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
HBCU Endowments vs. Harvard’s $53.2 billion

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

'Sinners' Cast: Where Are They Now?

‘Sinners’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Now that Ryan Coogler’s vampire epic ‘Sinners’ has officially won the 2026 Awards season, let’s take a look at the next major moves for Michael B. Jordan and the cast! …
These 13 Beloved White Hollywood Icons Have a Racist Past

These 13 Beloved White Hollywood Icons Have a Racist Past

From John Wayne to Doris Day, these 13 Hollywood stars have been accused of being racist …
Hey Timothy Chalamet! Ballet is Alive, and Black Women are Sustaining It

Hey Timothy Chalamet! Ballet is Alive, and Black Women are Sustaining It

Timothée Chalamet may think ballet is dead, but these Black women have used their talent and artistry to keep Alvin Ailey’s commitment to the genre alive …
Black Models on 'The Price is Right' Share Shocking Experiences

Black Models on ‘The Price is Right’ Share Shocking Experiences

Kathleen Bradley and Claudia Jordan, two of the few Black models working on ‘The Price Is Right’ is spilling all the sordid details about their time working on the show! …
A Sad Ending to the Breonna Taylor Case

A Sad Ending to the Breonna Taylor Case

Officers accused of faking court documents for the “no-knock” warrant leading to Breonna Taylor’s killing have now received good news …
Meagan Good Finally Reveals Wedding Photos to Jonathan Majors

Meagan Good Finally Reveals Wedding Photos to Jonathan Majors

Meagan Good and Jonathan Major wed during a private ceremony in March 2025. And now we’ve got a look at their love-filled day! …
Justin Timberlake’s 2024 DWI Bodycam Is Finally Out, and It’s Hilarious

Justin Timberlake’s 2024 DWI Bodycam Is Finally Out, and It’s Hilarious

Newly released bodycam footage shows Justin Timberlake during his 2024 Hamptons arrest for driving while intoxicated, capturing his interactions with Sag Harbor police and fans’ reactions online …
You Won’t Believe This Black Chicago Mom’s Real-Life Goldilocks Nightmare

You Won’t Believe This Black Chicago Mom’s Real-Life Goldilocks Nightmare

Imagine coming home to strangers naked in your bed. That’s what happened to one Chicago mom, whose nightmare was just getting started …
A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

From a coin with Trump’s face on it to renaming several buildings in his honor, here’s everything President Trump has named or renamed after himself …
Meet the Trailblazing Black Woman Who Made FaceTime and Zoom Possible

Meet the Trailblazing Black Woman Who Made FaceTime and Zoom Possible

Exclusive: The Root caught up with Dr. Marian Rogers Croak, a trailblazer who leads Google’s work in human-centered AI and machine learning …
Black Americans Have Strong Reactions to Trump's Deployment of ICE Agents at U.S. Airports

Black Americans Have Strong Reactions to Trump’s Deployment of ICE Agents at U.S. Airports

Trump announced ICE agents will be stationed at airports across the country starting on March 23, and you can bet Black folks had plenty of thoughts …
 Doja Cat's Father Blames Her White Mother for 'Deadbeat' Claims

 Doja Cat’s Father Blames Her White Mother for ‘Deadbeat’ Claims

After making allegations about her parent being a deadbeat and trolling him on social media, Doja Cat is now embroiled in a messy back and forth with her own father! …
100 Years After Black Family Is Run Out of White California Town, Their Descendants Claim What's Rightfully Theirs

100 Years After Black Family Is Run Out of White California Town, Their Descendants Claim What’s Rightfully Theirs

Sidney Dearing and his family became the first Black people to ever buy a home in Piedmont, Calif. Then, they were chased out within a year …
All About Nene Leakes Long-Awaited Return

All About Nene Leakes Long-Awaited Return

Nene Leakes in finally heading back to Bravo! And now, the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ alum is sharing her feelings about it …
What We Know About Usher, Justin Bieber’s Confrontation at Beyonce’s Oscar Party

What We Know About Usher, Justin Bieber’s Confrontation at Beyonce’s Oscar Party

Usher was Justin Bieber’s mentor early on in his career, but now it seems like the two may not be in good-standing with each other. Let’s get into it! …
Chadwick Boseman's Widow Shares New Details About the Late Actor's Cancer Journey

Chadwick Boseman’s Widow Shares New Details About the Late Actor’s Cancer Journey

Simone Ledward Boseman is getting candid in a new interview about the late, beloved actor Chadwick Boseman and his health journey …
Black Women Are Being Forced Into C-Sections—With The Court's Backing

Black Women Are Being Forced Into C-Sections—With The Court’s Backing

For Cherise Doyley and Brianna Bennett, the battle for bodily autonomy played out at their hospital bedsides, where virtual court hearings allowed judges to prioritize the perceived health of their unborn children over their right to refuse C-sections …
New Clues To What Jay-Z is Up To

New Clues To What Jay-Z is Up To

After nearly a decade since Jay-Z’s last album, rumors about new music are circulating from fans gearing up for his first performance in years …
Devastating Update for Billion-Dollar Whiskey Brand 'Uncle Nearest' Amid $100 Million Lawsuit

Devastating Update for Billion-Dollar Whiskey Brand ‘Uncle Nearest’ Amid $100 Million Lawsuit

The Black-owned brand was cemented as the fastest growing whiskey company in the U.S. Now, the legacy is at risk …
Solange's Son Julez Clears Up Speculation About His Sexuality

Solange’s Son Julez Clears Up Speculation About His Sexuality

Solange’s only child Julez Smith is opening up about his sexuality and sparking some discourse online! …