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Debbie Allen on Legacy, Mentorship, and the Rat Pack That Started It All

Danielle Young — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:48:21 GMT

When the curtains rise on Debbie Allen’s “Hot Chocolate Nutcracker,” the first sound Allen wants to hear is not the overture, it’s the audience.

“What gives me…not chills, but enthusiasm and inspiration is those children out there in the audience,” she told BET Current exclusively, describing the moment she sees kids holler and recognize themselves in her production.

After the showstopping legend wrapped a matinee performance of her “Hot Chocolate Nutcracker,” Allen shared the importance of visibility. “They see themselves on stage because most nutcrackers don't have as many young people in it as mine does because we have toy land,” Allen mused about the children she consistently inspires, while fully dressed in character as Bucky, one of the rats in the Rat Pack from the show.

That recognition is the founding idea behind a Nutcracker that refuses to be merely traditional. Now in its 15th year, Allen’s reimagined holiday spectacle mixes ballet with jazz, tap, hip hop, Bollywood, and global movement. Allen said this creative choice came from necessity as much as it did imagination.

“I just had to break the form,” Allen said. “When my son, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the middle of the traditional Nutcracker, screamed out loud, ‘Mom, when is the rat coming?’ I said, These boys want to see a rat. They don't see no prince in no tights! They want to see a rat! So I made the rats give the people what they want,” Allen said of going full rat, while in full rat regalia.

The result is community theatre on a cinematic scale. Allen’s “Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” now fields more than 200 performers each season and serves as the marquee program for the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA), the non-profit Allen founded to expand access to the arts. DADA’s outreach footprint is significant, with more than 15,000 community members benefitting from their subsidized programs every year, and over 70% of the academy’s students train on scholarships.

That philanthropic foundation is permanently ingrained into Allen’s sense of purpose. “It feels really great, and it makes me feel like I have a real purpose in my life,” she said.

[pullQuote]“My career is not just about me… but it’s about who I’m inspiring, who I bring along with me. And that has always been kind of how I’ve worked.” [/pullQuote]

Those words echo through the names she drops when asked what creatives she’s got her eyes on. Allen’s legacy is vast. Her stellar work spans dance, directing, producing, acting, and singing, and honestly more, which is why she’s always got her eyes on blossoming talent across genres.

Allen singled out writers, actors, and alumni she’s mentored by memory, “Felicia Pride, who I love… I met her on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and loved her then,” she said, calling out the writer’s search for creative freedom as understandable and admirable. “We were so devastated when she left, but she was looking for freedom then. That's why she left. She needed more freedom to find her space, [to] do what she wanted to do.”

Allen also praised Joshua Boone and called him "an incredible actor and such a deep-rooted human being.” Allen loves musing over undeniable talent. She recalled a single audition moment from years ago, “Maya Boyd, who was one of my students at 9-years-old. I threatened her, made her sing, and then I looked up, and she was the star of ‘& Juliet’ on Broadway!”

Mentorship for Allen is both deliberate and delightfully hands-on. She points to “Fame” and “A Different World” as cultural touchstones that opened aspirational doors for young Black artists, from dance careers to college enrollment; both were bigger than entertainment.

[pullQuote]“When I was doing ‘A Different World,’ Kadeem [Hardison] became a director, Jasmine [Guy] became a writer. And, you know, just pushing people to let them find new roles of creativity is part of what I love to do,” she said.[/pullQuote]

When it comes to creativity, Allen’s family is another battery in her back. She credits her mother, the renowned late Vivian Ayers, a poet and cultural activist, with creating an environment where creativity and scholarship coexisted. Vivian was a towering influence in Allen and her sister, Phylicia Rashad’s, upbringing.

“My mother was the quintessential Renaissance woman in the 50s who was a Black woman writing about space before the first Sputnik even went out. She was a Black woman reinventing and reimagining the existence of the human spirit. I remember when she arranged for thousands of Black kids to go to see the ‘Nutcracker’ because when I had grown up, we couldn't go. Everything was segregated,” Allen said of her mother inspiring her to give back to Black children in similar ways.

She continued, “She was part of an organization, and she plowed the field and got young people to come to the concerts under the stars in Houston, and she created something called Gerontology in the Arts, which was elders in the arts and open fields, and it was my inspiration when I did Journey of Yourself. It was mom. I was with her when she did it, and she had elders in the field drawing and making music, and it was incredible.”

It’s clear that Allen’s sister Rashad is another constant source of steadiness. “My sister has always been my biggest inspiration, looking at her,” Allen said. The sense of inheritance — of duties handed down and then handed forward — is central to Allen’s lived definition of legacy.

When wildfires forced community displacement, Allen organized “Dancing in the Light: Healing with Arts,” bringing choreographers and teachers together to run free classes for traumatized residents. We did classes for months, and it was so wonderful and healing,” she said. The program is an example of how DADA’s mission extends beyond auditions and recitals into crisis response and community care.

Allen being honored throughout her life and career is never a surprise. She’s fully aware of the work she’s put in and continues to put in, or as she calls it, “plowing the field.”

“John Hope Franklin, who was America's great historian, was one of my advisors on [the movie] ‘Amistad.’He had actually taught my dad in college, and when I met him, he came and was on set with Stephen [Spielberg], but he would tell me all the time, ‘young Debbie, keep your hands on the plow. Keep your hands on the plow.’ I've had that phrase embedded into my soul and my spirit, and I know you have to keep working.”

Allen hasn’t slowed down. She recently accepted an Honorary Oscar and brought it to her school, telling her students the trophy belongs to them as much as it does to her. Allen wants young people to see someone they know celebrated on a global stage so they understand that that kind of recognition is also possible for them. She believes they deserve this type of hands-on hope and pours it into all who cross her path because she knows that nurtured courage is necessary in showbiz.

“It takes a lot of courage to be who I am, because I have to fight battles all the time, even still. With all the accolades, you'd be shocked, the battles that I still have, but the battles I'm willing to wage and win in some measure.”

“They Are Racially Profiling”: Ilhan Omar Says ICE Stopped Her Son in Minneapolis

Staff — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:23:44 GMT

Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar recently shared that her adult son was stopped by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis and asked to prove his U.S. citizenship, reigniting debate over immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities.

Omar said her son was pulled over by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after leaving a Target store in Minnesota on Saturday.

During a sit-down interview with WCCO, she recounted that agents asked him for proof of citizenship, and he was released after showing his U.S. passport. Omar emphasized that her son is a U.S. citizen and always carries his passport with him.

While the incident didn’t escalate, Omar said, "I had to remind [my son] just how worried I am, because all of these areas that they are talking about are areas where he could possibly find himself in, and they are racially profiling, they are looking for young men who look Somali that they think are undocumented."

The news comes during a wave of immigration backlash actions in Minneapolis and St. Paul, which are home to the largest Somali community in the U.S.

Omar said ICE agents had also recently entered a mosque where her son was praying, though no arrests were made there. She described feeling deep anxiety as agents targeted neighborhoods her son frequents.

Although they "didn't do anything," Omar said she "had to remind him just how worried I am, because all of these areas that they are talking about are areas where he could possibly find himself in, and they are racially profiling, they are looking for young men who look Somali that they think are undocumented."

Civil rights advocates and local leaders have echoed concerns that such tactics disproportionately impact Black and immigrant communities, especially when agents question people about citizenship during routine stops. The incident has drawn national attention as lawmakers and activists debate the balance between immigration enforcement and community trust.

“Here in the United States, we don’t blame the crimes of an individual on a whole community,” Omar said to WCCO. “We are, as Minnesotans, also outraged, the fact that our tax dollars were defrauded.”

She continued, “Here in the United States, we don’t blame the crimes of an individual on a whole community.”

Trey Songz Arrested Following Alleged Times Square Club Altercation

Sharmaine Johnson — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:45:31 GMT

Trey Songz was arrested in New York City earlier this month after an alleged incident at a Manhattan nightclub. The 41-year-old singer-songwriter was reportedly at Dramma Night Club in Times Square on December 4 when he was told the club was closing around 4:25 a.m. Prosecutors say he became irate and allegedly punched an employee who asked him to leave.

He faced court on Sunday, December 14, for his arraignment on charges of assault and second-degree mischief. The mischief charge stems from an incident on the same day at a different restaurant. According to reports, Trey Songz went to Mira, a Manhattan restaurant and hookah lounge, where he allegedly caused $1,500 in property damage, including hookahs and DJ equipment. Trey was released after acknowledging the charges.

The “Ready” singer, who has not yet commented on the incidents or his arrest, is due to appear in court again on February 18. His attorney, Mitchell Schuster, alleged that his client was confronted by a group of people who “instigated a confrontation and attempted to surround him.” In response, his security reportedly attempted to intervene, but an altercation occurred.

“Despite being the target of the initial provocation, Trey was arrested,” said Schuster. “Public figures are often treated as targets for instigation in pursuit of headlines or financial gain. Trey is cooperating fully in both matters, and we are confident the full context and facts will come to light.”

Over the past year, Trey has had several assault accusations pile up. In July, videographer Isaa Mansoor claims that the singer punched him in the side of the head, damaging two cameras, and threw him against a wall. His alleged outburst was over his refusal to pose next to the logo of the Huntington, New York venue Ivy. A video that surfaced from a show he did back in March in North Carolina reportedly shows him in a heated moment with a fan who stormed the stage during his performance.

In 2023, he settled a multi-million-dollar lawsuit over an alleged sexual assault at a Miami nightclub in 2018. Last year, he resolved a $25 million lawsuit connected to an alleged 2016 assault at a Los Angeles party.

Trey Songz has not publicly commented on any of these incidents and is scheduled to appear in court again on February 18.

Carl Carlton, Singer of ‘She’s a Bad Mama Jama,’ Dead at 72

Staff — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:57:20 GMT

Carl Carlton, the funk and R&B singer best known for the classics “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)” and his 1974 cover of “Everlasting Love,” has died at 72, his family announced Sunday.

Carlton’s son, Carlton Hudgens II, posted on Facebook that his father had fought a “long hard fight in life,” writing, “R.I.P. Dad, Legend Carl Carlton, singer of ‘She’s a Bad Mama Jama.’” Hudgens also shared a photo of Carlton on his Facebook stories, and wrote, “R.I.P Dad, You can finally rest now. Always love you.”

Born Carlton Hudgens in Detroit in 1953, he launched his career in the 1960s as Little Carl Carlton before breaking through with “I Can Feel It” and later landing a Top 10 Billboard hit with “Everlasting Love” in 1974.

His biggest cultural impact came in 1981 with “She’s a Bad Mama Jama,” written and produced by Leon Haywood. That single earned him a Grammy nomination and has since racked up more than 100 million streams, while becoming a staple sample source in hip-hop and soundtracks.

Reportedly, Carlton had contended with health issues after suffering a stroke in 2019; no official cause of death has been released. Fans and fellow musicians paid tribute online. Funk group Confunkshun wrote, “With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of the legendary Carl Carlton… Rest in power, Carl. Your legacy lives on.”

Carlton’s voice bridged eras. From his Top 40 success of “Everlasting Love” to the timeless groove of “Bad Mama Jama,” the music world marks a loss of a figure whose records are woven into the DNA of modern R&B and funk.

Russell Simmons Fires Back After Kimora Said She Has No Relationship With Her Kids’ Fathers

Staff — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:50:27 GMT

Russell Simmons said there are two sides to every story and apparently, he’s ready to tell his.

The former Def Jam executive pushed back publicly after his ex, Kimora Lee Simmons, told People she “doesn’t ‘have a relationship really’ with her kids’ fathers.” In an interview with USA Today, Kimora said she’s not in contact with Russell or the other two fathers of her kids, Djimon Hounsou and Tim Leissner. “They're not really in my life," she said. "And we don't – yeah, no. And not because of me. Because of them."

Russell took that personally, and he wrote on Threads, “There are two sides to every story,” and accused Kimora of threatening to block his access to their children if he sued her. He added, “I gave u 50,000 a month for 20 years. I was ur best /only friend. I’m the godfather to your other 3 kids, until one day you stole my stock.”

Russell and Kimora share daughters Aoki and Ming Lee, and Kimora has three more sons (two from her two of her exes and one she adopted).

Russell continued, “I have been fighting for my kids love and my bread ever since,” and said Kimora told him he’d never speak to his kids again if he pursued legal action. Russell claimed that this is one of the reasons their family tensions have played out publicly. Kimora’s representative did not immediately respond to People’s request for comment.

However, Kimora did tell People in an exclusive that she is the children’s primary parent and credits her “village” for supporting her kids. “Usually I would say that I co-parent okay, but the kids are with me full-time,” she said, adding, “My life doesn’t ever revolve around a guy, ever,” and that she’s “thankful I’m able to be there for my family in ways that other people or parents are not.”

She continued, "If I wasn't this person, I don't know if we would've made it or if we would be okay. It's been very important to me to be strong and self-reliant, and to constantly be growing."

This exchange followed another public conflict between the former couple. Back in 2023, Lee used Instagram Stories to accuse Russell of making threats and said that he had been “abusive” to women in his life. She shared, "This man has been threatening my kids' lives. I'm hearing so much more now. We won't be bullied threatened or afraid. Leave my kids alone. This narrative of attacking the only caregiver, the only parent in the home with the kids, the mom, AND the kids for one's own shortcomings and embarrassments is dead. Dead. Dead."

These allegations sparked major public backlash, especially as Russell moved to Bali in 2018, in the midst of several sexual assault allegations. Bali has no extradition treaty with the U.S.

Russell and Lee were married in 1998, split in 2006, and finalized their divorce in 2009.

Rihanna Pops Out at Mariah Carey's Holiday Residency in Las Vegas

Sharmaine Johnson — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:37:12 GMT

Mariah Carey continues to define the holiday season, a dominance that began with her 1994 album Merry Christmas and the enduring hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Every December, Carey’s music sets the standard for festive cheer, and on Saturday night, December 13, one high-profile fan confirmed just how magnetic her performances remain.

Rihanna attended the final night of Carey’s Christmas Time in Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM. Videos shared online showed the superstar smiling, singing along, and clearly enjoying the show. Carey delivered her signature combination of powerful vocals, festive visuals, and sparkling costumes, bringing her holiday classics to life while creating an atmosphere that was both intimate and grand.

The evening extended beyond the stage when Rihanna met Carey backstage, a moment fans celebrated on social media. Carey’s son, Moroccan Cannon, also shared his excitement about the encounter, adding a personal touch to the public spectacle. The residency ran for two weeks, beginning November 28, transforming Dolby Live into a seasonal showcase that merged tradition, glamour, and Carey’s unmatched performance style.

Ticket prices started at roughly $200 for general seating, with floor and VIP options climbing to $1,500–$2,500 on resale sites. The productions demonstrated why Carey’s presence is still central to holiday entertainment, offering a full sensory experience for attendees and creating moments that resonated beyond the room.

Fans of all ages experienced the music and spectacle together, while the presence of celebrities like Rihanna underscored the cultural weight of the experience. Carey’s Las Vegas shows were much more than a seasonal performance; they were also celebrations of her influence, artistry, and the magic she continues to bring to the season every year.

BET Talks: How Coco Jones Turned Silence, Therapy and Second Chances Into Her Real Debut

Khalilah Archie — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:00:00 GMT

Loren LaRosa barely finishes her intro before Coco Jones is already laughing at herself.

“I hope I ain't doing nothing wrong,” Coco jokes at one point, half-serious, half-singing, before slipping into a quick line of “I am only human.” It’s playful, but it’s also the thesis of where she is right now: wildly successful, highly visible, and still figuring it out in real time.

On this episode of BET Talks, presented by Ally, Coco sits with Loren as an artist first. Not just Hilary Banks. Not just “that girl from Disney.” Not even just the “ICU” Grammy-winner. With Why Not More?—her official debut album—Coco is claiming the version of herself that survived the silence, went to therapy, lost people, and still chose to bet on herself.

And now, she wants more.

For years, conversations around Coco started in the past tense.

At first, the biggest thing about her was Disney’s “Let It Shine”—the beloved movie that turned her into a generation’s nostalgic favorite. Then, the reboot era arrived and she became Hilary Banks on Peacock’s Bel-Air, reintroducing her to a new audience and reminding everybody of the star power that never left.

As Coco tells Loren, that history is a blessing—but it also became a cage.

“At the beginning, the biggest thing about me was what I had done in the past,” she explains. “Now I feel like when people talk to me, it's very artist-centered… that was always the goal—for people to take me seriously as an artist.”

When Loren throws out the ultimate this-or-that—Let It Shine vs. Bel-Air—Coco gives the diplomatic but honest answer: “If there wasn’t Let It Shine, then there wouldn’t have been Bel-Air.” She understands why fans cling to the projects they grew up on. For a lot of people, those roles are comfort, escapism, happy memory.

But for Coco? They were jobs. Important ones, formative ones—but not the whole story.

“I want to show gratitude,” she says. “While also being like, I am 27.”

Why Not More? is her way of saying: thank you for loving who I was. Now let me show you who I am.

When people see a so-called “comeback,” they often imagine a strategic retreat. A rebrand. Time off.

For Coco, that’s not what happened.

“The break took me, honestly,” she admits. “The space in between was not by choice.”

Those years where we didn’t see her everywhere? That’s where the real work happened. No glam squad, no call time, no “you’re booked.” Just quiet—and a lot of uncomfortable self-discovery.

“The silence is where I could even hear my voice,” she says. “Oh, this is who I am. Oh, this is important to me. Oh, I do talk like this and I don't talk like that.”

The career gap that once felt like punishment became a reset. Stripped of the industry noise, she was forced to ask the question every artist eventually faces: Who am I without the job? And then the scarier follow-up: Who do I want to be next?

She didn’t fully feel that urgency until some of the people around her started to fall away.

“When you go higher, people act weird, dot com,” she says, half-joking but dead serious. “People from that section of my life dropped off. That’s when I was like, okay. I think I'm going to be the only one that I know for sure is not going anywhere. So I need to be the voice.”

If there’s a throughline to Coco’s adult career, it’s honesty. The vlogs, the YouTube videos, the “here’s what really happened” transparency—that wasn’t branding. That was survival.

At one point, she found herself in a toxic situation with someone who mentioned they were in therapy. It cracked open a door she didn’t know existed in real life, outside movies and TV.

“If this person can tell you about yourself, and you actually believe it, I need to hear what they need to say about me,” she remembers thinking.

Therapy introduced her to a whole new language about self-worth and limiting beliefs. She realized how much of her inner monologue was just… lies she’d accepted as facts.

“I can’t do that because I’m this. I’m too tall for that. I’m too thick for that. I don’t talk like that. I don’t sing that way. That’s not going to happen for me,” she lists. “It was so many things that I was like, oh, okay. And I didn’t even know until somebody… was like, wait, why’d you say that? And I’d be like, I actually don’t know.”

Now, therapy is a non-negotiable.

“Oh, hell yeah,” she says when Loren asks if she’s still going. “If I'm not operating as a good Courtney—my government name—then Coco is not going to eat. And if I'm going too hard as Coco, my personal life suffers.”

She’s clear on the balance: if Courtney isn’t okay, Coco can’t show up.

For Coco, Why Not More? isn’t just a cute title—it’s a dare to herself.

The album holds songs that capture older versions of her—like the wary woman on “Keep It Quiet,” begging not to be embarrassed. “I was talking out of fear,” she says. “Do not make me look crazy.”

Elsewhere, tracks like “Taste” reflect the opposite energy: a woman refusing to shrink into what people think she’s supposed to be. “I want to be free,” she says. “I don't want to be what people think I am only. I want to be this too. So I'm doing it.”

So why did it take this long to officially drop a debut album?

“I still didn't know myself enough,” she admits of her earlier projects. “And I was still really scared to mess things up… That’s not right. That’s not artistry.”

She needed a team that believed in her and the self-trust to believe in her own taste. Once those two things lined up, she was ready to be the through-line in her own story.

“Taste was like the scariest thing I did before putting out this album,” she says. “And I want to be scared sometimes. That’s the adrenaline, that’s the rush. I think that means I'm doing something good to me.”

Coco is very aware that her life could’ve gone another way. The in-between years, the industry politics, the silence—none of this guaranteed a second act.

So now that she has the platform, she thinks a lot about why.

“Why do I get to be here with this platform?” she asks. “Why did I make it, even after that time, and there were so many years of nothing? What do I do with this?”

She doesn’t pretend to have a perfect answer.

“I hope I ain't doing nothing wrong,” she laughs. “But, sorry, I am only human.”

What she does know is that she wants to inspire someone. That’s why she’s so outspoken about therapy, doubt, and the time it took to get here. None of this was overnight—even if it might look that way from the outside.

She’s also soaking up wisdom from women who figured out their own balance—like Alicia Keys, who joins her on “On the Other Side of Love.”

“The biggest thing was just to not lose your inner voice,” Coco says of their conversations. “It just gets loud. There’s so many distractions, great ones, terrible ones. But either way, they’re distractions.”

Stay present. Stay grounded. Stay you. That’s the assignment.

Coco laughs when she talks about being “chronically offline” and low-key terrified of stumbling across some new narrative about herself.

“When I leave my house, I'm technically on stage,” she says. “I can be filmed. I can be recorded. I can be seen and that can be a thing. So if you don't want to be seen, don't leave your house.”

But she also cherishes the years when not everybody was watching. The club days. The “aren’t you that girl from…?” questions over tequila instead of Twitter.

“I got to live and have fun and have relationships and breakups and experience life so that I had something to write about,” she reflects. “At the time, happiness was distractions and vibes. Tequila shots. Now, happiness is the things that don’t come and go—my family, my girls, my sister, my mom. Loving myself.”

Right now, Coco hasn’t fully locked into album two mode yet—but she knows the next chapter has to reflect who she is today: a woman in love, more healed, but still human and still messy sometimes.

“It’s going to definitely be more love,” she says, smiling. “More love in the room than toxicity.”

And even when there’s petty, even when there’s conflict, she wants the songs to land in the same place her life does now: “Oh, I love you. You get on my nerves.”

More love. More honesty. More growth. More Coco.

“I hope that with this project, you can see it for what it is,” she tells Loren. “It's me discovering myself. It's us discovering ourselves together. I feel like me and my fans, we've grown up together… Since Disney, the debut album, life is changing in all the ways. I just look forward to us growing together.”

The title asked a question—Why Not More?
The way Coco’s moving, we already know the answer.

Louis Vuitton Taps Future as Its Latest Brand Ambassador

Ty Cole — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:56:54 GMT

Future’s influence has officially crossed into luxury territory — and Louis Vuitton is making it permanent.

The Atlanta-bred superstar has been named Louis Vuitton’s newest brand ambassador, or “Friend of the House,” as Pharrell Williams continues to shape the brand’s cultural orbit through music, sport, and style, according to a report by WWD.

The announcement adds the “Where Ya At” rapper to a growing list of global tastemakers who reflect Vuitton’s evolving vision under Pharrell’s leadership.

In a statement announcing the partnership, the fashion house pointed to the artist’s wide-reaching impact and creative presence, emphasizing its commitment to “recognizing and celebrating talent across cultural landscapes.”

According to the luxury brand, the 42-year-old “embodies the core values of Louis Vuitton,” including creativity, artistry, and a pioneering spirit that connects with audiences worldwide.

That alignment has been building in plain sight. The “Pluto” rapper attended Louis Vuitton’s Spring 2026 men’s show in Paris last summer, a moment that quietly hinted at a deeper relationship.

Months later, he turned heads at the 2025 Met Gala, stepping onto the carpet in custom Louis Vuitton by Pharrell for the evening’s theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, which was a look that underscored how seamlessly his personal style fits into the house’s modern identity.

“His unique style and creative vision make him an invaluable addition to the Louis Vuitton family,” the brand added, reinforcing why the partnership feels less like a surprise and more like a confirmation.

The “Honest” artist now joins a select circle of Friends of the House, including soccer star Jude Bellingham, skateboarder Tyshawn Jones, and actor Tahar Rahim.

While the luxury label hasn’t detailed what’s next, it made clear it’s “eagerly anticipating an inspiring and innovative journey” with the rapper.

Gayle King Says She’s Still Open to Finding Her Great Love Story

Ty Cole — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:51:02 GMT

Gayle King is still holding space for love and she’s not shy about saying it out loud.

During a recent appearance at Time magazine’s annual A Year in TIME event in New York City, the “CBS Mornings” co-anchor shared that she’s actively “looking” for her own “great love story,” according to a report by People.

The candid moment surfaced during a conversation at the event with WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson, after the 29-year-old reflected on how she and partner Bam Adebayo stay connected in the midst of their packed schedules and continue to “show up for each other in so many ways.”

Just weeks earlier, however, the 70-year-old found herself addressing a very different conversation about her love life and it’s one she didn’t start.

In October, the on-air personality publicly shut down viral rumors claiming she had secretly gotten engaged and married, after AI-generated images depicting her in wedding attire began circulating online, according to a report by People.

The fabricated photos sparked a wave of congratulatory messages, leaving King both amused and mortified as friends, fans, and even her own children reached out, convinced they’d missed a major life update.

“Been getting a lot of texts, a lot of messages, stories online that I got engaged,” she said while addressing the rumors on “CBS Mornings,” referencing images that showed her with a prominent ring.

“There’s a lucky man. I have no idea who he is.”

She went on to explain that the images were fabricated, emphasizing just how convincing artificial intelligence has become.

“These AI-generated images have been making their way across the internet,” she said, before making her relationship status unmistakably clear. “So I’m here to say exclusively on CBS Mornings, I’m not married, not even engaged.”

The situation became even more surreal as the author revealed she’d been flooded with heartfelt messages celebrating a romance that didn’t exist.

“People have been saying, ‘Congratulations,’ ‘Love really happened to you,’ ‘I’m so happy for you,’” she shared, noting how deeply the misinformation spread.

At one point, King even read aloud a fictional report describing a mystery partner, who allegedly was a prominent business figure with a philanthropic streak and low-profile lifestyle.

Playing along, she joked, “Where is he? I would like to see you, sir! Show yourself!”

Even her children were confused by the claims. “He’s so lucky,” she laughed, adding that her kids asked, “Mom, who is this?”

Still, she made sure to leave no room for doubt.

“I’m not married or engaged,” she insisted.

“Believe me, if I was, you’d hear it here first.” Her co-host Nate Burleson couldn’t resist chiming in, joking that she was very much still single, which was a sentiment King agreed with, laughing, “You still have a shot!”

50 Cent Teases Eminem Reunion for Upcoming Street Fighter Film

Ty Cole — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:44:29 GMT

50 Cent may be stepping into the world of video game adaptations, but he’s not leaving his musical roots behind.

The rap heavyweight and entertainment powerhouse recently hinted that his upcoming role in “Street Fighter” could come with a familiar voice on the soundtrack as the “Get Rich Or Die Tryin” rapper wants to tap Eminem to be a part of the soundtrack.

While promoting the film, the entrepreneur told his audience on social media that he’s aiming to tap his longtime collaborator to create new music tied to the project, marking a potential reunion that fans haven’t seen in years.

The “Power” creator casually floated the idea to his followers, teasing that Slim Shady could be “on deck” to contribute new tracks for the film.

Though no official announcement has been made, the tease alone was enough to spark excitement across hip-hop and pop culture circles.

The possibility feels less like wishful thinking and more like a natural next step. The two hip-hop icons' history runs deep, dating back to the early 2000s when the “8 Mile” actor and Dr. Dre famously signed 50 Cent to Shady Records under Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment imprint.

Together, they helped define an era, delivering chart-topping hits and shaping the sound of mainstream hip-hop for a generation.

In “Street Fighter,” 50 Cent is set to portray Balrog, the iconic boxer known for his brute strength and intimidating presence.

JuJu Watkins Details ACL Recovery at USA Basketball Camp; Reese Clarifies Chicago Sky Status

Tamara Brown — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:38:48 GMT

WNBA All-Star Angel Reese and USC standout JuJu Watkins, two of women’s basketball’s most high-profile athletes, provided updates on their professional futures and health statuses while participating in the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp, held Dec. 12-14 at Duke University. Both players used their media availability to address major topics surrounding their upcoming seasons.

Reese, the Chicago Sky forward, addressed months of speculation regarding her future by confirming her commitment to the franchise for the 2026 WNBA season.

“I’m under contract, so yes, I plan on returning to the Sky,” Reese told reporters at the camp.

The confirmation comes after a tumultuous ending to the 2025 season and a previously controversial interview where Reese voiced frustrations with the team’s organizational direction and roster construction. At the time, the two-time All-Star suggested she might "have to move in a different direction" if the team did not see improvements in its core talent. Her statement from the USA Basketball camp serves to quell rumors that she might request a trade. Reese is currently contracted with Chicago through 2027, which includes a team option.

In discussing her continued tenure, Reese also provided an update on her relationship with team management. She noted that she is focused on developing a positive rapport with the leadership structure.

"I'm continuing to talk to [Head Coach] Tyler [Marsh] and building that relationship with [General Manager] Jeff [Pagliocca]," Reese said. The forward is expected to be a central figure in the Sky’s efforts to improve upon a 2025 season that saw the team finish tied for the league's most losses.

Meanwhile, JuJu Watkins, one of two NCAA athletes invited to the senior national team camp, participated as a passive observer while continuing her recovery from a significant knee injury. Watkins sustained an ACL tear during the 2025 NCAA Tournament and previously announced she would sit out the entire 2025-26 collegiate season to focus on rehabilitation.

Despite being unable to practice on the court, Watkins described the opportunity to be immersed in the atmosphere of the senior national team as a valuable experience. She is using the time on the sidelines to observe and learn from the professional veterans.

“Honestly, it’s enough just kind of being there and feeling the energy... hearing everybody’s voices, the communication, the leadership,” Watkins said. She indicated her goal was to absorb lessons on high-level standards and discipline, noting, “I’ll definitely be taking some of those lessons back to SC to kind of continue to grow as a leader and as a player.”

USA Basketball Managing Director Sue Bird and Head Coach Kara Lawson confirmed that Watkins' inclusion was intentional, seeing her as a crucial part of the national team’s future. Lawson stated that inviting Watkins was a priority to expose her to the high-level standards and culture required to succeed in the program.

Both players' updates provide clarity to their fanbases, with Reese confirming her immediate professional stability and Watkins using her recovery period to gain experience at the senior national team level.

Stephen Curry Sets NBA Record, Passes Michael Jordan With 94th 35-Point Game After Age 30

Tamara Brown — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:36:22 GMT

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, returning from a two-week absence due to a right quad contusion, made history Friday night at Chase Center by surpassing Michael Jordan for the most 35-point games in NBA history after turning 30.

Curry, 37, scored a game-high 39 points in the Warriors' 127-120 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The performance marked his 94th career game with 35 or more points since celebrating his 30th birthday, officially breaking the record of 93 previously held by Jordan.

The scoring outburst came in Curry’s first game back after being sidelined since Dec. 1. Despite the time away from the court, the four-time NBA champion displayed the signature offensive output that has defined the latter half of his career.

Curry shot 14-of-28 from the field, including 6-of-15 from three-point range, and added five rebounds and five assists across 32 minutes. While the focus remained on the milestone, the loss pushed Golden State’s record to 13-13, highlighting the team’s ongoing effort to maintain consistency in the Western Conference.

The broken record is a measure of Curry’s remarkable longevity and sustained offensive excellence. Jordan, considered by many to be one of the greatest scorers in league history, compiled his 93 games mostly in his final seasons with the Chicago Bulls and his two seasons with the Washington Wizards. Curry has achieved the record as the primary catalyst for a Warriors dynasty that secured two NBA titles after he turned 30, and he continues to rank among the league’s scoring leaders.

The volume of 35-point games is a key metric for evaluating a player's ability to dominate a game offensively and maintain a high peak performance level. Curry's milestone underscores his status as an all-time elite scorer, demonstrating that his unique skill set — relying heavily on court movement and the three-point shot—translates seamlessly as he enters his late 30s.

The Timberwolves secured the victory behind 24 points and 14 rebounds from center Rudy Gobert and a decisive 3-pointer by guard Donte DiVincenzo late in the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves outscored the Warriors 39-29 in the final period, overcoming a three-point deficit entering the frame.

Curry’s pursuit of scoring benchmarks continues, as he is also currently tied with Jordan for the most 40-point games after turning 30, a record he is poised to potentially break as the season progresses.

SC State Wins Celebration Bowl in Four OTs, Caps Historic Comeback

Tamara Brown — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:34:01 GMT

South Carolina State defeated Prairie View A&M 40-38 in four overtimes Saturday to claim the 10th Celebration Bowl title and the HBCU Division I football national championship. The dramatic finish came after the Bulldogs overcame a 21-point halftime deficit, the largest rally in the bowl’s history.

The MEAC champion Bulldogs (10-3) were down 21-0 at the break as the SWAC champion Panthers (10-4) controlled the opening half. Prairie View A&M quarterback Cameron Peters was instrumental in the early surge, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for a third to build the three-score lead. Peters finished the game with 412 yards passing, four touchdowns, and one rushing score. Wide receiver Andre Dennis added 131 receiving yards and a touchdown for the Panthers.

The momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter after South Carolina State Head Coach Chennis Berry’s team made halftime adjustments. The Bulldogs scored 21 unanswered points, three of which came after the Prairie View A&M offense committed a critical turnover, shortening the field for the Bulldogs.

South Carolina State’s comeback was led by backup quarterback Ryan Stubblefield, who entered the game late in the second quarter for injured starter William Atkins IV. Stubblefield finished the contest with 234 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a rushing score, earning him the Most Valuable Offensive Player award.

The contest remained tight through the fourth quarter. Prairie View A&M regained the lead 35-28 with under 10 minutes left on a 78-yard touchdown pass from Peters to Cameron Bonner. Stubblefield answered on the next drive, guiding the Bulldogs 62 yards and connecting with Jordan Smith for a game-tying touchdown pass with 1:54 remaining in regulation. Smith was the Bulldogs’ leading receiver with nine catches for 152 yards and two scores, along with a rushing touchdown.

In the first overtime, both teams exchanged field goals. The drama escalated in the second overtime when Panthers safety Cornelius Davis intercepted a Stubblefield pass, giving Prairie View a chance to win. However, kicker Diego Alfaro missed a 31-yard field goal attempt wide right, extending the game. The third overtime saw both teams fail on mandatory two-point conversion attempts.

The game concluded in the fourth overtime, which also required two-point conversion attempts. Stubblefield connected with Smith on the two-point attempt, and the on-field ruling of a successful conversion was upheld following a video review. The play gave South Carolina State a 40-38 lead. The Panthers' final attempt to match the conversion failed when Peters threw an incomplete pass, sealing the Bulldogs' victory and their second Celebration Bowl title in five years.

UConn, USC Honor Kobe Bryant Family Legacy in Kobe Sneakers

Tamara Brown — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:31:48 GMT

In a powerful, unprecedented moment that overshadowed the clash between the No. 1 UConn Huskies and the No. 16 USC Trojans, the two women’s basketball powerhouses delivered a singular, unified tribute to the Bryant family—Kobe, Gianna (Gigi), and Vanessa. This highly anticipated intersectional matchup was elevated beyond mere competition, transforming into an act of collective remembrance and respect that captured the attention of the sports world.

Before the first whistle blew and the game officially tipped off, every single player on both rosters took the court laced up in a distinct pair of Nike Kobe Bryant signature sneakers. This extraordinary visual display was not merely about footwear; it was a deep, collective bow to the enduring impact of Kobe and Gigi, celebrating their unbreakable bond and recognizing the immense strength of Vanessa Bryant in preserving their profound legacy.

The gesture was deeply rooted in the history of the sport. Kobe Bryant was an unparalleled global icon, but his final mission was clear and focused: championing the women's game and pushing for its equitable growth. His daughter, Gigi, was his co-pilot in this endeavor, showing her father’s ferocious spirit and drive on the court, with the specific, highly-publicized goal of becoming a UConn Husky, arguably the most storied program in the history of women's college basketball.

For UConn, the gesture acknowledged a future star who belonged to their family—the young Mamba who was "hellbent" on joining their elite program. The Huskies understood the weight of that unfulfilled dream. For USC, playing in Kobe’s hometown and at the Galen Center, the venue closest to his heart, it was a profound acknowledgment of the local legend who inspired countless athletes, particularly women and girls, including many of the Trojans themselves.

By wearing his shoes, the players embodied the core principle of the Mamba Mentality: chasing greatness with relentless dedication, precision, and courage. But by doing it together—rivals united—they were also honoring the enduring love and resilience shown by the entire Bryant family. Each pair of shoes, whether the "Mambacita" colorway created in Gigi’s honor or the classic Lakers themes, served as a powerful reminder that the Mamba legacy lives on through Vanessa's commitment to continuing the family's vital work and supporting the dreams of young athletes through the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. The unified tribute also highlighted the profound emotional support the entire basketball community holds for Vanessa and her daughters.

In a sport often defined by regional battles and fierce competition, the sight of USC and UConn, clad in the iconic shoes of a father and daughter, sent a message of unity, sportsmanship, and enduring respect. It transcended the final score and the win-loss column, serving as a powerful testament that the spirit of Kobe and Gigi Bryant continues to inspire a new generation of players, ensuring their profound influence on women's basketball will never fade. This act of collective memory shows the Mamba Mentality is not just about competition, but about connection, family, and the strength of a shared, powerful legacy.

For Mickey Guyton, Christmas Hits Different Now

Ty Cole — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:01:04 GMT

Mickey Guyton has never been afraid to take up space.

Over the years, the Grammy-nominated singer has carved out a powerful lane in country music by pairing emotional vulnerability with undeniable vocal strength, becoming one of the genre’s most compelling and boundary-pushing voices.

Her music has always transcended labels, rooted in honesty, heart, and fearlessness, and speaking to lived experience in a way that resonates far beyond Country’s traditional borders.

Now, just in time for the holidays, the Texas native is bringing that same warmth and intention to her first full-length Christmas album, Feels Like Christmas, now available for streaming.

The eight-track project blends original songs with beloved classics, offering a soundtrack that works whether you’re curled up by the fireplace or hosting a room full of loved ones.

On “Feels Like Christmas,” the “Bridges” artist puts her own soulful stamp on timeless favorites like the soaring “O Holy Night,” alongside a playful reimagining of Disney’s Frozen hit “Do You Want to Build a Snowman.”

The title track sets the tone with cozy, feel-good energy. At the same time, the standout duet “Christmas Isn’t Christmas” pairs Guyton with legendary crooner Michael Bolton for a moment that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new.

When it came time to finalize the tracklist, Guyton says the album revealed itself organically, without the usual second-guessing that comes with curating a project.

“I didn’t cut any songs,” she explains.

“We had some submitted that I hadn’t written that I loved, but the songs we had were so cohesive and so well-written and fine-tuned for this specific project. I just wanted people to feel joy.”

In fact, the project feels less like something she planned and more like something that found her.

“It kind of really fell into my lap how this even happened,” she adds.

“I record a Christmas song every year for the last three or four years, and that’s how this project came about. It feels like the Christmas project chose me.”

That sense of joy carries into “Sugar Cookie,” the album’s playful original single, which Guyton imagines living somewhere between romance and fantasy.

Asked what kind of holiday memory or movie it might soundtrack, her answer is immediate.

“It would definitely be like a Christmas musical movie,” she says, laughing.

“Amazing dance sequences, some drag queens, just fabulous pink sugarness. The climax of the movie—that big moment—‘Sugar Cookie’ would be it.”

Her holiday film canon runs deep as well.

“I love Christmas love stories,” she says, citing “The Family Stone,” “This Christmas,” “The Best Man Holiday,” “The Preacher’s Wife,” and “Soul Food.” “It’s technically not a Christmas film, but the drama and the family coming together feels like a Christmas movie.”

Motherhood, she shares, has only deepened that sense of magic. The “Better Than You Left Me” singer has previously said that having her son made the holidays feel new again, and when asked what she might tell her four-year-old self about motherhood, her answer is reflective.

“Take in every moment from the good and the bad, especially during the holiday season,” she says.

“There’s so much magic that happens behind the scenes that you don’t realize comes from the person that loves you the most. The person whose love is the closest to God’s love and that is your mother.”

That emotional grounding also shows up in her collaboration with Bolton, a pairing that surprised her as much as it moved her.

“I was surprised that they asked me to do it,” the “Black Like Me” singer admits.

“He’s a legendary singer and I feel like Michael [Bolton] in the Black community is very accepted. We love him.”

Before recording a note together, Bolton wanted to connect on a personal level.

“He wanted to sit down and just get to know me,” she recalls.

“He took me to a really nice restaurant. He’s also a girl dad. He treated me really well and protected me.”

Watching the “White Christmas” singer reflect on family and career left a lasting impression.

“We don’t feel like we can have a family and a career at the same time,” she says. “But if that’s something you want, don’t hesitate to do that for yourself.”

When it comes to traditions she hopes to pass down, the mother of one laughs before sharing her family’s competitive and global holiday ritual.

Every year, they host an international cookout, choosing dishes they’ve never made before, plating them seriously, and judging each other’s work.

“I’ve won three times,” she says proudly. “I made a ricotta cheesecake once and won that one too.”

And when she’s in New York? Guyton’s leaning into the essentials, starting with coffee shops and pastries.

Recently, the 42-year-old finally tried a chopped cheese while filming content at Prospect Park Deli.

“That was my first time,” she admits. “It was so good.” Add Carbone—now a must-stop every visit—and it’s clear Guyton is savoring the season wherever she lands.