Angela Simmons Poses For Vibe Vixen
Angela Simmons poses for the latest issue of Vibe Vixen. Shot by David Joseph Perez, the fashion maven and entrepreneur rocks a sexy all black look, featuring a Bellenbrand bodysuit, Aryn K jacket, and strappy sandals by Carolinna Espinosa – plus she also gets dolled up for a couple more looks.
Inside, she talks how hard work and dedication has gotten her to where she is now.. not family privilege: “I was spoiled growing up, but I’m not a brat. Brats cry for what they want, they don’t work for it,” she said. She also dishes on her brand, the definition of being a boss, her new niece Ava Marie, and more.
Read a few highlights below..
On working hard to get to where she is now, despite people’s opinions.. and on fame:
I’m used to the comments, but at the end of the day I’m not concerned, because I know how hard I work. I can go to my dad and my uncle for advice, but other than that, anything that I have today, I’ve worked for. I pour my heart into it, and I live, sleep, breathe, eat it. I’m not going to sit here and prove to someone that I’m working; you’re going to see for yourself.
I don’t like when people are so negative and quick to judge the people they feel are on a pedestal. That’s a downside to being in the spotlight. You have to deal with people constantly poking at you or how you look. It’s always something. But that comes with fame. As long as you have thick enough skin, you’re fine. I prefer not to go on blogs, but if they’re commenting on my Instagram, of course I am going to see it. The best thing to do is ignore it.
On her brand:
AngelaIAM came about because there are so many different elements of me, and I like to share with people who follow me, so I needed a home for all of it, to be able to sell these products. So people could get their hands on the things that I wear or the products that I like. It’s kind of like a boutique.
On being a boss:
Being a boss means really knowing what teamwork is. I don’t believe anyone can get to a vision or goal alone.
On her new niece:
I am super excited. This is the first baby of the family and I am so happy. It’s incredible. So seeing the sister I grew up with have a daughter is amazing. I’m thrilled to eventually have a child of my own when I settle down at some point. For now, I’m just going to spoil my niece.
Read more on Ange at Vibe Vixen.
Captain Phillips Actor Says He Only Made $65K For $217M Grossing Film
Somali-American actor Barkhad Abdi portrayed a hostile pirate leader in the Oscar-nominated film Captain Phillips, but when it came down to the compensation for the first time actor, Abdi says his bank account does not resemble finding any buried treasure.
The 28-year-old actor is currently nominated for Best Supporting Actor in this year's Oscars for his role as Abduwali Muse, whose character is based on the 2009 Maersk Alabama hijacking. But a win would much-needed for Abdi, who said he went to work after the film's completion, as he only made pennies on the $217.5M the movie grossed worldwide.
Reports TheWrap:
Abdi has been widely praised for his role in "Captain Phillips" as the desperate pirate Muse, and even ad-libbed the film's signature line: "I'm the captain now." But a New Yorker profile reveals that he earned $65,000 for his performance in the $55 million film — more than two years ago. Now he finds himself struggling.
When Abdi is in Los Angeles to promote the film, Goodyear reports, he subsists on a per diem he can use at the Beverly Hilton, where the studio puts him up. A town car is available to the former limo driver, but only for official publicity events. He wears borrowed clothes.
Abdi recently asked if he could stay at a hotel near LAX, to be closer to a friend, a Somali cabdriver from Minneapolis, who will drive him places for free. Abdi himself formerly drove a town car for his brother's limousine company.
The Somalian transplant also says he's looking to move to Los Angeles to stay with one of the film's actors following the Oscars.
Go figure... Hollywood screwing a young kid from Somali...No wonder they hate us.
Judge warns Rashidah Ali of ‘Love & Hip Hop’: Break the rules again and it’s jail
EXCLUSIVE: A judge in Hackensack agreed not to send “blinged-out bombshell” Rashidah Ali of “Love & Hip Hop” to jail today after she promised to stop violating probation for credit card fraud.
Ali, 30, has missed several scheduled appointments with her probation officer and failed to pay restitution under the terms of her plea agreement.
She even wrote a $6,800 check to the Bergen County Probation Department last spring that bounced.
Defense attorney Ron Bar-Nadav promised Presiding Superior Court Judge Liliana DeAvila-Silebi that his client will faithfully keep her bi-weekly appointments and will pay a minimum of $100 per appointment toward her required restitution — or at least $200 a month.
The judge, in turn, warned Ali that she’d better make good on the promises because she’s officially out of breaks.
The 5-foot-7-inch Ali was originally admitted to the Pre-Trial Intervention program, which could have cleared her of any charges if she met certain requirements.
When she didn’t, she was dropped from the program, convicted and put on probation for seven counts of fraudulent credit card use and theft by deception.
Prosecutors said Ali took a credit card belonging to an acquaintance and went on a shopping spree without his permission, charging expenses at Shoe Inn, Homewood Suites, and Ambience Boutique at the end of November, 2011.
That same year, the former “Housewives of Atlanta” star also was prosecuted for slicing a New York City bouncer from his hairline to his mouth.
The bouncer, who was tossing a member of Ali’s party for bad behavior, needed 50 stitches on his face and in his mouth, his lawyer said.
A month ago, Morris Chestnut threw a birthday party for Ali at Providence nightclub in Manhattan.
Jimmy Fallon Takes The "Polar Plunge" For Chicago's Special Olympics
It's been a brutal winter for most of the U.S., but that didn't stop Jimmy Fallon from taking a dip in Lake Michigan for a good cause on Sunday (March 2).
With water temps at around 32 degrees and the air at 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the "Tonight Show" host took the Polar Plunge to benefit Chicago's Special Olympics.
When the "SNL" alum asked Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to be a guest on the show, he agreed only if Jimmy would take the Plunge.
After emerging from the frigid waters, he tweeted, "Officially PLUNGED!!!!! Thank you Chicago!!! Thank you Mayor. #polarplunge #coldneverbotheredmeanyway #frozen."
Eva Marcille ALREADY Working Post Baby
Eva Marcille is ALREADY back at work after just giving birth while LeToya Luckett is vacationing on a beach. Check out the pics inside…
Can we say supermom?
Model Eva Marcille is already back at work after giving birth just ONE month ago!
Eva and Kevin McCall welcomed baby Marley Rae McCall with open arms. They shared photos of themselves staring adoringly at Marley on Instagram. Kevin tweeted, "Wow she has her mothers eyes never knew I could fall in love again @evamarcille #prouddad" I've never known a love like this".
The new mom and dad recently gave us a look at little Marley’s face a few days ago. She is so adorbs.
And it looks like Eva will be traveling to Ghana in a few days to work.
Eva has officially been added to the "Moms Who Rock" club. Not mad.
Lisa Bonet Talks ‘Red Road’ Chemistry with Husband, Social Media and Being a Princess and Peasant
*After a long break from the small screen, Lisa Bonet has returned with a guest-starring role on the new Sundance Channel series, “The Red Road.”
In the drama, Bonet plays Sky Van Der Veen, a Lenape Native American lawyer who calls for justice upon returning to her hometown after a brutal crime against a member of her tribe.
The actress recently opened up to Essence.com about acting alongside her husband, Jason Momoa, in “The Red Road,” whether or not she engages in social media and being a princess and a peasant.
ESSENCE: You said earlier that the producers of the show saw the chemistry between you and Jason on-screen, and that’s why he asked you to do this part. How is your chemistry at home different from your chemistry at work?
Bonet: The chemistry between the characters we’re playing in “The Red Road” is a bit stiff, because we’re still uncertain where our rapport is leading us. Off camera, in real life, we are a very goofy couple. One of my favorite things about him is that he makes me laugh.
ESSENCE: You’ve referred to yourself as scrappy.
Bonet: [Laughs] Yeah, I fall somewhere between a princess and a peasant. A princess not in the fashion sense but more in the sense of a certain standard, a connection to nature. And in terms of a peasant, I feel like I’m very of the people. I’m not afraid of hard work. My hands are definitely not manicured.
ESSENCE: How much media or social media do you absorb? It doesn’t seem like much.
Bonet: Yeah, we are television-free here. I’ve never been on Facebook. It’s just not on my radar.
For the full Essence interview with Lisa Bonet click here
Frank Reed Of Legendary Group The Chi-lites Passes Away While Original Founder Marshall Thompson Suffers Stroke
Suddenly, Frank Reed, the current lead singer of The Chi-Lites passed away Wednesday night at 59-years-old. He joined the group in the early 80’s after the departure of the late multi-talented Eugene Record.
Marshall who is the known leader and sole surviving member of the Chi-Lites, suffered a stroke while traveling on the Soul Train Cruise. He was taken off the ship to an area hospital where he’s reportedly responding to medication and other treatment. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Reed family and we wish Marshall a speedy and full recovery.
The Chi-Lites are best known for such R&B classics as “Have You Seen Her,” “Oh Girl” and more recently their 1971 hit “Are You My Woman” found new life as the track for Beyoncé’s “Crazy In Love.” Marshall Thompson was honored this past Sunday at the 33rd annual Chicago Music Awards.
The Roots Announce New Concept Album, …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin
Having a permanent stationary gig has allowed The Roots to hone their chemistry as a unit and make albums that sound more cohesive than a typical act working on a record label's time clock.
The Philly band's lead vocalist Black Thought recently checked in with XXL to announce that the Legendary Roots Crew are picking up where their Elvis Costello collaboration Wise Up Ghost and undun LP left off with their eleventh studio album, …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin.
"It's conceptual; it's another concept album in the spirit of undun, but it's not just about just one kind of character, we create quite a few different characters in this record," Thought tells XXL's Dan Rhys. "It's satire, but in that satire it's an analysis of some of the stereotypes perpetuated in not only the Hip-Hop community, but in the community. I don't know if that makes any sense."
The Roots have been Jimmy Fallon's house band since 2009, and recently joined him on the milestone move as he took over for Jay Leno on The Tonight Show, so this album could potentially garner the most exposure the band has ever witnessed.
"Hopefully you'll get something new from it every time you listen to it, you'll hone in on something different,” Thought continued. "It's short enough to do that, to take in, to digest in one sitting, so to speak. There's very many layers to this record, but it doesn't take place over very much time."
What is your favorite Roots album? Do you think …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin will measure up to it musically?
Towanda Braxton Stands by Shady Vincent Herbert Comments
*Well, in her mind it’s not shade.
She was simply speaking about public knowledge.
And she’s sticking by it.
Towanda Braxton called out her sister Tamar Braxton‘s husband Vincent Herbert on Twitter for his tax problems.
During a battle on February 13 with a Twitter user, Towanda was called out for being jealous of Tamar — especially since Tamar’s husband is successful and hers isn’t.
But Towanda didn’t back down … at all! She threw Herbert right under the bus.
“@mslady57 check the web boo! He also owes 3.3 million to the irs….guess I’m jealous of that too huh?
“I was in trouble because it was totally out of character for me, until I explained,’Hey these children are attacking your niece and your nephew,’” she continued. “Then they understood. Like ‘Okay, we get it. We wouldn’t have done it that way, but we get it.’”
But what were people saying that was so horrendous? One of her hecklers on Twitter wished a horrible fate on her kids. “They said ‘I wish Towanda’s kids got raped and run over by a bus,’” Towanda recalled. “See people didn’t see that stuff. They just saw what I wrote. So after that I have to say that was 100% out of character for Towanda to respond, but I wasn’t thinking about what was right and what was wrong at that moment I was just reacting and responding.
towanda braxton ✔ @towandabraxton Follow “@lele_floyd22: @towandabraxton @mslady57 towanda I hope somebody rape ya kids bitch & run they ass over with a school bus” see?! Smh
Many people thought that Towanda’s comments were out of line, but she doesn’t see it that way since she wasn’t airing any family secrets. News of Vincent’s tax lien was reported by several blogs and media outlets. In Towanda’s opinion, she was just reminding one hater that Vincent’s wealth doesn’t mean that he hasn’t got any issues. However, she did defend her loyalty to her family and keeping their private business private
Michael Jordan Made $90 Million In 2013
Michael Jordan's new twin daughters won't have to worry about their future when they become of age to know what a future exactly is.
According to Forbes, the legendary basketball figurehead made $90M in total income, eleven years after he last dribbled a ball professionally.
It's "gotta be the shoes."
Retail shoe sales for the Jordan Brand in the U.S. grew 11% last year to $2.7 billion, with basketball making up 84% of that, according to Powell. Roughly 50% to 55% of that goes to Nike. If you factor in sales of Jordan apparel, the international Jordan business and sales at Nike stores, the Jordan brand is contributing roughly $2 billion of revenue to Nike, which posted sales of $26 billion over the last 12 months.
Jordan, the man, gets a cut of every shoe, hoodie or pair of shorts sold by Nike under the Jordan Brand. We estimate MJ's take from Nike was at least $75 million last year. “Given that he is the name that launched the brand, you could argue that he deserves more,” says Phil de Picciotto, founder and president of Octagon. “Jordan is the perfect athlete.”
One of every two basketball shoes sold in the U.S. last year carried the Jordan brand. Factor in Nike-branded shoe sales into the mix, and Nike has a near monopoly in basketball with market share of 92%, according to SportsOneSource. Adidas (5.5% market share), Reebok (1.4%) and Under Armour (0.7%) are still searching for answers to Jordan.
Footaction just opened the first Jordan-only store, Flight 23 in NYC in early February to much fanfare.
The Jordan Brand also knows that they can only get by on retros and hybrids for so long they're taking great strides into the new wave with their "Future" collection.
The new glow-in-the-dark kicks can be found below.
2014 should be just as kind to MJ #23.
Allen Iverson’s Jersey has been Retired
Philadelphia 76ers honored 11-time All-Star point guard Allen Iverson with a ceremony retiring his No. 3 jersey at the Wells Fargo Center last night.
He was joined by ex-wife Tawana and his kids, Tiara, Duece, Isaiah, Messiah and Dream. During his speech Iverson thanked basketball star Michael Jordan, his ex-wife Tawana (which is shocking after all the divorce drama and kid kidnapping claims), his kids, his family, the 76ers’ organization, and most importantly, his fans.
So what does A.I. plan to do upon retiring (although he hasn't played since 2010)? Fishing! Iverson received a boat as a gift named 'The Answer.' Is this the answer Kanye was referring to Sway about? Ha!
Many fans gave their praises to A.I. on social media and so did his fellow NBA mates:
Kobe Bryant: "Time has wings my brotha. Your game pushed my then 21 year old self to play beyond my years. Your impact on the game will be felt for generations. #salute #respect #96 #AI"
Dwyane Wade: "Pound for pound... I had a pleasure of competing against and playing with one of the greatest to do…"
LeBron James: "Pound for pound!! Congrats homie. What a pleasure to complete against u and also become a friend in the process. U the reason why I got tattoos, wore a headband and arm sleeve. Thanks for everything!! #AITheGoat #BubbaChuck #HOFNext"
Carmelo Anthony:"Congratulations to one of the greatest to ever do it. Proud to call him a friend and my brother. Peace God. There will never be another Bubba Chuck. Love you King"
Congrats to him!
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘A DISCOVERY FOR THE AGES’
And now I realize why moms wear mom jeans. They are the only jeans ever made that stay up over the butt. Fashionable? Not in the least. But moms can’t show underwear so it’s a sacrifice they must make. That’s the sad truth I believe I’ve just stumbled upon.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
EFREM
