Here’s all the trending news you need to know on Wednesday:
– Iyanla Vanzant has weighed in on Mo’Nique’s feud with streaming juggernaut Netflix. The TV personality and life coach says the situation is much bigger than Mo’Nique and that the comedian’s points about pay and inequality are valid. “Why are we surprised that she’s asking people to acknowledge that they diminish and demean us? They do it every day…It’s not about Mo’Nique. Mo’Nique is just saying what other people have refused to say.” (MadameNoire)
– Questlove, Common, MC Lyte, and more have teamed up to form the Hip-Hop Culture Council at the Kennedy Center. The council’s initiative is to expand the public’s knowledge of hip-hop through events and various activities. Q-Tip, Artistic Director of Hip Hop Culture, said in a statement, “The Kennedy Center’s Hip Hop Culture Council reflects the creative, social, and intellectual wealth of the Hip Hop community. The members are the embodiment of what we stand for and all that we aspire to achieve with the Hip Hop Culture program.” (Vibe)
– The Trump administration has filed a federal lawsuit against California over its immigration policies, an aggressive move that could put other sanctuary cities across the country in the administration’s crosshairs. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is expected to announce the case Wednesday in Sacramento during an event with state law enforcement. (CNN)
– The Trump administration has lost another member. Gary Cohn has resigned as the White House chief economic advisor. Cohn’s decision to leave comes after Trump announced that he would impose tariffs on aluminum and steel imports. Cohn’s departure date is expected to come in a few weeks. (CNBC)
– Mekhi Phifer, Lil Rel, Lance Gross, and more have joined BET’s two-part mini-series, The Bobby Brown Story. Production is set to begin in Atlanta this week with plans to air the mini-series in September. (Deadline)
– In an unexpected turn of events, Wu-Tang member U-God has revealed that he and Redman recorded a song with Cher for the groups rare 2015 album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. He told paparazzi, “Me and Redman got a song with Cher on there. That’s all I can tell you about the album.” (TMZ)
– A guest host will fill in on The Wendy Williams Show and it’s someone we never would have guessed. While Williams focuses on her health, actor Jerry O’Connell will take over hosting duties. “Jerry has been such a good friend to me and to the show,” Williams said in a statement. “We’re happy to welcome him as a guest host while I’m out getting much needed rest. Can’t wait to get back in my purple chair!” (People)
– Tiffany Haddish recently joked that she and Brad Pitt have a sexy pact to hookup if both are still single in a year. The comedian joked with Kelly Ripa backstage after the Oscars during a game of “Marry, Date, Ditch,” “Oh I just met him in the elevator, he said in one year if he’s single and I’m single we gon’ do it, you know what that means.” She added, “But he got seven kids, I don’t know if I could deal with a man that’s got that many kids.” (PageSix)
– Netflix has announced that Luke Cage will return June 22. The Marvel series will come just a few months after Jessica Jones‘ March return. (YouTube)