Entertainment
Swift, Minaj Tweet Over Rapper’s MTV Video Music Awards Snub

In this June 7, 2015 file photo, Nicki Minaj performs at the 2015 Hot 97 Summer Jam at MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Taylor Swift and Minaj traded words on Twitter after the rapper said she was upset she didnt earn a nomination for video of the year at the MTV Video Music Awards. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
MESFIN FEKADU, AP Music Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj traded words on Twitter after the rapper said she was upset she didn’t earn a nomination for video of the year at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Minaj tweeted multiple times that she didn’t understand why her rump-shaking video for “Anaconda” wasn’t up for the top award when MTV announced the nominees Tuesday.
She wrote in one tweet: “If your video celebrates women with very slim bodies, you will be nominated for vid of the year.” She also tweeted, “When the ‘other’ girls drop a video that breaks records and impacts culture they get that nomination.”
Minaj did not mention specific artists in her tweets.
Swift, who’s “Bad Blood” is nominated for video of the year, is the top VMA contender with nine nominations.
“I’ve done nothing but love & support you,” she tweeted to Minaj. “It’s unlike you to pit women against each other. Maybe one of the men took your slot.”
Nominees for video of the year include Beyonce’s “7/11,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” and Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk.”
Minaj said she never mentioned Swift in her tweets.
“Huh? U must not be reading my tweets. Didn’t say a word about u,” Minaj said to Swift. “I love u just as much. But u should speak on this.”
“If I win, please come up with me!! You’re invited to any stage I’m ever on,” Swift replied.
“Anaconda,” released a year ago, has 488 million views on YouTube. It earned VMA nominations for best female video and hip-hop video. Minaj is also up for best collaboration for “Bang Bang” with Ariana Grande and Jessie J.
Swift’s nominations for “Bad Blood” include best collaboration, direction, editing, visual effects, art direction and cinematography. Her other hit, “Blank Space,” which boasts 1 billion views on YouTube, is nominated for best female video and pop video.
“Bad Blood,” the action-packed clip that starred Lena Dunham, Selena Gomez and Lamar, has 360 million views on YouTube.
Miley Cyrus will host the 2015 VMAs, which will air live Aug. 30 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
___
Online:
https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/
https://twitter.com/NICKIMINAJ/
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Bo Tefu
Gov. Newsom Highlights Record-Breaking Tourism Revenue, Warns of Economic Threats from Federal Policies
“California dominates as a premier destination for travelers throughout the nation and around the globe,” said Newsom. “With diverse landscapes, top-rate attractions, and welcoming communities, California welcomes millions of visitors every year. We also recognize that our state’s progress is threatened by the economic impacts of this federal administration, and are committed to working to protect jobs and ensure all Californians benefit from a thriving tourism industry.”

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom, along with the nonprofit organization Visit California, announced that tourism spending in California reached a record $157.3 billion in 2024, reinforcing the state’s status as the top travel destination in the United States.
The Governor made the announcement May 5, referencing Visit California’s 2024 Economic Impact Report, which highlights a 3% increase in tourism revenue over the previous year.
According to the report, California’s tourism sector supported 1.2 million jobs, generated $12.6 billion in state and local tax revenues, and created 24,000 new jobs in 2024.
“California dominates as a premier destination for travelers throughout the nation and around the globe,” said Newsom. “With diverse landscapes, top-rate attractions, and welcoming communities, California welcomes millions of visitors every year. We also recognize that our state’s progress is threatened by the economic impacts of this federal administration, and are committed to working to protect jobs and ensure all Californians benefit from a thriving tourism industry.”
Despite the gains in tourism revenue, Visit California’s revised 2025 forecast points to a 1% decline in total visitation and a 9.2% decrease in international travel. The downturn is attributed to federal economic policy and what officials are calling an impending “Trump Slump,” caused by waning global interest in traveling to the United States.
To offset projected losses, the Governor is encouraging Californians to continue traveling within the state and has launched a new campaign aimed at Canadian travelers.
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