Oscar winner Mahershala Ali Covers GQ Magazine’s July 2017 Issue
Mahershala Ali is living the American dream this summer for the July issue of GQ magazine. The Oscar winner talks to Carvell Wallace about love, tolerance and religion in his first GQ cover.
Mahershala, whose real name is Mahershalalhashbaz (a Hebrew name), converted to Islam in 1999, after attending a mosque with his future wife.
His faith, he says, has helped him become a better actor: “It benefits me from the standpoint of really creating empathy for these characters that I try to embody, other human beings with issues as deep and personal as my own. Because of Islam, I am acutely aware that I am a work in progress.”
While the interview has a positive tone, Ali was candid about race in America. Before becoming an Academy Award-winning actor, Ali says that he was racially profiled while shopping and even placed on a terrorist watch list after 9/11 because of his name.
"I think African-Americans have a very convoluted relationship with patriotism," Ali told GQ's Carvell Wallace. "The fact is, we essentially were the abused child. We still love the parent, but you can't overlook the fact that we have a very convoluted relationship with the parent. I absolutely love this country, but, like so many people, have some real questions and concerns about how things have gone down over the years and where we're at. And that's from a place of love, because I want the country to be what it says it is on paper."
Ali isn't losing hope about America's future, though, despite our current political climate.
"I sincerely believe we have the capacity to actually make this country great," the Moonlight star told GQ. "There are enough people, there are enough believers out there, there are enough intelligent, empathetic souls out there that want good for the whole. I don't know if it’ll happen in my lifetime, but I believe in time the pendulum will swing in the right direction."
The actor also told the magazine about why he converted to Islam in 1999.
"It benefits me from the standpoint of really creating empathy for these characters that I try to embody, other human beings with issues as deep and personal as my own. Because of Islam, I am acutely aware that I am a work in progress," Ali told GQ. He also said that religion "puts a healthy pressure on you to be your best self, beginning with your own spirit and how that feeds into your actions."
#RHoA: Ladies HE’S BACK Sheree Whitfield’s son Kairo has a photoshoot and YOU CAN SEE the PICS!
Y’all already know Sheree Whitfield’s son Kairo is a model in the making and as his Momager she’s making sure everything is in formation for her son’s career moves! Well recently Kairo had a photoshoot in NYC and courtesy of our friends at theYBF we’re sharing some with you!
ENJOY!
#EMPIRE: Taraji P. Henson's Hit-Woman Drama 'Proud Mary' WILL OPEN IN Jan 2018!
Taraji P Henson’s Screen Gems’ drama "Proud Mary," playing a hit-woman named Mary, whose life is completely turned around when she saves a young boy who awakens a maternal instinct in her that she never knew she had is slotted for a January 26, 2018 theatrical opening, just in time for Black History Month - although it's the same month that Ryan Coogler's "Black Panther" and John Boyega's "Pacific Rim: Uprising" both open. A crowded competitive month.
Henson does have a working relationship with Screen Gems (the Sony Pictures subsidiary), starring in previous films released by the studio including "No Good Deed," "Think Like a Man," and its sequel, "Think Like a Man Too."
Henson also has a Tyler Perry-produced dramedy titled "Acrimony" on her list of 2017 credits, although that doesn't have an exact release date yet.
Cookie stays busy!
#NEWMUSIC from Producer Amorphous Drops DOPE Beyoncé & Jay Z Mashup Project, ‘Bey-Z’
If you are dying to hear what a whole project by Bey and Jay could feel like, an up-and-coming producer from Orlando, Florida by the name of Amorphous has released a masterful mash-up album of the Carter’s music named, Bey-Z.
Released last Tuesday (June 13) on Bandcamp, the 8-track mash-up project fuses together some of the superstar couple’s most popular hits into creative new gems.
Amorphous opens the project with a sexy bounce blending together the instrumental of The Neptunes-produced “Frontin” with Beyoncé’s “Partition” vocals. The original was sensual and slightly dark, but this version brings perfect summer vibes.
Another standout is “Irreplaceable Song,” which blends together Bey’s “Irreplaceable” and Jay’s “Song Cry.” Who knew these two would work so well together, but it feels like if the two artists did go back-and-forth about the topics Bey was singing about through Lemonade, it could be similar to this!
“With ‘Bey-Z’, I wanted to pay tribute to two artists in this world who have inspired me artistically, but also for their work ethic,” wrote Amorphous. “For creating opportunity for themselves, for not settling for less, thank you bey + jay.”
Don’t miss this special project. Stream ‘Bey-Z’ HERE
#HIPHOPNEWS: First Look: Keyshia Cole Joins ‘Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood’
It’s official. After letting fans know via Twitter, it has been confirmed that Keyshia Cole is coming to the new season of “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood.”
VH1 has officially announced that the R&B songstress will join the cast of the popular reality series.
Keyshia’s role on the program will depict her as an artist who is trying to find a balance between her music and her personal life. It will also show her juggling co-parenting with her ex, Daniel “Boobie” Gibson.
The new season of the show will also see it’s cast expand with more newcomers and veterans like Ray J, Princess Love, Miss Nikki Baby, Safaree, Chanel West Coast, Fizz, Hazel E, Brooke Valentine, Marcus Black, Masika Kalysha, Teairra Mari, and Cisco Rosado, among others.
KC’s new role lands before her highly-anticipated new album 11:11 Reset, which is set to feature DJ Khaled, French Montana, Remy Ma, Young Thug and more.
The new season of “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood” will premiere on July 24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT
Miley Cyrus Feuds With Dolce & Gabbana After Brother Braison Walks in Designer’s Show
Miley Cyrus’ younger brother, Braison Cyrus, made his runway debut in Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2018 fashion show, but it seems the 23-year-old will no longer be modeling for the Italian fashion brand after his pop superstar sister criticized the brand’s politics.
The “Malibu” songstress, 24, took to Instagram to congratulate her bro for walking the catwalk in Milan on Saturday, June 17 — but made it clear that she’s not exactly a fan of Dolce & Gabbana.
The former Disney star shared a photo of Braison modeling an oversized patterned sweatshirt, matching pants and a crown. "Congrats @braisonccyrus on walking in your 1st runway show,” she wrote on Saturday. "It’s never been my little brothers dream to be a model as HE is one of the most talented musicians my ears have ever been given the gift of hearing.... BUT it is a Cyrus family trait to try everything once (within reason HA) and to embrace opportunities that encourage you to step out of your comfort zone! We believe in trying something new everyday!”
Miley concluded her post with a dig at Dolce & Gabbana. "PS D&G, I STRONGLY disagree with your politics.... but I do support your company's effort to celebrate young artists & give them the platform to shine their light for all to see!” she wrote. It’s unclear what politics she disagrees with. However, the fashion house has frequently dressed First Lady Melania Trump. Founders Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce have also made controversial comments about gay adoption and in vitro fertilization.
Gabbana responded to Miley's post and claimed that he would never work with Braison again. “Ignorant!!” he wrote in the comments section. He added in a second comment, “For your stupid comment never more work with him.”
The designer then escalated things even further by reposting Miley’s photo. “We are Italian and we don’t care about politics and mostly neither about the American one!” he wrote in both Italian and English. "We make dresses and if you think about doing politics with a post it’s simply ignorant. We don’t need your posts or comments so next time pleasure ignore us!!”
Tyra Banks’ son, York, is starting to look like his runway model big sister
Erik Asla, a Norwegian photographer, and Tyra Banks’ baby’s daddy, has three daughters. One is model Tati Asla, a model signed with Elite Management. On Father’s Day, Jume 18, 2017, Banks posted a photo of her one-year-old son with Erik, York, as did Erik.
One of York’s big sisters was captured on the runway modeling for Ekhaus Latta and we can see that daddy Erik’s genes are strong.
Banks and Erik welcomed their son in January 2016 through a gestational surrogate.
Rihanna Taps Dave Chappelle to Host her 3rd Annual Diamond Ball; Kendrick Lamar to Perform
*Dave Chappelle has been hired to host Rihanna’s third annual Diamond Ball on Sept. 14 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York, with Kendrick Lamar set to take the stage.
The annual black-tie fundraising gala raises money for the Clara Lionel Foundation, an education, health and emergency response organization founded in 2012 by the singer (born Robyn Fenty), in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite.
”I’m thrilled that the incomparable Dave Chappelle will kick things off as the official host of this year’s Diamond Ball and Kendrick Lamar will take the stage for an unforgettable performance,” Rihanna said in a statement announcing this year’s talent. “I’m proud of the Clara Lionel Foundation’s significant impact in the world over the years and deeply grateful for the continued support and commitment to advancing our mission.
Proceeds from the fundraiser go to support the foundation’s work on “innovative education projects and scholarships, healthcare programs and local micro grants.”
Past Diamond Balls have featured live sets from Rihanna and Lionel Richie, as well as hosts Brad Pitt and Kevin Hart.
Halle Berry Rails Against Flurry of Romance Rumors Fueled by Social Media: 'Suddenly I Am Dating 100 People'
Halle Berry isn’t letting social media rumors get in her way anymore.
The Oscar winner appeared at the Cannes Lions festival in France on Tuesday to talk about connecting with fans through her various platforms — and how the Internet can quickly spread rumors about her personal life.
“If I am having dinner with a friend, and a man comes up and asks to take a picture, most times I will always say, ‘Of course!’ ” the actress said, according to Page Six. “But then that person posts the picture on social media as if I am dating that person, and suddenly I am dating, like, 100 people. It seems silly … but I think that is frustrating [about] social media.”
She added, “Social media is empowering in many ways, but the part that is concerning for me, especially with my personal brand, is that that power can be misused. It can be a brand killer.”
To combat this, the actress announced that she is relaunching Halleworld, her fan site that ran in the early 2000s. The new iteration of the online community will feature more fan interaction — and Berry hopes that will lead to an open forum where constructive conversations can happen.
“What makes America great is that we have the right to have an opinion, we have the right to agree to disagree, but I think we do need a place today for people to come together and have real conversation,” said Berry, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Based on where we are now with this great divide in our country, and it’s my obligation as an artist, to start providing that forum for people to talk things out and bring us a little bit closer.”
Lionel Richie, New American Idol Judge?
Lionel, may be headed to American Idol! The singer is a five-time Grammy winner and a frontrunner to sit on the judges’ panel for the ABC reboot, according to TMZ.
He would join Katy Perry, who has confirmed her role on the show.
Meanwhile, Ryan Seacrest is close to signing a deal to return as host too.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘Bye Bye Baby’
Not a great advertising method Walmart. Honestly, there is no upside to this one. Only bad things could come.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Jose
Meet Jose! So you know what to do to see more. Just CLICK 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.
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HAVE A GREAT DAY AHEAD ALL!
EFREM
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