Serena Williams for Allure - February 2019
Serena Williams covers the February 2019 issue of Allure magazine photographed by Tanya and Zhenya
Here’s a few excerpts from the article
On not having many role models to look up to: “There weren’t a lot of role models for me to look up to [in the sport] and say, ‘Wow, I want to look like this!’… I kind of had to be that role and be that person,” she says. “Venus and I started out being successful, continued to be successful, and we were also unapologetically ourselves. We were not afraid to wear braids. We weren’t afraid to be black in tennis. And that was different.”
What would she tell her daughter Olympia about beauty?
“When I tell her she’s beautiful, I want to teach her that she’s beautiful from the inside,” Williams says. “Giving is beauty. Being kind and humble is the ultimate beauty.” “I want her to know that being strong is never easy. Not in this world we are living in…. Standing up for yourself is not going to be easy, but it’s always eventually respected,” Williams says. “Those are the people who’ve made a difference in this world, people that stand up for what’s right. If you look at history, those are the people that you really remember. And at the time, oh, my God, it seemed impossible.”
This edition of Allure will be on news stands soon!
BREAKING: Kevin Fret Gay Trap and Rap Artist was murdered and killed in Puerto Rico at age 24!
Kevin Fret's music video Soy Asi has more than half a million views on YouTube
The rapper and outspoken advocate for the LGBT community Kevin Fret has been shot dead in Puerto Rico aged 24.
The musician, described as Latin Trap music's first openly gay artist, was killed in the capital San Juan on Thursday morning, police said.
Fret was shot at eight times while riding a motorbike in the street, and he was hit in the head and hip.
His death brings the number of murders in Puerto Rico this year to 22, police added. An investigation is under way.
Fret's manager, Eduardo Rodriguez, described the rapper as "an artistic soul" who had a passion for music.
Confirming his death, Mr Rodriguez said: "There are no words that describe the feeling we have and the pain that causes us to know that a person with so many dreams has to go.
"We must all unite in these difficult times, and ask for much peace for our beloved Puerto Rico."
Police are now searching for another man on a motorcycle who was with Fret when he was found, but quickly fled the scene.
Kevin Fret was a rising Puerto Rican trap artist and his debut music video, Soy Asi (I'm Like This), has more than half a million views on YouTube.
"I'm a person that doesn't care what anybody has to say," he told online magazine Paper last year.
"[Now I see] young gay guys or young lesbians that are looking at me now like a role model, like wow, if he did it, and he don't care what anybody else has to say, I can do it."
However, Fret's rise to prominence was not without turbulence - while living in Miami last year, he was charged with battery after a fight, media reported.
He said he had been attacked because of his sexuality, and threw a metal bottle at the man.
Fret has also responded strongly to homophobic threats in the lyrics of a rival musician, making some of his supporters wonder whether his murder was motivated by hate.
Puerto Rico has seen a rise in street crime in recent weeks, which has been described by police on the Caribbean island as a "crisis of violence".
R.I.P
#RHoA: Former Husband of Phaedra Parks and current inmate Apollo Nida’s Fiancée Reveals New Prison Photo!
Former Real Housewives of Atlanta star Apollo Nida has over a year left of his prison sentence, and yet his fiancée is still standing by his side.
This Tuesday, Sherien Almufti shared a new photo of them embracing one another during one of her prison visits.
“Happy Tuesday” she captioned the sweet post, even adding a “#mrsnida” hashtag for their upcoming wedding.
As you already know, Phaedra Parks‘ ex-husband is serving eight years behind bars for a massive money fraud scheme where he cashed stolen checks and laundered more than $2.3 mil through fake bank accounts.
And while the 40-year-old still has time to go, he seems at home and happy with his bride-to-be.
What do you think of Apollo Nida’s new prison photo
#Empire CHICAGOLAND ALERT! Taraji P. Henson to appear at Woodfield Mall
Taraji P. Henson will make an appearance at Woodfield Mall Saturday, Jan. 12. Associated Press
Film and TV star Taraji P. Henson will advocate for mental health awareness during an appearance Saturday, Jan. 12, at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg.
Henson -- known for movie roles in "Hidden Figures," "Proud Mary" and other films, as well as her starring role on TV's "Empire" -- will be at the Lord & Taylor store at 1 p.m. Customers who purchase a #stigmafree T-shirt will be eligible to meet and take a photo with Henson, who is an ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in addition to an award-winning actress.
The shirts must be purchased between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, and Henson will only be on hand for a limited time, so it is possible not everyone will get a chance to meet her. Proceeds from the shirt benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
#NewMusic from Carl Thomas ‘One with Heaven’
Carl Thomas’ is back with a new record and video.
“One with Heaven,” is a sweet tune that finds Thomas vocalizing about a paradise where only love exists. His yielding notes are inviting, making the visit to this dreamland an ideal getaway to find true love and happiness.
LISTEN AND WATCH HERE
Back in 2013, Thomas revealed to Rated R&B that he was working on an all-ballads album titled After Midnight. He also told us that he has reunited with Faith Evans to create an R&B classics duets album. Both projects have yet to come to fruition.
#NewHipHop from Bhad Bhabie Feat. Tory Lanez – ‘Babyface Savage’
After collaborating with YG, Ty Dolla $ign, and Lil Baby on her mixtape 15, Bhad Bhabie links up with Tory Lanez on her new single “Babyface Savage.”
The 15-year-old rapper shows her growth while delivering some rapid-fire rhymes. “Drop a lil’ check, everybody lit / Drop a lil’ check, everybody rich,” she raps in the neon-lit video, which features an appearance from Tory.
Watch the video for “Babyface Savage” HERE
Bhad Bhabie—who recently spent $40,000 on porcelain veneers—is now working on a follow-up to last year’s 15.
Steve Harvey was truly Blindsided by the NBC Announcement of cancelling his Show!
Last year there were rumors that Steve Harvey‘s talk show was being replaced in NBC’s top rated markets with a talk show hosted by American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson.
Steve admits he had no idea they were planning to drop him…
In an interview at the Variety Entertainment Summit this week Steve was asked if he was staying with NBC and this was his response,
“I thought I was, until they made an announcement a couple weeks ago that they wanted to give Kelly Clarkson the owned-and-operated NBC networks — that’s my slot. I don’t know if it sold, it’s not selling like they thought, but I thought it would have been nice of them to come to me — as the only dude who’s survived [in daytime TV] for seven years — about it.”
“So when you do that, I gotta make announcements too … I’m working. It will be something real cute.”
Lady Gaga Denounces R. Kelly, Issues Apology, & Vows To Remove Their Collab From Streaming Services
Under the overwhelming pressure from her fans, Lady Gaga has finally spoken out and denounced R. Kelly.
The Pop star and actress, who says she too is a victim of sexual assault, posted a lengthy message on her Twitter page denouncing the Pied Piper.
Gaga made it very clear that she stands behind the women 1000% and she issued an apology for collaborating with R. Kelly on her single, “Do What U Want.”
You may remember their pearl-clutching performance of the song on “Saturday Night Live” years ago.
Lady Gaga said she is yanking the song off of all streaming platforms and will never work with R. Kelly again.
Read her full post below.
Lady Gaga - R. Kelly
Your thoughts
For the second time, Wendy Williams Delays Her ‘Wendy Show’ Return!
Something is going on with Wendy Williams and I think it’s way deeper than a shoulder injury.
The daytime talk show host has pushed back her return to the “Wendy Show” again!
Wendy initially announced she would be returning on January 14, 2019, because she was still nursing her fractured shoulder and she wanted to be pain-free and on 200% when she delivers her tea.
Wendy Williams will be returning with all-new episodes of The Wendy Williams Show on Monday, January 14, 2019. After fracturing her shoulder, Wendy is on the mend and wants to return pain-free and be 200%, delivering the best show that millions of viewers tune-in to watch.
Now, Variety is reporting Wendy won’t return until January 21.
“As she has for the past 10 years, Wendy delivers an incomparable live talk show day in and day out and we want to give her the best opportunity to heal and recover,” Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein said. “Wendy has our complete and unwavering support and we look forward to her return to the iconic purple chair.”
You may recall, Wendy Williams issued an apology when fans noticed her slurring her words on-air.
Kelly Rowland Celebrates Launch of Her Fabletics Capsule Collection!
Kelly Rowland Rowland is all smiles as she strikes a pose at her Kelly Rowland x Fabletics Capsule Collection Launch Celebration held at Casita Hollywood on Wednesday (January 9) in Los Angeles.
The 37-year-old entertainer showed off her new pieces then joined health coach Massy Arias for a sweaty workout with a crew of ladies.
New rule bans #LGBTQ employment discrimination in House of Representatives
When the 116th Congress met for the first time on Thursday, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed a package of rules that will govern the legislative body’s operation for the next two years.
Three major changes differentiate this year’s House rules package: a ban on members serving on corporate boards, a requirement that members take ethics training every year and a ban on employment discrimination against LGBTQ staffers and jobseekers. The rules package was pushed by Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., one of eight openly LGBTQ lawmakers in the House.
“Government at its best works for the benefit of all Americans, not just the powerful and privileged,” Cicilline said in a statement. “Protecting the rights of LGBT employees is just the right thing to do.”
David Stacy, the government affairs director of national LGBTQ-rights group Human Rights Campaign, called the bill’s passage “an historic moment for our country.”
“For the first time ever, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity will be banned in the House of Representatives,” Stacy said in a statement shared with NBC News. “This action to protect LGBTQ congressional employees from discrimination is the result of millions of Equality Voters going to the polls in November to ensure their voices were heard and demanding a Congress that looks like America.”
While discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender job seekers is illegal under the local laws of many states and cities, including the District of Columbia, it is not explicitly illegal under federal law, which governs Congress.
Several federal courts, however, have interpreted the 1964 Civil Rights Act’s ban on sex discrimination to include discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. While this has led to a patchwork of laws regarding LGBTQ employment discrimination across the U.S., a number of advocates say it may reach the Supreme Court in the near future.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, “half of LGBTQ Americans live in states without clear, comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people, leaving millions vulnerable to discrimination in housing, employment, and other arenas.”
“I had an amazing time at my #KellyXFabletics launch today!,” Kelly captioned with her Instagram post. “A huge thank you to all of the beautiful women who joined us & to @massy.arias who led us in an amazing workout! I hope to see you all.”
Ariana Grande Reveals Cover Art & Release Date for New Single '7 Rings'!
Ariana Grande revealed the exciting news of a brand new single on the way called “7 Rings” on Thursday (January 10).
“💍💍💍💍💍💍💍1.18,” she simply tweeted along with the cover art for the upcoming single.
“The song is said to be about friendship based on a tweet from December: “well …………. ‘twas a pretty rough day in nyc. my friends took me to tiffany’s. we had too much champagne. i bought us all rings. 💍 it was very insane and funny. & on the way back to the stu njomza was like ‘bitch, this gotta be a song lol’. so we wrote it that afternoon,” she wrote.
She also revealed who got the rings: “me, vic [Victoria Monet], courtney [Chipolone], alexa [Luria], tayla [Parx], njomza, kaydence [Krysiuk] (and my mom and nonna so technically nine but they got theirs after song was done),” she wrote.
Watch The Trailer For ‘Little’ Starring Marsai Martin, Issa Rae And Regina Hall
Check out the trailer for the hilariously new comedy Little. It opens in theaters on April 12, 2019.
Girls Trip‘s Regina Hall and Black-ish’s Marsai Martin both star as Jordan Sanders – Hall as the take-no-prisoners tech mogul adult version of Jordan and Martin as the 13-year-old version of her who wakes up in her adult self’s penthouse just before a do-or-die presentation.
Insecure’s Issa Rae plays Jordan’s long-suffering assistant April, the only one in on the secret that her daily tormentor is now trapped in an awkward tween body just as everything is on the line. Little is an irreverent new comedy about the price of success, the power of sisterhood and having a second chance to grow up – and glow up – right.
WATCH HERE
WATCH HERE
Will Packer, blockbuster producer of Girls Trip, the Ride Along franchise, and ten movies that have opened No. 1 at the U.S. box office, including Night School, No Good Deed and Think Like a Man, brings an all-new perspective to the body-swap comedy.
Little is directed by Tina Gordon with a story by Tracy Oliver. It is based on an idea by teen actress Martin. The film is also produced by Packer and his producing partner James Lopez and by Kenya Barris.
Why are fans More Concerned With Tamar Braxton’s Face?
Tamar Braxton is back to wearing a wig again for a work event and date night, but fans are more concerned about what they perceive as some work she got done to her face.
“Workday Wednesday 💰Date night Wednesday 💕🤤,” the singer captioned a video on Instagram of her clad in a blond wig and her face covered by a filter.
It was perhaps that filter that led fans to wonder if she had gotten some plastic surgery during her extended vacation with her Nigerian boyfriend over the holidays.
“Oh my God that looks horrible you guys just don’t stop at nothing for plastic surgery God gave you all your looks and you’re doing everything to destroy what God blessed you with you look horrible.”
“Please stop having surgeries. You are naturally pretty.”
“You are naturally pretty. You don’t need to keep having plastic surgery. 🤦🏽♀️”
It’s not clear exactly what fans think the reality TV celebrity has gotten done to her face, but Braxton has had to confront rumors of plastic surgery before.
While speaking to NecoleBitche in 2013, the singer confirmed she has gone under the knife, but only to get a rhinoplasty to correct what she claimed was a hereditary cartilage issue that leads to breathing problems.
“I had a nose job. But not for the reason everybody thinks,” she explained. “I was born with no cartilage in my nose, and it made breathing very difficult. And the snoring? Oh My God! So I’ve had a couple surgeries – the first time they put an implant in and I had to have it removed – so eventually they took some cartilage from my ear and put it in my nose. Oh and that HURT! They want me to have a third procedure but I’m trying not to have it. But this is something that runs in our family. My father had the same thing done, and so did Toni.”
Despite her comments last year to singer K. Michelle — whom she’s beefed with throughout the years — over her botched plastic surgery, Braxton maintained that if going under the knife will make someone happy, they should go for it.
“I believe everyone should do anything they need to do to make themselves feel good. It’s the same reason why people don’t just eat whatever they want,” she said. “They don’t want to be fat as hell. You don’t want to look like a Hotmess.com! So you do things to fix it…Plastic surgery is the exact same thing.”
Jemele Hill to Debut New Podcast “Unbothered” On Spotify In March
Streaming giant, Spotify, has been looking to podcasts to help it draw a broader audience and to differentiate itself from other music streaming platforms. The newest voice to be added to their podcast roster is ESPN veteran Jemele Hill, who is bringing her signature honest analysis of American life back to the public.
Hill said in a statement, “Spotify and I are very like-minded. We both believe in being bold and authentic. I am thrilled to get the opportunity to stretch myself in a much different way, with a support system that I believe will bring out the best in me. I look forward to sharing my perspective and experience with Spotify’s many listeners across the world.”
Hill had been avidly vocal about issues relating to race and politics during her tenure at ESPN and in 2017, she made headlines for calling Donald Trump a white supremacist on Twitter and resulted in criticism from the White House. Later, ESPN suspended her for two weeks following critical tweets about Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Unbothered will release new episodes twice a week and will include Hill, her co-hosts and a rotating cast of high-profile guests discussing the news of the week ranging from sports, politics, music to identity and culture.
Spotify Studios Head Courtney Holt said, “Jemele is an important voice in sports, race, culture and politics, and their intersection in media. She will bring her unique point of view to our platform with ‘Unbothered,’ which is sure to be a favorite of listeners with diverse interests and viewpoints.”
Teenager and Her 12-Year-Old Sister Arrested For Murdering Mother Over Confiscated Phone
A pair of Mississippi sisters have been arrested after their mother was found in a pool of her own blood with a knife in her back on Friday.
According to the NY Post, 14-year-old, Amariyona Hall, and her 12-year-old sister were taken into custody in Pike County after their mother, Erica Hall, 32, was found in their front yard with multiple stab wounds and a gunshot wound to the chest.
The mother of four was immediately taken to a local hospital for emergency treatment, but unfortunately, workers were not able to resuscitate her. She was pronounced dead shortly after.
According to Mississippi officials, the incident erupted over a mother-daughter dispute, in which the girls tried to run their mother over with the family car. In response, Erica reportedly confiscated their phones, which ultimately led to the fatal retaliation.
After the incident, officials say the girls went to their neighbor’s home to ask for a ride because their grandmother just died, but when the neighbor called Hall to confirm, there was no answer. So instead, the two walked to another relative’s home, just before Amariyona’s younger sister, Ebony, found their mother at the home.
“They found out the daughters – two teenagers, juveniles – allegedly did it,” Pike County Sheriff Kenny Cotton said of the incident. “They’re charged with murder and we’re going to apply the law.”
Amariyona has been charged as an adult, and is currently being held on a $150,000 bond at Pike County Jail, while her sister is in custody at the Adams County Juvenile Detention Center.
Donald Trump’s Former Fixer Michael Cohen To Testify Publicly Before Congress
February 7 will be a red-letter day for President Donald Trump with news his former fixer Michael Cohen has agreed to testify before the House Oversight and Reform Committee that day about the work he did for the man he said he would take a bullet for.
It will be a public hearing, according to Dem Rep. Elijah Cummings, head of the committee formerly helmed by GOP Rep. Trey Gowdy.
“in furtherance of my commitment to cooperate and provide the American people with answers, I have accepted the invitation by Chairman Elijah Cummings to appear publicly on February 7th before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,” Cohen said in a statement.
“I look forward to having the privilege of being afforded a platform with which to give a full and credible account of the events which have transpired,” Cohen added.
CNN pundit Van Jones translated: “When your homeboy starts snitching, you are in trouble.”
Word of Cohen’s date with the committee triggered talk of John Dean, Richard Nixon’s White House counselor, whose testimony before the Senate Watergate Committee did so much to convince Nixon to resign.
“I think it’ s healthy for the public understanding of what is going on,” Dean, now a contributor at CNN, said Thursday afternoon of Cohen’s Big Day Before Congress.
“Michael Cohen has deep and wide knowledge of President Trump and what happened during the campaign. So this is finally putting a face on somebody who can talk with authority about these events,” Dean said.
Asked if he expects Trump supporters, including Republicans in Congress, to attack Cohen’s testimony, as his own testimony had been dismissed as outrageous by Nixon supporters, Dean chuckled, “I was attacked not only by Nixon supporter and surrogates – I was attacked by Nixon in a number of his national addresses.”
“The tapes certainly resolved who was telling the truth,” Dean acknowledged of his situation decades earlier, referencing Nixon’s famous Watergate tapes that backed up Dean’s testimony.
“But I understand Michael Cohen has tapes as well,” Dean said, adding, “I’m sure Trump doesn’t know which ones he does and does not have, since it was Cohen doing the taping.”
Before that hearing, Cohen will meet, behind closed doors, with the House Intelligence Committee at which he will be asked questions relevant to Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian rannygazoo in the presidential election.
The public hearing is scheduled for a month before Cohen is set to report to prison, after pleading guilty to making campaign finance related payments to silence two women who claim to have had affairs with Trump years earlier.
Cohen also admitted to lying to Congress about the Trump Tower Moscow project, acknowledging that effort went on later than he previously testified, into summer of 2016 when Trump was clearly the GOP candidate.
Harvey Weinstein Gets Ashley Judd’s Sexual Harassment Claim Dismissed
Harvey Weinstein is still facing potential life behind bars in a multi-claim rape case in New York City, but the disgraced producer succeeded today in having Ashley Judd’s sexual harassment claim against him in another case tossed to the legal curb.
However, with a trial penciled in for 2020 before U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez, Judd’s allegations against the much accused Weinstein for defamation and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage are still standing – so don’t think this is over, at all.
What is truly over, after being dropped from the case once before and then added in amended paperwork, is the spotlight attracting the sexual harassment aspect of the matter. Like back in September, when the federal judge first declared that a 1990s hotel room encounter in which Weinstein allegedly attempted to physically assault Judd did not fit the legal definition of workplace sexual harassment.
“The Court GRANTS Defendant’s motion to dismiss Plaintiff’s claim under California Civil Code § 51.9 with prejudice,” Judge Gutierrez wrote Wednesday, handing Weinstein a rare-ish but mainly procedural victory in one of the many civil cases across the country against him (read it here). “Leave to amend is DENIED,” the LA-based judicial official also said of what was Judd’s first amended complaint in the matter that first started in April of last year
The suit’s claims focussed on reports by Deadline, who were cited in one hearing, and others that Peter Jackson and producer Fran Walsh contemplated casting Judd in their Oscar winning Lord of the Rings movies back in the late 1990s before financier Weinstein implied she was a “nightmare” to work with. Judd has cited that the potential kneecapping of her career from Weinstein was the result of her rejection of his heavy handed advancements.
Essentially, Judge Gutierrez determined that the language that constituted the Golden State law on what is and isn’t considered sexual harassment when Judd filed her initial multi-claim suit last spring just didn’t meet the circumstances. “In sum, Plaintiff’s relationship with Defendant was qualitatively different than any of the twenty examples listed in § 51.9, and, as best the Court can tell, qualitatively different than any context in which the statute has been previously applied,” he noted today. “For this reason, the Court concludes that she cannot state a claim.”
Interestingly, a footnote in Judge Gutierrez’s 13-page order pointedly spells out the realities outside the parameters of the law.
“The Court makes clear that it is not determining whether Plaintiff was sexually harassed in the colloquial sense of the term,” the Judge declared. “The only question presented by the current motion is whether the harassment that Plaintiff allegedly suffered falls within the scope of the California statute that she has sued under.”
That footnote is one of the reasons why Judd’s Gibson Dunn attorney is putting on a determined face this evening.
“Nothing about today’s ruling changes that Ms. Judd’s case is moving forward on multiple claims,” said the A Time To Kill actor’s lawyer Ted Boutrous of the decision.
“The Court today dismissed only one of Ms. Judd’s four claims for relief,” the attorney added. “In doing so, it made clear that it was not determining whether Ms. Judd was sexually harassed in the colloquial sense of the term,” affirmed Boutrous, who was among those successfully representing CNN in its recent White House credentials battle over Jim Acosta with the Trump administration.
“It even acknowledged that the common meaning of the words in the statute would encompass her professional relationship with Mr. Weinstein,” the advocate added. “Nevertheless, the Court ruled that the statute does not apply here. While we respectfully disagree with the Court’s decision as to the one claim it ruled on today, we look forward to pursuing the three claims for relief that the Court has already ruled can move forward.”
“We have said from the beginning that this claim was unjustified, and we are pleased that the court saw it as we did,” Weinstein lawyer Phyllis Kupferstein said for her client. “We believe that we will ultimately prevail on her remaining claims.”
Weinstein appears to also be in the optimistic mode of expanding his legal team in the looming criminal case in the Empire State as he heads towards trial in the spring.
Along with being accused by more than 60 women of sexual assault or sexual harassment, Weinstein is under investigation by federal prosecutors as well as the NYPD probe set to go to trial this spring by the Manhattan D.A.’s office. Additional allegations against Weinstein have been reviewed by the LAPD, which sent an initial trio of cases to the L.A. County D.A. on February 8. Another case was handed over to that same office in in August. As UK police continue their investigation, the Beverly Hills Police passed two cases of sexual assault that they say occurred in their jurisdiction to Lacey’s office on January 2.
Back to the case at hand here, Weinstein also hasn’t prevailed in his desire to see Judd’s overall case against him put on ice as he fights for his freedom in NYC. Yet.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘DUDE MOO’
Sir, I just want to say that is a very elegant moo moo.
#EGGPLANT NATION Meet Rafeal Behr !
Meet Rafael! Well to see more you can GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSWF!
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ENJOY!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
