Latest news with #Alfonso
Perth Now
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
I've got a lot of love for Fresh Prince co-stars, says Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Ribeiro still has "a lot of love" for his 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' co-stars. The hit TV sitcom is set to celebrate its 35th anniversary later this year, and Alfonso - who played the part of Carlton Banks - has revealed that he's still in touch with some of his former co-stars. The 53-year-old actor - who starred on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air' alongside the likes of Will Smith, Tatyana Ali, Joseph Marcell and Karyn Parsons - told People: "I talk to everyone when I can. "We're all obviously doing many different things, but there's a lot of love and 35 years is pretty special." The NBC sitcom ran from 1990 until 1996, and it helped to propel Will - who played a fictionalised version of himself - towards international stardom. Alfonso played Will's on-screen cousin on the TV show, and the 56-year-old actor previously revealed that they share a special bond. Will - who became one of the most sought-after stars in Hollywood after leaving 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air' - said on an episode of 'Black Comedy in America': "Where you meet somebody who understands you in a way that other people don't understand you - and they're able to understand you, then craft things for you to create and shine and explode. And Alfonso was that guy for sure." Will also remembered being wowed by Alfonso during his audition for the show. Will shared: "When he came in for the audition, there was like no question, that's the one. "Nobody commits as hard as Alf. We call it the 'comedic limb.' You know where you gon' try this joke and you gon' go out there with it and you gon' risk it all." Alfonso subsequently admitted to being amazed by Will's praise. The actor also described his former 'Fresh Prince' co-star as his "brother for life" and "absolutely the best". Alfonso said on 'The Jennifer Hudson Show': "It was wonderful to hear him say that. "Will is my brother for life. And obviously our friendship and bond has now withstood the time of four or five decades. He's absolutely the best."
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Carnival Cruise Line SLAMMED by mourning woman who was refused a refund for her 'forced' cancelled vacation
A woman who suffered a tragic miscarriage just days before she was set to embark on a cruise has claimed that the cruise line is now refusing to give her a refund... which means she has been forced to sacrifice thousands of dollars while mourning the loss of her child. Last year, Monique McChristian, 25, from Roseville, California, booked a 10-day Alaskan cruise with Carnival for herself, her husband, Alfonso, and her parents that was scheduled to leave in May 2025, forking over $4,400 for two staterooms. At the time, she and her husband were trying for a baby, but were struggling to conceive and thought a vacation together would help ease their stress. In February 2025, three months before they were set to embark on the cruise, they received the exciting news that they were expecting. 'We were through the roof with excitement and to be honest I couldn't believe it,' she gushed during a recent chat with 'I took about 15 at home pregnancy tests (not kidding) and each one had a screaming positive result.' They still intended to go on the vacation, as they figured out that she would be roughly 14 weeks along when it departed, and Carnival's guidelines only advise against traveling if you're more than 24 weeks into your pregnancy. In fact, they were even more excited than ever, and decided to upgrade their rooms to celebrate, spending another few hundred dollars each to ensure they had their own private balconies. Three days before they were set to depart, Monique decided to get one final ultrasound just to 'make sure their baby was doing well' before leaving for the trip... but they received heartbreaking news that would completely shatter their worlds. 'Within one minute of the scan the tech immediately looked at me and said, "I want you to go to the hospital and talk to your doctor as soon as possible,"' she recalled. 'At the time of this scan I was 13 weeks [but] she said our baby does not have a visible heartbeat and was only measuring 11 to 12 weeks. 'We went to the ER straight away. After being there for hours, it was confirmed I lost my baby at 11 weeks and four days.' Monique explained that because she hadn't 'passed her baby naturally' there was a chance she could 'hemorrhage or suffer from other complications' so it was recommended that she undergo a dilation and curettage procedure to remove the fetus. But they couldn't get one scheduled before their cruise was set to embark, so the doctor told them it would not be safe to go. Monique said the medical professional explained that it was a risk because if she started to suffer from 'excessive bleeding' on board the ship, 'medical staff on the cruise are not equipped for this.' Heartbroken and mourning the loss of their baby, Monique said she called the cruise line and explained the situation in the hopes of canceling their reservation. But then she was hit with more bad news: she would not be allowed to get a refund. '[The agent said that] since I did not get vacation protection there is nothing I can do and that I would lose about $2,800 per room,' she shared. 'I explained again everything that happened with the baby and she still gave me the same answer. 'She said I can try to reach out via email and plead my case and maybe they would do something. 'I sent that email explaining everything and attached a doctor's letter as well. I had high hopes that the cruise line [would refund me] and would understand our situation. 'It is a very serious medical emergency that simply no one could ever plan for. Also, Carnival is supposed to be about fun times but what is fun about having a miscarriage on a boat and having to pass my baby in the middle of the ocean?' has reached out to Carnival Cruise Line for comment. Monique said she was even open to changing the dates of the cruise rather than canceling, since she still wanted to go on the trip once she was healthy again. But then she was hit with more bad news: she would not be allowed to get a refund. Screenshots of her email conversation with Carnival is seen above 'I was convinced that they would have enough heart to at least grant me that,' she added. When they hadn't heard back from the cruise line come Monday morning, Monique said her parents made the 'hard decision' to go without her and her husband as they too didn't want to lose thousands of dollars. 'After a long weekend of hard decisions, heartbreak and crying, we dropped my parents off at the port for their cruise and still awaited an email from the cruise line,' she continued. On Wednesday morning, Monique claimed that she received a cold response from the cruise line. 'It stated that they reviewed my case and they are unable to honor any type of compensation because they are a business and I did not use vacation protection,' she alleged. 'It's a complete gut punch. When talking on the phone for the third time now I got the same answer that what that email said is final. 'After the call he then offered me a cruise deal? The most inconsiderate and insensitive time to ask. 'So now I am here without my baby, no vacation and almost three thousand dollars lost.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Jury discharged in trial of man accused of murdering couple and moving remains in suitcases
The jury trying a man accused of murdering a couple before taking some of their remains in suitcases to the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol has been discharged. Yostin Andres Mosquera, 35, allegedly decapitated and dismembered Albert Alfonso, 62, and Paul Longworth, 71, in their flat in Shepherd's Bush, west London, on 8 July last year. Mosquera was seen two days later on the bridge with suitcases containing their bodies, while police found the couple's decapitated heads in a chest freezer, the Old Bailey heard. Mosquera, who is from Colombia, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of swimming instructor Mr Alfonso but denied two counts of murder in a trial starting at the end of last month. But the judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, has now discharged the jury, meaning he faces a retrial provisionally listed in June. The judge said there had been problems identifying the accurate times of searches made by Mosquera on his laptop, which had been used as evidence in the trial. He told jurors that the trial "simply cannot continue", adding: "We simply have to resolve this before we have a fair trial." He thanked them for their service and said he was sorry for where the trial had "ended up". Mr Alfonso and Mr Longworth, a handyman, entered a civil partnership in February 2023. The court heard Mosquera, described by prosecutors as a "pornographic performer", stabbed Mr Alfonso to death on film while they were having sex. He is also alleged to have killed Mr Longworth with a hammer, but the jury was told Mosquera blames Mr Alfonso for his death. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Daily Record
Man found dismembered in suitcase 'blackmailed teenage boy into sexual favours' court hears
Appearing as a murder trial witness under a pseudonym, described his experience with Albert Alfonso, after meeting him over 20 years ago. A man whose body was dismembered and put inside a suitcase had raped and blackmailed a teenage boy, a court has heard. The shocking evidence was given by a witness speaking under the pseudonym James Smith, at the murder trial of Yostin Mosquera at the Old Bailey. Mosquera, 35, is accused of murdering Albert Alfonso, 62, and Paul Longworth, 71, in July 2024. The couple's remains were discovered in a suitcase and trunk abandoned near the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. Mosquera denies both charges of murder, but has admitted to the manslaughter of Mr Alfonso. Appearing by video link, Mr Smith said he met Mr Alfonso at a rugby match almost 20 years ago, when he was around 17 or 18, the Mirror reports. He had had drinks in his flat afterwards, and remembered drinking heavily before waking up with a "banging headache". He continued: 'I said to him, 'What's happened?' – he showed me a video of me on all fours and he was penetrating me,' he told the court. 'I didn't know what to do. I was mortified. At this point I didn't know my sexuality – I was confused and scared. (Being a) black boy in London, gay, whether you were drunk or not – it didn't matter.' He said Mr Alfonso told him, 'Don't worry, I'm not going to show anyone,' but later added if he did 'favours', the footage would never be shared. During cross-examination, defence barrister Tom Little KC asked: 'Does it cross your mind, looking back, that you were raped?' 'Now, yes,' Mr Smith replied. 'And does it cross your mind that your drink may have been spiked?,' the barrister asked. Mr Smith replied: 'Now, yes'. Mr Smith was then asked: 'Does it cross your mind that you were groomed by Albert Alfonso?' He replied again: 'Now, yes." He claimed Mr Alfonso told him he had an interest in "black dominatrix" fantasies and described fetishes involving "master-slave" dynamics. The court heard that the pair then started meeting frequently, with Mr Alfonso allegedly giving him around £150 for each sexual encounter. The meetings became routine and involved consensual sex acts including domination. The witness told the court they both wore masks during the acts, and that he would occasionally make contact when he needed money. During the pandemic, he said he became closer to him, and also started spending time with Mr Longworth. He claimed he would go on bike rides with the pair, and was sometimes supported financially. He told jurors he was later introduced to Mosquera, who Mr Alfonso described as a young Colombian man who was staying with them while studying at college. Mr Alfonso claimed he was paying Mosquera's travel and college fees, and Mosquera told Mr Smith he had a wife and child in Colombia, and was "just doing it for the money". Mr Smith said: 'I asked if he was gay or straight – he said he was just doing it for the money. I said, 'Great – so was I'.' He added the three had taken part in a sex session together just the week prior to the killings. When asked about the relationship between Mosquera and Mr Alfonso, the witness said: 'Good – very good. He was going to London with him, sightseeing, he seemed fun. I didn't see anything that seemed like they disliked each other.' Describing Mr Longworth, he said: 'He wouldn't hurt a fly. After the sessions he would come and sit with us and talk with us.' He described the final time he saw the couple, on a Friday night before their bodies were found. He added: 'Albert gave me a hug, Paul gave me a hug, and that was the last I heard of those two.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man whose body was found in suitcase ‘raped and blackmailed teenager'
A man whose dismembered body was later found in a suitcase had raped and blackmailed a teenager, a court heard. The remains of Alberto Alfonso, 62, were found alongside those of Paul Longworth, 71, in a suitcase and trunk left near the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol in July last year. Yostin Andres Mosquera, a 35-year-old porn star, is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of their murders, which he denies, although he admits to the manslaughter of Mr Alfonso. On Wednesday, a witness giving evidence under the pseudonym James Smith told the court he had been groomed by Mr Alfonso. Mr Smith said he first met Mr Alfonso nearly 20 years ago when he was about 17 or 18 and had gone to his flat for drinks after meeting at a rugby match. Yostin Andres Mosquera is on trial for murder at the Old Bailey - Central News He said he remembered drinking heavily and then waking up with a 'banging headache'. 'I said to him, 'What's happened?' He showed me a video of me on all fours and he was penetrating me,' Mr Smith told the court. 'I didn't know what to do. I was mortified. At this point I didn't know my sexuality – I was confused and scared. '[Being a] black boy in London, gay, whether you were drunk or not – it didn't matter.' He said Mr Alfonso told him, 'Don't worry, I'm not going to show anyone,' but said that if he did 'favours', the video would never be shared. Forensic officers in Shepherd's Bush, west London, where the couple lived and are believed to have been killed - Jonathan Brady/PA Wire Under cross-examination, Tom Little KC, the defence barrister, asked: 'Does it cross your mind, looking back, that you were raped?' 'Now, yes,' Mr Smith replied. 'And does it cross your mind that your drink may have been spiked?' the barrister asked. 'Now, yes.' 'Does it cross your mind that you were groomed by Albert Alfonso?' 'Now, yes,' Mr Smith said. Mr Alfonso told him he was interested in 'black dominatrix' fantasies and described fetishes involving 'master-slave' dynamics. The two then began meeting regularly, with Mr Alfonso paying him about £150 for each sexual encounter, the court heard. Over time, the meetings became routine and involved consensual acts including domination. Mr Smith told jurors he wore a mask during the sex acts, as did Mr Alfonso, and that he would sometimes initiate contact when he needed money. During the Covid pandemic, he said he became closer with Mr Alfonso and also began spending time with Mr Longworth. He said he would go on bike rides with them and was occasionally supported financially. A court drawing of Mosquera at the Old Bailey - Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire Mr Smith told the court he was later introduced to Mosquera, who was described by Mr Alfonso as a young man from Colombia who was staying with them while attending Ealing College. He said Mr Alfonso claimed to be paying Mosquera's travel and college fees, and that Mosquera told him he had a wife and child back home, and was 'just doing it for the money'. 'I asked if he was gay or straight – he said he was just doing it for the money. I said, 'Great – so was I',' Mr Smith said. He said the three had taken part in a sex session together the week before the killings. Describing the relationship between Mosquera and Mr Alfonso, the witness said: 'Good – very good. He was going to London with him, sightseeing, he seemed fun. 'I didn't see anything that seemed like they disliked each other.' Speaking about Mr Longworth, he added: 'He wouldn't hurt a fly. After the sessions he would come and sit with us and talk with us.' Mr Smith described the final time he saw them, on a Friday evening before the bodies were discovered. 'Albert gave me a hug, Paul gave me a hug, and that was the last I heard of those two,' he said. The trial continues. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
