Piper Rockelle says her controversial move to OF was not made out of desperation or immediately after she became a legal adult. During an appearance on Holly Madison’s podcast, the former child influencer reflected on how the demonetization of her YouTube channel altered her career and ultimately led her toward adult subscription content.

Rockelle acknowledged that the decision might never make her critics or even herself completely happy. However, she insisted that she spent a year rebuilding her life and several months considering the consequences before launching the account.

Rockelle rose to fame creating family-friendly YouTube videos before the platform demonetized her channel in 2022. The loss left her without the revenue source that had supported her online career and forced her to consider a different direction.

“I do always think about what if my YouTube did not get demonetized, would I be in a different situation?” she told Madison. “I probably would still be doing YouTube.”

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Although Rockelle believes she might have remained a YouTuber under different circumstances, she denied that immediate financial distress drove her to OF. “It wasn’t like a desperate, in need kind of thing,” she explained. “I took a whole year off to get myself together, and I kind of just decided that I have this great opportunity.”

The influencer framed her new career as a calculated opportunity that became available after her original path was disrupted.

The Influencer Admits The Decision May Not Make Her Happy

Rockelle did not attempt to present OF as an uncomplicated or universally empowering choice. Instead, she admitted that the platform carries consequences she may continue processing as she gets older. “It’s not going to make people happy,” she said. “It might not even make me happy. But I think I have a plan, and I just did it.”

Rockelle also acknowledged benefiting from the large audience she built while creating content as a child. “I’m just in a lucky position that I had a little bit of a known name, and that’s why it performs well,” she explained.

Rockelle opened her OF account on January 1, several months after turning 18 in August 2025. She subsequently shared what appeared to be a screenshot showing approximately $2.9 million in first-day earnings, although that figure was not independently verified.

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Piper Rockelle Pushes Back On ‘Fresh 18’ Criticism

Rockelle’s age became one of the most controversial aspects of her OF launch. Critics argued that the timing appeared uncomfortable because audiences had watched her grow up online. Rockelle, however, emphasized that she did not open the account on her 18th birthday.

“A lot of people are always like, ‘It was fresh 18, yada yada,’ and I do regret not just dropping when I was 18 because, I mean, I’m doing okay so far,” she said. “But I took some time to think about it.”

The influencer explained that she needed to understand the realities of entering an industry with consequences that could follow her permanently. “I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing and understand what I was getting myself into because it’s a very, very gray area, and I do not wish that on anyone,” she said.

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She Previously Told The Blast The Backlash Was Expected

Rockelle first signaled her transition into adult content through Fanvue before opening her OF account. Speaking exclusively with The Blast last December, she insisted that the public reaction did not catch her by surprise. “People act like I didn’t think this through,” Rockelle said. “I knew exactly what would happen the second I hinted at Fanvue. I was prepared for it.”

The announcement surprised longtime viewers who remembered her as a young YouTube personality, but Rockelle maintained that she had mentally prepared herself for the criticism. Rather than immediately sharing a direct link, she initially teased the account while continuing to consider whether she could accept everything the decision might cost her.

The Former Child Star Delayed Sharing Her Link

Rockelle previously told The Blast that her hesitation was intentional, describing the delay as an opportunity to evaluate whether adult content was truly the future she wanted.

“I didn’t even drop the actual link the first time,” she explained. “I wanted to be sure this was the lifestyle I wanted. I knew I’d lose people, I’d be judged, and I’d be giving up the version of me that people wanted to hold onto.”

Despite admitting that OF exists within a “very, very gray area,” Rockelle has described adulthood as liberating. The influencer said people close to her noticed a change after she began making decisions without attempting to satisfy the expectations of her longtime audience.

“I’ve been told by people close to me that I’ve finally stepped into myself,” she told The Blast. “For the first time, I’m not hiding behind what everyone else expects.”

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Get a rundown of Us‘ top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on August 6, 2026. Here are the key takeaways:

• Joe Amabile shared that surgeons removed the entire brain tumor discovered on a recent scan, posting a peace-sign photo from recovery with the message, “They got it all!” His wife, Serena Pitt, added that the Bachelor in Paradise alum is recovering well following the craniotomy at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

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• Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper‘s matching gold bands, spotted in Paris on August 3, are “promise rings” they’ve had for months, a source exclusively tells Us. Neither wants a traditional wedding, but the couple — together since 2023 — is “very serious,” with fully integrated lives and daughters who have play dates.

• Angelina Jolie‘s brother James Haven publicly came out as gay during a livestream with ex-wife Romi Imbelli for her Substack. Haven, who reconnected with Imbelli after their marriage was annulled in March 2025, read a letter about embracing his authentic self and hoping his family will “choose love over fear.”

Edited by Samantha Benitz. Story produced with AI assistance

Claressa Shields appears to be on a roll this week, clocking the girls! Most recently, she was heated

to address former Crime Mob rapper Diamond, who shared a brief DM interaction between her and now.

RELATED: Claressa Shields Tweets About A “Clout Chaser” & Feeling “Unfazed” Amid Online Mentions Of Remy Ma & Papoose

Rapper Diamond Shares Why Claressa Shields Blocked Her

Social Media Reacts To Claressa’s BLOCKED Energy

Claressa Shields Teases New Project Featuring Papoose

On Thursday (August 6), Claressa appeared to tease new music with a short 11-second clip across her social media. The video features the champ boxer spittin’ over a rap beat while she enjoys a bubble bath with her rollers in her hair and Papoose feeding her grapes. Another scene in the clip shows the couple sitting in a living room area. The final moments in her teaser show her freshly pressed, ginger hair flowing over her shoulders. She captioned the post, “I don’t chase the GOOD LIFE…I live it,” adding a clinking glass emoticon. Also, she added the release date August 14, just one day before her match against Kaye Scott.

I don’t chase the GOOD LIFE… I live it. 🥂

8.14 🎬#claressashields #goodlife #814 pic.twitter.com/i2hk8QV5l7

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— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) August 6, 2026

RELATED: Claressa Shields Dismisses Eva Marcille & Claps Back After Mz. Shyneka Clarifies Her Intention Behind Papoose Question (VIDEOS)

A Chicago man was charged with double murder while sitting in jail for a separate crime. This week, prosecutors presented their case to the court. Officials allege Anthony Nunnally fatally shot 17-year-old Gabriella Arellano and 19-year-old Sierra Evans about a year apart from each other.

RELATED: Prosecutors Reveal Alleged Texts Showing D4vd & Celeste Rivas Hernandez Discussed Pregnancy & Abortion Before Her Death (UPDATE)

Chicago Man Allegedly Shoots & Kills 19-Year-Old In 2024

Anthony Nunnally, 21, allegedly shot both teens in two different East Side alleys. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Anthony allegedly shot Sierra Evans several times in September 2024. Police recovered her body on the 28th of that same month, around the 9500 block of South Avenue N. Prosecutors claimed in court that the 19-year-old and Nunnally had only been dating for about a month when she died.

On the night of her death, Evans, Anthony and two other people were drinking in a basement when things took a violent turn. The 21-year-old allegedly choked Evans after becoming angry with her and pinned her against a wall. He was kicked out of the residence after punching a hole in a wall. Sometime after, he called two people who were in the home, claiming he was on his way back. The witnesses heard several gunshots minutes before Nunnally appeared in the basement again. He was allegedly holding a gun and admitted to killing someone before throwing up a gang sign. The following day, Evans’ body was discovered with 18 shell casings next to her body. However, the motive behind the shooting remains unclear.

21-Year-Old Also Shoots & Kills 17-Year-Old One Year Later

Meanwhile, Anthony Nunnally previously admitted his motive behind fatally shooting 17-year-old Gabriella Arellano in October 2025. While in jail for another charge, he spoke of the killing with a former member of the Latin Kings, per Chicago Sun-Times. Anthony is allegedly part of the same gang. When the conversation took place, the cellmate was allegedly wearing a wire, according to court testimony from Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Pekara. Nunnally allegedly told his cellmate that he was worried his 17-year-old girlfriend was going to “backdoor him” by telling his rival gang his location.

Prosecutors cited surveillance video that shows the 21-year-old, Gabriella and another person at a restaurant on or around October 26, 2025. Afterward, they allegedly drove to a witness’ home, where additional video shows Anthony and another man checking out the street before returning to the vacant lot. Afterward, gunfire reportedly rang out. Gabriella’s body was found in that vacant lot with a gunshot to the head, per prosecutors. He allegedly told his cellmate, “When some b***h backdoor you, you gotta do what you gotta do.” Months before, he had allegedly threatened the 17-year-old by showing her a TV news clip of Sierra Evans’ memorial service and warning he’d do the same to her.

What’s Next For Anthony Nunnally? 

In both cases, Nunnally was the last person seen with the teens. He will sit behind bars on orders from Judge Deidre Dyer, as of Wednesday (August 5), until trial. As mentioned, the 21-year-old is charged with two counts of first-degree murders. Officials were already holding Anthony in Cook County Jail for a carjacking charge not related to the murders. That crime also happened last October, around the time of Gabriella Arellano’s shooting. He allegedly tried to steal a vehicle from his grade-school friend, prosecutors said Wednesday in court. Nunnally is due back in court on August 26, per PEOPLE.

“He is a stone-cold killer,” prosecutor Mike Pekara added. “This is not a scary story, it’s a fact.”

RELATED: Prayers Up! Teen Couple Arrested After Allegedly Killing 5 Of Girlfriend’s Family Members In Shooting Spree In Illinois

David Bowie is synonymous with eccentricity when it comes to the world of rock and roll. He used music, fashion, and acting to engage with the culture and politics of the changing times, constantly reinventing himself as he saw fit. Bowie had many personas throughout his prolific career, ranging from glamorous rock alien to buttoned-up conservative, each with a specific message and intent. While Bowie adopted nearly every style in the book, the early ‘70s saw him in peak glam rock form.

Bowie’s dazzling, outlandish fashion sense and bizarre lyrics set him apart from the other stars of the time. While David Bowie is known as one of the greatest glam rockers to ever do it, he owes much of his success in the field to someone else: the fictional character Ziggy Stardust. Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona can be easily distinguished through his iconic electric orange mullet, vibrant face paint and eyeshadow, and loudly patterned outfits. The Ziggy Stardust character was essentially a jumper cable for David Bowie’s career, kickstarting his ascension into superstardom.

The Tale of Ziggy Stardust

Image via AVRO

The concept behind Ziggy Stardust was conceived alongside Bowie’s album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, which was released in 1972. He performed in character throughout the tour. But who is Ziggy Stardust? And why did David Bowie create such a persona? In keeping with his colorful body of work, the answers to these questions are as layered as they are eccentric.

Ziggy Stardust is an androgynous, intergalactic rock star, arriving on earth before an impending apocalypse to spread a message of hope to earth’s youth. Advised by a team of aliens called the “infinites,” Ziggy brings rock music back to a world that has lost electricity, along with most natural resources. The end time was nigh, and Ziggy Stardust was earth’s last chance of survival. If this fictional tale seems a bit bizarre, just wait – somehow, it gets crazier.

A harbinger of hope (armed with incredible music), Ziggy Stardust becomes a beloved prophet for so many earthlings down on their luck. He is worshiped blindly and intensely by his disciples as he preaches about a starman; an alien savior who is coming to save the world and put a stop to the people’s suffering once and for all. Ziggy Stardust begins to revel in the attention and adoration of his followers – and, as is so often the case, his hubris would be his undoing.

Ziggy Stardust gets too big for his britches. He begins to portray himself not just as a messenger, but as the storied starman himself. This does not fly with his intergalactic advisors. During one of Ziggy’s performances, his crazed fans rip him limb from limb on stage. A fittingly theatrical end for the glam alien rock star. Poor Ziggy flew too close to the sun – or, in this case, the stars. May he rest in fictional peace.

David Bowie retired the character at the end of his tour, killing Ziggy on July 13, 1973, at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. He claimed his invented persona and his real life were becoming inextricably enmeshed. Aptly nicknamed “the chameleon of rock”, the time had come for Bowie to reinvent himself once again. But fans never forgot about Ziggy.

The Life of Ziggy Stardust in David Bowie’s Lyrics

Image via Cover Images

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The story of Ziggy Stardust is largely chronicled in the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. On the third track on the record, “Moonage Daydream,” Ziggy introduces himself directly: “I’m the space invader/ I’ll be a rock’n’rollin’ bitch for you.” The lyrics also allude to Ziggy’s power over his audience, as well as his desire to be seen and adored: “Keep your ‘lectric eye on me, babe.”

The next track on the album, the record’s biggest hit and lead single, is “Starman.” In this song, Ziggy delivers the prophecy of the starman who is coming to save the world. It is essentially a decree, a call to arms for the youth of the dying earth to rise up: “Let the children lose it/ Let the children use it/ Let the children boogie.” This song represents Ziggy’s early time on earth, when he had yet to be obscured by the growing shadow of his own fame.

The song “Ziggy Stardust” is the most comprehensive telling of this character’s story. This track details how Ziggy falls prey to the glitteringly deceptive facade of fame and loses touch with the message he came to deliver. His celebrity status went straight to his head: “Making love with his ego/ Ziggy sucked up into his mind/ Like a leper messiah.” Messiah? Maybe. God? Definitely not. Despite his best efforts, Ziggy is not, in fact, the starman. Ultimately, this irreversible inflation of ego leads to his demise.

The Album and Its Many Unique Influences

Image via Neon

The album itself is conceptual, a rock opera with punk and glam influences. There are also blues and soul undertones throughout, making the record a real mélange of the rock genre canon. As opposed to his piano-forward previous work, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is much more guitar driven, with Mark Ronson at the helm of the string section. Unsurprisingly, David Bowie’s unique vocals take center stage throughout the album, just as Ziggy Stardust inhabits the limelight of the lyrical narrative.

David Bowie drew inspiration from a variety of artists and musicians in his creation of Ziggy Stardust. He wanted Ziggy to be the archetype “Messiah Rockstar,” and he was heavily influenced by mime technique, Japanese Kabuki theater, and alternative New York music such as The Velvet Underground. Ziggy Stardust is a pastiche of art and music from around the world, condensed into a singular character who represents the power and the danger of immense fame. Ziggy personifies freedom, androgyny, and rebellion. He also serves as a cautionary tale against falling victim to the dark underbelly of commercial fame.

It is difficult to fully grasp where David Bowie ends and Ziggy Stardust begins. Bowie’s world building is scary good, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. To many fans, Ziggy Stardust was more than a character – he was a real performer, an actual alien on earth. To their credit, he did have a very real and long-lasting impact on fashion and culture. The fictional character that Bowie created ––an androgynous alien messiah, the biggest rock star in existence –– managed to become a successful celebrity in the real world. Pretty trippy. The mythical Ziggy Stardust achieved astronomical superstardom and managed to eclipse (if only briefly) the career of the real David Bowie.

A 15-year-old spotted in a doorbell camera video wearing a clown costume now faces a murder charge. According to reports, authorities have charged the teen in connection with the death of a 78-year-old man.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Woman Critically Injured After 7-Year-Old & 4-Year-Old Reportedly Crashed Their Parents’ Car Into Her (VIDEO) 

Police Share Timeline Leading Up To 15-Year-Old’s Murder Charge

A 15-year-old accused of stabbing a 78-year-old man to death while wearing a clown costume is now facing a murder charge. According to NBC News, authorities identified John Wesley Allen as the victim on Monday, August 3, in East St. Louis. Police say Allen waited at a bus stop when the teen allegedly approached him and stabbed him in what investigators described as a random attack. Authorities responded around 10 p.m. on Monday night after receiving a report of a body in the roadway and found Allen at the scene. Officers later located the 15-year-old at a residence and arrested him that same night.

Doorbell Camera Footage Previously Showed Alleged Teen Wearing Clown Costume

Doorbell camera footage captured the alleged teen accused of killing 78-year-old John Wesley Allen. The now-viral clip shows the teen approaching a home’s doorbell camera and allegedly saying, “I have a gift for you.” Neighbors in the area also told police they saw the person walking around the area with a large knife while going door to door. At this time, authorities have not released the 15-year-old’s name or identity.

What’s Next For The Teen?

According to a court filing, St. Clair Count Assistant State’s Attorney Derek Smith said he believes the 15-year-old acted with “the intent to do kill or do great bodily harm” to John Wesley Allen, who authorities say the teen stabbed with a knife. State police also said the teen faces a first-degree murder charge and prosecutors reportedly want to try them as an adult. The teen currently remains in custody, and officials have not revealed whether they have aa defense attorney representing them at this time.

RELATED: 17-Year-Old Charged With Murder After Allegedly Drowning 13-Year-Old Who Was Awaiting Foster Care Placement

Dorinda Medley says The Golden Life is nothing like The Real Housewives of New York City.

“It doesn’t compare,” Medley, 61, exclusively told Us about the new show, which is set to premiere on E! this upcoming fall, during the Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip 20th Anniversary Event in New York City on Wednesday, August 5. She went on to say that the only way the shows are alike is that both casts are “authentically themselves.”

Medley, who stars on The Golden Life alongside her fellow RHONY alums including Luann de Lesseps, Sonja Morgan, Ramona Singer and Kelly Killoren Bensimon, gushed that they’re “friends off camera” and “on camera.”

“We’re just enjoying it,” she told Us about their filming dynamic. “We’re just enjoying all being back together. It’s a great time to celebrate this time of our life. We’ve sort of seen it all. Done it.”

Medley continued, “It’s like my book’s coming out in December. It’s called, I Know a Thing or Two About a Thing or Two, and I think that’s these women at this age. We’ve learned a lot, and we can show the world that it is fabulous to be 60 and just be blossoming. Just getting started.”

Related: ‘RHONY’ Stars Address Rumors They’re Feuding With ‘The Golden Life’ Cast

Leave it to Dorinda Medley to set the record straight. Medley, 61, squashed rumors that she and the former stars of Real Housewives of New York City are feuding with the reboot cast while chatting with Kiki Monique during a Tuesday, July 21, episode of her “Talk of Shame” podcast. She continued, “All this bulls*** […]

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The Bravo star previously touched on the two shows, ensuring fans that there is “zero rivalry” between her and her former castmates and the new women.

“All this bulls*** that the ‘The girls don’t want anything to do with the new New York Housewives.’ You know how there’s all these things coming out that there’s some sort of — There’s zero rivalry!” she said during a July episode of the “Talk of Shame” podcast. There hasn’t been one talk on — not at least to me, and I’m pretty close to everyone about that.”

She added that there’s no beef between the old and new cast because “there’s enough room for everyone.”

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“You know, it’s a totally different show!” she shared. “I mean, listen, these are girls that are 20, 30, years younger that are living fully different lives in New York. We all have a story to tell. Theirs is about their life, you know, what they’re doing now with marriage and husbands and children.”

Medley went on to explain that The Golden Life is “about empty nesters and what it’s like to be fabulous over 50 and how the world opens up.”

“So I really want those rumors to be quelled,” Medley shared. “You know me. I would tell the truth, you know. I’m the first one to be like, ‘Yeah, that’s right, we’re coming after them.’ But we’re not! I swear to you, there hasn’t been one conversation like that. So I don’t know who’s getting that information, but it’s not anybody that I speak to.”

A tragic incident has a community in Oakland, California completely shaken. According to reports, two brothers, a 7-year-old and a 4-year-old, allegedly took their parents’ car and crashed into a pedestrian after losing control of the vehicle. The crash has reportedly left the person with critical injuries.

RELATED: Prayers Up! 1-Year-Old Reportedly Dies After 14-Year-Old Mom Allegedly Crashes While Driving Under The Influence

Morning Walk Turns Tragic After Two Young Children Reportedly Crash Into Woman

According to Oakland police, two brothers, a 7-year-old and 4-year-old were driving a white Toyota sedan when they sideswiped an oncoming vehicle. The car then struck a woman who was walking her dog before crashing into a retaining wall. Authorities say the crash happened around 9:35a.m. on Thursday, August 6, near the intersection of 35th Avenue and Mangels Avenue, just off Interstate 580. The boys’ uncle claims they live close to where the crash happened and says they reportedly took their parents’ keys while they were sleeping.

What We Know About The Children & Injured Woman

CBS News reports that a bystander’s cellphone video captured people performing chest compressions on the injured woman and one of the children before police arrived at the scene. Paramedics later took the woman to a hospital, where she remained in critical condition. Authorities say both children also suffered injuries and received hospital treatment. The woman’s dog was also found unharmed in the area. Police say they still don’t know why the children took their parents’ car. Authorities also haven’t determined whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash.

Questions Remain About The Children’s Parents

Authorities reportedly contacted the children’s parents after the crash. Reports say the parents are cooperating with police as the investigation continues. The Oakland Police Department has also asked anyone with information to come forward and contact the traffic unit at 510-777-8570.

RELATED: 17-Year-Old Charged With Murder After Allegedly Drowning 13-Year-Old Who Was Awaiting Foster Care Placement 

Clarence NYC is making it clear that he’s ready to check anyone who comes for Queen Naija. He delivered the ultimate clap back after a troll claimed he doesn’t like Queen after she shared a video from their Turks and Caicos vacation.

RELATED: All Good? Queen Naija Clears The Air With DreamDoll After Clarence’s Viral Dorm Visit (VIDEOS) 

Clarence NYC Claps Back After Troll Comes For His Relationship With Queen Naija

Queen Naija and Clarence NYC recently lived it up during a vacation in Turks and Caicos, but still found a way to bring in some shade. Queen had fans cracking up after she shared a funny moment from their getaway on Instagram. In the video, she sits next to Clarence on a boat as waves sent salt water flying into her eyes. Queen joked along with Tems’ ‘Burnin’ by singing that the water literally had her eyes burning.

After watching the video, one social media user slid into The Shade Room Teens’ comment section and wrote, “He do not like her.” Clarence appeared to peep the comment and quickly clapped back with, “You right, I love her yet you got a gun to ya head in ya profile pic you don’t like ya self..,” alongside two laughing emojis. Another social media user noticed Clarence’s response and seemingly came to defense calling out the troll for the remark. The user later revealed that she had no choice but switch her profile photo after Clarence cleared her.

Fans Are Loving How Clarence Handled The Shade

After The Shade Room Teens shared Clarence’s clap back, the TeaMates flooded the comment section with reactions. Plenty of folks praised Clarence for going IN on the social media user and standing up for Queen.

Instagram user @976lanco wrote, “Really would hate having to prove my love for my fiancée/wife everyday on the internet bc people who don’t even know us don’t believe it lmao 🤦🏾‍♂️ yah crazy fr.” 

Instagram user @hollywoodbrii3 wrote, “Lmfaooooooo he mopped the floor with sis wig 😂😂😂😂” 

While Instagram user @liyahdesire wrote, “I love when influencers and celebs clap back because who do ya’ll be feeling like ?” 

Then Instagram user @golden_beauty22 wrote, “He’s getting sick of y’all lol.” 

Another Instagram user @boodolla wrote, “Exhibit A … ppl who troll are just projecting they own insecurities😂” 

Instagram user @keesethurl wrote, “life would be so much betta if ppl just mind dey business 😂” 

Then another instagram user @mya.valentinaa wrote, “What about this says that he don’t love her ??? They literally was having a time of their life.”

Clarence Shares Sweet Baecation Moment With His Queen

Clarence didn’t let the shade ruin their vacation vibes. He showed fans that the sun stayed shining throughout his getaway with Queen Naija. He showed his Instagram followers a different POV of their boat ride, which sees him, Queen, and their friends sining their hearts out to Mariah Carey’s ‘We Belong Together’ while the waves continued splashing water in her face. Clarence captioned the funny clip, “Boat ride with my heart..❤️😂” 

RELATED: Messy Boots? Queen Naija’s Ex Chris Sails Shoots His Shot At DreamDoll After Clarence Chills In Her Dorm (VIDEOS) 

People love to say your vibe attracts your tribe. However, when the tribe is a celebrity PR team, the optics get a little more complicated, especially when the person shaping the headlines has a headline of his own. Emails reviewed by The Blast show Avi Small repeatedly distributing press materials about Paris Jackson’s legal battle with the executors of her late father Michael Jackson’s estate. The correspondence spans at least March through July 2026.

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On paper, the assignment fits Avi Small’s new résumé. He currently serves as a vice president specializing in crisis communications at HELLER, which advises companies and high-profile individuals dealing with litigation, public controversy and reputational harm.

According to the firm’s current biography, Small joined in 2025 after nearly a decade working at the “highest levels of New York politics and government.” His previous job is where the story takes a turn for the worse.

Avi Small Resigned From Hochul’s Office Following Harassment Allegation

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Before entering private-sector PR, Avi Small served as press secretary to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. The New York Times first reported in July 2025 that a male colleague had accused him of inappropriate touching. Times Union later placed the alleged incident at McGeary’s in Albany following a June 16 softball game involving current and former staffers from the governor’s office.

Hochul’s office placed Small on administrative leave June 25, and he resigned July 4. In a brief resignation letter obtained by Politico, Small said he was “grateful for the opportunity” to serve the administration but didn’t address the allegation.

Previous Investigation Examined Additional Allegations Against Avi Small

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On July 7, 2025, Times Union reported that WilmerHale conducted the outside investigation and finished its work during the week of Small’s resignation. The governor’s office said the inquiry was “substantively complete” by Friday afternoon, but its findings haven’t been released publicly.

The June complaint wasn’t the first time Small’s workplace conduct had come under scrutiny. Politico reported that a separate 2024 investigation examined allegations that he berated junior employees and discussed his sex life at work.

Multiple sources also told the outlet that human resources had received information alleging Small cornered a subordinate in a supply closet while questioning them. A person familiar with the confidential outcome said the review didn’t result in a finding of a human resources violation.

Kathy Hochul Defended Her Administration’s Handling Of The Allegations

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After the investigation ended, around 10 staffers met with human resources seeking more information about its outcome, according to Politico. A person who attended the meeting said an HR representative encouraged the group not to discuss the accusations and explained that the findings would remain private to protect witnesses from retaliation.

One week after Small resigned amid the separate 2025 allegation, Hochul defended both her decision to keep him following the earlier investigation and her administration’s response to the new complaint. “The environment was changed where people felt comfortable to come forward,” she said, adding that there was “no tolerance for misconduct.”

Questions Linger As Paris Jackson’s Estate Battle Moves Forward

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Erica Vladimer, founding director of Harassment-Free New York, wasn’t convinced. She argued that Small’s resignation shouldn’t end the investigation and said the administration needed to examine whether it had responded appropriately to the complaints about his conduct in 2024. “It’s very clear that Avi had an opportunity to harass someone after he was already investigated in the first place. Why?” she said.

Meanwhile, the estate fight at the center of his outreach continues. An unnamed spokesperson for Paris Jackson called her May court victory over $625,000 in disputed legal bonuses from an estate worth $3 billion a “massive win.”

In July, the 28-year-old musician was opposing executor John Branca’s attempt to seal records related to objections to bonuses to other attorneys. Branca stated that disclosure could hurt future business deals and accused her of using “inflammatory rhetoric” unrelated to the sealing dispute.

Away from the filings, Paris Jackson has been focused on music. She’s currently on tour and preparing to release her second album, “Happiest Day of My Life,” on August 21.