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Date Posted: 06/27/2024
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Wolves confidently take Terrence Shannon at No. 27 after Illinois star found not guilty in rape case

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves did some extra digging into Terrence Shannon Jr. before the NBA draft.

They found plenty of sources vouching for his character, bolstering their confidence in a dynamic player whose final season at Illinois was overshadowed by a rape charge he was recently exonerated of.

“The off-court reputation is sterling. Talk to the coaches at Texas Tech. Talk to the coaches at Illinois. They don’t say good things. They say amazing things,” Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said Wednesday night after taking Shannon with the 27th overall pick in the first round. “Obviously he was on the wrong end of a really unfortunate situation, and his ability to play through that and play winning basketball for a great coach in Brad Underwood — we just think he brings toughness.”

Shannon was found not guilty two weeks ago after a jury in Douglas County, Kansas, spent less than two hours deliberating the verdict. He was accused of sexual assault last September during a visit to Kansas for a football game between the Illini and the Jayhawks.

Connelly said the Timberwolves “did a ton” of background work on Shannon with an interest in his experience, fortitude and scoring ability from anywhere on the court.

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“Oftentimes, the minute you’re accused you’re found guilty. Thankfully he went the legal process. He chose to go to trial because he knew he did nothing wrong,” Connelly said. “I just think it’s a shame he went through that, and I think it’s a testament to who he is as a kid and his ability to play through a really tough distraction.”

The 6-foot-6 Shannon, who turns 24 next month, can play both guard positions. He started his college career at Texas Tech before transferring to Illinois, leading the Illini to the Elite Elight in the NCAA Tournament before a loss to eventual national champion Connecticut. Shannon was voted first-team All-Big Ten and a third-team All-American by The Associated Press and was the Big Ten Tournament MVP for his performance in March at Target Center in Minneapolis, where he’ll now have his home games as a pro.

“I think he’s a three-position defender. I think he’s an unbelievably competitive guy. He’s got size. Another downhill guy who’s going to play with pace,” Connelly said.

The Timberwolves were elated to get Shannon as a complement to Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham, whom they jumped in to trade for at No. 8 overall through a trade with San Antonio. The Western Conference runners-up could not have had a more productive draft night, considering they’re in no position to enhance the roster through trades or free agency with their salary-cap situation and desire to keep the core of the team together.

“You don’t take those two guys thinking how they’re going to match up together, but our challenge was to try to play a little bit faster in our second unit,” Connelly said, “and I think we got two of the fastest and most athletic and aggressive guys in the draft.”

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Date Posted: 06/27/2024
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Letitia Wright Teases When We’ll See Her Return as Shuri

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Image for article titled WATCH: Letitia Wright Finally Spills About the Future of 'Black Panther'

Photo: Jeff Spicer (Getty Images)

We’ve had a lot of questions about the Marvel Cinematic Universe lately, but our most persistent ones center around a return to Wakanda. We want to know when we’re going back to the African superpower. Will that be in “Black Panther 3,” or will it be in the next “Avengers” films? Other than confirming his desire to continue working with Ryan Coogler, Marvel boss Kevin Feige has been suspiciously quiet on all things Wakanda.

Susan Heyward on Season Four of ‘The Boys’

We know there’s been a live action Wakanda series in development for a while and an animated series chronicling the country’s history was also announced, but nothing on the movie front. Fans understand that the cast and crew needed a break after the emotional weight of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” However, a real announcement about what’s next for Letitia Wright’s Shuri/Black Panther; Nakia; Okoye; and M’Baku would help calm any concerns we have about Wakanda’s future.

On Wednesday, while appearing on “The View,” Wright teased what’s ahead for Shuri. When co-host Sunny Hostin asked “If Shuri will be making another appearance in the Marvel universe,” the actress immediately slipped into secretive MCU mode but also professed her love for the genius superhero.

“I would like to continue with Shuri,” Wright said. “She’s one of my favorite characters, such a blessing, honestly, I kid you not. I’m so grateful for her.”

When Hostin inquired about a possible “Black Panther 3,” Leitiia cryptically replied, “There’s a lot coming up.”

Letitia Wright Talks Impact of ‘Black Panther,’ New Movie | The View

“Black Panther” made $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office, while “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” brought in $859 million. When a franchise makes that much money, it’s a pretty safe bet that we’ll get another installment.

As Feige and his team try to right the MCU ship, the best way to do that and get fans super excited about the universe again is to make Wakanda a central focus. At this point, it feels like it’s the only constant left in the franchise.

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Date Posted: 06/27/2024
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Kelly Stafford Apologizes to Joe Cox After Comments About College Days – Where Is The Buzz

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Kelly Stafford, wife of NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford, issued a public apology to Joe Cox, Stafford’s former college backup, after making headlines with a revealing comment on a recent podcast.

During the podcast, Kelly admitted to dating and staying with Joe Cox during college to make Matthew jealous. The revelation sparked widespread media attention and public curiosity about the dynamics of their college relationships.

In response to the ensuing media storm, Kelly took to Instagram to clarify her comments and apologize to Cox and his family. Sharing a heartfelt post with a picture of Cox and his family, she wrote, “To this beautiful fam… I am sorry for the media storm that happened last week that made its way into your lives. You had ZERO involvement in what I spoke about and in fact it was y’alls relationship in college that I looked up to and wanted for me and Matthew.”

She further praised Cox and his relationship, saying, “You were the couple that everyone thinks Matthew and I was… y’all were the UGA QB and cheerleader that met and never let go. I love y’all.”

Kelly Stafford apology to Joe Cox's family.

Kelly Stafford apology to Joe Cox’s family.


The incident has certainly added an unusual chapter to the Staffords’ public life, drawing attention not only to their past but also to the enduring respect Kelly holds for Joe Cox and his family.

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Date Posted: 06/27/2024
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Kayne West and Donna Summer estate settle copyright infringement lawsuit

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Kanye “Ye” West settled a copyright infringement lawsuit with Donna Summer’s estate after legal paperwork was filed against him and Ty Dolla $ign over the use of Summer’s song “I Feel Love.”

Summer’s estate filed the lawsuit earlier this year over “unauthorized interpolation” of the song on West and Ty’s “Vultures 1 project,” according to People. Court documents filed on Thursday, June 20, state that both parties “entered into a settlement agreement that is a full and final settlement of all of the claims in the action,” People reported. 

Both parties will reportedly handle their own legal expenses. Larry Stein, lead counsel for Summer’s estate, told Billboard in a statement that the agreement “did not include permission for Ye to use Summer’s material in the future.”

“We did not license the song,” said Stein. “As part of the settlement, they have agreed not to distribute or otherwise use the song. So we got what we wanted.”

Disco diva Donna Summer in November 1978. (Photo by Jack Mitchell/Getty Images) –

Stein “declined to comment on any other terms of the agreement, including whether Ye had paid a monetary settlement to account for infringement that already happened,” Billboard reported. 

According to the court documents filed in February, Ye and Ty Dolla $ign were accused of “blatant theft” for including an “interpolation” of “I Feel Love” on their song, “Good (Don’t Die),” “without permission,” People reported. Summer’s husband, Bruce Sudano, was the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit. 

Sudano took to X (Twitter) to express his disappointment about the inclusion of Summer’s song after the release of “Vultures 1.”

“@kanyewest asked permission to use Donna Summer’s song I Feel Love, he was denied… he changed the words, had someone re sing it or used AI but it’s I Feel Love… copyright infringement!!!” Sudano wrote at the time, per People. 

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The lawsuit stated that West was “explicitly denied” permission to use the 1977 track because Summer’s estate “wanted no association with West’s controversial history.”

“Despite this denial, Defendants shamelessly used instantly recognizable portions of Summer’s hit song, ‘I FEEL LOVE,’ on their recently released collaborative album, ‘Vultures 1,’ and in recorded live concerts,” the lawsuit stated.

“In the face of these repeated denials, West and Co-Defendants attempted to get around this roadblock by instead making an unauthorized interpolation,” the filing claimed. Summer’s estate alleged that Ye and Ty Dolla $ign used the “iconic melody” from “I Feel Love” as the hook for their song and “re-recorded almost verbatim” several parts of Summer’s song illegally.

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Date Posted: 06/27/2024
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Stephen A. Smith Drags Diddy for Deleting Cassie Apology Video

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Stephen A. Smith, left; Diddy.

Stephen A. Smith, left; Diddy.
Photo: Amanda Edwards; Nathan Congleton/NBC (Getty Images)

It’s very normal to hear ESPN anchor Stephen A. Smith going off about certain people, places and things on a regular basis. But it’s a breath of fresh air when he does so a well-deserving subject.

Stephen A. Smith Waited Until His Mother’s Passing To Write His New Memoir

This time, he came for other than Sean “Diddy” Combs who, thanks to his decision to wipe his Instagram completely clean of any photos and videos—including the apology video acknowledging the harm he enacted on ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, found himself on the proverbial chopping block:

“If you had a million phots, if you had a million videos and you decided to delete 999,999—that’s the one you should’ve kept up! If you’re sincere. You got nearly 20 million followers on Instagram, 20 million, nearly 20 million. And I know that you been taking alot of hits and there’s been shrapnels of criticism all over the place aimed at your direction. Not that it wasn’t deserved! But that doesn’t mean that there’s but so much one human being could take. Although one could argue, the ex that you hit had to deal with a helluva lot more than you had to deal with in terms of the criticism. But I digress.”

Smith went on to say that by deleting the apology video, people would have an even slimmer chance in believing the Bad Boy mogul was truly sorry and believing in his redemption. He also questioned where his PR folks were and overseers who should’ve made a different call.

“Don’t you want people to know you were contrite? That you were incredibly sorry? That you have profound regret for the egregious that you were caught on camera committing?,” he asked at one point. “That wasn’t smart…it comes across as you wanting to erase everything as opposed to wanting to be accountable for everything.”

This dragging comes just one week after Diddy was stripped of his King of New York City title after having to return the keys back over to the city, as well as selling his majority stake of his REVOLT TV brand.

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Date Posted: 06/27/2024
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Elaine Thompson-Herah Out: Injury Forces Sprint Queen to Miss Paris Olympics – Where Is The Buzz

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Jamaican sprinting superstar Elaine Thompson-Herah, the reigning Olympic champion in both the 100m and 200m, will not defend her titles at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Thompson-Herah’s management company released a statement today confirming her withdrawal from the Jamaican National Championships due to injury.

This news guarantees new Olympic champions will be crowned in both the women’s 100m and 200m in Paris.

The statement reads: “Five-time Olympic Games Gold Medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah has withdrawn from the Jamaica National Championships and will be unable to defend her sprint titles at the 2024 Olympic Games due to injury. Mrs.Thompson Herah extends her heartfelt thanks to her sponsors, fans and well-wishers for the love and support showered upon her during this challenging time.”

The track and field world will miss Thompson-Herah’s electrifying presence in Paris. The Jamaican sprinter has been a dominant force, collecting a total of five Olympic gold medals across the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay.

While Thompson-Herah’s absence opens the door for new contenders, the sprinting world undoubtedly wishes her a speedy recovery.

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Date Posted: 06/26/2024
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Rosario Dawson on ‘Our Words Collide’ documentary, her love of poetry and concerns about AI

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Executive producing the poetry documentary “Our Words Collide” was a natural fit for Rosario Dawson. 

Since first moving to Los Angeles years ago, the actress-producer, has involved herself in the world of poetry. Dawson, 45, who is originally from New York City, met actor Dante Bosco shortly after she arrived in the City of Angels. She was soon immersed in poetry when Bosco opened up an artistic space for poets called the Poetry Lounge. 

“He ended up starting the Poetry Lounge out of a big house in the beginning and then out of Fairfax High School,” she shares in an interview with theGrio. “So, it’s been a space that I’ve kind of been hanging out in for many years.”  

This early exposure to poetry led to Dawson’s involvement in the Freestyle Digital Media documentary “Our Words Collide” as an executive producer. The film, directed by Jordan W. Barrow and Matt Edwards “highlights the poets of Get Lit, a non-profit organization in Los Angeles, which uses the art form to educate and empower young people,” according to a press release. 

Five young poets, Tyris Winter, Cassady Lopez, Jason Alvarez, Virginia Villalta, and Amar Turner, are profiled in the documentary as they “navigate their final year at high school exploring many challenges that face young people today – including identity, expression, transitioning into adulthood and overcoming mental health issues – through the unique prism of their poetry.” 

Dawson could relate to the young poets’ journey and the use of art to express one’s feelings. The actress often uses her skills in the arts to address her own mental health journey. Dawson says she “empathizes how important our creativity is in our ingenuity, mental health and emotional health.” 

“We’re designers in our lives. [Artists are] mirroring the internal world to the external world and then relating to each other in that way. It’s so beautiful,” she shares.  

Dawson is particularly shocked how schools across the country turn to cutting the arts from the curriculum first. She hopes “Our Words Collide,” which is available to watch now on VOD, will show audiences how essential the arts truly are. 

Rosario Dawson attends the CFDA Fashion Awards at the American Museum of Natural History in New York on Nov. 6, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) –

“[The students] are in this program; they’re getting to know each other, they’re finding their voice, they’re finding strength in their voice,” she explains. “They’re finding the directness in the individuality of their voices, and they’re friends. You’re all in the same class or all of the same space, but look at how completely different their expressions are. They find comfort in that and they find confidence in that.” 

“Mental health [struggles] have gone through the roof,” Dawson adds. “What a brilliant avenue of expression it was to have all of these young people faced with these cameras, and in front of them, being on this journey and adventure of sharing that with the world. Having the opportunity to do so … and how remarkable that is.” 

Dawson emphasizes that the students’ love and pursuit of the arts is especially important during the time of artificial intelligence, when many industries are threatening to replace creatives with AI, use their art to train AI systems, and/or diminish their roles in the creative process. 

“People’s art being used to educate the AI or just regurgitate it back to us,” Dawson says. “What does that mean? It’s the creative arts and suddenly it’s being taken out by this thing and replacing people. It’s a specific conversation point like, ‘Wait a minute … allow me to have the space to express myself politically with imagery and all these different things.’” 

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“AI seems to be a knowledge based system,” she continues. “We actually have to push back against the way we’ve educated ourselves in our populations for generations now. It doesn’t make sense when there’s AI that you will never be able to compete with in its knowledge base. So then what does that truly mean in our society moving forward?”

Dawson hopes that “Our Words Collide,” which premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in April, will show how poetry and the arts are irreplaceable in our society. She shares that the producers, directors, and the five poets featured in the doc have put “all of these different skill sets and tools together” to create “a brilliant film.”  

“Every point of this creation has been so marvelous, and perfect and necessary,” Dawson says. “It’s a great conversation starter and a great example of the necessity of engaging in creativity with young people.”    

“Our Words Collide” is available to rent/own on all digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms worldwide, as well as on DVD. The film is available through Freestyle Digital Media, the film distribution division of Allen Media Group, whose founder, chairman and CEO, Byron Allen, owns theGrio.

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Date Posted: 06/26/2024
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All the Black Celebs We Lost in 2024

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On Jan. 21. Judo champion and 2016 Olympian, Maricet Espinosa Gonzalez, passed away after suffering a heart attack. According to TMZ, the two-time Pan American Games Champion had surgery shortly before the heart attack, but there’s no word on if the procedure played a role in her death. While representing Cuba, Gonzalez was a two-time Pan American Games gold medalist in 2013 and 2014. Nicknamed “La Mole,” Gonzalez was 34-years-old.

“With deep sadness, we bid farewell to a legend of Pan-American and Cuban Judo. Maricet Espinosa, affectionately known as ‘La Mole’, leaves an indelible legacy,” wrote the Confederación Panamericana de Judo in Spanish on Instagram. “Two-time Pan American Champion, World Medalist, and Olympic Representative in Rio 2016. Rest in peace, our dearest Maricet. Our condolences to [their] family and Cuban judo. Your spirit and your achievements will last forever.”

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Date Posted: 06/26/2024
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Meet The Three New Bombshells in Love Island USA Season 6 – Where Is The Buzz

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Love Island USA is back with a bang, and the villa is about to heat up even more with the arrival of three new bombshells. Get ready to meet Kenny Rodriguez, Cassidy Laudano, and Emeka “Nigel” Okafor, who are set to shake things up and turn heads this season.

Kenny Rodriguez

Kenny Rodriguez

Kenny Rodriguez


Instagram: (@k_rod223)

  • Age: 24




  • Hometown: Bronx, NY




  • Currently Lives: Dallas, TX




  • Occupation: Account Manager

Kenny Rodriguez is bringing his New York charm and Texas swagger to the villa. This 24-year-old account manager from the Bronx, now residing in Dallas, has a unique set of interests and quirks. Kenny’s biggest kink? Feet – he believes they are underappreciated. A former member of his high school’s knitting club, Kenny has a diverse range of hobbies. Despite his fear of mice and rats, he once dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. And if you’re curious about his celebrity crush, it’s none other than Jennifer Lopez.

Cassidy Laudano

Cassidy Laudano

Cassidy Laudano


Instagram: (@cass_laudano)

  • Age: 27




  • Hometown: Chicago, IL




  • Currently Lives: Miami, FL




  • Occupation: Head of PR at a tech startup

Cassidy Laudano, 27, hails from Chicago but now calls Miami home. As the head of PR at a tech startup, she’s used to making waves in her professional life, and she’s ready to do the same in the villa. Raised vegetarian, Cassidy has never eaten meat in her life. Growing up, her home was like a zoo with possums, snakes, turtles, bunnies, frogs, cats, and dogs as pets. Fluent in Italian and Spanish, thanks to her Sicilian father and Canadian mother, Cassidy’s celebrity crush is the ruggedly handsome Taylor Kitsch.

Emeka “Nigel” Okafor

Emeka

Emeka “Nigel” Okafor


Instagram: (@Nigelokafor)

  • Age: 28




  • Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI




  • Currently Lives: Houston, TX




  • Occupation: Real Estate Investor / Model

Emeka, who goes by Nigel, is a 28-year-old real estate investor and model originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, now living in Houston. Nigel enjoys flipping furniture as a hobby, adding a creative touch to his business acumen. His adventurous spirit took him to a remote village in China at the age of 20, an experience that left a lasting impression on him. With celebrity crushes like Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Ana de Armas, Nigel brings a sophisticated and worldly presence to the villa.

As these three new islanders step into the spotlight, the dynamics in the villa are sure to change. Tune in to Love Island USA Season 6 to see how Kenny, Cassidy, and Nigel make their mark and who they might couple up with. The drama, romance, and surprises are just getting started!

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Date Posted: 06/26/2024
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Kandi Burruss tried Ozempic and was ‘depressed’ when she ‘didn’t lose any weight’

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While Ozempic has been the heavily rumored reason many well-known faces in Hollywood have dropped weight recently, it isn’t the wonder weight loss drug it’s purported to be for everyone. Just ask former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kandi Burruss.

The producer and actress opened up on a recent episode of Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast about trying the drug, which is used to treat type-2 diabetes and is touted for its impact on obesity and weight loss. Despite many reports of pounds unexpectedly dropping, the drug has not been specifically approved for weight loss. 

“Last year, I tried it,” she said. “I saw so many people who were trying it and losing weight. So I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to try this.’ And I didn’t lose any weight.”

When she wasn’t seeing movement on the scale, Burruss recalled some of her friends wondering if something “was wrong” with her or if her dosage was incorrect. In fact, even her physician was puzzled by the lack of weight loss.

She added, “It didn’t curb my appetite. I know some people are like, ‘Oh, I can’t eat.’ Not me! I was eating appetizers, a regular meal, and dessert, OK? It didn’t stop anything for me.”

Making matters worse, the experience began to have adverse effects on Burruss’ mental health.

“When you see it worked for other people and it doesn’t work for you, it makes you depressed,” she explained. “Realistically, it makes you feel like, ‘What is wrong with me? Why is it not working for me?’”

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Since Ozempic didn’t lead to weight loss for Burruss, she has returned to working out more, eating healthy, and using Hydroxycut dietary supplements. She told Page Six her goal is to get back to the physique she had just before leaving “RHOA.” After her departure, the reality TV star admitted she started to indulge. 

“After I left ‘Housewives,’ I was eating good, living good. Now, mind you, I was already 10 pounds over my desired weight at the top of the year. But then, when I announced that I was not going to do ‘Housewives’ anymore, I was eating dessert every day, taking trips, just living it up,” she continued. “Before I knew it, I was like 170-something pounds. And it was not cute.”

Burruss’ current goal is to lose around 20 pounds, though she said she would “love” to lose 30, placing her weight back in the 130s. 

“I have this joke, like, I haven’t weighed 130-something since I was 30-something,” Burruss said with a laugh. 

Beyond wellness, Burruss has kept herself busy in the days since leaving the “Real Housewives” franchise. As previously reported by theGrio, this year, she, alongside her husband, Todd Tucker, produced “The Wiz” on Broadway, which opened in April with a star-studded cast that included Wayne Brady in the titular role. In addition to “The Wiz,” another show Burruss stars in, Showtime’s “The Chi,” was recently renewed for a seventh season. 

Speaking to theGrio about “The Wiz,” Burruss expressed her desire to ultimately become an EGOT winner. So far, the celebrated songwriter already has a Grammy and a Tony nod.  

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