Letitia Wright is ready to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The actress, who starred as Shuri in Black Panther and its sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, teased a return to the character while guesting on Wednesday’s episode of The View.
“There are some new Avenger movies on the horizon, and everyone wants to know if Shuri will be making another appearance in the Marvel universe. We need it,” The View co-host Sunny Hostin said.
“I would like to continue with Shuri. She’s one of my favorite characters, such a blessing, honestly, I kid you not. I’m so grateful for her,” Wright said.
Hostin continued with her questioning, asking if fans could expect a Black Panther 3 film in the future.
“There’s a lot coming up,” Wright said in response, with a big smile on her face.
(NEW YORK) — Pope Francis formally signed off on allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples in December 2023.
But decades before the pope’s historic announcement, a New York City church has embraced the LGBTQ+ community and provided a safe space for worship.
The Church of St. Francis Xavier, in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, provided services for AIDS patients while others refused, including being one of the first to bury a person who died of the virus during the epidemic of the 1980s. More recently, the church became the new home for a decadeslong memorial for people who died from AIDS-related complications when the original host parish was closed as part of the Archdiocese of New York’s reorganization plans.
“We came and we never left,” Roe Sauerzopf told ABC News Live, recalling the first time she and her wife, Paula Acuti, had attended Sunday Mass at St. Francis, and how they immediately felt “safe” to be themselves.
“It’s been a struggle to be a lesbian, and to be a Catholic lesbian has been even more of a struggle,” Acuti, a New York resident, shared with a room full of women who attend a Catholic Lesbian group at the church and can relate to her experience, all nodding in agreement, while eating cheese and crackers and sipping wine on a Friday night.
“I had left the Catholic Church because of the attitude toward gay people,” Sauerzopf added.
“It was on Pride Sunday and the priest said that everybody there should pray for all the sinners who were marching in the city. And I think that’s the last time that we went into a church for a long time,” Acuti told ABC News Live.
It was at least 15 years before the couple found their way back to the Catholic Church. When attending a friend’s wedding in the early 2000s, they shared with a straight couple that they had felt unaccepted to be themselves within their religion.
“We were complaining to them about how there really is no accepting Catholic churches and they were like ‘oh no, there is one,’” Acuti said.
That’s when Acuti and Sauerzopf found St. Francis Xavier.
They soon became involved in the parish’s Catholic Lesbian group, which was founded in 1995, and now has more than 300 participating members.
Pastor Kenneth Boller, who leads the LGBTQ+ friendly groups at the church, said the parish has been welcoming of all people for “many, many years.”
“It’s important for everybody to find groups of people who are ‘like’ instead of ‘other.’ So you can develop friendships, you can share experiences,” Boller said. “What’s important is that people find a place to pray.”
The Catholic Lesbians group meets monthly to pray together and share their own faith experiences. With a wide range of ages, the youngest member is 18 years old and the oldest members are in their 80s.
Acuti and Sauerzopf, who have been together for 45 years, got married at St. Francis Xavier in 2004, when same-sex marriage was still illegal in the United States.
Sauerzopf said the ceremony was for their 25th anniversary, and the priest at the time told them to invite their family and friends.
“He did a whole Mass, he blessed our rings, he just couldn’t sign the papers.”
It was a day the couple said they’d never forget. Wanting other same-sex couples to feel the acceptance they had received, they helped plan a surprise ceremony at a recent Catholic Lesbian retreat for a newlywed couple who joined the group during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They’re just the most welcoming group we found,” McKenna Coyle, who is in her 20s, said, describing the group as “family.”
It was the last day of the retreat when Coyle and her wife, who were celebrating their one-year anniversary, walked into a room with music playing, a cake and photos from their wedding day displayed.
“They blessed us to celebrate our wedding since we can’t get married in the Catholic Church,” Coyle said.
“It’s a blessing on persons because everyone, every person, is entitled to be blessed. It’s not a blessing or endorsement of their living situation, but a realization that these are people of goodwill,” Boller said, in describing the Vatican policy change.
“The Pope says all are welcome. But then he kind of backtracks a little,” Sauerzopf said. “But this church doesn’t do the backtrack. They keep it up.”
In addition to advocating for equality within the Catholic Church, Sauerzopf also said she would like to see more women in leadership roles within the church. The Church of St. Francis Xavier allows women to perform the homily during Mass, Sauerzopf said, which is rare within the Catholic religion.
“We shouldn’t be the oasis. We should be what it’s all like,” she said, while sitting in a church pew.
The rapper recently appeared on the program, tapped as part of its Black Music Month celebration. She took the stage with her background singers, the Floettes, and Atlanta’s Band of Brothas, performing “Conceited,” “Bed Time” and “In the Party” before introducing her viral hit “Beef FloMix.”
“This next song was my first song to ever blow up. I wrote this in my mom’s house [when] I was 18. This is my baby,” she said. Flo then closed out the set with “Weak” and an acoustic version of “Never Lose Me” featuring a new verse.
Flo was part June’s all-female lineup, which also put a spotlight on Tems, Brittney Spencer, Tierra Whack and Chaka Khan.
“So, this sort of occurred to me this time last year like, ‘Wow, it’s too many dudes,’ and I want to really go for it this year, and really honor the women that helped shape Black music to me, which is all music,” producer and host Bobby Carter said. “I knew this was going to be something that we would do last year.”
— YGunveiled the artwork for Just Re’d Up 3, which he announced will come out on Aug. 16. It pays homage to previous Just Re’d Up projects while displaying the juxtaposition of his old and new life. Like previous albums, YG poses in front of a white background, with his name written in a bold gray font. He holds a red Louis Vuitton duffle bug, similar to the brown one spotted on the original Just Re’d Up album cover. And instead of standing in front of one car, like he did for the second installment, he now stands before three luxurious vehicles.
— LeBron James and Lil Wayne unite for a commercial promoting the return of the new Beats Pill speaker. The ad finds James turning up to music, including Wayne’s “A Milli,” which prevents Weezy from a getting a good night’s rest. He makes his way to the apartment above to find out what’s causing the noise, discovers the party, and ends up staying and asking for the music to be turned up. “The Beats Pill has been a staple in the James household from day one,” said James. “It’s an iconic product, so it’s exciting to be part of its relaunch for a new generation.” Available in matte black, statement red and champagne gold, the Pill is $149.99 on apple.com.
50 Cent was welcomed into Tyler Perry‘s studio in Atlanta, and he left feeling super inspired. “I’m leaving no room for error. Tyler showed me some s*** today that inspired me,” Fif wrote on Instagram. “I need all my money if you owe me, you better give me mine now!” Alongside the post were pictures of him and Tyler, a concession stand and an LED board that announced 50 Cent’s arrival. “Tyler Perry Studios Welcomes 50 Cent & G-Unit,” it read.
Lil Jon is all about promoting wellness of the mind, body and soul. The producer, whose love for meditation is well known, will be bringing his music to six of Peloton’s classes, including cycling, strength and meditation. He’s also set to pop up in a few live classes, including Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts‘ meditation class, on launch day.
“My meditation journey really led me to take on a more positive mindset, and has really helped drive awareness and access to the practice of meditation; everyone deserves to find an outlet that gives them moments of peace,” Lil Jon says, per Billboard. “I’m excited to join Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts, I know what an influential force she is in the yoga and meditation space!”
The Lil Jon Artist Series starts June 27 on the Peloton app. It’s not clear what music will be used, but it’s likely some classes will feature his guided meditation albums, Total Meditation and Manifest Abundance.
The star-studded Essence Festival has expanded with a few more additions to the lineup. Set to perform at AT&T’s Dream in Black connected stage are Mya, Jadakiss and Jeremih.
“I’m looking forward to headlining the AT&T Dream in Black connected stage as we gear up to celebrate thirty years of ESSENCE Festival,” Mya tells Billboard. “I know I’ll cherish this performance because it gives me the opportunity to connect with my fans and take them through my journey as an artist as we reflect on the last three decades of art and culture within the Black community.”
The Essence Festival takes place July 4-7 in New Orleans, a city Jadakiss describes as having “the vibe, the soul, and the stories of Black culture all around us.”
Also excited about securing a place on the lineup, he says, “It’s about celebrating where we’ve come from and where we’re headed. This performance is a shout-out to our roots, a celebration of our strength, and a step toward community and connection.”
In his own statement, Jeremih adds, “I always look to honor and celebrate Black culture through my music, which is why I’m excited to headline the AT&T Dream in Black connected stage at ESSENCE Festival. Connecting with my fans while they experience the culture and community that is ESSENCE marks a significant moment for me.”
Mya, Jadakiss and Jeremih join a jam-packed lineup that includes T-Pain, Janet Jackson, Birdman and Usher, who’ll be taking the stage with a one-night-only performance celebrating the 20th anniversary of his album Confessions.
