The Breakfast Club - Celebrities Speak Out: The Debate Over Carmelo Anthony’s Sentence (recommended)

Episode Date: June 11, 2026

On this episode of The Latest with Loren LoRosa, Loren breaks down the latest developments in the Carmelo Anthony case after his 35-year sentence and the appeal that followed. As the story continues making national headlines, celebrities including Cardi B and Waka Flocka are weighing in, sparking conversations about justice, race, self-defense, accountability, and how the system handles young people. Loren also discusses the emotional impact of a case where two families are forever changed and why this conversation has people asking difficult questions about fairness and the justice system. Plus, Loren checks in behind the scenes of the grind and shares a reminder about balancing ambition, life, and giving yourself grace along the way. 🎧 Tap in for the latest headlines, conversations, and stories shaking the culture.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Joy is essential and it's also elusive. But now, there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence, Joy 101. It's a new podcast hosted by me, Hoda Kotby. If you're craving inspiration to maximize your joy, tune into these candid, uplifting, and moving on-air chats. Open your free IHeart Radio app. Search Joy 101 and listen now.

Joy 101 with Hoda Kotopje is presented by CVS. For years, the Un-House has been presented as a monolith in mainstream media. Wideon House is a podcast that's changing the narrative. I'm Theo Henderson, and I created the show why I was Un-Housed on the streets of Los Angeles. We've grown into a two-time Webby Award-winning podcast, the only podcast that shares Un-House stories and news from the Un-House perspective. Listen to Wey and Howls on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. June is Black Music Month, and on the Drink Chams podcast, we're speaking with the hottest names in the culture, like Sway Lee.

Do you realize how legendary you are? I appreciate that. I'd be seeing it, but I'm like, man, I still got, like so much more to do. Like, Prince, he dropped like 30 albums. We dropped like five right now. That's the rate we got to be going. Yep, that's a good attitude. No matter the era, Drink Chams brings.

brings you the biggest names and the most unfiltered conversations. Listen to Drink Chams from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Every family has its secrets. But what happens when you discover that your dad has been living a double life? That is not the look of an innocent man. Is everyone lying to me about who they are? I felt such desperation.

I felt it was what I had to do. Listen to Deep Cover the Family Man on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm a homegirl that knows a little bit about everything in everybody. You hear that excuse me? You know if you don't lie about that, right?

Lauren came in hot. Hey, y'all, what's up? It's Lauren La Rosa, and this is another episode of the latest with Lauren La Rosa. This is your daily dig on all things, pop culture, entertainment news. news and all of the conversations that shake the room, baby. Now, y'all know here at the latest with Lana Rosa, when we kick this thing off, we always

start off with the behind the scenes of the grind checking. So let's get it. So when we check in behind the scenes of the grind here, it's just to take a second to see how we feel in a bit. You know, a lot of times you'd be moving, grooving, doing your thing. And if you're out here trying to figure something out, hustling, bustling, doing all the things, a lot of times you don't really take the time to sit down and check in on yourself to really just ask yourself how you feel how's it going man sometimes I know myself

I got to sit down and be like what did I eat today I mean y'all know how it is like when you're trying to figure something out when you're on the mission when you're in the building phases and stages or something so I built this into the show show that we all can take a second to really sit down and answer the question how are we feeling today so today I am feeling, well, I'm excited that it is toward the end of the week. This week, I'm not even going to lie to y'all. I am very excited about that. But I'm feeling a little bit like all over the place.

Like, I don't know what it is about this week and how fast it feels like it's moving. But I've talked to you guys before on here about the mantra that I have about not letting the day own me, owning the day. baby when I tell you I had to tell myself that a few times this week like and I feel like the closer it gets to the end of the week and trying to make sure I get everything done that I need. You know, you got people that need things from you. You're trying to fulfill all those requests and yeah, also just sleep and make sure you're good. Like a lot of times it just feels like there's 24 hours in a day. But like can I get more than 24 hours?

A lot of times it feels like that. And a lot of times I'm always like, Beyonce got the same 24 hours. That'd be my motto in life about a lot of things. Like, yo, Beyonce has the same 24 hours. Issa Rae has the same 24 hours. They maximize the hell out of their 24 hours. And from what they seem like from the outside looking in,

I don't know them yet, they're also just like kind of like balanced people. Like they had time for the family. Like they figure it out, right? Like it's probably not always balanced. but they figure out the flow. Yeah. So that's me this week.

My niece has been here with me all week long. She's on her summer break. So also just trying to make sure that like we at least get out the house. After I get off of work yesterday, we went to lunch. Today we were supposed to go to like a park that does like a water park situation. And when I tell y'all, I fell asleep trying to prepare for work the following day. Didn't even get a ticket to the park. So yeah.

Just trying to be in lockstep with the do-lis I set for myself for the day. I'm trying to like being locked step with that. But listen, you win some, you lose some. Like, that is the model of my adult life. You win some, you lose some. And the ones that you win, maybe make them some good wins because the other ones might got to wait until after your nap or tomorrow. Okay.

I don't feel guilty about it. Like I used to, I used to feel really guilty about not being able to do all things and show up and literally burnt myself out from that, not happening this time around. But there's a lot going on in the news. A lot is moving fast in the news as well, too. So let's get on into the latest. Pride is like love.

You feel it in your heart. I-R-Radio, Canada's number one streaming app for radio and podcasts, including I-Hart Pride Canada, your favorite hits and must-have party bangers, plus personalized and curated playlists, like back in the day. pride. Come together, celebrate love. Take pride with you anytime, anywhere. Just ask your smart speaker to play IHart Pride Canada. Stream us on your phone or listen now at iHeartRadio.ca. Joy is essential and it's also elusive. You can't order it, you can't borrow it or simply hope it into life. But now, there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence. Joy 101. It's a new podcast hosted by

me, Hoda Kotbe. Together, guys, we'll have meaningful conversations with the world's most fascinating people. Entertainment legends, sports icons, wellness experts, and everyday people will share how they find, allow, and experience joy. And I'll offer some of my own tips and takes on seeking a more balanced and harmonious life. If you're craving inspiration, support, and useful tools to maximize your joy, tune into these candid, uplifting, and moving on-air chats. Joy after a break, up joy as an empty nester, joy after a loss, joy as a caretaker. This new podcast will speak to you. Listen to Joy 101 on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. June is Black Music Month, and on the Drink Chams podcast, we're speaking with the hottest names in the culture, like Sway Lee.

Do you realize how legendary you are? I appreciate that. I'd be seeing it, but I'm like, man, I still got like so much more to do. Like Prince, he dropped like 30 albums. Like five right now. Like, that's the rate we got to be going. Yep, that's a good attitude. You also hear stories from industry legends and hip-hop pioneers like Fab Five Freddie. I directed when the Nas' early videos. Which one?

One love. Wow. Yes. I literally filmed in his apartment in Queensbridge. His moms were still up in that apartment. Nause was just beginning to take off. His pops used to live near me in Harlem. His dad introduced him to a whole lot of, you know, conscious stuff.

and he made a young prodigy. No matter the era, Drink Chams brings you the biggest names and the most unfiltered conversations. Listen to Drink Chams from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Keith Gianmanca seemed like a mild-mannered suburban dad, but secretly, he became someone else, a master of disguise who went on a crime spree. At the time, did it seem like a crazy idea? It seemed very crazy, but I felt so desperate that I felt it was the quickest, easiest way out. Did you allow yourself to think about how it could go wrong and what that might look like? No, I didn't want to manifest that. I was trying to manifest success. Every family has its secrets. But what happens when you discover that your dad has been living a double life?

that is not the look of an innocent man. This is going to change my life and my family dynamic forever because everything that had existed prior in my reality is now untrue. Listen to Deep Cover the Family Man on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, so we have been talking a bit about the Carmelo Anthony case. For those of you guys who are not familiar, Carmelo Anthony is the 19-year-old boy who at age 17 made headlines when he got into an altercation

with another teenage boy, another 17-year-old boy named Austin Metcalf. They were at a high school track meet, and there was a altercation that ensued of some sort that ended in Carmelo and Anthony stabbing Austin Metcalf with a pocket knife in Austin did not survive the stab. He passed away later from his injuries. Carmelo Anthony was just sentenced to 35 years behind this incident. And we interviewed a community advocate that had been working closely with the family on a prior episode. Literally, like, as the sentencing was coming down, like the 35 years, like, as the world found out.

And honestly, as his family found out, we on our interview in real time found out, So if you guys are listening to this right now, I want to go take a listen to that. Please go take a listen to that prior episode. This is episode prior to this one that you were listening to right now. But less than 24 hours later, I said things are moving fast and they are, as they should when you're dealing with, you know, circumstances like this. Carmelo Anthony's attorneys have filed for, or have filed a notice of appeal. Now, again, to reiterate some of the conversation around this case, race has become a big conversation in this case because Carmelo Anthony is a young black teen and Austin MacCath is

or was got rest of soul a white teenager. So there's been a lot of conversation about race and how this is playing out because of race. Now, the notice of appeal that was filed less than 24 hours after Carmelo Anthony was the incident 35 years, basically just lets the court know, hey, we do plan to appeal. We're putting you guys on notice that this is coming. It's happening. We don't want to waive that ability to do so. So there will definitely be more there because from now on moving forward what will happen is there will be documents filed by Carmelo Anthony's family attorneys of the actual appeal with them outlining everything they think was done wrong or should be paid more attention to from the lower court.

and they'll be asking for a few things. What they'll probably ask for is a lesser sentence, if not a dismissal altogether of some sort. I don't really see them doing the dismissal thing, though, because Austin was stabbed. Life was lost. But I can see them asking for a shorter sentence, a retrial to get to that shorter sentence.

Those are normally things that people do when they're trying to appeal certain situations. As of right now, Carmelo Anthony is in police custody. He is in prison. There was a story that was reported by TMZ that mentioned that he's currently being held on a secure lockdown and isolation while officials at the prison that he's at determine like what his long term placement is going to look like because this has been a high profile case up into this point because it went from just a local case to something that made national news headlines. now with it making national news headlines there are a lot of celebrities that are starting to weigh in on this conversation and i think everyone's sentiment is is you know pretty much echoed the same like you never want to see

no family have to bury their baby ever white black green purple you never want to see that um and and feeling that heartfelt feeling for austin mcalf and his family um who you know austin is no longer here his family no longer has their child anymore. On the other side of it, the conversation about race plays a major factor. And the fact that Carmela Anthony said that this happened in self-defense and the fact that the court, the all-white jury, did not believe him. And the way that he was sentenced, 35 years, with some people believing that it was too harsh, being as though he is, standing on the fact that it was in self-defense. Now, during the trial, the jury had, like, the court had the, the court could have looked

at this as a manslaughter situation, which would have lessened it or lessened, you know, the time that Carmel and Anthony was looking at, but they decided not to. And I think, and you guys, again, can go back to the conversation we had with an advocate who was, I'm not for sure if you're still working with the family. I've seen things that have said that he's not because the family decided no longer to work alongside him. I don't know. I think getting into all that stuff is so meticulous at this point because there's a child that lost his life. And it's a child that is sitting behind bars for 35 years who is 19 years old.

But in that conversation, I brought up the fact that I don't think that there was enough done in court. I don't think that his attorneys did enough in court whatsoever, Carmelo Anthony's attorneys, that is, to prove that yes, this happened, but it was self-defense, you know, and really establishing a timeline of what led up to that moment. And that's just my opinion. I'm not an attorney, but just from, you know, the court minutes and everything that I was following leading up to the actual verdict day. Now, I mentioned some celebrities who are speaking out about this.

And I remember, you know, various cases like this. that I've covered, whether it be, you know, police brutality to whatever it is when it comes to, you know, fair sentencing and anything systematic when it comes to black people, black children, often a lot of celebrities speak out because I think, you know, you look at them celebrities, but these are people that are raising kids themselves, like, and that are people themselves, literally, like, you know, they're operating in the world the same way we are. And Jay-Z said it best, like, when in 4-44-4, I'm... believe it was on 4-4-4 when he said, I'm not black, I'm OJ. Yeah, okay. Like, there's not an amount of

money that can change the way that the system deals with black people and people of color, period. And we're never going to tipto around that fact. So when you see the celebrities getting involved, number one, I think anything that brings light to anything that may be an injustice, like having a celebrity voice on it, if even just to say, hey, here's how I feel as a mother, as a black man or whatever, I'm not against that. I'm for it because I think it brings light, right? And it keeps, like, the more attention to a case,

the more people are going to have to be held accountable for certain things that go well and don't go well. But also, too, I think the dynamic that you're seeing with celebrities getting involved with things that are like systematic or political is because the way that the world that we live in is set up right now. It's like, you're going to, you, you either going to understand the system and how these things work or it's going to do you, period. So Cardi B, when Carmelo Anthony was first sentenced, she posted, wow, just freaking wow, disgusting in all caps. This is not justice. This is trying to make an example. And then she's been retweeting some things about Carmelo Anthony. She retweeted a post. that said almost four years ago, Carmelo Anthony saved someone's life.

Don't allow these trolls or mainstream media to tell you otherwise. They're trying to character assassinate against his image like the dominant societies always do. She then was on her Twitter spaces and she had a lot to say coming from the point of she's raising black children, a black, two black young boys. Let's take a listen to Cardi. Now. as a mom, right? What I would tell my son's son, don't let nobody punk you.

Don't ever let nobody make you feel less of a man and always defend yourself. If Austin and his team fell certain type of weight that he went to the 10, he should have went to his coach. What do they tell us in school? If you have an issue with somebody, go to a teacher, go to an adult.

If Austin had an issue, you with Anthony being in the tent, he should have went to the coach until the coach take him out of the tent. But Austin took into his hands to get aggressive with Anthony. Now in life, something that I have to learn just because somebody provoke you and they can provoke you, they can provoke you. If you put your hands on them, it's still wrong. It's illegal to put hands on somebody. He put his hands on somebody. Austin was twice his size. And not only that, but I also heard he knows how to fight jujitsu. He was surrounded. He was protecting himself. Is it wrong to lose your life over something so petty? Absolutely is wrong. Like I said,

it's a loose situation on both. It would have been so different if it was a white boy. that went to a black football player's tent. And the aggressor was black and big. It is the truth. And I think that's the thing for me. It's like, man, when I was, so we're in the interview. And we find out that Carmelo Anthony, the interview with the community activist, Dominique, that was working alongside Carmelo Anthony's family at one point.

And he says to me, he breaks the news to me in the interview. that Carmelo was sentenced to 35 years. I literally, I couldn't not, like, cry. Like, I got it together, and we moved on. Let's take a listen to that moment. We find out that Carmelo has been sentenced to 35 years. Oh, my God. Mm.

Ooh, I wasn't expecting that. But the first thing I thought of was, like, man, I've been a teenager doing dumb things and just reacting in the heat of the moment. And at that age or so, like, those decisions just cost someone their life, cost two people their life. One person is no longer here. A family had to bury a kid. And the other person is about to spend the majority of their life behind bars.

Like, but then you get into the conversation of like, and this is a question that it's fairly being asked. and should continue to be asked, would the outcome of this be different if Carmelo and Anthony was a white teenager? Would it be 35 years? Would the jury have ruled differently? There are research and studies that show that having an all-white jury for, you know, anyone that is on a trial, especially in a criminal trial that is a black individual, especially a black man, it fares not as equally just.

because of, you know, you come in with your preconceived notions. No matter. People are human. Jures are human. Experience. You and a pal in Montreal and Oceaga. With four nights at residents in downtown Montreal. Flights from Porter Airlines, two weekend gold tickets, and $1,000 of cash. Please, Lord.

Zara Larson, Tate McRae, Sombor, 21 pilots, and more. Download I-Hart Radio. Listen to I-Hard new music for 10 minutes and enter to win. Oshiga, 2026. Every day you listen is another chance to win. Joy is essential and it's also elusive. You can't order it, you can't borrow it or simply hope it into life. But now, there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence.

Joy 101. It's a new podcast hosted by me, Hoda Kotby. Together, guys, we'll have meaningful conversations with the world's most fascinating people. Entertainment legends, sports icons, wellness experts, and everyday people will share how they find, allow, and experience joy. And I'll offer some of my own tips and takes on seeking a more balanced and harmonious life. If you're craving inspiration, support, and useful tools to maximize your joy, tune into these candid, uplifting, and moving on-air chats. Joy after a breakup. Joy as an empty nester. Joy after a loss.

Joy as a caretaker. This new podcast will speak to you. Listen to Joy 101 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Mainstream media is full of cruel depictions of the unhoused, stories that shame and blame and paint the unhoused as a monolith. We The UnHouse is the podcast that's changing that. I'm Theo Henderson, creator and host, and for years I've created a space where the Un-House and their advocates can tell their own stories. In the last few months alone, I've interviewed Unhoused parents, immigrants, mutual aid organizers,

veterans, the LGBTQTIA plus community, and the policymakers who make the laws that impact the unhoused existence. We'd be an house is a two-time webby and signal award-winning show with many exciting guests on the horizon. Tune in this week for my interview with Dr. Jill Wichoran, a street doctor turned influencer whose work with the House community has made a huge impact online and in her community. Listen to Weevian House on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Keith Gianmanca seemed like a mild-mannered suburban dad, but secretly, he became someone else, a master of disguise who went on a crime spree. At the time, did it seem like a crazy idea?

It seemed very crazy. but I felt so desperate that I felt it was the quickest, easiest way out. Did you allow yourself to think about how it could go wrong on what that might look like? No, I didn't want to manifest that. I was trying to manifest success. Every family has its secrets. But what happens when you discover that your dad has been living a double life? That is not the look of an innocent man.

this is going to change my life and my family dynamic forever because everything that had existed prior in my reality is now untrue. Listen to Deep Cover the Family Man on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Now, Waka Flaka, rap artist Waka Flocka, also posted about this on his social media. And I thought his take was pretty interesting. And now I know Waka. So this is no shot at him. But a lot of the things he's been talking about recently when it comes to politics, not here for whatsoever, period.

But I thought that this post that he put up about the Carmelo-Anthony situation was pretty fair. And I appreciated him speaking out from his perspective on this thing. Because the other stuff he's been talking about, you can say that. But here we go. So Waka-Flocka says, what I keep coming back to is fairness. I also believe we cannot ignore what led up to that moment. From what I understand, Carmel and Anthony was being bullied, intimidated,

and put in a situation where he felt threatened and cornered. When young people are pushed, surrounded, or made to feel like they have no way out, fear can take over in a split second. That does not mean Austin Metcalf deserved to lose his life. He did not. My prayers are with his family because they are living with a pain nobody should ever have to carry. But I also believe Carmelo's side, his fear and the circumstances leading. up to that moment should have mattered more.

This is why so many people are hurt and frustrated with the justice system. It feels like justice isn't always equal, not always compassionate and not always willing to see the full story, especially when a young black man is the one on trial. I'm praying for Carmelo, his family, his safety, and his mental well-being. I am also praying for Austin's family because none of this is right. Two families are broken and life was lost. Another young life has been changed forever. My prayer is that truth, fairness, healing, and real change will come.

very unfortunate like this whole situation is just so heartbreaking man yeah so there will be updates here and we will keep you guys posted as those updates

as they develop I'm Lauren La Rosa this has been another episode of the latest with Lauren La Rosa I tell you guys all the time that I appreciate y'all my lowriders because I do you can be anywhere with any old body

talking about all of the things but you guys choose to be right here with me. And for that, I appreciate it. I'll catch you in my next episode. Joy is essential and it's also elusive. But now there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence, Joy 101. It's a new podcast hosted by me, Hoda Kotby.

If you're craving inspiration to maximize your joy, tune into these candid, uplifting, and moving on-air chats. Open your free IHeart Radio app. search Joy 101 and listen now. Joy 101 with Hoda Cotfi is presented by CVS. June is Black Music Month, and on the Drink Chams podcast, we're speaking with the hottest names in the culture, like Sway Lee. Do you realize how legendary you are? I appreciate that. I'd be seeing it, but I'm like, man, I still got like so much more to do. Like Prince, he dropped like 30 albums. We dropped like five right now. That's the rate we got to be

going. Yep, that's a good attitude. No matter the era, Drink Chams brings you the biggest names and the most unfiltered conversations. Listen to Drink Chams from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Every family has its secrets. But what happens when you discover

that your dad has been living a double life? That is not the look of an innocent man. Is everyone lying to me about who they are? I felt such desperation. I felt it was what I had to do. Listen to Deep Cover the Family Man on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcasts. Here's something that should not be as complicated as it is, getting a racist statue removed. And here's something that should be a whole lot easier than it is, getting a new one put up in its place. I'm Akila Hughes, and Rebel Spirit Season 2 is about both of those things. As I was watching these statues come down, I was thinking about what it meant that I grew up in a majority black city in which there were more homages to enslavers than there were to enslave people.

Listen to Rebel Spirit season two on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.