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“More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt. She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family,” Jolie’s lawyer James Simon said in a statement to CNN on Monday. “This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over.”

The former couple met while co-starring in the 2005 movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Pitt was still with his first wife, Jennifer Aniston, at the time. He divorced her and, shortly after, began a relationship with Jolie.

In 2005, Pitt accompanied Jolie to Ethiopia to adopt daughter Zahara, now 19, (Jolie was already mom to son Maddox, now 23). And in 2006, the pair welcomed Shiloh, now 18. They later adopted son Pax, now 21, and welcomed their fraternal twins, Knox and Vivienne, now 16. Jolie and Pitt finally married in 2014, at their Château Miraval winery in France. But in September 2016, the Maleficent star filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

Over the years, more details about the actors’ sudden separation have been revealed, including an incident that happened on a private plane—in which Pitt allegedly acted violently toward Jolie and their kids.

While both actors have stayed mostly silent in public about the details of their yearslong divorce, Jolie opened up in a rare, candid interview last year about the physical pain she went through when she and Pitt separated. “My body reacts very strongly to stress,” the Maria star told WSJ. Magazine. “My blood sugar goes up and down. I suddenly had Bell’s palsy six months before my divorce. In 2019, a judge declared Jolie and Pitt divorced and single, but the issue of splitting their assets and agreeing on custody of their six children remained.

While the fine print on Jolie and Pitt’s custody agreement has not been publicly revealed, their legal battle has been so long that most of their kids are now over 18, negating the need for a custody agreement for them. Shiloh, the actors’ oldest biological child, recently had her father’s last name legally removed from her own, and she is now known as Shiloh Jolie (rather than Shiloh Jolie-Pitt). Zahara and Vivienne have also stopped using his surname.

HBCU marching band planning to perform at Donald Trump’s second inauguration raises $100,000 on GoFundMe.

As Inauguration Day looms, more details about appearances, performances, and coinciding events, including those featuring Black folks, have been announced.

On the eve of Donald Trump’s second inauguration, Jan. 19, 2025, the Black Conservative Federation is hosting a ball featuring celebrity appearances from Waka Flocka Flame, Antonio Brown, Fivio Foreign, and more. The Legacy of Freedom Ball promises to treat attendees to “an evening of elegance and unparalleled celebration” as they commemorate the 60th presidential inauguration

Rapper Waka Flocka Flame was criticized online earlier this year for declaring his loyalty to Trump in social media posts, even amid the incoming president’s conviction on 34 felony counts earlier this year.

“Trump still my president,” he began in a post on X in July. “I don’t have to stand with a red hat or dance [on] stage for money in my pockets,” he continued. “[It] Didn’t push me [in] this direction. This is my choice like I choose not to eat pork, but do that make me hate pork lovers or disrespect their character…nor will I act like.”

Meanwhile, on the day of the inauguration, the “Mean Green Marching Machine” HBCU marching band from Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) is planning to perform.

However, despite receiving a formal invitation from the incoming president to the gig, the band must raise the travel funds themselves. They have launched a GoFundMe asking for $120,000 to cover their expenses. So far, they’ve managed to raise just over $100,000 of what they’re asking for.

“This is not just a moment of pride for our university but for the entire state of Mississippi,” Dr. Jerryl Briggs, MVSU President, said in a statement.

“It is an opportunity to showcase our legacy, celebrate our culture, and invest in the future leaders of our community,” he continued. “This participation allows students to engage in the peaceful transition of power and gain global exposure while celebrating the university’s 75th anniversary.”

From Threads to Facebook to posts on X and beyond, many have weighed in to express their concern, disappointment, and criticism of the band’s involvement in Trump’s inauguration, given how many of his cabinet’s supposed policies could impact the marginalized and people of color. The Mean Green Marching Machine band is an accomplished and celebrated band whose talent has brought them to stages all over the country. To date, they have performed at NBA games, the Rose Bowl parade, New Orleans Mardi Gras parades, the National Showband Battle of the Bands, and more, WJTV reported.

The band also has a history of appearing at presidential inauguration-related events. In 1969, their band marched in President Nixon’s inauguration parade.

With multiple Oscar wins under his belt and tons of love from the Academy over the years, it’s hard to dispute that Denzel Washington is one of the greatest actors of all time. He’s stepped into more than his fair share of iconic roles, including playing Malcolm X in the biopic of the same name from Spike Lee, as well as starring as Alonzo Harris in Training Day with Ethan Hawke, and most recently playing Macrinus in Gladiator 2 opposite Paul Mescal. Now in the later stages of his career, Washington is taking on a new role. A Facebook post from Christopher Bryant announced that Washington had been baptized and had also received his license as an ordained minister, which comes not long after Washington told Esquire that he’s unafraid to display his religion proudly and publicly, even if it means he won’t win another Oscar.

Before his recent role as Macrinus in Gladiator 2, the historical epic/legacy squeal from Ridley Scott, Washington reprised his role as Robert McCall for the third and final time in The Equalizer 3, the action thriller that grossed $191 million at the worldwide box office. This was two years after his role as Macbeth in The Tragedy of Macbeth, which netted him yet another Oscar nomination for his performance in an already impressive resume. The Tragedy of Macbeth is streaming exclusively on Apple TV+. Earlier in 2021, before starring as Macbeth, Washington teamed up with Rami Malek and Jared Leto for The Little Things, the police procedural that’s currently lacking a streaming home and is only available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

What Are Denzel Washington’s Highest-Grossing Movies?

Gladiator 2 passed American Gangster not long ago to become the highest-grossing movie of Denzel Washington’s career; the 2007 crime thriller finished its theatrical run with $267 million globally, $150 million behind the current total of Gladiator 2. The third-highest-grossing movie of Denzel Washington’s career is Safe House, the action epic in which Washington stars alongside Ryan Reynolds, which grossed $207 million at the worldwide box office. Philadelphia and The Equalizer occupy the #4 and #5 spots on the list, with $201 million and $192 million, respectively.

Simone Biles isn’t just wearing her heart on her sleeve ― she’s doing it across her entire outfit.

The Olympic gymnast stole the spotlight at Thursday’s game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears, where she wore a sweatshirt and matching trousers splashed with images of her husband, Bears safety Jonathan Owens.

The NFL shared photos and video on Instagram of Biles entering Chicago’s Soldier Field in the eye-catching ensemble, which was custom designed by Kelly Daley, prior to kickoff. 

After waving to fans, she and Owens shared a quick smooch. 

Biles, who last year became the most decorated gymnast in history, has shown her support for Owens through her fashion choices on numerous occasions. 

She told Olympics.com this week that Thursday’s outfit was her “favorite one so far,” and acknowledged that she typically gave designers free rein with regard to their creativity. 

“Honestly, I reach out to some of the creators that make the apparel, and I have no ideas,” she said. “I let them kind of freeball it, and I say, ‘Surprise me.’ And then that’s how I piece them together.” 

Unfortunately for Owens, his wife’s stylish support did little to boost his team’s luck, as the Seahawks went on to defeat the Bears 6-3. 

Biles and Owens went public with their romance in 2020 and were married in April 2023. 

Tributes are being paid to Canadian model and actress Dayle Haddon, who has died at the age of 76 from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Haddon, renowned for her long career promoting L’Oréal and acting in films such as Cyborg and Bullets Over Broadway, passed away on Friday while staying with family at her daughter’s home in Pennsylvania over Christmas.

Her daughter is married to actor Marc Blucas, best known for his role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Australian news outlets reported that Haddon was found in a second-floor bedroom at the scene.

Haddon’s career spanned decades, and she was celebrated for breaking barriers in modeling and acting, leaving behind a lasting legacy.

Detective sergeant Jonathan Koretzky told CBS News: “Preliminary investigation is showing that a heating unit malfunctioned exposing a large amount of carbon monoxide within the carriage house.”

As well as modelling in Playboy and Vogue, Haddon represented Revlon, Estée Lauder, Clairol, and Max Factor.

In addition, she wrote Ageless Beauty: A Woman’s Guide to Lifelong Beauty and wellbeing, while her 25 acting credits began with Disney film The World’s Greatest Athlete in 1973.

Ryan Haddon, her daughter, paid tribute on social media, writing: “The bright light that is Dayle has dimmed in this Earthly realm.

Championship boxer Paul Bamba has died at 35, his manager Ne-Yo confirmed on Friday, Dec. 27.

In a statement shared to Instagram, the 45-year-old singer and manager, along with Bamba’s family, confirmed the boxer’s death.

“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of beloved son, brother, friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives,” the statement began. 

The musician, born Benedict Chiajulam Ihesiba Jr., was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital on Dec. 12 after apparently shooting himself in the head. His family shared news of his death on his social media accounts, honoring his legacy and what he provided to the world.

“With heavy hearts, we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved Ben, known to the world as OG Maco,” reads the statement. “His life was a testament to resilience, creativity, and boundless love. Through his music, passion, and unwavering spirit, he touched so many lives and left a lasting impact.”

Born in College Park, Georgia, Maco recorded music in high school before co-founding his label OGG (Originality Gains Greatness). He burst onto the music scene in 2014 with his mixtape “Live Life,” breaking through with his hit single “U Guessed It.” Its remix featuring 2 Chainz peaked at No. 90 on the Billboard Hot 100.

He subsequently inked a deal with Quality Control Music, the influential label that’s been home to Migos and Cardi B, and signed a major label partnership with Capitol Music Group/Motown the following year. He continued to release EPs and mixtapes throughout his career, though his output slowed before his death.

In 2016, he was in a near-fatal car crash that resulted in skull fractures and a cracked vertebrae. Three years later, Maco shared that he was battling the flesh-eating disease necrotising fasciitis, which subsequently led to depression. “I was improperly treated for a minor rash and ended up with a skin eating disease for the last few months,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “This is the best it’s looked. I hope it gives someone hope. I’ve been going through this alone 90% of the time, without the support of the person I love, without most of my ‘friends,’ without anything but my own strength and God.”

Eminem has given his verdict on whether he would be open to working on an album with his friend and longtime collaborator 50 Cent.

The two rappers’ careers have been closely linked since they found fame in the late Nineties and early Noughties, with Eminem releasing his acclaimed debut album The Slim Shady LP in 1999, and 50 Cent’s debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ being released four years later in 2003, with Eminem as an executive producer.

Eminem initially signed the “In Da Club” musician to his Shady Records label, and the latter contributed four songs to the 8 Mile soundtrack the same year. Eminem appeared on two tracks on Get Rich or Die Tryin’, including “Patiently Waiting” and “Don’t Push Me”

In a new interview, the “Lose Yourself” musician was asked how he’d feel about recording a full album alongside the “21 Questions” rapper, and replied: “That would be great.”

He continued: “I mean, I think that we just got to stop bull****ing and just do it.”

“I would never say it’s not possible,” he told SiriusXM’s Whoo’s House Podcast on Wednesday (25 December).

The pair recently worked together on Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg’s album, Missionary, appearing on the song “Gunz N Smoke”.

The duo have previously recorded several songs together, including “Encore”, “Hail Mary”, “Gatman and Robin”, “Crack a Bottle”, “The Re-Up” and “Is This Love (‘09)”. For live shows, the pair have often supported each other, with 50 Cent joining Eminem on several tours, including The Home & Home Tour in 2010, and at Eminem’s co-headlining Super Bowl halftime show in 2019.

They have also collaboratively appeared on other artists’ songs over the years, but never exclusively made an album together.

Six years after making headlines for working at a Trader Joe’s, “The Cosby Show” actor Geoffrey Owens is opening up once more about the reality of being a “middle-class actor.”

During an interview with Atlanta radio station V-103 earlier this month, Owens − who was promoting his new film, “Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganza” − said he is still struggling to make a living. “I struggle every day to make my ends meet,” the 63-year-old Owens said. “People have a false impression of what the average, what I call ‘middle-class actor’ makes, and their ability to make a living in the industry.”

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The average salary for an actor was about $62,000 in 2023, according to the U.S. Labor of Bureau Statistics, although it’s unclear exactly what Owens makes. This included actors who participate in theatrical performances, in addition to television, radio, video and film productions.

Owens shares the screen in “Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganza” with Tommy Davidson. Directed by Noel Calloway, the family-friendly Christmas movie is about a substitute teacher, known as Mr. Santa, arriving days before a high school’s Christmas show. Rapper Nicki Minaj even gifted $25,000 to Owens, who ended up donating the lump sum to the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly the Actors Fund), in honor of Earle Hyman, who played Bill Cosby’s father, Russell Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” according to USA TODAY reporting.

During his V-103 interview, Owens said he was recognized in public more often following the Trader Joe’s news than he was while actively playing in “The Cosby Show” during the 1980s and ’90s.

He also unveiled during his interview that he had quit working at Trader Joe’s right after the shopper snapped his photo and before the news broke, because he anticipated the reaction.

“It wasn’t like I quit because I knew I was going to be making a lot of money soon or anything,” Owens said. “I just felt like I wasn’t going to be able to handle that kind of scrutiny, that kind of attack on my privacy basically.”

Canadian investor and “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary said Thursday that he wants to help broker a deal with President-elect Donald Trump that would create some sort of “economic union” between the US and Canada – declaring that at least half of his countrymen would support such a merger. 

O’Leary’s interest in unifying the US and Canada comes after Trump, 78, has repeatedly suggested in recent weeks that Canada should become “our 51st State.” 

“Canadians over the holidays – the last two days –  have been talking about this,” O’Leary said of Trump’s proposal, during an interview with Fox Business. “They want to hear more.”The Montreal-born businessman acknowledged “there’s obviously a lot of issues” that would arise if Canada attempted to join the US but said Trump’s interest in the matter “could be the beginning of an economic union.” 

“Think about the power of combining the two economies, erasing the border between Canada and the United States and putting all that resource up to the northern borders where China and Russia are knocking on the door,” O’Leary continued.