Ellie - Saab perfume ad

I gotta tell ya! This ad stopped me in my tracks when I saw it this morning on my commute in to work. How beautiful is this dress? Words just fail me..stunning! Forget the perfume, where can I get the dress?!?

Look of the Day - Kimora Lee Simmons

Can I just tell you? I love me some Kimora Lee Simmons! She was on 106 & Park this past week and she looked all kinds of good. Loving the outfit and weight loss Kimora!!

Btw have you guys read her book entitled Fabulosity? It's an oldie but goodie..

Thoughts?

"My ex- boyfriend gave me an STI" - Billy Joel's Daughter

Alexa Ray the daughter of famed musician Billy Joel and model Christie Brinkley is dicscussing something you often dont hear celebrities discuss.

Their sexual history.

In a new interview with Alexa Ray Joel 25, tells the world that she contracted human papillomavirus (HPV) from a previous relationship.  Joel explained " I had it, but I mean a lot of people get it from my ex. I mean it was fine you know. There are no side effects, you just go and get it taken care of"

Well damn!

You know what? I find her incredibly courageous  her for speaking out about her health and shattering this near perfect image that the world has of celebrities. It's important that we as a society know the facts and stop looking at this issues is hushed voices or in a vacuum. I disagree about the no side-effects part of statement, this STI can often have devastating results.

Did you know that HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It is common most sexually active people. At least 70% of sexually active people will get HPV at some time in their lives. The virus, which has nearly 200 known types, causes no symptoms in most people some types can cause warts while others can lead to cancer in the genital areas

People need to be aware of the stats and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves. 

What do you think? Is this TMI or do you applaud her for speaking out?

Thoughts?

Exclusive interview with one of Nollywood's leading ladies : Syr Law!!

Syr Law (born Crystal Porter) is one to watch. Hailing from Atlanta Georgia, Law is on a mission to take her talents globally appearing in both Hollywood and Nollywood films. Read on to find out about her experience working with industry heavy weights Tyler Perry, Van Vicker and why a beautiful woman like her can’t get a date.

Syr ( (pronounced s-e-e-r) is very interesting, how did you get that name?

Well, my birth name is Crystal Porter and that was taken in SAG. I turned Crys around to get Sryc and at first I thought Sryc would be kinda weird. Then one day my friend was like “you know what about Syr?, what about dropping the C at the end and we call you Syr?” I lived with it for a couple of days and I really just started loving the name. Law came cause I felt like I had moved to LA from Atlanta and it was a cleansing period for me. It was about doing it my way. It’s my law, it’s my way. So Syr Law was born out of that.

How did you get started in acting?

Originally when I graduated from Hampton what I wanted to do was music. That was my whole goal; I wanted to be like the female Sean Puffy Combs. I wanted to own my record label.  So when I went back home, I started working for a management company that eventually moved to Los Angeles. They weren’t paying me enough money to move to LA so I started working in corporate America.  I was there for about 4 weeks and I woke up one morning and I was like “this is not what I am supposed to be doing”.  I literally resigned. I quit my job even though I had never performed in college. I auditioned and got accepted into the Black Playwrights Festival and I studied with them for a year. It was amazing and that’s how I got my start.

So you’re in Atlanta working at the Black Playwright Festival, how did you transition into Nollywood?

It was a longer road than that. I ended up leaving Atlanta because I felt like everything that was coming into Atlanta I was booking. I had booked Tyler Perry’s “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” and it was a very small role but that was amazing. I just felt like if I am really gonna make a go at this, I needed to go West. A lot of the students (from Atlanta) had moved to California so I was the last one to move. So I told myself I had to try and go out to LA and make it happen. I was out here and I had been working for like 2 years. I had never heard of Nollywood…

 

Talk about divine intervention...

Yeah, so a really good friend of mine Jermaine (J)who is a stand up comedian ended up getting a call from Nigerian actor Chet Anekwe. Chet had a friend who was doing a concert who in Oakland, California and they had someone who was opening for the show who didn’t show up. They needed a replacement so they flew my friend J to Oakland and that’s where he met Koby the producer of Paparazzi. Koby happened to tell J about the Paparazzi script and that they were looking for a lead female American actress.  J said "I have the perfect girl for you", so he put me in touch with Koby and we talked for 3 months, I auditioned 4 times via video and I chopped it up with the director Bayo Akinfemi and we were in the same vein of about my character Pearl. We were very aligned with the direction we wanted to take her. They offered me the role and I flew to Atlanta. I was there for close to 2 months and we filmed there. It’s really God. It lead me to this amazing journey to find out about Nollywood, the players in Nollywood and to really want to make an impact on the story they tell there. I absolutely still work in Hollywood but I also feel like there is a whole other market that is open to what I have to offer as an artist and a story teller.

In Paparazzi you starred with Van Vicker one of Nollywood’s leading men. What was that like?

He is so funny and that’s thing that I loved about him the most. I didn’t have a ton of scenes with him but the scenes that I had, he would be in mid conversation cracking jokes. So we are literally going from cracking up to a serious scene. He was amazing, so much fun. I got to go on tour with him; we did a 28 city tour of the US. Van and I went to 10 or 15 of those together. He is the nicest guy and definitely a family man.  He just makes you feel so comfortable to be around him. I had never heard of him until we did the film together. I would have never known that he is as large of a star as he is; he is that down to earth. And he is fine (laughing)

Click in on to read more about Syr!

2 ways manage yourself like a brand

"You are The Brand" author Steve Adubato wants you know that perception and attitude is key in building your brand as an individual. Here are 2 things I learned today from his Today show stint this morning:

1) Become comfortable with self promotion in a constructive away. If there is a job that you want in your department, go out and get it. The opportunity or job wont come and present it self to you. Self promotion can rub people the wrong way, so Adubato says you should err in the side of confidence.  Attitude is the key here, make sure you perfect your face to face skills.

2) Putting things on Facebook can backfire and actually kill your brand. You have to ask yourself who is your audience is and how you want to connect with them. Market yourself successfully.

Helpful?

Thoughts?

Beyonce Swagger jackin'? 4 reasons it may be true!

Y'all know I love me some Beyonce so it hurts me to even write this post. Folks are accusing the "Singles Ladies" singer of  swagger jacking (ie using someone else's ideas). It's so hard to not at least think about it especially when you watch most of the videos from new album 4. It's really apparent that inspiration from her videos have been pulled from other sources. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you 4 reasons why Bey might could be a swagger jacker.

Reason # 1

Iit is imperative that you check out this video of Beyonce's video "Countdown" vs. Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. See below...



I mean damn. Someone should get fired for this. Specifically the choreographer that presented B with the concept of this video. You cant just take someone's else work of art and then acknowledge after you've been caught. It's called stealing.

Reason # 2
You guys remember the controversy surrounding her Billboard awards performance? She was accused of stealing her entire concept from Lorella Cuccarini 2010 performance. See the video below for that showing..



Reason # 3
The "Love on Top" video that  I posted here sounds a mighty similar to Jonathan Butler's song "Lies". Not to mention she pulled her whole choreography from boy band New Edition. At least she acknowledged that "inspiration".

Reason #4 

When Mrs. Carter video for  "Who Runs the World" came out, tongues were wagging with her using African dance group Tofo Tofo in her video. I for one was happy that she used the guys in the video, even flying them from Africa to perform. But this was clearly another example of Bey using someone's else work in her video.



I mean really? How thin is the line between inspiration and copying? You tell me!

Thoughts?

Is Serena Williams's hair falling out?

Ahhh how gullible the media is sometimes.

The blogs and news outlets are a lit afire with these pictures of tennis champ Serena Williams after a dinner out with a friend in Beverly Hills.

People are concerned that Serena's hair is falling out. It's not y'all! Stevie Wonder can see that's a wig on her head. For us seasoned wig wearers, we know that when the lacefront is pulled a bit too much it can lose hair in the front. That ain't Rena's real fair...the wig is obviously shedding  hair.

What we really need to be concerned about are those edges. Not the "bald patch" in the middle.

Hope I cleared that up!

Thoughts?

Nicki Minaj covers South Africa's Cleo Magazine

Queens bred rapper Nicki Minaj is on the cover of South Africa's Cleo magazine. That's a good look Nicki!!

Friends, I have to be honest though, I am not feeling this look. I am a huge Nicki fan but can someone tell me where is her booty is in this pic? Is this Pippa Middleton or Nicki Minaj? Also where is her neck?  Lastly can we please put away the blue wig, Lil Kim called she wants her look back.

I say all of this though cause I love you though Nicki Nick.

What do you guys think?

Wanna get a good laugh? Check out Amber Rose's acting skills!

I know. The headline of this post is mean. I don't know Amber personally so this is not a personal attack on her or the nude pictures she leaks every other day. But damn it Jim, if this movie she's starring in doesn't look like a hot ass mess. I can't deal. Check out the clip of her below:





2 things:

1) Can she not walk and talk at the same time? I was having a hard time picturing anything else but a prepubescent teen as she was speaking. I will give her credit though for that long stare at the end..that was really good.
2) Who cast her in this? Who thought it would be a good idea to do a film with cowgirls full of weaves & hair coloring? This is going straight to DVD.

Did you check out the trailer? Thoughts?

Jennifer Aniston sizzles in silver

42 year old actress Jennifer Aniston wore this hot low cut number to Elle Annual Women in Hollywood event. She look's smoking..what do you think of this look?

Look of the day - Tracee Ellis Ross & Regina King

I attended the Black Girls Rock! event in the Bronx on Saturday night and I had a blast. Look for my write up coming soon, but in the meantime enjoy this flick of hosts Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King messing around onstage. Good times!

3 things I learned from Beyonce's new video for Love on Top

Beyonce just dropped her brand-new spanking video for "Love on Top" from her album 4.


 I LOVE the song, video is just ayite to me. Not one of my favorites. That said, here are 3 things I picked up from video:

1) "Love on Top" sounds a lot like Jonathan Butler's Lies: Check out Butler's version below, sounds mighty similar. Definitely wont silence the critics claiming lack of originality on Bey's behalf.


2) The video seems a little rushed, like a lot of thought wasn't put into it. Mrs. Carter had about 3 wardrobe changes in the video and they all seem so uninspired. On the bright side though, Bey's makeup and hair look phenomenal.

3) I'm little over the no pants bit. Put some clothes on Bey. But then again if I had a body like Beyonce I might walk around pant-less as well.

Thoughts?

My Chance Encounter with Hungry Girl a.k.a Lisa Lillien

Makho and Lisa Lillien

Last night, on a rainy Thursday in NYC, I had the pleasure of meeting Food Network star Lisa Lillien. Miss Lillien is master mind behind the Hungry Girl series- she has parlayed her initially small newsletter to a money making cash cow with best selling books, hit TV shows and incredible products.

Lisa Lillien

Lisa was super sweet and down to earth when I met her. You would never guess that this woman is building a small empire dishing out tasty food advice. She has over  1.1 million loyal subscribers, over 400,000 Facebook fans, and a staff of 12.

Lisa's cake

The intimate party that I attended last night was in honor Lisa's new book Hungry Girl: Supermarket Survival. There was ton of food and drinks and everything was downright delicious! Look at that fantastic cake made by her staff. Isn't it great? I love it!! I had 2 pieces of that chocolate cake..YUMMY!

Lisa is currently on tour, click here to see whether Hungry Girl is coming to a city near you.

Makho and Jackie

Shout out to my homegirl Jackie Mgido (makeup artist to stars) for the invite to last night's soiree.

Are you a Hungry Girl fan? Thoughts?

Look of the day - Kelly Rowland

Miss Kelly stuns in this green and black Versace number this past weekend during X Factor 2011! I love this look, Kelly's body is outta control!

Thoughts?

RIP Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs -- the Apple founder and former CEO who invented and masterfully marketed ever-sleeker gadgets that transformed everyday technology -- passed away at age 56, surrounded by his family.

"We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today," the company said in a brief statement.

What an incredible loss this is for all of us.  I write this to you from my Mac lap top that I purchased from the Apple store. Steve's contributions to modern day society are immeasurable. His passing reminds us how quickly life moves.

May he rest in peace.

Your time is limited. Don't live somebody else's life. -Steve Jobs

Friend in my head- celeb edition!

Media personality Wendy Williams coined the term "friend in my head" way back in her radio days. I have loved it ever since. Essentially a friend in your head is someone that you don't know personally (i.e a celeb) but you feel a certain kinship towards. Think of it this way, that if you met this person you would surely be friends based on what you have read or heard about them. Sounds crazy? Yes! Is it fun? of course

Check out my list of the top 4 ladies that I consider friends in my head..

Beyonce- do I even need to explain why? I love errything about Bey

Wendy Williams- list wouldn't be complete without her. She is so funny!

Kelly Rowland- she seems so humble and genuinely sweet. She seems like the sensible friend you need around.

TV Presenter Diane Sawyer. I don't know about y'all but I heart Diane big time. I also love the fact that she is a former pageant girl :)

So that's my  fun list! Who makes the cut on your list of friends in your head?

Idris Elba covers Essence Magazine

The hotness that is Idris Elba is on the cover of this month's Essence Magazine! I mean do I even need to write any more text or are you just staring at the cover? LOL

Will you pick up this issue?

Former Destiny's Child LaTavia Roberson talks Kelly, Beyonce & Matthew Knowles

In an interview with UK publication the Mirror former Destiny's Child member LaTavia Roberson discusses never talked about secrets behind the success of the best selling girl group. As a DC fan, I've always wanted to get the low down on what really happened behind the scenes.  Check out the highlights from the article.


On Kelly Rowland:

Matthew did not mince his words and it can be tough to take that kind of criticism when you are a little girl. We would try not to let it break us. But Kelly was the sensitive one, and sometimes she would go to her room and cry.”The tears fell hard when manager Matthew Knowles, father of bandmate Beyonce, tore into her after a Destiny’s Child show where she had faltered during a dance routine he had drilled into “his” girls. “Where were you tonight, Kelly?” he bawled at her after a gig in Atlanta in 1997. “I watched you mess up 12 dance steps.”

On how she got kicked out off the group:

LaTavia reveals how she and LeToya began to have “serious issues” with their manager. “Things seemed unfair,” she says. “Beyonce and Kelly had cars. I’m not saying pay cheques were any different, but Matthew used to say a lot of crazy things like, ‘Y’all should be glad I’m giving you money’. “We were happy for Matthew to stay on as manager, but we wanted another manager to work with him.” So LaTavia and LeToya wrote their fateful letter to Knowles expressing their concerns. The next thing they knew, says LaTavia, they were out. But they didn’t find out until they saw the video for Say My Name with two new girls in their places. They officially left Destiny’s Child in December 1999, when they were just 18.

On her relationship with Matthew Knowles:

We used to call him Joe Jackson,” says Latavia. “It’s not like he beat us with his belt or anything, but he was very strict. Beyonce was the only one brave enough to stand up to him.”“We worked really hard. It was rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. It would be the four of us and he was like a drill sergeant. When summertime came he would start a camp at his house in Houston. “He would make us wake up early in the morning and take us to Herman Park. There was a three-and-a-half mile track and we would sing while we jogged around it. Then we would go to the house and rehearse. “That’s what our days consisted of, seven days a week. Looking back, working that hard did cost us our childhood. But at the time we were just focused on living out our dreams.”

On her regrets:

“My one regret is that I should have spoken to Beyonce and Kelly before I sent the letter,” says LaTavia. “That is the one thing I would have done different. I would have gone to my sisters and discussed it with them. After that, we didn’t speak for many years.” “I saw Beyonce in 2003 and we just hugged and talked... it was so emotional,” she says. “I spoke to Kelly last year and I asked her, ‘Do you understand why we did what we did?’ She said, ‘Oh gosh, yes’. And that was enough for me. I am convinced that if it was not for Matthew Knowles we would still be together as a band.”


On the different personalities in the group:

“LeToya was the jokester, I was the sassy one, Beyonce was the mamma and Kelly the sensitive one. Watching movies, she’d be the first to cry.  am not going to say that Kelly had bad self-esteem, but she was timid. She was definitely the quiet one of the four of us.

You can read the entire post here:


Wow!! That is all I can say, didnt the girls sign an iron clad confidentiality agreement. In any event I'm looking forward to the book LaTavia!


Thoughts?

30 Second Sneak Peek: Beyoncé, 'Countdown'

I'm kinda excited to see this video. Check out the 60 second preview of Beyonce's new video "Countdown".

The video premieres THIS Thursday, October 6th!!

Get More: Beyoncé, MTV Shows

Look of the day -Ciara

I gotta tell you, I love this whole look on Ci-Ci. The simplicity & delicacy of the white dress paired against the tough leather jacket just does it for me. With gold cross completing the look, she almost looks angelic right?

Thoughts?

Zimbabwean model Nyasha Matonhodze poses for Vogue Japan

The most booked black model at the Spring 2012 fashion week held in New York (14 shows in total) Miss Nyasha Matonhodze is lighting up the pages of Vogue Japan. She's international baby!

The Zimbabwean born model will appear in the pages of the November issue of Vogue Japan. It's only a matter of time before she is on the cover of the US version of Vogue. What say you Anna Wintour?

 Amazing clothes right? It doesn't hurt that Nyasha is beautiful!

Nyasha will model dresses from Chanel, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen and more in the magazine spread.
Thoughts?

Former Miss USA gets a job!

Former Miss USA Crystle Stewart has landed an acting gig on Tyler Perry's new sitcom "For Better Or Worse. Fun little tid bit here, I almost competed with Crystle in the Miss USA pageant that year, I unfortunately was the 1st runner up in my state pageant (out of 160 something girls) and didn't make it to nationals.

In case you didnt know it's hard for Miss USA's after her reign is over. From what I hear, you are on your own after you give up your title. If that is indeed the case, I am happy Miss Stewart is working and doing great things in Hollywood.

"Better Or Worse" is a new dramedy that will follow the tumultuous relationship of the lovesick couple Marcus and Angela from 'Why Did I Get Married.' The show airs Nov 23rd on TBS. Tasha Smith & Michael Jai White are terrific actors, my only question is are Marcus and Angela able to hold their own on the small screen? Will Janet Jackson and Jill Scott's character drop in on the show? Guess the only way to find out is by watching.

Peep the trailer below, thoughts?