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Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Meet the women of Love Island USA season 7: Belle-A Walker, Chelley Bissainthe and Olandria Carthen
Love Island is back with yet another steamy season. The US version of the popular UK show routinely brings a group of steamy islanders in their mid-twenties to a villa in Fiji to help contestants find love along the way. Peacock revealed 10 of the contestants who will be judged by the audience on their every move via a social media post dated Thursday (May 29). A post shared by Peacock (@peacock) The post has introduced what seems to be a compelling season up ahead for viewers and contenders alike. Here are the women on the cast who seem to be pulling all the stops and rooting to find the guy of their dreams this season. Dabbling between fashion influencer and travel guide, Belle-a Walker originally hails from Honolulu, Hawai'i. Her island roots would explain the frequent posts one sees on her grid which constantly suggest that she must be relaxing in a bikini by the edge of the sea someplace in the world. Walker works as a fashion model and helps out in her parent's coffee shop in between gigs. A post shared by BELLE-A (@perksofisabelle) Originally from Orlando, Florida, this fashion goddess and model seems to be switching her time between Miami and New York City for work. She describes herself as a smart and outgoing girl with a wonderful sense of humor. Sharing her love for zodiac signs, this is one contestant who is sure to be looking up to the stars for her true love. She is Haitian by birth and also speaks a little bit of Creole. A post shared by CHELLEY (@_slimthin) Olandria Carthen, Love Island's latest obsession, hails from Decatur, Alabama, and currently lives in Houston, Texas. Carthen has described herself as a first-generation college student who is 'all about work'. She's a graduate of Tuskegee University in Alabama and is obsessed with college football. She now seems to delve into the forays of a lifestyle influencer by frequently giving her followers a look at her daily life. A post shared by Bama Barbie (@x__0lan) Love Island USA will premiere on Tuesday, June 3 at 9:00 PM ET. New episodes will be released daily, except on Wednesdays. Host Ariana Madix is back this season to help contestants find their true love, with Comedian Ian Sterling lending her voice and humor to narration.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
How Fafa Picault overcame racism, adversity on road to Inter Miami, Haiti national team
Fabrice 'Fafa' Picault is known for his infectious smile and easy-going nature. But behind that happy face is a 34-year-old Haitian American whose journey from youth soccer player in Cutler Bay to Lionel Messi's teammate at Inter Miami has been anything but easy. It was long, circuitous, and arduous. He was spit on. He endured more racial slurs than he cares to discuss. He has bounced to 11 teams and four countries over his career. But he toils on, summoning strength and guidance from his 97-year-old grandfather, Henri Picault, a Haitian immigrant who drove a New York City taxi for more than 50 years before retiring four years ago; his father, Leslie, a former professional soccer player; and his mother, Lucerne, a lifelong educator. Every morning begins with a 7:15 a.m. wake-up call from his mother, and they pray together over the phone. 'My Mom is the first person I talk to every day,' Picault said. 'We pray before every training and before every game. I then talk to my Dad really quick, too, if he's up. They've always been available and around for me, so I'm blessed to have that.' That familial love and faith carried him through his most difficult moments. He remembers tearful four-hour family phone calls on Skype when things hit rock bottom. An honor student at Coral Reef Elementary and Southwood Middle School, Picault put academics on hold (much to his mother's dismay) and left Miami Killian High at age 16 to head to Italy and chase his soccer dream. He was invited to join Cagliari, Calcio's reserve team, on the island of Sardinia. Picault's maternal grandfather, Max Antoine, played for the Haitian national team. His father played for the Philadelphia Fever in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He was eager to follow in their footsteps. He fell in love with soccer while playing for youth clubs in West Kendall, Coral Springs and Weston, and with an academy team that was jointly run by Cagliari and local club, Strike Force. His father, with whom he trained from the moment he could kick a ball, supported his decision to go abroad. His mother took some convincing but eventually came around if he promised to keep above a 3.7 grade point average in his online schooling, which he did. 'Education is the sure way to go, but we took a chance because Fafa was very mature for his age, had a very special talent, and if he didn't do soccer now, when would he do it?'' Leslie Picault said. Spending the first eight years of his life in New York, and the next eight in Miami, he embraced his multi-cultural upbringing and never had any trouble blending into any group. He spoke four languages fluently – English, Creole, French and Spanish, and was excited by the idea of adding Italian to his list. But he was unprepared for the racism he encountered. 'Being the only black player there, I faced a lot of problems,' Picault said upon returning to the United States in 2012 to play for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and then the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. 'I could probably write a book. My second week, a teammate spat in my face. Other guys called me a black piece of this or that. There were lots of racial slurs. Even one of my coaches voiced his opinion of blacks openly, saying stuff to me like, 'This is not the jungle of Africa.' It was rough because I was trying to break in, and those guys made it harder for me.' Things got so bad in 2011 that he took some time off from the sport and moved to Paris to live with an aunt before returning to the United States. 'It was very hard on our family, having to parent him from so far away,' said Picault's father. 'We told him to try his best, and prove he belongs. But it got really, really rough on him, so we said, 'Son, we have soccer in the States. Come back home.'' Looking back on that stage of his life now, seeing how far he has come, Picault said those years in Italy sharpened his game, strengthened his resolve, and thickened his skin. 'There were things that happened then that wouldn't happen now, with social media and awareness, so I'm glad there has been progress,' he said. 'I've taken two things from that as I've gotten older. It toughened me up, created a thick skin that is unbreakable, where nothing bothers me. I can just silence all the noise.' He stressed that there were many wonderful people in Italy and at the club, adding, 'I don't want to make it sound like I went to Italy and everybody was a racist.' He still considers Cagliari a second home, goes back yearly on vacation, and has many close friends there, including some former teammates who took him under their wing. Because of that kindness from teammates, Picault makes it a point to be a mentor to newcomers in every locker room. 'As I've gotten older, I've taken that role of making sure the young guys are okay because I know how far that can go and how much that meant to me as a young player back then,' he said. Picault, who had been selected for some Under-20 U.S. national team camps, thought he would land with an MLS team after returning from Italy. It didn't happen. So, he attended the NASL Combine, signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and later joined the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. 'Fafa always had a unique ability to put the ball in the net, and he can accelerate with the ball to get away from defenders,' said Thomas Rongen, who coached Picault with the U.S. Under 20 team. 'His first few steps are quite remarkable. He's very mature, has a great sense of humor, is a gentleman and consummate pro.' In January 2015, he moved back to Europe and spent six months with Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic before signing with St. Pauli, where he impressed manager Ewald Lienen, a friend of German legend and former U.S. national coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who invited him to a camp in 2016. 'Fafa is an interesting character,' Klinsmann said at the time. 'He took the route to Europe and fought his way through, and came out in St Pauli with a coach I know really well, and he told me: 'The kid is a fighter.' He's a hungry goalscorer, takes on people. He has speed, smells where the ball goes, good instincts. These are things that are difficult to teach.' Picault says his resilience comes from his family lineage. His paternal gradfather, Henri Picault, fled Port-au-Prince, Haiti, at the age of 35 in December 1963 and headed to New York City with his wife Dinorah, to escape François 'Papa Doc' Duvalier's oppressive regime. Henri Picault got his first job at a deli, then spent a half century as a cab driver, with a Haitian flag hanging from his rearview mirror. Fafa loved getting rides from him. One of their favorite destinations was a Dominican restaurant called Malecon on 97th and Amsterdam. 'He knows every crevice and crack in that city,' Fafa said. 'The biggest thing I took from him was work ethic. He was loyal to his craft, to be doing his job for as long as he did, at his age, I really admire that.' His maternal grandfather, Max Antoine, was a former star on Haiti's national team and beloved. Fafa did not realize what a big deal his grandfather was until he attended his funeral in Haiti in 2005 and there were people lined up for blocks outside the church. Throughout his career, which includes stints with six MLS teams, Picault has become a fan favorite. That is especially true in South Florida, where the Haitian community has embraced his return. Jim Curtin, who coached Picault with the Philadelphia Union from 2017-19, said: 'He lights up a room when he walks into it with that smile, always has a positive attitude. He's a great guy in the locker room. On the field, Fafa's a playmaker. Everywhere he's been, on every team, in every situation, whether it's a club team, or internationally with his national team, he always makes big plays. Only certain players have that. 'He was so valuable to me in the locker room as a young coach, literally helping me translate in the film sessions, in the locker room. We had maybe 15 countries represented, and I think he had every language covered.' Picault's team-first mentality is something Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has mentioned on numerous occasions this season. Curtin said he was the same in Philadelphia. 'Whatever your teams needs, at whatever moment in the game, if it's make a 90-yard recovery sprint to break up a play, even though he's an attacking player, he'll do that defensive work for you,' Curtin said. 'If it's make a big play on a header, on a corner kick at the end of the game to win it, he'll do that. He's a guy who will do whatever it takes for a team to win, and that's a coach's dream.' After Saturday's Inter Miami game against the Columbus Crew, Picault is headed to Aruba to play for the Haitian national team in World Cup qualifying matches against Aruba and Curacao. Because of the political unrest and violence in Haiti, the Haitian team cannot host any games. Wearing that Haiti jersey, as his grandfather did decades before, makes him immensely proud. And playing for Inter Miami, in front of Haitian fans, is also special, he said. 'Every time I step on the field, I know I represent more than just myself; I represent a big community of Haitians, both here and abroad, who are supporting me and have my back,' Picault said. 'With the situation going on in Haiti, we Haitians play with an extra chip on our shoulder, an extra passion, knowing the joy we can bring and maybe some peace for the people there.'
Black America Web
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Get Ready For Drama: The First 10 Islanders Of Love Island USA Season 7 Are Here!
Source: Courtesy / Peacock Love Island USA is back, and season 7 promises more flirtation, heartbreak, and unexpected recouplings than ever before. Peacock has officially revealed the first 10 Islanders heading to the tropical villa in Fiji, and this year's cast includes five women and five men from across the country, including one from Hawaii. Alongside official portraits of the contestants, Peacock dropped a 'Meet the Islanders' video to give fans a sneak peek at the personalities who will be stirring things up in the villa. First Up: Jeremiah Brown: Kicking off the introductions is Jeremiah Brown, an L.A. native who describes himself as 'three-fourths a great guy, most of the time.' He's not afraid to show emotion, admitting, 'I've always been the emotional type, so I don't care if I cry in front of you.' Kicking off the introductions is Jeremiah Brown, an L.A. native who describes himself as 'three-fourths a great guy, most of the time.' He's not afraid to show emotion, admitting, 'I've always been the emotional type, so I don't care if I cry in front of you.' Chelley Bissainthe is the first female Islander to make an appearance. Hailing from Orlando, she's proud of her Haitian roots and says she speaks 'a little bit of Creole.' But beware — she's judging fellow Islanders based on their zodiac signs. is the first female Islander to make an appearance. Hailing from Orlando, she's proud of her Haitian roots and says she speaks 'a little bit of Creole.' But beware — she's judging fellow Islanders based on their zodiac signs. Next comes Yulissa Escobar from Miami, who just got out of a nine-year relationship. But she's not letting heartbreak hold her back: 'I'm glad he broke my heart, because look at me here,' she said confidently. At just 4'10', Yulissa says, 'I'm your baby. I am a baby.' from Miami, who just got out of a nine-year relationship. But she's not letting heartbreak hold her back: 'I'm glad he broke my heart, because look at me here,' she said confidently. At just 4'10', Yulissa says, 'I'm your baby. I am a baby.' Meet Ace Green , the next guy in line. This self-proclaimed 'short king' from L.A. says he's all about confidence — and definitely not about being the little spoon. , the next guy in line. This self-proclaimed 'short king' from L.A. says he's all about confidence — and definitely not about being the little spoon. Pool boy Austin Shepard from Northville, Michigan, brings the charm with his humor. 'I love making people laugh,' he said. 'And I look damn good while cleaning a pool.' from Northville, Michigan, brings the charm with his humor. 'I love making people laugh,' he said. 'And I look damn good while cleaning a pool.' Honolulu native Belle-A Walker runs on caffeine — literally. She works at her family's coffee shop and says, 'You make everybody's day better by handing them coffee all day!' runs on caffeine — literally. She works at her family's coffee shop and says, 'You make everybody's day better by handing them coffee all day!' Taylor Williams , a self-described cowboy from Oklahoma City, believes life's about taking risks: 'If you're not being dangerous, you're not living.' His ideal girl? A city girl with a big personality — and a big booty. , a self-described cowboy from Oklahoma City, believes life's about taking risks: 'If you're not being dangerous, you're not living.' His ideal girl? A city girl with a big personality — and a big booty. Olandria Carthen is a first-generation college student from Decatur, Alabama, who lives and breathes college football. Will she score big in the villa? is a first-generation college student from Decatur, Alabama, who lives and breathes college football. Will she score big in the villa? Nicolas Vansteenberghe , from Jacksonville, Florida, is an adrenaline junkie with a passion for skydiving, motorcycling, and all things extreme. 'I'm down for anything,' he said. , from Jacksonville, Florida, is an adrenaline junkie with a passion for skydiving, motorcycling, and all things extreme. 'I'm down for anything,' he said. Finally, meet Huda Mustafa from Raleigh, North Carolina. She's over the dating scene and ready for the real thing: 'I'm looking for someone who's my lifelong partner,' she said. 'Love Island, find me a man!' Season 7 will once again be hosted by Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix, with fan-favorite Iain Stirling returning as narrator, also known for voicing the UK version of the show. The new season premieres Tuesday, June 3 at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock, with new episodes streaming daily during premiere week. After that, catch new episodes on Thursdays through Tuesdays. Ready for the drama? This summer, the villa awaits. SEE ALSO Get Ready For Drama: The First 10 Islanders Of Love Island USA Season 7 Are Here! was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
India Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Love Island USA season 7 cast revealed
Peacock has officially introduced the first 10 contestants for Love Island USA Season 7, set to premiere on June 3 at 9 p.m. lineup includes five men and five women from across the United States, even one from Hawaii, all ready to find love in a luxurious villa in reveal came on May 29, alongside a "Meet the Islanders" video showcasing each contestant's personality and fun Meet the IslandersAs reported by People, Los Angeles resident Jeremiah Brown opened the introductions, describing himself as "three-fourths a great guy" and unafraid to show Bissainthe from Orlando, Florida, admitted she judges people based on their Zodiac signs and mentioned she speaks some Creole, reflecting her Haitian Escobar from Miami, who recently ended a nine-year relationship, said she's ready for someone to care for her. With a smile, she added, "I'm 4'10" — I am a baby."From Cowboys to Coffee ShopsOther contestants include Ace Green, also from L.A., who called himself a "short king" confident around taller Shepard, a pool boy from Michigan, claimed he "looks good while cleaning pools" and loves making people Walker, from Honolulu, works in her family's coffee shop and believes in spreading joy through coffee. Oklahoma's Taylor Williams introduced himself as a cowboy seeking adventure and a partner with a "good personality — and a big booty."advertisementDiverse Backgrounds and Bold PersonalitiesOlandria Carthen from Alabama is a first-generation college student who lives for college football. Nicolas Vansteenberghe of Jacksonville, Florida, is a thrill-seeker who enjoys extreme sports like skydiving and Huda Mustafa of Raleigh, North Carolina, is looking for a serious relationship. "I'm tired of stupid dates," she said. "Love Island, find me a man!"When and Where to WatchLove Island USA will continue to be hosted by Ariana Madix and narrated by Iain Stirling. After the June 3 debut, new episodes will stream on Peacock six days a week, from Thursday through Tuesday.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Death of 6-month-old baby ties to immigration, emergency service concerns in La Vergne
La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews suspects deportation fears might have contributed to a delay in emergency calls related to the death of a 6-month-old baby around Easter. Moews learned about the death of the child April 12 and planned a town hall meeting for May 21 at Community Church in La Vergne to communicate with the city's Hispanic population about emergency services. "Nobody wants another dead 6-month-old baby," said Moews, a second-year chief. "We're here to help people." The child's death and planning for the town hall happened about three weeks prior to reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs agents had arrived in Rutherford County to apprehend people for possible deportation, Moews said. The baby's death remains under investigation and involved a male caretaker who noticed the child was not breathing and didn't call 911 for help. The caretaker's girlfriend arrived and did call 911, Moews said. The male caretaker "was in the country illegally," Moews said. Immigration issues: ICE says nearly 200 immigrants arrested in Nashville during recent operations Moews urged residents during the recent town hall to not be fearful to call 911 if faced with an emergency no matter their immigration status. "We are trying to encourage people to call the police and not be afraid," Moews told The Daily News Journal May 27. About 30 people attended the town hall at Community Church on Old Nashville Highway in La Vergne, Moews said. The church sign touts worship services in English, Creole, Spanish, Nigerian and Arabic. The chief said the turnout might have been stronger had there not been recent reports about ICE agents being in Rutherford County. New law enforcement leadership: La Vergne offers police chief job to Milwaukee police Capt. Christopher Moews Among those who attended the town hall for people concerned with ICE operations is Rutherford County Commissioner Hope Oliver, D-La Vergne. "It's sad," Oliver told The Daily News Journal May 27. "That's what's going on under the current administration. I think it's just domestic terrorism." Oliver represents District 1 in north La Vergne and is one of two elected Democrats on the 21-member county commission that also includes 16 Republicans and three independents. 2022 election results: 21-member Rutherford County Commission will see new faces with 9 elected officials Tennessee Department of Correction spokeswoman Sarah Gallagher confirmed to The Daily News Journal May 8 that ICE agents apprehended people in Rutherford. "In a coordinated effort to increase public safety, 14 individuals were detained by ICE agents at TDOC's Probation/Parole Office in Murfreesboro this week," Gallagher said. "TDOC will continue to uphold the law, and partner with state and federal agencies to support ICE operations as needed." The town hall event in La Vergne also followed ICE operations conducted May 2-10 in Nashville that resulted in nearly 200 arrests during a joint operation between the Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE. ICE officials have not confirmed if any of those arrested during the May THP stops come from cities outside of Nashville. May 7 report on raids: Nashville ICE agency says 84 arrested since May 3 in operation with THP In a May 9 social media post, the La Vergne Police Department said it did not participate with law enforcement on immigration enforcement. "While we did become aware today that other agencies have been conducting enforcement operations within city limits, we have not been contacted or included in those efforts," the department said in a statement on Facebook. "We remain committed to transparency, community trust, and serving all residents of La Vergne with fairness and professionalism. If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out." ICE operation in Nashville: Traffic stops with THP lead to arrests. Here's what to know Moews told the town hall audience that the city's police force is not partnering with ICE on apprehending people unlawfully present. The La Vergne police force, however, will follow Tennessee law and notify ICE if officers learn about any immigrants in the city without legal status to be in the country, Moews said. "We're stuck in the middle," Moews said. "We have to provide service to the whole community, but we have to abide in the law." Officers making traffic stops for speeding do not typically ask for immigration status, said Moews, who has served in law enforcement since 1994 in Wisconsin for most of his career before accepting his chief position in La Vergne in August 2023. "I have personally done thousands of traffic stops, and I can't recall a single one where I asked about someone's immigration status," Moews said. UPDATE: Detectives seek witness of shooting death of man in car on I-24 near Waldron Road La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole also attended the town hall. "You had people there who were concerned about themselves or their neighbors, and you had people there who were actually trying to find out what the actual letter of the law is," Cole told The Daily News Journal May 27. "Chief Moews put it simply. We enforce the law." Cole promised to attend the town hall provided that his flight home would arrive on time after promoting his city to businesses at the International Council of Shopping Centers event at the Las Vegas Convention Center May 18-20. "I'm supportive of listening to our residents and responding appropriately," Cole said. "The residents of La Vergne put me and the rest of the (La Vergne Board of Mayor and Aldermen in elected office) to listen to them. To not listen or respond accordingly, would be a betrayal of their trust." Mayor Cole also said he's never been asked about his status as a lawful citizen whenever he's been pulled over by police. Election 2018: La Vergne Alderman Jason Cole tops incumbent Dennis Waldron in mayor's race Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@ and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: La Vergne community fears baby's death lead to immigration concerns
