Latest news with #Detroit-born
New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Smokey Robinson sues his accusers for elder abuse, defamation in $500M countersuit
Smokey Robinson has filed a $500 million countersuit against his accusers, alleging elder abuse and defamation in response to their claims of sexual assault. The Motown legend, 85, earlier this month was slapped with a $50 million lawsuit from four women, who claimed to be his former employees, which included numerous disturbing allegations, including sexual battery and assault. In his filing, the 'Cruisin'' hitmaker likened the allegations against him to a shakedown, saying the women made 'gratuitous and slanderous allegations' at a 'media circus' press conference on May 6. 4 Smokey Robinson has filed a $500 million countersuit against his accusers, alleging elder abuse and defamation in response to their claims of sexual assault. Getty Images The singer, born William Robinson Jr., denied any wrongdoing and described the four women — who were his former housekeepers — as his 'extended family.' In legal documents obtained by Rolling Stone, Robinson noted that he and his spouse had gifted the four accusers — who allegedly worked as Robinson's housekeepers between 2012 and 2024 — concert tickets, vehicles and cash during their tenure. The Detroit-born musician also noted that he attended the graduation of one of his former housekeeper's children, and submitted text message evidence showing one of the plaintiff's sending him a friendly message. Elsewhere, his legal team submitted an image of Robinson's wife, Frances Gladney, vacationing in Cabo San Lucas Mexico with another one of the plaintiffs — a vacation for which Robinson footed the bill for, he claims. 4 Robinson's wife, Frances Gladney, was also named in the plaintiff's suit. Getty Images for The Recording Academy In his filing, which alleges defamation of character, emotional distress, financial elder abuse, invasion of privacy and civil conspiracy, Robinson's legal team said that the four plaintiffs 'had the ideal access to take advantage of them,' and asked that the women be named in the lawsuit. The four women named the singer in the $50 million lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on May 6, claiming sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence, hostile work environment, and more. Jane Doe 1 — who said she worked as a housekeeper for the couple from Jan. 3, 2023 until February 2024 — claimed she was sexually assaulted by Robinson at least seven times until her resignation. 4 The Motown legend, 85, earlier this month was slapped with a $50 million lawsuit from four women who claimed to be his former employees. AFP via Getty Images The second accuser claimed that if she refused to have sex with the 'Baby Come Close' singer, he would threaten that he'd make Frances be 'mean' to her. The third plaintiff said she had worked for Robinson from February 2012 until April 2024, and alleged she was 'sexually harassed, sexually assaulted and raped' by the musician 'at least 20 times.' Jane Doe 4 claimed Robinson first sexually assaulted her in 2007 and raped her at his temporary residence in Bell Canyon, California, in 2019. All four accusers claimed they didn't report the alleged sexual assaults out of fear of losing their livelihood, public embarrassment, shame and humiliation. 4 In his filing, the 'Cruisin'' hitmaker likened the allegations against him to a shakedown. Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation John Harris, the attorney for the four women, said that they believe Robinson is 'a serial and sick rapist and must be stopped.' 'Having to tell their [spouses] and children of these despicable actions left them filled with shame and embarrassment. So throughout their dreadful experiences with Mr. Robinson, all four women remained silent,' he said in a statement.
Black America Web
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
MFT: Kash Doll Remembers Her Acting Debut On 'BMF'
STARZ Kash Doll has already conquered the music world, but the Detroit-born rapper is now proving she's got the acting chops to match. Making her acting debut on the Starz hit series BMF , the Detroit-raised emcee stepped into the role of Monique, a fierce and complex character who added another layer of drama to the show. For 'My First Time,' she spoke with us about her whirlwind first time in front of the camera which came rather easy given her personal connection to the story and most of all setting as a native of the Motor City. RELATED: My First Time – Estelle Takes Us Back To Her First Time In America The rapper-turned-actress didn't just jump into an ordinary TV show; she joined a cultural phenomenon. Produced by 50 Cent, BMF tells the real-life story of the Black Mafia Family, a Detroit crime empire led by the Flenory brothers. Rooted in grit, ambition, and family ties, the show mirrors the hustle integral to Kash Doll's rise to fame. Taking on the role of Monique, a sharp, street-smart woman navigating her own struggles in the tumultuous world of BMF, Kash Doll revealed that her music background helped her embody the character's strength and vulnerability. Kash Doll's debut on BMF marks the beginning of a promising acting career, showing that no challenge is too big for her to tackle. If her first portrayal is any indication, there's a lot more to come from this multi-talented star. The article 'MFT: Kash Doll Remembers Her Acting Debut On 'BMF'' was created with the help of SEE ALSO Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Eminem surprise appearance delights fans at Jelly Roll, Post Malone show
Eminem surprise appearance delights fans at Jelly Roll, Post Malone show Show Caption Hide Caption Eminem joins bid to bring WNBA back to Detroit Rapper Eminem has joined a group of investors in a bid to expand the Women's National Basketball Association in his native city of Detroit. unbranded - Sport Before he wrapped an hourlong set at Detroit's Ford Field, Jelly Roll had one last trick up his sleeve. As he performed a cover of "Lose Yourself" — a favorite of his while visiting the Motor City — the country-rocker glanced to the stage wings. And sure enough, accompanied by a near-deafening roar May 18 inside the sold-out stadium, out strode Eminem. The Detroit-born rapper picked up the second verse of his signature 2002 hit, joining Jelly Roll as the two eventually made their way down the runway for the song's familiar chorus. Eminem becomes grandfather as daughter Hailie Jade welcomes baby boy The "Lose Yourself" moment came at the end of a multigenre medley that featured some Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nickelback, DMX, Miley Cyrus and Wiz Khalifa. It's a longtime feature of Jelly Roll shows, and its savvy, crowd-pleasing blend harks back to another Detroit staple: Kid Rock. But it was Eminem who got to steal the show from everybody, and nobody seemed happier about it than Jelly Roll himself: Pumping his fists, shaking his head in a giddy disbelief, he told fans it had just become "the greatest show" of his life. It was among the highlights of a festive night, which found Post Malone headlining the eighth stop of his latest tour, a lengthy transatlantic outing set to run through September. This is not Eminem's first surprise visit to the stadium. In 2023, the rapper made a similar "Lose Yourself" cameo during an Ed Sheeran concert. Jelly Roll has long been a loud, avowed Eminem fan. The two met for the first time nearly a year ago at the concert celebrating the reopening of Detroit's Michigan Central Station. Post Malone and Jelly Roll are heading on a 'Big' tour: How to get tickets In front of a raucous crowd, Post Malone treated fans to a two-hour set, mingling older hits with a heavy helping of material from "F-1 Trillion," his new chart-topping sojourn into country music. The show brought a high-energy, beer-chugging, Friday-night atmosphere to the Sunday evening affair. Another surprise guest, Dallas rapper BigXThaPlug, appeared in the show's homestretch, emerging for a quick performance of his viral hit "Texas," while Jelly Roll stepped back out to duet with Post Malone on "Losers," a catchy number from the new album.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Michigan native will help choose the next pope. What to know as papal conclave begins
Roman Catholic cardinals are convening in Vatican City's Sistine Chapel Wednesday, May 7, to begin the process of selecting Pope Francis' successor, and among the "princes of the church" will be Detroit-born Cardinal Joseph Tobin. Pope Francis died April 21 at age 88 and the College of Cardinals members were to enter the Sistine Chapel Wednesday morning for a first round of voting. The cardinals are tasked with selecting one of their colleagues to become pontiff. Tobin is one of 10 Americans listed as cardinal electors by the Holy See Press Office. Tobin, 72, serves as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey. "Let us give thanks for his life, his witness, and his love for the People of God. And may we honor his memory by building a Church that reflects the face of Jesus — merciful, welcoming, and always near to those on the margins," Tobin said in a statement following Francis' death. Tobin, USA TODAY reported, was a confidant of Pope Francis, who elevated Tobin to the College of Cardinals on Nov. 19, 2016. He is the first Detroit native priest to become a Catholic cardinal. Some reports have said Tobin may be a strong candidate to replace Francis, although others have not mentioned him as a likely choice. Tobin is an advocate for immigrants who has defended the progressive, inclusive teachings of Francis. Tobin, has openly welcomed LGBTQ people into services, emphasizing the need for compassion over exclusion. He has suggested the church might, in the future, allow women to be ordained into the ministry. Among other roles in church leadership, Tobin was appointed to the top Catholic court in 2021. Here's what to know as the conclave gets underway in Vatican City. What is a conclave? "Conclave" comes from the Latin word conclavium. It means "a room that can be locked up," emphasizing the secrecy and confidentiality of papal selection process, USA TODAY reported. Where does the conclave meet? The cardinal electors will meet inside the Sistine Chapel each day. What is the Sistine Chapel? The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere (pontiff from 1471 to 1484) who had the old Cappella Magna restored between 1477 and 1480. Painter and sculptor Michelangelo famously painted the walls and ceiling of the chapel over four years. What is a cardinal elector? A cardinal elector is a voting member of the College of Cardinals, the church's most senior officials. How many cardinals will take part in the conclave? There are 252 members of the College of Cardinals, but only 138 cardinals will vote, according to the Holy See Press Office. Among those eligible to vote, 108 were chosen by Francis. Because of reforms enacted by Pope Paul VI in 1970, cardinals who are 80 or older when the pope dies are excluded from the closed-door proceedings. Watch a livestream showing conclave smoke USA TODAY is livestreaming coverage of the conclave's first day between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 7. It will also be available on the USA TODAY YouTube channel. What does the black or white smoke mean? Cardinals will vote daily, with ballots being burned afterward. The cardinals vote on the first day. After that, they take two daily votes. If no pope is elected after three days, cardinals will pray and discuss more. Black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney indicates no pope was elected in a vote, while white smoke demonstrates a choice has been made. When does the papal selection process begin? The process begins within 20 days after the papacy is vacated when cardinal electors meet in the Sistine Chapel and begin the secretive voting process. Throughout the conclave, cardinals are under an oath of silence and forbidden contact with the outside world. How will the voting for pope take place? Here are the specifics of the voting process, according to the Vatican: Each cardinal writes the name of his chosen candidate on a ballot, folds it, holds it aloft and carries it to the altar in order of rank. The cardinal places the ballot on a plate covering a chalice and says, in Italian: 'I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one whom I believe should be elected according to God." The 10 Americans who currently serve as cardinal electors Ten Americans are currently listed as cardinal electors by the Holy See Press Office, including Tobin. Seven others are listed as non-electors. Electors include (appointed by Francis in bold, including Tobin; the remainder were appointed by Benedict): Raymond Leo Burke, 76 (Wisconsin) Blase Joseph Cupich, 76 (Nebraska) Daniel Nicholas DiNardo, 75 (Ohio) Timothy Michael Dolan, 75 (Missouri) Kevin Joseph Farrell, 77 (born in Ireland, he later held positions in the U.S., including in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Texas) Wilton Daniel Gregory, 77 (Illinois) James Michael Harvey, 75 (Wisconsin) Robert Walter McElroy, 71 (California) Robert Francis Prevost, 69 (Illinois) How long has Cardinal Tobin been the Newark archbishop? Tobin was appointed Archbishop of Newark in 2017, after serving as Archbishop of Indianapolis from 2012 and 2016. Since his elevation in 2017, Tobin has led the Archdiocese of Newark's Catholic community in worship and action, his website reads. Where was Cardinal Tobin born? Tobin was born in Detroit on May 3, 1952, and is the oldest of 13 siblings. He is the son of the late Joseph W. Tobin and late Marie Terese Kerwin. His 12 younger siblings are Molly, Margo, Kathy, Jim, Ann, Patricia, Tom, Gerarda, John, Therese, Dan and Sara. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit-born Cardinal helping choose Pope Francis' successor at Rome conclave
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who will be the next pope? A former Indianapolis Archbishop among possible candidates
As the Catholic Church undergoes its holy ritual to find the successor to Pope Francis, a cardinal with ties to Indianapolis has emerged on several lists predicting who may become the next pontiff. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, 72, previously served as the Archbishop of Indianapolis after he was appointed to the position by Pope Benedict XVI on Oct. 18, 2012, before he was elevated to a cardinal by Pope Francis on Oct. 9, 2016. On Jan. 6, 2017, Pope Francis appointed him to serve the Archdiocese of Newark in New Jersey. Tobin's name appeared on several lists, including the BBC, New York Times and USA Today, predicting who may become the next pope. If Tobin were to be selected, he would be the first American selected by the church to serve as the Pope. Tobin was asked in 2018 by the Detroit Free Press how he would feel if he were selected as the Pope. 'God loves his church too much to have me as pope,' Tobin joked in that interview. 'Knowing what the office entails, anybody who strives to be pope is either deranged or shortsighted. It's an awesome responsibility for Pope Francis and his predecessors.' Who is Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin? Tobin, a progressive, is among the 10 Americans who'll have a vote in the conclave. He was the first Detroit-born priest to become a Catholic Cardinal, and throughout his service with the church has followed the teachings of Pope Francis, supporting undocumented immigrants and extending his hand to LGBTQ Catholics. This was especially demonstrated during his time serving Indianapolis, where Tobin stood as a champion for refugees and immigrants during Trump's first administration. In November 2015, as millions of people were fleeing Syria after a civil war broke out, then-Gov. Mike Pence banned them from resettling in Indiana after Syrians were implicated in terrorist attacks in Paris. A few weeks later, Tobin announced the Archdiocese of Indianapolis had settled a Syrian refugee family of four in the city, which marked the beginning of a conflict between the Church and the Indiana government. Over the next year, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, under the leadership of Tobin, helped resettle about 150 Syrian families to Indiana. More: Can Cardinal Joseph Tobin rise to become 1st American pope? The National Catholic Reporter noted the 72-year-old's background is impressive and largely built outside the United States, a fact that might set at ease any concerns about a pope from a global superpower. Tobin, who was once an auto mechanic, is a member of the Redemptorists, an order known for its work with the poor, immigrants and the "spiritually abandoned." Tobin, the National Catholic Reporter noted, was one of Francis' staunchest supporters among American bishops. He's also been dubbed a man whose "affable style and easy humor" helped win friends even among ideological opponents. He's frequently in Rome, so he has a familiarity with how the Vatican works and has been known to use the city's public transit system to get around. Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@ follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @ Contributing USA Today reporters: Jorge Ortiz and Phaedra Trethan. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Who will be the next pope? Former Indiana Archbishop could be a contender
