Everyone has that one artist who they’ll follow to the ends of the Earth. From birthdays, to family cookouts, to new relationships, to breakups, their music has been there for you through every major life milestone. For a lot of us, that artist is Usher.

As we discovered during his Super Bowl LVIII Halftime performance, the “Yeah!” singer’s global popularity transcends race, age, gender and religion. Now, it appears not even superheroes can compete with his magical powers of R&B seduction.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” star Chris Pratt recently made a “Confession” about his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger. Apparently, her marriage hall pass is reserved for “U-S-H-E-R-R-A-Y-M-O-N-D.”

Turns out Katherine is just as obsessed with the “Nice & Slow” singer as the rest of us. The “Jurassic World” actor posted an Instagram video of his wife dancing and singing along during Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, with the caption, “When Usher sang ‘Don’t leave your girl around me,’ was he talking to me?”

Pratt might have been right. While promoting his new film, “The Garfield Movie,” he let it slip that the King of R&B is her “hall pass.” We’re a little shocked that Star-Lord would just put it out there in the universe. Didn’t he see all the chaos Usher caused with his Las Vegas residency serenades?

“She knows every word,” Pratt told Entertainment Tonight. “I didn’t even know that until we were doing a little road trip and she started putting on Usher. And man, she knows every single word, so I guess Usher’s her hall pass. I can’t blame her.”

Poor Pratt…he can take down dinosaurs, but he’s no match for “Mr Steal Your Girl.”

Honestly, a being with a voice so hypnotic he entrances the entire universe sounds like something you’d see in “Guardians of the Galaxy.” We know they’ve wrapped up the film trilogy, but maybe we can get everyone back together for another holiday special.

Usher as the MCU’s sexiest hero would probably save the franchise.

16

During Amazon’s first Upfronts presentation today, Amazon MGM Studios revealed the stunning popularity of their latest romantic comedy offering, “The Idea of You.”

Within its first two weeks on Prime Video, the film captivated the hearts of approximately 50 million people globally, cementing its spot as Amazon MGM Studios’ best-performing romantic-comedy premiere ever.

“The Idea of You,” starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, premiered as the closing night film of the 2024 SXSW Film Festival, sparking intense interest before of its release.

According to WaveMetrix data, its trailer became the most-watched trailer of any original streaming feature film, with over 125 million views across several social networks.

Directed by Michael Showalter, “The Idea of You” is a collaborative effort between Showalter and Jennifer Westfeldt, who penned the screenplay based on Robinne Lee’s book.

The film boasts an impressive lineup of producers, including Cathy Schulman, Gabrielle Union, Anne Hathaway, Robinne Lee, Eric Hayes, Michael Showalter, and Jordana Mollick.

Julie Rapaport, Head of Film, Production, and Development at Amazon MGM Studios, was overjoyed with the film’s amazing reception.

“The extraordinary reception of The Idea of You has been thrilling—even leading up to the release, with its record-breaking trailer views to its chart-topping soundtrack,” Rapaport remarked. “And now, audiences have truly fallen for this film, and we could not be prouder.”

The popularity of “The Idea of You” was not limited to digital mediums. Amazon MGM Studios organized 142 word-of-mouth screenings worldwide as part of its advertising campaign.

Furthermore, the studio held an “international rom-com tour” in New York, highlighting renowned locales from classic romantic comedies accessible on Prime Video, such as the famous café from “When Harry Met Sally” and the legendary Empire State Building from “Sleepless in Seattle.”

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Soon, Black folks looking for a space to gain culturally relevant knowledge and advice on life will have an app for that. Viola Davis, Joy Reid, and Charlamagne Tha God have teamed up with David A. Wilson — notably, a co-creator of theGrio — and Brandon John-Freso on a new personal development app dubbed ALTR.

According to a release sent to theGrio, ALTR will offer “powerful” short-form audiobooks by Black luminaries and authors intended to inspire the masses, with stories that speak to the “distinct life obstacles faced in the Black community.” The app is slated for a late 2024 release but is currently open for early access sign-ups.

“There is power in our collective knowledge. Life becomes easier when you can learn from those who’ve been there before,” Davis, whose husband, actor-producer Julius Tennon, is also lending a hand to the project, said in the release.

She added, “Julius and I are excited to take part in building a platform that will enable millions of people to find guidance for personal growth and see themselves in a space where we’re not usually represented.”

ALTR has been designed to answer some of life’s toughest questions while uplifting the Black community. The app will explore topics and challenges that disproportionately impact Black people today, including mental health, loneliness, financial stability, spirituality, personal relationships, and more.

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According to the release, Wilson and John-Freso envision ALTR as filling a “void” for much-needed quality Black-centric self-help content.

“There is a yearning for solutions and knowledge from our cultural perspectives. Our authentic voices are lacking in the existing self-help, wellness and educational platforms, which is why we’ve been able to galvanize broad support from trusted voices in our community,” Wilson stated in the release.

John-Freso added, “We’re revolutionizing the audiobook experience by introducing a novel approach to creating and accessing short-form content. Unlike traditional audiobooks, which can take months or years to produce, ALTR’s short-form audiobooks enable authors to share condensed, essential, and timely knowledge in a snackable format that perfectly aligns with our listeners’ fast-paced consumption habits.”

In addition to the personal development and motivational content, ALTR will also aim to foster active engagement with subscribers through Q&As, discussions, and even assignments.

Reid expressed why she’s excited for an app of this type to hit the market.

“From my purview as a cable news host covering the tumultuous political and social landscape, there is a growing sense of uncertainty amongst Black Americans on what it all means for their future,” she explained. “I love that ALTR provides clarity, comfort and community for those looking to master their own destinies.”

6

Prime Video has given the go-ahead for “Elle,” a prequel series following the formative years of the renowned figure Elle Woods. The series is a partnership between Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine and Candle Media.

“Elle” is expected to dive into Elle Woods’ adolescent years, providing insight into the situations that formed her into the indomitable figure beloved by fans around the world. With Laura Kittrell, recognized for her work on “High School” and “Insecure,” as creator, showrunner, and executive producer, the series aims to offer a new perspective on Elle’s path.

Reese Witherspoon expressed her excitement for the project, stating, “I truly couldn’t be more excited about this series! Fans will get to know how Elle Woods navigated her world as a teenager with her distinct personality and ingenuity, in ways that only our beloved Elle could do. What could be better than that?! I’m extremely grateful to the incredible teams at Prime Video and Hello Sunshine – along with our amazing writer Laura Kittrell – for making this dream of mine come true. Legally Blonde is back!”

Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios, commented on the significance of bringing Elle’s origin story to audiences worldwide, saying, “One of the most quotable, iconic, and beloved characters that is ingrained in the fabric of Hollywood history has to be Elle Woods, and we are honored to bring her origin story to our global Prime Video customers.”

With Witherspoon, Kittrell, and a team of seasoned producers including Lauren Neustadter, Lauren Kisilevsky, and Marc Platt at the helm, “Elle” is poised to captivate audiences with its blend of humor, heart, and empowering storytelling.

“Elle” is a collaboration between Hello Sunshine and Amazon MGM Studios, and it will premiere exclusively on Prime Video, appealing to entertainment fans in over 240 countries and territories worldwide. Prime Video is cementing its position as the go-to destination for premium streaming video, providing a varied range of entertainment options under a single membership.

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We’ve been trying to tell you for the longest just how amazing Black women are. Now, there’s a new social media trend that’s giving all the proof. A quick online search of the “Black Wife Effect” will produce countless videos of mostly white and Asian men showing how their Black wives were single-handedly responsible for their glow-up.

Without a doubt, these women are working some serious Black Girl Magic on their men, adding their secret sauce to their style. Only a Black woman could turn this:

into this:

But TikTok user basicallybetsy2.0 argues that the trend is about so much more than haircuts and new outfits. She sees the trend as another example of the ways in which Black woman are nurturers by nature.

“For me, when I’m watching the Black Wife Effect, what I’m thinking is that everything Black women touch they elevate. And that’s not just on a partner scale, that’s on a societal scale,” she said. “The fascinating thing is not that they look better, their style is better, but like you can visibly see their confidence get better. And that’s not like a physical change. That’s something of being properly cared for.”

You can seriously lose a day watching before and after transformations of white men who went from geek to chic with a little assistance from their Black wives.

So, because we know you don’t have that kind of time, we picked out some of our favorite Black Wife Effect transformations.

frilancy

Frilancy Hoyle has received over four million views on her clip of her husband, who she helped by sprinkling him with the swag she thought he so desperately needed. She ditched his shorts for suits and got an almost unbelievable result.

She captioned her TikTok of his amazing transformation, “Mikey had all the qualities I was looking for in a life partner but ZERO fashion sense. But I was ok with it because that was a department I could easily take care of. Just added few Zambian seasonings.”

And the commenters flooded her post with their stamps of approval on his new style.

“man went from steve from blue clues to swizz beatz,”

“She seasoned AND marinated this man 🤌🏾,” and our personal favorite,

“Well I be damn this man went from chicken pot pie to OXTAIL STEW😭🤣🫶🏾.”

The Cole Life

TikTok user The Cole Life’s husband transformation gives us Clark Kent to Superman vibes. But she is clearly the superhero in this relationship, turning her man into someone who looks red carpet ready.

“I might have did a lil’ somethin’ 😉😏,” she captioned her TikTok clip.

And the commenters agreed, writing:

“Saved that man’s life.”

“Bro went from Sheldon Cooper to Bradley Cooper,” and

“its giving clean and smelling like cocoa butter 😍.”

Michael Chitwood

User Michael Chitwoood posted a video of his transformation at the hands of his Black wife of 24 years. She helped him ditch his frat boy vibe for some serious swag that had the commenters gagging, writing:

“That was a glow up of epic proportions,”

“Now that’s how a wine process goes🥰🥰,” and

“I said DAYUMM! Out loud😂😂😂.”

Roxlee

We saved the best for last with @roxleeofficial who has a transformation you have to see to believe. This dude’s glow up is next level. He’s actually wearing some kind of gladiator costume in his before pics! But with the help of some new glasses and some fresh new clothes, the post captioned, “Dammmmmn I NEVER realized the glow up was that real 🤭 Challenge over 🤣🤣 #blackgirleffect,” is a mic drop moment.

And the commenters co-signed, writing:

“She took you to another level! I love this trend,”

“Yea sis got you right on together! 👏👏,” and

“Whewww Black Wife Effect has to be studied 🔥🔥.”

We think so too.

There are very few connections that rival the bond shared between a father and his son. This year, Brooks Brothers is hoping to highlight that special relationship in its latest Father’s Day campaign.

 Ahead of Father’s Day, which takes place on June 16 this year, the retailer tapped New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson and his father, former NBA player and current Knicks Assistant Coach Rick Brunson.

“Our bond on and off the court as father and son is something I will always cherish,” the Knicks player said, per Women’s Wear Daily.

“Brooks Brothers is a brand that has long stood for celebrating milestone moments. Father’s Day is certainly one of those occasions,” Ken Ohashi, chief executive officer of Brooks Brothers, told the outlet. “As we celebrate all fathers everywhere, we are honored to be a part of their stories, creating new memories, and sharing their traditions. From iconic personalities to everyday heroes, we are inspired by fathers and father figures who exemplify style, grace and dedication.”

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Trading their jerseys for suits, the father-and-son duo posed for a candid shoot with photographer John Balsam in pieces from the brand’s spring 2024 collection. Brunson’s feature in the campaign is part of the NBA star’s role as Brooks Brothers’ official brand ambassador and first NBA ambassador. 

“I am thrilled to join the Brooks Brothers family,” Brunson said about his ambassadorship in February, per Women’s Wear Daily. “When I think of authentic American style, Brooks Brothers is at the top of the list. It is a brand I have long admired and have worn for some of the most personal milestones in my life.”

Jalen embodies the sportsmanship, dedication and optimistic spirit that represents Brooks Brothers,” Ohashi added. 

Check out the campaign and Brooks Brothers’ Father’s Day gift guide here.

17

Fans were delighted at the Disney Upfront today when Selena Gomez took the stage to reveal the official title of the much-anticipated series continuation: “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.”

Amid the excitement, Gomez, who also serves as executive producer and guest star, presented first-look photographs and the series logo, laying the groundwork for what promises to be a wonderful resurrection.

‘WIZARDS BEYOND WAVERLY PLACE’ TITLE AND FIRST-LOOK IMAGE REVEALED | Photo Credit: Disney/Eric McCandless

The photographs provided a nostalgic sight of Gomez and David Henrie repeating their popular roles as Alex and Justin Russo. Janice LeAnn Brown, who plays the series lead, Billie, joins the cast, along with the Russo family, which includes Mimi Gianopulos as Giada Russo, Alkaio Thiele as Roman Russo, and Max Matenko as Milo. Newcomer Taylor Cora joins the cast as Winter, Billie’s vibrant and chatty closest friend.

“Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” is set in a world where magic and the mundane coexist, and it follows an adult Justin Russo as he navigates the challenges of family life while maintaining his magical ancestry. When Alex drags Billie into their midst in need of direction, Justin is thrown back into the wizarding realm, juggling mentorship and daily chores.

The series offers a mix of nostalgia and new storytelling, delving into topics such as duty, family, and the enduring fascination of magic. Fans may mark their calendars as the launch date approaches, with Disney Channel and Disney+ set to air the series later this year.

Behind the scenes, a seasoned creative team is in command, led by writers and executive producers Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, together with Gary Marsh, Gomez, and Henrie. Andy Fickman, who directed and executive produced the pilot, will continue to provide his skills, ensuring that the magic transfers easily from writing to screen.

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When Harry Dunn resigned from his job as a U.S. Capitol Police officer, he admitted it was a “crazy” thing to do. After more than 15 years on the force protecting members of Congress, Dunn resigned about four years shy of being able to collect a pension to trade in his police badge for the title “congressman.”

“I walked away from a job for just an opportunity,” Dunn told theGrio during a phone interview the day before his Tuesday Democratic primary election for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District. Acknowledging the stakes of the crowded and competitive election, he added, “This ain’t no shoo-in… it’s a tight-ass race.”

After risking his life to defend the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, as a mob of mostly white Donald Trump supporters sought to violently stop the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential election, the 40-year-old said he couldn’t resist the urge to run for office. 

As former President Trump, whose false claims of voter fraud in 2020 led up to Jan. 6 and gave rise to a Republican Party comprised of election deniers, Dunn said the country is at a pivotal moment in which Congress needs fighters to defend American democracy. 

“We need to fight back against the Marjorie Taylor Greenes and Donald Trumps,” he argued.

Greene, a two-term far-right U.S. congresswoman from Georgia, is a loud cheerleader for Trump and has ferociously defended him amid his 2021 impeachment and criminal indictments. She and other Republican members of Congress have downplayed the violence of Jan. 6, pushed conspiracies like suggesting that at least one rioter was an FBI agent in disguise and have described rioters criminally charged for their actions as victims of a two-tier system.

Greene went as far as arguing that the Jan. 6 convicts were being “treated as political prisoners.”

“Marjorie Taylor Greene isn’t interested in legislating. She’s a chaos person. That’s what she wants. She thrives off of that,” said Dunn.  The congressional candidate said, “There’s a lot of people just like her” in Congress, including House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio., and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., who have led impeachment investigations of President Biden without any credible evidence of wrongdoing to support their efforts. 

Dunn argued that Democratic lawmakers willing to stand up against Republicans in Congress are why GOP lawmakers “have not been successful.” He explained, “You have fighters right now in Jamie Raskin [U.S. representative from Maryland], Stacey Plaskett [U.S. delegate from U.S. Virgin Islands], Jasmine Crockett [U.S. representative from Texas].” He added, “That’s what these times call for.”

Though he admits his top competitors in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, Maryland State Senators Sarah Elfreth and Clarence Lam, are “experienced” and have done “fantastic work for the state of Maryland,” the state’s constituents need someone who will be the kind of champion to “fight back” against Trumpism in Washington.

“Everybody’s talking about, ‘Let’s move on from Jan. 6.’ Sure, that would be great if people understood the severity of it. If Donald Trump was held accountable for his actions,” said Dunn. 

Trump, who has vowed to use the powers of the executive office to go after his political enemies, stands a good chance of being elected back to the White House — something Dunn wants to help Democrats prevent. 

“He’s telling us what he’s gonna do. He told us that he admires dictators. He wants to be one only — for a day. That’s what he says,” he warned. “At the end of the day, we only will have ourselves to blame if he gets in office.”

In addition to the chance of becoming a member of Congress, Dunn told theGrio he looks forward to working to make a difference in Maryland and across the country by tackling key issues like codifying federal abortion rights, passing common sense gun reform and passing the police reform legislation known as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. 

Dunn also would love to see Democrats take back the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. If the party is successful, it would mean history for U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., the current House minority leader, who would become the nation’s first Black House speaker.
Dunn, who described Jeffries as a “great human being” he’s gotten to know over the years, said it’s not lost on him that the very U.S. Capitol building he helped defend on Jan. 6 was built by Black enslaved Americans. Seeing a Black man take up the prestigious gavel of House speaker and potentially being one of the members of Congress to cast his vote for him is something Dunn sees as a potential full-circle moment.

“Symbolism is real and representation matters,” he told theGrio. “Go and show off ancestors … we’re their wildest dreams as people say. That is incredible to me.”

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25

Brazilian pop sensation Anitta has once again captivated audiences with the release of her latest music video, “Aceita,” featured in her recent album “Funk Generation.”

The visual masterpiece, which premiered today, provides a thorough immersion into the singer’s spirituality. Shot exclusively in black and white, it portrays Anitta in a rare light: wholly devoted to her faith and religious convictions.

“I really love this music video. Not only because it portrays a glimpse of my spirituality without filters, but because it shows that there is nothing wrong or hidden in what one believes. Brazilians are a people of various beliefs and roots,” reflects the Rio de Janeiro native, who also served as the creative director of the production.

The Afro-Brazilian religion, integral to the artist’s life, is translated into music in “Aceita.” Even in the lyrics, which narrate the experiences of a spiritual entity taking to the streets to celebrate its feats. “In the tradition of candomblé, I am a daughter of Logun Edé, who is a very complex orisha. Sensitive and hot-tempered, intelligent and cunning, supportive and pragmatic… This song translates these characteristics into my universe, into my story,” Anitta explains.

Anitta on set for her “ACEITA” music video | Photo credit: Ricardo Brunini

Most of the imagery was captured in the municipality of Magé, in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, at a candomblé terreiro. In addition to portraying the rituals, sounds, symbols, and customs of her religion, Anitta also highlights imagery from Christian beliefs (such as Catholicism or evangelical Christianity) and Judaism, among others.

“Brazil is a country with multiple identities. Embracing it is to be tolerant, respectful, and kind. The album ‘Funk Generation’ has much to do with this Brazilian identity that inspired me to become an artist. And our religious diversity is part of it. However, religious prejudices are also very present in the country, especially in relation to African traditions. I hope this video inspires more empathy and understanding in people,” she concludes.

The “Aceita” music video is produced by GINGA Pictures, which has previously collaborated with Anitta on music videos such as “Funk Rave,” “Grip,” and the video-performance “Funk Generation – A Baile Funk Experience.” The stylist responsible for the fashion here is Daniel Ueda, who also styled her in “Girl From Rio” and for her performance at the 2024 VMAs.

The bilingual track is written by Anitta, along with collaborators such as Brazilian DJ Gabriel do Borel and Marcio Arantes (Latin Grammy winner). American artist Diplo joined them both in the lyrics and arrangements, adding an international flair to the musical fusion.

Watch Anitta’s new music video below:

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