Friday, February 25, 2011

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

EVENT FAB: Hollywood Ladies Rock The 4th Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 07:01 AM PST

It was an incredible day for black women in Hollywood yesterday as ESSENCE magazine, along with sponsors Lincoln, Moet, and L'Oreal Paris--honored 4 of the most fab chicks in the game at the Beverly Hills Hotel: Jennifer Hudson, Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, and Loretta Devine.  And tons of YBF chicks (and fellas) came out in full support.

 

YBF was on the scene and we tweeted live who we caught up with inside.  Now, over 50 pics from the 4th Annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood luncheon when you read on...

The ridiculously fabulous honoree Jennifer Hudson brought her cute suited up date David Jr. on the gold carpet.  She rocked a fitted magenta cocktail dress that hugged all her new curves. 

She looks like she's lost even more weight.  Weight Watchers does a body good.  Her former Sex & The City producer, Michael Patrick King, was on hand to present her the award.

New mommy-to-be Tia Mowry hit the gold carpet and showed off her pertruding baby bump.  She's glowing!

Her twin sis Tamera was also there to support.

The sexy Laz Alonso hit the carpet and chatted with us about his upcoming movie Jumping The Broom--directed by Salim Akil, who was also in attendance yesterday.

Oh Jesse.  How sweet and HOT you are...

We asked "Grey's Anatomy" star Jessie Williams if he's a taken man--and he confirmed our suspicions saying "Yes, very much taken."  We finally saw his fiance who was by his side yesterday but strategically avoided the cameras.  She's an au natural, curly haired cutie named Aryan who seems perfect for him.

Gorgeous Gabrielle Union showed up in this black cocktail gown that worked wonders for her.

Gave her a more sophisticated and polished look, topped off with a bold red lip.

Gorgeous chick Lauren London hit the carpet in a casual chic look: red satiny mini shorts by Alice+Olivia, a blazer from H&M, and a black and white blouse by Joie.  Very cute.

Newly single Garcelle Beauvais hit up the event looking fresh faced in a spring-ridden white suit and pink blouse and blue accents.

We love it.

Disney Princess Anika Noni Rose rocked this perfectly tailored blue Tahari dress for the occassion.  She was there to present the award to her For Colored Girls co-star Loretta Devine.

Nicole Kodjoe showing off her bangin' bod in this nude striped mini dress.

And we can tell her hubby Boris loved it too.  He looked hot in his spring cream suit.

Brandy was there in a cute black dress and sat with her besties Serena Williams and Gabby Union.

Serena Wiliiams looked uhh-mazing in this white Fendi dress.  She still looks cute rocking leopard flats as she lets her foot heal.

Angela Simmons also whipped out her white sheer look by Juan Vargas for the occasion and paired it with her multi-colored Giuseppe Zanotti booties.

Victoria Rowell looked great at the event and seemed genuinely happy to be there  Such a fab chick.

Tatyana Ali worked out this aquamarine bow detailed dress and nude pumps.  She's been looking so fantastic these days.

Tamala Jones was there in a simple black dress.

Sharon Leal wore a pale green blousy dress with silver heels.  Didn't love the dress on her--but she has a gorgeous face and skin.  PS--we caught a glimpse of her new boo and they're so in love.

Salli Richardson hasn't skipped a beat over the years.  She looked fabulous in this nude knee length cocktail dress with a sheer and gold accented back.

"True Blood" star Rutina Wesley looked polished in her nude ensemble by Max & Co.  Great color and look on her.

Kimora Lee Simmons was understated yet sexy in her pale pink dress.  Such a cute and simple look for her.

Honoree Viola Davis had the room in tears as she spoke about the dicciculties of being a black woman in Hollywood--and not having the opportunity to express her love for hother black actresses because the landscape of competition is so steep at all times.  Seeign that there seems to be 1 good role a year that ALL black actresses are competing for.  This is why she so appreciates this luncheon and the chance to bask in admiration of others.

Her co-star Amy Adams was there to present her the award.  And her hubby of 11 years even teared up and seemed extremely proud of his woman.

Niecy Nash was pretty in pink at the event.

The vibrant Loretta Devine hit the gold carpet before receiving her award.  Sharon Leal and Anika Noni Rose presented it to her--and her acceptance speech was hilarious.  She expressed that actresses Jenifer Williams and Lela Rochon (both also in attendance) are two of her best friends.

Oh and she said she's so happy to have her man (pictured above) with her at the event. 

Keri Washington rocked a vintage inspired dress that works for her. 

Forest Whitaker was on hand--sans his wife Keisha--to present the award to his good friend Angela Bassett.

And the uber fabulous Angela looked incredible as always.

Her hubby Cortney was off filming a movie, but she had a table of supporters from Keri Washington to Tichina Arnold to Forest to more.

Naturi Naughton rocked an animal print dress for the occasion.

Elise Neal rocked head to toe Gucci.

The beautiful Jill Scott opened the event with spoken word.  And looked fabulous while doing so.

Celebrity trainer Jeanette Jenkins hit up the event--sans Queen Latifah--in this BCBG fitted dress in pale pink, paired with purple pumps.  Nice.


Kimberly Elise looked nice in her bright floral dress.  And she brought her 21-year-old daughter (yes, DAUGHTER!) named Ajablue (yes, AJABLUE!)

Am I the only one who didn't know she had a daughter named Butterfly? And she has a second daughter who is 13 named Butterfly, and Kimberly's husband, Maurice, died in 2007 and they divorced in 2005.

 

And actress Vanessa Bell Calloway was also in the mix. 

And Dr. Michelle Callahan was there in a Dolce & Gabbana black lace dress with her Louis Vuitton Fleur de Jais bag.

Fab times for an amazing occasion.

 

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER FOR MORE INSIDE PICS OF MORE CELEBS AT YESTERDAY'S LUNCHEON!

VIDEO FAB: Jennifer Hudson's "Where You At" Video

Posted: 24 Feb 2011 07:58 PM PST

 

Jennifer Hudson released the video for "Where You At" off her sophomore album, I Remember Me today. Check it out after the jump.

 

The "Where You At" video was directed by Anthony Mandler and its storyline sees Jennifer making a return to Chicago.

She recently tweeted “Got the final track listing for the album listening to it now! It feels good.”

I Remember Me  is in stores March 22nd!

Sweetie Hughes Of "RHOA" Says NeNe Leakes Is Ruining Her Life

Posted: 24 Feb 2011 11:27 AM PST

Sweetie Hughes, Kim Zolciak's assistant on "RHOA, is speaking out about her and Kim's controversial friendship and how NeNe Leakes is ruining her life.  Deets inside...

 

During this season of RHOA, Kim Zolciak's friendship with her assistant Sweetie Hughes was questioned by a few of Kim's castmates who don't like the way Kim treats Sweetie.  NeNe Leakes went so far as to call Sweetie a “slave” and that's where problems began for Sweetie in her personal life. 

NeNe's allegation has taken on a life of its own with a “Free Sweetie” crusade that Sweetie says is ruining her life. Atlanta radio host Rickey Smiley launched the campaign on Feb. 16 after NeNe called his morning show. 
 
“They’re doing it for Black History Month, and it offends me,” Sweetie told Life & Style Magazine.

“They have pastors calling into the radio station and praying for me. They’ve taken it too far. NeNe’s jealous that she’s not as close to Kim as I am. I’ve known Kim for 11 years, since I was a kid. Kim’s a great friend to me. NeNe’s traumatizing my life. She’s bringing hell to it.”
 
 

Kim is very upset with how this crusade is affecting Sweetie and has vowed to never speak to NeNe again. 

“I never want to speak to NeNe again. My assistant Sweetie is so upset about the whole thing, she’s beside herself,” Kim told Life & Style. “NeNe has problems.”
 

 

 

Cassie Lands Modeling Gig With Calvin Klein's CKOne Fragrance (Video)

Posted: 24 Feb 2011 11:00 AM PST

 

Cassie has landed a very high-profile modeling gig as one of the stars of Calvin Klein's new campaign for CKOne.  Watch the Steven Meisel shot video after the cut...

 

 

Cassie stars in a new black and white teaser video for the CK One lifestyle campaign.  Shot by famed photographer Steven Meisel, Cassie is featured in the video arguing with another model while in her bra and panties.

Watch it here:

 

Steve Stoute Speaks Out About His Issues With The Grammys On "The Gayle King Show"

Posted: 24 Feb 2011 10:00 AM PST

 

We told you earlier about Steve Stoute's feelings regarding the Grammys and its voting process. Now Steve is speaking out on the talk show circuit. His first stop was "The Gayle King Show" and we have the interview for you inside...

 

In the words of Gayle King, Steve Stoute came on her show to "put the Grammys on blast."  Gayle recently talked to Steve about the Grammys and their voting processes and his other concerns with the organization.

Steve said the Grammys were out of touch with the new reality of the music business.  One major issue with many folks was that Justin Bieber lost out to Esperanza Spalding for Best New Artist  even though this was her third album versus Justin's first.

Also, Steve talked about Justin's ability to use the platform of new media (e.g. iTunes, YouTube) to spread his music.  Steve thinks an artist's cultural impact should play a role in the Grammy process.

 

Listen to Gayle's interview here.
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