Wendy Williams Battles Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia

WBLS, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Representatives for former talk show host Wendy Williams revealed on Thursday that she has been diagnosed with progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, shedding light on her recent health challenges. The announcement aimed to dispel rumors and provide clarity about her condition, which has been the subject of speculation in recent years.

"As Wendy's fans are aware, in the past she has been open with the public about her medical struggles with Graves' Disease and Lymphedema as well as other significant challenges related to her health," the press release stated.

Williams, known for her candidness about her health struggles, has previously disclosed battles with Graves’ Disease and Lymphedema. However, concerns arose as she exhibited difficulties processing information, experiencing word loss, erratic behavior and struggles with financial transactions.

"In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)," the press release confirmed.

According to her representatives, Williams received her diagnoses in 2023 from Weill Cornell Medicine. Progressive aphasia affects communication and language comprehension, while frontotemporal dementia impacts behavior and cognitive functions, posing significant challenges in Williams' life.

"The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances," the press release emphasized.

The decision to disclose this information was not taken lightly, with Williams’ care team emphasizing the importance of advocating for understanding and compassion, as well as raising awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. The hope is to combat stigma and misconceptions surrounding these conditions, offering support to others facing similar circumstances.

Currently under a court-ordered guardianship, Williams remains actively involved in her public narrative. A Lifetime documentary, produced by Williams and her family, is scheduled for release this weekend, providing further insight into her journey.

Rapper Kodak Black to be Released From Federal Custody on Time Served

Kodak Black

U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez ruled on Wednesday to release rapper Kodak Black from federal custody, granting him credit for time served after spending approximately two months behind bars. The 26-year-old artist, known for hits like “No Flockin” and “Super Gremlin,” faced legal scrutiny over a probation violation stemming from a guilty plea for failure to report police contact.

The ruling comes in the wake of recent developments in Broward County court, where Circuit Judge Barbara Duffy dismissed a drug possession case against Kodak Black. Attorney Bradford Cohen, representing the rapper, presented evidence of a 2022 oxycodone prescription from a pharmacy, attributing the inconsistencies in court-ordered drug tests to rehab and a warrant.

According to his defense, Kodak Black’s use of oxycodone was a result of pain management following a prison assault in 2020 and a gunshot wound to the leg in 2022, incurred during an incident at a restaurant afterparty hosted by Justin Bieber in California.

Despite his legal battles, Kodak Black remains active in the music scene. His latest music video, “Shampoo,” released on YouTube earlier this week, quickly climbed the charts, ranking in the top 16 globally within days of its release. In the song, the rapper references substance use with lyrics like “I’ve been smoking... I’ve been drinking... whipping up a dope cake.”

This isn't the first time Kodak Black has faced legal challenges. His history includes multiple arrests and convictions dating back several years:

In 2015, he faced charges in Broward County for assault, robbery, kidnapping, false imprisonment, driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana. He also faced charges in St. Lucie County for marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia.

In 2016, he was charged in Florence, South Carolina, for sexual battery, as well as for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana, and fleeing from law enforcement.

In 2018, he faced charges in Broward for grand theft of a firearm, possession of marijuana, child neglect, two counts of possession of a weapon by a felon and two counts of probation violation.

In 2019, he faced federal weapons charges related to a U.S.-Canada border search and a purchase in Miami-Dade.

In 2022, he was charged in Broward for trespassing in Pompano Beach and a drug possession charge related to a Florida Highway Patrol search.

Kodak Black's legal struggles persisted even after former President Donald Trump commuted his three-year prison sentence in 2021 for federal weapons charges. Despite the setbacks, his music continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, reaffirming his status as a prominent figure in the hip-hop community.

Beyonce's 'Texas Hold 'Em' Grabs No. 1 on Country Chart

Beyoncé has made a historical debut on Billboard's streaming, airplay, and sales-based Hot Country Songs chart with her latest singles. The chart, dated February 24, showcases Beyoncé's "Texas Hold ‘Em" at No. 1 and "16 Carriages" at No. 9, marking her first entries on this chart.

These songs, released on February 11, made a splash across various charts, including the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, where they debuted at Nos. 2 and 38, respectively. The announcement of their release came during a Verizon commercial aired during CBS’ Super Bowl LVIII broadcast, building anticipation for Beyoncé's upcoming album, expected to be titled "Act II" and slated for release on March 29, following her 2022 "Renaissance" LP.

"Texas Hold ‘Em" garnered significant attention, drawing 19.2 million official streams, 4.8 million in all-format airplay audience, and selling 39,000 units in the U.S. through February 15, according to Luminate. Meanwhile, "16 Carriages" arrived with 10.3 million streams, 90,000 in radio reach, and 14,000 units sold.

Beyoncé's dominance extends beyond the Hot Country Songs chart. Her reign as a solo artist spans across seven of Billboard’s multimetric song charts, including the Hot 100, Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, Hot Gospel Songs, Hot Latin Songs, Hot R&B Songs, and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. This achievement solidifies her status as the only artist to achieve such a feat.

"Texas Hold ‘Em" is the first song by a solo Black female artist to chart on country radio since Micky Guyton's 2016 hit "Heartbreak Song" reached No. 45.