THIS IS THE CHRONICLES OF EFREM: The Daily Buzz For Jan 5

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Paramount Pictures “SELMA” offered to the Residents of Selma Alabama for Free!

Director Ava Duvernay alongside Paramount Pictures will release the “Selma” movie for free in Selma Alabama. The historical movie that recounts the moving story that changed history and lives took place in Selma Alabama and it seems fitting that the good people of Selma get to experience this beautiful film for free.

Check out the details; Golden Globe nominated film “SELMA” directed by Ava DuVernay will be shown for free to the town’s citizens at the Selma Walton Theater in the city of Selma, Alabama beginning January 9. This is such a great movie and shows that the producers and Paramount Pictures has an appreciation for the historical aspect of the film. Check out what Oprah Winfrey, Paramount Pictures vice chairman, and the mayor of Selma Alabama had to say,

Oprah Winfrey on behalf of the producers shared,

“With deep gratitude to the people of Selma, Alabama, we are proud to share this powerful film depicting the historic events that took place there 50 years ago. I hope generations will watch the film and share their stories of remembrance and history together.”

Rob Moore, Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures, shared,

“The city and people of Selma welcomed the production with open arms this past summer and in celebration of the film’s national release on January 9; we are incredibly excited and very humbled to be bringing Ava’s finished film to the community.”

Selma, Alabama Mayor George P. Evans shared,

“I’m so happy that the movie “Selma” will be shown in Selma when it’s released to the nation. I’m so grateful of the fact that Selma has been blessed to have a movie named after them. I’m thankful to the producers, director Ava, and executive producer Paul Garnes for their leadership, and all of the cast for selecting Selma to produce this movie. We must keep in mind that the movie is just that, a movie and not a documentary. May GOD continue to bless Selma.”

Citizens of the city of Selma, AL can get more information and showtimes at http://www.selmawaltontheater.com/

Legendary Gospel Singer Andraé Crouch taken off Life Support After Major Heart Attack!

Legendary gospel singer Andraé Crouch has reportedly suffered a major heart attack and is now on life support which he has just been taken off by the Family's request.

The last update on the singer's Facebook page came approximately two hours ago as his team posted - "We continue to pray for Pastor Andraé Crouch's healing. Feel free to post your favorite healing scriptures!"

Yesterday they posted, "Please increase your effectual and fervent prayers. We know God is able to complete the work! AMEN!"

However, neither of these delved into exactly how serious the matter was for the singer. The news of Crouch's condition was seemingly broken by fellow artist Carman Licciardello on his Facebook. He posted a lengthy status that urged fans and believers to pray for his "friend" and "mentor."

The post in its entirety can be read unedited below or seen here:

"Please join me in prayer tonight. My dear friend and mentor, the man who lead me to the lord in 1976 and the centerpiece of modern day Christian music is hanging onto life by a thread. Andrae Crouch is the man I consider to be my father in the faith. I love him dearly. and he calls me his son and has changed my life. Tonight he is fighting for his life in an L.A. Hospital having suffered a massive heart attack, I'm sure stemming from his years long struggle with diabetes. I just spent the day with him when I got off my tour a month or so ago. He and his sister Sandra would call me regularly during my fight with cancer and check up on me. Singing songs and making me laugh.

We've had a father /son type of relationship down through the years. The picture you see is when he came to hear me sing at the 18,000 seat Anaheim Pond. I remember saying to him from the stage ""20 years ago your music lead me to Jesus and now I'm doing the same thing- Look at what you started" He threw up his hands and said "Praise the Lord" and we snapped this picture.

He is only 71 and just too young to pass away. There's people 71 who are running marathons. God still can have many productive years of this songwriting giant. It was Andrae who convinced me to go into treatment for cancer. His wisdom saved my life. Many of you have noticed how I've been very health conscious lately and talking about taking the supplement Zeal to increase energy and get all your vitamins. This is one of the reasons why. I'm seeing my closest friends and comrades in the faith suffer such health issues including myself and I'm deeply concerned.

So I'm adding to my ministry and offering you things that not only feed your spirit in music but your body too. When Kim Zezima told me about her husband Larrys sugar dropped from 200 to 130 after taking Zeal. I immediatley thought of Andrae. This has been his battle also for years now. If your concerend about your health issues and might need to drop some weight also please give us a call. 1-888-507-5001 Maybe you can pass the blessing on also. Or check out the l,ink below. I'm committing myself to helping those who are on my face book site to get in better health as the weeks and the months go by with more info. You all have prayed me through the valley of the shadow of death already. And now I'm dedicating myself to helping return the favor. We can't minister to the ones we love if we are sick in bed, fixed to our bedrooms or dead. In order to prosper we must be in good health so we can be out and about doing the Lords work.

And I have to believe tonight that its not too late for Andrae Crouch. God can restore him. Heal him. Raise him up. Give him many good years of ministry. Give him another chapter and a sequel to his life. But I need my face book family to pray tonight for this mighty man of faith and influence. Please help me ask God for another miracle. He's done it before and he can do it again. Will you join me in prayer tonight ?"

Just a few days ago BC reported on Crouch being in high spirits as he commented on the rescheduling of his "Let the Church Say Amen Tour" with his all-star tribute band

Jourdan Dunn is The FIRST Black Covergirl In 12 Years! To land the cover of The February 2015 edition BRITISH VOGUE Cover!

British beauty Jourdan Dunn covers the February 2015 issue of VOGUE UK and it's a landmark cover. Why? It's a big deal to land a VOGUE cover. Period. But Jourdan's feat carries a historical significance because she's the first Black model to land a solo cover of British Vogue in 12 years.

While we applaud VOGUE UK for placing a fierce pic of Jourdan (wearing Prada) on the cover, it's interesting to note that all of her White contemporaries Cara Delevingne, Georgia May Jagger, Kate Upton each landed covers long before she did, and Cara had two in 2014 alone!

The fashion world needs to do better.But this is a great start.

Let's put it this way, the last time a Black model covered VOGUE UK it was Naomi Campbell. When you're tapped to follow the don diva of fashion....it's a big freaking deal!

On Instagram, Jourdan wrote "I'm so Happy to finally say I'M ON THE COVER OF BRITISH VOGUE!!! Thank you @britishvogue ,Patrick Demarchelier and Kate Phelan for making this happen and also thank you all for the Love and Support it means everything to me #2015YearOfTheDunn"

We're paying special attention to the words of Naomi, Bethann Hardison and Iman who've already called out the fashion world SEVERAL times. We hope change is a-comin'......

First Tank Now TYRESE Is Quitting Music?

Say bye-bye to Black Ty. Tyrese announces that he’s leaving the music game.Tyrese broke the news to fans in a message on social media announcing the date of his last album. Look below

I hope this isn’t another stunt!

Zoe Saldana Tweets Names Of Her Newborn Twins!

Last month she gave birth to her first two children, but Zoe Saldana wasn’t keen on releasing any details at the time. However, the “Avatar” actress told fans that she and her husband Marco Perego named their baby boys Cy and Bowie.

Saldana tweeted, “Happy #2015 ! Starting our #NewYear with a fullhouse. Our boys are finally here! Thank U 4 all the beautiful wishes!”

Zoe also posted a photo of her boys’ various goodies and added the caption, “Our boys CY and BOWIE are finally here. #marcoperego and I wanted to thank you for your beautiful wishes and for your patience.”

Furthermore, the “Guardians of the Galaxy” gal shared a photo of her family’s New Year’s Day feast- “Happy New Year! Our first meal of #2015- Caviar, Rosé Champagne, Pâté, bread and cheese. Wishing you all a healthy, happy, loving and successful new year. May all your wishes and goals come to life. And to all my #fans – thank you for another year of support, love and strength. You make me better and inspire me everyday to continue kicking ass.”

Nelly Mourns The Death Of His Grandmother

While bringing in the New Year can create many good times, unfortunately for Nelly, he’s having to deal with the inevitable this year.

The “Nellyville” star lost his grandmother recently. And in an Instagram post, the rapper-turned-reality star gushed about his granny’s strength and how she helped shaped him into the man he is today. He said,

Today I lost One of the strongest women to ever grace this planet my granny was A LADY in every sense of the word..R.I.P GRANNY... .. My strength is with my father and his two sisters for they have endured so much in the past 10 to12months ..!! #HAYNESFAMILY .....

He also posted a pic of his grandmother from back in the day alongside his grandfather in which he wrote,

"YA queen ON HER WAY PAPA....!!!Back together again..!!!! 61years together in life .!!eternity thereafter...!! #HAYNESFAMILY #RIPGRANNY"

Our prayers go out to Nelly and his fam.

Madonna Defends Using MLK and Nelson Mandela To Promote New Album

Apparently rapper loving Pop singer Madonna has a new album dropping called Rebel Heart. But the Internets didn’t appreciate her using images of icons like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote the project.

Reports TMZ:

Madonna is defending photoshopped images of Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela she posted on Instagram … claiming the pics were never intended to insult anyone.

If you missed it … Madonna posted a series of pics on her page Friday — showing the faces of Mandela, MLK and various icons bound with black string — like the cover of her new album “Rebel Heart.”

Following an online backlash — where some longtime fans swore they were done with — Madonna took to her Facebook to defend the pics … saying, “This is neither a crime or an insult or racist.”

It does seem like very poor taste, no?

Check out the assortment of images, including Princess Diana and Bob Marley, Below.

I see NOTHING wrong with this!

K. Michelle Announces Her Upcoming Tour ‘My Twisted Mind!’

For those who care to know. Singer-songwriter and reality TV star K. Michelle is going on tour starting next month! Here are the Singer-songwriter and reality TV star K. Michelle will start her “My Twisted Mind” tour February 5 in San Francisco, CA! K. had previously stated that her latest tour would feature both she and Keyshia Cole. However, it seems that things may have switched up a bit. In response to a fan’s tweeted inquiry about Cole’s participation, K. Michelle confirmed that she would be on only some of the show dates:

Hopefully, K. Michelle will be able to add more cities to her tour but here’s the current list of dates and cities for the “My Twisted Mind” tour!

Feb. 5 – San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine

Feb. 6 – Los Angeles, CA – Saban Theatre

Feb. 13 – Orlando, FL – Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre

Feb. 15 – Baton Rouge, LA – River Center

Feb. 16 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head

Feb. 20 – Shreveport, LA – The Strand Theatre

Feb. 21 – Greenville, SC – Convention Center

Feb. 25 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz

Feb. 26 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore

Feb. 27 – Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues

March 5 – Cincinnati, OH – National Theatre

March 6 – Indianapolis, IN – The Music Hall

Excited?

THE FINALE! Keke Palmer & NeNe Leakes Get TEARY-EYED During Final Cinderella Show

After a stellar run on Broadway for Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA musical, it has now come to an end..

Keke Palmer made History as Broadway’s first African-American Cinderella, captivating audiences each night with her performance. Last night, the last curtain fell for both Keke Palmer and NeNe Leakes (as the evil step mother) and neither of them could contain themselves, overwhelmed with motion, as they said they waved farewell to the audience.

After the show, Keke posted an inspirational and powerful message about her trials and tribulations she has gone through since her debut as Cinderella. The 21-year-old starlet successfully performed 136 shows (since September) and although she has worked in film and television, Keke said she often struggled with feeling like she wasn't talented enough and whether or not she had the discipline to complete such a enduring task.

She passionately wrote:

Today was the day. Today was the official end of my Broadway debut. 136 shows out of 136 shows, man .. I can honestly say I wasn't sure if I could do it. Being 21, coming from only film and TV, I wasn't sure I was disciplined enough for Broadway. I didn't think I was old enough and I wasn't sure if I was talented "enough". So many thoughts run through your mind when you're trying something new, but one thing I always know, is God would'nt give me what I was not ready for. You ask for things from the Lord sometimes and we are never sure how they will arrive, or as what they will arrive as. I so badly was struggling with finding sense of self before I embarked on this journey. So many things were happening in my life, but at this particular time I was just afraid to stand on my own, truly. My career was what I mostly hid behind, work .. work .. And MORE WORK! I kept asking God for clarity, for strength, for the ability to not be afraid to GROW! I knew that this experience would be life changing, but I only could imagine what it would change in my technique, I never knew what it would do for me as a person. God answered all my prayers and I followed through with him by not letting my fears hold me back. This Broadway journey has been all about GOING FOR IT! Stepping into an uncomfortable zone and allowing yourself to get the opportunity to receive all the jewels that you are meant to gain from it. That has transferred a lot into my personal life, I have gained so much courage and belief in me, in my heart and my intuition. God found a way to give me the message through my first love, ENTERTAINING! I am not done yet, I know this is just the beginning, but my goodness all I can say is I am so grateful to know the light of the Lord. And not because my life is perfect or because I'm perfect, because I'm NOT!! But, because I CHOOSE to acknowledge the miracles that he has shown me. No matter how big or small they may seem to someone else, they are HUGE to ME! Don't be afraid of the light within, you guys. We all shine so brightly and uniquely, don't block the blessings, the answers to your prayers because you are AFRAID. It's a new year, a new age! YOU CAN DO ANYTHING!

"Real Housewives of Atlanta" star NeNe Leakes also posted a message to her fans, saying she will be giving deets on her Broadway journey soon:

MY FINAL BOW: What a bitter sweet moment it was! I will be forever grateful for such an amazing opportunity! I will post a blog and photos about my journey on Broadway soon on my website neneleakes.com

Congrats ladies!

Goodbye Love: Taye Diggs & Idina Menzel Finalize Divorce

Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs have officially let it go.One year after announcing their separation, the couple have officially divorced, TMZ reports.

The pair, who have a 5-year-old son named Walker, first went public with their split in Dec. 2013. Diggs only recently filed a divorce petition in November, and a few weeks later, the divorce was officially finalized Dec. 3.

A source tells TMZ that the split is amicable, with Diggs and Menzel “committed to raising their son together and peacefully.”

Florida Running Back Adam Lane Jr. Sh*ts His Pants!

Florida running back Adam Lane Jr. had a less-than-memorable moment in the Birmingham Bowl when he appeared to sh*tted his pants and was forced to change into a fresh pair.LOOK

Ewwww…….

Beyonce and Jay Z still on Holiday Chillin in Cambodia

The pair were hand in hand throughout the day as they soaked up culture at the Angkor Wat

Jay-Z and Beyonce on intimate get-away trip in Angkor Wat, CambodiaIntimate holiday

It's not just us mere mortals who like to play tourist - Beyonce and Jay Z couldn't wait to grab their phones to take photos on their intimate New Year holiday this week.

The loved up pair were snapped as they headed sight-seeing at the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and packed on the PDA throughout.

While Queen Bey got her trusty camera phone out once again (it's going to be quite the holiday album), Jay stayed close beside her and held on to his wife's hand as they walked around the stunning temple complex.

A very happy Beyonce looked her usual lovely self in a loose leopard-print shirt and khaki cut-off trousers, wearing her hair HUGE and curly and minimal make-up.

Meanwhile rapper Jay was all cool and stuff in a loose white t-shirt and navy trousers, making us all crave sun more than ever this winter.

It wasn't just the stunning complex which caught their eye, because they were also pictured posing in costume at the Fantasia attraction in Phuket, Thailand recently.

This holiday just gets better by the day. Celebrating their New Year with Blue Ivy in Thailand, the pair took a brief trip to Burma for yet more sight-seeing last week.

Beyonce was pictured greeting children outside tourist spots in Bagan, wearing a HUGE hat and long shawl-like dress.

The pair even jumped on bikes and took in the sights with a tour group, and Bey is possibly the most elegant cyclist we've ever seen.

Vans California “Croc Leather” Pack

Vans consistently brings the heat with its California Collection imprint; fortunately for kick-coppers the recently unveiled “Croc Leather” pack carries on tradition.

Utilizing the classic Sk8-Hi and Slip-On silhouettes, the skate brand’s use of croc on the upper gives the sneakers a luxe look. The former silhouette comes in black and wild dove color options, finished with a white jazz stripe and a zipper on the back that provides wearers with easy access in and out of the sneaker.

The Vans California “Croc Pack” can be found here. See more detailed pics below.