#memphis bombshells

[crazymadpassionatelove]

A little sneak peak of something in the works...

Oh look! Finished product here...

Dedicated to my fave blonde bombshell @ab4eva 🩷

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Elvis Presley Quietly Marries At Home

The man with the famous pelvis is now a married man! Colonel Parker confirmed that Elvis married Paramount actress Leona Grace at his home in Memphis on the nineteenth of March. The wedding comes on the heels of rumors that the new Mr. and Mrs. Presley are due for a visit from the stork. The Colonel’s response? “Those are questions for a different day”. The hush hush, spur of the moment wedding did not follow an engagement announcement and no pictures of the happy couple seem to exist beyond set outtake photos. The event reportedly took place in the evening with just family and close friends in attendance totaling about 50 people. A red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting was served for dessert and sources say that Elvis's own music was played late into the night as friends danced in the backyard of Presley's Graceland mansion.

“See ya in a bit, baby doll, gotta meet with the Colonel about some stuff,” his lips lingered on her skin while he eyed her in the mirror. Leona couldn't suppress the sour look that appeared on her face. 

“What sort of stuff?” she questioned cooly. 

“Some movie stuff, ain't nothing for you to worry that pretty head about,” his tone was casual yet dismissive. Those were fighting words for Leona, who stomped her foot like a child and demanded to know just exactly why he was allowed to make movies while she had been regulated to pick flowers in the garden with the dogs, lounge in the pool, and shop herself silly with Patsy. She felt like a bird in a cage, albeit a gold-plated diamond-studded cage. 

“Oh ya want me to start calling you my pretty little baby bird?” he teased, those long fingers, perfect for reaching all the right spots, were tickling at her ribs. Leona yanked away from his grasp and pouted. “Baby, you're a wife now, my wife, I'm gonna take care of things. No need for you to stress yourself and slave away to send money back home to your momma and granny, I had my daddy send a check two days ago,” Elvis explained, sliding on a pair of sunglasses that made him look utterly delectable as he shifted his weight from one leg to another in the doorway, seemingly unable to keep still. 

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More to come soon....

[shannendoherty-fans]

August 1992 - Shannen Doherty on the cover of YM (Young & Modern) magazine, by Firooz Zahedi.

Brunette bombshell Shannen Doherty – How she got it all - Part 1.

The got-it-all Girl

BY DARIO SCARDAPANE The real Shannen Doherty isn't anything like guy-magnet Brenda Walsh. In fact, Shannen didn't even snag a date for her high school prom. But now she's got it all – a mega-hit TV show, major bucks, a great-looking fiancé and the world at her feet. We got the girl who's got it all to tell all.

Shannen Doherty arrives at the Beverly Hills Hotel in a brand-new Mercedes 500 SL convertible – black, of course. Next to her, in the leather seat, sits her 26-year-old fiancé, Chris Foufas, a very wealthy and very good-looking real-estate developer. The valet attendants jump they've seen a lot of star power wheel up this driveway and they know the drill – and Doherty and Foufas receive the ultra-VIP treatment reserved for Hollywood's elite. The car taken care of in grand style, Doherty, dressed in a green silk shirt tucked into faded blue jeans, strides confidently past the smiling doormen into the hotel's sumptuous lobby. Money, cool cars, gorgeous guys. Is there any need to ask the zip code of this hotel? You guessed it. It's 90210. But the tiny (about five-foot-three-inch) brunette who nestles into the booth of the hotel's Polo Lounge is a far cry from Brenda Walsh. For one thing, she's prettier her skin under very light makeup is crystal clear. For another, she's older (21) and a whole lot wiser than her high school TV heroine.

"It's fine to look up to Brenda Walsh," Doherty says, gazing at a menu. "But Shannen Doherty is a different person. Brenda's more insecure, she's not as much of her own person as I am. And I have a career, Brenda doesn't."

Yes, Doherty definitely has a career – a solid body of work that began in 1982 with the TV series Little House: A New Beginning, included a role in the film Heathers, with Christian Slater and Winona Ryder, and landed her on fame's doorstep with the phenomenal success of 90210. Although she attended L.A.'s prestigious Lycée Français (whose previous students include Jodie Foster and Christie Brinkley), all that work left her little time for the joys (or the boys) of high school years. "I wasn't really there," Memphis-born, L.A.-reared Doherty recalls. "I didn't really have friends from that school, 'cause I was on [the TV series] Our House. So I was being tutored after hours, and then I did Heathers, and I took 12th grade at the same time I took 11th grade just to get out of school because I hated it. You know, I guess my problem is that I am not the most social person in the world. I didn't really need the social scene of high school." Nor did Doherty need the attentions of would-be high school sweethearts. "I never dated high school guys when I was young," Doherty says with a smile. "I dated older men 'cause I sort of had a thing, like every girl has a thing, for older men. There was nothing wrong with the guys in high school, but at the time I was a little confused, and I didn't want to add a confused boyfriend to that." All in all, Doherty's teenage years held less luster than does Brenda's heady social whirl on 90210. Even the prom, that peak night of adolescent bliss, was a lot less than it was built up to be.

"I'm not a prom girl. I didn't go to my prom," Doherty says, sipping orange juice. "But my father had a business associate who had a son, and he asked me to go with him to his prom.'

She rolls her eyes as she recalls that enchanted evening. "I went, and I hated it. Hated it. For one thing, I wore this dress that I wore on Our House. It was black, strapless and very, very low cut – unlike any other prom dress there. I don't know, the kids looked at me kind of funny, and I went, 'This is not my scene. I think I'd much rather be at home reading a book.' So I left pretty fast."

Shannen at a glance Birthday: April 12, 1971. Sign: Aries. Born: Memphis, TN. Reared: Los Angeles, CA. Siblings: One brother, 24, a law student. Parents: Dad's a banker; Mom runs Vera's Retreat, a facial salon in Beverly Glen, CA. Dogs: Five – two rottweilers, a Great Dane, a golden retriever and a Labrador retriever. Favorite book: The Sun Also Rises. Favorite designers: Anthony Moorcraft, Gigli, Armani, Gaultier, Roberto Robledo, Moschino – and Levi's: "I'm very much a Levi's girl." Favorite bands: The Replacements, the Cure, Cowboy Junkies, the Black Crowes, the Rolling Stones. Favorite movies: The Black Stallion and Breakfast at Tiffany's. Favorite fragrance: Coco.

Meeting Chris, her fiancé, changed everything. But the two came together under less-than-idyllic conditions. "Oh yeah, we met in a very interesting manner." Doherty chuckles. "Basically I was dating his best friend…. It's not as bad as it sounds. And his best friend turned out to be the biggest jerk in the world. And I broke up with him. Then Chris and I started becoming friends…. We just fell in love." Judging by the size of the diamond on Doherty's finger, this is the Big One, that true love thing. There's been a lot said in the press about the rock set in Doherty's engagement ring – the price, the size – and all the speculation seems more than a little impolite and catty. Let's just say it's big… very big. Six-and-a-half-carats big.

When our waiter arrives, Doherty does something unexpected. Looking at her perfectly svelte form, you'd guess she'd have a nice melon or something bran-like for breakfast. No way, not this girl. Doherty orders a cheeseburger, "extra greasy" with mayonnaise, and a side of fries. She notes my look of astonishment and laughs. "My diet is whatever I want to eat," she chirps. "I have a really high metabolism, and I'm always running around doing something, so I've never watched what I've eaten." But greaseburgers must play hell with that perfect parchment complexion, I say. "Well, my mom runs a facial salon, Vera's Retreat. And my facialist, Melissa, is amazing. I get facials every three weeks. Other than that I go home and wash it, and that's all I do." All right, she can eat whatever she wants and never pick up a pound or a zit. Her fiancé's a babe with bucks, and her television show's a raging success. Is there anything else the girl could want?

"I always want more," she says with a steady look in her eye. "I read something that answered the question, 'Can women have it all?' by saying, 'Nobody can have it all.' And I thought, What a negative attitude, because in my opinion, you can have it all – if you work hard. What's having it all to me? Having it all is having a successful film career. A wonderful marriage. Kids." And although many women find balancing a career and a family a job in itself, Doherty foresees no trouble in that department. “I'm an actress, and I'm here to work. My main goal is to work for the rest of my life. But I find time for Chris and my family. Because when everything is said and done, the acting may not be there, but the relationship will, so that's what you have to work on the hardest."

It's precisely this type of wisdom that separates Doherty from Brenda and most of the young people, fictional or otherwise, living in the environs of 90210. For all the attention, money, cars and fame at Doherty's command, her head seems remarkably clear, downright mature.

Doherty pushes the remnants of her cheeseburger around on her plate. "Well," she says with a trace of wistfulness, "I grew up kind of fast." Which is usually a tried-and-true recipe for disaster. So far, though, the got-it-all girl seems to be beating the odds. Make that obliterating them.

(Part 2)

[sharingan2889]

For my first true post let’s make it an origin story! I was 7 when I was I a near fatal car wreck this was 1998 and me and my aunt were driving back to my hometown of Gulfport Mississippi driving from Memphis Tennessee it was during and ice storm and my aunt was driving slowly to avoid any problems but a dump truck driver cut my aunt off causing her to lose control and her suv to roll 8 times launching me out of the passenger side window. When I woke up 4 days later in the hospital I had 15 broken bones permanent nerve damage in my lower back that took my bladder and bowel control. I woke up to a weird feeling my underwear was thicker than normal and crinkled loudly I lifted my blanket and sure enough it was a glorified pamper size 6 and by the look of it it was ready for a change! I looked at my mom and said “mommy I need a diaper change?” I said confused she immediately came over and changed me. I was so confused my stepdad told me “it’s ok lots of kids your age have to wear diapers don’t be scared.” I nodded of course as mom finished changing my pamper the doctor came in and dropped a bombshell due to the nerve damage in my lower back I was able to walk but I would be in diapers for the rest of my life and surgery while it was an option the risk for paralysis is to high. My mom immediately said “no surgery my son is perfect the way he is!” It took my months to fully recover and of course never got any control back but I eventually got used to it and now fast forward 26 years later I’m still rocking my pamps!

[cyarsk5230]

Young Dolph Killer Justin Johnson Sentenced To Life In Prison, Brags On Social Media About Not Snitching

Noah Williams

Young Dolph – Source: Paras Griffin / Getty

Young Dolph’s killer was sentenced to life in prison Thursday after being found guilty of taking the life of the Memphis rapper.

Justice has been served in the murder of Young Dolph who was killed in Memphis, Tennessee in 2021. Failed rapper Justin “StraightDrop” Johnson was previously arrested in connection to the murder along with Hernandez Govan and Cornelius Smith. As the trial began this week, prosecutors laid out their case perfectly with undeniable amounts of evidence.

Goven and Smith also testified against Johnson giving a play-by-play of how this all unfolded.

One of the biggest bombshells revealed in court was that Yo Gotti’s brother Big Jook, who was murdered in January, ordered the hit on Dolph with a promise of $100K for the murder. Police evidence showed the alleged killers contacted Jook before and immediately after the shooting.

As previously reported the faux-assassins for hire revealed that despite being told they’d make six figures, they only received $800.

According to Rolling Stone, Johnson was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Johnson will now serve life in prison.

Young Dolph’s Fiancé & Sister React To Justin Johnson’s Guilty Verdict

Young Dolph’s fiancée Mia Jaye addressed the verdict on social media shortly after it was announced.

“This brings relief and restores my confidence in the justice system.” Mia Jaye said before thanking law enforcement, prosecutors and “everyone involved for their diligent work” in securing the conviction. “We are also grateful to the public for standing with us and advocating for accountability throughout this process,” Jaye continued. “The past three years, marked by the loss of Adolph and the events leading to the trial, have been incredibly frustrating. My faith has been tested, but Adolph’s tragic execution has only strengthened my resolve to fight – not only for him but for all Black men. This is just the beginning of our journey toward achieving full justice for Adolph, and we will patiently support the unfolding of that process.”

Dolph’s sister Carlisa Brown also spoke with Rolling Stone after the verdict and said Johnson’s murder conviction was “worth the wait.”

“I’m feeling relief that justice was brought today. We finally got to see the full picture of what happened, and it’s going to help with the healing process,” Young Dolph‘s sister Carlisa Brown said. “We had reassurance it was a strong case, but we didn’t know everything,” Brown says. “Based on the evidence, it wasn’t a shock [Johnson was convicted]. The person responsible had to reap the consequences and get what they deserved. It was worth the wait.”

Brown also confirmed the family would continue giving back to the community through the rapper’s IdaMae Family Foundation.

“We need to keep moving forward and doing what he would want us to do,” Brown says. “With this three-year anniversary coming up, I’m going to continue doing what he loved doing, which was giving back.”

After receiving life in prison, TheShadeRoom reports that Johnson took to Instagram to clout chase and brag about “not snitching.”

“These n***as taking criminal responsibility I’m taking street responsibility regardless I’m foreva the biggest they can throw away the keys before I ever eat da cheese.”

Sent from my iPhone

[aliypop]

HEAD CANONS FOR MY EP FANFIC OC

CECELIA VALMOS

SO these headcanons are more so her earlier years, but I hope you all like her she lives in my brain rent-free!

Cecelia Valmos was born on January 7th 1935 In North Carolina

Elvis and Cecelia met, actually during the Louisiana Hayride in which her mother brought her along to a one night only concert of hers.

The Hayride performance was the reason Cecelia really took music seriously, not that she didn't before, but her mother was a famous jazz singer, and Cecelia preferred Blues and Rock n Roll

Cecelia wouldn't say while starting her career under her mothers label that she was obsessed with Elvis, but when the two started playing gigs on the same stage, she had wanted nothing more than for him to notice her.

When Cecelia and her mother decided to open a recording studio in Memphis and keep their NYC studio open, she didn't think she'd find herself running into Elvis so much especially in Beale Street

Cecelia loves Mustang cars the way Elvis loves Cadillacs

Cecelia would sneak out of her mothers tour Rehersals if she knew Elvis was in town.

Cecelia and the colonel don't exactly see eye to eye, but not as much as Her mother and the colonel don't.

When Cecelia finally got to meet Elvis, it was at Club Handy by the doing of BB King.

Cecelia, in her early career, was very well seen as risqué for her choices in dresses, the nearly skin-tight pencil skirt dresses, and her outrageous rockabilly hair, thus earning her the title of " The lady Elvis."

It was a compliment until it wasn't... although it never was a compliment in the first place.

When the two did start dating, both their managers agreed it was safer for them to hide their relationship rather than be open about it.

They were bad about hiding it.

Cecelia had a huge crush on James Dean, Frank Sinatra, and Cab Calloway growing up.

She's a Betty Boop Fanatic.

A Billy Holiday Fan

And Ella Fitzgerald

Her favorite superhero is Wonder Woman

She inspires to be a bombshell like the classic Hollywood greats.

When Elvis was drafted, she was devastated. She'd go go Graceland every day wondering if he was back yet.

Gladys found her dedication to writing him letters very sweet.

However, Cecelia would barely eat or drink anything unless she knew he was okay.

Vernon couldn't get her to even sleep.

When Gladys passed and he returned, she refused to leave him. She gave him space but equally grieved. Knowing how it is to be close to one's mother, she could only imagine the pain he felt.

Her death impacted her mother, learning that Gladys and her mother Denise were friends when she had her first tour down south and Gladys, although not having much housed her when no one else would.

Cecelia and Elvis both have nicknames for each other, Babydoll and Sugar pie.

Elvis and Cecelia have been known for having conversations via eyebrows.

Cecelia's favorite show is I love Lucy

Although in her early 20s it wasn't her favorite genre so she'd say, but if Elvis were to ask her to sing it, she'd sing dream a little dream of me as she's scratching his head.

This usually gets him to fall asleep instantly

Cecelia is a morning person .

Shes a film fanatic.

Elvis caught her a few times while on set, saying how she'd make the movie better if she had her way.

Her favorite movie of Elvis's is King Creole, it holds a soft spot in her heart.

Not only can she play guitar, but violin and it's rare if she plays it.

They once went to go see Birds, and Cecelia was terrified to leave the house for a week.

Elvis once took her to a carnival and took her on the ferris Wheel in which she had her eyes closed until they were back on solid ground.

These are just a few head canons I have, but there's a lot more coming!

Taglist

@darkmoviesquotespizza

[motivatornetwork]

Movie: Missing Anthony Fox, Witnesses - Paul Barresi, Johnny Depp, Adam Waldman - Fixers Not Mafia Killers

Not Mafia - Missing Anthony Fox & Johnny Depp with Paul Barresi "Violin" Tapes & Fixer Adam Waldman - WITNESS Interference Spin. Interest of Depp in West Memphis 3 Damien Echols and allegedly John Wayne Gacy painting similarly to Brian Peck seen by actor for Quiet on Set. Johnny Depp named a farm in Kentucky after his mother Betty Sue.

Spin on Breakins/Vandalism by Waldman & Barresi in Recorded Telephone Call Against Witnesses.

In Movie "High Society" Grace Kelly jokes about culture shock about the British and asks where does Jack the Ripper teach?

- Stuff Movie with writings on the wall like 'kill pigs' like charles manson and damaged property all over produced by Depp & Scarmonga. - Investigators of Confidential Magazine cause terror onto Hollywood. Comparing to a foiled breakin by 'investigator fixers' surveilling Marilyn Monroe for jealous Joe DiMaggio. Fixer Fred Otash. Files on most blonde bombshells in Film Business.

3 Audio Clips of the Call between Viper Room Witnesses Big Ed Shaw and Richie Albertini of the Viper Room about assault of Stacy by Johnny, Naomi Campbell, Paul Schindler and Bob Pfeiffer -- who tried to hire Schindler as a hitman to kill his wife Maria. Schindler got Ed Shaw employed in the Viper Room. Ed Shaw is not surprised about wanting Schindler to do that.

- With Schindler's name spoken, Anthony Fox is brought up with his name. - Later talks on Olivia, Ricky Beck Mahler, many others in a friendly way.

Hollywood Fixer Paul Barresi in edited audio recordings implicates Financial Transactions and Other Locations harming Investigations (Viper Room), while mocking the Ventura police law enforcement. - As a "fixer" he focuses on letters/objects and bank accounts of Fox's mother and daughter instead of witness testimony on who did it.

Scenes from Love in the Afternoon Movie with Gary Cooper where Investigator Incites His Client to Attack

The Charley Project on Missing Anthony Fox: https://charleyproject.org/case/antho...

Sadly, a second image added in December 2021.

With Grace Kelly & Kim Novak

- Golden Hollywood scenes of "High Society" inspired by the French. She says the reporter's name sounds like a Martyr that perished in medieval times... Isn't dancing wonderful? Grace Kelly adores strangers.

Kim Novak has a Witness that "appears" during her trial in "Notorious Landlady" and an actor ex-boyfriend provides a story to Confidential while she's with a millionaire. "He does look like a rat" shows on screen from the Fixers after the Cary Grant & Grace Kelly car scenes.

Johnny writes to serial killer claiming unknown movie role: https://www.cinema.com/news/item/613/... William Hazlet has the Art of Deception - Adam Waldman and Paul Barresi Calls

Clip of Ed Shaw audio tape stating "We Not in the mafia" and denying the purchase of bulletproof jackets in the Viper Room with background scenes of Private Jet & to catch a thief edits.

No one removes Fixers Adam Waldman and Paul Barresi from this social circle or from causing this nightmare as the Viper Room's Paul Schindler was.

[nysocboy]

Gemstones Episode 2.8, Continued: Macaulay Culkin grows up, the Cycle Ninjas break out, and Jussie Smollett shows his stuff

Previous: Episode 2.8: Baby Billy sees a ghost, Judy becomes a mom, and Kelvin gets *** up. With nude dwarf athletes

Baby Billy's Baby Boy: Harmon the special-needs son who Baby Billy abandoned at Christmas 1993. has grown into a special-needs adult (Macaulay Culkin), But nevertheless he has achieved the heterosexual nuclear family trajectory of job, house, wife, and kids.Actually, his wife has the job (a lawyer, "an educated breadwinner") but close enough. 

Suddenly the doorbell rings: it's a card with a photo of Harmon on Santa's lap the day his Daddy abandoned him.  Then his Daddy!  

Baby Billy wants to fix things between them, so he can move forward with his new son.  So it's not about Harmon, it's about you?  Harmon says just don't make the same mistake again, and "Can I hit you with a closed fist as hard as I can in the face?"  That's rather precise, but Baby Billy agrees, and gets walloped.

Jesse Smollett and K-Fed: Back stage before Eli's  "welcome back" service, the siblings are in makeup and practicing their enunciation. They agree to make Daddy proud by showing how much they love each other. Judy says that she loves "Jesse Smollett" and "K-Fed," whereupon Kelvin makes a strange feminine gesture. 

K-Fed is Kevin Federline, an actor, musician, and dj, known for his brief marriage to Britney Spears. 

Jesse Smollett is Jussie Smollett (top photo and left), an actor who came out as gay in 2015.  On the Fox drama Empire (2014), he played a gay musician trying to gain the approval of father, a hiphop mogul.  Sounds more like Kelvin.  

At least Jussie's character managed to kiss a dude. Kelvin won't get around to that for another umpteen episodes.

Back to the siblings: They're going to take a photo with the Millins, an impoverished family that the church is gifting $50,000.  Judy wonders why they are bothering with such a small amount, "barely any money at all." It doesn't seem worthwhile.  "Poor people love money," Kelvin explains.  

Geez, just when you think these people have redeemed themselves...are they so lacking in empathy, or are they so out of touch that they don't realize that $50,000 is almost a full year's household income in South Carolina?

Wait -- where is Eli? 

Eli and Junior reconcile: Eli skipped his welcome-back service to make a surprise visit to Junior's wrestling studio in Memphis.  He couldn't have waited until after church?

Suspicious of his motives (naturally, after the run-in with Jesse), Junior comes armed with his own God Squad of four musclemen. But Eli has had enough: he doesn't want to fight. 

"But you ignored and disrespected me," Junior says, forgetting for a moment that Eli also broke his heart, "And sent your asshole son to threaten me with violence, to rape me.  What's up with that?"

Eli denies that he sent Jesse, and comes clean about his father murdering Junior's father. Junior is ok with it: "He was asshole, anyway." 

They stand so close together that one expects them to kiss.  But then Junior drops one last bombshell: he didn't send the Cycle Ninjas.  Someone else is trying to kill Eli.  But who?

Cut to the police station.  Sheriff Brenda is on the toilet, when she hears an explosion.  The lights go out, and the fire alarm goes on.  Out in the hallway, cops are lying dead.  The Cycle Ninjas have escaped!  The end.

One episode left, and a lot of questions to answer.

The full version of this review is on RG Beefcake and Boyfriends

[bcofl0ve]

Nobody is interested in Elvis's girlfriends be fr 😭

i mean- objectively people are. their books sell and excerpts from said books are discussed often in the fandom across social media platforms. some of people’s favorite stories about the man came from ‘the girls’.

…which is why i think the discourse about the new docuseries coming out is snowballing a bit. i don’t disagree that the trailer was a little weird and kinda giving true crime doc LOL- but they were obv pulling the most ‘bombshell’ clips from every interview for that purpose. as does every documentary ever made.

and i get being protective of the man because i am too. but i feel like people are losing sight of the fact that. elvis is Elvis. there are always going to be books and documentaries and people who knew him wanting to share stories. that’s not to say they’ll always be ethical- ie: sonny and red west, other memphis mafia members, etc. but it’s practically unavoidable and i think ppl should protect their peace and choose to engage with elvis media that doesn’t stress them out. 😅

and this isn’t to say i’m gonna be this documentary’s number one fan. the author of child bride who was so so nasty to/about both cilla and elvis being in it makes me want to gag. but. gotta know where to spend your energy y’know?

[cyarskj1899]

📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.binnews.com/content/2023-12-01-most-memorable-black-moments-of-2023/?fbclid=IwAR31G2l4Vl8B4UHbTc9DWBI3680_RTdnhwMtKFRV7cdbDaTTVH4oNdf5OW0_aem_AfLzj4-CtHrpVab3EPrVXNZcP5rD4sjg592oAMOhM6bt86CVkpwzYTw_7HSmUlhjzcM

Black America's Most Memorable Moments Of 2023

By Jovonne Ledet

Photo: Getty Images

From fake kidnappings to tragic injustices, 2023 was filled with unforgettable moments for Black Americans.

The year began with the nation reckoning with the police beating of Tyre Nichols. This summer, millions of fans flocked to Beyonce'sRenaissance World. To close out the year, Diddy faced bombshell sexual abuse allegations from Cassie. 

These are just a few of the many events that rocked the Black community. Keep scrolling to look back at more of the most memorable moments in 2023.

Carlee Russell Fake Kidnapping

Photo: Hoover Police Department

Russell made headlines in July after she suddenly disappeared following a 911 call where she reported a child walking alone on the side of the highway. The 26-year-old previously claimed she was kidnapped after getting out of her vehicle to check on the child. She returned home on foot two days after her alleged abduction. 

At the time of her return, Russell's loved ones said she "was literally fighting for her life for 48 hours" and asked the public to give her grace until "she’s physically & mentally stable again." 

Russell ultimately admitted that she fabricated the entire situation, from the 911 call to her abduction. She was charged and found guilty in October of false reporting to law enforcement and falsely reporting an incident.

Jada and Will Smith Relationship Revelations

Photo: Getty Images

Will and Jada had the internet buzzing after the actress said they were still legally married but had been separated for seven years during an October interview with Hoda Kotb.

“It was not a divorce on paper,” Hoda posed during the interview.

“Right,” Jada responded.

“...but it was a divorce,” Hoda said.

“Divorce,” Jada replied.

The interview came just ahead of the release of her memoir, Worthy, in which she also revealed that "unclear on the reason why Will is so upset" when Chris Rock made a joke about her alopecia before the infamous 2022 Oscars slap. 

"We had been living separate lives and were there as family, not as husband and wife. But when I hear Will yell “wife” in the chaos of the moment, an internal shift of Oh s--- . . . I am his wife! happens instantly," Jada wrote in the book.

However, after her comments went viral, Jada clarified in follow-up interviews that she and Will were working toward "healing" their relationship.

Tyre Nichols Death

Photo: Getty Images

The police beating and death of Tyre Nichols shook the nation at the top of the year. Police footage showed Memphis police officers repeatedly punched, kicked, and hit Nichols with a baton during a traffic stop on January 7. Nichols was hospitalized following the beating and ultimately succumbed to his injuries three days later. 

Five officers, who were a part of the Memphis Police Department’s SCORPION unit, which has since been deactivated, were fired and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression. They were also indicted by a federal grand jury in September on charges relating to the deprivation of rights under color of law, including excessive force and failure to intervene as well as deliberate indifference, and conspiracy to witness-tamper.

Alabama Boat Brawl

Photo: Getty Images

The viral Alabama boat brawl was one of the biggest unifying moments for the Black community this year. A brawl unfolded in August at the Montgomery Riverfront Park after Damien Pickett, the Black co-captain of the Harriott ll, moved a pontoon boat that was illegally parked in his boat's docking location.

Chaos ensued after Pickett moved the boat. Video showed Pickett being violently attacked by a group of white assailants on the dock of the riverfront park. 

As Pickett attempted to fight back against his attackers, onlookers jumped to his defense, with one person swimming up to the dock to take on the assailants while another infamously wielded a folding chair. 

Three white men, all of whom came from the pontoon boat, were initially arrested in connection to the incident. Another white woman, Mary Todd, and Reggie Ray, who wielded a folding chair as a weapon in defense of Pickett, are also facing charges in connection to the brawl.

Ms Jacky Oh’s Death

Photo: Getty Images

On May 31, Jacky Oh!, DC Young Fly's longtime partner and Wild 'N Out star, reportedly died in Miami after having a "mommy makeover."

BET Media Group confirmed her death on June 1. She was 32.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jacklyn Smith, known to the world as Jacky Oh, a talented Wild 'N Out family member whose impact will be forever treasured and missed," BET Media Group wrote in an Instagram post. "Jacky Oh was a loving friend and beloved colleague of the Wild 'N Out cast throughout five seasons. More importantly, she was a tremendous mother to three beautiful children."

A medical examiner ruled her death accidental, and officials declined to launch a criminal investigation after she died from surgery complications.

Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour

Photo: Getty Images

Beyoncé took the globe by storm when she kicked off her Renaissance World Tour this summer. Fans came out in droves in chrome, "Alien Superstar" themed costumes to watch Bey perform.

Viral moments from the concert included Bey's daughter, Blue Ivy, serving as her backup dancer during the tour and the "Mute Challenge," which saw cities competing with each other to see who could remain silent during a few seconds of the artist's performance of "Energy." The Grammy Award winner also released a concert film in December highlighting her journey on the monumental tour. 

Rihanna's Halftime Baby Reveal

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After years of fans begging for her to return to music, Rihanna performed her hit songs "Umbrella," "Work," "Diamonds," and more during the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show. The most memorable part of the show was Rihanna showing off her pregnant belly in a red jumper. 

The artist later confirmed that she was having a second baby with A$AP Rocky. The couple welcomed Riot Rose in August 2023.

Keke Palmer/Darius Jackson Split and Abuse Allegations

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Keke and her former partner Darius Jackson initially made headlines after he criticized the outfit she wore to an Usher concert in Las Vegas.

"It’s the outfit tho.. you a mom," Jackson infamously tweeted and deleted in July.

Jackson received widespread backlash on social media for his comment but still doubled down on his stance in a follow-up tweet.

"We live in a generation where a man of the family doesn’t want the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others & he gets told how much of a hater he is," Jackson later wrote. "This is my family & my representation. I have standards & morals to what I believe. I rest my case."

After break-up reports surfaced, Palmer filed for legal and physical custody of her son, Leodis, who she shares with Jackson, as well as a temporary restraining order against her former partner in November. Palmer claimed that Jackson was "unhinged, volatile, and dangerous" and abused her "multiple times over the past 2+ years," according to court documents.

Halle Bailey’s Little Mermaid Release 

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Beginning with the debut of the trailer, Black women and girls all over the world shared in their excitement about Halle Bailey playing the role of Ariel in the 2023 remake of The Little Mermaid.

The film faced a wave of racist backlash from people who believed Disney was "too woke" for casting Bailey as Ariel, but The Little Mermaidstill prevailed as one of the biggest box office hits of 2023. 

Black women of all ages shared videos on social media of their reactions to Bailey taking on the groundbreaking role, using hashtags like #representationmatters to note the importance of diversity in media.

Jonathan Majors Assault Case

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As his stardom was on the rise, a trial began for Creed and Marvel star Jonathan Majors, who was charged with assault and aggravated harassment in connection to a March dispute with his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. According to a complaint, Majors struck Jabbari “about the face with an open hand, causing substantial pain and a laceration behind her ear.” 

Amid the trial, text messages submitted in court appeared to reveal that Majors admitted to previous physical violence against his now-ex. In the September 2022 texts, Majors urged Jabbari to not go to the hospital for a head injury due to fears of an investigation and that they would "suspect something."

Majors has maintained his innocence. 

Tory Lanez Sent To Prison

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In August, Lanez was handed down a 10-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence in connection with the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion.

Meg testified that Lanez told her to "dance, b*tch," and shot at her feet following a July 12, 2020, get-together at Kylie Jenner's home. The rapper said at the time she had no doubt that Lanez fired the shots "over nothing more than a bruised ego."

"When Megan insulted his ability as an artist -- that's what set him off that night," a prosecutor previously said of Lanez.

Angel Reese and LSU Women’s Basketball Team Championship Win

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Led by star forward Angel Reese, the LSU Tigers defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes to become this year's NCAA women's basketball national champions. 

Reese, who was crowned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, faced backlash after hitting Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark with the "you can't see me" hand motion and pointing at the finger where she would soon wear her national championship ring during the title game.

There were also headlines around Reese's reaction to first lady Jill Biden suggesting that both the Tigers and Hawkeyes receive an invite to the White House, an honor that is usually only reserved for the winner. Reese initially expressed that she was hurt by the comment and wouldn't visit the White House, but she ultimately participated in the tradition.

Cassie Sues Diddy Over Abuse Allegations

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In November, Cassie's lawsuit against Diddy sent shockwaves over the internet. The lawsuit alleged Cassie was subjected to years of sexual assault and trafficking at the hands of the mogul. 

Cassie and Diddy, however, settled the lawsuit shortly after it was filed. Combs’ lawyer said the settlement wasn't an admission of guilt. 

“Just so we’re clear, a decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing," the lawyer said.

Similar allegations later surfaced against Diddy including a woman alleging that the artist, his longtime lieutenant Harve Pierre, and a third unidentified man “gang raped” her when she was 17 inside a Manhattan recording studio.

Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes 

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Earlier this year, Coach Prime left Jackson State University for a head coaching position with the Colorado Buffaloes.

All eyes were on Prime and Buffaloes when they started the season 3-0, including a win against TCU football, who made it to the College Football National Championship Game last year. However, the Buffaloes ultimately finished the season 4-8, sparking criticism of Sanders' coaching and presence in the media. 

Tennessee 3

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Tennesee House Republicans faced widespread criticism after they voted to expel Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson, who are Black, for protesting gun violence on the chamber floor in the wake of a March shooting at Nashville's The Covenant School. A third Democrat, Rep. Gloria Johnson, who is white, also joined the protest but wasn't expelled from the House.

Days after their expulsions, local government bodies voted to reinstate Jones and Pearson to their seats. However, under state law, both were required to run for their old seats in primary and general elections. The two ultimately won special elections to keep their state seats.

Jeezy Files For Divorce From Jeannie Mai

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O'Shae Sibley Killed At Gas Station For Voguing To Beyoncé

Photo: Getty Images

In July, O'Shae Sibley, a professional dancer and choreographer who is gay, and his friends were dancing to Beyoncé's Rennaisance while filling up their tank before he was fatally stabbed in an apparent anti-LGBTQ attack.

The fatal incident unfolded after the friends were approached by a group of men who yelled slurs at them and demanded they stop dancing. Sibley and Otis Pena, one of his friends, told the men: “Stop saying that. There is nothing wrong with being gay.” 

An argument between Sibley and the group ensued before one of the men stabbed him, police said. Sibley was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Following Sibley's death, Bey paid tribute to the dancer on her official website.

Hip Hop's 50th Anniversary

Photo: Getty Images

Throughout 2023, hip-hop celebrated its 50th anniversary. Vice President Kamala Harrishosted a first-of-its-kind celebration at her home of 50 years of hip-hop.

“To be clear, hip-hop culture is America’s culture,” the VP said in a statement. “It is music and melody and rhyme. Hip-hop is also an ethos of strength and self-determination; of ambition and aspiration; of pride, power, and purpose. Hip-hop is a declaration of identity. It says I love who I am. I represent where I come from, and I know where I’m going.”

Several music award shows including the Grammys also paid tribute to the momentous occasion. 

Coco Gauff Becomes Grand Slam Champion

Photo: Getty Images

In September, Gauff won her first-ever Grand Slam, claiming a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 win against Aryna Sabalenka in the U.S. Open final. 

Gauff called out the people who doubted her during her post-match interview at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“Honestly, thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me,” Gauff said. “Like a month ago, I won a 500 title and people said I would stop at that. Two weeks ago, I won a 1000 title and people were saying that was the biggest I was going to get. So three weeks later, I’m here with this trophy right now. I tried my best to carry this with grace and I’ve been doing my best.

Don Lemon's CNN Exit

Photo: Getty Images

This year saw Lemon departing from his longtime role at CNN. In April, the now-former anchor said he was unexpectedly fired by CNN after 17 years with the network.

“I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN, I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly. At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network,” Lemon tweeted at the time.

However, CNN fired back at Lemon's statement calling it "inaccurate." 

"Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate. He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter."

The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.

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[theprophet359]

Memphis Police Bombshell Report

[sugarless5]

Don't know how to stop being long winded so I'm answering via reply instead of in a comment. But since under smooth brain reads there are "I don't want to work hard to get into a book, a nice regency romance that's like slipping into a bath" kinds of moods and "looking for a fun romp" kinds of moods and "nothing's grabbing me - I need something compulsively readable and maybe off the beaten track" kinds of moods, I wanted to allow for all possibilities. (sorry if you've read them all and/or don't think any of them look good)

Historicals:

Sarah MacLean, if you haven't read her - she's currently on a series of romance novels following a Victorian girl gang that takes down rich, powerful men who abuse their power. First one of that series is Bombshell.

I want to recommend Kleypas if you haven't read her stuff, because I was reading one of the most enjoyable scenes I've read in a while in Chasing Cassandra when I saw your post, but it's hard to find a good entry point for her. It Happened One Autumn may be a good entry point, but it's not one of the ones you reach for to reread like some of her others.

Cat Sebastian: The Queer Principles of Kit Webb (Queer Regency) - cartoon cover, but I wouldn't consider it corporate Memphis Style (I really thought historicals were safe from cartoon covers but even they seem like they're headed in that direction)

I've been checking out the kinds of classic Old School romances I always avoided before, just because some of my favorite authors grew up reading them and I was curious. Julie Garwood's The Secret was fun and drew me in pretty quickly. It's an older book so be prepared for an angelic heroine and extremely boorish men, but it's a fun read. You don't see much Medieval era stuff anymore these days

-Historical queer fantasy romance: a light read, easy to get into, not too much worldbuilding, but I'm not sure I'd call it smooth brain, the Power Unbound Series by Freya Marske. Edwardian era, magical realism

Contemporary:

I don't have a lot of favorite contemporaries - I like them just fine but I tend to forget about them as soon as I read them. What jumps to mind are:

Boyfriend Material, Alexis Hall - hilarious, will make feelings sneak up on you (haven't read the sequels yet, so I can't speak to them) Bad news about the cover though :(

-Contemporaries that won't blow you away but are fun, easy reads: Wolf Gone Wild; Cleat Cute (I forget the authors of each)

And then in my "I can't in good conscience recommend these books to people because I couldn't tell you why I like them and on paper I really wouldn't like them but I find her stuff compulsively readable" category: Cate C Wells. She's most known for her dark romance Run Posy Run, about a legitimate psychopath, and for The Tyrant Alpha's Rejected Mate (which is pretty much what it says on the tin) and I can't stress enough that I don't actually know what I like about these books other than that I think she puts people together in interesting ways. She really makes you kind of hate the heroes first. Short, less sexy than you'd think, but scratches that lizard-brain itch.

Scifi/Fantasy Romance: Extremely Lizard Brain, Little Bit Bonkers, may make you go "what the fuck am I reading and why can't I stop reading it?"

Heart of Blood and Ashes, Milla Vane

Taken by the Horde King, Zoey Draven

Please recommend to me your favorite smooth brain romance books, the only caveats being they cannot have a corporate Memphis style cover or be written by Colleen Hoover

[carrieyouwithme]

[yourwizardofaus]

Elvis On Tour, 1970-77 (Part 19 of 33):

1976

1-4) Boarding the Lisa Marie bound for Memphis on July 5, 1976.

5-6) Elvis leaves the Daniel Boone hotel for the afternoon show in Charleston, WV on July 24, 1976.  In front on him with the moustache is bodyguard Dick Grob and behind him on the stairs is another aide, Ed Parker.  The entourage had changed significantly at this point as it was the first tour without cousins Sonny and Red West and another bodyguard Dave Hebler.  The three were at their separate homes and reeling from the news that their services were no longer needed.  Elvis had neither the courage, honesty nor tact to tell them personally that he no longer wanted them around and left his notoriously miserly father to deliver the bombshell news.  They retaliated in months to come when news broke that they had begun working on a tell-all exposé book - part revenge, part income source and part wake-up call for the drug addicted rock icon.

7) Leaving Daniel Boone hotel for the evening show in Charleston on July 24.

8-10) Leaving Charleston airport bound for Syracuse NY, July 25, 1976.

[orchidblack]

[dismaltouch]

jeremy  was  an  incredibly  particular  person.  he  might've  spent  a  lot  of  time  with  keenan,  but  he  had  absolutely  no  intentions  of  bringing  him  around  memphis  anytime  soon.  he  kept  them  separate  from  one  another  for  various  reasons  and  he  wasn't  so  certain  if  he'd  ever  want  to  do  a  group  thing.  would  they  even  get  along?  would  keenan's  brash  nature  unsettle  her?  he  couldn't  tell.  "no,  of  course  i  don't  think  she's  going  to  figure  anything  out  because  of  one  dinner.  i'm  just  saying  i  can't  make  a  habit  of  being  late  because  it'll  make  her  start  questioning  shit.  i  don't  need  to  deal  with  that."  maybe  he  was  over  reacting  just  a  little  bit,  but  he  would  prefer  being  cautious  to  being  careless.  jeremy  was  baffled  by  just  how  willing  the  male  was  to  tell  prue  about  what  he  actually  did  in  his  free  time  and  how  how  convinced  he  appeared  to  be  that  she'd  be  accepting  of  it.  "you  must  really  trust  her,  huh?  to  be  willing  to  tell  her  and  be  confident  she'll  accept  you  when  she's  finished  processing  it.  .  .  .  you'll  take  care  of  it  ?  you  know  what  ?  don't  even  answer  that  'cause  i  don't  wanna  know  or  hear  it."  if  keenan  believed  his  girlfriend  would  be  able  to  move  past  the  bombshell  he'd  eventually  drop  on  her,  then  he  was  most  likely  right  about  it.  he  seemed  to  know  the  girl  like  the  back  of  his  hand  so  he  wasn't  going  to  question  their  relationship.  all  jeremy  knew  was  that  he  wasn't  going  to  be  telling  memphis  anything  about  what  he  did  with  keenan  or  what  he  did  for  his  father.

keenan  couldn't  control  what  happened  in  jeremy's  private  life,  he  knew  the  guy  had  a  girlfriend  but  not  that  much  about  her.  it  wasn't  his  place  and  he  really  had  enough  shit  on  his  own  plate.  "you  think  she's  gonna  figure  out  what  you're  doing  because  you're  late  to  one  dinner?  c'mon  man,  it  was  crossed  wires  between  the  two  of  us  that's  all.  no  big  deal."  he  wasn't  going  to  stress  about  it,  simply  remember  when  jeremy  mentioned  anything  he  had  planned  in  the  future.  raising  his  brows  keenan  blinked  as  the  blonde  laughed,  "yeah  i  am.  i  know  her,  she'll  be  shocked  obviously  but  she  loves  me.  she  loves  all  of  me,  i  gotta  be  honest  about  it  eventually  and  if  it  goes  wrong  i'll  take  care  of  it.  you  won't  be  mentioned",  he  wasn't  a  snitch  and  jeremy  was  a  decent  guy.  he  might  be  a  little  worried  about  prue  finding  out  but  he  also  knew  she  loved  him  and  he  loved  her,  they'd  be  fine.