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NBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- NBC News
NBA star James Harden accused of negligence in sexual assault lawsuit against his nephew
LA Clippers star player James Harden has been accused of negligence in a lawsuit that claims a woman was raped by his nephew while she was unconscious after a New Year's Eve party at his Texas house last year. Harden's nephew, Justice Armani Blackburn, is accused of sexual assault against Marisa Watley, 40, in a civil complaint filed in Texas on Monday by law firm Wigdor and co-counsel Ellwanger Henderson. The lawsuit alleges that security guards hired by Harden could have prevented the alleged rape and that he is "vicariously liable for the actions of his guards and their corporate employer." It names Harden, Blackburn, and an unknown number of unidentified security guards as defendants, listed as 'security guards 1-10,' and their unidentified employer. Watley is seeking more than $100,000 in damages and wants a jury trial. Representatives for both Harden and Blackburn were contacted for comment. Neither has responded publicly to the allegations. "Plaintiff Marisa Watley was brutally raped by Defendant Justice Armani Blackburn following a New Years Eve party at Defendant James Harden's mansion home," the complaint says. According to the lawsuit, filed in the Harris County District Clerk District, Watley's friends had allegedly told the security team that she appeared to be missing in the house and that the guards were aware that women were passed out from intoxication throughout the house. "Nonetheless, Mr. Harden's security team recklessly failed to protect Ms. Watley on Mr. Harden's property — and the result was a sexual assault from which she will suffer indefinitely," the lawsuit says. Watley, a real estate agent, said in a statement: "Since New Year's Day, when I reported the rape by Mr. Blackburn to the police, I have remained puzzled by how Mr. Harden's security behaved that day — it is painful to imagine that this all could have been stopped in time. I hope this complaint pushes security employees generally to act more responsibly when women are in danger." The complaint says she now speaks with a heavy stutter due to the "severe trauma" of the alleged rape. The lawsuit says that Watley and two friends met at a restaurant on New Year's Eve before going to a party at a nearby club. At about 3:30 a.m., they allegedly saw Harden in a VIP area and learned of a party at his house. The three women took an Uber to his house — the complaint says Watley thought they were going to a friend's apartment — where an armed security guard checked their IDs and told them to go to the recording studio inside, the lawsuit says. There, the lawsuit says, Blackburn gave all three women a drink that caused them to pass out. The lawsuit says that Watley's memory from this point "becomes extremely hazy" as she faded in and out of consciousness. "The next thing Ms. Watley recalls is being shocked into consciousness while lying face down on a bed with a man behind her having aggressive sex with her," the lawsuit says. Watley alleges that after this, a security guard told her to leave. The lawsuit says her two friends had already been told to leave and were locked out despite telling security guards that their friend and some possessions were still inside. The lawsuit says they were allegedly told no women were in the house, but the friends soon saw more women leaving. Watley's two friends had her iPhone and were able to contact her sister through her emergency contacts at 10:44 a.m., who then called the police. The lawsuit alleges that it wasn't until after 1:29 p.m. that Watley emerged. Her attorneys, Michael J. Willemin and John S. Crain from Wigdor, and Jay Ellwanger and Kaylyn Betts of Ellwanger Henderson, said in a joint statement that Watley showed "great strength and courage" in reporting the allegations. "This rape was immediately reported to the police, and we will bring Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Harden to justice through the civil justice system," they said.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bride-to-Be Goes Viral for Warning That Getting Married Past 28 Changes Bachelorette Party ‘Vibes' (Exclusive)
After taking part in three of her friends' bachelorette parties, Miriah Hadley had been eagerly awaiting her own However, in a recent TikTok video, the 29-year-old warned that getting married after 28 can seriously affect the 'vibe' of a bachelorette party Now, Hadley is making sure her celebration is something all of her friends can enjoy - no matter what phase in life they are inWhen it comes to weddings, timing can be everything – at least according to one woman who believes getting married past a certain age comes with unexpected downsides. Miriah Hadley, a 29-year-old from Dallas, Texas, is currently in the process of planning her own wedding, and took to TikTok to reflect on how much 'fun' her friends' bachelorette parties were a few years earlier. Back then, everyone was on the same page: no babies, no dietary restrictions, no 10 p.m. curfews. But now, with some friends pregnant, others already mothers, and a few living alcohol-free, Hadley is realizing that her own celebration will have to strike a different tone. 'I originally envisioned my bachelorette party in the wine country of Texas – something light and fun, where we'd hop between wineries, enjoy good wine, laugh a lot, and just celebrate together,' Hadley tells PEOPLE exclusively. 'It felt like the perfect mix of relaxation and celebration.' Since getting engaged in February 2025, the soon-to-be-bride is planning on having her bachelorette party in October, followed by her wedding on New Years Eve. Used to lively activities such as boat rides, loud music, nonstop dancing and drinks at previous bachelorette parties she's attended, Hadley was eagerly looking forward to her own girls' celebration. However, since most of her friends tied the knot between ages 25 and 28, her bachelorette will most likely look very different. 'One of the more challenging aspects of getting married past 28 – especially being from the South, where many of my peers are already married, settled down, and starting families – is feeling a bit out of sync with your social circle,' she explains. Most of Hadley's close friends have been married for a few years and are either starting to plan for a family or already have children, making late-night outings, casual drinks, or even regular meetups increasingly difficult to coordinate. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'As things started coming together, I realized that about five out of my eight bridesmaids may not be able to drink either due to the fact that they will be pregnant or other personal reasons. And I'll be honest—it gave me a bit of a 'what's the point?' moment,' she admits. 'Not because I think alcohol is necessary for a good time, but because the original vision just doesn't align anymore.' Nevertheless, Hadley has chosen to take a positive approach to the situation. She's come to realize that the true purpose of a bachelorette party isn't about the event itself, but about being surrounded by friends who love and respect her. 'I'm grateful that I have amazing, lifelong friends that I know will show up and support me regardless,' she shares. 'I'm now shifting my mindset to focus on how we can still have a great experience that fits everyone. At the end of the day, it's about creating memories and celebrating love, not sticking to a script.' What she is most excited about is the energy – simply spending time with her friends, letting loose, dancing, and creating those "remember when" moments they'll laugh about for years to come. Hadley intends to keep the bachelorette party fun and inclusive by planning a mix of shared experiences like a private chef dinner, a playful lingerie party, and a relaxing spa day. She's also considering sticking with the original wine tour by choosing wineries that offer mocktails and non-alcoholic options so no one feels left out. 'It's not about comparison or regret, but it does require a shift in how you manage friendships and find community,' Hadley tells PEOPLE. 'At the same time, I've learned to really value this season for what it offers – new beginnings, clarity, and learning how to support friends in different phases of life.' Read the original article on People
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
From festivals to weddings: Why drone shows are booming
The wedding ceremony was almost over when newlywed Bobby Underwood stepped on a napkin-covered glass to break it, as is Jewish tradition, and everyone shouted "Mazel Tov!". But as he and his new wife Siobhan turned to walk back down the aisle, their wedding officiants said, "Wait." There was a surprise. "All of these drones started rising up," recalls Mrs Underwood. "It was honestly remarkable, very overwhelming – and incredibly emotional for us." She estimates that between 100 and 150 drones appeared in the night sky, displaying lights of various colours, and forming images chosen to represent the bride and groom. These included a baseball player hitting a ball – as Mr Underwood is a big baseball fan – and a diamond ring being placed on a finger. The couple were married on New Year's Eve 2024, in New York State. Mrs Underwood's mother had arranged the surprise drone show with help from the couple's wedding planner – who had suggested it as a "wow factor" component of the day. It seemed to have the desired effect. "It was kind of just shock – 'Is this really happening right now?'," says Mrs Underwood. "I can't believe my mom did this for us." Chris J Evans Drone shows are becoming ever more popular. Once rarities, they are now appearing at occasions ranging from birthday parties and weddings, to major sporting events. Some theme parks even have resident drone shows that take place multiple nights in a row. Glastonbury music festival had its first drone show in 2024. And record-breaking displays are pushing the technology to its limits – the biggest drone show in history took place in China last October. It featured a total of 10,200 drones and broke a record set only the previous month. So, does all this spell the end for fireworks? "They are really beautiful – they are art," says Sally French, a US-based drone industry commentator known as The Drone Girl. She says that drone shows have appeared at baseball games, corporate conferences, and even at ports, to celebrate the launch of cruises. Drone displays are becoming highly sophisticated, she explains, with some drone shows featuring thousands of flying devices, allowing them to animate figures or patterns in incredible detail. "I saw a Star Wars-themed drone show where there was a full-on lightsabre battle," adds Ms French. One barrier might be the price tag, however, with the cost per drone at around $300 (£220) in the UK, says Ms French, citing industry data from market research firm SPH Engineering: "A 500 drone show would be over $150,000." Mrs Underwood does not have an exact figure, but estimates that her wedding drone show cost tens of thousands of dollars. The sky's the limit, actually. Skymagic, one of the world's largest drone show companies, has put on major displays that cost north of $1m says Patrick O'Mahony, co-founder and creative director. Skymagic's shows have taken place in various countries – including the 2023 Coachella music festival in California. The company has also performed drone shows in the UK, including as part of the King's Coronation concert, which was broadcast by the BBC. Mr O'Mahony has experience in designing fireworks displays and other, similar events. But drones have revolutionised outdoor public displays, he says. His company has a fleet of 6,000 custom-designed drones. Each one can reach speeds of up to 10 meters per second. The drones sport LED lights and have batteries that allow for 25 minutes of flight time. To make them easier to transport, the drones are stored in flight cases and unpacked at venues in a giant marquee before they are laid out in the take-off area, half a metre apart, in a grid pattern. "Once the drones have received their 'go' command [they] fly the entire show," adds Mr O'Mahony, explaining that a single human pilot on the ground controls thousands of the devices at once. The drones are geo-fenced, based on Global Positioning System (GPS) data, which prevents them from straying beyond the allotted flight area. In windy conditions, though, they can get blown off course. In such cases, they automatically return to a landing spot on the ground, says Mr O'Mahony. Fireworks have a "boom" factor that drones generally don't, notes Ms French. However, Bill Ray, an analyst at market research firm Gartner, says that some drones can now launch pyrotechnics, for a firework-like effect. For instance, a stream of sparks raining down from the lower portion of an image created by a group of drones. Plus, Mr Ray says it is much easier to accurately synchronise drone movements with music during a show, which could be another reason behind their appeal. But the cost of shows remains prohibitive to some, and in part comes down to the fact that laying out the devices and gathering them all up again after the performance is still a relatively slow, manual process, adds Mr Ray. Pedro Rosário is chief executive of Drone Show Animations, a company that designs drone show performances for other companies that supply the drones themselves. Mr Rosário says that one challenging aspect of his work is in coming up with displays that adhere to various regulations applying to drone flights, since these rules differ from country to country. England has stricter regulations than countries in the Middle East, for example, he says. Mr Rosário adds that drone shows, which might be paired with pyrotechnics, traditional fireworks or even lasers, allow for a huge degree of creative freedom: "You can really build something that has emotional value, it can tell a story." In Mrs Underwood's case, that seems to have worked. Her guests enjoyed the spectacle too, she adds: "We've heard compliments about our wedding in general – but, consistently, the drone show is something people bring up as something they never expected to see."
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Drone shows: Will they overtake firework displays?
The wedding ceremony was almost over when newlywed Bobby Underwood stepped on a napkin-covered glass to break it, as is Jewish tradition, and everyone shouted "Mazel Tov!".But as he and his new wife Siobhan turned to walk back down the aisle, their wedding officiants said, "Wait." There was a surprise."All of these drones started rising up," recalls Mrs Underwood. "It was honestly remarkable, very overwhelming – and incredibly emotional for us."She estimates that between 100 and 150 drones appeared in the night sky, displaying lights of various colours, and forming images chosen to represent the bridge and included a baseball player hitting a ball – as Mr Underwood is a big baseball fan – and a diamond ring being placed on a couple were married on New Year's Eve 2024, in New York State. Mrs Underwood's mother had arranged the surprise drone show with help from the couple's wedding planner – who had suggested it as a "wow factor" component of the day. It seemed to have the desired effect."It was kind of just shock – 'Is this really happening right now?'," says Mrs Underwood. "I can't believe my mom did this for us." Drone shows are becoming ever more popular. Once rarities, they are now appearing at occasions ranging from birthday parties and weddings, to major sporting events. Some theme parks even have resident drone shows that take place multiple nights in a music festival had its first drone show in record-breaking displays are pushing the technology to its limits – the biggest drone show in history took place in China last October. It featured a total of 10,200 drones and broke a record set only the previous month. So, does all this spell the end for fireworks?"They are really beautiful – they are art," says Sally French, a US-based drone industry commentator known as The Drone Girl. She says that drone shows have appeared at baseball games, corporate conferences, and even at ports, to celebrate the launch of displays are becoming highly sophisticated, she explains, with some drone shows featuring thousands of flying devices, allowing them to animate figures or patterns in incredible detail."I saw a Star Wars-themed drone show where there was a full-on lightsabre battle," adds Ms barrier might be the price tag, however, with the cost per drone at around $300 (£220) in the UK, says Ms French, citing industry data from market research firm SPH Engineering: "A 500 drone show would be over $150,000."Mrs Underwood does not have an exact figure, but estimates that her wedding drone show cost tens of thousands of dollars. The sky's the limit, actually. Skymagic, one of the world's largest drone show companies, has put on major displays that cost north of $1m says Patrick O'Mahony, co-founder and creative shows have taken place in various countries – including the 2023 Coachella music festival in company has also performed drone shows in the UK, including as part of the King's Coronation concert, which was broadcast by the O'Mahony has experience in designing fireworks displays and other, similar events. But drones have revolutionised outdoor public displays, he company has a fleet of 6,000 custom-designed drones. Each one can reach speeds of up to 10 meters per second. The drones sport LED lights and have batteries that allow for 25 minutes of flight make them easier to transport, the drones are stored in flight cases and unpacked at venues in a giant marquee before they are laid out in the take-off area, half a metre apart, in a grid pattern."Once the drones have received their 'go' command [they] fly the entire show," adds Mr O'Mahony, explaining that a single human pilot on the ground controls thousands of the devices at drones are geo-fenced, based on Global Positioning System (GPS) data, which prevents them from straying beyond the allotted flight area. In windy conditions, though, they can get blown off course. In such cases, they automatically return to a landing spot on the ground, says Mr O'Mahony. Fireworks have a "boom" factor that drones generally don't, notes Ms French. However, Bill Ray, an analyst at market research firm Gartner, says that some drones can now launch pyrotechnics, for a firework-like effect. For instance, a stream of sparks raining down from the lower portion of an image created by a group of Mr Ray says it is much easier to accurately synchronise drone movements with music during a show, which could be another reason behind their appeal. But the cost of shows remains prohibitive to some, and in part comes down to the fact that laying out the devices and gathering them all up again after the performance is still a relatively slow, manual process, adds Mr Rosário is chief executive of Drone Show Animations, a company that designs drone show performances for other companies that supply the drones themselves. Mr Rosário says that one challenging aspect of his work is in coming up with displays that adhere to various regulations applying to drone flights, since these rules differ from country to country. England has stricter regulations than countries in the Middle East, for example, he Rosário adds that drone shows, which might be paired with pyrotechnics, traditional fireworks or even lasers, allow for a huge degree of creative freedom: "You can really build something that has emotional value, it can tell a story."In Mrs Underwood's case, that seems to have worked. Her guests enjoyed the spectacle too, she adds: "We've heard compliments about our wedding in general – but, consistently, the drone show is something people bring up as something they never expected to see."
CTV News
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Bigg Wiggle announces their last performance
It's the end of an era for a Windsor cover band, as they announce their last performance will be on New Year's Eve. It's the end of an era for a Windsor cover band, as they announce their last performance will be on New Year's Eve. Bigg Wiggle has played almost every stage in Windsor raising $150,000 over the years for charity through their own Bigg Wiggle Fest. Band members Dave Lebute and Mike Cooper said they played corporate gigs, weddings bars, until their success snowballed into invites to festivals including Essex Fun Fest and the Corn Fest. Their final performance will be on the last day of 2025 at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts. Throughout the years they've played songs from Dolly Parton to Flo Rida. The two look back fondly over the years. 'I mean, going to miss the heck out of it. It'll be nice to spend a weekend with my wife, I think, a whole weekend,' said Cooper.
