NEWS
Atlanta, GA - Rick Ross has pledged to make his popular car show wheelchair accessible after he was sued by a disabled fan.
Rozay was hit with a lawsuit last year from Darris Straughter, a disabled man who bought tickets to the 2024 show but was unable to attend after the wheelchair-accessible shuttle bus failed to turn up. The event also refused to refund his ticket.
Responding to the suit, the MMG mogul has agreed to provide a round-trip wheelchair accessible shuttle bus service that will take ticketholders to designated disabled spaces, according to TMZ.
Straughter’s attorney John Hoover said of the outcome: “Thanks to Darris Straughter and the other wheelchair users who came forward, the upcoming Rick Ross Car & Bike Show will be so wheelchair accessible that even golf carts will be provided to wheelchair users.”
He added: “This is a milestone in the ongoing litigation. Defendants continue to deny wrongdoing, but if it wasn’t broken, they wouldn’t have to fix it.”
Straughter continues to pursue damages over the alleged incident.
Ross has yet to respond to the developments, but the next edition of his annual car and bike show will take place on June 7 at his sprawling “Promise Land” estate in Fayetteville, Georgia.
With the event now in its fourth year, the “Hustlin'” hitmaker has also pivoted to yet more business opportunities and recently opened his own dental practice in Atlanta.
In partnership with dentist Mario Montoya, Rozay opened Smiles by Mario Montoya last month.
On Instagram, he wrote: “We did it @drmariomontoya. We began discussing this plan three years ago in Cali, Colombia and now we’ve opened our first dentist office in the U.S.!! Everyone reading this, come get your billion dollar smile in Sandy Springs, Atlanta now. Grateful for the opportunity to play a part in this iconic move. Invest in your smile this year.”
Montoya, who did Ross’ own veneers, also commented: “My patient, then my friend, then my partner, incredible how things come together. The best for the best.”
According to their website, Montoya is a popular dentist within the Hip Hop world, having provided services for the likes of French Montana, Rich the Kid and T-Pain.
Any fan wishing to emulate Ross will have to cough up a considerable sum as Montoya’s veneers start at $1,250.
NEWS
The multi-hyphenate entertainer has scored five new certifications, including a platinum plaque for “Issues/Hold On,” which has sold over one million equivalent units in the U.S. The Kanye West-produced track is lifted from her 2018 album, K.T.S.E., which has been crowned gold for selling over 500,000 equivalent units.
Taylor’s third LP, The Album, has also reached gold status, tallying her second project to become RIAA certified. The King Combs-assisted “How You Want It,” a single from The Album, has been certified platinum.
Last, but not least, Taylor’s “Do Not Disturb” featuring Chris Brown is now gold. The steamy jam appears on her 2014 debut album, VII.
Taylor took to social media to celebrate her new RIAA updates. “Father God I thank you and I praise you in the name of Jesus. Thank You for showing patience with me, your kindness, grace & mercy every day. Your mercies never cease,” she wrote in a caption for her photo of her with her new plaques.
She continued, “Father God, please continue to instruct and teach me as I continue my faith walk. Thank you for keeping my head high to keep my crown from falling. I love you. Thank you for reminding me the wait is not punishment, it was preparation. Thank you to everyone involved with helping me bring these albums and songs to life. I am filled with much gratitude! WE PLATINUM & GOLD YALL.”
In other news, Taylor just released her new single “Long Time.” It’s the first offering from her upcoming album Escape Room, which will be accompanied by a short film. Taylor directed and produced the visual under her production company, The Aunties. It co-stars LaKeith Stanfield and Aaron Pierre, who appear in the video for “Long Time” as well.
Further, Taylor joined Ciara on her “Ecstasy (Remix)” alongside Normani. “When Ci hit me about jumping on this remix, it was an automatic yes,” Taylor said. “To be a part of this moment with two queens I love so much! Not only do I get to call Ciara and Normani my friends I get to call them my sisters! That’s black girl magic. We bringing the sensual, the sisterhood, and the soul. Let’s go!”
Taylor stars in Tyler Perry’s new drama Straw, now streaming on Netflix, alongside Taraji P. Henson and Sherri Shepherd.
