Category: Human Interest
Dwight Howard’s Assault Accuser Pleads With Judge Not To Dismiss Case (Exclusive)
Source: Katharine Lotze / Getty
Masin Elije Says Dwight Howard Threatened & Harassed Him Over Alleged Relationship
The social media star who sued Dwight Howard for assault and more after he said their alleged relationship went sour has pleaded with a judge not to throw the case out.
Just weeks after Howard accused Masin Elije of not responding to the case, Elije filed court papers that certify he handed over evidence that proved their alleged relationship to Howard so that the case can go to trial.
He also filed the motion that he says proves that he has served the NBA star with the lawsuit, something Howard alleged that he never did. According to court papers obtained by BOSSIP, Elije said he’d been trying to serve Howard with his lawsuit for more than six months and believed Howard was purposely evading his service attempts. However, Elije said he hired a special process server who eventually tracked Howard down.
Elije, who recently authored the novel, “Industry Hoe,” also filed paperwork showing that he’s complying with Howard’s demand for evidence, countering Howard’s contention that Elije has stopped responding to the case.
Simply put, Elije wants the case to move forward and have his day in court.
We exclusively revealed that Elije sued Howard earlier this year for alleging that Howard began harassing and threatening him online and by phone when he refused Howard’s request to sign a nondisclosure agreement about an alleged relationship.
Elije also made explosive claims that Howard “was in everyone raw” at “transgender sex parties,” and that he had an “understanding” with a “transgender prostitute,” according to court papers obtained by BOSSIP.
Howard countersued Elije for $10 million, saying he doesn’t know him and accused him of trying to use Howard for social media clout and to drum up support for the book “Industry Hoe.” He said he’s suffered “severe emotional distress,” physical and mental harm as a result of Elije’s claims, his legal docs state.
A judge has yet to rule on the case.
Billy Porter Reveals How Charity Saved Him “From The Precipice Of Obscurity” For “Giving Tuesday”
“Pose” Actor & Director Promotes PayPal’s ‘Give Better’ Campaign
Billy Porter is encouraging everyone to embrace the spirit of giving during the holiday season.
“You can give in all different kinds of ways,” Porter told us by phone from Los Angeles. “It’s not just money. You can volunteer your time. You can be a mentor for a young child. You can stop by a food bank and donate some cans. You can donate some of them clothes you ain’t wearing no more.”
The actor and singer partnered with PayPal’s “Give Better” campaign, an initiative urging the public to donate, volunteer and support small businesses. We spoke to the veteran thespian about his favorite charities and what it was like becoming a leading man at the tender age of 50:
BOSSIP: What inspired you to partner with PayPal for “Giving Tuesday”?
Billy Porter: “PayPal reached out and asked me to be part of this initiative. I’d never heard of it before. They’ve been involved since about 2012, and this year, it was one Tuesday, and now we’re trying to spark every Tuesday of the giving season. And also use this moment as a springboard to ignite the spirit of giving inside each of us year-round. We have to start thinking about giving year-round. And giving isn’t just about money – although PayPal will match every donation you make by 10 percent. That is not the only way to give.”
Source: Courtesy of KEF Media / KEF Media
BOSSIP: Are there charities that you are particularly passionate about?
Billy Porter: “There are two that I’m deeply connected to. When I came out in 1985, and we went straight to the front lines to fight for our lives and I went to Broadway and was introduced to Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS and The Actors Fund of America, and those two organizations really taught me what activism really meant and how to get involved and how to make it a daily walk of life. The Actors Fund, in particular, they’ve been around for 137 years and their mission is to make sure artists are taken care of for the entirety of their lives. And as you know we’re freelance people, and it can be tenuous sometimes. They really came through for me in my low times. I had a good decade or more where I wasn’t really working, and I was on the precipice of obscurity. It wasn’t good, bankruptcy and all of those things and they stepped in and helped with rent, they helped with utility bills and medical bills and social services. They really really helped me. And fast forward to a couple of years ago, my mother, who is disabled, is living in The Actor’s Fund nursing home in New Jersey. They’re really dear to my heart.”
BOSSIP: Tells us about your thought process in shooting the intimate scenes between Ricky and Pray Tell in “Pose.”
Billy Porter: “I’ve been a character actor all my life, and I’ve never been the object of anyone’s affections in anything ever in my 30-year career until last year. It blew my mind. It shocked me. I signed my nudity clause as a character actor – and I came out on the other side as a leading man!”
Check out the video above for the entire interview.
Billy Porter Reveals How Charity Saved Him “From The Precipice Of Obscurity” For “Giving Tuesday”
“Pose” Actor & Director Promotes PayPal’s ‘Give Better’ Campaign
Billy Porter is encouraging everyone to embrace the spirit of giving during the holiday season.
“You can give in all different kinds of ways,” Porter told us by phone from Los Angeles. “It’s not just money. You can volunteer your time. You can be a mentor for a young child. You can stop by a food bank and donate some cans. You can donate some of them clothes you ain’t wearing no more.”
The actor and singer partnered with PayPal’s “Give Better” campaign, an initiative urging the public to donate, volunteer and support small businesses. We spoke to the veteran thespian about his favorite charities and what it was like becoming a leading man at the tender age of 50:
BOSSIP: What inspired you to partner with PayPal for “Giving Tuesday”?
Billy Porter: “PayPal reached out and asked me to be part of this initiative. I’d never heard of it before. They’ve been involved since about 2012, and this year, it was one Tuesday, and now we’re trying to spark every Tuesday of the giving season. And also use this moment as a springboard to ignite the spirit of giving inside each of us year-round. We have to start thinking about giving year-round. And giving isn’t just about money – although PayPal will match every donation you make by 10 percent. That is not the only way to give.”
Source: Courtesy of KEF Media / KEF Media
BOSSIP: Are there charities that you are particularly passionate about?
Billy Porter: “There are two that I’m deeply connected to. When I came out in 1985, and we went straight to the front lines to fight for our lives and I went to Broadway and was introduced to Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS and The Actors Fund of America, and those two organizations really taught me what activism really meant and how to get involved and how to make it a daily walk of life. The Actors Fund, in particular, they’ve been around for 137 years and their mission is to make sure artists are taken care of for the entirety of their lives. And as you know we’re freelance people, and it can be tenuous sometimes. They really came through for me in my low times. I had a good decade or more where I wasn’t really working, and I was on the precipice of obscurity. It wasn’t good, bankruptcy and all of those things and they stepped in and helped with rent, they helped with utility bills and medical bills and social services. They really really helped me. And fast forward to a couple of years ago, my mother, who is disabled, is living in The Actor’s Fund nursing home in New Jersey. They’re really dear to my heart.”
BOSSIP: Tells us about your thought process in shooting the intimate scenes between Ricky and Pray Tell in “Pose.”
Billy Porter: “I’ve been a character actor all my life, and I’ve never been the object of anyone’s affections in anything ever in my 30-year career until last year. It blew my mind. It shocked me. I signed my nudity clause as a character actor – and I came out on the other side as a leading man!”
Check out the video above for the entire interview.
It’s BOSSIP’s 2019 Holiday Gift Guide!!
Source: M_a_y_a / Getty
Check Out BOSSIP’s Holiday Picks For Gift-Giving
The holidays are here again – and that means spending time with friends and loved ones, plenty of food and drinks – and presents! And we here at BOSSIP have curated a holiday gift guide full of ideas to help you navigate the holidays. Whether you’re shopping for your bro, your bestie, your boo or your boss – we got you.
And we’ve paid special attention to highlight gift ideas from women and minority-owned companies.
Source: Courtesy of Hudson Greens / Hudson Greens
Hudson Greens
This new CBD wellness brand has a plant to bottle ethos and an array of products to suit everyone from the Canna-curious to the CBD enthusiast. The Hudson Greens’ Flight ($20) comes with three doses of CBD to help alleviate anxiety and pain or promote better sleep and focus.
Source: Courtesy of Beautiful Amore / Beautiful Amore
Beautiful Amore
Upgrade your loved one’s bath time ritual with Beautiful Amore. This black-owned beauty brand offers vegan organic skincare infused with essential oils and herbs. Its vegan lemongrass scented soap ($8) is invigorating, and the body butter ($20) will keep skin hydrated and supple all winter long.
Beautiful Amore is opening a brick and mortar location on Black Friday, Nov. 29th at 97 Bond St. in Brooklyn, NY.
Source: EWE Home / EWE Home
EWE Home
This mimosa and mandarin soy wax candle ($36.50) from EWE Home smells good enough to eat!
Source: Courtesy of the Salamander Resort & Spa / Salamander Resort & Spa
Salamander Resort & Spa
Give the gift of luxury travel at the Virginia resort founded by former BET head Robert Johnson’s wife, Sheila Johnson. Located just 25 miles outside of Washington, D.C. in the heart of Virginia’s wine country, the Forbes five star rated Salamander Resort & Spa has something for the whole family: an equestrian experience, a spa, fine dining and access to nature.
Breaking: Future’s Alleged Baby Mama Eliza Reign Says Rapper Is Trying To Use The Courts To ‘Harass’ & ‘Control Her’
Source: Kenneth Dapaah / Kenneth Dapaah
Future’s Alleged Baby Mama Eliza Reign Says Rapper Is Trying To Use The Courts To “Harass” & “Control Her”
The woman who said she bore rapper Future’s baby daughter has accused him of trying to use the legal system to control and intimidate her.
Eliza Reign filed court papers last week blasting Future for trying to impose a gag order on their child custody and support case, saying it was just another way for him to try to dominate her and their situation.
Future asked the judge for the gag order because he said he’s worried that “false and baseless allegations” will be leaked to the media and the public.
But Reign, a social media star from Florida, said there’s no legal basis for a gag order, and there’s no way that the case could be prejudiced by any info leaking out, because either he’s the father, or he’s not, her court papers – which were obtained by BOSSIP – state.
Reign sued Future in August, alleging that he was the father of her baby girl, who was born in April. She said that Future has never met her daughter, but she wants the baby to have a relationship with him if he acts in the child’s best interest.
Reign said Future is a high-income earner, so she asked for an increase from regular child support guidelines. She also wants him to reimburse her for her hospital bills from giving birth, her lawyer’s fees and for him to pay for the baby’s health insurance.
The pair are due in court next week, where a judge will decide whether or not to grant the gag order.
Black Excellence: Meet The Melinated Mezzo-Soprano Set To Make Her Met Opera Debut (Exclusive)
Source: Michael Tullberg / Getty
Opera Singer J’Nai Bridges Aims To Bridge The Culture Gap With The Italian Musical Style
She’s set to make her stage debut at one of the most famous opera houses on the planet, but J’Nai Bridges’ foray into music almost didn’t happen.
The Tacoma, Wa. native was originally on track to pursue athletics and was captain of her high school basketball team. But after her coach sat her out of a big game as punishment for arriving late from opera rehearsal, she had a change of heart.
“It was his ego and trying to teach me a lesson,” Bridges recalled. “I was livid, the fans were upset…That was the last day of my competitive basketball playing.”
The basketball world’s loss became a big gain for music lovers and Bridges now travels around the world to perform and inspire with her operatic voice. Next month, Bridges will reprise her role as the powerful Egyptian queen Nefertiti in Phillip Glass’ “Akhnaten,” in a month-long run at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
In the staged drama, Bridges’ Nefertiti and her husband Akhnaten found a new religion – worshipping the Sun God – but their efforts to get the public on board could threaten their reign.
Bridges, who speaks several languages, is a classically trained pianist and a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, said she is relishing her new role at the Met.
Source: Michael Tullberg / Getty
“I just feel ready,” Bridges said. “This is something that has been instilled in me since I can remember…At the end of the day, I want to deliver and I want to make my family proud and my ancestors proud.”
The chanteuse said she also hopes that her opera career will expose more people to the musical genre.
“Opera is an amazing art form that has been kind of kept away from the masses,” she said. “I’m working very hard at changing that. Opera is for everybody.”
She added: “You can like Milly rocking and all that stuff – I love it – and come to the opera too.”
More Than 500 People To Reenact Largest Slave Revolt In U.S. History
Source: Dan Bejar / Dan Bejar
The “Slave Rebellion Reenactment Will Celebrate The Quest For Freedom, Organizers Say
A group plans to commemorate the largest slave rebellion in the United States with a two-day reenactment and parade.
Playing drums, flying flags and singing songs, more than 500 people will don period costumes and march 26 miles over the course of two days from the bayous of St. John’s Parish to New Orleans’ Congo Square to commemorate the 1811 uprising of enslaved African Americans against the planter class.
Organizer Dread Scott, an artist whose work has been featured in the Whitney Museum and the Museum of Modern Art, said he was inspired to create the reenactment and reimagining of the 1811 slave rebellion in part to teach young people about an often suppressed piece of American history and to help take away the feelings of shame that the descendants of enslaved Africans can feel.
Source: Alison L. Parker / Alison L. Parker
“This is not a shameful period,” Scott said. “It is a great period. They are heroes and everyone should know about their example and it should influence and inform how we think about social justice today.”
There were more than 250 examples of slave revolts in the U.S. during Slavery that involved 10 or more people, Scott said, citing well-known examples like Nat Turner’s uprising in 1831 in Virginia.
Source: Alison L. Parker / Alison L. Parker
Although the 1811 revolt was later quelled and ended with the death of hundreds of enslaved Africans, Scott said that the march will put the spotlight on the resilience, resistance and endurance of the enslaved.
“It’s not a project about slavery,” Scott said. “It’s about freedom and emancipation.
The Slave Rebellion Reenactment will be held Nov. 8 and 9.
“Love After Lockup” Exclusive: Amber & Vincent Strip Club Visit Goes Wrong [VIDEO]
“Love After Lockup” Airs Friday Nights On WeTV
Friends of newly released ex-con Amber press her beau about his feelings for her in the newest episode of “Love After Lockup.”
Our exclusive clip shows Vincent, Amber and two pals living it up in a strip club, where Vincent awkwardly enjoys one dancer grinding on him. The awkward vibes continue outside, where Amber’s friends repeatedly ask Vincent why he wants to be with Amber.
The scene isn’t the only fireworks happening on the reality show, which charts the relationship highs and lows between incarcerated people and their lovers on the outside.
Peep the episode description: Lizzy’s dangerous encounter with an ex threatens Daniel’s freedom & her secret. Shane’s bold move stuns Lacey. Cheryl & Josh’s risky search. Vince clashes with Amber’s friends. Angela races to Tony to get answers, and Glorietta’s mom grills her felon fiancé.
BOSSIP Be Trippin’ – Driving Through Southwest Oregon With Polaris
Polaris Hosts Test Drive In Southwest Oregon
The southwest coast of Oregon is full of pine tree forests that stretch down to the ocean, sand dunes that go on as far as the eye can see and coastline that is so picturesque that it looks like it came out of a storybook.
And it was the perfect backdrop for a three-day trip to test drive Polaris’ newest fleet of off-road and specialty vehicles. The vehicle maker invited a select group of media and tastemakers (like Snoop Dogg’s son Cordell Broadus and social media star Mapy) to test the new Slingshot – a three-wheeled convertible-style roadster, and the Rzr – a four-wheeled off-road vehicle – among the natural splendor.
After checking into our hotel, the Inn At Fifth in Eugene, we spent the afternoon getting to know each other and getting outfitted with Polaris gear to get us ready to drive.
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
The next day, we drove to the coast, taking in the beautiful scenery along the way: rushing streams, the occasional farm, forests and open fields. We first arrived at the Spinreel Dune Buggy & ATV Rental in North Bend, where after a safety check, we piled into our Rzr’s and set out for the sand dunes. Cruising the dunes in the Rzr was a blast – especially riding the four-wheeler all the way up a dune and then careening down it.
After a lunch of local Dungeness Crab at the Coos History Museum, we got into our Slingshots for the final drive of the day. The two-seater resembled a cross between the Batmobile and a motorcycle, and the convoy of our Slingshots driving through the streets and highways along the state’s coast turned heads wherever we went. Riding in the open air Slingshot with the music blasting was simply exhilarating. No wonder celebs like Chris Brown are fans.
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
We ended our trip by driving the Slingshots to the Heceta Head Lighthouse – a scenic spot that had its own beach – where put our feet in the water and snapped a group photo.
This reporter had never experienced – or even considered – off-roading or specialty vehicles before, but after this trip, we realized that it can be an exciting soft adventure for the whole family and a thrilling way to see the country.
Check out the video above for more from the trip.
“Basketball Wives” Evelyn Lozada Talks “Bullying,” Colorism On Reality TV & Racism Allegations (Exclusive)
Source: David Livingston / Getty
“Basketball Wives” Star Aims To Set The Record Straight In Exclusive Interview
Evelyn Lozada has been embroiled in a public feud with her “Basketball Wives” co-star Ogom “OG” Chijindu – a spat that has led to allegations of racism, Twitter draggings and, according to her, has affected her bottom line.
And now, just days after the TV personality and mother of two filed a defamation suit against OG, she spoke to BOSSIP where she aims to set the record straight about what’s transpired over the last few weeks. Lozada admits that she is a work in progress and is trying to do better – but she also says that the public has got it wrong about what’s in her heart:
Bossip: What has been the biggest misconception about you following this season of “Basketball Wives”?
Evelyn: “The biggest misconception is that I am a bully. I’ve come to realize that outspokenness could be misconstrued for something that it’s really not. My family and friends know me, love me and accept complete and utter honesty from me-LOL. I’ve thought long and hard about this and concluded that there is a difference in how my directness and candor is received by those I personally know and those I don’t. I will do better…”
Bossip: Following show airing, one of the criticisms of you was that you had displayed racist behavior – are you a racist?
Evelyn: “Oh wow, First, let me say, I think the initial criticisms were of reality television, in general, highlighting a sentiment that there is a widespread issue of colorism plaguing women of color as to how they are portrayed and treated on television. If you ask me if I agree with that question, I would say that we must all be a little more cognizant of how we all can play a role in bringing awareness and effecting change. With respect to the question around racism, nothing could be further from the truth. For anyone to call me a racist or a bigot against my own people is simply bananas and misinformed. 90% of the people I work with are people of color and 98% are women. And the same numbers, if not higher apply to my personal businesses. Besides, last time I looked in the mirror I was a woman of color–who has to more often than not, navigate through unchartered “real life” discrimination. Addressing false claims about racism and bigotry seem to be a waste of valuable time. I’ll just leave it there.”
Source: Courtesy VH1 / VH1
Bossip: Do you think there has been a double standard in the conflict between you and OG?
Evelyn: “No, I do not. I treat people how I want to be treated and I will react if I’m being treated badly—I’m human. For example, if I walked around with a negative disposition sprinkled with an authoritarian mannerism, how should I expect to be received and treated? What I will never do is cry wolf, act like a victim or manufacture a storyline to remain relevant.”
Bossip: Do you think that the situation between you two could ever be resolved? If so, how?
Evelyn: “That question can be best answered by Ogom, not me.”
Bossip: Have you thought about not returning to the show after this season?
Evelyn: “Absolutely not. If I am invited back for Season 9, I’d welcome it.”
Kevin McCall Sues Ex Eva Marcille For Custody Of Daughter & Demands Child Support!! (Exclusive Details)
Source: David Livingston / Getty
Kevin McCall Says He Hasn’t Seen Daughter In Four Years; Wants Shared Custody With Eva Marcille Sterling
Actor Kevin McCall Jr. has launched a legal bid to wrest custody of his daughter from ex-partner Eva Marcille Sterling and force her to pay him child support for the girl.
McCall sued the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star for joint physical custody of their daughter, Marley Rae Sterling, five, and wants a judge to force Sterling to pay him child support when the girl is in his care, the suit, obtained by BOSSIP, states.
McCall said he hasn’t seen the girl since 2015 when he said Sterling abruptly left the state with her. He accused Sterling of purposely erasing him out of her daughter’s life and alienating him as a parent. He said in his complaint that he “believes” he’s Marley’s dad and requested that the girl’s last name be changed from Sterling to McCall.
In the suit, filed earlier this month, McCall also wants the judge to appoint a “guardian ad litem” for Marley, whose job is to represent her best interests and eventually report their findings to the judge.