Kerry Washington stuns on the cover of ELLE magazine’s April 2016 issue. The Scandal star gets comfy in a cotton Cassius Clay sweatshirt from Shinola, and also rocks an emerald, onyx, diamond, and white gold bracelet from Cartier.
In the issue, she dishes on how playing Olivia Pope made her feel she can handle motherhood, why she feels it’s important to create work for herself instead of putting her artistic destiny in someone else’s hands, the reason Anita Hill‘s story matters today – and her boss, friend and mom mentor, Shonda Rhimes.
Read a few excerpts from her interview, and catch a couple more gorgeous photos, below..
On how the role of Olivia Pope made her feel she can handle motherhood:
Even though Olivia Pope has obviously made the decision that she is not a mom, playing her made me feel like I could be a mom. Because she knows there’s always another way—there’s always a way to fix it, there’s always a way to solve it, to win. And I feel like playing her made me feel like, All right, I can do it. I will figure out how to juggle it all.
On why Anita Hill’s story matters today:
This moment was so important because it created a language around women being able to protect themselves. The behavior that Anita Hill described was going on in a lot of offices throughout the country, and most people didn’t think they were doing anything wrong. But this created awareness around that and around the need for women’s voices to be heard in our public spaces, both testifying before Congress and sitting on the committee. It really was such a huge cultural shift.
On speaking out about what she believes in without compromising:
I’m a person who’s always been politically active and passionate about people’s rights. I marched against the [2004] Republican Convention. And as my career has expanded, it’s been important for me to not stifle that voice. Because you want to be popular, you want people to hire you, and I have to make sure I don’t do it less because I’m an actor.
On her boss, friend and mom mentor, Shonda Rhimes:
She’s been such an amazing resource, as a mom, and as a working mom…I am on one show and I have one kid, and she has three shows and three kids.” Right now, she says, departing from her no-family-talk rule, her husband is at home listening to the audio version of Rhimes’s book, the first-person self-help journey Year of Yes. “We bought it for a bunch of people for Christmas because I feel like it’s a little bit of required reading.
Read Kerry’s full cover story in the April issue – available digitally and on select newsstands on March 17 – and on newsstands nationwide on March 22.
#RHOA: Is Sheree Whitfield really reuniting with her ex-husband?
“Real Housewives of Atlanta” fans were shocked this past season when Sheree Whitfield rejoined the cast and brought back her famous ex-husband, Bob Whitfield, who tried non-stop to get back together with her all season long. Considering their turbulent history together, it was understandable that some fans began to question whether Sheree was really interested in starting over with her ex-husband or if she was just using him to get back on “RHOA.” However, both Sheree and Bob recently spoke about their relationship and set the record straight on how things are going.
The last we saw of Sheree and Whitfield on “RHOA,” the former pair were enjoying each other’s company at Phaedra Parks’ holiday party. And Sheree even gave Bob a kiss after he groped her butt on camera. In her latest Bravo blog post, Sheree confirmed that she and Bob really are definitely back in each other’s lives and she explained that things have been going well between them since filming for the show stopped months ago.
“Bob and I are working on getting to know each other again. We both have grown a lot and are in a different space than we were when we were married. We are in the process of relearning each other. I can say that we are happy with how things are going and our children our happy. #LifeIsGood for #TheWhitfields,” Sheree wrote.
Bob also recently spoke about their second chance with each other and echoed Sheree’s sentiment and they’re taking things slowly now that they’re dating again.
“Here’s the thing, the previous relationship was so damaged,” Bob said in a recent interview. “Two adults, we wouldn’t dare to venture into a relationship, but we are exploring each other’s company, I will say.”
However, he also explained that he’s remaining cautious around Sheree because of their tumultuous history.
“Having been around the person, you can in your mind think about, ‘Hey, it used to be good when it was good, but when it was bad, it was hella bad,’” he said. “So when you get to the person, you might be like, ‘S***, I need to have my knife in my back pocket just in case.’”
Bob also revealed that he and Sheree rekindled their flame while celebrating their daughter’s birthday last July.
“It started because of the birthday party,” he said. “It was kind of a festive occasion and it was a bowling alley party. So now drinks are involved, jokes are involved, different type of mood. So then it’s like, ‘Let’s try breakfast…’ take it easy and just go little bit by little.”
Bob says that he’s not dating other women, but he has no plans on marrying Sheree any time soon either. For now, he’s letting Sheree take the lead as they work to build up their relationship again.
“We had our differences and our problems, but I never just gave up on her,” he said. “I feel like I’ve invested a lot. We’ve invested a lot in each other, so I’m not going to just scrap my investment to her. You kept the name for a reason.”
But that’s not all that the couple talked about. Read what they had to say about Bob’s alleged former mistress, after the cut. As fans of “RHOA” will remember, new “friend” to the cast Tammy McCall found herself at odds with Sheree when she was questioned about Bob’s claims that he slept with her. Although both Bob and Tammy eventually denied the claims to Sheree, she still seemed suspicious of the two. However, in her blog post, she explains that she’s decided to just let it go.
“At this point I have moved beyond Bob’s past transgressions. I can only look forward to my future. If he did sleep with Tammy, nothing I say, think, or do can change that!” Sheree said.
However, Bob said in an interview that Sheree hasn’t let go of the issue at all.
“Because Tammy is of the era when me and Sheree’s relationship became tumultuous, I think Sheree won’t let the sleeping dogs lie,” Bob said. “I still feel that it’s unresolved maybe?”
Although Bob refers to McCall as a “friend,” he rather suspiciously explained that he’s enjoying having both women in his life.
“For most people, I think that they would have a real enjoyment to have two people to covet,” he admitted. “And there’s different types of experiences with everybody, so it’s not going to be the same conversation between the two people. So I always looked at it like you can have friends and lovers, [just don’t] commingle the two.”
#TEAMEMPIRE: Empire's 'Scary, Insane, Crazy' Finale Will Solve a Major Mystery
Empire will close out Season 2 with the mother of all showdowns. Co-star Kaitlin Doubleday, whose pregnant alter ego Rhonda was last seen getting pushed down a really long and bumpy flight of stairs by an unknown assailant, told TVLine Friday at PaleyFest that the identity of the perpetrator will be revealed in the season finale.
“She realizes who pushed her and… she gets to confront [him/her] in a very dynamic, scary, insane, crazy way,” Doubleday teased. “I think the audience [will Rhondabe] waiting for that confrontation for all eight episodes.”
And don’t assume the attacker is Crazy Anika, Doubleday cautions. “It’s weird because it started out as a certain person, for sure,” she admitted. “Then it changed for a bunch of episodes. There were a good five episodes we shot that I didn’t know who pushed me. Then they [settled] on somebody [and] that’s when she finally realizes, ‘OK, it was this person.'”
Doubleday, meanwhile, also shared that shortly after Empire returns on March 30 (9/8c, Fox), Rhonda will team up with Lyon Family Enemy No. 1. “Rhonda actually ends up working with Camilla,” shared the actress of Naomi Campbell’s character, who wrestled control of Empire Entertainment from Lucious in the fall finale. “There are some strange, weird alliances that happen that are unexpected in the next part of the season that involve Rhonda.”
Keke Wyatt Shines Bright & Covers Rihanna’s ‘Diamonds’ (WATCH)
*Keke Wyatt shines bright like a diamond with her rendition of Rihanna’s “Diamonds,” for her latest #KekeCovers installment.
The explosive singer is gearing up for the release of her highly anticipated album, Rated Love, which is available on April 22, 2016. Pre-order your copy today HERE.
LISTEN HERE
Subscribe to her YouTube channel, and be sure to follow Keke on social media!
#HIPHOPNEWS: Young Thug Disses Rich Homie Quan at Concert
There’s no love lost between Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan. In a new video released Tuesday (Mar. 15), Thugger can be heard shouting “Fuck Rich Homie” at his concert. It’s the latest shot fired in their ongoing feud, which has lasted at least a year now.
It’s unclear how the “Lifestyle” MCs began their beef, but it seems to have started when RHQ left Rich Gang to focus on his solo work. Thugger responded to this by calling him “Bitch Homie Quan” and saying that the “Type of Way” rapper was “stupid.”
The latest episode in their beef can be seen below.
WATCH:
When asked about Thugger’s disses, RHQ said he was “hurt.” “My first reaction was, ‘My brother called me bitch?'” Quan told ESPN’s “Highly Questionable.” “To be honest, not to get in my feelings, it hurt. Not hurt as in I’m gonna cry, but dog, bro, I would never disrespect you, point blank period, especially when we have each other’s numbers.”
Young Thug is currently on tour, with a performance at Los Angeles’s Novo by Microsoft venue slated for tomorrow. That run ends in Denton, Texas on Apr. 29. Meanwhile, RHQ has been steadily releasing new music, including “Wikked” and “Born for This.”
BREAKING NEWS: Frank Sinatra Jr. Dies at 72
LOS ANGELES — Frank Sinatra Jr., who carried on his famous father's legacy with his own music career, has died. He was 72.
LOS ANGELES — Frank Sinatra Jr., who carried on his famous father's legacy with his own music career, has died. He was 72.
The Sinatra family said in a statement to The Associated Press that Sinatra died unexpectedly Wednesday of cardiac arrest while on tour in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The statement said the family mourns the untimely passing of their son, brother, father and uncle. No other details were provided.
Kidnapped and held for ransom when he was 19, Sinatra Jr. had already followed his dad into the music business by then. He eventually worked for his father as his musical director and conductor. He performed the National Anthem at a New York Yankees game last year.
President Obama To Nominate Merrick Garland To The Supreme Court
Settling for a centrist candidate with decades of judicial experience, President Barack Obama will nominate Merrick Garland, a federal appeals judge in Washington, D.C., to the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, according to The Associated Press and congressional sources.
If confirmed, Garland, 63, wouldn't bring diversity to the court as much a lengthy résumé in public service, including stints in the Department of Justice and on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where he has served since 1997 and is now the chief judge.
An eventual appointment for Garland is also less likely to mark a liberal shift in the Supreme Court. If anything, his contributions -- given his age and his moderate record so far -- are likely to be more pragmatic than path-marking for some of the country's most hotly contested legal issues, such as voting rights, gun control and the scope of presidential powers.
For those very reasons, Garland is the least controversial -- and likely the most confirmable -- of all the candidates who were reportedly considered for the vacancy. It is possible Obama chose him for the post to defuse the confirmation fight that Senate Republicans have promised since the moment Scalia died.
Obama seriously considered Garland in 2010 for the opening created by the retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens. He was ultimately passed over for Elena Kagan, then the president's top lawyer before the Supreme Court.
Garland has some pluses that could serve him well in a polarized environment, including knowing Chief Justice John Roberts -- the two clerked for famed New York judge Henry Friendly and participated in cases together on the D.C. Circuit, when Roberts served there between 2003 and 2005.
An honors graduate of Harvard Law School, Garland is also chief judge of a federal court that's widely regarded as second only to the Supreme Court: The D.C. Circuit is not only a pipeline of sorts for future justices -- Scalia and Justices Clarence Thomas and Ruth Bader Ginsburg also sat there -- but it also hears major cases on federal regulatory action on net neutrality, health care and the environment.
"Judge Garland's record demonstrates that he is essentially the model, neutral judge," wrote SCOTUSblog publisher Tom Goldstein in 2010, when the White House first vetted him for a seat on the high court. "He is acknowledged by all to be brilliant. His opinions avoid unnecessary, sweeping pronouncements."
Under the Constitution, it is now the Senate's role to consider Obama's nomination, providing the necessary "advice and consent" to decide whether Garland should be confirmed to the Supreme Court.
Since Scalia's death, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have repeatedly vowed to not even consider anyone the president nominates, arguing that whoever wins the general election in November should name the next justice.
This has enraged Democrats and sparked weeks of political mudslinging, charges of opportunism and accusations that Senate Republicans are refusing to do their jobs.
At a recent Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) candidly recognized that his party's obstructionism over the nomination was more about politics than anything else.
In response, the White House and progressive groups are ready for what looks to be a monumental fight to get the nominee confirmed -- setting their sights on Republican incumbents, including Grassley, whose staunch opposition to holding confirmation hearings could backfire at the polls.
Republicans are planning a ground game, too, forming their own "SCOTUS task force" to combat whatever the White House and its allies may have up their sleeves.
"This will be the most comprehensive judicial response effort in our party's history," Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus promised in a statement.
Rihanna enjoyed herself At a Pool Party In Miami
After rocking the stage on her ANTI World Tour, Rihanna enjoyed some R&R poolside with some friends. And the spirits were flowing. Peep her party pics inside…
Rihanna is still in Florida making stops on her ANTI World Tour that kicked off in Jacksonville on Friday.
Chick performed before a sold out audience in Jacksonville on Friday and another sold out show in Tampa on Saturday. And she’s scheduled to hit the stage in Miami tonight. But before she hits the stage, the Bajan beauty enjoyed a relaxing day by the pool with a few of her friends, including her bestie Jenn Rosales, on Monday.
Keeping it comfortably cute, RiRi rocked a silk Dries Van Noten wrap dress, accessorized with a Dior tote and Chrishabana x Gentle Monster sunglasses. Loving those cat eye sunnies!
Pour it up! The Pop princess found her way to the poolside bar to sip on a few spirits as she mixed and mingled with party guests:
Rih stopped to chop it up with Roc Nation co-founder/CEO Jay Brown who was in the mix.
Must be nice!
RiRi will hit the stage at the American Airlines Arena tonight. And if you thought you could cop a ticket at the last minute, you're out of luck. It's sold out!
Also, Rih will be honored with the Rock Star Award at this year's BLACK GIRLS ROCK! set to go down on April 1st. The show will air Tuesday, April 5th at 8PM EST on BET.
Oh No: Miss Robbie’s Grandson Shot To Death In St. Louis
The popular stars of the OWN show Welcome To Sweetie Pie’s are in mourning today. Miss Robbie’s 21-year-old grandson, Andre Montgomery, has been shot and killed in St. Louis, reports TMZ.
The aspiring rapper, who appeared on the reality show featuring Robbie Montgomery and her family and their soul food restaurants, was recording at a home in St. Louis when he was gunned down when he went outside to take a phone call.
Although no suspects have yet been arrested, police do have a lead – according to TMZ, someone came into Andre’s hotel room with a key – although its unclear if any valuables were taken. The individual was captured on surveillance tape.
Another man was shot as he attempted to come to Montgomery’s aid by drawing his own gun, Fox 2 Now in St. Louis reports. That man was shot by another man who mistook him as a threat, not realizing he was assisting Montgomery.
Andre’s high school graduation in 2013 was featured on the show.
North America’s First Virtual Reality Roller Coaster and Seven Family Attractions to Premier at Six Flags Over Georgia
Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to get a little quality time in with your family and friends and Six Flags got something for everybody with the premiere of North America’s first virtual reality roller coaster! I don’t think yall are ready for this one!
Check out the details below. This changes everything! Six Flags Over Georgia, the Thrill Capital of the South, is calling on all daredevils for the premier of The New Revolution Virtual Reality (VR) Coaster, North America’s first virtual reality roller coaster. The park is also excited to announce the opening of Bugs Bunny Boomtown, featuring seven family attractions that the entire family can enjoy together.
“We pride ourselves on offering our guests the most innovative experiences in the industry,” said Six Flags Over Georgia Park President Dale Kaetzel. “We are thrilled to be one of the first in North America to debut a new virtual reality coaster. This cutting-edge technology, combined with the highly-anticipated opening of our sensational family area – Bugs Bunny Boomtown, solidifies our park as the leading destination for thrills in the region.”
Wearing Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus, thrill-seekers will be transported into a futuristic battle to save planet Earth from an alien invasion on The New Revolution VR Coaster. Riders will become “co-pilots” of their own virtual fighter jets on one of the park’s most popular roller coasters, Dare Devil Dive and experience:
•The incredibly immersive world of virtual reality – straight up nearly 100 feet to the top of a towering skyscraper;
•Flying down a 95 degree launch off the edge of a building – beyond vertical;
•Darting between buildings and extreme aerial actions at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour;
•Daring aerobatic maneuvers through three inversions and zero-gravity hills; and
•An exhilarating battle sending guests head over heels through 2,100 feet of twisted steel track to fight alien forces and save all mankind.
For younger thrill-seekers and their families, Six Flags Over Georgia is set to debut seven attractions in the all-new Bugs Bunny Boomtown, featuring:
•Daffy Duck Bucket Blasters, a wild and crazy family water battle;
•Speedy Gonzales Speed Boats, where guests will be screaming “Andale Andale” on six speed boats;
•Bugs Bunny High Seas Adventure, a chance to fly through the air on a junior sea-worthy quest;
•Yosemite Sam Wacky Wagons, an old western spin on a junior ferris wheel perfect for junior cowpokes;
•Looney Tunes Adventure Camp, an interactive playground with Bugs Bunny and all the Looney Tunes characters;
•ACME Trucking Company, a monster truck driving voyage to help Wile E. Coyote try to capture the Road Runner; and
•Tweety Twee House, a 20-foot up and down journey into the little chirping bird’s nest.
The world’s first DC SUPER Friends family-themed section will open later this spring, featuring five new attractions.
Six Flags Over Georgia is open on weekends through May 15 and daily April 2 through 10 for Spring Break. Summer daily operation begins on May 21. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.
2016 Season Passholders can exclusively experience The New Revolution VR Coaster on March 12 and 13. Season Passes, which include admission to Six Flags White Water in Marietta, are available online at www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia. The futuristic jet-fighting battle opens to all guests beginning March 19, for a limited-time only.
About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with $1.3 billion in revenue and 18 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 55 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com
SC trooper who shot unarmed Black man pleads guilty
In 2014, people were shocked when video emerged of an encounter between unarmed Black driver Levar Jones and South Carolina State Trooper Sean Groubert in Columbia, South Carolina. The encounter occurred at a gas station where Jones was getting out of his car too walk into the store and Groubert demanded to see Jones’ drivers license. Jones complies with the officer’s demands and reaches into his car to retrieve his license. Groubert shouts “Let me see your hands” and immediately fires his gun four times at close range, hitting Jones once in the hip.
As Jones falls to the ground he screams in pain, “What did I do wrong? I was getting my license like you said.” Groubert asks him if he was all right and Jones responds, “I can’t feel my legs. Why did you shoot me?” Groubert is then heard asking for assistance on his radio as the dashcam in his squad car records the entire incident. While Jones was on the ground, he asked the officer once again what he did wrong and the reason for being targeted by Groubert in the first place and the officer replied that Jones was not wearing a seatbelt. Fortunately, Jones survived the shooting and during the investigation the trooper gave an interesting version of events. Groubert maintained that Jones refused his lawful orders and continued to come towards him so he shot Junes in fear of his life. The statements were proven false and Jones received a settlement of $285K from the State of South Carolina. Groubert was initially charged with felony, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. A bond was set at $75K in September 2014. Groubert was fired by the South Carolina of Public Safety Department and his case was turned over to the courts. Yesterday, Groubert pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
Groubert faces up to 20 years in prison, the AP said.
Morris Chestnut Talks ‘The Best Man Wedding’ & Working Out To Slow Jams On ‘The Real’
Morris Chestnut made his way to The Real this week, where he gave a few deets on the upcoming film, The Best Man Wedding. Although the movie was expected to arrive in April this year, Morris revealed that they have the script, but they haven’t shot it yet. When Adrienne Bailon asks, “So it is gonna happen?” He tells the co-hosts: “Hopefully.. if all of all schedules come together, it will happen.”
“We definitely want to get together and come back again,” he says. “Last one took 15 years.. we’re not gonna wait that long.”
In addressing a kiss with Loni Love, during the segment, he tellls her: “I’m gonna be real. You’re the best talk show host I’ve ever kissed in my life” – and he also talks working out to slow jams.
WATCH HERE
You can catch the handsome actor on FOX’s Rosewood,
Ne-Yo Welcomes Baby Boy With Wife Crystal Renay
Ne-Yo and his wife Crystal Renay have welcomed their baby boy, Prince Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. into the world.
Crystal shared a photo via social media, that shows her holding their newborn’s tiny hand, captioned:
Prince Shaffer Chimere Smith Jr has arrived! 6lbs 8oz, 19 inches… it was the scariest delivery ever and I ended up getting a emergency C-section cause of complications but with the help of my amazing doctor @drsherryr and my super calming husband @neyo I was able to get through it all and come out with best reward in the world… SJ!!!!!
The couple tied the knot in February, with Ne-Yo telling PEOPLE: “We can’t wait to start our life together. We’re looking forward to just being each others’ best friend.”
Congrats to the couple!
#EGGPLANT NATION IT'S BEAR CROSSING!
GRRRRRRRL! Its Bear Season! And prepare to get clawed! Wanna see more of the furry one?
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘Human Furby’
I’m not going to make a banana joke for this little furbaby creature. I’m not going to make a banana joke for this little furbaby creature. I’m not going to make a banana joke for this little furbaby creature.
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
I wonder if Ne-Yo will give a repeat performance and demand Crystal Renay get a tubal ligation procedure, as he did his former fiancée Monyetta Shaw.
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