Prince to headline 2014 Essence Music Festival
Prince is headed to New Orleans
Next year's installment will mark the 20-year anniversary of the festival, which is billed as one of the largest gatherings of black artists in the country.
Prince previously performed at Essence in 2004 to mark the festival’s 10th year. The 2014 festival is set for July 4-6 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
What began as a one-off celebration for the 25th anniversary of the black women’s lifestyle magazine in 1995 has turned into the preeminent destination for R&B and hip-hop fans, and it attracts hundreds of thousands of music fans to New Orleans
The 2013 lineup featured Beyoncé, Maxwell, Jill Scott, Brandy and Janelle Monáe.
Organizers for Essence said the rest of the lineup would be announced shortly.
Ciara Shares ‘Pulp Magazine’ Outtakes
‘Body Party’ beauty Ciara is keeping the party going on into the year’s end with a slew of magazine covers and appearances.
We shared the songstress’s snap affront luxury fashion mag GenLux hours ago and now we’re back to show off some outtakes from the newly engaged singer’s ‘Pulp’ magazine shoot.
Putting her short cut blond hair in her rearview, the soon-to-be-former Miss Harris revisits her ‘Basic Instinct’ look in these snaps already receiving much love on her Instagram and Twitter handles.
Beyonce Arrives In L.A.
Following a concert at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver for her “Mrs. Carter Show” over the weekend, Beyoncé touched down in L.A.
She was seen carrying her daughter, Blue Ivy, who was napping after they arrived by private jet. The “Love on Top” diva was named the most-searched person in 2013 on Bing, with Kim Kardashian coming in second, and Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Madonna rounding out the top five.
2013 has been a big year for Bey, performing at President Obama‘s inauguration in January, rockin’ the Super Bowl halftime show in February – and that same month offered fans a glimpse into her life with her hubby Jay Z and their daughter Blue, with her HBO documentary, Life is But a Dream. Plus she kicked off her massive ”Mrs. Carter Show World Tour,” in April.
Magic Johnson Speaks on Continued AIDS Education at Apollo in NYC
*Last Sunday was World AIDS Day and who better to speak on the importance of educating oneself on the topic than Magic Johnson.
The NBA Hall of Fame legend was diagnosed as HIV-positive in November 1991 and seems to have never skipped a beat in getting on with his life and living it ever since. Johnson paid a recent visit to the Apollo Theater in Harlem , New York
“You gotta educate yourself,” Johnson told the Daily News after speaking on a Harlem panel in advance of Sunday’s World AIDS Day. “Don’t be afraid to get tested.
“We go to get tested, and then we gotta go back for the results; that’s very important,” said Johnson, 54. “Because a lot of times we get tested, but we don’t go back for the results.”
The event’s location was particularly fitting, since the HIV numbers for Harlem remain particularly high.
In Central and East Harlem , the rate of HIV diagnoses and people living with HIV/AIDS is more than twice the citywide figure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
One out of every 38 residents in East and Central Harlem is HIV positive, compared to just over 1 out of 100 citywide.
Nationally, blacks account for just 12% of the population but 47% of all new HIV infections. About 250,000 people in the U.S.
The former L.A. Lakers great told the audience that his key to living with the disease was getting the answers to his questions right from the start.
“For me, what really helped ease my mind was knowing that I got the right information,” said Johnson, whose NBA career was cut short by his diagnosis.
“If you can find out today, you have so many incredible drugs that they didn’t have 22 years ago when I announced, so those drugs can work miracles and can prolong life.”
Denying that he took any “magical” drugs to keep him alive, Johnson went on to credit his commitment to good health, medicines, and his wife Cookie for living with HIV for more than two decades.
He said that upon revealing his diagnosis about 85% of his friends and family supported him, and the rest “came around” eventually.
Johnson became an instant poster boy for the disease; but still, very few other celebrity figures have stepped up to advocate for the HIV/AIDS community.
Johnson said it’s a personal decision.
“I tell them, look, they have to make a decision based on them. A lot of people are not comfortable, in terms of coming out, because they want to keep it to themselves,” he said of other celebrities who have the disease but have remained silent. “They have to be able to handle what comes with coming out with it.”
To people with HIV or AIDS, Johnson delivered a simple message.
“Never give up,” he said. “Look at me. You don’t have to give up. You can still live a great life. You can educate the world, educate young people, you can do so many great things, you can still have a family.
“It doesn’t change just because you have HIV. Don’t give up. Just live.”
LeBron James’ Wife Introduces ‘The Juice Spot’ to the Public
This week, The Juice Spot officially opened for business. Even before they officially opened to the public, we spotted a few familiar faces including Clippers player Chris Paul and his wife Jada and actress Gabrielle Union. On Monday, we spotted Kim Kardashian’s Bestie Jonathan Cheban, Juwan Howard’s wife Jenine and of course her hubby, LeBron. Check out a few candids.
Nice CONGRATS!
TWO-TIMES A MOM: Kim Fields Welcomes Baby Boy Quincy
Wondering what actress Kim Fields has been up to? Well she just became a mommy for a second time! Deets inside on her newest bundle of joy....
Who says 40+ women can't pop out babies?
44-year-old former "Living Single" star Kim Fields just gave birth to a brand new baby boy in Atlanta
Praise the Lord Quincy is here! 8 lbs. 8 oz. 20 inches long we are all doing great thank you for your love prayers and support!
Kim and her husband Christopher Morgan revealed to People Magazine they planned for baby #2 and suffered through miscarriages:
“We are so blessed and grateful to God for this newest gift to our family.”
“It was planned. We’ve actually been trying for a couple years. We had gotten pregnant twice and [miscarried]. If I’m encouraging to anybody … it’s not like I’m the poster child for over 40 and pregnant.”
Little Quincy
Congrats!
LisaRaye Has It Out With Another ‘Single Ladies’ Co-Star?
*Here’s just one more example of female reality TV stars having a hard time getting along, but at least here, things ended up as a mere “misunderstanding.”
And we’re cautiously optimistic that’s the end of it.
When LisaRaye McCoy found herself on the other side of a mention from her “Single Ladies” co-star Charity Shea, (she plays April on the series) who sent shout-outs to most of her cast mates, but excluded LisaRaye, McCoy took to Twitter – and reminded Charity that she’s the show’s star.
“Wow really @charitygram? U acknowledge everyone but me? Seems you’ve forgot who was #1 on the call sheet. #totaldisrespect,” Lisa wrote back in September.
LisaRaye has been down this road before, clashing with series original, Stacey Dash, who is rumored to have quit, in part because of conflicts with Lisa.
However, Lisa clarified for HipHollywood.com that Charity’s omission was just an oversight.
“I’m not a punk. You can not forget about me because I’m the first one on the call sheet,” said Lisa who accepted Charity’s apology. “She said she didn’t know I had an Instagram, so go figure.”
For now, it seems the beef is squashed, and if nothing else came from their minor dispute, Lisa said it served to publicize the return of the show in January.
“When you use social media, it’s just a way of teasing the audience and we did exactly that,” said Lisa.
Sherri Shepherd and Ricky Smiley will host The Stellar Awards
Rickey Smiley and Sherri Shepherd will be hosts of the 29 Annual Stellar Awards in Nashville
Earlier this year, there were reports of the 2014 Stellar Awards moving to a new date and city. However, Don Jackson, Stellar Awards Chairman and CEO, announced the ceremony will not change its date or city, only the venue will be different
This year the Stellar Awards will take place at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium, instead of its previous location, the Gaylord Orpyland Convention Center
Jay-Z Set To Launch New Men’s Fragrance
Jay-Z is to release his own men’s fragrance later this month – titled Gold Jay Z, the rapper’s debut scent is a collaboration with Ilias Ermenidis of Firmenich, the world’s second-largest perfume company. It will be available in leading US department stores from November 29th. Gold Jay Z, which will cost between $39 and $79 depending on size of bottle.
It is described as follows: Inspired by an icon, the white fougere fragrance is perfected through a layered blend of yellow ginger, white cardamom, and grapefruit with a hint of blueberry. At the heart, a refined infusion of violet leaf, cypress, lavender, and luxurious vetiver with a thread of pink pepper gives a tailored, modern signature. A rich note crafted with golden amber, patchouli, teak, and bourbon vanilla give a final shot of gilded sensuality
Lindsay Lohan Is Considering Suing Over ‘Grand Theft Auto V’
Lindsay Lohan may be heading back to the courtroom but this time as the plaintiff. TMZ is reporting that Lindsay has asked her lawyers to take action against the makers of Grand Theft Auto V for using her likeness in the game without permission.
There is a character in the game named Lacey Jonas who is a celebrity and is featured on the game’s cover in addition to being used in a few of the missions. In one mission, players much escort the supposed Lohan look-a-like back to her home to escape the paparazzi. In another, gamers are asked to visit a hotel similar to L.A.
Dwyane Wade New Sock Collection
Dwyane Wade is one of the NBA’s more fashionable players — therefore it should be no surprise that Miami Heat guard, would teamed with Stance for a new men’s sock collection. Dwyane introduced an exclusive line of colorful socks, featuring eye-catching prints and designs that make the most of the real estate between the pant cuff and shoe. Each pair features 200-needle construction and a combed cotton blend, with seamless toe closure and elastic arch support for enhanced comfort. Check the collection —
The Wade Collection is now available at select Champs stores.
Vivid Offers Rosanne Barr a Porn Deal
Roseanne Barr offered a porn deal by Vivid Entertainment after she threated to film a sex tape after her sitcom pitch was rejected by networks.
Former “Roseanne” star may have found a bawdy ally after ranting about Hollywood
Comedienne Roseanne Barr, who announced her intention to abandon traditional show business and transition into “geriatric porn,” has found a potential business partner in Vivid. Vivid Entertainment founder and co-chairman Steven Hirsch told TheWrap on Monday that he’d be wide-open to helping Barr achieve celebrity GILF status.
“We would love to work with her,” Hirsch said. “She’s an iconic comedian who changed the world of television.” Barr, 61, signaled her interest in joining the XXX circuit during a Twitter tirade over the weekend, during which she lashed out at the television industry, claiming that she had been alienated from the development of her new television show and that the project’s showrunner had “disappeared” for seven weeks and ignored her. “I’m never going to work in television again. I’m never going to even attempt it. I feel as if I’ve been insulted/assaulted for over a year,” Barr wrote in a barrage of tweets.
Barr went on to say that the development process on the show “went like this: show runner disappeared for 7 weeks-never returned any calls from me-I was told she ‘goes in2 a cave’,” and then became unavailable… That was the first thing that happened after I signed on 2 ‘collaborate’.”
“Not ONE word remained of any ideas I had. I was constantly ‘corrected’ as if I had no track record whatsoever. I’m enraged over all of it,” Barr added.
“I’m going to start doing porn now — fuck it — that’s right-geriatric porn,” Barr informed her Twitter followers.
Rocsi Diaz Gets Fab For MARCIANO Holiday Campaign
To celebrate the holiday season, Marciano (the clothing brand that also encompasses GUESS) has partnered up with fab chick & former "106 & Park" host Rocsi Diaz. Check out her new modeling gig inside...
Now that she's the host of "Entertainment Tonight", Rocsi's been doing big things on tv, red carpets, and print.
Recently, Rocsi shot Marciano's brand new Holiday campaign at the London Hotel in West Hollywood wearing some of Marciano’s standout pieces from the Holiday 2013 collection.
The Honduran-born, New Orleans grown radio/tv host is channeling Hollywood glamour and rocking key items from the collection in shades of burgundy, black, teal and electric blue.
Check out the first fab pics from the campaign below:
Nice!
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘Love It Or Leave It?’
Some guys just know exactly what to say to pick up the chicks. Which clever pick-up line would you ladies fall for?
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!
EFREM
