When it comes to making films, Taraji P. Henson does not need a lot of time to give an amazing performance. Speaking to PEOPLE at the Special New York Screening of Tyler Perry’s Straw, said she filmed her new Netflix film while shooting her hit Peacock true-crime series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. “[While filming Straw], I was also at the time working on Fight Night,” Henson says, adding, “They worked it out with my schedule.”  “I went and shot this for four days and went right back to Fight Night,” she continued. Perry, who wrote, produced, and directed the film, incredibly got all of Henson’s footage in a limited time frame. “It’s a great team that we all know what to do,” the Oscar-nominated explained. “Taraji only had four days, so we figured it out in those four days.” In previous films, Henson worked with Perry on  Acrimony (2018),  I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009), and The Family That Preys (2008). For this project, Henson said it was “a no-brainer”  to work with Perry again, although she had a tight schedule.   “He continues to challenge me and himself every time he sends me a script,” Henson said. “He ups the ante every time. And I appreciate that because he knows I love a good challenge.” Henson also said she loves to play roles that “scare the hell out of me,” and her character of Janiyah fit the bill. “Janiyah did scare me a lot…,” she admits. “I was drawn to this character because I love giving a voice to the voiceless. I want anybody out there who identifies with Janiyah to know that they’re not alone, and you are seeing and I see you.” The film also stars Teyana Taylor, Sherri Shepherd, Glynn Turman, Sinbad, and Rockmond Dunbar. Tyler Perry’s Straw premieres on Netflix on June 6.

Eddy Garcia took the stand on the 15th day of testimony in Diddy’s federal racketeering and sex trafficking trial in New York City. At the time, Garcia supervised security at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, where Cassie’s assault video was filmed. In mid-March 2016, someone alerted Garcia about an incident involving Diddy. He reviewed the security footage, recognized the music mogul, and later learned Cassie Ventura was the other person involved. Garcia confirmed that the police were never called because Cassie decided not to involve law enforcement. Shortly after, Garcia received a phone call from Kristina Khorram, Diddy’s chief of staff. She asked about the assault video and said Diddy was intoxicated during the incident and didn’t remember what happened. According to TMZ, the judge barred this statement after the defense objected. Garcia advised Khorram to take the matter up with hotel management. Later, she showed up at the hotel asking for the footage. Garcia stood firm, saying she would need a subpoena or approval from management. Privately, he warned her the video contained disturbing material. Garcia said Khorram later called back and connected him with Diddy, who nervously demanded the video and implied he could “take care” of Garcia to get it. After speaking with his supervisor, Bill Medrano, Garcia learned Medrano was willing to retrieve the footage for $50,000. Diddy arranged a meeting in West Los Angeles to collect the video on a USB drive, ensuring no copies existed online. During a FaceTime call, Cassie expressed her desire to keep the assault video private due to an upcoming movie. Diddy asked for identification from Garcia and other security officers to secure the deal. Garcia explained that they prepared NDAs carrying a $1 million penalty. He witnessed Diddy counting $100,000 in cash, which included bribes for Garcia and another officer. Garcia used some of the money to buy a used car. Years later, Garcia saw the video publicly and deleted all related messages, admitting he initially lied to investigators to avoid involvement.

Tony Buzbee has declined the invitation to represent Moriah Mills in her potential lawsuit against her ex-boyfriend, NBA star Zion Williamson. On Tuesday (June 2), Buzbee, who has a reputation for representing rape accusers, shared his reasons why he couldn’t be Mills’ attorney if she proceeds with litigation. “A member of our staff spoke to her,” the trial lawyer told TMZ. “After review, we declined to take her case.” “We can’t comment about the details or merits of her claims. As you know, we are contacted by numerous people across the United States daily with grievances. We can’t help them all. Some of those we do take are resolved quietly,” Buzbee continued. “A number are filed and litigated, like the $640 million jury verdict we achieved a few weeks back. Only a small few become public.” Mills also confirmed to TMZ that Buzbee declined to litigate the case, explaining that her case doesn’t exactly fall under his purview.” Mills’ potential suit follows Williamson being levied by another ex-girlfriend. As HOT97 previously reported, the lawsuit was filed last week in Los Angeles Superior Court. The plaintiff, identified as “Jane Doe”, Williamson is accused of “sexual, physical, emotional, and financial” abuse over a multi-year relationship. The suit alleges that Williamson repeatedly raped the plantiff, “hit and kicked her and made her fear for her life in several instances, before the relationship ended in June 2023.” Additionally, she accused him of stalking her, falsely imprisoning her, and threatening to kill her, and Williamson had a pattern of “abusive, controlling, and threatening behavior” throughout their relationship. In a statement issued through his attorneys, Williamson has vehemently denied each allegation. “The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and reckless,” Williamson’s legal team’s statement read. “While these allegations are false, we recognize the seriousness of the claims and welcome the opportunity to prove the truth in court,” the statement continued. “We are confident that the legal process will expose the truth and fully vindicate Mr. Williamson.”

The federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs moved forward this week with gripping testimony and newly scrutinized evidence, including a 2016 hotel surveillance video showing Diddy allegedly assaulting then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The clip, released last year by CNN, has become a centerpiece in a case that spans claims of sexual assault, trafficking, and racketeering. Eddy Garcia, a former security officer at the hotel where the incident occurred, told jurors that Diddy paid $100,000 for the video, fearing its release would severely damage his reputation. “The video was concerning for him,” Garcia testified. “He feared its release would endanger his standing in the industry.” Garcia claimed Diddy initially offered $50,000 but doubled it after emphasizing the need for confidentiality. The incident first surfaced in Ventura Fine’s 2023 lawsuit, which drew national attention even before the trial began. Coercion claims and financial twists escalate Diddy’s trial Prosecutors argue that the alleged cover-up adds weight to their broader case against the music mogul, who was arrested last fall and remains in custody without bail. Witnesses this week included a former assistant known as “Mia,” who told the court she felt “brainwashed” during her employment under Diddy. She described a work culture of coercion and emotional control. Meanwhile, Derek Ferguson, former CFO of Bad Boy Entertainment, appeared hesitant during questioning, especially when asked about company finances and Diddy’s alleged behavior. One key moment came when jurors were shown financial records indicating a $20,000 transfer from Ventura’s family to Diddy in 2011. According to Ventura’s mother, the payment was made under pressure, in hopes of suppressing tapes she feared would harm her daughter. The defense has yet to respond in full to this claim but has maintained that Diddy never extorted money from anyone. Tensions ran high in the courtroom, culminating in one spectator being removed after shouting at Diddy during proceedings. The judge is aiming for a conclusion by early July, but with more witnesses—including radio host Enrique Santos—still expected to testify, the road ahead remains unpredictable.

Jamie Foxx took some time to address Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal trouble.   Taking to the standup stage, the Oscar winner had the audience in stitches at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. “That Diddy sh*t crazy, huh?” Foxx began as the crowd erupted into laughter. “I don’t know if he’s going to jail, but he’s a nasty motherf**ker! Am I right? Especially for our community,” he said. “White people, it’s cool, but for Black people, like, that was our hero! All that goddamn baby oil, boy.” He then spoke about how Diddy’s fall from grace has impacted his standing in the Black community. “For the Black people in here, you know how that hurts us. ‘Cause Diddy was, ‘It’s all about the Benjamins.’ That was our whole culture. Now, ‘It’s all about the baby oil.” This isn’t the first time that Foxx addressed the allegations levied at Diddy. In his comedy special What Had Happened Was, Foxx spoke about all the speculation that Diddy was involved in his 2023 medical emergency. Before his sudden illness, Foxx recalled an eerie conversation just before his 2023 near-death medical emergency. During the Los Angeles premiere of the two-part Apple TV+ documentary Number One on the Call Sheet, Foxx shared he was told to get his affairs in order. “You know what’s crazy? Before it happened, I was talking to my people that handle my stuff [and they asked], ‘Jamie, wanna go over some papers just in case something happens?’ ” Foxx told PEOPLE. .

Joe Budden has admitted that he’s been feeling the urge to get back in the booth. During a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, the “Pump It Up” rapper said the he’s been inspired lately by her peers and is thinking about making music again. “I want to rap,” Budden shared after hearing a recent verse and social media message from Ransom, a former collaborator. “I do, I ain’t gon’ lie.” He went on to say that all he needs is some new tracks before running off the names of several acclaimed producers. “The only thing stopping me is that I don’t have the beat packs and I don’t request them. But if I ever ask Alchemist or Chad West or one of these ni**as I love… Jake One,” Budden said. “I just start hitting up ni**as that I love, that I know got something, it’s gonna make me do something,” he continued. “I’ll call Ransom, Royce, 38 Spesh, all them ni**gas. “We back!” If he were to do a new album, Budden said he would create a “passion project.” “I feel like now, I’m almost to the point where I can do a passion project,” he said. “I’ve never in my life been in a place where I could do a passion project. What does that even look like or sound like?” In 2016, Budden released his last album, Rage & The Machine, before becoming a successful podcaster.

Cynthia Erivo stopped by HOT 97 to talk to Nessa about her new album I Forgive You, out June 6th. She shared how she started the project while filming Wicked and finished it between shoots, calling the process exhausting but deeply fulfilling. She explained how personal the album is—filled with stories of love, heartbreak, growth, and healing—and emphasized how letting go of the past created space to be more grounded in who she is now. Cynthia talked about songs like “Brick by Brick,” which came from tears, and “I Choose Love,” which challenges what love actually looks like. She even revealed she recorded parts of the album on her phone while traveling! She talked about forgiving her father and what that experience meant to her, opened up about forgiving a friend after a moment of betrayal, and reflected on whether it’s truly possible to forgive and forget. Later in the conversation, Cynthia talked about rapping on “Push and Pull” and revealed whether we can expect more rapping in the future. She shared how Wicked changed her life, revealed whether she and Ariana Grande plan to get more tattoos, and how going over their needs together during filming made them stronger. She also reveals how changing the vocal run on “Defying Gravity” turned out to be a moment that changed her life. Stream her new album I Forgive You June 6th!

The courtroom in Manhattan continues to be the setting for a high-stakes clash between claims of abuse and a powerful defense strategy. Testimony from a former assistant, known in court as “Mia,” has taken center stage as she accuses Sean “Diddy” Combs of emotional manipulation, sexual misconduct, and psychological control during her years working for him. Diddy’s legal team, led by attorney Brian Steel, has challenged the credibility of her account by pointing to affectionate messages and years of ongoing contact between the two. Mia detailed alleged assaults dating back to 2009, including one incident at the Plaza Hotel during Diddy’s birthday celebration. Other accusations include abuse at his Los Angeles home and aboard a private jet. “I was still brainwashed,” she told the court, explaining why she remained in contact with him for years. She emphasized that the trauma had left her struggling to separate fear from loyalty. Mia denies payout motive, cites fear and emotional control Steel focused on those blurred lines, presenting text messages from 2019 that appeared warm in tone, raising doubts about the timing and nature of her claims. Mia responded by describing a complex emotional attachment, especially during Diddy’s mourning for his late partner Kim Porter. “He was still a protector to me,” she said, adding that fear and manipulation had shaped much of their dynamic. The testimony touched on parallels to Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit, though Mia said they never discussed their experiences in depth. “I was ashamed and wanted to die,” she admitted, describing how the guilt and silence took a toll on her mental health. She now says she suffers from complex PTSD, triggered by even ordinary workplace situations. Steel attempted to frame her testimony as financially motivated, accusing her of joining what he called a “MeToo money grab.” Mia pushed back firmly, stating she is not pursuing compensation and only came forward to confront her past and give others the strength to speak out.

There’s no love lost between Pusha T and Drake. Adding to his list of grievances against the “6 God,” Pusha T took some time to share his thoughts on Drake’s lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar and his label, UMG. In a new interview with GQ, Pusha said he doesn’t rank Drake amongst the premier MCs after filing the lawsuit. ‘“I don’t rate him no more,” Pusha explained. “The suing thing is bigger than some rap s**t. It just kind of cheapens the art of it.” Pusha also spoke about his battle with Drake when he revealed that his nemesis had a son that he kept from the public in the classsic diss track “The Story of Adidon” in 2018.  “I did the dance for real,” he said. “Not to come back and tiptoe around anything.”  If Drake would throw shots in his direction, Pusha said, “I would only engage again if I felt like it.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by GQ (@gq) Back in January, Drake filed an 81-page federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging UMG “approved, published and launched a campaign to create a viral hit out of a rap track that falsely accuses Drake of being a pedophile and calls for violent retribution against him.” In response, UMG vehemently denied all of Drake’s allegations, describing the suit as “frivolous,” “reckless,” and “misguided.” The label argued that the lyrics of songs are “non-actionable opinion and rhetorical hyperbole” that are consistent in the long tradition of rap battles, and that taking them “as literal defamation threatens free speech and artistic expression.” After the last album, Til The Casket Drops, was released in 2009, the Clipse are set to drop their highly anticipated album, Let God Sort Em Out, on July 11.

If you anticipating a sequel to Sinners, then you may be waiting a long time, according to Ryan Cooler.  Speaking with EBONY in April, the renowned filmmaker shared that he has no intentions to create a sequel to his latest classic film. “I’ve been in a space of making franchise films for a bit, so I wanted to get away from that,” he confessed. “I was looking forward to working on a film that felt original and personal to me, and had an appetite for delivering something to audiences that was original and unique.”  “I wanted the movie to feel like a full meal: your appetizers, starters, entrees, and desserts, I wanted all of it there,” Coogler continued. I wanted it to be a holistic and finished thing. That was how I was asked all about it. That was always my intention.” According to Variety, Sinners is one of the top 10 highest-grossing movies of the year, earning  $350 million at the global box office. The film stars Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo. The film synopsis reads, “Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their Mississippi hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.” Taking to social media, Coogler expressed his gratitude for his fans supporting the film. “Eternal gratitude. My heart is bursting with it. I want to thank each and every one of you who bought a ticket to see Sinners,” read the letter. “Who decided to drive to see the film in different formats. Who bought popcorn and a drink, booked a sitter and carpooled, and stood in the lobby afterward and talked and made a friend. Who changed their work schedules. Who saw the film in groups.” “I had the gift of the opportunity of making a film inspired by my family and my ancestry, but it was always a film that we wanted to make for audiences, in theaters,” Coogler wrote. “We always had our minds on you, the audience, and felt a deep responsibility to entertain you, and move you in the way only cinema can.”