Paramount Skydance has officially ended talks to sell BET Networks, putting an end to months of speculation surrounding the network’s fate. The announcement came on Wednesday during an extensive press Q&A, just days after Skydance CEO David Ellison closed his acquisition of the studio. View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Ellison (@davidellisonskydance) Ellison affirmed that BET will remain a core pillar of the company’s streaming vision, positioning the brand and its extensive content catalog as vital to future growth. His approach marks a departure from Paramount Global’s recent trend of selling assets to generate quick capital, instead committing to strengthening and retaining existing brands. In recent years, BET drew interest from private equity firms and prominent Black investors, including Tyler Perry. The potential sale was seen as a major turning point for Black-owned media, sparking debates on the cultural and economic impact such a deal might have. By halting negotiations, Ellison signaled his intent to keep BET firmly under Paramount Skydance’s control, anchoring it as a flagship within the company’s streaming ecosystem. Ellison revealed that this philosophy was present from his earliest conversations with former Paramount Global chair and majority shareholder Shari Redstone. Their initial meeting, he said, centered on maintaining the integrity of the company’s portfolio — which includes Paramount Pictures, CBS, and BET — and investing in its long-term potential. “We had this conversation with Shari when we first met about the company,” Ellison told reporters. “It is our intention to keep the company together and invest in that lens.” The decision comes amid a rapidly evolving media landscape, where legacy networks face fierce competition from tech-driven streaming platforms. BET remains a cultural force, especially in music, film, and television programming for Black audiences. Its high-profile events, scripted shows, and reality series maintain strong engagement across platforms, making it a critical driver of audience loyalty. With BET’s position secured, Ellison’s strategy reflects a broader industry shift toward consolidation over liquidation. For audiences and industry insiders, the move offers a rare sense of stability — and the promise of expanded cultural influence for one of television’s most enduring brands.
Nick Cannon Does Not Like The Term ‘Co-Parenting’
Co-parenting is not a term that Nick Cannon will endorse. During a recent episode of his Wondery podcast Nick Cannon @ Night , Cannon responded to a fan’s question. “Curious to hear Nick’s perspective on managing multiple co-parenting relationships while dating,” the listener wrote in on X. “It’s a unique situation that could offer some real insights for blended families.” The Wild’ N Out creator acknowledged that he “always kind of had an issue” with the term “co-parenting,” because he believes it’s just “parenting.” “When you start throwing labels on things, I think it does more harm than help and can get very dangerous, because then everybody else has a preconceived notion of what you’re doing,” Cannon said. “I haven’t figured it out yet. I haven’t gotten it all the way right. But also to your point, if I just step into every situation with respect and compassion and individuality,” he added.”That’s the other thing I always do with anyone I’m involved with in my life.” Nick Cannon has 12 children with six different women: Mariah Carey, Brittany Bell, Abby De La Rosa, Alyssa Scott, Bre Tiesi, and LaNisha Cole. He has twins, Moroccan and Monroe, with Mariah Carey. Brittany Bell is the mother of Golden Sagon, Powerful Queen, and Rise Messiah. Abby De La Rosa shares twins Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir, and Beautiful Zeppelin with Cannon. Alyssa Scott is the mother of Zen (who passed away at 5 months old) and Halo Marie. Bre Tiesi is the mother of Legendary Love, and LaNisha Cole is the mother of Onyx Ice ColeNew episodes of Nick Cannon @ Night arrive every Wednesday at 5 pm PST/8 pm ET on YouTube, Wondery+, and everywhere podcasts are available.
Issa Rae Launches Book Tour For ‘I Should Be Smarter’
Issa Rae will be coming to a city near you. The Insecure creator has announced dates to promote her new book, I Should Be Smarter Now. The tour kicks off Sept. 8 in Philadelphia, with stops in Washington, D.C., and Dallas before closing Sept. 24 in Detroit. The new collection of essays is the follow-up to her 2015 bestseller The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. According to the synopsis, I Should Be Smarter Now is a“fearlessly authentic essay about the entertainment industry—the setbacks, high-stakes risks, and hard-won successes—by Issa Rae, named one of Time magazine’s most influential people in the world. “It’s a gamble to bet on yourself in Hollywood. But Issa Rae placed it. Charting her evolution from struggling writer to media mogul, she pulls back the curtain on her ever-evolving career in an always-changing industry and reveals that the best investment she made was her belief in herself. As she reflects on weathering storms and lessons learned, Issa moves forward with renewed purpose,” the synopsis continued. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HOORAE, An Issa Rae Company (@hooraemedia) Presale tickets are available starting Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET. Back in June, Rae spoke about what led her to write the book. “This collection is part confession, part reflection and part ‘here’s what I wish I’d known,’” Rae told PEOPLE. “But mostly it’s just me being honest about the weird, wonderful journey from having big dreams to making them a reality.” “From dreaming of briefcases as a child to running her own media empire, Issa’s creative evolution is both hilarious and inspiring,” publisher Julia Sommerfeld added. “These essays capture her remarkable journey with the wit, wisdom and real talk that has made millions of people feel seen.” I Should be Smarter Now will be available for purchase on Tuesday, Aug. 26 and is available for preorder now.
Ice Spice’s Mom Sets Internet On Fire After Selfie Goes Viral
Ice Spice’s mom goes viral after Ice Spice shares a selfie of the two online. Ice Spice’s mom, Charina Almanzar, is proving that beauty runs in the family. A recent mirror selfie featuring the Bronx rapper and her mother has taken social media by storm, with fans praising the duo’s striking resemblance and undeniable style. “Loooord have mercy” reacted one fan. “MOMMA SPICE IS VERY NICE!!!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by HOT 97 (@hot97) Ice Spice has been making waves on Instagram after her recent posts. Her weight has been a hot topic recently, with the rapper addressing health concerns after fans grew worried when she started losing weight. While previously on X Spaces, Ice explained, “I actually came on here to talk about that real quick,” she began. “Cuz I was like, b*tch, I wish y’all never learned the word Ozempic. That’s one thing I wish. Oh my God! Like what even is Ozempic? Wha the f*ck is that? Genuinely, what is that?” Ice goes on to say the gym and eating healthy is actually what’s keeping her healthy. “You lazy ass b*tches never heard of a gym?” she questioned. “It’s called eating healthy. It’s called being on tour. Like what the hell. Maybe if I was sitting at home all day it’d be easier to stay big.”
Cam’ron’s Talk Show ‘Talk With Flee’ To Debut On Revolt TV
Cam’ron is bringing the vibes to your TV screen. His talk show “Talk with Flee!” will make its debut on REVOLT TV on Wednesday, August 12 at 10 PM. Currently, the show is currently hosted on YouTube and 15 episodes have aired to date. “Fresh off a multi-million-dollar deal with REVOLT, Cam’ron is bringing his wildly popular podcast from YouTube straight to REVOLT, leveling up with bigger guests, bolder opinions, and zero filter,” the news release read. “This isn’t your average celebrity chat. “Talk with Flee!” is pure Cam’ron: raw, hilarious, and unapologetically real. From celebrity stories to cultural commentary, it’s the perfect storm of personality and perspective that REVOLT was built for,” the news release continued. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @mr_camron In Wednesday’s premiere episode, Cam’ron discusses his ongoing feud with Omar Gooding and how he paid him $3k for a role in a movie that’s never happened, clapping back at Johnny Manziel, his take on Cam Newton and Gillie the Kid’s beef, and his new hustle “Book My Opps.” Back in June, Cam announced on social media that he signed a book deal worth $750,000 with Simon and Schuster to write his memoir, which he hopes will be released next year. “I’m happy to have this deal done,” he said in a press release. “Hopefully, the book will be released in February of 2026, and that everyone can take something from my memoir when they read it.” On the sports side of his media empire, Cam still hosts his popular sports show, It Is What It Is, with his cohosts Mase and Treasure Wilson.
RZA Suggest Another Wu-Tang Clan Member’s Name For Rihanna & A$AP Rocky’s New Child
RZA already has a name in mind for Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s next child, , Speaking with PEOPLE at the premiere of Nobody 2 on Monday, Aug. 11, the Wu-Tang Clan leader had a suggestion for the power couple. “You know what? OBD, because you know the legend must live on,” RZA joked. Previously, RZA told CNN in 2023 that it was a “great honor” that Rihanna and Rocky chose his name for their child. “[It’s] a great honor to know that there’s another generation that’s not even of my own household that feels the strength and the inspiration of that name,” RZA told the outlet. “RZA isn’t only a name, it’s a title,” he went on. “So it’s an honor, and I salute her and A$AP and their family. All the blessings in the world from me.” As for Rihana and Rocky, they are looking forward to expanding their family, according to a source close to the situation. “Rihanna and Rocky couldn’t be more thrilled to be growing their family again with baby number three,” the source told PEOPLE. “They’ve really embraced this chapter, and their bond has only deepened since becoming parents.” Rocky “has been incredibly attentive and nurturing throughout this pregnancy,” said the source. While they may not have a name yet, it will definitely begin with the letter R. “It’s always going to be an R name. That’s the one thing me and Rocky don’t fight over,” Rihanna told Entertainment Tonight. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have two sons. Their first son, RZA, was born in May 2022, and their second son, Riot, was born in August 2023.
Latto Explains How She Found The Right Partner
Latto is starting the year with a confident outlook on both music and relationships, offering advice that reflects her own journey. With her single “Somebody” out and a new album in the works, she recently spoke with Billboard about love, attraction, and the value of keeping certain things to yourself. For her, finding the right partner began with focusing inward. “I think I stumbled upon my person by just investing in and building myself up. Then I attracted someone who was on the same wavelength, the same frequency,” she explained. “Too many times, we try to chase it instead of being it ourselves. When you are that, it naturally attracts to you. You gotta be that first, that’s step one.” When it comes to what she looks for, Latto says loyalty and confidence matter most. “I am a very loyal person, so I value loyalty, just having my back and being there for me,” she said. “A confident man is going to respect you, respect himself and carry himself a certain way while respecting the relationship.” Privacy is another priority. Latto believes it helps relationships stay authentic and protected. “Privacy a hundred thousand percent keeps things real. It keeps people out of your business. Evil eyes are real, people will hate and wish bad on you. I’d rather have people out my business,” she shared. To her, the strongest relationships are built on a united front, with both partners focused on each other instead of outside noise. Her recent D’USSÉ campaign played on the mystery surrounding her love life, but her real message is less about teasing and more about empowering others. For Latto, love works best when you know your value, stand firm in who you are, and allow the right person to meet you where you are.
Benzino Turns OnlyFans Into A Gym Gains Showcase
Benzino is stepping into a new era, using his fitness progress as the centerpiece of his public image. The Boston native, now 60, has updated his OnlyFans platform to highlight his dedication to the gym. Originally launched in 2020, the account will now showcase the transformation he has worked hard to achieve, and he wants fans to start calling him “King Zeno.” Recently, he explained his motivation during an Instagram post, telling followers, “The only reason I got OnlyFans is because I work out, so I like to show my body.” He says his training schedule has him in the gym five days a week and believes his audience will enjoy the results as much as he does. The page will feature workout routines, fitness tips, progress shots, and plenty of shirtless appearances. While focusing on health and physique, Benzino has still found time to address his critics. He recently took aim at Fat Joe over comments about the cancellation of the BET Hip-Hop Awards. “Why Fat Joe said it’s gentrification, after they let his a** host the awards two years earlier?” he asked. “The ratings were the worst ever after he hosted it. Was it gentrification when you was hosting it, Joey? Stop, man. Joe, you’re putting out too much misinformation on the internet, bro. You gotta do better, man.” His other target has been 50 Cent, who posted one of Benzino’s recent freestyles in a mocking light. Responding from the gym, Benzino said, “I just put a little video out… just minding my business… I see your man Curtis posted it. This n***a really… he really f**k with Zino huh? I tell you what, though, the boxing challenge still there. I’m down to make a couple of m’s. I’ll go three rounds with your goofy a**.” He also challenged 50 to deliver a better verse.
Raekwon And Mobb Deep Announce North American Tour
Rag legends Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan and Havoc of Mobb Deep have announced a co-headlining tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of two of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time—Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… and Mobb Deep’s The Infamous. During each set of the show, Raekwon and Havoc will perform all their hits together for the very first time. According to the press release, “each night will feature a dynamic, collaborative performance, with Raekwon and Mobb Deep flowing in and out of each other’s sets to deliver one seamless, career-spanning show.” Produced by Live Nation and presented by LOUD Live, the 19-city run launches on November 13 in Portland, OR, and hits major markets including Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, New York, and more before wrapping on December 15 in Miami Beach, FL. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wu Tang Clan (@wutangclan) “Me and Havoc from Mobb will be pure hip-hop at its finest. This is gonna take rap shows to the next level—guaranteed!, Raekwon said in a statement. “The fans can expect nothing less than pure, raw, unfiltered energy on stage,” Havoc added. “I’m excited to celebrate these two legendary albums—the world doesn’t exist to me without that purple tape in it. This will be a tour the fans will never forget.” This tour defines what hip-hop means to the culture—30 years of greatness, and two Top 10 hip-hop albums of all time. Raekwon and Mobb Deep have supported each other for over three decades,” Steve Rifkind, CEO of LOUD Live, added. “ The Loud Wu-Tang family and Mobb Deep family have been through it all together. When this tour comes to your city, you’re definitely going to witness greatness at its best—with a ton of surprises.” Tickets will be available starting with artist presales beginning Wednesday, August 13, at 10 AM local time. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, August 15 at 10 AM local time at LiveNation.com.
Eminem Shares His 17 Year Sobriety Journey
Eminem is opening up about his 17-year sobriety journey During a recent interview with PEOPLE, Eminem experienced a near-fatal overdose in 2007, which caused him to radically change his life. In his new documentary STANS, he reveals the steps he took to save his life. “After the overdose, I came home going, ‘Yo, bro, I need something… I’m going to die if I don’t do something,” Em said. He went on to describe he was coming off a “vicious cycle” of feeling “depressed” and needing “more pills “ and woke up one day in the hospital. “I didn’t know what the f— happened. It seemed like I fell asleep, and I woke up with tubes in me and s—. I wanted to get up. I couldn’t move,” he said. Following overdose, made his 2009 album Relapse and began the recovery process. You’ve gotta do something different,’” Em said after the lukewarm response the the LP. “Why don’t you try embracing sobriety?” He continues, “I realized I’m not embarrassed anymore about it, and I started treating sobriety like a superpower. I was proud of the fact that I could quit.” In STANS, which takes his name after his classic song from 2000, viewers will witness the “complicated relationship between one of the world’s most private artists and his massive public persona,” according to the synopsis of the doc. “Through stylized recreations, rare archival footage, intimate interviews, and an exclusive original interview with Eminem himself, it offers a raw, loud, and revealing journey across his career — and the passionate audience that has grown with him,” it continues. STANS will be available to stream internationally on Paramount+ later this year.