Latest news with #TheRoot
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tory Lanez's Attacker Breaks His Silence After Leaked Footage Of the Stabbing Goes Viral
Just when the dust was beginning to settle for Tory Lanez following discussions on whether he should seek a retrial in his case, the plot continues to twist. An inmate has come forward claiming responsibility for the Toronto rapper's recent stabbing, even claiming that there is a rumored bounty on his life. Previously reported by The Root, the 'Say It' artist was attacked on May 12 at the California Correctional Center. According to reports, Santino Casio, an inmate who is already serving a life sentence for an unrelated offense, shared with TMZ that he stabbed Lanez 14 times after hearing rumors that there was a 'bounty on his head.' Footage of the attack has since been leaked. Casio, who was in the neighboring cell, claimed that he heard rumors through other inmates that there was a bounty on Tory's life. After the two men had a verbal exchange, Casio claims he thought his life was in danger when he saw a suspicious bulge in his pocket. 'What he showed me, to me, looked like a weapon at the time,' Casio reflected. 'So I rushed him, and I just snatched him…I took advantage of him. I threw him all over. I kept slamming him and stabbing him.' Although Casio claims that he had no intention of killing Tory, he alleges that he was acting in self-defense after being stabbed in the leg. He emphasized that the whole situation was unexpected because he and Lanez had a decent relationship in prison. 'Yea, we were cool,' Casio said. 'We were chill. We ate, we drank, we partied, we kicked it! Yeah, we were good.' However, Casio said he does not regret what he did. Aside from being remorseful for the incident, he said he's not giving an apology. Tory sustained several injuries, including seven stab wounds to the back, four to the torso, two to the back of the head, and one across the face. Both of his lungs collapsed as a result of the attack. Born Daystar Peterson, Tory was convicted in 2022 for shooting rapper Megan Thee Stallion during a heated argument in July 2020. He is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence. Despite ongoing claims of new evidence in the case, there is no word on whether Tory's conviction will be overturned. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Weeknd Insists 'Cinema' Is His True Passion Despite His Panned Performance In The Idol
The Weeknd has revealed his true life's passion... and surprisingly, it's not music. The 'Starboy' musician admitted that his rise to superstardom in the music industry was really just 'a little detour' he used to pursue his number one passion. The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, sat alongside his 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' co-star Jenna Ortega and director Trey Edward Shults where he discussed how his decorated music career has led him to starring in his upcoming musical film, 'Hurry up Tomorrow.' The movie — based on his sixth and final studio album under The Weeknd stage name — serves as a soundtrack to the highly anticipated film. Described as a 'suspense thriller,' the film follows an international pop star 'plagued by insomnia' and 'pulled into an odyssey with a stranger who begins to unravel the very core of his existence. They story is loosely inspired by Tesfaye's own career. He confessed how, 'Cinema has always, for me, it's always kind of been my number one passion. I happen to sing and make music and it kind of felt like a little detour, a little cheat code to kind of get into this. I always wanted to make movies and I always wanted to make music with movies.' He added: 'During that journey, you always kind of hear and see the DNA of cinema in my albums and my music videos, and my performances on my stage. It's always just been a part of me.' The star's breakout acting role came in 2023 on HBO's 'The Idol,' which received mixed reviews and criticism for both the plot and his acting chops. That said, the pop mega star admitted that 'The Idol' didn't quite feel like it was his, whereas 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' brought the joy back into filmmaking. 'I'm like, 'Yeah! I do want to do this…this is great,' ' the star said with a relieved laugh. Tesfaye's decision to retire his stage name came during a time his voice began to fail him, describing the film as a 'guiding light' to push him forward to the next step in his career. 'It felt like I had nothing else to say,' the 35-year-old revealed. 'I was on stage and it's like, I've said everything I can say as this person. Now it's time for me to take that next step.' While Tesfaye's breakout role may have left fans less than inspired, many are gearing up to see what's next for him in this 'intentionally mysterious' mind bending thriller, co-written by the music artist. Since kicking off his career with acclaimed mixtape 'House of Balloons,' Tesfaye has reportedly taken home a total of 176 awards out of 513 nominations including Grammy, Billboard, American Music, and MTV Awards. 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' is set to release in theaters May 16. This story originally appeared on The Root, our sister site, on Thursday, May 8. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Black Mental Health Expert Clears Up Why Cassie Stayed With Diddy Through the Alleged Abuse
As more details emerge from Cassie Ventura's testimony in the federal sex trafficking trial against Sean 'Diddy' Combs, many are finding it hard to fathom just how and why she endured his alleged abuse for so long. But while social media 'doctors' chime in with their own ideas, the experts actually have something to say about it all. As we've been reporting, Ventura and Diddy first got involved nearly two decades ago after she signed to Bad Boy Records in 2006. In the years that followed, their dynamic turned from producer/artist to that of boyfriend/girlfriend—but took a turn for the worst when alleged 'freak-offs' were introduced in the early years of their relationship. According to Ventura's 2023 lawsuit and recent court testimony, 'freak-offs' were events where she was allegedly expected, coerced and forced to perform sexual acts with other men at Combs' pleasure, as noted by The Root staffer Kalyn Womack. But over time, those freak-offs became more and more frequent and began to cause issues between Ventura and Diddy. Those issues allegedly escalated into physical violence, consistent beatings and assault, and even rape on several occasions, according Ventura's testimony. Yet and still, she and the Bad Boy producer didn't officially break things off until 2018. Seeing that as the case and after hearing additional specifics about their case, folks on social media—both Black men and women—are questioning why Ventura stayed with Combs so long if things were really so bad. Well, according Dr. La Keita D. Carter, PsyD, a Baltimore-based licensed psychologist and trauma specialist, she explained that the abusers manipulative ways and words; trauma bonds; and paralyzing fear are all key factors that play a large part in why survivors choose to stay when they shouldn't. 'Abusers erode their victim's self esteem and self worth. They create situations where the victim is solely reliant on them and then feed them the idea that others have left them or don't care about them,' she explained to The Root. 'Over time, the victim starts to believe these ideas—ideas like they can't leave or they don't have a choice or the abuser's behavior is evidence of true love.' Dr. Carter also went on to explain how trauma bonds— the cycle of abuse followed by intense love and reconciliation in a toxic relationship—often makes the abused person 'hooked' into an awful merry-go-round. As a result, it makes it difficult to disrupt the pattern because the 'reconciliation process leaves the victim with hope that things will change.' Naturally after suffering so much violence, fear is also a major part of this conversation as Ventura herself explained several times in her testimony that she often complied with Diddy's desires so that she or her loved ones wouldn't have to face alleged retaliation at his hands. When it comes to abuse survivors in general, that fear of something as harmful as the pain they're already enduring or worse is strong enough to keep them stagnant and can discourage them from trying to get out of the situation. 'Up to 75% of domestic violence-related homicides happen after the victim leaves or attempts to leave, according to the CDC,' Dr. Carter explained. 'Survivors of abuse are most at risk of serious injury or death in the first few weeks to months after leaving. This is why safety planning is so critical. Telling someone to 'just leave' could be deadly advice.' And let's be clear: Ventura did try to escape as we all saw from the viral elevator lobby footage from 2016. But as Dr. Carter put it, trying to get out safely and with your life in tact can prove to be a much taller task than it appears on the surface. So it would behoove a lot of people to have a bit more grace and understanding when it comes to matters of this nature. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Karmelo Anthony Will Receive His Diploma While on Trial for Fatal Stabbing of Austin Metcalf, But There Are Many Restrictions
When Karmelo Anthony was charged with murder just two months before his high school graduation, his mother pleaded to let her son still get his diploma. Now, she got her wish. Anthony is currently awaiting trial for the murder of another Texas high school student, but despite his legal issues, he will be allowed to graduate with the class of 2025. The news was announced by Next Generation Action Network (NGAN) President Dominique Alexander, who is the spokesman for Anthony's family. 'We are proud to share that Karmelo Anthony will graduate and receive his high school diploma, and that his academic achievements will not be disrupted,' he said in a statement. Anthony is expected to graduate with a 3.7 GPA, according to PEOPLE. The teen made national news last month after he was arrested and charged with the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old student at Frisco Memorial High School, back in April. Anthony, who attends Frisco Centennial High School, was released on bond after a judge reduced his bail from $1 million to $250,000, as The Root previously reported. Since being released, Anthony went into hiding following death threats and continuous harassment from MAGA supporters and others mourning Metcalf's killing, The Root also reported. He will not be permitted to attend the graduation ceremony, but he will receive his diploma as part of a deal between his reps and the school district, according to the NGAN release. Speculation that Anthony would still be allowed to cross the graduation stage quickly swarmed the Frisco community. Frisco ISD Superintendent Mike Waldrip said the rumors hold no merit. 'It is disheartening that the incredible accomplishments and achievements of our Centennial seniors may be dampened by needless fearmongering, attention-seeking and media vitriol. Our students, staff and community deserve better,' he told WFAA. 'I want to be clear. No student who commits a serious criminal offense (Title V felony) is permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony,' Waldrip continued before warning that any trespassers will be promptly removed and subject to arrest. 'Let's come together as a community to honor and support our students and staff. This moment is about their success, and they deserve our full attention and encouragement,' he concluded. 'Congratulations to the Centennial Class of 2025!' For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Episcopal Church Takes a Shocking Stand On Trump's Resettling of White South Africans
Black folks aren't the only ones offended by President Donald Trump's move to welcome dozens of white South Africans into the country. The Episcopal Church is now refusing to comply with his orders, and as a consequence, the decades-long relationship between the church and the U.S. government will likely never be the same. The Episcopal Church's almost 40-year relationship with the government revolves around Episcopal Migration Ministries, which receives federal funding to help immigrants from around the world. But Trump's resettlement of 59 white South Africans threw a wrench in the system for a few notable reasons. In a letter sent to church members on Monday, Rev. Sean W. Rowe, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, said the church will not be used as a political tool for the administration. 'Since January, the previously bipartisan U.S. Refugee Admissions Program in which we participate has essentially shut down,' Rev. Rowe wrote. 'Virtually no new refugees have arrived, hundreds of staff in resettlement agencies around the country have been laid off, and funding for resettling refugees who have already arrived has been uncertain.' Then, the Trump administration contacted them just over two weeks ago. 'The federal government informed Episcopal Migration Ministries that under the terms of our federal grant, we are expected to resettle white Afrikaners from South Africa whom the U.S. government has classified as refugees,' Rowe continued. '... It has been painful to watch one group of refugees, selected in a highly unusual manner, receive preferential treatment over many others who have been waiting in refugee camps or dangerous conditions for years.' Fifty-nine white South Africans — known as Afrikaners — were welcomed with balloons, American flags and practically a red carpet rolled out on Monday (May 12). As The Root previously reported, the move drew backlash from folks who remembered Afrikaners' brutal rule over native South Africans until 1994. You know who else remembered the violence of apartheid? The Episcopal Church. The church has now refused to assist in their resettlement citing their 'steadfast commitment to racial justice and reconciliation and our historic ties with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa,' the letter said, also referring to the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was vocal against apartheid in South Africa. Rowe then vowed to end the church's contract for federal funding by September of this year. Rowe is clearly standing on business, stating that he won't compromise the moral integrity of the church. 'As Christians, we must be guided not by political vagaries,' he wrote. Instead, the church will invest 'our resources in serving migrants in other ways.' Since the letter's publishing, MAGA supporters, like conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, have come out demanding the church's funds be revoked in defiance. Trump has not publicly responded to the Episcopal Church's letter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
