THIS IS THE CHRONICLES OF EFREM: The Daily Buzz For April 24

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Lena, Kim, Rachel, Whoopi & Glenn: Variety’s Power of Women Cover Girls!

Celebrating the female side of entertainment, Variety magazine enlisted a slew of gorgeous gals for five different April 2015 covers.

Lena Dunham joins Rachel Weisz, Kim Kardashian, Glenn Close and Whoopi Goldberg on the front of the Power of Women-themed edition, telling the publication that she’s passionate about working with the Girls Educational & Mentoring Services.

She explains, “What attracted me so much to the cause is that I’m a feminist and I’m a sexual assault survivor. I felt that it was important to me to not just call attention to the circumstances (around) which I was assaulted on a college campus, but also to call attention to sexual-abuse survivors who have far less of a public voice. There are so many girls, particularly in urban areas, who are born to parents who may be drug addicted and violent. These pimps are waiting at the bus to tell these girls, ‘You seem amazing. I love you and want to be your boyfriend.’ What feels like a loving relationship turns into them being forced to go out and make a living. What’s happening is rape. It’s statutory rape by the most basic definition.”

Here are the other covers below!

NICE!

K. Michelle is Getting a Butt Reduction

Studio singer and reality TV personality K. Michelle is not about that life.

She tried getting butt injections to elevate her poor self-esteem, but that didn’t work out. Besides the discomfort of carrying a loaded diaper around, K. Michelle discovered that it was difficult wiping herself without twisting her body into unnatural positions.

Additionally, K. Michelle learned that the corporate power structure in Hollywood just isn’t impressed with black women who look like hippos.

So she’s going under the knife to reduce her butt to a more natural size.

The lesson here is: some people will do anything for attention — and a paycheck.

From In Flex We Trust:

The R&B singer has admitted to going under the knife in the past to have a couple fat transfer surgeries to get that booty looking right. But yesterday she announced via Twitter that she is going back under the knife to make that a$$ SMALLER.

When a fan mentioned her saying, “@kmichelle my ass is phatter than yours” Instead of coming back with slick comment she simply replied “Good for you! I’m about to reduce mine for a movie”

Looks like she’s willing to do anything even get rid of that phat a$$ for a movie role.

Mariah Carey Gets Close To Floyd Mayweather

Superstar chanteuse Mariah Carey is Las Vegas bound and recently crossed paths with a sportsman who is too. Mimi was snapped taking a selfie with boxer Floyd Mayweather (who is gearing up for his big match in Sin City with Manny Pacquiao).

It’s set to be a busy few weeks for Ms. Carey; next week brings with it new single ‘Infinity’ as well as her official welcome parade in Vegas. Thereafter, her ‘#1’s’ residency begins on May 6th and new album ‘#1 To Infinity’ struts into stores on May 18th.

Your thoughts?

You Can’t Buy Beyonce’s Gold Apple Watch Band – Even if You Had $17K

Megastars such as Beyonce enjoy certain perks like free clothing and shoes, free hair weave, and complimentary dinners at the finest restaurants. Case in point: Apple reportedly gifted Beyonce with a limited edition gold Apple Watch. The dazzling watch comes with a solid gold link bracelet that will not be available in Apple stores.

The gold link band created a buzz on social media because, as theverge.com explains, it will only be available in silver and black when it does hit Apple stores on April 24.

Even if you splurged on the top-of-the line Apple Watch for $17,000, you still couldn’t buy a gold link band to go with it — at least not in an Apple store.

From theverge.com: The Verge’s Chris Ziegler has one theory; this ultra-luxurious Edition model is quietly being made available to the wealthiest of Apple’s customers, but it’s intentionally hidden from public view and Apple’s promotional materials, perhaps to shield a price tag that could run into the tens and tens of thousands of dollars..

But the other, easier-to-digest explanation is that this is something the public will never be able to buy regardless of a customer’s wealth. Apple could simply be gifting the gold band to its celebrity pals (and the company certainly loves Beyoncé) and influential design figures to stir up interest and more publicity as the April 24th launch approaches.

FINALLY! Loretta Lynch becomes US attorney general, FIRST BLACK WOMAN in post!

The US Senate confirmed Loretta Lynch as the nation's first black female attorney general Thursday, installing an aggressive counter-terrorism prosecutor as the top law enforcement official for President Barack Obama's final 21 months in office.

She takes over from outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder, whom Republicans had criticized as being a rubber stamp for Obama's policies.

Lynch's confirmation brought to an end a months-long process that Democrats noted took longer than the confirmation of the seven previous attorneys general combined.

"Today, the Senate finally confirmed Loretta Lynch to be America's next attorney general -– and America will be better off for it," Obama said in a statement.

"Loretta has spent her life fighting for the fair and equal justice that is the foundation of our democracy."

Democratic legislators hold a news conference to discuss the confirmation vote for Loretta Lynch to

Lynch, 55, has served twice as US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, where she thrived as a relentless federal prosecutor putting mobsters and terror suspects behind bars.

Her office has prosecuted more terrorism cases since the 9/11 attacks of 2001 than any other office, noted Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, who described Lynch as "exactly the type of tough and tested leader" Americans need in the job.

With her confirmation dragging on, Lynch dived into her work as US attorney. Just this Monday, she announced a 25-year prison sentence for an American from New York who admitted he tried to join an Al-Qaeda group.

In previous years, she successfully prosecuted the terrorists who plotted to bomb the Federal Reserve Bank and the New York subway.

She also went after corrupt public servants and politicians in both parties, and won billions of dollars in settlements in fraud cases involving major banks.

And she oversaw the civil rights prosecution of several New York Police Department officers involved in the brutal 1997 assault of Haitian immigrant Abner Louima, which could provide key perspective as she investigates a series of recent cases involving the use of deadly police force against Americans.

With Republicans seething over what they argue is White House overreach, many expressed hope that Lynch, who would be only the second woman to hold the post after Janet Reno (1993-2001), would strike a less overtly political and combative tone than Holder.

- 'Embodiment of American Dream' -

At her confirmation hearing in January, Lynch said she would act independently and aimed to build a "new and improved relationship" with Congress, where Republicans who control both chambers are incensed with Obama's unilateral actions last year on immigration.

Hours before the vote, Senator Ted Cruz attacked Lynch as unfit for the position and "unwilling to impose any limits whatsoever on the authority of the president of the United States."

Despite urging colleagues to stop Lynch, Cruz, a candidate for president in 2016, was the lone senator not to vote on Lynch's confirmation.

Lynch is the daughter of a North Carolina Baptist minister father and a librarian mother. Fascinated with the legal system since she was a child, Lynch attended Harvard College and then Harvard Law School.

"This woman is the embodiment of the American Dream in action," Senator Claire McCaskill said.

Lynch's father was seen in the Senate gallery and several House members in the Congressional Black Caucus were invited to the Senate floor for the historic vote.

Daytime Talk Show ‘The Real’ Show Accused Of Discrimination

Daytime show “The Real” has been slammed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations for alleged discrimination against Muslim women.

The council’s LA office filed a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, alleging the show in February asked two women wearing hijab head scarves to “move out of camera view during a show taping.”

The council claims the women were told they couldn’t be seen in a front row, “in accordance with studio policy.”

A Warner Bros. TV rep said its “policy is to welcome everyone . . . into our studio audience. ‘The Real’ . . . was created to represent and celebrate diversity. We take this inquiry seriously and are looking into the matter.”

Britney Spears & Iggy Azalea to Perform “Pretty Girls” at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards

Britney Spears is preparing to hit her first awards show stage in 4 years next month.

The singer will perform her new single “Pretty Girls” featuring Iggy Azalea at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards.

Time to put the rumors to bed & take #PrettyGirls to the stage! CAN’T WAIT to perform w/ @IGGYAZALEA at the #BBMAs! pic.twitter.com/NzWJo0Yu44

— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) April 22, 2015

The two shot the video for the song earlier this month, and “Pretty Girls” is officially set to impact on May 5th.

Are you ready for Brit-Brit (and Iggy)? Be sure to tune into the BBMAs on Sunday, May 17th at 8pm.

Jay Z’s Alleged Extortionist SHUT DOWN in Court Over Roc-A-Fella Records

Jay Z (real name Shawn Carter) scored a legal victory against his former sound engineer he accused of attempting to extort him — with a federal court judge siding with the music mogul and dismissing the man’s attempt to say he was the co-author to numerous Roc-A-Fella songs.

Sound engineer Chauncey Mahan filed a federal lawsuit against Roc Nation and Jay-Z earlier this year. He claimed that he was the key producer/creator of Roc-A-Fella’s entire body of work from 1999-2000 and wanted a judge to declare he was also the owner of the 6 albums as much as the label itself. He demanded to be listed as a co-owner of the song copyrights.

Jay-Z and his record label previously filed a police report accusing Mahan of extortion. The rapper accused Chauncey of holding boxes of masters hostage and demanding 100k for the return of them. The LAPD got involved and held a sting operation where they then seized the boxes of masters.

Jay-Z fired back at the lawsuit claiming that Chauncey is a scam artist. He says that the man tried to extort a large sum of money from him for the return of computer sound files but when that failed, he filed the lawsuit in federal court. The music mogul demanded the case be dismissed and his ex-employee be awarded NOTHING.

Then on April 15th, the judge came back with his decision and dismissed the entire lawsuit filed by Chauncey. The order states that the suit was brought YEARS after the statue of limitations to claim ownership of the songs created.

The judge says the man’s arguments are “frivolous” and fail to persuade him of his case. The order awarded Chauncey nothing from his suit and the case was closed the same day.

More Official Photos from the Ceremony of Tina Knowles & Richard Lawson’s Wedding Surfaces Online

Tina Knowles shared with PEOPLE that it was her granddaughter Blue Ivy who encouraged her to wed actor Richard Lawson.

The couple wed on April 12 during an all-white ceremony aboard a yacht in Newport Beach, California.

Now more official photos from Tina and Richard’s ceremony have surfaced online thanks to PEOPLE and Beyoncé fan sites. Beyoncé, Solange, Kelly Rowland, Blue Ivy, Solange’s son Julez and Richard’s

Check out a few more photos below.

And again: congratulations to Tina and Richard.

Jaden Smith Starring In Fresh Prince Reboot?

Rumors are swirling that Will Smith is producing a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air spin-off starring son Jaden…

Sources tell Mike Walker Will Smith just closed a top secret deal with NBC to revive his 90s hit series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air starring Jaden Smith as the son of his dad's TV character.

Will you be watching?

Claudia Jordan Gives Up Trying To Be Friends With Some Of Her RHOA Co-Stars

Claudia Jordan described herself as a “champion of truth and justice” on the season finale of Real Housewives of Atlanta. While I like Claudia more than most, mostly because I appreciated someone finally calling out NeNe Leakes on her ish, champion is a little much. Let’s wait and see who gets a peach next season first. If it comes down to NeNe or Claudia.. the champion is toast.

Claudia gave Kenya Moore‘s pilot, Life Twirls On, a rave review. “I thought it was cute and very fun to watch. The thing about Kenya I really like is that she is comfortable laughing at herself and not taking herself too seriously. She is entertaining. I thought Cynthia [Bailey] was really funny and totally committed to the part. It was fun to watch it with the girls, especially the part when Kenya played her own hair care commercial during the pilot! That was hilarious.”

When asked if her friendship with Porsha Williams was repaired, Claudia said it’s “hard to tell” because they weren’t really friends in the first place.

“I can’t say we were ever really friends, because at the end of the day we have very little in common, and I don’t think I can say I know who she really is,” said Claudia. “I was totally open to it when I arrived on the scene, but it’s difficult dealing with someone who’s cool with you one minute, then not cool with you the next. I think too many people are inserting their opinions and changing things. I swear we will be past something and cool, then the very next time I see her it’s back to the okey doke or I will catch wind of her throwing jabs in her blog. So honestly I have given up and no longer care to beat that dead horse.”

Claudia went on to say that she prefers to invest her time and energy into the healthier relationships she has with Demetria McKinney, Cynthia, Kenya, and Kandi Burruss.

“Instead I’m focusing on viable and healthy friendships with people I feel I have things in common with, like Demetria, who’s one of the most hardworking and classy (yet still fun) girls I know,” shared Claudia. “Like Cynthia, who supports and attends everyone else’s events. Like Kenya, because even though she’s very busy and travels a lot, when we do link up, it’s all positive. And like Kandi, who I’m not super close with, but we are getting to know each other more and more. And despite our friends not liking some of the folks we both hang with, Kandi never let that get in the way of being open to a possible friendship with me, and I respect that.”

Claudia said the time difference between filming the show and the airing of the episodes is troublesome.

“I was hopeful when we got back from the Philippines; Kandi, Porsha, and I even went to a club the day we got back from our 20-something hour trip home. But what happens with these shows is you make progress, but then someone on Twitter may amp you up, and you feel you have to placate those people. Or an episode airs that took place six months ago when things were bad, and even though things are good now, you get in your feelings all over again when you watch the show months later. I suspect this may be the case, but like I said, it’s exhausting trying to figure out why people do what they do, so I am throwing in the white towel,” bemoaned Claudia. “I give up trying. If things change for the best, then hallelujah, and if they do not, I promise I will not lose any more sleep.

Claudia shared her thoughts on the regular season (we still have to endure the three-part reunion) and her plans for the immediate future.

“The season was fun and stressful,” said Claudia. “I laughed a lot, I cried a few times, I opened up about issues I never really get to talk about in my day-to-day life, and I have made some pretty amazing friends. I’m getting calls to do some comedy shows, I have two films coming out later this year, I am dating, and I’m in a very good place! I’m optimistic moving forward and extremely excited about my future here in Atlanta. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me online and in person. It’s been truly flattering and humbling. Love y’all!”

TELL US: WILL CLAUDIA RETURN NEXT SEASON? DO YOU WANT HER TO?

Denzel Washington's The Equalizer will get its sequel

Wednesday night, Sony announced official plans for a second installment of The Equalizer, the Denzel Washington action thriller the studio released in September of last year. It will be the first sequel Washington has starred in during his lengthy career. A representative for Sony confirmed to EW that a sequel was forthcoming, but no release date has been set just yet.

Rumors of an Equalizer sequel have existed since before the first film even arrived in theaters. In February of 2014, TheWrap reported that screenwriter Richard Wenk had been drafted to put together a script for part two. For its part, Sony did not announce any members of the creative team on Wednesday, leaving it unclear who will direct The Equalizer 2. Antoine Fuqua was the director of the first film, which grossed $192 million in worldwide box office.

Johnny Depp Returns to “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” Set: See First Still Image Here!

He’s been sidelined with a hand injury for the past month, and finally Johnny Depp has resumed his duties on the set of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.”

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer took to his Twitter account to share a still image of the “Into the Woods” star in his full pirate garb, along with the caption, “Captain Jack is back and we’re not letting him go.”

Per the synopsis, “Thrust into an all-new adventure, a down-on-his-luck Captain Jack Sparrow finds the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost pirates led by his old nemesis, the terrifying Captain Salazar, escape from the Devil’s Triangle, determined to kill every pirate at sea…including him. Captain Jack’s only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon, a powerful artifact that bestows upon its possessor total control over the seas.”

The Celebs got FAB for The TIME 100 GALA!

The TIME 100 Most Influential People Gala went down last night in NYC, and the biggest influencers in the world--amongst 5 categories--were honored for their traditional and non-traditional contributions to the world.

Lee Daniels is winning. Since he was named as one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in 2015, he was invited to the Gala at Jazz at the Lincoln Center and brought his mom Clara Watson as his date.

Sweet!

"Orange Is The New Black" star and fellow honoree Laverne Cox shimmered in an emerald gown and posed it up with Lee.

Laverne and Naomi Campbell, looking stunning in all white, also posed it up with Kim.

The gorgeous and flawless Misty Copeland twirled into the gala as one of TIME's cover subjects and Most Influential. The prima ballerina is looking like perfection in her full skirted ball gown.