Wednesday, August 3, 2011

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

FRESH MEAT: Meet Oren Wilkes, The New Face Of NIVEA FOR MEN!

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 08:48 AM PDT

The #1 skinare brand in the world has tapped a fresh YBF face for their brand new mens' skincare division.  Oren Wilkes, a 23-year-old model who is sure to take the fashion world by storm, has popped up on the scene.  And with beautiful skin courtesy of Nivea.  Come inside and meet the new face of the Nivea For Men brand....

 

Oren Wilkes is more that just a pretty face and modelesque features.  The 21-year-old model is a Los Angeles native (he also lived in Japan for 8 years growing up) and graduate of USC’s School of Public Policy and Development.  And he runs his own site UnbiasedWriter.com, a mens' lifestyle blog.  Currently signed to Wilhelmina, he's already shot fashion editorials with top fashion photographers Giuliano Bekor, Mark Leibowitz and national advertising campaigns for Adidas and Asics.

Oren has recently signed on with Nivea For Men as their brand ambassador to help promote the their new "Look Like You Give A Damn" lifestlye campaign.  His role entails brand appearances, developing content or the website, and more.

TheYBF.com caught up with the model (who is an absolute sweetheart and--trust us--knows how to have a good time in the party life) and got to know him a little better. 

 

A few Q&A's with the single (you know we asked) guy:

Tell us your dream job within the modeling industry?
There are a lot of amazing designers out there, but I'd have to say Calvin Klein.

What do you look for in a significant other?

Loyalty is most important to me. I need a woman I can trust and build with. I'm single at the moment, definitely looking for something a little more serious in my next relationship.

The celeb chick you're crushing on at this moment?

Rihanna. Hands down. I think she's sexy and not to mention has a nice body. I recently got to see her in concert at the Staples Center, very talented I must say.


Speaking of talent, what's the craziest thing you've done in bed?
Oh man! My mother would kill me. No comment :)

You told us you're a music fan.  Who are the two artists you would you love to see perform together?
I'm really excited to see John Legend and Sade in concert next month. Two of my favorite artists. I grew up listening to my parents play her music, and I've been a fan of John Legend since he released his first album. 

What's the Nivea Men's product you can't live without?

The Energizing Face Scrub is AMAZING. 

And what's your heritage/background?  Sometimes it's hard to tell with models since many can play ambiguous roles.

Oh, ALL BLACK!  [laughs]

So what was it like being a young black boy growing up in Japan for that many years?

My dad [James Wilkes] played pro-basketball for the Bulls and Pistons.  We went over to Japan when he decided to finish his career there.  I went to an International school though, so we spoke English. Unfortunately, I didn't learn any other languages.  Wish I had though!

More pics:

Love seeing new YBF faces on the model & branding scene...

Kanye West Joins Nicki Minaj On Stage In NYC + Halle Berry's Lunchdate With Olivier Martinez

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 08:00 AM PDT

 

Last night, Kanye West hit the stage with Nicki Minaj during her NYC concert and we have pics & vid of the duo.  See the photos inside and pics of Halle Berry spotted out to lunch with her beau Olivier Martinez yesterday. 

 

Nicki Minaj had special guest Kanye West pop up on stage for her concert in New York last night. 

Nicki was the opening act for Britney Spears' 'Femme Fatale' show at the Nassau Coliseum.

 

Watch a snippet of Kanye and Nicki here:

 

 

And in California.....

 

 

Halle Berry was spotted in West Hollywood yesterday wearing a low-cut uber cute multi-colored maxi dress with a snakeskin bag.

 

Halle had been out to lunch with her boyfriend Olivier Martinez.

 

The couple may have been out celebrating that a judge in L.A. recently extended the restraining order against Halle's stalker Richard Franco.  Richard will be unable to go within 100 yards of Halle and Nahla (shown above at the beach yesterday) for the next three years.

Photos via Jason Winslow / Splash News / GoffPhotos

Beyonce Goes Parisian Luxe For Harper's BAZAAR September 2011 Issue, Shoots "Party" Vid With Kelly Rowland [PICS]

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 06:45 AM PDT

Beyonce landed the coveted September issue cover of Harper's Bazaar UK magazine.  She shot the gorgeous pics at the Ritz in Paris and rocked a red boatneck sheen-heavy dress for the cover shot.

 

And last night, Bey rolled into a New Jersey trailer park to shoot her brand new video for her Andre 3000 & Kanye West laced track "Party."  She brought her girls Kelly & Solange along as well.  Her magazine shots and pics from the video set when you read on...

Bey got gorge in a black and white evening gown and dramatic mod eyes in opulent rooms of her luxe Paris hotel.  A baubled out bracelet and bronzy skin top off all her looks:

Hot.  I wonder if this Gucci dress shot will be used elsewhere.
 

Yesterday Bey had a long day of shooting at South Brunswick’s Oakdale Mobile Home Park for her brand new video for her next single "Party."  One of my fave tracks off 4.  But she had her girl Kelly and sister Solange along for the shoot and they had a bit of fun:

The girls danced it up on the set in a big yellow fur and purple sparkling leg-baring outfit for Kelly.

Who needs pants anymore?

And pics of Bey and Solange arriving to the set with the ever-present Julius:

Fab times I'm sure.  Reportedly, a video for "Countdown" will be shot with her "Sweet Dreams" director.

Pics: INF/Rap-Up

MOMMY FAB: Mariah Carey Back In A Swimsuit Already!

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 05:54 AM PDT

Though she just gave birth to twins back in April, Mariah Carey is already back in a swimsuit, having recently tweeted a pic of herself in the ocean. See it inside.....

 

Mariah Carey, who had what she calls a "difficult" pregnancy, was recently spotted taking in some waves at the beach.  The mother of twins had previously said of her pregnancy,

''Everyone was always saying to me, "Oh but it's all worth it. And I was like, "Yeah well it's easy for you to say when you're not the one whose feet are this big".  She added, It turned into a really difficult time. [Being] pregnant with twins is different to anything.  My body went through so much - you have to keep those twins in as long as possible, but it's a sacrifice you make for them.  I was literally 47 weeks pregnant.'

But now the singer is back in fighting shape having tweeted a pic of herself in a black swimsuit saying,

'Ocean work out! It's been a loooong time since I've been in the ocean.'

Looking good Mariah!  By the way, MiMi is back in the studio recording with Tony Bennett for his Duets II album.

MAGAZINE FAB: Tupac Shakur Covers "XXL" On The 15th Anniversary Of His Death

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 04:26 PM PDT

Rap icon Tupac Shakur covers the latest issue of XXL in a profile that celebrates the rapper, who passed away 15 years ago.  Get the deets inside...

 

In the latest issue of XXL which hits stands on August 16, the mag pays tribute to the late great rapper by interviewing those who were closest to him. One such person was his biological father Bill Garland. In the profile Bill spoke of his late son saying,

 

“[Tupac] cared for people,” he said. “That was his main thing. He really cared for people. I think that’s why he would get so upset when people tried to question his commitment, his love for Black women or Black men. The East Coast/West Coast, you know, that’s a fabrication. I don’t have to begin to tell you that. So when that was questioned, it bothered him. Because he would give his heart or soul. He was a giving person. He would give anything to people. He would go in a store. [If there was a] Black man who couldn’t afford a $1,500 pair of boots, he would buy ’em for him. Think that Black man would ever forget Tupac? That’s just the way he is. But I don’t think that he did it for that. He did it because he had it, and he didn’t. That’s the way he is.”

In addition, XXL spoke with ’Pac’s ex-wife, Keisha Morris, his first manager and one-time roommate and mentor, Leila Steinberg, his stepfather Mutulu Shakur, and his rap group the Outlawz. 

The mag also goes in depth about the studio shooting which led to the East/West Coast beef. 

 

The Randomness:

1.  Marvel Comics announces Black Spider Man.  Story.

2.  Naturi Naughton and Jenifer Lewis deny the existence of sexism on their new show ‘Playboy Club.’  Story.

3.  Clearly Waka Flocka Flame is trying to beat DMX's record of number of arrests in a certain span of time.  He was cuffed again today for possession of weed.  SIGH. Story

 

The First Look INSIDE Will & Jada Pinkett Smith's UBER FAB Malibu Home!

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 12:50 PM PDT

Ever wonder what the homes of multi upon multi millionaires, The Smith's, look like?  Well here's the first ever look at just one of their humble abodes--their ultra fab Malibu escape.

 

Will & Jada let Architectural Digest into their gigantic (it's 25,000 sq. feet!) luxe pad.  Read on for the sick views Willow, Jaden, Trey and their parents get to wake up to in the morn....

They're called the First Fam of Black Hollywood for a reason.  Will & Jada are giving us a peek into their insanely gorgeous Malibu home in the upcoming new issue of Architectural Digest magazine.  It took 7 years to build & create and they moved in 7 years ago.  But it's their first time showing such intimate pics, and they don't disappoint.

The power couple graces the cover--with Jada in a hot Lanvin dress--in their open air, 3 wall plush living room.  And inside, they pose with their whole fam of superstar kiddies--including Trey, Smith's son from his first marriage, 18; Jaden, 13; and Willow, 10.

Then they showcase the impeccably decorated (the nature moved inside relaxing feel I love) rooms inside their Mediterranean adobe style home, designed by architect Stephen Samuelson, with interiors by Judith Lance.

Jada said about the home: "For Will and me this home was always a spiritual endeavor.  We’re very earthy, organic people. We wanted to create a family retreat, something made by hand and as natural as possible, something that ties back to the land.  Whatever it becomes, the craftsmanship will always represent our union and the love of our family."

What all does this 9-bedroom circular designed pad (Will said it represents "an infinite cycle that represented what Jada and I hoped for our love") have that makes you want Will & Jada to adopt you? A meditation room for the Mrs., a recording studio (where Willow recorded her hit song "Whip My Hair"), a huge pasture and lake with a gazebo, basketball and tennis courts, three golf holes, a mix of Persian, Moroccan, Spanish, and Southwest American cultures, and much more.
 

The living room includes a 1930s copper lantern from Downtown, columns wrapped in jute rope, a pair of ’60s Brazilian rosewood chairs (at left) from Noho Modern, custom-made lounge seating (at right) upholstered in a Rose Tarlow leather, wing chairs covered in kilims and leather, and a beige silk area rug by Hokanson.  Oh, and they have full views of the mountains.
 

A bedroom terrace.

Will calls the lake gazebo his favorite spot saying, “Answers come to me out there."

Will is currently filming Men In Black III and Jada stars on TNT's "HawthoRNe" and also set to star as a voice in Madagascar 3.  F'in fab.

The September issue of Architectural Digest is available on newsstands August 9.

BEACH BOOS: Shaunie O'Neal & Boyfriend Marlon Yates Get Playfully Romantic In Mexico!

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 11:48 AM PDT

Shaunie O'Neal needed a little break from her Executive Producer duties of "Basketball Wives" and other VH1 shows.  So she took her boyfriend Marlon Yates down to Mexico for a little R&R vacay time. 

 

Pics of the twosome getting flirty and cutesy in the ocean inside...

Drink throwing and catfights and lawsuits can take a lot out of a chick.  So a little R&R before the "Basketball Wives 3" reunion was necessary for Shaunie O'Neal.  She and her boo Marlon had some flirty playtime on the beach while in Mexico over the weekend:

Cute and colorful cover-up for Shaunie.

Marlon's obviously catching a booty-view instead of a beach view.

Fun times for the couple I'm sure.

Marlon tweeted a pic of himself in the hotel robe saying he was busy relaxing and smoking his cigars.

VH1 is airing the "jaw dropping" season finale of " Basketball Wives 3" Monday, August 8th at 8PM ET/PT.  And the following two Mondays will have the two-part Basketball Wives 3 Reunion Special premiering August 15th and August 22nd at 8PM ET/PT.

Will you be watching?

Pics via SPLASH

Chris Brown Releases Cover Art For "Boy In Detention" And Drops "Strip" Ft. Kevin McCall + D-Wade & Carmelo Anthony's Beijing Dance Off!

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 11:04 AM PDT

 

Chris Brown recently dropped the cover art for his Boy In Detention mixtape along with a new single called "Strip" featuring Kevin McCall. Get the deets inside and watch a funny video of Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony having a dance off in Beijing with the Chinese Breakdancing Team....

 

Chris Brown is dropping a new mixtape on August 5 called Boy In Detention and he made the announcement via Twitter saying, 

"New (chris brown) hop hop mixtape called 'Boy in Detention' coming soon!'… I'm a singer so if this mixtape doesn't reach you quota for hip hop! Simply don't listen," he tweeted.

Then he gave a shoutout to the cover artist saying,

"MIXTAPE COVER ART done by wonderful @minakwon."

And we have a leak from the tape called "Strip" featuring Kevin McCall.  The song was produced by Tha Bizness and could be a club banger. 

 

Listen to "Strip" here:

 

 

In other news.....

 

The Jordan Brand boys are traveling the world this summer doing some promo work.  So watch Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony challenge the Chinese Breakdancing Team to a dance off during a street game in Beijing. 

SPOTTED: Kimora, Kenzo & Djimon Make A NYC Arrival

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 10:28 AM PDT

Kimora Lee was spotted arriving at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in NYC yesterday.  After spending the weekend in the Hamptons, she and her baby boy Kenzo and hubby Djimon Hounsou arrived in Manhattan.

 

Pics inside....

KiKi and her cognac Birkin and Louboutin pumps made a laid back fab arrival to her hotel yesterday afternoon.  The mother of 3 is looking slimmer and trimmer every time we see her.  So somebody must be working out hard these days.

And little Kenzo hammed it up for the cameras in his daddy Djimon's arms.  Cuteness.

Pics via SPLASH

WEDDING FAB: Eric Benet And Manuela Testolini Marry...AND Announce THEY'RE PREGNANT!

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 09:19 AM PDT

 

On Sunday, R&B singer Eric Benet married fiancee' of 4 years Manuela Testolini in a lavish ceremony in Newport Beach, Calif.  Get the deets on the couple's fab wedding and finding out what the couple is expecting in a few months inside.....

 

We told you previously about R&B singer (and Halle Berry's ex-hubby) Eric Benet getting engaged to the gorgeous Manuela Testolini (the ex-wife of Prince).  And now the two are officially hitched!

The couple wed in a lavish ceremony in Newport Beach, California this past Sunday.  And it was attended by their celebrity friends Shaun Robinson (shown above with the newlyweds at the ceremony), Samuel L. Jackson and his wife LaTanya Richardson, David Foster and Niecy Nash.

The bride wore a one-of-a-kind Monique Lhuillier dress while the groom donned a Lanvin tuxedo. In addition to the couple writing their own vows, their reception incorporated elements of Eric's Southern roots and Manuela's Egyptian and Italian heritage. 

Also, it was revealed during the reception that the couple is expecting their first child together.  This will be Eric's second child (he also has 18-year-old musician daughter India).

Eric tweeted on his wedding day: "This is one perfect day !!"

And a source joked to Page Six that Eric demanded a "retoss" after his daughter India's boyfriend caught the bride's garter belt. 

Congrats to the couple!

 

The Randomness:

1.  The Dream set to release a free internet album on August 31.  Story.

2.  Diddy's son Justin Combs being recruited by several college football teams.  Story.
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