Lip Reader Interprets Barack Obama’s Exchange With George W. Bush, Black Pastor Gets Dragged For Giving Inauguration Prayer, Cam Newton Gets Real About Post-NFL Finances, Lori Harvey’s New Glittery Playboy Spread And More

The most vital culture articles from the last seven days.

Lip Reader’s Interpretation of Barack Obama’s Exchange With George W. Bush Confirms What We’re All Thinking

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: (L-R) Former U.S. President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and former U.S. President Barack Obama arrive to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 Photo: Getty Images Chip Somodevilla

Like our Forever First Lady Michelle Obama, you may not have wanted to be a guest at now-President Donald Trump’s inauguration. But odds are you wouldn’t mind being served just a little tea about what former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were talking about while watching Trump take his oath of office for the second time. – Angela Johnson Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Meet the Masterminds Behind the Beats: Celebrating Black Music Producers by Region

Internet Dragged to Hell Black Pastor Who Gave Inauguration Prayer

Photo: Getty Images Saul Loeb – Pool

If you didn’t know who Pastor Lorenzo Sewell was before, you might definitely know now after his fiery prayer at the presidential inauguration. However, social media users weren’t so moved by his words. In fact, some were offended. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Cam Newton Gets Candid About Caring For 8 Children With Post-NFL Finances

Photo: Getty Images Andrew Toth

Cam Newton was once one of the most popular and exciting players in the NFL. His exploits on the field were so incredible that many called him “Superman.” But now that he’s out of the league, he feels like he can’t be called that anymore. – Noah A. McGee Read More

The Internet Is Drooling Over Lori Harvey’s New Glittery Playboy Spread

Lori Harvey at the premiere of Peacock’s “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” held at Jazz at Lincoln Center on September 4, 2024 in New York City. Image: Getty Images John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

Socialite Lori Harvey has become the first woman to grace Playboy magazine’s print issue in five years. The iconic media brand announced Thursday that it was bringing back its print magazine with Harvey as its glittery cover in a glossy video shared to Instagram. – Emell Adolphus Read More

MLK’s Daughter Got Somethin’ to Say About Viral Trump Inauguration Prayer

Photo: Getty Images Nykieria Chaney, Saul Loeb

The attention Pastor Lorenzo Sewell has been receiving since his fiery, MLK-inspired prayer at the presidential inauguration hasn’t been all positive. Aside from internet trolls who dragged him to hell for his theatrics, the civil rights leader’s own daughter shared a unique reaction to the viral moment. – Kalyn Womack Read More

The Origin Story of a Viral TikTok “My Shayla” Sound is Actually Pretty Sad, Or Funny, Depending On Who You Ask

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 27: Tyrese Gibson speaks onstage during the “1992″ Los Angeles Premiere at Regal LA Live on August 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Jon Kopaloff

Sharing your hurt feelings on social media can be cathartic for some – a way to release the bad and make room for the good with a few thousand of your closest friends. But what you put on the timeline can sometimes come back in the form of negative comments or even memes that make your pain the butt of other people’s jokes. If you don’t believe us, just ask Tyrese Gibson whose sincere cries for help have turned into the popular “My Shayla” and “This is all I got” sounds that have been used all over TikTok. – Angela Johnson Read More

The Internet is So Mad At Oprah About Weight Loss Comments. Here’s The Tea

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 12: Oprah Winfrey, Global Media Leader speaks on stage in conversation with Gayle King, Co-host, CBS Mornings, Editor-at-Large, Oprah Daily (not pictured) during 2024 Massachusetts Conference for Women at Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on December 12, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Getty Images Marla Aufmuth

Oprah Winfrey’s weight loss journey has played out in the public eye for decades, including her shocking 2003 revelation that she had been losing weight with the help of an undisclosed GLP-1 medication. On the latest episode of “The Oprah Podcast,” the media mogul sat down with Dr. Ania Jastreboff, an endocrinologist and associate professor at the Yale School of Medicine, to talk all things GLP-1. During their discussion, Winfrey revealed how her impression of naturally thin people changed after she incorporated the drugs into her weight loss plan. – Angela Johnson Read More

Did You Know Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dad Changed His Name? Here’s The Inspiring Reason Why

Photo: Getty Images Stephen F. Somerstein, Archive

The name we recognize today as one of the most powerful voices during the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr., was originally not named “Martin Luther.” His father decided to change their names when he was just a toddler. The reason why may shock you. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Black Professor Defines ‘Oligarchy’ And What Makes It Dangerous to America

Photo: Getty Images Getty

– Lawrence Ware Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

All the Fly Fashions Fans Are Popping Out With to See New Michael Jackson Movie

All the Fly Fashions Fans Are Popping Out With to See New Michael Jackson Movie

Fans are showing up and showing all the way out to go see the new Michael Jackson movie. But if you don’t know what to wear, don’t worry—we got you! …
From the 'Red Record' to the iPhone: 15 Times Journalism Saved Black Lives

From the ‘Red Record’ to the iPhone: 15 Times Journalism Saved Black Lives

Take a look at the investigative work that has and continues to shape the Black experience in this country …
How Ryan Clark Went From NFL Star to Media Mogul

How Ryan Clark Went From NFL Star to Media Mogul

The Emmy-winning analyst is bridging the gap between authenticity and expert analysis, one viral conversation at a time …
Can Democrats Flip Senate From Republicans? The Four Key Seats They Need

Can Democrats Flip Senate From Republicans? The Four Key Seats They Need

Democrats haven’t had a clear majority in the U.S. Senate in years… but now, a perfect storm is brewing which would finally put them at an advantage …
Brian McKnight Stirs Up New Drama With Son, and Fans Are Fed Up

Brian McKnight Stirs Up New Drama With Son, and Fans Are Fed Up

Drama is still brewing between Brian McKnight and his oldest son, and the singer’s latest lawsuit has outraged the internet. Here’s what we know …
Exclusive: ACLU Animator Dishes on New Series That Educates Kids on Their Constitutional Rights

Exclusive: ACLU Animator Dishes on New Series That Educates Kids on Their Constitutional Rights

After launching “Know Your Rights University” with the ACLU, Black animator Brandon Lake spoke with us about what it took to get to this point …
The Gut-Wrenching Crisis of Deed Theft in New York, Snatching Black Families from the Homes They’ve Owned for Generations

The Gut-Wrenching Crisis of Deed Theft in New York, Snatching Black Families from the Homes They’ve Owned for Generations

Long-standing Black homeowners in Brooklyn are being targeted by deed theft scams that have led to the loss of their most valuable asset …
This 82-Year-Old Black Fitness Influencer's Workout Routine Will Shock You

This 82-Year-Old Black Fitness Influencer’s Workout Routine Will Shock You

82-year-old fitness influencer Annie Judis is motivating folks to stay healthy with her impressive workout routine …
Who Is D4vd? The Texas Singer Being Investigated for Murder

Who Is D4vd? The Texas Singer Being Investigated for Murder

D4vd has been arrested in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas. Now, we’re catching you up on everything that led to his arrest …
With Virginia Redistricting Win, Democrats Are Playing Hardball, and They May Have One Black State Senator to Thank

With Virginia Redistricting Win, Democrats Are Playing Hardball, and They May Have One Black State Senator to Thank

Twenty-five years after Republicans redrew Virginia voting maps to shut out a Black female senator, it seems the Democrats are back with a vengeance in 2026 …
Black Woman Changes Her Race on Hinge and the Results Reveal a Startling Truth

Black Woman Changes Her Race on Hinge and the Results Reveal a Startling Truth

If you’re a Black woman failing to get matches on dating apps, it might be because the apps algorithm is hiding your profile …
Solange Debuts New Shaved Hairstyle, But You'll Never Guess How Mom Tina Knowles Responds

Solange Debuts New Shaved Hairstyle, But You’ll Never Guess How Mom Tina Knowles Responds

Solange has never shied away from trying new styles and new looks. And this time around, her mother Tina is sharing some interesting insight about her latest choice! …
Expert: Abuse Rarely Starts With Bruises—Here’s How to Recognize It and Leave Safely

Expert: Abuse Rarely Starts With Bruises—Here’s How to Recognize It and Leave Safely

We spoke with a gender-based violence prevention expert about how abuse starts long before violence becomes visible. She outlines early warning signs and steps for safely leaving …
New Development in Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect—And Things Aren't Looking Good

New Development in Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect—And Things Aren’t Looking Good

Things are steadily going on a downward spiral for Ivana Ortiz, the woman accused of shooting Rihanna’s LA home in March. Here’s the latest …
Exclusive: Scott Evans Breaks Down How He Created a Safe Space For Black Stars on His Viral YouTube Series

Exclusive: Scott Evans Breaks Down How He Created a Safe Space For Black Stars on His Viral YouTube Series

In an exclusive interview, Scott Evans details his journey as an influential Black media figure and his ultimate duty to the Black community …
Why You Should Not Listen To The Critics Of Michael

Why You Should Not Listen To The Critics Of Michael

Critics are arguing with a movie that was never trying to be what they wanted …
Black Woman Chased by Zara Employees Speaks Out After Viral Mall Incident

Black Woman Chased by Zara Employees Speaks Out After Viral Mall Incident

“Shopping while Black” strikes again after a Black woman went viral being chased out of a Zara store for alleged theft, which police later determined was baseless …
Janet Jackson Responds to Teyana Taylor's Recreation of One of Her Iconic '90s Looks

Janet Jackson Responds to Teyana Taylor’s Recreation of One of Her Iconic ’90s Looks

Teyana Taylor has paid homage to Janet Jackson before, but this time around she’s recreating yet another iconic look! And now Janet herself and fans all over are speaking out about it …
How Trump’s Budget Cuts Are Directly Linked to Hundreds of Thousands of Preventable Deaths

How Trump’s Budget Cuts Are Directly Linked to Hundreds of Thousands of Preventable Deaths

16.5 million uninsured. Toxic air. Global famine. The high price of Trump’s 2026 budget is paid in American lives— and its only getting worse …
Popular Civil Rights Nonprofit’s Shocking Connections to the Ku Klux Klan Alleged in DOJ Indictment

Popular Civil Rights Nonprofit’s Shocking Connections to the Ku Klux Klan Alleged in DOJ Indictment

After the FBI severed ties with Southern Poverty Law Center in October, an 11-count indictment against the civil rights nonprofit is now raising serious alarms …