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
Tyler Perry Deals ‘Mind Crack’, According to Judge Joe Brown

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

The Most Exciting Tours From Black Artists in 2026!

The Most Exciting Tours From Black Artists in 2026!

From Jay-Z to Usher—a lot our music faves are hitting the road for some amazing tours. Let’s check out who and when! …
This Fashion TikToker Creates Viral Looks With Things Others Throw Away

This Fashion TikToker Creates Viral Looks With Things Others Throw Away

Folks on TikTok can’t get enough of this young Ethiopian fashion creator’s incredible sense of style and talent …
Black Virginia Lt. Governor and Wife Shot Dead in Harrowing Murder-Suicide

Black Virginia Lt. Governor and Wife Shot Dead in Harrowing Murder-Suicide

Justin Fairfax made history as the second Black man elected as lieutenant governor in Virginia. Now, police say that trailblazer shot his wife, then himself …
After Trump Fired Bondi, Noem, Are These 5 Officials Next?

After Trump Fired Bondi, Noem, Are These 5 Officials Next?

Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel are among the top picks of folks President Trump will fire next… And that’s not all …
The Trump Administration Continues to Ignore Black Maternal, Infant Health

The Trump Administration Continues to Ignore Black Maternal, Infant Health

Black Maternal Health Week reminds us we’re still fighting systemic neglect, rising costs and a food apartheid that fuels unequal care for Black mothers …
Mary Mary Singer's Husband Files for Divorce After 25 Years of Marriage

Mary Mary Singer’s Husband Files for Divorce After 25 Years of Marriage

After 25 years of marriage and a public struggle to stay together, the husband of one member of the gospel duo Mary Mary has filed for divorce …
Taraji P. Henson Breaks Silence on the Hollywood Politics That Stalled Her Career Growth After 'Baby Boy'

Taraji P. Henson Breaks Silence on the Hollywood Politics That Stalled Her Career Growth After ‘Baby Boy’

Taraji P. Henson has always been transparent about her career. Now, she’s opening up about how she and Tyrese took different paths after ‘Baby Boy.’ …
Al Sharpton On Three Major Threats to Black Voters in 2026

Al Sharpton On Three Major Threats to Black Voters in 2026

In an Exclusive interview, Rev. Sharpton warns that the “tricks” of 2026 are designed to silence Black influence …
Nick Cannon Makes Shocking Claim About Bible’s ‘Tales’ and the Internet Has Some Thoughts

Nick Cannon Makes Shocking Claim About Bible’s ‘Tales’ and the Internet Has Some Thoughts

It’s never a dull day when you have Nick Cannon letting off his latest controversial take. This time it’s about the Bible. Let’s get into it! …
New Development in Influencer Ashlee Jenae's Mysterious Death on Vacation

New Development in Influencer Ashlee Jenae’s Mysterious Death on Vacation

New details have emerged about influencer Ashlee Jenae’s death in Tanzania …
The Untold Story Flau'jae Johnson, The WNBA Star Who Rose From Tragedy to Triumph

The Untold Story Flau’jae Johnson, The WNBA Star Who Rose From Tragedy to Triumph

You might recognize Flau’jae Johnson as a star player for LSU basketball or from “The Rap Game,” but how well do you really know the 8th overall WNBA draft pick? …
You'll Never Guess Who Joe Biden Reportedly Wanted as His Vice President Instead of Kamala Harris

You’ll Never Guess Who Joe Biden Reportedly Wanted as His Vice President Instead of Kamala Harris

Before naming Kamala Harris as his running mate back in 2020, Joe Biden reportedly had another woman in mind …
Why ‘Michael’ Star Jaafar Jackson’s Special Visit to the King of Pop’s Hometown Had Fans in Tears

Why ‘Michael’ Star Jaafar Jackson’s Special Visit to the King of Pop’s Hometown Had Fans in Tears

Jaafar Jackson, who’s set to portray his ‘King of Pop’ uncle in the new Michael Jackson movie, recently visited Gary, IN. And you’ve got to see what happened next! …
Everything You Need to Know About the U.S. Military's Plans to Automatically Enroll Young Men in the Draft This Year

Everything You Need to Know About the U.S. Military’s Plans to Automatically Enroll Young Men in the Draft This Year

Starting this year, the U.S. government is officially flipping the switch on Automatic Draft Registration. Here’s everything you need to know …
Jackie Robinson Broke the Color Line, Professional Baseball Rebuilt It

Jackie Robinson Broke the Color Line, Professional Baseball Rebuilt It

Today, Major League Baseball will celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, but it ignores the system pushing Black players out of the game …
Photo: Getty Images Addis Wechsler Pictures

11 Reasons Love Jones Is a Romance for The Ages

The 1997 romantic comedy still gives fans the feels nearly three decades later, but star Nia Long says the film was a box office flop …
Exclusive: Raphael Warnock Breaks Down the Real Problem with Trump's Version of 'Christianity'

Exclusive: Raphael Warnock Breaks Down the Real Problem with Trump’s Version of ‘Christianity’

“In Donald Trump’s White House, Jesus is a victim of identity theft,” Sen. Raphael Warnock told The Root in an exclusive interview …
Hispanic Woman Now Suing After She Was Denied Benefits Meant for Black Moms in California

Hispanic Woman Now Suing After She Was Denied Benefits Meant for Black Moms in California

A non-Black woman is suing because she wasn’t allowed benefits from a program specifically designed to help Black mothers in California …
All About The Pope's Black, Creole Roots

All About The Pope’s Black, Creole Roots

While President Trump is in a one-sided war of words with the head of the Catholic church, we’re taking a closer look at the Chicago-born pope’s background …
Nia Long’s Brutally Honest Take on Dating After Divorce Has Fans Loving Her Even More

Nia Long’s Brutally Honest Take on Dating After Divorce Has Fans Loving Her Even More

Nia Long is making it clear she’s putting herself first and that she’s only dealing with a certain type of man when it comes to dating. And the internet is loving it! …