John Hurt Reveals He Has Pancreatic Cancer

June 16, 2015, 10:39 am

≫ Next: The Season 5 Finale Of 'Game Of Thones' Was The Series' Most-Watched Episode

≪ Previous: Adam Lambert Says He And Sam Smith Have 'Commiserated' On Being Gay In The Media

"Elephant Man" star Sir John Hurt has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, reports the BBC.

"I have always been open about the way in which I conduct my life and in that spirit I would like to make a statement," the 75-year-old said in a statement to Press Association. "I have recently been diagnosed with early stage pancreatic cancer. I am undergoing treatment and am more than optimistic about a satisfactory outcome, as indeed is the medical team."

Hurt went on to say that he will continue with his professional commitments and that his next project is recording "Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell" for BBC Radio 4. The irony of the title, he said, was not lost on him.

The Oscar-nominated British actor, who was knighted on New Year's Day, has had a long and varied career, but is perhaps best known for playing Joseph Merrick ("John" in the film) in "The Elephant Man," as well as roles in "Alien," "Midnight Express," and the last two "Harry Potter" movies.

The actor will next be seen in director David Yates' new "Tarzan" movie, which is expected to hit theaters in July 2016.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

The Season 5 Finale Of 'Game Of Thones' Was The Series' Most-Watched Episode

June 16, 2015, 11:18 am

≫ Next: 'The Bachelorette' Season 11 Episode 6 Recap: Kaitlyn Bristowe Finds Love (And A Hater) In Texas

≪ Previous: John Hurt Reveals He Has Pancreatic Cancer

How do you shatter TV ratings records? Kill off one of your main characters, apparently.

Sunday night's "Game of Thrones" finale not only shocked fans with (spoiler alert) the sudden death of Jon Snow, but also broke major records. The Season 5 finale, "Mother's Mercy," was the most-watched episode in "Thrones" history. Even though the finale ran opposite the NBA Finals, which also had a record-breaking night, "Thrones" brought in an average of 8.11 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

Earlier this year, the HBO series beat out its previous ratings records with the Season 5 premiere, which averaged 8 million viewers. All of those fans and critics who claimed they quit "Game of Thrones" after its controversial episodes this year were bigger liars than Olly.

These numbers only prove that "Thrones" continues to grow in popularity, despite its frequent violence against women and its tendency to kill off fan favorites. Last year, the Season 4 finale brought in 7.1 million viewers and HBO announced that "Thrones" had become the network's most popular show, beating out "The Sopranos." But will it go on to break more records now that Kit Harington isn't returning next season? In true Snow fashion, we know nothing (until next year).

For more, head to Variety.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

'The Bachelorette' Season 11 Episode 6 Recap: Kaitlyn Bristowe Finds Love (And A Hater) In Texas

June 16, 2015, 11:26 am

≫ Next: How Amber Rose Became A 'Feminist Monster' In The Best Way

≪ Previous: The Season 5 Finale Of 'Game Of Thones' Was The Series' Most-Watched Episode

It’s 2015. By now, reality TV is a young adult, but it hasn’t grown out of "The Bachelor" franchise. Despite its bizarre dating rituals, low success rate, and questionable racial and gender politics, the stable of shows is, if anything, more popular than ever. Do people love "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette," or do they love to hate it? It’s unclear. But here at Here To Make Friends, we both love and love to hate them -- and we love to snarkily dissect each episode in vivid detail.

In this week's Here To Make Friends podcast, hosts Claire Fallon, Culture Writer, and Emma Gray, Senior Women’s Editor, recap the third episode of "The Bachelorette," Season 11. We'll discuss Ian's epic flame-out, the two men who have declared their love for Kaitlyn and the Snapchat story that may have spoiled the season.

Plus, we'll speak with former "Bachelor" contestant Leslie Hughes to get her take on the way the franchise deals with issues of race, and how she feels about Kaitlyn's season.

You can check out our future episodes of Here To Make Friends and other HuffPost Podcasts on The Huffington Post's Sound Cloud page. Thanks to our producer, Katelyn Bogucki, our editor Jorge Corona, and our guest Leslie Hughes.

Also, check out the HuffPost Here To Make Friends podcast on iTunes and make sure to rate and review the show, too.

See Ian call Kaitlyn out for being on the show to "make out with a bunch of dudes on TV":

The best tweets about this week's "Bachelorette"...

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

How Amber Rose Became A 'Feminist Monster' In The Best Way

June 16, 2015, 11:35 am

≫ Next: 7 Tupac Songs That Still Resonate With Black America Today

≪ Previous: 'The Bachelorette' Season 11 Episode 6 Recap: Kaitlyn Bristowe Finds Love (And A Hater) In Texas

Amber Rose credits her feminist awakening to social media.

The 31-year-old model and entertainer recently sat down with Cosmopolitan to talk about her career, celebrity feuds and how she stumbled upon feminism through social media. "I was always about girl power, but I didn't quite get it because I did always feel like I had to be completely submissive to a man," Rose told Cosmo. " I was always very unhappy doing that. I think I needed time to grow up."

She told Cosmo's Eliza Thompson that she's always considered herself a feminist, but she didn't really grasp the movement until recently. Rose, who has over 6 million Instagram followers, says she gets her fair share of haters who slut-shame and body-shame her. This sexist backlash, she says, has helped her become a stronger feminist.

"You get to a certain point in your life where you really find out who you are, and sometimes that happens when you're 25, but for me, it was 31," she said. "I didn't quite know that before. I guess social media did help create the feminist monster that I've become."

At just 15 years old, Rose started stripping to make money in her hometown, Philadelphia. She described her experience to Cosmo: "I was very, very young," she said. "I did it and I was like, 'Oh, hell no, I cannot do this.' I was a kid. I think I was still a virgin at the time. Being onstage with my boobs out, it was like, 'Oh my god, this is not for me.'"

After a few years of stripping, Rose said she became much more comfortable on stage and now she looks back at the experience fondly. "That was the best time of my life!" she said. "Oh my god, I had so much fun. I really did. All the girls were really cool. The guys weren't allowed to touch you. I was never sexually assaulted or [anything]. I was young, beautiful, I was onstage, I wasn't really ashamed of my body. I made lifelong friends."

Rose told Cosmo she's been giving anti-slut shaming talks to college women around the country and she plans to host an Amber Rose SlutWalk this summer in Los Angeles.

You do you, Amber. Because that's feminism.

Check out the Official cover for my book "How To Be A Bad Bitch" Shot by David LaChapelle and make sure you preorder your copy now on Amazon (link in bio) @simonandschuster @gallerybooks

A photo posted by Amber Rose (@amberrose) on Jun 6, 2015 at 12:37pm PDT

Head over to Cosmopolitan to read the rest of the interview.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

7 Tupac Songs That Still Resonate With Black America Today

June 16, 2015, 11:51 am

≫ Next: Maisie Williams' Reaction To That ‘Game Of Thrones' Death Was Just Like Ours During The Finale

≪ Previous: How Amber Rose Became A 'Feminist Monster' In The Best Way

Nearly 20 years since his death, Tupac Shakur's legacy lives on in popular culture. After all, the rapper sold over 75 million records worldwide.

Shakur’s work inspired a 2014 Broadway musical and was recently featured in Powerade’s commercial with NBA star Derrick Rose and on Kendrick Lamar’s latest album, “To Pimp A Butterfly."

His thought-provoking lyrics on songs like “Keep Ya Head Up” and “Trapped” address the complexities of black America, proof of his power to resonate with listeners who still see his truthful take reflected in black culture today.

In honor of what would have been Shakur’s 44th birthday, we decided to choose seven of our favorite songs that powerfully address ongoing social issues in America.

Let us know your favorite Tupac lyric and song in the comments section below.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

Maisie Williams' Reaction To That ‘Game Of Thrones' Death Was Just Like Ours During The Finale

June 16, 2015, 1:14 pm

≫ Next: Armani Gives Kim Kardashian Foundation With A Side Of Shade

≪ Previous: 7 Tupac Songs That Still Resonate With Black America Today

Arya Stark may be no one, but Maisie Williams is every "Game of Thrones" fan during the final minutes of Sunday's season finale.

Spoiler alert for Season 5, Episode 10, "Mother's Mercy."

The Season 5 finale ended with the heartbreaking death of Jon Snow as he was stabbed by his brothers of the Night's Watch. Most of us were crying, screaming at the TV or frozen in a state of shock (or a mixture of all three). But how did Williams respond to watching her fictional half-brother get murdered on screen?

@geeemma_vale @GameOfThrones
I DNT CARE ABUT UR SILLY FEKIN NIGHTS WATCH OMG STAHP STABBIN JON SNOOOO
— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) June 15, 2015

Yup, same! The actress answered a handful of other fan questions during a Twitter Q&A on Monday. Williams revealed which "GoT" character she'd resurrect from the dead (R.I.P. Lommy), which cast member is the funniest on set and the other character on the show she'd like to play.

@MelSherLoki @GameOfThrones Lysa Arryn... Jk never.
Ummmm Lommy
4 u @Eros_V
— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) June 15, 2015

@politegrey @GameOfThrones I think @SophieT is hilarious because I'm with her 24/7, but I know Conleth Hill makes everyone corpse on set...
— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) June 15, 2015

@SharonMarie74 @GameOfThrones Ygritte. Bc she's a bamf
— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) June 15, 2015

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

Armani Gives Kim Kardashian Foundation With A Side Of Shade

June 16, 2015, 1:33 pm

≫ Next: Kardashian Click Bait: Why We Continually Engage

≪ Previous: Maisie Williams' Reaction To That ‘Game Of Thrones' Death Was Just Like Ours During The Finale

Celebrities: they're just like us.

When Kim Kardashian found out that Giorgio Armani was apparently discontinuing her favorite foundation over the weekend, she took to Twitter to express her disappointment.

Unfortunately, she made a little spelling error. Instead of spelling his name the correct way, "Giorgio," Kim typed "Georgio." Armani's team then replied with all the shade they could manage in 140 characters.

@KimKardashian Dear Kim - let us know which one you need and we'll send it to you. And Mr. Armani's first name is Giorgio.
— Armani (@armani) June 15, 2015

It doesn't look like Kim has replied to Armani's tweet yet, but we're guessing this is the current mood in the Kardashian-West house:

H/T The Independent

Like Us On Facebook |

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

Kardashian Click Bait: Why We Continually Engage

June 16, 2015, 1:40 pm

≫ Next: Kim Kardashian's Letter To Her Future Self Asks The Big Questions

≪ Previous: Armani Gives Kim Kardashian Foundation With A Side Of Shade

Something happened this morning.

As soon as I creaked open my tired, allergy-laden eyes, I found myself scrolling through the elite, scholarly and highly-credible Yahoo! news feed. Sheer moments later, in an I-just-subconsciously-clicked kind of way, I found myself faced with a shoddy article, complete with Instagram pictures of Kylie Jenner.

That hurt to say.

Yes, dear readers, Kylie Jenner was among the first three faces that I saw this morning, with the first two being my husband and my dog. I have been bothered by this all day, but also contemplative. It's truthfully nothing against Kylie Jenner; instead, I just felt that I needed to introspect and ask: Why do I care? Why do we all care?

You see, the traditional rhetoric goes that we use celebrities' drama as an "escape," as we can temporarily become engrossed in their lives and forget about ours. This may be true, but there is also another layer to examine. There are plenty of celebrities, but somehow the Kardashians engage our interest on another level.

I'll go ahead and say it. I think they make us feel good about ourselves while simultaneously making us feel like crap. It's one part superiority, mixed with one part inferiority. For example, we feel mighty and moral when we assess that we're parenting better than Kris Jenner, but still wish we lived in a house as big as hers. Or something like that.

The Kardashians fill a need. We live in a society -- and cue Debbie Downer -- that is incredibly sad. We are depressed, anxious, overworked, underpaid. Very few of us can find a work/life balance. That is where the escape portion comes in. However, as we are all chronically underappreciated for making it day to day in this hard world, feeling that we are actually doing better than the Kardashians on a number of fronts gives us a little extra spring in our step.

With that said, it is no secret that many of us pretend to fully hate them. If you check out the comment section of any Kardashian article (and I use the term "article" lightly), you will find people writing, "Stop posting about these people!" and "I hate the Kartrashians." The incongruousness of their actions seem to be lost on the comment authors. After all, you had to have clicked the article if you're commenting...

The idea isn't that we should stop reading and clicking. Admittedly, it would be difficult to fully disengage from popular culture.

However, critically examining the motivations for our actions is never a bad thing.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

Kim Kardashian's Letter To Her Future Self Asks The Big Questions

June 16, 2015, 2:06 pm

≫ Next: 'Princess Diaries 3' Is Reportedly In The Works At Disney

≪ Previous: Kardashian Click Bait: Why We Continually Engage

Kim Kardashian gets thoughtful, penning a letter to her future self in a video for Glamour -- and it's kind of like looking into the reality star's soul.

A lot can change in 10 years, but Kardashian seems to have everything planned out. When she's 44, Kardashian wants to remind herself, "When it comes to how you feel about your body, remember to be kind to yourself and enjoy how you look now because you're not getting any younger."

She also writes, "Since North is now 12, I hope you remember that pre-teens are going through a lot. I know Junior High is really tough, so remember to have a lot of patience!"

Still, Kardashian knows who she is, and doesn't think a decade will change that.

"I trust that you will still be the queen of contouring," she writes, adding, "May science invent a mysterious and delicious green juice to keep you tan forever." (We would totally invest in this technology, if someone wants to make that happen).

And because Kim Kardashian ponders only the big questions in life, she wonders:

"Are you still filming 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians? ... Are selfies still a thing? Are the terms 'bae' and 'on fleek' so 2015? If not, am I still 'on fleek?'"

And lastly she writes to her future self, "If you haven't broken the 100 billion mark on Instagram followers, I'll be very disappointed in you. Bible."

Well, it's good to have goals.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

'Princess Diaries 3' Is Reportedly In The Works At Disney

June 16, 2015, 2:27 pm

≫ Next: Kate Hudson Wears Barely-There Nude Bikini While Vacationing In Greece

≪ Previous: Kim Kardashian's Letter To Her Future Self Asks The Big Questions

The Crown Princess of Genovia may be back again.

According to the Tracking Board, Disney is reportedly moving forward on "Princess Diaries 3." The website reports that the plot for the third movie is being kept under wraps, but that it may or may not involve Anne Hathaway.

When Access Hollywood asked Julie Andrews about the possibility of a third "Princess Diaries" back in 2012, the actress said she'd be open to return. "I would never say no because Disney’s so wonderfully clever and inventive," Andrews said, "but I would think they’ll stay with just the two because of Annie." If Andrews doesn't even think her co-star would return, chances seem slim.

However, there is also the possibility that Disney may plan to reboot the "Princess Diaries" franchise, according to the Tracking Board. As the Dissolve points out, there's a lot of room for possibilities for a whole new era of Mia Thermopolis-like stories since Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries book series has lots of material to borrow from. The 2001 Disney movie was based on Cabot's 2000 novel of the same name, but there are nine other volumes of the young adult series, as well as multiple half volumes. Cabot also just released the first adult installment of her series, The Princess Diaries, Volume XI: Royal Wedding.

Disney and reps for Hathaway and Andrews were not immediately available for comment.

For more, head to The Tracking Board.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

Kate Hudson Wears Barely-There Nude Bikini While Vacationing In Greece

June 16, 2015, 2:33 pm

≫ Next: Shirtless Zac Efron Goes Rope Swinging In Hawaii

≪ Previous: 'Princess Diaries 3' Is Reportedly In The Works At Disney

She wore an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, blink-and-you'll-miss-it nude bikini!

Kate Hudson showed off her figure in a sultry swimsuit and body chain while relaxing poolside on the Greek island of Skiathos. "When in Greece ... " wrote the 36-year-old actress of the sun-soaked vacation snapshot, which she posted on her Instagram.

When in Greece... ☀️ @sophielopez

A photo posted by Kate Hudson (@katehudson) on Jun 16, 2015 at 4:19am PDT

Hudson has been vacationing with her mother, Oscar-winning actress Goldie Hawn, and sons Ryder, 11, and Bingham, 3, reports People. She celebrated the start of her summer vacation a few days earlier with another Instagram photo, referencing Alice Cooper's famous anthem with a "#SchoolsOutForSummer" hashtag.

Good morning summer vaca ☀️ ☕️ #SchoolsOutForSummer

A photo posted by Kate Hudson (@katehudson) on Jun 12, 2015 at 9:28pm PDT

Hudson's abs have garnered some attention over the years, but the star says her main motivation is not superficial. “It’s not just about trying to look good physically, it’s important to get oxygen to my brain and feel like my blood is really circulating," she told Shape magazine in February about staying fit.

After her Greek odyssey comes to a close, Hudson will likely be hard at work on the promotional circuit. The trailer for her upcoming movie, "Rock the Kasbah," premiered last week .

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

Shirtless Zac Efron Goes Rope Swinging In Hawaii

June 16, 2015, 2:57 pm

≫ Next: All The Sex And Nudity In Season 5 Of 'Game Of Thrones' (NSFW)

≪ Previous: Kate Hudson Wears Barely-There Nude Bikini While Vacationing In Greece

Zac Efron is really channeling his inner Tarzan these days.

In between filming scenes in Hawaii for "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates," Efron has been hiking, swimming with sharks and rope swinging into a scenic pool of water.

He tweeted the below slow-motion video while hanging out on Oahu with co-star Adam DeVine.

#COWABUNGA pic.twitter.com/Y8paeusZo3
— Zac Efron (@ZacEfron) June 14, 2015

Aloha pic.twitter.com/Qk1knKuA0j
— Zac Efron (@ZacEfron) June 14, 2015

A photo posted by Adam Devine (@andybovine) on Jun 8, 2015 at 7:14pm PDT

While Efron is clearly seizing the summer, his followers on social media have been treated to a shirtless-Efron extravaganza.

We think we speak for the entire Twitterverse when we say "mahalo," Zac.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

All The Sex And Nudity In Season 5 Of 'Game Of Thrones' (NSFW)

June 16, 2015, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Lawyers Ready Evidence That Could Free Imprisoned Rapper 'Mac' Phipps

≪ Previous: Shirtless Zac Efron Goes Rope Swinging In Hawaii

Warning: The following video contains sexual content and many "Game of Thrones" spoilers. Those under 18 should not view it. Thank you.

On Sunday, "Game of Thrones" finished its fifth season, which means it’s once again time for a Huffington Post tradition: Our scholarly video round-up of all the sex and nudity on Season 5.

With roughly 6 minutes and 40 seconds of sex scenes and/or nakedness, the critically acclaimed show came back from its Season 4 “adult content” low of under 6 minutes. Still, it was unable to compete with the first three seasons' excessive nudity, which inspired TV critic Myles McNutt to coin the term “sexposition”

In terms of the nature of the naughty, as is often the case with "Game of Thrones," it was a mix of tantalizing and horrifying. Fortunately, perhaps learning from their previous experience, the showrunners spared us from witnessing the season’s most vile sex act –- the rape of Sansa Stark -- on camera. But there were still plenty of uncomfortable moments, most notably Cersei Lannister’s dehumanizing “walk of shame.” It’s a sequence responsible for nearly a third of the nudity this season, and some very conflicting emotions for "Game of Thrones" fans in a love/hate relationship with the Queen Regent.

Check out the full, very NSFW collection in the video below. Hopefully all the body heat can keep you warm during the long winter before the premiere of Season 6.

You can also watch the "Game of Thrones" Seasons 1 and 2 sex and nudity compilation, the Season 3 compilation and the Season 4 compilation.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

Lawyers Ready Evidence That Could Free Imprisoned Rapper 'Mac' Phipps

June 17, 2015, 10:49 am

≫ Next: The Amy Winehouse We Never Knew

≪ Previous: All The Sex And Nudity In Season 5 Of 'Game Of Thrones' (NSFW)

Rapper McKinley Phipps, who was known by the stage name "Mac the Camouflage Assassin," was convicted just days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the shooting death of a teenage fan at one of his shows.

Now, after five prosecution witnesses told The Huffington Post that police and prosecutors in Louisiana bullied them into fingering the once-promising hip-hop artist as the gunman, his lawyers say they have enough evidence to prove what Phipps has been saying the past 15 years: that he was the victim of a runaway, overaggressive prosecution.

"There is an undeniable pattern of irregularities that is very easy to see," Covington-based defense attorney Buddy Spell told The Huffington Post. "We're talking about major flaws in the testimony that was presented to the jury -- testimony that no longer stands up."

Rapper Killer Mike Deplores Prosecution Of McKinley Phipps

Prosecutor Used Hip-Hop As A Weapon To Convict Mac Phipps

Eyewitnesses Join Family In Plea For New Trial

Witnesses: DA Bullied Testimony That Put Rapper Away For 30 Years

More McKinley "Mac" Phipps Coverage

Phipps, serving 30 years for manslaughter in the Feb. 21, 2000, shooting death of a fan at a concert in St. Tammany Parish, was convicted by a jury that heard from an eyewitness who told HuffPost in an exclusive interview that she lied when she fingered him as the gunman because prosecutors threatened to charge her. Four other witnesses to the shooting told HuffPost they also were threatened, intimidated or outright ignored by investigators.

The witnesses in recent months have signed sworn affidavits and met with Phipps' legal team, which includes Spell and his partner, Tara Zeller.

MAC PERFORMING ON STAGE: (Story Continues Below)

At the time of Phipps' arrest, he was a 22-year-old rising star in the New Orleans area. Master P had signed him to No Limit Records, alongside Snoop Dogg and Mystikal. He had recently released "World War III," featuring cuts such as "Assassin Nation," "Genocide" and "War Party."

When Phipps went to trial, St. Tammany Parish Assistant District Attorney Bruce Dearing misleadingly spliced together lyrics from two of Phipps' songs, according to a Huffington Post review of Phipps' conviction published earlier this year.

Spell declined to comment on Dearing, but he did say he found "using Mac's lyrics against him -- his art -- was offensive."

Dearing worked under former St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Walter Reed, who left office in January. Reed, who was first elected to office in 1984, has since been indicted by a federal grand jury on 18 counts, including charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.

mac father

McKinley Phipps Jr., left, with his father McKinley Phipps Sr.

Contacted by HuffPost on Monday, Lisa Frazier Page, a spokeswoman for the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney's Office, said District Attorney Warren Montgomery "will fulfill his responsibility to respond to the allegations" when he meets with Phipps' legal team. However, Spell said he expects Montgomery to recuse himself. "He did in fact indicate to me that is likely what he's going to do because he did look into the case himself before he became district attorney," Spell said.

According to Spell, Phipps' parents had approached Montgomery when he was operating a private practice. Montgomery confirmed the meeting in a recent interview with The New Orleans Advocate.

"I anticipate I will be dealing with the Louisiana State Attorney General's Office when we present the case," Spell said. "We have a very good working relationship with that office, so we look forward to reaching some sort of resolution."

The Mac Story (Story Continues Below)

For his part, Phipps says he is trying to stay positive. "I just want to be out with my family and my son," he told HuffPost. "Over the years, there have been several times when I really thought that I would be exonerated. I don't know what will ultimately happen, but I've always thought it can't possibly rain forever."

Spell said he expects to present Phipps' case to the prosecution in mid-July. "We visited with Mac last week and we also met another witness that further confirmed Mac did not receive a fair trial," he said. "We are looking forward to working with the state to bring this matter to a more just conclusion as quickly as possible."

For Phipps' family, that meeting can't come soon enough. "After 15 years of fighting for my son's innocence, this is the first time my family and I feel confident about his legal team," Phipps' mom, Sheila Phipps, told HuffPost.

"I am very confident in the legal prowess of both Mr. Spell and Ms. Zeller," added McKinley Phipps' fiancee, Angelique Christina. "I trust that they will be able to quickly right this very unforgivable wrong in the most amicable way possible."

Like Us On Facebook

Contact The Author

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

The Amy Winehouse We Never Knew

June 17, 2015, 11:30 am

≫ Next: Paul Walker's Acquaintance Sued For Allegedly Stealing Actor's Cars After His Death

≪ Previous: Lawyers Ready Evidence That Could Free Imprisoned Rapper 'Mac' Phipps

The following article is provided by Rolling Stone.

By ANDY GREENE

About two years ago, documentary filmmaker Asif Kapadia began interviewing Amy Winehouse's friends, collaborators and family members in a darkened studio in London. Winehouse had died less than two years earlier, and emotions were still raw. So Kapadia set his camera aside and used only an audio recorder to make them feel more comfortable. "They were very nervous, and there was a lot of guilt," he says. "It became a bit like therapy. They opened up and talked about things they hadn't really spoken about to anyone before."

Amy Winehouse's Death: A Troubled Star Gone Too Soon

Kapadia's film, Amy — which premiered at Cannes in May to rave reviews and begins rolling out across America in early July — tells the story of the troubled singer in unprecedented depth. Kapadia used unseen archival footage and more than 100 newly recorded interviews to document her talent and her painful unraveling, which culminated with her death at age 27 due to alcohol toxicity.

A British filmmaker best known for Senna, his 2010 film about a Brazilian racing champion, Kapadia says he knew little about Winehouse when he took on the project. "What I learned was what a creative, intelligent, funny human being she was," he says. "I didn't know any of that. I don't know if anyone did."

Photos: Family, Friends and Fans Remember Amy Winehouse

As he slowly won the trust of those close to Winehouse — including her best friend, her manager and Blake Fielder-Civil, her ex-husband — they began handing over the rare photos and video clips that make up much of the film. Early scenes, like a teenage Winehouse belting "Happy Birthday" at a friend's 14th birthday party, reveal the singer's natural talent, while the latter half of the film documents her agonizing drug problems. Less well-known to the public is her struggle with bulimia, which likely played a significant role in her early death by weakening her heart. "She'd have meetings in restaurants and be eating and eating, but she didn't have anything to her body mass," Kapadia says.

One powerful scene shows Winehouse laying down vocals for "Back to Black" with producer Mark Ronson. "That came to us purely by chance," says Kapadia. "We heard a rumor that someone was filming during the session, and we eventually found it."

Amy Winehouse’s Life in Pictures

The film repeatedly shows swarms of aggressive paparazzi stalking the frail singer wherever she went, even as she attempted to enter rehab and fix up her life. "It's quite visceral," says Kapadia. "Through the tabloids, her life became a joke, and she was a sensitive soul. She wasn't confident enough to deal with these issues."

500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Amy's father, Mitch Winehouse, a London cabdriver who began releasing his own music after her career took off, granted Kapadia extensive interviews, and is seen in much of the archival footage — at one point even showing up to visit his daughter on a Caribbean vacation, though she had no idea he'd arrive with a film crew in tow. The overall portrait is of a deeply devoted parent who was also very interested in maximizing his child's earning potential, even as her health declined. Mitch was extremely upset with the final cut of the movie. "They are trying to portray me in the worst possible light," he told The Guardian in May. (Mitch Winehouse declined to speak with Rolling Stone for this story.)

Winehouse's father has objected to a scene that shows him suggesting his daughter did not need rehab; he said that he meant only that she didn't need rehab in 2005, and that he later supported the idea as her condition worsened. Kapadia stands by his portrayal. "We're telling the story in the present," he says. "At that moment in time, that's what happened."

The Tumultuous Life of Amy Winehouse

The final scenes, in which an ailing Winehouse is barely able to sing onstage, can be difficult to watch, as is the moment when authorities emerge from her London apartment with a body bag. "Part of the intention of the ending is to ask, 'How did we let this happen?' " Kapadia says. "How did we let this thing go on, and nobody stepped in and stopped it?"

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

Paul Walker's Acquaintance Sued For Allegedly Stealing Actor's Cars After His Death

June 17, 2015, 11:46 am

≪ Previous: The Amy Winehouse We Never Knew

Paul Walker's estate is furious with one of Walker's pals, suing him for allegedly hiding or stealing several of the actor's cars after he was killed in a November 2013 auto accident.

The suit, filed June 11, alleges that Richard Taylor had associates take and hide several cars from a storage facility in Valencia, California, less than a day following the "Fast & Furious" star's death. Among the allegedly stolen cars was a 2011 Porsche GT3 RS.

"[Taylor] has intentionally and fraudulently concealed the existence and location of such vehicles from Plaintiff in order to wrongfully convert such vehicles for his own use or benefit,” reads the suit, posted by The Hollywood Reporter. Paul Walker III, the actor's father and executor of his estate, asserts that he asked for the cars' whereabouts and Taylor didn't answer so that he could "extort money and other concessions."

At least seven cars are unaccounted for, including a 2008 BMW M3, a 2006 Crown Victoria and a 2004 GMC truck, according to the suit. At the time of his death, Walker owned more than 30 cars, the suit says. When Taylor, who helped Walker manage his car collection, did provide the Walker estate with a list of the actor's vehicles, he purposely omitted several of them, the suit alleges.

Christopher Heck, the lead attorney for Walker's estate, told The Huffington Post Wednesday that he "had a hunch" others were involved and that the investigation was ongoing. "One of the issues is a question of record-keeping," Heck said. "Mr. Taylor and people associated with him were handling the records in a lot of cases and the records are not sufficient."

HuffPost attempted to reach Taylor through an attorney who, according to Heck, represented him when Walker's estate inquired about the cars earlier. HuffPost did not immediately hear back and it was not clear at press time if Taylor retained the same representation.

Walker's estate is demanding that Taylor return the cars or pay back their value in cash. It alleges that Taylor already sold some of the cars.

Walker and Roger Rodas, a business partner, perished after Rodas crashed a Porsche Carrera GT into trees and a utility pole on Nov. 30, 2013.

Walker’s estate had already sued the estate of Rodas for the return of other cars supposedly owned by Walker.

"Furious 7," which was in production at the time of Walker's death, was finished using Walker's brothers as doubles and made more than $350 million at the domestic box office.

H/T Uproxx

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

A Popular 'Game Of Thrones' Theory Has One Major Problem

June 17, 2015, 11:50 am

≫ Next: Kim Kardashian Snaps Disneyland Selfie With Mickey And Minnie Mouse

≪ Previous: Paul Walker's Acquaintance Sued For Allegedly Stealing Actor's Cars After His Death

With the death of that big character on the "Game of Thrones" finale, one thing is certain (and it's not that everyone hates Olly): Theories, and spoilers, are coming!

tv show gifs

Image via HBO/HuffPost

The death of Lord Commander Jon Snow caused outrage across the Internet. In the book, there are hints that the character actually survives the Night's Watch mutiny by warging into the body of his direwolf Ghost. Because of this, fans have come up with crazy theories to try to prove Snow is alive. Some claim Kit Harington's eyes seem to change color in the scene, perhaps indicating that he's warging, while others claim the blood pool looks like a wolf.

Image: Vanity Fair

The truth of that remains to be seen, but it appears at least one popular theory may have a big hole in it. A user on A Forum of Ice and Fire explains the theory, which is all about what will happen to Jon Snow's body after it's burned following his death:

Under the assumption that R+L=J, [Jon Snow] has targ blood in his veins and there will be some sort of magical rebirth in the fire. Like Dani after Drogos death and the birth of the dragons he will not be harmed by the fire and be alive again.

So the theory states that, assuming Rhaegar Targaryen (R) and Lyanna Stark (L) are the parents of Jon Snow (J), Snow's body would remain unharmed by fire when the Night's Watch tries to burn him, which would probably happen so he doesn't turn into a Wight, aka a reanimated corpse. After that, there could be some sort of rebirth in the flames.

It's a cool idea, but there's one major detail it seems to overlook:

Jon Snow is not resistant to fire. He burns himself during the Wight attack in Season 1.

tv show gifs

Image: YouTube

In Season 1, Jon Snow gets burned pretty badly after grabbing a lantern and throwing it at a Wight. He is shown later in the episode with bandages on this hand, and George R.R. Martin's book A Game of Thrones even goes into more detail about the severity of the burns:

He had burned himself more badly than he knew throwing the flaming drapes, and his right hand was swathed in silk halfway to the elbow. At the time he'd felt nothing; the agony had come after. His cracked red skin oozed fluid, and fearsome blood blisters rose between his fingers, big as roaches.

Wow, that's pretty gross. And revealing, too. (But mostly gross.)

You know nothing about fire safety, Jon Snow.

Though the burns happen under slightly different circumstances, words like "agony" and "blisters" don't give the impression that Snow has any immunity to fire. Martin seems to make a point of referencing his burned hand again just to remind you that, yeah, his hand really hurts after that.

In the TV series, Daenerys, who everyone assumes is one of the "three heads" of the dragon that's a part of a prophecy in the books, shows heat resistant qualities a number of times. She picks up hot dragon eggs, gets in scalding bath water and survives being burned alive in a giant fire with her dragon eggs.

If Jon Snow is another of the "three heads" and a Targaryen, shouldn't he be (somewhat) fire resistant, as well?

Image: Tumblr

Though the theory of Snow's fire resurrection has some holes in it, it can't be ruled out entirely.

Dany actually does get some heat-related injuries from Drogon in the books. (Though, that's obviously dealing with a dragon and not a regular fire.) In addition, it's speculated that she only survived Khal Drogo's funeral fire with her dragon eggs because of blood magic and the sacrifice of Mirri Maz Duur, who was burned alive.

Sure, Jon Snow clearly isn't flame retardant and probably wouldn't just rise out of the fire by himself, but that doesn't necessarily mean someone like Melisandre couldn't somehow help bring him back with magic. She is at the Wall after all, and knows plenty about sacrifices.

tv show gifs

Image: YouTube

Eh, you should probably just sit this one out, Shireen. You've done enough.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

Kim Kardashian Snaps Disneyland Selfie With Mickey And Minnie Mouse

June 17, 2015, 11:54 am

≫ Next: Bindi Irwin Is Done Wearing Khaki

≪ Previous: A Popular 'Game Of Thrones' Theory Has One Major Problem

Kim Kardashian -- one half of a pretty well-known married couple -- met another super-famous duo at Disneyland while celebrating daughter North's second birthday.

Kardashian shared a selfie with Mickey and Minnie Mouse on her Instagram. The photo shows the 34-year-old star posing with Disney's greatest power couple, flashing a peace sign and her signature pursed lips.

✌

A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Jun 17, 2015 at 8:18am PDT

Kardashian even managed to raise her game to a new level of meta-selfie, posting a photo of herself taking the picture with the iconic characters. It's just another day at the metaphorical office for the author of Selfish.

Selfie with Mickey & Minnie

A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Jun 17, 2015 at 8:02am PDT

The extended Kardashian family seems to be making a trend of Disney-themed parties. They visited Disney on Ice in December to celebrate Mason Disick's fifth birthday. And, of course, Kardashian is mama to the "sweetest Minnie Mouse" of all: North West.

Happy birthday to my sweetest Minnie Mouse! Thank you Disneyland for the most amazing day! I will post more pics later today was a busy day!

A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Jun 15, 2015 at 8:53pm PDT

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

Bindi Irwin Is Done Wearing Khaki

June 17, 2015, 12:30 pm

≫ Next: Courage Isn't a Competition - Reflections on Caitlyn Jenner

≪ Previous: Kim Kardashian Snaps Disneyland Selfie With Mickey And Minnie Mouse

Bindi Irwin might be "stepping away from khaki" but she’s not quitting on the environment any time soon.

The 16-year-old daughter of the late "Crocodile Hunter," Steve Irwin, spoke with Us Weekly about her ever-changing fashion choices and continuing her dad’s important legacy.

"I’ll always feel most comfortable in khaki surrounded by animals," Irwin explains. "But it is really fun to try different styles."

"I’m kind of stepping away from khaki!"

But one thing Irwin’s not stepping away from is her commitment to the environment. Irwin spends her days running Queensland’s Australia Zoo with her mom, Terri, and her 11-year-old brother, Robert. She also has a show, "Bindi’s Bootcamp," that just hit Netflix, and continues to work with her parents’ Wildlife Warriors organization -- all of which she does in the hopes that her dad would "be proud."

“That’s my end goal,” she tells Us Weekly. “He was like our living, breathing superhero. He was so passionate and clever.”

Earlier this year Irwin shared a grown-up selfie to her Instagram account, and while she’s certainly maturing, she hopes other teens will consider taking a moment to think about their style choices.

“I almost wish I could tell young girls, ‘Look, in 10 years when you look back at yourself, you’ll cringe, honey, honestly,'” she told News Corp Australia last year. “A lot of times I want to grab these girls and say, ‘Look ... in 10 years, you’ll regret this. Just dress like who you are. Don’t try so hard. A pair of jeans and a T-shirt is just as gorgeous and even makes you look classier' ... The way I choose to dress, I want to influence other people around me, I suppose.”

You can read the full interview in this week’s issue of Us Weekly.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

Courage Isn't a Competition - Reflections on Caitlyn Jenner

June 17, 2015, 12:30 pm

≫ Next: Name of the Year: Caitlyn

≪ Previous: Bindi Irwin Is Done Wearing Khaki

Here we go again, another Kardashian story.

But this time it's not about scandalous affairs, pedophilia or who is having their next kid. On June 1, 2015 the woman formerly known to the world as Bruce Jenner finally revealed herself to the world as Caitlyn Jenner (insert hallelujah chorus here). Unlike past Kardashian "news," this really broke the internet to say the least.

We've known for a few months about Caitlyn's decision to finally be herself. By decide, I'm simply not saying that she decided to be a woman. I mean, she decided to finally let everyone know who she's always been. However, Caitlyn's not the only celebrity (have you heard of Laverne Cox?), or any human to come out as a transgender woman, so why is she breaking the internet?

For some reason, we allow celebrities to pave the way for what we find acceptable. Because that's their role in society, right? In many ways we see Cailtyn as one of the power figures who will maybe shed light upon the trans* community and even improve cultural attitudes towards the transgender community. It's an unfortunate truth that historically the LGBTQ community have not had it easy. Furthermore violence perpetrated against transgender people, and furthermore transgender women, has been overwhelmingly ignored.

Yet while many congratulated Caitlyn and accepted her, others chose to stay ignorant. Facebook statuses and tweets confirm how upsetting people's attitudes can be. Examples of this ignorances include the use of incorrect gender pronouns and refusal to call Caitlyn by her name (looking at you Drake Bell). However, what I found most conflicting and interesting of all was the outrage regarding Caitlyn winning the Arthur Ashe Courage Award over an army veteran, a story that was widely misunderstood.

It's undeniable that what the military does for our nation keeps us indebted to them for all of our lives. They risk their lives, they go to war, they sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the country. It takes courage to do what they do. Which is why many have spoken out about the "unjustness" of recognizing the courage of a "man deciding to become a woman" over an army veteran who lost his limbs in war.

First off, Noah Galloway wasn't confirmed to be in the running for the award. An ignorant twitter user made the comparison joke. After Caitlyn Jenner revealed herself on twitter, Gerry Callahan flocked to twitter to denounce her as a woman and even started the rumor about Galloway being the runner-up for the award. It didn't take long for internet trolls to start spreading the rumor like fire, enough to spark an outcry amongst patriotic conservatives. Posts were made filled with pictures of soldiers who were deemed more courageous for fighting in wars and risking their lives over individuals who came out and revealed who they truly were.

Who's the real hero? If you chose "Caitlyn Jenner" congratulations, you're what's wrong with America. pic.twitter.com/fr7YtDQ0by
— Military Tweets (@LifeAsSoldiers) June 9, 2015

ESPN - @Caitlyn_Jenner will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year's #ESPYs awards. The runner-up is ... pic.twitter.com/BWAtEQYbST
— Did You Know? (@Know) June 2, 2015

Secondly, it's not just the comments being made, but the attitude behind it all. People criticize Caitlyn's "bravery" for not being bravery at all. Who is anyone to attack a person's character and decide whose courage is worth more than another? This isn't even about who deserves the award anymore. Courage isn't a competition. Courage is not measured by how brave certain individuals are over others.

When I think of courage, I think of individuals such as DW Trantham, a 13-year-old girl who was supported by her school's administration and father when parents felt uncomfortable about her using the same bathroom as their daughters. Or Geena Rocero, a Filipino professional model and founder of Gender Proud who decided to publicly reveal that she was transgender at a TED talk. And how could we forget Sgt. Shane Ortega, a military soldier who was assigned female at birth but underwent transition while serving for the United States Army and is currently fighting for his right to continue to serve?

If the comparison is incorrect then what is this controversy about? This is about how people are blissfully unaware of how they're actually against trans people. Last time I checked, servicemen and women don't get harassed for simply wanting to be themselves.

Yes, it's undeniable that they're brave for going to war and risking their lives for our country and our nation appreciates all that the military does, but bravery comes in different shapes, sizes and forms. There is no need to compare bravery, because it's not to be compared. We all have our own battles, you shouldn't ridicule anyone for fighting them.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

↧

Latest Images