Louis Gossett Jr., who won an Academy Award for his performance in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and an Emmy for the groundbreaking miniseries “Roots,” has died at age 87, according to a statement from his family.“It is with our heartfelt regret to confirm our beloved father passed away this morning. We would like to thank everyone for their condolences at this time. Please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time,” the family’s statement, shared by Gossett’s longtime publicist, read.Gossett became the first Black man to win an Oscar for a supporting role in 1983 for his work as the tough drill instructor, training a character played by Richard Gere, in “An Officer and a Gentleman.”“Lou was a sweetheart. He took his job very seriously. He did his research. He stayed in character the whole time,” his co-star Richard Gere said in a statement to CNN. “He was the drill sergeant 24 hours a day, and it showed clearly in his performance. He drove every scene he was in. A tough guy with a heart of gold.”The hit movie followed by six years his portrayal of Fiddler, who takes the newly arrived slave Kunta Kinte under his wing in ABC’s adaptation of Alex Haley’s book.Tall at 6’4”, Gossett became known for authority-figure roles that took advantage of his physicality, playing a boxer in the movie “Diggstown,” the villain in the movie “The Deep” and an alien pilot (hidden under heavy makeup), marooned on a dangerous planet with his human foe, in the sci-fi allegory “Enemy Mine.” He also starred in the “Iron Eagle” movies, which produced several sequels.Born in Brooklyn, New York, Gossett credited a high school English teacher with steering him toward acting, which he pursued while also playing basketball, even trying out for the New York Knicks. He studied drama while attending New York University, and early in his career appeared on stage and later in the movie version of “A Raisin in the Sun,” opposite Sidney Poitier, which launched his career in Hollywood. (Poitier was the first Black man to win an Oscar, in the 1960s for “Lilies of the Field.”)Gossett played several historical figures, including Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat and baseball legend Satchel Paige in TV movies during the 1980s.Off screen, Gossett helped found the Eracism Foundation in the 1990s, an organization committed to ending racism, which Gossett spoke of experiencing in Hollywood.“I had to really learn the importance of what it takes to survive in this town, and I had to act as if I was second class,” he said. “I had to ingest the onus of being an African American person in America.”The actor was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010 and decided to go public with the news “to set an example for the large number of African-American men who are victims of this disease because of the comparatively low emphasis in our community on preventive examinations and early treatment.”“I want to influence them to seek, as I have, the fine medical care and early detection now available,” he said at the time.That didn’t stop him, however, from doing the work that he loved.Gossett remained active in performing well into his 80s, co-starring last year in the movie version of the musical “The Color Purple” and a few years before that in the HBO series “Watchmen,” for which he received the last of his eight Emmy nominations in 2020.

B.G., who rose to fame as a member of the Hot Boys on Cash Money Records, was arrested and charged with violating his probation by performing at a concert in Las Vegas, NOLA reports.On Feb. 8, B.G., whose real name is Christopher Dorsey, took the stage with Lil Boosie and Gucci Mane. He also recorded the Choppers and Bricks album with Gucci Mane and released music videos on Apple Music and YouTube in February. Before shooting and posting the music videos, B.G. needed the court’s permission but he failed to get it.According to the terms of his probation, B.G. is required to have explicit permission from the court before “entering into self-employment.”Also, because Boosie and Gucci Mane are felons, B.G. needed permission “to associate with those convicted of felony charges” which the court said he didn't do.After being questioned by federal probation officers following the concert, he was told that he should find another form of employment.“I’m a rapper. That (is) my profession,” B.G. responded, per court documents.B.G. was reportedly released on Wednesday, March 27.Taking to Instagram, B.G. expressed his frustration with the terms of his probation since his release.“It’s crazy how after paying my debt to society with 12 and a half years of my life, I come home and still ain’t free,” Dorsey wrote in a post on Instagram on Friday (March 29). “I've been doing everything the right way, and it seems like that ain’t enough.“I've been going through it behind the scenes and got a muzzle on for the time being, but I’m confident I’ll come out on TOP. I always do.”Following a successful tenure at Cash Money Records, B.G. was sentenced to 14 years in prison for felony gun possession and witness tampering in 2012. "I am relieved I found out what my fate was yesterday because I was facing 30 years and my case kept getting pushed back," B.G. said at the time. "I am just ready to get my sentence started because it’s not RIP BG it’s FREE BG ... I feel happy and blessed that I will still be a young man and still be able to see daylight because I am someone, a dad, a brother and a son."After serving an 11-year sentence, B.G. was released from prison in 2023.No date has been given for B.G.’s next court appointment.

Nickelodeon alum Kenan Thompson has weighed in on the disturbing allegations made in ID’s Quiet on Set docuseries, which spotlights accounts of sexism , racism, discrimination, and abuse at the kids’ network—much of which is tied to show creator Dan Schneider .While appearing on The Tamron Hall Show this week, the Saturday Night Live star was asked for his thoughts on the explosive series, which is set to drop a bonus episode next month. “It’s a tough subject, you know,” Thompson said. “It’s tough for me because like, I can’t really speak on things that I never witnessed.”Thompson started his career as a kid actor on Nickelodeon, starring in the first five seasons of the Schneider-created comedy variety show All That . He then starred in his own show on Nick, Kenan & Kel , alongside Kel Mitchell. The pair went on to star in the network’s hit movie Good Burger , which was just rebooted last year.Although his ties to Nickelodeon run deep, Thompson said the alleged abuse discussed in Quiet on Set happened after he left. “All that negativity started happening outside of our tenure there.”“Dan [Schneider] wasn’t really on Kenan & Kel like that. I mean, he got a ‘created by’ credit, but it was a different showrunner,” he added. “Our worlds weren’t really overlapping like that outside of All That necessarily.”That said, Thompson made it clear that he supports the people in the docuseries who came forward. “I wasn’t really aware of a lot of it but my heart goes out to anybody that’s been victimized or their families,” he told Hall. “I think it’s a good thing that the doc is out and it’s putting things on display, you know, stories that need to be told, for accountability’s sake.”“It’s definitely tough to watch because I have fond memories of that place and I have fond memories of my costars,” he continued. “So to hear that they’ve gone through terrible things like that, it’s really tough.”As Hall shared Nickelodeon’s statement saying that the network will “investigate all of the [ Quiet On Set ] allegations,” Thompson interjected, saying, “Investigate more.”“It’s supposed to be a safe space,” he said. “It’s supposed to be a safe place for kids, and to hear all about that is—how dare you?”Thompson’s comments on the documentary are a welcome break of silence from some of Nickelodeon’s top stars. All That alum Leon Frierson, who appeared in Quiet On Set , told The Daily Beast, “I wish other stars would come out and just at least support the people that do have claims.”“Other stars that don’t say anything, I think that bothers me more,” Frierson continued, when asked about people who have made light of the allegations. “I don’t expect them to say anything bad about Nickelodeon or their partners or anything like that, [but] it would be nice to hear at least words of support.”During his interview on The Tamron Hall Show , Thompson also spoke briefly about former Nick star Amanda Bynes , whom he came to know during their overlapping time at Nickelodeon. In an excerpt read aloud by Hall from his recent memoir, When I Was Your Age: Life Lessons, Funny Stories & Questionable Parenting Advice from a Professional Clown , Thompson writes that Bynes “was like all of our little sister, and we were all very protective of her.”“Unfortunately, some leeches sent her down a dark path,” the excerpt continues. “When she went left for a little while, we were all sad. I cared about her, and I still do. She’s good people.”Thompson told Hall that he hadn’t spoken to Bynes since she was “really, really young,” but said he was “rooting for her from afar.”

On a day dedicated to raising awareness and understanding, Nick Cannon and Abby De La Rosa shared a deeply personal revelation with the world: their 2-year-old son, Zillion, has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.This announcement, made on World Autism Awareness Day, not only shed light on their family's journey but also extended a hand of solidarity to families across the globe navigating similar experiences.In their heartfelt Instagram post, Nick, 43, and Abby, 33, celebrated Zillion's unique way of experiencing the world, stating: "Our beautiful boy experiences life in 4D and teaches us something new every day! His love, strength, and brilliance light up every room he enters!"Their message was a beacon of positivity and acceptance, highlighting the joy and learning Zillion brings into their lives and the lives of those around him."We are blessed that God had placed such an amazing spirit under our guardianship and we have accepted this assignment wholeheartedly!" they continued, embracing their roles as parents with open hearts and minds.Their World Autism Awareness Day message was not just about their family but also an invitation for greater empathy and support within the global community."On this World Autism Awareness Day, we extend our embrace to families worldwide, acknowledging shared challenges and championing understanding," they shared, advocating for a world more accepting and compassionate.The family's announcement was paired with a glimpse into their lives through a video capturing their festive backyard Easter celebration.It was a moment filled with joy, as their children, including twins Zion and Zillion and 16-month-old daughter Beautiful, engaged in a lively hunt for light-up Easter eggs, a thoughtful addition to cater to Zillion's sensory needs.Nick, donning an Easter Bunny costume, added a touch of whimsy to the day, underlining the family's commitment to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment for their children.Nick also took to the comments to express his adoration for Zillion, writing, "My brilliant little guy! We love you Zilly!" showcasing the deep bond and pride he holds for his son.Abby, reflecting on their journey, shared on her Instagram Story, "The last year has really been one of the most challenging years of my life," acknowledging the relentless pursuit for answers and the continuous advocacy needed for Zillion.Her message was a rallying cry for understanding and support, highlighting the collective challenges many families face while also spreading love and understanding.The light-up Easter eggs, designed to meet Zillion's sensory needs, were a hit, embodying the family's thoughtful approach to celebrating each child's uniqueness.This event was just one of many where Nick, as a father to a growing brood, brought joy and togetherness, wearing his bunny costume across visits to all his children, underscoring his dedication as a parent.Nick's family extends beyond Zion, Zillion, and Beautiful, sharing his life with several other children from different relationships, each of whom shares a piece of his heart.Nick, known for his expansive family, shares 12-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-wife Mariah Carey.In addition to his children with Mariah and Alyssa, Nick has fathered eight other children with four different women: beauty pageant queen Brittany Bell; DJ and former radio personality Abby De La Rosa; reality star Bre Tiesi of Selling Sunset; and photographer LaNisha Cole.With Brittany, Nick shares two sons, Golden Sagon and Rise Messiah, and a daughter, Powerful Queen.His commitment to his family was poignantly displayed as he and Abby took part in Zen’s Light Easter Egg-stravaganza at St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital in New York, a tribute to their son Zen, who passed away in December 2021.This act of remembrance and celebration of Zen's life was a testament to the love and resilience that defines their family.

Cardi B has been trying to “adapt” to single life following her split from Offset.The star split from fellow rapper Offset — with whom she has children Kulture and Wave — in December 2023 after six years of marriage. She has now thrown herself into work again as she comes to terms with being single.“I’ve been adapting to my new personal life, and it’s just been a little bit difficult. Especially because I have a lot of work to do and everything, but so far so good,” B said during an Instagram Live. “I’m not in a bad space, but I’m in a very different space. From 19 to 22, I was very alone. I just distanced myself from everybody and focused on my work.”The “WAP” hitmaker — who released her only album Invasion of Privacy in 2016 but continues to release singles regularly — is once again in “that space” and has “distanced herself from others but is looking forward to making new music.”“And this time around in life, I feel like I’m in that space again. I’ve completely distanced myself from people. I just can’t wait to put out my music and do different stuff,” she said.B first addressed her split in December and admitted at the time she had been hesitant to make the announcement to her fans at first.“I’ve been single for a minute now, but I have been afraid to like — not afraid I just don’t know how to tell the world. But I feel like today has been a sign. The last time I got on Live I kind of wanted to tell you guys, but I didn’t know how to tell you so I changed my mind. But it has been like this for a minute now. I just took it as a sign.” the “I Like It” said in a Live video on the site, addressing fan speculation after Offset and she unfollowed one another on Instagram.The couple previously split in 2018 shortly after their daughter was born amid rumors the Migos rapper — who has three children from previous relationships — had been unfaithful, but by early 2019, B admitted they were “working things out.”However, she went on to file for divorce in 2020, only to call off the proceedings months later.

Last month, two of Diddy's mansions were raided by Homeland Security amid a federal sex trafficking investigation. While it remains unclear exactly what officials found in the mogul's homes, social media users suspect it could include evidence incriminating some of his celebrity peers. According to his ex-bodyguard Gene Deal, there are several individuals from various walks of life who could have been caught on camera engaging in questionable activity."I don't think it's only celebrities gonna be shook," Deal explained in a recent interview with The Art Of Dialogue. "He had politicians in there, he had princes in there, he also had a couple of preachers in there."Deal went on to suggest that most of Diddy's celebrity friends are choosing to keep quiet on the case for now because the Bad Boy Records founder's entire house was equipped with cameras and audio recording devices. "I think the celebrities that may be worried is because of what Lil Rod said," he described. "Lil Rod said in his affidavit that Diddy had every room taped and bugged. Can you imagine? He had every room taped and bugged, and they found little bugs and tape recorders... They found them in the house, bruh. So by them having those things in the house and people know there's drugs and alcohol, there's loose women, there's loose men... All kinds of cr*zy sh*t. They're just wondering who or when they're gonna let this stuff be known."

Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta star Momma Dee threatened to post a video exposing her son Lil Scrappy 's ex-wife, Adi "Bambi" Benson after his former spouse took him to court over claims he violated their divorce settlement."If she's not careful, I'm gonna post a video that will make the whole world turn on her," Momma Dee warned. "I have the video Bambi I'm not playing with you girl shut it down and shut it down quick.""Furthermore, she's not even supposed to be discussing him so she messed up already herself so I don't know what part of the game but that divorce decree does not stay that she just keep lying and y'all keep listening," Momma Dee wrote in a comment under The Jasmine Brand 's social media post about their divorce drama. "I thought the world was a lot smarter than that, I myself have the court transcripts and I will release them."RadarOnline.com reported that Bambi filed legal documents accusing Scrappy (real name: Darryl Richardson III) of allowing his intimate partner to post photos of their children on social media, which she argued went against a provision.The exes previously agreed to joint legal custody of their three children with Bambi having primary custody and Scrappy having visitation in June 2023.Bambi pulled the plug on their marriage in Nov. 2022 and requested primary custody of their kids. She accused him of having "committed the act of adultery" in court papers. He insisted that was not true.This outlet learned that before Bambi filed her latest case accusing Scrappy of contempt — Scrappy filed his own suit in Oct. 2023, claiming she engaged in her own "willful acts of contempt," which she denied."[Bambi] continues to violate [Scrappy's] right to enjoy his residence free from interference. [Bambi] has engaged in willful acts of harassment by visiting [Scrappy's] home without his consent in direct violation of the Court Order."The rapper-reality star further claimed that his ex violated the deal by disparaging him to their children, alleging that she told them they would have "a new daddy to take care of them.""[Bambi's] words are not only disgusting; yet not made in the best interests of the children," his motion read. In January, Scrappy's request was denied by the court.

Universal Music Group (UMG) is being slapped with a copyright infringement lawsuit for ‘Real Love.’ According to TMZ , the suit claims the song illegally used a sample of a 1973 song. At this time, the filing does not list Mary J. Blige as a defendant.TMZ acquired legal documents stating that TufAmerica Inc. , the owner of Tuff City Records, claims Universal sampled their track without permission, ‘Impeach the President.’ Tuff City Records, based in New York, released ‘Impeach The President’ in 1973.According to Tuff City Records , it is one of the most sampled songs in hip hop history. Countless notable artists have borrowed parts of the song and made new creations. Slick Rick, 2Pac, Rakim, Ice Cube, and Eric B have sampled the tune.For context, entities must get permission from the original creator of a song before releasing any sampled work.TufAmerica stated that they reached out to UGM to express their concerns. They claim the record label ignored their alerts, so they’re suing.The company is requesting undisclosed damages. Additionally, until they settle the case, they want Universal to halt any revenue they receive from the record.‘Real Love’ is accused of sampling the musical composition and sound recording of ‘Impeach the President.’ The track is by Roy C and The Honey Dippers .Universal has previously credited an 80’s hip hop song by Audio Two called ‘Top Billin’ as the sample, per Genius .Mary J. Blige has not publicly reacted to the lawsuit.

Diddy’ s girlfriend Yung Miami was handed legal paperwork at a pool party over the weekend — as the troubled mogul remains in Florida as he defends himself against bombshell allegations, RadarOnline.com has learned.On Saturday, the City Girls rapper attended an event at Sekai Night & Day in Houston, Texas. Yung Miami was the featured host for the party.In a video, first posted by The Neighborhood Talk , a process server posted on Instagram that he was hired by a friend to serve Yung Miami at the pool party. He said, “The suit over Diddy making money off his brand and label and not paying him. Of course, I slide because why the f--- not?”The man’s friend is Charlie Cee [real name Charles Kenyatta Jr.] and reportedly has issues with Yung Miami using the phrase “Act Bad” on merchandise. Cee believes he is the rightful owner of the trademark.In the video, the man showed himself hanging out at the pool party. He eventually walked up to Yung Miami as she stood with a group of friends. The process server looked at Yung Miami and called her by her name.The rapper responded and took the papers out of his hand. He told her “You’ve been served.”Miami said, “Ok” as the process server walked away.RadarOnline.com has obtained a federal lawsuit filed by Kenyatta against Yung Miami in New York court.In the suit, Kenyatta said he is the sole owner of Act Bad Entertainment and the trademark for ‘Act Bad.”He said he never permitted Yung Miami to use his trademark. Despite this, he accused her of using the mark to sell merchandise and make a profit off his mark without permission.“The defendant had knowingly in bad faith marketed, distributed, offered to sell or sold the United States materially different products,” the suit read. Cee added, “She and her alleged boyfriend Sean Combs has a song called “Act Bad” and in a magazine stated them as “Mr. and Mrs. Act Bad,” causing a whole bunch of confusion with Plaintiff trademark.”“Whether a mark or trademark name is likely to cause delusion by blurring for purposes depends on factors including the similarity between the mark and famous mark,” his suit argued.He demanded $10 million in damages from Yung Miami and a court order prohibiting her from continuing to sell the merchandise.Yung Miami tweeted after the incident. "Tryna serve me some paper over MERCH that I'm not selling is LAME!!! Like everybody wanna go viral so bad let's go viral I'm tired!!!!!!!" she said.As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Yung Miami was named throughout Lil Rod' s $30 million lawsuit against Diddy for sexual harassment.The City Girls rapper was accused of providing drugs to Diddy and being a paid sex worker. Sources close to the rapper denied the allegations. Diddy's powerhouse lawyer Shawn Holley accused Lil Rod of being a liar after he filed suit.

Retired NFL running back O.J. Simpson has died following his prostate cancer, his family confirmed Thursday. Simpson was 76.The news has also been confirmed by TMZ and Fox.“On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer,” the family said in a tweeted posted from his personal account. “He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.“During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.”Reports of Simpson’s diagnosis began circulating in February, with some even claiming Simpson was in hospice. Simpson attempted to shut down those rumors with a video posted online.“I’m not in any hospice,” he said. “I don’t know who put that out there; but whoever put that out there, I guess it’s like [Donald Trump] says: ‘Can’t trust the media!'”