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Actor Michael K. Williams has died
Michael Kenneth Williams, an actor known for his roles in The Wire, Boardwalk Empire and Lovecraft Country, has died. He was 54.
The five-time Emmy Award nominee was found dead Monday afternoon at around 2 p.m. in his Brooklyn penthouse apartment, a source from the NYPD tells PEOPLE. Williams’ nephew discovered his body in the living room.
“It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Emmy nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams,” a rep for Williams tells PEOPLE. “They ask for your privacy while grieving this unsurmountable loss.
Although the cause of death has not yet been determined, drug paraphernalia was found in the apartment, according to the New York Post. A separate law enforcement source tells PEOPLE that Williams died of a suspected overdose and that officials believe he may have had heroin laced with fentanyl.
Williams has been open about his struggles with drug dependency in the past. Raised in the Vanderveer Projects of the East Flatbush neighborhood in Brooklyn, he was exposed to crime at an early age and developed a drug addiction in his teens.
He told The New York Times in 2017 that although he’d had treatment for his addiction, he’d relapsed multiple times during his storied career. “Addiction doesn’t go away,” he said. “It’s an everyday struggle for me, but I’m fighting.”
Friends and fans shared tributes to Williams on social media after the news of his death on Monday. “The depth of my love for this brother, can only be matched by the depth of my pain learning of his loss,” his The Wire costar Wendell Pierce wrote on Twitter. “A immensely talented man with the ability to give voice to the human condition portraying the lives of those whose humanity is seldom elevated until he sings their truth.”
“Michael K Williams, in addition to being one of the most talented actors around, was also one of the kindest, sweetest, most gentle souls I’ve ever met,” wrote James Gunn. “This is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with all those who loved him.”
Williams’ breakout role came in 2002, when he portrayed Omar Little in HBO’s The Wire. The role has been lauded over the years for its complex depiction of a gay Black man with a reputation as a ruthless criminal in the streets of Baltimore.
In a statement, HBO says the network is “devastated” to learn of Williams’ death, noting that he has been “a member of the HBO family for more than 20 years.” They added, “While the world is aware of his immense talents as an artist, we knew Michael as a dear friend who was beloved by all who had the privilege to work with him. We send our deepest condolences to his family for this immeasurable loss
Over the years, he’s appeared in such shows as Law & Order, The Sopranos, Alias, Boardwalk Empire, Community and When They See Us. He’s also had roles in movies like Gone Baby Gone, The Incredible Hulk, 12 Years a Slave, Inherent Vice and Ghostbusters (2016).
Most recently, Williams delivered another acclaimed performance in HBO’s Lovecraft Country, which earned him his fifth Emmy nomination in July. (Winners will be announced on Sept. 19.) He spoke to PEOPLE about playing Montrose, a Black man discovering his sexuality in the 1950s, and how that compared to his role on The Wire.
“Montrose was different. He didn’t have the freedom Omar had or the confidence. He comes from such a broken place,” he said in October 2020. “I just had to find my own pain and my own trauma, which was a very painful experience for me. All the generational pain that had been passed down through my own personal experiences, I had to dig deep down in that for Montrose.”
I would hope that after watching Lovecraft, people walk away with this understanding of the beauty and necessity of a father-son relationship in the Black community,” Williams shared. “Black fathers have been ripped away from their sons for so many years, mine included.
That was the main thing that attracted me to this role was the opportunity to play dad to that amazing Jonathan Majors and for us to explore what father and son bonding looks like and how we can rebuild that and treasure it. There’s an absence of the Black male in our community for a lot of reasons and some of it isn’t our fault but the need is there. It’s a beautiful thing to look at. I hope Montrose will remind us how much little Black boys need their fathers.”
“We are so conditioned to mask our pain as Black men in America. We’re not allowed to cry, we’re not allowed to be vulnerable. We’re not allowed to be soft. I hope that Montrose will at least open up a conversation for Black men in America,” he added.
Source: News365
In other news – Suspect bust with 30kg copper cables belonging to City of Cape Town
A Cape Town man has been arrested, after being found in possession of copper cables, belonging to the City of Cape Town, during an operation conducted by law enforcement officials.
On Monday, members of the Law Enforcement Metal Theft Unit conducted an inspection of random vehicles conveying scrap to a scrap metal dealer, in Wetton. Learn more
Asari Dokubo Reveals He Declined Pipeline Contract Offer from Tinubu. In a recent statement that has stirred discussions across Nigeria, former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo disclosed that he turned down a pipeline contract offer from President Bola Tinubu. Known for his outspoken views and often controversial remarks, Dokubo shed light on the circumstances surrounding the offer, as well as his reasons for declining it.
During an interview, Dokubo revealed that Bola Tinubu offered him a lucrative contract to manage pipelines in the Niger Delta region, a high-stakes role designed to reduce vandalism and secure Nigeria’s oil resources. However, Dokubo chose to walk away from the opportunity, emphasizing that his principles and vision for the Niger Delta community took precedence over financial gains.
“This was not a decision I took lightly, but for me, it’s about integrity and my responsibility to my people,” Dokubo explained. He stated that while he appreciated the President’s offer, he did not believe that accepting the contract would align with his goals for the region. For Dokubo, the struggle for the Niger Delta has always been rooted in empowerment and community-led development, rather than personal gain.
Dokubo has a long history of activism in the Niger Delta, advocating for the rights of the region’s people, often marginalized despite its rich natural resources. His stance on pipeline contracts, a topic that has frequently led to clashes between government officials and local leaders, reflects his dedication to what he considers a genuine fight for the community’s benefit. “This is not just about money or power. It’s about securing a future where our resources benefit the people who live on this land,” he affirmed.
Asari Dokubo Reveals He Declined Pipeline
Pipeline security has long been a sensitive issue in Nigeria, where oil remains the country’s primary revenue source. The Niger Delta, as the heart of Nigeria’s oil production, has faced numerous challenges, from environmental degradation to inadequate infrastructure and limited economic opportunities for its residents. Oil pipeline vandalism, often blamed on economic desperation and disenfranchisement, has led to substantial losses in government revenue and, at times, significant ecological damage.
Previous administrations have used security contracts with local leaders and former militants to curb these issues, often outsourcing pipeline protection in the hopes of reducing sabotage. However, critics argue that such contracts may only offer a temporary fix and sometimes fuel resentment within communities. Dokubo’s decision to refuse the contract underscores his belief in the need for long-term, community-focused solutions to address the root causes of these problems.
Instead of accepting the contract, Dokubo has called for a more sustainable approach that centers on education, skill-building, and economic empowerment for the Niger Delta people. “Our people need opportunities, not handouts. It’s time to invest in education, infrastructure, and industry so that our communities can thrive independently,” he argued. This perspective has garnered support from those who share his vision for a self-reliant Niger Delta, though others view his refusal as a missed chance to use government resources to uplift the region.
Despite differing opinions, Dokubo remains resolute in his stance. He has expressed his willingness to work alongside the government on initiatives that prioritize the well-being of the Niger Delta communities, provided that such efforts are genuinely aimed at empowering local populations. “I am ready to support any initiative that brings true development to our people. But it must be genuine and transparent,” Dokubo insisted.
Reactions to Dokubo’s statements have been mixed, with some applauding his decision as a show of integrity, while others argue that he should have accepted the contract to exert a positive influence from within. However, Dokubo’s stance speaks to a broader conversation about how Nigeria’s resources are managed and who truly benefits from them. For Dokubo, meaningful progress in the Niger Delta is about shifting the focus from short-term profits to creating sustainable opportunities for future generations.
In conclusion, Asari Dokubo’s decision to decline President Tinubu’s pipeline contract offer reveals his commitment to a long-term vision for the Niger Delta. His focus on empowering the region through genuine development rather than financial contracts illustrates a deeply rooted dedication to his people. Whether or not others agree with his choice, Dokubo’s actions have ignited important discussions about Nigeria’s approach to resource management and the future of the Niger Delta.
Source: Dailypost
In other news –
American singer, Lady Gaga has revealed why she chose to ignore rumours that she’s a transgender. Speaking in an interview with Variety, Gaga disclosed that she chose not to address the rumours because she didn’t want to make being transgender seem shameful.
“I didn’t feel like a victim with that lie and I thought: What about a kid who is being accused of that who would think that a public figure like me would feel shame?
I’ve been in situations where fixing a rumour was not in the best interest and the well-being of other people,” she explained. Lady Gaga recently announced her engagement to her French boyfriend, Michael Polansky.
The singer revealed that it was her mom who introduced her to her fiancé.The Bad Romance singer mentioned how she “didn’t feel like a victim” amid the swirling claims and, therefore, didn’t feel the need to address the rumour until she finally cleared the air on the Netflix show that premiered on Wednesday.
Lady Gaga addresses ‘man’ rumours
“The reason I didn’t answer the question was because I didn’t feel like a victim with that lie,” Gaga told Gates in his new series as she made her way to the OTT stage. “But I thought about, what about a kid that’s being accused of that, that would think that a public figure like me would feel shame,” she continued.
The pop star recalled times when she was plagued by such claims and frequently questioned in press conferences about doctored pictures on the internet and rumours that she was a man. In 2011, she told CNN, “Why the hell am I going to waste my time and give a press release about whether or not I have a penis? My fans don’t care and neither do I.
Source: People
American singer-songwriter Kehlani Ashley Parrish, popularly known as “Kehlani,” has opened up about losing opportunities and deals due to her support for Palestine. The singer revealed this in an interview with ‘Breakfast Club’ released in the early hours of Tuesday. I have experienced a lot of pushback,” Kehlani said.
I’ve experienced a lot of loss. I’ve experienced a lot of things that were promised and set up for this rollout and album to happen, supposed to be a lot of ‘firsts’… magazines and these things… brand deals and opportunities that we’re sad to lose. But at the end of the day, I don’t regret doing something that I… I can go to sleep at night. I can go to sleep knowing that, like, what I’ve learned to be as an artist, I’m aligned with.
The singer voiced her support for Palestine in an Instagram post on May 29th, before featuring the Palestinian flag in her video for ‘Next 2 U,’ released on May 31st. Through the singer’s support, $500,000 was raised for the people of Gaza, Congo and Sudan.
Source: Dailpost
In other news – My man pays me allowance – Mercy Eke
Reality TV star Mercy Eke has revealed that she gets paid for being in a relationship. Speaking in a recent episode of the ‘Love Is A Game’, she said: “My guy [partner] pays me an allowance. But it’s not that I mandated him to do that. I have about six domestic workers. So the allowance is just to assist me to pay my staff.
I didn’t tell him to pay my staff’s salaries. He’s doing it on his own to reduce my responsibilities. Because of that, I always want to do things for him too. Mercy Eke has been hiding her current partner from the public. Read more