The Atlanta Celebs came out to The 31st Annual Mayor’s Masked Ball!
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed joined Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO of the United Negro College Fund, to host the 31st Annual Mayor’s Masked Ball. The event took place at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis located in the heart of downtown Atlanta. This is Mayor Reed’s fifth UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball, an event which will benefit UNCF and its 37 member colleges and universities.
The United Negro College Fund is the nation’s oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $3.6 billion to help more than 400,000 students receive college degrees at UNCF member institutions and with UNCF scholarships. UNCF accomplishes its mission by providing financial assistance to deserving students, raising funds for its 37 member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for scholarships and capacity building and providing technical assistance to those member campuses.
This year’s honorees include the Civil Rights icons Rev. Dr.C.T. Vivian and Dr. Joseph Lowery.
Dinner Music will be provided by my alma mater Clark Atlanta University Jazz Orchestra under the Direction of James H. Patterson.
Student Testimonials – Kenya Morris, Clark Atlanta University Class of 2018.
The concert of the evening featured The iconic Chaka Khan.
Celebrity Guests attending include: Chris Tucker, Demetria McKinney, Faune Chambers Watkins, Palmer Williams Jr., Rozonda “Chilli “Thomas, Will Packer, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jasmine Burke, Jonathan Slocumb, Terry J. Vaughn, Brad James , and Derrick “Fonzworth Bentley” Watkins.
Marquis Sponsors: The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines and UP.
Some pics from the event!
Some pics from the event!
Great Event!
Queen Latifah Coming Out Of Pocket To Pay Laid-Off Staff For The Holidays
Right before Thanksgiving, The Queen Latifah Show came to an abrupt and unfortunate end before it had the chance to close out a second season. Although such cancellations are nothing but the Hollywood norm, Ms. Dana Owens is going out of her way to prove that she meant every word in her heartfelt Facebook message immediately following the final announcement.
E!’s Marc Malkin is reporting that Latifah will be using her own money to pay the show’s production staff so their Christmases and/or Hanukkah’s can be equally merry and happy as everyone else’s. BET is still slated to run episodes all the way through March, but since they are already shot, the various behind-the-scenes members have already completed their end of the bargain so they’ve already been paid for their work.
You will be hard-pressed to find a better unemployment plan than the benevolence of Queen Latifah and her decision to share the wealth speaks volumes for her character that isn’t being thrusted in front of the camera on the daily.
However, don’t get comfortable not seeing the entertainment virtuoso on your screen. E! has learned that her portrayal as Bessie Smith in HBO’s upcoming biopic is already garnering rave reviews.
Elton John, David Furnish marry in England
Legendary Entertainer Elton John and longtime mate David Furnish officially married Sunday on the ninth anniversary of the day they entered into a civil partnership.
The couple converted their civil bond under new laws implemented in England earlier this year that allow same-sex marriages.
On Sunday the couple posted an Instagram picture of themselves preparing to sign official documents. "That's the legal bit done. Now on to the ceremony!" they wrote.
John and Furnish planned a celebration at their estate near Windsor Castle west of London. An A-list crowd is expected - even if the festivities are likely to be much more sedate than the parties in John's hell-raising rock 'n' roll days.
The singer - known for an impressive string of hits dating back decades - promised to post pictures of the festivities to fans around the world.
The nuptials came as no surprise: John had tweeted about his plans earlier in the week, and earlier in the year had praised England for embracing same-sex marriage. He said there had been a remarkable change in a country where homosexual acts had long been deemed criminal offenses.
John said the wedding would be a joyous occasion shared with the couple's two sons, Zachary and Elijah.
The singer had said earlier this year that he and Furnish planned to take advantage of the changes to the law, even though they already had a civil bond recognized by the courts.
"We shouldn't just say, 'Oh well, we have a civil partnership, we're not going to bother to get married," he said.
John and Furnish met in 1993. Both have been active in a number of charities, with John focusing on efforts to combat the spread of HIV and AIDS.
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 in recognition of his charitable works.
Congrats!
K. Michelle, LL Cool J, Diggy Simmons & More Rock The Stage For The “Christmas In Brooklyn” Concert At The Barclays Center
The “Christmas In Brooklyn” concert went down at the Barclays Center last night. And it brought a stellar performance from reality star/Anybody Wanna Buy A Heart? singer K. Michelle.
K slipped into a black shimmery romper before hitting the stage to belt out her R&B tunes. The “Maybe I Should Call” singer performed a few tracks from her debut album, which included her single “Can’t Raise A Man” and her radio hit “V.S.O.P.”
Also hitting the stage....G.O.A.T. rapper LL Cool J rocked the stage with a few of his legendary hits including “Doin’ It Well” before bringing out surprise guest Bell Biv Devoe. The former New Edition members rocked the stage with their performance of the classic hit “Poison” which set the crowd off.
Soon after, LL brought his former rap-nemesis Canibus, where they performed “4,3,2,1”— the track that sparked their feud back in the 90s. The legendary rapper also brought out EPMD, Troy Ave and freestyle rapper Murda Mook.
But before he hit the stage: He was spotted backstage with his daughter Samaria Smith for a little daddy-daughter time.
And Bell Biv Devoe was spotted backstage posing it up with rapper Fat Joe.
Back on stage:
Diggy Simmons hit the stage to perform his freestyle to Nas’ 2002 hit single “Made You Look”.
And to close out the show, iconic rap group Run DMC took the stage to rock out to a slew of their hits including “My ADIDAS”, “Walk This Way” and “Run’s House”. The duo, along with his sons, took a moment for a special tribute to the late Jam Master Jay who was gunned down in 2002.
Run's daughter and Diggy's big sis Angela was there to support:
And she chilled backstage with Olympian Sanya Richards-Ross.
Performances!
Fun Times!
Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep & James Corden: “Into The Woods” Q&A In LA
They’re quite the ensemble cast and the actors of “Into the Woods” gathered for an All Guild Q&A in Beverly Hills.
Emily Blunt and Meryl Streep looked to be enjoying themselves at the AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater as they chatted about the project along with James Corden and Chris Pine.
Meanwhile, “Pitch Perfect” cutie Anna Kendrick talked about her lifelong love of musical theater that began in her childhood.
She explained, "I sang as a little kid, I guess. You couldn’t shut me up. As a performer, you couldn’t ask for something better than Sondheim’s music. As a singer, it’s a real pain in the ass. It’s so relentless and asks so much of you."
Rihanna’s Dad Running His Mouth About Her Business, Talks Chris Brown, pregnancy and disliking Melissa and Shutting out her other brother and sister
Rihanna’s dad is being messy again after being kicked out of her Diamond Ball for drinking and getting drunk, after he promised her he had kicked his destructive habit.
Ronald Fenty decided to give Daily Mail an exclusive interview at his Beverly Hills hotel before he jetted out of Los Angeles, the 61-year-old spoke candidly about their spectacular bust-up, revealing how:
Rihanna put him through a $58,000 Malibu rehab program last year to save him from jail after he was arrested during a previous visit to California
– She flies him to LA every three months for urine tests and has the mini-bar emptied before he arrives
– She has frozen out Chris Brown and ignored him at their last meeting
– He dislikes Rihanna’s best pal and constant companion Melissa Forde
– She is still single and unable to find a man
– She is NOT pregnant, despite widespread claims by magazines and websites
Ronald says about being kicked out:
‘I had Johnny Walker Black. I had two doubles man and tripped over a chair. I had been on the [red] carpet for the pictures, I meet a couple of famous people I knew go and talked with them, and then somebody left a chair and I stepped back and fell over, I saw my ex (Monica) look up, and within a few minutes after the picture was taken, security came up and said “we’re taking you home”. I said “but I haven’t seen my daughter yet”… and they said “don’t matter man”. ‘They said “please do not make a scene it will reflect on your daughter”.’
He continues: ‘I’m sad how it ended of course, I should have never taken that first drink or any drink for that matter. I wish I had seen her of course. She will probably hear how I was and how I had a few drinks, so I guess she would be angry with me. I think she is, I’m not sure, we haven’t spoken just yet.’ ‘That day of the event I was really down. My other son and daughter in Barbados, Samantha and Jamie, were not invited and they were on my case about it and making me feel bad and guilty. Cousins and everybody on the other side was invited but why wasn’t Jamie and Samantha there? It wasn’t the first time either. I got really down and depressed and that was basically why I started drinking that day.’
Ronald says he feels terrible for breaking his promise to his daughter but when asked if he’s an alcoholic, he says: ‘Me, no, drunk and disorderly. I don’t see myself as an alcoholic, I don’t realise when I get that drunk. Call me a drunk or alcoholic in denial, whatever you want to call me but I have realised I could drink or not drink. I only start[ed] drinking, once I come back here in December.’
However he apologized to Rihanna: ‘I feel bad because I let her down because she spend all that money putting me in rehab, [and] then find me drunk somewhere. It is not good. What can I say but I’m sorry. It’s me who f**ed up.’Ronald doesn’t like Rihanna’s best friend Melissa Forde who grew up with her in Barbados and seems to constantly be by her side as she travels the world.
He said: ‘If it was me she would have to go, if I had anything to do with it she would have to go. She’s the one who goes shopping and everything. I think Melissa should be old enough to be able to stand on her own two feet, of course come and visit her like the rest of her friends but she doesn’t need to be there all the time. Monica says “but she helps Robyn pack her bags”, I said “Melissa don’t pack no bags sweetheart, I know that, so don’t give me that. I’ve been in the house. I said that’s a joke.’
Revealing how Rihanna coldly blanked Chris when they were at a charity basketball game in August, he said: ‘I don’t know what their relationship is now. At the basketball, they just said “hi and hello”. When we was going to the car park he was trying to talk with her but she turned and was talking to somebody else, so he came and talked to me and I had a picture with him. Afterwards Robyn said, “dad you really taking pictures with he though?”(sic).’
Although he has said in the past he would be happy for them to get back together, Ronald isn’t so sure now.
He said: ‘Let her do what she wants to do. This recycling thing don’t work for everything, people don’t ask me if I could go back with Ms Fenty. Chris is a player, he ain’t ready for no one women yet, he ain’t ready. He’s a party guy. When I see in the papers he’s in trouble, I think “Chris what the hell are you doing man?” The guy has got so much talent you know what I mean, to just screw up like that. ‘He can draw, he can do anything, man you give it to Chris he can do it great. He’s so talented.’
Ronald confirms Rihanna is still single despite being linked with the likes of Chris Martin, Justin Bieber and even Eminem in the past few months. Her last relationship was with Drake but it fizzled out in June this year.
He said: ‘She says “dad can you believe I don’t have a man?” A beautiful woman like that don’t have a man, no I don’t believe it. She needs to find the right man who’s compatible. She may be looking in the wrong direction, they don’t have to be in the entertainment business but that’s the people she’s meeting.’
But he ends the interview by thanking Rihanna for everything that she’s done for him and that he is going to try and get back to being sober for the sake of his relationship with Rihanna. After all she’s done for him, and continues to do for him, this is how he repays her?
Floyd Mayweather Paying For Funeral Of Murderer
Floyd Mayweather can do whatever he wants with his money, but this is still a head scratcher. Reportedly, the boxer will be paying for the funeral of Earl Hayes, the Money Team rapper who murdered his wife before killing himself.
Reports TMZ: Floyd Mayweather is putting aside some brutal facts and paying for the funeral of the rapper who gunned down his wife in the bathtub and then shot himself.
We’re told Floyd thinks Earl Hayes’ family deserves a proper funeral, despite the horrific thing he did.
TMZ broke the story … Floyd was FaceTiming with Hayes earlier this month when the rapper snapped as they discussed how his wife, “Hit the Floor” star Stephanie Moseley was cheating on him. He went in the bathroom and pumped 10-12 shots as she lay in the tub. He then killed himself.
We don’t know if Floyd foot the bill for Stephanie’s funeral Friday in Canada. Floyd was urging Hayes to dump her just before he lost it.
Some details are better left untold.
President Obama Says Sony Made The Wrong Call
Things just got even more real in the Sony Hack ordeal! President Obama says that he is not willing to submit to the hackers’ demands, and Sony shouldn’t either! Here are the details!
In light of terrorist threats from N. Korea in reaction to Sony Pictures’ “The Interview,” Sony made the hasty decision to pull the movie from theaters, even cancelling the premiere. Now, in his end of the year press conference, President Obama is addressing the issue, and he says that Sony has made a terrible mistake.
“Sony’s a corporation. It suffered significant damage. There were threats against some of its employees,” he said “I am sympathetic to the concerns that they faced. Having said all that, yes, I think they made a mistake.”
The movie’s plot, which has caused quite a stir, centers around two Americans attempting to kill N. Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Though a comedy, the people of N. Korea didn’t seem to think it was funny, sending this message to Sony only a few minutes ago.
“It’s very wise that you made the decision to cancel The Interview. It will be very useful for you. We still have your private and sensitive data. We ensure your security for your data unless you make additional trouble. Now we want you never let the movie released, distributed or leaked in any form of, for instance, DVD or piracy. And we want everything related to the movie, including its trailers, as well as its full version down from any website hosting them immediately.”
Unwavering, President Obama stands firm in his belief, and says he wishes Sony execs would’ve consulted him before making a final decision.
“I would have told them ‘Do not get into a pattern in which you’re intimidated by these kinds of criminal attacks,'” he said.”That’s not who we are. “That’s not what America’s about.”
Obama isn’t the only one upset about Sony’s decision. Actor George Clooney, in an interview with Deadline.com yesterday, revealed that he had circulated a petition earlier in the week, urging people not to submit to the hackers’ demands, but no one was willing to sign it.
Something tells me this isn’t the end of the Sony saga. It seems that our President doesn’t plan on budging, and apparently, neither do the hackers.
So Mel B & Husband Stephen Belafonte Ready To Call It QUITS?!
This time of year couples are usually spending more time together and make holiday memories. But for one couple, it seems things are falling apart.
Rumors are circulating that former Spice Girl and “X Factor” judge Mel B and her husband Stephen Belafonte may be calling it quits soon. It’s reported she postponed her eye surgery procedure (she recently revealed she has been blind in one eye) as she tries to sort out a possible divorce from her film producer husband.
Sources close to Mel reveal she may really be done with her husband of 7 years. The source told the Daily Mirror,
“At the moment she is discussing divorce. She knows this isn’t the easiest option. It’s going to be tough. But she knows her marriage is over.”
Last week, fans grew concerned over Mel B’s appearance on the “X Factor”, once she appeared on the show after missing the first live show on Dec. 13th. Following a hospital stay, the 39-year-old singer returned to the show on Dec. 14th and she had bruises on her face, a bruise on her cheek and scratches on her arms. A source close to the "X Factor" show revealed Stephen didn't even come to visit her during her three-day hospital stint.
The source told The Sun, "Mel hasn't spoken to Stephen once since her admission to hospital last week and as it stands she doesn't want to see him. He didn't come to the hospital at all. The fact that he left the country before she'd even gone back on X Factor is another sign of just how bad things have become between them."
Fans instantly accused Stephen of abusing her, but he vehemently denied it, hopping on Twitter to refute the rumors. Now...Mel B's estranged mother Andrea Brown is joining in on the abuse allegations. She first praised the fact that her son-in-law may be out of her life for good, then she sent a tweet that alludes he may be abusing her daughter. She tweeted:
Damn...this is getting messy...
Action Bronson & Azealia Banks Beefng with each other on Twitter!
Action Bronson and Azealia Banks got into a good old-fashioned Twitter war today that involved Q-Tip, Solange Knowles, and Tyler the Creator, by default. To give a little back story, Banks has had her back up against the wall today because of her interview with Hot 97.
Since she made some interesting, and emotional points on Hot 97 talk, the talk about race, and “cultural appropriation” trickled over into Twitterland. Bronson’s name was thrown into the conversation by way of a random tweet to Banks about “white people who can rap.”
The Queens rapper jumped on Banks for even mentioning his name, and everything got out of control from there. Banks called him a “tribute band” version of Ghostface Killah a “fat meatball,” and a myriad of other insults.
Bronson hit below the belt too. He mentioned melting off her “boy t*ts” and said she lacked “sex appeal,” “talent”, and a fan base “outside Manchester, England”
That wasn’t even the end of it either. Q-Tip and Knowles were pulled in by Bronson’s tweet about “people” supporting Banks’s views, and making her a “Civil Rights activist.”
He obviously got questioned about using the word “people,” but insists that it wasn’t about race.
Rihanna New Music Video In Paris? Watch The Vids Of Fans Swarming Her
Rihanna was swarmed by fans for a new video (hopefully music related)! In one fan video, you can see RiRi running straight into the arms of her many fans — slightly terrifying but also kind of sweet.
In another Insta vid, you can see the singer sitting on top a group of fans while she was vibing and waving her arms in the arm — this has to be a music related video shoot!
Afterwards, Rihanna uploaded her own Instagram pic of her with her fans with the caption, “ran off set of an editorial shoot, straight into the arms of my fans… thank you french navy #r8.”
Nicki Minaj & Ex-Boyfriend Safaree Air Out Their Relationship Issues On Twitter
This break-up between Nicki Minaj and her ex-boyfriend Safaree “SB” Samuels just took a turn…for the worst. Anytime indirect (or direct) conversations happen on Twitter, they normally end badly.
Well…that’s sort of what happened with Nicki & SB. The twosome engaged in an indirect Twitter exchange last night. And it came with a little insight on what their 10-year relationship was like.
It seems Nicki isn’t really over Safaree and Safaree isn’t over Nicki. Earlier this week, the Head Barb was making her media rounds to promote her new album The Pinkprint. During an interview with Angie Martinez on Power 105, Nicki broke down in tears while talking about her boyfriend of 10-years SB. She also hinted that his thirst for "fame" was one of the primary reasons they broke up.
Then it was reported that SB was having suicidal thoughts after his break-up with the “Anaconda” raptress.
Now the two are airing out their dirty laundry on Twitter. Nicki claims SB is trying to blackmail her and is still hinting at their break-up being cause by fame. Peep her tweets (read from the bottom up):
Safaree responded to Nicki indirectly but it was clear who he was talking to. He said he has no idea what she's talking about when she says he's trying to blackmail her. He also said, he wished she would have just called him instead of putting her thoughts on Twitter. Check his tweets (read from the bottom up):
SB hopped on the phone with her moms! Love makes you do some crazy things....doesn't it?
Birdman Slapped With With Huge Federal Tax Lien After Owing The IRS Over $1.9 Million
Cash Money founder Birdman (real name Bryan Williams) has more serious issues to deal with than Lil Wayne, as the IRS is reportedly on the hunt for his assets to seize — due to $1.9 million he owes them in back taxes.
Birdman was reportedly hit with the lien on November 24th, with the IRS explaining that the rapper/label owner owes taxes for 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
The lien breakdown is reportedly as follows $1,885.88 (2007), $1,400,460.06 (2008), $508,377.40 (2009) and $14,153.30 (2010) for a grand total of $1,924,876.64 in tax debt that Birdman owes the federal government.
The court document also states that if Birdman doesn’t pay up ASAP, they will begin seizing his property and assets to collect on the $1.9 million owed.
Unfortunately, the lien is the latest in a string of financial issues for the music mogul. He was also hit with a $1 million lien by a construction company who accused him of failing to pay for work they did on his Miami mansion.
Hey Sorors: VH1 Refuses To Cancel ‘Sorority Sisters’ Reality Show
If you’re a fan of ‘Sorority Sisters‘, you’re in luck, as the show will not be cancelled from VH1. This week, the new controversial reality TV show has come under heat, after petitions were launched to boycott the show.
In addition to a boat-load of signatures sharing their displeasure, a few advertisers have pulled their dollars, noting that they wouldn’t air during the show. Honda, Carmex, Hallmark, Crayola and others have Tweeted their followers, announcing that they would not advertise during the time slot.
Despite some advertising pulling out, the network has no intention of canceling the show. In an emailed statement to the Washington Post, VH1 said that the premier was seen by 1.3 million people and it was the number one non-sports cable program in that time period among women ages 18 to 49.
The network said through a spokeswoman:
There are currently no plans to change the series and it seems to be connecting with its audience….Due to the confidential nature of our agreements with our advertising partners, we never speak to specifics about clients and their media plans…But we do enjoy successful, long-term partnerships with our advertisers and are happy to honor any requests to move spots to other parts of our schedule.
HMMMMMM!
AND FINALLY FROM THE 'CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘FROZEN’
Let it go, let it go, let that terrible song get stuck in your head all day.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM
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