Latest news with #Slant
The Star
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Fahmi Reza barred from leaving country, ‘thanks' cops for unforgettable birthday gift
IPOH: Controversial graphic artist and activist Fahmi Reza claims that he has been barred from travelling abroad. In a post shared on his Facebook page on Saturday (June 7), the 47-year-old said Immigration officers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport had stopped him earlier in the day before his 9.35am flight to Singapore. Fahmi said he had made plans to fly to Singapore to watch a concert. "Today, I was barred from going overseas by the government. Two of my favourite punk bands Slant from South Korea and Sial from Singapore are playing in Singapore. "It has been quite some time since I wanted to watch both bands play live. I bought a flight ticket, planned for a two-day, one-night trip in Singapore and was prepared to stay at a friend's place there," he added. The latest travel ban for Fahmi came after he was denied entry into Sabah on May 29. Fahmi, whose birthday is today, believed that the travel ban imposed on him was due to his artwork that criticised the appointment of Tun Musa Aman as Sabah's Yang di-Pertua Negeri (TYT). He had in late 2024 got into trouble with the authorities for insulting the then incoming 11th TYT, depicting Musa in a caricature deemed offensive by the Keningau Native Court. Fahmi also said that he was made to wait in the Immigration office and also to print out his travelling documents on his own. "After about half an hour, the immigration officer asked for my passport and MyKad to be photocopied. "He also asked for my boarding pass and flight tickets, which I showed from my mobile phone but he insisted on checking the printed version," he said. "Even though the office has a printer and photocopier, I was told to find another place to print (the travel documents). "At that time, there was only 10 minutes left before boarding time and 30 minutes before the gates closed," he said. "I rushed out of the Immigration office to look for a printer and fortunately, an airport staff was able to help and brought me to the Sama-Sama Express Hotel on a buggy to print the travel documents," he added. Fahmi said as he went back to the Immigration office to submit the documents, he was informed that Bukit Aman (police) had barred him from travelling abroad. "I asked for a reason and was told to ask the police. I was then escorted out of the departure hall. What did I do wrong? Only the police and the government can answer,' he added
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Fahmi Reza says stopped at KLIA2, denied exit from Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — Graphic artist and political activist Fahmi Reza said he was stopped from boarding a flight to Singapore today after being informed he was blacklisted from travelling overseas — the second such travel restriction imposed on him in just over two weeks. In a statement posted on his social media, Fahmi recounted arriving at KLIA2 at around 7.30am to catch a 9.35am flight for a short two-day trip to attend a concert featuring South Korean band Slant and Singaporean act Sial. But at the international departure counter, immigration officers told him he had been flagged and needed to wait at their office. 'I was asked to wait while they checked with TCO (Travel Control Office/Order). Then they took my passport and IC for photocopying. They also wanted printed copies of my boarding pass and e-ticket, even though I had them on my phone,' he wrote, adding that with only 10 minutes left before boarding, an airport staff member helped him get the documents printed at Sama-Sama Express Hotel. When he returned to immigration with the documents, Fahmi said an officer told him, 'Bukit Aman has not given clearance for you to leave the country.' He said no explanation was provided and he was escorted out of the departure area. Fahmi is well known for his satirical illustrations that often critique political leaders and institutions. He believes the ban is linked to his artwork criticising the recent appointment of former Sabah chief minister Tun Musa Aman as the state's new Yang di-Pertua Negeri. Just weeks earlier, on May 29, the Sabah immigration department had denied Fahmi entry into the state under Section 65(1)(a) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. He said he was flown back to Kuala Lumpur the same day without further explanation. That incident followed his earlier arrest by Sabah police in February this year over another satirical post. Authorities had opened investigations under the Sedition Act for allegedly insulting the royal institution. 'Last week I was blacklisted from entering Sabah. This week, I'm blacklisted from leaving the country,' he wrote. 'My only 'offence' was creating critical artwork.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What to know about Cassie's life now, as she testifies against Sean 'Diddy' Combs in his criminal trial
Cassie is a singer and actor, best known for her top-10 hit single "Me & U." She met Sean Combs, aka Diddy, in 2006 and signed to his label Bad Boy. She filed a lawsuit against him in 2023 and is a key witness in his criminal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial. Cassie burst onto the music scene in 2006 with an irresistible blend of pop and R&B. Although the singer, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, withdrew from the spotlight in the ensuing years, she's still beloved by fans of 2000s club jams. In 2023, she filed a lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs, alleging abuse throughout their relationship, including rape. An attorney for Combs denied the allegations to Business Insider. Cassie is now a key accuser in Combs' criminal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial, which began on Monday. Here's everything to know about Cassie's career, her connection to Diddy, and what her life is like today. Before launching her music career, Cassie had done some modeling for brands like Delia's. In 2006, when she was 19 years old, she released her debut single "Me & U." It became her first hit, reaching No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 3 on the Hot 100. "Me & U" set the tone for her self-titled debut album, which was praised by critics for its "hypnotic groove" and "flippant playfulness." Rolling Stone later described the album as "the most brilliantly minimalist R&B album of its era." In a positive review for Slant, Sal Cinquemani also said, "'Me & U' has single-handedly revived his ailing Bad Boy imprint," referring to Combs, then known as Diddy. An archived feature from 2008 said that Combs heard "Me & U" in a club and felt inspired to help Cassie's career. Combs teamed up with Ryan Leslie, who wrote and produced the song, to record Cassie's album. In 2008, she announced her plans to release her sophomore album. "I guess I grew up a lot but I'm still in essence the same person," Cassie, then 21, told Billboard. "Lots has changed in my life, stuff that has made me think about things differently. I'm more vulnerable and you can hear my vocals better this time around. There's real emotion and a much realer connection with my fans." At the time, Combs praised Cassie's musical development, which he said was reflected in the album. "We pulled out, we took our time, we developed her for like, a year-and-a-half," he told Billboard in a 2008 interview. "People are just going to see her there and be like, 'Wow, she's really cocooned into a butterfly.'" However, the album was delayed several times. She didn't release new music until 2012, when she surprise-dropped a set of three mixtapes. She continued releasing singles sporadically in the years following. Cassie played Sophie in the 2008 film "Step Up 2: The Streets," and has also appeared in "The Perfect Match" and on several episodes of "Empire." Additionally, she appeared in the 2022 TV movie "Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding." Prior to her lawsuit, gossip news sites reported that Cassie and Combs maintained an on-again, off-again relationship. They reportedly started dating in 2007 and broke up in 2018. Cassie's 2023 civil lawsuit accused Combs of serious allegations, painting the music mogul as an extremely violent and angry ex-partner. It details several instances when the music mogul physically and mentally abused Cassie, as well as used intimidation tactics to keep her in the relationship. Combs quickly settled the suit shortly after it was filed. Combs has been accused of sexual assault, rape, drugging, and other forms of violence in more than 50 civil lawsuits. He was arrested in September following a grand jury indictment and has denied the charges against him and all other allegations of sex abuse. Combs' criminal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial began on Monday. Cassie, the prosecution's key witness in the case, took the stand on Tuesday and Wednesday to testify against Combs. Following her split from Combs in 2018, Cassie began a relationship with Alex Fine, a professional bull rider, model, and personal trainer. In June 2019, the singer revealed that she and Fine were expecting their first child together. The couple tied the knot in a small, surprise wedding in September of that year in Malibu, California. Their daughter, Frankie Stone, was born in early December. Cassie and Fine welcomed their second child, a baby girl named Sunny Cinco, in March 2021. In February 2025, Cassie revealed that she's pregnant with their third child, a son. Libby Torres contributed to an earlier version of this story. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
What to know about Cassie's life now, as she testifies against Sean 'Diddy' Combs in his criminal trial
Cassie burst onto the music scene in 2006 with an irresistible blend of pop and R&B. Although the singer, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, withdrew from the spotlight in the ensuing years, she's still beloved by fans of 2000s club jams. In 2023, she filed a lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs, alleging abuse throughout their relationship, including rape. An attorney for Combs denied the allegations to Business Insider. Cassie is now a key accuser in Combs' criminal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial, which began on Monday. Here's everything to know about Cassie's career, her connection to Diddy, and what her life is like today. Cassie broke out with the club hit 'Me & U' Before launching her music career, Cassie had done some modeling for brands like Delia's. In 2006, when she was 19 years old, she released her debut single "Me & U." It became her first hit, reaching No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 3 on the Hot 100. "Me & U" set the tone for her self-titled debut album, which was praised by critics for its "hypnotic groove" and "flippant playfulness." Rolling Stone later described the album as "the most brilliantly minimalist R&B album of its era." In a positive review for Slant, Sal Cinquemani also said, "'Me & U' has single-handedly revived his ailing Bad Boy imprint," referring to Combs, then known as Diddy. Cassie signed to Bad Boy Records in 2006 An archived feature from 2008 said that Combs heard "Me & U" in a club and felt inspired to help Cassie's career. Combs teamed up with Ryan Leslie, who wrote and produced the song, to record Cassie's album. In 2008, she announced her plans to release her sophomore album. "I guess I grew up a lot but I'm still in essence the same person," Cassie, then 21, told Billboard. "Lots has changed in my life, stuff that has made me think about things differently. I'm more vulnerable and you can hear my vocals better this time around. There's real emotion and a much realer connection with my fans." At the time, Combs praised Cassie's musical development, which he said was reflected in the album. "We pulled out, we took our time, we developed her for like, a year-and-a-half," he told Billboard in a 2008 interview. "People are just going to see her there and be like, 'Wow, she's really cocooned into a butterfly.'" However, the album was delayed several times. She didn't release new music until 2012, when she surprise-dropped a set of three mixtapes. She continued releasing singles sporadically in the years following. Cassie has dabbled in acting Cassie played Sophie in the 2008 film "Step Up 2: The Streets," and has also appeared in "The Perfect Match" and on several episodes of "Empire." Additionally, she appeared in the 2022 TV movie "Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding." Cassie was in a tumultuous relationship with Diddy for over a decade Cassie and Combs maintained an on-again, off-again relationship. They reportedly started dating in 2007 and broke up in 2018. Cassie's 2023 civil lawsuit accused Combs of serious allegations, painting the music mogul as an extremely violent and angry ex-partner. It details several instances when the music mogul physically and mentally abused Cassie, as well as used intimidation tactics to keep her in the relationship. Combs quickly settled the suit shortly after it was filed. Combs has been accused of sexual assault, rape, drugging, and other forms of violence in more than 50 civil lawsuits. He was arrested in September following a grand jury indictment and has denied the charges against him and all other allegations of sex abuse. Combs' criminal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial began on Monday. Cassie, the prosecution's key witness in the case, took the stand on Tuesday and Wednesday to testify against Combs. Cassie married Alex Fine in 2019 and now has two children, with a third on the way Following her split from Combs in 2018, Cassie began a relationship with Alex Fine, a professional bull rider, model, and personal trainer. In June 2019, the singer revealed that she and Fine were expecting their first child together. The couple tied the knot in a small, surprise wedding in September of that year in Malibu, California. Their daughter, Frankie Stone, was born in early December. Cassie and Fine welcomed their second child, a baby girl named Sunny Cinco, in March 2021. In February 2025, Cassie revealed that she's pregnant with their third child, a son.
