LAVERNE COX is on the Latest Cover of "EW"
Laverne Cox is the most famous transgender actress in America. That’s the best job she can imagine. It might also be the hardest.
It means she got invited to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner this year, where Michelle Obama summoned her for a big hug, but she also spent most of the night fielding endless press questions about Caitlyn Jenner, who had come out as transgender on 20/20 the night before. It means Cox made history as the first transgender actress to earn an Emmy nomination for her role on Orange Is the New Black, but she had to play a prostitute seven times before she got there. It means she gets Christmas cards from Beyoncé and takes selfies with Jane Fonda, yet still has to compete for the few transgender roles that exist, as if she were a Hollywood outsider. It means she’s the public face for transgender America. And she’s grateful for that. “I just wonder,” she says, “am I allowed to be a human being?”
To be fair, Cox isn’t just a human being. She’s an icon. Walking into the NoMad bar in New York dressed in black, wearing oversize sunglasses and swinging a Gucci handbag behind her, she’s nearly seven feet tall in heels, her hair swept into an elegant updo. People turn their heads as she sashays by. She speaks and moves with the grace of a movie star from a bygone era, and yet she’s never anything less than real. Slipping behind a table, she orders small plates that honor her low-glycemic diet. Most actresses would just order a double cheeseburger and never take one bite. Not Cox. “What a waste of a cheeseburger,” she says, rolling her eyes.
Cox doesn’t hide the fact that it takes a lot of hard work to be Laverne Cox. As a role model in the transgender community, she can’t afford a single tabloid scandal or embarrassing paparazzi shot, and considering the questions she has fielded, it’s hard to believe she’s never given the wrong answer. When CBS This Morning host Gayle King insisted that Cox was “born a boy,” Cox patiently corrected her, noting that she was “assigned” a male gender at birth. When Katie Couric asked about her genitalia, Cox calmly explained that the preoccupation with surgery objectifies transgender people. Now that she’s promoting Orange Is the New Black ’s third season, she’s being forced to answer more questions about Jenner, who made her debut as Caitlyn in Vanity Fair the week before the show’s premiere.
Watching the media frenzy over Jenner, you can’t help but wonder what Cox thinks. There was considerable talk about Jenner’s surgery. There were objectifying comments about Caitlyn’s body. And much of the coverage seemed to undo the progress that Cox has been fighting so hard to achieve.
She wrote a thoughtful response on Tumblr, reminding people that Jenner should be praised for her courage, not her looks. “This is why I’m so grateful that I had the luxury of transitioning in private,” she says. “Because when you transition in the public eye, the transition becomes the story. I’m always disturbed when I see conversations about trans people that focus on surgery. But I believe Caitlyn will transcend this moment.”
To continue reading the cover story on Laverne Cox, pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, on newsstands now!
OH MY Justin Combs Hit By Hackers!
Sean Diddy Combs son Justin hit by "hackers" who have been leaking his pictures on Instagram and asking for pics from girls…Look!
LOL!
“The Simpsons” Split: Homer and Marge Headed For Trouble!
It’s been 27 years since the world met “The Simpsons” and the forthcoming season promises to add in plenty of drama.
According to executive producer Al Jean, Homer and Marge Simpson are about to hit a rough patch in their marriage that leads to them splitting up.
Jean told Variety, "In the premiere, it's discovered after all the years Homer has narcolepsy, and it's an incredible strain on the marriage. Homer and Marge legally separate, and Homer falls in love with his pharmacist, who's voiced by Lena Dunham." Stay linked for further details!
Christopher Lee, iconic movie villain, has died at 93
Christopher Lee, the prolific actor best known for playing some of the cinema’s biggest villains in a career that spanned more than 65 years, has died at the age of 93. His family had no comment on the death when contacted by EW. The Guardian reported Lee died on Sunday due to respiratory problems and heart failure.
Born in England in 1922, Lee served in the Royal Air Force during World War II as an intelligence officer. Tall and classically handsome with a deep, richly resonant voice, Lee quickly took to acting after the war, but he didn’t find his place in the film industry until he was cast as the monster in 1957’s The Curse of Frankenstein. The project would begin a long and fruitful relationship for Lee with the U.K. company Hammer Film Productions, best known for its series of gothic horror movies. Indeed, in 1958, he was cast as the title vampire in Dracula, a role that would become practically synonymous with Lee’s face for horror fans. Lee would revisit the infamous blood-sucker in at least eight more movies over the next 20 years.
But Dracula was far from Lee’s only iconic character. The actor played Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Fu Manchu several times, as well as the rogue Rochefort in 1973’s The Three Musketeers and its 1974 sequel The Four Musketeers. He also portrayed the villain Francisco Scaramanga in the 1974 James Bond film The Man With the Golden Gun and the nefarious Lord Summerisle in the 1975 cult hit The Wicker Man.
“I haven’t spent my entire career playing the guy in the bad hat, although I have to say that the bad guy is frequently much more interesting than the good guy,” Lee said of his career
Lee experienced a career renaissance in the 2000s thanks to key roles in two massive Hollywood trilogies: He played the wizard Saruman in The Lord of the Rings saga (and played the role again in Peter Jackson’s Rings prequel trilogy, The Hobbit), and the Sith lord Count Dooku in the Star Wars prequels. In 2009, Lee received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II. At the time, the actor noted, “To be a legend, you’ve either got to be dead, or excessively old.”
Lee’s last major onscreen appearance came in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. He was cast alongside Uma Thurman in the forthcoming The 11th, but that film is not scheduled for release until next year. In his later years, he also expressed an interest in heavy metal, even releasing a Christmas album of songs in the genre.
“At my age, the most important thing for me is to keep active by doing things that I truly enjoy,” Lee said in an interview about his musical passions last year. “I do not know how long I am going to be around, so every day is a celebration and I want to share it with my fans.”
Cleveland judge finds probable cause for murder charges against cop who killed Tamir Rice
A Cleveland judge has ruled in support of filing criminal charges against the 2 police officers who brutally killed Tamir Rice. While the decision to formally charge Ofc. Loehmann and Ofc. Garmback lies with Prosecutor McGinty, the judge's latest's action is a step in the right direction that highlights the failure of local officials to secure justice for Tamir and his family six months after the 12-year-old was killed.
Community groups filed the complaint with the judge last week, stating that they didn't trust that Prosecutor McGinty's office --that is relying solely on the local police department's investigation --will secure justice for Tamir.
#TamirRice #
Crown Prince of Crime! Jared Leto looks nightmarish as ever in full Joker costume on set of Suicide Squad!
Co-star Scott Eastwood recently confessed that he was afraid to approach Jared Leto as The Joker, and now it's clear why.
The other day, the green-haired 30 Seconds To Mars frontman was spotted in full costume as his villainous alter ego for quite possibly his most nightmarish transformation yet.
The 43-year-old method actor concealed the majority of his wardrobe under a large black coat, however revealed his menacing scowl while filming on the Suicide Squad set in Toronto.
Jared was dressed in The Joker's iconic colors of purple and white, donning an undone bow tie around the collar of his buttoned down dress shirt, black trousers and white saddle shoes complete with purple laces.
But one close look at Jared's comic book character and fans are in for a bone-chilling stare. The star was in full makeup complete with alabaster skin adorned with tattoos.
The Oscar winner's silvery teeth, red lips and lack of eyebrows make for a darker evil uniquely different from Jared's Joker predecessors Jack Nicholson, Mark Hamill and the late Heath Ledger.
Even the small details of Leto's character are frightening, from the blood stained nails to the crimson eyeshadow of his scary smolder.
'The opportunity to take on this nearly Shakespearean character - that's what graphic novels and comic books are becoming, right?' he told Billboard about playing The Joker.
'[He's] this beautiful disaster of a character. What a big challenge.'
That same day, a new face was spotted on set. Rapper and Oscar-winning recording artist Common was pictured in full makeup and costume with tattooed head and facial piercings.
Rumors have been swirling that the 43-year-old hitmaker will be playing the role of Black Manta, but the latest photos indicate that he could be playing the role of the Tattooed Man.
Suicide Squad is about the team of comic book bad guys who are assembled by the government as a deniable asset to undergo extremely dangerous missions in return for reduced prison sentences.
Details From Dwight Howard's Paternity Suit
Recently news leaked that Houston Rockets Dwight Howard was being sued by one of his secret baby mamas for reneging on their out of court settlement for child support.
Now we have details…
According to TMZ Dwight Howard agreed to pay Tiffany Renner $10k a month for child support for their 4-year-old daughter Layla.
Apparently Dwight has only been paying $5k a month since January and now Tiffany wants what she would have received had she gone to court and had the amount set by the judge based on Dwight's $27 million a year salary.
TAMIA IS BACK!
Singer Tamia HilL was in NY to perform a cut from her new album, Love Life, on ‘Good Morning America’
The 40-year-old Canada native is married to former NBA great Grant Hill. The couple has 2 children, Lael Rose Hill, Myla Grace Hill. The CD is very good too!
Tamia was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2003. Welcome back!
Lee Daniels is looking for an 'AGGRESSIVE' type Female for ‘EMPIRE’ role?
Lee Daniels Auditioning Teenage Girls to Play Lesbian Rapper On ‘Empire’
‘Empire’ creator Lee Daniels is reportedly auditing teenage girls to play a new character on Fox TV’s ‘Empire’ named Betty Barz.
TVLine reports that the teenager who wins the role must be “moody, outspoken, and unapologetically butch” — with emphasis on aggresiveness.
According to TVLine, Betty’s raw talent has helped her win “more rhyme battles and girls’ hearts than the best male vets on her block.”
Betty Barz’s plot line will center around her absentee father and her new rap deal with Empire Entertainment.
Her father is absentee because he’s serving time in prison for trafficking drugs.
The confused Betty Barz transforms herself into the father she never had. But will her talent lift her to new heights or send her crashing to the pavement?
Empire’s other gay cast members include Jussie Smollet, Raven-Symone, Bryshere Y. Gray, Trai Byers and Grace Gealey.
Teacher FIRED after racist Facebook post goes viral
Karen Fitzgibbons is on the unemployment line after she was fired from her job as an elementary school teacher for writing a racist Facebook post about black children.
Fitzgibbons wrote a virulently racist response to the news that McKinney, Texas cop Eric Casebolt had resigned after he was placed on leave for pulling his gun on black teens at a pool party last weekend.
“This makes me ANGRY! This officer should not have had to resign,” she fumed in an update posted to Facebook on Tuesday. “I’m going to just go ahead and say it… the blacks are the ones causing the problems… I’m almost to the point of wanting them all segregated on one side of town so they can hurt each other and leave the innocent people alone.”
Fitzgibbons ended her post with the hash tags “#imnotracist” and “imsickofthemcausingtrouble”.
The kindergarten teacher was relieved of her duties at Bennett Elementary School in McKinney, Texas, after her Facebook post went viral on Thursday.
Thanks to the combined efforts of social media and journalists, a burned out teacher was brought to the attention of the school board, and summarily dismissed.
Tyrese & Rev Run Bring Their “MANOLOGY” To New Talk Show For OWN
Furious 7 star Tyrese Gibson and Hip Hop legend Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons will be bringing their “menology” teachings to a TV near you soon.
Following the success of their 2013 New York Times bestseller “Manology,” the fellas have nabbed a new talk show coming to the OWN Network. Developed and produced by CBS, the untitled show will be an eight-episode weekly primetime talk show set to debut early 2016.
According to Deadline, Ty, a single father of a daughter, and Rev Run, a married ordained minister with 6 children, will discuss topics and questions about men, relationships, marriage and sex. The duo will answer questions from a primetime studio audience, as well as social media. They will also have celebrity quests to join them on the show.
OWN president Sheri Salata expressed her excitement about the new show saying:
“When Rev Run, Tyrese and CBS came to us with the idea of a primetime series we were energized by the chance to bring OWN viewers something fresh and entertainingly real in the ‘love space. We can’t wait to turn them loose – enlightening us all about what makes men tick.”
Hmm…will you be tuning in?
‘Power’ Renewed For Season 3 On Starz
Fresh off its Season 2 premiere, Starz has renewed its 50 Cent executive produced hit drama, Power, for Season 3.
The premiere of its second season (aired Sat., June 6) pulled in a record-breaking 1.43 million viewers, making it the network’s most-watched original series season debut. 3.62 million overall viewers tuned in during the weekend.
The series centers around wealthy New York City nightclub owner, James “Ghost” St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), who is living a double life as a drug kingpin.
Tune in to Starz on Saturdays at 9P for new episodes.
MC Ren Blasts Universal Over N.W.A. Biopic How the hell you leave me out!
Original N.W.A. member MC Ren feeling some kind of way after he's nowhere to be found in the new N.W.A biopic trailers…Look at what he said on Twitter!
Uh Oh?
The Return of Vivian Green!
Vivian Green is back, and she is hotter than ever! The R&B veteran is releasing her fifth studio album, Vivid, on August 4, 2015, and she is ready to share her new sound and flavor with the world. On Green's new album, fans will be dancing and singing with her up-tempo records. Green's lead single, "Get Right Back to My Baby," is already in the Top 20 on Mediabase's Urban Adult Contemporary chart and BDS' Urban Adult Contemporary chart. It was also Urban AC Radio's most added record. Produced by hit-maker Kwame (LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole, Christina Aguilera, and more), the record samples Frankie Beverly's classic hit, "Before I Let Go."
For the past 13 years, Green's wholesome voice helped changed the face of R&B and soul music. She introduced her voice to the world when she released the Billboard Top 20 hit, "Emotional Rollercoaster," and fans fell in love with her. Along with establishing a music career, Green is a devoted mother to her son, Jordan and says "being Jordan's mother is my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
Vivian Green took time out of her busy schedule to speak with our friends over at Singersroom about her new album, "Get Right Back to My Baby" single, producer Kwame, her son, and more.
New Album, Vivid: Well, the title aligns with my name because it has the same roots of my name, Vivian. Vivid already means full of life, full of energy, real, and it's just appropriate for the music on this album. The single on the album, "Get Right Back to my Baby," has an upbeat energy. There are some ballads on there of course, but, this album is more up-tempo. It's more than what I did in the past, but it's soulful and R&B. Vivid is very fitting for the album, and it's just a whole new sound. Artists say this album is so different, but this is really different from the other four albums.
Keeping the Short Haircut: I had my haircut after my first album, but I cut it together because I think my fans like it this way. When I've done it other ways, it didn't receive the same as if it was super duper short.
Favorite Songs on the New Album: A song called "I'm Blessed," "All I Want is You," a funny song called, "1,2,3" and "Broken." "Broken" has an empowering theme for getting through situations that didn't work out. We have been getting great responses for "Broken," and it was actually the single contender for "Get Right Back to My Baby," but we'll see if it ends up being the second single.
"Get Right Back to My Baby" single and Sampling Maze ft Frankie Beverly's song, "Before I Let Go,": Well, Kwame produced the track so I can't talk about it as if I made it, but I can tell you what I do know about the record. Kwame produced my whole album, and he wanted the breakout single to be something that was familiar. Even if the person is not familiar with me, Vivian Green, they will be familiar with the song. It's a classic song that people love, and we were supported by Frankie Beverly, which was great because we went through the proper channels for sampling. Frankie Beverly really loved the song so once we got his approval, it was okay to release the song. But, Kwame wanted to work on a song that people would recognize even if they knew me or not. Either way, when they hear the song, they will say, "Ooh, I remember her, I love Vivian Green or who is this girl." Or they will say, "I will go buy her music because I didn't do it before. "
Working with Producer Kwame: We have a mutual friend, and our friend thought we should work together and thought it would be cool. I forget who reached out first but through our mutual friend, that's how it happened. He sent me some music, and we started working, but it's funny. It wasn't a great beginning; it was like, this is different for me, and I don't know. I was telling him this is what my fans want to hear, and Kwame was like, "you need some new energy, and you need something that is going to wake your fans [up]. A lot of people know about your records, but you need something strong and different." We finally got into a smooth mood, but originally we started out fussing and fighting. But, before we knew it, the album was done, and I love it. Kwame challenged me as a songwriter on this album as well.
Growth as an Artist & Woman Thirteen Years Later: I have grown as a singer because I am a better singer. The older you get, your voice gets better. Sometimes, we get older, and our voice starts to decline but hopefully, my voice doesn't do that. My first record album, A Love Story, I recorded it when I was 21-years-old, and my voice wasn't at its full capacity. I am a more confident singer than when I first started. I am also a better woman; I wasn't even a woman when I got my first record deal. I thought I was a woman; I thought I was grown, but I really wasn't. I was just getting into my adulthood, and I think a lot of people didn't really know because of the subject matter on the first album. People thought it was coming from an older perspective, but it wasn't at all. It was about a young lady overcoming her first heartbreak from her first love, so that was the idea behind my first album. But, I am nowhere the same person; it's a struggle for me because I know that the label I was on really pushed it, and it received a lot of attention. But, sometimes I feel like people don't allow you to grow from that or move past my first single, "Emotional Roller-coaster." There is no way I can be 21 or 22 years old again for my life, but those are the ages where I made the first album. I am going to keep pushing and being myself as a woman. I am not the sad girl that can only write sad songs every day of her life; I don't want that to be me at all. So, hopefully this album will do it.
Labeled as a "Neo-Soul Artist": I think it always bothered me because I never thought I was neo-soul. I felt like I was put into a box that I never thought I was. When you listen to my album, there's a more soul/pop sound to it. There are other artists who have done similar things, like Melanie Fiona. It's not quite neo-soul, but it's still soulful. I think it's a struggle that I've had my whole career. I don't necessarily like it and I don't think any artist does; we're creative. My first album was published in 2002, but I've been writing songs in the studio since I was 15 years old. It's hard to live up to the expectations that people only know you by from your first album or single. The music business can be difficult, and sometimes it has nothing to do with music, but somehow you have to put it together to make money.
Signed to an Independent Label: I really came from a big machine at Sony and my first two albums both did well. But, I wanted a different environment, and I wanted something that was more boutique because that machine system caused a lot of pressure. You were pressured to please people that were in charge or in power. I didn't want to feel pressured to do certain things because the person was putting up money to complete the project. I didn't want to feel that way anymore, so initially in 2010, when I was signed to E1, I was introduced to a different environment. I am now signed with Kwame's label, Make Noise Recordings. Oh yeah, the business is crazy but I am happy that I am able to put out music all of this time even though some people didn't know about my last two records. I am still making music and here is my fifth album; I'm still going, and I never had to do anything else. I can still perform on the road and write most of my songs. I am grateful that I am still singing, and I am not complaining. I am grateful for my walk and journey, which is my own. I try not to be competitive because I am not a competitive person. I do what I do and try not to compare myself to other people. In this business, when you do that, you drive yourself crazy. I am just happy that I've been making music for almost 13 years, and it's just a blessing.
Work & Motherhood: My mom [helps], and she is really just a mom and a grandmother who's like, "whatever you need, I'm there. If you need to drop Jordan (my son), just drop him off." She's like, "just give me my baby." She has been everything for the past 11 years, and she has been amazing. I don't know if I could've done all of this without her. I thank God I have her, and she has been my co-parent all of this time.
The five-year hiatus from the 'Vivian' and 'Beautiful' album; it was all for my son. He was born with an undiagnosed syndrome. It was a lot going on at that time; multiple surgeries and other issues with his health. But, he is stable; he is fine now. We don't go to the hospital hardly as much as we used to now. In those days, we would be at the hospital seven days a week and see seven different specialists. There were surgeries that doctors wanted to do that I was against. I am so happy because it's all behind us now. He is a highly functional child, and he takes his time. He is really strong, smart and has a vibrant personality. Jordan is funny, and I just love him; he's the best thing ever.
Staying Grounded: Jordan has made me a better person; he taught me to have more patience. I have more patience now than I had him in my life. I am more trusting because of him. My faith, spirituality, and my morals that I believe in has given me so much strength, and I can run through a brick wall (lol). I feel like I am a super strong person because of the things that have happened in my life. I think my life is meant to be this way, and I just want to continue to grow and be a better person every day. I am grateful for my experiences and where they brought me with my son and my music.
Follow the countdown to "Vivid" at www.VivianGreen.com. Keep up with Vivian Green on Twitter and Instagram by following @iamviviangreen.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘1-HOUR PRINTS’
Sure it’s blurred for your protection, but we still wanted to use this as a Public Service Announcement. The Walmart picture kiosk is not for your naked selfies. No kiosk is for that. Anywhere. Ever.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
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