Michelle Obama nails why representation matters in Variety Magazine!
Michelle Obama has had a lot of pop culture firsts as first lady.
She had all the Singles Ladies in Formation when she joined James Corden for Carpool Karaoke. She slayed viewers with Funny or Die skits alongside a host of other late-night appearances and sitcom cameos. And now she's sprinkling her #BlackGirlMagic on the cover of Variety's September issue, which relays her shift from "White House supporting player to media star."
In the cover story, which hit newsstands Tuesday, Obama opens up about how her legacy hit the sweet spot between policy and pop culture, and how media influenced her own life.
"What I have never been afraid of is to be a little silly, and you can engage people that way," Obama told Variety. "My view is, first you get them to laugh, then you get them to listen. So I'm always game for a good joke."
And through her targeted sense of humor and her perspicacious grasp on what makes for a viral campaign — can you say #TurnipForWhat? — Obama has been able to to advance initiatives such as Let’s Move!, a health and wellness campaign geared toward "solving the challenge of childhood obesity," and Let Girls Learn, a movement aimed at improving girls' access to education.
Obama also notes that her application of pop culture is merely an extension of a long-standing relationship. "I view myself as being the average woman," she said. "While I am first lady, I wasn't first lady my whole life. I'm a product of pop culture. I'm a consumer of pop culture, and I know what resonates with people."
Obama also knows all too well how pop culture can shape viewers' understanding of the world, themselves and others.
"When I come across many little black girls who come up to me over the course of these 7 1/2 years with tears in their eyes, and they say: 'Thank you for being a role model for me. I don’t see educated black women on TV, and the fact that you’re first lady validates who I am.'"
"For so many people, television and movies may be the only way they understand people who aren't like them," she added in a reference to the U.S.'s legacy of housing segregation. "There are folks who now know black families — like the Johnsons on Black-ish or the folks on Modern Family. They become part of who you are. You share their pains. You understand their fears. They make you laugh, and they change how you see the world. And that is particularly true in a country where there are still millions of people who live in communities where they can live their whole lives not having contact or exposure with people who aren't like them, whether that is race or religion or simply lifestyle. The only way that millions of people get to know other folks and the way they live … is through the power of television and movies."
R.H.o.A: Kandi Burruss Presents Back to School Drive Powered by Foundation Kandi Cares!
Kandi Burruss through her wonderful foundation Kandi Cares partnered with Macys to present 100 single parent run families with back to school supplies to prepare for the upcoming school year. The event was held at Atlanta’s Lenox Square Mall. Fans were invited to see the star, contribute donations, and see her dope girl group Glamour.
See some pics from the event!
Isn’t her son adorable!
Kandi really does care!
Boo Boo Kitty Fans, Rejoice! Taraji P. Henson’s MAC Collaboration Is Coming
All your dreams of being as fabulous as “Empire’s” Cookie Lyon are about to come true.
MAC Cosmetics has selected the powerhouse woman who brings Cookie to life, Taraji P. Henson, to create an incredible collection.
The collection features everything you need to mimic Taraji’s perfect smoky eye, flawless skin and nude lip.
Check out this unboxing video to see the products in action HERE
MAC x Taraji P. Henson officially drops online September 6 and hits stores September 8. We can’t wait.
YESSSS! Joe Returns with New Single & Video “So I Can Have You Back”
JOE’s back! The R&B veteran has returned with a brand new single, “So I Can Have You Back” and accompanying music video.
Heartbroken and searching for a way to recapture the love of the girl that got away, Joe sits alone in a steak restaurant and at the piano, belting out the emotional piano ballad. While his intentions might be slightly on the selfish side, the singer/songwriter sings how he wishes his ex’s new man will slip up and ruin their relationship, so Joe can find a way to slide back in.
“I hope he makes the biggest mistake / The unforgivable / That makes your heart break / I hope you tell him that sorry is just not enough / And it goes from good to bad, so I can have you back,” he sings.
Joe is currently working on his 12th studio album, which is coming soon. Sharing a bit of what we can expect on the new album, Joe explained to iHeartRadio: “The bar has been set. We took my two most successful albums (‘All That I Am’ & ‘My Name Is JOE’) and would not so much as leave the studio until we felt in our hearts we met the bar or topped it.”
Check out the new single and video HERE
and pick it up on iTunes now!
New Hip Hop: Remy Ma – ‘Ooouuu (Remix)’
“Ooouuu!” Remy Ma is shaking off her haters with a brand new freestyle to Young M.A.’s buzzworthy jam.
Spitting over the original’s hard-hitting production, Mrs. Mackie unleashes beast mode bars.
“Quick to smack a ho, even Joe know,” she rhymes. “Been doing that since he was spitting ‘Flow Joe’ / Y’all fuck for free, that pussy promo / Jermaine Dupri, your whole career’s So So.”
Remy is not the only star gravitating to the new banger. Just days ago, French Montana released his remix to the M.A. cut.
Listen to Remy’s version HERE!
Chris Rock Is Officially Divorced
It’s officially over for Chris Rock and Malaak Compton-Rock. Their divorce became final this month. The couple married on November 23, 1996. They lived in Alpine, New Jersey with their two daughters, Lola Simone (born 2002) and Zahra Savannah (born 2004). In December 2014, Rock announced that he had filed for divorce Malaak.
No details have been released about the child support of his two daughters or a third child, 8-year-old Ntombi, who began living with the couple at 6 months. She was never officially adopted by the couple.
Chris is now dating Megalyn Echikunwoke.
We hear that Megalyn is his first serious relationship since his wife. Earlier this year, a source shared:
"They’ve been having sleepovers at his house in New Jersey. She seems really comfortable with him at home and they’re very affectionate with each other."
The source adds,
"He’s very much a gentleman to her and she seems smitten. When she leaves the house for the day, he makes a point to walk her to the door and give her a goodbye kiss."
Showtime to Present Martin Lawrence’s First Stand-Up Special in 14 Years.
MARTIN LAWRENCE DOIN’ TIME: UNCUT premiering Friday, September 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Showtimeon-air, on demand and over the internet. Filmed live at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, DOIN’ TIME: UNCUT showcases Lawrence’s impeccable comedic skills, physicality and engaging wit. Delivering an unforgettable night of impressions and insights, he touches on everything from sex and relationships to President Obama, Bill Cosby, Hollywood and more. Lawrence is back in a big way and will leave viewers in hysterics, from start to finish.
President Obama Tours Flooded Baton Rouge With Residents!
With the flood damage still front and center in the city of Baton Rouge, President Obama jetted down to Louisiana today to survey the damage for himself.
He met with residents as they showed him the damage first hand. Many neighborhoods are lined with furniture, carpeting, and the possessions of the residents that they had to throw out. Many of the residents who lost everything do not have flood insurance as Baton Rouge -- as opposed to New Orleans -- is not very prone to flooding.
Critics say the President (spotted above arriving back in D.C. recently with the fam) should have cut his vacation to Martha's Vineyard short. Of course, Donald Trump is the ring leader of the critics as he went to the city and handed out play doh while getting plenty of photos taken. The Louisiana governor, though, told the President he preferred he waited a few weeks to come after the flood because the city. He said Baton Rouge simply did not have the resources to spare at that time and they could not protect POTUS with guards properly, as all states do when POTUS is in their area.
The President, unlike Trump, obliged.
President O. spoke to residents in the East Baton Rouge community saying:
"What I want the people of Louisiana to know is this—you’re not alone.
I directed the federal government to mobilize and do everything we can to help....More than 100,000 people have applied for federal assistance...as of today, federal support has now reached 127 million dollars."
You can help by visiting www.VolunteerLouisiana.gov.
Check out his full speech to the community HERE
Prior to departure from Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, the President met with the family of Alton Sterling as well as the families of deceased and injured officers of the Baton Rouge Police Department and East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office.
Ed Hartwell’s Curious Mansion Fire Sale Just Days After Filing Divorce Docs – Hmmm!
*The drama associated with Keisha Knight Pulliam and Ed Hartwell‘s messy divorce continues. According to TMZ, Hartwell “curiously” got rid of his Georgia mansion for an “enormous loss” just two days after blindsiding Keshia Knight Pulliam with divorce papers.
The site says the ex-NFLer sold the 6 bedroom, 8,000 square foot home for $690k; he’d had it on and off the market since 2012 before finally selling late last month. Hartwell originally bought the house for $1.268 mil in 2005, so he lost around $580k on the property. What da hell! That really is an “enormous loss,” to say the least
The timing of the sale is interesting … Ed’s owned the home well before he and Keshia got married, so it’s his property regardless. As for why the fire sale … no one’s talking, but you gotta wonder if he’s bracing for lots of legal expenses.
As we’ve reported Hartwell and Knight Pulliam are currently locked in a bitter court battle which includes paternity issues, accusations of infidelity and claims of emotional abuse.
Beyoncé And Jay Z Attend Usher’s ‘Hands Of Stone’ Premiere
Beyoncé and Jay Z coordinated in gray suits while stepping out to the premiere of Usher‘s Hands of Stone movie, last night in New York City.
Usher posted the couple on Snapchat; Jay with his arm around his wife – captioned “Familia.”
Usher plays Sugar Ray Leonard in the film that hits theaters this Friday (Aug. 26th). The boxing champion himself made an appearance at the premiere, as well as Usher’s costar, Robert De Niro, and more.
Beyoncé hit the premiere, enjoying the evening before kicking off the second portion of the North American leg of her Formation World Tour in September.
LeBron James Surprises Wife Savannah With A Ferrari Testarossa For Her 30th Birthday
LeBron James‘ wife, Savannah, celebrated her 30th birthday with a Carnival Noir-themed party on Saturday – and while having a good time on the special night, LeBron surprised her with a white Ferrari Testarossa.
“What A Night and what makes me happy more than anything is putting a smile on your face!” the Cavs star wrote on Instagram. “Took me a long time to find your masterpiece but I wouldn’t stop until I did and now I can’t wait to watch u cruise off into the sunset on the PCH. Happy Bday Queen.”
Savannah was a beauty in a plunging, shimmery gown that she paired with chic sandals. “Words can not express the sense of love and celebration that went on last night!!” she wrote. “Thank you so much to everyone who celebrated my Big 3-0 with me last night!!”
Happy Birthday, Savannah!
Caitlyn Jenner is going through hell with her lopsided implants
BAD BOOB JOB …… Caitlyn Jenner is going through hell with her lopsided implants — and she’s convinced they need to be fixed with surgery!
“She’s going back under the knife to have them adjusted,” an insider exclusively revealed to RadarOnline.com. “Caitlyn thinks one is now hanging lower than the other and she’s not happy about it.”.
#EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Shane The Butta Man!
Folks Butta Man ! You can see more when you GO HERE FOR THE PICS! And remember it’s NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
You’re Welcome!
AND FINALLY FROM THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘Samwell Tarly’
Sam from Game of Thrones really will do anything to support Gilly and Sam Jr.
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM
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