Nicki Minaj is here to SLAY for Marie Claire Magazine
Nicki Minaj “is here to slay.” Not only as she does with this Marie Claire cover, but with the boss moves she makes while adding to her empire. The Young Money star rocks a chic updo while glaring into the camera, as she fronts the publication’s November 2016 issue.
Inside, she talks giving young women advice on having goals of becoming an “entrepreneur, a rich woman, a career-driven woman,” instead of aiming to marry into money – and addresses the nudity double standard that exists for black women, calling it “quite pathetic and sad.”
She also mentions how Jay Z‘s career has influenced her, and how her collaborations with Beyoncé inspire women: “I just love that feeling,” she explained.
Read highlights from Nicki’s interview below, to also catch what she shared about how violence in the country affects the black women mourning the loss of their husbands or boyfriends.
On young women’s goals:
Nowadays, I feel like [young women] see marrying into money—I think that’s a big thing now. I don’t want that to be a woman’s goal in life. I want your goal in life to be to become an entrepreneur, a rich woman, a career-driven woman. You have to be able to know that you need no man on this planet at all, period, and he should feel that, because when a man feels that you need him, he acts differently.
On the double standard that exists for women of color in the media:
When Kim Kardashian’s naked picture came out, [Sharon Osbourne] praised it, and my fans attacked her for being such a hypocrite. So it wasn’t trashy and raunchy when a white woman did it, but it was when a black woman did it? It’s quite pathetic and sad, but that is my reality, and I’ve gotten accustomed to just shutting it down.
On competing with male rappers:
I don’t need to read a book about [business]. I can look at someone’s career and just pinpoint the dos and the don’ts, and the one person I’ve done that with for my entire career was Jay Z. He did such a great job being an authentic street guy and a businessman, and I was like, Why aren’t there women doing that, taking the success from rap and channeling it into their empire? I felt like anything he could do, I could do.
On collaborating with Beyoncé:
Every time Bey and I do something together, I see how women are inspired, and it has nothing to do with how we look. It has to do with how we are owning who we are and telling other women you should be the boss of your own career and the brains behind your life or your decisions or your art. I just love that feeling.
On the people living with violence in our country:
We tend to not remember the black women who are mourning these men and who are thinking, Oh, my God, what am I going to tell my child now about where his father is, and the struggle it is for black women to then move on after they lose their husband or their boyfriend … The strong women in these inner cities often go unnoticed … no one really ever puts a hand out to them.
Catch Nicki’s full interview and see more photographs in the Marie Claire’s November issue – on newsstands October 18th
#RHoA: season 9 spoilers: dream home showdown still going
For season 9 Sheree Whitfield and Kenya Moore are still competing against each other for the perfect abode.
When season 8 of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" ended, Sheree Whitfield and co-star Kenya Moore were in an ongoing battle to outdo the other in creating a dream home. As one would post pictures of a gorgeous, perfect room, the other would post her pictures of a beautifully done room in her dream home. Well, that battle is still going on.
It seems that Kenya Moore is in the lead at the moment. She posted the master bathroom of Moore Manor on "Instagram". Of course, that post was a few days after Sheree Whitfield had a crew in to work on the master bath in her dream home. Moore Manor's master bath was done by Trend Group's Granite Transformations and is beautiful. It is a minimalist design with classic elegance. The granite on the walls and floors are perfectly symmetrical and have a flawless look with the modern tub and light fixture that complete the room.
According to "Movie News Guide" Kenya Moore has emphasized just how much work it is to create the perfect dream home. She has realized how much she has already accomplished, however.
The "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star also shared that her favorite room in her home is her bedroom. She had a custom bed made for the room to go with the windows and trees that make the room so tranquil.
Since the season finale of season 8, Sheree Moore has shown fans the tile floors, columns and staircase in Chateau Sheree. Pictures of Moore Manor's kitchen, closet and bedroom have been posted as well.
Who else is on season 9?
With NeNe Leakes and the rest of the cast there will be lots to follow on season 9 of "Real Housewives of Atlanta." Kandi Burruss, Cynthia Bailey, Porsha Williams, Phadera Colonic. There has been lots of speculation about Kim Zolicak but she says not only is she not coming back but she wasn't even asked. NeNe Leakes had said that she was under the impression that Kim Zolicak had been offered a contract that she herself had previously turned down.
The season premiere is November 6th at 8PM Eastern Time on Bravo. We will have to wait until then to find out the latest frenemies and secrets. #Television #rhoa #realhousewivesofatlanta
Empire season 3, episode 4 synopsis: Cupid Kills
Empire 3×04 “Cupid Kills” premieres this Wednesday on Fox, and Jamal’s recovery takes a major step forward. Hakeem and Nessa gets complicated, a former employee makes her return to Empire and Lucious looks to get between Cookie and Angelo.
Empire keeps the ball rolling with episode 4, “Cupid Kills,” Wednesday on FOX. The latest installment heats up storylines between Angelo and Cookie, Hakeem and Nessa and Jamal and Freeda Gatz.
On “What Remains is Bestial” last week, the show hinted at Hakeem standing up to Shine on Nessa’s behalf and Anika manipulating her position in Lucious’ criminal investigation. Mariah Carey also made her debut, teaming with Jamal for his first record since being shot. Check out the official episode 4 synopsis and preview below.
Lucious takes notice as things heat up between Cookie and Angelo; Jamal makes a big first step on his journey to recovery when he’s finally able to face Freda Gatz; Anika causes turmoil upon her return to work at Empire; and Hakeem develops feelings for Nessa, even though she seems to have eyes for a different Lyon.
Andre is back to work, in the midst of his felony assault trial. He’s always been a valuable asset to Lucious, but how will things play out after Tariq all but promised him he’s going to prison if he doesn’t ‘snitch’ on his father? And could he be the other Lyon Nessa has her eye on?
Shyne looks to be gearing up for a war with Lucious. His face is bruised, surely no coincidence after Hakeem told his dad about Shyne’s treatment of Nessa.
Cookie at an opera? Angelo is gaining a lot of favor with Empire’s first lady. He revels in the chance to tell Lucious all about it too.
We’re inching toward a payoff in the Lucious/Leah/Tariq angle too. Don’t miss Empire this Wednesday on Fox.
New Music Video from Teedra Moses Releases Seductive “Skin Diver” Video
Teedra Moses‘ Cognac & Conversation LP was one of the biggest surprises of 2015. It not only marked the long-awaited sophomore album return of one of the most talented – yet slept-on – R&B songstresses of the past decade, but it provided some pretty smooth tunes as well. Though ‘Cognac‘ is a year old now, its sounds are still very worth re-listening.
Moses seems to think the same, as she opted to drop a music video for one of the album’s stand-out cuts, “Skin Diver.” Teedra premiered the visuals via her Facebook page at first before posting the video on YouTube, as well.
The four-minute clip is filmed entirely in black & white, and depicts Moses both posted up in an abandoned room with disco balls and kicking it with her boo alone for a second before they’re joined by friends. “Skin Diver’s” dance elements may have been overlooked by the casual listener of Cognac & Conversation just because it’s a seductive groove, but the video doesn’t ignore them at all – there’s a dancer shaking her hips to the beat at intervals, and even Teedra herself busts a move while looking good in a catsuit.
Dive on in to Teedra Moses getting her groove on in the video for “Skin Diver” down HERE.
Cognac & Conversation is available on iTunes.
Stream Taylor Gang’s ‘Tgod Volume 1’ Mixtape
After much anticipation, Wiz Khalifa, Ty Dolla $ign, Juicy J, Berner, and Chevy Woods link up with the rest of Taylor Gang for TGOD Volume 1.
The 23-track effort also features contributions from Taylors like Tuki Carter, Sledgren, Raven Felix, JR Donato, Ricky P, Sosamann, and TM88.
Volume 1 is the first release from the Gang following news of their new Atlantic Records deal.
Looks like the first step in that mission is here. Listen to TGOD Volume 1 HERE
49ers Baller Colin Kaepernick Just Nabbed Starting QB Position For Next Week’s Game
He’s back! 49ers Colin Kaepernick is arguably one of the most controversial players in the NFL right now due to his silent protest against social injustice and police brutality. He launched said silent protest by kneeling during the National Anthem during the pre-season (with several other NFLers and athletes joining the movement). Since the regular season, he has yet to hit the field as the starting quarterback (he did start in previous years), until now.
The activist will be suiting up for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills after the 49ers’ four game losing streak, replacing starting quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
This news comes on the heels of reports that Colin is re-negotiating his contract with the 49ers.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole, “49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick agreed to restructure his contract last week. The change would make it easier for him to play going forward this season. The deal is not yet finalized, but it would void the final four years of his contract and get rid of any injury guarantees for the team. This would allow Kaepernick to be a free agent in 2017.”
Interesting. Sounds like Colin is gearing up to leave the 49ers. Will other teams will be interested with his newfound media attention?
Atlanta Pastor's Wife After 30 Years Of Marriage Opens Up About Husband Leaving Her For A Man…
Lydia Meredith was your typical First Lady of the church after marrying her husband Reverend Dennis A. Meredith 30 years ago. But things took a turn for the worst when she found out her husband was cheating on her. The thing is, her husband was cheating on her with men (she later learned women too), but even after learning about his infidelity she decided to stay. Yep, she said there was nothing in their marriage they couldn’t fix, but she soon learned the hard way that wasn’t true.
Now, Ms. Lydia is opening up about her husband’s scandalous ways in a personal memoir titled, "The Gay Preacher’s Wife: How My Gay Husband Deconstructed My Life and Reconstructed My Faith."
Below is an excerpt from the book:
I was one of those preachers’ wives who sat in the pew on many a Sunday morning while my “real” life was a fraud. i discovered several years into my marriage that my husband was cheating on me–with men–numerous men. (And women too, I later found out). But I stayed. I stayed through the broken promises and the humiliation because I believed and hoped that things got better. I watched my husband stand in that pulpit on Sunday morning, preaching one message and living out yet another. I needed answers.
The first place I turned to for answers were God. I prayed. I wept. I prayed. I wept. I prayed and I wept. God woke me at 3 a.m. I sat straight up in the middle of my bed. … What did Jesus really say about homosexuality? What was Jesus’ message about gays?
I prayed my entire young life for God to send me a husband–God Always answers my prayers–why did I end up marrying a gay man?
Lydia revealed her husband decided to leave her for another man. She knew he had slept with other men before, but they continued to stay together. Her husband ended up falling in love with one of the men he was cheating with and ultimately chose him over her.
“He left me for another man,” she told Rolling Out. “He told me he wanted to live the rest of his life as a gay man. At that time, I didn’t know he was in a relationship with a man, a man that he’d fallen in love with. Most of the time when we were in therapy discussing his struggles with same-sex relationships, it was never a relationship; it was always [just] sex. This particular time it was very different. He had fallen in love with a man.”
Well damn.
While she was presented with the news that her husband was in love with someone else, she still wanted it to work. He ended up leaving her in 2005 for his lover. By 2008, she had filed for divorce.
“I filed for divorce,” she said. “He wasn’t happy about it. The infidelity didn’t cause me to leave my marriage. I felt there was nothing in my marriage that couldn’t be fixed.”
Wow. It’s sad how some women will do anything to keep their marriage for image reasons or just to say they’re still married. But, we’re glad she found the strength to move and heal her heart. She has since founded Beacon of Hope, Inc. Renaissance Learning Center with a mission to strengthen families, communities and impoverished children and their families.
"The Gay Preacher’s Wife: How My Gay Husband Deconstructed My Life and Reconstructed My Faith" is on bookshelves and available to download online.
Exes Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are making an album together
Divorce isn’t always the end of a relationship. Yes, there are kids that keep exes in mandatory contact with each other and in the music business, there’s the prospect of once again making beautiful music together, quite literally. Singers Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony not only made two adorable kids, Max and Emme, during their 7-year marriage, they also recorded the romantic duet “No Me Ames” in 2007, featured on Jennifer’s all-Spanish album Como Ama Una Mujer. Well, it seems the pair are heading into the studio together once again.
Last month, soon after kicking former beau Casper Smart to the curb, the 47-year-old singer alluded to the fact that she and her 48-year-old ex may be reuniting professionally, telling Extra, “We’re talking about doing some stuff together.” Well, the “stuff” is an all new Spanish language album, Jen’s first since 2007’s Mujer. Marc is serving as executive producer for the new project under his entertainment company, Magnus Media. The album is scheduled for release via only Music Latin in 2017. Jennifer told Billboard that the first single will most likely hit the air in November and told the magazine, “I am so excited and really looking forward to this new musical journey and to celebrate my Latin roots with Marc Anthony and the Sony/Magnus family.” Marc also released a statement expressing his excitement about working with his ex again:
[Jennifer] has had enormous accomplishments in her career and has been representing our culture all over the world from day one. Her artistry, professionalism and passion for music are just some of the many attributes that have earned her a unique place in the entertainment world that very few people have been able to obtain. I am looking forward to our creative collaboration and to be part of continuing her musical legacy.
[From Billboard]
Not only is Marc serving as executive producer for the album, he will also “provide consulting services to Lopez in the areas of marketing, content development, and touring specifically for the Hispanic market,” according to E! News.
But, one burning question remains. Is Marc going to actually sing with Jennifer on the album? Jen has recorded some great duets with Pitbull, Ricky Martin and Prince Royce – who recently admitted that Jen served as his fitness inspiration. She most recently recorded the lovely “Love Make the World Go Round” with Broadway’s sweetheart, Lin-Manuel Miranda. And, of course, “No Te Ames” is a beautiful love song.
J-Lo may have hinted that the two may record together again, telling Access Hollywood just last month. “When we sing together, when they see us together, knowing our history, it brings a certain nostalgia. They know we care about each other and still love each other. We have two kids together and they love to see that things are good between us.” It remains to be seen if they’ll take us all down memory lane again, but it could be magic – just professionally of course. I mean, I get along great with my ex-husband…now…and I think we could work together just fine. I don’t see a second chance for romance for myself or for Jennifer and Marc. I do like Jen though and I hope she finds love. And, speaking from experience, she should probably look for someone close to her own age.
Ben & Jerry’s ice cream throws support behind Black Lives Matter
Ever since the Black Lives Matter movement arose, many mainstream companies have done their best to avoid the movement and to make sure White and conservative consumers don’t link them to the civil rights group. Even celebrities focused on keeping fans and sponsorships have denounced the group or completely remained silent on Black Lives Matter. But this weekend one major corporation finally decided to speak in support of the group and, perhaps not so surprisingly, it was the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s.
On Thursday and Friday, the ice cream giant shared photos of the Black Lives Matter logo on their social media pages as well as a link to a lengthy statement from the company’s founders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, in which they explained in detail why they were going against the grain of silence and publicly announcing their support of Black Lives Matter.
“Black lives matter. They matter because they are children, brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers. They matter because the injustices they face steal from all of us — white people and people of color alike. They steal our very humanity,” The founders said in the statement.
They added, “Systemic and institutionalized racism are the defining civil rights and social justice issues of our time. We’ve come to understand that to be silent about the violence and threats to the lives and well-being of Black people is to be complicit in that violence and those threats.”
Later on in the statement, the liberal company owners explained why systematic racism is such a problem and why Americans need to have honest conversations about how Black people are treated in comparison to White people in our nation.
“There is good news: the first step in overcoming systemic racism and injustice is to simply understand and admit that there is a problem. It’s trying to understand the perspective of others whose experiences are different from our own. To not just listen, but to truly understand those whose struggle for justice is real, and not yet complete,” Ben & Jerry said.
The company even addressed the killings of Black men and women at the hands of police officers.
“Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, president of the North Carolina NAACP, said it best when reacting to the recent police shooting in Charlotte, NC. He said, ‘Our objective is simple: to ensure justice-loving people act toward justice, with all evidence, and that we stand together and act from a place of power and love, rather than out of fear and anger,’ ” read the statement.
They added, “It’s been hard to watch the list of unarmed Black Americans killed by law enforcement officers grow longer and longer. We understand that numerous Black Americans and White Americans have profoundly different experiences and outcomes with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. That’s why it’s become clear to us at Ben & Jerry’s that we have a moral obligation to take a stand now for justice and for Black lives.”
The founders clearly expected a backlash from Blue Lives Matter and All Lives Matter supporters and explained the painfully obvious fact that saying “Black lives matter” does not mean that they don’t think any other lives don’t matter.
“We want to be clear: we believe that saying Black lives matter is not to say that the lives of those who serve in the law enforcement community don’t. We respect and value the commitment to our communities that those in law enforcement make, and we respect the value of every one of their lives. But we do believe that — whether Black, Brown, White, or blue — our nation and our very way of life [are] dependent on the principle of all people being served equal justice under the law. And it’s clear, the effects of the criminal justice system are not color blind,” Ben & Jerry said.
We give major kudos to Ben & Jerry’s for their support of Black Lives Matter but what do you think of their words on America’s race problem? Let us know in the comments. In the meantime, we know which company we’ll be buying our ice cream from.
Drake and Rihanna Officially Call It Quits
Over the weekend pop star Rihanna shaded every one of her exes in a cryptic post on Instagram
Turns out that was the signal that her summer sixteen romance with Drake had come to an end...
From E! News
"Rihanna and Drake are seeing other people at the moment. They are not exclusive anymore. They still love each other, but their schedules have gotten in the way."
Meanwhile Drake hinted at trouble in paradise on Instagram last week.
Oh well it was good while it lasted!
Billy Bush Negotiating His Exit From NBC News in Wake of Lewd Trump Tape
“Today” co-anchor Billy Bush is negotiating his exit from NBC News, four days after his fortunes at the network were destroyed by the revelation of his vulgar hot-mic conversation with Donald Trump in 2005.
NBC News sources acknowledged Tuesday that talks were underway for Bush to leave the network. A source close to Bush said negotiations to settle his contract were ongoing, but not expected to be completed until later this week, given that Wednesday is the Yom Kippur holiday. The decision for Bush to leave marks a lightning-speed downfall for an anchor who was seen as being groomed for a bigger role on “Today” down the road.
NBC News chairman Andy Lack is steering the decision on how to handle Bush’s exit. Most “Today” staffers have been kept in the dark for the past few days, according to sources.
Bush had only joined the “Today” team as co-anchor of its 9 a.m. hour in August. He spent 15 years on NBC’s entertainment newsmagazine “Access Hollywood.” He was co-anchor of “Access Hollywood” at the time of the Trump conversation. The recording was made while Bush and Trump were traveling to the Los Angeles set of NBC soap “Days of Our Lives.” The two banter about using celebrity to force themselves on women and Trump talks of his unsuccessful effort to seduce Nancy O’Dell, who was then Bush’s co-anchor on “Access Hollywood.”
The frat-boy tenor of the remarks and Bush’s lack of decorum in regard to his co-worker was the death knell for his run on “Today.” The backlash from viewers, male and female, and internal anger from “Today” staffers made it impossible for Bush to return to the anchor desk.
“Today” has tapped Al Roker and Carson Daly as replacements for Bush this week. The whirlwind cycle of events since the 2005 recording was revealed Friday evening by the Washington Post has sent NBC into a scramble.
Bush was carefully selected by “Today” producers for the 9 a.m. slot earlier this year. But he got off to a rocky start during the network’s Rio Olympics coverage when swimmer Ryan Lochte turned out to have lied in his interview with Bush about having been robbed at gunpoint while in Rio. When Bush sought to downplay Lochte’s fabrications after the truth was revealed, co-anchor Roker slammed him on air — a clip that was widely circulated via social media. “Today” sources said Bush was generally seen as a lightweight and not a good fit for “Today,” even on the 9 a.m. hour that serves up lifestyle and feature material.
Bush quickly issued an apology on Friday for his part in the conversation, saying that he was embarrassed and citing his immaturity at the time. But that didn’t quiet the internal and external storm.
The outrage spurred by the release of the conversation has also up-ended Trump’s presidential campaign for the White House. Numerous GOP leaders have distanced themselves from his campaign and in some cases rescinded their endorsements of the candidate.
#EGGPLANT NATION! Meet Sleeping Bobby!
Folks meet Sleeping Bobby! To see more you can GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSWF!
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?
‘VIVA LA MEXICO’
This couldn’t get anymore stereotypical if they all had margaritas and someone was hitting a piñata
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
