Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

RUN IT: Jessie J. VS. Nicki Minaj In Mark Fast

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 09:13 AM PDT

Apparently this sky blue spandex one piece jumpsuit by Mark Fast is pretty popular.  Both Nicki Minaj & "Price Tag" singer Jessie J. have rocked it recently.  Decide who rocked it best under the cut...

Jessie J., the much sought after writer of the pop-n-b crowd, turned singer herself, rocked the Mark Fast Spring 2011 jumpsuit with sparkling embellished side panels on the legs to last night's UK premiere of Demons Never Die.  The British chick paired it with a big fur coat and gold dance-style shoes.

But Nicki Minaj was seen in it first at the Billboard Awards back in May.  The "Superbass" rapper rocked a matching blue body suit underneath hers (while Jessie did all nude) and rocked white Versace sandals and her signature pink & blonde hair to complete her look.

Both ladies love tend to always go for the shock-value looks.  But who pulled this one off best?

Kelly Rowland COVERS "ESSENCE HOT HAIR" Issue & Reveals Her Love For Wigs

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 08:42 AM PDT

Kelly Rowland covers the 2nd annual issue of "ESSENCE HOT HAIR" where she admits her love for wigs! Find out what Kelly said about getting Wigalicious inside.....

In the 2nd annual issue of ESSENCE HOT HAIR, "Lay It On Me" singer Kelly Rowland opens up about what she "lays" on her head....and it isn't always a weave.

"I'm in love with wigs. I get them custom-made, and I have my hairstylist shape them to my head. I can go from short to long in less than a minute!"

 

Yeah, we've noticed her love for the wiggyness.  In addition to Kelly dishing on wigs, the mag covers over 300 great hair styles, hot colors, top salons, and the ultimate natural hair guide. 

And as a bonus, Kelly also talks about her hot career, her own hair evolution and she reveals the one hair accessory she can't live without!  Pick up your issue on newsstands October 13th.

The Randomness:

1.  So Forbes is pissy because Bethenny Frankel may not have made the $100 mill she/they claimed from selling her SkinnyGirl brand.  It's more like $8 mill.    Story

Idris Elba Talks Sucky Jobs, Changing His Name, & Fighting School Kids On "Jimmy Kimmel"

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 07:57 AM PDT

Actor Idris Elba graced us all with his sexy presence on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for the first time.  He revealed what his real name is...and why he had to change it...plus how he had to fight his way through school in London.  Check it inside...

 

"Luther" actor Idris, who explained that his mom is from Ghana and dad is from Sierra Leone, revealed that his government name is Idrissa.  So after getting made fun of and having to fight dudes at school over his feminineesque name, he got everone to drop the -sa.

 

He also revealed his dad made him get a factory job he hated at Ford twenty years ago because dad swore being an actor would never bring in money. 

The fineness of this man....

FOOLYWANG MATERIAL: Vybz Kartel RELEASES Line Of "Skin Brightening" Products For Men

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 07:24 AM PDT

We told you earlier that reggae artist Vybz Kartel was proud of his scary skin bleaching.  And now he has a line of prodcuts for the man to do the same thing.

Come inside to find out how you can give the man in your life light skin just like Vybz!

Although Vybz Kartel aka Adidja Palmer is currently in Jamaica facing murder, conspiracy to commit murder and illegal possession of firearm charges stemming from the shooting death of Barrington Burton, that hasn't stopped his hustle and flow in the skin bleaching department.

The artist is coming out with a line of men's skincare products and it will include items that can be used to lighten the skin.

But why would you do that?

Well....for some (ignorant) folks, having lighter skin implies wealth.  And during an interview where Vybz defended his use of cake soap to lighten his skin (cake soap and Vybz's skin brightener are two different products) he said,

'When black women stop straightening their hair and wearing wigs and weaves, when white women stop getting lip and butt injections and implants … then I'll stop using the 'cake soap' and we'll all live naturally ever after.'


And p.s., although he is starting his launch in the Caribbean, Vybz has said, 'I wanna see them in Macy's and all other fine retailers worldwide.'

Hmm......does Vybz has a point?  On the flip side, do people accuse the Jersey Shore kids of being uncomfortable with themselves for tanning?  Just playing devil's advocate.

And for the record, no matter how many ways I look at this, skin bleaching is still ignorant.  Yeah, I said it.

Gabby Union, Sanaa Lathan & Ciara Get GORGE For Charlize Theron's Africa OUTREACH Project Benefit

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 06:49 AM PDT

Three of our fave gorgeous ladies, Gabby, Sanaa, & Ciara, stepped out for a cause Tuesday night in Cali.  They went out to support Charlize Theron's Africa Outreach Project.  Pics and details inside...

The YBF chicks whipped out their best cocktail looks for last night's charity event in Century City, CA.  At the Annenberg Space For Photography, South African actress Charlize Theron's Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) hosted the world premiere of the Randall Slavin Celebrity Photo Series.

The sold-out benefit lecture was a personal, in-depth and behind the scenes tour of the images in Slavin's project "REACH: 24 portraits by Randall Slavin to benefit the CTAOP." REACH is a collection of previously unseen portraits of some of the most influential names of our time including Clint Eastwood, Eddie Vedder, Kobe Bryant and Bill Clinton.  And Charlize's charity is committed to reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and sexual violence among African youth by supporting and collaborating with organizations that provide preventive education.

Gabby Union stepped out for the cause in a chic cream silk dress with belted embellishments and a sheer back:

Lovely.

Her girl Sanaa Lathan brought some brightness to fall in this yellow one-shoulder number and blue pumps:

Cute.

And Ciara posed it up with photographer Randall Slavin himself and Charlize.


 

And rocked this cute blush leather mini skirt and matching sheer ruffled blouse.

Would love to know what they were laughing it up about....

Photog: Kravitz

ENGAGED! The Game Proposes To Baby Moms...With Cameras In Tow

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 05:59 AM PDT

The Game decided to throw in his "player card" and become a family man.  He brought cameras and the kiddies along so the world could see him propose to his baby moms and girlfriend of 7 years, Tiffany Cambridge.

 

Peep it inside...

Get More: Music News

Well look at Mr. Jayceon.  Gettin' all official.  He dropped to one knee at girlfriend Tiffany's job--Frank D. Parent Elementary School in Inglewood, CA--and planned all the hoopla that morning.

Game said, "As a man, this is that day where you throw your player card away and step up and be a family man.  She deserves it.  It's been a long run, it's been 7 years.  We've been off, we've been on, we've been arguing, fought, good times and bad.  And at the end of the day, as a man, this is something that I owed to her and I owe to my family.  It's time."

Tiffany said she's like a deer in headlights and thought she was getting set-up to get fired.  Ha!

This is Game's second engagement, his first was to the now married Valeisha Butterfield.  Congrats!

 

The Randomness:

1.  Sparkle star Whitney Houston pulled a diva move over a seatbelt on her Delta flight to Detroit.  And got checked by the flight attendants.  Story

GO BANANAS! It's Ashanti's 31st Birthday!

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 05:18 AM PDT

 

Ashanti turns 31-years old today!  Pump your fists and go "bananas" for the NY chick in the tribute gallery inside....

Since her record-breaking debut Ashanti hit the streets nearly 10-years ago, Ashanti has become a fixture in the entertainment world through her singing and songwriting.

And while some celebs would have just stopped there, Ashanti has totally thrown herself into several charitable endeavors, including the Boys & Girls Clubs Of America. 

And although the pretty singer is somewhat private about her personal life, her romance with rapper Nelly also keeps fans interested.

Celebrate Ashanti's 31 years in the gallery.

"Happy" 31st Birthday Ashanti!

Drake Talks Getting Played By Rihanna, Loving Nicki Minaj, & Being Lonely+Nicki Hits "Ellen" With Her 6-Year-Old Clones

Posted: 12 Oct 2011 03:58 PM PDT

Elle magazine chit chatted with Drake ahead of his November 2011 Take Care album release. And he dished on his usual obsessions: Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, naked pics & working so hard he gets lonely.

 

More inside...

Drake still wants you to know he's holding out to marry Ms. Minaj.  And he's still hurt. Loves naked pics being sent to him sometimes. And never had a threesome.  Here's some highlights from his feature in the latest issue:

On loneliness:

"When you're on the road and moving city to city, when someone isn't there at the end of the night, you feel empty. The 15 or 20 seconds after a man reaches his climax is the realest moment he'll ever have in his life. And if you happen to be with somebody that isn't someone you want to converse with, you start feeling like, I wish I was just here watching True Blood by myself."

On his fake Twitter marriage to Nicki Minaj:

"I don't know if we were really pretending. I'd marry Nicki. I think Nicki would be one of the only people that would understand me at the end of all of this and be able to love me."

On bringing girls home to mom:

"The most intense thing I've ever done was bring a girl to Passover dinner. [My mom] just wants me to be happy, but I'm sure she'd love it if I married a Jewish girl."

On receiving naked pictures:

"If you send them without me asking, it's like, You've done this before. But I'm away a lot. If there's a woman I'm into, I might want to get a picture from her to handle business myself, as opposed to doing something I might regret."

On threesomes:

"I've never had one. I swear. I'm a one-woman kind of guy."

On being hurt by Rihanna:

"At the time it hurt, but she didn't mean to. I'll never put that on her. I was hurt because I slowly started to realize what it was. I guess I thought it was more. That was the first girl with any fame that paid me any mind. You spend days reading about this person in magazines. All of a sudden you have this number-one song and you're at some birthday party and there she is. And you're just some naive kid from Toronto staying in some shitty-ass hotel who got invited to this party on a whim. That's just how it happened."
 

Thanks to Complex.

Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj hit up "Ellen" yesterday after announcing the AMA nominees.  She was there to surprise the two 6-year-old girls who became instant Youtube celebs after rapping her "Superbass" song to perfection:

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Nicki preached her usual Stay In School advice after saying how overwhelmed she as about the girls' talent:

“Within five seconds of seeing this video, I was calling everyone I knew and I was also receiving a billion emails. Everyone is like, ‘You have to see this little girl.’ She blew me away!”

She told them: "Stay in school. Music is beautiful, but stay in school, okay? Put your books first and your singing second!"

 

 

TV FAB: Rihanna Joins L.A. Reid On "X-Factor"

Posted: 12 Oct 2011 02:35 PM PDT

Rihanna was photographed with L.A. Reid at his home recently for scenes that will appear on "X-Factor" tonight.  Rih is offering up mentorship to the contestants.  See the photos inside...

Viewers will get to see Rihanna on tonight's episode "The X-Factor" when she drops by L.A. Reid's home.  

Rihanna was signed to Def Jam by L.A. six years ago, and now they are working together to offer advice and mentorship to the remaining 32 contestants, specifically the Boys group.  Kinda loving this denim look with Ferragamo pumps.

Rih dished that L.A. Reid can indeed be a pain in the ass, but she can't decide who's tougher between him and Simon Cowell:

"I don’t know who’s more competitive between L.A and Simon. They are both very stubborn individuals. But they also are very secure in their tastes. What they hate, they hate and what they like they really love. So I can see them being equally competitive in that area. Simon is.. very raw. Let’s put it that way. With the way that he approaches critique. But it’s very honest. You have to listen to everything he says, no matter how nasty it might sound. L.A Reid… he can definitely be a pain in the ass as well. I have to say, he will find a way to make you feel you might have a second chance on a nice day, but he rarely gives second chances. You have to really impress him in a short time."

And she also revealed that she would have def auditioned for "X-Factor" had it been around years ago:

"Six years ago before I was signed , if It was the X Factor that had come first, I definitely would have entered to have a chance at fulfilling my dream. With this show, it’s all so exciting, and Its like a party!"

It's been rumored that other guest judges tonight include Pharrell Williams, Mariah Carey and Enrique Inglesias.

 
Photos via FOX / Splash News

Beyonce Drops Her Alternate "Best Thing I Never Had" Fan Video

Posted: 12 Oct 2011 01:03 PM PDT

Beyonce asked her fans over the last few months to submit their own wedding pics and video for a fan-driven alternative video to her "Best Thing I Never Had" clip.

 

And the final vid just dropped today.  Check it after the cut...

Since Beyonce showcased her own (but fictional) wedding for her "Best Thing I Never Had" video, she wanted her fans to submit real footage from their own wedding.

Here's the compilation fan video that is an uber cute and sweet way to show the best of her fans.  Check it....

An "All-Black Version" Of "Steel Magnolias" On The Way? + The "Mahalia!" Production Company Says Sorry To Fantasia

Posted: 12 Oct 2011 11:40 AM PDT

Steel Magnolias, the classic 80's flick starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts is getting the "remake treatment"... with an all-Black cast.  Get deets on the Kenny Leon-directed LIFETIME movie inside and find out what the producers of the Mahalia Jackson biopic said about Fantasia NOW....

 

As if news of the Sparkle remake wasn't enough, producers over at LIFETIME are, according to Deadline.com, digging in the crates and dusting off the 1989 film Steel Magnolias.  One of my faves when I need a good cry by the way.

The film, about a bunch of strong and sassy Southern women, originally starred Sally Field, Julia Roberts and Dolly Parton along with an all-star cast.  But this go-round, producers are switching things up by throwing race into the dynamic and setting the film in Louisiana with an all-Black cast.  Yes, I'm side-eyeing this one for now.

The project will be directed by Kenny Leon (who also directed Diddy and Phylicia Rashad in the 2004 Broadway revival for tv "Raisin In The Sun" and currently directing Angela Bassett & Samuel L. Jackson in Broadway's "The Mountaintop.")

Sally Robinson has signed on to write the new Steel Magnolias script and is expected to base it off Robert Harlings' screenplay for the movie. 

Now that we know LIFETIME wants to mimic the classic film and use an all-star cast, it begs the question....who should star in the remake?  Better yet...who SHOULDN'T.  We have a few to list for the latter.

Of course names like Angela Bassett, Alfre Woodard and Loretta Devine are likely to be thrown in the mix, but what about the newbies on the rise like Tika Sumpter and Tessa Thompson?

Who'd be in your all-star cast?

 

In other movie news....

 

We told you earlier that there was a lot of drama surrounding the "casting" of Fantasia Barrino as Mahalia Jackson in an upcoming film, and now the production company behind the film has come to the defense of the singer.

In a statement issued today, the company clears up the rumors about the movie's financing and how the Jackson family feels about Fantasia.

Here's their statement:

Double Dutch Productions, LLC. (DDP) extends apologies to Fantasia Barrino for the inaccurate, non-factual and disparaging statements of Ms. Barrino’s reputation, character and image, that was stated in the October 7, 2011 article of the NY Post’s Page Six column. The comments made in the article by financing broker Adrian Taylor, were not authorized, approved or condoned by the producers of DDP. The information and comments expressed within this article regarding the project were solely those of Adrian Taylor. Taylor is not an employee of this production company nor an active participant of any facet in the producing of this film. Taylor has been reprimanded on two previous occasions for speaking to the press about this project.  He was told that he was not a spokesperson nor a producer of the film, nor involved in the production or publicity of the film. Mr. Taylor’s credit of Executive  Producer will be valid only pending a final contract for financing. DDP and its producers disavow any statements or comments attributed to this article that were inappropriately made. Mr. Taylor does not speak for this company or the production of this film.

The Mahalia Jackson family has not made any negative comments non-what-so ever about Ms. Barrino and her participation in this film project.

We at DDP want to assure Ms. Barrino that in no way are we responsible for the information that was included in the article. ANY FUTURE COMMENTS FROM OUTSIDE PARTIES REGARDING THIS FILM THAT ARE NOT DIRECTLY PROVIDED BY DDP OR ITS PUBLICIST WILL BE DEEMED AS VOID, BOGUS AND INACCURATE.

 

Well.....I guess that clears up things.  And from the tone of the letter, seems as though they are indeed still trying to get their money right like Fanny told Wendy Williams this week.

 

OFFICIAL PICS & DETAILS: NBA Baller Chris Paul & Wife Jada Crawley's Wedding Day!

Posted: 12 Oct 2011 10:35 AM PDT

It was a fantasy wedding fit for a fairytale-like NBA couple The Pauls.  We gave a few deets last month about what went down right before Chris Paul & Jada Crawley's Charlotte, North Carolina wedding-designed by Mr. Wedding Fab himself David Tutera.

 

Now Essence.com just released exclusive scoop and pics from inside the nuptials.  Check it inside...

The 26-year-old New Orleans Hornets star, Chris Paul, married his 27-year-old college sweetheart Jada Crawley in the very state they met--North Carolina--on September 10th at the Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge.  Chris even proposed to Jada in the same gymnasium where they met.  Then they made their 3-person family, Chris in a custom made Ralph Lauren Black Label tuxedo & bride Jada in Vera Wang (their son Chris, Jr. is 2 and also rocked a duplicate of everything daddy had--including cufflinks!) officially official.

The couple danced it up all night--and Jada's pretty makeup stayed put and was done by Kisha Williams from The Makeup Lab based in New Orleans--with their bridal party and groomsmen.  LeBron James--in the back right--was one of Chris' groomsmen.  And even Chris' mom (far right) got in on the fun.  The reception was decked out in purples and romantic colors.

On their wedding day, the newlyweds gushed to Essence about their relationship.

Jada: “People can say, ‘They had a baby out of wedlock,’ But when I got pregnant, Chris’ clubbing came to a halt because he wanted to be a good father. And being a good father meant being a better boyfriend. Chris and I just are hometown, everyday people.  Sometimes [his family] gave me the side-eye like, Is she here for the right reasons? But Chris stood up for me.  It made us stronger. Our relationship has been a progression. I feel safe with Chris. He’s very protective."

Chris: "She used to wear Jordans.  Jada was with me when I was broke. Becoming parents made us closer. I truly love Jada; she has been there for the ups and the downs. Basketball isn’t going to last forever. Jada and I love spending time with each other, genuinely.”
 

Lebron James, who was there with girlfriend and bridesmaid Savannah Brinson, said about the couple:

“Chris and Jada are like an extension of my family. He’s like the brother I never had. I’m here for him no matter what — and not only for Chris but also Lil’ Chris and Jada.  “Chris and I have grown both on and off the court from young adults, as young men to now being men with families. I am happy and humbled that I’m able to support him and his family for Chris and Jada’s wedding.”

Savannah commented:

“I couldn’t ask for a better friend in Jada. She and Chris have a beautiful union and I wish nothing but the best for them."

And a cute pic of Gabby Union (who accompanied her man Dwyane Wade) and LaLa Anthony (who accompanied her hubby Carmelo Anthony).

LaLa gushed: "Anytime two people who have been together that long, who are that in love and who are great parents...
 I can’t do anything but be happy for them."

Robin Thicke sang Jada down the aisle and plenty of other celebs like Kevin Hart & more were in tow. 

Check out tons more pics & details and other celebs from the wedding over at ESSENCE.com.

 

And video highlights from the wedding are below:

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Photog credit: Mel Barlow of Mel & Co.

Tyler The Creator INTERVIEWS Nas For The November 2011 Issue Of "XXL"

Posted: 12 Oct 2011 09:47 AM PDT

 

 

Believe it or not, Nas has been in the music business for 20 years and in the latest issue of XXL, he goes on reflection mode.  And he did an interview with controversial rapper Tyler The Creator of Odd Future. Read highlights from their interview inside.....

As Nas prepares to release his 10th studio album, Life Is Good, he sat down to reflect on his career with controversial rapper and Odd Future member, Tyler The Creator.  It was fitting since hip hop heads see Odd Future as the future of the game.  Past meet present meet future.

Tyler interviewed Nasty Nas for the November 2011 issue of XXL Magazine (on magazine racks Oct. 25) and here's some of the highlights.....

While the pair talked about a number of issues, one that stood out was the subject of happiness and his kids.

Tyler:  “Are you, like—this question might catch you off guard, but I ask myself this—like, when you wake up, like, are you happy?  Like, are you satisfied how everything turned out?”

Nas:  “Dawg, I was naming my album Life Is Good because of how happy I am about how happy things have turned out.  Sometimes I may wake up and wish my kids were living with me. That’s the only thing, you know what I mean? Our loved ones that are not around no more, like my mom. That’s the only thing. But other than that, everything is great, even when I’m alone. Even when there’s no one around.”

And the subject of longevity also came up with Tyler mentioning that he is 20-years-old, which is the same age Nas, Jay, and others were when they really burst onto the scene.

Tyler:  “You, Em, Jay, Snoop, like, you guys all started when you was exactly my age.  The fact that you guys are still here makes me just always think, like, Fuck, could I?”

Nas:  “Oh, you definitely can.  Someone like you is, you’re interesting, for a lot of reasons. So someone like you, you can’t wait to see what’s next.”

Nas also released a video for "Nasty" which has been getting good buzz in the streets and he's set to release a memoir in the new year.  I guess life is good!
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