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Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Singer Ciara among first descendants of enslaved people granted Benin citizenship
European merchants deported an estimated 1.5 million enslaved people from the Bight of Benin to the Americas. Published Jul 29, 2025 • 3 minute read Singer Ciara attends the 2025 ESPY awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on July 16, 2025. Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP via Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. DAKAR, Senegal — U.S. singer Ciara is one of the first public figures to become a citizen of Benin under a recent law by the small West African country granting citizenship to descendants of enslaved people. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Grammy-winning performer's acquisition of citizenship at a ceremony Saturday in the city of Cotonou is part of a broader initiative by Benin to attract the Black diaspora, acknowledge the country's role in the transatlantic slave trade, and promote tourism focused on slavery-related sites of remembrance. 'By legally recognizing these children of Africa, Benin is healing a historical wound. It is an act of justice, but also one of belonging and hope,' Justice Minister Yvon Detchenou said at the ceremony. Here's what to know about Benin's efforts to welcome descendants of enslaved people: Benin's Afro-descendant citizenship law In September, Benin passed a law granting citizenship to those who can trace their lineage to the slave trade. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It is open to anyone above 18 who doesn't already hold other African citizenship and can provide proof that an ancestor was deported via the slave trade from anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa. Beninese authorities accept DNA tests, authenticated testimonies and family records. Last week, the government launched My Afro Origins, the digital platform that processes applications. While Benin is not the first country to grant citizenship to descendants of enslaved people, its citizenship law carries added significance, in part because of the role it played in the transatlantic slave trade. A national reckoning with its role in the slave trade European merchants deported an estimated 1.5 million enslaved people from the Bight of Benin — a region that includes present-day Benin, Togo and parts of Nigeria — to the Americas. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Beninese kings actively participated in capturing and selling enslaved people to Portuguese, French and British merchants. The former kingdoms and the communities they raided still exist today as tribal networks. Benin has long been working to reconcile with its legacy of complicity. It has openly acknowledged its role in the slave trade, a stance not shared by many other African nations that participated. In the 1990s, it hosted an international conference to examine how and where enslaved people were sold. In 1999, then-President Mathieu Kerekou apologized to African Americans during a visit to a church in Baltimore. 'Memorial tourism' Alongside this national reckoning, 'memorial tourism' around the legacy of the slave trade has become a key approach of Benin's government to attract Afro-descendants. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Memorial sites are mostly in Ouidah, one of Africa's most active slave-trading ports in the 18th and 19th centuries. They include the Slave Route, which was the path marking enslaved people's final journey to ships, and the Door of No Return, a haunting doorway that opens to the Atlantic Ocean where they left Africa, and their families, for the last time. Sinde Chekete, the head of Benin's state-run tourism agency, said these sites give Afro-descendants the opportunity to learn about and honor the struggles and resilience of their ancestors. 'It may inspire some people to say 'I want to return to Africa and choose Benin to understand this history',' Chekete said. Following her citizenship ceremony, Ciara toured the historic city, where she walked the Slave Route to the Door of No Return. 'Between emotion, reflection and heritage, I experienced a profound return to what truly matters,' she said. Ciara is best known for chart-topping hits like 'Goodies' and 'Level Up,' her dynamic choreography, and her work in fashion and philanthropy. MLB Canada Toronto & GTA Toronto Blue Jays World
Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Ariana Grande's Album Returns Just Ahead Of ‘Wicked: For Good'
Ariana Grande's Eternal Sunshine returns to four U.K. charts as fans revisit her catalog ahead of ... More her Wicked: For Good film and soundtrack release. HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 02: Ariana Grande performs onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 02, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by) In a few months, Ariana Grande will release a new album, but fans shouldn't expect a full collection of brand new pop tunes. The singer and actress is set to star in Wicked: For Good, the second part of the Wicked musical blockbuster, which will hit theaters this fall. The Grammy winner, alongside her co-star Cynthia Erivo, was credited on the original Wicked soundtrack, and since the sequel features a number of songs from the Broadway musical, as well as two original compositions, it's likely both stars will be named again. Ahead of that project dropping, fans in the United Kingdom have pushed Grande's most recent solo effort back onto several tallies, and some of her biggest career smashes are climbing once again as well. Ariana Grande's Eternal Sunshine Rebounds Grande's album Eternal Sunshine can currently be found on four charts in the U.K., and it returns to half of them. The set surges on both the Official Albums and Official Albums Streaming lists, lifting dozens of spaces at once. At the same time, it also becomes a bestseller again, reappearing on the Official Physical Albums and Official Albums Sales rankings, landing at Nos. 81 and 88, respectively. Eternal Sunshine and Brighter Days Ahead Grande originally released Eternal Sunshine in March 2024, when it became another No. 1 on rankings all around the world. The singer promoted several singles from the project, including "Yes, And?" and "We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)," both of which reached the top 10 in dozens of markets. A year later, in March 2025, Grande issued Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead, which included six new songs and a handful of remixes. That re-release returned the project to the charts, though its momentum slowed after a few frames. Still, interest in the Grammy-nominated effort apparently remains relatively high, especially this frame. Ariana Grande's Old Hits Surge — Even a Holiday Favorite Three of Grande's singles appear on the same tally in the U.K. this frame, and none come from Eternal Sunshine or Wicked. "Break Free" and "Problem," her collaboration with Iggy Azalea, reappear on the Official Physical Singles chart at Nos. 77 and 96, respectively. They're joined by her holiday favorite "Santa Tell Me," which remains present despite the fact that it's the middle of the summer. That Christmas classic dips 20 spots, but it will likely rebound as the end of the year approaches.
New York Post
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Shane Gillis proved there are ‘no rules' at ESPN anymore: Bomani Jones
Former ESPNer Bomani Jones said Shane Gillis' opening monologue at the 2025 ESPYs is proof that the Worldwide Leader has tossed the rulebook out the window. During Monday's installment of his podcast, 'The Right Time,' Jones, who was a writer and on-air personality at ESPN from 2004-2023, explained that the network doesn't care to talk about 'stuff that matters' because they 'can't control what Pat McAfee does' on his daily program. 'Shane Gillis did not hit all of [his jokes] out of the park, but he hit a couple of them to the moon,' Jones said as he recalled some of the comedian's lewd jokes about Jeffrey Epstein, President Donald Trump and Caitlin Clark. Advertisement 4 Former ESPNer Bomani Jones said Shane Gillis' opening monologue at the 2025 ESPYS is proof that the worldwide leader tossed the rulebook out the window. YouTube/The Right Time Gillis was the host of this year's ESPY Awards, which took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles last week in front of a star-studded audience. 'I was like, 'I can't believe this is happening. There are officially no more rules at that place,'' Jones said. 'I worked with, for [and] in various capacities at ESPN for about 20 years. I've known what you can and can't get away with, I've been there for the ebbs and flows of the things that you can do, whether it be [on] digital or whatever it is. I've seen all the changes. Advertisement 'This is wild. There are officially no rules, as long as you're talking about stuff that doesn't really matter. Because, talking about stuff that matters — there is less of that. They've concluded that people don't want that, OK. And then they can't control anything that anybody does because you can't control what McAfee does. I saw clips of that show and was just like, 'This is insane, I don't know anything that is going on over there.'' ESPN always knew Gillis' comedic stylings weren't going to be for everyone, but there were no worries about the 'Tires' star, who has worked with the network on its 'College GameDay' show, The Post learned last week. 4 Shane Gillis speaks onstage during the 2025 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. Getty Images Advertisement ESPN declined to comment. Gillis certainly pushed the envelope at the ESPYs. The actor faced some scrutiny for his jokes, which took aim at new Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and O.J. Simpson. Jones said he was surprised because the ESPN that he knew was much more strict when it came to 'what you can and can't get away with' on-air. Advertisement 4 Pat McAfee on his ESPN show before the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers during Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 19, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 19, 2025 NBAE via Getty Images McAfee joined ESPN in September 2023, when he took his namesake daily talk show from FanDuel to daytime television for a lucrative payday. The former NFL punter appeared at the 2025 ESPYs to honor Lee Corso, whose last show as a full-time cast member of 'College GameDay' is Aug. 30 in Columbus, Ohio. McAfee and fellow castmates Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard took the stage to share remarks of how Corso has impacted their broadcast careers. 4 (L-R) Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, Pat McAfee and Desmond Howard speak onstage during the 2025 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. Getty Images The McAfee era at ESPN ushered in a new way of doing things, such as the host cursing on the mic and complaining about higher-ups at the company. In January 2024, McAfee made headlines for calling then-ESPN executive senior vice president of studio and event production, Norby Williamson, a 'rat' — and accusing Williamson of sabotaging his show. Advertisement Williamson was out at ESPN that April after nearly four decades, as The Post learned that he and Burke Magnus, the president of content, did not share a vision that aligned with ESPN's long-term strategy and that Magnus made the decision to part ways with the seasoned executive. McAfee is also a regular contributor on the ESPN shows, 'Get Up' and 'College GameDay,' among other programs.
Toronto Star
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Stephen Colbert's ‘Late Show' canceled by CBS, ends May 2026
Stephen Colbert arrives at a screening of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,' during PaleyFest, April 21, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Richard Shotwell flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
New York Post
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
ESPN isn't worried about any Shane Gillis backlash over ESPYs monologue
Shane Gillis' monologue at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday night has left plenty of people divided over the contents of the jokes, but the Disney-owned sports network isn't concerned about the reaction that Gillis' routine received, The Post has confirmed. During his roughly 10-minute opening, Gillis poked fun at just about everyone from popular sports figures to President Donald Trump in a biting opening sequence to kick off the annual sports award show. The Worldwide Leader always knew Gillis' comedic stylings weren't going to be for everyone, as TMZ first reported, but there were no worries about the 'Tires' star who has worked with the network on its 'College GameDay' show. 3 Host Shane Gillis speaks at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. AP ESPN declined comment when reached by The Post. Among the topics that Gillis touched upon were Trump, Caitlin Clark, Aaron Rodgers and Jeffrey Epstein. The well-known comedian received mixed reactions during his eyebrow-raising opening remarks. Gillis asserted that women's soccer legend Megan Rapinoe was not a 'good time' in one of his first quips of the night and later joked that he and Clark, the WNBA superstar, had a lot in common because they were both 'whites from the Midwest who have nailed a bunch of 3s.' 3 Host Shane Gillis, top right, speaks at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. AP 'When Caitlin Clark retires from the WNBA, she's going to work at a Waffle House so she can continue doing what she loves most, fist fighting black women,' he continued. In one of his most well-received jokes of the night, he aimed Bill Belichick and girlfriend Jordon Hudson after making a Shohei Ohtani joke related to his disgraced interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. 'A bookie is what Bill Belichick reads to his girlfriend before bedtime,' Gillis said on stage before launching into a list of crude titles for classic books. At least one former ESPNer didn't enjoy the show. 3 Nick Sirianni, Josh Sweat, Jalen Carter, and Jordan Mailata accept the Best Team Award from Druski and Shane Gillis onstage during the 2025 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. Getty Images 'In a year of crazy growth for women's sports choosing an ESPYs host who doesn't even try to make clever jokes about women athletes (he at least *attempted* for the men),' Sarah Spain wrote on X on Thursday, 'he goes with hacky 'no one knows the WNBA' bits, 'Pinoe is a bad time' & repeatedly insults Black women. COOL.'
