The Daily Roundup for Jan 30

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FROM FRENCH ELLE: The Obamas are first African-Americans to be fashionable, Really?

French Elle may be a fashion authority, but the glossy magazine is certainly no leader in race relations.
In what has been interpreted as an outdated and insulting move, a fashion blogger for the magazine's site posted a piece about Michelle Obama's sartorial prowess and the rise of a 'black-geoisie'.
New York Daily News goes so far as to brand the magazine as 'racist', while elsewhere online, the blog has caused uproar.
Fashion forward: The Obamas are the subject of a contentious Elle blog suggesting that black fashion has finally been given a chic makeover. Mrs Obama wore Alexander McQueen to a state dinner in 2010

Writing about the first family on the magazine's site, Nathalie Dolivo claims that the Obamas are the catalyst for a 'black fashion renaissance'.She suggests that America's first black president has finally given the black community a 'chic' option other than 'streetwear codes'.
She writes: 'Michelle Obama sets the tone, focusing on cutting-edge brands ... revisiting the wardrobe of Jackie O in a jazzy way.'

She believes black fashion in 2012 comprises a 'black-geoisie', a formula of fashion-forward black dressing that mixes 'white codes' - whatever they may be - with touches of African heritage, such as shells and 'boubous' (West African robes).

'There is always a classic twist, with a bourgeois ethnic reference (a batik-printed turban/robe, a shell necklace, a créole de rappeur) that recalls the roots' the writer notes, as translated by the Daily News.
While the First Lady has widely been credited as a style maven, championing young American designers and choosing classic styles that flatter her athletic figure, her sartorial taste can hardly be termed as 'shells' and 'robes'.

The misjudged piece - which appears to have since been removed from Elle.fr - has spawned a vehement backlash.
That Ms Dolivo has omitted any African-American history preceding 2012 is one bone of contention, another, as Fashion Bomb Daily points out, is that she has failed to see the 'impact' of a host of hugely influential figures in American culture, such as the Supremes, Diana Ross, the Cosby Show's Clair Huxtable, Salt N Pepa, TLC or Aaliyah - and onwards.

The same site notes that French Elle readers were the first to express indignation at the 'ethnographic research'.
'[This is] GROTESQUE, SHAMEFUL, and USELESS. White dress codes? Did I really read white dress codes..?' writes one reader, while another adds: 'You really think we waited until the Obamas to know style and let go of our "streetwear" proclivities?'

Comments reflect a sense of disbelief, with many bitterly sarcastic reactions. One reader asks: 'How, in 2012, in a France where there are at least three million blacks and mixed people, can you write such nonsense? You are too kind when you write that in 2012 we have incorporated the white codes…what do you think, in 2011, we dressed in hay and burlap bags?'

Elsewhere, fashion site The Gloss writes: 'French Elle writer Nathalie Dolivo is so happy about black people! She’s thrilled that they’ve finally learned to dress well! Yes, after generations mired in baggy pants and rap music and such, they finally have Barack and Michelle Obama to look to. Thanks, Obamas!'

Elle isn't alone in the magazine world for making racial slurs. Italian Vogue found itself in hot water last year for writing about the trend for 'slave' earrings, a gaffe they said was down to a mistranslation. Many branded the traditionally fashion-forward glossy anything but.

Report: Lil Kim Threatens To Destroy Nicki Minaj

Britney vs Christina
Whitney vs Mariah
Michael vs Prince
Biggie vs Tupac

Yes, when it comes to supplying epic rivalries, Pop culture has never had a problem coughing up the goods.
And if new reports are true. Nicki Minaj and Lil Kim is readying to take the art of feuding to all new heights, following an alleged threat issued by the The Rapper minutes ago.

According to Julia Beverly - founder of Ozone Magazine- Jones’ publicist sent her an email which read the following:
"Lil kim is going to release a statement this week that will “destroy nicki minaj’s credibility & career."

This follows the release of Minaj’s video for ‘Stupid Hoe‘, a response to a number of jabs aimed at her by the Brooklyn native over the years.

It also comes days after a member of Jones’ entourage rocked the internet with claims that he had served as her ghostwriter, penning lyrics the Rapper had claimed as her own.

If only she put this much effort into releasing new music. Stay tuned for further on this Battle Royale.

Ne-Yo Joins Motown Records, Named VP Of A&R

R&B star Ne-Yo is taking on a new role in music. Billboard says the singer is moving from Def Jam to Motown Records, where he is becoming the senior VP of A&R. With his new gig, Ne-Yo will produce and mentor artists on the label and also help discover and sign new talent.

Ne-Yo says he’s “honored” to have such a “prestigious title,” adding that he plans to follow in the footsteps of his idol Smokey Robinson. Fans can look forward to watching Ne-Yo on the upcoming season of NBC’s “The Voice,” where he will help mentor Cee Lo Green’s team. Ne-Yo is also working on his fifth studio release, which is eyeing a summer release.

The His fifth studio album is about to drop Neyo breaks down the title of the project, “Mr. Perfect,” claiming the album is all about connecting with listeners.
“This album for me is my way of showing people, Yes, I am a celebrity. But at the end of the day, I’m a human being, I’m a man first. I’m not perfect,” said Ne-Yo.

“There are things about me you might not like.”

According to the “Give Me Everything” and “Let Go” singer, the troubles with being an artist today, effectively trying to please everyone, is another reason why “Mr. Perfect’ fits.

“Any artist who you speak to that will speak truthfully about the music business and will tell you that in a lot of ways you feel like a mannequin: You can’t really have too much of an opinion, you can’t really do what you wanna do or say what you wanna say because you don’t wanna piss your fans off,” said Ne-Yo. “You have to be perfect.”

With a tentative March release, “Mr. Perfect” falls right in line with Ne-Yo’s return to theaters and upcoming role on ‘The Voice’ (NBC). There, he joins Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds as an advisor on Team Cee-Lo (Green). The Voice premieres February 5 on NBC.

ETAM’S 2012 SPRING/SUMMER FASHION SHOW

Paris Fashion Week went all out Monday night when they gathered 70’s icons Grace Jones, Chaka Khan, Gloria Gaynor, The Pointer Sisters and Sister Sledge to perform at Etam’s Couture fashion show.

Check out the pictures from the glamours event,

The ladies transformed the show into a disco-era celebration reminiscent of the days of Studio 54. Etam’s presented its 2012 Spring/Summer collection at Les Beaux-Arts de Paris Monday in Paris, France. For the second time the show was under artistic direction of Mark Ronson.

Kim Kardashian Destroyed By Her Mother?

In Touch Weekly‘s February 2012 issue features news from “an ex” that Kim Kardashian‘s been destroyed by her mom Kris Jenner.

According to the mag, Kim was pressured by her mom to have sex at 14. Kris brainwashed Kim with her obsession with money. Also, how Kris’ secret demons turned Kim into a monster.
In the issue:

Hyping her new book on the talk show circuit, Kris Jenner has been going into embarrassing detail about the steamy affair she had with a much younger man while married to her first husband, Robert Kardashian. “We had wild, crazy sex all the time,” she writes in Kris Jenner… and All Things Kardashian. “Sex in cars, sex on the tennis court, sex in the pool house… sex everywhere, all the time.”
But while Kris, 56, claims to regret being unfaithful for personal reasons, she still seems blissfully unaware of the toll her wild antics took on her children — especially Kim.

Cee Lo Green To Join Madonna's Super Bowl Performance

Madonna's biceps won't be the only thing holding your attention during her Super Bowl halftime performance, she's also bringing Cee Lo Green along for the ride. Madge has been keeping the details behind her performance a secret but according to the TheInsider.com, Green has been flying to New York to rehearse with the Material Girl over the past two weeks.

While there's no word on which of her many hits will be part of the show, rumor has it that Green has been commissioned to put his own spin on some of her classics. The 37-year-old is used to covering iconic records, last month he caused a stir for changing the lyrics to John Lennon's '"Imagine," during a New Years Eve performance in Times Square. Some people were unhappy with his decision to adjust the lyrics from "nothing to kill or die for / and no religion too" and replace them with "nothing to kill or die for / and all religion's true." He later apologized, noting that he never meant to "disrespect" Lennon fans.

2012 is shaping up to be another solid year for the Atlanta native. Aside from his judging gig on NBC's 'The Voice,' Green has re-linked with his Goodie M.O.B. family for the reality show, 'Cee Lo Takes The U.K.,' helmed by producer Mark Burnett. The New York TImes reported that the show, which only airs in the U.K., follows Green and Goodie M.O.B. as they record a new album.

As for the Super Bowl, viewers can catch Green and Madonna on Feb 5, when the New York Giants square off against the New England Patriots, beginning at 6:30 p.m. EST on NBC.

CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS – SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

One of the cool things that goes on at the Sundance Film Festival, besides the screenings of new movies, is “Dinners with Bevy.” Actors Jesse Williams and Rashida Jones (Quincy Jones’ daughter) were honored at the Moet & Chandon and The Blackhouse Foundation dinner for their dedication to black independent film and the preservation of black cinema.

The celebratory evening was spearheaded and hosted by Bevy Smith –television personality, writer, and creator of “Dinner With Bevy.”

On hand to celebrate the duo were, Rashida’s father Quincy Jones, Toni Braxton, Estelle, Rockmond Dunbar, and others.

DON’T PHUCK WITH CHRIS ROCK When it comes to Politics!

Chris Rock went ballistic on a camera guy after getting ambushed with political questions...

According to Page Six

Don’t ask Chris Rock about Newt Gingrich. The comic destroyed a videographer’s camera at Tao at Sundance, the scene of a Google bash and Jonny Lennon’s 4am Funday soiree, in the early hours of Monday when he was ambushed with a string of political questions after being asked to pose for a picture. A spy tells us, “A guy walked up to Chris and his entourage and said, ‘Hey, could I get a photo of you with my girlfriend?’ When he turned around, he found a video camera in his face, asking him about Gingrich.” Another spy said: “Chris pushed the interviewer and grabbed the camera. He smashed it so hard, it broke into pieces. He cursed the guy for filming when he had asked them to stop.” Another witness said that after smashing the camera, Rock asked him, “Did you get your shot?” Security escorted the video guy out, and Rock left peacefully, we’re told. Rock’s rep declined to comment.

Rumer Willis has dashed to her Mother’s side as Demi was rushed to a Hospital for Overdosing!

Strain in her face and cigarette in hand, Rumor Willis appeared distressed after visiting mother Demi Moore in hospital.
The 23-year-old dashed to the actress's bedside at a Los Angeles medical centre after she collapsed on Monday night.
It has been claimed that 49-year-old Demi, who has looked increasingly frail since her split from Ashton Kutcher, was rushed to hospital after a laughing gas binge at her LA mansion.
Rumer has been seen outside the hospital twice. On the second occasion she obscured her face with sunglasses.
She has been desperately worried about her mother and has reportedly phoned Ashton, who is currently in Brazil, to ask for his help.

A source told Hollywoodlife.com: 'Rumer is devastated. She worries day and night about her mother and has been watching her mom fall apart. 'Rumer actually reached out to Ashton on several occasions and he just blew her off. He either wouldn’t answer or he’d say he’d help but nothing would happen.
Demi and Rumer have spent substantial amounts of time together since the split.
After they visited the Turks and Caicos, a source said: 'Demi was dancing like crazy, she wasn’t acting like a mom … it was wild. 

'She was dancing and Rumer looked mortified and completely embarrassed. It was really shocking.'
Earlier this month Demi and Rumer spent an evening at The Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles.
A source told People: 'When [Moore] first arrived, she kept to herself ... but she started loosening up and getting into party mode.
'She seemed really happy to be out with her daughter's friends.

The magazine also claims the actress was flirting with 90210 star Ryan Rottman.
'[Moore] found ways to touch him all night, and at one point when he was in front of her, she was grinding on his butt,' the source told People,
'His shirt came unbuttoned, and she started tickling his bare chest playfully.'
Ashton refused to respond when he was asked about his extranged wife's health yesterday.
He was caught on camera by showbiz site TMZ as he was leaving a nightclub in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Ghost actress Demi, who was once married to Bruce Willis, was taken ill on Monday.

A 911 call was made just before 11pm and LA Fire Department paramedics were at her house for around half an hour.
They eventually decided that she needed to be taken to hospital. According to TMZ, the actress had been inhaling nitrous oxide from a small metal canister usually used for recharging whipping cream cans in restaurants.

A source told the website the actress started to show symptoms of a seizure after ingesting large amounts of the substance
And a female friend who claimed to be with the actress while she was inhaling the gas allegedly told hospital staff she became distressed when Demi had a reaction and was rendered semi-conscious
Prescription medication is also reported to have played a part in her hospitalisation and that her consistent use was one of the causes of her marriage collapse to Two and a Half Men star Ashton.
The couple's six-year marriage foundered in 2011 after Star magazine's shock report that Ashton cheated on Demi with starlet Sara Leal the weekend of their wedding anniversary. 

She announced that she was separating from him but has yet to file divorce papers.
Representatives for the star refused to directly comment on the substance abuse allegations.

But her spokesperson said the actress is seeking 'professional assistance' after the stresses of recent months.
Insiders have also said Demi was troubled and not looking after herself long before Monday night's hospital dash.
They say the problems began as she endured her break-up with Kutcher.
A source said: 'Really, it was over the last year her friends saw a change. She wasn't sleeping as well, didn't seem to be eating and looked really gaunt.'

Mary J. Blige SPEAKS on her Oscar snub amongst other things

Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige‘s unceremonious snubbing from the 2012 Academy Awards nominations has caused quite an uproar with fans and industry insiders alike. Never shy on a matter, Mary took to Twitter Tuesday to voice her own displeasure with the diss.

Despite making rounds for ‘The Living Proof’ – her acclaimed inclusion on ‘The Help’ soundtrack, Mary is still moving on the promo trail for her ‘My Life II’ set. Spotted on Bravo’s ‘Watch What Happens Live’ last night, the New York native was quizzed on a number of topics including her album, the Oscar snub, her thoughts on young R&B (Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Chris Brown, etc), and the dueling divas – Madonna and Elton John.

Fans may recall that Madonna’s ‘Masterpiece’ recently bested both Blige and John for ‘Best Original Song’ at its own 2012 ceremony. And, with Blige and John sharing mutual support and multiple duets in the past, spectators have long sought the R&B beauty’s thoughts on the longstanding Madge and Elton beef. “I love Elton. Elton is my friend for real,” said Blige. “I don’t know Madonna. So I would never say anything negative about her.”

She tweeted about the snub!

In this hilarious interview, you can find out the ‘No More Drama’ diva’s view on the drama after the jump:

I LOVES MY MARY!

Mary Mary’s Erica Campbell Welcomes A BABY GIRL!!

Erica Campbell of the Grammy-winning sister duo Mary Mary has given birth to a new daughter. Campbell’s representative says Zaya Monique was born last Tuesday. The baby weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces.
In a statement, the singer said:
“…feeling so thankful and so blessed to have our sweet Zaya finally make her grand entrance into the world! God is awesome, our family couldn’t be more happy than we are today!”

God Bless her Warren and the new baby!

MACK 10 is a shady Dude!

West Coast rapper Mack 10, who's woefully behind in child support, helping push T-Boz into bankruptcy just lost a huge judgement to a creditor...
Mack 10 borrowed $35,000 from a guy named Tadayuki Ito and promised to pay him back $70,000 in three months. Instead, four days later Mack borrowed another $65,000 from Tadayuki and promised to pay $130,000 for that loan, also in three months.

Tadayuki should have known it was a scam.
When Mack didn't pay him back, Tadayuki took him to court. Of course Mack didn't show up, but he should have because there's a usury law in California that prohibits excessive interest on loans. As soon as the terms for 100% interest came out in court, under law, Tadayuki wouldn't have been entitled to any interest at all.

But since Mack didn't show up, a default judgment was entered for the plaintive in the amount of $229,668.86.
Good luck collecting Tadayuiki, but you know you're going to have to charge that to the game, right?

Rihanna Shows Off “Thug Life” Tattoo

Rihanna is paying tribute to a late rap legend with a little bit of ink. The pop diva tweeted a photo of herself at a tattoo parlor early Wednesday morning with the Tupac-inspired phrase “Thug Life” written across her knuckles. The tattoo is in rather faint ink, promptingsome media outlets to speculate as to whether it’s actually real.

Rihanna’s had no problems making headlines with photos lately. She was just recently photographed in Hawaii smoking what appeared to be marijuana. She also tweeted out a series of photos of herself posing in bikinis.
Rihanna fans can look forward to watching the singer in her big screen debut this spring. She’ll be starring alongside Liam Neeson and Alexander Skarsgard in “Battleship,” which opens in May.

JOAN RIVERS…PLEASE STOP NO MORE SURGERY!

She is not shy about speaking about her surgery and now Joan Rivers has shown fans what happens when she goes under the knife.
In the first episode of the second series of her reality TV show Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best which aired in the US last, night the Fashion Police host underwent surgery to ‘tune-up’ on her neck.
Joan,78, underwent the surgery despite concerns raised by her daughter and her family.

As the mother daughter pair waited to speak to a surgeon Melissa told her mother: ‘I don’t want you to die’.Melissa even staged a ‘skintervention’ where she tried to convince her mother to decide against the procedure. Joan defiantly told her family: ‘My body is a temple, and my temple needs redecorating.’

Before the surgery she joked that she isn’t going for ‘a Chaz Bono’ just a touch up.
Also in the show the star, who has undergone numerous cosmetic procedures said it would be her 734th surgery.
But it was clear that Melissa’s concern did hit home with her mother who was anxious ahead of going under the knife again.

The comedian is seen without make-up preparing for the surgery and recuperating from the treatment.
Melissa is seen caring for her mother and tells the camera: ‘Cover at age two was easier to handle than my mother after an operation.’
Ahead of her season two premiere Joan caused controversy for taking a swipe at Chelsea Handler.
It all started on Howard Stern’s Sirius XM show on Monday when Chelsea was asked about her reaction to Joan’s recent criticism of her.She responded: 'What the f**k do I care about Joan Rivers?''

The E! late night host then went on to recount an incident at a recent Comcast party where Joan made a speech and took some digs at Chelsea for acquiring a new stage, which was formerly Conan O'Brien's stage.
The next day, Joan Rivers and daughter Melissa had their turn on Howard’s show and discussed their thoughts on Chelsea.
Without any of her trademark verve, Joan spat: 'The girl made it on her back f**king the president [of E!].'
The Fashion Police star, who shares a network with Handler, then went on to describe Chelsea as a 'drunk' and a 'whore.'

Handler did pen a best-seller called Are You There, Vodka? It's Me Chelsea.

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
“Getting’ Greasy”

Tom is a true Mack Daddy. Pimp Tom pimp.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!!!

EFREM