Verizon recently hosted an event in New York City with NFL player William Gay and “Orange Is the New Black” star Uzo Aduba to support their HopeLine from Verizon and announce the goal of 1 million phone donations by the end of 2015 to support victims of domestic violence. Together, Gay and Verizon asked people across the nation to take action against domestic violence in two simple ways, either by dropping off no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries, chargers and accessories from any service provider at any Verizon store or by visiting www.verizon.com/about/Hopeline to learn more.
Suge Knight pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run relating to a January incident in which Terry Carter was killed and Cle “Bone” Sloan was seriously injured in Compton, Calif. Knight appeared in court April 30, where his lawyer asked the judge to reduce Knight’s bail from $10 million to $5 million. The judge denied the request. Knight could face life in prison if convicted.
Rihanna treated herself to dinner at her favorite restaurant, Il Ristorante di Giorgio Baldi, in Santa Monica, Calif., recently. The 27-year-old entertainer’s first PUMA ad was released the same day. She was named creative director of the company last year.
April 16, Jean Shafiroff and fashion designer B Michael attended the 2015 Youth America Grand Prix Gala at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City. Shafiroff was resplendent in a satin peach dress from B Michael’s spring 2015 collection. Her earrings were by Van Clef and Arpels.
Youth American Grand Prix’s mission is to support and develop world-class dancers aged 9 to 19 from all ethnic, economic and geographic backgrounds by providing scholarship auditions and educational and performance opportunities, and by serving as the global network of dance connecting students, teachers, schools, dancers, dance companies and audiences.
The hot new couple on the celebrity scene is Russell Wilson and Ciara. The sexy songstress accompanied the Seattle Seahawks quarterback to a state dinner that President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle hosted last week.