Mike Brown's Mother Opens Up About Cameo In Beyonce's "Lemonade"
The appearance of Lezley McSpadden in Beyonce's "Lemonade" visual was probably one of the most emotional and heartbreaking points of the film. McSpadden, the mother of Mike Brown who was fatally gunned down by a Ferguson police officer in 2014, appeared in Beyonce's "Forward" video. The feature also showcased the mothers of Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner.
During the touching few seconds that she was on screen, McSpadden couldn't help but shed tears while remembering her son.
"I tried to hold it together, but anytime I'm talking about my son – looking at a picture – I just think about all that's gone and how he had so much ahead of him," McSpadden told Sirius/XM in an interview. "So, I appreciate [Beyonce] for being bold enough to confront things and be sensitive at the same time."
Lezley McSpadden has penned a memoir titled Tell The Truth and Shame The Devil. In her interview she also says that she appreciates how Beyonce was sensitive to her story, while still making sure that all of the mothers appeared regal, despite their circumstances.
"Months [after meeting Beyoncé] I got a call from her and her publicist and she asked me [to be in "Lemonade"] and I cried," McSpadden said about meeting the singer and her offer to participate. "You know, me?! Out of all the people? You thought about me? I felt special. She had also did some things for my son's foundation so at that point I said, 'Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it.' I got there and they wanted to make me look regal. That's what she called it. She's just a sweet person and she's really down to earth. She treated us well and she made sure we were comfortable."
#RHOA: 'Real Housewives Of Atlanta' Season 8: Did Peter Thomas Move On With A Cynthia Bailey Look-A-Like?
The marriage between Cynthia Bailey of Bravo's 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' and Peter Thomas has made headlines again.
Cynthia Bailey has made it clear that she and Peter Thomas are taking some time apart to work on themselves after their marriage hit a rough patch. But fans went off when Thomas posted a snapshot of a woman who they said looks very much like Bailey.
While Thomas has been accused of getting too close to other women in the past, Bailey has insisted that he has never been unfaithful. Still, avid Real Housewives viewers called out Thomas this weekend. He shared a snapshot of him and a woman with the caption, “I have the best bartender’s in the Queen City…”
Interestingly enough, Thomas has been said to have cheated with his waitresses in his Sports One bar in Charlotte, N.C.
Fans took to the photo to share their comments and pointed out the resemblances between the mystery woman and Bailey.
“Ok Cynthia wannabe! Not even close. Bye.”
“What a [jerk]. And she looks like Cynthia”
“WTH! Am I seeing things? This isn’t his wife”
“Here he goes again… He shows Cynthia no respect”
Some even said it looks like Bailey’s daughter, Noelle Robinson.
“Looks like Noelle…Cynthia daughter so calm down yall”
“I thought that was Cynthia… He’s sooo disrespectful”
Some fans commented and called the woman Chrissy. It’s not clear if that’s her actual name or if that was the name they gave her to imply that she looks like Bailey.
Still, other fans pointed out that Bailey and Thomas are separated so him getting close to another woman might not matter anymore.
#EMPIRE: How ‘Empire’ Changed Its Tunes in Season 2
When shooting a recent episode of “Empire” this past January, director and executive producer Sanaa Hamri was simultaneously setting up a scene and fielding calls about a song needed for the following episode. Jussie Smollett, who plays Jamal Lyon, overheard her conversation and offered a song he had been working on in his spare time. “He played it to me on [his] phone while I was setting up a shot,” Hamri says. On the spot, she decided Smollett’s “Chasing the Sky” should be the song to serve as the Lyon Family anthem, which premiered in a pivotal scene in last week’s episode..
Expanding plot lines, new characters, and a host of new songwriters and producers have helped make the show’s soundtrack even bigger in its sophomore year. A total of 56 original songs have been created, recorded, and released for the second season since its premiere in September 2015 – up from 36 songs in season 1.
Several plotlines introduced early on in season 2 helped create the need for new sounds and more songs. Cookie Lyon, played by Taraji P. Henson, started her own label outside of Empire and signed Mirage a Trois, a girl group in the vein of Destiny’s Child. The introduction of Freda Gatz, played by rapper Bre-Z, countered Hakeem Lyon’s (Bryshere Y. Gray) brand of braggadocio hip-hop. And viewers have followed Smollett’s Jamal as he became a major pop star on the scene, often channeling emotions from the plot into his music.
“What’s interesting for our music producers from the music industry is that they’re not used to working this way,” Hamri says. “They’re used to creating and having their music placed. We’re the opposite. We have the story and then ask the music to match the story.”
For songwriter and producer J.R. Rotem, who was hired to create music for season 2, the tight turnarounds the show demands required a bit of getting used to.
“It’s a little bit of a Rubik’s Cube,” Rotem says of making music for “Empire.” Rotem has worked with major pop stars over the last 10 years, including Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Fall Out Boy. Most recently, he produced a third of Gwen Stefani’s new album “This Is What the Truth Feels Like,” including the hit “Used to Love You.” For “Empire,” his first major TV work, the challenge is keeping everything focused.
“It’s hard enough to come up with a song that people like,” he says. “But when you add a narrative, you have to make sure the song stays within the parameters and doesn’t veer off.”
Rotem helped write and produce 10 season 2 “Empire” tracks, including one of the most popular: “Powerful,” a duet from Smollett and Alicia Keys, who guest-starred on two episodes. The song has close to 6 million streams on Spotify and more than 10 million on YouTube.
Hamri, along with creators Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, and executive producer Ilene Chaiken, work closely with the producers, often seven days a week – it’s not uncommon for them to listen to “Empire” demos into the night after a day of shooting is done. Hamri says they’re looking for a sound that evolves over time as a character would: “Our music will always change because the storylines are changing.”
For Smollett, who plans to start working on his own album this summer, the blurring of his real life and his “Empire” character was an unexpected twist to the “Empire” recording process. “It’s one of the most sensitive songs,” he says of “Chasing the Sky,” a song he wrote after experiencing the loss of someone in his life. “Everytime I sing that song, I have to pull myself back from crying.”
OH?
Watch: Beyonce Covers Prince’s “The Beautiful Ones”
With purple lights surrounding her and her hair blowing in the wind, ‘Yoncé belted out the classic on her knees for the AT&T Stadium audience.
Back in 2011, Bey covered the same track during her Glastonbury performance.
Before that, in 2006, Bey inducted Prince into the U.K. Hall of Fame with a speech about his greatness. “So many words spring to mind when describing him,” she said at the time. “Multitalented, innovative, genius, exceptional, groundbreaking, passionate, unique, out of this world, and extraordinary.”
Watch Queen Bey’s take on “The Beautiful Ones” HERE!
GO BEY!
Hip Hop News: Drake and French Montana Team Up for ‘Smash’ Collaboration
Drake and French Montana may have another smash on their hands.
While visiting New York to prepare for “Saturday Night Live,” Drizzy linked up with Johnnie Pickles for another collaboration following previous bangers like “Pop That” and “Stay Schemin.”
Montana shared a brief snippet of the track on Snapchat today, featuring lines about how he’s “all about the mula.” Meanwhile, Drake seems to start his verse by saying “pump it up.”
French Montana got him the Drake stimulus package. Oh and drake might. Keyword might. Be ending Joe Budden career pic.twitter.com/vMwZNDlaAk— DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) May 11, 2016
It’s already getting rave reviews. Video director SpiffTV was also in the lab during the song’s recording. “One Word ‘Smashhhhh’ Just Know,” he wrote.
And Drake seems to be loving the track too, as he also showed off some of his signature “Hotline Bling” dance moves.
It isn’t all fun and games in terms of reactions, though. Some fans have actually taken the snippet to be a Joe Budden diss, given that the rapper’s 2003 single was titled “Pump It Up.” This also follows Joey’s harsh criticism of Views on his podcast.
During a recent episode, Budden said Drake was “uninspired” on Views and that while Noah “40” Shebib “continues to progress,” Drake does not.
Despite the talk about a potential diss, Budden said fans shouldn’t be quick to start a beef.
It’s unclear where this new Drake and French collabo will land, but it could arrive on Montana’s upcoming album for Bad Boy/Epic Records.
BLOOP! Columbus Short is OFF to Rehab!
And now, we’ve exclusively learned that he’s headed to rehab. Sources tell us that he will stay at an outpatient facility in the Los Angeles area for around 4 to 6 months. Per usual, during rehab he will not be able to use any illegal drugs. We’re told that he’ll report a few times a week and will be subject to random drug testing. The former Scandal actor has also been given additional community service to complete. If he violates parole again, he’ll be subject to jail
Unfortunately, this isn’t Short’s first time in legal trouble. As part of a no-jail plea deal in 2014, Short pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence. Short also avoided jail by pleading no contest to a felony assault charge after throwing a punch at his in-law. Short says he was being taunted and acted in self-defense, and his in-law admitted he had removed his jersey and was prepared to fight Short. In an interview with Access Hollywood Live, Short said that substance abuse, both alcoholism and cocaine use due to the stress of family issues and personal loss, led to his departure from Scandal.
Beyonce’s Cousin Shanica Knowles Spills The Tea About Beyonce And Jay Z.
Hmmmm…We all should be familiar with ‘Lemonade’ which sent all Jigga’s alleged “Beckys” surfacing out the woodwork Rita, Rachey, Roy, and Karrine.
Knowles spoke out about the current state of Beyoncé and Jay Z’s marriage in a new interview with Britain’s Heat magazine, where she spilled the beans about their past break-ups and what lies ahead for the twosome.
“[Beyoncé has] admitted that she still may end up divorcing him. It’s up to Jay to continue fighting for her and prove that he’s determined to do whatever it takes to keep his wife,” Shanica recently told the magazine, admitting that Beyoncé’s very candid Lemonade lyrics are her way of getting out her anger about Jay Z’s alleged cheating and infidelity.
YESSSS! CIARA SIGNED TO IMG MODELS.
This is a wonderful move for Ciara… She really does know how to model high end fashion.
IMG Models said today that it has signed Ciara to an exclusive modeling contract, although it appears that she’s just moving over from William Morris Endeavor, which represented the singer and model for all her entertainment endeavors. WME will continue to represent her for music.
Madonna to Honor Prince at Billboard Awards
The Material Girl will pay tribute to The Purple One with a live performance at the Billboard Music Awards this month.
Billboard and dick clark productions told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Madonna will honor Prince at the May 22 show. Specific details about the performance weren't revealed.
Prince was found dead on April 21 in his suburban Minneapolis home at age 57.
The Billboard Awards will air live on ABC from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ludacris and Ciara will host the show, which will include performances by Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, the Go-Go's, Celine Dion and Pink.
Nominees for top artist include Adele, Bieber, Drake, Taylor Swift and the Weeknd.
Prince performed at the 2013 Billboard Awards, where he received the icon award.
E! Network’s Hit Show ‘Botched’ Fixes Award-winning Recording Artist Norwood Young
Norwood to host a star-studded, Hollywood viewing party of his explosive 'Botched' episode and launches a peer-to-peer website: GettingBacktoMyMe.com
LOS ANGELES CA – Award-winning recording artist, Hollywood socialite, and trend-setter, Norwood Young, will host his “Dine, View and Launch” event at the uber-trendy House of Macau in Hollywood, CA. This FREE event will be held at Tuesday, May 24, 2016 and will serve as a viewing party of E! Network hit show “Botched” where Young goes under the knife to correct a plastic surgery procedure gone wrong.
“Botched” offered me an opportunity to fix a problem caused by addictive plastic surgery. The episode allowed me to share my painful story of unnecessary plastic surgery used to mask the trauma I suffered due to childhood abuse,” says Young.
Young’s big reveal of his corrected plastic surgery featured on “Botched,” will air on Tuesday May 24, 2016 at 9:00pm PST. The episode will give viewers a glimpse into the star-studded “reveal” event hosted in Beverly Hills and attended by many of Young’s, fan’s, family and close celebrity friends, including actress Jackee Harry, comedian Luenell and actress Kym Whitley who made appearances on the show.
“I am always amazed at Norwood’s desire to encourage others by continuing to share his journey. I don’t know which is bigger, his heart or his talent,” says longtime friend Kym Whitley.
The event will also serve as a launch pad for Young’s online and YouTube peer -to- peer support group titled,” Getting Back to My Me.” Young’s critically acclaimed memoir “Getting Back to My Me” resulted in scores of individuals contacting Young for support and guidance.
“I was humbled and overwhelmed by the outpouring of people who were looking for ways to break habits, and reconcile with their lost inner passions, that were keeping them for reaching their full potential,” says Young.
The site GettingBackToMyMe.com will be live every Thursday night on YouTube at 6:30pm.PST. The chat will be moderated by Young and will provide a platform for all to share their experiences and lend support to others similar situations.
Young concludes “Contractually, I was not permitted to post images of my face prior to the airing of the show, so I have been nervous in anticipation for months to finally show what “Botched” has done, and to share my current circumstance of finally getting back to my me! I am equally thrilled about the launch of my new site, because it will give us an opportunity to help and support each other,” says Young.
Norwood Young began his music career as a very young man on the television hit show, “Star Search,” and is the former lead singer of contemporary jazz band, Pieces of a Dream.
In August 2011, Norwood landed on the front page of the Los Angeles Times after announcing that he was selling his iconic and infamous home “Youngwood Court” to pursue his passion of singing.
Young penned a compelling, and inspiring memoir entitled “Getting Back to My Me” in which he reveals his sexual abuse as a child, drug abuse, plastic surgeries, his relationship with God, and how he became victorious in his life
“Getting Back to My Me” is an online and Youtube peer -to- peer support group located at www.gettingbacktomyme.com. To learn more about Norwood Young visit him at the official Norwood Young website: www.goodwoodproduction.com
What: Dine, View, Launch “Botched” Viewing Party Event Featuring Norwood Young
When: Tuesday, 24, 2016
Where: House of Macau
1600 Vine Street
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Time: 7:00 pm
Cost: Free (Reservations strongly recommended)
Please RSVP at rsvp4dvl@gmail.com
For interviews or media credentials, please contact Reid Johnson at reid@iscopepr.com.
Clips From ‘Good Times’ Reunion on ‘Steve Harvey’ (Watch)
*On Wednesday’s episode of “Steve Harvey,” cast members from the 70s sitcom “Good Times” reunited to reminisce as part of the show’s “Where Are They Now?” week.
The Evans kids – Ralph Carter (Michael), Bern Nadette Stanis (Thelma) and Jimmy Walker (JJ) – joined Johnny Brown (Bookman) and Ja’net Dubois (Willona) on a stage transformed to look exactly like the fictional living room on the series.
Set in the projects of Chicago, the breakout series debuted in 1974 and was one of the first to feature an African American family facing serious poverty.
#EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Cocoa Chris
Meet! HOT SEXY and full of Cocoa and you can see more when you GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS!! And remember they’re NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
Enjoy!
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘Chocolate Swirly’
Sir, that’s a chocolate ice cream swirl. Get your mind out of the gutter.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
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