The Daily Roundup for May 18

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Serena Williams Rocks The June 2012 Cover of VOGUE

Now THIS is an accomplishment to boast about. Serena Williams landed the June 2012 cover of American VOGUE as the iconic magazine focuses on TEAM USA & top American Olympic hopefuls.

With the Summer Olympics going down in London this July, the magazine world is taking notice of the fittest bodies around. Namely, for their cover, Serena Williams, soccer star Hope Solo & swimmer Ryan Lochte.

In the Annie Leibovitz-shot feature, the Olympic hopefuls pose in their swimsuits and fashionable sports gear while showing off their toned and rock hard bods. It's a good look for the fashion designer/nail tech/top tennis player in the world.
Dwyane Wade is also featured in the issue alongside model and ballet dancer Karlie Kloss for a spread where some of the top 2012 Olympians are featured. Dwyane spoke to VOGUE about his upcoming 3rd Olympics:

The first time Dwyane Wade went to the Olympics, in 2004, he was really still in awe of his heroes. Having grown up on the South Side of Chicago (where he is at work building a community center), he idolized guys like Michael Jordan, whom Wade, 30, patterned himself after in a lot of ways. “We grew up watching the Dream Team, and we thought it was an honor to be on the team,” he says of his fellow rookie Olympians, players like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. He was shocked when, in Athens, the all-stars lost to Puerto Rico, Lithuania, and then to Argentina in the semi-finals—a golden flop, 89–81. “We had to wait four years to get back and hush everybody up and redeem ourselves.”

He flew past injuries—you don’t make mind-blowing layups without risking at least your hamstring—to lead the so-called Redeem Team in 2008. He scored big when it mattered, especially in the difficult final game against Spain. When Kobe Bryant and Le­Bron ran into foul trouble early and were benched four minutes into the game, Wade surged ahead, coming up with three three-pointers and reigniting the team’s fight for the gold. Is he surprised to be up for 2012 in London? “I thought Beijing would be my last one, but here I am!”
Karlie's wearing an Oscar de la Renta sequined guipure lace dress & Manolo Blahnik pumps in the above pic

Rohan Marley Is Marrying Brazilian Model ‘Isabeli Fontana’

Rohan Marley is engaged to be married to Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana. Marley, 39, is the son of reggae legend Bob Marley; he and Fontana, 28, have been dating since October 2011. The couple will tie the knot in Ethiopia. This will be the third marriage for Fontana, who was previously wed to models Álvaro Jacomossi and Henri Castelli, and had one son with each. It will be Marley’s second marriage; he was previously wed to his college girlfriend.

Marley and Lauryn Hill were a couple from 1996-2011 and have five children together, I wonder what Lauryn has to say about this?

Jennifer Hudson Releases Statement, Says She & Sister Praying for William Balfour

A Chicago jury found Jennifer Hudson’s ex-brother-in-law, William Balfour, guilty for the October 24, 2008 killings of her mother, Darnell Donerson, brother,Jason Hudson, and 7-year old nephew, Julian King. Balfour, the ex-husband of her sister Julia Hudson, faces a mandatory life sentence in jail. 

After sentencing, Jennifer and her sister, Julia, released a statement:

We have many people to thank but our first thank you is to God, always. We are so grateful to prosecutors James McKay, Jennifer Bagby and Veryl Gambino and State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and her team for their dedication and tireless work from the beginning. We have the best police department and they have been with us every step of the way. We thank all of the State’s witnesses who came forward on our behalf. We have felt the love and support from people all over the world and we’re very grateful. We want to extend a prayer from the Hudson family to the Balfour family. We have all suffered terrible loss in this tragedy. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them (2 Corinthian 4:3-4). It is our prayer that the Lord will forgive Mr. Balfour of these heinous acts and bring his heart into repentance someday.

Monica’s Miami Single Party Where nly ELITE B*TCHES were allowed!

Monday night some of the industry’s top movers and shakers were in the building at Monica’s concert, and Album party including her cousin Ludacris, his mother and his play cousin Keisha Knight Pullium. Luda was out celebrating the love of his life, Eudoxie, who was celebrating her birthday. Also in the building was Trina, Fat Joe and Floyd Mayweather, a few other celebrities and thousands of groupies. Diddy and Producer Rico Wade were also in the building.

On the main stage was the one and only Weezy F. Baby (please say the baby) who performed 3 songs and a freestyle. While on the mic, Wayne let everyone know how the “Baddest Bitch” needed to come back.

The comedian of the night was Kevin Hart. He took the stage and clowned on everyone. He showed everyone why he was number one. Kevin and Lil Wayne shot off confetti guns throughout the nights.

The club was 100% selected! Only the top elite bitches were admitted….. low budget bitches were not let in….Really? Well Big Ups to Monica.

Usher Accuses Tameka of Abandoning the Kids

Though the media has been banned from hearing certain portions of the testimony, dirty little details are still leaking out regarding Usher and Tameka Raymond's bitter custody battle...

According to The Hip Hop Enquirer Usher testified that Tameka had gone through 11 nannies and that he had been told by all of them that Tameka rarely leaves her bedroom because she is depressed.
One nanny testified that on her first day of work Tameka told her simply, 'they're upstairs' and went right back to bed and that she had to be told by one of the children that he had a peanut allergy.
Another nanny testified that on a trip to Miami she was forced to stay in the car with one of the boys for over an hour while Tameka went to a basketball game because there weren't enough tickets to go around.

While still another recalled an incident where Tameka said she was going to the movies but didn't come back for three days.

Tameka isn't the only one being battered in court, however. Usher is said to have sent the boys home having learned new cuss words and he's being accused of sleeping with two of the bridesmaids from his wedding.

Azealia Banks Honors Grace Jones On ’1991′ Cover

At 20 years old, Azealia Banks wasn’t even born during Grace Jones‘ heyday. Yet the young talent tributes the fashion icon accordingly on the striking cover for her debut EP ’1991′.
Due for digital release on May 29th (and June 12th physically), the 4-track collection features viral smash ‘212′, as well as four other tracks.

It serves as a prelude of sorts to meatier releases from Banks later this year; mixtape ‘Fantastic’ is due in the Summer (with its lead single ‘Jumanji’ having already premiered, while her hotly anticipated album ‘Broke With Expensive Taste’ is being readied for a Fall release.

Peep the ’1991′ tracklist after the jump…
’1991′ Tracklist:

1. ’1991′
2. ‘Van Vogue’
3. ’212′
4. ‘Liquorice’

Your thoughts?

FAMU President Suspends Marching Band Until 2013

Florida A&M University's band will not be allowed to march until sometime next year. The school's president, James Ammons, announced Monday (May 14) that the marching band will be suspended until 2013. The announcement comes in lieu of news that 13 FAMU band members will face third-degree felony charges, for their participation in the hazing death of Robert Champion, last year. “I think there is a period we should take that these measures are in place and we have addressed all the institutional issues,” Ammons told school board trustees. While it was revealed that those accused in Champion's death did not belong to the school's Marching 100 at the time of his passing, the revelation did not stop Ammons from trying to fire band director, Julian White. 

Not surprisingly, White ended up retiring, last week, but the band will not be allowed to return until a replacement director has been agreed upon.

Champion's death came after he was tortured during a band trip. He sustained injuries to his chest, shoulders, arms and back. His death, blew the lid off dangerous hazing rituals, and has shone a negative light on the school's otherwise positive reputation. Since his death, his family has started a non-profit organization, the Robert D. Champion Drum Major for Change Foundation, and plans to sue the school.

Rihanna Struts to NYC Rehearsals

Spotted leaving her NYC hotel, Rihanna was seen heading off to rehearsals at the Javits Center
The “Birthday Cake” songstress looked chic in a denim on denim ensemble of cropped jeans paired with a v-neck white tee while walking the sidewalks of the Big Apple.

Looking all comfy…Rih Rih!

Martin Lawrence’s Sit-Com Pilot Was Dropped By CBS

Sources are saying that CBS didn’t pick up Martin Lawrence’s return to sit-com TV planned for next season.
The unitiled pilot, which was to co-star Regina Hall, was centered around the premise of Lawernce playing a widowed father of two teenage boys who pursues a career as a cop, after losing his construction job.

I’m not sure why the network refused to pursue the pilot as a regular series.

Jada Pinkett Smith COVERS "IO DONNA" May 2012 ISSUE

In the latest issue of IO DONNA Magazine, Jada Pinkett Smith comments on her unconventional way of parenting star kids Willow and Jaden. And she reaffirms that she and Will are very happy and will always be together. Here are the highlights:

On what Willow and Jaden are busy with right now:
"Jaden is going to Philadelphia with his father for 'After Earth', directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Willow continues to sing. After 'Whip My Hair' and 'Fireball' she has two new albums out and a movie we're producing ourselves. We are actually preparing for her remake of the musical 'Annie'."

On what she's got going in the near future:
"I can not wait to go to Cannes! I've always had great fun at the festival. For the rest I do not know what I will do in the coming months, my schedule does not go further than two weeks ... In this period it was hard to split my time between the project of 'Annie', the work of Will, to my brother Caleb and James Lassiter - our production team - and the family routine. It is a continuous race ... he who hesitates is lost."

On if her kids decide to take a path away from the public eye:
"Sure, they are very young. Willow could one day decide not to have anything to do with the entertainment world. And the same thing could happen to Jaden. At that point, however, both will be able to get what they want."

On rumors that she and Will are having marital issues:
"For us nothing has changed: it is the same life as before. When Will is working on a project, I usually have to take care of the boys, but now he is with Jaden because they star in the same movie, and Willow is with me because I'm the producer of her albums and I follow her into the recording studio. Tonight I leave for Philadelphia, going to see Will and Jaden, kiss them, hug them and then return to Los Angeles."

Jada's heading to Cannes soon for the Film Festival and is promoting her upcoming movie Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (June 8th).

Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon Celebrates ‘Dem Babies’ 1st Birthday

Mariah Carey had better watch out, for there’s new diva on the block. She needn’t fret too much, though, as it’s her own daughter Monroe Cannon.

The youngster and her twin brother Moroccan are shown posing it up with their parents in these freshly released portraits from their 1st Birthday party…in Paris.

Beyonce Expected to Take the Stand

Last year video game company Gate Five filed a breach of contract suit against Beyonce for backing out of their game venture right before Christmas [click here if you missed that].

Welp, the lawsuit has gotten the go ahead and Beyonce will have to testify in court...

From The NY Post
The superstar is expected to be grilled by lawyers for a video-game developer by late summer because a Manhattan judge has given the company’s $100 million lawsuit against her the green light, The Post has learned.
Justice Charles Ramos’ ruling came after he learned lawyers for the “Single Ladies” singer were actively working on a $20 million deal with the company, Gate Five, before abruptly backing out.
“You continue to negotiate right up until the time you pull the plug. That is not going to work with me,” Ramos told Beyoncé’s lawyers.

LL Cool J’s Wife ‘Simone Smith’ Trunk Show at Neiman Marcus In Atlanta

LL Cool J’s wife Simone Smith held a trunk show for her ‘SIS’ jewelry line at Neiman Marcus in Atlanta a few days ago. Its a fun filled jewelry collection of goodies that range from $45-$8,000! Atlanta notables attending the trunk show included (pictured above from L-R) Sean Combs’s baby mamas Sarah Chapman and Misa Hylton-Brim; owner Simone Smith, and guest. Also spotted VH1 producer Mona Scott (‘Love & Hip Hop’); WSB news anchor Jovita Moore, CNN’s Audrey Irvine, Bow Wow’s mom Theresa Caldwell, and more.

Owner Simone Smith, 2nd from left, Mona Scott, 2nd from right, and Jovita Moore, far right

Simone Smith, right, and Misa Hylton-Brim

Bow Wow’s mother, Theresa Caldwell

I see the Ladies had FUN!

CHRONICLE PHOTO FABU: Basketball Wives Reunion Taped

Suzie Ketchum, Shaunie O’Neal and Evelyn Lozada pose for the camera, during the reunion taping for VH1′s ‘Basketball Wives.

Evelyn Lozada backstage and on set.

I just see this is going to be a HOT MESS!

Tyrese Forming an R&B Super Group

Tyrese just announced that he's forming an R&B super group with Ginuwine and Tank...

According to Ty the group is called TgT and they plan to pick up where Jodeci left off

Russell Simmons Defends Rihanna Over Chris Brown "Theraflu" Diss

The saga continues in the fallout between Chris Brown and Rihanna. The terrible twosome appeared to be in the throes of reconciliation until a pesky little “Theraflu” freestyle hit the ‘Net last week. For what it's worth, Brown comes pretty hard (for an R&B dude) but caught our attention after throwing shots at an unidentified ex. When the Twitterverse concluded that he was putting Rihanna's promiscuity on blast, she abruptly unfollowed him on Twitter.

Although Brown denied taking aim at the bajan beauty, Russell Simmons has decided to insert himself in the controversy by writing a blog post —titled Get Off Rihanna's D-ck— defending Rihanna's decision to sleep around.“There have been a lot of artists recently talking about ‘good girl gone band' Rihanna. As far as I'm concerned, I don't see why everyone has their panties up in a bunch, he wrote, via Global Grind.” It's just that she is out there allegedly Fawkin' the rockstars of her dreams and you out there fuckin' groupies. You can't be mad that she was seen walking out of Ashton Kutcher's house late one night, cause you know if you were seen walking out of Adriana Lima's house late one night, you would be in the studio the next day rapping about it.”

To further make his point, Simmons also mentioned the double-standard between men and women when it comes to having multiple sex partners. He also says that most males in the industry have “10 times as many girls as Rihanna has men.” While the aforementioned statement can't be scientifically proven, the only good to come out of this situation is that Rihanna has finally realized that being friends with her abusive ex-boyfriend may not be the best life choice.

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
"The Chain Gang"

We haven’t seen a child leash on here in quite some time so you can understand my disappointment when I saw this mega-leash. I really thought we made a difference, apparently I was wrong….and apparently you can now hire kid walkers. Pretty much the same as professional dog walkers but they won’t pick up poop.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!!
EFREM