Billy Porter for Allure - The Art Of Beauty Issue 2020!
Allure revealed its "The Art of Beauty" issue on Thursday, and with it, a new cover star: Billy Porter. Photographed by Ben Hassett and clothed in everything from crystals to rainbow tulle, the "Pose" actor makes history as the first man to front the beauty-focused publication.
Porter is a red carpet maven; his fitted tuxedo gowns and gloriously long trains are what we remember from award shows. In his shoot with Allure, Porter is not only dressed in conversation-starting garments by brands like Area and Threeasfour, but his face also becomes a work of art. Makeup artist Peter Philips, who's currently the creative and image director of Dior makeup, gives the actor glitter lips and, instead of using traditional shadow, he draws attention to the eyes with bold sequins and 3D graphic shapes in an array of bright colors.
In the accompanying interview with Ashley C. Ford, Porter discusses owning his power and being unapologetically himself. Porter also touches on what he believes to be the power of artists.
"We are the arbiters," says Porter. "We're the ones that create change because it's creative in how we talk about it. We open hearts and minds in a different way. Whether it's visual art, whether it's music, whether it's storytelling in a book, whether it's storytelling on film and screen — why do you think we're attacked first by tyrannical governments? Why do you think that that's the shit that's cut first? They know."
Read the full cover story here!
#RHOA: Kenya Moore Says that NeNe Leakes Is A Narcissist!
Toxic. Narcissist. Abuse: Three words we’ve heard a lot in 2019. As we delve into the New Year, how about we introduce another… accountability.
So far, we have watched the new season of Real Housewives Of Atlanta kick off with a dull bang (if that makes sense) and watched toxic friendships reach boiling points. The longstanding beef between Kenya Moore and NeNe Leakes will culminate to a near physical altercation on the next episode.
As we venture deeper into this season, narcissism is a flowing theme. Between NeNe, Kenya, Marlo and Eva– each cast member has displayed their own bouts of toxic behavior, but “Mirror, mirror on the wall,” who’s the most toxic of them all? NeNe.
Last season, NeNe isolated herself from the group by fueling small fires with each of her costars. Fast forward to this year and she wants back in the circle. However, she boldly declared she doesn’t want to apologize for her behavior. She wants forgiveness without imparting that same grace to others. NeNe doesn’t want to take accountability for her role in much of the petty RHOA drama.
“That’s a narcissist talking. You attack half the women that you work with. No one likes you. Why don’t you feel you have to apologize for your actions?” Kenya said during an interview promoting her Kenya Moore Haircare line.
“I feel like there are lots of issues. I see narcissism, I see selfishness, I see someone whose moods swing left and right. I see someone who’s very needy and insecure and that’s a lot to deal with in one person. I don’t think you can ever really be a true friend to someone. She has to figure out herself first. I’m just not interested in being a friend with someone.”
Kenya isn’t exactly exempt from the toxic conversation. Let the records show how she stormed Marlo’s wig launch with a marching band and nearly ruined Cynthia’s engagement surprise. (And that’s just this season). However, Kenya’s intentions don’t seem as malicious as others.
“Once somebody shows me just how nasty and evil they can be like…once you cross those lines and start talking about my family. Not necessarily my husband cause I put that out there, but don’t talk about my daughter,” she said sternly. “Like somebody made a remark, ‘Oh I’m paying child support and the night you said now you’re going into an area about my yard. Now that’s when you get your next cut. You know what I’m saying? Like don’t talk about my daughter.”
Despite keeping it behind closed doors in prior seasons, Kenya’s strained relationship with her husband Marc Daly is the focal point of her storyline. Something she knew would cause conversation. However, she insists it isn’t as bad as it seems. And that Marc does like her.
“I know what he wants and what he doesn’t want to,” she says. “So that’s all not true. And that’s just people trying to be evil. I think you got to look to the person like why would a person treat another person that way? Cause they don’t want to be with them. Or maybe it’s an issue they have.”
We’ll just have to stay tuned to see how this all plays out. Catch RHOA every Sunday at 8pm on Bravo.
#Empire: Vivica A Fox, Taraji P Henson and Tasha Smith Hang Out Together at the Fox Winter TCA party!
Empire has not yet aired its series finale, but fans are already mourning the end of its six-season run.
The stars of the show recently reunited ahead of the finale at the Fox Winter TCA party in Los Angeles.
Vivica A Fox put on a busty display in white Tuesday as she joined co-stars Taraji P Henson and Tasha Smith at the event.
She served body in a slim white pantsuit, which hugged her gorgeous curves and showed off her bare cleavage.
The suit was adorned with sheer crescent moon cutouts, which ran down the sleeves and pants.
Taraji P. Henson reveals she developed anxiety from worrying...She was dripping in diamond jewels, including her sparkling initial on a thin silver necklace.
Fox completed the sexy white look with a pair of silver iridescent metallic strappy stilettos.
Henson dazzled in a sheer ankle-length blue polka-dotted dress with long sleeves, a half turtleneck and an asymmetrical hem.
It was paired with a white satin sleeveless dress, which featured a Japanese-inspired print. She completed the look with a pair of diamond stud earrings and some metallic gold Christian Louboutin stilettos.
She completed the look with a pair of diamond stud earrings and some metallic gold Christian Louboutin stilettos. The ladies star together in the hit show Empire, which premiered on Fox back in January 2015 and will air its series finale in 2020.
It follows the Lyon dynasty, as they compete to run father Lucious' music label Empire Entertainment.
#NewMusic from Khalid ‘Eleven’!
The R&B superstar hits the streets for a late-night drive on his laid-back jam “Eleven,” which was inspired by ’90s R&B and features hidden ad libs from British crooner Craig David.
“Late at night, eleven, we’re cruising / Lately, I’ve been watching your movements,” sings Khalid. “If I’m the only one that you’re choosing / Am I your favorite drug you’ve been using?”
LISTEN HERE
“Eleven” follows “Up All Night,” which was released in November. Khalid, whose sophomore album Free Spirit topped the charts last April, has been in the studio working on more music.
“I’m feeling like I want to put out more music. I just want to just keep riding and riding and just throwing out,” he added. “Maybe I’ll create like an EP. That’s really just the vibe that I’m going on, it’s just making like an EP. Something that I really dive deep in and create just this mini sound and just give it out to people because I really want to take my time with my next album and just make sure it’s perfect.”
Khalid closed out 2019 with his “Free Spirit World Tour,” which traveled to arenas across the globe. His hit “Talk” is nominated for Record of the Year at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 26.
#HipHopNews: Megan Thee Stallion And Normani Team Up On ‘Diamonds’!
Megan Thee Stallion and Normani shine bright on a new collaboration off the upcoming Birds of Prey soundtrack. The ladies celebrate their independence while flaunting their rocks on the powerhouse anthem, which samples Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend.”
“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” sings Normani, while Hot Girl Meg declares, “Diamonds are my new boyfriend.”
The femme fatales also strut their stuff while looking gorgeous and glamorous in the companion video, which features footage from Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).
Birds of Prey: The Album arrives Feb. 7 featuring an all-female cast including Summer Walker, Halsey, Doja Cat, Saweetie, and more. The superhero movie, starring Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, and Rosie Perez, hits theaters the same day.
LISTEN
Meanwhile, both Megan and Normani are slated to release their debut albums this year. Megan’s album will introduce her newest alter-ego Suga. “My next project I will be introducing a new lady. Her name is Suga. She’s besties with Tina Snow,” she told NPR last year.
Oprah Winfrey Causes Controversy as she steps down as executive producer from Russell Simmons #MeToo documentary!
Oprah Winfrey has stepped down as executive producer for the untitled Apple TV+ documentary about a former music executive that accused Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct.
“I have decided that I will no longer be executive producer on The Untitled Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering documentary and it will not air on Apple TV+,” Winfrey said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “First and foremost, I want it to be known that I unequivocally believe and support the women. Their stories deserve to be told and heard. In my opinion, there is more work to be done on the film to illuminate the full scope of what the victims endured, and it has become clear that the filmmakers and I are not aligned in that creative vision. Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering are talented filmmakers. I have great respect for their mission but given the filmmakers’ desire to premiere the film at the Sundance Film Festival before I believe it is complete, I feel it’s best to step aside. I will be working with Time’s Up to support the victims and those impacted by abuse and sexual harassment.”
The controversial documentary is still set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later this month despite Winfrey’s announcement, according to a statement from the filmmakers.
“Revealing hard truths is never easy, and the women in our documentary are all showing extraordinary strength and courage by raising their voices to address sexual abuse in the music industry,” Dick and Ziering said in a statement. “While we are disappointed that Oprah Winfrey is no longer an Executive Producer on the project, we are gratified that Winfrey has unequivocally said she believes and supports the survivors of the film. The #MeToo experiences of Black women deserve to be heard, especially against powerful men, so we will continue with our plans to bring the film to The Sundance Film Festival. The film, more than two years in the making, will be our eighth film to premiere at Sundance. The film is a beacon of hope for voices that have long been suppressed, and an inspiration for anyone wanting to regain their power power.”
And Time’s Up president and CEO Tina Tchen released a statement after Winfrey’s announcement.
“Time’s Up is in full support of the survivors who have spoken out about Russell Simmons. These women are brave. We believe them. We support Oprah Winfrey in maintaining that the victims’ stories deserve to be heard on their own terms. Too often, black women are silenced, disbelieved, or even vilified when they speak out. On top of that, for years, these women have been attacked by powerful forces surrounding Russell Simmons – illustrating how difficult it is to speak out against powerful men. And how important it is for powerful men to be held accountable for their actions. As Oprah made clear in her statement, any decision by her and Apple regarding this documentary does not change the underlying facts. We assert Time’s Up’s unwavering support for these survivors. We are in awe of their courage and strength. We will continue to fight for them, and we will continue to fight for a future where black women are truly heard and believed.”
According to the official synopsis, the documentary is about “a brilliant former music executive who grapples with whether to go public with her story of assault and abuse by a notable figure in the music industry. The film is a profound examination of race, gender, class and intersectionality, and the toll assaults take on their victims and society at large.” And while Apple TV+ didn’t name the subject of the documentary, the official description released by Sundance revealed it to be Drew Dixon, who previously worked for Simmons and accused him of sexual misconduct and rape in a 2017 interview with the New York Times. Simmons has denied all of the allegations.
Janelle Monae Comes Out As ‘Non-Binary’!
All hail Janelle Monáe, who casually dropped the fact that they're nonbinary into the group chat like it's absolutely NBD. Yesterday, the hashtag #IAmNonbinary was trending as thousands of nonbinary people shared their work, stories and experiences.
Monáe, in a typically chill fashion, retweeted one of the posts which said that living outside the gender binary is "the best thing in the world", and added the hashtag.
Monáe, who identifies as pansexual, went no further and has not clarified which pronouns they prefer, so for now we will refer to the singer as they/them.
Followers were quick to express support, with other nonbinary people and LGBTQ+ allies delighted to have another high profile celebrity representing for the nonbinary community.
Other famous celebrities to eschew the gender binary include Miley Cyrus who came out as gender-fluid in 2015; Ezra Miller, who has said they don't identify as male or female; Ruby Rose, who is gender-fuid; Jonathan Van Ness, who announced he identifies as nonbinary last summer; and most recently Sam Smith, who came out as nonbinary and announced their preference for they/them profiles last September.
Lori Harvey & Future Is Seemingly Confirming Their Rumored Relationship!
It looks like Lori Harvey and Future are confirming rumors that they’re dating!
The 23-year-old daughter of Steve Harvey took to her Instagram Story to share a video of the 36-year-old rapper giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Life is good,” Lori wrote along with the video. Lori and Future are currently on vacation in Jamaica as they celebrate Lori‘s birthday.
Rumors that Lori and Future were dating first sparked in early December when the two were spotted together in Abu Dhabi.
Lori was last linked to Diddy last year. The couple reportedly split in October
Ellen Pompeo Reacts to Justin Chambers Exit From ‘Grey’s Anatomy’!
Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo has addressed the exit of her co-star Justin Chambers from the hit ABC series.
As reported Friday, Chambers said he is moving on from his role as Dr. Alex Karev, which he has played since the series debuted in 2005. A day later, Pompeo reacted to the news on Twitter.
“#GreysAnatomy is about to feel one of its biggest losses yet,” said a tweet by Vanity Fair, prompting Pompeo to respond, “Truer words have never been spoken.”
Chambers was last seen in Grey’s Anatomy 350th episode, which aired November 14.
“There’s no good time to say goodbye to a show and character that’s defined so much of my life for the past 15 years,” he said in a statement to Deadline Friday. “For some time now, however, I have hoped to diversify my acting roles and career choices. And, as I turn 50 and am blessed with my remarkable, supportive wife and five wonderful children, now is that time.”
Matthew Knowles Talks The Rise Of Destiny’s Child In New Tell-All Book “Destiny’s Child: The Untold Story”
#Beyonce’s father, #MatthewKnowles, is opening up about his experience managing hit former girl group #DestinysChild, Solange almost being added to the group and more.
Knowles, 68, still, to this day, claims he is the current manager of Destiny’s Child. Respectfully so, Knowles managed the popular band during its beginning stages, through its most successful years in the 90s and 2000s. Now, he is putting his journey as their manager into a tell-all book titled Destiny’s Child: The Untold Story, which will detail Destiny’s Child’s rise to fame and shares his insight on “managing, motivating, and maneuvering talented children through a resistant industry.”
The book was released last month, with an accompanying album, Destiny’s Child: The Untold Story Presents Girls Tyme and will include how Destiny’s Child began as the girls group Girls Tyme how they became a four-person Destiny’s Child with #LeToyaLuckett and #LaTaviaRobertson, and how the group, in the end, became Destiny’s Child with only Bey, #MichelleWilliams and #KellyRowland.
Along with Knowles’s personal anecdotes, the book will also feature interviews from the people who contributed to the group’s success through the years. In an interview with iHeartRadio, Knowles spoke about what fans will learn reading the book.
“It’s for that avid fan that really wants to know what happened. That’s really who I wrote the book for, those fans. I didn’t write it for people between the ages of 18 and 30. I wrote it for people who are 30-plus that actually were there with Destiny’s Child,” Knowles said.
He says he wrote the book after his cancer run-in. “After I had my cancer scare, it made me have a greater sense of urgency to get my story out on Destiny’s Child. There’s been so many innuendos and so many false stories about the path from Girl’s Tyme, which started back in ’92, that I wanted to set the record straight. And I have ten people that I interviewed, people that were there since day one, that knew the accurate story.”
The most shocking details of the book Knowles says details how #Solange, Beyoncé’s sister, and musical artist, almost was a Destiny’s Child.
“I talk about the strategies of Destiny’s Child for each one of the ladies to go in between each Destiny’s Child album with their solo album. And so, I talk about how Kelly got off of the game plan somewhat. And I also talk about the financial investment that I guarantee Kelly and Michelle didn’t even know I had to make so that they could have a solo career, and be successful with their solo career.
I [even] talk about Solange and how I wanted her to be a member of Destiny’s Child. I won’t say any more, but it goes into detail about that.”
Knowles says Beyoncé knows about the book. “I talked to Beyoncé about the book. I told her that I was coming out with the book. I didn’t really talk to Kelly and Michelle. I talked to them a while back and talked about all the things that I’m coming with, so I didn’t have to come back with one specific thing.” And at the end of the day, Knowles just wants his children to understand the sacrifices he made for them to be successful.
“I hope it actually makes them understand that sacrifices and the things that I did for them as a dad, and for them as their manager to make sure that they live a different life than I grew up. And to make sure that their kids live even a better life than they lived. That’s my hope, is not that I look and see what they’ve done for me, but that they look and see what I’ve done for them.”
‘Harriet’ Actress Cynthia Erivo Not Performing At The BAFTA Awards After All-White Nominations List: “I’m Not A Party Trick”!
Cynthia Erivo made a decision not to perform at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) after learning about an all-white nominations list.
The 33-year-old actress was recently snubbed for her lead performance of ‘Harriet’ at the Golden Globe and SAG awards. She confirmed to Extra that she will not be performing at BAFTA.
“I felt like [the invitation] didn’t represent people of color in the right light,” she told the outlet. “It felt like it was calling on me as an entertainer as opposed to a person who was a part of the world of film, and I think that it’s important to make it known that it’s not something you throw in as a party trick, you know?” she revealed.
“I work hard, and every single person of color who is working in these films this year has worked really hard, and there are many of them who deserve to be celebrated,” Erivo included. “And no women directors, I was just like, ‘C’mon.’”
Erivo was also snubbed at the BAFTA awards, which made it peculiar for them to ask her to perform. The award show was publicly slammed for completely shutting out actors of color from its major acting categories after their announcement this past Tuesday.
The BAFTA nominating committee responded to the backlash after their announcement of nominations.
“We’d have liked to have seen more diversity in the nominations, it does continue to be an industry-wide issue,” BAFTA’s director of awards, Emma Baehr, stated to Hollywood Reporter. “I think more films need to be made and entered, giving people a chance to see them. We’d absolutely like to see more diversity, but I also don’t want to take away from those celebrating today.”
The BAFTA awards will take place on Feb. 2 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Return To Instagram After 'Stepping Down'!
As the whispers continue to increase about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's announcement that they'd be stepping back from their royal duties, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have returned to Instagram.
On Friday (January 10), the pair made a quiet return to the social media platform to share a series of photos taken from their visit earlier this week to The Hubb Community Kitchen. The organization was founded by women who offer to cook meals for those impacted by 2017's Grenfell Tower fire. "The Duke and Duchess were so happy to reconnect with the women and hear about the projects they continue to develop to help those in their community and beyond," read the photo caption. Back in December, the couple shared some throwback 2018 photos of their visit to organization.
The famed couple broke the news on Wednesday in a lengthy note. "We have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the joint statement read. “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment."
Shaggy Explains Why He Passed On The Chance To Be On Rihanna's New Album
Rihanna's upcoming album still seems nowhere in sight, but one reggae titan that won't appear on the set is Shaggy.
In his recent interview with Britain’s Daily Star, the industry vet, 51, said that her team approached him for a chance to be on the long-awaited set, but he passed on the opportunity because he had to audition. "They approached me for the Rihanna project, yeah. There’s a lot of great people involved, but for me, I didn’t need to audition to be on the record. I’ll leave that to younger guys," he explained. "But from what I hear, it should be good."
Shaggy went on to call the pop titan's full-fledged focus on Caribbean dancehall music for the LP "healthy competition." "Dancehall is in good place but we need as many people to do this art form as possible. When it crosses over and becomes popular with artists from other genres and other cultures, that can only be good," he continued.
Seth MacFarlane Moves From 20th Century Fox to NBCU With 5-Year, $200 Million Overall Deal
“Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane is leaving his longtime home at 20th Century Fox TV for NBCUniversal Content Studios, signing a pricey five-year exclusive overall deal.
The deal is in the nine-figure range and worth around $200 million, an individual with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap. NBCU declined to comment on the value of the deal. MacFarlane’s deal with 20th Century Fox ended last summer. MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door Productions, led by Erica Huggins, will create content across entire NBCU portfolio, including the company’s forthcoming streaming service Peacock, which launches in April.
MacFarlane’s agreement is the first since NBCUniversal’s three separate TV studios — Universal Television, Universal Content Productions and NBCUniversal International Studios — aligned under the new banner led by Bonnie Hammer. MacFarlane’s deal only covers TV, leaving him a free agent in the film space.
MacFarlane will continue to his role with “Family Guy,” as well as “American Dad” and “The Orville,” which are all produced by 20th Century Fox, now owned by Disney. “Family Guy” is renewed through next season, while “American Dad” is currently set to run through 2020 on TBS. “The Orville” moved to Hulu for its upcoming third season, which will run this year. MacFarlane’s development projects that were set up with 20th, including Hulu’s “Books of Blood” and new development at Fox, will remain with that studio.
“One of my oldest memories from Fox is of a young Seth MacFarlane hanging out in the halls of the studio. He entertained all of us with his incredible wit and hilarious observations. He is a brilliant artist and a great friend; and, there is no one we root for more than him,” said Dana Walden, Disney TV Studios and ABC Entertainment. “As a fan, I look forward to whatever he creates next, and as his studio partner on ‘Family Guy,’ ‘American Dad’ and ‘The Orville,’ I feel lucky to be continuing an extraordinary partnership.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘ATOMIC WEDGIE’
That’s what these nerds get for trying to shop at Walmart. #BringBackBullying2020
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Mr Cubbly
Meet Cubbly! You can see more when 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!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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