Latest news with #TheWayUp
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Mpho Popps dragged for using Presley's memorial in comedy skit
The comedian has responded to the backlash. Comedian Mpho Popps has come under fire for a controversial skit that imitates the memorial service of the late actor Presley Chweneyagae. The skit shows Mpho imitating actor Israel Matseke-Zulu's speech, delivered during Chweneyagae's memorial. He is then followed by fellow comedian Tsitsi who then imitates actor Warren Masemola. Popps is joined in the sketch by well-known personalities, including actress Farieda Metsileng Warren. While some fans found the sketch humorous, others called it disrespectful and inappropriate. Here are a few reactions from X: You can say that again! 👊🏾 Bazenza ngcwele. June 20, 2025 You got it right, he ran of comedy ideas and now he's becoming a joke himself. — Kingdeekay Makgoba (@kingd_makgoba) June 19, 2025 ALSO READ: WATCH: Mpho Popps and Co poke fun at SA's controversial prison video Mpho Popps clears the air about the skit During an interview on The Way Up with Nia Brown and Okay Wasabi on YFM, Popps said the sketch was misunderstood. 'It wasn't about Presley, we're not making fun of Presley. We're making fun of Warren and the speech he made at Presley's funeral. And talk about a meta-sketch, right? Warren was in the sketch while he was being made fun of,' he said. He added that Chweneyagae had a close relationship with those involved in the sketch, saying that he personally would not mind being remembered similarly. 'Presley was very close to Tsitsi because Tsitsi's girlfriend and Presley used to act alongside each other in the river. Warren and Presley were very close. And when you do a sketch like that, like, for me, if I want my friends to honour me, I want them to do it the way I would have loved it. And the truth of the matter is, Cobrizi was a funny guy. 'So, I imagine him watching the sketch, laughing. I know where he is right now. If he saw the sketch, he'd appreciate it. And that's the thing about doing comedy—those are the things you've got to take into consideration.' NOW READ: Lamiez Holworthy cancels work commitments due to illness
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Square Teams Up with Guy Raz to Launch "The Way Up," A New Series Celebrating Local Business Innovation and Hard-Earned Wisdom
Award-winning podcast host Guy Raz partners with Square to spotlight journeys and lessons from growing, thriving businesses across America OAKLAND, Calif., April 30, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Square announced the launch of "The Way Up," a new video series hosted by Guy Raz that celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and showcases the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America's most innovative local businesses. The series features in-depth conversations with business owners who have transformed their dreams into thriving enterprises, sharing their pivotal moments and the lessons learned along the way. Made in collaboration with Guy Raz, the acclaimed interviewer and creator of "How I Built This," the series features six remarkable Square-powered businesses that represent the diversity and resilience of American business ownership as they use technology and ingenuity to grow: Nixta Taqueria, featuring Chef Edgar Rico and Sara Mardanbigi, evolved from a pop-up to a James Beard Award-winning 50-seat restaurant in Austin, Texas, showcasing the power of culinary innovation. Charles Pan-Fried Chicken, helmed by two-time James Beard Award nominee Chef Charles Gabriel and Chef Quie Slobert, brings Harlem's soul food legacy to new audiences across their three locations. The Sports Bra in Portland, Oregon, founded by Jenny Nguyen and the first-ever sports bar dedicated to women's sports, is expanding its footprint and giving back to advance future generations of women athletes. Vala's Pumpkin Patch, featuring Tim and Kelsey Vala, has grown from a modest 17-acre rental to a 450-acre cultural landmark in Gretna, Nebraska, with 20,000 people visiting per day during peak season, run by the Vala family for over 40 years. Green Apple Books, a San Francisco institution since 1967 owned by Pete Mulvihill, demonstrates how independent bookstores can adapt and thrive in the digital age. Rustler Hat Co., founded by Alex Samuels in Nashville, Tennessee, transforms hat-making into an experience, crafting up to 200 custom hats daily. "Throughout my career, I've been drawn to the human stories behind successful businesses – the moments of truth, the critical decisions, and the community connections that shape their journeys," said Guy Raz. "With 'The Way Up,' we're going deeper into these stories, showing how local businesses across America are reimagining their industries and using technology to bring their unique visions to life. These aren't just business stories – they're stories about human ingenuity, perseverance, and the transformative power of successful businesses on their broader communities." "At Square, we're proud to support the millions of bold, imaginative sellers redefining what local business looks like today," said Lindsey Irvine, Head of Marketing at Square. "'The Way Up' shines a light on their stories – of resilience, reinvention, and impact. Through Guy Raz's lens, we see how empowered business owners don't just build successful companies – they shape the future of their communities." The series will be distributed across multiple platforms, including full episodes on Square's YouTube channel, audio versions on Raz's "Wisdom From the Top" podcast, and exclusive content through The Bottom Line, Square's publication for business owners and operators. Each episode explores how these businesses navigate change and challenge, implement solutions, and scale their operations using Square. The first episode of "The Way Up" launches today on The Bottom Line. Learn more about how Square can power your growth at About Square Square makes commerce and financial services easy and accessible with its integrated ecosystem of commerce solutions. Square offers purpose-built software to run complex restaurant, retail, and professional services operations, versatile e-commerce tools, embedded financial services and banking products, buy now, pay later functionality through Afterpay, staff management and payroll capabilities, and much more – all of which work together to save sellers time and effort. Millions of sellers across the globe trust Square to power their business and help them thrive in the economy. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts press@
