Big Loom (3:12)

I'm the.

Lauren LaRosa (3:13)

Home girl that knows a little bit about everything and everybody. You know, if you don't lie about that, right? Lauren came in hot. Hey, y', all, what's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And this is the latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room. Now we are back with another episode. So of course we gotta check in behind the scenes of the grind.

Lauren LaRosa (3:42)

At this point, y'. All, if I'm being honest about how I'm feeling, just where I'm at and what is going on with myself, I'm counting down the days until we are on Christmas break. Like, I am honestly and truly counting down. I enjoyed the Thanksgiving break in my birthday so much. I know that this Christmas break won't be the same because, you know, we'll be on break. When I say on break, I don't mean here at the podcast. You guys will still get episodes here on the podcast, but the Breakfast Club will be on break for about, like, two weeks. There's no way I can go away for two weeks and not work and not watch news and not create news. And, you know, I'm not. But I am going to give myself some time. Like the day before Christmas Eve to probably about, like the 25th. Maybe the 25th. Yeah. So like the 26th, I wake up and get back to work. So I'll give myself a couple days and then I'm back at it. Headed to Ghana on the 27th. I'm going to Ghana for the first time.

Lauren LaRosa (4:40)

Taylor's here, y'.

Amazon Five Star Theater Voice (4:41)

All.

Lauren LaRosa (4:41)

Taylor gang is back. Taylor made it. Is back. She's a mom now. Yes, ma'.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (4:47)

Am.

Lauren LaRosa (4:48)

And she's back to work. And I know that sucks, huh? Speaking of being back, are you excited to be back?

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (4:53)

It's not necessarily exciting, but, you know, I'm ready to, you know, start my new chapter of being A mom and still, you know, working, working and, you know, trying to be the boss to that. I'm striving to be.

Lauren LaRosa (5:04)

Have you felt. I mean, it's only been like a couple of days or like. But do you have. Do you feel like, oh, I got the balance of that, like, down packed of like, waking up doing something with your baby, then come to work?

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (5:15)

Not necessarily. Because my, my son's like, all over the place. Like, he's so, like, he's continuously growing and changing. So it's. This is like adjusting.

Lauren LaRosa (5:28)

Well, we happy to have you back.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (5:30)

I'm happy to be back, though.

Lauren LaRosa (5:31)

Yes. Y' all tell her, like, she had no baby nowhere. She looked exactly the same before her baby was here. Like, literally exactly the same.

Diet Coke Ad Voice (5:39)

Thank you.

Lauren LaRosa (5:39)

But yes, honey, I know you can't wait for the Christmas break either, though. Just. Yes, that's right. Go back to kind of like, I came out perfect.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (5:46)

I got to like, getting used to it. And then like, all right, I'm on break again, so it's all good.

Lauren LaRosa (5:50)

Yes. So I am counting down those days. Yeah, I'm there. I'm counting down. But we are going to get into the latest and what's going on. What's going on. So let's do it. Okay, so first up, Jimmy Kimmel. Y' all know, I don't know if I said it here on the podcast, but late night tv, I just think even though I know the, you know, the market is changing and the game is changing and people, a lot of the eyeballs aren't there anymore. But Jimmy Kimmel is still on air and doing the thing. You all remember back in September, he was taking off air for a sec because ABC was upset about some comments that he had made after Charlie Kirk passed away. But then he was brought back on air. Scour through the episodes. I don't know what episode number it is, but we covered that here when Kimmel was taken off of air and the things that were said by the FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, who, you know, threw a very harsh warning to the network and said the network and Disney has said, we can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way. And it was just announced that not only is he back, I mean, we know he's back because we've been watching him, but ABC has just announced that in. Jimmy Kimmel have just announced that they have extended his show for at least one year after all of that commotion and the suspension and all of the things. So Kimmel put up a post from Bloomberg that Is titled Jimmy Kimmel extends deal with Disney ABC for at least a year. And the caption, he's throwing a shot back at Trump. In the caption he says, I'm pleased to announce another no talent year. Now, the reason why this is a shot is because the Kennedy center honors took place recently and President Trump was the host of the evening and he was asked about, you know, how he prepared versus not because he said he did not prepare and he took a shot at Kimmel. Let's take a listen.

Janice Torres (7:35)

How have you prepared the host tonight?

Amazon Five Star Theater Voice (7:38)

Well, maybe I haven't prepared. Maybe you want to be a little bit loose. If you look at the great host, Johnny Carson, Bob Hope, those are the greats. If you look at the not so greats, like Jimmy Kimmel, he was terrible.

Lauren LaRosa (7:58)

So they got this like, I don't know, this little love, hate, ish thing going on. I mean, if I'm Kimmel, of course I'm leaning into it because, I mean, it makes sense, right? Like, this is the President of the United States that people pay a lot of attention to. So if he's going to keep talking about you, you get on your show and you respond. And that's exactly what he did. So Kimmel, as the comedian and late night talk show host that he is, got on his show to let Donald Trump know, listen, I'm married. We can't do this flirting thing anymore.

Amazon Five Star Theater Voice (8:27)

Very hurtful. I thought we were friends. I don't know what's going on.

Janice Torres (8:32)

He is really fixated.

Amazon Five Star Theater Voice (8:34)

I'm starting to think he might have a crush on me.

Lauren LaRosa (8:35)

Do we know if our media and television and streaming and, you know, all of the things in that market are free of control from the Trump administration? No, we do not know. Honestly, with everything that happened with that last merger, the Skydance merger, and now the conversations that we're having with Netflix and Paramount and Trump's involvement and all of the things, right, I don't know, like they're, they're trying to block out Netflix from, you know, owning certain things. And Donald Trump is like, you know, basically implying that that would cause a monopoly of the industry. But these last couple big mergers in that space, Trump has been so heavily involved and he's involved in this when he's saying he's going to be involved in the approval. We know the guys over at Paramount, Ellison, that's his homie. So the monopoly to me is looking like it's in the President's hands, which is crazy. God be with us. Every time I see certain headlines with Trump that aren't like presidential or political related, I'm always, and I guess I mean, people could argue that making sure that our broadcast and media lanes are not monopolized, it's, it's political. Can be political. Right. But I be always trying to figure out like, he don't have nothing else to do. Like so much stuff.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (9:56)

Exactly. There's so much other stuff he needs to like, really care for. And this stuff, I feel like is should be.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (10:07)

Lower in the list.

Lauren LaRosa (10:09)

Yeah, I, I agree. But we'll just have to like, keep watching. I posted to my Insta store yesterday that this whole like, back and forth between Paramount and Netflix is literally like the new Real Housewives. And Trump is Andy Cohen. And Trump is Andy Cohen. And it like, it's giving. He's stirring up the girls. And the reunion is going to happen like once the whoever wins the, like the bid. That, that won't even be the reunion. That'll be like, you know, we'll be getting ready for a new season. But the reunion of this will be like, because I know Netflix has already had their conversation with Trump, Paramount and you know, Ellison, that, that's his friend, they're talking all the time. There's going to be this one big meeting that they have to have or something like Trump is going to figure out a way to get them all in a room to argue just so he can be in the midst of it and say, I figured it out and I did this and that's going to be the reunion.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (10:55)

Yep.

Lauren LaRosa (10:56)

So we will be there. Not physically, but we'll be tuned in, we'll be locked in. When I feel like I need to refresh my look, I'll head straight to JD Sports. I know I can find some inspired styles whenever I drop into JD's. They've got the shoes, the apparel and all the latest essentials you could need. A couple weeks ago, I grabbed a brand new Nike tech for BAE and the compliments he's been getting. Well, y' all know I'm giving all the compliments, but from other people. They've been nonstop too. Discover iconic styles. Now head to JD Sports. Curate your personal look from the brands that define the culture. HP Sports is where the latest global sportswear lives.

Janice Torres (11:32)

What a matchup we got, y'.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (11:34)

All.

Janice Torres (11:34)

This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat, everybody showing that school pride. A game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a Game changer right there.

IBM AI Ad Voice (11:54)

Mmm.

Janice Torres (11:55)

Yeah, that taste always hits the right note, just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere, and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

Big Loom (12:19)

What's up y'? All? This is Big Loom from It's Up There podcast. In this powerful episode, we're breaking down the danger of silence and how way too many of us are taught to protect the vibe instead of protecting ourselves. We spend more time researching cars, microphones, sneakers than we will researching on how to protect our bodies and our partners. If you have an honest conversation, one uncomfortable minute can save you a lifetime of regret. The CDC says nearly one in five people carry an STI and most don't even know it. Real Intimate isn't built in the dark, it's built in the disclosure. Condoms, testing transparency. Those aren't passion killers, they're peace builders. It's too much risk in our silence. Speak up. You can listen to this special episode of It's Up There podcast with Loneliness, brought to you by Healthy Sexual from Gilead sciences on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast.

IBM AI Ad Voice (13:24)

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Sophie Cunningham (13:51)

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don'tsleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lily, a medicine company.

Lauren LaRosa (14:30)

Now in other news, speaking of marriages and relationships, Jeezy sat down with Bishop T.D. jakes on T.D. jakes podcast Next Chapter. And on this podcast, T.D. jakes takes like your life your story in the interview and divides it into several different chapters. And he dives really deep into like past traumas and, you know, like, how you've gotten from one place to the other, your background to who you are now, the building of your business, all those things. So he's talking to Jeezy about Jeezy's life in general, some of his hardships, and when dealing with his mom and their, you know, very tumultuous relationship. But then they get into relationships and marriage, and Jeezy opens up about almost being afraid of bringing mommy issues into his marriage or relationship. And then they get to the part that I've seen a lot of the blogs and people posting and talking about, because there's a sense of accountability here. But some people are feeling like there's also a sense of arrogance. They get to the point where Jeezy is talking about what he learned while in his marriage and through divorce. He said he learned that he was a good husband. Let's take a listen.

Jeezy (15:36)

What did you learn from it? I learned I was a great husband.

Sophie Cunningham (15:41)

Okay.

Jeezy (15:44)

I got a beautiful daughter out of a situation, so there's no regrets there. But I learned a lot about myself. I learned that there's things that I continue to work on. I learned about, you know, my preferences for things, the type of space that I need, the type of moments that I need to decompress about certain things, and this just unselfish nature, you know, that I was selfish in my prior life. And I think just going forward in life.

Jeezy (16:24)

It just taught me how to, like, give someone else grace and actually.

Jeezy (16:31)

Listen to understand rather than just to listen to reply.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (16:37)

I feel like Genie's gonna fire back probably.

Lauren LaRosa (16:40)

So Genie has been posting. Genie is Jeannie Mai, who is ex wife or they're still going through the divorce, I believe. Hold on, let me double check that. Yeah. So the divorce was finalized in June of 2024. But Jeannie, my since then has been like, if you follow her on Instagram, she takes you on this journey of, like, single mom life and figuring out life after divorce. And so I think she probably will fire back. She's. She's been coming off. The girl has been given very, like, Zen. Like, she's in this, like, peaceful state. So we'll see if she keeps that state after his statement. But, I mean, I think. I think everything is up for interpretation. I think whenever two people decide that they're not going to be together, whether marriage or kids or not, or are involved, you. You can always be a villain in somebody's story. So I think he has his view on the man that he was and the man he grew into. From the situation, what he learned, what he didn't. And she's going to have her view. So, I mean, I'm open to hear her response, but when I was listening to his response, the whole husband thing kind of threw me off because I was like, what does he mean? But I think what he meant is that what he learned about himself and the things that he's taken accountability for, he's capable of being a good husband. I think at the time in their marriage and what they were going through, I think even though he didn't say this, listening to just sounded like they weren't good for each other.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (18:08)

Yeah. It was random a little bit.

Lauren LaRosa (18:11)

Yeah. I mean, like, how they.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (18:13)

I wonder. I don't know the story, how they hooked up or any of that, but I remember seeing a picture with her.

Lauren LaRosa (18:20)

I remember seeing. Hearing it and seeing it, and I thought it was fake. I was like, how, like, what?

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (18:26)

They got married really quickly, too. They weren't dating for that long.

Lauren LaRosa (18:30)

Yeah. Okay, so here's the timeline.

Lauren LaRosa (18:35)

So they made their first public appearance in August 2019. They went Instagram official in September 2019. He proposed in March of 2020. Now, prior to them making their first public appearance.

Lauren LaRosa (18:50)

And they had their daughter in January 2022. So things did move pretty fast. But they started dating back in late 2018. They met on the set of the real. The talk show the Real.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (19:00)

Okay.

Lauren LaRosa (19:01)

And then after that, they begin dating, and then, you know, all the things happen. So, I mean, there was like, yeah, they had about a year after they had met and started dating that. Which it can be pretty fast. But I also feel like if you've met the right person.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (19:17)

Yeah, I'm not one to judge.

Lauren LaRosa (19:19)

Yeah, I mean, look, me either. I think if you've met the right person, timeline is just a moving variable for some. I also think. Because I think meeting the right person sometimes also means that even the things that you guys are finding aren't the best about each other or the best about you guys together. You are so locked in and there's a silver lining that you are willing to work on it. Yeah, I think. Not think from covering the divorce of Jeezy and Jeannie Mai, hearing him in this interview, seeing some of the things that she's posted that, you know, she's learned post divorce just about relationships and, you know, the new journey she's on. And it kind of seems like the two had very different core values. Yeah, I will say that. And I think, you know, in me dating and, like, being intentional about dating, like that that's something that is very important to me. And that's not even something I. I've learned. I've always felt like, all right, when I get to a point where, like, I really, seriously want to consider someone being in my life for the rest of my life, core values matter. Because I think, especially when you have kids, if everything strips away, like, if y' all hate each other to the bone one day, but y' all still gotta raise that baby. Your core values, if they align, you know what I mean? Like, there's a synergy there that can still happen even as co. Parents. So it seems like, you know, the core values were a bit different. But I'm not mad at him for taking accountability within things. And I'm also not mad at him for feeling like he. He could be a great husband to somebody.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (20:50)

Yeah.

Lauren LaRosa (20:50)

It might not be to her. And I think. And seeing people's reaction to it, they're like, oh, not a great husband, but it ended up in divorce. Or, not a great husband, but she accused you of a, B, C, and D. And your divorce, you know, filings and documents, people got to realize, you know, you could be a great person to the wrong person, or, you know, he might not have been the best.

Sophie Cunningham (21:10)

Right.

Lauren LaRosa (21:11)

There are things I'm sure were not his best days in that relationship, as in any relationship or, you know, marriage. But coming out of it and learning, especially at his big age. You want to hear that accountability and that maturity.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (21:24)

Yeah, for sure.

Lauren LaRosa (21:25)

Like, if we didn't hear it, I'd be a little disappointed.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (21:27)

Yeah.

Lauren LaRosa (21:27)

Okay. That period. Especially because he has kids and he's been. I mean, he's been a father. He had kids very young. But even when he talked about that in this episode, he talks about learning to apologize to his daughter and some of the things he's recently learning. And he's been a father.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (21:43)

Yeah.

Lauren LaRosa (21:44)

You know what I mean? But again, he's growing and he's learning. People are just people. Your parents are just people. Married people are just people. You're figuring it out.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (21:51)

No, for sure. I feel like my parents are still. Well, not their marriage, but, like, even, like with my dad, like, I feel like he's learning even to be even more, like, romantic with my. My mom.

Lauren LaRosa (22:04)

And how long have they been married?

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (22:06)

45 years.

Lauren LaRosa (22:07)

See? And like. And I think there's. There'll be so many people that'll be like, if your man doesn't court you in romance, you. But he's done so much.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (22:15)

Yeah, but, like, the thing my dad's been such a provider for the family.

Lauren LaRosa (22:19)

Yeah.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (22:20)

And, you know, whole lack, like, we've always went on family vacations. But I think he's starting to realize really, what, like, brings my mom joy and that's just being with family, too.

Lauren LaRosa (22:31)

Yeah.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (22:31)

You know, I mean, and I love.

Lauren LaRosa (22:32)

To hear that because I also think too, that what you begin to realize, like, when you talk, people change. Yes. When you think about spending your life with somebody is, like, who you are day one, year one is not who you are for year 45.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (22:45)

Yeah.

Lauren LaRosa (22:46)

That all. So you have to relearn each other. And that's, like, working. That's what I meant by. Yeah.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (22:51)

So much stuff.

Lauren LaRosa (22:51)

Yeah. Yep. And that's what I meant by, like, timeline with Jeezy and Jeannie Mai. Like, you know, it seems like things progress pretty quickly with them, but I mean, if you got. If you are down for that ride with that person, you learn each other as you go. And, I mean, I know people who've been together for me, like, since the first link, literally, and are now happily. I have a friend in Atlanta who met a guy. She's a model, he's a photographer. Literally met him. They have a whole life together now. Three kids in. I think they literally met. Did a photo shoot. She finally gave in. Gave him, like, went on a date with him. From that first date, they've never separated. Moved in, I think, like, within, like, the first, like, couple months of their relationship and three kids.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (23:32)

Timing and knowing what you want matters a lot. Like, the entire intention.

Lauren LaRosa (23:36)

I told you. Yeah.

Sophie Cunningham (23:38)

Wow.

IBM AI Ad Voice (23:39)

We are.

Lauren LaRosa (23:40)

We're in such different spaces in our lives. Taylor. Last time we were talking about relationship, I was in, like, such a different space. I don't think that I wasn't. I'm not even think I wasn't intentional in that part of my life. But I feel like it's. I don't think that there's anything wrong with it per se, but I do think you start to realize, like, you get. You're giving your time, your energy in and your body to people that, you know, you have no further plan with, like, at all. Like, because once I met somebody, like, I mentally, I got to a point where I'm like, okay, like, you know, everything's speeding up in life for me. I don't have time to just, like, do whatever. Exactly. And then my intention changed and I met somebody. And when I, well, relinked with somebody that I was just like, I would be so intentional about this. Like, I want to figure this out.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (24:29)

Yeah. I think like, as. As people, as we get older, you. I mean, certain things are more important. And intentions, I guess they are more important. People dating people are just fine too. But I feel like it gets to a point where it's just like, all right, I went to.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (24:47)

Be with someone and like, grow, grow with someone. That's important.

Lauren LaRosa (24:50)

It is. Why was Jeezy the best? I was Genie Mai the best. They have a beautiful baby. So cute. I saw a video Genie Mai posted the other day of her baby girl like, kissing her and tell that she like, her baby girl like, kissed her on her forehead and on both her cheeks and like, told her she loved her. And it was like such a moment. I think Jeannie Meyer said it, like, brought her to tears. So, you know, a beautiful baby came out of that situation at the end of the day. So let's keep it going, but make sure you guys go check out that full conversation. It is two hours long, but it's very in depth. It's super well done too. I mean, it's Bishop T.D. jake, so duh. But it is very well done. It takes you through Jeezy's life story and kind of really helps you understand who he is as a man now and who he was then and kind of, you know, why?

Pets Best Insurance Voice (25:32)

Why?

Lauren LaRosa (25:32)

We've gotten some of the music and the things that we've gotten from Jeezy throughout the years, good and bad. So go check that out. It's called Next chapter with Bishop T.D. jakes. But yeah, guys, that's it for the episode. I tell you guys, every single episode. My low riders, y' all could be anywhere with anybody talking about all these things, but y' all choose to be right here with me. I appreciate you guys. Taylor, we are so happy to have you back. Girl on the one side and tools behind the pod. We'll catch you in the next episode. See you guys.

Lauren LaRosa (26:09)

When I feel like I need to refresh my look, I'll head straight to JD Sports. I know I can find some inspired styles whenever I drop into JD's. They've got the shoes, the apparel, and all the latest essentials you could need. A couple weeks ago, I grabbed a brand new Nike tech for BAE and the compliments he's been getting. Well, y' all know I'm giving all the compliments, but from other people, they've been non stop too. Discover iconic styles. Now head to JD Sports. Curate your personal look from the brands that define the culture. JD Sports is where the latest global sportswear lives.

Janice Torres (26:41)

What a matchup. We got Y' all this is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat. Everybody showing that school pride game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there.

Taylor (Taylor Gang) (27:02)

Mmm.

Janice Torres (27:03)

Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cream cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

Amazon Five Star Theater Voice (27:27)

Amazon five Star Theater presents real customer reviews performed by Ed Helms. Tonight's review Tactical Jacket I was living a simple life. Didn't get out much. Then I bought this jacket and everything changed. Women came flocking to me from lands domestic and foreign. On the 245 day sailboat voyage home, I was attacked by a shark. I knew it was the jacket he was after giving up the jacket in exchange for my life. 5 stars Amazon Customer 69 Shop the perfect gift this holiday on Amazon.

Sophie Cunningham (28:08)

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or osa, in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don'tsleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly a medicine company.

Lauren LaRosa (28:48)

Janice Torres here and I'm Austin Hankwitz.

Janice Torres (28:50)

We host the podcast Mind the Small Business Success Stories produced by Ruby Studio in partnership with Intuit QuickBooks.

Lauren LaRosa (28:57)

We're back for season four to talk to some incredible small business owners. The big thing about working at tech is that it's ever evolving, ever changing. Everyone's a rookie. That's how fast the industry is changing. So what I'm really excited about is to be part of that change.

Janice Torres (29:10)

So listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Lauren LaRosa (29:16)

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.