Have you been keeping up with The Impact Atlanta?

Source: Courtesy / BET+

The BET+ Original docuseries from Quality Control and Lionsgate premiered Thursday, October 17 with two episodes at launch. The eight-episode season continues with one episode each Thursday, with the finale on November 28, 2024.

The Impact Atlanta stars Ariana ‘Ari’ Fletcher, Karlae, Tuson Jewell, LightSkinKeisha, Tori Brixx, and Gloss Up. Ari’s boyfriend, Moneybagg Yo, also appears throughout the season.

Season 3 of The Impact Atlanta follows the lives of Atlanta’s top-tier influential trendsetters. This multitalented group of friends has excelled at turning clicks and likes into multimillion-dollar brands, shaping and moving the culture with every post, making them the ultimate VIPs and cultural icons. Beyond the glitz and glamour, they reveal their deeply human side and the real truth behind their flashy façade, showcasing a new generation of Black entrepreneurs breaking barriers and creating a blueprint for success.

We’ve got an exclusive clip from Thursday’s all-new episode of The Impact Atlanta. In the clip below, Ari expresses her love for her friends Gloss, Keisha and Tori after they travel all the way to the West Coast for her photoshoot. She also offers to help Gloss with whatever she needs as she pursues her entertainment career.

Check out the clip below:

The all-new episode of The Impact Atlanta airs Thursday on BET+!

Everyone knows Mama Tina don’t play that!

Beyoncé’s mom was quick to defend her superstar daughter after consistently cantankerous conservative commentator Candace Owens shared a report alleging that the Grammy-award-winner was paid a large sum to attend and endorse Kamala Harris during her Houston rally in October.

Source: Monica Schipper/ Jason Davis / Getty

Owens made an expose report on her Candace Owens podcast account, alleging Beyoncé was paid $10 million to appear at Harris’ rally where she spoke in support of the Democrat. However, Knowles shut the rumor down on Instagram, calling Owens’ story a ”lie” and “fake news.” To prove her point, she attached a photo of the Republican’s expose report that was taken down for a false information violation on the social media platform.

“Sadly other platforms with a lack of integrity still have it up,” the 70-year-old matriarch revealed.

Knowles claimed that the “Texas Hold ‘Em singer” “did not receive a penny” for speaking at Harris’ historic presidential campaign rally. According to the star, “Bey paid for her flights” and for her team to attend the event.

“They are not only lying and disrespecting Beyonce’s name but they are trying to further discredit the power of our vice president! When do the lies and rumors stop? Of course, you won’t see this in the news !!!!!” she added.

Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty

Candace Owens Clapped Back At Tina Knowles

It wasn’t long before Owens, 35, hopped into the comments section to go toe-to-toe with Bey’s momma.

Source: Jason Davis / Getty

“Foremost, Beyoncé needs to stop posting from her burner account,” the right-winged podcaster and conspiracy theorist kicked off her clapback, according to a screenshot shared by The Neighborhood Talk. 

“Also this is not the flex she thinks this is. Foremost— my post literally said ‘allegedly’ and named the multiple publications that reported it. They ALL reached out to confirm the alleged amount, multiple times, to both Beyoncé and Kamala campaign and were met with silence,” the infamous star continued.

Owens went on to accuse Beyoncé of using her “hyper-privileged connections at Instagram” to have the post removed.

“People share untrue reports on me all the time— do I call Mark Zuckerberg? Sending your literal mama to defend you as opposed to just responding to journalists asking for answers (like Cardi B did when I asked her) is childish af. Cardi answered immediately and I included her response in my show. Beyoncé has gotten so rich, she’s acting st*pid,” she added.

The controversial media personality’s sharp response drew in a slew of reactions from the BeyHive, Beyoncé’s dedicated fanbase. Many were happy to see Knowles stand up for the famous singer.

“If her mama wants to clear her name then she can, that’s her daughter tf,” wrote one user in the comments section of The Neighborhood Talk’s post. “And if Beyoncé is using her mom’s account to clear her own name then oh well; stop speaking on people.”

Another user penned;

“This is exactly why Beyoncé doesn’t talk to people. Who has time to be going back and forth with Candace Owens? She wants to be accepted so bad by the other side. Ms. Tina did exactly what a mama bear would do. My kid may not say anything but I will.”

A third BeyHiver suggested that Knowles and her daughter take legal action.

“No! She needs to go the HARDEST ON CANDACE. Don’t try to question. Why is she not going after white publications? You want to be white so bad u get handled like them. SUE HER WHERE IT HURTS.”

We didn’t see this one coming.

What do you think about momma Knowles defending Beyoncé from Owens’ false allegations?

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Losing a parent is one of the hardest things anyone can go through, no matter how old you are or what stage of life you’re in. For Kim Porter’s kids—D’Lila, Jessie, King, and Quincy—their journey through heartbreak and healing is a powerful reminder of the deep and unbreakable bond they shared with their mom.

Source: David Livingston / Getty

Kim Porter, a model, actress, and longtime partner of Sean “Diddy” Combs, tragically passed away on November 15, 2018, at the age of 47 due to lobar pneumonia. Her passing left a gap in their lives that still hasn’t been filled. This November 15 marked six years since she left them, and her kids honored her memory in heartfelt and personal ways.

On the anniversary of their mother’s passing, Kim Porter’s twin daughters, D’Lila and Jessie, took to Instagram to honor her memory. They shared a tender throwback photo of themselves embraced by their mother.

“We can’t believe it’s been 6 years without you,” the duo captioned a black-and-white photo of Porter holding the twins as newborns, kissing one in the air while the other rests on her shoulder. “We think about you every single second of the day. We love and miss you so much words can’t even explain. We wish you were here with us but we know your spirit will be around forever!! We Love you Mommy.”

Their older brother, Quincy, also shared his grief in a touching post. He uploaded a rare childhood photo of himself sitting in a toy car while Porter lovingly hugged him. His caption read, “Here’s a rare photo of me with my Mom and Dad. ❤️ I miss you every day.” While the post was an intimate moment of reflection, some interpreted the caption as subtle shade directed at his biological father, Al B. Sure.

One person commented, “Not needed. You can honor your mom without throwing shade at your dad.” Another wrote, “Shading him but backing the baby oil bandit is wild! Rip Kim😢.”

Quincy’s relationship with his father has often drawn public attention. After Porter and Al B. Sure! separated when Quincy was young, Sean “Diddy” Combs stepped into a paternal role, eventually adopting Quincy and raising him alongside Porter. Their blended family was celebrated, but Quincy’s bond with his biological father has faced strain over the years.

Source: Robin L Marshall / Getty

This tension became visible again earlier this year when Diddy faced legal challenges. In March, his homes were raided by federal agents amid sex trafficking allegations. Following his September arrest in New York City, Quincy’s biological father posted on Instagram, writing, “#LettertoMySon! Come Home. The door is wide open. You’re safe here son! I Love you, Popz, Your Biological.”

Despite these public exchanges, the Combs children have maintained unwavering support for Diddy. In a joint statement following his indictment, they emphasized their commitment to their family.

“The past month has devastated our family. Many have judged both him and us based on accusations, conspiracy theories, and false narratives that have spiraled into absurdity on social media.”

They continued, “We stand united, supporting you every step of the way. We hold onto the truth, knowing it will prevail, and nothing will break the strength of our family. WE MISS YOU & LOVE YOU DAD. Quincy, Justin, Christian, Chance, Jessie & D’Lila.”

Porter’s kids have also had to deal with false stories about their mom. Last month, Amazon pulled a memoir claiming to reveal abuse in her relationship with Diddy, but his lawyer called the book “fake” and “offensive.”

Amid all the chaos and challenges they’ve faced, the Combs family has stayed focused on honoring Porter’s memory as a loving mother who filled their lives with light and love.

Despite his Insta-threats, Ray J’s “One Wish” was not granted and his sitdown with Atlanta pastor Jamal Bryant has been released.

Source: Prince Williams/WireImage/Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images for Live Nation

Ray J joined The Jamal Bryant Podcast: Let’s Be Clear podcast and discussed several things—so many things, in fact, that Ray J wanted the interview pulled. It is unclear what Ray J was specifically concerned about being made public knowledge, but he went on a public rant with hopes of the episode remaining private. He took to social media and stated that if Bryant posted the interview, violence would follow.

“Yo, I got nothing but love for Pastor Bryant. Shoutout to Jamal Bryant… but if y’all play that interview, somebody getting snatched off the pulpit,” he said in a video. “Don’t play the interview, it’s not cleared, it’s out of bounds. Me and Pastor Bryant need to talk because the way I was treated was dirty and illegal.”

He continued,

“And I don’t like it and I don’t want nobody to play that f**king interview—I don’t care if you from the church or not. Be respectful and do people right. Don’t call people out they name, don’t make people feel like they not safe in a place that they thought they were safe. I’m telling you right now, we need to work it out because if we don’t, it’s gon’ be a problem.”

Pastor Bryant responded, shocked at Ray J’s statements.

“It was both surprising and disheartening to wake up to unfounded threats and baseless accusations directed at me,” Bryant wrote. “As part of our commitment to honest dialogue, we ensured that specific comments with potential legal ramifications were edited out of the interview to safeguard the best interest of a brother beloved.”

“We are a live to tape production that ordinarily makes no edits,” he added. “However, in the spirit of brotherhood it was nixed with the agreement that no other adjustments would be made as The Jamal Bryant Podcast: Let’s Be Clear, endeavors to be earnest and transparent on every episode.”

He concluded,

“I refuse to be embroiled in a battle that demeans our community and all that I stand for. I love my brother unconditionally and I stand on my agreed promise.”

Eventually, Ray J backtracked and posted an apology.

“I apologize to you and the whole church community! What I did might be unforgivable but I still want you to know that I’m sorry and it was not okay what I did,” he stated.

Ray J’s Interview Reveals Suicide Attempt, His ‘Daily’ Thoughts About Nicki Minaj

Although Ray J wanted to keep his interview with Jamal Bryant off the internet, the conversation revealed some of the singer’s most vulnerable moments. While talking with Bryant, he reflected upon his sex tape with ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian.

He detailed his emotional, mental, and professional struggles after the release of the tape. This, among other things, led to his indifference to life. The father of two revealed he attempted suicide while in Mexico.

“I was hanging off the roof of the hotel in Cancun. I climbed off the roof, and I went off to the side of the roof, and I just laid down,” he said. “I climbed over, and I laid, and I went to sleep, and I said, ‘If I fall off, then it was meant to be.”

He continued,

“So, I went to sleep for about two and a half hours, and then the hotel caught me, and then we went through all of this stuff, and then I had to go do these tests. But at that moment, it was like, ‘Yo, you wanna make your family proud, but you’re living a lie.’”

Ray J’s interview also recalled his Instagram Live session with Nicki Minaj. He stated the conversation weighed heavy on his mind as he felt like he was in a “dominatrix skit.” Nevertheless, he clarified that he respects Minaj’s controversial marriage to Kenneth Petty, but he thinks about their conversation every day.

“I’m not gonna even lie. I think about it every day.”

Ray J also recently released another statement apologizing to Pastor Bryant for his previous threats.

Prosecutors are alleging that Sean “Diddy” Combs is trying to use his power to escape consequences.

Source: Prince Williams / Wireimage

District attorneys in Diddy’s case have presented evidence to prove that the disgraced music mogul attempted to contact witnesses while in jail awaiting trial. Prosecutors are also alleging that he broke several jail rules to make these contacts.

As BOSSIP reported, Combs and his legal team have submitted a new bail package after being denied three times. He is currently in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center awaiting trial for sex trafficking and racketeering charges. In response to the filing, prosecutors provided evidence suggesting that the Bad Boy founder had broken the Bureau of Prisons rules and that he should not receive bail. According to Legal Affairs and Trials with Meghann Cunniff, the prosecutors alleged they’ve heard dozens of jail phone calls in which Combs attempted three-way calls, which is against the rules.

In the calls, Combs allegedly instructs people to pay other inmates for their personal access codes, which are used for phone calls. Inmates were paid “through payment processing apps and BOP commissary account deposits.”

The prosecution also clarified that the hip-hop producer couldn’t claim that he wasn’t aware of these rules.

“The defendant knows this is against BOP regulations: at the outset of each telephone call, the inmate is prompted to enter his PAC number, after which an automated recording announces: ‘Sharing of PAC numbers is against BOP policy and is subject to disciplinary action,” the filing stated.

Prosecutors are accusing Combs of trying to create a public ruse in which he will influence the potential jurors in Diddy’s case. This includes having his children post on his social media accounts and monitor the response.

“The defendant (from within the [Metropolitan Detention Center]) then monitored the analytics—i.e., audience engagement—and explicitly discussed with his family how to ensure that the video had his desired effect on potential jury members in this case,” the opposing filing stated according to Legal Affairs and Trials with Meghann Cunniff. “Besides flagrantly violating the Court’s October 25, 2024 order prohibiting this kind of interference with a fair trial, the defendant’s own words make clear that his intent is to improperly influence the jury pool in this criminal proceeding.”

The lengthy filing from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan details all this and more.

Prosecution Alleges Diddy Tried To Bribe A Witness

As if Diddy’s case weren’t messy enough, prosecutors accuse him of trying to contact witnesses, reports Legal Affairs and Trials with Meghann Cunniff.

Source: Getty / General

In Combs’ filing for bail, they specify that his connection to Witness-2, who is a former bandmate of Diddy’s, should not be an issue.

However, the opposition stated Combs and the witness ceased contact in March 2024, but Combs reached out in September once his name appeared in a lawsuit. The witness, who has been identified as a woman, then posted a statement to her Instagram on Sept. 13.

During a pre-planned nationwide sweep of BOP facilities, officers found notes detailing Combs’ plans in his cell. Prosecutors believe the note indicates he paid the witness.

“The strong inference to be drawn from the defendant’s communications with Witness-2 and his personal notes is that the defendant paid Witness-2 after she posted her statement,” the filing read.

Combs is expected to be in court for a final decision on his bail package on Nov. 22.

Beyoncé has spent the latter half of her career studying little-known Black history, and now she has her own Ivy League curriculum. Her latest albums, Renaissance and Cowboy Carter, are prime examples of her passion. Yale University students will have the chance to study her place in Black history in a college course. Yale professor Daphne Brooks offers students an opportunity to dive deep into Beyoncé’s cultural impact this Spring.

Source: Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers / Getty

The singer’s impact has been felt across the music industry. From inventing surprise album releases to pioneering visual albums, Beyoncé has continually progressed in the music industry. However, her impact is felt in other places as well. In her attempts to shed light on Black history, she has changed the way we study Black history. Professor Brooks plans to use the singer’s work as a musical history book of sorts.

According to Yale News, the college course will use Beyoncé’s work from 2013-2024 as a “lens” to observe Black history. Brooks thought up the class while she was still on the faculty at Princeton University. While there, she taught “Black Women in Popular Music Culture,” in which students heavily focused on Queen Bey.

“Those classes were always overenrolled,” Brooks told Yale News. “And there was so much energy around the focus on Beyoncé, even though it was a class that starts in the late 19th century and moves through the present day. I always thought I should come back to focusing on her and centering her work pedagogically at some point.”

The news of this college course offering comes just after Vice President Kamala Harris lost the presidential election to Donald Trump. Brooks says now, this class is more important than ever as she told the publication, she believes Beyoncé’s contributions to culture and Black history need to be studied.

The Yale University Course On Beyoncé Will Study The Black Female Experience In The Media

Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty

As for what students will actually be studying in class, Yale News stated the college course will focus on Beyoncé’s “sonic, fashion and visual media.” Students will be charged with reading and discussing those who have written scholarly articles about the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer, like Cedric Robinson and Karl Hagstrom Miller. Those lucky enough to enroll in the class will attend screenings of Bey’s work. They will also have the opportunity to dig through archives to study her impact.

Brooks clarified that it was vital for her to hone in on Beyoncé’s later works, i.e., Beyoncé, Lemonade, and Cowboy Carter, because they mark her distinction from “typical pop repertoire.”

“2013 was really such a watershed moment in which she articulated her beliefs in Black feminism,” Brooks stated. “[In Flawless], it was the first time a pop artist had used sound bites from a Black feminist like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It became more about ‘We are going to produce club bangers that are also galvanizing our ability to think radically about the state of liberation.”

The college course will also examine other Black women who impacted the music industry, such as Diana Ross, Grace Jones, and Josephine Baker. Additionally, Brooks designed the course to help students connect the dots between American history and the plight of minorities.

“I would hope that no matter what discipline you are pursuing in liberal arts at Yale,” Brooks said, “by looking at culture through Beyoncé, it can invite us to think about the extent to which art can articulate the world we live in and nourish our spirits and give us the space to imagine better worlds and the ethics of freedom.”