Category: News

We’re on Day Three of Nicki Minaj-gate, and it’s still taking unpredictable, Mad Libs-y turns. It all started with the annual Met Gala (obviously). The rapper was not in attendance, and as the festivities began, she took to Twitter to explain why: She wasn’t vaccinated. She then claimed that a cousin’s friend had some problems with his testicles, implying that it could have had something to do with him recently being dosed. (Or, you know, maybe he got an STD.) The story was widely mocked, but Tucker Carlson picked it up, and for two nights in a row he solemnly talked about Nicki Minaj’s cousin’s friend’s balls.

On Wednesday, Minaj shared a clip from one of Carlson’s shows, which kicked the story up yet another nutty notch. In the portion she shared, the Fox News host ascribed the backlash Minaj is currently facing to religious persecution. He seized upon the part where she said people should “pray on it,” essentially claiming that she was being bullied for being a free-thinker. (He did not posit that the reason people are angry is that she’s spreading vaccine misinformation and doubt as cases are soaring among the unvaccinated.)

On her tweet, Minaj affixed an emoji of an arrow hitting bullseye on a target, all but ensuring that the story would live on for at least another two or three days.

Minaj has gotten a lot of pushback since coming out as a vaccine skeptic at the week’s beginning, and she got yet more after she publicly agreed with a guy who’s spread white supremacist conspiracy theories, to say nothing of all his other misdeeds. It was clear from some that people, however tired they were of this story, couldn’t believe it took yet another surreal turn.

Some tried to explain to Minaj that you don’t want Tucker Carlson to agree with you (to say nothing of agreeing with him).

And why don’t you want Tucker Carlson agreeing with you? Because, people said, he sometimes parrots white nationalist talking points.

Minaj has remained very online during much of the vaccine/balls/Tucker controversy, and she actually wound up replying to one detractor. “Ppl aren’t human any more,” she wrote back, claiming that these days you’re not supposed to listen to certain political parties.

To which people pointed out that “white nationalist” is not a political party.

Kanye fans could relate to fans of a popular rapper watching as they embrace white nationalist talking points.

Others pointed out that maybe it’s time to log off.

And others still felt bad for her PR team, who’ve had quite the week.

And it’s only Wednesday.

Often, parents of children with special needs struggle to find Halloween costumes that will accommodate medical equipment or provide a proper fit. And figuring out how to make one? Yikes.

There’s good news; shopDisney has added new ensembles to their already impressive line of adaptive play costumes. And from 8/30 – 9/26, there’s a 20% off sale for all costume and costume accessory orders of $75+ with code Spooky.

When looking for the right costume, kids with unique needs have a lot of extra factors to consider: wheelchair wheels get tangled up in too-long material, feeding tubes could get twisted the wrong way, and children with sensory processing disorders struggle with the wrong kind of fabric, seams, or tags. There are a lot of different obstacles that can come between a kid and the ability to wear the costume of their choice, which is why it’s so awesome that more and more companies are recognizing the need for inclusive creations that make it easy for everyone to enjoy the magic of make-believe.

Created with inclusivity in mind, the adaptive line is designed to discreetly accommodate tubes or wires from the front or the back, with lots of stretch, extra length and roomier cut, and self-stick fabric closures to make getting dressed hassle-free. The online shop provides details on sizing and breaks down the magical elements of each outfit and accessory, taking the guesswork out of selecting the perfect costume for the whole family.

Your child will be able to defeat Emperor Zurg in comfort with the Buzz Lightyear costume featuring a discreet flap opening at the front for easy tube access, with self-stick fabric closure. There is also an opening at the rear for wheelchair-friendly wear, and longer-length inseams to accommodate seated guests. To infinity and beyond!

An added bonus: many of the costumes offer a coordinating wheelchair cover set to add a major boost of fun. Kids can give their ride a total makeover—all covers are made to fit standard size chairs with 24″ wheels—to transform it into anything from The Mandalorian’s Razor Crest ship to Cinderella’s Coach. Some options even come equipped with sounds and lights!

From babies to adults and adaptive to the group, shopDisney‘s expansive variety of Halloween costumes and accessories are inclusive of all.

Don’t forget about your furry companions! Everyone loves to see a costumed pet trotting around, regardless of the occasion. You can literally dress your four-legged friend to look like Sven from Frozen, which might not sound like something you need in your life but…you totally do. CUTENESS OVERLOAD.

This year has been tough for everyone, so when a child gets that look of unfettered joy that comes from finally getting to wear the costume of their dreams, it’s extra rewarding. Don’t wait until the last minute to start looking for the right ensemble!

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Chloe Bailey was recently hit with not one but two bizarre rumors. Mere days after she released “Have Mercy” and impressed at the 2021 MTV VMAs, someone claimed that the singer had recently began dating rapper Future. She denied this during an Instagram Live. “I don’t know where that rumor came from,” she said. “He’s a wonderful fella, love his music, I’ve never spoken to him a day in my life.”

But there was more. The second rumor claimed that Bailey is a member of the Illuminati, a rumored modern-day secret society that some believe is filled with Black celebrities from different corners of the entertainment world, all of whom sold their souls to be involved in it. Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Rihanna are just some of the names that have been tied to these rumors. And Chloe went out of her way to make it clear she is not a part of this (probably) fictitious group.

“One moment you all say that I talk about God too much and the next you say I’m selling my soul. Which is it, my loves?” she said during the livestream. “I love God so much and I love music, and I just have a lot of passion. That’s it.” She added, “I didn’t sell my soul, no,”

The NBA 2K League recently wrapped up its season with Wizards District winning for the second year in a row, but that doesn’t mean the 2K League is totally finished for this year. The inaugural 2K League All-Star game is quickly approaching. The best NBA 2K players in the league representing the East and the West will team up on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. ET on Twitch and YouTube. The All-Star game will be a 5-on-5, best-of-three series with players competing on PS5 consoles in NBA 2K22’s Pro-Am mode. The NBA 2K League will award a $25,000 prize pool, with the winning and losing team receiving $18,000 and $7,000, respectively.

We’ll be sure to find out more information in the coming days, but Dime did manage to snag an early look at the 2K League All-Star jerseys. Designed by Champion, these are the unis the 2K League pros will wear as they compete against one another.

The E and W being so stylized is something that really only works on an esports jersey. One of the other nice touches is the logo for each player’s 2K League team being up by the neck. Those logos really translate to patches and work well. The sides also feature the 2K League All-Star logo and each conference written out in text on the sides.

The hip-hop community can rest assured knowing one of its greats will be back in good health soon. Houston native and Geto Boys rapper Scarface successfully underwent a kidney transplant after nearly a year of waiting. The gracious donor happened to be the rapper’s son, Christopher Jordan, who shared an image of himself and his father on Instagram. “What a journey it’s been,” he wrote in the caption. “Surgery went well my dad is thriving kidney is working great!!!! Thank you all for the prayers. @brothermob love you family.”

The news comes nearly a year after Scarface put out a plea for a new kidney after a bout with coronavirus. “COVID attacked my lungs first, and then it attacked my kidneys and knocked them out,” he told FOX 26 Houston. “I got full lung recovery, but my kidneys never came back.” Seven months later, he was publicly searching for new kidney on Twitter, specifically asking for anyone with a B+ blood type. T.I. and Fat Joe boosted Scarface’s plea while offering financial help for any donor willing to step up.

Earlier this summer, Christopher Jordan announced that he would donate a kidney to his father after learning he was a match. Today he revealed the transplant was a success. After hearing the news, T.I. took to Twitter to celebrate. “My mentor @brothermob Got a new kidney.” he wrote. “From his son no less…#GodIsGood.”

There are many struggles that larger people face that they don’t talk about in public because it’s difficult. That’s why the world is blessed to have Mary Fran Donnelly and her TikTok page.

Donnelly, 27, is a school teacher and a body positivity advocate.

Donnelly has no problem talking about the issues that larger people face and bringing them to the world’s attention. Donnelly has 492,000 subscribers on TikTok and over 5.2 million likes so she’s really getting the word out there.

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Her videos have tackled tough topics such as comments she gets from fatphobic men, mental health, and shopping in the plus-size section.

Donnelly has received the biggest response, by far, for her videos that show what life’s like for plus-size travelers. They’re an eye-opening look at the struggles people have trying to be comfortable in hotel rooms where the amenities are made for smaller people.

In a country where 42.4% of people are obese, why do hotel rooms cater to only half the population?

In her first video, she shows how difficult it is for her to be comfortable on a toilet because it’s too small and wedges her between the sink and a wall. “As one might see, it looks normal. Would you like to take a pee or a poop?” she asks. “Don’t worry, you’ll barely fit.”

Donnelly then shows how it’s nearly impossible to wrap herself in a bathroom towel.

In her follow-up video, Donnelly reveals that whenever she has to get a pool towel at a hotel she’s forced into a real Sophie’s choice. “So you get to choose, is it gonna cover the front or the back?” she asks.

Donnelly also shows how it can be downright dangerous for her to sit on a balcony.

Donnelly told Buzzfeed that her videos help her cope with the stresses of being a larger person. “I cope through humor…I was making light of a situation that is a very real stress for fat, plus-size people…my sister and I could only laugh at how absurd it was.”

She also admits that those stresses prevent her from traveling and probably make others think twice as well.

“I donʻt travel alone because I worry about strangers being upset about sitting next to me on a plane,” she said. “[I also wonder,] will the seat be uncomfortable? Will the seat belt fit? Will the towel fit at the hotel? Will the chairs at the pool hold me? Will the tables at the hotel restaurant be comfortable?” she said.

Donnelly thinks it’d be a win-win for the hotel industry and people of size if rooms were designed with inclusivity in mind.

“I don’t think [the challenges I pointed out] cross the minds of most,” Donnelly said. “But I think that it’s time that [they] do. Body shapes and image have become so relevant in recent years that there isn’t any excuse as to why hotel and travel industries cannot begin to reevaluate their practices. Fat, plus-size people deserve to be seen as valid human beings in an industry that should cater to everyone’s size and physical needs.”

It’s easy to forget in the midst of our seemingly intractable divides, but human beings need each other. Truly.

We are social creatures, of course, but our need for human connection goes beyond family bonds and friendship and social stimulation. In times of distress especially, the simple, purposeful presence of another person can be powerfully transformative—both emotionally and physiologically.

Ryan Kuja, a surfer who also happens to be a trained therapist and theologian, shared a beautiful post that illustrates this fundamental truth.

Kuja wrote:

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“Two days ago I was out surfing and a young guy, maybe 20 or so, was just inside of me by 10 yards or so. Suddenly he started yelling frantically ‘Hey! Hey! Help! Help me!’ As I started paddling toward him he disappeared under water for a second and resurfaced with a frantic look of terror on his face.

‘The leash wrapped around my legs!’ he said to me as I got to him.

‘I’m here. I got you,’ I said, knowing he was in sympathetic hyperarousal and his nervous system was dysregulated due to the perceived threat (being out in waves with the leash wrapped around both legs). In a few seconds his state shifted. The look on his face changed. The co-regulating process moved him from panic and survival physiology to a sense of being ok, that he wasn’t in danger, it had passed.

A few years ago I was surfing on a fairly big day in Washington when I fell taking off on a wave and I heard my collar bone snap. Right up against a rock jetty in 6-8′ surf, survival physiology kicked in and I paddled with my one usable arm to the beach and collapsed in terror and exhaustion.

Another surfer came up to me, looked me in the eye, put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘I’m an EMT. I’m here. I’m going to stay with you. An ambulance is on its way.’ I can feel the tears well up writing this as I remember that moment. My body was going into a state of mild shock from the injury, but his calm presence allowed my nervous system to settle. His presence was co-regulating, allowing my physiology to settle a bit in the midst of a highly distressing situation.

I likely would have developed prolonged survival physiology (trauma) if he hadn’t been there. His attunement didn’t save my life (I had already done that by paddling in with one arm), but it saved me from the potential pitfalls of an overwhelmed nervous system that stays locked in survival mode. I surfed the same spot a few months later, nervous I was going to be triggered. I wasn’t, thanks to that random stranger. I’ve never had triggering symptoms related to this event, something that easily–so easily–could have robbed me of my deep love for surfing and the ocean.

‘I’m here.’ Some of the holiest words I’ve ever known.”

So beautiful and so true. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve got you. These simple words from the mouth of a stranger can change chaos into calm, terror into calm, trauma into comfort. How incredible is the power of human connection?

We need each other. And we need to remember we need each other.

Thanks for the reminder, Ryan Kuja.

Norm Macdonald loved to make people uncomfortable. He enjoyed awkward silences, winding people up, repeating the same weird jokes, creating chaos. But he was also a softie. That’s the Norm Macdonald that comes across in untold anecdotes shared since his passing on Tuesday. Even some of the many clips dropped on social media attest to this. That Bob Saget roast segment he did? It ends with him getting serious and sincerely praising his good friend.

So here’s another heartwarming Norm story: Andy Richter — who was there for some of Macdonald’s top shelf Conan O’Brien appearances — shared a story from his sister about the time she ran into him at his office.

The run-in happened what sounds like quite a long time ago, when she was about 18. Richter was “in rehearsal or a meeting,” she wrote to him over text, and while she waited, Macdonald came into her office. They exchanged pleasantries, but instead of him brushing her off as just Andy Richter’s sister, he “seemed excited and sat down and talked to me for abtou an hour asking me questions about me.”

That’s rare, she said. “No one else that I’ve met that is ‘famous’ or even in your field of work has ever done that since,” Richter’s sister wrote. “Maybe he was just bored that day but I have never forgotten that. He also made me laugh. A lot.”

So there you have it. It’s yet another story about how Norm Macdonald was as decent off-screen as he was often giddily combative on-. And there’s a lot like it.

As Nicki Minaj fields criticism over her anti-vaccine tweet from a few days ago from a variety of observers such as Stephen Colbert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Trinidad’s Health Minister, and even Tucker Carlson, she’s also found an unlikely defender in the form of … Tucker Carlson. The Fox News host, whose opinions shift with the wind depending on what point he’s trying to make at the time, switched positions on ridiculing the star when he apparently realized he could use the reaction to Nicki’s tweet to once again needle liberals, progressives, and Democrats.

In a clip from his show on Nicki’s tweet and the resulting backlash, Carlson attributed the backlash to Democrats “bullying” Nicki over sharing anti-vaccine views, likening it to the religious persecution Fox News peddles to its viewers. Nicki herself reposted the clip on her Twitter with a dartboard emoji, implying she believes Carlson is on-target with his assessment.

Unfortunately for Nicki, her post only resulted in even more backlash from followers appalled that she’d side with Carlson, who has, among other things, promoted wild conspiracy theories, parroted reprehensible, xenophobic rhetoric, and defended the QAnon-inspired January 6 insurrectionists. One pointed out, “You know he’s a white nationalist right?” However, Nicki was undaunted, interpreting tweets trying to reason with her as attacks on her character and doing her best “Kanye West circa 2018” impression as fans expressed dismay and disappointment.

Check out Nicki’s ongoing rant below.

It’s been a big year for Marvel in terms of bringing new and more diverse talent front-and-center. Earlier this year, we finally saw the MCU’s first female super hero — Black Widow — get the solo film she’d been gunning for since 2010’s Iron Man 2. Just last month, Simu Liu made news as the franchise’s first Chinese super hero in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and as of now, we are less than two months away from the highly-anticipated Eternals — which means also witnessing the first deaf Marvel hero in action.

In a new interview with the New York Times, Lauren Ridloff — a deaf actress best known for her portrayal of The Walking Dead‘s Connie — opened up about her role as Makkari in the upcoming MCU film, sharing what the role means to her as well as some stories from on set. According to Ridloff, while she arrived on set convinced she “had to show how easy [she was] to work with as a deaf person,” she soon realized “everyone has their own unique set of challenges” and made a point to stop apologizing for her needs on set. She also talked about how Hollywood and theaters can be more accessible to people who are deaf, as well as mentioned how this role meant her two deaf sons would “grow up in a world where there are superheroes who are deaf” and could therefore “dream a bit more wildly.”

During the interview, Ridloff also shared a touching story in which none other than c0-star Angelina Jolie helped the actress find a fix to one of her most difficult scenes to shoot. According to Ridloff:

“In some scenes, I had to face a wall. As a deaf person, how do you cue me? At one point, I was sharing my frustration with Angie — Angelina Jolie — at a holiday party after a day of shooting. And she immediately made a suggestion, ‘why don’t we use a laser pen that special effects can easily erase?’ It was an ‘Aha, wow’ moment. Whenever I’m looking at a wall, the interpreters would use a laser pen to make a circle on the wall — ‘rolling, rolling, rolling’ — and once it went away that meant, ‘Action!’”

Luckily for us, we’ll get the chance to watch see this scene (and this ingenious trick in action) in just a couple of months, as Marvel’s Eternals hits theaters exclusively on November 5.