Showing posts with label happy birthday parties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happy birthday parties. Show all posts

11/9/15

The Daily Buzz For Nov 10



Angelina Jolie Covers WSJ Magazine for November 2015
Given all that she’s accomplished, both personally and professionally, it’s only natural that Angelina Jolie is the honored recipient of WSJ Magazine’s Entertainment/Film Innovator of the Year award.
In her cover story for the November 2015 issue, the “Girl, Interrupted” gal chats about her new movie “By the Sea” in which she starred alongside husband Brad Pitt as well as served as director- “It was not easy. We just had to be brave and say, ‘OK, honey, we’re strong enough to do this; let’s somehow use this to make us stronger.’”
Angelina also noted that her relationship dynamic with Pitt had to change while they were on the set- “We had to stay in our corners, like boxers, and not be husband and wife. It was very hard to do those scenes without Brad and I taking care of each other. Normally in between takes, you’d make sure that the other’s OK, but we had to be able to really get ugly.”



#TEAMUNBREAKABLE Janet Jackson and Missy Elliott Do a Little Catching Up
Missy Elliott and Janet Jackson spent some quality time together last night while Janet’s on a little break from her Unbreakable World Tour .
Missy tweeted the above photo, along with the caption:

I had a Blast 2night catching up with my sis @JanetJackson & Wissam yall! #BurnItUp!
If you haven’t heard, Missy’s readying her return to music. Her new single, “WTF (Where They Fron)” is set to drop later this month.
I can’t wait!..Can you?




Newly OUT Pro-Boxer Yusaf Mack Hosts His ‘Coming Out’ Party in West Hollywood!
Well after doing gay porn, then coming out as bisexual, and eventually telling the world he’s been gay for quite some time former professional boxer Yusaf Mack is ready to life his authentic life.
Yusaf celebrated officially “coming out” at Socialite Sundays, the #1 Urban LGBT Event in West Hollywood and Los Angeles on Sunday night at RAGE Nightclub (pictured above with Socialite Sundays host Brandon Anthony) 
He’s been out for less than a week and he’s already hosting parties? Hey if Caitlyn can do leaps and bounds. So can Yusuf!




Oh? Cynthia Bailey Explains Why She Kicked Porsha Williams in the Stomach
Before the new season of Bravo’s ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ even began last night I’ve heard reports that Cynthia Bailey straight up kicked Porsha Williams in the stomach.
I couldn’t believe it, as it didn’t sound like something Ms. Bailey would even do — but she did.
While on The Steve Harvey Show, Cynthia explained what happened exactly and why she felt the need to resort to violence.

“I don’t condone violence in any way. It’s not who I am. However, you know, I do feel like If I’m in a threatening situation, I have the right to defend myself. And I just removed her from my personal space, but…with my foot instead of my hand”

She added “It’s a long story, you guys have to watch the show. I was just really upset that I allowed myself to be in a situation where I couldn’t figure out how to get out of it without something like this happening. And I really made sure that I did what I could to make it right.”

WATCH: 
Well I guess we’ll just have to wait until that episode airs!





They’re BACK! The ATL 2 Cast Is BACK On The Set
It appears ATL 2 is back in business. We told you the sequel to the hit 2006 coming of age film was likely in the works when pics of the original gang popped up on Instagram back in March. The entire original cast posted pics on their social media accounts from behind-the-scenes of what appeared to be the set of ATL 2.

Soon after, there were conflicting reports on whether the sequel was actually coming to life on screen or not.  Now, it appears that concept has been given the greenlight to morph into a new storyline about the then teens growing up in the ATL, nine years after it hit the box office.
New pics have popped up of the cast, including, T.I. (Rashad), Lauren London (New New), Evan Ross (Ant), Jackie Long (Esquire), Jason Weaver (Teddy), Albert Daniels (Brooklyn) and the twins, Khadijah Haqq and Malika Haqq (Veda & Star). New dad Evan shared the shots with the caption, "Now thats a great crew !! @troubleman31 @iamlaurenlondon @albeback @jackielong @itsjasonweaver/ cast"
And yes, the original director, Chris Robinson, will helm the follow-up film. 
He was pictured in the shots back in March.

Who's excited?



HE’S OUT! University of Missouri president, chancellor quit after football team walks out!
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The University of Missouri system's president, Tim Wolfe, and the chancellor of the flagship campus, R. Bowen Loftin, announced on Monday that they were resigning their posts in the face of growing protests by African-American students, the threat of a walkout by faculty and a strike by football players who said he had done too little to combat racism on campus.

Wolfe made the stunning announcement at the start of a special Board of Curators meeting Monday morning that had been scheduled to address the growing crisis at the Show Me state's flagship university. The board voted in favor of accepting his resignation. Several hours later, Bowen Loftin, chancellor of the university's flagship campus, announced he will step down from his post by the end of the year as well.

“I am resigning as president of the University Missouri system,” said Wolfe, who choked up as he announced he was stepping down. “My motivation in making this decision comes from a love of Columbia where I grew up and the state of Missouri. I thought and prayed over this decision. It is the right thing to do … The frustration and anger I see is real, and I don’t doubt it for a second.”
Loftin said he would transition into a new role on the Columbia campus "where I will work with many people across the university and with the system to advance our mission."

The situation had become so emotional on campus that many members of the football team had even announced they would boycott team activities.
After Wolfe's announcement, the university's athletic department said in a statement that the football team would return to the practice field Tuesday to prepare for its game on Saturday against BYU. Canceling the game would have cost the university in excess of $1 million.
The situation at Missouri, the oldest public university west of the Mississippi River, unfolded as other campuses, including Yale University and Ithaca College, have faced protests in recent weeks over racially tinged episodes on those campuses.
At Ithaca, students are circulating a petition asking for a vote of "confidence" or "no confidence" of President Tom Rochon, who critics say has given inadequate response to several allegedly racist incidents at the Upstate New York college. At Yale, protests erupted after the university sent an email to students urging them not to wear racially insensitive Halloween costumes. The email prompted a professor to complain that Yale and other universities were becoming "places of censure and prohibition."

At Missouri, students pointed to several recent events on campus that underscore a hostile environment for black students.
Student government president Payton Head, who is black, said in September that people in a passing pickup shouted racial slurs at him. In early October, members of a black student organization said slurs were hurled at them by an apparently drunken white student. In addition, a swastika drawn in feces was found recently in a dormitory bathroom. Protesters at Missouri galvanized around a group called Concerned Student 1950, which gets its name from the year the university accepted its first black student.

Before Wolfe's resignation, a faculty group issued a statement announcing plans for a walkout to show solidarity with the student protesters. The undergraduate student government also formally called on Wolfe to step down.
Students complaining about a racially fraught campus environment began protests at the university on Sept. 24, but the tense situation on campus had only recently begun to gain national attention.

More than 30 members of Missouri's football team announced Saturday that they would no longer take part in football-related activities while Wolfe was in power.
The football players joined the protest after graduate student Jonathan Butler began a hunger strike one week ago. Butler said the strike would either end with Wolfe leaving his post or Butler dying.
"The primary concerns of our student-athletes, coaches and staff has been centered on the health of Jonathan Butler and working with student leaders to find a resolution that would save a life," Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel and athletic director Mack Rhoades said in a statement. "We are hopeful we can begin a process of healing and understanding on our campus."

After Wolfe's announcement, Butler took to Twitter to announce that his hunger strike was over.
Hundreds of protesters gathered on the university's quad after Wolfe announced his resignation to celebrate. They sang We Shall Overcome, a song that had become an anthem of the Civil Rights Movement, and said the episode was just one moment in what will be a larger push for change on campus. Protesters also called on Gov. Jay Nixon,
 “Our demands must be met in totality to create systems of healing within the UM System," said Marshall Allen, one of the original members of Concerned Student 1950. "In addition to this, students, staff and faculty of color must be involved in the process of (deciding) who will be our next UM System president."
Majiyebo Yacim, a junior at the university who watched from the sidelines of the protest, said Wolfe's resignation was long overdue.

"I feel pretty isolated," said Yacim, who is black. "It is a predominantly white institution. And as a black student, there are times when i feel out of place. Seeing that minority students on campus can stick together and make things happen has been a really great experience. "
The movement comes more than a year after a white police officer in Ferguson, Mo., shot and killed Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, spurring a national protest. The St. Louis suburb is about 120 miles from the Columbia campus.
In their letter on Monday, student government leaders pointed to the university officials' "silence" in the aftermath of Ferguson as exacerbating tensions on campus. Butler, the student who went on the hunger strike, echoed the sentiment.
"In a post-Ferguson world, there was so much struggle on campus but administration refused to step in on our behalf and do the things they needed to do to make sure black students, brown students and all marginalized students are feeling safe and included on this campus," Butler said.

Wolfe, who earned his bachelors degree from the university's flagship campus and spent most of his childhood in Columbia, said he was crestfallen by what had transpired. He pinned the blame squarely on himself for letting the situation on campus get out of hand, while acknowledging a break-down in communication with students on campus.

"Why did we get to this very difficult situation? " Wolfe said. "It is my belief we stopped listening to each other."



Joe SLAYS Adele’s 'Hello’!
Adele caused a huge uproar when she released “Hello” two weeks ago, to the tune of over 255 million YouTube views, but R&B legend Joe has released a tribute cover of the song that is just as amazing as the original.
Joe adds his signature flourishes to the song, which have been a staple in the 20-plus years of his career and sets the stage nicely for his upcoming 2016 release.
The not-yet-titled album will be his first since last year’s Bridges, though Joe has stayed busy as an opener for Charlie Wilson’s nationwide tour earlier this year and his own spot dates.

Take a listen and especially pay close attention around the 2:40 mark when Joe simply begins to destroy the song.

LISTEN:
SLAYAGE!



Monica Celebrated her Birthday at Compound with Jim Jones and NaS!
Over the weekend, we spotted Monica Brown celebrating her birthday at Compound with Jim Jones, Kenny Burns and Dice, at Atlanta’s Compound. We also spotted Nas hosting at Prive.
Check out the pics!
Happy Birthday Monica!



The Voice Feud: Gwen Stefani And Christina Aguilera Fighting – Christina Thinks Gwen Is “Substitute”
The Voice rumor mill indicates that there is a pretty heated feud developing between coaches Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani. As you all know, The Voice spoilers revealed last month that Gwen is OUT, and Christina will be taking back her coaching chair for Season 10 of The Voice. Not surprisingly, Gwen Stefani is not happy about NBC kicking her to the curb again just because Christina felt like coming back to work.
According to OK! Magazine, the beef between Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani is very real. Gwen hates the fact that her career is based on whether or not Christina feels like doing a season of The Voice. And, Christina thinks that Gwen is just her back-up, and it’s her job to fill in for her when needed. An insider dished to OK! Magazine, “Everyone knows Christina think this is her show and she can swan in and out whenever she likes. She refers to Gwen as “the substitute!”
However, Gwen Stefani is not taking Christina’s diva antics and bullying lying down, the No Doubt singer has a plan! OK! Magazine’s insider added, “She knows Christina turns her nose up at her and she’s been told about the ‘substitute’ jibe – and she has a few tricks up her sleeve herself. She plans on going out as THE only coach everyone wants back – the most memorable coach and ‘face’ of the show.”

Hmm…does anyone else think that Gwen’s showmance with Blake Shelton might just be an insurance policy? Christina is in a relationship – she can’t flirt with Blake and canoodle with him to strum up ratings for the show and remain relevant like Gwen does. What do you guys think? Are you Team Christina or Team Gwen?



New Music: Chris Brown – ‘Sex You Back To Sleep’
Chris Brown drops off a new track entitled “Sex You Back to Sleep.” The singer just touched down in his lover’s city (he made that known with an IG post of his landing) – and although he’ll wake her when he stops by, he has plans of sexing her back to sleep. The track is Breezy’s latest offering from his upcoming Royalty album – due out on Nov. 27th.
Push play to slow things down inside.
Thoughts?



The Celebs in L.A Attends The LACMA 2015 Art+Film Gala
In L.A…..Supermodel Naomi Campbell worked her #blackgirlmagic on the blue carpet at the LACMA 2015 Art+Film Gala (presented by Gucci), honoring artist James Turrell and film director Alejandro G Iñárritu at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

The 45-year-old stunna pulled off a glamorous look rocking a Givenchy haute couture gown by Riccardo Tisci. She and Riccardo posed it up together as they made their way down the carpet.
As Naomi made her rounds, she bumped into a pregnant Kim Kardashian West who had her growing baby bump on full display in a Givenchy number.
“Chains” singer Usher was in the mix to soak up the fine art and show his support to the honorees on their big night.
Graffiti artist RETNA was in the mix for the festivities.
Further down on the carper, Usher and RETNA caught up with Max Chow of Mr. Chow, actress Salma Hayek and CEO of Kering Francois-Henri Pinault for a group shot on the carpet.
Fashion designer Rachel Roy struck a pose in an eye-catching teal fringed dress that she topped off with a black brocade print blazer. Do we love it?.
The fabulous Debbie Allen and her hubby Norm Nixon were also in the mix for the luxe soiree.
Fun Times!



Monica Drops Visuals For New Single ‘Just Right For Me’ Ft. Lil Wayne
R&B songstress Monica Brown has just released the video to her Smokey Robinson-sampled hit, Just Right For Me featuring Lil Wayne.
In anticipation for the Dec. 18th release of Code Red, the Atlanta native is preparing for a tour that starts on Nov. 12, the R&B songstress will kick off her month-long “Code Red Experience” tour with special guest Rico Love.

Listen HERE;
November 12th is the VERY first show of the "Code Red Experience Tour" and right now I want to give away a pair of tickets to someone that's given their love to me over the years… What you favorite Monica Moment ? Share below️ pls make sure you are in the Las Vegas area…



2 Stabbed At N.J. Home Of Wu-Tang Clan Founder RZA
Authorities are investigating a double stabbing that occurred early Saturday morning at the Millstone home of rapper RZA.
Reports NJ.com; Police are saying little about the early-morning incident and it could not immediately be determined whether RZA, whose real name is Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, was home at the time.

A 23-year-old Englishtown man has been arrested in connection with a double stabbing that occurred early Saturday morning at the home of rapper RZA, New Jersey State Police announced Monday.
Thomas Norman was charged with aggravated assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of a weapon in relation to the incident that left two men with stab wounds.

Troopers from the State Police Hamilton Station responded to a report of a stabbing at a Deer Trail Drive home at 1:18 a.m. on Saturday, State Police said.
RZA is founder of the Wu-Tang Clan, a Staten Island-based group that broke into the rap scene in 1993. He has produced nearly all of the group’s albums and many of its members’ solo works.




#RHoA: Claudia Jordan Pens Open Letter About Real Housewives of Atlanta
Despite her departure from the show, Claudia Jordan say she has nothing but love for the Real Housewives of Atlanta. As you know, Jordan is not returning to the hit BRAVO show. And on premiere night of the show, Jordan posted a lengthy Instagram message, expressing her feelings about the show. She wrote:

"A year ago today I made my debut on the wildly popular Real Housewives of Atlanta on #Bravo. It was a whirlwind experience! I was asked to join As a friend of Kenya’s and started watching the show when my friend started on it a few years ago. I was new to the city and was starting two new shows at the same time on top of Being a frequent contributor to HLN- in other words- I was team #NoSleep! The benefits I got from a season on this show were and continue to be so plentiful and mind blowing til this day. I know a lot of folks criticize reality TV and some shows admittedly deserve it- but I’ll ways be grateful for my experience. Yes I get criticized but the love and encouragement I’ve gotten from so many amazing fans has been overwhelming and far outweigh the bad! I wanted to write some kind of post to express my gratitude becaus in this business far too many take it for granted and I refuse to be one of them. Whether it’s one season or ten- the show is so big that if you work it right- it can do so much for your career."

She continues:  "And it has! Some things I’ve announced— some things I’ve kept to myself (for now) but I want to say thank you to @bravotv and to True Entertajnment and to @kingdomlos and to @thekenyamoore for everything! And the situation wasn’t quite right for me to return this season but I do appreciate the invitation and you never know what the future holds! Stranger things have happened- like how I even got my peach in the first place! Again- the ride was amazing and the blessings keep pouring I because of this so I THANK YOU again and again and again! And to the over 250k more people following me ow because of this show- I appreciate each and every one of you too! You make me laugh and smile when I read your supportive comments and the few negative ones just give me more motivation to do even more! Because of this show I’ve signed on for another one and I’m in a much bigger role and I’m loving it. In the end- everyone ends up exactly where they are supposed to be! Have faith and you will sleep well at night! ?????????????????????? #TheNext15 coming soon! #RHOA #Bravo #ThanksAgain #Grateful Please tune in tonight and watch the girls turn up in Season 8 of RHOA!"

For those who can’t get enough of Jordan, you can catch her on TV One’s new show, The Next 15 in 2016.




AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘FALLING APART’
Did I hibernate through winter and spring and it’s summer already? No? Well then what would look stupid in summer, looks even dumber in the fall sweetheart.



HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!
EFREM

12/15/14

The Daily Buzz For Dec 16



'SELMA' Cast SHOWS SOLIDARITY With Eric Garner And Ferguson at the NYC Premiere
The upcoming SELMA cast flocked to the NYC premiere. And before the night was over, they snapped a pic rocking “I Can’t Breathe” t-shirts with their hands in the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” position, standing with Eric Garner and the city of Ferguson..

During the NYC premiere afterparty, the SELMA cast put on “I Can’t Breathe” t-shirts while standing in the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” pose, in support of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, two unarmed men whose lives were taken at the hand of police. Nice!

SELMA star and producer Oprah Winfrey was front-and-center at the Ziegfeld Theater with actor David Oyelowo and fab directress Ava DuVernay on the red carpet for the screening of the upcoming civil rights film, which chronicles the life of Civil Rights Movement leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
While on the carpet, Lady O opened up about the recent killings of black men by the hands of law enforcement. She told TheGrio,
“Even if we didn’t know about a Ferguson, or an Eric Garner or a Michael Brown … they were going on. The fact that they may have now become newsworthy or made national or international news doesn’t mean there haven’t been nameless Michael Browns or Eric Garners before. My feeling is everything is always happening exactly as it should and on time. There’s no coincidence that this is happening now, but because it’s happening now, people are paying more attention.”
She added, “Life is always there to teach, enlighten, and open you up to the greater possibilities of what can be done … if you’re willing to be awake and see it. What’s exciting to me is that people are awake. If it took Eric Garner and it took Michael Brown and other instances to do than, then … that’s where we are in our evolvement as human beings.”
Award-winning filmmaker and director of the film Ava DuVernay (who became the first black female director to be nominated by the Golden Globe Awards for Best Director) got gorge in a red gown. 

The fab directress dished on her history making nomination with The Daily Beast saying,
"I didn’t know that was the case with the Globes until afterwards. I thank the journalists that are in it now that decided to include me with such a wonderful list of directors, but yeah, the organization’s been around since 1943 so there’s a lack of progress there. It’s nice that they’re catching up to it, but I know that I’m not the first black woman deserving of this honor, so I stand with a lot of women behind me who helped this moment happen."

Common (who joined protestors in NYC recently) got dapper in an oxblood tailored suit. He plays civil rights activist James Bevel in the film.
Dear White People starlet Tessa Thompson kept it interesting for her look of the night. She stars as Diane Nash,  founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. 
British actor David Oyelowo brought his wife Jessica along for the premiere. The Butler star plays the reputable Martin Luther King Jr. in the upcoming film.
His role in SELMA is already garnering awards. He will be honored by the 26th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival as the breakthrough actor of 2014. The awards gala will go down on January 3rd.

The Purge actress Carmen Ejogo also hit the carpet, posing it up with her cast mate David. She will be starring as Martin Luther King’s wife/civil rights activist Coretta Scott King.
Nicey Nash kept it sexy in this all black sheer and sequined jumpsuit. She will play civil rights activist/author Richie Jean Jackson in the upcoming film.
“Instant Mom” actress Tia Mowry Hardrict got chic in white Stone Cold Fox tuxedo dress, Top Shop printed pumps and a Rockin' Reptile clutch.
New dad Tyler Perry came out to support.
Oprah's bestie Gayle King was all smiles on the carpet.
The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin was in an animalistic mood for the event.
MLK Jr’s son Martin Luther King III and his wife Arndrea Waters came out to see the biopic.
Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. was also in attendance. A brand new anthology series is coming to the FX Network. And Cuba has been cast to play O.J. Simpson in the first installment, "American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson”.
Actor/director Ruben Santiago-Hudson posed in the "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" pose in support of Ferguson.
Actor Stephan James stars as the youngest of the Big Six Civil Rights leaders, John Lewis.
Actor Andre Holland stars as human rights activist/politician Andrew Young.
Actress Lorraine Toussaint plays Amelia Boynton, leader of the American Civil Rights Movement in Selma.
Gospel and R&B singer Bebe Winans came out to support.
And “Orange is the New Black” Danielle Brooks posed it up before checking out the film.
NICE!


Sony Cancels Kevin Hart’s Press Junket For ‘Wedding Ringer’ After Email Leak
The fallout from Sony’s cyber hacking scandal continues. Sony has announced the cancellation of a major press junket for comedian Kevin Hart‘s new movie Wedding Ringer. It isn’t hard to figure out why the press junket was canceled. Last week, two of Sony’s top execs called Hart a greedy “whore” because he refused to promote one of his movies on Twitter.com.
According to Sandra Rose: In response to the “whore” comment, Hart wrote on Instagram.com: “I’m able to brush ignorance off of my shoulder and continue to move forward.”

For those who aren’t familiar with what a press junket is; it’s when a movie studio arranges for journalists and bloggers to meet and interview its biggest stars.

In the old days — when Hollywood was bursting at the seams with cash — publicists flew journalists to exotic locales to meet with the stars of a new film. No expense was spared to make sure journalists gave glowing reviews of movies. But that was in the old days — before the Internet and Napster forever changed the entertainment industry.
The press event was set to take place Sunday to promote the forthcoming Screen Gems film, but reporters were informed that it would be postponed until a later date. Screen Gems’ parent company is Sony Pictures Entertainment, which suffered a Nov. 24 breach by hacking group Guardians of Peace.

A reporter from the New York Daily News was informed that the junket was pushed in order to ensure that the focus would remain on the film.

Sony did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This is not the first time Hart’s name has come up in association with the hack. In a leaked email, Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper referred to the Ride Along star as a “whore” for wanting more money to promote one of his films to his Twitter followers.

One of the executives who insulted Hart, producer Scott Rudin, has since apologized. The other exec, Sony Studio co-Chairman Amy Pascal, remains defiant and is reportedly fighting to keep her cushy job.


More Sony Leaks: A Destiny’s Child Biopic Was In the Works?
Is there a Destiny’s Child biopic in the works ?, According to Sony’s leaked email there is… An email dated December 4, 2013, from Screen Gems honcho Clint Culpepper to Pascal and a team of Sony execs discusses how Beyoncé’s father, Matthew Knowles, went to him to try and set up a Destiny’s Child biopic.

“Matthew Knowles, Beyonce’s Father wants to make the film of Destiny’s Child and came to me first,” wrote Culpepper. “He’s going to Universal next. Do we think it would be a successful film? They’re on Sony label. I’m just not sure that it’s not too soon.” All the Sony execs return very enthusiastic responses, although there is a Destiny’s Child biopic currently slated for February 2015 on the Lifetime Network.. Lawd…. Mathew is clearly desperate for dough, and he will go to any length to get it….. Who will play Beyonce’ though?

Kanye is going to be in a new film next year, starring Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Just in time for the holidays.

Also, Hollywood Executive’s think that Jaden and Willow Smith are pretty crazy.. The hacker’s are saying that there’s more to come… I can only imagine……


TiTi Branch, Co-founder of Miss Jessie’s Hair Care Dead at 45 of apparent suicide
Titi Branch, the co-founder of Miss Jessie’s a leading company in the natural hair care industry is dead at 45, she died on Dec. 4. According to an obituary by  NV Magazine,  it was an apparent suicide. 

The Queens-native was a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in economics. She worked as a field producer for WABC-TV in New York City prior to Miss Jessie’s. Her entrepreneurial career started prior to delving into the hair care industry. Titi and her sister were taught by their father to be independent and their first business together was a Kool-Aid stand as kids. They also ran a a cleaning business after graduating college. Later Titi launched a booking agency for hair and celebrity photographers called Icon Creative Artists. This led to her reconnecting with her sister, a hairstylist, in business. After adding her to the firm’s client roster and the success that followed the next step was the creation of the salon, which opened originally in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn and the launch of Miss Jessie’s — the products are now on the shelves of Target, CVS, Ricky’s, Duane Reade, Walgreens, Walmart and various other national retailers.
Born June 10, 1969 Titi Cree Branch died on Dec. 4, 2014 in an apparent suicide due to asphyxia. She is survived by her parents, sister, nephew and many loving relatives. She also leaves behind Anthony Spadafora, her boyfriend and business partner in her last venture Maestro’s Classic, a line of beard care products


Darren Sharper Indicted In Three States but There’s a TWIST in New Orleans!
Former New Orleans Saint Darren Sharper was indicted on rape charges in New Orleans on Friday…

According to People Mag: The nine-count indictment from Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office alleges that Sharper, who retired from the NFL in 2011, sexually assaulted two women who were impaired at his New Orleans apartment in 2013. Bail on those charges has been set at $2.5 million. Also named in the indictment was Sharper's friend, Brandon Licciardi, 32, a deputy with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office, who resigned Friday.
Each of the three federal counts carries a maximum 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Sharper had been previously indicted on rape charges in California, where he is held without bond, and Arizona, where he has been charged with two counts of rape. 

But here’s a TWIST in this case….A former St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's deputy charged in the Darren Sharper rape case pleaded not guilty to federal drug and witness tampering charges in federal court in New Orleans on Monday (Dec. 15).
Brandon Licciardi appeared pained as he fidgeted in his seat in U.S. Magistrate Judge Sally Shushan's court, frowning as he stole occasional glances at his mother and girlfriend. His shoulders slumped as he stood before the judge, he softly said "not guilty" when Shushan asked him how he pleaded to each of the six counts against him.

Licciardi's bond hearing was set for 2 p.m. Thursday. Licciardi has been in police custody since Friday, when he was charged along with former Saints standout Sharper in both federal and Orleans Parish courts in connection with a pair of alleged rapes that took place in New Orleans in 2013.

Sharper has been jailed without bond in California since February, and faces charges in connection with the rapes of two women in Los Angeles in separate incidents from October 2013 and January 2014. The former Saint also has been indicted in Arizona, where he is accused of drugging three women and sexually assaulting two of them in Tempe on Nov. 21, 2013.

Both Sharper and Licciardi also were charged in Orleans Parish with assaulting two women on Feb. 2, 2013 in Sharper's downtown apartment.

In federal court, Licciardi and Sharper are charged with a single count of conspiring to distribute the prescription drugs Alprazolam, Diazepam and Zolpidem with the intent to commit rape, and with giving someone the drugs on two dates: Feb. 2, 2013, and Sept. 23, 2013, the indictment states. He also is charged with intimidating a witness and lying to Orleans Parish investigators.

Outside the federal courthouse Monday, Licciardi's lawyer Ralph Capitelli said the charges against his client -- in federal court, at least -- do not allege he raped anyone, and he said Licciardi did not drug women.
"He never did that, he never gave any woman any narcotic," Capitelli said. "I know that before I was hired he went in (to meet with investigators) two and three times."


SERIOUSLY? Beanie Sigel Sister-In-Law Named As Person Of Interest In Shooting
A person of interest has been named in the shooting of Beanie Sigel and unfortunately that person is too close to home. Sigel’s sister-in-law Kamilah Salahuddin has been named by Pleasantville police, according to NBC Philadelphia.
According to AllHipHop: It was reportedly her gray Honda Odyssey that was seen fleeing the scene after Sigel was shot in the stomach at his brother-in-law, Umar Salahuddin’s, Pleasantville, NJ home. Umar is Kamilah’s brother.

Another person of interest, Ricky Childress, jumped out of the van and ran from the police during the incident but was later caught, questioned and released. Police have been unable to reach Kamilah for questioning. Umar has not been cooperating with the police investigation.
“Right now, the detective doesn’t have much to go on,” Pleasantville Police Capt. Rocky Melendez told NBC. “The detectives have brought a lot of people in for questioning, but unfortunately no one’s talking.”

The former Roc-A-Fella emcee remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit.

DAMN I’m telling you it’s real out here.


Swizz Beatz HOSTS Baby Shower With Alicia Keys, CELEBRATES Kasseem Jr's 8th Birthday With Mashonda 
Over the weekend, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys welcomed family and friends to a baby shower celebrating the forthcoming arrival of their second child.

Standing underneath a sign written in pink AND blue (they haven't revealed the baby's gender), Alicia, shown above with her son Egypt, welcomed guests to the baby shower in a long red dress and her hair in cornrows.
Swizz's dad was also on hand to celebrate with the couple.
And.....Swizz linked with ex-wife Mashonda for throw Kasseem Jr. a party for his 8th birthday at The VIP Room where they treated the kids to gift bags that included t-shirts and healthy snacks.
Kasseem Jr, (far left) posed with little brother Egypt and friends at his birthday bash. He posted a thank you note to his Mom AND his other mom Alicia saying, "I love my friends and family. I love my mommy and my other mommy. They are awesome!!"
Later, Swizz posted an adorable pic of Egypt posing on the streets of NYC.
Adorbs!


The Fabulous Naomi Campbell Poses In Fur Coats For Madame Figaro Magazine
In the latest edition of Madame Figaro, a French magazine supplement to the Saturday edition of the daily newspaper Le Figaro, a cropped coif Naomi Campbell models luxurious furs and jewelry.  ANd she does it flawlessly, of course.

In addition to slaying red carpets and traveling the world in style, Naomi still finds time to give back and use her star power to make a difference in the world. 
Most recently, Naomi opened a Fashion For Relief Pop-Up Shop to raise money that was donated to the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal.  Gorgeous shots!


Wendy Williams Wants to Produce Cute, Non-Fighting Reality TV
Turns out, some of you aren’t the only ones over watching ratchet reality TV. As it turns out, talk show host Wendy Williams is prepping for more shows of her own, in the non-scripted realm. Under her own production company of course. In an interview with the LA Times she explains:

I would love to do reality TV. Not me personally but to produce. And not the fighting kind, the cute kind. [Some shows] started getting really embarrassing to watch as a brown woman.

She adds: I would love to be able to produce more made-for-TV movies. There’s no discounting the big screen. But me and my husband [Kevin Hunter, her manager and business partner] have developed some great relationships with various networks since having this talk show. We did a project for Oxygen [“Celebrities Undercover”]. We did a project for the TV Guide Network [“How You Doin’ Broadway?!”]. The talk show repeats on BET. I’m hosting the Soul Train Awards for Centric.
Wendy — whose show is in its sixth season opening with its highest ratings has been renewed through 2017


Fox Nation Refers to Jay Z As ‘Former Crack Dealer’, Twitter Reacts
A recent headline by Fox Nation, has a few questioning the outlet’s motive. Fox did a story about rapper/business mogul Jay Z (real name Shawn Carter) meeting with Gov. Andrew Cuomo in New York. The title of the story was, Andrew Cuomo Meets With Former Crack Dealer Jay-Z to Discuss Police Policy.
Some suggest that the term former crack dealer is offensive, as Jay’s accomplishments outshine his previous years — he’s admittedly rapped about selling drugs in his youth. Check out some reactions to Fox’s headline.
BTW, the story begins: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) did just that when he had a policy meeting on the subject of how cops enforce the laws with hip-hop mogul Jay Z — who earned most of his expertise in crime as a crack dealer. The rapper built his musical career on songs about his past criminal exploits slinging crack in Brooklyn’s Marcy housing project. One online report lists 187 references to crack or cocaine on his 12 solo albums, including last year’s chart-topping “Magna Carta Holy Grail.” In addition to his rap boasts about drug dealing, his criminal justice experience includes being charged with stabbing people and bashing them on their heads with bottles at his favorite city nightclubs.

Click here to read the full story. Nonetheless, according to the story, Cuomo and Jay discussed a review of the criminal justice system and they can work together to pass a reform package. P.S. Do you find the headline offensive or a painfully accurate description of Jay Z’s past? 


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘GRANNY GOT GAME’
Who knew Granny was a belly-dancer? Once the dancing fever is in your veins it doesn’t leave my friends.


HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM

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