THE DOLLS WHO MASTERING THE GAME! Ava Duvernay, Shonda Rhimes, Debbie Allen, Issa Rae, Mara Brock Akil Cover ESSENCE May 2015 Issue!
ESSENCE'S May 45th Anniversary Cover stars five influential Black women who are changing the way Hollywood tells stories. This cover is epic. And we've got chills.
All dressed in white, the gorgeous picture captures true YBF Chicks Ava Duvernay ("Selma"), Shonda Rhimes ("HTGAWM"), Debbie Allen "Scandal", "Empire", Issa Rae the "Awkward Black Girl", and Mara Brock Akil ("Being Mary Jane")
Golden-Globe nominee Ava DuVernay tweeted out the cover saying, "I hope someone sees this and thinks: "I will live the life I choose." Love to Mara, Shonda, Issa + Queen Debbie. xo." Over on her Instagram account, Ava posted a pic from behind-the-scene with the caption, "Black Magic Women. xo"
Indeed.
Inside the May issue of the magazine, Shonda Rhimes cautions readers against calling the rise of Black women in control both behind and in front of the camera a "trend."
"It's an economic fact. There are more people of color than ever before...When the shows start doing bigger numbers than what they think are going to be their top ten shows, it becomes really hard to suggest that it's a trend."
Shonda went on to add an interesting perspective, "Literally everybody's starring in a pilot. I think that's wonderful. Part of me thinks, Well that's wildly racist of all the networks to suddenly decide that the best way to get a show on the air is to just throw a Black woman on it. Yet part of me feels like, For God's sake, it's about time! If they're going to be stupid, let's use their stupidity..."
Issa Rae, web innovator and creator of Awkward Black Girl and web show pioneer, says social media prominence has helped drive their representation in images and storylines but she wants to see many more people of color behind the scenes.
Ava adds, "Of course that has to happen. But it is more about people working autonomously, independently, to create their own structures, mechanisms, companies, outlets. Look at you, Issa—nobody was giving you anything, so you created your own work and your own platform and your own way to distribute."
Hollywood veteran Debbie Allen, who has had decades in the business as an actress and as a director ("Fame", "A Different World," "Scandal"), is hopeful for the future "I look at it as an opportunity. It is wide open and for the taking. When I first started, there were no women in the room, there were no Black people in the room."
Along with a "new" presence comes the need to discuss overlooked topics. Mara chimes in,
"I've been relentless [about discussing sexuality] since Girlfriends... My feeling about sexuality and showing a consenting adult having sex is that it's so empowering. Because if you are making the choice, you then have to be responsible for the choice. I think that message is conveyed to the audience. You're not just there for the convenience of a man, you are there because you want it. It creates an opportunity—well, hopefully—for the young lady watching or the other women watching to understand you have a say in this."
In addition to this groundbreaking conversation, the magazine also discusses how the women deal with spicy sex scenes, manage relationships and their demanding careers. The May issue of ESSENCE is available everywhere April 17.
Ciara RESPONDS to Tamar's Shade
Back in March Tamar Braxton got caught 'liking' an Instagram post making fun of Ciara's singing
CiCi responds to Tamar's so called shade?
Ciara sat down with The Breakfast Club and Tamar's shady Instagram behavior came up.
CiCi didn't seem bothered explaining,
“I don’t know what she was trying to say, but if she was trying to say something crazy, I really don’t care. Every time I see Tamar, its always been love…I don’t be knowing what people be trying to say."
"I saw she was saying that she wasn’t trying to say something bad about it. So I don’t know what her intentions were with that. I’m going to take it as she wasn’t trying to do anything funny…”
Good, Keep ya head up Hon!
Bruce Jenner Speaks “My whole life has been getting me ready for this.” BUT WHAT?
Bruce Jenner speaks Out for the First Time in New Clip from Diane Sawyer Interview: ‘My Whole Life Has Been Getting Me Ready for This’
ABC released a new clip of their exclusive interview between Bruce Jenner and Diane Sawyer.
The clip doesn’t reveal too much, but in the clip Bruce explains:
“My whole life has been getting me ready for this.”
Check out the teaser .
WATCH HERE:
Bruce Jenner’s interview airs Friday, April 24 at 9 p.m. ET.
Tamika Fuller Starts a Go Fund Me Account
Ludacris' baby mama Tamika Fuller speaks out about losing custody of her daughter and starts a Go Fund Me account to raise money for her legal fees…
Days before the hearing for a new trial in her child custody case against rapper Ludcris Tamika Fuller posted an ill-advised open letter in Madame Noir blasting the court system for awarding primary custody of her daughter Cai Bella Bridges to Cai's father, Ludacris [click here if you missed that].
Now that her motion for a new trial has been denied Tamika speaks out again and is asking for your help in getting her child back.
In an interview with Madame Noir,
“Sadly, on April 9th the judge denied my motion for a new trial. Every day that passes when I don’t have my daughter feels like eternity. After being discouraged with the court system, I decided to share a personal account of my situation on Madame Noire, it was never meant as a media blitz but rather my side of the story in protest of my daughter being taken away when I felt powerless against her father’s machine.
My side had not been shared up until this point and rumors that I was a bad mother or receiving 7k/month child support or asking for 15k were distressing me, none of which are factual. I’m back to working full time, but even that isn’t enough to cover the many expenses that come with this fight. I was hesitant to set up a Gofundme page but since my story ran I’ve received overwhelmingly supportive feedback from women and mothers across the country who have offered assistance and want to help with launching my organization.
I plan to use donation money to start setting up my non-profit “No Mother Left Behind” with a mission to educate, enrich, enlighten and empower low income mothers and also to help bring my own daughter back. I’ve read and appreciate all the messages, prayers and similar stories that I’ve received. You have all made me feel less alone. We are all in this together. Thank you.”
Chris Brown Is Getting Closer To God
The singer who is publicly known for being a bad guy, is starting to change his life for the best. For the last few days Chris Brown has posted several inspiration message and also stating he is viewing things as they are. Monday night Brown shared a heart warming tweet with the following message, “”Give it all to God.. Living for him a little more and asking for his help.. If I try by myself I will be disobeying him.”
We know recently he became a “father” and had another public break up with on and off again girlfriend Karrueche.
We wish Chris Brown the best.
New Music: Tiffany Evans – Red Wine
Tiffany Evans proves that she’s fully grown on her sultry new single Red Wine.
The follow-up to last November’s Baby Don’t Go sees (or hears) the 22-year-old rely on red wine to cope with the drawbacks of her relationship.
Tiffany cites Red Wine as one of her most personal songs to date. “I was in a vulnerable space when I wrote it,” says Tiffany.
Listen to the sultry tune
which is now available for purchase on iTunes.
which is now available for purchase on iTunes.
Olivia Munn Signs On for Psylocke in “X-Men: Apocalypse”
Always up for a new challenge, Olivia Munn has joined the cast of “X-Men: Apocalypse” and will be playing the role of Betsy Braddock/Psylocke.
The “Newsroom” actress will join the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Rose Byrne, Channing Tatum and Nicholas Hoult.
So far, the plot details are staying closely guarded, though “Apocalypse” is said to be the conclusion of a trilogy that began with “X-Men: First Class” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” It’s slated to hit theaters on May 27, 2016 so stay linked for further updates on “X-Men: Apocalypse.”
Yandy Smith already legally changed her name to Yandy Smith Harris before ever signing a marriage certificate. So why not make it official?
That's exactly what The Harrises are about to do.
On the reunion show this week, Yandy announced she and Mendeecees would be getting married LIVE on a special VH1 show on Memorial Day. And now, VH1 has spilled all the details.
In the network’s first-ever LIVE wedding special, called “Love & Hip Hop LIVE: The Wedding,” airing Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th, fans will get to see Yandy and Mendeecees tie the knot in a two-hour special episode.
Viewers have been privy to every part of the couple’s relationship over the years as they became parents, handled family drama and overcame Mendeecees’ incarceration, the challenges of their subsequent separation, and eventually, his conditional release. So why not invite everyone to the next phase: The wedding.
The very likely over-the-top celebration will capture every instant on the tumultuous road to the altar – from the occasional ‘bridezilla’ outbursts to heartwarming moments of emotion and anticipation. So it's unclear if those moments will be pre-taped from previous months of planning. But according to VH1, the special (at least in part), is live.
Check out the Harris family on VH1, Monday, May 25th at 8:00 PM ET/PT.
LeBron’s Wife Savannah’s “I Promise” Makeover #PromPromise
Savannah James, wife of superstar LeBron James, hosts second annual ‘I Promise’ event for prom-bound girls. Giving back to the community giving young women a prom makeover goodie bags and more. LeBron James supports his wife and chimes in on social media to congratulate the young women as well..
“Congrats to all the beautiful young ladies today who were apart of the event and know that “YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL” always not just for Prom.”
Via Cleveland.com
The event was held at the LeBron James Family Foundation Headquarters in Akron, this event helps pre-selected young women with a prom dress of their choice. There were also words of advice and encouragement for overcoming adversity and for thriving. Savannah James established the event to promote and inspire young women, and help those who might not have the means to prepare for prom on their own.
“I know how challenging life can be for young girls trying to find their way in high school, so this is a way for me to really connect with them during a special time in their lives and encourage them to embrace their beauty, knowledge and strength,” Savannah James said in a release. “LeBron and I are blessed to be in a position to give back to our hometown, and I feel a responsibility to help others comes with that. I believe strongly in empowering others, and, through this event, I hope to boost these girls’ self-esteem and give them confidence that they can be anything they want to be if they work hard and believe.”
In addition to a prom dress and a merchandise by Beats by Dre, the young women also received commemorative I Promise bands. Modeled after the signature I Promise bands worn by LeBron James, students and fans around the country, the wristbands symbolize a personal commitment to creating positive change and to living an active and healthy lifestyle.
BEAUTIFUL!
Did Janelle Monáe READ A DUDE ON Twitter and Came out the closet as well?
Pop singer Janelle Monáe finally revealed what many assumed. According to lesbian blogger Sandra Rose via @GListSociety The 29-year-old Kansas City native came out of the closet in a witty response to a rude male follower on Twitter.com.
The male follower tweeted Janelle asking her to stop wearing “those dumbass suits” and “be sexy.”
In what has to be the best Twitter comeback of all time, a feisty Janelle replied, “sit down. “I’m not for male consumption.”
Well if this is true I’ll always remain skeptical until the person says so I guess you won’t have to wait for her official “I’m gay” announcement. However some of her songs lyrics contain numerous open references to her predilection for women. So oh well.
Man Accuses Girlfriend of Cheating on Him With Every Wu-Tang Clan Member on ‘Divorce Court’
“Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothing to f— with,” but one man claims that his girlfriend had sex with the entire group. In a head-scratching episode of Divorce Court, Nathan Sellers accuses his estranged girlfriend of sleeping with all of the Shaolin lyrical swordsmen.
In the clip, which has gone viral, Sellers’ girlfriend, Lia Palmquist, defends herself in court over infidelity claims brought forth by her live-in boyfriend. She did admit that after a Wu concert, she hung out with the members on their tour bus and hotel until 7 a.m. but insisted that nothing sexual happened.
“Basically what happened is I met Wu-Tang, I got on their tour bus, I went back to the hotel and I was just hanging out all night,” she said. “And it was amazing, I mean, we were not doing anything but talking [and] politicking.”
“She gave Wu some tang,” retorted Sellers.
Palmquist told the court that she would never sleep around because she’s not a groupie or a “bust-down,” which was the first time the show’s host, Judge Lynn Toler, ever heard such of a word.
However, Judge Toler threw it back at her stating that hanging out with a group until 7 a.m. does sound like “bust-down” behavior. Touche, your honor.
It even gets more bizarre as we later find out that Palmquist once forced Sellers to wear a fat suit and pretend to rap like Rick Ross because that turns her on in the bedroom.
We won’t spoil the verdict for you and reveal how it all ends for this estranged couple.
You can watch the entire episode HERE.
What do you think? Do you believe that Palmquist slept with the Wu-Tang Clan or is her boyfriend just jealous?
People in Chicago Are Not Happy with Spike Lee’s 'Chiraq'
Spike Lee is getting ready to make his next film project for Amazon Studios, titled “Chiraq,” which is planned to star Samuel L. Jackson, Common, Kanye West, and Jeremy Piven, and which will deal with the violence that has been plaguing the city and it seems like he’s already ruffled some feathers.
Spike’s latest project is causing lots of debate amongst Chicago residents. Though I think the title of the movie is accurate as HELL, some people think Spike should consider changing the the name to something…less offensive.
The city of Chicago has developed a bad reputation over the years, that undoubtedly has been compounded by the media. But let’s be clear, the media isn’t behind the guns, pulling the triggers. Violence HAS been a problem in Chicago and continues to be.
According to HeyJackass.com, in 2014, 388 people were shot and killed, and 2,231 were shot and wounded, leaving the people of Chicago with a total of 456 homicides for the year. Those numbers however, still don’t give Spike the right to stick them with a label Aaron Pierce told the Chicago Tribune.
“I’m just really concerned about using that name,” said Pierce, a South Side rapper who started an “Anti-Chiraq” social media campaign and also runs a mentoring program for public school students. “That name does not really give us a positive look. That name belittles our city and I feel like it dehumanizes us. We are from Chicago. It is not like Iraq.”
Some people say that the title and movie itself is problematic because it doesn’t focus on the issues at the root of the violence.c
“The word implies we are at war — but who the opponents are is misplaced,” she said. “There are black people in communities in Chicago that are exposed to a reality where they don’t have enough resources to live with full dignity. Then there are people who wonder why there is violence in communities that have suffered with years of divestment,” a community organizer by the name of Charlene Carruthers told the Chicago Tribune.
Then there are those who think Spike’s movie is a great idea. Rev. Corey Brooks, though he doesn’t necessary like the term “Chiraq”, agrees that the movie’s message is important.
“I do know that art imitates life, but life imitates art,” he said. “We do have a severe problem with gun violence and we have murders every single day. I’m grateful for anyone who wants to bring light to the situation. I don’t think Spike Lee is a director who will be insensitive, and knowing him, he will be very accurate.”
The film, brought to us by Amazon, will feature Chi-town natives Kanye West and Common. As of now everything is being kept top secret, so details about the film are still blurry.
I really doubt Spike is going to make a film that isn’t thoughtful, thought-provoking, and multi-dimensional. I mean, this is Spike, we’re talking about here. It’s my prediction that all of the naysayers will be singing a different tune when the final product is revealed. When will it be revealed?…we don’t know.
The Stars and Celebs come out to The 'AVENGERS: Age Of Ultron' Hollywod Premiere
Avengers...Assemble! Marvel Comics stars Chadwick Boseman, Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson, and Anthony Mackie made their way to the Hollywood premiere of the soon-to-be blockbuster film Avengers: Age of Ultron. And the comic nerd in us is totally squealing.
It's here! One of the biggest franchises in the film industry is about to serve up its second installment under the helm of Director Joss Whedon. Avengers: Age of Ultron is getting the Hollywood treatment with a big premiere. The celebs flocked to the carpet to catch the film before it hits theaters April 30th.
Chadwick Boseman the newest addition to the Marvel family (he's been tapped to play super hero Black Panther, which will get its own film and will also appear in the upcoming Captain America film), Chadwick came out to support the homies. Looking dapper as usual.
The Harrises are back from their family vacay to Costa Rica, and they made a beeline to the premiere:
Don "War Machine" Cheadle hit the carpet with his longtime girlfriend, mother of his kids, and House of Lies co-star Bridgid Coulter.
And we're looking forward to seeing what Colonel James Rhodes will be serving up alongside Iron Man in Avengers.
Star Samuel "Nick Fury" Jackson brought his wife LaTonya along, and the twosome got all cutesy on the carpet:
Anthony Mackie, who reprises his role as Falcon alongside Captain America in Avengers, kept it hot on the carpet.
Actress Kim Whitley brought her son Joshua on the carpet for a fun night.
The "blackish" star Miles Brown hit the carpet and snapped a few us-ies.
Henry Simmons, who stars in "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," came out to support his Marvel colleagues.
The stars also took the stage to introduce the film to the masses.
Who's ready?! I AM!
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
A FEW MORE MINUTES!
Got some tiny little bottom biscuits there don’t ya? Maybe you need to put them back up in your oven there and let ‘em keep cooking.
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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