Latest news with #EmpireStateOfMind
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Inside the quirky pink bus spotted all over NYC, as its loudly dressed owner runs for office on ‘Party Party' line
A bright pink school bus covered in stickers has become a common scene on the streets of New York City — with partiers dancing on its handmade bamboo rooftop. 'Hello, we've got some celebrities here we are passing through!' Glinda the Good Bus' loudly dressed owner Michelle Joni Lapidos said as The Post rode tagged along through Manhattan with some college-aged curiosity seekers. Self-described 'social savant' Lapidos brainstormed the bus in 2019 and has been zipping bridal parties, birthday celebrations and more throughout the city since — but this year is bringing the bus back to its roots as a campaign trolley. Lapidos is trying to launch the aptly-named 'Party Party' line in a longshot bid for Brooklyn borough president, a job she said will help her 'bring the New York spirit back.' 'I truly see people right for their magic and I want to activate that and people,' Lapidos told The Post. 'Radical inclusion — I want everyone to win. We can all win. We have a society built around competition and divisiveness, and the 'Party Party' offers the viewpoint that we can all win.' Dressed in a blue flight attendant suitdress and red pilot cap, and flanked by her two co-pilots, Lapidos scooped up a party of the New School graduate students while blasting 'Empire State of Mind' — and Lapidos played karaoke with the vehicle's sound system. While the group dined and drank on the couches on the bus' roof, co-pilot Addison Dreher tossed out glitter, stickers, bubbles, party hats and more. Whenever the bus slowed down, co-pilot Luna März danced in the open doorway of the bus and encouraged rush hour passersby to join in on the party. 'It's very much that feeling of people being taken out of their element of like, 'Oh, what that!' I don't know if I'm addicted to it for personal reasons, but it's needed and people are ready,' Lapidos said. This spring marks a return to form for Glinda the Good Bus, which is named in honor of the equally bright and pink witch from the 'Wizard of Oz.' Lapidos said she originally bought the vehicle as a campaign vehicle for a bid for president in 2020. As far as the city Board of Elections would be concerned, the campaign was an informal one. But Lapidos ordered license plates that said 'JONI2020' and put out her dreams of being president into the universe. 'There's the spiritual belief that intention is creation, so each little bit as intention is actually creation,' she explained. When her mission to become the first female commander-in-chief didn't pan out, Lapidos found ways to community organize in other ways. She founded a skipping club — which is exactly what it sounds like — and helped brainstorm the Metro Gala, an annual 'underground' version of the elitist fashion party. Plus, Glinda the Good Bus boarded thousands of customers — including many who were picked up off the street. Birthday girl Ren Hasuda watched the spectacle breeze down the street one evening and knew it would be the perfect spot to host her first-ever birthday in America. 'It's fantastic! It's super unique. I wanted to do something special and then saw this on the street — it feels meant to be,' Hasuda told The Post as she sat atop Glinda to celebrate her 32nd birthday. The environment is an attempt to replicate the 'vibes' of Burning Man, an event that Lapidos said changed her life and opened her eyes to a new form of self-expression and community. Now, Lapidos is attempting to expand the party even further by throwing her hat into the race for Brooklyn borough president. Lapidos failed to provide a valid cover sheet with her paperwork, technically bumping her out of the race to unseat incumbent Antonio Reynos but the determined bus driver plans to run as an independent on her own line: the 'Party Party.' Her main mission, she explained, would be boosting businesses and nightlife so that Brooklyn is keeping the lights on 24/7. Shouldn't there be a cocktail hour for the waitresses who work the typical cocktail hour, she asked Lapidos also hopes to place an even stronger emphasis on the arts, something that has been an integral part of the city, and especially Brooklyn's, identity for generations. 'Art as inherent is the kind of party that we want to bring. That's creativity, expression and community,' Lapidos said. 'I also have a vision for the world. I ride around in the driver's seat of my bus — this is my corner office. I see the world. I see the streets.'
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jay-Z rape accuser files to dismiss his case against her
The Alabama woman who accused Jay-Z of a 2000 sexual assault - only to find herself sued by the New York City rap icon - has filed papers asking the court to scuttle the case filed against her. Jay-Z's accuser - who says the Empire State Of Mind artist and Sean ' Diddy ' Combs sexually assaulted her when she was 13 - identifies herself as Jane Doe in court documents. The case was ultimately dropped in February in what the 99 Problems rapper characterized as a 'victory.' In the latest legal docs, Jane Doe said Jay-Z 'fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted' in his lawsuit against her in Alabama, where he is also suing her lawyer Tony Buzbee, People reported after reviewing court docs. Jane Doe told the court that the 24-time Grammy-winner is trying to sue her over 'privileged' claims made expressly to the court, TMZ reported Tuesday. She noted in her new legal filing that a December interview she did with NBC News was protected based on the aforementioned claims of 'privileged' claims. has reached out to Buzbee and reps for Jay-Z for comment on the story. Jay-Z's accuser claims he and Sean 'Diddy' Combs sexually assaulted her, and identifies herself as Jane Doe in court docs. Seen anonymously in an NBC News interview last year Jay-Z earlier this month filed the lawsuit against sued the Alabama woman who accused him of a 2000 sexual assault with Combs saying the 'lies' and 'extortionate threats' made by them led him to a $20 million loss. Jane Doe this week requested that the case brought by the Big Pimpin' artist be dismissed with prejudice, the outlet reported. The Empire State Of Mind artist accused the defendants in the case, in addition to attorney David Fortney, of 'malicious prosecution, abuse of process, civil conspiracy and defamation,' according to legal documents filed in Alabama and reviewed by In the legal complaint reviewed by the outlet, the 99 Problems rapper, who is wed to fellow music superstar Beyoncé, 43, says the defendants 'were soullessly motivated by greed, in abject disregard of the truth and the most fundamental precepts of human decency.' Buzbee represented the woman claiming the 24-time Grammy-winner and Combs sexually assaulted her when she was 13. She claims the incident took place at an MTV Music Awards afterparty in September of 2000 - accusations which Jay-Z and Diddy have denied. The case was dismissed in February, with the Hard Knock Life rapper saying at the time, 'Today is a victory. The frivolous, fictitious and appalling allegations have been dismissed. This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere.' Buzbee told exclusively at the time, 'This new case alleges the same claims as the other one they pieced together and filed in Los Angeles. 'Like the one in LA, this new case in Alabama also has no legal merit. He continued: 'Shawn Carter's investigators have repeatedly harassed, threatened and harangued this poor woman for weeks trying to intimidate her and make her recant her story. 'She hasn't, and won't. Instead she has stated repeatedly she stands by her claims. These same group of investigators have been caught on tape offering to pay people to sue me and my firm.' Buzbee told that he spoke 'with Jane Doe today' and 'it appears that the quotes attributed to her in the lawsuit are completely made up, or they spoke to someone who isn't Jane Doe.' The attorney added: 'This is just another attempt to intimidate and bully this poor woman that we will deal with in due course.' Buzbee wrapped up his statement to 'We won't be bullied or intimidated by frivolous cases.' In January, lawyers for Jay-Z asked the court to sanction sanction Buzbee, alleging he did not personally meet with the woman ahead of filing the legal complaint, TMZ reported after reviewing legal docs in the case. The legal team for the 24-time Grammy-winner, led by attorney Alex Spiro, said Buzbee admitted to not personally speaking with the woman ahead of filing the case, which is a major ethical lapse, TMZ reported. Buzbee told in response that 'what Spiro has filed, like everything else he has filed thus far, is utterly frivolous and meritless.' Buzbee previously told TMZ that 'he did, in fact, personally interview the plaintiff, as did four other lawyers,' the outlet reported, noting that he said that 'anyone who says otherwise has their own agenda.' Buzbee told that 'with every frantic filing the defense in this case grows more desperate.' He added of his case against the rapper, whose name is Shawn Carter: 'The rules apply equally to everyone, even those who wrongly think they are above the law. No one is above the law.' Lawyers for Jay-Z said that Buzbee - whose Texas-based firm is in charge of more than 150 people suing Combs - didn't properly vet the woman accusing Jay-Z ahead of a December interview she conducted with NBC News in which she acknowledged inconsistencies in her story. Jane Doe said in her legal filing she was living in Rochester in 2000 when she made her way to New York City and befriended a limousine driver who drove her to the party in a trek that took about 20 minutes. Buzbee has said his firm is representing more than 150 people, both male and female, who claims Combs sexual abused and exploited them. Many of Buzbee's legal filing include allegations of spiked drinks at lavish parties in locales such as New York, California and Florida. Combs' lawyers have characterized Buzbee's lawsuits as 'shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs.' Jay-Z and Combs gained fame in the 2000s, emerging as successful rappers and business magnates, with Forbes last year estimating Jay-Z's net worth to be $2.5 billion. The artists have collaborated over the years, with Jay-Z appearing on Combs' debut album, No Way Out and Combs performing on Jay-Z´s sophomore album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Combs has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges after his September arrest. He has remained incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn awaiting a May 5 trial, after he was refused bail on multiple occasions. Prosecutors in Combs' federal case say the music mogul used blackmail and violence in his efforts to silence victims. Among the claims made against the entertainer is that he persuaded women to participate against their will in group sexual exhibitions referred to as 'Freak Offs.' The Can't Nobody Hold Me Down performer remains in federal custody nearly five months after his September 16 arrest in Manhattan in connection with sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Combs, who is also charged with transportation to engage in prostitution, has made a trio of attempts in vain to be granted bail, amid concerns from the court he would attempt to flee or tamper with his case. Prior to his arrest he was in the headlines for much of 2024 year after raids on multiple properties in March; and video of him assaulting Cassie surfacing on CNN in May. Lawyers for Combs - who has denied all of the claims against him - issued a statement last month in response to the litigation their client is involved in. 'No matter how many lawsuits are filed - especially by individuals who refuse to put their own names behind their claims - it won't change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone - man or woman, adult or minor,' attorneys for Combs said. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reacted at (4673) and and en Español
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jay-Z Reveals He And Beyoncé Faced Death Threats Over Rape Lawsuit As He Countersues Accuser's Lawyer
Jay-Z has filed a countersuit against Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing an anonymous accuser who alleged he and rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs raped her when she was 13 years old. In his filing, the Roc Nation boss claims he and his wife Beyonce faced death threats following the "malicious and fictitious" lawsuit, adding that the timing in which the suit came was "purposely" done by Buzbee to force him into a no-win situation. The case was recently dismissed with prejudice, leading Jay-Z to reveal that Tony Buzbee attempted to get money from him with a number of allegations. According to the Daily Mail, Jay-Z has filed a countersuit against Buzbee, attorney to an anonymous accuser who alleged that he and Diddy raped her as a minor at a 2000 MTV VMAs party. In his filing, the "Empire State Of Mind" rapper claimed he and his wife received death threats due to the rape lawsuit and that Buzbee's "public statements about me and accusations against me have caused me harm." "People have said, 'I can't wait until you join (Combs) in prison. Then later in hell,'" Jay-Z alleged in his complaint. "Other comments have accused me of being a 'satanist,' a 'trafficker,' a 'terrorist,' and a 'monster,' called me the N-word and threatened violence against me and my wife, including to 'kill' or 'execute' us." The rape lawsuit was notably filed against Jay-Z in December, a day before the "Lion King" prequel "Mufasa," which starred Beyonce and Blue Ivy, premiered in London. Jay-Z added in his complaints that Buzbee "purposely" filed the lawsuit the day before the premiere to "put me in the position of having to choose between supporting my daughter or hiding to avoid the negative press coverage." Beyond the damage done to his reputation, Jay-Z also claims he lost $20 million in business contracts due to the accusations, describing the ordeal as a calculated attack on his reputation. In court documents obtained by TMZ, the "Drunk In Love" rapper also alleged that Buzbee tried to extort him of huge sums of money over two different allegations, one of which was the case just dismissed and another which didn't make it to court. The other case in question involved an anonymous male accuser who alleged Jay-Z sexually assaulted him at a 2015 Beverly Hills party when he was 16 years old and had been secretly drugged by someone other than the hip-hop billionaire. According to the news outlet, the rapper noted that Buzbee's letters for both clients demanded "something of substance" to address the "situation." However, Jay-Z interpreted it as a demand for a lot of money "to buy their silence," calling the letters "blatant blackmail attempts." Jay-Z's countersuit comes after the anonymous plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the sexual assault lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled again in its current form. The rapper, via his entertainment company Roc Nation, then issued a statement referring to the dismissal as a "victory." "Today is a victory," the statement began. "The frivolous, fictitious, and appalling allegations have been dismissed. This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere. The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims." He continued, "I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, loved ones and I have endured can never be dismissed. This 1-800 lawyer gets to file a suit hiding behind Jane Doe, and when they quickly realize that the money grab is going to fail, they get to walk away with no repercussions." Jay-Z added that "the system has failed," noting that while the court "must protect victims," it must also "protect the innocent from being accused without a shred of evidence" with "the same ethical responsibility." "May the truth prevail for all victims and those falsely accused equally," the rapper concluded. Unlike Jay-Z, Diddy still has a number of sexual assault lawsuits against him. The Bad Boy Records founder has been locked behind bars at the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He had attempted to secure bail several times but was denied and would remain there ahead of his trial on May 5. Responding to Friday's dismissal, Diddy's legal team also issued a statement declaring his innocence. "For months, we have seen case after case filed by individuals hiding behind anonymity, pushed forward by an attorney more focused on media headlines than legal merit. Just like this claim, the others will fall apart because there is no truth to them," the statement said. It added: "This is just the first of many that will not hold up in a court of law." Sources close to the Carters revealed that singer Beyoncé feels "relieved" by the dismissal of the rape lawsuit against her husband. "Relief is too simple a word to describe what Bey is feeling right now after Jay's current legal issues were dropped," an insider told the Daily Mail. According to the source, the family tried to put on "brave faces behind the scenes," seemingly by continuing their usual public activities despite the allegations. They were spotted attending the premiere of Blue Ivy's "Lion King" movie and also made an appearance at the 2025 Grammy Awards, where Beyoncé became the first Black woman in over half a century to win Best Country Album.
