Usher Talks About Hugging Alicia Keys On Stage, Malia Obama Changes Her Name, A Peek into Nelly’s Old Mansion and More Celeb News

A collection of The Root’s best posts of the week in entertainment

Photo: Getty Images Ryan Kang

Usher Finally Speaks Out About His Cozy Hug With Alicia Keys During Super Bowl

Photo: Getty Images Ryan Kang Photo: Getty Images Ryan Kang

Usher heard all the chatter after his electric performance during the Super Bowl Halftime Show in Las Vegas. While many acknowledge how incredible he was on stage, people on social media had a lot of thoughts about that hug he gave fellow R&B legend Alicia Keys. – Noah A. McGee Read More

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

Obama’s Daughter Just Made a Major Change to Her Name, But Haters Can’t Stop Hating…

Photo: Getty Images Dia Dipasupil Photo: Getty Images Dia Dipasupil

If you want to get a table at a fancy New York restaurant or an internship at a Fortune 500 company, the Obama name can probably get you pretty far. But if you’re an aspiring young filmmaker just trying to get your career off the ground, the name might cause more harm than good – something Malia Obama is learning. – Angela Johnson Read More

Comedians Eddie Griffin, Corey Holcomb, Donell Rawlings Shock Audiences With Unfunny Comments

Photo: Getty Images Rodin Eckenroth, Phillip Faraone, Jamie McCarthy Photo: Getty Images Rodin Eckenroth, Phillip Faraone, Jamie McCarthy

The comedy world isn’t always fun and games. If there’s one thing we learned from Katt Williams’ explosive appearance on “Club Shay Shay,” it’s that comedians have more beefs than rappers. That notion was on full display during a recent stand up show by Donell Rawlings, who had words for Corey Holcomb. – Stephanie Holland Read More

Inside Nelly’s Abandoned, Mysterious Missouri Mansion

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Fair Use’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}] Youtube.com Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Fair Use’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}] Youtube.com

This month, groups of TikTokers found their way into Grammy-winning rapper Nelly’s abandoned mansion in his home state of Missouri.

The potentially beautiful home sits on 12 acres of land which includes a private basketball court, a three-car garage and a bunch of unfinished rooms. The unwelcome visitors have documented the state of the crumbling, mildew-filled estate and have even discovered that others before them trashed the place. Here is what the house looked like after it was sold in 2021. – Amira Castilla Read More

Kelly Rowland’s Rep Finally Speaks About ‘Today’ Show Dressing Room Debacle

Photo: Getty Images Nathan Congleton Photo: Getty Images Nathan Congleton

Over the last week, there have been numerous reports of singer and actress Kelly Rowland walking off the set of the “Today” set due to her dressing room being too small. Now, the star’s rep Yvette Noel-Schure has spoken out on her behalf. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Sherri Shepherd Shades Kelly Rowland’s ‘TODAY’ Show Treatment With This Comment

Photo: Getty Images Bryan Bedder/Variety Photo: Getty Images Bryan Bedder/Variety

If there’s one thing we love to see, it’s Black women showing love to one another and making each other feel seen and heard. And that’s exactly what singer and actress Kelly Rowland did when she stopped by “The Sherri Show” on Friday to promote her new film, “Mea Culpa,” directed by Tyler Perry. – Shanelle Genai Read More

TLC’s Chilli Says She’s ‘Caramel’ Not ‘Chocolate’ and the Black Internet Loses Its Mind

Photo: Getty Images Dia Dipasupil Photo: Getty Images Dia Dipasupil

Social media is a wild, insane place where we spend a ridiculous amount of our time. It doesn’t matter how innocuous the post is, someone will find a way to hate on your fun, happy moment. Music star Chilli recently found herself on the receiving end of negativity over what was a seemingly innocent post. – Stephanie Holland Read More

Here’s Why People Think That Solange and Beyoncé Are Beefing

Photo: Getty Images MEGA / Contributor Photo: Getty Images MEGA / Contributor

Are the Knowles sisters on bad terms? After people couldn’t find more than one picture of Beyoncé and Solange together last week for the “Cranes in the Sky” singer’s son Julez Smith, Jr.’s Luar runway walk at New York Fashion Week, fans believed their theories were true. During the Luar show, Bey and Tina Knowles sat together as they were swarmed by paparazzi, while Solange was in a different part of the room sitting alone, taking pictures and videos of her son. – Amira Castilla Read More

‘Abbott Elementary’ Star Janelle James Reveals Who Inspired How She Plays Ava

James also shares which cast member on the ABC hit comedy makes her laugh most and whether or not there’s more stand-up in her future.

Presidents Day: Astronaut Leland Melvin On ‘The Space Race’ and JFK’s Role In Diversifying NASA

National Geographic’s new documentary, produced by Melvin, uncovers the history of Black engineers and scientists who made early space exploration possible.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Do You Know the Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, the Gorgeous Soul Singer?

Do You Know the Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, the Gorgeous Soul Singer?

The soulful singer, known for hits like “Living All Alone” and “You Know How to Love Me” died just days before her 46th birthday …
How Ray Charles Outsmarted the Industry and Became Ultra Rich

How Ray Charles Outsmarted the Industry and Became Ultra Rich

The Genius of Ray Charles: How a Blind Artist Outmaneuvered the Industry and became a business gangsta …
Why Michael B. Jordan's Oscar Win Isn't Feeling the Love From Judge Joe Brown

Why Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar Win Isn’t Feeling the Love From Judge Joe Brown

While many are ecstatic over Michael B. Jordan’s long-awaited Oscar win, Judge Joe Brown says it’s not all it’s cracked up to be …
A Year After Eaton Wildfires Devastated this Historic Black Neighborhood, a Full Investigation Begins

A Year After Eaton Wildfires Devastated this Historic Black Neighborhood, a Full Investigation Begins

Calif. AG Rob Bonta is investigating whether systemic racism impacted how emergency responders reacted to devastating Eaton wildfires …
Don Lemon Shares His Frightening Connection to Rihanna Shooting Incident

Don Lemon Shares His Frightening Connection to Rihanna Shooting Incident

Don Lemon, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday with Rihanna, is opening up about the eerie connection he had to her home shooting …
New Twist in Nia Long's Allege Stalker Drama

New Twist in Nia Long’s Allege Stalker Drama

‘The Best Man’ actress seeks court protection for her family following a two-year pattern of alleged harassment and a terrifying weekend encounter …
What J. Cole Says About Drake and Kendrick Will Surprise You

What J. Cole Says About Drake and Kendrick Will Surprise You

J. Cole said he was “disgusted” that the world turned on Drake during his beef against Kendrick Lamar …
Jay-Z Speaks On The Sexual Assault Lawsuit and How Blue Ivy Showed Support

Jay-Z Speaks On The Sexual Assault Lawsuit and How Blue Ivy Showed Support

Jay-Z doesn’t speak much, but in a rare interview, he’s finally sharing his thoughts about that shocking sexual assault lawsuit lobbed against him and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in 2024 …
Phoenix Police Invented a Gang to Frame 18 Protestors. Now, They’re Walking Away Scot-Free

Phoenix Police Invented a Gang to Frame 18 Protestors. Now, They’re Walking Away Scot-Free

18 Phoenix protesters were arrested in 2020 and was falsely charged as gang members— and the badge-wearing culprits will not face consequences …
During Midterm Political Season, These Black Women Could Make History

During Midterm Political Season, These Black Women Could Make History

From Juilanna Stratton to Keisha Lance Bottoms, these women are looking to make history this upcoming midterm election season …
Prison Bae Jeremy Meeks Speaks Out on the Mugshot That Made Him a Viral Sensation

Prison Bae Jeremy Meeks Speaks Out on the Mugshot That Made Him a Viral Sensation

After going viral in 2014 for his mugshot, Prison Bae Jeremy Meeks is explaining what it was like to go viral while in prison …
Trump Urges Congress to Pass His SAVE Act in Jesus' Name

Trump Urges Congress to Pass His SAVE Act in Jesus’ Name

President Trump is pulling on the faith of Congress members as he pushes a new plan to pass the controversial SAVE Act …
5 Major Music Moments You Won't Want to Miss in the New Michael Jackson Biopic

5 Major Music Moments You Won’t Want to Miss in the New Michael Jackson Biopic

The highly-anticipated Michael Jackson movie is set to hit theaters April 24. Here’s some of the major music moments it’s going to include, based off the trailers! …
Uncle Luke Told The Truth About The Democrats' Black Men Problem

Uncle Luke Told The Truth About The Democrats’ Black Men Problem

Uncle Luke isn’t speculating. He’s reporting what Black men have been saying for years. Just no one was listening …
Black Snape Actor Recalls Death Treats From Harry Potter Fans 

Black Snape Actor Recalls Death Treats From Harry Potter Fans 

British star Paapa Essidu is finally responding to the racist backlash he’s received since signing on to portray this classic Harry Potter anti-hero …
Hey Timothée Chalamet! Ballet is Alive, and Black Women are Sustaining It

Hey Timothée 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 …