30 Mar No Hipsters Pod, Episode 78: “Where Are the Publicists?”
Teresa Kona joins us to discuss the Royal Family, the Wendy Williams’ documentary and awards season.
(Note: This episode was recorded on March 17, 2024.)
Teresa Kona joins us to discuss the Royal Family, the Wendy Williams’ documentary and awards season.
(Note: This episode was recorded on March 17, 2024.)
In a lawsuit filed earlier today in federal court, a producer and videographer named Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones is accusing Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexual harassment. Lil Rod was a producer on Diddy’s last album, and claims he lived and worked with the billionaire from September 2022 to November 2023.
In that time, the producer claims to have recorded hours of video of Diddy, his staff and others “engaging in serious illegal activity.” He accuses Diddy of forcing him to procure and engage in sexual acts with sex workers, and would have his son, Justin Combs, recruit underage girls for his parties. He also claims Diddy routinely laced alcoholic beverages at his homes, and accuses Diddy of drugging him in February 2023.
The producer says Diddy made him watch a video of Stevie J (former Bad Boy producer and reality TV star) having sex with a man. The lawsuit apparently includes a screenshot of said video. He also claims Yung Miami’s cousin sexually assaulted him (by trying to have sex with him in front of Diddy and his staff).
The producer claims Diddy introduced him to Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr., who he accuses of groping him.
Lil Rod’s lawsuit accuses Diddy of “constant unsolicited and unauthorized groping and touching of his anus.” The producer also claims he was forced to work in Diddy’s bathroom as he showered naked in a glass enclosure. When he raised the issue to Diddy’s chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, she is said to have brushed it off as “friendly horseplay.”
The suit also names Khorram as a defendant, and accuses her of trying to groom Lil Rod into “accepting a homosexual relationship.” Other named defendants include Diddy’s oldest son, Justin Combs; Universal Music Group CEO Sir Lucian Grainge; and former Motown Records CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam.
Both Diddy and Justin Combs have since denied the allegations through their reps.
Lil Rod is seeking $30 million in damages.
Well…that was quick.
According to People, Porsha Williams filed for divorce from Simon Guobadia yesterday, after just 15 months of marriage. The filing comes just days after reports about his denied application for US citizenship, but according to the magazine, it has nothing to do with their split.
The news also comes just days after the reality TV star announced her return to The Real Housewives of Atlanta in a video where she referred to herself as #PorshaGuobadia.
Thevey Felix returns to talk about Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj’s feud, the 20th anniversary of “Nipplegate,” and so much more.
(Note: This episode was recorded on February 1, 2024.)
Nicole Fegan, defense lawyer for Tenquarius Mender (one of Young Thug’s former co-defendants in the Young Slime Life RICO trial), has been arrested for criminal solicitation to commit the offense of tampering with evidence and participating in criminal street gang activity.
Prosecutors alleged that the defense attorney cold-called a murder suspect in September 2022 and asked him to get rid of his phone because he had active warrants and was going to be arrested. To restate: She called a person she did not know and asked him to get rid of potential evidence in a murder case.
The 34 year-old was released on a $40,000 bond around last night around 10pm.
Ime Udoka and Nia Long will have joint legal custody of their 12-year-old son, Kez Udoka. As part of their agreement, Ime will pay her $32,500 a month.
According to TMZ, court docs showed that the former Celtics head coach makes $400,000 a month while the Hollywood icon makes about $20,000 a month.
There is a story here about how underpaid Black actresses are.
Ariana Grande has a few things to get off her chest on newest single “Yes, And?”
The song’s title is a response to commentary about the singer’s headline-making (and somewhat scandalous) romantic life and recent weight loss, the latter of which she previously addressed in a TikTok video.
Written and produced by Ariana, Max Martin and Ilya Salmanzadeh, “Yes, And?” sounds a lot like it samples the beat on the Shep’s House Mix of Janet Jackson’s “Miss You Much,” later made famous by Madonna’s “Vogue.” However, there’s no line the credits about a sample, so either an agreement was made behind the scenes or a lawsuit is coming.
In the wake — or midst — of the Renaissance era (which includes a sampling of “Vogue”), it is hard to not come away from “Yes, And?” without feeling like we’re seeing a bit of Beyoncé’s influence. Ariana is on record citing Bey as an inspiration, so this isn’t at all far-fetched.
The “Yes, And?” video, which pokes fun at Ariana’s critics, has been watched 8.4 million times on YouTube in the 30 hours since its release. Basically, unless something drastic happens, Ponytail is about to get her eighth No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 (and her sixth debut at the summit).
Thevey Felix returns to discuss the highlights and lowlight of 2023.
(Note: This episode is recorded on December 8, 2023.)
In a new interview with Gayle King, Taraji P. Henson got emotional as she talked about pay inequality — especially where black women are concerned — in Hollywood. King had asked her about reports that she was considering quitting acting, and she explained unfair pay was the reason for that consideration.
The actress — who plays Shug Avery in the musical remake of The ColorPurple —has talked about this for years, and once revealed that she was only paid $150,000 for her Oscar-nominated performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.