Barack Obama turned down a voiceover role in ‘Severance’ season two despite being a ‘big fan’

Severance fans have long made their suggestions for who should appear on the sci-fi series, but even the most ambitious of fan-casts wouldn’t have Barack Obama as an option. Well, according to Severance director Ben Stiller, this presidential casting choice almost became a reality. The actor — who also serves as an executive producer on the Apple TV series — spoke of Obama’s potential involvement in Severance’s currently-airing second season during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Stiller was eyeing the former president for a voiceover role in the premiere episode, which would have seen him play an animated Lumon Industries building in a training video shown to the severed employees.

“I knew someone who knew his lawyer, and his lawyer said I can relay the request if you write an email,” Stiller said of his process in approaching Obama for the role. After sending the email, Stiller said he received a reply from the 44th president that was about as disheartening as anytime an Innie tries to escape Harmony Cobel. “‘Hey Ben, big fan of the show. Love season 1, can’t wait for season 2,’” Stiller relayed, “don’t think I have time in my schedule to make this happen.”

Of course, if anyone can use the excuse of a busy schedule, it’s the former president of the United States, but the Severance fan in me still laments what could’ve been a scene-stealing role. Who better to speak as an animated building than a man whose voice turns microphones into gold? Alas, it simply wasn’t meant to be, and eagle-eared fans will know that the voice role ultimately went to a person of equal caliber: Keanu Reeves.

Speaking of casting the John Wick star as the uncredited cameo, Severance creator Dan Erickson said last year that “we talked about a couple of different people for that role” (we now know who), adding that they wanted the voice “to be a very warm presence.” Warm, like a trained assassin with a dizzying number of movie kills? Or warm, like the loveable figurine Duke Caboom in Toy Story 4? I’m no showrunner, but I’m guessing it’s the latter.

In any case, it wouldn’t be the first time Obama has lent his voice for the small screen. He recently turned umpteenth microphones into gold as the narrator of Netflix’s five-episode nature documentary series, Our Oceans. Watch out, David Attenborough, he’s coming for your bag! Elsewhere, Higher Ground Productions — the company created by Obama and his wife, Michelle — has been behind other titles like Leave the World Behind and Rustin.

It goes without saying, but those projects are better than the ones the current president has starred in (ahem, The Celebrity Apprentice, ahem). Of course, Donald Trump almost reached Hollywood acclaim, at least vicariously, through Sebastian Stan’s Oscar-nominated portrayal of him in The Apprentice — but we’re guessing Obama likely would’ve secured Emmys gold had he appeared on Severance.

In other Severance news, Stiller recently shot down rumors of on-set tensions between the show’s creators, while its main castmates — Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, and John Turturro — appeared as part of a surprise pop-up in New York City ahead of the season two premiere. Needless to say, Obama wasn’t there.

Scream fans all saying the same thing about David Arquette’s return

The Scream franchise has brought yet another character back from the dead, David Arquette’s Dewey Riley, for the upcoming Scream 7.

The 53-year-old actor played the beloved Woodboro cop in the original 1996 film Scream, along with 1997’s Scream 2, 2000’s Scream 3, 2011’s Scream 4 and 2022’s soft-reboot Scream.

The character was killed in 2022’s Scream by Amber Freeman (new Oscar winner Mikey Madison), though now he’ll return in Scream 7, via Deadline.

He joins previously-deceased characters Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) from the original Scream, and Scott Foley’s Roman Bridger from Scream 3.

While it remains unclear how these deceased characters will play into the story, fans have not been shy on social media, reacting to the news.

Some are quite stunned, while some are floating various theories about how Dewey and the others will figure into the story.

The Scream franchise has brought yet another character back from the dead, David Arquette’s Dewey Riley, for the upcoming Scream 7.

The 53-year-old actor played the beloved Woodboro cop in the original 1996 film Scream, along with 1997’s Scream 2, 2000’s Scream 3, 2011’s Scream 4 and 2022’s soft-reboot Scream

Some are quite stunned, while some are floating various theories about how Dewey and the others will figure into the story

The first four films were set in the sleepy town of Woodsboro, which is terrorized by a mysterious killer known only as Ghostface.

Each film had a different killer (or killers), with the first being Lillard’s Stu Macher and Skeet Ulrich’s Billy Loomis.

Read More Courteney Cox confirmed to join Scream 7 cast

It’s worth noting that Ulrich did return as Loomis in 2022’s Scream in the form of a hallucination, who guides Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera), Loomis’ illegitimate daughter.

He also appears via hallucination in the most recent installment, 2023’s Scream VI, though it’s still unclear how Dewey and the other deceased characters will be back.

In lieu of any official confirmation by the studio, fans were quick to speculate about Dewey’s return on social media.

X user @SteelerVol4Life said, ‘I grant you there’s no f***ing way 115 lbs Mikey Madison killed a 161 lbs and a former professional wrestler in David Arquette in Scream 5 But I still ask the question: How? We saw him in a body-bag.’

Another user – @Galv_Studios – offered said his return, ‘ can mean one of two things. 1: It’s a flashback scene. 2: Scream 7 is going to be the franchise’s equivalent of Wes Craven’s New Nightmare.’

New Nightmare was director Craven’s film directly before the first Scream, which featured the actors from the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise as themselves, and not in character.

The first four films were set in the sleepy town of Woodsboro, which is terrorized by a mysterious killer known only as Ghostface

He also appears via hallucination in the most recent installment, 2023’s Scream VI, though it’s still unclear how Dewey and the other deceased characters will be back

In lieu of any official confirmation by the studio, fans were quick to speculate about Dewey’s return on social media

X user @SteelerVol4Life said, ‘I grant you there’s no f***ing way 115 lbs Mikey Madison killed a 161 lbs and a former professional wrestler in David Arquette in Scream 5 But I still ask the question: How? We saw him in a body-bag’

Another user – @Galv_Studios – offered said his return, ‘ can mean one of two things. 1: It’s a flashback scene. 2: Scream 7 is going to be the franchise’s equivalent of Wes Craven’s New Nightmare.’

Others chimed in like @drugproblem, who said, ‘this movie is just doing anything,’ as @TVMoviefan30 said, ‘WTF he died how?’

Khivan (@khiaville) added, ‘all of the challenged individuals thinking this means the character is alive’

Others chimed in like @drugproblem, who said, ‘this movie is just doing anything,’ as @TVMoviefan30 said, ‘WTF he died how?’

More fans agreed with the New Nightmare theory like @JGarzaIII, who said, ‘gotta be new nightmare now… crazy!’

X user @SwiftBurrow13 said, ‘New Nightmare version of Scream,’ though @nintendofan87tv wondered, ‘so like a dream sequence?’

Khivan (@khiaville) added, ‘all of the challenged individuals thinking this means the character is alive.’

Dewey’s widow Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) will also be back for the sequel, along with returning franchise members Neve Campbell (Sidney Prescott), Mason Gooding (Chad Meeks-Martin) and Jasmin Savoy Brown (Mindy Meeks-Martin).

They will be joined by franchise newcomers Isabel May, Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Mckenna Grace, Sam Rechner, Anna Camp, Joel McHale, Mark Consuelos and Ethan Embry for director Kevin Williamson, who wrote the original Scream film.

‘Paradise’ Ending Explained: Who Killed James Marsden’s Cal? Who Else Died?

Paradise kept the twists coming all season long — but which questions got answered in the finale?

Warning: This story contains spoilers about season 1 of Paradise.

During the Tuesday, March 4, episode, Xavier (Sterling K. Brown) pieces together the clues Cal (James Marsden) left behind. Most of the former president’s last day was spent collecting information about the people who survived the doomsday event that caused most of them to disappear into their underground bunker. Turns out, Cal didn’t actually know who was going to kill him — because Trent (Ian Merrigan) came out of nowhere.

Then comes some rewinding back to Cal’s last day. One of the highs of the day was visiting the library where Cal made a mixtape for his son. He also left behind some information for Xavier in a book and crossed paths with the librarian. The twist? The librarian was the man who tried to shoot him back when they were in Washington, D.C. (and that was the bullet Xavier took for Cal).

Trent initially worked on the construction for the bunker except the employees didn’t know what they were digging back then. Throughout the process, Trent formed a friendship with the other workers, which meant it hurt him even more when he realized the biohazard coming from the dirt they were digging up.

An attempt to whistleblow lost Trent his job. He tried to get attention by shooting President Cal, but what he was really doing was scoring a spot in a dangerous prison located right next to the bunker’s location. Doomsday arrived and Trent — along with the waitress at Gabriela’s (Sarah Shahi) favorite diner — snuck into the bunker.

Trent ultimately got comfortable living in the bunker until he crossed paths with Cal again. The anger came bubbling back and Trent got revenge for the actions that harmed his friends and those who didn’t get the chance to survive the end of the world in a bunker.

Cal’s death wasn’t the only question that got answered. But with those answers came new questions — and luckily fans can look forward to learning more when the show returns for a second season.

Keep scrolling to find out where each character stands at the end of Paradise — and how the story set the show up for more episodes:

Once Xavier connected all the dots, he tried to stop Trent from sounding the alarm in the bunker or escaping to what may or may not be an uninhabitable environment. Xavier didn’t get a chance to deescalate because Trent died by suicide in the bunker.

Despite his reservations, Xavier made the decision to take one of the planes and fly out of the bunker — to the surface.

Cal’s last day was spent trying to right some wrongs. More importantly, Cal found a way to leave a message for his son about fixing the world he created in the bunker. That inspired Jeremy to start a revolution down below in the name of his dad.

Samantha (Julianne Nicholson) wasn’t lying about not being responsible for Cal’s death. Unfortunately, her decisions caught up with her and Jane (Nicole Brydon Bloom) found a way to still have the upper hand by shooting Samantha before she was exposed. Samantha didn’t die but she’s currently in a coma as the state of the world is left to the whim of the remaining people in charge.

After teaming up with Xavier, Nicole (Krys Marshall) helped him nearly apprehend Trent. She also encouraged Xavier to check out what was going up above the bunker while she kept the peace down below.

Siding with Samantha didn’t work out in Gabriela’s favor. However, that led to Gabriela and Nicole working together to figure out who killed Cal. It remains to be seen how the recent events would affect Gabriela or Paradise.

All Jane wanted was Cal’s gaming console, but Samantha couldn’t even give her death. Jane found a way to keep Xavier’s daughter safe, which meant no one realized Jane was a threat. She then pretended to help Xavier by shooting Samantha and finally getting to play some video games.

Faster Pussycat Singer’s Fiancee Kimberly Burch Presumed Dead After Falling Overboard on 80s Cruise

Kimberly Burch, the fiancée of rock star Taime Downe, is presumed dead after falling overboard while attending an 80s-themed Royal Caribbean cruise.

What Happened to Kimberly Burch?

Kimberly reportedly fell “from a room balcony” to her death on the first night on an ’80s-themed Royal Caribbean cruise ship on March 2, 2025, after an “alleged” heated argument with Taime, according to reports. The cruise departed from Miami on February 27, 2025, and was set to return on March 6, 2025.

“Our crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort, is working with local authorities, and we are providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time,” a Royal Caribbean Group spokesman confirmed to the Daily Mail. “To respect the privacy of our guest’s family, we have no additional details to share.”

The details of the tragedy remain uncertain. What is known is that Burch fell to her death from the balcony of her eighth-floor cabin. Taime and other cruise ship guests claim she jumped, per the Daily Mail.

The incident happened roughly 20 miles away from Freeport, Bahamas, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed to TMZ on March 4, 2025. In addition, the Coast Guard is assisting the Royal Bahamas Defense Force in their investigation and deployed a helicopter crew to help with search efforts. Kimberly’s body has yet to be recovered.

Kimberly Burch’s Mother Said Depression Was Not a Factor in Her Daughter’s Death

Kimberly’s mother, Carnell Burch, told TMZ the Faster Pussycat artist called her on March 3, 2025, to reveal that her daughter had died but it was unclear whether Kimberly jumped or accidentally fell from the ship. The pair were believed to have been together for six or seven years at the time of her presumed death.

Carnell told the outlet that her daughter was not suffering from depression and was excited about the cruise, which featured Faster Pussycat as a musical guest. She added that Kimberly had been drinking during the cruise, which was out of character for her, according to her mother.

Kimberly Burch’s Family Reacted to Her Death Via Social Media

Kimberly’s family announced her passing in a tribute posted on Facebook on March 4, 2025.

“It is with broken hearts that we share the sad news that Kimberly Burch has passed away,” her family wrote in a lengthy statement. “She was a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law and aunt. She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her. We ask for prayers during this time for our family as we try to wrap our minds around this heartbreaking tragedy. We love and miss you Kimberly Burch!!”

Kimberly Burch Posted 1 Final Selfie Before Death

Before the tragic incident, Kimberly posted one final selfie to her Threads account with the caption, “We made it aboard @the80scruise.”

Taime Down Reportedly Gave an ‘Obscene’ Performance Before Kimberly’s Death

Around 90 minutes before Kimberly went overboard, Taime and his bandmates performed a lively show for cruisegoers. In footage shared of the performance, fans were excited as they sang along and took fans with the rockers, per the Daily Mail.

Right ending his set, Taime shouted, “It’s all about the p–y motherf–r!’

Comedian Matt Lucas issues apology to actress Millie Bobby Brown

Comedian Matt Lucas has apologised to Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown after he used a catchphrase from a Little Britain character alongside photographs of her on social media site X.

Last week Lucas, 50, wrote the phrase “no but yeah but”, used by delinquent teenager Vicky Pollard in the popular sketch comedy series, above pictures of the actress.

British actress Brown, 21, was photographed out and about in Los Angeles, wearing hoop earrings and a pink top, which Lucas said had prompted him to point out “the similarity by posting one of her (Vicky’s) catchphrases”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Matt Lucas (@realmattlucas)

The apology from Lucas, in response to an Instagram post from Brown, said: “Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond, and provide some context. Nearly 25 years ago I co-wrote and appeared in a sketch show called Little Britain.

“There was a character in it called Vicky Pollard, who had blonde hair and always wore a pink top, and in the photo you had blonde hair and wore a pink top so I pointed out the similarity by posting one of her catchphrases.

“I thought you looked terrific and I was mortified when the press wrote that I ‘slammed’ you, firstly because that’s not my style, and secondly because I think you’re brilliant.

“I would not have posted it if I had thought it would have upset you but I realise it has and for that I apologise.”

Little Britain, which also starred David Walliams, began as a radio show in 2000 and moved to TV in 2003, running for three series.

Characters included Pollard, with her catchphrase, Andy and his carer Lou, Fat Fighters’ Marjorie Dawes, and rubber outfit-wearing Daffyd.

Lucas’s apology came after Brown, whose role as Eleven in Netflix series Stranger Things made her a household name, took to Instagram saying media coverage of her changing appearance has amounted to “bullying”.

Millie Bobby Brown attends the launch of her debut novel Nineteen Steps at the Hackney Empire in east London with her partner, Jacob Hurley Bongiovi (Yui Mok/PA)

Alongside a video, the actress said: “I want to take a moment to address something that I think is bigger than just me, something that affects every young woman who grows up under public scrutiny.

“I think it’s necessary to speak up about this. I started in this industry when I was 10 years old. I grew up in front of the world, and, for some reason, people can’t seem to grow with me.

“Instead, they act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look the way I did on Stranger Things Season 1. And because I don’t, I’m now a target.”

She quoted headlines from articles, among them references to Lucas’s X comments, which she said were “amplifying an insult rather than questioning why a grown man is mocking a young woman’s appearance”.

She added: “This isn’t journalism. This is bullying. The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, it’s disturbing.

“The fact that some of these articles are written by women? Even worse. We always talk about supporting and uplifting young women but, when the time comes, it seems easier to tear them down for clicks.

“Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not theirs. I refuse to apologise for growing up. I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman.

“I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress, or how I present myself. We have become a society where it’s so much easier to criticise than it is to pay a compliment.”

She ended her post saying: “Let’s do better. Not just for me, but for every young girl who deserves to grow up without fear of being torn apart for simply existing.”

Celebrities including Sex And The City’s Sarah Jessica Parker and Sort Your Life Out presenter Stacey Solomon were among those commending Brown on her post, with Solomon writing: “Louder for the people at the back! You’re incredible Millie. And so grounded & intelligent. I love this & everything you’re standing for.”

(L to R) Gaten Matarazzo, Charlie Heaton, Noah Schnapp, Natalia Dyer, Shannon Purser, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Joe Keery and Caleb McLaughlin accept the award for Show of the Year for Stranger Things at the 2017 MTV Movie and TV Awards (PA)

Filming on the fifth and final series of Stranger Things has now finished, with it due to air sometime in 2025.

The series, created by brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, also stars Edward Scissorhands’ Winona Ryder and David Harbour, first aired on Netflix in 2016 and was set in the 1980s.

It followed the disappearance of 12-year-old Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) and showed his friends, his unsettled mother Joyce (Ryder) and his brother Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) trying to find him.

It sparked a nostalgia for ’80s pop culture, with Kate Bush’s 1985 hit Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) soaring to number one in the UK’s single charts after it was used in the soundtrack for series four.

Since her breakout role in Stranger Things, Brown landed the title role as mystery-solving sleuth Enola Holmes in the 2020 Netflix film and its sequel two years later.

Brown, who married Jake Bongiovi, the son of rock star Jon Bon Jovi, last year, has been promoting the new Russo Brothers film, The Electric State, in which she stars alongside Chris Pratt.

Jay-Z Sues Rape Accuser for Defamation

Jay-Z’s legal fight against a woman who accused him of rape isn’t over. The rapper, born Shawn Carter, is now suing the anonymous Jane Doe and her lawyers for defamation after she withdrew her lawsuit last month. In a lawsuit filed on March 3, per Rolling Stone, Jay-Z said Doe’s allegations — that he raped her alongside Diddy after the 2000 VMAs — were “completely fabricated.” Further, Jay-Z’s lawsuit claims Doe “voluntarily admitted directly to representatives of Mr. Carter” that her accusation was false, though it does not give details of that admission. Meanwhile, Doe’s attorney Tony Buzbee said she stands by her accusation even though she withdrew her lawsuit. “Shawn Carter’s investigators have repeatedly harassed, threatened, and harangued this poor woman for weeks trying to intimidate her and make her recant her story,” Buzbee said in a statement. “She won’t. Instead she has stated repeatedly she stands by her claims.” Buzbee is one of the two lawyers whom Jay-Z is also suing, alongside David Fortney.

Doe first named Jay-Z when she refiled her lawsuit in December of last year. She claimed she went to the MTV Video Music Awards without a ticket in 2000 when she was 13. Outside the ceremony, Doe said she was invited to Sean “Diddy” Combs’s after-party, where she alleged Diddy and Jay-Z raped her. Jay-Z vociferously denied the allegations, which he characterized as a “blackmail attempt.” Then, days later, Doe admitted to NBC News that she “made some mistakes” in remembering her lawsuit after NBC noted inconsistencies in her story — including where the party was, other celebrities she met there, and whether her father picked her up afterward. Still, Doe maintained her allegation overall. “Our client remains fiercely adamant that what she has stated is true, to the best of her memory,” Buzbee told NBC at the time.

Behind the Reason Adrien Brody Kissed Halle Berry When He Won His First Oscar

“You could say time slowed down. That was that moment where I really, really felt it slow down,” Adrien said.

One of the best things about live TV and award shows are those unexpected moments that instantly became part of the cultural landscape — which is exactly what happened when Adrien Brody went on stage to receive his first Oscar.

Back in 2003, Adrien was nominated for his very first Academy Award and was a favorite to win heading into the Oscars ceremony. When he went up to accept his Best Actor award for his performance in The Pianist, he did something that no one in the audience or watching at home anticipated.

In keeping with tradition, Halle Berry (the previous year’s Best Actress winner) presented the award for the Best Actor category. As Adrien accepted his award from her, he grabbed her in a tight embrace and kissed her passionately.

Halle was in complete shock, but she went with the unscripted moment. Adrien admitted he kissed her because he felt it was an opportunity of a lifetime. “Bet they didn’t tell you that was in the gift bag,” Adrien said after kissing Halle, according to Cosmopolitan.

While many understood that he was overcome with emotion at the milestone moment in his career, others were critical of the act, citing lack of consent and Halle’s shocked reaction.

In a 2015 interview with Vanity Fair, Brody reflected on the unforgettable moment. “That sure was probably one of the most memorable moments ever,” he told the outlet at the time. “You could say time slowed down. That was that moment where I really, really felt it slow down.”

“In fact, it must have, because by the time I got finished kissing her, and people kinda settled in, they were already flashing the sign that said, ‘Get off the stage, your time is up,’” Adrien added.

While on the red carpet at the 2025 Oscars, Adrien and Halle called back to the much-talked-about moment 22 years later when the two once again locked lips.

“That was one hell of a night for him, and for me as well. To be a part of his moment … tonight I had to pay him back,” Berry said in an interview with Variety. “I’ve seen him out at parties, but this is the first time since that night that I’ve seen him on the red carpet somewhere. He’s nominated this year. He deserved that.”

Daredevil: Born Again Team Tells All About Premiere’s ‘Atom Bomb’ of a Twist: ‘It’s a Tough Pill to Swallow’

The following contains full spoilers from the series premiere of Daredevil: Born Again, now streaming on Disney+.

I repeat….

The following contains full spoilers from the series premiere of Daredevil: Born Again, now streaming on Disney+.

The revival-of-sorts opened with longtime friends Matt Murdock (played by Charlie Cox), Karen Page (Debra Ann Woll) and Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) emerging from their storefront law firm and heading to Josie’s Bar for a night of revelry. When Foggy later ducked out to take a call (from Benny, a panicked witness he had “stashed” in his apartment), Matt peeled off and swung into action as Daredevil. But just as Daredevil closed in on Foggy’s place, he heard Benny say that the intruder simply wanted to know where Foggy was.

Realizing that a trap had been set, Daredevil darted back towards Josie’s, but he would arrive too late. Benjamin Poindexter aka Bullseye had emerged from a steam cloud across from Josie’s and put a bullet into Foggy’s chest. A bereft Karen stayed with Foggy as Daredevil gave chase, trading blow after blow with the Marvel’s Daredevil Season 3 adversary, chasing him up to the roof for more fighting, and eventually lobbing Foggy’s shooter off the roof, to a near-death four stories below.

Foggy, though, had faded. Succumbing to the gunshot wound. Dead at Karen’s side.

Cut to: one year later, where Matt has hung up his supersuit and joined a new law firm. At Poindexter’s sentencing (11 consecutive life sentences, without parole), Karen slips in the back, and we soon learn that Matt peaced out on her for weeks in the wake of Foggy’s murder/Matt’s attempted murder of Bullseye. Karen in turn moved to San Francisco, and has rebuffed Matt’s repeated attempts at outreach.

“I refuse to believe that a tragedy had to destroy everything,” Matt lamented to Karen.

“But it did,” she maintained.

Elsewhere in the first episode: Matt sought face time with longtime adversary Wilson Fisk (whose wife, Vanessa, is quietly and capably lording over his criminal empire while he seeks the mayoralty). Fisk claimed that “after some time away” (watch Echo), he achieved “a new Zen” that led to his pursuit of public office, to help New York. Matt warned the seemingly sincere politician to “stay in his lane” or else; Fisk in turn assured Matt that when he is mayor, there will be “consequences” for anyone running around in “silly costumes.” We also saw Matt and a shrink named Heather (Revenge’s Margarita Levieva) get roped into a blind date that they then nearly bailed on, only to realize they do in fact have a connection.

In the video above (and via excerpts below), series lead Charlie Cox, showrunner Dario Scardapane, executive producer Sana Amanat and the directing team of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (who together helmed Episode 1 as well as 8 and 9) break down the long-held decision to kill off Foggy, how series vet Elden Henson took the news, and how the directors aimed to underscore the magnitude of the loss with the fight sequence that accompanied it….

Jay-Z Sues His Rape Accuser After She Dropped Her Case

Rapper Jay-Z has filed a lawsuit against the woman who accused him and Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping her as a teen. The Jane Doe voluntarily dismissed her complaint last month, and now, Jay-Z — whose given name is Shawn Carter — claims she and her lawyers orchestrated an “evil conspiracy” that was “soullessly motivated by greed,” according to Deadline. The Cut has contacted Carter’s attorney for comment.

“Defendants devised and executed their plan to accuse Mr. Carter of sexual assault and used national news and media outlets to disseminate the fabricated accusations to millions despite the falsity of the accusation,” the court documents reportedly state. They were filed on Monday in federal court in the Southern District of Alabama and name Doe alongside attorneys Tony Buzbee and David Fortney. Doe is an Alabama resident.

In a statement to the Cut, Buzbee — who is representing about two dozen of Combs’s accusers and has threatened up to 300 lawsuits against the disgraced mogul — said Carter’s claim was “full of lies.”

“Jane Doe affirmed as late as yesterday that she stands by her claims,” he said. “Jane Doe has been harassed and threatened, but she has never wavered and certainly has never recanted. The case filed against her includes multiple false claims, all designed to get a headline. We will address it in due course and will not allow her to be bullied or intimidated.”

In October, Doe accused Combs and two then-unnamed celebrities of raping her at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000, when she was 13 years old. In the since-dropped complaint, she said she felt “woozy and lightheaded” after sipping the drink that was offered to her and found an empty bedroom where she could lie down. Shortly thereafter, Doe claimed, Combs burst in with a man and woman in tow and told her she looked “ready to party.” While the woman watched, the lawsuit alleged, the unnamed famous man held Doe down and raped her, followed by Combs.

In a statement, Combs’s attorneys insisted their client had “never sexually assaulted anyone — adult or minor, man or woman.” But by December, Doe had amended her complaint, naming Carter as Combs’s alleged accomplice. She also recounted the alleged assault to NBC News, acknowledging that while there had been some inconsistencies in her account, she stood by the central allegations.

For his part, Carter immediately denied any involvement. In a statement posted to the X account for his entertainment company, Roc Nation, he called Buzbee a “fraud” and said Doe’s allegations were “heinous in nature.” He also quickly hit back, filing to have Doe’s case dismissed and lobbying a judge to make her name public. When Doe dropped the matter on February 14, Carter seemed to foreshadow the possibility of further action to come, writing on Roc Nation’s X: “The trauma that my wife, my children, loved ones and I have endured can never be dismissed.”

Deadline reported that in his complaint, Carter accuses Doe and her attorneys of malicious prosecution and defamation, arguing that Roc Nation lost $20 million thanks to the purported reputational smear. The complaint reportedly states that Doe “admitted that Mr. Carter did not assault her; and that indeed it was Buzbee himself — whom she met for the first time at a coffee shop in Houston on the day of her maliciously false NBC News interview — who pushed her to go forward with the false narrative of the assault by Mr. Carter in order to leverage a maximum payday.”

Carter was already suing Buzbee in California for what he has deemed “naked extortion” and defamation before filing this lawsuit. In a hearing late last month, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark H. Epstein seemed to be leaning toward dropping the extortion allegations but allowing a defamation case to move forward, according to Deadline. An official ruling is still forthcoming.

Millie Bobby Brown says press are ‘bullying’ her over appearance

She added: “Instead, they act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look the way I did on Stranger Things season one. And because I don’t, I’m now a target.”

The articles highlighted by Brown criticise her hair, face, body and style, with some insinuating she looks much older than she is.

“The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, is disturbing,” Brown said.

“That some of these articles are written by women makes it even worse,” she added.

Brown has grown up in the media spotlight since the age of nine, when she appeared in ABC drama Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and BBC America show Intruders.

Her big break came in 2016, when she was cast as Eleven in the Netflix’s sci-fi hit Stranger Things.

It led to worldwide recognition for Brown, who was nominated for various accolades at the SAG and Emmy awards.

In her social media video, Brown concluded: “I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress or how I present myself.

“Let’s do better, not just for me but for every young girl who deserves to grow up without the fear of being torn apart for simply existing.”

Brown has been praised by fellow actors in response to the post, including Sex and the City’s Sarah Jessica Parker, who wrote that she was “enormously proud”.

Brown’s co-star in Enola Holmes, Louis Partridge, commented: “Well said Millie. Handled with grace.”

Fellow former child actor and The Handmaid’s Tale star Mckenna Grace added: “No young woman or person deserves to feel pressure or cruelty for simply existing. You are so well spoken and so beautiful. Very well said, thank you for making this video.”