Wendell Pierce has teamed up with Roc Nation to give back in a major way.

This week, the 61-year-old actor announced that, alongside Roc Nation, he is partnering with Caesars Palace Times Square to launch the New York Coalition of Legacy Theatres of Color Fund, which will support theatres in New York City that serve communities of color, Playbill reported. 

Caesars Palace will be investing $10 million in the fund.

In a statement, Pierce—who recently earned a Tony nomination for his role as Willy Loman in the Broadway revival of “Death of a Salesman,” becoming the first Black actor to play the role in a major production—explained how he sees this fund fitting into the larger social justice conversation. 

“As an artist and advocate, I believe that the social justice movement of the 21st century is economic development and creating opportunities that sustain and uplift our communities—both on stage and beyond,” he said 

“This project will not only be transformative for our creative Broadway community but for the broader labor force as well,” he added. “I fully endorse this project and recognize this is a powerful step toward ensuring that cultural groups of color are not just included but are leaders in shaping the future of Times Square — with a commitment to workforce inclusion, community partnership, and artistic vibrancy for all.”

According to a release, the new fund will focus on revitalizing and sustaining New York’s landmark Black and Brown theater institutions. Inspired by persistent funding disparities in the arts, especially in off-Broadway and community theater, the fund aims to create a lasting financial foundation for organizations that have historically amplified the stories and talents of people of color.

The donation will benefit theaters including The Billie Holiday Theatre, the New Heritage Theatre Group, Black Spectrum Theatre, and The Negro Ensemble Company. These institutions will receive direct support not only for production and performance, but also for infrastructure, marketing, and operational needs. 

“Representation doesn’t just matter on the stage, but also behind the scenes and in the systems that support artists,” said Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation. “Creating this fund is a step toward equity in the entertainment industry, and we’re proud to be part of a project that centers the people and places that built New York’s creative legacy.”

In a video posted to Instagram on Thursday, August 7, announcing the fund, Pierce also publicly stated his support of Ceasers Palace Times Square. 

“Today I am publicly supporting the Caesars Palace Times Square development,” he said. “This is a development that’s going to bring job opportunities, and at the same time support the theater community in the heart of Times Square.”

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Rapper Latto found herself at the center of a viral moment this week after a lighthearted riddle at a jewelry store turned into an unexpected internet frenzy.

In a now widely circulated video, Latto was offered a $2,000 discount on her purchase if she could answer a seemingly simple question: “The 45th president of the USA and the 47th president of the USA have the same parents. How is that possible?”

Initially intrigued by the challenge, Latto responded with full confidence and humor.

“Hold on,” she said, while putting her glasses on. “These make me smarter.”

The rapper then tried to work through the puzzle aloud:

“How do the 45th president and the 47th president got the same parents?”

“Yes. Um…” she paused.

After a bit more head-scratching, she offered an existential take:

“Because God made us all and we all got the same parents.”

But the answer, as the shop owner later revealed, was much simpler and grounded in current events:

“The 45th president was Donald Trump, and the 47th president is also Donald Trump.”

The answer references Trump’s current status as both a former president (45th) and the current one (47th), after defeating Kamala Harris last November. The riddle has been a popular brain teaser circulating online, but Latto’s reaction instantly turned her version into a viral internet moment.

Social Media Weighs In

The internet, of course, didn’t let the moment pass quietly. While some fans found the exchange charming and hilarious, many others were far less forgiving.

One user tweeted, “Pretty and thick but dumb asf.”

Another chimed in with, “Product of The ‘No Child Left Behind’ generation front and center. Stack your bread don’t think or rely on you getting any SS from these idiots.”

Comments continued in a similar vein, ranging from misogynistic to outright cruel:

“See, the pretty shit gotta be careful with 🤣”
“Stay away from baddies they no get sense 😂😂”
“All Beauty No Brains…but I will ride the shit out that roller coaster till it flies off the Tracks.”

Others took a more reflective tone, with one user asking, “People can’t really be this stupid, or can they?”

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ATLANTA, August 5, 2025 – The Weather Channel today announced the premiere of “KATRINA 20,” a powerful new documentary commemorating the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The special, hosted by The Weather Channel‘s Senior National Correspondent Justin Michaels, will premiere on Sunday, August 24, at 8 PM ET on The Weather Channel.

“KATRINA 20” offers a comprehensive and poignant reflection on one of the most devastating hurricanes in U.S. history. The documentary revisits the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Katrina two decades later, exploring its profound effects on communities and individuals.

Viewers will witness inspiring stories of survival and resilience, tracing the journeys of those directly affected and examining the long-term aftermath of the storm. The documentary will also feature a brand new IMR (immersive mixed reality) segment using The Weather Channel’s award-winning technology to illustrate how a hurricane with similar characteristics would impact the Gulf Coast present-day and what advancements have been put in place over the past 20 years.

“Hurricane Katrina left an indelible mark on our nation’s history, and with ‘Katrina 20,’ we aim to honor the memories of those lost, celebrate the spirit of survival, and reflect on the enduring lessons from this tragedy,” said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group, the parent company of The Weather Channel. “This documentary is a crucial look back, but also a vital look ahead at how we can better prepare for future weather events.”

In conjunction with the documentary, The Weather Channel will also launch “Voices of Katrina“—a cross-platform social media campaign designed to spotlight real, personal stories of resilience, survival, and recovery from those who lived through the storm and its aftermath. This initiative will serve as a powerful companion to the network’s on-air coverage, humanizing the long-lasting impact of the disaster through first-person testimony. Participants are encouraged to share their personal stories on social media using the hashtag #VoicesofKatrina. Top stories may be featured on The Weather Channel’s social media platforms and on-air during Hurricane Katrina’s anniversary week. 

Don’t miss “KATRINA 20” on The Weather Channel, Sunday, August 24, at 8 PM ET. Viewers can also catch replays of the documentary throughout Hurricane Katrina’s anniversary week beginning August 25th live on The Weather Channel and on demand via The Weather Channel Streaming TV App. 

ABOUT THE WEATHER CHANNEL TELEVISION NETWORK

Since its launch 43 years ago, The Weather Channel television network has become the top-rated and most widely distributed weather network in America. The Weather Channel television network has been the leader in severe weather coverage, providing the most comprehensive analysis of any media outlet and serving as the nation’s only 24-hour source of national storm coverage. With trusted meteorologists who analyze, forecast, and report the weather, its expertise is unrivaled. In 2024, 2021 and 2019, The Weather Channel won Emmy Awards for its innovative Immersive Mixed Reality technology which is changing the standard in weather presentation. The Weather Channel also won the 2025 Emmy Award for Best Breaking News for its Hurricane Helene landfall coverage. The Weather Channel Streaming TV App is available on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku, Samsung, VIZIO, and Xfinity Flex. For more information visit: www.weathergroup.com

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Kelley Mack, the American actress celebrated for her roles in The Walking Dead, Chicago Med, and 9-1-1, has died following a private and courageous battle with glioma, a rare and aggressive form of central nervous system cancer. She was 33.

The actress passed away peacefully on August 2 in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, surrounded by family.

“Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond,” read a family statement shared via Instagram. “Kelley passed peacefully on Saturday evening with her loving mother Kristen and steadfast aunt Karen present.”

The statement, posted by her family, included tender reflections on her final days and the spiritual signs her loved ones believe she has sent since her passing. “Kelley has already come to many of her loved ones in the form of various butterflies. She will be missed by so many to depths that words cannot express,” it read.

Her sister added a powerful tribute to Mack’s strength

“She would want you all to know how much she loves you. And as her sister, I want you all to know how brave that tough SOB was, especially when she decided to make the leap to be reunited with God. I’m so fucking proud of her.”

A CaringBridge memorial page linked in Mack’s Instagram bio includes a formal announcement and information about her celebration of life, which is scheduled for August 16 in Ohio.

From Commercials to Critically Acclaimed Drama

Born in Cincinnati, Mack’s early career began like a scene from a movie. After receiving a mini video camera as a child, she quickly became enamored with filmmaking and performing. She began appearing in commercials and short films before making a serious foray into acting.

Mack graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in 2010 and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in cinematography from Chapman University’s prestigious Dodge College of Film in 2014. But it was her work in front of the camera, not behind it, that would bring her the most recognition.

She received an early breakthrough in the indie film The Elephant Garden, earning an acting award from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. The film won the coveted Student Visionary Award at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, a sign of her promise as an emerging talent.

A Beloved Face on the Small Screen

Mack was best known for her work on television. She landed a memorable role as Addy in Season 9 of AMC’s The Walking Dead, where she played one of the teen survivors in the infamous “Whisperers” storyline. Her performance earned praise from fans for its emotional depth and realism.

She went on to appear as Penelope Jacobs in NBC’s Chicago Med and had a role on FOX’s 9-1-1, cementing her presence in primetime drama. She also played Alice in the psychological thriller Broadcast Signal Intrusion and Wilda in Delicate Arch, showcasing her versatility across genres.

One of her final roles was in the upcoming film Universal, where she played Ricky. The film has not yet been released.

A Creative Force Behind the Camera

Mack was more than an actress. She was a storyteller. She collaborated closely with her mother, Kristen Klebenow, to write full-length feature scripts rooted in family history and emotional authenticity.

One of their most meaningful joint projects was On The Black, a 1950s era baseball drama inspired by the love story of Mack’s maternal grandparents, both alumni of Ohio University.

According to her family, storytelling wasn’t just a career for Mack. It was a sacred calling. Whether through her acting, writing, or presence on set, she approached her work with precision, passion, and a deep sense of purpose.

An Irreplaceable Loss

Kelley Mack is survived by her mother and father, Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow, her sister Kathryn, brother Parker, and grandparents Lois and Larry Klebenow. Her family, friends, and fans are left reeling from the sudden loss of a woman remembered as gentle, creative, and fiercely brave.

In the wake of her death, tributes have begun to pour in from across the entertainment industry. Former co-stars and collaborators are remembering her as a rare soul, a quiet force of nature, and someone who brought both depth and joy to every room she entered.

“Kelley was a light, on-screen and off,” said one former director. “She had a way of making the hardest scenes feel human. She never phoned it in. She gave everything.”

Her memory, her art, and her words, immortalized in scripts, shows, and cherished family stories, will continue to echo.

Her life celebration will be held in Ohio on August 16th.

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Tyla is reflecting on the aftermath of the identity controversy that erupted when it was first revealed how she identifies five years ago. 

In a new profile with Variety, the 23-year-old South African pop star discusses her second album and opens up about the backlash she faced when she said she identified as “coloured,” a descriptor that’s standard where she’s from but carries different connotations around the world. 

“That was really confusing for me,” she told the publication. “I understood both sides of the story, but I was left asking, ‘Ok, but what do I do now?’”

She added, “When who you are is challenged, especially when it’s all you’ve ever known, it shakes you. You want to stand your ground, because if you don’t, someone else will try to define it for you.”

The Grammy-winning singer, who has skyrocketed to global fame with her amapiano, R&B, and pop genre-blurring hits like “Water” and “Jump,” first began to face backlash in 2020 when footage of her stating she was “coloured” emerged on TikTok. 

The term, which carries a different kind of weight in American culture, refers to people of a multiracial heritage in South Africa, like Tyla, who is of Black, Zulu, Irish, Mauritian, Indian, and Coloured descent. 

The situation was made worse when, in 2024, during a now viral appearance on the popular morning show “The Breakfast Club,” she declined the chance to address the matter, leading to intensified scrutiny. 

In response, the singer took to social media to clarify her identity: “Never denied my Blackness. I’m mixed with Black/Zulu, Irish, Mauritian/Indian, and Coloured. In South Africa, I would be classified as a Coloured woman, and other places, I would be classifed as a Black woman. Race is classifed differently in different parts of the world.” 

She added, “I don’t expect people in other countries to identify me as Coloured, because it’s not a thing there. But I’m both. In South Africa, I’m Coloured. And I’m a Black woman too.” 

The moment ultimately prompted broader conversations around how racial identity is shaped differently worldwide. It was also a reminder of the nuanced ways one “label” rarely fits all, especially among Black communities. 

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It’s officially over. Kick streamer Samantha “Sam” Frank and Twitch sensation Ragnesh “N3on” have called it quits, publicly confirming the end of their high-profile relationship on August 6, 2025, just days after N3on’s headline-making IRL stream with Iggy Azalea.

The breakup was first revealed when a 1-minute-13-second clip from Sam’s Just Chatting livestream began circulating on X (formerly Twitter). In the emotional footage, Sam is seen sobbing uncontrollably as she delivers the bombshell announcement to her community.

“Fking hell. Fk. All right, chat, I have to tell you guys, unfortunately, me and Mikyle have broken up, and we just decided that it is time for each other to grow apart,” she says through tears. “We’ve had a lot of conversations recently, and it just led to the point where… it doesn’t even feel real. This does not feel real… that if we do want to be together in the future, that this is a decision we had to make to not be together right now.“

The 22-year-old creator, known for her unfiltered streams and loyal fanbase, continued by thanking the community for their unwavering support throughout their two-year relationship:

“We really wish we didn’t have to do this because we love each other so much. We love each other so much, and I know we have so many people who love us. Okay? Thank you, guys, for all of your love and support. Like, I truly have appreciated every…”

The emotional fallout unfolded across platforms as fans scrambled to process the split, and then came N3on’s response.

N3on Opens Up: “She Showed Me Life”

On the very same day, Ragnesh “N3on”, 20, addressed the breakup during a Twitch livestream, offering a surprisingly candid and heartfelt reflection on his time with Sam.

The Indian-American star, who has rocketed to fame in the streaming world with his chaotic personality and celebrity collaborations, opened up about his personal growth, regrets, and the deeper reasons behind their decision to part ways.

“All I ever wanted in life, all I ever wanted, bro, was to get big on the internet, to make money, and to be with a, you know, girl that I love. And, that’s what I had, bro. I had everything, bro. I got so comfortable,” he admitted. “It’s scary, bro. At such a young age, chat, you should not be so comfortable, bro. You shouldn’t. At 20 years old, you shouldn’t have everything you want.“

For a creator known for outlandish antics and viral collabs including his recent stream with Iggy Azalea, this was a notably sobering turn. But it was what he said next that truly shocked viewers:

“First off, I want to say, anyone sending hate to Sam or whatever, like, first off, that st is weird as fk. I still love her so much, and I always will, no matter what. I’ll always love Sam. Like, she really changed my life.“

“These past two years, I’ve experienced so much, I was a kid that didn’t do st. Didn’t go outside. Didn’t do anything. Like, I was a fking loser, and she showed me life. She showed me things that I’ve never seen before. She taught me so many things.“

He concluded by emphasizing that the breakup wasn’t due to animosity, cheating, or drama, but rather mutual growth.

“It’s all love at the end of the day.”

Fans React: “This Feels Like a Divorce”

The phrase “Sam and N3on” trended globally on X, with hundreds of thousands of viewers dissecting the couple’s every move, past clip, and potential future.

Some fans expressed their opinion over the split.

“This feels like a divorce. I grew up watching them together,” wrote one user.

Others speculated about the timing of the breakup, given the proximity to N3on’s high-profile stream with Iggy Azalea, which drew criticism for being flirty and performative. While neither party has directly cited the collaboration as a factor, the internet remains suspicious.

The End of an Era. But Maybe Not Forever?

Despite the emotional wreckage, Sam’s original message did leave a hint of ambiguity and perhaps hope.

“If we do want to be together in the future, this is a decision we had to make to not be together right now.“

That one line has already sparked conspiracy theories and a resurgence of hopeful fans manifesting a reconciliation. Whether that future ever arrives is unknown, but one thing is clear:

Sam Frank and N3on weren’t just another internet couple. They were a digital era love story.

And now, it’s come to an end. For now.

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