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Laila Ali, Bobby Bones, Jessie James Decker, Randy Jackson, Soledad O’Brien, Alli Webb and Carnie Wilson celebrity judges of The 2019 Miss America Competition

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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – The Miss America Organization and ABC today announced the celebrity judges for the final night of “The 2019 Miss America Competition” airing live on ABC from Atlantic City’s Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 (9:00 – 11:00p.m. ET/PT).

This year’s judge panel includes a diverse group of artists and entrepreneurs from various fields, including music, television, radio and health & wellness. Featuring former boxer, author and television personality Laila Ali; nationally syndicated on-air personality and author Bobby Bones; country music singer/songwriter Jessie James Decker; award-winning music producer and television host Randy Jackson; news anchor Soledad O’Brien; entrepreneur and founder of Dry Bar Alli Webb and singer, songwriter, author and television host Carnie Wilson, these judges will evaluate the candidates during the “The 2019 Miss America Competition” when 51 exceptional women take center stage showcasing intellect and talent while representing their home states (and District of Columbia) all competing for the job and coveted title of Miss America 2019.

Laila Ali:

Laila Ali is a world-class athlete, fitness & wellness expert, TV host, cooking enthusiast, founder of the Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand, and mother of two. The youngest daughter of late beloved global icon and humanitarian, Muhammad Ali, she is a three-time boxing hall of fame inductee and four-time undefeated boxing world champion, whose stellar record includes 24 wins (21 of which were “knockouts”) and zero losses. Laila is heralded as the most successful female in the history of women’s boxing. In 2012 when women’s boxing was included in the Olympics for the first time in history, Laila was the first woman in history to provide expert commentary for NBC Sports. Laila is the host of OWN Emmy award-winning series, “Home Made Simple” and the author of the best-selling cookbook, “Food For Life: Delicious & Healthy Comfort Food From My Table To Yours!”

Bobby Bones:

Dubbed “The most powerful man in country music” by Forbes Magazine, Bobby Bones continues to be an unstoppable force. His nationally syndicated radio show, The Bobby Bones Show, broadcasts to more than 120 stations and is the #1 Country morning show with millions of listeners each week. The show recently garnered its third ACM Award for National On-Air Personality of the Year, also winning a 2017 Country Music Association award for National Broadcast Personality of the Year and earned Bones the title of youngest ever inductee into the prestigious National Radio Hall of Fame. With his undeniable knack for recognizing and supporting new talent, Bones brought his expertise to the latest season of ABC’s American Idol as mentor. Bones is also a touring stand-up comedian, philanthropist, a two-time #1 New York Times best-selling author and chart-topping comedy artist – a true “jack of all trades” (ESPN).

Jessie James Decker:

Jessie James Decker is a country music singer/songwriter, style entrepreneur, television personality and author. Her most recent album, Southern Girl City Lights, debuted as #1 on the iTunes Top Country Albums Chart and billboard hot 100 following the success of her gold-certified single “Wanted.” A star of the hit reality show Eric and Jessie, she is the creator and designer of Kittenish, a playful fashion line inspired by her personal style. Decker’s first book, Just Jessie, is her guide to love, life, family and food, and will be released October 2 from Harper Collins Publishers.

Randy Jackson:

Randy Jackson is a Grammy Award®-winning producer, musician, songwriter and record-industry executive, business entrepreneur, best-selling author, talent manager, television producer and beloved television personality. Jackson has lent his talents to hit records by Smokey Robinson, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Madonna, to name a few. He’s also lived in the rock ‘n’ roll world, recording and performing with legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, ​Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Keith Richards, Journey, Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and countless others. All in all, he has over 1,000 gold and platinum plaques to his name, with collective sales exceeding 200 million copies. However, it is on television where Randy Jackson became a household name and reached iconic status within pop culture as a judge on American Idol for 13 seasons.

Soledad O’Brien:

Soledad O’Brien is an award-winning journalist, speaker, author and philanthropist who anchors and produces the Hearst Television political magazine program “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien.” O’Brien, founder and CEO of Starfish Media Group also reports for HBO Real Sports, the PBS NewsHour, WebMD and has authored two books. She has appeared on networks, Fox and Oxygen and anchored and reported for NBC, MSNBC and CNN. She has won numerous awards, including three Emmys, the George Peabody award, an Alfred I DuPont prize and the Gracie. Newsweek Magazine named her one of the “15 People Who Make America Great.” With her husband, she is founder of the PowHERful Foundation that helps young women get to and through college.

Alli Webb:

Alli Webb is an Entrepreneur, N.Y. Times Bestselling Author, and Founder of Drybar. After spending 15 years as a professional hair stylist, Webb left the hair industry in 2005 to start a family. A few years later, she began offering affordable in-home blowout services to mommy friends, which quickly expanded into a mobile operation by 2009. In 2010, Webb opened the first Drybar in Brentwood, CA. Eight years later, there are over 100 locations across the U.S. Webb also diversified the Drybar brand, creating a line of products and tools. Webb has been named one of the “100 Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company, featured on Fortune’s “40 Under 40” list, and Marie Claire’s “Most Fascinating Women.”Recently, Webb launched a podcast with her brother and business partner Michael Landau called “Raising the Bar” the latest extension of her ever-expanding empire. The weekly show provides a platform to budding entrepreneurs.

Carnie Wilson:

Carnie Wilson, daughter of legendary Beach Boy founder, Brian Wilson, has a varied career as a singer, songwriter, actress, voice over artist, author and talk show host. She currently is a regular guest co-host for CBS’S “The Talk” and has guest co-hosted “The View” and is Emmy-Award®-nominated for hosting “The Newlywed Game” and E!’s “100 Celebrity Slimdowns.” As a member of Wilson Phillips, Carnie achieved unparalleled first album success, selling ten million albums with three #1 hit singles, including the song “Hold On,” which was featured in her cameo role in the movie “Bridesmaids.” The group’s second album achieved international multiplatinum success selling three million albums. Carnie is the founder and co-owner of a national dessert company featuring delicious bite size desserts called “Love Bites by Carnie.”

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160+ Bands, 5 Stages: Welcome To Rockville Returns to Daytona International Speedway May 7–10 with Expanded Fan Experience

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160+ Bands, 5 Stages: Welcome To Rockville Returns to Daytona International Speedway May 7–10 with Expanded Fan Experience

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (FNN) — Music set times have been released for the 15th anniversary of Welcome To Rockville, Florida’s largest rock, metal and punk festival, set for May 7–10, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway.

Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, the four-day event will feature more than 160 bands performing across five stages, marking the festival’s largest lineup to date.

HEADLINERS AND DAILY LINEUP

This year’s festival will be headlined by Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance, Guns N’ Roses and Bring Me The Horizon.

  • Thursday, May 7: Guns N’ Roses, Five Finger Death Punch, Godsmack, Staind
  • Friday, May 8: Foo Fighters, Turnstile, The Offspring, Parkway Drive
  • Saturday, May 9: Bring Me The Horizon, Breaking Benjamin, Motionless in White, Lamb of God
  • Sunday, May 10: My Chemical Romance, A Day To Remember, Rise Against, Yellowcard

FESTIVAL EXPANSION AND NEW FEATURES

Organizers announced several enhancements for 2026 aimed at improving the fan experience. A new “Pit Stop” fan zone near the Apex Stage will feature artist interviews, special performances and interactive experiences.

In addition, the Garage Stage will be fully tented for the first time, offering expanded shade coverage and upgraded production for attendees.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES

Festivalgoers can kick off the week with a pre-party on May 6 featuring performances by Fuel, Local H and others.

A new crossover event, “Blood4Blood,” will also take place at the Ocean Center, combining live music with bare-knuckle fighting, including a headline bout featuring Alex Terrible of Slaughter to Prevail.

TICKETS, ACCESS AND ATTENDANCE

Festival gates will open daily at 11:30 a.m. Organizers are offering a range of ticket options, including single-day, weekend, VIP and camping packages. A new Camp to Coast shuttle will provide transportation between the speedway and nearby beaches.

With expanded attractions, including rides, themed bars and interactive zones, Welcome To Rockville 2026 is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans to Daytona Beach, reinforcing its role as a major driver of Florida’s tourism and live entertainment economy.

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Orlando International Fashion Week Partners with Orlando Fringe Festival for 35th Anniversary Avant-Garde Showcase

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Orlando International Fashion Week

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN)Orlando International Fashion Week (OIFW) has announced a new creative partnership with the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival as the festival celebrates its 35th anniversary this May.

As part of the collaboration, OIFW will present a special avant-garde fashion showcase on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., during the two-week festival. The curated runway will feature bold, experimental designs that reflect Fringe’s spirit of artistic freedom, individuality and innovation.

PARTNERSHIP CELEBRATES CREATIVE COLLABORATION

Organizers say the partnership reflects a natural alignment between two nonprofit organizations committed to supporting artists and expanding access to creative spaces.

“Fringe and OIFW share a commitment to creating platforms where artists can take risks and express themselves freely,” said Rob Henlon, executive director and co-founder of OIFW. “This collaboration allows fashion to exist within a broader artistic conversation.”

John Payne-Rios, an OIFW advisory board member, added that the partnership strengthens Orlando’s creative ecosystem by bringing together fashion, theater and community engagement.

Festival organizers echoed that sentiment, noting the addition of fashion enhances the Outdoor Stage experience and introduces new artistic energy to the event.

DESIGNER CALL AND MODEL CASTING UNDERWAY

In conjunction with the partnership, OIFW has opened its designer registration call for creatives interested in participating in the Fringe showcase.

Designers are encouraged to submit collections that emphasize:

  • Avant-garde concepts
  • Artistic storytelling
  • Bold, experimental design

Models can also audition for both the Fringe showcase and upcoming OIFW runway shows. Casting calls are scheduled for April 12 and April 19 at CityArts Gallery in downtown Orlando from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The casting is open to ages 4 and up, with no prior experience required.

FRINGE FESTIVAL MARKS 35 YEARS OF ARTISTIC FREEDOM

For 35 years, the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival has provided an inclusive platform for artists to present original work in an unjuried and uncensored environment. The festival is the longest-running Fringe festival in the United States and returns 100% of ticket sales directly to artists.

Each May, the festival transforms Orlando into a hub of live performances, visual art, music and interactive experiences that celebrate diverse voices and creative expression.

What’s Next for OIFW?

The Fringe collaboration serves as a lead-in to OIFW’s signature summer event, Orlando International Fashion Week Presents: 626 Euphoria, scheduled for June 6, 2026, at the Winter Park Events Center.

Organizers say the upcoming season will continue to focus on:

  • Expanding fashion as a cultural platform
  • Strengthening cross-industry partnerships
  • Elevating emerging and diverse designers

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Trick Daddy Threatens Tiffany Moore Russell Mayoral Race After AKA Show Shut Down

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — A performance by Miami street legend rapper Trick Daddy ended abruptly Friday night during the 73rd South Atlantic Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated after event organizers said the artist ignored agreed-upon performance guidelines.

The incident, which occurred after the conference’s Step and Stroll competition, has sparked debate online about event vetting, audience expectations, and artistic responsibility.

The event was overseen by South Atlantic Regional Director Tiffany Moore Russell, who also serves as the elected Clerk of Courts for Orange County, Florida and is currently a candidate for Orange County mayor.

Conference Performance Ends Early

Conference attendees from across the South Atlantic region gathered in Orlando for the sorority’s five-day leadership and networking event.

Friday evening’s program featured step teams and strolling performances before transitioning to live entertainment. Organizers booked Trick Daddy, the Miami rapper known for hits including “Nann” and “Thug Matrimony,” to perform a curated list of songs.

However, the performance ended mid-set after organizers said the rapper used language and lyrics that violated previously discussed guidelines.

Russell addressed the incident in a statement distributed to conference attendees.

“We met several times with him and his team to detail our requirements, including attire, language, and specific songs,” Russell said. “Unfortunately, our requirements were ignored. The language, lyrics, and comments made by the artist were not acceptable. I ended the performance because of the disrespect for our organization and our brand.”

Viral Video Fuels Online Debate

Videos posted on social media showed audience members reacting with surprise and discomfort during the performance.

In one clip, attendees could be seen leaving the room as the rapper used explicit language and interacted with the crowd in a manner some attendees described as inappropriate for the event.

The video quickly spread online, fueling debate over whether the performer or the event organizers were responsible for the mismatch between the artist and the audience.

Some critics argued the booking itself raised questions about vetting.

Questions About Booking and Vetting

The controversy has prompted broader discussion about event planning and audience expectations.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is one of the nation’s oldest historically Black sororities, known for its emphasis on scholarship, leadership, and community service.

Critics on social media questioned why an artist known for explicit hip-hop lyrics was booked for a conference audience largely composed of professional women and long-time sorority members.

Supporters of the organizers say the issue was not the booking itself but whether the performer honored the agreed-upon content guidelines.

Russell emphasized that the step teams and conference participants represented “creativity, discipline, and excellence,” adding that she regretted the performance overshadowed their work.

Trick Daddy Responds: “They Booked Me, Trick Daddy Dollars” [VIDEO]

Following the incident, Trick Daddy posted a video response denying that he violated the agreement and accusing organizers of damaging his reputation.

Trick Daddy video responding to AKA Director statement telling her not to give him a playlist, this isn’t her wedding and not to defame his characte, according to the video.

the video further that he states that anybody in there that was saddity and sanctified should not have been in there once I grabbed the MF’in mic.

He also referenced Russell’s political ambitions, saying: “I heard you’re running for some type of office or something. I’ll get on you every day until you don’t win. Don’t play with me.”

The comments intensified the controversy as the incident shifted from a performance dispute to a potential political crisis for Russell’s Orange County mayoral campaign.

What Happens Next? Reputation, Politics and Public Reaction

For Trick Daddy, the dispute raises questions about how the controversy could affect his public image and performance bookings.

For Tiffany Moore Russell, the issue arrives as she prepares for a campaign for mayor in Orange County, Florida, potentially drawing political scrutiny to the situation.

Whether the rapper follows through on his pledge to publicly attrack Russell’s mayoral campaign remains unclear.

For now, the moment stands as a cautionary tale about entertainment programming at professional events—where audience expectations, artist identity, and brand reputation must align.

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