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Newsweek
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Malcolm-Jamal Warner Was America's Brother
I am sad, so profoundly sad. I screamed, literally, on a call, when an alert crossed my laptop this week that Malcolm-Jamal Warner had died. I could not believe it, did not want to believe he, my friend, had drowned during a swim, somewhere in Costa Rica, while on a vacation with his wife and little daughter. Fifty-four, only 54-years-old. Why do the good often go prematurely? Matthew Perry. Tupac Shakur. Amy Winehouse. Kurt Cobain. Marilyn Monroe. Aaliyah. Bobby Kennedy. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Billie Holiday. Bruce Lee. Selena. Janis Joplin. Vincent van Gogh. Whitney Houston. James Dean. Princess Diana. Brittany Murphy, the list is diverse, mythical, and, yes, so profoundly sad. Meanwhile, we have also had a relentless parade of Black male celebrities—Chadwick Boseman, Kobe Bryant, DMX, Michael K. Williams, and more than I dare to count this decade—just go, gone, none of them even remotely senior citizens. Any death troubles my soul mightily, no matter who it is, famous or not. But I must admit, without shame, that it hurts in a certain kind of way any time I hear of another Black man gone, as elder Black folks often say, before their time. The late actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner attends the Disney ABC Television Group TCA summer press tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 6, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. The late actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner attends the Disney ABC Television Group TCA summer press tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 6, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images Now it is Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Emmy-nominated actor. Grammy-winning musician. Grammy-nominated poet. Beloved husband, father, son. I do not recall when nor where nor how I first personally met him, but it was back in the day. Nevertheless, like hundreds of millions of viewers across the planet I was introduced to Malcolm-Jamal via The Cosby Show, one of only three U.S. television programs which have been No. 1 in ratings for five seasons (the others: All In The Family and American Idol). To say The Cosby Show was revolutionary and game-changing would be a gross understatement. In the 1980s America of Ronald Reagan, the AIDS and crack epidemics, and the initial explosion of brands like Apple and Nike, the show was a unicorn. It saved a struggling NBC network. It introduced our nation to a different way of viewing the Black experience. It became a global pop culture phenomenon during its eight-season run. We had never witnessed a Black family like this in television history: two professional parents with five children—four girls and one boy—supremely confident in their beings, the entire household a manifestation of the post-civil rights era of what was possible. No racist stereotypes, no demeaning facial expressions, no bowed heads, and no broken bodies from the old Hollywood. Yes, legit and righteous representation do matter, and as the lone male child in the clan Malcolm-Jamal remixed Theo Huxtable with an enchanting recipe of Black boy joy, a cool jazz meets hip-hop swagger, and an unsatiable thirst for the wholeness of life. Bill Cosby acts with Malcolm-Jamal Warner in a scene from "The Cosby Show." Bill Cosby acts with Malcolm-Jamal Warner in a scene from "The Cosby Show." Jacques M. Chenet/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images I am just slightly older than Malcolm-Jamal and never thought I would see someone like him on television. But there he was, in living color. I was inspired. I was doubly amped when I learned he had been born in Jersey City, N.J. like me. He was me and I was him. In Malcolm-Jamal's smile and laughter were mine, too. In his struggles from boyhood to manhood were my trials and tribulations, too. He was a kindred spirit, and, moreover, what Mary Tyler Moore meant to women 10 years earlier is what Malcolm-Jamal Warner meant to Black America, to boys Black like me. No, we cannot delete what the show's creator, Bill Cosby, has been charged with these many moons later. The rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment allegations are brutal and "tarnished," as Malcolm-Jamal said in one interview, the great legacy of The Cosby Show, likely forever. But we also cannot merely throw away this historic TV show and its participants because of one person. The Malcolm-Jamal Warner that I came to know, as an actor, as a musician, as a fellow poet, as a voice, leader, and bridge-builder, was kind, supportive, and genuinely full of hope and love. If one simply scans any social media platform since the tragedy one will see the testimonies, from a wide spectrum, saying the exact same. Malcolm-Jamal Warner was a very different kind of man. Alas, I do not know what Malcolm-Jamal Warner thought about the accusations against his TV father other than a few statements here and there that one can easily Google. I imagine that he was tormented, and torn. I never spoke with him about being on a hit TV show so early in life. He knew I knew, just like I know he knew I had been on the very first season of MTV's The Real World. Ours was a safe space, two products of pop culture, who preferred to speak about poetry, music, and hip-hop. Two Black men in America, on this Earth, trying to navigate any and all spaces, perpetually, as we journeyed through the chapters of Reagan, the Bushes, the Clintons, Obama, Biden, and Trump. I do know in losing Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and the way we lost him, with so much breath still to breathe, leaving his wife and daughter and mother and father behind, is collective trauma that is unexplainable. I have cried, my wife has cried, my wife's mother and so many others we know have cried. Because losing him is akin to losing a blood relative, a close friend. Because Malcolm-Jamal, named after civil rights icon Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal, was truly the brother we all needed. Kevin Powell is a Grammy-nominated poet, filmmaker, and author of 16 books. He previously wrote a Newsweek cover story on Spike Lee. Kevin lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. Follow him on all social media platforms: @poetkevinpowell. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Newsweek
29-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Meghan Markle to Release First Wine Amid Warnings
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Meghan Markle is debuting her first wine, and a PR expert told Newsweek that the Napa Valley rosé will likely sell out quickly. The Duchess of Sussex launched her online shop, As Ever, on April 2, and it sold out in minutes before going two-and-a-half months with nothing available to buy. A second batch, including 10 times the original product, was released on June 20 and sold out in minutes, leaving PR experts, including Nick Ede, warning that customers may become frustrated at how difficult it is to buy. Already, though, Meghan has another opportunity to offer fans something to get excited about as she prepares to debut her rosé, with her website accepting sales from 8 a.m. PT on July 1. "I'm sure we'll see stories about the wine being sold out within seconds when that comes on sale in July," Ede, a brand expert and cultural commentator, told Newsweek. While that may sound like a good thing, as demand is clearly important to any business, he warned that customers may expect to be able to replenish their supplies when they run out, not only of the wine but also the rest of her stock, from jams to edible flower sprinkles and herbal teas. "From a business point of view, it's actually important now to have consistency," he said. "If you think about how much we consume jam, and you can't get another for about two or three months—that doesn't really make commercial sense. "You want to purchase things when you want them. That's what we're all about—instant gratification." Meghan Markle arrives at the NBC Universal's 70th Golden Globes After Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, California, on January 13, 2013. Meghan Markle arrives at the NBC Universal's 70th Golden Globes After Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, California, on January 13, 2013. Amanda Edwards/WireImage Unlike luxury fashion or high-end accessories, where scarcity is often a deliberate strategy to generate buzz, products like jam and wine fall into the realm of everyday indulgences. They are meant to be consumed and replaced. And in that sense, Ede suggests, Meghan's current approach risks alienating a broader customer base. "These are not particularly high-value items," he said. "It's not like you're waiting for a Birkin bag or a Louis Vuitton scarf that's £2,000 with a waiting list because it's a limited edition. "This is jam and flower sprinkles. They've got to get to a time when they can fulfill all the demand and there's still the opportunity for people to go on, if they're curious, and buy the product too." Meghan has spoken before, on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast, about how her idea began as a food stall at a farmer's market before expanding in stages. That may give a clue about where the supply shortage comes from, if her jams and flower sprinkles were homemade, in keeping with the rustic aesthetic on labels and branding. Ede expressed sympathy with a desire not to lose that charm by bringing in a contractor to boost demand, for example. "I think for her, it's all about authenticity now," he said. "And I think it would potentially cheapen that product if it becomes too mass market. What they do want to do is keep it where it feels like there are small batches, and they're all quite artisan in their feel and look. "It would be a shame for her to sell out on that. But if you are partnering with Netflix and you have the reach of Meghan Markle and you're in America, you need to think about scale right at the beginning. "It's about the demand. And if the demand is there, she might have to look for different suppliers. She might have to look at different products. But there needs to now be consistency—and it feels that's missing from what she's doing." He points to the case of Markle's apricot jam, which sparked online interest but quickly sold out. "You look at it and think, 'Let's try her apricot jam.' But you can't get it," Ede said. That said, unless Meghan has rapidly added a vineyard to her home, she has likely outsourced the wine production to an experienced supplier with the capacity to provide a larger number of bottles. Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on Twitter at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page. Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@ We'd love to hear from you.
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Nicky Whelan doesn't look like this anymore! Neighbours star debuts bold new look at charity benefit in LA
Neighbours star Nicky Whelan was unrecognisable on Sunday evening at a star-studded charity benefit in Los Angeles. The Australian actress, 43, turned heads at The Women's Cancer Research Fund's An Unforgettable Evening Benefit Gala held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. The Melbourne-born star stunned in a black gown that featured a dramatic train and daring sequin detailing across the midriff. She accessorised the jaw-dropping gown with dazzling diamond earrings and a fire-engine red handbag. But it was Nicky's bold new hairstyle that had onlookers doing a double take. The Melrose Place star swept her peroxide blonde locks up into a sleek, elegant bun which gave the veteran actress an old Hollywood look. Smiling brightly for photographers and clearly in good spirits, the Hall Pass star radiated confidence and charm as she posed for snaps on the red carpet. With her bold new look, Nicky looked completely unrecognisable from the fresh-faced actress who rose to fame on Neighbours. Nicky rose to fame playing Heidi 'Pepper' Steiger on the long-running soap opera from 2006 - 2007. She later moved to America to pursue a career in Hollywood and has appeared in several US productions, including Scrubs, Entourage and Hall Pass. Nicky often speaks about her passion for fitness, regularly sharing photos and videos on Instagram. Last year, she revealed the drastic measures she took to improve her health following her doomed marriage to retired NFL player Kerry Rhodes. She separated from Kerry, 42, in October 2017, just six months after saying 'I do'. After their split she gave up several things, including sex for two years. The veteran actress looked to be having the time of her life at the event Speaking on the Talk Scary To Me podcast, Nicky said she wanted 'reset' her body and lifestyle. 'I took two years off everything. Like I just threw cigarettes and alcohol,' she said. 'Overnight, I stopped all that and I didn't date, touch, go out with, speak to, have sex, do nothing, for two years. The Chosen star said it was the best decision she ever made for her mind and body. Nicky admitted she never thought she'd be able to break the habits, not even for one year. 'I spoke to this love coach and she said to me, "You need to take 12 months off,"' she recalled. The performer had refused to speak publicly about her divorce for a year. She finally broke her silence in October 2018, sharing an emotional essay about heartbreak to Instagram.
Int'l Business Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Int'l Business Times
Jennifer Lopez's Ex Casper Smart Busted for Alleged Weed Operation
Recording artist Jennifer Lopez (R) and Choreographer Casper Smart attend the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 12, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Casper Smart, known as the former partner of singer Jennifer Lopez, has been charged in connection with an illegal marijuana cultivation operation allegedly found at his residence in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office filed two misdemeanor charges against the 38-year-old choreographer and dancer. According to TMZ , Smart was charged with one count of participating in unlicensed commercial cannabis activity and one count of engaging in commercial cannabis activity without a temporary license. The charges follow a police raid in December 2024, when officers searched Smart's home and reportedly found a small-to-medium-sized grow setup. Law enforcement sources say Smart was at home during the raid along with a female visitor, but only he was cited. Officials confirmed that the visitor had no involvement in the alleged illegal activity. 🚨🇺🇸| CASPER SMART CHARGED WITH POT CRIMES J Lo's ex, Casper Smart, hit with 2 misdemeanor charges for running an illegal marijuana grow operation at his L.A. home. The charges follow a police raid in December 2024, where a small-to-medium grow was discovered. • TMZ — Leil (@LeilIdeas) April 24, 2025 Casper Smart Faces Charges for Unlicensed Pot Operation In California, adults aged 21 and over are allowed to grow up to six cannabis plants for personal use. However, larger operations require specific licenses, which Smart did not have. Officers believe the number of plants at his residence exceeded the legal personal limit. Though he was not arrested, Smart was cited and released at the scene. Smart first rose to fame as a backup dancer for Jennifer Lopez. The pair began dating in 2011 after Lopez's split from singer Marc Anthony, DailyMail said. Their relationship lasted off and on for five years, ending in 2016. In past interviews, Smart has spoken warmly about Lopez, saying, "We're still friends and have nothing but love and respect for each other." When asked about their time together, he once told Entertainment Tonight , "It was tiring, but very nice, to be able to travel the entire world in six months, especially with someone you're with." Smart also admitted in a separate interview that he wasn't ready for such a serious relationship at the time. "I was very young and selfish," he said, reflecting on their time together and Lopez's role as a mother to twins Max and Emme. As of now, Smart has not made a public statement regarding the cannabis charges. His team also declined to comment when contacted. Originally published on Music Times
