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In Black Business Month news…

A Black beauty boss is telling BOSSIP how a family formula became a multimillion-dollar mane attraction, taking her hair brand from homemade remedy to 1,900 Walmart stores, all without a single investor or loan.

Business is booming for Bask & Lather CEO Shaina Rainford, and the numbers speak for themselves. The brand recently expanded into Walmart stores across 48 states, but that’s far from its only major milestone. Bask & Lather landed on the Inc. 5000 for the second consecutive year, ranking No. 355 in 2026 after posting 975% revenue growth over three years.

But before the retail expansion and massive revenue growth, Rainford’s family was simply trying to save her little sister’s hair.

Rainford notes that she grew up in the Bronx, where trips to Dominican hair salons were a regular part of her life. Years later, her younger sister, Aaliyah, began losing her hair after ringworm was misdiagnosed as dandruff.

Their mother, Leslie, wasn’t willing to sit idly by. Drawing on 25 years of experience as a science teacher, she developed a homemade remedy to help Aaliyah’s hair grow back.

At the time, Rainford said no one was thinking about turning it into a business.

“Absolutely not,” Rainford told BOSSIP. “We were simply trying to help my little sister regain something that meant so much to her: her confidence.”

Years later, Rainford found herself reaching for her mother’s remedy.

After contracting COVID, she experienced significant hair loss and remembers looking in the mirror and feeling helpless. So with that, she returned to the same family formula that had worked for Aaliyah.

“Watching my own hair grow back, not just recover, but become healthier, fuller, and stronger than it had ever been, completely changed my perspective,” Rainford said.

“I realized our family had something truly special. More importantly, I realized how many people silently struggle with hair loss and the emotional toll it takes.”

Rainford shared her and Aaliyah’s results online, where the response was immediate.

Their hair-growth posts garnered more than 5,000 likes and over a million views as people flooded the comments wanting to know what they used and, most importantly, where they could buy it, officially planting the seeds for Bask & Lather.

“What started as an act of love within our family became a mission to help millions of people around the world restore not only their hair, but their confidence,” Rainford told BOSSIP.

Then came the expansion. In December 2020, Rainford, who was working as a nurse practitioner, officially launched Bask & Lather with her family.

The early operation was decidedly DIY. The family filled orders from their living room, but it didn’t stay small for long. Within three months, the company’s monthly income had replaced Rainford’s annual nursing salary.

She resigned from nursing in 2021, and the following month, Bask & Lather’s business tripled.

Rainford has said that while leaving healthcare was nerve-racking, her nursing career gave her the skills she still uses as CEO, including assessment, delegation and critical thinking.

As for when she knew Bask & Lather had serious potential, Rainford told BOSSIP she actually had two “aha” moments.

The first came when she saw her own hair recover, and the second happened after she started sharing her experience online.

“I didn’t just post before-and-after photos,” she said. “I shared the vulnerable moments, the frustration, the insecurity, and everything I experienced along the way.”

People related, and the products started selling out.

“They weren’t buying into a marketing campaign,” Rainford said. “They were connecting with someone who understood exactly what they were going through.”

She continued,

“We weren’t simply building a beauty brand,” she said. “We were building trust, and that has become the foundation of everything we do.”

That connection would eventually help turn Bask & Lather into a TikTok Shop success story, with an unexpected assist from another member of the family.

In 2023, after Rainford hired the company’s first social media manager, her then-14-year-old son, Jayden, had a brutally candid assessment of the brand’s content.

“Your social media team sucks. Let me do your TikTok,” he told his mom, according to Inc, so she did just that.

Jayden’s first video, a behind-the-scenes look at the family packing orders in their warehouse, racked up 1 million views overnight.

From there, the family kept leaning into what worked, and Bask & Lather became one of TikTok Shop’s early success stories, rising into the platform’s top 30 vendors. Rainford also took advantage of live selling, packing orders from the warehouse while answering customers’ questions and making personalized recommendations in real time.

For Rainford, that success reinforced her belief that audience trust matters more than a fleeting internet moment.

“Community is far more valuable than virality,” she told BOSSIP. “Viral moments come and go, but when you consistently educate people, listen to their feedback, and create products that genuinely improve their lives, customers become advocates.”

“At the end of the day, authenticity will always outperform perfection.”

As Bask & Lather grew online, other platforms took notice. Amazon invited the company to participate in its Black Business Accelerator program in 2023. While the program has since ended, Bask & Lather products remain bestsellers across multiple categories on the platform, and the company has become the No. 1 Black-owned hair-growth brand on Amazon.

The company applied a similar strategy to brick-and-mortar retail, leading to its recent Walmart expansion.

Rainford saw where her customers were shopping and made sure Bask & Lather showed up there. Now, customers can find the brand in 1,900 Walmart stores across 48 states.

Even with that rapid expansion, Rainford has built Bask & Lather without outside investors or loans, because for her, keeping ownership means keeping control.

“Ownership gave me something incredibly valuable, the freedom to build the company exactly as I envisioned it,” she told BOSSIP.

“I never wanted to sacrifice long-term trust for short-term growth or allow outside pressures to influence decisions that affected our customers.”

Keeping that control sometimes meant moving more slowly. Rainford said the company reinvested every dollar back into the business, forcing her team to be strategic about how it scaled.

“But it also forced us to become disciplined, innovative, and incredibly customer-focused,” she said.

That strategy has helped grow Bask & Lather to nearly 50 employees while keeping the business in the family.

Jayden, now 18 and a recent high school graduate, has officially joined the company as head of growth while attending college.

Meanwhile, Rainford has her sights set on Bask & Lather’s next frontier, starting with scalp health.

The founder told BOSSIP she’s especially excited about the Scalp Therapy Collection, one of the company’s most science-driven launches to date.

“We believe healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp, yet scalp care has often been overlooked in the beauty industry,” she said.

The collection was developed after years of research, testing, and customer feedback and is designed to address common scalp concerns while creating a healthier foundation for stronger hair growth.

“I truly believe it will become a cornerstone of our brand,” Rainford said.

There’s also international expansion on the horizon as Rainford works to make Bask & Lather a global leader in scalp health and hair wellness.

“We’re just getting started.”

According to Rainford, getting bigger isn’t only about revenue or retail doors. She wants the company’s growth to create jobs, partnerships, and mentorship opportunities while giving other Black women a visible example of what ownership can look like.

Rainford is also putting that commitment into action during Black Business Month. Bask & Lather is awarding $10,000 in grants to small business owners, with four entrepreneurs receiving $2,500 each. Applications are open Aug. 21 through Aug. 26, with the winners set to be announced Aug. 31.

“Every milestone we reach challenges outdated assumptions about who gets to lead, innovate, and build companies at scale,” she said.

“Representation matters because when people see someone who looks like them succeed, it expands what’s possible in their own minds,” she added.

Asked by BOSSIP to complete the sentence, “Every Black woman entrepreneur deserves…,” Rainford said:

“The opportunity to dream without limits, build wealth that changes generations, and lead unapologetically without waiting for permission.”

And considering Bask & Lather started with one Black mother using her science background to help her daughter, Rainford is especially mindful of the young Black girls who could see her family’s success and start imagining what they might build.

“If a young Black girl sees my journey and realizes that she can build a globally recognized company from an idea, with determination, discipline, and belief in herself, then that’s one of the greatest legacies I could ever hope to leave.”

Now that’s something truly worth working into a lather.

The post From Family Formula To A Flourishing Follicle Fortune: Bask & Lather’s Shaina Rainford Talks Building Her Self-Funded Haircare Empire [Exclusive] appeared first on Bossip.

Social media is ABLAZE over Serayah announcing the end of her engagement to fiancé Joey Bada$$ over alleged dirty doggery in a shocking moment that comes just a year after they welcomed a child together.

In a completely unexpected development, the unproblematic actress/singer revealed that she was ending her engagement and relationship with Joey Bada$$ in a statement on Instagram.

She also revealed that the rapper had been unfaithful to her multiple times throughout their 3-year relationship.

“There comes a point in a woman’s life when choosing herself is no longer an option, it becomes necessary,” she wrote in her statement. “After much thought, I have made the difficult decision to end my engagement and relationship with the father of my child, Joey. I loved deeply, believed wholeheartedly in the life we were building, and wanted nothing more than to protect our family.”

And that was only the prelude to the 31-year-old star posting-and-deleting receipts about the alleged infidelity, talking to the camera in a video while explaining why she’s so upset.

“This person has been a literal piece of s**t to me in private,” she said in the clip. “This person proposes to me, cheats on me, I find out, then proceeds to be out with people—you guys will know who the f**k this is, it’s over with.”

She even posted snippets of recorded phone calls with Joey talking to an unidentified woman about their relationship.

Naturally, social media erupted with reactions to the split, which comes as the latest of several celebrity breakups over the past year.

What was your reaction to Serayah’s announcement? Would you want to see her spin the block with Jacob Latimore? Tell us down below and peep the social media hysteria over Serayah and Joey’s split on the flip.

The post Here’s What Happened When Serayah Ended Her Engagement To Joey Bada$$ Over Alleged Dirty Doggery appeared first on Bossip.

Lil Kim‘s concert announcement has fans counting down the days already. The Grammy-winning rapper revealed on Friday that she’ll be hitting the stage at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her groundbreaking debut album “Hard Core,” and this time, she’s bringing an orchestra with her.

Billed as “Hard Core Symphony,” the show is set for Thursday, November 19, with tickets already available. According to PEOPLE, Lil Kim will perform reimagined versions of the album’s tracks alongside Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra, described as an all-Black orchestral ensemble known for blending hip-hop and R&B with sophisticated live instrumentation. It’s a fitting way to honor an album that changed the game for female rappers when it dropped nearly three decades ago.

Fans attending Lil Kim’s concert can expect to hear some of the biggest hits from “Hard Core,” including “Not Tonight,” “Big Momma Thang,” “Crush on You” and “No Time,” all reworked with full orchestral arrangements. It’s a bold rendition of an album that was already known for pushing boundaries when it first hit shelves.

“Hard Core” was originally released in November 1996 and featured guest appearances from The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z, cementing its place as one of the most influential rap albums of the era. The project debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and has since gone double platinum, moving more than 2 million units according to the RIAA. Its lead single, “No Time,” peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, while “Not Tonight” found new life through its “Ladies’ Night Remix,” featuring Da Brat, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Missy Elliott, and Angie Martinez for the “Nothing to Lose” soundtrack. That remix climbed all the way to No. 6 on the Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

This isn’t the first time Lil Kim has gone back to the well with “Hard Core.” Back in 2014, she released a mixtape called “Hard Core 2K14,” which featured collaborations with Yo Gotti, Jadakiss, Cassidy, French Montana, and several other artists, putting a modern spin on the original project’s sound and legacy.

What Lil Kim’s Concert Announcement Reveals About Her Debut Album

Looking back on the making of the original album in a 2016 interview with XXL, Lil Kim reflected on just how young and unaware she was of the impact “Hard Core” would eventually have.

“I didn’t really ever have a goal. I loved music, and in my mind, I was just displaying my art,” she said. “I was only 16, 17 years old, working on my first song and album. So I didn’t really have a goal.” She continued, explaining that she had no real understanding of the business side of the industry at the time. “I never had any idea that my first album would do as good as it did,” she said. “I was just a little kid, just trying to enjoy my teenage life. If you would’ve asked me if I knew I was going to be a millionaire by a certain age, I never would’ve thought that.”

With Lil Kim’s concert bringing “Hard Core” back to her hometown of Brooklyn, the show promises to be a full-circle moment for both the rapper and longtime fans who grew up with the album. Between the orchestral reimagining and the nostalgia of hearing these tracks performed live three decades later, it’s shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated hip-hop events.

The post Queen Bee Blessings! Lil Kim’s Concert Will Celebrate 30 Years of ‘Hard Core’ With A Live Orchestra appeared first on Bossip.

Target is issuing an apology after a kids’ Halloween clown costume sparked backlash over its resemblance to Blackface and racist minstrel imagery.

The retailer recently listed a children’s Halloween costume called the “Kids’ Glows under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume Bodysuit” from its Hyde and EEK! Boutique line for $25. But instead of shoppers seeing a spooky circus clown, many pointed out that the costume’s troubling resemblance to racist Blackface caricatures and imagery historically associated with minstrel shows.

And baby, the reviews came QUICKLY.

Shoppers headed straight to Target’s review section to hand out one-star ratings and question how a costume with imagery this controversial ever made it onto the company’s website and app in the first place. The outrage quickly spilled onto social media, where Target’s comment sections were dragged to pieces.

One user wrote, “TARGET let’s ADDRESS that prejudice Halloween costume.”

Another added, “This is minstrel. This is why DEI @ companies are important.”

And one commenter did not mince words, writing, “Whoa! Might as well throw a watermelon and chicken wing in there for accessories. They still don’t get it.”

The costume has since been pulled from Target’s website following the backlash, and Reuters reports that the retailer issued an apology saying,

“As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry,” Target said in a statement. “The costume is offensive and should never have ​been part of our assortment. It is no longer available for sale.”

The controversy also comes at a particularly terrible time for Target’s relationship with Black consumers.

The company has faced criticism since announcing in January 2025 that it was scaling back several of its diversity initiatives, including ending its three-year DEI goals and its Racial Equity Action and Change program. The move came during a larger corporate retreat from DEI efforts following President Donald Trump’s return to office and his administration’s actions targeting federal diversity programs.

That decision sparked boycotts and calls for Black consumers to take their dollars elsewhere. While leaders behind the organized “Target Fast” announced in March that their campaign was concluding, plenty of participants made it clear they had absolutely no plans to return to Target.

Now this costume has added even more fuel to the fire.

At this point, the nonsense is not only unacceptable, it is also exhausting. There was once a time when people joked about going into Target for toothpaste and leaving two hours later with candles, throw pillows, snacks, and $200 missing from their bank account.

Target was an experience.

Now, for some longtime shoppers, that affection has turned into disappointment as controversy after controversy continues to chip away at the brand’s reputation.

And when consumers immediately recognize imagery that apparently slipped through multiple levels of a major corporation, people are naturally going to question who is sitting in those rooms making decisions.

So what do YOU think? Was Target’s costume an offensive oversight?

The post Bullseye Blunder: Target Pulls Kids’ Clown Costume Amid Blackface Backlash, Admits ‘We Got This Wrong’ appeared first on Bossip.

Texas Roadhouse is finding out that when the internet starts serving up allegations of racism, the damage can spread a whole lot faster than those damn dinner rolls.

According to reporting by KnoxNews, the steakhouse chain is facing major backlash after disturbing social media posts alleged that white employees were part of a private Facebook group called “White and Proud” where people discussed tampering with food ordered by Black customers, including claims about spitting on or otherwise contaminating their meals. The allegations quickly jumped from Facebook to TikTok and other platforms, prompting some Black customers to say they would rather take their appetite somewhere else.

But before anybody starts inspecting their steak for suspicious seasoning, the allegations remain unverified. No specific Texas Roadhouse employee, location, or confirmed incident has been identified, and no credible evidence has publicly established that the alleged group was connected to the restaurant chain. One social media user who helped spread the claims later walked them back, saying further research led them to conclude the story was a hoax. But in 2026, it’s not very difficult to believe, unfortunately.

Texas Roadhouse has responded, calling the allegations “completely unfounded” and saying it is investigating the claims. On Monday, the chain went even further, saying its investigation and information from outside sources indicated that the viral allegations were an online hoax. The company has reportedly hired a third-party firm to investigate the source and motives behind the claims.

“We believe it to be completely unfounded and we take every accusation toward our brand seriously. We are investigating this alleged abhorrent behavior and remain committed to treating every guest with respect, dignity, and the Legendary Service they deserve.”

Still, whether the allegations are true is not the only issue here. The existence of the rumor itself has real consequences. Once Black customers see viral posts warning that restaurant workers could be tampering with their food because of their race, some are understandably going to think twice before sitting down for a plate of ribs and a loaded baked potato.

For Texas Roadhouse, the challenge now is much bigger than simply denying a viral rumor. The chain has to convince customers that their food, their employees, and their dining experience are safe and equitable. And for some Black customers, apparently, that reassurance may take a hell of a lot more than an emotionless statement on TikTok.

The post Texas Roadhouse: Viral Internet Rumor Sparks Fear About Employees Tampering With Black Customers’ Food, Restaurant Responds appeared first on Bossip.

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson keeps an unpopular opinion in his back pocket and a penchant for trolling in his front one. Now, his latest two cents center around marriage and singer Tyrese.

Before popping up at the Donell Jones v. Joe Verzuz battle, 50 Cent had a few words to share about why marriage is not in the cards for him.

“Marriage is a bad contract,” he said during an episode of Apple Music’s Rap Life Review. “It’s the only contract you have to renegotiate to get to a good place. Marriage is the biggest investment: your time and your energy, and then it goes left, child support will call you.”

Marked safe from having to marry 50!

Also in attendance for the R&B showdown was Tyrese, whose vocals are often called upon for nights like those, and, of course, 50 took an opportunity to poke fun at the singer’s previous marital troubles. The “Sweet Lady” singer’s viral pleas to his ex-wife over custody and visitation for their daughter have gone down in internet infamy, but no one has brought it up to him in a joking manner…until now.

During their sit-down with Apple Music, 50 turned to Tyrese and screamed, “What more do you want from me?” to him before going on with his sentiments about marriage. The “How You Gonna Act Like That?” singer didn’t seem to be fazed by the trolling as he remained calm and made light of the moment, saying,

“We hate when you’re upset.”

Chile, Curtis is something else.

It still seemed to be all love between them as Tyrese posted a series of photos from the night that also included 50. He also gave him a shoutout on Instagram, claiming that the two have some projects in the works.

“We got some big things coming up 50,” he wrote. “All I can say is get ready.! B. Mona Scott-Young is running point on. Let’s go let’s go.”

Maybe it was just spicy words with friends. Either way, the ladies aren’t likely to lose any sleep over not ever becoming Mrs. Curtis Jackson. It’s well documented how he treats the women and children in his life. More power to him!

The post ‘Can’t Get A Dolla Outta Me’: Perpetually Petty 50 Cent Trolls Tyrese While Calling Marriage A ‘Bad Contract’ appeared first on Bossip.

By now, you’ve probably seen a clip of 14-year-old Zendaya doing a cutesy laugh-and-pose (that you’d expect from a child star on a hit Disney Channel show) while attending the Justin Bieber: Never Say Never World Premiere in a nostalgic moment currently fueling hilarious memes across the internet.

Resurfaced by always-funny shenanigan enthusiast @itsKARY_, the internet’s latest meme obsession skyrocketed into a viral sensation that gets funnier (and more relatably specific) by the day.

For those who love a good rabbit hole to spiral down, the now-immortalized clip is from Zendaya’s 2011 purple carpet appearance where she answered questions like the one below while stylin’ and profilin’ in her snazzy fit.

At the time, she was the star of Disney Channel show Shake It Up which set the stage for her inevitable ascension to superstardom over a decade later.

Fast-forward to 2026 where she’s one of the most bankable stars in the world after surpassing $3 billion at the global box office with highly anticipated blockbuster Dune 3 still on the way this December.

With the massive success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey, the 29-year-old mega-star and superstar hubby Tom Holland became the highest-grossing power couple in Hollywood. Whew!

What would you do if a meme of 14-year-old you went viral? Tell us down below and enjoy the absolute funniest of the memes on the flip.

The post Shake It Up! The Internet Flips Resurfaced Zendaya Clip From Her Cutesy Disney Channel Era Into HILARIOUS Memes & More appeared first on Bossip.

Nathan Cofnas, the “race realist” researcher behind plagiarism allegations against late University of Cambridge professor Jason Arday, has been suspended from his position at Ghent University as the Belgian institution examines his conduct.

The suspension is a new development in the controversy that surrounded Arday before his death. As previously reported, Arday, 41, resigned from Cambridge earlier this month after Cofnas publicly accused him of plagiarism, allegations The Guardian reported were never proven through a formal investigation. Arday was found dead with no foul play suspected on August 14.

Ghent University is investigating whether Cofnas discriminated against Arday, and he expects the university to ultimately terminate his employment.

Cofnas Says Ghent University Is Investigating Him

Cofnas, a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University, disclosed his suspension Thursday through posts on X.

“I am under investigation by my university for discriminating against Arday,” Cofnas said. 

Cofnas announced the suspension separately, writing, 

“I was just suspended by Ghent University. They will almost certainly fire me.”

TMZ reports that Ghent University confirmed the suspension of a staff member while officials consider whether the matter should advance through the university’s disciplinary process.

“The university is assessing whether there are sufficient grounds to refer the case to the competent disciplinary body for further consideration,” Ghent University said.

The university also addressed the circumstances surrounding the controversy after Arday’s death.

“The death of Professor Arday should prompt reflection,” the university said. 

Ghent University says it hopes lessons would emerge concerning how people are treated “both within and outside the academic world.”

As previously reported, Cofnas’ accusations originated in a Substack article titled “DEI fraud and cover-up at Cambridge.” In the article, Cofnas alleged that Arday copied from a 2009 thesis written by Paula Zwozdiak-Myers, who studied at Brunel University.

In the article, Cofnas says he ran Arday’s thesis through Copyleaks, a plagiarism-detection tool, and claimed it identified similarities involving more than 100 passages from Zwozdiak-Myers’ work.

Cofnas questioned the circumstances surrounding Arday’s appointment at Cambridge, claiming the university hired him “to advance the cause of racial diversity.”

Following the publication, Arday resigned from Cambridge and was later found dead at a residence in South London. His cause of death has not been released at this time. 

Plagiarism Claims Were Not Proven In A Formal Investigation

Although Cofnas’ allegations prompted questions about Arday’s academic achievements, the plagiarism accusations were not established through a formal investigation.

The Guardian reports that criticism has been directed at Cambridge’s response to the controversy as well as some of the media coverage surrounding Arday.

Cambridge Chancellor Chris Smith described what unfolded as a “racist feeding frenzy.”

Ghent University says it was “shocked” by Arday’s death and emphasized that the institution “opposes discrimination, hatred and racism.”

Ghent University Rector Petra De Sutter and Vice-Rector Herwig Reynaert also addressed the balance between academic debate and responsibility in a joint statement cited by The Guardian:

“We attach great importance to academic freedom and to open academic debate, even when views are controversial. However, that freedom is not unlimited. It goes hand in hand with responsibility and may be restricted in order to protect the rights of others.”

The Guardian reports that Ghent University has formally opened a preliminary disciplinary investigation involving Cofnas. His suspension is a “precautionary measure” while officials determine whether the case warrants referral to a disciplinary body.

Cofnas’ Previous Comments Draw Renewed Scrutiny

Cofnas’ allegedly has a history of controversial public statements, adding context to the discrimination investigation now surrounding him.

According to the Guardian, Cofnas lost his role at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, in 2024. He had previously written that in a meritocracy, “Blacks would disappear from almost all high-profile positions outside of sports and entertainment.”

The Guardian also cites a January piece by Cofnas titled “Don’t Scapegoat Women,” in which he claimed, “women but not men can get people fired by pointing and crying.”

Cofnas further argued that employers pursuing what he described as “de facto quotas” had selected less-qualified female candidates and criticized affirmative action hires.

As Ghent University considers whether its preliminary investigation should result in additional disciplinary proceedings, public attention has also remained on Arday.

The Guardian reports that organizers say more than 30,000 people gathered at a vigil for Arday in London’s Trafalgar Square earlier this week. An outpouring of support comes as questions continue over how the Cambridge professor was treated during the public controversy preceding his death.

The post Update: Jason Arday Accuser Suspended From University Amid Discrimination Investigation Following Professor’s Death appeared first on Bossip.

Porn movies are infamous for biting off famous movie titles and creating sex-filled parodies that aren’t exactly focused on dialogue, but now we know at least one Marvel flick that will never get the X-rated treatment… Black Panther.

Adult actress Kira Noir was on the aptly titled 2 Goons podcast, discussing the state of her industry when one of the hosts mentioned the porn parody of Deadpool having better representation than the actual film.

He asked Noir if she’d ever love starring in one of the big-budget X-rated films, when she explained that a Black Panther-inspired porno never happened because Black male porn actors were against disparaging the film in any way. 

“…then Black Panther came out, and it was a big, big cultural moment,” Noir begins. “And all of the Black men in the industry signed a public letter saying that they would never do a parody of Black Panther to like protect the sanctity of it. And I was like, I totally feel you, but also [f-ck!] I would have been able to do that. They just didn’t want to disrespect it. They didn’t want to make fun of Black Panther by doing a parody.”

She added, “I totally understand it. I wasn’t going to argue with a single one of them.”

While gooners will never get to see a Wakanda-based porno with King T’Challa going at it with Nakia, there has been a recent major development in the actual Black Panther franchise’s future.

At Comic-Con San Diego, director Ryan Coogler announced that David Jonsson would step into the role of the new Black Panther as T’Challa’s adult-aged son, Prince T’Challa II.

“Thank you Ryan, thank you Kevin [Feige], thank you to this amazing family that I have the honor and the privilege and the blessing to join,” Jonsson said on stage. “I actually don’t want to say too much because I want to let the screen do the talking. But believe me, the honor is entirely mine.”

See social media’s reaction to the porn industry forgoing the parody in the name of honor below.

The post Porn Star Kira Noir Reveals Why An X-Rated ‘Black Panther’ Parody Never Happened, Social Media Goes Deeper appeared first on Bossip.

The Game loves him some Cali Dream Taylor, so much that he’s admittedly spoiling the teen with an extravagant gift.

The Compton rapper recently turned his daughter’s Sweet 16 into a full-blown luxury car reveal that’s bringing back the MTV My Sweet 16 energy, to the tune of $300K.

According to Complex, The Game gifted his daughter, Cali Dream Taylor, a Mercedes Maybach GLS 600 worth roughly $300,000 during her birthday party in Beverly Hills on Saturday (Aug. 22). The vehicle showed up wrapped in an oversized pink bow, because if you’re going to do it, you might as well do it right.

Cali’s New Whip:

Video from the party shows The Game walking Cali outside with a blindfold covering her eyes while family and friends waited to see her reaction. Once the blindfold came off, Cali hopped straight into the driver’s seat and posed with the keys like she already knew this was going to be a special one.

Per TMZ, the party had all the trimmings of a proper Hollywood teen bash — including dancing, a photo booth and a pink crown-topped birthday cake. Los Angeles artist Kalan.FrFr performed for the crowd, and Cali’s siblings were right there celebrating alongside her.

What makes the timing even sweeter is that Cali’s actual birthday (Aug. 21) landed just one day after The Game dropped his new album The Documentary III. He addressed the overlap publicly ahead of time and shared that Cali told him it was okay to prioritize the album release, saying they could celebrate her big day the next day instead. That kind of grace from a teenager clearly did not go unnoticed.

The Game shared a touching tribute to his precious progeny, calling his daughter his “world,” “best friend,” and “lifeline” while praising her straight A’s and big heart.

The doting dad also explained why he intentionally spoils her, writing,

“I purposely set the bar this high so that no one on this earth can ever deter you or dangle material things over your head.”

He went on to say that Cali is growing into “an amazing young woman” and thanked her for making fatherhood easy

Cali is The Game’s daughter with his ex-fiancée, Tiffney Cambridge. The two have never been shy about co-parenting in the public eye, and The Game has praised Cambridge as an amazing parent on more than one occasion.

Tiffney also marked Cali’s birthday with a special tribute, calling the teen everything she prayed for and sharing how much joy it brought her to see her happy.

“I hope your dad and I made your heart smile – you deserve it,” she wrote before describing Cali’s birthday bash as “EPIC.”

She also thanked the team who helped bring the celebration together, and praised The Game for “ALWAYS looking out for our kids, taking care of them, and spoiling them rotten.”

Happy 16th birthday, Cali!!!

The post Doting Dad The Game Gifts Daughter Cali A $300K Maybach For Sweet 16, Praises His Precious Progeny In Touching Tribute appeared first on Bossip.