Hours after his release from prison yesterday, rapper Meek Mill told reporters, “I always had confidence it was going this way, but I didn’t know when it would happen and I’d be free.” He continued, “It looked like it was going to take months more.”
Meek Mill, whose real name is Robert Williams, was arrested in August 2017 for reckless driving. It happened while he was riding a dirt bike in New York filming a music video.
Although the charges were later dropped, a judge ruled the arrest itself was a breach of his probation. He’d been on probation since 2008, when he was convicted on drug dealing and gun charges.
However, the decision to jail him last November came as a surprise.
His lawyers announced they were going to appeal, claiming he was being unfairly punished and that Meek Mill had turned his life around and was now a role model to others in a similar position.
Kevin Hart, Beyonce and Jay Z were all part of the campaign to free him.
Meek attended the Philadelphia 76ers game last night. He entered the arena about 45 minutes before tipoff and rang the ceremonial Liberty Bell before tipoff of Game 5. He also received a thunderous ovation. Meek was released after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that there were “credibility issues” with the police officer who originally arrested him back in 2007 on gun and drug charges. The rapper was recently sentenced to two to four years for a parole violation, a punishment several high-profile critics assailed as ludicrously harsh.
Meek tweeted, “I’d like to thank God, my family, and all my public advocates for their love, support and encouragement during this difficult time. While the past five months have been a nightmare, the prayers, visits, calls, letters and rallies have helped me stay positive.”
He also tweeted, “To the Philly District Attorney’s office, I’m grateful for your commitment to justice. I understand that many people of color across the country don’t have that luxury and I plan to use my platform to shine a light on those issues.”
Michael Rubin, the billionaire who owns the 76ers picked up Meek and took him to the game in his helicopter. Since he left prison and went straight to the game he showered and shaved at the stadium.
Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry arguably made the worst career decision of her life when she decided to star in the 2004 film Catwoman. However, guess what?! Halle says she doesn’t regret taking on the role. In a recent interview she said, “Everybody around me said, ‘Girl don’t do it, it’s gonna be the death of you, it’s gonna end your career,’” She continued, “Well guess what I did? I followed my intuition and I did a movie called Catwoman… and it bombed! Miserably.” She continued, ” While it ‘failed’ to most people, it wasn’t a failure for me… I got a s**tload of money that changed my life.” Halle went on to say that following your intuition doesn’t guarantee success, but it will teach you the “exact lesson” you need.
Kanye West has reportedly been having “explosive” arguments with his mother-in-law Kris Jenner in the past few weeks. “He’s had huge blow-ups with Kris,” my source says. “She sees how erratic he’s acting and is most concerned about her daughter [Kim 0=”Kardashian”]’s brand.” My insider says, “Kim is trying to control him and the situation, but he can’t be controlled… He genuinely believes he’s God and a genius and that he can do everything on his own. He has a great love for Kim, but in his mind he doesn’t think Kim is a genius, and he’s telling her he knows what he’s doing.”
Avicii revealed in his True Stories documentary last year that he was worried he would die at a young age. The Swedish DJ, who passed away suddenly in last week at the age of 28, suffered from acute pancreatitis after abusing alcohol and wanted to stop performing for his health. In the doc he said, “I have told them this. I won’t be able to play anymore,” he tells the cameras in the documentary. “I have said, like, ‘I’m going to die.’ I have said it so many times. And so I don’t want to hear that I should entertain the thought of doing another gig.” The film also shows Avicii telling his management that he was suffering from anxiety when thinking about giving live performances.
Miranda Lambert has reportedly moved on from ex Anderson East with Turnpike Troubadours musician Evan Felker, who is technically still married. They allegedly started spending a lot more time together while on the road and things just “happened” between them while Miranda was still dating Anderson. Evan was still married to wife Staci Nelson when he began traveling with Miranda on her eighth headlining tour. He and Staci are now estranged and both filed for divorce in February.
Rachel McAdams has opened up about the love scene between her and Rachel Weisz in the new movie Disobedience, in which they play lovers forced to hide their relationship from their Orthodox Jewish community. “There was energy to that scene that I haven’t experienced in any other sex scenes [with 0=”men”] in my career,” McAdams tells Entertainment Weekly. “We both felt safe and free… All those things that you love about being a woman, you get to be [in 0=”the” 1=”scene”], so I understand the attraction and appeal to that in a sexual context.”
It looks like Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez’s relationship is stronger than ever as they prepare to move in together in New York City. “The future is super bright and I feel like we both feel like we’re just beginning,” she tells Entertainment Tonight. “We’re beginning a new chapter of our lives, in every way. And it’s exciting.” She also confirms that she’s “happy personally, [and] professionally.
Kourtney Kardashian appeared in front of Congress yesterday. She was there in an effort to reform the laws that regulate ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products in the United States. She said, “When I had my first son, I started really learning so much about the foods that I was feeding him and it just kind of all snowballed,” Kourtney explained. “…And I would use the things that people sent me just assuming these are baby products and that they should be safe. I remember learning from my mom friends that these were not healthy at all.” She added, “Everybody should have the right to healthy products. I do feel like it’s time for Congress to do its job.”
