Author: business

Michelle Obama again addresses Barack Obama divorce rumors

In Michelle Obama’s opinion, “everyone would know” if she was divorcing her husband.

The former first lady said it wouldn’t be a secret if she was splitting from former President Barack Obama, during a May 1 episode of “The Diary of a CEO” podcast with host Steven Bartlett.

“If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it,” she said, telling Bartlett that her brother and “IMO” podcast co-host Craig Robinson “would know it,” too. The “Becoming” author also said that “I would be problem solving in public,” adding, “I’m not a martyr.”

The former collegiate head basketball coach Robinson said if the pair were having marriage problems, “I’d be doing a podcast with (Barack Obama).”

Michelle Obama breaks silence on skipping Trump’s second inauguration

This is not the first time the “Becoming” on Netflix star has addressed viral rumors that her marriage with president No. 44 was ending, which first surfaced after she skipped President Donald Trump’s second inauguration.

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Michelle Obama said differences with Barack Obama make them more compatible

On the April 23 episode of “IMO” featuring Robinson and Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson, Obama revealed why she decided to skip Trump’s second inaugural ceremony.

“My decision to skip the inauguration – or my decision to make choices at the beginning of this year that suited me – were met with such ridicule and criticism,” Obama explained during the episode. “People couldn’t believe that I was saying no for any other reason. They had to assume that my marriage was falling apart.

“I’m here really trying to own my life and intentionally practice making the choice that was right for me, and it took everything in my power to not do the thing that ‘was right,’ or was perceived as right, but do the things that was right for me,” she added on “IMO.”

Michelle Obama hits back at divorce rumors that start when she makes ‘a choice for myself’

This year, amid Trump’s second stint in office, the former first lady has emerged as outspoken as ever – about her own marriage and own opinions – since leaving the White House in 2017. The Obamas married in Chicago in October 1992 and share two adult daughters, filmmaker Malia, 26, and 23-year-old University of Southern California alum Sasha.

Obama echoed her earlier comments about why she skipped the event to Bartlett in the “Diary of a CEO” episode.

“You know, as a box-checking person who has been checking her whole life, doing the right thing, trying to always be an example, always going high … I think I just told myself, ‘I think I’ve done enough of that,’ and if I haven’t, then I never will. It’ll never be enough. So let me start now,” Obama said.

But the Higher Ground co-founder said the differences in her and the former president’s respective personalities actually make them more compatible.

When “I met Barack Obama, he showed up in my life as the opposite of a box checker, but somebody that I describe in my book as an ‘ultimate swerver.’ He did nothing by the book,” she said. “He was brilliant and interesting.”

May 2, 2025
Blake Lively’s ‘Another Simple Favor’ twist explained (spoilers!)

Spoiler alert! We’re discussing plot details from “Another Simple Favor” (streaming now on Prime Video). Beware if you haven’t seen it, because we don’t want ruin the viewing experience.

AUSTIN, Texas – Those who have gulped down “Another Simple Favor” like a meticulously made gin martini finally know what “curveball idea” Blake Lively alluded to at the sequel’s South by Southwest premiere.

The actress told the festival audience that just prior to filming, director Paul Feig approached her with a new concept: Emily being a romantic interest of her obsessive sister Charity, also played by Lively.

“It was very uncomfortable to watch in this theater with you all fine folks,” Lively joked of a scene in which Charity makes advances on a sedated Emily. “That was my own personal torture!”

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When returning to his characters ‒ true crime-consumed mommy vlogger Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) and con-in-Christian Louboutin Emily Nelson (Lively) − Feig longed “to preserve the twists and turns and the unexpected” of the 2018 original “and try to take it to the next level.”

As Stephanie investigates the disappearance of the enigmatic Emily in “A Simple Favor,” she discovers her new bestie (born Hope McLanden) faked her own death. Emily killed her identical triplet sister Faith to use her body in the supposed drowning. Charity, the third sister, supposedly died at birth, but it is revealed in “Another Simple Favor” that Aunt Linda (Allison Janney) kidnapped Charity and raised her as an accomplice to her grifts.

“The criticism that came out of certain critics for the first movie was that, ‘The third act goes off the rails! It gets so crazy,’ ” Feig says. “But that’s the purpose of these movies. These movies and these characters are supposed to get crazy. That’s the world I want to create within because I love entertainment that is maximalist, that really goes for it.”

Charity feels strongly that she and Emily should be together, so she poses as the bride in her wedding to Mafioso Dante Versano (Michele Morrone), who is murdered on his wedding night. Charity longs to be her sister’s everything, including her, well, lover.

“That,” Feig says with a nervous chuckle, “was inspired by − I was an only child growing up, and I was super-awkward with girls and was terrified to ask them out. And I would always have this fantasy of like, if I could clone myself, I could just date myself.” To clarify, Feig dreamed of being with a clone, “a carbon copy of myself that would know exactly what I wanted,” not a sibling.

For “Another Simple Favor,” he thought, “ ‘Well, Charity’s such a mess, this character who’s been raised by herself, and so lonely and put in these weird situations that she would probably be wanting that, too.’ That’s why she keeps saying, ‘We are one. There’s not you and me. We are just one.’ ”

When Lively heard his idea, she was on board, Feig says. “She was like, ‘Let’s do it. I’m going to trust you.’ ”

‘Another Simple Favor’: Why director Paul Feig ‘tried to kill’ the sequel

And like the sisters, Feig also feels this franchise is fit to be a trilogy.

“The evolution of Stephanie, I’m really fascinated by,” he says. “Because I think where Stephanie ends up at the end of ‘Another Simple Favor’ is a good jumping-off point to a new life situation for her that I’ve got in my head.”

It won’t be a happily ever after with Emily’s ex-husband, Sean Townsend (Henry Golding), murdered in the shower.

“I think Stephanie maybe needs to move on to somebody a little more stable than Sean,” Feig says with a laugh.

May 2, 2025
Fashion designer accused of sexual assault

Italian fashion designer Riccardo Tisci is facing allegations of sexual misconduct, according to a new lawsuit that claims he drugged and assaulted a man in 2024.

The complaint, filed on behalf of a man named Patrick Cooper in New York Supreme Court on April 29, alleges that Tisci, 50, spiked Cooper’s drink before taking him back to his residence and sexually assaulting him.

“These allegations are categorically untrue. Riccardo looks forward to clearing his name of these false and malicious accusations,” a spokesperson for Tisci wrote in an email to USA TODAY May 2. “He will obtain vindication through due process.”

USA TODAY has reached out to Cooper’s lawyers for comment.

Tisci, the former creative director of Givenchy, is accused in the complaint of “predatory, nonconsensual sexual acts,” and deliberately drugging Cooper’s drink so he would be “disoriented, confused, impaired, intoxicated, unaware of his actions and surroundings, and unable to comprehend what was going on for the duration of the drug’s effect.”

The assault is alleged to have taken place in June at 2 Sisters 4 Brothers Restaurant and Lounge, a casual eatery and dance venue in New York City’s East Harlem neighborhood.

Alleging he has, in the wake of the assault, suffered “serious and severe psychological and emotional distress, mental anguish, embarrassment, humiliation, and economic damages,” lawyers for Cooper are demanding compensatory damages.

Tisci is accused of violating New York’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, intentionally inflicting emotional distress, battery, assault and false imprisonment.

Key to that final allegation is an argument that after drugging him, Tisci prevented Cooper from leaving his apartment, which Cooper knew at the time but to which he was unable to object, given the effect of the drugs.

A notable name in the industry since the early aughts, Tisci spent over a decade at Givenchy before nabbing a spot as Burberry’s chief creative officer, a position he held for four years until 2022.

Carving out a niche in haute couture, particularly, Tisci’s designs have been worn by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna.

May 2, 2025
David Beckham gets birthday tribute from Victoria Beckham

David Beckham is 50!

The legendary pro footballer’s wife Victoria Beckham posted a sweet video of the pair dancing to “Islands In the Stream” by Dolly Parton and the late Kenny Rodgers, the duo’s 1983 hit song.

“Happy birthday eve @davidbeckham… my everything ❤️ My best friend, soul mate and dance partner for life🕺 💃 ✨ Like the song says 🎶We start and end as one, In love forever, We can ride it together, ah ha🎵I love you xxxxxxxxxx,” the fashion designer captioned the video on the eve of Beckham’s May 2 birthday.

The duo ~~famously~~ danced to the same song in the buzzy 2023 Netflix documentary “Beckham.” ~~on Netflix.~~

Another video posted to Instagram by the Spice Girl of her husband throughout the years was captioned, “When I look at this video, I think, ‘Wow… how lucky am I!!’ 😂 You’re everything I could have dreamed of and more. Happy 50th @davidbeckham!!! I love you and our beautiful family endlessly.” She added that “you complete me.”

The A-list couple tied the knot in July 1999 and are parents to four children: 26-year-old Brooklyn; Romeo, 22; Cruz, who is 20; and their only daughter, Harper, 13. In a May 2 post on Instagram, the former soccer star reflected on his 50th birthday.

In his carousel, which features throwback photos of him as a child, Beckham wrote, “As I reflect on this Birthday I’m very grateful for many things in my life the teams I’ve played for , my team mates , managers , the fans , MY COUNTRY and being England captain , the children I have met over different charities I work with , my team in my business & the friends I have around me I feel truly blessed.”

David Beckham calls family ‘biggest accomplishment’ in birthday post

Beckham added that his “biggest accomplishment is and will always be my family, my mum and dad who sacrificed so much for me to live my dream of becoming a footballer, my sisters who had to put up with following there brother around in the freezing cold watching me play football and my amazing nan and grandad.”

Most importantly, Beckham said that his “wife and best friend of 28 years” Victoria and “beautiful children” Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper “are the reason I get out of bed each day thank you for making me smile and thank you for making me a better man,” adding that “I love you all so much and thank you for making today special for me.”

When is David Beckham’s birthday?

Victoria Beckham turned 50 last April. Beckham, ahead of his May 2 birthday, highlighted his work with humanitarian aid organization UNICEF to help raise awareness earlier this year.

May 2, 2025
Beyoncé ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour fashion: designers, messages, more

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter performed the second night of her “Cowboy Carter” tour in Los Angeles, and once again, fashion took center stage.

At SoFi Stadium on May 1, the 35-time Grammy winning singer brought high-fashion and cowboy couture to the stage. There was lots of western-glam with sparkly chaps, cowboy hats, boots and a piles of fringe. The megastar also used her wardrobe to send powerful messages.

And while the entire show consisted of noteworthy looks, there were some standout outfits worth highlighting.

Notable new looks during Night 2

In true Bey fashion, she brought even more looks to the stage for her second show. Most notably, Beyoncé wore a new outfit at the start of her song “Alliigator Tears.” It featured a sparkly top, a black cowboy hat and knee-high cowboy boots.

Toward the end of the show, fans also noted a new outfit as she sang her single “16 Carriages” and other songs. The new look was an all-Black get up with massive American flag cuffs at the bottom of each pant leg.

‘America Has a Problem’ outfit

Outside of the new looks, Beyoncé continued to make a statement with her wardrobe. During one interlude, Beyoncé plays a news snippet where news commenter Megyn Kelly says, “Country music’s been around for a long, long time. It goes right to the heart of America, and most Americans in red states have been loving and enjoying it long before ‘Queen Bey’ decided to stick her big toe into the lane.”

She intercuts this sound bite with various news clips along with videos of Black musicians from the past before a message that reads “despite noise, we sing.” The interlude then goes into her 2022 song “America Has a Problem” and during this performance, Beyoncé, her 13-year old daughter Blue Ivy and the rest of the dancers wear white jumpsuits that have “America Has a Problem” written on them. Their outfits also appear to feature newspapers and lyrics to her other songs like “I’m that girl.”

The fashion choice emphasizes a powerful message about America.

‘Bncntry’ cap

Another memorable look featured Beyoncé in denim shorts, thigh-high white boots, and a sparkly top. She paired the look that with a cap that read “bncntry.” In other words, she’s letting spectators and fans know she’s “been country” rather than infiltrating a new space she hasn’t already been a part of.

Beyoncé’s LED gown featuring 35,000 lights

Beyoncé’ lit up the stage with a LED gown as she sang “Daughter” both nights, and the dress has been one of the most striking looks yet. Created by designer Kunihiko Morinaga, who is behind the Japanese brand Anrealage, the standout gown features around 35,000 LED lights that change in sync with the song’s progression.

For the dress, Morinaga worked with Mplusplus, a Japanese design firm led by Minoru Fujimoto known for integrating LEDs into textiles. The firm developed a wireless control system to change the lights as Beyoncé performed.

Beyoncé first kicked off her “Cowboy Carter” tour on April 28 in Los Angeles, the first of of 32 stadium shows. Fans from all over the world traveled to witness Beyoncé’s first two Los Angeles shows, which were filled with family, politics, soaring vocals, incredible costumes and masterful dancing.

The nine-city tour will span the U.S. and Europe with the grand finale taking place in Las Vegas on July 26. She’s set to make history with her scheduled tour dates, including by playing the most dates at SoFi Stadium of any artist.

Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network’s Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.

May 2, 2025
Kate Middleton, Prince William celebrate Princess Charlotte’s birthday

Prince William and Princess Kate’s only daughter just turned 10.

Princess Charlotte celebrated her birthday May 2, with her parents giving her a shoutout on their Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account.

“Happy 10th Birthday Princess Charlotte!” the royals captioned an outdoorsy photo of Charlotte, the spitting image of her father, taken by Kate.

Princess Charlotte is the second child of the Prince and Princess of Wales and third in line to the British throne, preceded by Prince George, 11, and, of course, her father, Prince William, 42. Prince Louis, 7, is fourth in line.

Louis celebrated his 7th birthday last month, with the British royals sharing an adorable photo with his two front teeth missing. George will turn 12 this summer, on July 22.

Happy birthday, Prince Louis! William and Kate share new portrait of son as he turns 7

The family of five recently celebrated Easter together in Norfolk, skipping Easter service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor with King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

It has been celebrations all around for the royals, as William and Kate just celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary. The couple visited a picturesque, rural Scottish island on April 29 for a two-day visit to the Isles of Mull and Iona, part of the Hebrides archipelago off the west coast. William and the former Kate Middleton were married in a high-profile ceremony at Westminster Abbey in 2011, after meeting a decade earlier as students at the University of St Andrews on Scotland’s east coast.

William and Kate celebrate 14th anniversary in Scotland: Look back at their relationship

They began the trip in the town of Tobermory, famed for its brightly coloured houses which overlook the harbour, looking relaxed as they beamed and waved to a crowd of well-wishers to the strains of a bagpiper in the background. They visited a community hub before strolling through an artisan market where they chatted to stallholders and posed for pictures with locals.

British media reported that following their official duties, they would spend their anniversary at a small, isolated self-catered cottage on Mull, famed for its dramatic and beautiful scenery.

Contributing: Michael Holden and Paul Sandle, Reuters

May 2, 2025
Beyoncé changes setlist for second show, adds throwback hits

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter kept the heat coming during her second show in Los Angeles, switching up her set list and performing some of her most beloved throwback hits.

The Grammy-winning singer took the stage at SoFi Stadium for a second night on May 1, and not only did she perform songs from her “Renaissance” album, as she did during her debut show, but she moved some songs around and added more tunes to her massive set list.

Beyoncé performed “Irreplaceable” (2006), “If I were A Boy” (2008), “Single Ladies” (2008) and “Love on Top” (2011). And the crowd seemed pleasantly surprised as they belted the songs along with Beyoncé. The excitement was also prevalent online as fans watched from afar.

One fan on X wrote, “I’m loving this new setlist Beyoncé!!” Another said, “Beyonce’s switch up of the Cowboy Carter Tour changes the game, it shows you how you can reorder your setlist, add and remove songs here and there by surprise, without compromising the vision and still sticking to a narrative…INSANITY IM GAGGED.”

During Thursday’s show, Beyoncé also peformed songs in a different order than the first night. Most notably, she performed her hit songs, “Riiverdance,” “II Hands II Heaven” and “Tyrant” back to back. And of course, fans have already been theorizing on how the set list might change in different cities.

Toward the end of her set, she thanked the crowd.

“Thank you to my Beyhive for always loving me and always protecting me,” she said.

Los Angeles is the first city on Beyoncé’s 32-stadium “Cowboy Carter”Tour, which kicked off April 28. Fans from all over the world traveled to witness Beyoncé’s first shows, which were filled with family, politics, soaring vocals, incredible costumes and masterful dancing.

The nine-city tour will span the U.S. and Europe with the grand finale taking place in Las Vegas on July 26. She’s set to make history with her scheduled tour dates, including by playing the most dates at SoFi Stadium of any artist.

Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network’s Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.

May 2, 2025
Is 'Thunderbolts*' suitable for little kids? A parent's guide.Movies

Is ‘Thunderbolts*’ suitable for little kids? A parent’s guide.Movies

May 2, 2025
Watch Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, Rumi congratulate Tina Knowles onstage for book

Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour continues to be a family affair with the superstar honoring her mom, Tina Knowles, and sharing a special moment with her during her second show in Los Angeles.

The Grammy-winning singer brought Knowles onstage at SoFi Stadium to congratulate her on her new memoir becoming a New York Times bestseller, a day after Knowles kicked off her “Matriarch” book tour in Washington, D.C.

During the May 1 show, Mama Tina joined Beyoncé and her daughters Blue Ivy Carter and Rumi Carter as Bey sang “Protector.” Toward the end of the song, Beyoncé took a moment to applaud her mom on the success of her book and thousands of fans joined in for the moment.

“She has the No. 1 book — the New York Times bestseller,” Beyoncé told the crowd. “Everybody please say congratulations Mama T.” And thousands of fans did so in unison.

Of course, Knowles released her book April 22. In it, she shares intimate details about her life, including private and public battles. Oprah Winfrey announced the book is the latest selection for her famous Oprah’s Book Club.

As fans know, Beyoncé launched her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour on April 28 in Los Angeles, and the first show kicked off a total of 32 stadium shows. Fans from all over the world traveled to witness Beyoncé’s debut show, which was filled with family, politics, soaring vocals, incredible costumes and masterful dancing.

The nine-city tour will span the U.S. and Europe with the grand finale taking place in Las Vegas on July 26. She’s set to make history with her scheduled tour dates, including by playing the most dates at SoFi Stadium of any artist.

Meanwhile, Knowles is in the middle of her own her nine-city tour for her “Matriarch” memoir with the next stop taking place in the same city — Los Angeles — on May 2.

Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network’s Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.

May 2, 2025
Princess Charlotte turns 10Entertainment

Princess Charlotte turns 10Entertainment

May 2, 2025