Toya Wright Covers Rolling Out – Talks New Book, Business Ventures & More
Toya Wright poses for the cover of Rolling Out, in a black, plunging blazer and a bold red lip. The author, reality star and entrepreneur recently released a new book – How to Lose a Husband – and during her sit-down with the publication, she opens up about the book.
Everything from how long it took to write it, to how she came up with the storyline and what women are saying about it. Toya also dishes on why she decided to become an entrepreneur, and what other business ventures she’s got up her sleeve.
Read a few highlights below..
On how long it took to write How to Lose a Husband:
I’ve been working on this book for about eight or nine months.
On how she came up with the storyline:
I really came up with these stories and I worked with this lady, her name is Carla, and she helped me to bring the characters to life in book form. Her imagination is crazy. I sat with her and I came up with all these things. Women and people in general, you know we go through things in life. And listening to all these stories from all these different women, including myself, it inspired me to write the book. Because the one thing we have in common is, we’re looking for someone else to make us happy. And you have to be all the way happy and complete with yourself before you can give yourself to someone else. We also all have a group of divas where we all stick together and we help each other get through things, whether it’s with our kids and our husbands, boyfriends — some women are side chicks — no matter what it is, and I just decided to put it all in my How to Lose a Husband book.
On what women are saying about the book:
In the beginning, it was a little rough when I first released the title. The book is titled How to Lose a Husband, and it kind of went left, [because] I was going through a separation with my husband and it was very public. People kind of thought that I was actually writing a guide to teach women how to lose a husband, and that’s not what the book is about at all. The book is actually a novel about five women. It’s based around friendship and different relationship issues. I just feel like art imitates life. So, all of these different women in this book and these different situations they are going through, it gets kind of crazy and deep. People that have purchased the book and read it tell me that I’m a certain character in the book. I did incorporate a little bit of my real life into the book along with my friends who go through different things. I just decided to open up and share it in a fiction form with adding extra things to the book to make it good and juicy. The moral of the story is that you have to be whole before you can be anybody’s half.
On why she decided to become an entrepreneur:
With my clothing store, I always had a passion for fashion. I just love shopping. If I can spend all this money on clothes, I might as well own my own clothing boutique. So, I decided to open my first boutique, which is in my hometown of New Orleans, and I opened that 6 1/2 years ago, and it’s still open. The name of it is Garb Boutique and it’s located on 2042 Magazine St. in New Orleans. I opened my second location in Atlanta, and it’s in West Village Place in Smyrna, Georgia, and it’s called Garb Shoetique. I just love clothes and shoes, and I just wanted to get into the retail side of selling my own stuff. Instead of promoting other stuff, I can promote my own stuff. So, I did some research and opened my store and it’s been doing really good.
On her other business ventures:
The Toya Wright brand is full of everything beauty. We have hair, which is the hair that’s in my head now. I have a bonnet line, which is called Bonnet Bling. It’s a luxury hair bonnet. Instead of going to sleep with the granny bonnet, I have bonnets with diamonds on them called Before Bedheads and you can get those at www.BeforeBedHeads.com. And I’m also looking to put those in beauty stores really, really soon. We’re working on that. I also have … the boutiques, the bonnets, my publishing company, and my new book, How to Lose a Husband.
#RHOA: Kandi Burruss Denies Diet Pill Weight Loss Accusations
We all have seen how Kandi Burruss has been looking these days, since someone else tried to take credit for that post-baby body. In a story that weirdly involves Kandi‘s RHOA cast mate NeNe Leakes, there have been articles and advertisements circulating around the internet that claim that NeNe found out that Kandi has been taking diet pills to lose weight after the birth of her son Ace Tucker.
It’s a weird mix between an advertisement and celebrity gossip that makes zero sense to me in addition to wreaking of desperation. Kandi got wind of these reports and really went in on her Instagram page.
Kandi has multiple reasons to be mad about these false reports, but most importantly, she does not want people to think that she would engage in behavior that would put her infant son’s health at risk. Kandi set the record state with a very detailed Instagram post.
“It’s crazy how people can just use your name for false advertisement. A few people asked me about a diet pill that they saw was advertised that had my name as a user. I have not used any diet pill to lose weight after my pregnancy. I’m still breastfeeding. I supplement with formula but I still breastfeed & there is no way I would take some Weightloss drug when it could affect my child. I’m only addressing this because I don’t want any other #breastfeeding mom to try it thinking it’s ok because they think I did it. Just to be clear if I try any Weightloss stuff in the future I will post it for you. If you don’t see it come from me then don’t believe the hype!”
I don’t blame Kandi for speaking out about this one. I’m sure that people make up rumors about the women from Real Housewives every day, but I am happy that Kandi set the record straight and shut down this ridiculous story.
#EMPIRE NEWS: Empire’ Lucious’ Mother’s Shocking Reveal: ‘We Have Known All Along’
Empire Recap SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Wednesday night’s episode of “Empire,” titled “Time Shall Unfold.”
Wait — she’s alive? “Empire’s” latest episode revealed that Lucious’ (Terrence Howard) mother, who is played by Kelly Rowland in flashbacks, is actually alive, even though it appeared she shot herself in a sad suicide back when Lucious was a child. On Wednesday’s episode, his mother was seen at a special care home where Thirsty (Andre Royo) visited to drop off an envelope of cash for her, as she sat in a chair, looking as if she is not lucid.
“Lucious, who made such a big deal about finally telling his truth, told yet another big lie — but if you analyze it, Lucious hasn’t lied and Lucious is very careful about that,” “Empire” showrunner Ilene Chaiken tells Variety. “Everything he said is true, if you parse it very, very carefully. But obviously he perpetuated a great misconception about what’s true.”
Also in this week’s episode, Hakeem (Bryshere Gray) lost the throne as CEO of Empire, as a shareholders meeting went wrong for him, and Anika — who is pregnant with Hakeem’s baby — revealed her bun in the oven to the entire Lyon family. And it didn’t go so well.
Here, Chaiken tells Variety more about Lucious’ mother, Empire’s upcoming CEO and Anika’s baby bombshell.
Anika came clean about the pregnancy and Lucious isn’t so happy. What happens now?
Lucious’ reaction is complex. We know how badly he wants a grandchild, but he certainly didn’t want one from Anika and Hakeem — his son who just took the Empire from him. I think we can expect Lucious to go through some changes in the psychological sense of the word.
He wants a grandchild so badly that he had his guys pull the hair of the little girl who we thought was Jamal’s daughter (with Raven-Symoné’s character) for a DNA test — but turns out, he’s not the father. What should viewers take away from that short scene?
We should take it as an indication about how serious Lucious is about looking for an heir.
We didn’t see much of Hakeem’s reaction to Anika’s pregnancy. I assume there will be a big moment between them coming up?
Yes. Hakeem’s reaction to the pregnancy is coming later. Hakeem in this episode is consumed with the shareholders meeting and defending his throne. It’s throwing him off his game a little bit and he doesn’t have time to delve into it this week because he’s got to get up on the stage and defend the Empire. It’s a huge piece of business for Hakeem.
Rhonda is very supportive of Anika, even though many viewers still think she pushed her down the stairs. Rhonda just lost a baby — isn’t it tough to see her friend pregnant?
Anika has been a really good friend to Rhonda and Rhonda has risen above her own loss to support a friend. Rhonda indeed may have some personal reactions as Anika’s pregnancy starts to show. That’s something that we’ve talked about and that’s something I think you’ll see. Whether she changes in any other ways, depends on whether she comes to any other conclusions about Anika down the line.
Back to that shareholders meeting, things didn’t pan out so well for Hakeem. He’s no longer CEO. Does that mean Lucious will be back on top?
Hakeem is out, but no one is in. Lucious’ expectation is that he’ll get his throne back. He went about [kicking Hakeem out] in a treacherous way, but it was pretty easy for him. When it comes down to it, that was not a hard-fought battle. But it remains to be seen whether Lucious will get the throne back quite as easily as he thought he would.
The shareholders really like Cookie. Will she become CEO?
Cookie is not after the throne. She is after bringing the family together and preserving the company. She just did what Cookie does — she was a good mother and a good caretaker of all that matters. The fact that the shareholders saw that and loved her is an ancillary effect and not anything that she was seeking.
Last week, Cookie was very upset to learn that Freda Gatz’s father was Frank (Chris Rock), and you warned that the Lyon family should be concerned about Freda. Well, this week, she was very upset with Jamal for kicking her off the record — should we be worried about Jamal’s safety?
Cookie thinks she’s dangerous. Jamal is kind of heartbroken over having had to disappoint her yet again. I would just say watch the family’s reaction and who’s right about Freda — Cookie or Jamal.
Lucious’ mom is alive! Have you known this all along in the writers room?
Yes, we have known all along. We’ve known all along that was where we were going with that story.
You said that Lucious was twisting the truth about his mother, but were all of the flashbacks — drowning in the bathtub, pulling out a gun — true from his childhood?
All of that did happen. All of that is true.
How will Lucious’ mother being alive impact the family?
We’ll find this out going forward, exactly what Lucious’ relationship with her has been and how he justifies the way in which he’s arranged her life and her care. Her being alive and the family finding out that she exists is a huge complication for Lucious. She is now back in the Lyon family lives, and the children have a grandmother they never knew existed. She knows a great many secrets about Lucious and maybe she pushes his buttons — wait and see.
When will the family find out she exists?
Soon. There will be repercussions to her being alive.
Will she have any big impact on Andre, since he struggles with mental illness like she does?
It’s a big deal for him, certainly. How he reacts to it is going to be important.
#NEWMUSIC: The Hamiltones Sing for Your ‘Respeck’
Our favorite background singers The Hamiltones have done it again, this time sharing a short video of an impromptu performance on their tour bus while singing the gossip-heavy comments that Birdman made to The Breakfast Club last week.
The Cash Money boss made social media go crazy when he spelled out the word respect with a “k’ instead of a “t,” and the boys took his comments to another level, creating a song and harmonies that make for another comedic and praiseworthy performance.
Check it out here
YASSSSSSS SANG! Y’ALL BETTA SANG!!!
#HIPHOPVIDEO: Video: Azealia Banks – ‘The Big Big Beat’
Slay-Z strikes again. In between beefing with Sarah Palin and criticizing Beyoncé, Azealia Banks has unleashed the video for “The Big Big Beat.”
The Matt Sukkar-directed visuals for the Slay-Z single are fashionable yet gritty. While rhyming about her body and sexiness, the 24-year-old rap diva struts through the streets of New York with flare.
In one scene, she’s rhyming outside the courthouse (where she’s appeared recently) before roaming the tile-covered halls of a building. She even dances on top of a cop car while flaunting her legs.
Watch Banks bring the “The Big Big Beat” HERE
The Harlem spitfire continues to stir up more controversy. Following the release of LEMONADE, she blasted Beyoncé for making an album about infidelity and forgiveness. In a series of tweets, Banks said Bey is not showing strength, but “stupidity” with her new material.
This heartbroken black female narrative you keep trying to push is the Antithesis of what feminism is
— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 26, 2016
You been singing about this nigga for years and he still playing you. That's not strength that's stupidity
— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 26, 2016
“And it’s not what the national black women’s conversation needs right now,” she added. “More pain more suffering in the face of a man…You keep crying over a man and perpetuating that sad black female sufferance and it’s Not good for what we’re trying to accomplish here.”
Kerry Washington Inks Overall Deal With ABC
Congratulations are in order for Kerry Washington. The "Scandal" star has landed an overall deal with ABC Studios through their newly launched production company, Simpson Street.
According to Deadline, Under the two-year agreement, Simpson Street — named after the street where Washington’s mom grew up in the Bronx — will develop broadcast, cable and digital projects exclusively for ABC Studios and ABC Signature.
Washington also recruited executive producer Sharla Sumpter Bridgett as part of the deal. Simpson Street’s first project, which preceded the overall deal, was the Anita Hill's HBO movie "Confirmation", which the company produced with ABC Signature as well as Groundswell Productions and HBO Films.
Sour or Sweet? Beyonce’s Lemonade First week sales are In!
On Saturday Beyonce released her new visual album Lemonade with a splashy event on HBO
But has King Bey’s huge effort translated into huge sales...?
According to Hits Daily Double Lemonade is predicted to sell between 500k-600k first week. While these are good numbers for an artist like Beyonce they’re not really not so good when Adele's '25' Official First Week U.S. Sales were 3.38 Million. However this could also be coupled with the untimely death of Global Icon Prince might factor in as well.
As for the HBO showing The release of Beyonce’s visual album/film “Lemonade” had a drawing of 0.4 rating in adults 18-49 and 787,000 viewers. It ranked in the Top 30 in the demo for the day.
Fun Fact…Beyoncé’s self-directed Life Is But a Dream documentary resulted in record ratings for HBO when 1.8 million viewers watched the premiere last Saturday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That marks the largest audience for an HBO documentary since Nielsen changed the way it measures viewership in 2004.
But Bey will be fine it will go Plaltinum and as she treks through on her FormTION Tour the sales will increase! Congratulations Bey!
OH CHILE…Angela Simmons Fiance is CONVICTED FELON!
While folk are excited about the news that Angela Simmons is engaged, there’s drama ALREADY circulating about her future husband.
According to Bossip,
"the Memphis rapper, but a 35-year-old Atlanta native named Sutton Tennyson who currently lives in L.A….BOSSIP has learned that Tennyson is a convicted felon who did time in prison for carrying a concealed gun in 2000."
"He landed back in prison a few years later on charges of credit card forgery, identity theft, drug possession and police obstruction. He was released in 2010, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections."
Prince Turned Down A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame…Twice
Fans assembled on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame to honor the late Purple One on April 22, but the gathering did not take place around an official star.
That’s because Prince, who was known to be as elusive as he was influential, decided to pass on the offer.
“We have been receiving many inquiries regarding the issue of Prince not having a Walk of Fame star,” The Hollywood Walk of Fame shared via Facebook that Friday. “Prince was approached on two occasions about the possibility of being nominated for a star and he stated that the timing was not right.”
Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies, also said in a statement that Prince never submitted an application to be considered for a star, but that he can still be honored posthumously: “A posthumous nomination has a five-year waiting period in order to put forth paperwork for consideration. We hope his family will do that when the time comes.”
Although Prince doesn’t yet have a place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Black Lives Matter paid tribute to the icon with their own purple star.
Black Lives Matter activist loses big in Baltimore mayoral primary
DeRay Mckesson, the activist who rose to prominence following 2014 protests against police brutality in Ferguson, Missouri, will not be the next mayor of Baltimore.
Mckesson had tried to transition from activism to politics with a late jump into his home city's race for mayor, but managed to pull in only 3% of Democratic primary voters on Tuesday. Maryland State Sen. Catherine Pugh took home the Democratic primary with around 37% of the vote as of this writing, according to The Baltimore Sun.
In a city where Democratic voters dominate the voting population, the race for Democratic nominee is often the de facto race to become mayor.
Mckesson was a late entry into the race, and was never able to translate his immense social media following into a significant following on the ground in Baltimore.
Earlier polls showed Mckesson with less than 1% of the vote, and though he did manage to pull in three times that number—equating to more than 3,000 votes with 287 of 296 precincts counted—the gap between him and Pugh proved far too wide to bridge despite a hard door-knocking push in the final few weeks of his campaign. Mckesson was running in sixth out of 13 candidates as of this writing.
The activist was lauded for the specificity of his policy platforms, but found it difficult to tap into groups of voters that could have offered a groundswell of support.
Many activists in the area who appeared on the surface to be Mckesson's natural allies turned out to view the Baltimore native as an outsider who wanted to return home and sit atop city government.
Mckesson has been quiet about plans following the race, not wanting to look ahead while he was still in the middle of his campaign.
Well he tried!
#EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Jorge 'The Caramel Fantasy'
Meet Jorge that caramel Fantasy. You can see why he's looking down when you GO HERE FOR THE PICS! Also remember it’s NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
AND FINALLY FROM THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘Smell E. Pig’
Awww it’s a little piggy. I bet you named him something adorable like Hamlet or Chris P. Bacon. So cute, now do me a favor and get it the f*ck out of here because this is a store and not a farm. I will not think twice about cooking up some ham & eggs right in the middle of
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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