Songs, Movies & Moments: December 2023

A Look at Entertainment

by T.J. Moore –

Comedian Wayne Brady reportedly got into a car accident that resulted in a fight with the other driver on Nov. 19, according to TMZ.

Actor Wayne Brady involved in crash, altercation with alleged DUI driver in Malibu, police say.

Police told the outlet that Brady reportedly was driving along Malibu’s Pacific Coast Highway when a car driven by a 51-year-old man crashed into him. Brady and the other driver pulled over to exchange information, but the two allegedly ended up having a heated argument that escalated to fighting. After the incident, the Let’s Make A Deal host called the police while the other driver returned to his car and drove away. The Los Angeles County deputies located the man and arrested him for hit-and-run, battery, and DUI.

Sources told People the altercation affected Brady viscerally.

“Wayne is so upset about this incident with a drunk driver,” the source said. “As a father, he was just thankful it was not his daughter or anyone’s child dealing with this. He kept thinking what if it was his daughter.” Other sources told TMZ that Brady was injured and sore following the accident but didn’t need to be transported to the hospital.

More details have surfaced regarding the pending divorce between singer/dancer Teyana Taylor and ex-Cleveland Cavalier Iman Shumpert.

Teyana Taylor confirms split from Iman Shumpert after seven years of marriage.

According to TMZ, Taylor allegedly filed in January, claiming in the documents that Shumpert was an “envious narcissist” eight months before making their separation official in September. Taylor explained that Shumpert was insecure and took issue with her fame—though he was an accomplished basketball player.

Taylor attempted to keep her marital issues private for as long as she could. However, Shumpert’s response to the divorce filing was to provide everyone’s government information, allowing the couple’s issues to be displayed publicly. Taylor accused her estranged husband of watching her money, saying that the former athlete would make remarks about her earnings only to be offended when Taylor spoke of taking on more work.

Tanya Mitchell-Graham, Taylor’s attorney, expressed that her client wants to move forward with her children.

“Ms. Taylor requests that the parties’ privacy be respected such that the parties and their minor children are not negatively impacted, and the parties’ divorce can be finalized.”

Three-time world medalist Sha’Carri Richardson was named the 2023 Jackie Joyner-Kersee Female Athlete of the Year recently. 

Sha’Carri Richardson delivers powerful speech at USATF award show.

The prestigious yearly honor, which is awarded by USA Track & Field, pays tribute to outstanding male and female athletes. Richardson received the honor Dec. 2 during the 2023 Night of Legends ceremony in Orlando. She has also been nominated for the World Championships Track Performer Award.

Alabama A&M University’s Marching Maroon and White Band became the first HBCU to lead the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Alabama A&M University Marching Band – Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023

The student band opened the famed parade on 77th St. and Central Park West where they led 11 other bands with a 75-second performance.

Band director Carlton Wright told CNN that the application process took him anywhere from a month to six weeks to complete. Wright said that he didn’t get the confirmation until February of 2022.