Rihanna hit the streets of NYC today in her brand new sneakers and small black Celine bag with her assistant Jen. Pics of the two making their city rounds, plus Ri's fellow Roc Nation look-a-like, Rita Ora, covered Rihanna's "We Found Love" track. Check it inside...
Spotted leaving the Park Gansevoort Hotel this afternoon, Rihanna stepped out for her day of errands...or just her usual sidewalk catwalk. One or the other:
Last night she got semi-spiritual tweeting:
That's why I see no need to compete with niggaz like yall...Yoooo God iz MAJAH!!!!! U hear me??? He works in special special ways! He is funnyyyyy
What or who was she referring to? Who nows. But we DO know Rita Ora--the blonde Roc Nation artist who is often compared to Ri in the looks & style department--gave a little taste of her own version of Ri's track "We Found Love" last night. She appeared to be chatting with fans who asked her to do so. She said, "I would love to sing some of Rihanna's songs."
You feelin' her voice?
The Randomness:
1. Roc Nation's head honcho, Jay-Z, just launched his Empire Facebook game app. STORY
One of our fave YBF chicks is currently holding down Broadway as "Deloris" in Sister Act. Check out pics of Raven-Symoné stopping by "106 & Park" for today's episode inside...
From "Cosby Show" to "That's So Raven" to the lead powerful voice of Broadway's production of Sister Act, Raven-Symoné is all grown up and looking fab these days. She's now living in NYC for the run of the show, so she stopped by the BET studios to kick it with Rocsi and the "106 & Park" crowd.
Rocking Rag & Bone black/white split skinny jeans with a sexy bustier and fringed cover up all under a cropped leather jacket, Raven hit up the BET show with host Rocsi.
Raven also answered questions from the Bowl of Randomness. Her answers: What she keeps under her bed? Himalayan sea salts. Fave song to sing in the shower? Maroon 5's "This Love." Something about her most people don't know? She enjoys The Science Channel.
Raven told the audience to check out her show on Broadway now, as well as HerCampus.com--an organization she's a part of that caters to young women. Sweet!
Check out video of her full interview with Rocsi below:
Brandy Norwood's episode of VH1's "behind The Music" doesn't air until tomorrow (4/25) night at 9p EST, but we've got several sneak peeks inside until then...
The "It All Belongs To Me" singer is having a great year. New boyfriend, new acting gigs, and her new album Two Eleven dropping soon, she's definitely made a fab comeback.
Check out the sneak peeks of tomorrow night's episode below.
Brandy on learning of Whitney Houston's death:
Discussing losing Whitney on her birthday:
On her struggle with an eating disorder:
Brandy's secret romance with Boyz II Men's Wanya Morris ends in heartbreak after he falls in love with another woman:
Brandy and her closest friends and family will be chronicling her journey from the time she was 18 years old until now. Will you be watching tomorrow night?
The Randomness:
1. The white male managing editor of Essence Magazine, Michael Bullerdick, who caused controversy by getting appointed to the position recently, just got reassigned after he posted reportedly racist pics on the magazine's Facebook page. STORY
She's had 6 years to practice. And she hasn't performed on tv since her utter failure of a performance back in 2006 on BET's "106 & Park." Check out Cassie Ventura's do-over on tonight's episode inside...
Hitting the stage with her signature long hair and shaven sides with a group of energetic dancers, 25-year-old Cassie seemed to improve from her first go-round, relatively speaking. With a more confident demeanor and voice, Bad Boy's pretty First Lady performed her new single "King of Hearts" in a taped performance for her Cassie Army in the "106 & Park" audience:
It wasn't the most vocally strong performance but was pretty good for her. And the whimsical electro-dance style of the song doesn't necessarily need powerful vocals. She seems to have been practicing those dance skills as well. Wonder if her boo/boss/former backup dancer Diddy led her in a few rehearsals...
Cassie seemed ecstatic to be on stage and told her fans during her interview with host Rocsi, "My fans that are here--they know the vibe and the sound and they really inspired me too. I just want to take a second to thank you guys so much. You have supported me non stop, through and through. And I'm so lucky."
She will perform a 20 minute set and the "King of Hearts" in Spain this summer. She will be one of the performers during a concert that will see 60,000 people.
Check out her full interview below:
We'll update with the video of her performance as soon as it becomes available.
Martin Lawrence and his wife of 2 years, Shamicka Lawrence, have decided to call it quits. Find out about the comedian and his woman being on Splitsville Lane inside...
"Big Momma's House" star Martin Lawrence & wife Shamicka, who have 2 kids together, were together for 15 years before making it official in 2010. And today, the couple put out a joint statement saying:
"Out of love and respect for one another we will continue to remain friends and raise our two beautiful daughters together."
After a long night of restaurant hopping last night, Kanye West took his chick Kim Kardashian to dinner again tonight. And the twosome were spotted hopping out the car in downtown Manhattan on their way to another romantic date...
Kim threw on her fave Illusion Loboutins with a skin tight black & white halter cocktail dress for her romantic date with Mr. West tonight.
What were YOU smoking beforehand 'Ye?
He grabbed her hand and guided her past the flashing lights so they could be on their way to the next paparazzi ridden location. I'm sure we'll know soon...
Monday night's big fight where Pilar Sanders allegedly attacked Deion in their suburban Dallas home--this according to Deion--didn't just end with Pilar getting arrested. Police have investigated further today, and have charged Deion with simple assault. Deets inside...
The drama just keeps coming with these two. Pilar Sanders was arrested last night and charged with domestic assault after getting into a fight with her estranged husband Monday night. After Pilar was released today and told not to return to the home for the next 60 days, cops have charged Deion with misdemeanor simple assault. But police say that charge does not warrant an arrest.
NFL.com says the charge against Sanders is one that covers "any act considered aggressive and could be as simple as touching or defensively jerking away from someone's grip." So it seems like a technicality. Or is it? Because Pilar is also accusing Deion of being the one who attacked HER. Not the other way around.
No word on if Deion's new citation will affect his long-standing analyst job with the NFL network.
It was a hot pink night for YBF chicks Rihanna and Tyra Banks. Both of the ladies showed up to Tuesday night's TIME 100 Gala celebrating its '100 Most Influential People In The World.' And since the two fabulous ladies made the list, they made a statement in pink on the red carpet.
Pics inside....
At Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, Rihanna showed up in a strapless hot pink taffeta dress with a slight origami & gathered plunge and a hi-low hem. The now black-haired singer looked fresh & pretty, pulling off the 80's prom look with a surprisingly refreshing appeal.
And the chick didn't let a pretty party dress keep her from partying her way. She tweeted:
Well....2nt consisted of us singing Bob Marley, drinkin Vintage Scotch, and my mom thinkin a joke abt [Ashton] Kutcher was appropriate! #Thxtime100
With big diamond earrings and diamond studded heels on her black pumps, the "Cake" singer was spotted leaving her hotel--Gansevoort Park Ave--before the event:
We're feelin' the look. And clearly so is Ri herself as she tweeted pics in her gown of the night:
And a pic with her mom who flew to NY to surprise her for her big honor.
Also at Tuesday night's event was mogul & Harvard Business School grad Tyra Banks:
In an equally eye catching hot pink color, Tyra rocked an elegant pink strapless gown for her big night:
She's not letting the big day of firing day at her show, "ANTM" (The Jays and Nigel Barker all got fired) affect her "pretty"...even though this makeup is a bit strong. Still fabulous nonetheless.
President Barack Obama stopped by "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" last night where he joined Jimmy and The Roots to "slow jam" the news. Watch the hilarious clip inside and see President Obama talk about keep the student loan interest rate down and White House living.
President Obama sat down with Jimmy Fallon last night for a wide ranging interview that covered everything from higher education and student loans to what it's like to live in the White House.
The duo began with a funny segment where President Obama joined Jimmy and The Roots to slow jam about the State of The Union.....
PRESIDENT OBAMA: I’m President Barrack Obama. And I too want to slow jam the news! On July first of this year the interest rate on Stafford student loans, the same loans many of you use to help pay for college, are set to double. That means some hard working students will be paying about a thousand dollars extra just to get their education. So I’ve called on Congress to prevent this from happening. What we’ve said is simple: now is not the time to make school more expensive for our young people.
JIMMY FALLON: Oh yeah. You should listen to the President – or, as I like to call him, the Preezy of the United Steezy…Things are heating up inside of Congress’s chambers, behind all those closed doors. So the president made a few discreet calls across the aisle. He said ‘Hey, let’s get together on this one.” With college getting more expensive, is it enough by itself to satisfy all your collegiate needs? Ah, Pell no!
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Now there’s some in Congress who disagree. They say keeping the interest rate low isn’t the way to help our students. They say we should be doing everything we can to pay down the national debt. Well, so long as it doesn’t include taxing billionaires. But their position is that students just have to make this rate increase work. Frankly I don’t buy it.
JIMMY FALLON: Mmm-mmm-mmm! The Barackness Monster ain’t buying it. We all know our legislative bodies in the House, tossing and turning late into the night, but still Republicans disagree and could even filibuster. But, if they do, the president said, they’re gonna feel it, buster.
Watch the funny segment where President Obama slow jams with the news:
People magazine just released their annual World's Most Beautiful issue. And new mom Beyonce Knowles has been crowned the Most Beautiful Woman In The World. The "Countdown" singer and superstar dishes on why mommyhood makes her feel more beautiful than ever, and even addresses a few of those foolish rumors...
The 16-time Grammy Award winner is showing no signs of slowing down. She's quickly getting back to her pre-baby weight (even though "curvy Bey" is just as fabulous) and planning her big return with rumors of another world tour, her big A Star Is Born remake, and rumors of another album. And she's looking happier than ever these days taking her baby girl Blue Ivy to & from work.
It's her ninth time making the list, but Beyonce told the mag in her first official post-baby interview that there's no bigger accomplishment than her baby girl:
"I feel more beautiful than I’ve ever felt because I’ve given birth. I have never felt so connected, never felt like I had such a purpose on this earth."
And just how cute is that little 3-and-a-half month old to her mama and proud papa Jay-Z?
Bey gushed, "She's just the cutest thing. She looks like Blue. She's her own person."
She also told the mag she croons one-of-a-kind tunes to her daughter and professes to "love" changing diapers.
"The best thing about having a daughter is having a true legacy," she adds. "The word 'love' means something completely different now."
Sweet!
Get Beyonce's entire exclusive interview with PEOPLE, in which she shares her beauty secrets, reveals how she lost the baby weight and sets the record straight, on all the rumors, on newsstands Friday, April 27.
And she's indeed bearing the children & getting back to business. The 30-year-old workaholic is prepping for her big return to the stage for 3 nights this Memorial Day Weekend at Revel Resort in Atlantic City.
*UPDATE*Beyonce posted on her Tumblr about her new honor saying, "I am humbled and thankful - B". And also posted this behind the scenes video of her People shoot:
Fab actress Tika Sumpter has been announced as a cast member of BET's upcoming scripted drama "Being Mary Jane. Get the deets on the final cast and find out about our fave youngin' KeKe Palmer's latest flick for Nickelodeon.
Akil Productions, the fab company owned by Mara Brock Akil and hubby Salim Akil (pictured above), have announced Tika Sumpter as part of the final cast of their new BET scripted show "Being Mary Jane."
According to the press release, the 1-hour Salim Akil-directed & Mara Brock Akil created drama will star Gabrielle Union in the lead. She portrays a career woman who has achieved a decorated career as the host of a fast paced 24-hour national cable news network. As "Mary Jane" juggles her life, her work and her commitment to family, viewers follow how far she’s willing to go to find those puzzle pieces that she, and society, insist are missing from her life as a single black female. Sounds familiar to many successful black women's lives....
Gabby will be supported by a cast that includes Tika, Omari Hardwick, Richard Roundtree, Margaret Avery, Richard Brooks, Stephen Bishop, Raven Goodwin, Latarsha Rose, Robinne Lee and Aaron Spears.
Production on the show started April 23rd.
And on Nickelodeon.....
We told you earlier about "Rags" a new spin a rags-to-riches story starring KeKe Palmer and Max Schneider set to air on Nickelodeon on Monday, May 28 and 8pm ET.
The modern-day fairytale is executive produced by Nick Cannon, directed by Bille Woodruff and features original music produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. The soundtrack features 9 original songs on which a few, KeKe will be flexing her vocal skills.
Set against a New York City backdrop, this music-infused contemporary twist on the classic Cinderella tale stars Keke Palmer as international pop princess, Kadee Worth and Max Schneider as an orphan and aspiring singer, Charlie Prince.
“Rags is a fresh take on a classic story and delivers a relevant message about finding your true voice,” says Marjorie Cohn, Nickelodeon’s President, Development and Original Programming. “The movie features two super-engaging stars in Keke and Max, and memorable, original songs by one of today’s most prolific producers."
And chaiman/tv personality Nick Cannon added,
“It was an amazing experience bringing my vision to life for Nickelodeon and working alongside such talented people. Viewers will love this reinvented tale about overcoming adversity and following your dreams.”
Is Mariah Carey about to start making Maybach music? We wouldn't even be mad at that. The diva tweeted a photo of herself and Ricky Ross in the studio. See the pic and get the backstory on how Monica intercepted the "It All Belongs To Me" track from R.Kelly...
Mariah Carey was in Miami over the weekend kicking it in the studio with JD, DJ Khaled and Rick Ross. You k now, since Rick reportedly is banned from traveling--doctor's orders! Though deets are scarce about what they were working on, Rick is expected to announce a new single and release date for his album God Forgives, I Don’t very soon.
And of course, whatever they created could appear on Mariah's follow-up to 2009’s Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. In other Mimi news, she'll fly to Paris later this month to celebrate her wedding anniversary and her twins' birthdays before her show in Ischgl, Austria, on April 30.
She tweeted, "very excited to celebrate #dembabies first birthday in a week, I can't even believe it's been a year.. wow!!!"
And by the way, Mrs. Cannon is featured in People Magazine’s “2012 Most Beautiful” issue. Mariah lost 30 pounds on Jenny following the birth of her twins, and she's looking fab.
Also in music.....
As Monica and Brandy reunited on the hit duet “It All Belongs to Me,” Monica revealed to Rap-Up that it was originally an R. Kelly track.
“At the time, the record belonged to R. Kelly and I thank Robert from the bottom of my heart because I had to really go to him and ask him, ‘Can I take this song?’ And he gave it to me. He said, ‘I’ll let you take it.’”
Monica was very grateful as she added,
“R. Kelly is one of the greatest that ever did it, especially when it comes to lyrics and knowing how to make a song that makes sense to the everyday person because I’m just like them.”
Tia & Tamera Mowry always prove just how in sync their twindom really is. Almost 1 year after Tia gave birth to her son Cree, newlywed Tamera has announced she & hubby Adam Housley are pregnant!
Deets on the couple's soon-to-be bouncing bundle of joy inside...
Despite revealing just this past October to TheYBF.com (and also on her "Tia & Tamera" reality show) that she and her Fox News correspondent husband, Adam Housley, were far from having babies be a part of their immediate future--all that has changed.
33-year-old actress Tamera Mowry-Housely just announced she is indeed pregnant with the couple's first child. In a statement, the upcoming Fox "Rebounding" actress revealed:
“Adam and I are excited about having a baby and the blessing that he or she will bring to our lives and to our family and friends. We can’t wait to meet this little miracle!”
And it was all thanks to their "amazing" trip to South Africa that changed their minds about having babies so soon.
“[South Africa] is just so beautiful there and you get a whole new perspective on life, the things that really matter. Adam and I looked at each other and said, ‘Why wait?’”
Makes perfect sense.
The couple--who married last May outside of Napa Valley--have a due date of early November. And what did the cute Tamera have to say about that all-day first trimester sickness?
“The first trimester was a little rough. I was extremely fatigued and had morning sickness — more like evening sickness....Luckily, it has subsided in my second trimester. I feel great as of now — more like myself.”
And just like a twin, her sister just "knew it":
“Her first reaction [when I called to tell Tia] was, ‘I KNEW it!’ Tia is beyond thrilled. Cree now has a play date in the future!”
So happy for her! The sisters kick off the second season of their super cute show "Tia & Tamera" June 11 on the Style Network. Can't wait!
Jay-Z wasn't the only one celebrating the New Jersey Nets' final home game in the Prudential Center Monday night and "Welcome To Brooklyn" afterparty at 40/40 Club. Eva Marcille brought her girls...and the reality show cameras...to the party too.
Peep how much the ladies enjoyed Eva's semi-lap dance inside...
Hello Brooklyn! The Nets have officially entered the final stage of their move to BK and the new Brooklyn Nets Stadium. So folks headed to the 40/40 club to celebrate Monday night, and "Top Model" Eva Marcille made her way to the red carpet and inside with her girls Denyce Lawton, Kelly Marie Dunn and Nikki Chu. They are all filming Eva's reality show "Taking Hollywood." So the antics will likely be shown on tv soon.
Eva rocked barely-there shorts and a sheer black blouse with a blazer for the red carpet pics. Chick loves wearing the least amount of clothes possible...
It's been 10-years since the unfortunate death of singer/rapper Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and now her former bandmates Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas are celebrating TLC’s 20th anniversary and revealing some little unknown facts about the talented late Left Eye....
Before Destiny's Child, TLC ,was the world's leading girl group. Blending R&B, pop and hip hop, the CrazySexyCool gals broke records and made headlines with their antics in and out of the studio.
But their time as a leading group was tragically cut short as the band dealt with the untimely death of Left Eye in a car crash in Honduras 10 years ago.
Now T-Boz and Chilli are revealing to ESSENCE.com about misconceptions & the good times with their friend. Here are the highlights:
ESSENCE.com: Today marks 10 years since we lost Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in a tragic car accident. What do you remember about that day?
T-BOZ: She died a day before my birthday. I remember everything. I was with security in my Porsche and I said to them, ‘I feel like I’m going to get in a wreck and I want to go home.’ The driver said: ‘Well that’s on the other side of town.’ I didn’t care; I wanted to go home. I just felt something was going to happen to me, but it wasn’t me it was Lisa. I was sitting in a rocking chair in my daughter’s room after putting her down when I got a call from Chilli. She was screaming. I had just gotten out the hospital from fighting sickle cell so I had to be careful about getting upset. Everybody was trying to keep me calm.
I remember staying up all night and Patti Labelle and Missy Elliot calling me. Whitney Houston was at Lisa’s Funeral. She sat behind me and rubbed my shoulders for two hours, while telling me ‘it’s going to be okay, it’s going to be alright.’ Right before that, I remember Lisa played a trick where she went missing and nobody knew where she was. This was the one time I wish she was joking and doing one of her stunts, but she wasn’t.
ESSENCE.com: People playfully identified her as the crazy one in the group because of the notable fire in 1994 amongst other things. What’s the biggest misconception about Left Eye?
T-BOZ: That’s the part that sucked. The fire could’ve even been stopped if they stopped acting like little girls and put the fire out. That really could’ve been settled differently. I just really wish people would’ve known her for the sweet passionate person she really was. She was very creative too, I remember I was in the hospital for four months and she sent me a clock that she made and the clock read: “Take all the time you need.” She really put thought into things.
CHILLI: People didn’t understand how much of a heart she really had and how passionate and giving she was. She might have come across as someone who wanted to start trouble all the time but that wasn’t it; she just had a lot to say. Sometimes when you speak what’s on your mind—I’m talking everything on your mind, people can get a misconception of you. So because she spoke her mind, all of the time, it caused people to misjudge her.
ESSENCE.com: A lot of people believe TLC was feuding when Left Eye passed. What was your relationship like at the time?
CHILLI: It was actually very good; we had started working on the last album. We all had solo deals. I was just like “we have to do another record,” I was willing to put everything on hold. That was the last time we got to spend quality time together before she passed. The relationship was good; she was acting silly again, playing pranks on people. Her death was very devastating for us but I can look back and say I was happy about what our relationship was like, at that time.
T-BOZ: No matter what, everyone will go through a disagreement, that’s what makes us all different. So it’s unrealistic to tell anybody that we all agreed with everything that everyone did or said. That doesn’t happen in a real relationship. At the time, she just didn’t agree with what the record company was doing with the project, so she felt strong about standing up about it. It had nothing personal to do with the group members. I didn’t have a problem with that.
ESSENCE.com: Tell us about the VH1 biopic. Are you looking to have someone in Hollywood play you guys, or all new unknown actresses?
T-BOZ: It’s going to have to be new kids, I can’t think of anybody that can play us, it’s not just about looking like me or dressing like me, you have to have the attitude, the dance moves. The writer of the biopic, Kate Lanier, is amazing. She did the movies Set it Off and What’s Love Got to Do with It. Hopefully the movie will be out before the end of the year.
CHILLI: It’s going to be like a movie of the week on VH1. You know how the Jackson Five have the movie The Jackson Five: An American Dream? It would be like that. I love how they still show the Jackson Five movie now; they will show that for the next 40 years. [Laughs] I’m really excited about it; this was a dream of mine. I knew that we would have a movie about us one day. I want to go for someone unknown to play us. I really would prefer to reach out and find someone that resembles us and who really has the acting chops and who can dance.
Chilli & T-Boz also revealed a new 20-year anniversary tour is in the works with the help of L.A. Reid. Great to hear them sharing things about Left Eye we didn't know.
Wiz Khalifa stopped by Power 105's The Breakfast Club this morning in NYC. And he dished all about his fiancee Amber Rose and said she takes great care of him (but doesn't smoke weed at all), his various musical influences, getting rich & more. Check out his charming interview (we can't help it...this dude is hilarious and we're really starting to love him), plus Ashanti's performance this morning on "Live Wth Kelly!"
Ashanti hit the stage on "Live With Kelly!" this morning to perform to perform her single "The Woman You Love." Her single, from her own Written Entertainment label, will appear on her upcoming studio album Braveheart dropping this June. Check out the vid of the former Inc chick hitting the stage in leather shorts and those red curls...
Slightly confused about this "Princess of R&B" title guest co-host Mario Lopez gave her in that intro. But do you boo.
Wiz made an interesting statement about why he didn't sign his fiancee' Amber Rose in place of rapper Lola Monroe. He said he "doesn't want Amber on the road touring" because it "gets hard out there." When the hosts pointed out that she could indeed handle the road and touring--Wiz seemed to get more truthful saying it would just be difficult for them to start a family if she enters the music business extra hard. Especially since they're trying to start this family SOON. Can't say I'm that mad he's advising her keeping that music "career" to a minimum. And no--they won't be televising their wedding. They want to "keep it real" for themselves.
Other highlights:
On how he asked Amber to marry him:
Real simple. It was in the morning time. I just rolled out of bed and got the ring out of the laundry room. Didn't brush my teeth. I was sober...I gave her the real me.
On Amber's reaction:
I didn't cry. But she was crying so much she didn't know what to do. I was like, "Say something yo!" I didn't let her take time to think about. Knew she was going to say yes.
On how he knew Amber was "The One"
It was just undeniable. None of my family had a problem, just people who don't know us. I never even looked at what people were talking about. I was only concerned about me and her. That just grew. We're the best of friends. We just know more about each other. We just know each other.
On Kanye shouting out respect for him on "Theraflu"
Hell yeah I was very surprised.
On him and Kanye running to each other behind stage at a concert and having beef
That was never true. I've never met him in my life. I don't know what goes on. I be too stoned for anything.
On getting followed around the store while shopping at Barney's
I don't want to put Barney's on blast because they sent me a nice letter of apology for that incident. It happens world wide in places other than Barneys. You just do what you came there to do. I just spent the money and now when I go to any Barney's anywhere they know me and they have the champagne waiting on me at the door.
On if his fans flipped on him because he's become more mainstream
Fans are genuinely happy about it because they've seen the come up from when I was just a regular dude. You can see on Youtube how I was then and how my attitude is exactly the same.
On if he reads comments on blogs
I like to read everything. There's a website somebody's trying to start called Feed Wiz. But I eat a lot. My metabolism is super fast. I like hot cheetos, Funyons, Whoppers from Burger King.
His next studio album ONIFC (Only N*gga In First Class) drops late August.
Zoe Saldana is covering the debut issue of Cosmopolitan For Latinas, where she dishes on what it means to be a fierce Latina. See the pics inside....
Columbiana & Avatar actress Zoe Saldana, who was born to a Dominican father and Puerto Rican mother, is red hot on cover of the Latina spinoff of Cosmopolitan magazine. In the mag, 33-year-old Zoe celebrates her heritage and discusses being a fiery Latina.
Here are the highlights and subscriber cover (below):
On being a Latina: “People think of Latina women as being fiery and fierce, which is usually true. But I think the quality that so many Latinas possess is strength. I’m very proud to have Latin blood.”
On being a ballerina in her teens: “I had to quit ballet because it felt like a part of me was dying inside. It takes a lot of courage to face up to things you can’t do because we feed ourselves so much denial … In dance you use every party of your body except your voice. I wanted to start acting because I wanted to use my voice.”
The issue hits stands May 1. Gorgeous pics. You feelin' her shoot?
President Barack Obama, looking his usual dapper self in the Oval Office, ison the latest cover of ROLLING STONE magazine. Get the deets on his youth-targeted interview inside....
As he kicks his 2012 re-election campaign into high gear, President Barack Obama has popped up on the cover of the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine. Inside, he talks about everything from Republican candidate Mitt Romney to the impact our President has on young Black children as their role model. Obama said,
"That's hugely important. But you shouldn't also underestimate the fact that there are a whole bunch of little white girls and white boys all across the country who just take it for granted that there's an African-American president. That's the president they're growing up with, and that's changing attitudes."
He also discusses that he did not think his election marked the beginning of a "post-racial period." That's a big statement to the world from a man in his position--even though it's deemed as stating the obvious in many ethnic communities.
President Obama has been making an effort all week long to appeal to the younger voters. He spoke about lowering student loan rates and connected with Jimmy Fallon's audience last night. And I must say I appreciate that. Very rarely do Presidential candidates even blink an eye to the 18-30 crowd.
The interview drops this Friday.
EXTRAS:
1. Jennifer Hudson exited the courtroom before graphic evidence is produced during today's William Balfour trial. Story.
This past weekend, while scheduled to perform at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, Wiz Khalifa had the cops called on him while having a smoke out at the Holiday Inn.
Drama inside...
The pro-weed rapper was the headliner for Saturday's Rites To Spring concert weekend at Vanderbilt University.
While some reports say the incident occurred today, it actually happened over the weekend, even though the Nashville local news is just releasing the report today.
Wiz was not arrested, but was cited for his weed possession after someone called the cops to report a "strong weed odor" coming from one of the rooms. Wiz reportedly tossed the stash right before the cops made their way into the room, but he was caught and given a citation.
Folks are absolutely fed up with the utter foolywangery that is VH1's "Basketball Wives." It only took 4 seasons for that to happen. Yet and still, a petition has popped up to boycott cast member Evelyn Lozada's new spinoff show....and Star Jones is gathering up support of powerful women to get the show and its often embarrassing antics stopped.
Deets inside...
Evelyn and her assistant Nia Crooks ganging up on co-star Jennifer Williams this season seems to have been the straw that broke the slaphappy camel's back. Because folks are more up in arms than ever at the antics of the grown women on this show. From jumping on tables just to get a lick in on another female to throwing glass in the face of another to may-jah curse-your-ass-out arguments, it's a lot going on "Basketball Wives" these days.
An excerpt from an online petition that is now circulating (check it out in full HERE) reads:
“Evelyn Lozada is a bully. The violence on ‘Basketball Wives’ is horrible and disgraceful. This is not a hate petition against Eveyln Lozada. We simply will not support violence. It hurts to see violence amongst women on television for entertainment purposes. It is not OK for women to hit each other on TV.
Just about every altercation and argument on the show has involved Evelyn in some way, shape or form. From the yelling match on the season 4 premier against her former bestie, Jen, to the table climbing and hair pulling in the last couple of episodes, the woman has a problem for reals."
Ha! The petition also asks viewers to call and write Viacom in order to stop the release of "Ev & Ocho," Evelyn's spinoff show with fiance Chad OchoCinco.
Meanwhile, former "The View" co-host Star Jones went on a twitter rant reading these chicks. Which we assume would include her ex-hubby, Al Reynolds, who appeared on several episodes as the girls' bestie. *eyebrow raised*
She popped off this week saying:
“It may be ‘comfortable’ to be quiet when women of color slap the crap out of each other & run across tables barefoot, but #ENOUGHisENOUGH."
“About to put together a group of sisters to finally ‘tell the truth’ about the image of women of color in the media.”
She continued:
"And the thought that the woman from #BBW who was smacked doesn't have the RIGHT to file assault charges is LUDICROUS! You NEVER give up your right not to have your ‘person’ intentionally assaulted unless you are participating in an agreed physical activity.
…little black girls deserve more than what we're giving! It sickens me @lov3lylina85 when young sis think that behavior is acceptable. U can't get a REAL JOB acting like an animal."
So...who's getting their virtual picket signs ready for the fight? Any takers?
And the chick didn't let a pretty party dress keep her from partying her way. She tweeted:
