By Wonderwall.com Editors
2:16pm PDT, Jun 4, 2020
Kylie Jenner tops Forbes' Celeb 100 list after feud
Well, this is awkward. Less than a week after Forbes rescinded its "youngest self-made billionaire" title from Kylie Jenner, accusing her of faking tax documents to make herself appear wealthier than she is, the outlet released its annual list of the world's highest-paid celebrities. Guess who's at the top? Yep, according to Forbes' 2020 Celeb 100 list, published Thursday, June 4, Kylie made more money over the past year than any other celebrity — $590 million, to be exact. That's in large part thanks to the sale of a 51 percent share of Kylie Cosmetics to beauty giant, Coty. The 22-year-old reportedly sold the majority stake for $600 million, before taxes, yielding her a payday of $540 million. Kylie has denied Forbes' claims she created a "web of lies" to make it look like she was a billionaire — a milestone the outlet reported she'd reached last spring — slamming the outlet for making "inaccurate statements and unproven assumptions" after she read the May 29 story. Whether she's a billionaire or a multi-millionaire, Kylie's in good shape to weather the economic fallout from the pandemic, as is her famous family. In fact, the second highest paid celebrity in the world is currently Kylie's brother-in-law, Kanye West, according to Forbes. Kanye reportedly made a stink earlier this year when Forbes failed to name him among the world's billionaires. When he was included in the list, he reportedly griped via text message that the outlet was still under-reporting his billionaire-ness (Forbes maintains 'Ye's $3.3 billion claim is overstated and reports he's actually worth $1.3 billion as of April). His current standing on the Celeb 100 list is credited to $170 million of earnings over the past year. Most of that income was generated by sales of his Yeezy fashion and footwear line. The rest of the 10 highest-paid celebs on Forbes' list are mostly athletes, including Roger Federer ($106.3 million), Cristiano Ronaldo ($105 million) and soccer stars Lionel Messi ($104 million) and Neymar ($95.5 million). Tyler Perry ($97 million), Howard Stern ($90 million), LeBron James ($88.2 million) and Dwayne Johnson ($87.5 million) appeared in the top 10, as well.
RELATED: Stars are nothing like us, Kylie Jenner edition
Angelina Jolie donates $200k to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Angelina Jolie made the Forbes list as well on Thursday, earning the "second highest-paid actress" slot on the 2020 report. That same day — which happens to be her 45th birthday — the actress and Special Envoy for the U.N. donated $200,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, according to ET. "Rights don't belong to any one group to give to another," she said in a statement about the donation. "Discrimination and impunity cannot be tolerated, explained away or justified. I hope we can come together as Americans to address the deep structural wrongs in our society. I stand with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in their fight for racial equality, social justice, and their call for urgent legislative reform." Angelina's ex-husband, Brad Pitt, was spotted at a Los Angeles protest earlier in the week.
RELATED: Stars speak out about George Floyd's death
Bethenny Frankel and B Strong announce aid program for black-owned small businesses
Bethenny Frankel's disaster relief charity, B Strong, is coming to the aid of black-owned small businesses that have been devastated by the combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues hitting black communities the hardest, and recent protests that in some cases have turned violent, with police attacking peaceful protesters and looters taking advantage of the unrest. On Tuesday, as demonstrators took to the streets again to protest the recent killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and other African-Americans, Bethenny announced B Strong would be donating cash cards to struggling, black-owned businesses. "Our goal is to start w a small number of 100 businesses. My goal was 20k #coronakits & we did $18m, so let's dream big. #thisisaculturalcrisis," she tweeted. It wasn't long before she posted that the group had reached its donation goal for the first mission of helping 100 businesses in just one day. "Tomorrow we will begin a raise for mission 2 to help 100 small businesses nationwide with #bstrong cash cards," she wrote of the second campaign, which opened up the recipient pool to small business owners of all races. Though she was widely praised for moving so quickly to provide aid, some Instagram users criticized her for helping black business owners first, asking why she limited the assistance. "When we help after a hurricane to where they got hit the hardest. From average wealth to the Covid statistics, this group has been hit the hardest," she told one user, adding, "MY INITIATIVE. MY CHOICE. TODAY our initiative is ALL RACES. IS THAT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU? Get off your computers and go help someone." She sounded less frustrated in her next response to a follower. After a user commented, "to single out Black owned Businesses that were destroyed by rioting is sad" and asked, "How can it be not about race when everyone keeps making about race?" the SkinnyGirl founder simply replied, "I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you." Her small business relief efforts come on the heels of her campaign to secure and distribute millions of PPE items to healthcare workers and others in need across the country.
RELATED: See which celebrities are donating to COVID relief efforts
Terry Crews apologizes to Gabrielle Union for not supporting her after 'AGT' firing
In light of recent events, Terry Crews has stepped up with a stronger apology for comments he made about his experience on "America's Got Talent" following reports Gabrielle Union was subjected to a toxic work environment there. "I want to make further amends with Black women, and in particular [Gabrielle Union] for not recognizing the privilege I have – especially in the workplace- and adding this fact to my earlier apology," he tweeted on Thursday. According to EW, Union was among the first celebrities who supported Crews in allegations he'd been sexually assaulted by a talent agent. After she was fired — and Crews was kept on — an investigation into her claims of experiencing racism, misogyny and harassment behind the scenes of "AGT" was launched. Crews was then accused of breaking an agreement not to discuss the claims publicly when he addressed the situation on "Today" in January, saying, "I can speak on behalf of any racism comments — that was never my experience on 'America's Got Talent.' In fact, it was the most diverse place I have ever been in my 20 years of entertainment." He faced backlash over the comment on social media, which he responded to by tweeting this: "There is only one woman on earth I have to please. Her name is Rebecca. Not my mother, my sister, my daughters or co-workers. I will let their husbands/ boyfriends/ partners take care of them." That post, which has since been deleted, got him in more hot water and inspired him to apologize to black women in general ("I hear you, I respect you, and understand you," he tweeted, leaving Union's name out of it, according to EW. Meanwhile, Union filed a harassment complaint this week against the producers of "AGT," Simon Cowell and NBC.
Amanda Seales is leaving 'The Real' amid concern about 'a lack of black voices at the top'
Amanda Seales is walking away from her post on daytime talk show "The Real" after just five months as a permanent co-host. The "Insecure" star announced this week in an Instagram Live post that she wasn't renewing her contract amid concerns about a lack of representation of black voices "at the top." She declined to specify whether she was referring to network brass, the production companies that helm the show (495 Productions and Telepictures Productions) or another "top" level of personnel, but she did make it clear her co-hosts had nothing to do with her decision to leave. "My contract is up … and I didn't renew it because it doesn't feel good to my soul to be at a place where I cannot speak to my people the way they need to be spoken to. And where the people who are speaking to me in disparaging ways are not being handled," she said on Instagram (via Deadline). "I'm not in a space where I can, as a full black woman, have my voice and my co-workers also have their voices and where the people at the top are not respecting the necessity for black voices to be at the top too," she added. In a follow-up statement, she assured followers her co-hosts, Loni Love, Jeannie Mai, Tamera Mowry-Housley and Adrienne Houghton, were not connected to her departure. "Do not try to create some false dissension between me and the co-hosts of The Real. Y'all so fing corny," she said. "There is a whole pandemic and an uprising going on, and you still can't find s else to do but try and create some kind of conflict that doesn't exist? … What I gotta do with my business ain't got nothing to do with them sisters." It's not the first time Seales voiced concern about diversity and representation on TV; speaking to Wonderwall at last year's BET Awards, she stressed the importance of showing "the reality of the cultural diversity in America … on our biggest networks."
Ice-T commends Dick Wolf for firing writer who threatened to 'light up' protesters
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" star Ice-T has given executive producer Dick Wolf two thumbs up for firing a writer on a "Law & Order" spinoff who posted a threatening message to protesters on social media. "Oh s —- … The Big Boss is cleaning house … RESPECT," the star tweeted, sharing a link to Wolf's statement. Craig Gore, a writer with credits on "S.W.A.T." and "Law & Order: Organized Crime," posted a photo of himself holding a rifle in front of his house in Los Angeles on Monday, according to Page Six. He captioned it, "Sunset [Boulevard] is being looted two blocks from me. You think I won't light motherf—— up who are trying to f— with my property I worked all my life for? Think again." Shortly thereafter, Wolf told Variety, "I will not tolerate this conduct, especially during our hour of national grief," adding that he was "terminating [Gore] immediately." As of Thursday, Gore had not responded to Page Six's request for comment.
Debra Messing to protesters: NYC theaters have your backs via #OpenYourLobby campaign
Protesters have faced tear gas, rubber bullets and worse during demonstrations in recent days. Now, a group of theaters in New York City are opening their doors to support them and keep them safe. Debra Messing was among the stars who praised venues like The Public Theater and shared a Google Doc alerting her followers to the most updated "#OpenYourLobby" information in the early hours of Thursday morning. "NYC PROTESTERS!! Here are the theatres that are open for you to use (bathroom, water, a/c) through #OpenYourLobby Participants (Last Updated 6/4, 12am*)," she tweeted, sharing a link to the latest list. According to Billboard, theaters in Boston, Austin, Washington D.C., and other cities across the country have said they'll soon be opening their doors to protesters as "safe spaces," too.
Beyonce to fans: 'Let's remain aligned and focused in our call for real justice'
On Wednesday, authorities in Minnesota arrested three police officers who stood by as their white colleague, Derek Chauvin, pinned George Floyd, an unarmed black man, to the ground by pressing a knee into his neck until he stopped breathing on May 25. Hours after the additional arrests were made, Beyonce reminded fans via Instagram that the fight for justice is not over. Sharing a photo of a protest, she wrote: "The world came together for George Floyd. We know there is a long road ahead. Let's remain aligned and focused in our call for real justice." Attorney General Keith Ellison also announced this week that Chauvin's charges had been increased to felony second-degree murder. The other officers, J.A. Keung, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao, face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter, according to E! News.
Regina King explains the 'constant conversation' she has with her son about police and race in America
One aspect of the ongoing national conversation on race and police brutality has been how parents talk to their children about what's been happening. On Wednesday's edition of "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Regina King opened up about the "constant conversation" about she has with her 24-year-old son, Ian. "In most of black homes, it's not just a conversation. It's an ongoing conversation. It never stops," the Oscar winner explained (via UsWeekly). The reality of how dangerous a situation involving police could be for Ian really "hit home" for Regina "when [Ian] was learning to drive," she said. "You kind of have to make them very clear about what they're supposed to do when they're out there in that car by themselves and more than likely going to get pulled over just because … [they're] a young black man." The actress also pointed out how events like the recent killings of unarmed African Americans at the hands of white police officers have serious effects on a young person's psyche. "Every time something like this happens, [that's] another moment that's telling them that they're not worthy, they're not valuable, their lives aren't valuable once they walk outside the comfort of their homes," she said. Offering advice to other parents having similar conversations, she urged viewers to be supportive of their children's feelings, whatever those feelings may be. "Make sure that you're letting them know that you hear them and that you do mirror the same sentiment, but you don't want them to do anything that's going to put themselves in a situation," she said. "They may not come back home, they may not talk to you again." Still, she said it's a necessary and ongoing conversation.
Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra donate to the ACLU and Equal Justice Initiative: 'We must all do the work to be ANTI racist'
Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are committed to being actively "anti-racist," they announced on Twitter this week. As part of that commitment, Nick posted that he and his wife have made donations to the ACLU and the Equal Justice Initiative, an organization that works to "end mass incarceration, excessive punishment, and racial inequality," according to its website. "Pri & I have heavy hearts … The reality of the inequalities in this country, and around the world, are glaring," Nick tweeted on Tuesday, after calling for "real leadership that unites and does not oppress." He went on to assert: "Systemic racism, bigotry and exclusion has gone on for far too long, and remaining silent not only reinforces it, but it allows it to continue." In a separate post, he added, "The time to take action is NOW. It's no longer enough to say 'I'm not racist.' We must all do the work to be ANTI racist and stand with the black community. In our first step towards our continued efforts to help fight this fight, Pri and I have donated to the @eji_org [Equal Justice Initiative] & @ACLU [American Civil Liberties Union]. We stand with you and we love you. #BlackLivesMatter' and 'JusticeForGeorgeFloyd."
