfriend],” Cheng allegedly wrote in June 2017. “This is the second time that you are telling everyone what I told you. Do you think it’s a joke. Or you think I am a joke? You hurt me again. And this is what you should tell everyone from now, including your gf: I don’t love you, I don’t. Goodnight.”
The student replied, “Woow first I ain’t tell anybody about u. …”
Cheng then added, “I feel you are using me to get her jealous. And that hurts because you care about her feelings more than my feeling. And don’t you know how much I love you through everything?”
Cheng, who has a 5-year-old son, sent a photo of the student to a Facebook friend, calling him her “boyfriend,” reports state.
She confided she “fell for someone that [she] shouldn’t fall for. [M]aybe because we are meant to be … we know what each other wants without even saying a word … we don’t even fight. … I feel connected to him.”
Cheng, who did not testify or return a message from The Post, now works for the Piano School of NYC in Manhattan. She gives piano lessons in the homes of students under age 10 with a parent present, a spokeswoman said.
via: https://nypost.com/2018/10/20/middle-aged-teacher-called-11-year-old-student-her-boyfriend-records/
Woman says man broke into her home, made eggs, bathed
ATHENS, Ala. — An Alabama woman says a man broke into her house and made himself breakfast, took a bath, and washed his clothes.
Mary Royster tells WAAY-TV she came home Tuesday and found a strange man who wouldn’t leave — he told her he was waiting for his clothes to dry.
Thirty-one-year-old Tyler Love is now back at the Limestone County jail on a charge of burglary. He had been released just last week after serving time for another burglary.
Royster says “every drawer” in her house had been searched through, and Love made himself scrambled eggs, took a bath, shaved and brushed his teeth.
Royster says finding the man in her home was scary, but he wasn’t violent and she can laugh about it now.
