THIS IS THE CHRONICLES OF EFREM: The Daily Buzz For Feb 1

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Rita Ora Is Totally Topless For LUI Magazine

She’s always been a fan of flashing flesh, but Rita Ora is taking her game to a new level with her topless Lui magazine cover this month.

The “Fifty Shades of Grey” actress smiles from ear-to-ear in her black leather skirt and open denim shirt as controversial lensman Terry Richardson captures her feminine form for the front page.

Last year, Rita told the Hollywood Reporter, "My new single is called 'Body on Me,' and it's about your body and feeling comfortable in who you are, so I thought, 'I would wear the same thing at home with my friends, why not do it at my own concert?' Miley is the main supporter of that message of being comfortable in your own skin. Madonna started it. Artists who are willing to do it only come along once in a blue moon."

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#RHOA: Is Porsha Williams Siding With Kenya Moore Against Kim Fields?

Porsha is in her prime right now; while she doesn’t have a husband and kids just yet she has a great career at Dish Nation, plus a RHOA peach back in her hand. Porsha is proud of where she’s at with her work. In a interview with Bravo she was asked about the Kenya/Kim fued.

Bravotv.com: Did you think Kim was being shady with her beatless brunch?

PW: Kim says she doesn’t know how to read, but sometimes that’s when you give the best shade! Phaedra and I had been telling Kim we were going to make her over and make her “Mommy chic,” so I think the dinner was a way to say she is fab in a basic way and that we need to flip the table and be more natural like her. We were coming from a place of helping Kim get back to her sexy, fab self and she wanted to remind us to love ourselves whether we are made up or not. To me, friendships like this are the best. It’s great to add to each other’s life. At the end of the day, it’s all about helping your sister to love herself inside and out!

It was sweet of her to end the blog in support of Kim and her event since it seemed like a flop with the ladies, but we all know if it was anyone else going up against Kim, Porsha would have stepped up and voiced her opinion. How great would a Porsha/Kenya tag-team be, now that would be entertaining. Porsha has evolved so much during her time on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and I’m excited to see what’s to come for her in the future!

Thoughts on this. What do you think about her agreeing with Kenya in the argument over the “beatless brunch?” Do you think if it was another housewife going against Kim Porsha would have taken a side?

New Music Video: Video: Silk – Love 4 U 2 Like Me

Veteran R&B group Silk have delivered the visual for their comeback single “Love 4 U 2 Like Me.”

It’s been 10 years since their last LP, 2006’s Always & Forever, and the smooth record finds the group in great form.

“I think ‘Love 4 U 2 Like Me’ was the right reintroduction for Silk,” said Gary “Big G” Glenn. “It’s a classic song and true to what we value now–thinking of ways to impress your woman, asking for little and giving a lot in return. We’re not abandoning our formula as far as love-making music goes…we are just acknowledging that foreplay is necessary and not so spoken about these days.”

“Love 4 U 2 Like Me” is the lead single off their forthcoming album Quiet Storm, due out March 18.

Check out the video below

Good to see some Ol’ skool acts still going strong!

Lil Kim Slams Photoshopped Booty: THE HATE IS SO REAL!

Photoshop can be a tricky thing, even for professionals who can usually spot the trickery. Just ask Lil Kim who is the latest victim of what we hear is some nasty photoshopping. This week, an image began circulating, showing Lil Kim with an uberly enhanced booty. Lil Kim caught wind of the image in question and posted the following on Instagram.

And on Twitter she added:

Now!

#SAGAWARDS! Take that Oscar! Diversity Reigns at SAG Awards After Oscar Controversy; Stars Say ‘The Problem Starts Before the Academy’

The entertainment industry may be reeling from the lack of diversity in the 2016 Oscar nominations, but the winners at the 2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards stood in stark contrast to the #OscarsSoWhite controversy.

Idris Elba scooped two awards, Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Netflix’s “Beasts of No Nation,” and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for BBC America’s “Luther.”

“How to Get Away with Murder” star Viola Davis won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, while Queen Latifah took the prize for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for her titular role in HBO’s “Bessie.” For the second year running, Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black” nabbed the ensemble award for a comedy series, with star Uzo Aduba once again taking home the gong for Female Actor in a Comedy Series.

Backstage after her win, Davis addressed the ongoing conversation regarding diversity in the industry. “We’ve become a society of trending topics. Diversity is not a trending topic … I see myself as an actor, no matter what is going on in the business, I will find a way to practice my art,” she said of finding roles. “All the actors of color I know don’t place any limitations on themselves either… regardless of what’s going on in the industry, no matter what’s going on in the Academy, they will find a way to be excellent. We always have and we always will.”

Davis said that people had to make their own decisions about whether to boycott the Oscars, but urged viewers, “when you walk into a theater, to be open to the experience of the story. I feel like sometimes people feel like the stories of people of color aren’t inclusive – they’re very much inclusive … When you watch Annalise, she’s not just a black woman, she’s a woman going through her life. People forget that in our business, we can’t act in a room; you need the actor; you need the director; you need the writer; and you need the audience… So plop down your money to see ‘Race,’ to see ‘Dope,’ to see ‘Straight Outta Compton,’ … to support directors like Ava DuVernay, Lee Daniels, Spike Lee — their stories are just as important and valid as anyone else’s.”

“OITNB” star Laura Prepon noted on stage, “This is what we talk about when we talk about diversity,” referring to the inclusivity of the Netflix show’s cast.

Backstage, castmate Samira Wiley praised “OITNB” creator Jenji Kohan for changing the face of television. “She’s put women on your TV, in your homes, that look like a rainbow. We have different stories, different ages, different body types, different beliefs… It’s a reflection of what the world is like.”

Addressing the lack of representation in the Oscar nominations, “OITNB” cast member Selenis Leyva noted, “The problem starts before the Academy Awards … Producers, directors, casting people need to open their eyes — diversity isn’t just black and white, it’s universal and it’s a lot more than we’re focusing on; it’s religion, it’s sexuality.” She urged content creators at networks and studios to trust that viewers are hungry for stories that reflect diverse experiences. “You will make money, people will tune in.”

Latifah noted that in order for the film industry to catch up to TV in terms of diversity, she thinks “the public has to continue to demand that. We’re in a capitalist society, so hopefully supply and demand will kick back in. Hopefully our business will continue to supply the demand the people are asking for … I hope we wake up and realize the old way of doing things is the old way and it’s okay to evolve … change is inevitable.” CONGRATS TO ALL THE WINNERS! h/t variety

BARBIE Gets A Curvy, Height & Skin Tone Makeover. A new Crew has arrived!

Brand new Barbies are hitting shelves all this year. And it's revolutionizing the BARBIE company. For the first time in its 57 year existence, the original Barbie will now come in a range of options: 4 body types, 7 skin tones, 22 eye colors, 24 hairstyles, and countless on-trend fashions and accessories.

According to the MATTEL Shop website and its new video, the company is taking its investment in girlhood to a new level. The website states:

Girls everywhere now have infinitely more ways to play out their stories and spark their imaginations through Barbie. Along with more overall diversity, we proudly add three new body types to our line. Here’s a look at why we did this, and the team that made it possible. #TheDollEvolves

This is just the beginning. From offering products that feature more empowering and imaginative roles to partnering with best in class role models, we believe in girls and their limitless potential. #YouCanBeAnything

First up, The 2016 Barbie® Fashionistas™ Doll and Spy Squad collections:

Also on deck this spring and summer are collections like Game Developer Career of the Year and President & Vice President.

We're obsessed with the poppin' natural hair, the flawless brown skin and adorable outfits. SALUT! Barbie.

Oh? Stevie J Breaks-Up With Joseline Hernandez: We are NOT married!

Are one of your favorite reality TV couples officially OVAH? According to Instagram, absolutely. Love & Hip Hop Atlanta alum Stevie J says that he and Joseline Hernandez have split. In fact, he says they aren’t married, which means they never were or they’re separated. In either case, the producer spilled the tea within a comment on Instagram.

Joseline was at Rick Ross’ birthday party. Apparently, someone commented that the way they posed together was a little inappropriate. Anywho, peep Stevie’s response.

Again, Oh?

YESSSS RIHANNAMANIA! Rihanna’s ANTI Goes Platinum In 15 Hours With Help From Samsung

Rihanna’s new album is already certified platinum thanks in part to the work of Samsung. The tech giant purchased 1 million copes of ANTI to offer to fans for free download.

ANTI, her eighth studio LP, dropped on Tidal Thursday (Jan. 28). According to the company’s marketing director, Rihanna moved 1.4 million copies in 15 hours.”That’s a really big deal for us,” Grace Kim told Spin.com.

Samsung pulled the same move with Jay Z’s Magna Carter Holy Grail release in 2013. Just as they did with Hov, fans jumped at the chance to get a free Rihanna album, giving the bajan singer her fastest platinum album certification in the history of her career.

Let’s not discount Rih Rih’s own power though, her sales figures include 400,000 copies bought from traditional downloads. Also, ANTI has been streamed more than 13 million times, proving that her superstar stats are intact (with or without Samsung’s help).

That said, Billboard and Nielson won’t count the Samsung sales.

Rick Ross Celebrates 40th Birthday With Star-Studded Bash At His Atlanta Mansion

Rick Ross celebrated his 40th birthday with a star-studded bash at his Atlanta mansion. The man of the hour hit the scene dapper in a white jacket teamed with black tuxedo pants – with a list of celebs like Monica Brown and her husband Shannon, Keri Hilson, Ludacris, Yo Gotti, Kat Williams and more in attendance.

Jermaine Dupri was in charge of the sounds for the night, and was snapped in his element at the DJ booth. Ricky’s mom, Tommie Roberts, was also on there, as well as his ex Shateria.

While talking to GQ ahead of the party, the MMG Bawse said:

Every hour they’ll be something new unveiled for the crowd, just to keep everyone excited. Gonna be a lot of Belaire Rose; of course, the beautiful women; a lot of my powerful friends; maybe even a few politicians; of course athletes. It’s going to be one of those great scandals. [laughs]