Story
Promising New Artist Taydem Shoesmith To Release Debut Single On New Year’s Eve
The singer-songwriter, actress and performer will release the electro-pop single “Are You Clapping?” just in time for New Year’s playlists.
With an affinity for music from a very young age, Taydem Shoesmith has been exploring songwriting for quite some time. Having multiple IMDB acting and composing credits to her name, Taydem is now diving into the pop music market with her debut single, “Are You Clapping?” The electro-pop/dance anthem, written by Shoesmith, comes from a very personal place; one she hopes will connect with listeners:
‘I think this is my first song that was written out of anger,” Taydem recalls. “I remember writing in my lyric book about how frustrated I was with the people around me and society in general. We think we have to act like the perfect person when we talk to people or go on dates. We’re kind of setting ourselves up for failure because we’re acting like someone we think they want to be with. I mean, it makes sense because in the past, relationships weren’t about love or connections. They were basically just business deals. I guess I just got to the point of wondering why I was doing this. Why were people telling me to talk more, smile more, flirt better, don’t be boring, etc, so often, when it came to relationships. Because not only was it exhausting to keep that facade up, I was also disappointed in myself for basically faking who I was, just to catch some guy’s attention. So through this song, I’m saying that I’m done putting up a show. Having confidence in the choices we make is very important, no matter if it’s in relationships, jobs, or life in general. And that is the message I hope people will take away from this song.”

From singer-songwriter to pop and alternative, Taydem’s music is a unique amalgamation of different genres and influences. Her musical inspirations include Michael Jackson, Rascal Flatts, Billie Holiday, Sabrina Carpenter, Camila Cabello and more. Her acting debut was in 2020, when she was cast for a role in the short film “In the Dark.” She has been cast as the lead in multiple films, and has created music for films as well; one of those being a theme song for a short series, “Blood Sisters.”
More details about Taydem Shoesmith can be seen at http://www.instagram.com/tshoe23.
Story
Olivier Martinez Wants Halle Berry to Cover $240K in Legal Fees Amid Custody Dispute.
French actor Olivier Martinez is asking a Los Angeles judge to make his ex-wife, Halle Berry, pay $240,000 in legal fees as their custody battle continues. Martinez allegedly says he can no longer afford the mounting litigation costs, especially after years without landing an acting role.
The request comes less than a week after the former couple received a mixed ruling on custody of their 13-year-old son, Maceo. The latest legal dispute between them is now about Martinez’s finances, and the actor is asking Berry for help paying bills he says are hard to manage.
Court documents have been obtained, and the $240,000 request is made up of two different amounts. Martinez is seeking $176,522.58 for outstanding legal fees and an additional $63,477.42 for anticipated costs. The figures indicate he is asking the court to consider both the costs he has already incurred and the legal work he anticipates will be necessary as the case progresses.
The documents also detail Martinez’s reported financial situation. He says he makes around $776.34 a month in acting residuals, and his monthly expenses are estimated at $17,555.99. He also reported approximately $43,206 in different financial accounts. Martinez is using these figures to argue that he can no longer fund the custody litigation on his own.
One piece of financial information in the filing is his disclosed residual income, but this does not represent all income sources available to him. The documents as described are a snapshot of the financial information Martinez is relying on to make his request, not a full accounting of all possible earnings.
The request adds another financial issue to an ongoing custody dispute involving their son, Berry said. The ex-spouses recently received a mixed ruling, and Martinez’s latest filing indicates that legal fees remain a major concern as they work through issues involving Maceo.
That’s $240,000, which is a lot of money, but the request itself is not a court order. Martinez is asking a judge to make Berry pay for the costs, but the information provided does not indicate that the court has approved the request or decided how the fees should be split.
His filing also points to the financial strain that can come with drawn-out family court fights, especially when one party claims their resources are no longer adequate to cover the expenses. Martinez argues that, based on the income and expenses reported, he can’t keep paying the bills without help.
It is not known whether Berry will be asked to contribute. Martinez is now seeking a financial arrangement that will allow him to continue the legal process, and the court is due to consider his request as part of the ongoing legal dispute between the former couple.
News
Cardi B Rips NYC Bullying After Death of Bronx Teen Javits Frimpong
Cardi B is speaking out on bullying in New York City after 15-year-old Bronx student Javits Frimpong was shot and killed. The rapper spoke out against the teen’s death and slammed what she called a bullying culture in the city on a livestream caught by “Hollywood Unlocked.”
Based on the information provided, Frimpong, a 15-year-old student from the Bronx, was shot and killed this week. Cardi B spoke about the case in a social media livestream, using the moment to highlight her concern about the environment young people face. She focused on bullying and what she thinks it does to life in New York City.
The rapper said the situation makes her reluctant to raise her children in the vicinity of a New York public school or in what she called the city’s ‘hoods’. She spoke out of concern about safety and the social pressures young people may feel. The information provided does not give any more details about the circumstances of Frimpong’s death or the investigation into the shooting.
Cardi B’s response also fits into her broader pattern of speaking freely on social media about personal matters and events around her. She is also talking about a tragedy involving a young student and what she sees as a larger issue facing the city. She spoke about bullying, which she said was a concern in the environment.
The account also said that A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie addressed Frimpong’s case. Details of his remarks are not included in the information, but his response adds another Bronx-connected artist to those reacting to the death of the teenager.
The incident has caught the attention of people in the music community, and Cardi B’s comments have sparked discussion about bullying and concerns for young people’s safety. She spoke emotionally and directly, in response to the death of a teen from her home borough.
The information released does not link bullying to the circumstances of the shooting, nor does it include any information on suspects, charges, or official findings. These are things outside the scope of the account given. Frimpong’s death has sparked public reaction, including Cardi B’s criticism of what she sees as a damaging culture for young people in New York.
The tragedy also prompted Cardi B to express concern about the environments children grow up in. Her comments about public schools and city neighborhoods revealed her fears as a parent. The public reaction to Frimpong’s death continues to attract attention, and her comments have brought wider discussion about bullying into the public response.
-
Album Review3 days agoLegends of the Seven Golden Vampires explore healing and personal growth on “The Pumphouse of Broken Dreams” [album]
-
Artist Spotlight3 days agoRicky’s Rebel Rabble honor family and remembrance through “Molly”
-
Artist Spotlight4 days agoT1M1 featuring Keybeaux confront artificial creativity with latest release “Hip Slop”
-
Artist Spotlight3 days agofor KING & COUNTRY celebrate faith and everyday joy on “the most beautiful colours”
-
Album Review3 days agoBrynja Rán finds clarity in complicated relationships on “Unblurred” [album]
-
Artist Spotlight4 days agoLil Bales unveils a love bomb on latest release “Rust”
-
Artist Spotlight1 day agoBoy Sim explores heartbreak and self-deception on “Cloud Nine”
-
Artist Spotlight4 days agoTerry Ennison examines faith, illusion, death, and transformation on latest release “Testimonial”


