Rhea Ripley’s career trajectory is a shining beacon of how to engage a global fanbase. Dominating the squared circle, and beyond in the digital and cultural sphere, Ripley preceded her name as a bonafide superstar. Below is a closer look at her multi-faceted rise to superstardom:
Viral Return on Monday Night Raw: With a long-anticipated return on Monday Night Raw, it wasn’t just a welcome back for the fans in store for Ripley, but more of a social media juggernaut. Tallying 83.9 million views across all of WWE’s social media platforms in just three days, it let that be known: Ripley is undoubtedly a star and can make waves.
Memorable Moment with Nia Jax: Besides the ring, Ripley has an idea or two about entertaining. Her now-legendary “stink face” directed at Nia Jax has transcended wrestling, turning into a viral meme that racks up millions of views on multiple social media platforms. That light-hearted moment did not just underline Ripley’s comic timing but also left fans across the globe in stitches.
Turning Performance into Fan Engagement: Ripley has never failed to deliver her character, and it tends to get the audience engaged in what’s going on with her. During one promo, she licked a piece of paper off the ground as part of her performance. Although very strange, a fan purchased the licked paper for $580. This is a good example of how Ripley carried her audience with her and just how much they were willing to go all out for something involving wrestling.
Fan Art Recognition: Fan art is one of the biggest indicators of any wrestler’s popularity today. An example of how much fans adore Ripley: a fan drawing of her got 189,000 likes and a whopping 10,000,000 views. This huge appreciation for such artistry details her popularity across the WWE Universe.
Gaming Universe: Breaking Boundaries: Ripley does not simply stop there. Being a playable character in Call of Duty seals her as an icon in pop culture. That certainly gives weight to the notion that she’s been well-known beyond the normal wrestling fanbase.
Feature on WWE 2K24 Deluxe Version Cover: This is reserved for the elite in the industry. Thus, gracing the cover of the WWE 2K24 deluxe version means that Ripley has been doing great recently but defines her as one of the leaders the WWE will have soon.
Rhea Ripley is much more than an in-ring dominant competitor—she’s a multifaceted performer with a global following. Having the position to perform well inside the ring, create a humdrum on social media, and connect with the audience at a higher level seals her as a real wrestling superstar.
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Coco Gauff is soaking it all up in her first Olympic Games, including sharing two bathrooms with a fleet of athletes. This weekend, after her first tennis event was rescheduled due to inclement weather, the tennis star took to TikTok to share an inside look at life in the Olympic Village.
In a seven-second video, Gauff showcased how chaotic the getting-ready process is among the 10 female athletes forced to share two bathrooms. Using a “rage” sound effect, Gauff jokingly seemed overwhelmed as she showcased the various women doing hair and makeup, and getting dressed in various corners of each room and bathroom.
“10 girls, two bathrooms #olympicvillage,” Gauff captioned the video.
Though getting ready may require a bit more patience, the 20-year-old athlete is enjoying the Olympic lifestyle. So much so that she opted to stay in the official village while some of her other teammates moved into hotels. Using the opportunity to network, connect and learn from the best, Gauff is reportedly happy to stay with the other athletes on-site.
“I mean, I had breakfast with Noah Lyles this morning, so hopefully some of his greatness can rub off of me. So that’s why I’m in the village,” she said, per People magazine. “Just rubbing toes and I’m really trying to take everything in and learn from all the athletes that I am around. I’m a rookie compared to most of them, so I have a lot to learn.”
Unlike Gauff, some of her teammates decamped to hotels shortly after arriving in Paris. As Emma Navarro, a Team USA tennis star explained, living in the village was too much for her. According to the star, the decision came from the lack of sleep she experienced while in the communal housing.
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“Yeah, I stayed in there for three nights, I think, but I didn’t sleep basically at all; I slept cumulatively six hours, so I had to move out and go to the hotel,” Navarro told People magazine, confirming that Gauff is still in the Olympic house. “It was an incredible experience just getting to be in the village. And we rode an elevator with Katie Ledecky and met Simone Biles and saw so many incredible athletes. So that’s something I’ll never forget.”
So far, Gauff’s Olympic debut has been nothing short of memorable. In addition to making a comeback after COVID interfered with her ability to compete in 2020, the 20-year-old tennis champion was chosen to be Team USA’s female flag bearer during the opening ceremony alongside LeBron James. Emotional and shocked by the moment, Gauff was even more surprised to learn her family knew about the honor before her.
“They knew the news before me — which, I thought I was gonna surprise them on the phone, and [my mom] was like, ‘Yeah, I already knew,’” Gauff told People. “So I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s great.’ But I’m glad that they’ll be able to come and be here. I know they’re excited.”
Ultimately, the tennis star is embracing every moment of the 2024 Paris Olympics as she prepares to compete in women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, which add up to multiple matches a day.
“I just love winning; I love the vibes,” she added. “I probably won’t be doing that much more longer, but I feel like if you’re [in the] Olympics, I’m always going to try to push and do all three [events] until the wheels fall off.”
Swae Lee, best known for being one-half of the rap duo Rae Sremmurd, decided to voice his opinion about Vice President Kamala Harris over the weekend and was quickly reprimanded for it.
VP Kamala Harris’ Former Speechwriter Tackles Her Unpopularity Issues, Her Legacy | The 411: Part 1
VP Kamala Harris’ Former Speechwriter Tackles Her Unpopularity Issues, Her Legacy | The 411: Part 1
In a bizarre post, he encouraged his followers not to vote for the presumptive Democratic nominee in the upcoming presidential election.
“Do not vote for Kamala !!! Do your research on that whole camp,” Lee declared on X Saturday. He also criticized the Biden-Harris administration for sending millions of dollars in aid to Ukraine.
“I pay over millions in tax dollars every year this man Sent it to A whole nother country !!!!!!!!! Those lil dollars that come off your checks they gave it away !!!!!!! Think about that s**t,” he stated. Lee also said that “voting just cuz you think she’s black is not going to end in your favor.”
Of course, the backlash to Lee was swift. User @DeePhunk retweeted one of his older tweets in response to the “Black Beatles” emcee which explained: “Please do not get your political and/or socioeconomic news, views or opinions from rappers. I beg of you.”
Another X personality, @colorfullstory, replied to Lee’s rant by retorting: “When Swae Lee can name the 3 branches of government and their functions I’ll listen to him about research Matter of fact since he loves research so much tell him provide citations in Apa format.”
Another user, @Chiefkeith94, chimed in to say that Swae Lee “ain’t stood on nothing since 2012 now all of a sudden trying to give political advice.” Other folks called out how Lee chose to attack Harris when Trump has recently shared that he plans to give law enforcement “immunity from prosecution.”
This is a deadly in the face of Black Americans—especially because of the murder of Sonya Massey at the hands of former Illinois deputy Sean Grayson. Despite being called out for his tweets, Lee has kept them up on the app and we suspect he’ll share more of his political views as November approaches.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, announced this afternoon the induction of 15 distinguished women as Honorary Members into its Alpha Omega Chapter at its Grand Boule in Indianapolis.
Among the esteemed inductees is Caretha Coleman, a vanguard in the Silicon Valley tech scene who has leveraged her extensive experience to champion diversity and inclusion. As a seasoned advisor and board member, Coleman’s strategic insights have guided numerous startups toward fostering more inclusive workplace cultures. Her leadership in founding the Dignity Health Foundation and her role as Chairperson have underscored her commitment to health and wellness, amplifying her impact beyond the tech industry.
Coleman’s dedication to mentorship and advocacy for underrepresented communities has solidified her legacy as a transformative force in business and society. As a new member of Zeta Phi Beta, Ms. Coleman will continue to educate communities by partnering with the sorority’s Black health and wellness initiatives, focusing on maternal health and youth, as well as the Woman Who Win entrepreneurship initiative.
International First Vice President for Membership Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq., remarked, “I am honored to oversee all of Zeta Phi Beta’s membership categories and am thrilled that Zeta Phi Beta continues to attract fascinating, fierce, and finer women to carry out the vision of Zeta Phi Beta’s Founders. The newest class of Honorary Members will advance Zeta Phi Beta’s goals as Zeta Phi Beta women everywhere work together to support our communities.”
The induction ceremony took place on July 27, 2024, during the sorority’s international conference in Indianapolis, where the new members were officially welcomed into Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
Dr. Stacie NC Grant, International President and CEO, added, “The work of our 2024 Honorary Member Class is aligned with Zeta Phi Beta’s commitment to helping other people excel through mind, body, and spirit. As the number one women’s service organization established by five extraordinary Black women, we are proud to extend membership to this group of women, and I welcome them to the sisterhood on behalf of all Zeta Phi Beta members.”
The newest class of Honorary Members reflects a diverse array of talents and achievements, each contributing to the advancement of Zeta Phi Beta’s mission and values.
The Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago on Aug. 19, where the DNC will coronate presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. For this week’s “The Hill with April Ryan,” Leah Daughtry, co-chair of the DNC rules committee, breaks down what we should expect during the four-day convention as momentum builds for Harris‘s bid for the Oval Office. Before President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, he secured more than 3,900 delegates. Within days, Harris earned enough of those delegates to receive the nomination. On Aug. 22, Harris is expected to receive the nomination for the Democratic Party, capped off by an acceptance speech at the convention held at the United Center. At 59, Harris will make history as the first Black woman to receive a major party presidential nominee.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, has announced the induction of 15 distinguished women as Honorary Members into its Alpha Omega Chapter at its Grand Boule in Indianapolis.
Among the newly inducted Honorary Members is Dawn Morton-Rias, a celebrated healthcare advocate renowned for her expertise and commitment to social justice. Morton-Rias, who serves as the first woman of color President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), has made significant contributions to the field of healthcare. Her distinguished career spans decades, during which she has championed efforts to improve community-based healthcare delivery and advance health professions education.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Morton-Rias is deeply involved in philanthropic endeavors that aim to empower marginalized communities. Her dedication to enhancing healthcare access and equity aligns seamlessly with the mission of Zeta Phi Beta.
As an Honorary Member, Morton-Rias will focus on advancing the sorority’s initiatives related to Healthcare Equity and the March of Dimes. Her alignment with these programs underscores her ongoing commitment to addressing health disparities and supporting community health.
International First Vice President for Membership Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq., remarked, “I am honored to oversee all of Zeta Phi Beta’s membership categories and am thrilled that Zeta Phi Beta continues to attract fascinating, fierce, and finer women to carry out the vision of Zeta Phi Beta’s Founders. The newest class of Honorary Members will advance Zeta Phi Beta’s goals as Zeta Phi Beta women everywhere work together to support our communities.”
The induction ceremony, held on July 27, 2024, at the sorority’s international conference in Indianapolis, officially welcomed Morton-Rias and the other distinguished women into Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
Dr. Stacie NC Grant, International President and CEO, highlighted the significance of the new Honorary Members, stating, “The work of our 2024 Honorary Member Class is aligned with Zeta Phi Beta’s commitment to helping other people excel through mind, body, and spirit. As the number one women’s service organization established by five extraordinary Black women, we are proud to extend membership to this group of women, and I welcome them to the sisterhood on behalf of all Zeta Phi Beta members.”
Dawn Morton-Rias’s induction reflects her continued dedication to healthcare advocacy and social justice, further enriching the sorority’s mission and impact.
With the Tokyo Olympics set to begin on July 23, nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis might not be running circles around his competition anymore in the 100-meter dash, but he’ll still be very much involved in the festivities. Aside from coaching the next generation of superstar talent, he’s partnered with Silk (of dairy-substitute fame, not the R&B group, y’all) to bless five HBCU track and field programs throughout the country with $10,000 donations to offset the costs of uniforms, equipment, and transportation. And in an interview with The Root, the track and field legend discussed his decision to address the funding discrepancies that so many HBCU athletic programs face, his excitement for the Summer Olympics, and how the sport has evolved since his heyday. — Jay Connor
Global J-pop sensation LiSA ignited the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park on Friday night, delivering a breathtaking performance that captivated the crowd at San Diego Comic-Con. Marking her triumphant return to North America after nearly a decade, the singer-songwriter showcased her powerful vocals and undeniable stage presence, leaving fans in awe.
Known worldwide for her chart-topping anime theme songs, LiSA’s setlist was a dream come true for fans. From the exhilarating beats of “Gurenge” and “Homura” from “Demon Slayer” to the nostalgic melodies of “Oath Sign” from “Fate/Zero,” every song was met with thunderous applause and sing-alongs. The crowd erupted in excitement as she performed fan favorites like “Datte Atashi no Hero” from “My Hero Academia,” “Crossing Field” from “Sword Art Online,” and the newly released “Black Box” from “NieR: Automata Ver1.1a.”
Opening the night with a unique blend of music and art, experimental musician Alice Longyu Gao set the stage with a performance inspired by the iconic anime “NANA.” The DJ sets of FAKE STAR USA, further energized the crowd, creating an electric atmosphere before LiSA’s highly anticipated appearance.
LiSA’s global impact is undeniable. As Spotify’s 2020 Most Played Japanese Artist Overseas with a staggering 4.1 million monthly listeners, she continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Her performance at San Diego Comic-Con was a testament to her enduring popularity and undeniable talent.
Fans eager to experience LiSA’s electrifying live show can look forward to the upcoming release of her concert film, “LiVE is SMiLE ALWAYS -LANDER-,” hitting theaters in the United States and Canada on August 17, 2024.
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In the days since President Joe Biden exited the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, Gen Z voters jumped to social media to share coconut tree and “brat summer” memes — reflecting a stark shift in tone for a generation that’s voiced feeling left behind by the Democratic Party.
Youth-led progressive organizations have warned for months that Biden had a problem with young voters, pleading with the president to work more closely with them to refocus on the issues most important to younger generations or risk losing their votes. With Biden out of the race, many of these young leaders are now hoping Harris can overcome his faltering support among Gen Z and harness a new explosion of energy among young voters.
Since last Sunday, statements have poured out from youth-led organizations across the country, including in Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, California, Minnesota, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, as leaders thanked Biden for stepping aside and celebrated the opportunity to organize around a new candidate. On Friday, a coalition of 17 youth-led groups endorsed Harris.
“This changes everything,” said Zo Tobi, director of communication for the Movement Voter Project, a national progressive funding group focusing on youth-led organizations, when he heard the news that Biden was dropping out of the race and endorsing Harris. “The world as it is suddenly shifted into the world as it could be.”
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.’s Grand Boulé, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) –
As the campaign enters a new phase, both Harris and her Republican rival, Donald Trump, are delivering messages aimed at younger voters who could prove decisive in some of the most hotly contested states.
Harris recorded a brief video message shown Saturday at a conference of Gen Z activists and elected officials in Atlanta.
“We know young voters will be key, and we know your vote cannot be taken for granted,” Harris told the gathering, highlighting her support for gun safety, abortion rights, LGBTQ rights and action to combat climate change.
Eve Levenson, the national youth engagement director for Harris’ campaign, attended the conference in Atlanta, and she praised young voters across the country for their response to the vice president’s elevation to likely nominee.
“As amazing as it is to see the tremendous youth enthusiasm online, what has been even more incredible is how that online energy has already translated into a tangible desire to take action and get involved with our campaign,” she said, citing new voter registrations, small donations from young voters and student requests to help start campus-based campaign organizations.
Trump, in his own address Friday in Florida to a conference on faith hosted by Turning Point USA, derided Harris as an “incompetent” and a “far left” vice president. He vowed to champion religious Americans’ causes in a second White House term.
“With your vote, I will defend religious liberty in all of its forms,” Trump told the conservative group that focuses on high school, college and university campuses. “I will protect Christians in our schools and our military and our government and our workplaces and our hospitals, in our public square and I will also protect other religions.”
John Della Volpe, director of polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, who has worked with Biden, said the “white-hot energy” among young people is something he hasn’t seen since former President Barack Obama’s campaign. While there’s little reliable polling so far, he described the dynamic as “a combination of the hopefulness we saw with Obama and the urgency and fight we saw after the Parkland shooting.”
In many ways, it was the first time many young people felt heard and felt like their actions could have an impact on politics, he and several young leaders said.
“It’s reset this election in profound ways,” he said. “People, especially young people, for so long, for so many important reasons have been despondent about politics, despondent about the direction of the country. It’s weighed on them. And then they wake up the next morning, and it seems like everything’s changed.”
About 6 in 10 adults under 30 voted for Biden in 2020, according to AP VoteCast, but his ratings with the group have dipped substantially since then, with only about a quarter of the group saying they had a favorable opinion of him in the most recent AP-NORC poll, conducted before Biden withdrew from the race.
That poll, along with polls from The New York Times/Siena and from CNN that were conducted after Biden dropped out, suggest that Harris starts off with somewhat better favorable ratings than Biden among young adults.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.’s Grand Boulé, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) –
Sunjay Muralitharan, vice president of College Democrats of America, said it felt like a weight was lifted off his chest when Harris entered the race.
Despite monthly coalition calls between youth-led groups and the Biden campaign, Muralitharan spent months worrying about how Biden would fare among young voters as he watched young people leave organizations such as the College Democrats and Young Democrats to join more leftist groups.
College Democrats issued statements and social media posts encouraging the party to prioritize young people and to change course on the war in Gaza and have “worked tirelessly to get College Dems programming” at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago later this summer. But they received limited outreach in return, Muralitharan said.
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A Harris campaign represents an opportunity to move in a new direction, he said. The vice president has shown her vocal support for issues important to young voters such as climate change and reproductive rights, Muralitharan said, adding that she may also be able to change course and distance herself from Biden’s approach to the war in Gaza.
“The perpetual roadblock we’ve run into is that Biden is the lesser of two evils and his impact on the crisis in Gaza,” he said. “For months, we’ve been given this broken script that’s made it difficult for us to organize young voters. But that changes now.”
Santiago Mayer, executive director of the Gen Z voter engagement organization Voters of Tomorrow, said the Biden campaign “created an entirely new framework for operating with youth organizations” that can now be transitioned into supporting Harris’ campaign.
“Gen Z loves VP Harris, and VP Harris loves Gen Z,” he said. “So we’re ready to get to work for her.”
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, has announced the induction of 15 prominent women as Honorary Members into its Alpha Omega Chapter during its Grand Boule in Indianapolis.
Among those honored is Perri Shakes-Drayton, a retired British track and field athlete renowned for her achievements on the international stage. Shakes-Drayton, who has secured her place in athletics history with a 2013 European Indoor Championship title in the 400 meters and a gold medal in the 4 x 400 meters relay at the 2012 World Indoor Championships, brings a distinguished athletic career to her new role.
In addition to her impressive track record, Shakes-Drayton has contributed significantly to charitable causes. As a prominent fundraiser for Tommy’s The Baby Charity—an organization dedicated to researching the causes and treatments of baby loss—she has supported vital work in pregnancy and baby loss care. Her engagement with the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF), the UK’s largest independent athlete support program, further underscores her commitment to fostering support and opportunity for athletes.
Shakes-Drayton will leverage her experience and passion to support the sorority’s initiatives related to the March of Dimes and Zetas Helping Other People Excel (Z-HOPE™). Her dedication to these causes aligns with Zeta Phi Beta’s mission to uplift and support communities through impactful programs.
International First Vice President for Membership Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq., noted, “I am honored to oversee all of Zeta Phi Beta’s membership categories and am thrilled that Zeta Phi Beta continues to attract fascinating, fierce, and finer women to carry out the vision of Zeta Phi Beta’s Founders. The newest class of Honorary Members will advance Zeta Phi Beta’s goals as Zeta Phi Beta women everywhere work together to support our communities.”
The formal induction of Shakes-Drayton and the other distinguished women took place on July 27, 2024, at the sorority’s international conference in Indianapolis.
Dr. Stacie NC Grant, International President and CEO, emphasized the alignment of the new Honorary Members’ work with the sorority’s values, stating, “The work of our 2024 Honorary Member Class is aligned with Zeta Phi Beta’s commitment to helping other people excel through mind, body, and spirit. As the number one women’s service organization established by five extraordinary Black women, we are proud to extend membership to this group of women, and I welcome them to the sisterhood on behalf of all Zeta Phi Beta members.”
Perri Shakes-Drayton’s induction as an Honorary Member of Zeta Phi Beta reflects her ongoing dedication to excellence in athletics and philanthropy, enhancing the sorority’s reach and impact.
