Stefon Diggs has a lot more than playoffs to worry about in the coming months.
Source: Scott Taetsch / Getty
The New England Patriots star is facing charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery. According to CBS Boston, this is in connection to an incident that happened on Dec. 2.
Diggs’ attorneys appeared in court on Tuesday, Dec. 30, after paperwork was filed in Dedham District Court.
Diggs is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, Jan. 23, for his arraignment—just two days before the AFC Championship Game.
According to reports from TMZ, the person accusing Diggs is his former personal chef, who claims the NFL player slapped her and tried to choke her out over a salary dispute.
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Per the incident report, the female employee first went to the police on Dec. 16, claiming she was working as a private chef on Dec. 2 when Diggs entered her unlocked bedroom to discuss an ongoing text exchange between the two over money she believed she was owed.
During the conversation, she says Diggs became angry and smacked her across the face, and when she attempted to push him away, he allegedly “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck.”
The former employee claims the Patriots player was behind her with his arm wrapped around her, per TMZ, and she felt like she had trouble breathing and “could have blacked out.” She claims Diggs then threw her onto her bed and said something along the lines of “Thought so.”
The woman told police that she explained to Diggs she still hadn’t been paid, but he said, “Lies” and walked out of the room. When asked about injuries she may have sustained, the woman claimed she had redness on her upper chest area, but did not take pictures.
TMZ reports that she told cops she started working for Diggs in July, and she was supposed to work for him throughout the 2025 season. While she was allegedly supposed to be paid weekly, it was switched to monthly instead, and she had not received a month’s pay at the time of the incident.
“The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs,” the Patriots said in a statement. “Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
This news comes as New England prepares to finish off its 2025 regular season at home against the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots already clinched a spot in the NFL playoffs by winning the AFC East, and could still capture the No. 1 seed if they beat Miami and the Denver Broncos lose to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Diggs is currently in the first year of a three-year contract with the Pats worth $69 million.
Alleged victim says polite texts don’t disprove abuse, as survivors often stay cordial due to power dynamics
Victim claims financial assistance is not inconsistent with abuse, often part of the complex realities faced
Victim reached out to Perry for help with health and financial issues before filing $77M lawsuit
New information has come out in the latest sexual assault lawsuit against Tyler Perry.
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
Mario Rodriguez, the man who has accused Perry of sexual assault and sexual battery, has responded following newly surfaced text messages between the pair.
“I want to briefly respond to what’s being said about me right now,” Rodriguez began in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “People are pointing to messages where I was polite, grateful, or vulnerable — and trying to use that to discredit me.”
The model filed a lawsuit against the filmmaker on Dec. 25, alleging that Perry assaulted him and made unwanted sexual advances while promising him acting roles.
He continued, “When someone has influence over your career, your income, your future, you don’t feel free. Survivors often stay cordial. They often ask for help when they feel desperate.”
“That does not mean abuse didn’t happen,” Mario insisted. “Those text messages were sent to Perry at a time when I was especially vulnerable as can be seen from the context. Continued financial support and access are not inconsistent with abuse—they are often part of the power dynamics that follow it.”
Rodriguez, who appeared in a minor role in Perry’s 2016 movie Boo! A Madea Halloween, is now seeking $77 million in damages. Perry’s attorney Alex Spiro told PEOPLE when the suit was filed that it’s “nothing but a 77 million dollar money grab scam.”
Now, newly surfaced text messages show that Rodriguez referred to Perry as a “friend” over Thanksgiving 2024, speaking about his health and financial issues to the filmmaker just months before filing his lawsuit.
“Just know that I love you and I thank you for everything. I appreciate you to the moon,” one of Rodriguez’s alleged texts to Perry read. “You got my Mexican ass out of a lot of bad places and I just wanna tell you thank you.”
“I can’t buy you anything, but I just wanna tell you that your boy right here appreciates you more than anything,” Rodriguez’s alleged text read. “Straight from my heart bro nothing I wouldn’t do for you man anyways enjoy your time and I hope I see you again soon.”
Rodriguez went on to say in his statement regarding the text messages: “In many situations involving exploitation, money can function as a way to manage guilt, avoid conflict, or maintain silence. The existence of financial assistance does not disprove harm. It is entirely consistent with the complex realities survivors face after abuse.”
According to reports from Page Six, Rodriguez allegedly contacted Perry back in August to say he was struggling financially amid unspecified health issues before asking for money.
“Brother haven’t been feeling ok confused and lil nauseous I got blood work thinks its my teeth I know it’s none of your business idk what do I know I promised you I would never ask you for anything, but if it is what I think it is, I don’t think I could do it on my own because I barely pay my bills,” Rodriguez allegedly texted Perry on Aug. 31.
He allegedly went on to admit he was “scared af,” saying he didn’t want to “get sepsis like [his] dad and pass away…feel sick most days never told anybody this but my mom and everybody is starting to notice my broke ass. Don’t have insurance. i’d never lie to you, but I think that’s what wrong.”
“I just can’t go to the doctor because l can’t even afford it. I don’t want anything. I just wanna be OK. scared brother,” he concluded, per the outlet. It’s unclear if Perry responded.
Rodriguez is being represented by attorney Jonathan J. Delshad, who represented Derek Dixon, another actor who made similar allegations against Perry in June 2025. Perry has also denied those claims.
Cardi B pleads with fans to stop over-analyzing her relationship with Stefon Diggs.
Cardi has to focus on her upcoming tour, which requires extensive rehearsals away from her family.
Stefon Diggs has children with other women, causing fans to question Cardi’s relationship.
Cardi B isn’t here for her fans over-analyzing her relationship.
Source: Amy Sussman / Logan Bowles
In a video posted to X on Monday, Dec. 29, the Bronx native pleaded with fans to stop raking her over the coals for her relationship with Stefon Diggs. This response comes after the New England Patriots player posted about spending Christmas with his other children, despite having just welcomed a child with Cardi.
“Y’all need to calm down,” Cardi began, laying in bed while recording herself.
“Y’all been dragging me for three or four days, and y’all been a little too mean,” she said, laughing. “I can’t change s**t. I can’t go back in time. I already had a baby. Y’all want me to put my baby back in my p***y? You want me to leave my man and f**k yours? What y’all want me to do? We can only go forward now.”
The rapper went on to emphasize that she has “so much work to do” starting in January, which includes 10- to 12-hour rehearsals for her upcoming tour.
“I’m gonna be away from my babies, away from my personal life, away from my home … I need my support system, my fans, to love me,” the former reality star added. “I want y’all to come to my tour and enjoy yourselves with me. Don’t be dragging me. That’s enough!”
“Leave me alone, though,” she concluded. “Damn. Y’all scare me sometimes!”
Cardi B’s video comes as her fans continue to question her relationship with Diggs. The wide receiver posted photos of himself spending Christmas with two different babies, confirming the paternity of one of the children.
“One of my boys first Christmas,” he captioned one, seemingly confirming prior reports that he’d fathered children with two other women within months of welcoming his son with Cardi in November.
As for the rapper, she shared photos from her Christmas celebrations with their son, as well as her other children — 7-year-old daughter Kulture, 4-year-old Wave, and 1-year-old daughter Blossom — whom she shares with estranged husband Offset. Diggs commented on his famous girlfriend’s post, writing, “Miss yaw!!! Don’t be squeezing him too tight you making him soft.”
Cardi’s friend, Ken Barbie, also took to social media to explain the situation, insisting fans need to calm down while addressing their relationship and separate children.
“Cardi has her own kids, Stefon does too,” the blogger tweeted on Saturday. “If baby moms are on some ‘my kids can’t come unless I’m there’ then that’s just what it is but my nieces and nephews ain’t gonna be around it.”
“There’s no secrets, no surprises,” he continued. “They’re still a fairly new couple, so s**t would just have to be figured over time. It is what it is.”
Regardless of all the backlash, Cardi is carrying on as normal, continuing to support her man. After their separate Christmases, on Sunday, Dec. 28,, she attended the New England Patriots vs. New York Jets game to cheer on her man, whose team beat the Jets 42-10.
The holiday season is all about bringing families together, but when you’re part of the Sanders crew, that introduction comes with a side of high-stakes humor and viral clips. Karrueche Tran and Deion Sanders have officially moved past the speculation stage and into the family phase of their relationship, and it seems the legendary Coach Prime isn’t wasting any time bringing his partner into the family.
Source: Frazer Harrison/ Andrew Wevers
In a series of festive videos shared by Deion’s sons, Shilo and Deion Jr., fans were given a front-row seat to how the actress and model has integrated into the family dynamic. According to TheShadeRoom, Shilo Sanders recently took to his vlog to reveal exactly how his father introduced the Claws star to the group. Shilo stated there was no timid “this is my friend” speech; instead, Deion jumped straight to the point. “I remember when I first met Karrueche,” Shilo recalled. “Dad said, ‘Say hello to your stepmom!’”
Karrueche and Deion Bring “Stepmom” Energy To Christmas
The playful “stepmom” label has quickly become the running joke of the holiday season for the Sanders. Shilo, who spent Christmas at his father’s house, noticed a glaring disparity under the Christmas tree that signaled just how much favor the new lady in the house holds. While filming the stack of neatly wrapped presents, Shilo realized his own name was nowhere to be found. Instead, every single tag was addressed to “Mrs. K.”
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“Bro, everything says Mrs. K on here,” Shilo joked while filming the pile of Christmas presents. “That means Karrueche. She has so much stuff. What if all this is just for her? And I didn’t get anything?” Despite the faux-outrage over the missing presents, the vibes were clearly lighthearted, as Shilo even teased a future joint interview with his father and Tran for his YouTube channel, asking fans for “toey” questions, a reference to Deion’s previous medical complications involving his amputated toes.
Source: Jeff Kravitz / Getty
While the “stepmom” jokes are all in good fun, the relationship between Karrueche and Deion appears to be rooted in something much deeper than social media humor. Karrueche first became a staple in the Sanders family vlogs earlier this year during a period of extreme vulnerability for Coach Prime. She was by his side throughout his hospitalization and recovery from bladder surgery.
The bond was on full display as Karrueche hit the shops with Deion Jr. during a recent holiday outing. In a viral clip from the Well Off Media channel, Tran was spotted rocking an all-black ensemble on an escalator, buried under shopping bags. “I got to get my stepson a gift,” she joked before the two burst into laughter. Later, Deion Jr. proudly showed off his gift, a sleek pilot case, and made sure to thank his “stepmom” for the thoughtful surprise.
Of course, the internet had plenty to say about the 37-year-old actress being called “mom.” While some fans joked that Karrueche looks more like their sister than their stepmother, the consensus seems to be one of genuine happiness for the pair.
In the fast-moving world of streaming, a digital eternity can pass between a romantic European getaway and a cold, one-sentence breakup announcement. Fans of Kai Cenat and GiGi were left reeling this weekend after the 24-year-old content king confirmed that his relationship with Gabrielle Alayah (better known as GiGi) has officially ended.
Source: Emma McIntyre / Getty
The news broke on Saturday when Kai took to X with a post. “I’m single I will never be in another relationship again,” he wrote, sparking immediate discourse across social media. According to TMZ, the announcement came as a shock to his fan base, especially considering the pair had recently been spotted looking cozy while traveling through Switzerland and Italy just days after Christmas.
The Cheating Allegations Surrounding Kai Cenat and GiGi
Whenever a high-profile influencer breakup occurs, the internet’s first instinct is to find a villain, and GiGi quickly found herself in the drama. Rumors began swirling on X, fueled by a viral post with over 2.7 million views that alleged GiGi had been involved with rapper NBA YoungBoy while dating Kai. While Kai’s post was vague and leaned into a “sympathetic” tone, fans rushed to the comments to claim that GiGi had fumbled the bag through infidelity.
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GiGi, however, did not let a false narrative settle. Taking to her Instagram Story, she set the record straight, revealing that she was actually the one who pulled the plug on the relationship. “I left, now you wanna get on the internet and rush to paint a false narrative about me off a FAKE Twitter post is insane,” she wrote. She directly addressed the cheating rumors, stating, “I’ve never cheated on him, and YOU know that. I have never dealt with that man… play that sympathetic role somewhere else, please.”
The relationship between Kai Cenat and GiGi first became public knowledge late last year when Kai introduced her during his 23rd birthday livestream. Since then, the couple has been under a microscope, with some fans questioning if the chemistry was genuine or if the lifestyle was the primary draw. The split comes after the creator faced scrutiny at the Streamer Awards.
As BOSSIP reported, the host of the awards, FanFan, was presenting an award and referenced Kai as a Diddy look-alike shortly after the release of the shocking documentary, Sean Combs: The Reckoning. Additionally, the couple broke up just weeks after Kai opened up about his mental health struggles and the immense pressure of being a top-tier creator, leading some to speculate that the strain of his career may have bled into his personal life.
While some social media users are shocked by the breakup, others are pointing out the red flags that surfaced during their year-long run. From rumors of high-priced gift requests to the sudden shift from international travels to digital warfare, the fallout has been anything but quiet.
Tyler Perry faces new sexual assault accusations from a another actor who filed a $77 million lawsuit, alleging years of unwanted advances and sexual battery.
Source: Jerod Harris/Rob Latour/Variety
Model Mario Rodriuez broke into his first major acting role in Boo! A Madea Halloween. He claimed Perry personally recruited him through a trainer at a Los Angeles Equinox gym who said the super producer wanted an introduction. He said he recieved an offer to playthe small role of “Frat Guy #10.” According to Page Six, the lawsuit alleges this began a series promises for more opportunities that lured in Rodriguez for sexual advances.
The complaint filed Thursday states that in Novernber 2018, Perry invited Rodriguez to Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills to discuss a role in The Oval over dinner. Then Rodriguez said they went to the director’s home, where Perry “tightly hugged” him, attempted to unbuckle his pants, and “reached into Mr. Rodriguez’s underwear.
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“Mr. Perry was making sexual moaning noises and saying, ‘Stay here, stay here,’ while he pressed his body against Mr. Rodriguez and continued to grab his penis,” the complaint states.
Rodriguez claimed he “repeatedly told Mr. Perry to stop,” but still had to “physically struggle to get away.” He said Perry apologized after the rejection and paid him $5,000.
In an alleged April 2019 incident, the suit claims Perry grabbed Rodriguez’s hand and placed it on his privates. Perry allegedly told him to “let it happen” and “If you were to just be with me, I would take care of you, and you wouldn’t have to ever worry about anything.”
According to the documents obtained by PEOPLE, the billionaire gave Rodriguez $5,000 when he delined again “and sent him away.” Following this alleged incident, the filing states:
“More than ever before, it was clear that Mr. Perry would do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, to whomever he wanted no matter how many times he was rejected.”
Rodriguez continued his acting career outside the Madeaverse on two seasons of The Family Business in 2020 and 2021. Still, he claims Perry continued to “randomly reach out to” him until 2024.
“When Perry became aware that Rodriguez was going to file this action, Perry once again reached out to Rodriguez by text,” the filing continues, stating Perry said he “was feeling betrayed” after he “did so much to help Rodriguez.”
As BOSSIP previously reported, The Oval actor Derek Dixon made similar allegations in a $260M lawsuit against Perry. He accused Perry of stringing him along with promises of acting roles and producing a script Dixon wrote. The lawsuit claimed invitations to meet at Perry’s home to discuss work turned into sexual assault and harassment. Attorney Jonathan J. Delshad represents both Dixon and Rodriguez.
See what Mario Rodriguez speaking out in his own words and Tyler Perry’s response after the flip.
Mario Rodriguez Spoke Out About Harassment Weeks Before He Filed The Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Two weeks before the lawsuit went public, Mario Rodroguez took to Instagram to speak out about experiencing harassment. “This is so hard to talk about,” he wrote in the caption. In the Dec. 13 clip, Rodriguez opened up about his struggles with feeling “scared and ashamed,” and how that keeps victims silent.
The candid clip mentioned his sense of guilt in anticipation of victim-blaming “for even being in the circumstances “for just being there” at the time of sexual assault and harassment.
“I felt all of that when a very big director, a seriously powerful person that everybody knows, invited me over to his house to talk about roles and upcoming things that he was writing,” which made him think “all of my dreams are coming true.”
“Then it happens, my boundaries were crossed. This person feels like they got power over you because of the situation and the opportunity,” he continued. Then he said fear kept him quiet, which put others at risk of the same experiences.
“I stayed quiet for much too long. And I just want to say I’m really sorry, man. Because if I would’ve spoken up sooner I could’ve saved somebody that this probably happened to after me,” he continued. “I just wanna say sorry for that, whoever that may be. It could’ve stopped with me if I would’ve said something. … But I’m speaking up now.”
On Dec. 26, Perry’s attorney Alex Spiro issued a statement slamming the lawsuit as a “money grab” after the same attorney represented Derek Dixon:
“Having recently failed in another matter against Mr. Perry, the very same lawyer has now made yet another demand from more than a decade ago which will also be a failed money grab.”
Delshad refuted this claim to PEOPLE, noting that Dixon’s claims “are alive and well, and none of them have failed; they were just moved to a different court,” due to the case relocating from California to Georgia.
The Texas congresswoman says safety concerns have shaped conversations with Kamala Harris and Senate colleagues as she campaigns statewide. Rep. Jasmine Crockett says former Vice President Kamala Harris personally encouraged her to run for the U.S. Senate, while also stressing the importance of her safety amid a growing climate of political hostility.
Source: James Manning – PA Images/Omar Vega
Crockett shared the details during an appearance on the Native Land Pod with host Angela Rye. There, she explained that Harris framed the Senate run as a matter of national service.
According to Crockett, Harris told her,
“The country needs you.”
Also emphasized that she must remain as safe as possible throughout the process.
“My Biggest Concern Is Your Safety”
According to theGrio, Harris’ warning was not an isolated moment. Crockett says she has had similar conversations with current members of the U.S. Senate. Specifically, one unnamed senator expressed confidence in her ability to win yet urging her not to put herself in unnecessary danger.
“My biggest concern is your safety,” Crockett recalled the senator saying. “I don’t want you to become a sacrificial lamb.”
Those concerns have led Crockett to take concrete security measures. She confirmed that she is currently in the process of being fitted for a bulletproof vest and said she would not continue her Senate run without proper protection in place.
A “Sad Reality” For Black Leaders In Public Office
According to theGrio, Crockett described the need for heightened security as “a sad reality.” She reflects on the threats she faces while entering national politics.
She acknowledged that safety risks have long been part of public service for Black leaders in particular, noting that the dangers she faces are not new but deeply rooted in the history of American politics. In theGrio, Crockett pointed to the courage of those who came before her while recognizing that visibility often comes at a cost.
Senate Run Sparks Excitement and Skepticism
Crockett officially announced her Senate campaign earlier this month. While her decision has been met with enthusiasm from supporters, it has also drawn skepticism from anonymous Democratic voices questioning whether her run is viable in Texas or premature.
When asked about critics who believe she is moving too soon, Crockett pushed back on the idea that timing is applied equally.
“It’s hard to define what too soon looks like when you’re talking to someone like me.”
She added that for many Black women, the moment is often perpetually delayed. Crockett emphasizes that for some candidates, especially Black women, the standard of readiness is never fully granted.
“The Time Would Never Arrive”
Crockett compares her Senate bid to the current political climate, noting that Texas has never elected a Black woman to the U.S. Senate.
She also highlights the rarity of Black women in the chamber nationwide. According to theGrio, Crockett points out that Kamala Harris was only the second Black woman ever sworn into the U.S. Senate.
Women like Crockett are still disrupting the systemic barriers that continue to shape political representation.
Safety Concerns Are Nothing New
Crockett has previously spoken openly about receiving death threats and how the current political climate has reshaped her daily life.
She notes that even during her years working in criminal defense, she never experienced the level of fear she now faces as an elected official. According to theGrio, the escalation of threats has forced her to rethink how she navigates public spaces and political engagement.
Still Standing, Still Running
Despite the risks, Crockett remains committed to continuing her Senate campaign.
She credits encouragement from leaders like Harris as affirmation that her candidacy is not only viable but necessary. Even at a moment defined by political volatility and heightened danger.
For Black women in politics, ambition is frequently accompanied by a calculation of personal safety. In choosing to move forward anyway, Crockett is not just chasing a seat, she is confronting the cost of visibility while insisting on her right to serve.
Social media joked Stefon Diggs is doing Nick Cannon numbers after he posted three babies’ first Christmas photos, and none of them were Baby Jesus in a manger. Stefon said he missed Cardi B & their newborn Brim, but the fertile footballer still had his hands full as a father, seemingly confirming paternity of two other infants.
Source: Elsa / Getty
If there’s any couple we expected to give matching pajamas PDA for the holiday, it’s Cardi and Stefon, but the lovebirds weren’t together. The “Bodega Baddie” hilariously went viral with a recap of the Christmas trees dedicated to each of her children while she joked about having “500 kids.” Stefon caused even more chatter after he holiday hard-launched not one, but two babies, for their first Christmas as well. If you’re keeping count, that’s almost an infinity guantlet’s worth of infants.
Stefon Diggs Spends Christmas On Baby Daddy Duty With Two Other Newborns
The proud father took to Instagram Story to share some cute moments with two of his celebrity seeds. In one photo, the Patriots player stands next to a decked-out Christmas tree with an adorable baby boy in his arms. “One of my boys’ first Christmas,” Stefon captioned the photo.
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In another adorable Diggs family photo, the wide receiver snuggled up to a baby girl in a festive pink bow headband that matches her outfit. The seven-month-old sweetheart is the daughter Stefon reportedly shares with Instagram model Cayy Benji (aka @cayy.benji), whom Lil Uzi Vert also named a song after in 2019. Cayy also posted Christmas morning cuteness with her older sons and her baby girl on her Instagram Story.
Stop the count! Hit the flip for a recap of Stefon Diggs’ children and how Cardi B spent Christmas without him.
Move Over, Nick Cannon! Stefon Diggs’ Seemingly Fathered Four Babies In 2025
Cardi B gave birth to her first child with Stefon in November, just a few months after the celebrity couple went public. Fans knew Cardi came with three children from her estranged marriage to Offset and Stefon’s daughter Nova was born in 2016. However, some are shocked that he appears to have three new branches on the family tree besides Belcalis’ baby boy, Brim.
While Diggs’ home and social media was full of baby blessings, he showed love to Cardi and their son with another post. “Miss yaw!!! Don’t be squeezing him too tight and make him soft,” he joked in the caption with a smirking emoji.
Social media slueths have been trying to pin down the timeline of all this incessant insemination and prolific pregnancies. KB has been pretty private, mainly posting her older son except on her Instagram Story.
Cayy recently revealed her stunning maternity shoot.
She also celebrated her daughter’s first six months with a photo shoot.
Stefon’s other two children appeared to arrive in the few months between Charliee and Brim, making him a very busy dad. Critics have plenty comments about the unsheathed shenanigans that led to this barrage of babies, but at least it looks like he isn’t fumbling fatherhood.
It’s unclear whether baby Charliee joined in on the first Christmas festivities at Stefon’s house as well, but Aileen made sure the little princess had a winter wonderland based on her family photo.
Cardi B’s Over-The-Top Christmas With Trees Dedicated To Each Child
Four children under 1-year-old is wild work, but this isn’t Cardi’s first rodeo with a man who has other children. She appeared to embrace Offset’s three children from previous relationships as her own and loves being a mother. She also clapped back at the chatter about new baby mamas entering the chat amid the parernity suit scandal. If she and Steffon go the Brady Bunch route for next year, they might need a bigger house bacause Cardi famously decorates Christmas trees to suit each child’s personality.
This year, she showed off a polar bear and cubs centerpiece to represent the “mama bear” energy Cardi embodied. Kulture’s, 7, Labubu tree featured a doll Cardi said she spent months trying to find. Wave, 4, switched from Spider Man to Sonic The Hedgehog. Baby girl Bloosom, 1, got a pretty in pink Minnie Mouse tree. For baby Brim, it was all about the Pats and football with a figurine of Stefon.
In a family photo, the “Pretty & Petty” rapper hilariously kept it real that “the perfect Christmas picture doesn’t exist in this house.” While Cardi’s arms were full with 7-week-old Brim, big sis Kulture held baby a crying baby Bloossom. Wave was happy in his own world on a polar bear cub big enough for him to ride.
It seems Stefon can keep that same Christmas energy with “the best house on the block!” He noted the dazzling display is a childhood dream come true because “I ain’t have all this growing up.” Fortunately, he can provide that magic for his many, many offspring.
Christmas 2025 had a sprinkle of everything: stunning sleigh belles, the surging reemergence of the Grinch, Michael Irvin eating a giant steak in a white tuxedo, Snoop Dogg c-walking in Santa red on Netflix, Marty Supreme-mania sweeping across social media, and another year of hilarious shenanigans on the internet.
This year, Netflix gifted everyone with its second annual NFL Christmas Gameday where the Cowboys beating the Commanders 30-23 (how bout them Cowboys!) and the Lions losing to the Vikings 23-10.
In the star-studded followup to Yeehaw Yoncé’s Cowboy Carter Christmas performance, Snoop Dogg spread holiday cheer with help from Martha Stewart, George Clinton, and special guests HUNTR/X: EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, and REI AMI from Netflix’s most popular film ever, KPOP DEMON HUNTERS.
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Joined by a 30-person choir, drummer boys, and 30 Snoopette dancers, Snoop’s buzzy set was a carnival of Christmasness where the 54-year-old legend sprinkled holiday classics like “My Favorite Things” between performances of “Nuthin’ But A G Thang” and “Drop it Like it’s Hot.”
Other standout moments including an appearance by Grammy-winning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson, performing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” from the Snoopmobile and a surprise performance from renowned vocalists Maestro Andrea Bocelli and Matteo Bocelli who closed out the holiday celebration with “White Christmas.”
What was your fave part of Snoop’s Halftime Party? Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas? Tell us down below and unwrap the funniest, wildest, and messiest tweets from Christmas 2025 on the flip.
Mendeecees and Yandy were never legally married despite exchanging vows on TV.
Mendeecees says they’ve been separated for over a year now.
Tamar Braxton denies rumors of a relationship with Mendeecees.
A longtime couple from Love & Hip Hop Atlanta has called it quits.
Source: Derek White / Getty
Earlier this week, Mendeecees Harris sat down for an interview on Yung Joc & The Streetz Morning Takeover.
During their conversation, the LHHATL star cleared up some misconceptions about his longtime relationship with Yandy Smith, revealing that they were never legally married, despite years of public perception. Harris also said that their relationship is officially over.
According to Mendeecees, while fans watched him and Yandy exchange vows on television, the marriage was never legally binding. That reveal led to the reality star confirming that the relationship has since come to an end.
“We not together. We was never legally married, so [we’re not getting divorce],” he said during the interview.
Mendeecees and Yandy’s relationship was a central storyline throughout multiple seasons of the Love & Hip Hop franchise. Having been together for nearly two decades, fans got a front-row seat to their on-screen wedding, Mendeecees’ past legal issues, and their issues as a longtime couple.
When asked if the marriage viewers saw was “for TV,” he replied:
“Listen, no. I didn’t do it for TV. It was Yandy’s idea,” he began. “In the beginning, I was going through legal battles with courts and fines, and she said, “Let’s not sign the papers.” I was like, all right, cool. Then it kind of just stayed that way. Then we got married again, and we still didn’t sign.”
Mendeecees continued, “If I look back now and see what people go through with divorce, assets, all that, we don’t got to go through none of that. You know what I’m saying? It kind of worked out.”
Mendeecees did not go into detail about what led to the breakup, but he did say that they’ve been separated for a while now.
“I’ve known Yandy for like 20 years. Right now, we’ve probably been split up for over a year,” he said.
News of their split comes shortly after Tamar Braxton was accused of creeping with Mendeecees, which the singer denied.
The songstress, 48, released a statement Tuesday, Dec. 2, denying blogger Funky Dineva’s allegations that she was creeping with Mendeecees Harris the night she “woke up in a pool of blood.”
After noting that she worked on her Heartbreak Retrograde EP throughout the summer and was especially proud of its release, Tamar slammed allegations that the acting she did in her accompanying short film was an actual look at her love life, calling the allegations “hurtful and completely untrue.”
“Let me be clear: this is a lie,” she wrote. “It’s sad that the moment you achieve something meaningful, some people choose to respond with gossip and sensationalism. These rumors don’t just touch me—they touch our families, our kids, and our loved ones, the people who never asked to be dragged into nonsense. I had hoped by now we’d see better from those who claim to report responsibly and love our people.”
She ended by noting that her legal team is now handling the matter.
“As for me, I’m staying focused on what I love: creating, storytelling, and making music and films that matter.”
Ah yes, that wonderful time of year where we unwrap the Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, exchange gifts with loved ones, and swoon over Santa’s favorites like Latto who stunned in a Christmas-themed birthday photoshoot ahead of the holiday.
Festive and fine, the “Go Girl” rapper continued her holiday tradition by donating gifts from trendy brands to her hometown of South Atlanta in the heart of Clayton County.
The benevolent baddie did her big one for her community, blessing more than 500 Atlanta families at the epic giveaway for her Win Some Give Some foundation.
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In collaboration with Amazon, Apple, and Sims, Latto made the holidays even happier for households across Clayton County, which declared Dec. 18 “Latto Day” and awarded her a key to the city.
Source: RCA
Latto’s mom, Misti Pitts, and sister, Brooklyn Nikole, accompanied Latto for the family-friendly event that brought some holly jolly Christmas cheer to ClayCo.
Source: RCA
With flicks and photos going viral, fans congratulated the “Somebody” stunner, not only because she gave back to the babies, but because they think she’s expecting one of her own.
Naturally, social media launched an investigation after seeing the latest photos and video of Latto from her foundation’s event.
*zooms in*
Based on a preliminary investigation, the internet concluded that Latto was, indeed, pregnant but we’re not too sure based on the hitmaking rapper’s viral birthday sleigh.
Do you think Big Mama is about to be a mama? If so, what would you gift Latto at her birthday shower? Tell us down below and enjoy our gallery of swoon-worthy sleigh belles on the flip.
From dramatic bows and towering evergreens to artistic interpretations of the classic Christmas tree, celebrities pulled out all the stops this holiday season.
Source: @CardiB / x
Whether traditional, modern, or over-the-top glamorous, these stars turned their trees into statement pieces worthy of Instagram feeds everywhere.
From Jada Pinkett Smith’s satin-draped tree to Porsha Williams’ towering, over-the-top display, here’s a look at some of the most eye-catching celebrity Christmas trees of the yuletide season so far.
Cardi B
Cardi B showcased not one, not two, but FOUR Christmas trees!
Her babies, Kulture, Wave, Blossom, and her newborn each got their own individual tree for the occasion, with a different theme, from Sonic the Hedgehog to Kulture’s pink Labubu tree.
Okay, Cardi!
Jada Pinkett Smith
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Jada Pinkett Smith took a bold and artistic approach to holiday décor this year. On Dec. 10, she shared a glimpse of her unconventional Christmas tree, opting for a cone-shaped structure draped in luxurious red velvet. The striking centerpiece was topped with an oversized illuminated star, giving the tree a sculptural, almost fashion-forward feel. True to Jada’s style, the display felt less traditional and more like a curated art installation: elegant, dramatic, and completely unique.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian’s Christmas décor was as glamorous as ever — even if her family photo shoot didn’t quite go according to plan. On Dec. 22, the entrepreneur shared behind-the-scenes moments of trying to capture the perfect holiday photo with her children, North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm.
Behind the scenes, a stunning Christmas tree adorned with maroon floral bouquets and glowing white lights created a luxurious backdrop for the chaos of real-life parenting.
“I really tried,” Kim joked in the caption, making the moment both hilarious and festive.
Al Roker and Deborah Roberts
Al Roker and Deborah Roberts embraced the joy of the season with a heartwarming and traditional tree-trimming moment. In a Dec. 14 Instagram post, the couple danced along to music as they decorated their classic Christmas tree, filling it with everything from stockings to Black Santa ornaments. Their tree felt deeply personal and celebratory, blending tradition with meaningful representation.
“Nothing like a little tree trimming to get you into the holiday spirit,” the couple captioned the post, perfectly summing up the cozy moment.
Khloé Kardashian
Khloé Kardashian went big — literally — when it came to her Christmas tree this year. On Nov. 28, she shared her towering evergreen, decorated in a similar style to sister Kim’s, featuring maroon floral bouquets, shimmering lights, and elegant accents. The mother of two posed proudly alongside her children, True and Tatum, letting the tree’s scale and sparkle take center stage. The look was glamorous yet warm, proving once again that the Kardashians know how to turn holiday décor into a family affair.
Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart’s Christmas tree was just as bold as his personality. On Dec. 17, the comedian revealed his massive tree, decked out with a giant crimson bow and matching red ornaments that gleamed against the twinkling lights. Wrapped presents filled the space beneath the branches, all coordinated in rich red tones. Standing next to the tree, Hart couldn’t help but poke fun at the size difference, writing:
“I’m in love with this big as bow on this big a** tree …. Little man with a big Christmas spirit.”
Hoda Kotb
Hoda Kotb’s Christmas décor moment was all about family and fun. On Dec. 27, she shared sweet snapshots of herself decorating the tree with her daughters, Haley and Hope. The ornaments were delightfully eclectic — ranging from candy canes and school photos to donuts and glittering baubles — making the tree feel full of memories. When it came time to place the star on top, Kotb lifted Haley onto her shoulders to reach it, capturing a candid, joyful holiday moment that perfectly reflected the spirit of the season.
Porsha Williams
Porsha Williams went all out with a lavish Christmas tree that was nothing short of extravagant. In a Dec. 21 Instagram post, the Real Housewives star showcased a tree overflowing with oversized bows, teddy bears, and ornate decorations. The glamorous display filled the space with holiday drama and flair. Porsha also used the festive moment to promote her Go Naked Hair annual wig sale, turning her beautifully decorated tree into the ultimate backdrop for holiday gifting inspiration.
Sherri Shepherd
Sherri Shepherd’s Christmas tree radiated warmth and generosity. On Dec. 12, the daytime talk show host shared her beautifully decorated tree, featuring bright lights, shimmering ornaments, and elegant floral accents. The festive post came with an extra dose of holiday cheer, as Shepherd announced she would be “gifting tickets, merch, and a VIP tour experience!” to one lucky viewer. The moment captured both the sparkle of the season and the spirit of giving. Sherri definitely knows how to Sleigh Christmas!
The year 2025 saw a heartfelt wave of new beginnings in celebrity families, with many Black public figures embracing parenthood and sharing moments of profound joy and bliss with their new bundles of joy. Let’s look at some of the notable arrivals and what these stars have shared about their journeys into motherhood.
Cardi B & Stefon Diggs: Welcoming Their Baby Boy (Nov. 4, 2025)
Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B capped off 2025 with the announcement that she and NFL star Stefon Diggs had welcomed their first child together — a baby boy — on Nov. 4. Cardi, already a mother to three children (Kulture, Wave, and Blossom), sharedher joy on Instagram with photos that captured her and Diggs cradling and staring in awe at their newborn son, whose name has yet to be announced.
“11/4,” the rapper captioned the photo carousel she posted Nov. 19.
Cardi spoke about the joy of expanding her family back in September during an interview with Gayle King. The rapper gushed about her romance with Diggs and said their support for one another has been crucial throughout their relationship.
“I’m having a baby with my boyfriend, Stefon Diggs,” Cardi B said during the Sept. 17 interview. “I’m happy … I feel like I’m in a good space. I feel very strong, very powerful that I’m doing all this work, but I’m doing all this work while I’m creating a baby.”
The rapper continued:
“Me and my man, we’re very supportive of each other. We’re like in the same space in our careers. I feel like we’re really great and one of the best at what we do. And me and him, think the same way. ‘Yeah, you’re one of the greatest, but what’s next. What are we doing again? We have to do it again, all the time.’ We’re never, like, comfortable. We just have to keep going…and that’s just what we are.”
Jasmine Tookes & Juan David Borrero: Son Mateo (Oct. 28, 2025)
On Oct. 28, model and entrepreneurJasmine Tookes, with husband Juan David Borrero, welcomed their son Mateo Ira Borrero.
Tookes, who walked down the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway weeks prior, donning her big baby bump, shared black-and-white family photos on Instagram, captioning the moment with “The greatest blessing,” a simple yet profound reflection on motherhood and family life.
The carousel captured her cradling Mateo and her daughter, Mia, born in 2023, playing around as they smiled and spent precious family time together.
Celebs in the fashion world poured into the model’s comments section, sending love and congratulations.
“Blessings…happy to continue to see you in Bliss,” wrote legendary model Bethann Hardison.
Runway icon Naomi Campbell penned, “Congratulations on your new bundle of joy.”
While makeup and beauty legend Pat McGrath commented, “CONGRATULATIONS. Sending LOVE.”
Cori Broadus: A Fragile but Beautiful Arrival For Her Baby Daughter (Feb. 28, 2025)
Cori Broadus, daughter of legendary rapper Snoop Dogg, welcomed her baby girl on Feb. 28 with her fiancé Wayne Deuce. The baby’s arrival came three months early due to a severe pregnancy complication known as HELLP syndrome. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the serious pregnancy complication happens when hemolysis is triggered (red blood cells break down), liver enzymes become elevated, and low platelets occur, often linked to severe preeclampsia but sometimes occurring without it. It could be fatal if left untreated.
Broadus delivered via emergency C-section at just 25 weeks, sharing a deeply emotional Instagram announcement that thanked both medical teams and God for their support. Although the early birth was unexpected, she celebrated her daughter’s safe arrival, openly discussing the anxiety, gratitude, and faith intertwined in her birth experience.
“The princess arrived at 6 months,” she captioned a photo of her daughter’s foot. “I’ve cried and cried, I’ve compared and compared, blaming myself because I wasn’t able to give her all that she needed. But no matter what, God always shows me that He got me! Baby girl came at 25 weeks today, and she’s the best!! Thank You God for getting me this far.”
The new mom thanked her care team for treating her HELLP syndrome and urged pregnant moms to always listen to their bodies if they feel something is off.
“[The] doctors told me thank you for coming and if I would’ve waited a few more days, it would’ve been really bad,” she said in an Instagram story. “Ladies, please listen to your bodies and don’t believe everything you see on TikTok ( talking to myself lowkey).”
Cori recently took to Instagram in September with her daughter to support mothers for National NICU Day, which raises awareness about prematurity and supports the challenges that NICU families face.
Skai Jackson: Son Kasai (Jan. 26, 2025)
Former Disney star Skai Jackson rang in 2025 by welcoming her first child, a son named Kasai, which she announced on Jan. 26.
The actress shared a photo of herself holding her son’s tiny hands, with a caption that simply read: “Kasai.”
Jackson announced her pregnancy in late 2024 and carried that excitement into the new year, greeting motherhood with joy and authentic gratitude.
“I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter in my life, embracing motherhood and diving into new acting projects. My heart is so full!” Jackson toldPeople during an interview last year.
Jackson gave fans a look at Kasai in July, sharing a 6-month update. The adorable little one could be seen smiling in overalls as he sat happily on the couch.
Jasmin Brown & Cam Newton: Baby Arrival (Oct. 2025)
Comedian and actressJasmin Brownand former NFL quarterback Cam Newton expanded their familyin 2025 with the birth of their second child together. Newton, already a father of a large blended family of eight, confirmed the birth of his 9th child during an interview with Tamron Hall in October.
“So we’re expecting your ninth baby?” Hall asked the star during their Oct. 16 interview, to which he replied, “Oh, he’s already here.”
This month, Brown, who announced her pregnancy in May, gave fans a sneak peek of her and Cam’s precious bundle of joy. Holding the cutie with his face out of sight of the camera, the comedian could be seen talking to the little one in different voices as she used hilarious filters to accompany each character.
In the caption of her Dec. 4 post, she wrote, “Lol…My son likes it when I talk to him doing different voices. Follow me on Snapchat.”
Cheyenne Floyd Davis & Zach Davis: Baby Boy (Dec. 10, 2025)
Reality TV personality Cheyenne Floyd Davis and husband Zach Davis welcomed their third child, a baby boy, onDec. 10. Their journey was marked by fertility struggles shared openly on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, revealing how they learned of the pregnancy just days before scheduled fertility treatments.
In May, Cheyenne expressed immense gratitude, calling her third pregnancy “proof that even in the waiting, even in the heartbreak, miracles are still being written.”
In addition to their new baby boy, Cheyenne and Zach share children Ace, 4, and Ryder,8.
Lauren Speed-Hamilton and Cameron Hamilton ( Oct. 1, 2025)
Lauren Speed-Hamilton and Cameron Hamilton, beloved alums from the first season of Love Is Blind, welcomed their first child—a baby boy named Ezra—on Oct. 1, at 8:18 p.m. Speaking exclusively with People, the Hamiltons shared the joyous news. Lauren, 37, said that the arrival of their son, who weighed in at 5 lbs., 15 oz., made their long and emotional fertility journey “worth it.”
“He’s been such a blessing already,” she gushed to People.
Lauren underwent in vitro fertilization treatment before welcoming her new bundle of joy, a process she described as “tough”on a 2024 episode of her podcast The Love Seat, which she hostsalongside her husband.
“It still feels surreal that we have a son after four years of trying to conceive,” she shared. “That said, the 4 a.m. feedings and diaper changes have definitely made it feel more real. I’m grateful for it all.”
From the exhilaration of planned family expansions to challenging medical journeys that ended in triumph, these Black celebrities brought 2025 into beautiful focus with their incredible children and we can’t wait to see them grow.
It’s that wonderful time of year where we scramble to find the perfect gift for our loved ones (or just buy gift cards and be done with it) while wearing ridiculous sweaters to house parties, delighting in the merry Mariahmas spirit, and watching Home Alone for the millionth time.
For many, it’s the most stressful time of year which is why we put together this (amazing) gift guide to make your shopping experience easier, especially online.
This holiday season, we’re featuring a carefully curated collection of must-haves headlined by Brown Sugar Babe—the “internet’s favorite body oils” that just might change your life—no, seriously.
Founded by Maekaeda Gibbons who started making her own versions of high-end fragrances as a self-care ritual, the multimillion-dollar empire exploded into one of the most bankable brands in the melanin-thin space.
“This desire in me is to make sure that the girls that look like me feel seen,” said Gibbons in an interview with Essence.
“I don’t think that’s the case for regular fragrance brands. And I use the term regular, meaning their marketing strategy does not include Black women in a prominent way.”
With Black women as 85% of her loyal customer base, Gibbons is primed for an even bigger 2026 with her coveted collection of luxurious products that sell out just as fast as they’re restocked.
Are you a Brown Sugar babe? If so, which oil is your fave? If not, what’s your go-to fragrance? Tell us down below and enjoy (and bookmark) our Holiday Gift Guide on the flip.
Brown Sugar Babe
BSB is everything you need to achieve main character status in any room you’re in. The luxury, the self-care, the swoon-worthy scents (Rich Aunty! Wild Card! Brand New!), it’s an absolute must-have this holiday season, especially if you want to attract a husband or wife.
At this point, you could say they’re the Beyoncé of body oils after moving over 20,000 units during their recent Black Friday sale.
B. Stuyvesant Champagne
The premium French champagne elevates moments with every pop while seamlessly merging tradition and innovation. It’s elegant, it’s prestigious, it’s Black-woman owned.
Elle Vie
There are body butters, scrubs, and shea oils. And then there’s Ellie Vie‘s award-worthy collection of body butters, scrubs, and shea oils made from quality ingredients with self-love at the forefront of the brand’s mission.
Polo Ralph Lauren’s Oak Bluffs Popover Shirt (4th slide)
The salt-washed, sun-faded statement shirt (which was sold out for months but recently restocked on the site) embodies the essence of Oak Bluffs—a town in Martha’s Vineyard that thrived as a cultural haven for the Black community since the early 20th century and continues today.
Cavo
A candle that smells like Direct Deposit alerts, Matcha, Jasmine, Lemongrass, Musk? Yes, absolutely!
(You may want to light this while eating your collard greens on New Year’s Day for a big money bonus.)
Ralph Lauren & Usher’s Ralph’s Club New York Eau de Parfum
This buzzy partnership connects Usher’s modern style with Ralph Lauren’s classic legacy in a distinctive bottle bursting with juicy blackcurrant accord—used for the first time in a men’s fragrance—creamy vanilla, and warm sandalwood notes.
Disney Cruise Lines
The spectacle, the wonder, the magical moments, the Grand Hall—there’s no sailing experience like the Disney Cruise which, if you want to splurge for your favorite family members or parents, can be booked for up to 35% off on the siteright now.
Bombas
You’re probably buying your dad, uncle, and pop-pop socks for Christmas and that’s OK. Most of us are. But this year you should consider leveling up to the ultra-comfortable Merino Wool Blend Calf Socks which, according to Google, are one of the hottest essentials this holiday season.
Gap × BÉIS Sport Sling
The eye-catching denim blue collection blends Gap essentials with the thoughtful design details of BÉIS for a trendy travel piece that balances style and utility.
Medase
The premium zero-proof cocktail brand celebrates wellness, joy, and meaningful connection with high-quality ingredients as an enticing option for the mocktail drinkers.
With flavors like Lemon Drop, Old Fashioned, and Margarita, the bubbling brand gives you the goods without the buzz.
Papatui
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s emerging skincare and grooming brand is an impressive collection of well-made products including an aluminum-free deodorant with science-backed clean ingredients.
Cakeworthy
The dreamy fashion label specializes in unisex streetwear apparel and accessories for the pop culture lover. Looking for a unique gift? They have something for everybody including an epic 40th Anniversary celebration of the Golden Girls.
Amid all this, there were some promising steps taken, especially at the state level, to elevate children’s issues and pay for programs that support the earliest years of life. Here are five highlights, including a few you may have missed:
New Mexico introduced universal child care. New Mexico was the first state in the country to roll out universal child care to every family, regardless of income. Experts are cautiously optimistic, and acknowledge the state likely has some kinks to work out. One New Mexico source I spoke to said she’s especially worried that wealthier families will snatch up spots if guardrails aren’t put in place to prioritize certain populations, including children with disabilities. Another advocate told me she is worried that the wages for early childhood educators are still too low. This is a story that will continue to play out over the next few years, and will be watched carefully. Still, in a country that has long underfunded early learning, experts are hopeful that other states will follow suit and invest more in the child care industry in ways that support the child care staff and families.
New Jersey, which leads the nation in excluding young children with disabilities, committed to investigate how to improve inclusive practices: Earlier this year, a Hechinger Report investigation found New Jersey is the worst in the nation at making sure young students with disabilities are learning alongside their peers for at least 80 percent of the day, which is a federal metric for inclusion. After our series was published, a council that advises New Jersey education officials on special education issues announced it will investigate inclusion rates for young children and look at how state educators and administrators are trained.
States and municipalities invested in early childhood: Cincinnati, Montana and California’s Alameda County increased their support for early learning this year, said Emmy Liss, a researcher and policy consultant for the think tank New America’s New Practice Lab. In San Antonio, the city’s pre-K program expanded this year to serve infants and toddlers. In Colorado, voters approved new “taxing districts” that will raise sales tax for early childhood programs. “We see this consistent pattern of mayors, would-be mayors, county officials, saying, ‘Our families can’t withstand this anymore, and we have the power and the mandate from our community to invest in early childhood,’” Liss said. “I feel optimistic because of that.”
Some states expanded family-friendly policies: After reporting by Hechinger contributor Sarah Carr this year found few parents are made aware of their infant’s rights to early intervention services, Illinois passed a law requiring that families with infants who stay in the NICU are connected to those early therapies. In Colorado, state officials added NICU leave to the state’s paid family medical leave program. Minnesota policymakers are on the cusp of launching their state’s paid family leave program.
Pittsburgh embraced a citywide play-based initiative: After decades of research that shows the importance of play for healthy development, a new initiative in Pittsburgh is putting research into action. After funding several years of play-based projects around the city, the Let’s Play, PGH program, funded by the nonprofit Remake Learning and the Grable and Henry L. Hillman foundations, rolled out permanent play-based experiences this year. Those include a “Clayground,” where families can try hands-on clay sculpting, and a “Discovery Tree,” an indoor structure with various play and learning features. “I think society, especially in education, we’re moving away from valuing play in a way that it’s often spoken of more in a pejorative sense, like there’s more serious things we have to do,” said Tyler Samstag, executive director of Remake Learning. “But there’s this rich research around the importance of play,” he added. And, “there’s a kind of reeling back from the pandemic era of always being in front of a screen.”
I also asked a few early childhood experts what they plan to watch for in 2026:
I’m watching the dual trends of state momentum for universal child care proposals against the budgetary headwinds states are facing as a result of economic policies and H.R. 1 [the “big, beautiful bill”].
— Elliot Haspel, senior fellow at Capita
The early care and education community will have the opportunity to stake out bold policy positions, like those we saw in New Mexico, New York, Connecticut, Montana and Vermont this past year, while facing the challenge of protecting children, families and educators from federal policies that will wreak havoc on safety net programs and state budgets.
— Albert Wat, deputy director of advocacy and impact at the Alliance for Early Success
I am paying attention to whether there are signs of even a minor shift away from this dominant narrative — that something close to universal child care is the ‘true goal,’ which we now seem to be accepting without question. My concern is that the needs of young children will once again get blotted out by the needs of grown-ups, the needs of the economy, the needs of business.
— Katharine B. Stevens, founder and president of the Center on Child and Family Policy
Differences between the House and Senate funding bills, which will be settled in January, which could affect funding for various early childhood programs.
— Sarah Gilliland, senior policy manager, New America’s New Practice Lab
With New York City’s cost of living driving families away in droves, the time is ripe for universal child care — and it can happen! We look forward to working with Mayor-elect Mamdani and his team as they develop plans that lift up home-based child care as a vital support.
— Jessica Sager, CEO, All Our Kin
Thank you so much to all of you for your support and readership this year, and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any story ideas, questions or comments. Happy holidays!
This story about early childhood education was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter.
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I’ve got something I’m really excited to run with you this New Year. We’re brining back the Nerd Fitness Challenge for 2026 – and we’re doing it in a way we’ve never done before.
You don’t need to sign up for anything.
Instead, every part of the Challenge will show up right here in your inbox! (And if you want to opt out of the Challenge emails, you’ll have a link to do that at the end of this email. 👍 )
What the 2026 Nerd Fitness Challenge is going to help you do
I built this Challenge around three of the most common problems I hear from people trying to get in shape, especially this time of year:
“I don’t know what to do next.”
We’ll fix that with clear direction on what step to take each week.
“I don’t have a ton of time.”
Everything we send will be simple, doable, and built for real life.
“I burn out by February.”
The whole Challenge is designed around maintaining momentum, not sprinting and stalling.
You’ll hear from me multiple times each week with ideas, tools, workouts, and strategies that actually work in 2026 – not just for the first 30 days, but for the whole year. 🙌
I’m also trying something new…
I want to feature real case studies from this community. I’m looking for a few people to do a free 30-minute coaching session with me.
We’ll break down your goals, talk through your obstacles, and map out what you should actually do next.
In exchange, you agree to let me record the session and share it – so everyone in our community can learn from a real story, not just theory.
If that sounds valuable, click the link below to apply. We’ll review applications after Christmas and reach out to the people we think are the best fit.
I love the idea of kicking off a new year as a community – learning from each other, building momentum together, and proving what’s possible with the right structure and support in place.
Enjoy the holidays, and get ready for a great start to 2026. ❤️ 💪
Fans are debating Latto’s new “Big Mama, no kids” lyric after her 5th annual Christmas in Clayco giveaway because they (still) suspect she might be pregnant, but is that what her newest birthday photos are giving?
Source: Prince Williams / Getty
Latto Claus did her big one for her community, blessing more than 500 Atlanta families at the epic giveaway for her Win Some Give Some foundation. In collaboration with major sponsors like Amazon, Apple, and Sims, Latto made the holidays even happier for households across Clayton County, which declared Dec. 18 “Latto Day” and awarded her a key to the city.
Source: RCA / Courtesy of RCASource: Prince Williams / Getty
Mom, Misti Pitts, and sister, Brooklyn Nikole, were right by Latto’s side for the family-friendly event while she posed on the throne like the Christmas in Clayco queen she is. Family that slays (and sleighs) together, stays together!
Source: RCA / Courtesy of RCA
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The benevolent baddie posted a super sweet recap of the event, full of adorable children’s smiling faces. With flicks and photos going viral, fans congratulated the “Somebody” stunner, not only because she gave back to the babies, but because they think she’s expecting one of her own.
That also begs the question: What’s the tea on the giant diamonds on Latto’s ring finger?
Source: Prince Williams / Getty
Latto has quietly stayed booked and busy since then, but that never stopped fans from minding the baddie’s business.
See why the baby buzz is back and what internet investigators claim are clues after the flip!
Here’s Why Fans (Still) Speculate That Latto Is Pregnant After Her Christmas In Clayco Giveaway
Social media couldn’t resist the rumors when they saw the latest photos and video of Latto from her foundation’s event. Fans claim the biggest evidence is her outfit. Rather than pulling an Ice Spice scandal, the Clayco cutie regularly keeps it classy and covered for her child-centered event. Yet, even for winter, Latto’s floor-length fur fashion raised eyebrows as a little bit too covered up.
The stunning coat and white boots fit the Christmas theme, but seemed out of place compared to past years’ shorts and tights combo or strapless dress. Even when Latto tones down her sexy style, fans claimed they’ve never seen her banging body as hidden as it was in the massive fur, which appeared to stay tightly fastened through the whole event.
Source: RCA / Courtesy of RCA
As “Latto pregnant” started to trend on X, a few posts noted that we haven’t seen much of Latto since Force Fest, except for Mariah The Scientist and 21 Savage’s birthday parties.
When Latto popped out last week, it only added fuel to the fierce speculation.
In a video teasing Latto’s new “Pop It” song with 21, she kept it real, pulling up in a luxury car for her favorite meal from McDonald’s. For the outfit, Latto once again rocked a larger-than-life fur and kept it closed the whole time, prompting more pregnancy chatter.
Cardi B similarly showed out in her Imaginary Playerz teaser, which first sparked speculation of a pregnancy because she strutted her stuff with the coat still open. When the Cardi was close to announcing her bundle of joy, she also rocked oversized clothes for her album promotion and a huge fur coat at NYFW.
Fans joked this is what she meant by “pop out, brand new body like I’m Cardi in this motherf**ker.” Or are her floor-length furs just another rich flex? It seems Latto can’t beat the allegations if she shows off her body or covers it up.
Check out Latto seemingly responding to pregnancy rumors and her latest sizzling star snaps after the flip!
Latto Shuts Down Pregnancy Rumors With Stunning Snaps & Her New Lyric: “Big Mama, No Kids!”
However, Latto did throw some shade at the speculation. When the rumors started after her performance in Japan, she posted a photo from that day with her typically toned abs showing. She hilariously captioned the now-deleted post with a joke that she “ate tew much wagyu & ramen.”
Latto clapped back in another teaser last month, where she went on a designer shopping spree (with a mystery man who looked a lot like 21 in the background). She rocked a flowing cheetah print set and flashed her abs as she rapped, “Big Mama, no kids!”
For some, that clip meant it was case closed on the baby rumors.
If that wasn’t enough of a fact-check, for Latto’s birthday on Monday, she showed off her super snatched figure in a stunning set of Christmas-themed photos. In every picture, she absolutely ate, from winter wonderland white with ice skate stilettos to popping out of a gift box with a cheetah print ribbon. Even Santa himself had to pull up with a cheetah print birthday cake with “Capricorn Szn” written on it. We see you, birthday baddie!
The rumors about Latto are all fun and games to social media strangers, but she gives fans so much that no one could blame her for not sharing every detail about her personal life. The world will clearly have plenty to say either way. Real supporters will wish her the best for whatever she does next. It could be her new album, a matching pajamas pop-out with her boo, or even a possible little Latto on the way. Or maybe all three?
It looks like Latto might have already dropped a not-so-subtle hint about another big announcement.
Minaj mistakenly calls Vance ‘the assassin’ at TPUSA event.
Vance responds by acknowledging Minaj’s unity message, no bad blood.
Minaj expresses admiration for Trump, says she’s ‘tired of being pushed around’.
JD Vance is finally responding after Nicki Minaj made an awkward onstage flub at the TPUSA summit over the weekend — mistakenly calling him “the assassin” — and rather than firing back, the vice president opted for praise of his new MAGA mate.
Source: Caylo Seals
On Monday morning, Vance took to X and began by referencing Minaj’s remarks about empowering young Black girls without diminishing young blonde girls, signaling that he understood her broader point was centered on unity.
He went on to reflect on how modern politics has fueled a “zero sum” mindset, blaming influential forces that benefit from sowing division. Vance even tagged Minaj directly, noting that she rejects that way of thinking — making it clear there’s no bad blood between the two.
“Nicki Minaj said something at Amfest that was really profound. I’m paraphrasing, but she said, “just because I want little black girls to think they’re beautiful doesn’t mean I need to put down little girls with blonde hair and blue eyes,” he wrote. “We all got wrapped up over the last few years in zero sum thinking. This was because the people who think they rule the world pit us against one another. @NICKIMINAJ rejects that. We all should.”
Minaj appeared at the Phoenix convention on Sunday, Dec. 21, closing out the event alongside Erika Kirk. The two walked onstage holding hands before sitting down for a wide-ranging discussion that touched on politics, faith, and other topics.
The 43-year-old rapper raised eyebrows when she voiced her admiration for President Donald Trump and his administration. Addressing the audience, she said, “Dear young men, you have amazing role models, like our handsome, dashing president. And you have amazing role models like the assassin, JD Vance, our vice president.”
Almost immediately, Minaj appeared to realize her mistake. She froze, went quiet for a noticeable moment, and covered her mouth with her hand in apparent shock.
Erika, 37, handled the moment with ease, reassuring Minaj by saying, “Trust me, there’s nothing new under the sun that I have not heard.”
After another pause, Minaj turned emotional and told her, “I love you.”
Erika responded warmly, adding, “You have to laugh about it. Truly, I have been called every single thing. And you know what? God is so good.”
Erika became CEO of Turning Point USA following the death of her husband, Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed during a TPUSA event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. He was 31.
For some, Minaj’s presence at a conservative gathering came as a surprise, but the artist has been increasingly open about her support for Trump and his administration in recent months.
“I have the utmost respect and admiration for our president,” she told Erika. “I don’t know if he even knows this, but he’s given so many people hope.”
Explaining why she decided to back Trump, Minaj said she “just got tired of being pushed around.”
“I have something inside of me that’s stronger than what’s out there. So when you’ve had enough, you realize, ‘Wait a minute, why do I even care about these people and what they think? Who are they?’ They don’t even know who they are. So I’m not going to back down anymore. I’m not going to back down ever again,” she continued.
The holiday season is usually a time for family and reflection, but for Ray J and Princess Love, it has become a period of legal consequences and public fallout. What began as a volatile Thanksgiving Day confrontation has now spiraled into a courtroom battle, leaving the singer barred from seeing his children during some of the year’s biggest milestones.
Source: Prince Williams / Getty
The ongoing saga between Ray J and Princess Love took a grim turn on Friday, December 19, when a Los Angeles judge extended a domestic violence no-contact restraining order against the “One Wish” singer. According to TheShadeRoom, the ruling effectively blocks Ray J from seeing his two children, Melody and Epik, through the Christmas holiday and his son’s upcoming birthday. Visibly shaken as he exited the courthouse alongside his alleged girlfriend, Shila, Ray J told reporters, “I’m missing my kids. I’m missing Christmas, my son birthday,” before adding that he didn’t even want to speak on the matter further.
The Thanksgiving Incident That Divided Ray J and Princess Love
The current legal firestorm stems from a harrowing incident on November 27. As BOSSIP reported, Los Angeles Police Department officers were called to the couple’s Porter Ranch home around 4:00 a.m. following reports of an assault with a deadly weapon. The situation unfolded during a livestream where Princess Love accused her estranged husband of brandishing a firearm and threatening to kill another man in the house.
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While the Los Angeles County District Attorney declined to file felony charges, the L.A. City Attorney has moved forward with six misdemeanor offenses against Ray J. These charges include brandishing a firearm, use of force, and child endangerment. Fox 11 reports that, as part of the recent court proceedings, the judge also ordered the musician to surrender any weapons he currently owns.
Princess Love has been vocal about her reasons for involving the authorities, emphasizing that her priority is the safety of her children. “I would never do anything to put them in danger, including leaving them with a man who’s waving a gun around,” she shared in a social media video. She also countered Ray J’s claims that she was the one acting irresponsibly, alleging that during a previous visit, the children walked in on their father in bed with another woman while he was unclothed.
The breakdown of the relationship between Ray J and Princess Love has been a recurring theme in headlines, with Princess filing for divorce for the fourth time earlier this year. However, this latest incident seems to have shifted her focus from reconciliation to a demand for professional intervention.
In a pointed message to her estranged husband, Princess urged Ray J to seek help for what she perceives as a deeper issue. “Check yourself into rehab, because you’re more than drunk,” she stated, defending her own reputation as a mother. “Everything I do, I do for my kids, including being around you when I don’t want to or have to.”
For his part, Ray J has expressed his own perspective on the night’s events, claiming he was simply defending his space and his children. He alleged that Princess and her cousin were under the influence and tried to remove the kids from his room, leading to the “defensive” posture he took. Since the arrest, Ray J has described his time in jail as an unpleasant wake-up call and noted that he has been permanently banned from the streaming platform Twitch.
Social media is buzzing over Anthony Joshua KNOCKING OUT Jake Paul in the 6th Round of Netflix’s highly anticipated Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day fight that delivered the goods in front of a star-studded crowd at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Towering over Paul at 6’6″, Joshua–a two-time unified WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist–knocked the Sonic rings out of the MAGA youtuber-turned boxer in a now-viral moment immediately immortalized in boxing history.
According to reports, Paul suffered a fractured jaw in two places that required surgery, the removal of teeth, and two titanium plates.
Whew, did he at least pinch Joshua??
Paul confirmed the ‘double broken jaw’ from his hospital bed, thanking supporters for the love in a post that summed up his miserable night.
“Just got out of surgery. Everything went smooth,” wrote Paul. “Thanks for all the love. Lots of pain and stiffness. Gotta eat liquids for 7 days.”
As for Joshua, well, he celebrated the victory like a true gentleman and was nice enough to give his battered opponent props.
“I wish that I could have knocked him out at the start, but as we saw tonight, Jake has spirit,” he said in a post-game interview.
“He has some heart. He tried his best, and I take my hat off to him because number one, a lot of fighters haven’t got in the ring with me, and Jake did. And secondly, even when he got knocked down, he kept on trying to get up, and I take my hat off to him.
So, America, I think you have someone who could potentially, if he still has the heart for it, come back again, dust the dirt off his shoulder, and come again, and maybe sell out this center sometime in 2026.”
Naturally, the buzzy bout fueled hilarious hysteria (along with every single possible angle of Anthony knocking Jake’s head off) across social media.
What was your reaction to Anthony Joshua knocking out Jake Paul? Would you want to see Anthony Joshua in a Creed movie? Tell us down below and peep the social media hysteria over Anthony’s jaw-breaking win on the flip.
