The Young, Black, and Fabulous

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• K.Michelle Celebrates Album Release In NYC With Elle Varner, Bridget Kelly, Ne-Yo & More + Rocks "106 & Park"
• Tameka Raymond SPEAKS OUT On "GMA", Says She's More Than A Baby Momma
• SNAPSHOTS: Elle Varner For mark.girl + RGIII Talks About His Wife's Cooking For GQ Cover + Tamar Braxton Shows Off Baby Logan Again
• TIMELESS BEAUTY: Happy 47th Birthday Halle Berry!
• SPOTTED: Usher's Son CINCO Out of The Hospital, HITS An Indoor Play Park With His Grandma
• FUNNY CHICK: Actress Nicole Beharie Shows Off Her Bangin' Bod In Lingerie, Cracks Jokes In "ESQUIRE"
• ISH WE LOVE: Kerry Washington & Jordin Sparks Get Their Disney Karaoke On...Together
• Nas & J.Cole Cover The Second Of 3 VIBE 20th Anniversary Cover, Speak On The Current Status Of Story-Telling Hip Hop
• WHAT MONEY PROBLEMS? Mary J. Blige & Hubby Kendu Isaacs Go On Lavish Shopping Spree In Italy
• SPOTTED: Rihanna RIHUNITES With Katy Perry In NYC, PARTIES With Erica Mena
• PARTY FAB: Rocsi Diaz & Terrence J REUNITE For Rocsi's Beach Celebration
• Swiss Saleslady Calls Oprah A Liar & Says She Never Said A Bag Was "Too Expensive For Her", O Apologizes For All The Bruhaha

K.Michelle Celebrates Album Release In NYC With Elle Varner, Bridget Kelly, Ne-Yo & More + Rocks "106 & Park" Posted: 14 Aug 2013 08:21 AM PDT Singer & "LAHH ATL" star K.Michelle had a super busy day yesterday as she released her debut studio album Rebellious Soul.  Check out fun pics from her album release party in NYC with her R&B friends, plus her appearance on "106 & Park".... Last night at the posh Beauty & Essex, Atlantic Records hosted K.Michelle's big album release party.  And her sangin' friends Elle Varner, Tiara Thomas & Bridget Kelly came out to support.  And of course, they lit up IG and the professional shots with these pics: K. & BK posed it up with Alaska Gedeon, who is BK's manager and serves as Atlantic's A&R.  And if you watched Bravo's "Newlyweds: First Year", you'll remember him and his wife, Kim, a one of the featured couples on the docu-series.  Kim serves as Bridget's stylist by the way.  Keepin' it in the fam... K. rocked a cute black & white embroidered mini bodycon dress for her big night.  And crooner Ne-Yo stopped by: Nice.    K. drank it up and partied it up all night with her Atlantic fam.   But before the parties got started, the "V.S.O.P" singer rocked the stage at BET's "106 & Park": K. kept it cute in a nude pencil skirt, nude Louboutins and a tied up printed satin blouse as she chatted up Bow Wow & Angela Simmons.     And she hit the stage to perform her tracks off the album in a sexy white catsuit. And posed it up backstage for a few pics.   Check out her appearance on the show above.   Photos: Byron Edwards/BET, Rodney Gibson, K.Michelle's IG

Tameka Raymond SPEAKS OUT On "GMA", Says She's More Than A Baby Momma Posted: 14 Aug 2013 07:13 AM PDT Tameka Raymond appeared on "GMA" this morning where she explained why she's battling for custody of her sons and how she felt when she got the call about Cinco's accident.  Find out what she said inside.... Today on "GMA", Tameka Raymond sat down with Dan Abrams to talk about her ongoing custody battle with her ex-Usher Raymond and the near-fatal drowning of her son Usher Raymond V (Cinco). During the interview, Tameka described the chills she felt when she received a call about the accident.  "It was like I relived it. My brain went into all these modes. I'd gotten this call before." You'll recall that her 11-year-old son Kile Glover died in a boating accident about a year ago. Here are the other highlights: On if she blames Usher: "I don't blame him, but I'm angry it happened on his watch." Is she mad at Usher: "Absolutely not. He's the father of my children. and I love my children more than life itself." On what she wants going forward: "I want to have first right of refusal. (If Usher is out of town) I don't want them to go home to the nanny and watch whatever show their dad is on. They should be home with their mom." On how she is portrayed by the media: "I don't have an agent. I have regular, working-class friends and family. We don't know how to fight the machine. I had a career, and to be reduced to some baby momma and gold-digger is hurtful." Cinco is now out of the hospital.  Raymond vs. Raymond will be back in family court on the 27th of this month. Check out the full video of Tameka's interview HERE. Photos via ABC NEWS/Dan Abrams

SNAPSHOTS: Elle Varner For mark.girl + RGIII Talks About His Wife's Cooking For GQ Cover + Tamar Braxton Shows Off Baby Logan Again Posted: 14 Aug 2013 06:19 AM PDT Tamar & Vincent Herbert are super proud of their brand new baby boy.  So they showed him off once again yesterday.  Check out a new pic of baby LVH inside, plus Elle Varner reppin' for the mark.girl brand and RGIII covering the upcoming issue of GQ....and talking about his wife's cooking... Baby Logan Vincent Herbert has already had his first photoshoot.  So he's no stranger to tons of camera shots.  His mom, singer Tamar Braxton, posted the adorbs photo above giving fans another update on his ever changing looks. Sweet!  The "Tamar & Vnce" show returns to WeTV on September 5th.   And recently at the Trump Soho in NYC, Elle Varner hit up the mark.girl 10th birthday party to show off her new cover for Avon's boutique beauty company's mag. She posed it up with Brand Ambassador, actress Lucy Hale, and performed "Refill" for the crowd. Loving this cutesy dress.  Congrats Elle!   And Redskins QB Robert Griffin III is rocking the upcoming September issue of GQ magazine.  The NFLer gave a few interesting talking points in his interview, none of which include why he didn't get that hair braided up BEFORE this shoot. But here's a few things we found worth reading about him: The story's writer on RGIII addressing the ESPN commentator calling him a "cornball brother" I laugh and RG3 cracks a big satisfied grin back. When I express surprise that I haven’t heard the song, his answer is unexpected. “I haven’t blown the song up, because I don’t think it’s right to make fun of Rob Parker for losing his job,” he says. “There’s some wrong in what he said, but there’s some wrong in him losing his job as well. And I don’t want people to think that I, you know, that I’m trying to stick it to Rob Parker, or that I’m happy he lost his job. But I was very unhappy with the things he said. I mean, why did he say that?” On never smoking or drinking a day in his life “Never had a drop. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I’ve never done any drugs. I need my body to be at its peak performance, and I want to have a long career, and alcohol can inhibit that sometimes. And I don’t need to get in trouble because I went out and got drunk one night and I don’t know how to be drunk. But she”—he nodded at Rebecca, his wife, who sat with us for part of the interview—”drinks, and I don’t judge, and what I’ve told her a bunch of times is the first time I drink, I’ll drink with her. When I’m done playing and I retire, and it’s time for me to go sit in a big house and do nothing all day, I’m going to drink. You know?” On why he won't be a running QB “You tell a kid that you want him to be there for fourteen years, guess what? Historical data will tell you that the more he runs, the more subject he is to career injury,” Robert Griffin II says. “You name one quarterback out there that would rather run the football than throw the football and I’ll show you a loser.” On his fave food “Quesadilla casserole. Rebecca [his wife] makes it. It really is my favorite, though.” On having to live in New Orleans' Iberville projects for months with while family growing up when his military parents were away "To this day, I hate roaches. I mean I really hate roaches. So it was bad.  I don't ever want to put anything bad out there about my family, and this isn't so bad, but I got a loose tooth once, and they tied a string around it, tied it to the door, and slammed the door. That's just how they did it. That's what they knew."   Check out the full cover story & behind the scenes vid over at GQ.   The Randomness: 1.  Lamar Odom will not be charged after he threw a paparazzo's stuff out in the street a little while back.  STORY 2.  Now, Frank Ocean's cousin is trying to sue Chris Brown.  STORY 3.  NJ Mayor Cory Booker just won the special election for the Democratic nomination for US Senate.  He would be the first black US Senator from the state if he wins the general election.  STORY 4.  ESPN analyst Hugh Douglas was just fired from his job for his drunken antics during the recent NABJ conference in Orlando.  STORY   Photos: Ben Watts/GQ, mark.girl, Tamar's IG

TIMELESS BEAUTY: Happy 47th Birthday Halle Berry! Posted: 13 Aug 2013 05:14 PM PDT Academy-Award winning actress Halle Berry turns 47-years-old today. Celebrate with the actress inside..... Internationally-acclaimed actress Halle Berry celebrates her 47th birthday today.  It's been a long year for Halle--especially with the fight to move her daughter to Paris with her & her new hubby, but with a string of successul films, locating the fountain of youth, her marriage to Olivier Martinez and the announcement of her pregnancy, it seems like Mrs. Martinez really has it all.  We wish her a happy birthday and a successful pregnancy.  Revisit some of Halle's best looks in our gallery.... A Year Full of "New Beginnings" for Halle Berry! Happy 47th Birthday!

SPOTTED: Usher's Son CINCO Out of The Hospital, HITS An Indoor Play Park With His Grandma Posted: 13 Aug 2013 03:21 PM PDT Usher's son, Usher V, is out of the hospital and has gotten back into the swing of being a kid again. Find out what he did with his grandma Jonetta Patton inside........   We've been following the progress of Usher Raymond V, the young son of international superstar Usher and his ex-wife Tameka Raymond. Yesterday, Cinco was spotted (above) outside of the hospital with a bandaged arm; but otherwise, looking very healthy.   His release from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta-Scottish Rite follows a six-day stint as a result of a near-fatal drowning accident at the family's pool in Atlanta, Georgia.  He was seen out and about with his younger bother Naviyd and his grandmother Jonetta Patton.  Sources say Ms. Jonetta took the boys to Mighty Jumps Indoor Party and Play Center, near to their Atlanta home. We'll keep you posted about the ongoing Raymond vs. Raymond custody battle which should be resuming soon. On Saturday, Tameka tweeted, "The media is mis-characterising what it was. My custody re-trial is late August"   Today, she added, "To my children.. If I had to choose between loving you & breathing..I would use my last breath to tell you I love you!"   Photos via Jason Winslow / Splash News

FUNNY CHICK: Actress Nicole Beharie Shows Off Her Bangin' Bod In Lingerie, Cracks Jokes In "ESQUIRE" Posted: 13 Aug 2013 02:47 PM PDT "Shame" actress Nicole Beharie stripped down to her sexy lingerie in the latest issue of ESQUIRE and managed to tell a few jokes along the way. See the funny lady in action inside..... Up and coming Juilliard trained actress Nicole Beharie, who stars with ex-boyfriend Michael Fassbender on "Shame" and nabbed the female lead in the upcoming CW show "Sleepy Hollow", shows off her funny side in the latest issue of ESQUIRE.  During the photoshoot, which features the actress in tiny black lingerie & heels, she faces the camera and shows off her comedic side.  Watch the jokes and see flicks from her photoshoot here......  Watch Nicole cracking jokes here and here. Who knew she was hiding all this?    BONUS: Nicole recently lent her talents to a short film directed by Kahlil Joseph for W Hotels. Watch Nicole and Dan'ee Doty's adventure to the Maldives above.     Photos via Chris Fortuna

ISH WE LOVE: Kerry Washington & Jordin Sparks Get Their Disney Karaoke On...Together Posted: 13 Aug 2013 02:18 PM PDT Kerry Washington & Jordin Sparks had a bonding moment caught on video at the Teen Choice Awards Sunday night.  Check out the twosome belt out a Disney classic karaoke style inside....   And who knew Kerry had some pipes on her? Kerry, in all her pink Stella McCartney glory, kicked it backstage with Sparkle star Jordin Sparks Sunday night at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards.  And when Jordin pressed her about her fave song to sing at karaoke, the twosome discovered they have a shared love for Disney themes. So...why wouldn't Jordin make the newly married "Scandal" star belt out "A Whole New World" from Aladdin.  We love cutesy unexpected on camera collabos like this.  Especially when we learn Kerry's got a good voice on her. Check out the vid below:   Video: Ryan Seacrest's Youtube

Nas & J.Cole Cover The Second Of 3 VIBE 20th Anniversary Cover, Speak On The Current Status Of Story-Telling Hip Hop Posted: 13 Aug 2013 12:31 PM PDT J.Cole is covering the second of three 20th Anniversary Issues of VIBE magazine.  And he got to do so with his idol, Nasir Jones.  Check out both fellas giving their lyrical-like stories inside... While Kendrick Lamar was telling the world he's in the rankings with Jay-Z & Nas, and name checked J.Cole (amongst many others) to raise the bar in hip hop, Mr. Cole & Mr. Jones were releasing their brand new VIBE magazine cover story. No word yet from the two emcees in response to Kendrick, but these fellas have their own ish to discuss.  On J.Cole's newest Born Sinner album, he tributes Nas on "Let Nas Down" once he heard Nasir hated his "Work Out" track. But with the hotness that is Born Sinner, Nas let Cole know he's now made him proud.  And while this isn't a big bro/lil bro Kanye/Jay-Z situation, the mutual respect between the new school cat and old school cat is obvious. Nas posed it up for a whole spread in the newest issue of VIBE, and behind-the-scenes, he was chopping it up with Cole trying to figure out when they could get int he studio together:   VIBE: This is the first time you two are seeing each other since Nas dropped his response record to “Let Nas Down.” We’ve heard J. Cole’s take on your critique of “Work Out,” but what was your initial response? NAS: When I heard Cole on Friday Night Lights, I was like, “Yo, this kid is nice! Who the fuck is this?” I’m listening like, “Wow.” No one makes me want to write; he made me want to write. So of course I couldn’t wait for the whole album. I’m wondering are you gonna be underground? Commercial? Only the finest artists can balance that. And I was looking for his first single to be a disgusting, gritty kinda record that would change things. J. COLE: You ain’t gotta be nice about it. You can be like, “Yo, I hated that shit.” NAS: Fast forward, I’m in the studio with No I.D., who’s a hip-hop purist, and he’s like, “I gotta play this [‘Work Out’] record.” And he had a face like he was disappointed. You know that face, too. J. COLE: I already know, man. Like he’s hurt. NAS: He’s hurt. So I’m already prepared to be hurt. So when it comes on, it got all the things that you need to be on the radio; there was a noise in the track I was a little annoyed with. I’m like, “Damn, what is this bullshit?” ’Cause my man can change this whole shit. The part that really fucked me up was the “Straight up, now tell me” part. [All laugh] NAS: I wanted to throw something out the window. ’Cause you know what it made me do? I said, “Do I [need to] make this kind of a record?” I questioned myself ’cause I’m like this is the guy, here. I play it again, and now I’m pissed. I’m mad. It ruined my session. We sat there and just talked about Cole and his art. J. COLE: On the flip side, when I added that Paula Abdul part, I was so excited. I been plotting on using that since I was 14. I had a song with my mans. We had a group together, and it was a flip on that. It was a victory for me—it was self-produced. I wrote the shit, I ain’t have no big feature. And I had a single that would finally work. But I can absolutely see the other side of it. The fans were like, “Oh my God.” Now I can laugh about this shit. NAS: At the end of the day, it’s a clever record. Don’t get it twisted. ’Cause like when Cole says, “You the guy that made ‘You Owe Me,’ and shit” [on “Let Nas Down”]—which killed me. When I heard that, I was laughing my ass off—I was like touché. That’s my shit, for the record. But like I said in the [“Let Nas Down”] remix, on my fourth album I got a lot of different fans that I’m tryna holla at. So you’re trying shit like that. But on album one is when you make that spark that lasts forever. It was a good album, though. And now he’s done it again. So you good in my book.   J.Cole's spread:   A few more highlights about their hip hop storytelling skills and the status of the genre: One commonality is that you’re both great hip-hop storytellers. What makes for a good story? Are there specific approaches you guys take? NAS: Details. When I write a story, I just wanna tell you what’s in my head. It can come from real life and then turn into fantasy, stuff just rhyming. And write about what you know. I just like to tell stories that have not been told or [told] from my perspective. When I pick up albums I’m looking for stories. Tell me something that’s going on other than the fact that you the shit. J. COLE: That’s real. It’s no coincidence that all the greatest rappers—whoever you put in your top five—I guarantee you they a great storyteller. B.I.G. could paint that picture, but his flow is like liquid. This nigga [Nas] paint a picture, and his shit so detail-oriented. And then he’ll come and give you the conversational piece of it. Like, he’ll put himself in the shoes from the perspective of himself then go back to describing shit. With some people it’s too much detail. He balances the detail with action and a real beginning, middle and end—and emotion. To me, emotion makes the best stories. ’Pac is one of the illest lyricists, but that’s why his stories are so fucking crazy ’cause he’s gonna give you the emotion. Is hip-hop lyricism experiencing a renaissance now? What’s the state of the genre? J. COLE: It’s heading into another golden era. It might not be there just yet, but it’s getting there. Look at the options you got right now. I remember around the time Hip Hop Is Dead was coming out, I knew why you was saying it. Rap was a fucking joke. It was a singles-driven market. But even when I was unsigned, I knew with what I was doing that this was gon’ turn around. I didn’t know at the same time that Kendrick was somewhere studying, going hard. Drake was somewhere studying, going hard. Niggas is getting back to caring about rapping again. And really taking this shit seriously, clowning niggas that’s wack. There’s a real divided line of niggas that can rap and niggas that just can’t. And you can get your money and it’s all good. We still respect you and we gon’ play your song. But when you look at these guys, way different. Check out VIBE for the entire story.   PHOTOS: Steven Geomillion & Dennis Leupold

WHAT MONEY PROBLEMS? Mary J. Blige & Hubby Kendu Isaacs Go On Lavish Shopping Spree In Italy Posted: 13 Aug 2013 11:49 AM PDT Looks like those tax & money problems Mary J. Blige has been facing these past couple years are no longer her concern.  Because chick was splashing out some serious dollars last night while shopping in Porto Cervo, Italy with her husband Kendu.   Peep the pics inside.... No multi million dollar tax lien is going to keep MJB down.  The singer was spotted living it up all over Italy and shopping at a few luxe stores outside her resort yesterday in Porto Cervo. She and Kendu had bags upon bags -- with their assistants carrying many of them -- from Prada, Audemars Piguet and more:   The "Mr. Wrong" singer has been getting a bit of R&R after performing ll over the place for years.  Good to see her taking in some sun and hitting up those yachts.  And hopefully her money troubles have drifted away too...     The Randomness: 1. The late Natina Reed's sister Neisha Stevens' funeral arrangements have been released.  STORY   Photos: INF/Mary's IG

SPOTTED: Rihanna RIHUNITES With Katy Perry In NYC, PARTIES With Erica Mena Posted: 13 Aug 2013 11:09 AM PDT Bad gal RiRi reunited with her bestie Katy Perry for a night on the town in NYC last night.  Find out where the went inside and see Rihanna getting a kiss from reality star Erica Mena.     Fresh from a vacation in Barbados, Rihanna -- along with Katy Perry -- stepped out in New York City last night, wearing the limited edition FRANK151 x Hall of Fame collaboration shirt. The tee was created in celebration of FRANKS' 10-year anniversary and the publication of the 51st Chapter of the FRANK book. And Rihanna's snake-skinned bag paid homage to one of her favorite relaxation techniques...... Rihanna joined Katy at The Lion for her pre-album release private dinner (where Katy officially introduced John Mayer as her boyfriend).  It was the first time we'd seen the pals together since Katy attended Ri's concert in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center back in May. Rihanna tweeted, "She. X She. #KatyAnna #RIHunited" Later in the evening, reality tv star Erica Mena planted a kiss on Rihanna's cheeks while partying it up.  Everybody ants some Rih Rih....   BONUS: Check out Rih's brand new behind the scenes video of her shooting the Rihanna for River Island Autumn Campaign:     Photos via INF/Rihanna IG/Erica Mena twitter

PARTY FAB: Rocsi Diaz & Terrence J REUNITE For Rocsi's Beach Celebration Posted: 13 Aug 2013 10:41 AM PDT   Former "106 & Park" co-hosts Rocsi and Terrence J reunited over the weekend for Rocsi's Malibiu beach party.  See the cute pics inside.... "Entertainment Tonight" host Rocsi Diaz posed with her former colleague Terrence J (atop), on Sunday, for her  beach celebration at the Kia Motors Beach House powered by Sabra. The old pals were in great spirits and were quick to hug it out and catch up on old times.  Terrence will hit movie theaters later this fall in Think Like A Man 2. ' During the party, fab chick Rocsi signed an Asphalt Yacht Club t-shirt for charity , sipped Tea of a Kind and chilled with guests who snacked on goodies provided by Sabra by Voli Light Vodkas and Owl’s Brew.   In addition to partying, Rocsi also spent the weekend doing charity work as she hosted a recent drive by members of the CBS Global Distribution Group to provide brand new backpacks filled with school supplies for homeless students. Good work Rocsi!   Photos via Alex Wyman from AP/Invision

Swiss Saleslady Calls Oprah A Liar & Says She Never Said A Bag Was "Too Expensive For Her", O Apologizes For All The Bruhaha Posted: 13 Aug 2013 09:54 AM PDT When Oprah said in an interview this week that she was discriminated against while shopping at a high end boutique in Switzerland, the story took off like wildfire.  Now, the saleslady in question is speaking out and is calling Oprah a liar.  But....did she actually just prove Oprah's point with her "explanation"?  Check it inside....   While billionaire Oprah Winfrey was shopping it up around Switzerland while she was in the country for her good friend Tina Turner's wedding, she stopped at a boutique called Trois Pomme in Zurich. Oprah told "ET" recently that she felt the saleslady was racist, all because when she asked the shopgirl if she could see the $35,000 bag behind her, Ms. Goetz the saleslady SUPPOSEDLY said, "You don't want to see this bag. It is too expensive. You cannot afford it.' This wasn't the first racist encounter with a sales assistant--remember her Hermes run in years ago?  Well now, the Swiss sales assistant is speaking out, saying Oprah lied on her.  And she is so not racist. Goetz (pictured above in the store just days ago) told a local newspaper, as retold by Daily Mail, her side of the story: ‘I wasn’t sure what I should present to her when she came in on the afternoon of Saturday July 20 so I showed her some bags from the Jennifer Aniston collection,’ said the saleslady. ‘I explained to her the bags came in different sizes and materials, like I always do,” she continued. Then she goes on to discuss the confusion over the more expensive handbag. ‘She looked at a frame behind me. Far above there was the 35,000 Swiss franc crocodile leather bag,” the saleslady explained. “I simply told her that it was like the one I held in my hand, only much more expensive, and that I could show her similar bags. ‘It is absolutely not true that I declined to show her the bag on racist grounds. I even asked her if she wanted to look at the bag.” We hear what she's saying.  But what she (and many racist people) don't realize, is that she subconsciously made a statement based on the race of the person she was dealing with.  If a customer asks to see a $35,000 bag, any sales assistant who is about their hustle would RUN to go get that bag and that commission.  While Ms. Goetz has convinced herself she was just trying to "help Oprah out" because the cheaper bag looked similar, that wasn't her call to make.  And had it been someone else asking who she assumed could afford it, she likely wouldn't have made that same call that cut her own self out of a commission. Goetz continued: 'This is not true. This is absurd. I would never say something like that to a customer. Really never. Good manners and politeness are the Alpha and the Omega in this business. 'I don't know why she is making these accusations. She is so powerful and I am just a shop girl. 'I didn't hurt anyone. I don't know why someone as great as her must cannibalize me on TV. 'If it had all taken place as she claimed, why has she not complained the next day at the wedding of Tina Turner with Trudie Goetz, my boss? She was there also at the Turner wedding as a guest. I don't understand it. 'I spoke to Oprah Winfrey in English. My English is okay but not excellent, unfortunately. 'I didn't know who she was when she came into the store. That wouldn't have made any difference if I had. Hmmm.  Sounds like a typical case of "you don't even know what racist means". Meanwhile, Oprah addressed the situation on last night's red carpet Hollywood premiere of Lee Daniels' The Butler.  And she regrets ever stirring up the huge bruhaha it has.  She simply was recalling a time where discrimination has occurred because she was in a certain type of place. “I think that incident in Switzerland was just an incident in Switzerland. I’m really sorry that it got blown up. I purposefully did not mention the name of the store. I’m sorry that I said it was Switzerland. I was just referencing it as an example of being in a place where people don’t expect that you would be able to be there.” There you have it...   Photos: Getty/Fame

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