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https://www.essence.com/fashion/most-stylish-tunnel-outfits-at-the-2024-all-star-game/

Justin Casterline/Getty Images By Joyce Onuorah ·Updated February 19, 2024

This past few days marked the 73rd annual All-Star Game Weekend for the NBA. The annual break during the season brings together the best basketball players in the league for a weekend full of festivities and of course basketball. This year’s game took place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Met with three to four inches of snow Friday night and freezing temperatures throughout the weekend Indianapolis held its own the best it could. 

As many NBA fans love to discuss the level of play on the court and argue over the winners of the MVP award, some of the most exciting moments during the weekend are the fashion moments that happen off the court. Players across the league including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton have become very aware of how important their image can be. This season they are taking great pride in their tunnel outfits or “pre-game attire.” With All-Star Weekend bringing the greatest players and most loyal fans to one place, this weekend served as a large stage for the league’s most fashionable athletes to step out in some of their best looks.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander In Chrome Hearts INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 18: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Western Conference All-Stars arrives prior to the 2024 NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s taste and style is consistent. He is one of the few NBA players whose Instagram isn’t studded with jersey photos and highlight reels, but instead, one carefully curated outfit photo after another. Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is often spotted in some of the hottest brands from Louis Vuitton to Thom Browne. Yesterday evening he wore a custom all-white Gruppo Vava jacket honoring the late Virgil Abloh, a simple T-shirt, custom white Chrome Hearts pants, and Balenciaga shoes.

Tyrese Haliburton In Prada INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 18: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers and Eastern Conference All-Stars arrives prior to the 2024 NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Tyrese Haliburton is known to enjoy a more classic look, but as of late, he’s been quite experimental. The Indiana Pacers point guard has been testing the boundaries with outerwear in various lengths and experimenting with different textures. On Sunday night, he confidently rocked a double-breasted Fall/Winter 2022 Prada coat and what we believe is a Hermès Togo HAC Birkin 40 bag. He keeps it classic with subtle denim, and classic shoes but the coat adds some serious dimension and personality.

Jalen Hurts In Vanson Leathers Arria Woolcook

Jalen Brown of the Boston Celtics has been recognized not only for signing the largest contract in the NBA but also for his often pared-down but tasteful ability to dress up seemingly casual pieces. He has a skill for finding a balance between streetwear and a more refined feel. Two days ago, Brown wore his own 7uice x Vanson Leather jacket collaboration, Jil Sander pants, his own 7uice x Bape sneakers, a Louis Vuitton briefcase, and Oakley glasses. 

Karl-Anthony Towns In Rick Owens & Hermès Arria Woolcook

Karl Anthony Towns who had an incredible 50 points in this year’s All-Star Game doesn’t let his 7’0″ stature detour him away from making big statements with his looks. He also doesn’t shy away from playing with proportions. On Saturday, the Minnesota Timberwolves player wore Rick Owens head to toe. With the vest exhibiting a strong shoulders look and his wide-leg pants flaring out, you get a lovely hourglass shape topped off with a black Hermès Birkin.

Steph Curry In Miu Miu & Prada Arria Woolcook

Steph Curry, considered one of the best shooters in the NBA, arrived at the 3-point contest on Saturday night in a red and navy striped Miu Miu jacket and black platform Prada shoes. Curry is typically known for a more casual back look, so it was refreshing to see him in something a bit more dressed up this time around.

Victor Wembanyama In Louis Vuitton Arria Woolcook

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs is considered one of the best prospects of his time and also the tallest, as he is 7’4”. Despite the extra inches he still makes sure to keep fans guessing when it comes to his fashion choices. Heading into Saturday night’s Skills Challenge he wore a compelling look. He was spotted in a Louis Vuitton FW24 pixelated camouflage coat and a kelly green monogram Speedy handbag by the previously mentioned French brand.

Jayson Tatum In Custom Suit Arria Woolcook

Jayson Tatum who is also the former MVP of last year’s All-Star game arrived this year in a seafoam green suit. This look worn on Saturday stood out not only for re-imagining the men’s suit in regards to material and cut, but for also pushing the boundaries of Tatum’s personal style. Overall, the Boston Celtics’ small forward nailed his tunnel outfit.

Donovan Mitchell In Gallery Department Arria Woolcook

Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium to compete in Saturday night’s Skills Challenge wearing a barbed wire set from Funeral Apparel and the Gallery Department X UGG shoe collab. The all-black look with both the white details of the set and the iridescent studs in the shoes made for a standout moment.

Giannis Antetokounmpo In Nike Arria Woolcook

Giannis Antetokounmpo, a power forward for the Milwaukee Bucks was the captain of the East, the winning team of Sunday’s All-Star Game. He isn’t usually concerned much with expressing himself through his >Nike Repel Basketball co-ord set served him well as a clean look that felt casual yet stylish.

TOPICS:  Steph Curry Tunnel Looks

The post The Most Stylish Tunnel Outfits At The NBA’s 2024 All-Star Game Weekend appeared first on Essence.

https://blacknerdproblems.com/dc-power-2024-spice-of-life-review/

Perhaps against my better judgment, Imma be completely honest with y’all: I am not a DC Girl (TM). It was long ago – in a different place, a different time (it was like 2011) – but at this point, it’s been well over a decade since I’ve felt moved to pick up a DC comic (or tune into a show, if we’re keeping it REALLY honest). 

But lemme tell you about how much I love Black women. 

Our joy, our quips, our expressions and styles so distinct that they shape culture. The multidimensional magic of our hair and skin. The cadence in which we banter and tell our stories. I promise this is relevant. 

Enter DC Power 2024, the second special issue release from DC featuring heroes of color written and illustrated by USSSSS *wiggles eyebrows into oblivion*, and the chance to not only read an advance copy of The Spice of Life (featuring Thunder and Lightning), but also interview the writer, Cheryl Lynn Eaton. 

Fam, this comic is Black and funny as FUCK. Our stories told by us just hit different and I felt sisterhood all up and through these panels! 

Bonnets! Flat twists! “Put that back in the car, BROKEY!” It just. Hits. Different. I went in knowing nothing about these characters or they daddy (no problem following the story tho, it was very fun), and left with every desire to make them my next hyper-fixation – prepare to be sick of me. 

Tiffie Starchild: Hi Cheryl, thank you for taking the time to talk to me today! 

Cheryl Lynn Eaton: Oh, it’s not a problem at all – I’m very happy to do so!

Tiffie: This is actually my introduction to these characters-

Cheryl: Oh wow!

Tiffie: Yeah! I’ve heard of them, but I haven’t actually gotten a chance to experience them before; so I wanted to say thank you, first and foremost!

Cheryl: Oh, no problem! This was a dream of mine because I had loved Jen and Anissa from the Black Lightning tv show. I mean, I loved them before, but the show as just like “oh, oh no, I can’t say goodbye to these girls now!” You know, they need to continue on, so it was wonderful to be able to give them a little spotlight, you know, behind the scenes, with this anthology. 

Tiffie: Did you feel any pressure because you loved these characters from the show and now, you’re taking the helm of writing them? What was that experience like?

Cheryl: Oh, no pressure at all! Just elation to be able to do it.

Tiffie: Are there any specific challenges in writing comic books versus writing another style? 

Cheryl: I think that for this anthology, there’s a balance between having a voice that feels authentic while also incorporating common superhero tropes. I wanted them to come across as girls in the neighborhood – the girls I know, the girls you see at Thanksgiving, at Christmas, at a cookout – I wanted it to feel like that, very much so. I hope that came across in the work. 

Tiffie: I think that you absolutely killed that. 

Cheryl: Oh, good!

Tiffie: That was part of what made me feel so comfortable reading it. It was partially the illustration of Jennifer’s bonnet – I was like “oo, I’m safe here,” but then the line “put that back in the car, BROKEY!” That took me out! I was like, oh yeah yeah. This is very familiar language, they know what they’re doing, it’s not faked or forced so I really picked up on the authenticity. 

Cheryl: It wasn’t even a question! I put the bonnet in there, the braids – so you know it’s a big, huge bonnet, not the little one. The one you get from the beauty supply store-

Tiffie: With that big, wide elastic!

Cheryl: Yup!

Both: *laughs in sisterhood*

Tiffie: Why do you think it’s important for Black people to tell Black stories?

Cheryl: For the authenticity, one, and it bothers me a lot when we are defined by those that are not us. I think it’s important for everyone to tell every type of story. But, it’s very important to have – especially people from marginalized groups, especially Black people – to be able to tell our own stories so that we can define ourselves because it’s been so long that we’ve been demonized in the public eye. So when we have the power to tell our own stories, we have to grab it. It’s almost like you’re working against the grain because there’s been so much negativity, so when you have the opportunity to write a story – and just a true story to show us in our true light – you have to take it. You have to run for it. 

Tiffie: Oh, I feel like that’s a message. How do you want people to feel when they read The Spice of Life? 

Cheryl: I just want them to have a good laugh and feel familiar. I want it to feel familiar to people who read it. 

Tiffie: Are there any other DC characters that you would like the opportunity to write for? 

Cheryl: Yes! I don’t think she counts as DC. There’s Voodoo, who was a Wildstorm character. Who is basically like if you took Megan the Stallion and Cardi B and mixed them, you would get Voodoo. Former exotic dancer that discovers that she’s an alien superstar – Voodoo is top-tier. Since I was young, I wanted to write for Voodoo. Obviously Starfire. 

Tiffie: YESSS!

Cheryl: I feel like I’m coming across “every Black character” but Starfire’s.. orange. 

Tiffie: You know what? You’re not wrong!

Cheryl: So, you know, there is some variety in there. And also, Red Hood. Jason Todd, former Robin. Like I love to hate the character, even though he gets on my nerves. I would love to write him. I would love to put him through the gauntlet. 

Tiffie: Where can we find more of you and your amazing writing? 

Cheryl: Right now, I have a few things over at the distinguished competition at Marvel. There maaaybe – I don’t wanna get in trouble – there maaaybeee some DC-related things you’ll see in the future. And speaking of fantastic anthologies, there’s the anthology for the Milestone Initiative and that was a blast to do. It’s just the same type of telling stories about girls that you know and neighborhoods you know and old stomping grounds, like in Jersey and Newark. It’s just really nice to be able to do that. 

Tiffie: I’m with Black Nerd Problems, and I read The Spice of Life before I read the forward to the (DC Power 2024) anthology, and I love that it aligns so perfectly with my experience as a Black nerd and the experiences of a lot of the Black Nerd Problems audience. Is there anything else that you would like to communicate to them? 

Cheryl: Just to try it out! And if they are nerds in other venues – like an anime nerd or a hard sci-fi nerd – to try comics. It’s just a fantastic American art form that I think everyone should dip into – at least a little bit! 

And that’s it for me, fam! DC Powers 2024 #1 released January 20, and I can’t recommend it enough! See you next time! 

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The post DC Power 2024 The Spice of Life: Cheryl Eaton Talks About Lightning & Thunder’s Slice of Hero Life appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.

https://www.thenerdelement.com/2024/02/18/some-disney-updates/

Good afternoon, folks! Today I want to share some news that stuck out to me the most! So, let’s get started, shall we?! Disney has officially announced that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be opening up at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in the summer and then later at Disneyland this year, possibly in the Fall or the Winter. Disney has shared the first look at Princess Tiana audio-animatronic coming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride. We are almost there! Walt Disney Imagineering shared the first look at the Princess Tiana audio-animatronic coming to the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride slated to open Disneyland and Walt Disney World later this year. “The figure is the latest in a line of cutting-edge, all-electric figures debuting around the world at various Disney Parks. The quality and make of the ‘Tiana-matronic’ brings to mind The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast at Tokyo Disneyland and the reimagined version of Frozen Ever After that recently opened at Hong Kong Disneyland,” according to WDW News Today. The Princess Tiana audio-animatronic will be joined by figures for Prince Naveen, Louis the alligator, Mama Odie, Eudora, Charlotte, Big Daddy, the King and Queen of Maldonia and Naveen’s younger brother Prince Ralphie in the new ride. The storyline for “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” will pick up where the 2009 animated feature left off. “Walt Disney Imagineering is creating an original, next-chapter story for Tiana. Within the attraction queue, guests will discover that she continues to grow her business with Tiana’s Foods – an employee-owned cooperative,” the Disney Parks Blog announced last year. “Combining her talents with those of the local community, Tiana has transformed an aging salt mine and built a beloved brand.” The ride is replacing Splash Mountain at both U.S. parks. In recent years, Splash Mountain has drawn heat since it featured characters and music from the 1946 animated feature “Song of the South,” a movie criticized for its stereotypes of black men and its romanticized view of the post-Civil War South. Fans called for Disney to redo the theme of Splash Mountain in 2020 amid a racial reckoning across the U.S. Along with the new ride, Princess Tiana fans can dine at Tiana’s Palace, the restaurant the character fought to open throughout the animated feature, or shop at Eudora’s Chic Boutique at Disneyland. The ride will open during the summer at Walt Disney World as I mentioned and an opening date for Disneyland’s version of the ride hasn’t been announced, but again it is slated to open up later this year. I think that it will draw a lot of people to come to Disneyland and Disney World. I think both parks will be packed. The stores will be really busy, the attractions and rides will be busy and everything else will be busy. For instance, When the ride opens at Disneyland, it will be busy all day and if that is busy, so will be other rides near the new ride which it would be Haunted Mansion Holiday, Winnie the Pooh, Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones, especially Rise of the Resistance, Space Mountain, Radiator Springs Racers and etc… That is a reality! If far, were you, on the da that the new ride opens, I would buy genie plus because it will be very busy day.

I think that Disney will make the ride perfect for guest to enjoy and they want to get more attention than other theme parks like Universal and Knott’s which I want people to have more attention to Disney and not to give up easily on them even though you don’t like what they are doing.

So, what are your thoughts about the news of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?! I would love to hear your thoughts and comments down below!

Stay tuned for Disney updates.

The post Some Disney Updates appeared first on The Nerd Element.

https://nerdist.com/article/important-x-men-the-animated-series-episodes-to-watch-before-x-men-97/

The trailer for X-Men ’97 was brief, but it gave us a glimpse of some important plot developments. Magneto inheriting the X-Mansion? A pregnant Jean Grey? Many of these things were actually set up in the original ’90s series. Here are some episodes of the classic X-Men: The Animated Series you may want to watch again before X-Men ’97 releases in March on Disney+.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2, “Night of the Sentinels”

In the trailer for X-Men ’97, we see the unmistakable hand of a Sentinel robot. The giant mutant-hunting machines are the embodiment of humanity’s hatred of homo superior. In many ways, they are the X-Men’s biggest enemy. We were first introduced to these Sentinels in the two-part opening episode of X-Men: The Animated Series, “Night of the Sentinels,” way back in 1992. They are responsible for killing the shapeshifting X-Man named Morph (he gets better), who will be a key player in the new series. Besides, what’s a better place to start getting ready for X-Men ’97 than with X-Men: The Animated Series very first episodes?

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 3, “Enter Magneto”

The trailer for X-Men ’97 also shows Magneto inheriting the X-Mansion, and, presumably, the fortune of Charles Xavier via his last will and testament. It shows that Charles Xavier believed in the good within his former friend turned enemy. The backstory of their complicated relationship is explored in Magneto’s first appearance in X-Men: The Animated Series, “Enter Magneto.” Given Magneto has such a big role in the new show, there’s no better time than now to go back and see how the friendship between Xavier and Magneto fractured. This X-Men: The Animated Series episode will surely come into play in X-Men ’97.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1, Episodes 11 & 12, “Days of Future Past”

“Days of Future Past” is one of the most iconic X-Men stories of all time. It tells of a future where Sentinel robots have all but made the mutant race extinct. So, one of the future X-Men must go back in time to change history, preventing this apocalyptic future. The original ’80s comics had Kitty Pryde as the time-traveling X-Man, while the film adaptation used Wolverine. But in the two-part adaptation of the story for the cartoon, Lucas Bishop was the character to go back in time. Since Bishop is now a member of the “prime timeline” X-Men in X-Men ’97, the version of the story found in these episodes of The Animated Series may be one you wish to revisit.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 4, Episode 8, “Nightcrawler”

Although not seen in the trailer for X-Men ’97, Marvel Studios has confirmed that the teleporting mutant Nightcrawler will be a series regular. For the show, he’ll be voiced by Adrian Hough. Although a main member of the team since 1975 in the comics, X-Men: The Animated Series only used him twice. Still, the episode “Nightcrawler” was a great chapter in the series. It really summed up why the demonic-looking (yet devoutly religious) mutant is so amazing. This is one episode of X-Men: The Animated Series you might want to revisit to get to know Kurt Wagner better before his X-Men ’97 return.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 4, Episode 18, “Beyond Good and Evil Part 1”

Jean Grey and Scott Summers are the premiere X-Men couple. Although they attempted to get married in season two, their actual nuptials actually took place at the end of season four. Why does this matter? Because in the X-Men ’97 trailer, we see a very pregnant Jean Grey. But what if that’s not Jean, and Scott married someone else? Toy releases tied to X-Men ’97 show that Madelyne Pryor, Jean’s clone and Scott’s first wife in the comics, will play a big part in the show. These toys also show Maddy with a baby. That baby grows up to be the cyborg warrior Cable in the comics. Our theory is that they replaced the real Jean shortly before their wedding in Beyond Good and Evil. Therefore, Scott actually married her clone Maddy. Considering that, it might be a great time to revisit this famous wedding episode of X-Men: The Animated Series.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 5, Episode 75, “Descent”

Marvel has already confirmed that Mister Sinister will be the main villain of X-Men ’97. The white and pasty-skinned mad scientist has a fixation with mutant bloodlines, and he experiments to create even more powerful mutants. But who is he really? In the final season, the episode “Descent” tells us the origin story of Nathaniel Essex, who used his gifts to give himself powers back in Victorian England. It also ties Sinister into the real-life legend of Jack the Ripper. Given his importance to the upcoming X-Men ’97 series, this episode of X-Men: The Animated Series feels like essential viewing.

Spider-Man: The Animated Series Season 2, Episodes 17 & 18, “The Mutant Agenda” and “Mutants’ Revenge”

You might be confused about these episodes being included, as they are part of the ‘90s Spider-Man animated series, not X-Men. But in the X-Men ’97 trailer, we see a copy of the Daily Bugle, with the headline “Is Spider-Man a Mutant?” This lets us know that Spidey is part of the X-Men: The Animated Series world. But we knew this already because the versions of the X-Men from the ‘90s cartoon appeared in a two-part episode of Spider-Man. It is possible that we might see that version of Peter Parker appear in X-Men ’97. How cool would it be to see these Marvel ‘90s icons meet once again? The ‘90s Spider-Man series is also on Disney+. So it’s worth rewatching the X-Men’s two-episode appearance, as it might actually matter to upcoming events in X-Men ’97.

The post 7 Important X-MEN: THE ANIMATED SERIES Episodes to Watch Before X-MEN ’97 appeared first on Nerdist.