Songs, Movies & Moments: June 2024
A Look at Entertainment
by T.J. Moore –
AMC Theaters CEO Adam Aron has admitted to leaking sensitive information about Beyoncé’s Renaissance concert film.
Renaissance: a Film by Beyoncé, Worldwide Trailer
According to reports by The Source magazine, the leaks nearly sabotaged the success of the film.
The admission comes on the heels of Taylor Swift’s concert film Eras’ release. AMC kept Swift’s concert film a secret, and Aron explained that secrecy is essential to a film’s success. The theater chain has plans to release between to to three concert films a year.
Aron called the leak the primary source of frustration between the AMC team and Beyoncé since they jeopardized the successful release of Renaissance. Swift’s Eras grossed much of the profit with its ticket sales.
To further support their release schedule vision, the theater chain has put together a distribution team to gain advance knowledge of concert films.
Former NBA players and All The Smoke hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson are now in the liquor business.
The ex-players recently launched Anillos Mezcal. The spirit is described on their website as “a perfect blend of two amazing agaves, fermented and cooked underground together. Providing a traditional mezcal balanced with the consistency of Espadin. The unique flavors of Tobago provides a fresh, citrus zest, light and sweet flavor that allows for earthy notes to shine through.”
Barnes expressed a passion for the process of making Mezcal.
“When we sat down and learned about the rich history of Mezcal, it was a no brainer,” said Barnes. “Mezcal is not only one of the oldest agave spirits but also the purest. When consumed in moderation, Mezcal can offer several health benefits and is among the lowest sugar and calorie counts of any spirit. We have been working on launching Anillos for a couple years now and I can’t wait for everyone to try it. Same Spirit, New Game.”
“Once I got to learn about the Mezcal culture, try the different samples, and talk with our team in Oaxaca, I was completely blown away,” said Jackson. “We created Anillos for those who value wellness but also enjoy a cocktail at the end of the work week. I can sip on a glass or two in the evening, and still wake up rejuvenated and ready to grind. Anillos is a lifestyle and blends organically with our brand. I can’t wait to toast one with you.”
Visit DrinkAnillos.com
On June 3, the US Court of Appeals for the 11th District blocked a grant program for Black women-owned businesses.
Fearless Fund CEO on “racial discrimination” lawsuit brought by conservative activist
The Atlanta-based Court decided that the Fearless Fund, a venture capital group, will not be able to continue giving grants to black women owned business because the risk of a discrimination lawsuit succeeding over the program was too great.
The ruling was a win for conservative activist Edward Blum, who is a driving force behind the US Supreme Court’s opposition to race-conscious college admission and affirmative action policies.
According to Reuters, the Fearless Fund is a generous program that awards Black women who run small businesses up to $20,000 in grants, as well as other resources and support to help them grow. The lawsuit was concluded by the 11th Circuit panel, which is headed by Circuit Judge Kevin Newsom, who was appointed by former president Donald Trump.
The panel found that the “Fearless Fund’s program did not warrant speech protection under the First Amendment.” The decision was also supported by Robert Luck, another Trump appointee. Circuit Judge Robin Rosenbaum, however, disagreed. Rosenbaum accused Blum’s American Alliance of lying about the harm caused by the program.
Earnest “Ernesto” Williams, estranged husband of Steve Harvey Morning Show host Shirley Strawberry, was indicted by a Fulton County Grand Jury recently on 39 counts of fraud.
According to documents filed with the Fulton County Superior Court, Williams engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity in Fulton County and elsewhere in the state of Georgia from at least December 2009 through June 2022.
Referred to as a “serial scammer,” Williams reportedly posed as a successful businessman, using his charm to swindle victims, mainly women, by promising to assist them with “new business ventures,” to promote their existing business ventures, or to help them build their brand or image.
Court documents also claim that Williams knowingly entered into the marriage with Strawberry with malicious intent, using their union to further his fraudulent activities. The investigation revealed that over 12 years, Williams managed to scam approximately 25 victims out of over $750,000.
Strawberry filed for divorce from Williams on April 17, 2024. However, according to court documents, the two have been separated since March 2022. Watch “Divorce: Shirley Strawberry vs. Earnest L. Williams, Jr.”
