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The union and unfortunate breakup of movie star and recording artist Tyrese Gibson and Samantha Lee has become an Atlanta story pulled from the tabloids and social media.
Gibson, who is an Atlanta celebrity only part-time (he spends the winters in Los Angeles), knows a thing or two about heartache as an R&B crooner.
Tyrese and Samantha: A Match Made In Georgia
This article will explore all we know about Tyrese and Samantha’s relationship. While the couple reportedly met through a mutual friend, what we now about their marriage is that it was short-lived.
Lee filed for divorce from Gibson, a six-time Grammy nominee, in September 2020 in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gibson has gone on record as saying that he has no idea why his wife left him. In various interviews, he details that his wife told him that she was exiting the marriage when he flew home from shooting a video in New Jersey. They had a confrontation outside his Atlanta mansion.
A few years ago, Gibson moved into a French Chateau–style mansion complete with a Bumblebee replica in the main room. The home has been a writing incubator for his many love songs and film projects since that time.
Inside Tyrese Gibson's Atlanta mansion. https://t.co/0lUPspN89m pic.twitter.com/8FeXypBXRC
— ATLHAPS (@atlhaps) October 20, 2023Who Is Tyrese Gibson?
Tyrese Gibson is an American actor and R&B singer best known for his hits “Sweet Lady” and “How You Gonna Act Like That.”
To Generation Z fans, he’s likely most known for his role in the Fast & Furious films, as well as his appearances in the Transformers movies.
Gibson came to fame after appearing in a Coca-Cola commercial in 1994. He was 16 years old and was two hours late for the audition, but he nailed it. Looking back on it, he sees it as divine providence.
“After I did the Coke commercial, and I was singing on the bus, that confirmed that maybe this singing thing is for me. I had to figure out what God had in mind,” he said in the R&B Money podcast.
From that point, he launched a music career and produced several albums.
In 2007, Gibson married Norma Mitchell. In 2009, with the marriage on the outs, the couple began a five-year custody battle.
At some point, and it is not clear when, he met Samantha through a mutual friend and moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta.
Who Is Samantha Lee?
Samantha Lee, aka, Samantha Schwalenberg, is a clinical social worker who graduated from the University of Georgia and settled in Athens after getting her master’s degree in psychology in 2012.
In addition to an accomplished career in academia, Samantha, who is originally from New Jersey, also participated in the Miss Latin UGA pageant while in school.
In 2014, Samantha also earned a bartending certificate, which means she’s a mixologist as well. Can you say, “well rounded?”
At some point, Samantha began working for the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services. and spending her time posting social media videos about social topics affecting children.
Gibson said that when he met Samantha sat the time she was a “simple” person whom Gibson met in a “$12 sun dress,” he said.
When Did Tyrese And Samantha Get Married?
Tyrese and Samantha got married on Valentine’s Day in 2017. The singer announced his wedding on Instagram with the following caption:
“We’re so grateful and humbled by your outpouring of love! We appreciate all of the prayers and well wishes…. Life’s a trip…. Cause sometimes when you pray you get #exactly what your heart desires…….I got #MyBlackQueen I didn’t just marry her I married my daughters new example.”
The message was met with jeers from a lot of Gibson’s fans, who had an issue with him calling her his “Black Queen” when in fact Samantha is of Afro Latina heritage.
Why Did Tyrese and Samantha Get Divorced?
Gibson has said that he was stunned when his wife asked for a divorce and he still is unclear about exactly what he did to make her leave.
In a video about the incident, he says that Samantha displayed “narcissistic sociopathic behavior,” when they met with each other outside his suburban Atlanta mansion after he arrived from New Jersey after a video shoot.
“I said, ‘Alright, babe. Let’s go home,’ and she said, ‘I’m not coming home. I don’t live there anymore’,” Tyrese recounted. “She said, ‘I took all my stuff out of the house.'” When he asked her where she put her belongings, she told him, “That doesn’t matter,” and took the baby.
He has continued to share that he feels bamboozled by Samantha and feels that she faked much of her persona in their early days.
Since the divorce, Samantha has been very vocal on social media about relationship issues, including flaws in both men and women.
Meanwhile, Gibson has moved on with a new love of his life, a woman who goes by the name Zelie Timothy on Instagram, where she is an influencer and model. Gibson said that he hopes to marry Zelie soon.
How Long Has Tyrese Been With Zelie?
Gibson has been with Zelie for more than two years now. The couple went public with their relationship in March 2021.
Gibson and Zelie had a viral moment in 2022 when she said in a video that when they met it was not love at first sight.
“He wasn’t my type at all,” she said laughingly. “My type is Paul Walker,” as Tyrese looked shocked and said, “Don’t touch me.”
“Even when I met him, I was like, ‘Eh, he’s kinda old.’ I just like his smile,” Zelie said, with Tyrese looking on. “His personality was OK, but he didn’t understand the Instagram model thing. He would always talk down on Instagram models.”
Inside The Tyrese-Samantha Divorce
Despite having an ironclad pre-nuptial agreement, Gibson has said that Samantha has hired three attorneys in an attempt to breach the accord and get millions of his dollars.
He has also said that he has spent nearly $1 million in court fees on the divorce proceedings already — of course, that’s his side.
On the other side, Samantha hasn’t said much about the divorce — until recently.
Samantha Opens Up About Divorce From Tyrese
In a podcast, she admits that, “If I had different people in my ear, I would not have made that decision. No,” she said.
While falling just short of regret, it’s clear that Samantha feels like she didn’t have the support from her circle that she needed to remain in a good head space during the pandemic.
“Because you don’t have a certain person in your life to check you to say, ‘Sis, what about these strengths? What about what he’s not doing?’ Those types of things. That can get you thinking about the positive aspects of this person, that you may not be thinking about when you’re upset.”
Final Word
Gibson has been going to the legal system quite often of late. In August 2023, he filed a $450 million lawsuit against Home Depot alleging racial discrimination during an incident that took place in its Buckhead store.
The incident happened when Gibson’s two workers were disrespected by a Home Depot employee. “I tried to get them to fix it over the phone … We tried to handle everything privately off the record. They showed no respect with the lawyers … so, yeah, it’s that,” he said.
The Tyrese-Samantha divorce drags on, but the singer is determined to protect his reputation and his money. He also has released a pretty good R&B album to channel his pain.
If you like to have a good time on the dance floor or while listening to music, Atlanta has something for everyone. Check out the top live music venues around the city as well as best comedy clubs.
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Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis continues to surprise her critics. On Friday, Oct. 20, another witness in her racketeering case against former President Donald Trump and co-defendants turned state witness.
Kenneth Chesebro, who many have called the originator of the “fake electors” plot, has struck a plea deal with prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, AtlantaFi.com has learned.
Kenneth Chesebro Agrees To Turn State Witness In Fulton County Election Case
As part of the deal, Chesebro pleaded guilty to a felony charge for his role in the election case.
He was asked pointedly by the prosecutor: “It is your decision to enter into this guilty plea because you are in fact guilty?”
Chesebro said: “Yes.” The prosecutor then asked him: “How do you plead to count 15, conspiracy to commit filing false documents?” Chesebro replied: “Guilty.”
Watch: Chesebro Pleads Guilty in a Fulton County Courtroom
While Trump has been attacking Willis and spreading rumors and lies about her, she and her Fulton prosecutors have been steadily building a case that has flipped two huge witnesses against Trump.
On Thursday, Trump co-defendant Sidney Powell pleaded guilty in a Fulton courthouse as well.
Powell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanors that will allow her to avoid jail time and pay fines. She did not plead guilty to racketeering conspiracy, which was the biggest charge.
Notably, Powell has agreed to testify against some of the other co-defendants, which is startling news to Trump and a significant legal development.
Since announcing the indictments in August, Willis has been the target of racist threats and verbal attacks.In early September, Willis wrote a scathing letter to Ohio Congress Jim Jordan, a Republican that has attempted to derail her investigation.
Final Word
The turning of yet another witness signals a triumph for Willis, who has been scolded for attempting to try all 19 Trump co-defendants at one time. With an increasingly surprising number of them agreeing to plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for cooperating with prosecutors, it’s a sign that Willis will have the bandwidth — and time — to see justice through in the case.
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Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is uncovering the lid on some of the abuse she’s been subjected to since she indicted former President Donald Trump along with 19 co-defendants.
Willis, speaking at a private fundraiser in Atlanta in honor of her 52nd birthday, opened up on the many verbal attacks and racist threats she said she’s endured over the past couple of months.
Top Republican leaders aligned with Trump have sought to stop the indictments brought by Willis and have tried to reprimand her over the charges. Although as a county prosecutor, she’s not alone, Willis is the first prosecutor to bring charges against Trump related to the 2020 election.
In early September, Willis wrote a scathing letter to Ohio Congress Jim Jordan, a Republican that has attempted to derail her investigation.
She said that she sees the attacks as par for the course in American politics.
“If you are a leader, you’re going to be attacked,” Willis said, according to AJC.com. “There are some days I’m human and I’m really angry or I’m hurt that somebody would tell a bold-faced lie on me.”
“I think the craziest ]lie] was that I was sleeping with a gang-banger. Like, what?! I like them old. What are you talking about?” she told the crowd as they laughed.
Willis said that she has had to rely on the Bible to get her through these tough times.
“You have these personal moments, when you’re like, ‘Why am I being personally attacked and all I’m out here trying to do is my job? And in the reading of that Scripture, what it told me was that you ain’t special,” she said, referring to herself. “That if you are a leader and you’re put in a position where people are going to lie on you, and they’re going to attack you, you have to still do what is the mission. And the mission here is to keep society safe. That everyone is equal. And that the law is protected.”
Final Word
Trump co-defendants are slowly having their day in an Atlanta courtroom. On Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, Sidney Powell pleaded guilty to her role in the election case.
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Sidney Powell, a former lawyer to ex-President Trump, pleaded guilty on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, in her RICO case brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
As a first-time offender, Powell was sentenced to six years probation and must pay a fine of $2,700. She will also have to write a letter of apology to the residents of Georgia.
Powell is one of 19 co-defendants in the Trump election case being tried in Fulton County. The plea comes one day before the jury selection was set to begin.
On that day, co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro pleaded guilty to lesser charges in exchange for cooperating with prosecutors, which is another big blow to Trump.
What Was Sidney Powell Charged With?
Powell was charged with counts of conspiracy to commit election fraud along with conspiracy to commit computer theft. She was also facing conspiracy to commit computer trespass and conspiracy to commit computer invasion of privacy.
Those were all counts related to have participated in an alleged conspiracy to subvert the presidential election, which Trump and other top Republicans claim was “rigged.”
What Did Sidney Powell Plead Guilty To?
Powell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanors that will allow her to avoid jail time and pay fines. She did not plead guilty to racketeering conspiracy, which was the biggest charge.
Notably, Powell has agreed to testify against some of the other co-defendants, which is startling news to Trump and a significant legal development.
Powell, along with Trump crony Rudolph Giuliani, went around the country and filed lawsuits in a bid to stop electors in several jurisdictions. All of those efforts were found to have been unsubstantiated.
Willis is the first prosecutor to bring charges against Trump related to the 2020 election, but she won’t be the last. New York’s Attorney General has also gearing up to indict the former president.
Since announcing the indictments in August, Willis has been the target of racist threats and verbal attacks.
In early September, Willis wrote a scathing letter to Ohio Congress Jim Jordan, a Republican that has attempted to derail her investigation.
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Atlanta film mogul Tyler Perry is back with his most personal film yet, Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story.
The movie, which is part of Perry’s four-film deal with Amazon Studios, ventures into the upbringing and motivations of a young Emmitt Perry, who later changed his first name to Tyler to disassociate himself from his abusive father.
In the documentary, we see Perry’s dysfunctional childhood and how it played a role in the characters he would create and the stage and screen worlds he would later construct for millions of people.
When Is Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story Coming Out?
Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story is set to stream on November 17 on Amazon Prime.
In addition to his biopic, Perry’s other films with Amazon include:
- Black, White and Blue, which delves into police brutality.
- Divorce in the Black, which chronicles a broken marriage.
If you don’t have Prime, you can download it for free and use it for 30 days before you have to pay for it. The 30-day trial is one of the most generous in the streaming world.
Final Act
Perry is a busy man. In addition to casting for various projects in Atlanta, he also recently completed a WWII-era feature film, Six Triple Eight, for Netflix.
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The Georgia Bulldogs will be without their star tight end for several weeks, it was confirmed Monday, Oct. 15, 2023.
Georgia confirmed Monday morning that Brock Bowers suffered a high-ankle sprain on Saturday and immediately will undergo surgery. It remains to be seen how the star athlete will handle his treatment.
Georgia’s Bowers To Have Surgery
The junior tight end fell after being tackled in the second quarter of the Dawgs’ 37-20 victory against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Replay shows that a Vandy player rolled up on Bowers’ ankle while it was still planted into the ground.
After the game, Georgia Coach Kirby Smart said that X-rays were negative on Bowers’ injury, but that he would have an MRI done as well.
The injury to Georgia’s most talented offensive player comes at the right time for the Dawgs, who will need Bowers to heal if they’re going to win their third straight SEC title.
Bowers will have surgery to stabilize his ankle. The healing and recovery process could easily have him done for the season, or he may be back for the season-ending Georgia Tech game. It all depends on how fast Bowers can get back into game shape.
How Will Georgia’s Offense Cope Without Bowers?
Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo doesn’t have to scheme a new offense immediately with the loss of Bowers. That’s because Georgia has a week off before resuming play on Oct. 28.
Nonetheless, the UGA offense without Bowers is going to present some challenges for first-year signal caller Carson Beck, who has just begun to come into his own as a quarterback.
UGA Coach Kirby Smart is likely to rely on a mult-pronged running attack to get Georgia’s offense up and down the field. Without Bowers, Beck will have to look to his wideouts to make big plays.
Can they do it? That remains to be seen.
The Georgia schedule is at the halfway mark as the Dawgs won’t play again until Oct. 28.
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The Georgia Bulldogs used a 17-point second quarter to push past the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, by a score of 37-20.
The No. 1-ranked Bulldogs (7-0 overall and 4-0 in the SEC) won the game but lost start tight end Brock Bowers to an ankle injury.
Georgia Loses Bowers
After the game, Georgia Coach Kirby Smart said that X-rays were negative on Bowers’ injury, but that he would have an MRI done as well.
The injury to Georgia’s most talented offensive player comes at the right time for the Dawgs, who will need Bowers to heal if they’re going to win their third straight SEC title.
“I’ve never had a bye week that came at the wrong time,” Smart said after the game.
Let’s take a look at the Georgia-Vanderbilt highlights:
UGA quarterback Carson Beck finished with 261 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a score.
The Georgia schedule is at the halfway mark as the Dawgs won’t play again until Oct. 28.
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The Atlanta Braves ran into a buzzsaw in the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2023 playoffs. Atlanta dropped the first two games but eked out a win in Game 3.
For Game 4, the carnage continued as Philadelphia put together yet another lopsided win for the Phillies, which hit multiple home runs in their victories.Philly big hitters Bryce Harper and NIck Castellanos hit two homers each in the dominant win over Atlanta, which puts them one win away from the NLCS.
Braves Eliminated From the Postseason
This was supposed to be the year that the Braves’ big bats broke through. Not on Wednesday night. It was Harper who stole the show on this night.
After one of the homers, Harper gave Orlando Arcia a long stare, purportedly for the shortstop’s remarks about the first baseman’s error in the previous game. There was no mistake by Harper in this game, where he loomed large for the Braves bullpen.
The Phillies are now looking to close out the Braves on Thursday night.
Final Word
The Braves have been surging through the 2023 campaign and deservingly so, the team has nothing short of title hopes. To no one’s surprise, a large part of the season hinges on the healthy arm of pitcher Ronald Acuña and the bullpen.
The Braves are just one of many Atlanta teams that you can support. The Falcons and Hawks could really appreciate your help.
When it comes to sports and exercise, you should always make time. That’s why AtlantaFi.com wants to help you with your journey. Check out how to make a home gym for cheap and even lose pounds in a hurry.
Read More on Atlantafi.com’s Sports Page:
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Atlanta, Georgia, is not only a bustling metropolis known for its rich history, vibrant culture,
incredible eateries, and Southern hospitality. It is also a haven for sports enthusiasts.All sports roads in the Southeast run through Atlanta, the site of the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.
Whether you are a die-hard baseball, basketball, or football fan, Atlanta has something to
offer you. With teams in the MLB, NBA, and NFL, Atlanta is a proverbial hotbed of sporting
greatness, so if you find yourself in The Big Peach, why not take in the excitement of a
game?Soaring High With the Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are synonymous with thrilling touchdowns and nail-biting fourth
quarters in the National Football League (NFL).The team plays out of the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The stadium is worth visiting the Falcons on its own thanks to its iconic retractable roof, breathtaking views, comfortable seating, and an array of culinary delights. The Falcons have adopted a Fan First pricing initiative, meaning concessions are
affordable; you won’t break the back watching the Falcons in action.Although the Falcons have never won the Super Bowl, they have reached the NFL’s most prestigious game twice, last doing so in 2016.
The current NFL season seems to favor the underdogs and Super Bowl outsiders; take a look at the Miami Dolphins’ epic start to the campaign to see that. With that in mind, Falcons and Dolphins fans are confident good times lay ahead, with sports betting Florida and Georgia natives putting their money where their mouths are and backing their team for Super Bowl glory.
The Falcons reached their first Super Bowl in 1998 after enjoying a 14-2 season. They took
on the Denver Broncos at Super Bowl XXXIII, to whom they lost 19-34.Falcons fans waited another 18 years before seeing their team navigate its way to the Super Bowl. Again, they fell at the final hurdle, losing 28-34 in overtime to the New England Patriots.
Love Baseball? You’ll Love the Atlanta Braves
Photo credit: AtlantaFi.com
Baseball fans simply have to pay a visit to Truist Park, the home of the Atlanta Braves of
Major League Baseball (MLB). Truist Park is more than a stadium.As you approach the ballpark, you will notice Battery Atlanta, a lively entertainment district surrounding Truist Park. It is the perfect place to grab a pre-game meal, have a few beers with fellow Braves
fans, or participate in some retail therapy before heading to the game.The Braves are one of the oldest baseball teams in America. Established in 1871, the
Braves were initially based in Boston, Massachusetts, before moving to Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, after 81 years in Boston. They then moved to Atlanta in 1966 and have called
Atlanta home ever since.The move to Atlanta did not bring instant success. Indeed, it was not until 1991 that the
Braves began showing the baseball world their capabilities. Between 1991 and 2005, the Braves won an unprecedented 14 consecutive divisional titles and made eight consecutive National League Championship Series appearances, an MLB record.The year 1995 saw the Braves win their first World Series as a team from Atlanta, beating the
Cleveland Indians 4-2. They reached the World Series again the following year but lost 4-2
to the New York Yankees. It was the Yankees that halted the Braves in their tracks in 1999.Fast forward to 2021, and the Braves found themselves competing for the famous
Commissioner’s Trophy of the World Series for the first time in 22 years. A 4-2 victory over
the Houston Astros saw the Braves become world champions for the fourth time.Although they fell short against the Phillies this year, the current Braves team is feared and respected in equal measure. Be sure to head to a Braves game next season if you have the opportunity because they are an elite-level baseball team.
The Atlanta Hawks Are Balling Out of Control
Atlanta has had a National Basketball Association (NBA) team since the St. Louis Hawks
relocated in 1965.Although Atlanta Hawks fans are still awaiting their first NBA Finals appearance, they have witnessed some fantastic teams take to the court over the years.
In the mid-1980s, the Hawks were one of the best teams competing in the NBA, winning at
least 50 games each season between 1985 and 1989. Although the Hawks have not
enjoyed the same level of success since there have been some glimpses of brilliance, and
those performances give loyal Hawks fans hope that they will see their beloved team
compete on basketball’s biggest stage.Since 1999, the Hawks have played their home games at the State Farm Arena, formerly the
Philips Arena. Hawks fans call the home court the “Highlight Factory,” with the passionate
fans calling themselves “True to Atlanta.” Those fans create an electric atmosphere that is
second to none.The 2014-15 Hawks were awe-inspiring, finishing with a 60-22 record and winning the
Southeast divisional and Eastern Conference titles. They navigated their way to the
conference finals and were one game away from the NBA Finals, but they lost 4-0 in the
best-of-seven game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.Last season saw the Hawks finish 41-41, giving fans hope of a successful 2023-24
campaign, which tips off on October 25.A Sports Fan’s Paradise
Atlanta may not be the first city that your mind conjures up when considering a sports-filled
vacation; most people think of New York City or Los Angeles. However, head to Atlanta, and you soon discover that being a sports fan is not just a hobby for Atlantans; it is a way of
life. It does not matter if you want to cheer for the Braves, Hawks, or Falcons.Read More on Atlantafi.com’s Sports Page:
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Hollywood studios and writers seemed like they were as close as they ever were to a deal that might end the actors strike, but talks have broken down again.
Studios Walk Away From Actors Bargaining Table
SAG-AFTRA, the actors union, released a statement late Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, saying that the movie studios had walked away from the table.
“It is with profound disappointment that we report the industry CEOs have walked away from the bargaining table after refusing to counter our latest offer,” the union says in a new statement. “We have negotiated with them in food faith, despite the fact that last week they presented an offer that was, shockingly, worth less than they proposed before the strike began.”
Major Sticking Points
The actors union and the studios continue to pick apart language on a few major concerns for both parties. Here are some major sticking points that need to be worked out.
Streaming Revenue Sharing
One of the major snags is streaming revenue, which the studios have been trying to keep all their own.
SAG-AFTRA’s streaming revenue proposal would cost the studios 57 cents per subscriber each year. Even as many studios are increasing the prices of their subscription plans, they have rejected the guild’s proposal.
AI Likeness
Another point that has increasingly become a provocative impasse is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) pertaining to an actor’s likeness.
The studios have refused to protect actors from being replaced by AI and demand use of a performer’s digital likeness for an entire cinematic universe or franchise.
It was just three weeks ago that the heads of the major studios, including Bob Iger of Disney, David Zaslav of Warner Bros. Discovery, Donna Langley of NBCUniversal, and Ted Sarandos of Netflix, gathered in Sherman Oaks to hammer out the details on a new accord that would end the picket lines.
On the other end of the bargaining table are representatives of the major unions including the Writers Guild of America.
The strike, which has crippled moviemaking in Hollywood and ground major productions in Atlanta to a halt, has been going on for more than four months.
Final Scene
Are you interested in becoming an actor in Atlanta? You’re in the right place!
With more than 900 movie and TV projects just in the last few years, the film industry has generated more than $9 billion for the state of Georgia.
There are so many movies filmed in Atlanta these days that it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest movie casting calls, celeb sightings and Atlanta happenings delivered to your inbox.
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