Issa Rae Looks Radant for Essence - April 2019 Edition!
“Insecure” star Issa Rae covers the April 2019 issue of Essence Magazine photographed by Itaysha Jordan and styled by Jason Rembert.
On how heightened visibility hasn’t altered who she is: “I’ve definitely thought about middle school me looking through magazines and being perfectly content with the fact that my face wasn’t going to be used to sell makeup; that wasn’t my future,” Rae says now. “I just didn’t imagine that. So the fact that it happened is like, you just never f—ing know. And you should never discount anything. I think so many of us tend to be comfortable with what we’re not and complacent with what we’re not. You really don’t have to be. I didn’t solve world peace or anything—it’s not like that. But something that felt so small and intangible ended up being tangible. And that’s just the coolest thing in the world.”
Get more HERE
Style Credits:
First Cover: Marc Jacobs Dress from the Spring 2019 Collection | Carolee ‘Large Pearl Stud Clip’ Earrings | Sergio Rossi Shoes
Second Cover: PatBo ‘Bo’ Ruffle Hem Plunging Maxi Dress | Oscar de la Renta Earrings | Custom Head Wrap, Hairstylist’s Own
Image: Valentino Dress and Coat from the Spring 2019 Collection | Alexis Bittar Earrings | Sam Edelman ‘Yaro’ Shoes
Hair: Felicia Leatherwood
Makeup: Joanna Simkin
#RHOA: Porsha Williams’ Soon to be Hubby Dennis is Waiting On Her ‘Hand & Foot’ After Daughter’s Birth
After giving birth to her princess, Porsha Williams is being treated like a queen, as we’ve learned the ‘RHOA’ star’s fiancé, Dennis McKinley, is stepping up to take care of his new family.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta world got a little bit bigger on March 22. After what felt like forever, Porsha William, 37, and fiancé Dennis McKinley, 38, welcomed their first child together, daughter Pilar Jhena McKinley. Though Porsha’s pregnancy was full of anxiety, now that it is over, she’s living her best life. “Porsha feels happier and more complete than ever before in her life after giving birth,” “Her maternal instincts have already kicked in and she’s so caring and protective over baby PJ.”
“Porsha always knew she wanted to become a mom one day and she feels incredibly blessed with a beautiful, healthy daughter and an amazing fiancé,”“Dennis has been beyond supportive and helpful. He’s been there right by her side throughout the entire pregnancy and she doesn’t know what she’d do without him. Dennis has waited on Porsha hand and foot.” If that itself wasn’t reason enough to celebrate Dennis, the source says that “her mother loves him as much as she does… She can’t wait to marry him and make their family official. Porsha has so much to look forward to and she feels like the best is just beginning.”
Porsha’s sister confirmed PJ’s arrival on Instagram, and this birth follows after RHOA star Kenya Moore, 47, and husband Marc Daly welcomed their daughter, Brooklyn, on Nov. 4, 2018. It seems that the next generation of RHOA is well underway. While Porsha has yet to reveal the first pics of her new baby, she did share her daughter’s name shortly after her birth. “Pilar Jhena’ McKinley’s Parents… MUVA P! Mood: Thankful & Blessed! Thank you all to all Insta TiTi & uncles for the love and support…Adjusting to motherhood will text back loved ones soon!”
It seems that all the anxiety Porsha was feeling before the birth has evaporated into thin air. “She was nervous for the labor part, but she was so excited to meet that baby,” “Pregnancy changed Porsha so much. Friends felt she was a lot less dramatic and so much calmer. Porsha is so excited she officially became a mom.” Excellent. Now, it won’t be long before Dennis officially becomes her husband.
Awwwwww!
#Empire: Chicago Mayor calls the Dropping of charges against Jussie Smollet a 'Whitewash Of Justice'
Chicago prosecutors on Tuesday abruptly dropped criminal charges against "Empire" star Jussie Smollett, who was accused of staging a phony hate crime against himself.
Smollett, who had faced 16 counts of disorderly conduct, appeared at an emergency court hearing Tuesday morning, where the case was dismissed in exchange for the actor agreeing to forfeit his $10,000 release bond.
There had been no suggestion in recent court filings or media reports that Smollett's case would be tossed out. Smollett had pleaded not guilty March 14, and before Tuesday's surprise hearing was next scheduled to be in court on April 17.
"This is without a doubt a whitewash of justice," Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said a press conference where he and police blasted the dismissal.
He said Smollett "did this all in the name of self-promotion."
"How dare you!" Emanuel said of the 36-year-old Smollett.
The mayor said that Smollett's alleged deception meant that future actual victims of hate crimes would be under the a cloud of suspicion when they report being targeted for their race, sexual orientation or religion.
"This sends an unambiguous message that there is no accountability and that is wrong," Emanuel said of the case being dropped.
Smollett, who is black and gay, told Chicago police in January that he was attacked by two masked men as he was walking home around 2 a.m. The actor said the men beat him, shouted racist and homophobic comments, poured a chemical substance on him, and looped a rope around his neck before fleeing.
Two brothers, Ola and Abel Osundairo, were arrested in February for allegedly being connected to the attack, but later were released without charges. The Osundairos told police that Smollett wrote them a check for $3,500 to carry out the purported attack.
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson told reporters Tuesday that police "found out about [the dismissal] when you all did."
"Do I think justice was served? No. ... They chose to hide behind secrecy in brokering a deal," Johnson said.
But Smollett, after the the case was dropped, said, "I've been truthful and consistent on every level since day one."
"I would not be my mother's son if I was capable of even one drop of what I have been accused of."
"This has been an incredibly difficult time, honestly, one of the worst in my entire life," he said.
"I want to thank my legal counsel from the bottom of my heart, and I would like to thank the state of Illinois for attempting to do what is right. Thank you for all the support, thank you for faith and thank you to God."
A mugshot of actor Jussie Smollett after making false crimes charge.
There was no plea deal in the case, whose records have now been sealed as a result of the dismissal.
A spokesman for Cook County State's Attorney Kimberly Foxx, whose office was prosecuting Smollett, said, "After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett's volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case.
Smollett's legal team, in a statement, reiterated its claim that Smollett was the victim of an actual attack.
"Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him," Smollett's legal team said. "Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th."
The dismissal is a "stunning, surprising turn of events. Like something you might see on Mr. Smollett's TV show," Georgetown University Law professor Paul Butler said on MSNBC.
Chicago Police Department Commander Edward Wodnicki, whose department had conducted the investigation into Smollett, told WMAQ-TV he was outraged by the dismissal.
"It's a punch in the gut. Is absolutely a punch in the gut," Wodnicki said. "We worked closely throughout our three-week investigation to get to point where we arrested the offender. For the state's attorney at this point to dismiss charges without discussing this with us at all is just shocking."
"They weren't courteous to give us a heads up" about the dismissal, he said.
"This is a slap in our face."
Wodnicki said there was "overwhelming evidence" against Smollett, and called the case against him "rock solid."
"We wasted time and effort on a reported serious crime to get to the point it's a lie?" Wodnicki said. "I want reimbursement," he said, noting that the Chicago PD had spent more than $10,000 on the probe.
"Citizens should be angry."
Mayor Emanuel said Smollett's claim of the assault had dragged the city of Chicago's name "through the mud."
"I support the hard work of our police," Emanuel said.
He noted that a grand jury had indicted Smollett, and that the case was accepted by prosecutors weeks ago.
It is not clear whether the dismissal will affect a separate investigation by the FBI into a letter that threatened Smollett and which was sent to the studio where "Empire" is filmed shortly before the alleged attack on Smollett.
Chicago police have said that Smollett himself sent that letter.
Smollett has not been charged by federal authorities in connection with the letter. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago, which would handle any federal prosecution of Smollett if it were to be initiated, declined to comment.
In the wake of Smollet's arrest in February, producers of the 20th Century Fox Television show "Empire" decided to remove the actor from the final two episodes of the latest season. Warner Bros.-owned TNT also pulled an episode of "Drop the Mic" that featured Smollett.
As of last week, 20th Century Fox Television is owned by Disney. Disney had no immediate comment.
Smollett's attorneys had included celebrity lawyer Mark Geragos. On Monday, Geragos was identified as a co-conspirator of lawyer Michael Avenatti in an alleged scheme by Avenatti to extort up to $25 million from athletic shoe giant Nike by threatening to release damaging information about that company.
Geragos has not been criminally charged in that case.
Patricia Brown Holmes, another lawyer for Smollett, said the $3,500 that Smollett gave the brothers who claimed the attacked was staged actually was for nutrition and training.
"We have gotten to a result which is the right result in this case, and we are happy with that," Holmes said during a news conference Tuesday.
"He is a good, solid citizen of the city of Chicago."
#NewMusic from The O’Jays – “Stand Up (Show Love)”
Legendary R&B Group The O’Jays have just released the video for their latest single “Stand Up (Show Love)”. The video takes listeners into the studio with the group as they perform the song live. The video and song showcase The O‘Jays doing what they do best, performing socially conscious message music that makes you think while you dance. Together the group reflects on what’s happening in the world.
The song will be included on the final album from Eddie Levert Sr., Walter Williams Sr. and Eric Nolan Grant aka The O’Jays called “The Last Word”. The project is the group’s first release in almost 20 years and is set to come out on April 19th, 2019.
The song was produced by soul music legend Betty Wright as well as Steve Greenberg, Mike Mangini, and Sam Hollander.
LISTEN HERE
“The Last Word” is an album that provides a critical look at the precarious state of social and criminal justice in America. As elder statesmen, the group has experienced much throughout their lives, from the civil rights movement to rising economic inequality and erosion of democratic norms. On this new single and upcoming album they are sharing their perspective on the state of the country as well as the world; offering up some words of wisdom for the next generation before exiting the stage.
#HipHopNews: #SurvivingCardiB: She Admits To Drugging & Robbing Men In Her Past Life
TWITTER – Cardi B is facing criticism on social media after admitting to some scandalous behavior in her past.
While streaming on Instagram Live, the Grammy Award-winner voiced her frustrations with people who claim she doesn’t deserve her success. Cardi then attempted to prove she paid her dues but ended up giving critics more ammunition by admitting she drugged and robbed men for money.
“Niggas must’ve forgot, my nigga, the shit that I did to muthafuckin’ survive,” she said. “I had to go strip. I had to go, ‘Oh yeah, you wanna fuck me? Yeah yeah yeah, let’s go back to this hotel.’ And I drugged niggas up and I robbed them. That’s what I used to do. Nothing was muthafuckin’ handed to me, my nigga. Nothing!”
Cardi’s admission has since sparked a #SurvivingCardiB hashtag on Twitter, playing off the fervor of Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly documentary. Some Twitter users are calling for her to be “canceled” like disgraced celebrities such as Kelly and Bill Cosby.
‘The Wendy Williams Show’ Is Going back on Hiatus in April
That was quick! After Wendy Williams returned to host The Wendy Williams Show on March 4 following a two-month hiatus, her talk show will take another break during the first week of April, a rep confirms to Us Weekly.
“The Wendy Williams Show is taking a previously scheduled spring break hiatus and airing repeat episodes during the week of April 1st. The show will return with original episodes on April 8th,” the rep says.
The hiatus is good timing for the New Jersey native, 54. According to multiple reports, the alleged mistress of Williams’ husband, Kevin Hunter, welcomed a baby on Monday, March 25.
Page Six reported that Hudson, 33, gave birth at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia; neither Hunter nor Williams have publicly commented on the paternity allegations. That same day, the Dancing With the Stars alum was spotted in New York City without her wedding ring on.
The pair have been married since 1997 and share one son, Kevin Jr., 18. Upon Williams’ return to her show, the host praised Hunter: “He is my best friend, my lover. He’s all this and he’s all that,” she said at the time. “I’m still very much in love with my husband. … Anybody who has been married for five minutes or 500 years, you know marriages have ebbs and flows. Marriages are not easy. And don’t ask me about mine until you see [my wedding ring] gone — it ain’t going anywhere, not in this lifetime.”
A few weeks later, on March 19, the Ask Wendy author divulged to her audience that she had been living in a sober house “for some time now.” She said, “When you see me come to work glammed up, right after the show I go across the street, I do my Pilates. I told you – two hours a day or [so], to take care of my body. “You know I’ve had a struggle with cocaine in my past. I never went to a place to get the treatment. I don’t know how, except God was sitting on my shoulder and I just stopped.”
Milk it Sis! Jordyn Woods Steps Out with New Blonde Hair in London
Jordyn Woods is sporting a new look.The 21-year-old, who recently made headlines for her alleged involvement in a cheating scandal with Tristan Thompson, stepped out with long blonde hair on Tuesday (March 26) in London, England.
If you don’t know, Jordyn is in London to promote her Eylure X Jordyn Woods Lashes collection.
Jordyn was seen out and about in London the day before and her hair was not blonde at that time.
Jordan Peele Talks Being A Black Auteur And Disproving Myths Of Representation In Hollywood
Fresh off a well-deserved, scare-the-money-out-your-pockets box office weekend for his horror film Us and a PaleyFest panel for his forthcoming revival of the iconic Twilight Zone, Jordan Peele scaled down the spectacle and participated in the Upright Citizens Brigade’s Q&A series in Los Angeles. In a conversation moderated by UCB co-founder Ian Roberts in front of UCB training center students, Peele talked about his career and his role as a black auteur in a renaissance for underrepresented voices in Hollywood.
Considering the audience was filled with UCB improvisers and aspiring TV writers, producers and filmmakers, the majority of the conversation focused on Peele’s journey from aspiration to Sarah Lawrence College to Mad TV to Key & Peele to Get Out to Us. He even went into detail about the time he auditioned for Saturday Night Live during the 2008 writers strike with an impression of Barack Obama and then had the opportunity to fulfill his dream of being on the iconic show, but his contract with Mad TV wouldn’t allow him. He may not be bitter now, but back then he admitted that he was less than pleased — but all seemed to work out for him in the end.
Peele said that directing was merely in the back of his mind throughout his comedy career in comedy. “I think I forgot about directing the day I didn’t get into NYU,” he said. “Maybe it wasn’t for me.” Still, he noticed that there was a lack of black directors and it weighed on him. As he moved through Mad TV and Key & Peele, pieces started to come together and he had a realization that in order to do exactly what he wanted he needed to produce his own things. He also had to direct — and thus his dream of being a director rushed to the front of the line.
To avoid spoilers, there was not much talk about Us — but then again, if you haven’t seen Us by now, what are you even doing with your life? However, there was plenty of talk about his creative process on an iconic sketch comedy show and two stellar films. And like any good artist, his creative process involves a lot of self-doubt — and that’s where the weed comes into play. Peele laughed saying that he smokes lots of weed: Because of all his self-doubt, he partakes in cannabis to “push himself to his loving side.”
Get Out established Peele as an auteur. He pointed out how the social thriller reflected his experiences as a black man in white spaces. With Us, he gave us a straight horror with less social commentary. But with a black cast, culture and music folded into the narrative, it contributes to the minority representation needed in a predominantly white industry — especially with horror films. He doesn’t necessarily feel a pressure to put black actors on screen nor does he feel that he should be limited to what kind of films he can make. Instead, he recognizes his platform and what he can do to move the needle when it comes to inclusivity and moving the industry forward.
“The way I look at it with what I can do with my films is that I get to cast black people,” said Peele. “I feel fortunate to be in this position where I can say to Universal that I want to make a $20 million horror movie with a black family and they’ll just say yes.”
He continues, “I don’t see myself casting a white dude in a lead of a movie — it’s not because I don’t like white dudes. It’s because I’ve seen that movie.”
“We are in this time when there are so many great black directors right now,” he said. “The renaissance that has happened has proven myths of representation in the industry are false.”
With his first two films, Peele has become a foremost auteur of our time. His experience with improv and comedy are a large part of why his storytelling and filmmaking skills are so sharp, focused and celebrated. During the Q&A, Peele shared at least one secret to his filmmaking.
“I plan, plan and plan — but then I know the best things come with the unplanned,” he said. “The fun part is when things get f*cked!”
Apple Announces New Subscription Service, Apple TV Plus; Expected to Launch This Fall
After more than four decades in business, Apple has announced a new subscription service to host “the world’s most creative storytellers,” in an effort to compete with other streaming giants like Netflix and Hulu.
CEO Tim Cook unveiled Apple TV Plus, which will feature “exclusive original shows, movies, and documentaries,” as well as a new and improved version of the Apple TV app, which will limit “bouncing around from app to app,” on Monday in California. The company also announced a gaming bundle subscription service and an all-you-can-read magazine service, in addition to an Apple-branded credit card in collaboration with Goldman Sachs at the event.
The updated Apple TV app, which will be available in May, will feature Apple TV Channels, which will allow users to have access to other streaming services like HBO Go, Showtime or Starz. While, the separate Apple TV Plus service, will provide original, Apple-produced content from the likes of Steven Spielberg, Steve Carrell, Oprah Winfrey and more.
The subscription service will be available this Fall. However, Apple has yet to mention a price or monthly fee. According to The Verge, the new service will be ad-free and will be viewable both online and offline in over 100 countries.
Justin Bieber Wants YOU To Respect His Marriage, And He’s not getting back with Ex Selena Gomez
Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin have been going strong since their surprise marriage last fall. Now, he’s defending her against a critic on Instagram.
The person, who’s profile name is @jaileyisajoke, accused Bieber of tying the knot with Baldwin to get revenge on his ex-girlfriend, Selena Gomez.
“You are NOT in love with Hailey! You only married her to get back at SG plus Hailey sleeps with men life @shawnmendes for fame and she’s racist…”
Bieber responded with,“ur immature the fact that you have an account dedicated to dissing my wife and [it’s] absolutely absurd why would I dedicate my whole life to someone in marriage to get back and my ex, anyone who believes this is mean spirited or 10 years old or younger because the logical person doesn’t talk or think this way u should be ashamed of yourself really.
He added that he has nothing but love for Gomez, but his wife his number one woman.
“I absolutely loved and love Selena she will always hold a place in my heart, but I am head over heels in love with my wife and she is absolutely the BEST THING that has ever happened to me period. The fact that you want to spend your day dedicating yourself to hate says a lot about you, and if this was some sick ploy to get my attention U are wrong on so many levels.
I’ve seen multiple people say things like this and will never respond again to a message like this because I don’t like to even give it my energy but this is a reply to all immature sick people who send Hailey hurtful messages like ‘he always goes back to Selena’ or ‘Selena is better for him.’ YOU HAVE NO IDEA MY LIFE AND WHAT’S good for me!! Hailey is my Bride period if you don’t like that or support that that means you don’t support me and if you don’t support me you’re not a fan or a good person.”
Bieber also encouraged his fans to screenshot the message and repost it.
Baldwin and Bieber married in September 2018. Her father, Alec Baldwin, revealed that they had a secret ceremony. They got engaged in July 2018.
What do you think about Bieber defending his wife?
Playboy Model Zoe Gregory Says A-Rod Was Sexting Her Shortly Before Proposing to J. Lo
Alex Rodriguez is once again being accused of cheating on new fiancée Jennifer Lopez.
Zoe Gregory, a 44-year-old British Playboy model, is telling the tabloids that the retired baseball star and broadcaster pursued her between December of last year and January of this year, sending her lewd text messages and propositioning her for a threesome.
“J-Lo is amazing and she doesn’t deserve this,” Gregory told the British tabloid the Sun. “While getting ready to marry her, he was asking me for sex videos, demanding we hook up and asking me to make arrangements with other girls.”
Rodriguez, 43, proposed to the singer and actress earlier this month and posted images of the engagement on social media.
Gregory’s allegations were not the first cheating accusations A-Rod has faced since proposing to J-Lo.
Shortly after the engagement, fellow former baseball star Jose Canseco accused Rodriguez of having an affair with his ex-wife, Jessica, and challenged him to an MMA fight.
“Alex Rodriguez stop being a piece of shit stop cheating on Jennifer Lopez,” Canseco tweeted.
But Jessica Canseco denied the allegations, saying that while she is friendly with both Rodriguez and Lopez, she hadn’t seen A-Rod in more than five years and had never slept with him. “Those false accusations Jose is making are not true!” she said in a March 12 tweet.
Neither Rodriguez nor Lopez appear to have publicly addressed either set of allegations, but Us Weekly reported after the Canseco accusations that the 49-year-old singer has “never let [the rumors] both her” and that “she trusts him and his love.”
Michelle Obama's ‘Becoming’ has 10 Million Copies Sold, Could Be the Most Popular Memoir Ever!
The former first lady has been touring the country to sold-out venues in support of Becoming, a candid account of her life, marriage to former President Barack Obama and their family's time in the White House
Michelle Obama‘s Becoming has been selling astonishingly well since its November release and, reportedly with nearly 10 million copies now sold, appears to be one of the most popular memoirs in history — if not the most popular, period.
“We believe this could be the most successful memoir in history,” Thomas Rabe, head of one of Penguin Random House’s parent companies, said Tuesday according to the Wall Street Journalthis link opens in a new tab.
Penguin’s chief executive, Markus Dohle, echoed that, the Journal reports. “I’m not aware, in my personal experience with Penguin Random House, that we ever sold 10 million units of a memoir,” Dohle said.
He noted that comparable figures to other memoirs were not immediately available. (Global book sales are not comprehensively tracked.)
For comparison, according to the BBCthis link opens in a new tab, citing Nielsen, Becoming is the UK’s 11th bestselling memoir. According to the Washington Postthis link opens in a new tab, Mrs. Obama’s memoir sold two million copies in its first 15 days in stores and was a No. 1 seller in Germany, Greece, the UK and elsewhere.
The former first lady, 55, has been touring the country to sold-out venues in support of Becoming, a candid account of her life, marriage to former President Barack Obama, the journey to conceiving daughters Malia and Sasha and family’s time in the White House.
In an at-home interview with PEOPLE, Mrs. Obama talked about the value of being so open — and about her and her husband seeking counseling for their relationship, revered by so many.
“Because we’re role models, it’s important for us to be honest and say, ‘If you’re in a marriage and there are times you want to leave, that’s normal,’ because I felt that way,” she said.
In 2017, she and her husband signed on to publish books with Penguin Random House’s Crown Publishing.
Dohle, the Penguin Random House CEO, said he hopes President Obama’s memoir will be released later this year.
Kristoff St. John’s Daughter Challenges Handwritten Will Filed by Grandfather
Kristoff St. John‘s eldest daughter is now challenging the probate filing by the late star’s father and believes the alleged handwritten will was never meant to be discovered.
According to documents obtained by The Blast, Paris St. John filed an objection to Christopher St. John’s motion to become the executor of his deceased son’s estate.
As reported, Christopher recently filed a handwritten will which allegedly named the “Young and the Restless” star’s father as the executor and left all his money to his two daughters, Paris and Lola.
Paris now says she believes the holographic will “was written inside a private diary and was not intended to be seen by third parties,” adding, “The document would never have been found if someone had not opened the decedent’s private journal.”
Instead of Christopher being appointed the executor, Paris believes it was her father’s wishes for a neutral party to be in charge. She admits that financial loose ends need to be handled, but does not want Grandpa St. John to be the one handling them.
Finally, Paris claims a “page has been removed” from the holographic will, and believes the page specifically addressed Kristoff’s property. She argues that since the page was removed, a “suspicion” has been created as to the document’s validity.
Paris wants her grandfather’s motion denied, and for a neutral party to be appointed in charge of her late father’s estate.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES?
‘THE MIDNIGHT WALK’
Just wear a long t-shirt. Walmart is basically the same as going to the bathroom in the middle of the night anyway.
#EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Mario Cub!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
ENJOY!
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
