Taraji P. Henson Tells UPTOWN About all things EMPIRE!
Starlet Taraji P. Henson covers the Feb/Mar issue of UPTOWN where she stars in an super sexy pictorial (captured at her Hollywood home) and shot by Gomillion & Leupold.
In the mag's accompanying article "The Empire Taraji P. Henson Built," Taraji, in her surprisingly candid way, talks about race and diversity in Hollywood, a visible shift in television opportunities for Black actors and her hit show "Empire". And the show's critics.
Check the highlights
On "Empire" Exposing "Black" Issues: "That’s what art is supposed to do: expose this shit. You know, we’re dealing with subject matter that’s not really dealt with...so let’s lift the carpet up and deal with this dirt. It’s not like we bashed Barack Obama and the show went off. No, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) jumped in his [son’s] ass. That’s real life stuff. So I’m glad you’re mad."
On Being Cookie Lyons: "Cookie is a lot. She wears me out but I know this woman. I’ve done my research inside and out. I took Cookie from Lee and made her my own."
On Black Actors Making Moves On The Small Screen: "It feels good that there’s not just one black person. I don’t like that we get fixated on one or two at a time, or three at a time. If you look at Caucasian Hollywood, every year there’s a handful of new faces you’ve never seen before, then after that, they got five movies coming out and they’re introducing you to more talent. So I’m just so happy to see what’s happening on television right now. We have options and that’s how it should be."
On Jealously and Putting Her Ego in Check: "I used to have this crazy thing with Amy Adams...You see her [consistently] getting nominated, as she should, because Amy does good work. But, it’s like, ‘Well, I did good work too.’ But if you choose to stay in that place then you become miserable. It’s a pity party and nobody cares. I’m human, so I’ve done it. But I check that because it’s ego and it’s the devil."
On Owning Her Success And "This" Moment: "I’ve come a long way from ‘Aye, that’s that girl from Baby Boy’ to now people know how to pronounce my name. But I’m just scratching the surface. For whatever reason, God gave me this life, and I’m not gon’ fuck it up.”
112 Member Slim Files for Bankruptcy w/ 540k in Debt, Made Only 3k in Music Royalties!
Unfortunate financial news for Slim (real name Marvin Scandrick) of the R&B group, 112. Reportedly, the singer is drowning in debt, owing over 540k to various creditors and he explains his royalty checks have dried up. And despite having a legendary catalog, he only pulled in 3k last year according to our friends over at theJasmineBRAND.com
Slim (real name Marvin Scandrick) explains in his filing that he only made 30k in 2014, 65k in 2013 and only 25k in 2012 and he only pulled in $3,500 in royalties for last year.
His assets include a Georgia home worth 220k, he has $0 in his Chase bank account, 2k in home electronics, only $200 in clothing and a $50 watch. He also owns a pistol worth $250 and a 2005 Lexus worth $8,500. He lists that his assets total only 231k.
Slim says that he does own the copyrights to his music but he cannot sell off the rights.
His debts include 272k owned on his mortgage and another 32k on a second mortgage he took out, $2,500 in child support and 10k in back taxes.
Slim says that he is self employed and an entertainer and claims that he currently brings in ZERO dollars a month from his work but does make 5k a month in interest/dividends and around $600 a month from music royalties — but his monthly expenses total $4,350 which leave him only with $1,250 a month which doesn’t allow him to pay off his debts. He also pays out $1,100 a month in child support for his 3 kids. The bankrupt is still pending with the musician’s debt yet to be discharged.
Slim’s team has released the following statement:
"Slim did file for chapter 13 bankruptcy to restructure his assets but he is not under any financial stress and is not having any difficulties meeting his current financial obligations. ~Domenick Nati (Nati Celebrity Services)"
IT'S OFFICIAL: Philadelphia to host 2016 Democratic Convention!
Philadelphia has been selected to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
DNC chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced yesterday.
The city beat out Columbus, Ohio, and Brooklyn, for the event, which will take place the week of July 25, 2016.
"In addition to their commitment to a seamless and safe convention, Philadelphia's deep rooted place in American history provides a perfect setting for this special gathering," DNC chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said in a statement.
The DNC evaluated cities on factors that included transportation, security, finances, logistics and hotel capacity.
The presidential nominating convention will be the 10th the city has hosted, dating back to the Whig Party gathering in 1848.
City leaders had aggressively wooed the selection committee, touting the city's vibrancy, history, landmarks, transit and hotel capacity. The city had also sought to assure the selection committee it could line up the funding necessary for the convention, and that the announced mayoral candidates were as supportive of hosting the event as current Mayor Nutter.
The convention also will come 10 months after the city will host a visit from Pope Francis in another high-profile event that will require extensive planning and security.
"The City of Philadelphia is excited and honored to be selected as the host city for the 2016 Democratic National Convention," Nutter said in a statement Thursday. "We believe that it was our proven track record of hosting big events safely and efficiently with a dynamic team of top-tier professionals to organize and manage a conference of this magnitude, paired with our City's tremendous amenities, its accessible location and historical significance, which made Philadelphia the ideal choice for the 2016 DNC."
Philadelphia 2016, the nonprofit promoting the event, says the 2000 GOP convention had a combined direct and indirect impact of $345 million on the area's economy.
U.S. Rep. Robert Brady, a chief organizer of the city's bid, said he expects the convention will create $250 million to $300 million in economic activity in Philly
Brady said he got the call from Wasserman Schultz Thursday morning sayings she was going to ask Philadelphia to host the 2016 convention."
Brady joked that "hugs work," in how Philadelphia was chosen.
"I hugged her every single day," in Washington D.C., Brady said. "Except for one day, she wasn't there and I hugged her chief of staff and he's a guy. I gave him a bear hug."
Jokes aside, Brady said the selection committee was impressed with the City of Brotherly love.
"We have a great city, great historical sites, hotels," Brady said. "It's the best place to have it."
Now, the city needs to sign the contract, raise money "and put the pieces together," Brady said.
Josh Shapiro, Montgomery County Commissioners chairman, said the whole region came together to land the winning bid.
"We showcased our infrastructure, fund-raising abilities and commitment to the Democratic Party," Shapiro said. "We were the total package."
"Whether it was Bob Brady's hugs, Ed Rendell's calls, there was a total team effort," he said Thursday.
Businesses are expected to go all out for the convention.
"I'm sure the city will be sold out," said a thrilled Dan McGowan, owner/manager of Philadelphia Bella Vista Bed & Breakfast on South 10th Street.
In business 10 years, this will be McGowan's first political convention, but his facility of furnished apartments comprising 16 rooms gets plenty of other convention and graduation business.
He's already planning to readjust terms during the period of the convention for minimum-night stays. And he'll get moving on reaching out right away to the Democratic National Committee, members of Congress and their staffs.
"I'm happy they're coming," McGowan said. "They couldn't find a better place to hold a convention with all the history here."
"Having a great day," said Bob Dmuchowski, director of sales and marketing at the 268-room Hotel Monaco, which opened near Independence Mall in October 2012 and hosted the DNC selection committee when it was in town.
"We've all been kind of anxiously awaiting the decision. We committed a significant amount of our inventory to help bring the convention in."
"We're very excited to be a part of this," Dmuchowski said. "With the papal visit coming in, the new management team coming in at the Convention Center, things are just looking so great for Philadelphia."
Philadelphia's push for the convention attracted widespread support among current and former political leaders.
Ed Rendell, the former mayor and governor who has close ties to expected Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton, pushed hard for the bid and is chairing a nonprofit created to help with convention costs.
Rendell and Tom Ridge, a former Republican governor and Homeland Security secretary, penned an Inquirer op-ed in late January to advocate for Philadelphia to host the event.
The decision has even drawn praise from Pennsylvania Republicans, including Sen. Pat Toomey, who posted a link to a news story about Philadelphia's selection on Twitter Thursday morning, writing, "Great news. Philly will be a terrific host."
Gov. Wolf, a Democrat, welcomed the decision and said, "We look forward to working with local leaders to ensure that Philadelphia will shine in the national spotlight."
Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey said many of the same people who handled security logistics for the 2000 Republican National Convention remain in place now. And, Ramsey said, his eight years of experience as police chief in Washington helps with transporting dignitaries.
There are no specific security challenges, he said, to hosting two major events in a 10-month span.
"They're different, but crowds are crowds," Ramsey said. "You learn every time you handle a large event, whether it's the pope or the DNC. You get better at handling it. And we're pretty damn good at handling these things."
The Wells Fargo Center, where the convention's main events will happen, is isolated and easier to secure, unlike the other considered venues in Brooklyn and Columbus. Ramsey said he was not sure whether that played a role in Philadelphia landing the convention.
"I would like to think we were just the best city to host it," Ramsey said.
YESSSSSS!
The Celebs come out for The 2015 amfAR NYC Gala!
The elite fashion lovers and stars attended the amfAR Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in NYC.
The annual black-tie benefit serves as the official kick-off to New York Fashion Week and honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Come thru EJ! The fabulous EJ Johnson is flexing his new body all over the Nw York party scene these days. After having gastric sleeve surgery recently, he's looking great.
He donned black pants and a black tuxedo jacket topped off with a grey and black fur.
Work.
By the way, it looks like we'll be getting even more of EJ's fabulousess on our tv screens. His father, Magic Johnson, went on the "Wendy Williams Show" yesterday and revealed that EJ is returning to E's "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" for another season. And he's also in the midst of filming his own solo reality show.
Nice!
Supermodel Iman can rock colorful stripes to perfection. Her jumpsuit is from the Balmain Spring/Summer 2015 collection. And it's gorgeous.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell went the eggplant route...for the color of her dress that is.
The "Empire" re-occurring special guest star is keeping it sleek on the carpet.
Victoria's Secret model Grace Mahary rocked a gown full of red embroidered roses and a colorful fur shag.
And Top Five star Rosario Dawson hit the carpet in a blush Grecian inspired gown.
Inside the event: Both Iman and "The View" host Whoopi Goldberg caught up with icon Harry Belafonte.
And Whoopi, Chris Rock and his Top Five co-star all contributed to the program.
And co-stars Rosario and Chris Rock posed it up for the Moet toast as well as with friends Naomi, Lewis Hamilton and more.
Fab times for a great cause..
Keyshia Cole’s is back with her New BET Docu-Series!
R&B singer Keyshia Cole is returning to BET with a new docu-series. And based on the sneak peek, it looks like Keyshia’s mom Frankie, her sister Neffe and the rest of her family will be bringing the drama (and ratchetness) we’ve watched unfold on her previous shows.
The Point of No Return singer will star in her third unscripted series titled “Keyshia Cole: All In”, following her previous shows “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is” and “Keyshia & Daniel: Family First”. Her new show will premiere Tuesday, February 24th at 9:30pm ET on BET, nabbing the time slot before “Being Mary Jane”.
Over eight 30-minute episodes, the show, which she executive produces, will follow her new life as a single mother, her unstable marriage to NBA player Daniel “Boobie” Gibson, life as an artist and her never-ending family struggles.
Check out the first sneak peek:
In the first sneak peek, we see Keyshia discussing her marital issues, banning her sister Neffe from coming to one of her concerts and her mother Frankie arguing with her sister Elite in the street ("MAN DOWN, CODE 10 situation"). We also see her struggle to make the decision on whether she should stay or leave Interscope Records, which she subliminally tweeted about a while back.
Chris Brown And Trey Songz Suffering Sluggish Sales?
The Minneapolis stop on the Chris Brown Trey Songz ‘Between the Sheets’ tour was canceled this week citing “scheduling conflicts.”However sources tell Billboard Magazine the real reason the show was axed is because of sluggish ticket sales.
Apparently The Target Center in Minneapolis has a 20k seat capacity but Chris and Trey only sold about 3,500 seats.
A Bridgeport, Conn show was also canceled and a dozen other shows have been rescheduled.
Well instead of arenas, maybe they should aim for more “intimate” venues with a seating capacity of 500 or less. Just saying!
LeBron James Does "Hollywood Reporter", Explains "The Cop Talk" With His Sons
In a cleverly titled article, "The Next Decision" LeBron James sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss his next decisions and they don't involve basketballs (unless you count his tv show "Survivor's Remorse").
With his Spring Hill Productions (named for the housing complex he and his mom moved into when he was in sixth grade) he's quietly developed a growing a portfolio of TV and digital projects which he OWNS and exercising creative control. They include the Disney series "Becoming"; the Starz scripted dramedy "Survivor's Remorse"; the reality show "Uninterrupted" for Turner's digital platform Bleacher Report; a trivia game-show pilot for NBC and a series show on CNBC. There's even talk of a "bucket list" for Esquire. Clearly....King James won't end up on some ESPN show as a broke athlete....unless he's the executive producer. #catchit
LeBron explained that a large part of Spring Hill Productions is about creating jobs and opportunities for deserving artists. "For me to be able to create jobs and opportunities for people...that means a lot to me." Read the full article here and check out some highlights:
On retirement: I look at some of my peers, Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett, guys I've looked up to my whole career, and they're almost done with their careers. So you think about it for sure. You know at some point that will be you."
On the shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice by Cleveland cops: I have those conversations with my boys," he says. "They have tons of play guns. None of them look real. We have Nerf guns that are lime green and purple and yellow," he says. "But I don't even let them take them out of the house.
On what he tells his boys about the cops (with Savannah James): "And the talk is, 'You be respectful, you do what's asked and you let them do their job, and we'll take care of the rest after. You don't have to boast and brag and automatically think it's us against the police.' I've had one or two encounters with the police in my life that were nothing. But sometimes you just got to shut up. It's that simple.
Just be quiet and let them do their job and go on about your life and hopefully things go well." "For everybody," (adds Savannah).
Actress Maia Campbell Arrested In Georgia
Unfortunately, it appears that 90s actress Maia Campbell is in trouble once again. According to TMZ, the “In the House” star was arrested in Riverdale, Georgia over the weekend for disorderly conduct.
Officers were called to a Waffle House after Campbell allegedly began behaving erratically and causing a scene. The responding officers realized that she was drunk and tried to offer her the opportunity to leave the restaurant on her own, but she refused. As a result, she was taken to the station and booked on disorderly conduct charges.
Sadly, this is Campbell’s second run-in with police since the New Year began. She was also detained by police last month in Atlanta following an altercation at Burger King. According to a police report, she began cursing at a family after she accused their child of taking her wallet. She responded to the officer who came to arrest her by calling him a “f-cking f-ggot.” Cops say that she later denied using foul language during the incident and arrest, stating that she only speaks the “King’s language.”
This, of course, is extremely unfortunate considering that many of us watched with hopeful hearts as the 38-year-old struggled to piece back together the remnants of her life with OWN’s Iyanla Vanzant back in 2012.
Clearly, this woman is still battling a lot of demons. Hopefully, she can find her way back to the path of sobriety that she was once so determined to stay on.
Rita Ora Has a Total of Four Lines in ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’
Now, we’re not ones to put down a working girl — but Rita Ora has been going on as if she were preparing for the lead in a broadway adaptation of Alex Haley’s ‘Roots’…and that’s simply not the case.
via Huffington Post: “I prepped for the role by learning some French first of all, by learning an American accent and by really just not being me,” Ora told MTV in April of 2014, months after she was cast as Christian Grey’s sister. “I had a brown wig on and I was being the smart girl that came from French school to see her family, so it was just a lot of dedication, it was like going back to school.”
Speaking to MTV in May of that same year, Ora revealed she had an acting coach for the film, too. “It was really nice to get into a whole other world that I wasn’t used to, but it was pretty difficult,” she said of her foray into movies.
Yet despite all that effort, Ora appears in less than two minutes of the 125-minute film. She says a grand total of four sentences, one of which is spoken in French. (“I had to have someone in my ear on set telling me what to say before I said it. Because I was honestly so nervous, I forgot everything I learned,” she told Access Hollywood.)
Below are Rita’s four lucky lines in the film:
1. “She’s here?”
2. “Oh my God, you exist.”
3. “Uck, Seattle baseball.”
4. [sentence in French]
We understand that sometimes editing decisions are made and unfortunately some things get cut…but at this point they’re just using her name to help sell the film.
But hey…as long as the 50 shades of PAY is right, who are we to judge? Get those coins, Rita!
Lupita Nyong’o Talks About Being Banned From Wearing Make-Up & Dealing With Fame In LUCKY
Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o is the cover girl for LUCKY magazine’s March 2015 issue. Her breathtaking cover was released last week, now her interview, which reveals a few things you may not have known about the award-winning actress, has surfaced.
In the cover story, the Kenyan beauty (above styling in a neon Novis dress, Christian Louboutin "Riri" pumps and an Ela clutch) talks about how, as a child, she was banned from wearing or using any cosmetics until she was nearly 18-year-old. She said,
“My mother has never ever worn a drop of makeup in her life—not even at her wedding,” she recalls. As a girl, Nyong’o’s only real exposure to the world of creams, sticks and shadows came via an aunt who would occasionally visit with the contraband materials and paint her face while her mother was out. “Honestly, my mother’s outlook was hard for me to take when I was a teenager and I wanted to experiment. But in the end I appreciated it, because today I can look in a mirror with no makeup on and love myself.”
But nowadays, the cover girl has been the face of a few cosmetics brands, including Lancome. So what’s her “go-to” make-up item? She spilled,
“I always have a Lancôme Lip Lover, in one shade or another, in my purse. They just add a little something. I’ll choose the color depending on what I’m wearing and how much tint I want—this one is really, really light, but it dresses you up immediately.”
The fab actress also talked about how she’s dealing with fame, social media and getting nervous before speaking engagements.
Below are the highlights:
On the frustration of being a high-profile celebrity:
“The not-so-fun part of all this is that when I don’t feel like being famous, I still am,” she admits. “When you’re in the middle of Manhattan and you have to pop into Starbucks to use the restroom and everyone recognizes you when you’re waiting on line, it’s awkward.” I ask if she’s come up with a way to cope: some clever disguise, a wig, a hoodie, a full-body Snuggie, maybe? She admits that she has. So, what is it? “I’ll never tell,” she says slyly, raising an eyebrow and putting a polite end to the discussion.
On accepting the fame:
“All of my life, my father was a high-profile person,” says Nyong’o, whose dad, Peter, a professor and political activist, is now a senator in the Kenyan parliament. If there is a slacker in the Nyong’o family, we can’t find one: Her mother, Dorothy, is on the board of the Africa Cancer Foundation; her cousin Isis is a technology executive who was voted one of the most powerful young women in Africa; and her cousin Tavia is a respected cultural critic. “Being brought up in the family that I was brought up in, we were always in a position of example. So it’s something I don’t wrestle with. I don’t question it. I accept it.”
On social media:
“I’m governed by things that made me smile, laugh and think,” she says. “And if they do that to me, then I ask myself, Would anybody else care to see this? If I can think of one person, I post it.”
On speaking engagements:
“It makes me very nervous. My heart is on my sleeve when I do those things, but the only way I know to do them is to speak from my heart. So it costs me a lot … and then I need to take a nap.”
Nice.
OOOH Look Paris Hilton Gets A New Set Of Boobs (Pics)
Eight years ago, you may recall, Paris Hilton boasted that she likes “being flat. I think it’s hot. I never have to wear a bra.” Either she changed her mind, or something miraculously natural happened.
And now…she’s thinking, “Kim K I’m ready to take my crown back.” See what I did there:
Toya Wright says K Michelle is the cause of her break Up to Memphitz
In a recent interview Toya Wright reveals she's still fighting for her marriage with Mickey 'MempHitz' Wright and blames their marriage woes on K. Michelle accusing her husband of abuse…
Toya tells Necole Bitchie: The current status of me and my husband [is] we are separated at the moment. And, we’re just- everybody has their martial issues. And right now, you know, we’re separated.
I mean, what is going on with my husband, like I said when I spoke on it, is it’s bigger than me. Micky has been going through something for the last few years since the whole lawsuit thing against his ex [K. Michelle] and Viacom and it really took a toll on him and it caused him to be a different person. So I think that, going through all of those things, and having all of that stress and the world looking at you one way as a woman beater and person that steals someone’s money, it’s hard for you to get back into your industry when you had a career and not a job and somebody defames your character, I mean, it’s a lot to deal with day to day.
And I watched it. I went through it with him for three years. And I’ve been to counseling with him and you know all types of things or whatever so he can get back strong. It’s a lot for him, that’s on him and choosing to live our marriage publicly, everybody has an opinion, and when somebody has the bigger platform to share their story and the other person don’t, it kind of gets one sided….
...So, he felt like, it was my fault that he didn’t go on [Love and Hip Hop ATL] when he had the opportunity to defend himself.... that route caused him to get blackballed in the industry. And it’s kind of like he blames me for that. And I have to deal with that everyday, you know?
But I think because he’s blackballed in the industry that he loves... I guess that kind of drove him crazy because he’s like ‘I had my own sh*t before I even met you.” I was a VP at a label, doing my own thing but he started blaming me for stuff and it’s like ‘It’s not my fault what happened with you and your ex.’
Bobby Brown Threatens Legal Action Over False Reports
After an onslaught of macabre reports that the Houston and Brown families had decided to pull the plug on Bobbi Kristina Brown's respirator to coincide with the third anniversary of her mother Whitney Houston's death Bobby Brown releases a statement slamming the reports and threatening legal action…
The statement released to Billboard Magazine reads,
"We support the candlelight vigil for Bobbi Kristina. The Brown family is amazed by the love and support from all that attended."
"However the false reports that continue to appear in print and on the internet are egregious, false and will be dealt with at an appropriate time. In particular, the false reporting of TMZ, The National Enquirer, The Atlanta Journal Constitution and the Daily Mail (UK) citing, police sources, family sources and Bobby Brown himself, will receive my attention. The desire to be "first" has clouded the judgment of many reporters as they forgo accuracy. This is a criminal investigation and the integrity of that process requires silence."
"We continue to request privacy in this matter. We thank everyone that supported the vigil for Bobbi Kristina. God is hearing our prayers."
Good luck with the suit…..Not gonna happen!
Atlanta Celeb and Lesbian Dice Dixon Throws Girlfriend Gocha Hawkins A Birthday Party
Reality Star Dice threw girlfriend Gocha Hawkins a birthday surprise that included a week of pampering, beauty, and partying fun.
Check out the details below. Dice and Gocha are one of Atlanta’s hottest couples. Dice gave her girlfriend a wonderful birthday which included a week of fun starting with attending NeNe Leake’s pop up shop where she showered her lady love with a $2,000 dress. What an awesome gift for her baby boo on her birthday.
The couple then turned up with close friends at BQE where Kandi Burruss, Karlie Redd, and several others came out to celebrate the occassion.
This season of Real Housewives of Atlanta has been extra turned up since they made their premiere on the hit show. Word on the street things are looking good for the two as it relates to TELEVISION. HINT HINT!
Gocha was over the moon with happiness as she celebrated with her love Dice and all of their close friends. What a feeling to be successful, happy and in love.
Shoutout to power couple Dice and Gocha and wishing you tons of happiness. Shoutout to Cupcake Endulger Boutique for the tasty cake that everybod could not get enough of.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘The Proverbial Bridge’
Remember when your parents always used the expression “If all of your friends jumped off a bridge, would you follow?” – This is what they were talking about
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
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