Brandy Gets Candid with New York Magazine
Brandy is “Sitting On Top Of The World” right now as she wows audiences as small-time chorus dancer Roxie Hart in the Broadway musical "Chicago." Inspired by Usher after seeing him star in the Broadway musical, the former “Moesha” star is making her mark on the Broadway scene. But, before landing the role as Roxie, the 36-year-old actress found herself at rock bottom and wanting to give up.
In an interview with NewYork.com, the “I Wanna Be Down” singer opens up about her battle with depression and how after so many career letdowns, she started to lose her faith in God. She reveals a year before she nabbed her Broadway role, she had hit rock bottom and was down and out. Rather than wallow in her sorrows, the mother-of-one reached out for help and did the “work” to awaken her spirit and to start dreaming again. And we’re SO glad she did because she is killing it on Broadway!
She talks about how her Broadway experience (which has been extended to August 2nd) has made her a better person, mother and entertainer. And although it’s challenging to get on that stage night after night, she said, “This experience has truly reawakened the fearless Brandy that I once was as a child.”
She also dishes on becoming an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., joining the sisterhood her mother, Sonja Bates-Norwood, holds close to her heart.
Below are the highlights:
On suffering from depression:
People would never guess the dark space that I was in about a year ago and how long I was sad and depressed. It showed in my physical frame and in my eyes. Long story short: I cried out for help and the decision followed to be “the best version of myself” I then did the “work” spiritually, mentally and physically and saw my old life disappear. Chicago presented itself to me and I then stepped into my dream. I’m wide-awake now. Thank you, God.
On her faith being restored:
There are so many career upsets and disappointments I can’t really count. At the end of the day, I stopped believing in myself and I started to lose faith in God and what he blessed me with. I stopped believing. Now, I’m dreaming again and I believe that any and everything is possible. It took a while for me to get to this place, but I’m here now and I’m never going to stop believing ever again. I know who I am and what I am here to do and I know that God is always with me, for me, and rooting for me. That’s enough to inspire the world.
On Chicago making her a better person:
Adjusting to the rigorous regimen of working in Chicago was quite easy for me, to be honest. I was already in a deep focus and discipline before I got to New York. I was ready for the work and up for all the challenges that came with it. I would say the challenging part of the “experience” is truly trusting the moment and staying as present as possible. My focus and discipline definitely has gone to the next level. This experience has made me a better everything.
On becoming an honorary AKA:
Becoming an honorary Alpha Kappa Alpha made my mom (Sonia Bates Norwood) so happy. That’s all I would hear growing up was about her being an AKA and their sisterhood. I was honored to be embraced by such beautiful women and now to be a part of a sisterhood is really sweet.
Check out her full interview here.
Be sure to grab your tix to see Brandy in "Chicago" before August 2nd!
So you Can’t wait for Magic Mike to open July 2. Don’t worry here’s some stills for ya!
It is the movie which is set to get women's pulses racing and men dashing to the gym when it comes out in a few weeks.
And just to tease the audience that little bit more ahead of its debut on July 1 more stills have been released from Magic Mike XXL.
The raft of images show the men are all in fine form, as if that was in any doubt, with ladies set to be getting hot under the collar in their cinema seats.
Channing Tatum has reprised the lead of Mike in the sequel, with the plot picking up three years after he stepped away from the limelight and his stripper life.
But they team up with Mike so they can do one last huge performance and embark on a road trip to Myrtle Beach where they plan to hit the stage for the last time.
Their journey takes them through Jacksonville, and Savannah where they make pit stops she see old friends.
And they also brush up on their dance moves repertoire in the process.
Sticking to the less is more theme in the costume department, audience goers will be treated to a veritable pec fest when they see the film.
In the newly released stills Channing, 35, can be seen wearing a pair of tight black trousers, blue neckerchief and sideways baseball cap gyrating his hips.
Arms above his head he pouts in concentration as he thrusts his groin to the music.
In another image, the actor wears a black trilby teamed with braces and a tight vest.
Staring at the floor Channing's dance move shows off his bulging biceps.
In the background women can be seen cheering and whooping appreciatively.
Joe Manganiello 38, is also in the new round of images in one shot he can be seen reclining on the counter top of the boys tralier smiling and laughing.
His hands clasping his knee the actors hard work and effort he put into getting in shape for the role are apparent in the size of his upper arm muscles.
A black bandana pulls his hair back off his face which has a smattering of beard.
In another photo Joe can be seen gazing intently over his shoulder, and he is also pictured looking as if in serious conversation as he rests his forearms on the counter of a diner.
Ladies just a lot of eye candy, Magic Mike opens July 2
The Cynthia Bailey and Peter Thomas Cheating Scandal A FAKE?
Earlier this week Real Housewives of Atlanta husband Peter Thomas was caught on video cupcaking with an unknown female at his sports bar in Charlotte
Now fans are beginning to suspect that the whole incident was just an elaborate ruse...
From OK Magazine
With RHOA’s eighth season quickly approaching and no official word on which housewives will be staying or leaving, some fans are accusing Thomas and Bailey of faking the cheating scandal in order to make their storyline more dramatic for the show. Viewers of the video have noted that the camerawoman was extremely close to Thomas and should have been easily spotted by him. And Bailey’s comments in a radio interview following the video’s release are adding to the suspicion among fans.
Tyler Perry is putting his Ex-Employee and alleged ‘lover’ ON BLAST over his $10 Mill Lawsuit Accusing Him of Allowing Sexual Harassment!
Tyler Perry is blasting his former employee’s $10 million dollar lawsuit accusing him of allowing sexual harassment to take place at his Georgia studio — claiming the man is a LIAR who consented to the sexual advances by his supervisor … and the director is demanding the man’s lawsuit be thrown out of court.
Last year, Tyler Perry filed a lawsuit demanding a restraining order against his ex-employee Joshua Sole. The suit was the result of an incident that took place at Perry’s studio office back in October.
The director says that his alleged stalker, Sole, had barricaded himself in his studio’s office and forced everyone to have to evacuate. The man was accused of disabling the alarms and security equipment at the studio and then climbed through the ceiling panels.
The police report stated that employees claimed Sole refused to leave without having a conversation with Perry. The local law enforcement arrived and charged Sole with criminal trespassing after having to spend 4 hours getting him out of the studio offices. The director sued demanding the restraining order, $100K in damages for harassment and $25K in legal fees. Perry also wanted the court to order Sole to undergo psychological counseling
Sole’s attorney fired back at the director’s lawsuit denying he had ever harassed him. He claimed that he was wrongfully accused and never trespassed or broke into the studios. Sole also said he only wanted to speak to Perry about employment related issues.
Then on May 13th, Sole filed a $10 million dollar lawsuit against Perry, the Tyler Perry Studios and another employee named Brett Hendrix.
Sole explained that he started working at the company in August 2014 as a production assistant and during his employment he was sexually harassed by his supervisor Brett. During his time working for Perry’s company, he claimed Brett would inappropriately touch him and the conduct was unwarranted and resisted, call him “baby” and told him he missed him along with offering him drugs in anticipation of sexual favors.
He also accused Brett of sending him texts that pertained to a sexual nature and even asked him to stay with him at his home. However, after he complained about the unwanted sexual advances he was retaliated against by losing his seniority, suspended from his employment and eventually arrested for no reason and eventually fired. He claims he has suffered mental anguish and loss of income.
Sole also said Perry ruined his reputation by posting on Facebook that he was “mentally distrusted” following the incident where police were called. He filed suit against Perry, his company and the supervisor for creating a hostile work environment, retaliation when he complained about the situation intentional infliction of emotional distress and batter. He demanded 10 million dollars in damages.
Then on June 16th, Perry fired back at the former employee’s lawsuit stating that the supervisor Brett was never an employee of Tyler Perry Studios and therefore he cannot sue them for his alleged actions.
Further, the director says that his firing was not due to discriminatory or retaliation but rather the decision was made for legitimate reasons. He says that Sole cannot prove that any willful misconduct or fraud was committed by him and says there is no such evidence because it didn’t happen.
Perry also says that the post he made on Facebook is covered under the first amendment and he cannot be slapped with millions in damages for speaking his opinion about Sole. He also claims that he never mentioned Sole by name in his post and therefore he has no claim.
He also states that Tyler Perry Studios maintains and enforces policies on sexual harassment. Perry also says that the lawsuit is nonsense because anything that Brett did was consented to and wanted by Sole.
The director also blasts Sole’s claims he suffered emotional distress, saying he has not suffered any physical or emotional harm due to him whatsoever.
Celebrities React To Charleston Church Massacre
The nation is grieving this morning after a gunman opened fire inside a South Carolina church on Wednesday night killing nine people.The suspect, a white male in his 20’s, walked into the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston during bible study and killed six women and three men, including the pastor, state senator, Clementa Pinckney.
According to new reports, the suspect sat in bible study for about an hour before opening fire.
There were 13 people total in the building when the massacre at the historic church occurred. Apparently, the gunman vocalized he was going to let one woman live so she can go back out and report what happened.
The suspect is still at large and an intense manhunt is underway in the city.
Several celebrities have taken to social media to express their pain following the devastating news.
Folks just #pray4charleston!
FIRST LOOK! Kerry Washington To Portray Anita Hill In Upcoming HBO
Kerry Washington has confirmed she will portraying American attorney and academic, Anita Hill in the upcoming HBO film, Confirmation.
“Dear @HBO, Thank you for the profound opportunity of getting to inhabit Anita Hill and help tell this story! Yours Truly, K-Dub (aka super excited Exec Producer) #Confirmation,” Washington wrote on Instagram.
The 37-year-old’s new role isn’t exactly a departure from Olivia Pope, the fixer on ABC’s Scandal. In the film, Washington will step into the shoes of Hill, who is famously known for accusing U.S. Supreme Court nominee, Clarence Thomans. her supervisor at the U.S Department of Education and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of sexual harassment in 1991.Her confirmation changed how.
The movie will also star Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Hudson, Eric Stonestreet, Jeffrey Wright and Alison Wright.
Sign the Petition To Stop Dominican Republic Planned “Cleaning” of 250,000 Black Dominicans
Sign the Petition –” We need 80,000 more signatures! Let’s get it! Pressure the government of the Dominican Republic to stop its planned “cleaning” of 250,000 black Dominicans.”
In just a few days, the Dominican Republic will declare around 250,000 Dominicans of Haitian descent stateless. They will have no citizenship and no rights. Many of these people have no ties to Haiti and Haiti cannot support an extra quarter of million people as refugees. This is obviously an enormous human rights violation and warrants immediate action.
Sign HERE
Listen: Lauryn Hill Covers Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’
Nina Simone‘s “Feeling Good” gets a retouch with a cover by Lauryn Hill. Lauryn is one of a number of musicians that have recorded covers of some of the music icon’s most memorable songs, for Netflix’s upcoming Nina Simone documentary.
While she originally agreed to record two songs for the album, according to Rolling Stone, Lauryn’s passion for the experience led to her recording six. She also went on to serve as a producer on the project, alongside Robert Glasper.
The compilation, Nina Revisited: A Tribute to Nina Simone, is due out on July 10th — and also features songs from Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Common, Alice Smith and Simone’s daughter Lisa, among others.
1. Lisa Simone – “Nobody’s Fault but Mine (Intro)”
2. Ms. Lauryn Hill – “Feeling Good”
3. Ms. Lauryn Hill – “I’ve Got Life” – Ms. Lauryn Hill
4. Ms. Lauryn Hill – “Ne Me Quitte Pas” – Ms. Lauryn Hill
5. Jazmine Sullivan “Baltimore”
6. Grace – “Love Me or Leave Me”
7. Usher – “My Baby Just Cares For Me”
8. Mary J. Blige – “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”
9. Gregory Porter – “Sinnerman”
10. Common & Lalah Hathaway – “YG&B”
11. Alice Smith – “I Put A Spell On You”
12. Lisa Simone – “I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl”
13. Ms. Lauryn Hill – “Black Is The Color Of My True Love’s Hair”
14. Ms. Lauryn Hill – “Wild Is The Wind”
15. Ms. Lauryn Hill – “African Mailman”
16. Nina Simone – “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free”
Hear Lauryn’s cover, HERE:
The Game And Drake Spotted On Set Of ‘100’ Video Shoot
Drake jetted to Compton to join The Game in shooting the video for “100,” their collaboration set to appear on Game’s upcoming album The Documentary 2.
Game shared photos from the set, that showed them surrounded by fans, and standing on a pair of SUVs. “My hood. My family. My world. “8 more than 92″ video shoot in Bompton on Cedar Block #554 ,” the Compton rapper captioned one pic.
The Documentary 2 is expected to arrive this summer.
Catch more pics from the set below..
Looks Hot!
Watch: ‘Hollywood Divas’ Season 2 Trailer [Video]
Drama, drama, drama.
Golden Brooks, Paula Jai Parker, Countess Vaughn, Lisa Wu and Elise Neal are back, and they’re upping the drama for season two.
Hollywood Divas returns on July 15, and TV One has released the dramatic season two trailer.
Watch the ladies bond, cry, fight and more below.
Excited for more Foolery?
Diddy Accuses Baby Mama of Squandering Child Support
Last year Sean 'Diddy' Combs was ordered to pay $622k after his baby mama Misa Hylton defaulted on a home loan Diddy co-signed for
Diddy throws Misa under the bus in a last ditch effort to get out of the debt…
According to The Jasmine Brand Diddy filed new court docs stating he should not be responsible for repaying the loan because Misa is a horrible money manager.
Diddy claims to have paid Misa substantial amounts of child support over the years that was supposed to include mortgage payments and that he'd also given her huge lump sums of money on numerous occasions to pay the bills.
Diddy says he only co-signed on the loan because his son Justin, who now lives in LA, needed somewhere to live.
Too bad the judge didn't agree.
Diddy has been ordered to cough up the dough and the house will be put up for auction by the bank.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘THE PINK LINING’
I don’t plan on being around when this balloon bursts. Keep staring at your own risk.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
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