The Breakfast Club - Beyoncé’s Met Gala Takeover, Megan Thee Stallion’s Exit

Episode Date: May 5, 2026

On this episode of The Latest with Loren LoRosa, Loren recaps a powerful week from Atlanta to Miami, celebrating Black excellence, sisterhood, and leveling up in rooms that challenge and inspire. Then it’s all eyes on the Met Gala 👀—with Beyoncé returning after a decade as a co-chair. Loren breaks down why this year’s theme is deeper than fashion and how storytelling through culture, identity, and design will dominate the carpet. Plus, Megan Thee Stallion exits Broadway early amid her breakup with Klay Thompson, and Cardi B pulls up in support—showing real love during a tough moment. It’s a mix of culture, conversation, and real-life reflection on success, vulnerability, and what happens when the spotlight gets personal.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the iHeart. radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. When a group of women discover they've all dated the same prolific con artist, they take matters into their own hands. I vowed, I will be his last target. He is not going to get away with this. He's going to get what he deserves.

We always say that trust your girlfriends. Listen to the girlfriends, trust me, babe, on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you. you got your podcast. I got you. On The Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J.

And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Listen to Look Back at it on the I Heart Radio app. Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media.

Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok's podcast network on TikTok. I'm a homeguard that knows a little bit about everything and everybody. You hear that excuse?

You know if you don't lie about that, right? Lauren came in hot. Hey, y'all, what's up? It's Lauren LaRosa, and this is another episode of the latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is your daily dig on all things, pop culture, entertainment news, and all. all of the conversations that shake the room, baby. Now, if we are checking behind the scenes of the grind, like we normally do here before we get into the latest.

Y'all know I'm coming off of, like, a solid, like, week of traveling. We were in Atlanta first for the Black Effect Podcast Festival. And then I left there back in New York for a few days at work at the Breakfast Club. And then left midweek to go down to Miami for Accelerate Her. which is a global leadership conference with, oh my God, like, it's like the, it's literally, this is how I've been describing it. It's like the Avengers assembling of black women. I mean, some of the most powerful, most amazing thought leaders, black and brown women,

but predominantly black women in the world, come and get together and just have a good time. It is such a community. Like, it's a conference and you do learn and there's panels and there's connecting and there's all these things. But it really feels like you're linking back up with like a community of like, like just like your sisters. Like y'all are coming. It's almost like a family reunion of like the biggest and the best.

Like I can't, I literally can't put it into words. But someone said to me earlier today because I've been calling and just saying thank you to everyone who championed me being awarded, which is how I got the invite because it is invite only. Like it is very exclusive. And on one of those phone calls, today the person said to me, it's like our own Wakanda.

And I was like, that's it. Like, yes, it is like our own Wakanda, but it's like the Wakanda of like powerful black women. So that has been amazing. And I think when you're working and you're achieving and you're figuring out these new levels of success, like you need, you need people that have like experienced things already and have gotten through these things and whether they failed or they, you know, succeeded through these things, they're still here and they're still thriving and they're doing

well, but they have a lot of knowledge to impart. I'm always here for the substance of things. Like everything I do, I'm always thinking about like, you know, how can I make sure that like this is actually going to lead to something that is long lasting? I also always am battling against the fear and just the mindset of like, what if this all goes away tomorrow, which is partly trauma and partly like anxiousness because of what I've never experienced before and seeing it happening and unfolding in my life. But even those conversations, like, I was able to have so much of those conversations with these women, you know, who were in attendance, who a lot of them like me, they're reaching

success for the first time. And they're just figuring it out as they go. And like they're like the first people in their like immediate families to do so. And, you know, in certain friend groups to do so. Like, it's just a very different experience that's happening daily. And a lot of times, like, when I'm going through it, there's not too many people that I can pick up the phone and describe things to. I have a lot of people that I can call and that will listen. That's not what I'm saying.

But who can actually listen and advise and guide me through it is getting a little bit different because of the things that I'm getting to experience in this conference and accelerate her and this tribe of people that I've now been introduced to and, you know, hugged on and loved on by. I'm just excited to be able to have that in a real way. I learned so much, not even just in the panel discussions and the presentations, but in common casual conversations, just in the elevator, walk into the bar, sitting at the bar, you know, grabbing food at the restaurants in the hotel and just joining conversations. Like I went by myself, so I had no choice but to like just talk and meet people. And I was actually really excited about that part of it.

And it did for me what I knew I needed it to do. it made me like throw myself into unknown territory with people that I didn't know whatsoever, which is always been an easy thing for me. But, you know, a lot of times you walk into these rooms and these people are so successful, you're like, what the hell do we have in common? So I just sit back and listen and, you know, and I was doing a lot of that. But the conversations were so inviting. It was like, no, we want to hear your perspective too.

And I don't know. It's just such a good space to be in, to be figuring things out and now be able to pick up the phone and call people who look like you who have experiencing things the way that you have experienced that are genuinely there to help you but have have gotten through it in a way that make them cream of the crop. So shout out to Kim Blackwell and accelerate her. I received the Bossy Award while there. Thank you again for that. And if you guys are listening to this episode, we did upload some bonus content of me receiving that award and my thank you speech and things. Go take a listen to that.

Now let's get on into the latest. So it is the first Monday in May, but baby, the people are already calling it the first Monday in Bay, B-E-Y. And that is because Beyonce is making her return to the Met Gala after 10 years. Now, the theme this year is costume art, and Beyonce is one of the co-chairs of the gala, along with Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, Anna Wintour. And you're probably wondering, like, you know, if you're not a fashion person, if you're not a person who's into all these celebrity red carpets and the things, why you even care about this, right? Now, there are a few reasons, and I'm going to break it down to y'all.

So fans, number one, of the gala are talking about the fashion, and they expect to see, you know, cultural firepower that is celebrated and born by a lot of the icons that you'll see on the mat gala carpet, from people in music to sports to fashion, to film, But the more important conversation here that translates, you know, even far beyond the celebrity of all of this is the storytelling that will happen. And how amazing that that storytelling happens on such a big platform like the MetGallet Carpet. Because millions of people around the world, whether they want to or not, will get to see these photos, but also hear the conversation around it. Hey, I'm Tori Webster, and I host That Digital Take. If you've ever wondered how the internet really works, from influencer culture to digital marketing and pop culture, this is your inside look.

Each week, I share what's actually working online, the behind the scenes of building a career as a creator, and real conversations with people shaping the industry. Think of it like your big sister guide to the digital world. Follow that digital take on IHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying.

Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the 4. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment. And the next, we'll talk about life, mental health.

purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be.

Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking.

What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jett. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s.

To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day but just so y'all know I mean at this point Mark this is the second episode where we've discussed crack so I'm starting to see there's a through line

We also have AIDS on the table right now so Thank you finishing that sentence I don't think there's a more important year for black people Really? Yeah for me it's one of the most important years for black people

in American history Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast So with costume art and the in the co-chairs that they've picked, what I'm predicting what I'm predicting will happen is we will see a lot of deep storytelling that makes you culturally tap into, you know, the history of certain people and their races and their origins

and their religions and just things that we as people like to separate ourselves from. So like we like to think that, you know, because I'm black and because this person's white, we don't have anything in common or like I was even talking to you guys like the wealth gap of the women in the room that I was just with my first reaction was what do I have in common with these ladies but it's like when you really get into the storytelling and to the background into all the wins the losses um you know just the culture of it all you'll find it a lot of times there's a lot more similarities than differences and that's why I love the power of storytelling but I love it through fashion because you can't deny it you can't deny what's happening

right there in front of you but also through art and in fashion, people will look at things and take things so many different ways, so there'll be so much conversation that comes out of it. And when you talk about like a Beyonce, right, or a Venus Williams, these women are people who have championed, you know, the storytelling throughout their whole careers. And we've all clung to that, like Beyonce information, when she used, you know, that time and that whole rollout to address Hurricane Katrina and race relations and black beauty. And the black is king. She showcased a lot of African heritage, afrocentric fashion and fashion designers, braids, bent too knots. Beyonce has always been one to

celebrate black designers, but during the Renaissance tour, I feel like a lot of people paid more attention to it. She spotlighted at Laquan Smith. She, you know, even around Juneteenth, she did so much within that space. And Laquan Smith is somebody who, you know, he is a young black designer who has been making his way in this couture world for a very, very long time. Him and Sergio Hudson right now are like the two black designers that people point to most in the couture space. It is a very hard space to live and thrive in. Couture is not very welcoming of us, of black people, of black designers, of black body shape.

It has opened up a lot more, but it is still what it is. So her championing those people means so much. Cowboy Carter, we know that that was like the cowboy, the western, the country music era, where she was able to, through her fashion, through her partnership with Levi's, through her music, really spot like black people's place in country music and a lot of the things that we originated in country music and just our roots there and why we actually belong. When you think about Venus and Serena Williams, you think a lot about their fashion. Because people have always talked a lot about, you know, them on the court and how well they play and all the, you know,

the barriers that they break. These are two young black women from Compton, right? So there's always that conversation around them, both positive and negative. But they get a lot of shit for their body silhouettes for, I remember them wearing, you know, certain fits and cuts and catsuits was a conversation at one point.

And they've used it to their advantage. Like they've kind of flipped it on their head. I remember when I went to the U.S. Open in 2025, Venus Williams actually, she did a tribute to Althea Gibson who was the first black woman in tennis who was able to play at the height of something like a U.S. Open. And she wore a white polo and she had the white pleaded skirt on. And for a lot of people who don't know much about Athea Gibson, and I didn't at the time if I'm being honest,

when I saw the Vogue article with her giving the nod to Athea Gibson and talking about Athea Gibson in the interview, that made me understand more culturally, right? And I'm there at the U.S. Open. So you have Althea Gibson memorials set up everywhere. Her family's there. It was such a tribute. So everything symbolically is making you go back, learn, research, understand, regardless if you're white or black.

And that's what costuming is art is all about. And I think we're going to get to see so much of that on the Met Galleret carpet that I am really, really excited about just with the conversations. culturally it will spark. And I will say, Beyonce doesn't lend her time or her energy and especially not her presence to any old thing. So if she's going to show up

and it has been over a decade since she has been there, y'all know she is about to start a hell of a conversation. So I'm very excited to see what that will be. I know a lot of the Beehive believe that this is the start of Act 3. And her team has come out and said that there is no music done. People believe that we're going to get a single around the Met Gala,

be some visual stuff that drops around the MetGala with her music. But I just know if she's showing up, that alone is going to be a conversation and a start of something. Because she don't go anywhere. She don't just go anywhere. And when she's somewhere, there's a, there's a reason. There is an importance around it. And the celebrities have been running around all weekend in celebration of the Meggala. So you have so many people that will be in attendance. Serena Williams, I mentioned Venus is is one of the co-chairs, but Serena Williams is set to attend, I know, uh, Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton are set to attend. Zendaya, who we always look forward to on the carpet,

reportedly is not attending this year. I saw the MetGala release a statement about that, but there's no reason yet as to why. I did see reporting that, you know, she's just so busy right now. But the fact that she's in New York and she's not attending has become, you know, a conversation of people wanting to know why. People love to see Zendaya and her stylist Law Roach and just their combination of the things on the carpet.

I'm looking forward to, you know, Cardi B and Colin Carter on the carpet. I know Cardi is in New York. She went to go see Meg the Stallion on Broadway to support Magdalian's final night there. So I'm looking forward to a lot of that. But more deep, though, like I love it when we can tell story through eye-catching things and educate people and pull people up. And I think that this year's Met Gallagall, just like last year's MetGala, when they did the D&D theme in 2025, will be.

be that. And people complain about how the mecgala has become just so like surface level and no real storytelling. I think this will be another year of that storytelling. Experience Harry Styles live in London, England at Wembley Stadium. This is Harry Styles. I-R. Radio wants to send you and a mate across the pond with flights from Virgin Atlantic, hotel from tripcentral.ca, tickets, and $1,000 cash. Download the free Iheart radio app. Listen to Iheart new music for 10 minutes. Enter to win.

Every day is another chance to see Harry Styles. Very excited to see you with the show. Kiss all the time, disco occasionally, available now. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full. year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds, I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clipper Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement

to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life,

mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be.

Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George

Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the look Back Added Podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so you know.

I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Now, moving on into our next story in the latest. Your girl, Cardi B, as I just mentioned, is in New York. It's Met Gallo Monday. But last weekend, she went to see Megastoniali. close out her role in Mulan Rouge as Ziddler. Let's take a listen to Cardi's review of Meg Desaio on Broadway. And Megan looked it amazing.

And she did amazing. I don't know if she ever going to do it again. But I thought she was going to do it longer. And then I'm like, oh, shit. And I promised her, I told her I was going to come. I was telling her like, it's like, when you are in my city, I'm going to come see you. Watch. She's like, oh, okay, she would think I'll be cabin.

It's like, all right. If you're in New York, I'm going to be seeing you. I'll be here. When I be in L.A. or other places, I don't really go out too much because if I'm in another state, it's for most likely work-related. If I'm in New York, I'm coming to get you. It was so amazing. I hope she does it again.

I told y'all a couple weeks ago that Megastalian was actually really, really good. And I keep saying actually because a lot of celebrities get on Broadway and you can tell that they are the celebrity on the cast. Like it's just they don't they don't blend as well as you think they would. But she did an amazing job like a really amazing job. But you know, in recent weeks with her announcing the breakup between her and Clay Thompson, she's decided to leave and not finish out her full run on Broadway. She was supposed to be there until May 17th. But May 1st was her final date. And I thought that it was nice to see that people came out and supported her because I know she needs it right now.

Like I can't imagine like you're in this public eye. You're going through this big breakup, which to be fair, she did announce. We didn't even know what was happening. But still, it's there. And you got Cardi B coming out to support you. Candy Burr is coming out to support you. You know, the girls rallying around her, but also her cast rallying around her too. They sung her really sweet goodbye song that I thought was cute backstage as the night closed.

Let's take a listen. to you keep smiling on the band happy dress I wish Megraulte in the best I don't know what's coming up next I also don't know

I'm still trying to figure out like the why because the why behind her revealing that her and Clay Thompson broke up in the way that she did I thought that maybe we were about to see him pop out with another woman or some allegations

him running around some photos pop up and she was trying to get ahead of a story I didn't want to believe that it was just all emotion because she's magna. Like, girl, your microphone is big. But she's human and I get that. I'm just really still trying to figure out why. Like why causes all of the fanfare and the conversation around you and your relationship when we didn't even have to know what was happening if nothing was about to break, right?

But that question still hasn't been answered. I do know that there will be some things announced for her coming up very soon that I'm hearing you're supposed to be really big. So maybe it points, you know, and paints a better picture. Speaking of, you know, art and costuming, paints a better picture of like the why and what's happening. So, you know, we'll be tuned in and I'll keep you guys updated with the latest. But yeah, I wish Magdalene the best and all it is.

I know the people are really upset about everything that has happened because people feel like she should have kept her mouth shut and not revealed her breakup. And, you know, talking about how unfair it is the clay. But regardless of where you stand on whether she should have or she should have or should not have. I'm telling you all now, it's hard as hell to have to tell people that what you believe would be something isn't that. And I can't imagine doing it as Meg Desa and a superstar. So I'm saying we give her some grace, but to each is on. I'm Lauren La Rosa. This has been another episode of the latest with Lauren La Rosa. Your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment

news, and all of the conversations that shake the room. I will be back tomorrow. because we are going to have to talk about the carpet that actually happened. And I will have some audio from an expert. I'm going to be sitting down and having a conversation with one of my home girls who, you know, speaking of the girls supporting girls, have been supporting me. And I've been supporting her for some time. Her name is Alexis Bennett. And we actually met.

I just graduated college. I don't even know if I'd actually hadn't even graduated. I was a junior in college. I think she had just finished college. and we were trying to figure out work in New York. And we went to this cosmopolitan magazine, fun, fashion, and fearless conference. And we were the only black girls there. So I walked over to her and her friend and just said, hey, it's only us in here.

And we laughed and joked about it. And we've been friends ever since. She is the director of shopping partnerships with refinery 29. She works with Essence, BeautyCon, and AfroPunk as well. And, you know, she was the director of e-com. She was the head of e-commerce over at Vogue for some time. was at Insta Magazine. And if you know of her work in the world,

she's a young black girl that is out here killing it. So we're going to really break down some of the looks, the meanings, and, you know, all the things. So be back for next episode. I tell you guys every single episode, I appreciate you. You could be anywhere with any old body having these conversations, but you choose to be right here with me.

My low riders, see you in my next episode. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. When a group of women discover they've all dated the same prolific con artist. They take matters into their own hands. I vowed. I will be his last target.

He is not going to get away with this. He's going to get what he deserves. We always say that trust your girlfriends. Listen to the girlfriends. Trust me, babe. On the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win.

I don't care what you're saying. Yep. That's me, Clifford Taylor the Fourth. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors.

Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to Look Back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.