The Young, Black, and Fabulous

---

• WHO RAN IT: Brandy VS. Salli Richardson In Ekaterina Kukhareva
• Angela Simmons GETS MASSAGED With Ex Bow Wow, BUMPS Into Taraji P. Henson During Jason Bolden's SHOE LAUNCH
• DMX Arrested...AGAIN...For Driving Without A License
• Mary J. Blige GETS REAL For March 2013 VIBE Magazine Cover & Spread, Dishes On Her Fave Young Artists
• EXCLUSIVE: Erica Mena Says Rich Is STILL Her Man...And Dishes On Who's REALLY Winning Between Tahiry & Kaylin
• Beyoncé Goes GLITZY For "Life Is But A Dream" Documentary Premiere + Jay-Z, Solange, The Dream & More Hit The Carpet
• 2013 STATE OF THE UNION: First Lady Michelle Obama Gets STUNNING In Glittery Jason Wu Dress + President Obama's Speech
• FASHION WEEK FAB: Jada Pinkett Smith, John Legend & Chrissy, Rachel Roy And Selita Ebanks Hit Badgley Mischka & Vera Wang
• SNEAK PEEKS -- Beyonce's HBO Documentary Premiere & Her "Next Chapter" Visit With Oprah
• FAB CHICKS DO SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S 2013 SWIMSUIT EDITION: Chrissy Teigen, Ariel Meredith & Adaora
• Solange COVERS "FADER" Magazine + Mariah Carey ANNOUNCES New "Almost Home" Single
• Meet The Cast Of Bravo's Newest Atlanta Reality Show--"Married To Medicine"

WHO RAN IT: Brandy VS. Salli Richardson In Ekaterina Kukhareva Posted: 13 Feb 2013 09:10 AM PST Brandy & Salli Richardson both rocked a look that people either loved or absolutely hated.  But who pulled it off the best?  Decide inside..   "Wildest Dreams" singer Brandy first rocked this edgy gold mini dress by London-based designer Ekaterina Kukhareva at the 2012 American Music Awards in November.  The 34-year-old paired her dress, with a pleated one-shoulder sash overlay and macrame embellishment, with matching gold and black boots as she hit the red carpet.  People were torn on whether they loved the look.  But if she rocked it better than actress Salli Richardson is the question. 45-year-old Salli stepped out in the shimmering ensemble while hosting the 21st Pan African Film Festival on February 7th. And she paired her look with black sandals with a thick ankle strap. So.... WHO RAN IT?!

Angela Simmons GETS MASSAGED With Ex Bow Wow, BUMPS Into Taraji P. Henson During Jason Bolden's SHOE LAUNCH Posted: 13 Feb 2013 08:20 AM PST   Angela Simmons was seen getting a massage with her famous ex-boyfriend Bow Wow and running into one of her famous friends, Taraji P. Henson on the streets of New York yesterday.  Take a peek inside a random Tuesday in Angela Simmons' life inside.... After days of sitting front row at some of NY's most high profile shows and before hitting up Beyonce's HBO documentary premiere, socialite and business mogul Angela Simmons needed to take a break from all the madness, so she called up an old friend...Bow Wow. Angela, who also stopped by "106 & Park" Monday, found some time to relax and catch up with him over drinks and a massage at Stone Rose Lounge in the Time Warner Center.   Meanwhile, over on the east side..... "Person of Interest" star Taraji P. Henson was spotted going to see Jason Bolden launch a capsule shoe collection for Brazilian shoe company SCHUTZ. Taraji was also in town for fashion week and has been promoting her hit show. On the way into the launch, she bumped into Angela and they seemed to check out each other's fabulous outfits.       Cute. Back inside the boutique.....the collection consists of 2 styles of shoes (a sandal and a pump) each coming in electric orange and black. Rachel Roy was also spotted at the launch.   BONUS: Before she bumped into Taraji, Angela posed with Jason and one of the shoes from his collection.   Photos via Diane Cohen/WENN.com/Dario Alequin/INFphoto.com

DMX Arrested...AGAIN...For Driving Without A License Posted: 13 Feb 2013 07:26 AM PST DMX is back on his jail ish.  The rapper was arrested around 2AM this morning in Spartanburg, SC.  All thanks to him ridin' round and gettin' it....without a license.  Deets inside....   It's feeling like a while ago when DMX was getting arrested every other day.  Last night around 1am, X stopped at the "Lil' Cricket" with his 5 month old daughter in the car. Why he had a 5 month old out at that hour, who knows.  And when cops recognized him....knowing they had given him several tickets before....they stopped him. WISTV reports: According to the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office report, a deputy recognized Simmons at the Li'l Cricket on Gap Creek Road just before 1 a.m. Deputies said after he went inside the store, he came back outside and got in the driver's seat then drove away. Deputies said Simmons had been issued tickets in Greer and Duncan, accused of driving without a license, and a state DMV search showed he only had a state identification card on him. After pulling him over, deputies said the car was turned over to a licensed passenger riding in the car. Earl--X's government name--went before the judge at 6am and was released shortly after.  Video is above of him talking to the news after his release. "When I could have just paid the money right there on the spot," Simmons told FOX Carolina. "Basically it was just five hours wasted for nothing. I don't have a court date or a court appearance." Meanwhile, his ex-wife Tashera is dishing all his dirt on the TLC show "Starter Wives."  Photo via FOX Carolina

Mary J. Blige GETS REAL For March 2013 VIBE Magazine Cover & Spread, Dishes On Her Fave Young Artists Posted: 13 Feb 2013 06:54 AM PST The February/March 2013 STYLE issue of VIBE magazine tapped Mary J. Blige as its cover subject.  And she's also helping the brand ring in its 20th anniversary.   Her cover and inside pics, plus how Queen Mary describes the current state of R&B.... Looking fab with her signature look of blonde swoops and chic clothing with a bit of realness added in, MJB is all over the pages of the new VIBE magazine.  And it's her 10th cover.  Yeah...10th. She revealed to the mag how she is taking stock of things: from love and happiness, her remarkable career evolution, acting and what young artists she listens to.   On the subject of her style being softer: “I’ve evolved, I’m a woman now, and I’ve softened. I’ve been a tomboy my whole life. But then you get older, you get married, you soften up."   When asked about current R&B she says: “I am so proud of what Rihanna is doing.  She is speaking to her generation, and she’s living her life in front of them. I don’t even think she is purposely doing it. She’s such a beautiful girl, and I don’t think she knows she’s that beautiful. She’s just living her life, and leading her generation, and she has great, great songs.” She also lists Adele, Amy Winehouse, Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Bruno Mars as some of her other favorites.   Check out more pics from the issue below: And in case you missed it, check out the pics from VIBE's 20th Anniversary event this past weekend honoring MJB HERE. Head over to VIBE for more.

EXCLUSIVE: Erica Mena Says Rich Is STILL Her Man...And Dishes On Who's REALLY Winning Between Tahiry & Kaylin Posted: 13 Feb 2013 05:16 AM PST Love & Hip Hop star Erica Mena has us frustrated with her extraness one minute, then makes us respect her fearlessness with telling it like it is.  And even after all the drama--both on and off camera--with her boyfriend and co-star Rich Dollaz, she admits to us they're still together.   She also dropped a dime on who's REALLY winning between Tahiry and Kailyn when it comes to Joe Budden.... We caught up with model Erica Mena at Monday night's Isis King Fashion Show in NYC (pictured above with the show's models).  And Erica, who's also trying to gain some credibility as a singer, confirmed she's still with Rich Dollaz.  Yup, even after the interviews he's done recently where some would say he played her out by not trying to officially claim her.  And even after all his arrests/child support drama. Erica told TheYBF.com about Rich: "Everything is good! The good thing about us is that we're always working, we definitely stay on task and we always have something going on so our relationship always stays hot, fresh, sexy, intriguing." Well, keeping things good since he's also your manager is always a good thing.  She's been working on a singing career, and even revealed she wants to get certain popular rappers to hop on the remix to her song "Where Do I Go From Here" (out on iTunes now). "I like Future, I think the style of the song...they match! I think maybe someone dope like Eve on it, get a little female side of things. You just never know but I have some good things in the works." Then, she gave us her two cents about that Tahiry-Kailyn-Joe Budden love triangle.  And Erica would know a little something about feisty love.  She says after that big fight between the two chicks (previewed last week), Tahiry needs to fess up about her feelings...because Joe clearly puts Kailyn at the top of his list.  No matter what. "Um... I think Tahiry needs to admit to the fact she is in love with Joe, and kind of acknowledge that fact that she is a little bit jealous of Kaylin," Erica tells TheYBF.com. "I think honestly Kaylin is playing her position the right way, Joe puts Kaylin on a different pedestal than Tahiry, and I think that's whay kind of bother's Tahiry, and that's what made her react the way she did." "He kind of brags about Kaylin more than( as far as social networks) he's quick to put out there that he's in love with this woman. She's young she's intriguing, she's fresh, and aint nothing like good meat. Ain't nothing like good fresh meat." And as for those STD rumors floating around the net about Tahiry, Erica tells TheYBF.com she wouldn't be surprised if they were true: "God bless if that's true and definitely stop spreading it. If you're a walking disease you should put yourself in a bubble and stay there. I think that could be true though... but then it may not but if it is she should definitely slow her roll." Gotta love her.  Season 3 of "Love & Hip Hop" returns next Monday night on VH1. Pic: Instagram

Beyoncé Goes GLITZY For "Life Is But A Dream" Documentary Premiere + Jay-Z, Solange, The Dream & More Hit The Carpet Posted: 12 Feb 2013 10:18 PM PST Beyoncé Knowles has showcased her Executive Producer/Director work to the world.  The premiere of her "Life Is But A Dream" HBO documentary went down at the Ziegfeld Theater in NYC Tuesday night.  And her family and celebrity friends all came out to support.   Check out all the glitzy pics inside...   In a sexy beaded and sheer nude Elie Saab Spring 2012 couture gown, that we wish she would have rocked to the Grammys, Mrs. Carter was front and center at tonight's big premiere. Gorgeous look for her.  Those 12 hour workout days--and clearly some squats--have done a body good.   Bey was fresh off her big sit-down with Oprah Winfrey for this Saturday's episode of "Oprah's Next Chapter".  So she brought the billion dollar woman as her special guest to the premiere. O got silly on the carpet giving the media some praise. And even moderated a discussion with Bey beforehand.   Mr. Carter hopped out the car looking dapper as hell.  Jay skipped out on the carpet to rush inside. Solange Knowles showed a whole lot of leg in a white blouse that she used as a mini dress.  We think.  Loves the hair.   MaMa Tina went chic in a black and white tuxedo pant and an extra snatched face.  She must keep that doc on retainer.    Angela Simmons kept it cute in all white and a cute varsity jacket.  But seems to have changed clothes for the after party where she snapped a pic with Bey:      Back out on the carpet, Angela Bassett took some time away from filming her new film Black Nativity to check out the doc: Gorgeous as always. June Ambrose came out to support her longtime friend. And singer Luke James, who opened for Bey's Revel concerts, was there as well.      After hitting plenty of Fashion Week shows, Selita Ebanks showed off her modeliciousness on the carpet in all black.  Pretty.   The Dream, who worked with Bey on past projects and her upcoming album, hit the carpet as well.  Guess he's not mad at Jay for that SwapMeet hat comment from Sunday's Grammys.  Ha.   And Tyson Beckford and model girlfriend Shanina Shaik popped up on the carpet too. And Victor Cruz brought his fiancee Elaina on the carpet as well. "Life Is But A Dream" airs this Saturday, Feb. 16th, at 9pET on HBO. Pics: SPLASH/INF/Twitter/AP/WENN

2013 STATE OF THE UNION: First Lady Michelle Obama Gets STUNNING In Glittery Jason Wu Dress + President Obama's Speech Posted: 12 Feb 2013 07:19 PM PST First Lady Michelle Obama brought the glam to tonight's State of the Union Address in a black and oxblood organza tweed Jason Wu dress.  FLOTUS cheered on her Presidential husband as he talked companies like Apple keeping jobs in America, gun control, raising minimum wage and everything that matters to the American people.   Check out our fab First Lady inside, plus President Obama's full speech--and the highlights you need to know.... Mrs. O. made her way into the House Chambers looking predictably fabulous in a glittery sheath dress from one of fave designer's Pre-Fall 2013 collection, in the trendiest colors of the season, and an Alexis Bittar flower brooch. FLOTUS made her own statements tonight by who she had sitting in her private box inside the U.S. Capitol House chamber.  From slain teen Hadiya Pendleton's parents (pictured above) to Apple CEO Tim Cook (as it was announced the co. will start making Macs here in the U.S. again), she put the country on notice for the changes her husband wants to make in this country.   Here are the highlights you need to know from Prez O's speech tonight.  And video of the full speech is below. On the current state of our union "After a decade of grinding war, our brave men and women in uniform are coming home. After years of grueling recession, our businesses have created over six million new jobs. We buy more American cars than we have in five years, and less foreign oil than we have in twenty. Our housing market is healing, our stock market is rebounding, and consumers, patients, and homeowners enjoy stronger protections than ever before. Together, we have cleared away the rubble of crisis, and can say with renewed confidence that the state of our union is stronger." On gun control proposal "Overwhelming majorities of Americans – Americans who believe in the 2nd Amendment – have come together around commonsense reform – like background checks that will make it harder for criminals to get their hands on a gun. Senators of both parties are working together on tough new laws to prevent anyone from buying guns for resale to criminals. Police chiefs are asking our help to get weapons of war and massive ammunition magazines off our streets, because they are tired of being outgunned. Each of these proposals deserves a vote in Congress. If you want to vote no, that’s your choice. But these proposals deserve a vote." On slain Chicago teen Hadiya Pendleton "One of those we lost was a young girl named Hadiya Pendleton. She was 15 years old. She loved Fig Newtons and lip gloss. She was a majorette. She was so good to her friends, they all thought they were her best friend. Just three weeks ago, she was here, in Washington, with her classmates, performing for her country at my inauguration. And a week later, she was shot and killed in a Chicago park after school, just a mile away from my house. Hadiya’s parents, Nate and Cleo, are in this chamber tonight, along with more than two dozen Americans whose lives have been torn apart by gun violence. They deserve a vote." On Minimum Wage "Tonight, let’s...raise the federal minimum wage to $9.00 an hour....We’ll work to strengthen families by removing the financial deterrents to marriage for low-income couples, and doing more to encourage fatherhood – because what makes you a man isn’t the ability to conceive a child; it’s having the courage to raise one." On unemployment "Our economy is adding jobs – but too many people still can’t find full-time employment. Corporate profits have rocketed to all-time highs – but for more than a decade, wages and incomes have barely budged." On Medicare "I’m prepared to enact reforms that will achieve the same amount of health care savings by the beginning of the next decade as the reforms proposed by the bipartisan Simpson-Bowles commission. Already, the Affordable Care Act is helping to slow the growth of health care costs. The reforms I’m proposing go even further. We’ll reduce taxpayer subsidies to prescription drug companies and ask more from the wealthiest seniors." On Education "Tonight, I propose working with states to make high-quality preschool available to every child in America. Let’s also make sure that a high school diploma puts our kids on a path to a good job. Right now, countries like Germany focus on graduating their high school students with the equivalent of a technical degree from one of our community colleges, so that they’re ready for a job. At schools like P-Tech in Brooklyn, a collaboration between New York Public Schools, the City University of New York, and IBM, students will graduate with a high school diploma and an associate degree in computers or engineering. We need to give every American student opportunities like this. Four years ago, we started Race to the Top – a competition that convinced almost every state to develop smarter curricula and higher standards, for about 1 percent of what we spend on education each year. Tonight, I’m announcing a new challenge to redesign America’s high schools so they better equip graduates for the demands of a high-tech economy. We’ll reward schools that develop new partnerships with colleges and employers, and create classes that focus on science, technology, engineering, and math – the skills today’s employers are looking for to fill jobs right now and in the future. Now, even with better high schools, most young people will need some higher education. Through tax credits, grants, and better loans, we have made college more affordable for millions of students and families over the last few years." Photos: AP   Extras: 1.  In breaking news, several TV network news reports state that police believe they have recovered the body of former LAPD officer, fugitive Christopher Dorner, from the burning cabin near Big Bear.  He has been officially pronounced dead. LAPD just stated at 11p EST that all news reports are wrong and no body has been recovered or identified as cabin is "too hot" to enter. As of Wednesday, 8:15amET, authorities now say human remains (believed to be Dorner) were found in burnt out cabin. But it will take days for forensic experts to identify the body officially. STORY

FASHION WEEK FAB: Jada Pinkett Smith, John Legend & Chrissy, Rachel Roy And Selita Ebanks Hit Badgley Mischka & Vera Wang Posted: 12 Feb 2013 05:30 PM PST While her husband, Will, is in Brazil chillin' with Duane Martin, Kanye & Kim...Jada Pinkett Smith hit up the shows at the Lincoln Center for New York Fashion Week.   Check out the pics of her pretty look, plus John & Chrissy, Rachel Roy and Selita Ebanks kickin' it front row.... The celebs woke up bright and early to make it to the Vera Wang show this morning.  Jada looked fab in a peach dress with mini-pleats and hot multi-colored Louboutins, while Chrissy Teigen kept it bright in a lime green pencil dress and nude pumps with her fiance John Legend.   Lovely. John and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Chrissy were spotted on their way to the shows this morning after a stop at Barney's New York: And designer Rachel Roy kicked it front row at Vera as well: LOVE this look for her. Selita Ebanks kept it chic in Badgley Mischka as she hit the designers' show this morning: Nothing like a little glam first thing in the morning.  Nice.

SNEAK PEEKS -- Beyonce's HBO Documentary Premiere & Her "Next Chapter" Visit With Oprah Posted: 12 Feb 2013 04:39 PM PST Beyonce had Oprah chillin' at her HBO documentary premiere tonight in NYC.  Pics of the most powerful ladies in the biz doing what they do inside... Oprah jetted to New York today to have a major sit-down with Beyonce for OWN's "Oprah's Next Chapter."  And after their interview, the twosome headed over to the Ziegfeld Theater for Bey's premiere for her HBO "Life Is But A Dream" documentary, that she produced herself through her Parkwood Entertainment company. Jay-Z (not pictured) and plenty others are there too of course. And Oprah posted a pic on her Facebook page giving fans a peek into their sit-down session, airing this Saturday at 8/7c. Stay tuned for official premiere pics....   Pics: Twitter/Facebook

FAB CHICKS DO SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S 2013 SWIMSUIT EDITION: Chrissy Teigen, Ariel Meredith & Adaora Posted: 12 Feb 2013 02:47 PM PST The 50th anniversary of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is making headlines around the globes and a few brown girls are featured through the magazine. See pics of Ariel Meredith, Adaora and Chrissy Teigen inside..... The 2013 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT ISSUE is available now, with Kate Upton on the cover for the second time, and we scoped out a few of the YBF chicks (plus the fiancee of John Legend) featured in this year's issue.  Meet the ladies:   ARIEL MEREDITH Ariel Meredith, a Shreveport, LA native, has appeared in the 2009, 2012 and 2013 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues.    Ariel has modeled for Vera Wang, Dolce & Gabbana and Levi's.  Gorge.   ADAORA     Nigerian-American model Adaora Akubilo was featured in Sports Illustrated’s 2012 and 2013 Swuimsuit Editions.    In 2007, Adaora appeared on NBC as one of the 12 finalists in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search.  Loves her already.   CHRISSY TEIGEN   And John Legend's fiancee Chrissy Teigen is in the issue too. In addition to working for Victoria's Secret, Chrissy has been a part of the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues.   BONUS:  Watch Adaora's Swimsuit video here: For you folks who love model eye candy a la Russell Simmons....you're welcome.   Photos via SI

Solange COVERS "FADER" Magazine + Mariah Carey ANNOUNCES New "Almost Home" Single Posted: 12 Feb 2013 11:04 AM PST Solange Knowles covers the latest issue of FADER.  See the cover and BTS footage from her photoshoot inside and find out about Mariah Carey's next single.  In FADER #84, Solange (who's touring North America with her TRUE disc) covers the magazine's Spring Issue and discusses the change in direction her music has taken since she first hit the scene as a solo artist.  She told the mag,   “[Sol-Angel] was put out almost five years ago.  [In] four years, there’s been so much artistic growth, so much growth just as a woman in [my] 20s, but especially as an artist. You’re exposed to so much more from age 21 to 26, and you sure as hell care a lot less. It’s been a little weird, for me, getting feedback—the last album was so different than this one. I am like, Yeah, I was 20 when I started writing it. Is that supposed to be shocking? If it sounded similar, that would be really strange.” The article goes on to draw parallels between Solange and Janet Jackson as both ladies were pressured to distinguish and define themselves outside of their older siblings' shadows.   The real question you are left with is if True will put the world on notice in same vein that Control did for Janet. Read the full article here and watch the BTS footage with photographer Jason Nocito and style editor-at-large Mobolaji Dawodu here: In other music news..... "American Idol" judge Mariah Carey has announced "Almost Home" as her next single.  The track is taken from the soundtrack to the upcoming film we MUST see, Oz the Great and Powerful, and will be released February 19. The song was co-written and co-produced by Mariah and the Stargate production team with Simone Porter, Justin Gray and Lindsey Ray also receiving writing credit. Fashion photographer David LaChapelle has signed on to direct the video which will drop March 8.  MiMi on deck!  This is shaping up to be a super music year...

Meet The Cast Of Bravo's Newest Atlanta Reality Show--"Married To Medicine" Posted: 12 Feb 2013 10:38 AM PST It may look like the original make up (with the token non-black woman) of "Real Housewives of Atlanta"...but they're not calling themselves Wives of anything.  Even though at least half of them are.   Check out the newest batch of wives bringing the drama on Bravo's "Married To Medicine".... The show was first announced a while back, and now it's here.  Women who are doctors themselves, or married to one, will be putting their lives and contrived drama on display for the Bravo cameras. According to THR, The docu-series "takes viewers inside the fast-paced and drama-filled social scene of Atlanta's exclusive medical inner circle." Alrighty then. The show airs Sunday, March 24th at 9p on Bravo.  But until then, the trailer is below. And here's the breakdown of the ladies: -- Dr. Jacqueline Walters: Doctor to stars like Toni Braxton, T.I. and Usher, this Board-certified OBGYN is also a two-time breast cancer survivor and advocate for breast cancer awareness. She also lives by the motto "Thin Is In" and is obsessed with eating healthy and excessive exercise. -- Dr. Simone Whitmore: The independent OBGYN, who has her own practice since 2004, has been married to her more laid-back husband, Cecil Whitmore, for 16 years, and they have sons together. Known as "The Warden” and “Witchmore” to her staff, Whitmore in her spare time participates in a mentor program with Spelman College and a local high school. -- Toya Bush-Harris: Bush-Harris met her husband, emergency medicine physician Eugene Harris, during a speed dating event five years ago while pursuing her master's in education from the University of Phoenix and working two jobs. Bush-Harris is helping to launch her husband’s medical concierge business, working on publishing a children’s nursery book series and volunteers at her church and as a mentor to local young women. The couple to two young boys also are in the process of building a home. -- Mariah Huq: Dubbed "Queen Bee" and a mother of two, Huq is married to Dr. Aydin Huq, an emergency physician and native of Bangladesh, and openly embraces her husband's culture by attending Mosque, learning to cook traditional Indian food and studying Bengali. The founder/CEO of Mariah Media Group, troop leader of her daughter's Girl Scout Troop and a producer of Married to Medicine, Huq, along with her family, has a foundation in Bangladesh and is currently working to build a hospital in name of her late father-in-law. -- Quad Lunceford-Webb: Known as the "Black Barbie" in her social circle, Lunceford-Webb is newly wed to psychiatrist Dr. Gregory Lunceford, whose reserved demeanor often clashes with her unpredictable feistiness. The couple, who have two dogs, support the Canine Assistants Foundation and volunteer their time and efforts with various charities and organizations throughout Atlanta. -- Kari Wells: The British-born model has been married to Colombian-raised orthopedic surgeon Duncan Wells for 10 years. Wells has been the owner of a production company and CFO of her husband’s orthopedic practice and medical realty company. The couple to two kids support many charitable organizations including Doctors Without Borders and Thriving Children Atlanta. And check out the first trailer of the show below:   We feelin' it? Photog: Derek Blanks

You are subscribed to email updates from The Young, Black, and Fabulous To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610