The Young, Black, and Fabulous

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• EXCLUSIVE: Johnny Wright, Personal Hairstylist To FIRST LADY Michelle Obama, Talks Making BANGS...And History
• Rihanna Hits The Club With Chris Brown...And With A White Powdery Substance Spilled On Her Sweatshirt?
• PICS: Beyonce Throws On Her Construction Hat & Gets BACK TO WORK
• COUPLED UP: Ciara & Future's DINNER DATE NIGHT At Mastro's
• MUST BE NICE: Jada Pinkett Smith Cops Cartier Jewelry For Jaden After His Video Shoot
• Kelly Rowland's Featured On Michael Bolton's "Aint No Mountain High Enough" + Wale's "No Days Off" Vid + Kerry Washington's New "The Peeples" Trailer
• DO WE LOVE IT?: Solange Brightens Up The NYC Streets Outside "Letterman"
• Kenya Moore Claps Back On "Anderson Live" At Phaedra's "Fake Booty" Claims, Offers Sneak Peek Of STALLION BOOTY
• EXCLUSIVE: Makeup Guru Sam Fine Talks Revolutionizing BLACK Beauty & MAKING HISTORY
• Quvenzhane Wallis Talks Hating Dresses & Hairy Pigs On "Chelsea Lately"
• FIRST LOOK: Alicia Keys' "Master Class" On OWN + Future Is Working With Jennifer Lopez On New Music

EXCLUSIVE: Johnny Wright, Personal Hairstylist To FIRST LADY Michelle Obama, Talks Making BANGS...And History Posted: 27 Feb 2013 09:02 AM PST Trends may come and go but hairstylist Johnny Wright is one hairstylist who is creating “looks” that will go down in the history books. And while we continue our BLACKS MAKING HISTORY campaign to showcase YBF people who are making black history every day, come inside and meet the man behind the bang(s) heard 'round the world…. Image is everything, especially when you're the most watched woman in the world on an everyday basis.  So the person responsible for the visual aspect of that image--Johnny Wright--is, in turn, making history every single day. It was the bang heard around the world--literally--as First Lady Michelle Obama stepped out on the arm of her husband, President Barack Obama, during the 2013 Inaugural swearing-in-ceremony after first debuting her new hair on her new Twitter account. Though electing the nation’s first Black president to a second term was a truly historical moment, what really grabbed headlines around the world were the First Lady’s bangs, which she later described on "Rachel Ray" as her own version of a "midlife crisis." And those world famous bangs were the master craft of Chicago-born hairstylist Johnny Wright.  During an exclusive chat with TheYBF.com, Johnny, who serves as the "First Hairstylist" to the First Lady and the artistic director of SoftSheen-Carson, spoke to us about the contribution he is making to the nation and how he’s carving his place in history.  And when it came to those bangs, he said, "It was a collaborative effort. The First Lady said she wanted to do something different. But we didn't think it would make that big of an impression! Some people loved it and some people hated it and that's what's great about it." So one might ask, how does a hairstylist give back to the nation? Johnny told us, “A first impression is everything...and a lot times, that has to do with your appearance. I always tell people that a woman's hair is the first thing you "hear" before she speaks. It tells you a lot about her personality…without her saying a word.” And Johnny has been helping The First Lady make great first impressions all over the world since they first began working together during her first appearance in ESSENCE Magazine (when President Obama was a relatively unknown senator). From that editorial shoot, he fostered a working relationship with Mrs. Obama and her staff that continued with her appearance on the cover of O Magazine, her much-celebrated VOGUE cover and appearance at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. “It's very challenging to work with the first lady. She has an extremely busy schedule and we do travel very often. And with all of the work she does, I think its very important for her to look good. It is my contribution to America. I'm a part of making her fell good and making her feel comfortable. And all of that has impact how she does her job." Before his journey to the White House, Johnny was introduced to the hair care industry by his grandmother who ran several hair salons in the Chicago area. And we all know the best way to learn ANYTHING...is from mom and grandma.  At the age of 12, his mother served as his first client after she agreed to let him give her a French roll. From there, he says he styled over a 100 clients that year.  And back then, you could have your hair done by Mr. Johnny Wright for $15! He’s come a long way since then, mainly because of the business acumen his father taught him about the value of his time and understanding his self-worth.   Johnny also worked at the Frederick Fekkai Salon on Melrose Place in West Hollywood and has done the hair of former Turks and Caicos First Lady LisaRaye McCoy-Misick. When asked about the challenges that come with his profession, such as creating editorials and inventing new looks, he told us, "Those things that would seem like challenges are lot of fun to me because they are creative and thought provoking. And those things make you grow as a person and a hairstylist." But what Johnny says he values most are the friendships he's formed with his clients and what he's learned along the way through their relationships.  "What I love about doing hair is the connection I have with my clients. So many stories and so many personal things have been shared with me that have allowed me to grow into the man I am today." And we're honored Mr. Wright shared his story with us with his effervescent personality.  Loves it. And for ladies hoping to achieve the Johnny Wright effect, he recommends products from the Softsheen-Carson line in the video below. Follow Johnny on Twitter @johnny_wright.      In case you missed it, check out our Sam Fine exclusive as part of YBF's campaign--BLACKS MAKING HISTORY. Photos via Johnny Wright

Rihanna Hits The Club With Chris Brown...And With A White Powdery Substance Spilled On Her Sweatshirt? Posted: 27 Feb 2013 08:02 AM PST Well what do we have here?  Rihanna was spotted leaving Supperclub in L.A. last night for Diddy's big party.  And not only was she partying with her boyfriend Chris Brown...it appears she may have been partying with a white powdery substance as well... What's the powdery stain on your Hommes sweatshirt Rih Rih?  Last month, Rihanna was called out for having white powder all over her outfit while leaving the club with Breezy.  We gave it the benefit of the doubt.  Then, Rih posted a pic on her birthday recently of her assistant Jen holding up a small baggie of white powder (that some claim is a napkin) and saying that she knows how to have fun.  Hmmmm. Now, pics from Rih's night out with her boo last night show more white powder covering her sweatshirt.  We're not calling her a cocaine chick or anything, but we're just saying.... She and Chris were spotted cuddled up in the club all night.  And when they left, Chris was wearing no shirt with his boxers on full display.  Rihanna's been looking extra slim these days, which could just be due to all this tour rehearsal. Or because of something else. Who knows. Meanwhile, tonight's episode of "Law & Order: SVU" has been much talked about.  And it's all because the show, who usually rips from the headlines for their storylines, seems to be basing this episode off the Chris Brown & Rihanna domestic violence situation from 2009.  Here's the promo:   Pics: Splash/Twitter

PICS: Beyonce Throws On Her Construction Hat & Gets BACK TO WORK Posted: 27 Feb 2013 07:14 AM PST Beyonce Knowles threw on her construction hat, cargo jacket and Isabel Marant sneakers (and always keeping some chicness with the leather pants) to officially get back to work last night.  Check out what she's up to inside... After a few weeks break after a very busy beginning of 2013, Beyonce posted some fun pics on her Tumblr and Facebook saying "Back to work" last night.  And the fab chick looked fresh faced and cute playing around on a construction cart and in a construction hat...and we wonder if she's on the set--which is in the making--of her upcoming Mrs. Carter Show World Tour.   She's kicking things off in the UK next month, and those tix for virtually every city sold out in 10 minutes.  Same here in the states.  And since announcing her tour a few weeks ago, she's added a few more shows to cities like London and Brooklyn. Fun times for Blue Ivy's mama.  Pics: Beyonce's Tumblr

COUPLED UP: Ciara & Future's DINNER DATE NIGHT At Mastro's Posted: 27 Feb 2013 06:30 AM PST   Ciara and her rapper boyfriend Future was spotted out on a dinner date in Beverly Hills last night.  Check out the twosome wining and dining inside... Rocking a sexy sheer black blouse and black leather pants with a fur stole and her Louboutins, pretty gal Ciara kept it cute--with minimal makeup--as she went to dinner at Mastro's with her "Turn On The Lights" rapper boyfriend Future last night. The two were spotted leaving their romantic dinner arm in arm.  And while we still believe this is a relationship inspired and set up by their label, we like seeing CiCi with a new man who doesn't already have a fiance and kids.  Oh wait....   The Randomness: 1.  A fight at the Pacers vs. Warriors game last night spilled into the stands. STORY

MUST BE NICE: Jada Pinkett Smith Cops Cartier Jewelry For Jaden After His Video Shoot Posted: 26 Feb 2013 06:02 PM PST Jaden Smith has been shooting a video in NYC for the past two days.  And his mom Jada rewarded the 14-year-old with a shopping trip to Cartier.  Hot Topic or Abercrombie just won't do for the child of entertainment royalty.   Pics inside... Jaden Smith and his blonde top hair wrapped up filming a video (or some type of shoot) in NYC today with his sister Willow and mom Jaden on hand.  And what was his reward afterwards? The fam headed to Cartier for a few bracelets. Nice. Jada was spotted looking fly leaving out the store with daughter Willow.  And Jaden's been pubbing his MSFTs brand of clothes and products all over the place.  And he takes it to London this week. Pics: SPLASH

Kelly Rowland's Featured On Michael Bolton's "Aint No Mountain High Enough" + Wale's "No Days Off" Vid + Kerry Washington's New "The Peeples" Trailer Posted: 26 Feb 2013 05:10 PM PST Kelly Rowland hopped on a an unexpected track with Michael Bolton.  Check it inside, plus Wale's new video and the new trailer of Kerry Washington's new movie The Peeples....   Kelly Rowland was tapped by legendary singer Michael Bolton to be the second half of his duet for the remake of "Aint No Mountain High Enough."  The original 1960's iconic track, originally recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, was remade for Michael’s Motown tribute album Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: Tribute Hitsville. Check out the track above and decide if Kelly did it justice.   In other music news, Wale dropped the video for his hit song "No Days Off."  It may be over a year late as the album the song appears on, Ambition, dropped back in 2011, but it seems like the D.C. rapper wanted to put his tour footage to music. Meanwhile, Wale's third studio album, The Album About Nothing, drops this summer.   And you've seen the promo posters already, now check out the trailer for the new movie Tyler Perry's pushing--The Peeples.  It stars Kerry Washington and Craig Robinson, and seems to be a black family's take on Meet The Parents.  Check out David Allan Grier in action as the overprotective dad above.   The Randomness: 1. Bobby Brown has been sentenced to 55 days in jail after his 3rd DUI from this past October. STORY 2. Lance Gross has been cast in an upcoming NBA drama pilot billed as an action thriller set in D.C. STORY 3.  An Aussie billionaire thought it was a good idea to build Titanic II--an exact replica of the doomed Titanic cruise ship--and it's setting sail in 2016.  STORY

DO WE LOVE IT?: Solange Brightens Up The NYC Streets Outside "Letterman" Posted: 26 Feb 2013 02:39 PM PST Solange Knowles loves a brightly colored head to toe look.  And today in New York City she put her love for colors on display as she headed to a taping of "Letterman."  Decide if we love her citrusy flare inside.... "Losing You" singer Solange jetted back to NYC after hitting Sunday night's Oscar parties in L.A.  And the fly chick brought spring with her as she rocked a bright orange coat with a yellow shift dress, matching yellow pumps and a fun yellow clutch as she made her way to the "Letterman" studio.   She topped off her look with oversized cat eye gold frames and smiled for the paps. So, about her look..... DO WE LOVE IT?! Pics: FAME/Flynet

Kenya Moore Claps Back On "Anderson Live" At Phaedra's "Fake Booty" Claims, Offers Sneak Peek Of STALLION BOOTY Posted: 26 Feb 2013 12:45 PM PST Kenya Moore has some words for "Donky Booty" chick and "Real Housewives of Atlanta" co-star Phaedra Parks.  Check out what Kenya has to say about her fake booty allegations, plus a crazy sneak peek at Kenya's Stallion Booty DVD.... The former Miss USA Kenya Moore rolled to "Anderson Live" today to guest co-host.  And she addressed Phaedra's recent allegations that Kenya has a silicone injected booty to enhance her ASSets.  Check out her rebuttal as she says nothing Pha Pha says can be trusted: And in case you're wondering what Kenya Moore's "Stallion Booty" workout DVD is all abut, here's a sneak peek...which essentially about teaching women how to pop their booties from the floor.   Ha! By the way, Kenya was at "106 & Park" yesterday to promote her DVD and posted a pic form the set....

EXCLUSIVE: Makeup Guru Sam Fine Talks Revolutionizing BLACK Beauty & MAKING HISTORY Posted: 26 Feb 2013 11:31 AM PST Everyday month is Black History Month here at TheYBF.com.  But we're closing out the official Black History Month with a different perspective: a week of Blacks Making History. It's not always the celebs in the forefront.  We're celebrating those YBFers who are making history right now in ways not always focused on.    When it comes to true artistry, Sam Fine is an individual who has revolutionized how the world views "Black" beauty.  Come inside for our chit chat with the makeup guru who is changing the way we view what's beautiful... Part of putting young, black and fabulous people on a pedestal is putting the spotlight on who's creating major strides on a MAJOR level. So, TheYBF.com celebrates and acknowledges Sam Fine, a man who has literally touched the faces of the most famous Black women in contemporary history, and has changed the way we, and others, view "black" beauty.  For a long time in Hollywood, black beauty was often minimized and not catered to either in front of the camera, or behind it.  While black models and actresses have now become the most emulated and beautiful faces that the masses look to, the person enhancing those beautiful faces is making history by being responsible for catering to those beauties. Think about any (and we mean ANY) Black woman in the past 25 years who has stepped into the international spotlight and she have been touched and enhanced by the artistry of Sam Fine.  From Queen Latifah's first Cover Girl campaign to Brandy's "I Wanna Be Down" video to Mary J. Blige in "Real Love," Sam has had his hand on the pulse of Black beauty.  He's created images and looks that have graced magazine covers, international campaigns, movie and TV sets and worldwide music videos.   Iconic women like Iman, Gabrielle Union, Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Hudson, Mo'Nique, Vanessa Williams, Tyra Banks, Patti LaBelle....they've all been "reFINEd". Beginning as an illustrator at the Art Institute of Chicago, Mr. Fine made his foray into the cosmetics industry working at a local department store. "I started at a makeup counter and I don't think my family saw it as more than that….until I made it more than that." Being the youngest of four children and the only boy, one might imagine that Sam's parents weren't excited about him moving to New York to become a freelance makeup artist. He tells us, "My dad is 81, and he couldn't imagine me being a freelancer, or an artist. He just wanted me to get a job with a consistent paycheck and benefits." And since moving to New York to claim his place in history, Sam has released his book Fine Beauty, his DVD Fine: The Basics of Beauty, and became the first African-American spokesperson for Revlon and Covergirl cosmetics. Now, as the Creative Director of Fashion Fair Cosmetics, Sam is one of the most notable voices in the cosmetics industry. Finding success for Sam, in an industry dominated by females was a challenge, but it has its upside.   "I like to think of myself as a businessman in the beauty industry. I have a more distinctive point of view because I'm not a woman. I'm not thinking about how I''m going to look in this color. I think about how Vanessa Williams is going to look in this color. I see this beautiful woman in front of me and I want to enhance her beautify. So I take myself out of the equation because I'm not a woman. I think that is an asset to many men who are in the beauty industry. They bring a very different point of view. There is something unique about having a man address your beauty." He also told us about the importance of simply "being in the room."  "I am requested by many top celebrities.  And that means that someone in our community is reaping the benefits of employment and another person is getting their foot in the door."     Sam added that when models like actress Vanessa Williams, Iman and Veronica Webb began their ascent into stardom, they payed it forward and recommend him for top jobs, and that's something he has continued to do in his own career for other makeup artists.   "Sometimes the door isn't as open to us...so when we have the chance to recommend someone...we should." And his inspiration for making YBF women look their absolute best: "For me, I want to look back and remember how wonderful a moment was. I don't want it to just be of that moment. It is important to pull from trends, but its important to be timeless." We asked Sam about common makeup mistakes he saw and he had an interesting response. He told us, "Makeup is a personality.  There are no rules. Who am I to tell someone how to look?" That's coming from the master of makeup.  In honor of its 40th anniversary, Fashion Fair collaborated with Sam Fine on his first-ever collection so now his trend-setting, head-turning looks will be available to woman at home. The Collection includes Eight Supreme Lip Color Shades ($22), Two Supreme Eye Color Quads ($38) and Supreme Shine Lip Gloss ($20). Speaking about his new collaboration with Fashion Fair, Sam said,  “It’s been such a privilege to work with Fashion Fair to create this inspired collection. As a pioneer in the cosmetics industry, Fashion Fair has truly changed the way we approach beauty. I’m excited for what the future holds for our collaboration.” And we at TheYBF.com are excited about the major effect Sam will have on the fabulousness of the YBFers in the future. Follow Sam Fine on Twitter @SamFineBeauty and at SamFine.com.   Photos via Twitter/ButterflyDiary.com

Quvenzhane Wallis Talks Hating Dresses & Hairy Pigs On "Chelsea Lately" Posted: 26 Feb 2013 09:52 AM PST Oscar nominee Quvenzhane Wallis is a funny gal.  So when she hit up "Chelsea Lately" last night, it turned out to be an interesting chat with comedian Chelsea Handler.   Learn about the things Quvenzhane has a severe distaste for inside... Just one day after the Oscars, upcoming Annie star Quvenzhane Wallis rocked her pink pants to he "Chelsea Lately" chatfest.  And we love that she's still got her sense innocent humor and confidence after The Onion's demeaning foolery Sunday night. The 9-year-old revealed that she actually has a distaste for dresses, even though that's the only thing we've seen her in for the past several months.  And she even talked the honchos over at Beasts of the Southern Wild to get her character to wear more shorts.  And as for working with those big animals in the movie, she learned her limits with big hairy pigs. Check out her interview above.

FIRST LOOK: Alicia Keys' "Master Class" On OWN + Future Is Working With Jennifer Lopez On New Music Posted: 26 Feb 2013 09:04 AM PST   Alicia Keys talks about her rise from the projects to the penthouse on an upcoming episode of "Oprah's Master Class".  Watch a first look inside and see which entertainment/fashion icon rapper Future hooked up with in the studio.   Alicia Keys is ready to trek out on her official tour to support her chart-topping album Girl On Fire, tweeting, "Less than 2 weeks til we #SetTheWorldOnFire! ;-) Cheers to my fam at @BlackBerry official tour sponsor! #KeepMoving" And as Blackberry's new global creative director, she's asking fans to submit photos of themselves that will be included in music videos she'll play when she sings her song "Hallelujah" during her concerts . And she's using BB's Keep Moving Hub to create a unique video for each city on the tour.  She'll have crooner Miguel opening for her during the tour. And for fans who'd like to see how she made it out of New York's Hells Kitchen and onto the world stage, she's teaching Oprah's next installment of Master Class.  Here's a first look...   Tune on Sunday, March 3, at 10/9c.  The "Brand New Me" singer opens up about getting bit by the singing bug, following her passion, her marriage to Swizz Beatz, motherhood and more.     In other music news.... Rapper Future may have a somewhat sketchy personal life and some baby momma drama, but his "future" seems to be coming along quite nicely as he's producing and working with some of the industry's top acts (including Rihanna) and has just added another high-profile name to his list.  He tweeted, "rt “@JLo: Back on the block!! Guess what's coming.." "What's coming" is a collaboration with Jennifer Lopez, which should prove very entertaining.  Jenny from the block has a history of tapping some of rap's hottest acts to help add some street cred to her tracks.   We haven't been feeling her music lately, but maybe this one will work for her. The mom of twins Max & Emme also posted a pic of her and Future with producer Cory Rooney, who's responsible for some of her biggest hits like "Ain't It Funny", "I'm Real" and "Jenny From The Block."   Photos via Instagram

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