Diana Ross Tapped to Launch Royal Caribbean’s Latest Family Cruise Ship

Diana Ross, 80, center, poses in her Met Gala gown embroidered with the names of her five children and eight grandchildren in this family portrait taken by Dennis Gocer. The 18-foot feathered shawl reportedly required six helpers—though compared to christening a 250,000-ton cruise ship, that’s light lifting. Ross was named godmother of Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, which launches August 31. (Photo by Dennis Gocer/The Collective You, via dianaross.com)

Diana Ross, icon of stage, screen and sequined glamour, is trading the concert hall for the high seas this August — because 2025 wasn’t surreal enough already.

Royal Caribbean officially tapped Ross as the godmother of its new mega-cruise ship, Star of the Seas, on Thursday. Yes, godmother. Not to a child, but to a 250,800-ton floating resort with Broadway-style musicals, 40-plus places to eat and drink, and something ominously called the Category 6 waterpark. In accordance with maritime tradition, Ross will "bless" the ship and its future vacationers during a naming ceremony. Instead of breaking hearts, she’ll break a bottle of champagne against the hull — same drama, fewer costume changes.

Ross — already mother to five and unofficial godmother to most of the Motown diaspora — seems like a natural pick. Who better to bestow safe passage on a floating palace of excess than the woman who turned a sequined gown into a personality trait? "Love Hangover" may be about heartbreak, but let’s be honest: it could easily be the ship’s signature cocktail by August.

"I am truly honored to join the Royal Caribbean family," Ross said in a statement that reads smoother than a poolside piña colada. "Having spent years creating beautiful music and memories and bringing people together from all over the world, this feels like a perfect continuation of my journey."

That journey now includes presiding over what’s being marketed as the world’s best family vacation — a ship so big it has its own neighborhoods, including the AquaDome, a sort of glass-encased wonderland featuring ocean views and Cirque-du-Soleil-style performances. Also onboard? A stage adaptation of "Back to the Future," because apparently, time travel and cruise buffets do mix.

Ross will be on hand when Star of the Seas launches from Port Canaveral in Florida, on August 31, setting sail on 7-night voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean with guaranteed stops at Royal Caribbean’s overachieving private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Yes, that’s the real name. No, you’re not dreaming.

Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley called Ross a perfect fit for the ship’s vibe of joy and multigenerational magic. "We couldn’t imagine a more fitting godmother," he said. "Diana Ross is a true icon known for creating music that transcends generations while celebrating life and bringing people together." Basically, she's the human version of the ship’s mood board.

Ross’s duties are symbolic — think vibes, not lifeboat drills. But the role still comes with weight: it’s a blessing of good fortune, smooth seas, and zero karaoke mishaps for the thousands of passengers expected to come aboard.

So, if you’ve been longing for a vacation blessed by a disco legend, curated by a cruise line that thinks bigger is always better, your ship quite literally comes in this August. Diana Ross, diva of the deep, is ready to rule the waves — and this time, you can follow her lead in flip-flops.

‘Chicago Mike,’ Who Helped Define Kool & the Gang’s Stage Energy, Killed in Georgia Crash

Michael “Chicago Mike” Sumler, longtime wardrobe stylist and hype man for Kool & the Gang, is shown in an undated photo. Sumler, who worked with the band for decades and was known for energizing crowds with his signature style and dance moves, died May 25 in a car crash in suburban Atlanta. (Facebook)

Michael “Chicago Mike” Sumler, a longtime stylist, hype man, and performer with Kool & the Gang, died
in a car crash in Cobb County, Georgia, on May 25. He was 71.

According to Cobb County police, the crash occurred around 11:35 p.m. on Veterans Memorial Highway near Buckner Road in Mableton. Sumler’s Nissan was struck head-on by a Kia entering the intersection. Sumler was pronounced dead at the scene by the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office. The other driver was not injured.

  

Sumler, a Chicago native, began working with Kool & the Gang in the mid-1980s after meeting a member of the band's security team at a local show. He initially joined as a wardrobe stylist and later became known for energizing crowds as a hype man, often dancing across the stage with a boombox or Walkman. He also contributed as a backup singer and tambourine player.

In a 2018 interview on the "Kelly Talk Show," Sumler recounted his introduction to the band and his evolving role over the years. He worked with Kool & the Gang from 2000 to 2015, ensuring the band looked their best on stage and engaging audiences with his dynamic presence.

Kool & the Gang paid tribute to Sumler on social media, stating, “We’re deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our longtime wardrobe valet, Mike Sumler. Mike worked alongside Kool & the Gang from 2000–2015, making sure the guys looked their best on stage every night. He also hyped the crowd with his energy and dance moves at the top of the show.”

Sumler was born on Nov. 1, 1953, in Chicago to John and Dorothy Sumler. He grew up in the Kenwood neighborhood and attended Bond Elementary School and Harper High School. His mother, Dorothy Sumler, described him as “a good guy, my only son, the oldest of my three children, and he’d do anything he could for you.”

He is survived by his daughters, Monica Ford and Elisia White; his son, Alexander Jenkins; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on June 9 at Emanuel’s Chapel Funeral Home, 5112 S. Western Ave. A wake is scheduled for 11 a.m. on June 10 at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 4600 S. King Dr., followed by a funeral service at noon.

Federal Prosecutors Will Not Seek Death Penalty Against Lil Durk

Courtesy Broward County Sheriff’s Office

Federal prosecutors have confirmed they will not seek the death penalty against Chicago rapper Lil Durk in his ongoing murder-for-hire case connected to a 2022 shooting at a Los Angeles gas station.

Lil Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, is accused of orchestrating an attack that allegedly targeted rival rapper Quando Rondo and resulted in the death of Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson. The alleged hit, according to a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, involved members of Banks’ collective, Only the Family (OTF), tracking and attempting to kill an individual identified as T.B. on Aug. 19, 2022.

Prosecutors allege Banks placed a monetary bounty on the target and directed OTF members to carry out the assault. Surveillance footage and digital evidence reportedly link two vehicles to the coordinated ambush. The attack ultimately led to Robinson’s death, though Rondo survived.

Banks is one of five individuals facing federal charges including murder, murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death. Authorities characterize the alleged scheme as a gang-affiliated retaliation plot carried out across state lines.

In April, Banks’ legal team filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that prosecutors misled the grand jury by implying Banks bragged about the killing in a song. His attorneys noted that the track in question was recorded seven months before the incident and that Banks had no involvement in a later-modified version uploaded to YouTube.

The court has also ruled that lyrics from the song “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy” cannot be used as evidence in the trial, agreeing with defense arguments that the content is not relevant and was recorded prior to the alleged crime.

Additionally, prosecutors have accused Banks of threatening witnesses while in custody, which contributed to a judge's decision to deny bond. A proposed $4.5 million bail package — which included personal funds, real estate assets, and 24/7 monitoring — was rejected. Prosecutors cited concerns over Banks’ behavior behind bars, including alleged misuse of communication systems.

The credibility of the government’s case has been challenged by the defense, who argue that it relies heavily on a paid FBI informant, identified in court documents as "CHS 1," a former gang member with a history of criminal activity. Banks’ attorneys have questioned the reliability of this source and pointed out that he has not been charged in related Illinois cases despite a three-year investigation.

In February 2025, Saviay’a Robinson’s mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Banks, seeking civil damages for her son’s killing.

The trial is currently scheduled to begin Oct. 14, 2025. Prosecutors have indicated that the case is unusually complex, involving more than 20,000 pages of documents and over 230 gigabytes of digital evidence.

The federal decision not to pursue the death penalty narrows sentencing possibilities, but Banks still faces life imprisonment if convicted.