Entertainment
Cissy Houston, Gospel Legend and Mother of Whitney Houston, Dies at 91
Cissy Houston, the legendary gospel singer and mother of Whitney Houston, passed away peacefully at her New Jersey home on Monday morning at the age of 91. Houston had been in hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, as confirmed by her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston.
In a heartfelt statement, Pat expressed the family’s grief: “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family,” while also paying tribute to Cissy’s strength and lasting impact, calling her a “strong and towering figure” in their lives.
Cissy Houston’s illustrious career spanned decades, with highlights that include collaborations with some of the biggest names in music, such as Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Van Morrison. Born in 1933 in New Jersey, she was the youngest of eight siblings and started her singing journey early on, performing gospel music with her family. In the 1960s, she gained widespread recognition as part of the R&B group The Sweet Inspirations, singing backup for stars like Otis Redding, Dionne Warwick, and on Van Morrison’s iconic hit “Brown Eyed Girl.”
After finding success with The Sweet Inspirations, Houston launched her own solo career, performing with a diverse range of artists including Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, and her beloved daughter, Whitney Houston. Her powerful voice earned her two Grammy Awards, one for her gospel album Face to Face in 1997 and another for He Leadeth Me in 1998.
Cissy Houston was also an accomplished author, penning three books, including Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss and The Night the Music Stopped, which shared memories of her daughter Whitney Houston, who tragically passed away in 2012.
Even in her later years, Cissy continued to perform, sharing a memorable stage with Aretha Franklin on The Late Show with David Letterman at the age of 80, where they covered Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”
Pat Houston expressed the family’s gratitude for Cissy’s extraordinary life and legacy: “Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts… we are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us.”
Cissy Houston’s memory will live on through her remarkable musical contributions and the deep love she shared with her family. May she rest in peace, reunited with her daughter Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina.
Entertainment
MrBeast’s Company Faces Lawsuit Over Sexual Harassment Allegations
MrBeast’s media business is facing legal action from a former employee who alleges sexual harassment and gender discrimination within the company.
The lawsuit was filed by Lorrayne Mavromatis, who worked at Beast Industries between 2022 and 2025. In court documents, she claims that harassment of female employees was “condoned” and that complaints were routinely dismissed or not taken seriously.
Mavromatis, who initially joined as head of Instagram before being promoted, alleges she was dismissed after raising concerns about what she described as a workplace lacking basic employment protections. She also claims she was treated differently from male colleagues and subjected to a hostile work environment.
Among the allegations detailed in the filing, Mavromatis says a former CEO of the company, James Warren, made inappropriate remarks suggesting her appearance affected her working relationship with Jimmy Donaldson. She further claims she was later demoted to a marginalised role within the company and ultimately fired shortly after returning from pregnancy-related leave.
The lawsuit states she has suffered emotional distress, reputational harm, and financial losses, and is seeking compensation including lost wages, benefits, and reinstatement.
In response, a spokesperson for Beast Industries strongly denied the allegations, describing the case as “categorically false” and a “clout-chasing complaint.” The company says it has substantial evidence, including internal communications and witness testimony, which it claims refutes the accusations.
Entertainment
Singer D4vd Pleads Not Guilty to Murder Charges in Teen’s Death
American musician D4vd has pleaded not guilty to multiple murder charges in connection with the death of a 14-year-old girl whose remains were discovered last year.
The 21-year-old artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, appeared in court in Los Angeles on Monday for his arraignment, his first appearance since his arrest. He did not speak during the hearing, with his legal team entering the plea on his behalf.
Burke is accused of murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was reported missing in April 2025. Prosecutors allege she visited his home in the Hollywood Hills on 23 April and was never seen again.
According to court documents, her dismembered remains were discovered on 8 September 2025 in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. Investigators said the body had been severely decomposed, with limbs found separated inside a bag.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, led by Nathan Hochman, has filed several charges against the singer. These include first-degree murder with special circumstances, as well as allegations of murder for financial gain and killing a potential witness.
Prosecutors claim Burke acted to protect his music career, alleging the teenager posed a threat to his reputation. They also allege she was a witness in an investigation involving sexual misconduct.
Hochman said the case includes allegations of serious offences involving a minor, as well as the mutilation of a body. He added that the prosecution could pursue the death penalty.
Burke’s defence team strongly rejected the accusations, maintaining that evidence will show he did not kill the teenager and was not responsible for her death. They also pushed for a more transparent legal process after months of closed-door grand jury proceedings.
In a notable move, the court ordered the release of the coroner’s report, which had previously been sealed—an uncommon step in such cases.
The family of Rivas Hernandez said in a statement that they remain committed to ensuring her voice is heard and her memory honoured throughout the legal process.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell also addressed criticism over the handling of the investigation, defending the limited release of information in the months following the discovery of the body.
Entertainment
US Singer D4vd Arrested on suspicion Over Teen Girl’s Death
American singer D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of a teenage girl whose remains were discovered last year, according to police in Los Angeles.
The 21-year-old artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is being held without bail following his arrest by the Los Angeles Police Department. Authorities say the case will be presented to prosecutors next week.
The investigation centres on the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old who was reported missing in April 2024. Her remains were discovered on 8 September in a vehicle linked to Burke, after reports of a foul odour led authorities to a tow yard in Hollywood.
Court documents indicate that investigators found decomposed remains inside a bag in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to an address associated with the singer. Officials said the body had been there for several weeks, though the exact cause of death has not yet been determined.
The county medical examiner has described the remains as severely decomposed and has not yet ruled on how the teenager died, keeping the case classified as an ongoing death investigation for months prior to the arrest.
In a statement, Burke’s legal team denied the allegations, insisting that evidence would ultimately show he was not responsible for the girl’s death. They also noted that no formal charges or indictment had yet been filed, and that he has been detained based on suspicion.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to its disturbing details and the lack of clear information surrounding the circumstances of the teenager’s death. Investigators had previously identified Burke as a target of a grand jury inquiry, which began hearing evidence late last year.
Further details emerged through court filings after members of Burke’s family were summoned to testify. Documents indicated he could face proceedings related to a potential murder charge.
Rivas Hernandez, who lived in the Lake Elsinore area, had reportedly run away from home before, but her disappearance last year prompted concern from family and neighbours. Her case has since attracted significant online speculation, particularly regarding any possible connection to the singer.
Authorities have said little publicly about the nature of that connection, and key records in the case were sealed by a judge to allow investigators to gather evidence without interference.
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