Category: News

“You don’t have to feel like a waste of space. You’re original, cannot be replaced,” sang Katy Perry back in 2010. Little did she know back then that 15 years later, she would be chanting “One, two, three: Take up space!” while being in space herself.

Earlier this week, the singer of the hit ‘Firework’ became one of the six women to go on a suborbital space tourism mission on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. The first all-female space crew in more than 60 years comprised Katy Perry, Gayle King, Lauren Sánchez, Kerianne Flynn, Aisha Bowe, and Amanda Nguyen and reportedly spend just over 10 minutes on the mission, reaching an apogee of 346,802 ft above ground level / 350,449 ft above mean sea level (106 km AGL / 107 km MSL).

Upon successful completion, the women were thrilled, but their emotions, both before and after the mission, as well as the quest itself were met with different reactions from the general public. Many people took to the internet to share what they thought about Blue Origin’s mission, and they didn’t hold back their opinions much. Scroll down to find some of their thoughts on the list below.

An all-female crew successfully carried out a suborbital space tourism mission on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket

The crew list consisted of well-known names, including Katy Perry and Gayle King

The women were reportedly on the mission for 10 minutes and 21 seconds

After successfully landing back on Earth, Perry shared in an interview that she felt “super connected to love”

@billboard “I feel super connected to love,” @Katy Perry said after blasting into space with an all female crew on a @BlueOriginOfficial rocket #katyperry#space#astronaut#katycats#interview♬ original sound – billboard

The mission created quite a buzz online, with many people criticizing the stunt

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Instagram post discussing reactions to Katy Perry's space trip with Blue Origin, highlighting perceived irony.

Lil Nas X posted a video message from the hospital, revealing that he has lost control of one side of his face.

“This is me doing a full smile right now by the way,” he said in the video while wearing a hospital gown and baseball cap. “It’s like what the f–k. Bro, I can’t even laugh right, bro. What the f–k. Ah! Oh my God.”

“Shake ur ass for me instead!” he said jokingly, adding that he would “look funny for a lil bit but that’s it.”

Lil Nas X reveals he’s lost control of the right side of his face

The “Old Town Road” star did not identify the condition causing the paralysis, but many speculate it may be Bell’s Palsy.

Bell’s palsy is a condition causing temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, usually due to facial nerve inflammation. This nerve controls facial muscles, and its damage leads to symptoms like a drooping face, difficulty smiling, and potential loss of taste on the affected side. The exact cause of the condition is not known.

Some are speculating that the rapper could have Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Pop singer Justin Bieber was diagnosed with the rare neurological disorder that also causes facial paralysis.

For two decades, the brand was best known for a dietary supplement that could help users lose weight. Learn why Modere is shutting down.

Modere, a popular wellness brand known for a dietary supplement that would help users lose weight, announced it’s closing down after two decades. The company issued a brief statement on April 11, 2025, on its website, which read, “After 23 wonderful years of serving our cherished community, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our doors.”

“We’re incredibly grateful for your support, trust, and loyalty over the years,” the statement continued. “Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or just discovered us recently, thank you for being a part of our story.”

Below, learn what happened to Modere and why the company is shutting down.

Why Is Modere Closing? The Reason Why the Brand Shut Down

What Does Modere Sell?

The U.S. wellness brand sold health, beauty and household products for 20 years. Some of its most famous products ranged from household items to body washes and health supplements.

With millions of customers around the world, Modere became a hit. Consumers were even encouraged to join in on its multi-level marketing method by creating others to sell Modere products for a commission.

One product that became a hit with Modere was its dietary weight loss supplement called “Curb.” According to The U.S. Sun, Modere’s president and executive chairman previously said about the item, “Our commitment to helping people live their healthiest, happiest lives is unwavering. We are confident that these formulas will help customers around the world achieve their overall wellness goals, while driving growth for Modere.”

Another popular Modere product was its beauty item Liquid BioCell, which specialized in anti-aging and joint mobility.

Why Is Modere Closing?

Modere did not provide an exact reason behind its closure. However, the brand’s announcement came on the heels of multiple store shutdowns this year, including JoAnn Stores and Forever 21, both of which filed for bankruptcy.

Just hours before announcing its shutdown, Modere was promoting its products. As seen in an Instagram post on April 11, the company shared a photo of its Liquid BioCell chews.

Dr. Keiva Lark, a 53-year-old assistant principal at Lake Marion Creek Middle School in Florida, has reportedly been arrested for calling a student “sexy chocolate” and asking him to rub her feet.

More Details On Assistant Principal Dr. Keiva Lark Asking The Student To Rub Her Feet

According to WESH, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced Dr. Lark’s arrest on Thursday, April 12. Per the outlet, an investigaiton into the assistant principal reportedly began on April 4. This was reportedly after the school’s principal alerted police to Dr. Lark’s alleged actions.

Specifically, a male student was reportedly sent to the assistant principal’s office for allegedly “throwing [a] balled-up paper across a classroom during a test.” Per TMZ, the student is 13 years old.

“While in the office, according to two witnesses and the victim, Lark told the victim to rub her feet, since he didn’t have anything better to do with his hands. She removed her shoes and placed her legs across the victim’s lap, and he did as he was told,” police stated, per the outlet.

During the interaction, witnesses reportedly heard Dr. Lark “scold” the victim for not rubbing her feet “properly.” Additionally, the assistant principal reportedly went on to demonstrate how the student could do better by massaging his arms and shoulders. Lastly, during the interaction, Dr. Lark allegedly could be heard telling the student that she was showing him these things to aid in his future romances.

More Details On The Assistant Principal Dr. Keiva Lark Allegedly Calling A Student “Sexy Chocolate” & Her Arrest

According to the outlet, the victim informed police that Dr. Lark referred to him as “Sexy Chocolate” when they’d cross paths in the hallway. In response, Dr. Lark reportedly told authorities that “she was just trying to humble the victim.” Then, she later admitted that her “actions” were inappropriate. However, she reportedly maintained that her words toward the student were not.

Per WESH, Dr. Lark has been charged with “lewd/lascivious conduct.” Additionally, she has reportedly been charged with a “lewd offense against a student by an authority figure.” The outlet adds that she had been placed on administrative leave following her arrest.

Two Students Have Made Headlines In Texas Following A Fatal Stabbing At A Track Meet

In addition to Dr. Keiva Lark’s recent arrest and charges, two students have also made headlines in Texas. As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this month, it was reported that a 17-year-old student named Karmelo Anthony fatally stabbed another student at a track meet. Subsequently, the victim was identified as Austin Metcalf, 17. Additionally, it was reported that Anthony was charged with first-degree murder.

Furthermore, initial rumors asserted that the altercation began after Metcalf allegedly told Anthony that he was sitting in the wrong seat.

Since then, lawyers for Karmelo Anthony have spoken out in his defense. Additionally, Texas police have urged the public to refrain from believing everything they read about the fatal incident online.

Prayers Up! Woman, Kathryn Johnson, Speaks Out After Reportedly Identifying Husband, Seankese A.K.A. Sean Johnson, As Pilot Involved In Fatal Hudson River Helicopter Crash

Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Kathryn Johnson has spoken out after identifying her husband, Seankese Johnson, also known as Sean Johnson, as the pilot involved in the fatal Hudson River helicopter crash.

    Kathryn Johnson Identifies Her Husband, Seankese Johnson, As Pilot Involved In The Fatal Hudson River Crash

    On Friday, April 11, The Gomathamist published a report revealing that the pilot aboard the fatal helicopter was 36-year-old Sean Johnson. Per the outlet, Seankease was a Navy veteran who recently relocated to New York City to continue pursuing his aviation career.

    Furthermore, the outlet notes that one of Sean’s social media profiles appears to indicate that he previously worked in Chicago. On Friday, his wife, Kathryn, reportedly told the outlet that after his time in the Navy, he worked in TV and as a bodyguard for celebrities.

    “[But he] always wanted to fly,” Kathryn said of her husband.

    Kathryn Johnson Shares Details About Her Husband, Pilot Seankease Johnson, & Speaks On Crash

    Sean Johnson’s wife, Kathryn, also shared her reaction to the fatal crash.

    “ I’m just at [a] loss for words. I don’t even know what happened,” she stated. “ It’s just hard right now.”

    According to the outlet, Kathryn learned of her husband’s passing from one of his former colleagues. Furthermore, she noted to the outlet that she and Sean had been separated for the past “few months.” However, they remained close and even spoke on Wednesday, April 9 — the day before the fatal incident.

    Per Kathryn, Sean did not make mention to her of any upcoming flight plans for the following day.

    More On The Fatal Crash At The Hudson River

    As The Shade Room previously reported, the fatal incident occurred on Thursday, April 10, just before 3:30 p.m. Sean had reportedly picked up a family of five — tourists from Spain — when the Bell 206 helicopter reportedly went off the radar at 3:25 p.m.

    In the hours that followed, the victims were revealed to be Augustín Escobar, the president of Siemens Spain, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children.

    Per TMZ, it is believed that the rotor blades of the helicopter “flew off.” This apparently led to the chopper spinning out of the sky and into the Hudson River. Fox News reports that new info shows the pilot reportedly called in that he wanted to land the helicopter. This was reportedly because it needed fuel. According to The Gothamist, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are still investigating the cause of the incident.

    Glen Powell Not Dating Sydney Sweeney Non Famous Girlfriend London

    What’s going on with Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell?

    Since Sydney split from her fiancé, some folks jumped right to her Anyone But You costar with whom she had so much chemistry. Surely they would start something now, right? Ridiculous… except then they immediately DID hang out, thanks to his sister’s wedding. Like something out of a rom com, right? A wedding, and you reunite but newly single this time?

    Except… what if they aren’t?

    Don’t get us wrong, all sources are saying Sydney and Jonathan Davino are dunzo. It’s sad for her, but it seems to be the right decision for the Immaculate star at this point in her career.

    No, we’re now hearing it’s Glen who might be more taken than he lets on! Does he have a secret girlfriend? A non-celebrity one?? A source told DeuxMoi this week they have it on good authority he’s dating a girl who lives in London!

    “I know this is 100% true… Unless he broke things of right before the wedding, he has been dating this non-famous girl, and he has made plans to see her again.”

    Deux noted the source, while wishing to remain anonymous publicly, did tell her how they knew all this, and it’s apparently pretty solid! They continued:

    “They met abroad earlier this year. He traveled to surprise her very recently, and as far as I know there’s at least another trip booked.”

    That message was sent over a week ago — and a few days later, sure enough, Glen was spotted in London! Not with the girl, unfortunately — he was having lunch with Poker Face star Natasha Lyonne. But it means he was in town!

    Natasha Lyonne laughing

    OK, so no Glen and Sydney. Sorry to Anyone But You fans who really wanted this one. But it sounds like any flirting is just more of these two and their chemistry that just won’t quit!

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    So wait… If they aren’t together then what was with his “timing is everything” comment? Oh no… What if everyone misread that? What if he was laughing at the fact that now that she was finally out of a relationship… he had just gotten into one?? That would be pretty funny…

    Soulja Boy has been ordered to pay his sexual assault accuser over $4 million after he was taken to court by Jane Doe, who accused him of sexual battery and abuse.

    Jane Doe alleged Soulja Boy, real name DeAndre Cortez Way, hired her as a personal assistant back in 2018 and that the job included tasks like cleaning his home and rolling blunts, with a pay rate of $500 a week and room and board included.

    Doe alleges she wasn’t allowed to leave the house, not even for basic necessities like a toothbrush or feminine products, and that her phone mysteriously vanished shortly after she arrived. She claims she tried to escape multiple times and that during her stay, she was repeatedly subjected to sexual assault and physical abuse at the hands of the rapper.

    ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Rapper Soulja Boy performs onstage during his SouljaWorld tour at Buckhead Theatre on September 10, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.

      Soulja Boy was found liable in his civil case for claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual harassment, and non-payment of wages.

      According to reports, the rapper smiled as the initial $4 million verdict was read out loud in court. He was also ordered to pay $250,000 in punitive damages.

      Soulja Boy reportedly intends to challenge the ruling.

      Jax Taylor Details Sobriety Journey After Sharing Cocaine Addiction

      The Valley star Jax Taylor opened up about how his 3-year-old son, Cruz—who he shares with ex Brittany Cartwright—inspired him to get sober.

      Jax Taylor is opening up about his sobriety journey.

      The Valley star—who recently came forward about his decades-long battle with drug addiction—shared that he used substances to avoid having to face all of the changes happening in his life in recent years.

      “I will say drugs and alcohol are not the problem,” Jax, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder last year, told E! News‘ Keltie Knight in an interview that aired April 10. “The problem was I just didn’t address my mental health at all and used drugs and alcohol mask it.

      “There’s a two-hour period where I just don’t have to think about my problems,” the Vanderpump Rules alum—who shares 3-year-old son Cruz with estranged wife Brittany Cartwright—explained. “My bipolar, my divorce, my separation, my loss of friends, the TV show, this and that. It’s just so overwhelming, so drinking and substances just helped.”

      Jax, 45—who shared that he’s been sober for 132 days—went on to detail the support system that he’s put in place for himself as he continues his journey with sobriety.

      The Valley Season 2 Cast Photos, Brittany Cartwright

      Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright’s 3-Year-Old Son Cruz Diagnosed With Autism

      “You’d be an idiot if you didn’t notice that I was on something,” he said. “There’s a lot of pressure, and I’ve been doing very, very well. I’m in therapy, and I go to AA four times a week. I have a great sponsor. I have a great life coach.”

      “The drugs and alcohol weren’t the issue,” Jax continued. “I just didn’t know how to cope with all my demons, because I don’t like being vulnerable. I don’t talk about being sad. I don’t want to talk about my mental health.”

      Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright

      Ultimately, the Bravo star is relieved to be sharing his story with the world and points to Cruz as his biggest reason for doing so.

      “It was very tough to come out, but it was something that I needed to do,” Jax noted. “It was a weight lifted off my shoulders. I just needed to do it for myself, and I needed to do it for my son.”

      In fact, the reality star credits his son for saving him in more ways than one.

      Brittany Cartwright, Cruz

      “I did this for my son,” Jax said. “Everyone’s like, ‘You should do this for you first.’ I did this for my son first and then I did it for me. I just couldn’t imagine not being here. I was very close to just not wanting to be here anymore. I didn’t want to be here anymore and I was like, ‘I can’t do this to my son. I can’t be selfish. It’s a cop out. I need to fix myself.'”

      He added, “I want my son one day to be like, ‘My dad….there was something wrong with him, and he fixed himself, this is why he’s here today.”

      Ireland film and TV production tax incentive

      Ireland has announced significant changes to its tax incentive scheme for film and television production, aimed at attracting international projects and growing its domestic industry. The new incentives include an increased cap on the amount eligible for tax relief, raising it from €70 million to €125 million per project. This change positions Ireland as a more competitive destination for high-budget productions, particularly those requiring significant investment in locations, studios, and local talent.

      Boosting Ireland’s Appeal to Global Productions

      Ireland has long been a sought-after destination for filmmakers due to its stunning landscapes and skilled workforce. By expanding its tax incentives, the government is looking to solidify Ireland’s standing as a top location for big-budget international productions. The increase in the incentive cap allows larger projects, such as Hollywood blockbusters and high-end TV series, to receive more financial support, making Ireland a more attractive choice compared to other countries.

      This move is expected to lead to more investment in the Irish film industry, creating jobs and opportunities for local crews, talent, and vendors. With an increase in productions, Ireland also aims to enhance its post-production and special effects sectors, positioning itself as a comprehensive hub for filmmaking.

      Supporting Domestic Productions and Talent Development

      While international projects are a big focus of the expanded tax relief, the new incentive scheme also benefits domestic film and television production. By increasing the financial support available, Irish filmmakers and production companies will have the opportunity to create higher-quality projects with better funding, which will help them compete on a global scale. This initiative also aims to foster talent development within Ireland, with the hope that more local creators and crews will gain valuable experience working on large-scale productions.

      The Long-Term Impact on Ireland’s Film Industry

      The expansion of the tax incentive scheme is not only about attracting immediate investment but also about establishing long-term growth. As Ireland continues to become a major player in the global film and TV market, its local infrastructure will benefit from the continuous influx of productions. Increased funding is likely to go toward upgrading studio facilities, improving post-production capabilities, and supporting new talent through education and hands-on experience.

      Conclusion

      Ireland’s expanded tax incentive for film and TV production is set to make a lasting impact on the industry. With an increased cap that allows for greater financial support, Ireland is poised to attract larger international projects while simultaneously growing its domestic film sector. The combination of stunning filming locations, a skilled workforce, and now more competitive tax benefits makes Ireland a key destination for filmmakers worldwide.

      Jon Bon Jovi Montclair Film Festival conversation

      Rock icon Jon Bon Jovi and comedian Stephen Colbert came together for an exciting conversation at the Montclair Film Festival. Their candid discussion covered Bon Jovi’s legendary career in music, his personal journey, and his philanthropic work through the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

      Reflecting on a Musical Legacy

      Jon Bon Jovi’s storied career spans several decades, with his band Bon Jovi being one of the most successful rock groups in history. During the conversation, Colbert asked Bon Jovi about his musical influences and the evolution of his band’s sound over the years. Bon Jovi reflected on his early days, the challenges faced along the way, and how he stayed relevant in the ever-changing music industry. Their conversation offered fascinating insights into Bon Jovi’s passion for music, as well as the personal drive that pushed him to succeed.

      Bon Jovi’s Philanthropy

      In addition to his music, Bon Jovi is well known for his philanthropy. The discussion delved into his work with the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, which focuses on fighting hunger and homelessness. Bon Jovi highlighted the foundation’s core philosophy—providing a “hand up, not a handout”—and shared heartwarming stories of people whose lives were positively impacted by the foundation’s efforts. His dedication to making a difference through initiatives like the Soul Kitchen Community Restaurants further underscored his commitment to philanthropy.

      Stephen Colbert’s Wit and Humor

      As always, Colbert’s wit and humor added a lighthearted touch to the conversation, drawing laughter from the audience while keeping the discussion engaging. Their mutual respect was evident, with Colbert commending Bon Jovi for using his platform to inspire change, and Bon Jovi appreciating Colbert’s unique ability to blend comedy with social commentary.

      A Memorable Festival Moment

      The Montclair Film Festival has built a reputation for showcasing compelling conversations with cultural icons, and this event was no exception. Jon Bon Jovi and Stephen Colbert’s discussion was not just an exploration of music and philanthropy, but a testament to how one can use their success to give back to the community.

      The festival audience left inspired, both by Bon Jovi’s musical journey and his dedication to improving the lives of others. The conversation was a reminder of how art, humor, and compassion can intersect to create meaningful change in the world.