Keri Hilson talks ‘Almost Christmas,’ her hiatus, and relationship rules with Rolling Out!
“I think our voices are more powerful in our gift,” shares Keri Hilson during a recent interview with the folks over at rolling out to discuss her official return to the public eye. This time it’s on film. She has landed a role in David Talbert’s new family comedy Almost Christmas, which tells the festive story of a beloved patriarch who asks his family for one gift this holiday season: to get along. If they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing one another, it will be a Christmas miracle.
Here, Hilson, who’s been camera shy since a very public breakup and who hasn’t released an album since No Boys Allowed in 2010, gives insight on why she acts and sings and what she seeks in a man.
Catch a few excerpts from her interview with Rolling Out!
Pivoting from songwriting to singing to acting, what is the most exciting part for you stepping into this role?
It’s fun for me because I am a student again. I love to just be a sponge and feel like I am learning and growing. Acting provides that opportunity for me.
What a great way to learn with such a fun cast. Was there anyone in particular who most impacted you?
This cast was absolutely a great cast to learn from. I have Danny Glover to my left. I have Gabrielle Union in front of me. I have Kimberly Elise to my right. Mo’Nique’s down the table. Nicole Ari Parker, Romany Malco … This was an incredible cast to watch and learn from. I spent a lot of my scenes with Gabrielle Union. I was able to watch her the most and interact with her on film. She’s really brilliant.
You called Gabrielle Union “brilliant.” How would you describe that “it” factor that leads to such a title?
That “it” factor is a fire. It’s intangible. It permeates from within; it’s energy. It’s so intangible; I can’t put my finger on it figuratively and literally. It’s an essence.
What was the tipping point for you when you realized this was something you wanted to pursue?
I remember many moments that were confirmations. One would be a family gathering where I was asked to sing. I was just three years old and when I looked up, everyone was interested in hearing this little girl sing. I am the smallest in the room and wondering why does everyone care about me singing?
Another time was on the school bus; we would sing. There were some good voices, but they wanted lessons from me. I remember questioning, am I that much better than you?
There were moments. And of course, talent shows in Atlanta where I grew up. There were a whole lot of talent shows and I entered every one I heard about. I had success at quite a few of them.
While young, I knew exactly what I wanted to do and what made me happiest. And that I was good at it.
#RHoA: Kandi Burruss’s Restaurant Is Finished – But Not Open Yet
If it seems like we’ve been hearing about Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker’s restaurant construction forever, it’s probably because we have been. During the latest episode of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kandi revealed that the deadline to complete the restaurant has been pushed back a few times.
Well, now the Old Lady Gang restaurant is finally finished. Sadly, the restaurant is not actually open for business, but all of the finishing touches are in place so I’m sure that it will be up and running soon enough.
Kandi shared the big news on her Instagram page with a picture of the always outrageous Mama Joyce and two of Kandi’s aunts, whose cooking help inspired the restaurant.
Along with the photo, Kandi wrote, “I love the @oldladygang! Our restaurant is finished. I can’t wait for you to see how it turned out.” I’m sad this didn’t happen while the season was filming, but I’m sure the opening and restaurant progress will be heavily documented all over social media.
Kandi also gave a shout out to her husband and business partner in this venture: “@todd167 has done a great job. We’re not open yet but I’ll be sure to post when we are! #OLG OldLadyGang.com.”
Although the timeline on this project seemed very unclear, the fans should have seen it coming – especially if they follow Todd on Instagram. He shared a sneak peak at OLG on his Instagrag, adding, “Just putting the finishing touches on OLG’s! What do you want to see on the menu?”
I wish that the reality TV cameras were rolling during this part of the process because I would love to see Kandi, Todd, and Mama Joyce collaborating on this business venture.
#EMPIRE: Gabby Sidibe at The Women of The Year Awards….HOT or NOT
Gabby Sidibe was looking cute in a Eagle Green dress at The Women of The Year Awards. She was casual with Black wedge shoes.
So was she HOT or NOT?
New Music Listen: K. Michelle Connects with Nick Cannon on “Baby On The Way”
Whoa, I didn’t see this one coming. After showing some real love with Chilli in the video for “If I Were Your Man,” Nick Cannon calls on R&B siren K. Michelle to have a “Baby On The Way.”
Over the Zaytoven production the rapper/actor reflects on unprotected sex with a new girl and how his ex-wife Mariah Carey might feel about it.
“Uh-oh, what we gon’ do? / My baby mama don’t know about you / But I love you / Ever since we met in 20-02…First came love, sex was unprotected / Now we got a baby in a baby carriage,” sings an autotuned Nick.
K. Michelle lends her powerful vocals adding the female perspective.
“I’m having your baby and it means so much to me,” she sings. “There’s nothing more precious than to raise a family / I wonder what your ex gonna say, when she find out I got a baby on the way / I wonder what my ex gon’ say when he find out I got a baby on the way.”
LISTEN HERE
Nick and K’s new collabo appears on the “Wild ‘N Out” host’s new mixtape The Gospel of Ike Turn Up: My Side of the Story, which is due out Wednesday (Nov. 16).
New Hip Hop Video: E-40 feat. Jazze Pha & B-Legit – ‘Savage’
E-40 is a “Savage” in the video for the Jazze Pha and B-Legit-assisted single off his new album, The D-Boy Diary Book 1 & Book 2.
The uptempo track allows 40 Water to rhyme about his rise to success and his ability to remain on top. “I was born with a rusty spoon,” rhymes 40 Water. “Now, I’m a tycoon / I’ve been drinking all afternoon / Ain’t fina stop no time soon.”
But it also brings the Bay Area Ambassador back to what he feels is the origin of a slang term.
“The first time the word savage was ever said in the way we are saying it now that I recall, was 1989 in a song by E-40 called Mr. Flamboyant,” Fonzarelli explained. “I said, ‘Become a savage / Get swole boat ones / 20-inch arms establish / One-hitter quitters / The whole get down / Now run up on me now.’ I keep it original and relevant mane.”
LISTEN HERE
The D-Boy Diary Book 1 & Book 2 is set to drop Nov. 18 with appearances by Gucci Mane, Lil B, G-Eazy, Nef the Pharaoh, Jay Rock, Kid Ink, Casey Veggies, and more.
Officer Jeronimo Yanez Who Shot Philando Castile Charged With Manslaughter
The officer, Jeronimo Yanez, who will appear in court on Friday, was also charged with two felony counts of intentional discharge of a dangerous weapon.
“No reasonable officer — knowing, seeing and hearing what Officer Yanez did at the time — would have used deadly force under these circumstances,” the Ramsey County attorney, John J. Choi, said.
The Raw Videos That Have Sparked Outrage Over Police Treatment of Blacks
A collection of videos that have led to nationwide protests, federal investigations and changes in policy and attitudes on race.
Mr. Castile, a 32-year-old school cafeteria worker, was stopped in the small suburb of Falcon Heights on July 6 by Officer Yanez of the St. Anthony police on a busy stretch of road near the state fairgrounds.
The authorities said Officer Yanez had fatally shot Mr. Castile in reaction to a gun, and a lawyer for Officer Yanez said that Mr. Castile had not followed the officer’s commands.
But Mr. Castile’s girlfriend streamed the aftermath of the shooting on Facebook Live, claiming that her boyfriend had a license to carry a weapon and that he had been trying to tell Officer Yanez about the gun. Mr. Castile had been pulled over dozens of times before without conflict, and those who knew him recalled him as a calm, peaceful man.
Mr. Choi revealed new information about the traffic stop, saying that Mr. Castile had “calmly and in a nonthreatening manner” disclosed that he was carrying a gun and that Officer Yanez had replied, “Don’t reach for it, then.”
“Castile tried to respond, but was interrupted by Officer Yanez, who said, ‘Don’t pull it out,’” Mr. Choi said on Wednesday as he announced the charges. “Castile responded, ‘I’m not pulling it out.’”
But Officer Yanez then “screamed, ‘Don’t pull it out’” and fired seven rounds from his gun, Mr. Choi said, surprising the other officer on the scene and fatally wounding Mr. Castile.
What happened in recent cases where blacks were killed by the police or died in police custody.Mr. Choi said paramedics later found Mr. Castile’s weapon, a .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun, in the pocket of his shorts. There was no round in the chamber, and Mr. Choi said he believed Mr. Castile had never tried to draw the weapon.
“His dying words were in protest that he wasn’t reaching for his gun,” Mr. Choi said.
A lawyer for Officer Yanez and an official with the union representing St. Anthony police officers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Mr. Castile’s death attracted almost immediate international attention, largely because of the graphic Facebook video, leading to days of tense protest. The governor of Minnesota, Mark Dayton, suggested that Mr. Castile’s race might have played a role in the shooting. Demonstrators spent days camped outside the governor’s residence, and at one point blocked traffic and threw objects at officers on a nearby interstate.
Mr. Castile’s death was among several cases in Minnesota that have raised questions about race and policing. Last year, a Minneapolis officer fatally shot Jamar Clark, another black man, in an incident that also set off protests. And this year, an officer in suburban Edina was criticized by activists for confronting a black pedestrian, and a St. Paul officer was suspended after a police dog bit a man and a colleague kicked him.
Lets all hope this brings Justice for Philando!
Cissy Houston Accused of Dragging Out Legal Battle Due To Hatred Of Bobby Brown
According to theJasmineBRAND.com Whitney Houston’s mother Cissy still has an immense amount of disdain and animosity towards Bobby Brown, according to the court-appointed administrator of Bobbi Kristina’s estate, who says she was accused of trying to divert money from the estate to Brown by the late singer’s mom.
Following Bobbi Kristina falling into a medically induced coma, a Georgia judge appointed an administrator to handle her trust with the co-trustees that had been appointed prior to her tragic situation.
Since her death the administrator, Bedelia C. Hargrove, and the co-trustees, Pat and Cissy Houston, have been battling it out in court over everything from the Nick Gordon lawsuit to the administrator demanding the Houston’s reimburse certain funeral costs, which they refuse to pay.
Last month, a letter was sent by the lawyer for, Bedelia C. Hargrove, the administrator of Bobbi Kristina’s trust which accused the co-trustees of Bobbi Kristina’s trust – Cissy and Pat Houston – of being unable to perform their duties partly due to their hostility towards Bobby Brown.
The letter accused Cissy and Pat Houston of unnecessarily dragging out the legal battle and damaging the KEH 2012 Trust by incurring an enormous amount of attorney fees due to their ongoing efforts not to pay the expenses of the administration.
Further, it said the trustees – Cissy and Pat – conduct was driven by their extreme animosity toward’s Bobbi Kristina’s father. She claims they made it very clear when they accused the administrator of attempting to re-direct money from the Trust of the Estate to engorge the Estate for the benefit of the Heir (aka Bobby Brown).
According to the sweeties over at thejasminebrand.com the administrator pointed out to numerous media interviews done by Cissy in which she blasted Bobby Brown, saying she had no contact with him and commenting that she was deeply disappointed in his book which she believed was nothing more than an expose on Whitney’s life. She also claimed it would have been easier for Whitney to get clean if he wasn’t around always wanting to party.
The court documents reveal that Pat and Cissy at one point were in possession of Bobbi Kristina’s property including her clothing, jewelry and other personal effects, which they placed in storage. They noted that some of her clothing had to be disposed of due to cat urine odors that made them unsalvageable.
BEEF? Lebron James Lost Respect For Phil Jackson
A recent comment by Phil Jackson has caused Lebron James to lose all respect for him.
Phil Jackson did an interview with ESPN in which, as a former coach turned NBA exec, he was asked about coaches and team synergy. Somehow the discussion got on the subject of the Miami Heat. Jackson discusses Lebron James’ time with the Heat and said there were times that Lebron wanted preferential treatment, especially when it came to playing games in Cleveland.
“When LeBron was playing with the Heat, they went to Cleveland and he wanted to spend the night. They don’t do overnights. Teams just don’t. So now (coach Erik) Spoelstra has to text Riley and say, ‘What do I do in this situation?’ And Pat, who has iron-fist rules, answers, ‘You are on the plane, you are with this team.’ You can’t hold up the whole team because you and your mom and your posse want to spend an extra night in Cleveland. I always thought Pat had this really nice vibe with his guys. But something happened there where it broke down. I do know LeBron likes special treatment. He needs things his way.”
Lebron caught wind of Phil Jackson’s comments and needless to say, he didn’t like them very much.
“I had nothing but respect for him as a coach,” James told reporters at shoot around.
He was then asked, “Had respect?” to which he answered, “Yeah.”
He was asked, “Until now?” to which James responded again, “Yeah.”
Maverick Carter, Lebron’s friend and business partner clarified that it was the word “posse” that didn’t sit well with him and Lebron.
“It’s the word ‘posse’ and the characterization I take offense to,” said Carter. “If he would have said LeBron and his agent, LeBron and his business partners or LeBron and his friends, that’s one thing. Yet because you’re young and black, he can use that word. We’re grown men.”
Later, Lebron added on to he and Maverick’s statements. “To use that label, and if you go and read the definition of what the word ‘posse’ is, it’s not what I’ve built over my career,” James said. “It’s not what I stand for, it’s not what my family stands for. I believe the only reason he used that word is because he sees young African-Americans trying to make a difference.”
To take it further, Lebron implies that if Phil Jackson was comfortable labeling him and his business partners as a “posse,” there’s no telling what he’s said behind closed doors.
“It’s not surprising,” James said. “If [Jackson] says it out to the media, you can only imagine what he says when the camera is not on him or the headset or whatever you guys record on. Just got a lot more work to do.”
What are your thoughts? Do you think Phil Jackson meant any harm by his use of the word “posse”?
OH NO! Tika Sumpter Sounds Off After Her Mom Got Arrested Over $10 Library Book
Actress Tika Sumpter sounded off on Twitter yesterday after her mother was arrested and taken into custody in Johnston County, N.C. on Monday over a $10 late fee for a library book! Chile, whet?!
Indeed, that's her mother's mugshot above. “Make sure you turn in your library books North Carolina!," the 36-year-old actress tweeted. “My mom was just arrested for having a late fee of 10 dollars on an overdue book!"
Apparently in North Carolina there is a law on the books that says you can be arrested for overdue books from the library. Who knew? In fact, North Carolina isn’t the only state with this type of law. Texas, Michigan and Wisconsin reportedly have similar laws.
“An overdue book should NEVER result in a warrant. This is a legal scam,” she continued.
Fans started tweeting the Southside With You actress in utter shock and disbelief. Oh and get THIS, her mother actually turned the book in a while back, but someone never put it in the system! UGH!
“Yup treated like a criminal for a late fee of 10 dollars for over due books from the library. Libraries now put out warrants. #Ncgov”
Luckily, her mom was released unharmed.
She tweeted, “She's out now. Every cop at the jail thought it was absolutely ridiculous. They couldn't even believe it. Smh #ncgov”
Peep her tweets:
So baffled by this.
Bruno Mars Announces 24K Magic 2017 World Tour
Bruno Mars will sprinkle his “24K Magic” around the world with a world tour in 2017.
The singer will launch a nine-month trek in Antwerp, Belgium in March and will jet around Europe until hitting returning stateside on July 15, where he will perform in Las Vegas, Nevada at the T-Mobile Arena.
Mars then has dates planned in several venues in Canada and across America, and will wrap up the tour in Los Angeles at The Forum on November 11.
Tickets go on sale on Monday, November 21, but the 31-year-old is giving early access to all 85 of the shows to fans who pre-order his “24K Magic” album, due for release on November 18.
The tour dates are below
July 15, 2017 - Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena
July 18 - Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center
July 20 - San Jose, CA @ SAP Center
July 23 - Portland, OR @ Moda Center
July 24 - Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome
July 26 - Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
July 30 - Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
August 2 - Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre
August 4 - Fargo, ND @ Fargo Dome
August 5 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
August 7 - Lincoln, NE @ Pinacle Bank Arena
August 9 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
August 12 - Detroit, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills
August 13 - Indianapolis, IN @ Bankers Life Fieldhouse
August 15 - Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
August 16 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
August 18 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
August 22 - Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena
August 24 - Quebec City, QC @ Centre Videotron
August 26 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
August 27 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
August 29 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
September 14 - Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center
September 17 - Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum
September 19 - Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center
September 20 - Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
September 22 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
September 26 - Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
September 27 - Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center
September 29 - Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
October 4 - Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
October 5 - Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
October 7 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden
October 10 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
October 12 - Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena
October 14 - Orlando, FL @ Amway Center
October 15 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ BB&T Center
October 18 - Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena
October 19 - Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena
October 21 - New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center
October 22 - Little Rock, AR @ Verizon Arena
October 24 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
October 25 - San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center
October 27 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
October 30 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
November 2 - Fresno, CA @ Save Mart Center
November 3 - Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena
November 5 - Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Arena
November 7 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
November 8 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
November 10 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
November 11 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
Looks like its gonna be a HOT TOUR! Get your tickets they go sale next Monday in certain cities!
WTH?!? Neiman Marcus Is Selling Collard Greens For $66 In Their Holiday Catalog
Whoever approved this obviously didn't think it through.The latest recipient of social media ridicule is luxury retailer Neiman Marcus for selling collard greens for a whopping $66, excluding the $15 shipping fee.
Yes, you read that right. Collard greens, which can be found at any local grocer for far less, are being sold by Neiman Marcus for close to $100 once all fees are calculated.
Right on cue, as soon as social media got word of this they had a field day with a humorous collection of statuses and memes to wrap their heads around what Neiman’s was thinking. The collard greens are part of the store’s annual holiday catalog and if the social media reception is any indication, they might not be a big seller this year. The Atlanta Journal Constitution has further details about the collard green calamity.
Via AJC: Collard greens for 80 bucks? Twitter isn’t having it. We posted a little item earlier about Neiman Marcus’ high priced collards and social media promptly lampooned the notion.
To recap, [Neiman Marcus] advertises [collard greens] for $81.50. The batch serving eight to 10 diners is $66 (plus $15.50 for the delivery) and is available on its website. They’re [advertised as being] “seasoned with just the right amount of spices and bacon” and shipped cooked and frozen. [All] you [have to do is] just heat them up and serve. Note they can’t be shipped Saturday, Sunday, Monday or holidays – so plan ahead.
If the collard greens don’t tempt your palate, Neiman Marcus also has a broccoli cheese casserole on sale for $65 (plus $15 for shipping) and a baked potato casserole for $52.50 (plus $15.50 for shipping.) Um yeah, I think we’ll stick to our mother’s or grandmother’s collard greens that cost a lot less and surely taste much better…..CHILE!
Brad Pitt & George Clooney are BFFs again now Angelina’s out of the way
Whenever the tabloids tried to make “George Clooney & Angelina Jolie hate each other” into a thing, I always think back to the Newsweek roundtable discussion Jolie and Clooney participated in back in 2008, for the Oscar season. While Clooney and Jolie didn’t seem like BFFs, it was clear that they were friendly and on good terms. Fun fact: Marion Cotillard was also part of that roundtable! Such a wicked web. Anyway, the tabs have been trying to make it sound like Jolie and Clooney hated each other for years. The only story I really believed was that Angelina was bitchy to Stacy Keibler, just because… that seems like something that would happen. The current issue of Star is trying to make the Clooney-Jolie Beef into something again, this time with an added twist that finally Brad Pitt and George get to be bros again now that the Villainess Jolie has been jettisoned. And Amal made it happen!
The legendary bromance between Brad Pitt and George Clooney is back on! Source confirm that with Angelina Jolie out of the picture, George finally felt comfortable enough to reach out to his old friend.
“Angie never liked George and drove a real wedge between him and Brad,” explains a mutual pal. “But George is a very forgiving guy and wants to be there for his buddy as he goes through his divorce.”
In fact, it was George’s wife, Amal, who encouraged her hubby to reach out to Pitt, says the insider: “She knows how much not having Brad around has hurt him.”
Now the A-list dudes are making up for lost time.
“Their catch-up drink turned into an emotional, five-hour talk,” reveals the source. “It’s a huge help to the poor guy – Brad’s finally got his friend in his corner.”
[From Star Magazine, print edition]
Just my opinion: George and Brad were never BFFs in the first place. They were friends and colleagues and they liked each other. People wanted them to be BFFs and they used that communal desire to sell three Ocean’s movies. Besides, right at this moment, George is directing a movie and he probably has zero time to spend hours at a wine-soaked Pitt cryfest. Now, do I think George will absolutely be on Team Pitt in the upcoming Jolie-Pitt War? Sure. Absolutely. I think most people will be on Brad’s side. He’s Hollywood’s Golden Boy and Angelina is The Villainess. We’ll see.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Leander Leather
Ladies and others meet Leander Leather! So you know what to do to see them goods. GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS and remember they’re NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN NOR ALTER 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
‘Pizza Time’
When it’s 9 am, but all you can think about is what you are having for dinner.
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM
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