Oprah Winfrey Covers VARIETY
Can you believe it's been nearly 5 years since Oprah Winfrey's OWN debuted? After walking away from her iconic talkshow, Oprah Winfrey tells VARIETY that she wanted to focus on meaningful programming that which have a cultural impact around the globe.
“I wanted to have a way to speak to people and be connected and cultivate more meaningful conversations that mattered to people.....my dream of of having this network and programming created to uplift and to entertain. We have invested in storytelling. We have created a space where our loyal audience can come week after week.”
But it didn't start out that way...
Back in 2011, the ratings were dismal and folks were waiting for the great mighty Oprah Winfrey to fall on her face. Could it be that she's not perfect? That's when she received some of the best business advice of her career from a fellow tv mogul.
“Lorne Michaels (the creator of "SNL") told me over four years ago that it was going to take five years to get up on its feet.”
And he was right...
Most recently, OWN logged its most watched night, since its 2011 debut, with the Sept. 22nd season finale of Tyler Perry’s “The Haves and Have Nots.” Oprah credits Tyler, who became a partner in OWN during the 2012 season, with creating some of the channel’s most successful programs to date. “Tyler has been such a boon for us.”
In terms of new programming, Oprah is most excited about OWN’s upcoming seven-night special “Belief” which kicks off Oct. 18th. We told you about the series a few weeks ago, as it examines aspects of faith and belief around the world. The OWN team worked on it for three years and production traveled to 32 countries!
There is also an upcoming scripted series named “Greenleaf,” a mega-church drama from writer Craig Wright that will feature Winfrey in a recurring role; and “Queen Sugar,” from “Selma” director Ava Duvernay. “The future’s so bright it burns our eyes,” said Oprah.
On another note, Discovery CFO Andrew Warren noted that OWN, a joint venture of Winfrey and Discovery, will return $80 million to Discovery (to help recoup some of the startup financing provided in the early years) and OWN has already repaid Discovery nearly $150 million.
By the way, for Variety's latest cover (atop) Oprah was selected as one of the mag's five #PowerOfWomen honorees where she is recognized for her humanitarian work with her Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation.
Oprah's totally our spirit animal. And this is why.
#TEAMUNBREAKABLE! Janet Jackson took a break from touring to attend Paris Fashion Week
ICON Janet Jackson took a break from her ‘UNBREAKABLE’ World Tour Monday and joined her Qatari billionaire husband, Wissam Al Mana, to attend the Hermes runway show at Paris Fashion Week on Monday, where they wore all-black ensembles and attentively took in the collection. See the pics!
She looks FAB!
#TEAMEMPIRE: “Empire” Star Ta’Rhonda Jones On the Promotional Rounds!
“Empire” starlet Ta’Rhonda Jones who stars as Cookie Lyon’s smart mouth assistant Porsha on “Empire,” is one busy bee! Yesterday, she was spotted making moves in NYC as she hit up a few shows to promote the newest season of the hit FOX series.
The rapper/actress/fashion designer hit up NBC Studios in NYC's Rockefeller Center for a taping on “New York Live TV” where she dished on how she landed the role of Porsha, leaving behind her job at a nursing home. WATCH!
And while continuing her rounds...
The budding actress and raptress made her way to the MTV studio for an appearance on an episode of the hilarious “Girl Code” series.
While chatting with the ladies, Ta’Rhonda was put on the spot to come up with a freestyle about a number of situations. One situation she had to rap about was finding out her best friend slept with her ex-boyfriend. And it’s quite funny. Check it HERE:
While chatting with the ladies, Ta’Rhonda was put on the spot to come up with a freestyle about a number of situations. One situation she had to rap about was finding out her best friend slept with her ex-boyfriend. And it’s quite funny. Check it HERE:
TaRhonda then got glammed up in a hip-hugging purple dress (that we are LOVING) for a sitdown on the "Meredith Vieira Show."
Werk!
Rihanna is RED HOT on the cover of Vanity Fair!
Rihanna opens up in her cover story for Vanity Fair; talks past relationships with Matt Kemp, Chris Brown, hooking up for fun, and more.
Magazine companies sure do love Bad Girl Ri-Ri. A week after her appearance in Fader’s 100th issue, Rihanna is now gracing the front cover of Vanity Fair's November issue.
Shot in Old Havana, Cuba by world renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, the cover finds Ri-Ri rockin’ her vibrant red hair & revealing top, while standing up against an old school car. However luckily, that’s not the only photo of Ri-Ri we get to see as Leibovitz also took candids of her lying down naked on a bed (sorry guys it’s just the butt), kicking it in a bar, and being one with the people of Cuba while in the streets.
As for the cover story itself, that’s where all the juicy info lies. Sitting down with Vanity’s Lisa Robinson, Rihanna opened up a lot personally in the magazine, talking about her past relationships with Chris Brown, Matt Kemp, hooking for fun, and what she looks for in a man. She later touched on more career-oriented topics as well, including being discovered by Jay Z, working in the past with Eminem, and creating her badass image given by the media.
The entire in-depth cover story can be read over at Vanity Fair (which we suggest), but for now we’ve added a few excerpts for you to check out in the meantime. And don't forget to peep the sexy cover shoot she did in the gallery above as well.
On hooking up for fun:
“If I wanted to I would completely do that. I am going to do what makes me feel happy, what I feel like doing. But that would be empty for me; that to me is a hollow move. I would wake up the next day feeling like shit. When you love somebody, that’s different. Even if you don’t love them per se, when you care enough about somebody and you know that they care about you, then you know they don’t disrespect you. And it’s about my own respect for myself. A hundred percent.”
On giving Chris Brown a second chance:
“I was that girl. That girl who felt that as much pain as this relationship is, maybe some people are built stronger than others. Maybe I’m one of those people built to handle shit like this. Maybe I’m the person who’s almost the guardian angel to this person, to be there when they’re not strong enough, when they’re not understanding the world, when they just need someone to encourage them in a positive way and say the right thing.”
On her relationship with Chris Brown now:
“I don’t hate him. I will care about him until the day I die. We’re not friends, but it’s not like we’re enemies. We don’t have much of a relationship now.”
Her thoughts on Rachel Dolezal:
“I think she was a bit of a hero, because she kind of flipped on society a little bit. Is it such a horrible thing that she pretended to be black? Black is a great thing, and I think she legit changed people’s perspective a bit and woke people up.”
HMMMMM Interesting!
Georgia D.A. Convenes Grand Jury For Nick Gordon In Bobbi Kristina Death — Now Murder Charges?
Our friends over at Radaronline has learned Monday night that Bobbi Kristina’s Brown’s self-described “husband” and his criminal lawyer, Jose Baez are following the fast-breaking developments. Gordon is currently facing a multi-million-dollar civil suit from Brown’s estate.
Now, “The District Attorney is convening a secret grand jury and it’s likely to result in charges against Nick Gordon,” the source told Radar. It is unknown at this time what those charges will be.
“It’s likely the other people in the house the morning she was found unresponsive will be called to testify. But it doesn’t appear that Nick will be called because the D.A. doesn’t want to give away their hand in preparation of a possible trial.”
Those likely to be called in front of the grand jury are Max Lomas, a drug-dealing friend of Gordon’s and Max’s young girlfriend Danyela Bradley, the insider claimed.
Both were in Brown’s Roswell, Ga., townhouse along with Gordon on the morning of last Jan. 31 when Brown was found face down in a water-filled bathtub.
Lomas called 911, alerting authorities to the tragedy.
The 22-year-old was placed in a medically induced coma and never regained consciousness. She died six months later in an Atlanta area hospice on July 26.
A $40 million wrongful death lawsuit was filed against Gordon by her family, alleging he beat her after an all-night “cocaine and drinking binge.”
The civil suit also charged him with giving her a “toxic cocktail” that knocked her out.
Gordon has denied the claims and his legal team has called the suit “slanderous and meritless.”
On Sept. 25, the Fulton County (Ga.) Medical Examiner announced they determined the cause of Bobbi Kristina’s death but the results were sealed from the public in a court action.
Brown’s father, Bobby Brown, has fingered Gordon as being responsible for his daughter’s death.
“We believe we know who harmed her and his name is Nick Gordon,” Bobby’s lawyer Christopher Brown said.
As the grand jury is being summoned, both Gordon and his high-powered lawyer Baez – who got “Tot” mom Casey Anthony off in a headline-making criminal trial — are in Florida.Gordon maintains he did nothing wrong.
Story developing.
Cash Money & Birdman Cheated Drake, Nicki Minaj & Even Tyga Out of Millions — According to Lil Wayne
Cash Money Records owes a bunch of artists way more ‘cash money’ than what they’ve been paid, according to new documents filed in Lil Wayne’s lawsuit against the company and CEO Birdman.
Via TMZ: Lil Wayne now claims in his bitter lawsuit against Birdman and Cash Money, he has letters from Drake and Tyga’s people claiming they got stiffed out of a fortune. And Nicki’s people say in a separate letter her producers also got shortchanged by Young Money, and Wayne says it’s Cash Money’s responsibility to pay producers.
As you know, Lil Wayne runs Young Money, whose stable of artists include Drake, Nicki and Tyga. Cash Money is the parent company of Young Money, and Birdman is the big boss.
The allegations of Cash Money’s financial shenanigans are massive. Young Money claims it was supposed to get a big chunk of a $100 million advance from Universal — an advance that went directly to Cash Money — and they’re still waiting.
But Cash Money says Wayne and company are full of it. They gave him a $20 million advance for Young Money in 2012, another $12 million for Wayne’s solo album and another $70 million in advances, royalties, marketing and recording costs for various Young Money artists.
Cash Money claims in the docs if anyone is a slacker it’s Wayne … he was supposed to deliver 21 albums over 7 years for his artists and only anted up 13.
From what we’ve gathered, Birdman probably does owe people some money — but you know it all comes down to who has the best legal team.
TENS OR CHOPS: Zendaya Wearing Vivienne Westwood Spring 2015 Gold Embellished and Plaid Dress
Folks In the world of "FABNESS" they must be fierce as at times. So you’re the judge and it’s time to play TENS OR CHOPS!. It's the battle of fashion. We want you to decide. (Please consider the entire ensemble.) NO GO…Is she a TEN or a CHOP?
Vin Diesel Announces F. Gary Gray As "Furious 8" Director
As a director, F. Gary Gray is riding a wave of success. In addition to directing Straight Outta Compton (over $200M worldwide), he's just landed the most coveted gig in Hollywood...Furious 8.
We learned about the news via Facebook after actor Vin Diesel posted a pic of himself and the director on his Facebook page. Thanks to his stellar year, we've even heard that F. Gary was Universal’s first choice to direct the BILLION dollar franchise.
F. Gary and his team are set to begin negotiations and storyboard ideas with the studio this week and we're sure he's gonna be WELL compensated. Congrats!
Tamar Braxton Honored At ‘Rock Out With Me Empowerment Panel’
WE TV’s Television Personality and founder of the Rock Out With Me Campaign to unite women, April Daniels partnered with Howard University and EBONY Magazine to conclude the last leg of the Rock Out With Me Women’s Empowerment Multi-City Tour. The event took place at Howard University, with Grammy Nominated singer and The Real co-host Tamar Braxton being honored at the event with the Rock Out With Me “BuildHer” Award.
After an empowering and informative panel and a touching video tribute; April spoke to the audience and thanked Tamar for giving her the platform for launching Rock Out With Me.
"Tamar you inspire so many and I can’t think of anyone more deserving to receive the Rock Out With Me “BuildHer” award. I never publically thanked you, but I wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to co-star on the Tamar and Vince show, which enabled me to launch Rock Out With Me campaign to unite women. I could not have done it without you and I am honored to present you with this award."
A very emotional Tamar said during her speech while receiving her award,
"Don’t write yourself off. Don’t let your past experiences or doubts or people not believing in you stop you from reaching your goals…..I am just a regular girl who did not give up on her dreams….. sometimes I feel so undeserving and this means more to me than you know April. This is all about empowerment and standing next to each other and I love Rock Out With Me."
EBONY Magazine’s Entertainment and Lifestyle Director, S. Tia Brown; Television Producer, Trevia Williams; Celebrity Lifestyle Designer, Diann Valentine; Rock Out With Me Founder, April Daniels; Actress, Denyce Lawton; Entrepreneur, Arnita Johnson and Ms. Khalilah Harris, the Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans
The Rock Out With Me Empowerment Panel was moderated by EBONY Magazine’s Entertainment and Lifestyle Director, S. Tia Brown.
Tamar Braxton gives her speech after receiving the Rock Out With Me BuildHer Award from April Daniels, Founder of Rock Out With Me.
The panel discussion focused women achieving success through education, entrepreneurship and relationships and featured panelists, April Daniels; Executive Television Producer, Treiva Williams (Mary Mary, R&B Divas, LHHH); Celebrity Lifestyle Designer, Diann Valentine; Arnita Johnson, CEO of Luxurious Credit; Actress Denyce Lawton and Ms. Khalilah Harris, the Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans who shared tips and lessons learned with the guests in attendance.
Tamar Braxton and Vincent Herbert arrive at the 2015 Rock Out With Me “Women Achieving Success” Empowerment panel at Howard University.
#HisNameIsCayden: Gerod Roth Speaks Out, Denies Being a Racist & Says His Facebook Post Was ‘Taken Out of Context’
Gerod Roth, the racist who was fired from his job at Polaris Marketing Group in Atlanta, is speaking out and wants you to know he does NOT consider himself a racist — despite the fact that he and his friends got busted for making racist comments about a little boy named Cayden on Facebook.
“I just really feel upset, not only with myself, but also the character that was based off the comments that my friendsmade,” Roth told Fox 5 Atlanta.
WATCH HERE
He continued, “I feel as if not only poor Cayden himself has been victimized, but also myself — I’ve been targeted.”
Roth then went on to explain how his post was “taken out of context,” but then owned up to calling the little boy ‘feral.’
“A person said, ‘Oh, you mean to tell me that you just have wild kids running throughout your office building?’ And that’s when I said he was ‘feral.’ Which of course was interpreted directly as racist and that, honestly, was not my intention whatsoever.”
#BoyBye!
New Music: R&B Diva’s Michel’le Returns With ‘It’s Nothing’
Michel’le is back with a new single called ‘It’s Nothing’ and she’s also released an official video for the track.
The song, a powerful testament of the personal evolution of the songstress, showcases her innate ability to pen a ballad and sing from the depths of her soul.
Michel’le’s rich vocal style shines through on this emotional ballad that speaks of a woman who chooses herself over the unhappiness of a failed relationship. “It’s Nothing,” describes the dismissive way in which she lets her man know it’s nothing for her to walk away from something or someone who hurts her.
In the video Michel’le shows fans why she is the woman that music lovers of all races, genders and ages can relate to. This vocal powerhouse contradicts her title as an R&B Diva; which brings to mind over-the-top glam; instead she saw the vision of the video producer, Brooke Coleman, who wanted to showcase the emotion of the song and Michel’le’s natural beauty. This was more than accomplished by featuring Michel’le in a relaxed setting with minimal make-up. All you get is raw emotion and in your face vocals.
Check out Michel’le’s full video for ‘It’s Nothing’ below…
Michel’le took the world by storm in 1989 when she released her self-titled album “Michel’le,” on Ruthless Records. Executive produced by music icons Eric “Eazy-E” Wright and Dr. Dre, the album generated 5 top ten singles on the Billboard Charts and sold over 2.5 million units worldwide; garnering her RIAA platinum certification. She has since starred on the popular TV One reality series R&B Diva’s LA, is set to release her personal memoirs and in talks for a Made-for-TV movie about her life.
Currently performing spot dates across the country, Michel’le is back and ready to give her fans what they’ve been asking for; new music. The First Lady of Hip Hop Soul is back!
What do you think of Michel’le’s new song?
SERIOUSLY? Ja Rule And Ashanti Planning World Tour
2000s hip hop dynamic duo Ja Rule and Ashanti headed out on tour together.
Ja Rule tells Billboard,
“Me and Ashanti are about to go on a big world tour… and we’re putting together a music and film project with our whole Natural Born Killers tour and EP. It’s kind-of like a Streets is Watching type of film.”
“So yeah, we’re doing something kind of cool and fun. It’s been a long time in the making.”
Caitlyn and Kylie Jenner Do Dinner & Promote ‘World Bullying Prevention Day’
It was girls’ night out for Caitlyn Jenner daughter Kylie.The two were spotted leaving dinner at Sugarfish in Calabasas on Monday.
Earlier in the day, Kylie took to Instagram to share a selfie of the two and explain her choice of lip color. According to Kylie, she wore a blue lip to promote ‘World Bullying Prevention Day.’
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘The Landing Strip’
It was a long weekend of rain here at the PoWM headquarters, but we are back…well at least two-thirds of the way back…
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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