Smiths Station, Alabama Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland died by suicide on Friday after a conservative blog, 1819 News, published photos of him wearing women’s clothing as a “hobby.” In alternate social media accounts, Copeland used the name Brittini Blaire Summerlin and referred to himself as a “Transitioning Transgender Curvy Girl.” In doing so, he used both Reddit and a private Instagram page.
Police performed a welfare check on Copeland, Friday, during which the Mayor, who also serves as a pastor at First Baptist Church, stepped out of his car and shot himself. The church addressed his death in a statement on Saturday. “Thank you all for your prayers and expressions of sympathy and support. First and foremost, we ask that you keep Pastor Bubba Copeland’s family in your prayers today, and in the days ahead,” the statement reads. “We greatly appreciate your messages, comments, and encouragement. Please continue to pray for us as we move forward in sharing God’s love too all people.”
Copeland addressed the scandal during a sermon earlier in the week. He labeled the story an “internet attack” and explained he had taken pictures with his wife “in the privacy of our home,” and he apologized for “any embarrassment” he caused by his “private and personal life.” In a statement provided to 1819 News in response to the website’s story. Copeland said: “What I do in private life has nothing to do with what I do in my holy life. Does this have any effect on me being mayor, that I sometimes put on a dress or sometimes put on makeup? Does that have anything to do whatsoever with me being mayor or being a pastor?”
The 1819 News post was published by Craig Monger, who defended his reporting in response to initial backlash on Twitter. “‘Digging up someone’s personal life’ is reporting on what someone posts publicly on social media? Interesting take. The Alabama Baptist reported on the church’s live stream. I actually spoke to the mayor,” he wrote in response to a critic. He has not posted since Copeland’s suicide.
Last week, American-Canadian actor Matthew Perry was found unresponsive at his LA home. He was later pronounced dead at the age of 54 due to an apparent drowning. While countless fans and peers mourn the tragic and untimely loss, there is one notable crew of people that fans have been waiting to hear from.
The actor is known for his time on the beloved sitcom Friends, which he starred in alongside Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, and Courteney Cox. Perry’s former castmates attended his funeral yesterday, which was hosted at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, across from the Warner Bros. Studio lot where the series was filmed. Perry’s coffin was carried by his family. His mother Suzanne Morrison, his father John Bennett Perry, his stepfather, Keith Morrison of Dateline, and more were also in attendance. The intimate LA ceremony hosted around 20 guests in total.
Cast members of “Friends” winner for Best Comedy Series at the 54th Annual Emmy Awards. L-R: David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Courteney Cox Arquette, Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc. (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)
While rumors continue to swirl about what led to Perry’s unexpected passing, a friend who was with him only a day before his death spoke out in his defense. Some have speculated that the actor, who previously struggled with subtance abuse, had relapsed prior to the incident. Athenna Crosby recalled her final moments with Perry during an interview with Fox News Digital, claiming that she didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary with him when they met for lunch that week.
“I am now recalling all of the details about it just because the situation has been so tragic. And I’ve been kind of thinking like, ‘OK, was there anything that I, I guess, should have noticed or was there anything that stuck out to me?’ And honestly, no, there wasn’t,” she explained. “He was so normal. He ordered a cheeseburger and had a Diet Coke and really just a normal day like any other day.” What do you think of the cast of Friends attending Matthew Perry’s funeral? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Matthew Perry, American-Canadian actor celebrated for his work on Friends, passed away unexpectedly at his LA home last week. He was found unresponsive in his hot tub at the age of 54 after an apparent drowning. The beloved actor’s untimely death sparked quite a bit of speculation, with rumors floating around that he could have been under the influence ahead of the incident. He’d been open about struggling with substance abuse in the past, later detailing his journey to recovery in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.
Now, a friend of Perry’s who had seen him just one day before his passing has spoken out in his defense, shutting down rumors that he had relapsed. During a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Athenna Crosby recounted her final moments with the Friends star, claiming that he was “100 percent sober when he passed.”
“I mean, I can’t know what exactly he was thinking or feeling. I can only share my experience. And, of course, he was his own person that maybe he had said, done or thought of things the day that he passed that I might never come to know,” she explained. “I am now recalling all of the details about it just because the situation has been so tragic. And I’ve been kind of thinking like, ‘OK, was there anything that I, I guess, should have noticed or was there anything that stuck out to me?’ And honestly, no, there wasn’t,” she described. “He was so normal. He ordered a cheeseburger and had a Diet Coke and really just a normal day like any other day.”
In a subsequent Instagram post, Crosby revealed that she didn’t want to speak out initially, but chose to once it came out that they had grabbed lunch together right before the incident. “Know that man was on a comeback and truly deserved more time on this earth,” she added. “Our entertainment industry has truly lost a legend. RIP.” What do you think of Matthew Perry’s friend coming to his defense amid rumors that he relapsed ahead of his death? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Having lived a life of constant ups and downs, Matthew Perry experienced early hardships, and as a result, he developed a strong desire to help those who faced similar struggles. His transformation from a young man in a small town to a popular sitcom star is proof of his tenacity and the value of being open and honest.
On October 28th, 2023, Matthew Perry was pronounced dead at 54 years old after an apparent drowning. As we remember Matthew Perry for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, it’s imperative that we look beyond on-screen performances and delve into the inspiration we could find in his story. Perry was someone who overcame personal challenges and left a lasting impact outside of the entertainment industry.
Friends & Fame
BURBANK, CA – SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox Arquette, and Matthew Perry relax on the set of the hit NBC series “Friends”during a break on one of their last shows on the Warner Bros lot Sept. 12, 2003 in Burbank, CA. “Friends,” which is in its ninth and final season, debuted in 1994, has won 44 Emmys, and is one of the biggest successes in television history. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)
Perry began his acting journey by enrolling at the Buckley School, a college-preparatory institution in Sherman Oaks. Graduating in 1987, he initially took on small roles, starting with television and later transitioning into film. His first significant role was in the 1988 movie A Night In The Life Of Jimmy Reardon. Perry also ventured into sitcoms, like Second Chance, which Fox later revamped as Boys Will Be Boys.
In 1994, Matthew Perry’s career took a drastic turn for the better. He took on the role of Chandler Bing in Friends from 1994 to 2004. The popular sitcom had a 10-season run that captured the everyday life, hysterical circumstances, and personas of six close-knit friends in New York City. The character, Chandler Bing, was a somewhat socially awkward individual, yet a witty and endearing professional in his 30s. His portrayal of Chandler propelled him into the limelight and transformed him into a cultural icon.
In 1996, he won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Friends and a TV Guide Award. However, he continued to excel in Hollywood after Friends ended. Movies like The Whole Nine Yards highlighted his comedic and acting skills, while Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip showcased his dramatic range.
Overcoming Adversity & Inspiring Others
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Actor Matthew Perry with Emergen-C in the Presenters Gift Lounge Backstage in celebration of the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards produced by On 3 Productions at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gabriel Olsen/WireImage)
Perry recounted a period in his life when he had reached a staggering low of 128 pounds and was consuming over 50 Vicodin pills daily. His battle with addiction led to severe health complications, including pancreatitis, which necessitated hospitalization. The extensive ordeal he faced with alcohol addiction and substance abuse has been the subject of his candid discussions in previous interviews and his book, Friends, Lovers, And The Big Terrible Thing.
His struggle with alcohol and pharmaceuticals prompted him to seek rehabilitation more than a dozen times and endure a minimum of 14 surgeries, significantly impacting his acting career. By the time the 10th season of Friends rolled around, for example, his addiction became a detrimental issue, prompting the network to address him about it. He acknowledged initially having some control over it, but this wasn’t entirely true, as it continued to influence his life.
Matthew Perry founded the Perry House in Malibu, a sober-living residence for men in recovery, which operated for two years before his passing. Additionally, Perry contributed to charitable causes, such as donating proceeds from a Friends-inspired clothing line to the WHO’s COVID-19 relief fund.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 9: Actors Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and Courtney Cox of the television comedy, Friend’s pose for a portrait during an NBC Press Tour Party on January 9, 1995 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images)
On October 28, 2023, Matthew Perry tragically passed away at the age of 54, his death surrounded by mystery. He was found unconscious in his hot tub, and authorities attributed his death to drowning. However, the exact sequence of events remained unclear during the investigation, and no illegal substances were found at the scene. This left the cause of his passing in question.
After the actor’s death, his colleagues from both Friends and NBC’s sitcom programming came together to release a unified statement. They expressed their profound grief over the loss of Matthew. The cast regarded him as part of their family. They extended their heartfelt well-wishes to his family, fans, and loved ones. In their statement, they said: “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family.” They went on to say, “There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Most people will always remember him for his role as Chandler Bing from Friends. But in an interview, he once said that he hoped to be recognized for his work supporting those who were addicted, rather than his career as an actor in the sitcom. Altogether, Perry’s life served as an example of the human spirit’s ability to succeed and persevere in the face of difficulty. His legacy will endure well beyond the character of Chandler Bing, thanks to his influence on the entertainment industry and his commitment to helping people overcome addiction.
It’s been exactly a year since the tragic and untimely death of Migos member Takeoff, and his former groupmates have taken to social media to honor him. Both Offset and Quavo shared heartfelt posts commemorating their late collaborator, who was shot and killed on November 1, 2022 in Houston. His murder continues to weigh heavily on his friends, family, and peers, namely Offset and Quavo.
Offset shared a touching black and white video of Take alongside a meaningful caption. “The times we spent is priceless what we built in this game they never wanted to give us our flowers we influenced the world,” he wrote. “I Love you Take you still here with us I just know you are!!!! Migo 4Life!!!!!!” The video is soundtracked by Takeoff’s song “Last Memory,” which comes from his first and only solo album, The Last Rocket.
Quavo posted a black and white photo of Takeoff, also accompanied by one of the late artist’s songs, “I Remember.” He quoted his fallen collaborator in his caption. “Can’t forget it won’t Forget It NEVER Forget it,” he wrote. “I Remember!” Quavo’s also been posting various photos, clips, and fan art of Takeoff on his story throughout the day.
It was reported last week that Takeoff’s alleged killer, Patrick Xavier Clark, is looking to chalk his shooting up to “self-defense.” According to his lawyer, Letitia Quinones-Hollins, Clark will maintain his innocence on trial. “We do believe that he has a valid self-defense claim,” she added. “I don’t think they can say with any degree of certainty that it was Patrick who actually fired the shot that took Takeoff’s life. There was someone else who started the shooting, it was not Patrick Clark.”
What do you think of Offset and Quavo’s tributes to Takeoff on the one-year anniversary of his death? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates. R.I.P. to Takeoff.
Matthew Perry’s death was not caused by a fentanyl or meth overdose, according to initial test results reported by TMZ. Citing law enforcement sources, the outlet says investigators ran a less-in-depth test on Perry to confirm the lack of those two drugs; however, more serious tests are still being conducted as part of the toxicology. The full results can take anywhere from 4-6 months.
Perry was found unresponsive in his hot tub, last weekend, after playing a two-hour pickleball session on Saturday morning. No drugs were found on the scene and foul play isn’t suspected. Just days prior to the apparent drowning, he shared a picture of himself relaxing in the jacuzzi of his Los Angeles home on Instagram.
Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew. Perry and David Schwimmer of “Friends” (Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Perry was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom, Friends. He starred on the show for 10 seasons alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, and earned an Emmy nomination in 2002. The co-creators of the show, David Crane and Martha Kauffman, released a statement addressing his death. “We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing,” they said. “It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives. He was a brilliant talent. It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words.”
In a statement provided to TMZ, Perry’s family added: “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.” Be on the lookout for further updates on Perry’s death on HotNewHipHop.
Matthew Perry’s family has shared a statement addressing the tragic death of the actor, who passed away on Saturday from an apparent drowning. The statement comes after Perry’s parents, Suzanne Morrison and John Bennett Perry, as well as his stepfather, Keith Morrison, were among the first spotted on the scene, Saturday.
In a statement provided to TMZ, Perry’s family said: “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer of “Friends” (Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Perry was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom, Friends. The co-creators of the show, David Crane and Martha Kauffman, also have released a statement addressing his death. “We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing,” they said. “It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives.”
The statement continued: “He was a brilliant talent. It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words. From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us. We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment – not just to his work, but in life as well. He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.” There has been an outpouring from fans on social media as well in the wake of Perry’s death. Be on the lookout for further updates on social media.
Matthew Perry’s final Instagram post is resurfacing online following his tragic passing at the age of 54 on Saturday. Just six days prior to drowning in his hot tub, he shared a picture of himself relaxing in the jacuzzi of his Los Angeles home.
“Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman,” Perry captioned the photo. Fans have since flocked to the post to share messages in honor of the late actor. “We love you. We miss you. Thank you for everything you gave us! Hope you now have some peace,” one user commented. Another wrote: “Just devastated. Thank you for the laughs and sharing your gift. Rest easy!”
385848 27: Cast members of NBC’s comedy series “Friends.” Pictured (l to r): David Schwimmer as Ross Geller, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Cook, Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani and Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay. Episode: “The One Where They All Turn Thirthy.” (Photo by Warner Bros. Television)
TMZ reports that Perry’s assistant found his body in the jacuzzi shortly after he got home from a 2-hour round of pickleball in the morning. An investigation into his death is currently underway; however, no drugs were found at the scene and foul play is not suspected. Check out his final Instagram post below.
Perry was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom, Friends. He landed the gig back in 1994 after moving to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting. He went on to work on the show for 10 seasons alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, and earned an Emmy nomination in 2002. Despite his success, Perry struggled with addiction behind the scenes. Be on the lookout for further updates on the investigation into his death on HotNewHipHop.
Matthew Perry, best known for his role of Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom, Friends, has died at the age of 54 after an apparent drowning. Law enforcement sources told TMZ he was found in his jacuzzi at a home in the Los Angeles area on Saturday. Theoutletreports that no foul play is suspected and no drugs were found at the scene. First responders had been called to the residence for cardiac arrest.
Perry was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, on August 19, 1969, and raised in Ottawa, Canada. He moved to Los Angeles as a teenager to pursue a career in Hollywood. At the age of 24, he landed the role of Chandler Bing. He worked on the show for 10 seasons alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, and earned an Emmy nomination in 2002.
Friends Special Episode, “The One That Could Have Been, Part One” From L-R: Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox Arquette And Matt Leblanc. All The Friends Ponder What Might Have Been If Each Had Taken A Different Path In Life And They Imagine: That A Frustrated Ross (Schwimmer) Stays With His Wife Carol (Jane Sibbett) And Ignores Her Disinterest In Him; A Married Rachel (Aniston) Is Starstruck When She Meets Hunky “Days Of Our Lives” Star Joey (Leblanc) Who Never Lost His Job As Dr. Drake Ramoray; Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) Is A Corporate Stockbroker; And A Portly Monica (Cox Arquette) Frets About Losing Her Virginity While Chandler (Perry) Is A Struggling Writer Who Stoops To Working As Joey’s Lowly Assistant Just To Make Ends Meet. (Photo By Getty Images)
“I was 24 when I got on the show,” he said in the 2004 book Friends … ‘Til the End. “I’ll be 34 when it’s over, and those are really important years in somebody’s life. So to do it all in public … was difficult. At first you have the wave of ‘I’m famous, and this is exactly what I’ve wanted my whole life.’ But then you go through the whole recluse stage where you think, ‘I wish everybody would stop staring at me.’ And then you eventually, hopefully, get through all that. You find things in your life that are grounding, like your family and good friends.”
Behind the scenes, Perry struggled with addiction, seeking treatment on multiple occasions. He once told BBC Radio 2 that he was unable to remember filming seasons 3 through 6 of Friends. In recent years, the treatment center, Phoenix House, awarded him for advocacy helping fellow addicts.
During a recent interview with The Art of Dialogue, former Outlawz rapper Napoleon spoke on 2Pac. According to him, the performer was acting different in the days leading up to his murder, and those around him could tell something was off. He says that he 2Pac grew suspicious of the people around him, sparking some concern among his associates.
“I remember when he first went back [to New York] — this is a week before he got killed,” he began. “When we went to New York, it was tense. They had him staying in some hotel — I forget the name of it, but it’s in the middle of the city.” Napoleon continued, recalling the late icon being extra cautious ahead of his 1996 shooting. “While everybody was chillin’, doing their thing, I’m just in the window…saying nothing. […] And Pac walked over to me, because he was like, ‘[He] actin’ weird.’ […] I said, ‘Pac, I’m watching everybody in this hotel.’ And he was shocked. But that’s how he had us, because he was kind of paranoid.”
This isn’t the only time Napoleon’s spoken on 2Pac as of late, however. During another recent interview with the outlet, he claimed that when 2Pac’s peers discuss him nowadays, they sneak diss him in attempts to make themselves look better. Specifically, he called out Snoop Dogg and Allen Hughes.
“Some of these individuals, they very slick,” he explained. “You have the Hughes brothers, you have certain individuals like Snoop, for example — they have a way where they acting like they praising Pac, but they[‘re] putting him down. Like [Allen Hughes] said, ‘[Snoop] dimmed his light for Pac to shine.’ They do it in such a slick way so you can be like, ‘Oh wow, he’s not a hater.’” What do you think of Napoleon claiming that 2Pac was “paranoid” in the days leading up to his death? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more news.
