Tracee Ellis Ross for Essence - October 2019!
In the October Hair Issue of Essence magazine, cover beauty Tracee Ellis Ross honors her crown – reflecting on what it means to be a badass Black woman showing up in the world as her most beautiful self—both inside and out.
As a Golden Globe-winning actress, CEO/founder of hair care line Pattern and ‘queen of natural chic’, Tracee shares her intimate hair journey and powerful story of growth and self-love:
“I’m interested in changing how we speak to each other and celebrate each other and how we play with our hair.”
“There are people who have no idea that my worth is not based on my mom or what I look like. There’s a wholeness to me that I cherish.”
#RHOA: Kandi Burruss and Cynthia Bailey Serve Curves for Days in Matching Denim Jumpsuits
If Kandi Burruss and Cynthia Bailey's wardrobes are any indication of their friendship status, then The Real Housewives of Atlanta moms are more connected than ever. Not only did the ATL stunners link up for a fun bowling outing on Thursday evening, but they also showed up in identical looks.
Both Kandi and Cynthia appeared ready to hit strikes in fitted denim jumpsuits. Miss Kandi sported a deep blue belted denim jumpsuit from her store, Tags Boutique, which she paired with a bright red lip, while Cynthia rocked a lighter wash denim jumpsuit with hoop earrings and neutral makeup.
"Twinning with my boo @cynthiabailey10! I guess jean jumpsuits are in right now," Kandi captioned a cute Instagram pic of the RHOA duo. She clarified: "We didn't plan this."
Cynthia also posted the photo on her own IG profile, adding: "Great minds think alike."
Cynthia and Kandi may not have coordinated their fab ensembles on purpose, but they're clearly on the same wavelength when it comes to fashion.
#Empire: Terrence Howard & Taraji P. Henson Miss Jussie Smollett on Set!
Only “Extra’s” Special Correspondent Miss USA Cheslie Kryst was on the set of “Empire” with the show’s stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson as they shot the final season of the hit FOX show.
The stars got candid about what is was like on set without Jussie Smollett, who was accused of staging an attack on himself in January. Smollett has denied any involvement in the alleged crime.
Jussie won’t be returning to the show, and Terrence told Cheslie, “I was closest to Jussie. It hurts not to have him here. It’s like losing a son.” He added, “But it’s nice not having all the media circus around regarding all the things that took place.”
Henson said she is missing her TV son, too, noting, “I miss him just like a mother misses a child.”
Fans can expect a lot of drama from Lucious and Cookie when the show’s final season begins!
Terrence revealed, “I think [the producers] are realizing Cookie and Lucious are better enemies than lovers, and it’s nice to be able to sharpen the fangs again.”
Taraji shared her take, saying, “She’s tired of the yo-yo Lucious, so she’s literally doing her own thing.”
Will Cookie stay away from Luscious? Henson revealed, “Pretty much, yeah, because she is done.” An “Empire” promo shows Lucious on the ground, but Taraji would only say, “Something tragic happens, but you gotta wait.”
See what happens when “Empire” returns to FOX on September 24.
#NewMusic from New Music: Jhene Aiko – Trigger Protection Mantra
Jhene Aiko has dropped her new song “Trigger Protection Mantra”. The single can be viewed more like meditation music to get your zen on rather than a traditional song as it doesn’t follow any structure or format.
LISTEN HERE
This shouldn’t come as surprise though as Jhene has already said her next album will essentially be a bunch of freestyles. That is especially evident in her lead single “Triggered” which she has called a freestyle as well.
#NewHipHop from Gucci Mane Returns With "Richer Than Errybody" Featuring NBA YoungBoy & DaBaby
Fresh off the release of his Delusions Of Grandeur album, Gucci Mane has returned with a new single called “Richer Than Errybody.”
Produced by Lex Luger, the track also features appearances from NBA YoungBoy and DaBaby and sounds reminiscent of Trap God-era Gucci.
LISTEN HERE
YoungBoy is currently on house arrest after getting out of jail last month, while DaBaby dropped his debut studio album Baby On Baby dropped in March, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard 200.
Rihanna Was the Belle of the Night at her Diamond Ball!
Rihanna was the woman of the hour at the fifth annual Diamond Ball in NYC on Thursday night. The singer and style icon looked incredible in a black and white Givenchy Haute Couture evening gown at the event, which was held at Cipriani's restaurant and brought out high-profile guests like Cardi B, Normani, Megan Thee Stallion, and even the Prime Minister of Rihanna's native Barbados, Mia Mottley.
The ceremony was hosted by Rihanna's day drinking buddy Seth Meyers; the Diamond Ball benefits Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation, an organization that supports and funds "groundbreaking and effective education and emergency response programs around the world" via education projects, scholarships, health care, and grants. It was named after her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite, and has raised more than $7 million in grants since it was founded in 2012.
Also on hand for the fun night was performer Pharrell Williams, who looked dapper as usual alongside his equally stunning wife, Helen Lasichanh. Model Slick Woods — who famously went into labor with her son during Rihanna's Savage x Fenty show last year — mingled inside with Cardi and Cardi's huband, Offset, and sister, Hennessy Carolina.
G-Eazy rocked all white while posing with his girlfriend, Yasmin Wijnaldum, just days after avoiding a run-in with ex Halsey at Rihanna's other big event this week, the Savage x Fenty NYFW show. Days before that, Halsey went viral for calling G-Eazy "a sh*tty dude" in Cosmopolitan. So, he's having quite the week.
Great Night indeed!
Sam Smith Announces He’s Changing His Pronouns To ‘They/Them’
Singer Sam Smith takes to social media to announce his new pronouns. Get the scoop and see his announcement.
The singer, who admitted he is “scared sh*tless,” took to social media on Friday to announce he is changing his pronouns to “They/Them.”
Sam wrote: Today is a good day so here goes. I’ve decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM ❤ after a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out.
I’m so excited and privileged to be surrounded by people that support me in this decision but I’ve been very nervous about announcing this because I care too much about what people think but f*ck it!
I understand there will be many mistakes and mis gendering but all I ask is you please please try. I hope you can see me like I see myself now. Thank you.
P.s. I am at no stage just yet to eloquently speak at length about what it means to be non binary but I can’t wait for the day that I am. So for now I just want to be VISIBLE and open. If you have questions and are wondering what this all means I’ll try my best to explain but I have also tagged below the human beings who are fighting the good fight everyday.
These are activists and leaders of the non binary/trans community that have helped me and given me so much clarity and understanding.
@tomglitter @munroebergdorf@transnormativity @alokvmenon@katemoross @glamrou@travisalabanza @twyrent @chellaman@jvn @lavernecox @stonewalluk@glaad @humanrightscampaign@mermaidsgender
Love you all. I’m scared sh*tless, but feeling super free right now. Be kind x
Whatever makes them happy!
#BoxOfficeNews: 'It 2' Repeats at #1 at 40 Million, And 'Hustlers' hustles its way to #2 with33 Million!
It was a mixed bag of a weekend for Warner Bros. which saw It: Chapter Two deliver a strong hold and retain the weekend's #1 spot at the box office, but their new release, The Goldfinch, bombed, delivering one of the worst openings ever for a wide release. Alternatively, STXfilms's Hustlers exploded out of the gates with the studio's largest opening in its five year history as well as star Jennifer Lopez's largest live-action opening of all-time.
With an estimated $40.7 million, WB and New Line's It: Chapter Two topped the weekend for the second week in a row, dipping just -55% compared to its opening weekend and pushing the film's domestic cume over $153 million after ten days in release. In addition to that, the horror sequel added another $47 million internationally this weekend for a global tally that now stands at $323.3 million. That total includes a $4.7 million #1 opening in France while the UK remains the film's top international market with $16.5 million so far. Japan is the last key market yet to release where it will open on November 1.
Collectively, the two films in the It franchise have now grossed over $1.02 billion worldwide.
In second place with an excellent, $33.2 million debut is STXfilms's Hustlers. The opening is the largest in STX's short history, topping the $23.8 million opening for Bad Moms back in 2016. It's also the largest live-action debut for star Jennifer Lopez, topping the $23.1 million opening for Monster-in-Law back in 2005. The film's opening tops both Girls Trip and Bad Moms, which went on to gross over $115 million and $113 million respectively.
Hustlers made a splash at the Toronto Film Festival prior to its opening and entered this weekend with a strong, 88% critic rating on RottenTomatoes. The film's audience was 67% female while 69% of the opening weekend crowd was aged 25 or older. Among that crowd 36% were Caucasian, 26% African American, 27% was Hispanic and 9% Asian. Opening day audiences gave the film a "B-" CinemaScore.
Internationally, Hustlers opened in 15 markets with $4.46 million. Openings included the UK where the film opened to #3 with an estimated $1.7 million followed by a $1.2 million debut in Russia.
Lionsgate's Angel Has Fallen continued its run with an estimated $4.4 million this weekend, dipping just -26.5% as its domestic cume now tops $60 million and continues to pace ahead of its predecessor.
Universal's Good Boys landed in fourth with an estimated $4.26 million as the $20 million production has now seen its domestic cume climb over $73 million. In addition to that, the film added another $1.8 million internationally this weekend for a worldwide cume that now tops $91 million with several overseas openings yet to come.
Placing in the top five for the ninth straight weekend is Disney's The Lion King, which added another $3.5 million domestically for a cume that now totals $533.9 million. This makes The Lion King the 12th largest domestic release of all-time, topping Rogue One and it will soon creep ahead of The Dark Knight ($535.2m) for a spot just outside the top ten. Internationally the picture added another $6.9 million for a global cume that now stands at $1.617 billion.
#RIP: Ric Ocasek, lead singer of ‘The Cars’ & former Clevelander, dies at 70!
Ric Ocasek, lead singer of rock band The Cars, died at 70. According to Page Six, Ocasek was found unconscious and unresponsive at 4:14 p.m. Sunday in his New York City townhouse by his estranged wife, Paulina Porizkova. Police pronounced him deceased on scene.
He reportedly appears to have died from natural causes. Ocasek and his band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
The Cars rose to fame with the release of their self-titled hit album in 1978, which included songs such as “My Best Friend’s Girl” and “Just What I Needed.”
The Rock Hall described the band as “the ultimate New Wave dream machine: a hook-savvy super-charged quintet that fused 60s pop, 70s glam and avant-rock minimalism into a decade of dashboard-radio nirvana.”
The Cars had 13 “Top 40” singles before they broke up in the 1980s.
Ocasek lived in Cleveland as a teenager and graduated from Maple Heights High School.
Ocasek had recently placed the townhome where he was found on the market after he and Porizkova announced their separation in May 2018. They share two children together and had been together for 28 years before their split.
‘Beyonce Presents: Making The Gift’ Special Explores Making Of ‘The Lion King: The Gift’ Album
The making of The Lion King: The Gift, an album that saluted the Disney classic, will be unveiled Monday in an hour-long documentary exploring the behind-the-scenes work on the music.
The special will air at 10 PM ET/PT on ABC and offers candid footage and interviews. The album came out July 19 in conjunction with Walt Disney Pictures live-action remake of the animated classic. Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records teamed up on the album, which brought together some of the most important African artists of the day with well-known American talent to reinterpret the story and themes of the film with authentic sounds of Africa.
Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift was written, directed and produced by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, with co-director and collaborator Ed Burke. Executive producers are Steve Pamon and Erinn Williams.
Parkwood Entertainment is a film and production company, record label and management firm founded by Beyoncé in 2010.
'RHONJ' Star Danielle Staub Splits From Oliver Maier Ending 21st Engagement!
"RHONJ" star Danielle Staub has called it quits on her relationship with Oliver Maier, ending her 21st engagement.
The Bravo vixen said "Yes" to his proposal in March and planned to wed one month later, but decided to put their wedding on hold.
After their engagement, Danielle and Oliver said they were “still very much together,” but were “taking their time” with the wedding so she could spend more time with her two daughters.
“Danielle and Oliver see each other every day and spend most nights together,” a source told PEOPLE at the time.
“As they move forward with their relationship, they are trying to be respectful of their families and make them a part of their plans.”
Breakup rumors made their rounds after the former couple postponed their wedding date, but the "RHONJ" star shut them down quickly.
Addressing the rumors on her IG story, she said, “To put the rumors that he and I are not together [to rest], here I am with my love,."
Oliver was heard off-camera and responded by telling her, “I love you."
Marshawn Lynch Joins Front Office As Co Owner Of Oakland Arena Football Team!
Beast mode is back in Oakland, California! Former Raiders running back, Marshawn Lynch has joined the front office as a co-owner of the Oakland Panthers. The team is set to play at the former Oracle Arena, where the Golden State Warriors called home before moving to the Chase Center in San Francisco. Lynch, 33, has kept a full schedule since he retired from the NFL for a second time at the end of last season. He spoke on his decision to become apart of Arena football, Lynch begins,
“My whole intention was to come back and play with them until they left. Arena football wasn’t something I was looking at — not even a little bit. But when the opportunity presented itself — I’m a big dude on believing in timing and [stuff]. This, at the time, really made sense.” This is a given. I’m in with this. The [Raiders] will be leaving, but the fans will be here. This is a good opportunity and a good timing to where you will still have those fans, that community, and the pride they bring.”
Lynch’s new team, the Oakland Panthers — a nod to Oakland’s Black Panthers history of the 1960s, proudly announced their new co-owner on Instagram Friday (Sept 13th). In a photo, the team shares the news of the Oakland native joining the front office.
“Oakland-native, Marshawn Lynch is proud to be keeping football an integral part of the Oakland community.”
As previously reported, after more than ten years in the NFL, Lynch retired as Raiders head coach Jon Gruden planned his team to move on with a younger RB, according to reports.
“The Raiders love Marshawn Lynch, but Jon Gruden had moved on and made it clear. They plan to take a RB early. John Jacobs in the 20s is a possible target for Oakland.”
Lynch unretired to return to his hometown Oakland squad in 2017. In his first year with the Raiders, Lynch remained productive generating 891 yards on 207 carries scoring seven TDs. Last season, injuries once again caught up with the aging veteran. He played just six games, earning 376 yards (4.2 average) and three scoring touchdowns. He redefined his career and power running with the Seattle Seahawks for six seasons during their Super Bowl runs, winning the 2013 Super Bowl. Lynch became a household name, taking on the nickname “Beast Mode” after ran over any defender who dare attempt a tackle the 5ft 11?, 200 pound running back.
Step-Father Of Antonio Brown Says He’s “Very Abusive” Towards Women!
Antonio Brown’s former step-father shared that the New England Patriots receiver is “very abusive” toward women, stating he’s not surprised that he’s now being confronted with rape allegations.
“I can’t tell you that he did what they said he did,” Larry Moss Jr., 50, told USA Today Sports on Friday. “But I know he’s very abusive to women.”
“As far as just raping somebody, [Brown] just feels like he can have whatever he wants,” Moss continued. “He’s just empowered that way. So it doesn’t surprise me that this kind of allegation came out about him.”
Moss says he hasn’t spoken to Brown since 2005 and admitted the two had a trying relationship in his teenage years.
New York Posts shared he helped raise Brown in Miami-Dade County, Florida between ages 5 and 17 and said the star’s history of troubling behavior dates back to his pre-teen years.
“A lot of things that Tony’s doing, nothing surprises me,” he said. “I’m surprised that it took them this long to figure him out. Because he’s been this way since he’s been 12 years old.”
Brown was recently accused in a lawsuit filed this week of sexually assaulting and raping his former trainer, Britney Taylor, in 2017 and 2018.
In his interview with USA Today Sports, Moss also claimed that Shameika Brailsford, the mother of Brown’s oldest child told him Brown had physically abused her.
“She told me that he done jumped on her before,” Moss said. “He done choked her. They done had run-ins.”
However, Desmond Brown, Antonio’s younger brother, described their childhood as chaotic. The brothers would intervene in physical fights between Moss and their mother, Adrianne Moss.
“This happened numerous times. Then my mom made us leave [home] because she needed her husband’s help with the bills,” Desmond told the publication in a text message. “Now they’re divorced and we try to rekindle the relationship with our mom but it’s hard.”
Moss, who previously served time for aggravated battery and criminal trespass in the ’90s, denied Desmond’s allegations, saying he and Adrianne only had one physical fight in their entire 20-year marriage.
He also admitted to ever having to get physical with Antonio one time when he was younger.
“I beat his ass, I did. And that was probably the only time I really chastised him. But it was just one thing after another, one thing after another,” Moss said. “He was just a problem kid, man.”
New York Post reached out to Antonio’s lawyer, Darren Heitner, he told the outlet, “We have no comment at this time,” when told of Moss’ allegations.
Brailsford also didn’t return multiple requests for comment by USA Today Sports.
General Motors employees plan to walk off the job after union talks break down! Nearly 50,000!
The United Auto Workers union, which represents approximately 49,000 General Motors employees, called for a nationwide strike Sunday against the Detroit-based vehicle manufacturer.
The union said the strike was scheduled to start at midnight Monday unless an agreement could be reached in negotiations with GM. But talks were not expected to continue Sunday evening. It would be the first national UAW strike since 2007.
The collective bargaining agreement expired Saturday at midnight. Despite ongoing talks since July, when the union met with GM leadership to renew an arrangement in place since 2015, the parties remain divided on several key issues. The UAW said it is aiming to secure fair wages, affordable health care and better job security, among other things.
“We stood up for General Motors when they needed us most,” said UAW Vice President Terry Dittes in a statement Sunday. “Now we are standing together in unity and solidarity for our Members, their families and the communities where we work and live.”
“We presented a strong offer that improves wages, benefits and grows U.S. jobs in substantive ways and it is disappointing that the UAW leadership has chosen to strike at midnight tonight,” the news release Sunday read. “We have negotiated in good faith and with a sense of urgency. Our goal remains to build a strong future for our employees and our business.”
The strike was greenlit Sunday in Detroit during a UAW meeting of nearly 200 regional leaders gathered from at least seven states. The group voted unanimously in favor of the plan, union spokesman Brian Rothenberg told The Washington Post.
For every auto assembler, there are several manufacturing and supply workers outside GM that could be adversely affected if the plants shut down, Rothenberg said Sunday. “But this is a sacrifice worth making. It’s not just standing up for ourselves. It’s standing up for all of us.”
If the strike commences, more than a thousand Teamsters will refuse to transport GM vehicles to dealerships in a move of solidarity with UAW, said Bret Caldwell, a spokesman for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
“Our members won’t cross the picket line,” Caldwell said Sunday. “They stood with us when we have fought employers. This is another way we can stand with them.”
Did Rap-A-Lot’s J Prince Send a Warning shot to Roc Nation’s Jay Z?
Hot Girl rapper Megan Thee Stallion announced she was officially signed to Roc Nation
Did Houston music mogul / gangster J. Prince just put Jay Z and Roc Nation on notice..?
Sure looks like it. Just hours after Meg made her Roc Nation announcement Rap-a-Lot Records CEO J Prince shared a picture of himself standing with Carl Crawford, who originally signed Meg to his 1501 Record label, along with a cryptic post wishing "good luck" to anyone trying to take what belongs to Carl.
OH?
A Solid Gold Toilet Worth $6 Million Stolen From Palace in United Kingdom!
Blenheim Palace Hosts Artist Maurizio Cattelan's First Solo UK Exhibition
A solid gold toilet worth more than $6 million was stolen from a palace in the United Kingdom and a 66-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the theft, authorities in the U.K. said Sunday.
The gold toilet, is actually known as an art piece created by Maurizio Cattelan called "America." It was set up in Blenheim Palace as part of of a functioning exhibition named, "Victory is Not an Option," in which people could use the fully-functioning solid gold toilet. The art exhibition was installed and opened on Thursday (Sept. 12), only two days before the theft was first reporte
Thames Valley Police say they received reports of a burglary at Blenheim Palace (which is also known as the birthplace of former Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill), at around 4:57 a.m. on Saturday. The suspects reportedly broke in the palace overnight and left the scene of the crime by 4:50 a.m.
"The piece of art that has been stolen is a high value toilet made out of gold that was on display at the palace," police wrote in a statement about the theft. "Due to the toilet being plumbed in to the building, this has caused significant damage and flooding."
Police say the suspects likely used at least two vehicles to remove the toilet and that they were conducting a "thorough investigation" to find the artwork and bring those responsible for the theft to justice. A 66-year-old man was arrested in connection with the theft, but police did not give any further details about the suspect's name, or charges he might be facing.
Blenheim Palace released a statement about the theft, writing that they were saddened by the theft, but were relieved to report that no one had been hurt.
Following the Thames Valley Police statement we can confirm ‘America’, the art piece by Maurizio Cattelan has been stolen in the early hours of this morning.
"We knew there was huge interest in the Maurizio Cattelan contemporary art exhibition, with many set to come and enjoy the installations,” the statement from the palace said. "It’s therefore a great shame an item so precious has been taken, but we still have so many fascinating treasures in the Palace and the remaining items of the exhibition to share. The investigation continues, but it will be business as usual from tomorrow, so visitors can continue to come and experience all we have to offer."
The solid gold toilet was made entirely of 18-karat-gold and was worth around $6 million. It first went on display at the Guggenheim in New York City in 2016 and made headlines again when the White House asked to borrow a Van Gogh painting from the museum, but the institution instead offered the gold toilet. The White House turned it down.
The toilet was scheduled to be on display at the palace through Oct. 27.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘SUPER MARIO’
Mario, just smash it. Coins will come out!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
