Songs, Movies & Moments: July 2022

The urgency of calls for Griner’s safe return has increased since the US government officially classified her as “wrongfully detained” in May.

Brittney Griner
Brittney Griner

A Look at Entertainment

by T.J. Moore –

During a recent interview with Gayle King on “CBS Mornings” the wife of Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner denied the drug trafficking charges that led to her detainment in Russia.

According to Cherelle Griner, the WNBA superstar’s arrest on February 17, 2022, when customs agents at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport claimed to have found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage, was based on falsehoods, and she denied that her wife would get involved in transportation of drugs.

After learning of the charges, Cherelle knew that wasn’t the Brittney that she knew.

“It blew my mind,” Cherelle shared with King in the CBS interview. “I’m like large scale? I live with BG every day, there’s no way possible. I knew it wasn’t true the minute that I heard the charge, because I know my wife.”

Griner’s trial began on July 1 and the urgency of calls for Griner’s safe return has increased since the US government officially classified her as “wrongfully detained” in May.

Maya Moore
Maya Moore

Former WNBA star turned activist Maya Moore and her husband, Jonathan Irons, are now parents to a baby boy.

The couple revealed on “Good Morning America” that they welcomed their first child, Jonathan Irons, Jr. in February. Moore and Irons wed two years ago, shortly after Irons was freed after spending over 20 years in prison.

Moore, a four time WNBA champion with the Minnesota Lynx and 2014 league MVP, stepped away from the game to focus on helping Irons overturn his conviction.

Lori Harvey
Lori Harvey

Following her breakup from Michael B. Jordan, model and skincare brand founder Lori Harvey says her ideal romantic relationship would mimic the one between her mother and stepfather, Marjorie Elaine and Steve Harvey. Why? Because they know how to communicate.

“Their biggest thing I think is making communication key,” Lori, 25, explained to US Weekly about her parent’s relationship. “Being on the same page—like maintaining a friendship. Still liking each other after many years because, of course, the love is always going to be there. Being able to be like ‘I really like this person. I like hanging out with them’ That’s really important.”

Rihanna
Rihanna

Rihanna is now America’s youngest self-made woman billionaire. According to Forbes’ newest list of “America’s Richest Self-made Women,” the Savage X Fenty founder and CEO has a net worth of $1.4 billion, placing her at #21 on the list. Rihanna, 34, surpassed Kim Kardashian as the longest member of the over-billion club. While Rihanna amassed the album sales, streams, and concerts, her retail lines are responsible for her status on the Forbes list.

Stranger Things
Members of the cast of Stranger Things.

In the month since its release, Stranger Things, Season 4, eclipsed one billion viewing hours on Netflix. The achievement breaks the record for an English-language series and places it second all-time only behind Squid Game. The numbers are great news for the streaming platform, which has struggled in the first half of the year with dwindling subscription numbers and suffering stock prices.