crunch27: August 2015

Monday, August 31, 2015

Maria Sharapova Backs Out of US Open

Maria Sharapova will miss this year's US Open with a lingering right leg injury.

"Unfortunately I will not be able to compete in this year's US Open," Sharapova said on her Facebook page on the eve of the event. "I have done everything possible to be ready but it was just not enough time. To all my amazing fans, I will be back in the Asian swing in a few weeks and look forward to finishing the year healthy and strong".

The U.S. Tennis Association announced the withdrawal via a press release at about the same time that Sharapova, who withdrew from the US Open for the second time in three years Sunday, posted the news on her Facebook page.

Rapper Nas' Daughter Destiny is all grown up

Meet Destiny Jones, Nas' grown 21 year old daughter. The 41 year old rapper's daughter is all grown up and looks very pretty. Click for more photos.

Currently in London, Toke Makinwa releases her vlog of the week titled "Indecent Proposal". This week she talks about a letter she received from a vlog watcher where the person, Tolani, talks about the indecent proposal that her boyfriend of 3 years, Segun, got from his female boss – who happens to be the daughter of the owner of the company he works for.

From Segun providing several excuses to them gradually having a different relationship; Tolani doesn’t know what to do.

Click to watch!

Donald Trump is finally showing us more of his economic plan beyond the "Make America Great Again" slogan on his red hat.

Nicki Minaj thanked fans on Friday for convincing Madame Tussauds Las Vegas to redesign the area around her wax figure, so that sexually suggestive photos can no longer be taken with it.

Usain Bolt Wins Gold in 200m Race at IAAF World Championships

Usain shared his win on Instagram as seen above as he proved once more that he's the world's fastest runner after winning 200m on Thursday at the IAAF Championship in 19.55sec, which is the fastest time in the world this year and his quickest since winning gold at London 2012. This is also his fourth consecutive 200m World title.

Terrence Howard’s ‘Empire’ Role Cut Back Over Personal Drama

Terrence Howard’s ongoing personal drama is carrying over into his professional life.

A source tells Page Six that Howard’s role in the upcoming second season of “Empire” will be scaled back because of his recent divorce drama and numerous prior allegations of domestic abuse, which have resurfaced in recent weeks.

Serena Williams doesn’t seem too stressed about defending her US Open title.

The champ crooned “Under the Sea” from “The Little Mermaid” at Delta’s “OPEN Mic” night for adoring fans before the tourney kicks off Monday. She also did a rendition of the Boyz II Men hit “Motownphilly” with Estelle at the pretournament karaoke party.

ESPN reckoned, “Her command of the stage was almost as impressive as her tennis skills.”

Also singing were Alan Cumming and “SNL” comic Jay Pharoah.

Click to see the ESPN instagram video of her singing.

Celine Dion makes her Las Vegas return after having spent more than a year caring for her ailing husband Rene Angelil.

The Canadian singer has said it was Angelil who urged her to return to her residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Thursday. She has said she plans to dedicate the show to him and had wanted him there for her return.

Nicki Minaj will open the MTV Video Music Awards this Sunday, MTV has announced.

The female MC will join previously announced performers Justin Bieber and The Weeknd at the ceremony. Pharrell Williams, Demi Lovato, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Tori Kelly, A$AP Rocky and Twenty One Pilots will also hit the VMA stage.

Kylie Jenner Also Dances to Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba”

Wizkid is definitely gaining ground in the international scene. His smash hit “Ojuelegba” was remixed and it featured Skepta and Drake (Read here). Grammy Award-winning couple, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz have also contributed to his growing international fame by sharing videos of themselves dancing to the song (Read here).

And now Keeping Up With The Kardashians TV star – Kylie Jenner was recorded dancing to the Legendury Beatz-produced track on her SnapChat.

Click to see her short vid!

Bukola Elemide a.k.a Asa is a chic fashionista in ELLE South Africa‘s latest issue exclusive for September 2015.

Continue for more photos.

Kanye West will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards, it was announced on Tuesday.

Nicki Minaj left an $11,000 Emilio Pucci dress behind at a Nassau County wedding venue after her brother’s nuptials Saturday.

The hip-hop mogul had helped plan her older brother Jelani Maraj’s wedding on Saturday to Jacqueline Robinson at the Coral House on Milburn Lake in Baldwin, NY.

Macy’s chairman and CEO Terry Lundgren and wife Tina celebrated 10 years of marriage late last week at an event hosted by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Toke Makinwa’s 1st ‘Sexology’ Vlog – ‘Pleasure or Pressure’ (Watch)

Toke Makinwa is back this week with a ‘Sexology’ episode!

She talks about all things sex sex and more sex.

Nigerians are raised to be ashamed of sex and talking about sex: We’re raised to think that, ‘sex should only be with your rightful partner’ etc.

Click to watch the video.

Ben Affleck’s fired nanny may soon have a new job to add to her resume — porn star.

Christine Ouzounian was offered $1 million to play “Batwoman” in a sequel to the skin movie “Batman v Superman XXX: An Axel Braun Parody,” TMZ reported.

Her former boss, Affleck, is starring in Hollywood’s next installment of the “Batman” franchise.

Sokoto State Governor Tells Residents To Clean Their Street and Get N1m

It would be nice if every Nigerian state would be as clean as Cross Rivers state and in a bid to maintain cleanliness in his Sokoto state, the state governor Aminu Tambuwal has announced a cash reward of N1 million to residents of any street in the state that will be adjudged the cleanest.

Taylor Swift broke a record at the Staples Center on Friday, and none other than Kobe Bryant was on hand to help honor the superstar.

Friday’s show kicked off a five-night run at the Los Angeles venue for Swift’s “1989 World Tour.” But because of her successful stops at the Staples Center in years past, Swift now holds the record for the most sold-out shows of any artist. The number? Sixteen!

Check out the videos after the cut!

The new biopic 'Straight Outta Compton' brought allegations that Dr. Dre abused woman back to light.

Amid renewed uproar over allegations that he physically abused women, Dr. Dre has admitted he regrets his past behavior.

Goodluck Jonathan And His Family Vacationing In Kenya.

So somewhere in Kenya, former president Goodluck Jonathan is vacationing and having a chill with his family while rumours of his being probed by President Buhari rocks Nigeria.

Another photo after the cut.

Caitlyn Jenner could be charged with manslaughter following her car accident in Malibu earlier this year that left one dead.

“The case will be submitted to the district attorney next week,” Lt. Shaun Mathers of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

Sheriff's investigators to recommend manslaughter charges for Caitlyn in the fatal crash.

So if convicted will she go to a women's or men's jail?

Indonesian Crashed Plane Had $470K in Cash

A passenger plane that crashed in a remote area of Indonesia this week was carrying nearly half a million dollars' worth of cash meant for impoverished families.

Officials from the Indonesian postal service were traveling with the money to distribute it to around 6,600 people in the mountainous region, said Andi Dulung, director-general of social support at the Indonesia Ministry of Social Affairs.

Lamar Odom obviously isn’t ready to let go of Khloé Kardashian.

The NBA player, 35, spooked his soon-to-be ex-wife last week when he ambushed her outside an early-morning SoulCycle class in LA. However, Odom insists the encounter was a misunderstanding and the pair spoke prior to the exchange.

Super model, Cara Delevingne is ready to kiss the modeling industry goodbye.

“I’m not doing fashion work any more, after having, like, psoriasis and all that stuff,” the 23-year-old supermodel told the UK-based Times about her skin condition. “People would put on gloves and not want to touch me because they thought it was, like, leprosy or something.”

Delevingne, who has become a style icon after having walked the runways for Burberry, Chanel and Fendi, dished that the demands of her high-fashion career left her feeling “hollow” inside, causing her self-esteem to crumble.

Annie & 2Face Idibia are Cover Stars of Hello! Nigeria’s Latest Issue

Sneak peek on the latest issue of Hello! Nigeria magazine with Annie & 2Face Idibia are the cover stars.

The shoot was done at the Presidential Suite, Eko Hotel and Suites. The cute couple was revealed as the cover stars in this shot and the full editorial as well as the accompanying interview is very anticipated by their fans.

Peter Bello’s Memorial Service with Friends, Family & Colleagues in Attendance (Photos)

As friends and family of Peter Kayode Bello mourn his passing away, a service of songs was held on Monday, August 17 at the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy in Lekki, Lagos Nigeria.

A memorial service was held in honour of Peter Bello, one of the two pilots who passed in the Bristow Helicopter crash.

Peter Bello’s friends, family and colleagues were there to share tributes and celebrate a brilliant young man who gave selflessly of himself and continues to touch lives, even in death.

Continue for more photos.

Out with Nene Leakes in with Amiyah Scott.

Bravo has cast transgender model Amiyah Scott in “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” for its upcoming eighth season.

The casting marks the first-ever transgender woman to be featured in the “Real Housewives” franchise.

In a crazy turn of events, the LAPD is investigating Amber Rose's involvement in a prostitution ring… but it's not what you think. She is a victim of unknowingly helping alleged prostitution.

According to cops, a prostitution ring used old footage of Amber to lure aspiring models into "intimate" dates with rich men. Oops!

Caroline Danjuma Shows Off New Look

The pretty former actress and mother of three shared her new short blonde hairstyle in a series of photos on instagram and me likey. Do you? Click for more photos.

Cristiano Ronaldo is coming to the United States — at least part-time.

The Post has learned that the Real Madrid soccer superstar paid $18.5 million for a 2,509 square foot loft in the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue.

Morgan Freeman’s step-granddaughter was stabbed to death on a Manhattan sidewalk early Sunday, police said.

'MADAM' Esther Nicole Otubo

This story is a Punch exclusive REPORTAGE and a MUST READ!

Sometime in 2014, a young beautiful girl, Ms Precious, completed her university education and the National Youth Service Corps programme in Edo State. Precious, as she identified herself while nude in a video, decided to seek better opportunity outside Nigeria. She chose a booming beautiful Arab city, Dubai, as her port of future success. Precious convinced her parents to finance her desire to travel. Her mother had no option than to support her by processing the needed travel documents to her dreamland.

Cast of Hit Series ‘Empire’ + Weeknd & Jourdan Dunn Get Stylish for Vogue Magazine

Empire is one of the hottest shows on TV right now and it’s as much about the interesting storyline as it is about the stellar cast.

From the Lyon clan with Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollet, Trai Byers and Bryshere Y. Grey to guest appearances from Naomi Campbell, Estelle and more; Empire is one show that has kept us glued to our TV screens.

The cast members (alongside Weeknd and Jourdan Dunn) are featured in an editorial for Vogue magazine where they talk about how the show has impacted their lives.

Read excerpts below and more photos.

The pain that comes from losing a loved one is almost unbearable. May God comfort his parents, his sisters Ajoke and others, his family, cousins Oganya, Ebere, Agbo etc and may his soul rest in perfect peace.

This article was written by Future Awards co-founder, Adebola Williams. Read here:

This is just “Blurred Lines” 2.0.

Jay Z and Timbaland are battling a lawsuit over allegations they improperly used a flute sample by an Egyptian artist for their 1999 hit song “Big Pimpin’.”

Black Box of Crashed Bristow Helicopter Found

Nigeria's Accident Investigation Bureau announced that they have finally recovered the Black Box of the Bristow helicopter that crashed into the Lagos lagoon on Wednesday August 12th.

How to Double The Size of Your Burrito at Chipotle

I always wanted a little more after one regular sized Chipotle burrito but didn't want to order a second since that would be too much so i found this post and almost screamed Yes!! Lol. And i had to share. To all Chipotle lovers, there's a new way to get a bigger burrito than the regular size for zero extra dollars. A Chipotle customer found a surefire way to double the size of his burrito.
Here's how.

Angelina Jolie is not on the verge of “dying,” despite a disturbing new report. This photo says a lot but it's good news to her fans to know she isn't dying. Gossip cop was able to investigate and find out if she really is dying and No she is not.

Nearly one year after filing for divorce, Amber Rose and Wiz Khalifa seem to have sorted out their differences for the sake of their son. BTW i love those u-wheels Amber's stepping on. *Love eyes*.

The two posed for a photo with actor Ryan Hansen, who hilariously dubbed himself their "divorce counselor" and were all smiles as they reunited in Los Angeles on Sunday for the rapper's concert as part of his Boys of Zummer tour.

According to Sahara Reporters, former president Olusegun Obasanjo secretly met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock villa to discuss national issues, one of which was an advise to not shy away from jailing the immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan on the grounds of corruption. Interesting!

Beyonce Becomes The First Black Musician On The Cover Of Vogue's September Issue

If you are a fashion conscious person you'd know the September issue of Vogue magazine is a huge deal. Vogue’s September issue is major in the magazine world. The issue is traditionally the biggest and most important of the year and features the the best of fall fashion, plus loads of advertisements.

Beyonce can now add another thing to her list of achievements and accolades as the singer is making history as the first black female artist to grace the cover of the coveted Vogue September issue.

Ex-Affleck Nanny Took Private Jet to Vegas with Ben Affleck and Tom Brady

Here’s Ben Affleck’s favorite nanny,Christine Ouzounian enjoying some mile-high fun on a private jet trip to Vegas with the actor and his buddy Tom Brady, while playfully posing with the Tom Brady’s four Super Bowl rings.

Rita Ora is really getting more daring by the day .She rocked a half,deconstructed shirt for Glamour magazine and has pushed the sartorial envelope once again, posing in a striking outfit while going braless in the September issue of Glamour magazine.

Continue for more photos.

Singletary was released Monday from jail in Prince George's County, Maryland, after posting a $75,000 bond, according to spokesman John Erzen of Maryland's state's attorney's office.

White House staffer was arrested Friday on charges of assault and reckless endangerment after allegedly threatening and shooting at a Capitol Hill police officer with whom she had been having sex, according to arrest records.

Lagos Woman Abandons Her Baby at Day Care Center for Over 3 Months

A woman in Lagos is said to have abandoned her baby at a day care center in Ikorodu for over three months, and has refused to take her little girl home.

So over the weekend Tonto Dikeh and Churchill (Mr.X) had their introduction and now fellow actor, Gideon Okeke took to twitter minutes ago to write what you see above. Lol!