Month: January 2022

Its decision to partner with influencers and celebrities has helped Fashion Nova become the multi-million dollar business that it has grown to be, but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a bone to pick with the mega-corporation. These days, it is difficult to navigate through any social media platform without seeing some mention of Fashion Nova, whether it be an advertisement or photo of one of its dozen brand ambassadors.

Yet, with its popularity have come complaints from the public as fast fashion has been a hot topic in environmental circles. The FTC, however, isn’t worried about that just yet, but they have taken issue with Fashion Nova allegedly deleting negative feedback from its customers. It seems the company has been accused of “[supressing] negative reviews of its products,” reports Rolling Stone.

Presley Ann / Stringer /Getty Images

The outlet stated that Fashion Nova has incurred a massive fine from the FTC to the tune of $4.2 million.

The complaint alleges Fashion Nova worked with a third-party online product review management platform to suppress shopper product ratings lower than four stars out of five. The brand used the platform to automatically post positive reviews, while holding lower-starred reviews for its later approval, the FTC wrote. From late 2015 through November 2019, however, Fashion Nova failed to post the hundreds of thousands of missives from nonplussed shoppers, depriving other consumers of information that could potentially impact their purchasing decisions, and artificially inflating product ratings.

“Deceptive review practices cheat consumers, undercut honest businesses, and pollute online commerce,” Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, reportedly said. “Fashion Nova is being held accountable for these practices, and other firms should take note.”

Fashion Nova isn’t the only company on the FTC’s radar, either. They reportedly have a handful of others “using similar review management services,” and this has caused many retailers to mind their Ps and Qs. The FTC hopes that in the future, businesses will stray from alleged devious practices that keep potential consumers from warnings of e-commerce products.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Fashion Nova vehemently denies that the company engaged in any unlawful activities.

“The Federal Trade Commission’s allegations against Fashion Nova are inaccurate and deceptive,” the spokesperson told Sourcing Journal. “Fashion Nova never suppressed any website reviews, and it immediately and voluntarily addressed the website review issues when it became aware of them in 2019.”

“Fashion Nova continues to be an entrepreneurial-led company,” the spokesperson said. “[Fashion Nova is] solely focused on providing a great assortment of fashionable clothes at very affordable prices.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NovaMEN by FashionNovaMEN (@novamen)

[via]

There is a new venture that has captivated T.I.’s attention and he is enjoying his time in a different sort of spotlight. It was just about a week ago when a clip of Tip doing stand-up comedy began to circulate. There wasn’t much known about why T.I. was cracking jokes in a comedy club, but he offered more insight into his possiblt new career in a lengthy Instagram post.

To begin, T.I. revealed that he’s been hard at work, sometimes even doing multiple comedy shows in one evening, to help him become more acclimated to the craft.

Alexander Tamargo / Stringer / Getty Images

“In about 2 weeks of doing stand-up comedy full time (every day 2-3 shows a night sometimes) I’ve learned from,& earned the respect & approval of some of the funniest people I know in this sh*t,” he wrote. “I can honestly say I’ve had nights where I tore they ass up (shown above [finger pointing up emoji])& I had nights I was figuring the sh*t out.”

“I’m also truly appreciative and humbled by the warm welcome I’ve been receiving from real comedic vets in this sh*t. Allowing me the opportunity to learn,grow & accept harsh critical ridicule from the best!!! I’ve developed a true admiration & respect for the skill set required to stand up in front of people with no hit records or catchy hooks to carry you through the performance… just you and a room full of anxious eyes ready to be entertained.

The rapper added that he knows that this transition from one field of entertainment to another can cause some people to “doubt [his] ability to hone the craft effectively in such a short time,” but he’s taken that energy as motivation. 

Check out T.I.’s post below and let us know if you would attend one of his comedy shows.

He’s known to bring the jokes, but when Jim Jones reunited with his friend Angie Martinez, the interview was on another level. The Dipset icon has been in the Rap game for decades and has amassed a level of success and respect that newcomers long for. Often, other artists hate on Jones and his accomplishments, but the Harlem emcee admits that he has some hater tendencies, as well, but explained to Martinez that he uses that energy to propel his career.

“I’m a hater… I’mma natural-born hater,” Jones joked. “I hate and then I turn that hate into [motivation].”

Kevin Mazur / Contributor / Getty Images

Jones and Angie had a playful, yet hilarious exchange where the rapper gave an example about how he acts when he’s in full-on hate mode. 

“Khaled! Every time I see [DJ Khaled]… ‘Man, I’m tired of Khaled, man! Sh*t!'” he stated while trying to keep a straight face before laughing along with Martinez. Jones said that it forces him to “get into my Khaled bag.” He added, “‘He’s not a model, but he’s modeling. How does he…?’ Like, I gotta get into my [bag], like for real.”

“Shout out to Khaled. One of the greatest hustlers in this industry.” Check out the funny clip of Jones admitting that his initial instinct is to do a bit of hating, as well as his full interview with Angie Martinez, below.

Everyone is excited about Donda 2‘s arrival and Kanye West has begun the anticipated album’s rollout. Following the recent announcement of Donda 2‘s release next month, Hip Hop fans have been debating Ye’s vision, as well as what features will be on the record. Others, however, have looked back at West’s track record and don’t quite believe that he will drop the album on “2.22.22,” but considering that he stressed the significance of the release date, it’s believed that he will stick to his plan.

Ye also offered up another bit of information in a new video that shows him enjoying some “me” time.

Kevin Winter / Staff / Getty Images

It doesn’t seem as if Ye will be as accessible, at least not immediately, because he’s made some changes as he works on his forthcoming record.

“I don’t have a phone until two, twenty-two, twenty-two,” he said a video. “My focus is taking my kids to school and finishing the album.” 

He looks to be focused on his budding romance with Julia Fox, as well, as the couple is rounding out their first month together. The pair have been spotted sitting front row at fashion shows and tongue-kissing for the cameras, and it doesn’t look as if they plan on slowing down anytime soon.

Check out Ye’s video below.

The Spotify saga continues as Joni Mitchell has joined the conversation. We’ve been reporting on the ongoing drama involving music icon Neil Young and Spotify after he demanded that his team make sure his catalog was removed from the streaming service. Young has taken major issue with Joe Rogan and his podcast, more specifically, what Young has called misinformation being spread about COVID-19 and the vaccines.

Rogan is making big bucks with the platform and is one of Spotify’s most-watched or -listened to channels, so, in the end, Spotify acquiesced in Young’s decision and removed his music.

Spencer Platt / Staff / Getty Images

“We want all the world’s music and audio content to be available to Spotify users. With that comes great responsibility in balancing both safety for listeners and freedom for creators,” Spotify said in a statement. “We have detailed content policies in place and we’ve removed over 20,000 podcast episodes related to COVID since the start of the pandemic. We regret Neil’s decision to remove his music from Spotify, but hope to welcome him back soon.”

The decision has caused a massive debate about whether or not the company made the right choice and it looks as if other artists have followed—well, at least one. Fellow music legend Joni Mitchell has reportedly requested that her catalog, which spans way back to the mid-1960s, be removed from Spotify, as well.

“I’ve decided to remove all my music from Spotify,” she wrote on her website. “Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives. I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue.” Additionally, in response to this controversy, SiriusXM announced that it would be relaunching Neil Young Radio in solidarity.

[via][via]

Recent comments made by Joe Budden about how Cardi B is spending her time caused the “Up” rapper to issue a response. There have been irregular updates about Cardi’s forthcoming album for some time, but just because she hasn’t launched an album rollout doesn’t mean she isn’t hard at work. Cardi has been busy with business partnerships, music collaborations, hosting award shows, working in the studio, raising a family, and much more, but Budden suggested that she has downtime to do whatever she likes.

“I have mad time because I’m not doing an album and I have all the money in the world, so much so, you see me every month trying to give it away,” Budden said on his podcast, seemingly speaking as Cardi. “I’m giving Offset money, I’m buying a house over here, a house over here, I’m paying for funerals.” Many didn’t interpret Budden’s comments as disrespectful, but Cardi didn’t seem pleased.

Rich Fury / Staff / Getty Images

Later, Cardi uploaded a video where she directly addresses the comments.

“I heard something about me and I don’t like that. I don’t know why motherf*ckers assuming sh*t about me and I really don’t motherf*cking like that,” said Cardi. “I’m hearing, right, that a little bird was talking about me and practically was saying that I’m not doing anything because I don’t have an album out and all that sh*t. It’s like, listen, if y’all want an album from me, you can just say that, but what y’all not gonna motherf*ckin’ say about me or make me look like is I’m a lazy b*tch because no b*tch right now, nobody is overworking me.”

“Right now what I’m doing is, is setting for my motherf*cking future so I won’t have to motherf*ckin’ work hard, work as hard as that comes,” she added. “I have a lot of business ventures.” She mentioned her whipped cream, Facebook Watch series, and Reebok deal, as well as stated that she’s a full, hands-on mother who isn’t just posing for photos with her kids for social media clout.

Watch Cardi B’s video below.

An interview that i News UK published with Sean Penn earlier this month is gaining new attention now that the acclaimed actor is doubling down on his remarks about gender. Penn is an accomplished actor with several awards under his belt, but it wasn’t his career or accolades that caused him to become a trending topic. Penn recently spoke about how he believes that men, especially in America, have become “feminized.”

“I am in the club that believes that men in American culture have become wildly feminized,” Penn told i News UK. “I don’t think that being a brute or having insensitivity or disrespect for women is anything to do with masculinity, or ever did. But I don’t think that [in order] to be fair to women, we should become them.”

Mike Coppola / Staff / Getty Images

The comments went unnoticed but in a more recent chat with The Independent, Penn was asked if he would like to clarify his statements. He didn’t stray far from his original answer.

“I think that men have, in my view, become quite feminized,” said the actor. “I have these very strong women in my life who do not take masculinity as a sign of oppression toward them. There are a lot of, I think, cowardly genes that lead to people surrendering their jeans and putting on a skirt.”

Reactions are flooding social media platforms in real-time, so check out a few below and let us know if you agree with Penn.

[via][via]

The world was treated to an adorable French lesson from Adonis Graham that even made Drake laugh. The OVO Sound icon has become more comfortable with sharing highlights of private moments with his little boy, from celebrations to bringing Adonis to award stages to casual conversations in French. Adonis’s mother is French artist Sophie Brussaux, so it makes sense that the four-year-old is bilingual.

On Friday (January 28), Drake ended the week by sharing a video of him speaking with Adonis about who would be taller when the boy grew up.

Kevin Mazur / Contributor / Getty Images

Drake suggested that Adonis was “pretty tall” now, so he may outgrow his dad. Drizzy asked his son if he believes he will be taller than his famous father, and Adonis seemed sure that he would edge out his pops. Then, Adonis offered to give his take in French, then, after breaking down his response in another language, he offered his creative, yet chuckle-worthy translation.

“I said, ‘When you’re older, you’re all broken, and you’re gonna turn back into space,'” said the little one. Drake couldn’t help but laugh and ask his son if that’s truly what he said or if he was “making stuff up.” The interaction is giving some fans baby fever. Check it out below. 

Another Fast & Furious film is on the horizon and more news about how it’s shaping up is being shared. In recent months, conversations about Fast & Furious have centered around the previous feud between stars Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson. The pair didn’t walk away from the film as best friends and although they’ve made peace, Johnson is steadfast in his decision to not return to the franchise.

Vin Diesel, however, has been doing his best to convince Johnson to show face in Fast & Furious once again, but according to The Hollywood Reporter, Jason Momoa “is in final negotiations” for the 10th flick.

Jeff Spicer / Stringer / Getty Images

The publication didn’t have much to share about the movie’s development but it was noted that Momoa’s character would most likely be a villain.

Justin Lin, who returned to the franchise with 2021’s F9: The Fast Saga, is back in the director’s chair. Longtime stars Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Sung Kang are also returning for the 10th installment. Charlize Theron, who first appeared in the eighth film, The Fate of the Furious, and returned for F9, is also expected to be back.

Meanwhile, last month, Johnson told CNN that he was clear with Diesel that he wouldn’t be returning to the franchise. “My goal all along was to end my amazing journey with this incredible ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise with gratitude and grace. It’s unfortunate that this public dialogue has muddied the waters.”

[via]