Gladiators unite- no more binge watching old episodes on Netflix. Scandal Mid-Season 3 returns tonight. Olivia Pope & Associates will return with fast-paced dialogue, twists and turns we didn’t see coming and Kerry Washington‘s infamous strut.. Yes, it’s been a long two month hiatus and you may have forgotten where things left off. No worries, we’re here to catch you up just in time for the 10pm premiere with a few spoilers along the way.

Vice President Sally Langston kills her husband Daniel Douglas in a crime of passion after discovering not only did he have an affair but with James, Cyrus’ husband. In shock, she calls Cyrus to confess her sins. Cyrus quickly orchestrates a cover-up, blaming Daniel’s death on a heart attack.

David Rosen and James know Sally is a murderer

In a preview of the new episode, James plays Sally’s confessional to Attorney General David Rosen. David tells James the evidence will do no good in bringing Sally in because it was recorded by illegally hacking into the VP’s cell phone. However based on the preview below the two will be working together in finding a plan to bring her to justice. After all, secrets cannot be contained for long on Scandal.

James and Cyrus may be headed to divorce court

After James discovers that Cyrus lied about getting him a job and intentionally set him up to seduce Daniel Douglas, James gives Cyrus the cold shoulder. Cyrus, still upset that James slept with Daniel and reeling in despair over the photographs as evidence of the affair, uses their baby as leverage to get him to stay in the relationship. But will that be enough to repair the cracks of mistrust in their relationship?

Where in the world is Mama Pope?

The gladiators put Mama Pope on a plane to Hong Kong in a move that would keep her safe from Papa Pope, who kept her captive for decades. Mama Pope never makes it to Hong Kong because she hijacks the plane and changes course to Mongolia. Olivia discovers that Mama Pope is a trained assassin who’s been using an alias since 16 and she went against her gut again. Will Olivia ever regain that intuition from her gut again? But more importantly, where in the world is Mama Pope? Last we saw she was outside of the White House throwing away a burner phone.
Harrison finally gets a back story

Harrison Wright has been the strong one of the Gladiators and has yet to have his back story revealed. Before the winter break, viewers received little droplets of information that Adnan Salif is back in the U.S. thanks to Cyrus. Harrison doesn’t let us know why he is fearful of Adnan but in a teaser clip we see him trying to steal Abby’s gun.

Papa Pope has been forced out as the command of B613 and Jake has taken his place. We presume due to Fitz placing him there. Jake confesses to Olivia that he loves her but he knows she’s not over Fitz so he tells her this is goodbye.

Quinn slips further into the dark side

Quinn is officially a member of B613, the secret organization that is above even the President’s pay grade. After being blackmailed into killing a security guard, she attempted to leave the organization but it’s too late. How long will Quinn be able to stay true to Olivia Pope & Associates while sliding deep in love with Charlie and B613? Now that Jack is in command will he let Olivia know that Quinn is playing both sides of the field. What will Quinn’s affiliation mean for Huck, who suffers from PTSD because of B613?

Olivia & Fitz live Happily Ever After (for one night)

Fitz teases Olivia with what life would be for the two if they stop playing games and make it official. Fitz flies Olivia out to a house in Vermont on his personal helicopter. He tells her that he had the house built for them to have kids and live together. Now that things haven’t worked out, he plans on selling the house. Falling for the guilt trip, Olivia takes him back and tells him not to sell the house. The two share happily ever after for one night before she jets back to DC.

The First Family will be revealed

We can assume the First Family will be taking a bigger role as Shonda Rhimes will finally give us a glimpse of Mellie and Fitz’s older kids, Jerry and Karen. We’ve already seen the adorable Baby Teddy or as Mellie calls him “America’s baby.”

Will Fitz & Olivia be exposed?

Mellie may have some tricks up her sleeve that will keep the first family in tact and Olivia away from the President for good. The video below shows the two on a lunch date with the paparazzi outside.

In a second spoiler clip, Olivia goes to head to head with a reporter that plans to expose a secret to the world. We’ll have to wait to find out what that is.

Celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff and creator of Perfect Face talks about how she got her start, her upcoming WE tv reality show, “Hustle & Glow” and her partnership with QVC.

West Palm Beach authorities have charged 24-year-old Youvens Madeus with first-degree murder after the body of his 27-year-old pregnant girlfriend, Horacia Simeus, was found in the home the two shared on Monday morning.

Horacia Siemus was on the phone when she was attacked with a machete.

The victim was on the phone with a victim services advocate during a heated exchange with Madeus when she was attacked. Siemus, who worked at KFC, is mourned by her manager, who called Madeus “abusive” in an interview with WPBF.  Siemus had apparently been warned by her family to leave Madeus, as he had been been abusive in the past. Palm Beach County deputies said “at some point during the argument, the suspect armed himself with a machete and struck the victim once with it, killing her.”

By Kimatni D. Rawlins

From Henry Ford paying black men equal wages to supplier diversity programs boosting companies like Bridgewater Interiors and top executives like GM VP, Global Design Ed Welburn, who oversees all vehicles, we’ve played and prospered with the car industry. Here are four offerings from automakers that pay it forward.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Since making its debut in 1953, the Corvette Stingray has remained the country’s best-selling sports car, generating a whopping third of the entire segment’s sales even today. To elevate it to Porsche 911 status and beyond, Chevy’s deep roster of designers and engineers transformed the C6 into a C7. Simply bad to the bone, its physique is chiseled yet exotic, with square tail lamps replacing its hallmark circular lights. Available in either a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters or the new 7-speed manual with Active Rev Match, the Vette’s 6.2-liter LT1 direct-injected V8 produces 455 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, catapulting it like a rock in a slingshot. Coupe pricing starts at $51,995 and $56,995 for the convertible.

2014 Ford F-150 Tremor

Not all of Ford’s good news is due to its small cars. For the first five months of 2013, its truck sales were up 11 percent. Because truck buyers are diverse and oftentimes picky, Ford has added the sportier 2014 F-150 Tremor, its first truck exclusively powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, to the mix. Delivering 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel, the Tremor can also hit 420 lbft of torque at 2,000 rpm. True to its sporty design, the F-150 only seats two for now—in bucket seats at that—and gets even fancier with HID headlamps, Alcantara seat inserts, 20-inch black rims tucked in Pirelli rubber and MyFord Touch. Pricing starts at $38,545.

2014 Buick Regal and Regal GS

Fueled by their trendsetting LaCrosse sedan and Enclave midsize luxury SUV, times are good for General Motors. Inevitably, that symphony of style, safety architecture and digital technology had to find its way to the 2014 Buick Regal. Blazing down country roads with no traffic is indeed an expression of joy. Its power-to-weight ratio makes it just as quick as a heavier vehicle with more power. Plus, the Haldex all-wheel drive system is full on-demand with a limitedslip rear differential for optimal cornering traction, even sending torque to rear wheels if slippage is detected. Base model pricing starts at $30,615, the 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder (not offered on the GS) is $32,485 and the GS is $37,830.

2014 Toyota Corolla

Now that Idris Elba has caught your attention with the all-new Avalon, Toyota is going after your kid with the 2014 Corolla. With its new stylistic front end, razorsharp edges, LED headlamps, upgraded rims and well-sculpted exterior, this new Corolla—especially the S model—is living life on the edge. Available in four style offerings (L, LE, LE Eco and S), with the Eco reportedly achieving 40 mpg on the highway, and premium interiors that come with such expected consumer standards as Bluetooth, a touch-screen multimedia system, rear backup camera and paddle shifters, plus Toyota’s app suite dubbed Entune, the new Corolla impresses. Pricing starts around $16,800.

Catch more vehicle insights from Automotive Rhythms publisher/founder Kimatni D. Rawlins by visiting AutoIconic.com or following him on Twitter, @ARtvKimatni.

Whether playing in NBC’s “Parenthood” or About Last Night, Joy Bryant manages to bring remarkable talent to both the big and small screens. Prior to becoming an actress, the 5-foot-9 beauty modeled for major designers, such as Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren. Even now, Joy maintains a statuesque quality on the red carpet. Those who prefer relaxed and casual outfits that bridge the gap between real life and the runway, take a few style tips inspired by this week’s Star Style, Joy Bryant.

Joy flaunts her lean figure in a simple, solid color, body-skimming gown. The elongated silhouette complements her svelte figure. And the dramatic earrings are the perfect match for the scooped neckline.

This look presents a feeling of effortless European chic. The pairing of the crop jacket with the wide leg pant complements her proportions seamlessly. But, if there was one thing that could have been added to the outfit, it would be long strands of pearls for a classic French twist.

Eye-catching, textured, space-dyed prints look beautiful with her complexion.

Joy takes the high road in this optical illusion mini body-con dress, and spices it up a bit with a belt. However, note that if you have a short waist, it’s best that you subtract the belt from the equation.

A striped knit dress, such as this, can take on a look of many forms and can be paired with any and everything in your closet — from layering underneath a denim jacket to layering over a white button shirt, and more.

There is the body-con dress and then there is the Hervé Léger Bandage Dress. If you really want a grown-up, sophisticated dress in your closet — the shape of this design really sculpts the body.

Joy made this sheath dress winter appropriate thanks to the black opaque tights and icy silver accessories.

Consider going beyond baggy, with a ’70s-inspired pant and unusual details.

Go easy equestrian with a military style jacket and simple riding boots.

Even if leather wasn’t a popular trend of the moment, it would still be the hottest commodity in your closet. Leather is timeless, yet will always give a modern touch.

Those with thin figures who want to give the illusion of having curves may want to consider a design with  textured overlay, which adds a little depth to the body.

Courtesy of Vibe Vixen

Are Aub-Rih back together?

Tuesday night, during Drake’s “Would You Like a Tour” concert in Paris, Rihanna joined Drizzy on stage to perform her stripper anthem “Pour It Up” followed by their 2012  duet “Take Care,” marking the first time the two have ever performed the song live.

Keep reading …

Two-time Academy Award nominee Viola Davis will play the lead in Shonda Rhimes‘ new ABC pilot, ”How To Get Away With Murder.”

This will be Davis’ first starring role in a television series in over a decade. Davis, who received an Oscar nomination for her role in The Help, made appeared in ”Law And Order” and Showtime’s ”The United States Of Tara” before becoming a household name.

The sexy, legal thriller centers around a mysterious criminal defense professor, Annalise DeWitt (Davis), and her students who get entangled in a murder plot. The ABC pilot will be executive produced by Rhimes and Betsy Beers with Rhimes production company, Shondaland. The series will be written by Peter Norwalk (“Grey’s Anatomy”).

“How To Get Away” is Rhimes second series starring an A-List actress. ”Scandal,” starring Kerry Washington, has been a huge hit, and is loosely based on the life and career of Judy Smith, real life government crisis fixer. ”Scandal” mid-season 3 premieres tonight at 10/9c on ABC; here’s where “Scandal” left off.

Former NFL player Roy Simmons, who later became the second former player in NFL history to come out as gay, died in his New York home last week at 57. According to the New York Daily News, he had been recently hospitalized with pneumonia and had been HIV positive since 1997.

After playing football at Georgia Tech, Simmons was drafted by the New York Giants in 1979 as an offensive guard. He was eventually cut by the Giants in 1983 by Bill Parcells and moved to the Washington Redskins, as part of their Super Bowl XVIII team. 1984 was his final year in the league.

Simmons (affectionately known as “Sugar Bear because of his smile and personality) was the only player in NFL history to acknowledge that he was HIV positive. In 1992, he announced he was gay on the nationally televised show “Donahue.” At the time, Simmons was the second retired NFL player to come out publicly as a gay man. Despite coming out to the public, the former Giants offensive lineman spent many years masking the turmoil of his sexuality and struggling with substance abuse.

The Egg McMuffin now has some stiff competition, as Taco Bell introduces the Waffle Taco and other items on its new breakfast menu.

Taco Bell’s announcement comes after McDonald’s revealed it was considering extending their breakfast hours. McDonald’s, the leading fast food chain whose budget-friendly breakfast menu remains the most popular, took a minimal hit with chains such as Subway and Starbucks offering breakfast sandwiches.

On March 27, Taco Bells will roll out a breakfast menu which includes the Waffle Taco, a folded, golden waffle with egg, cheese, and your choice of bacon or sausage topped with maple syrup. The A.M. Crunchwrap, geared towards the young male audience, includes hash browns, eggs, and cheese with sausage or bacon in a flour tortilla. The chain will offer coffee for the first time ever in its 52-year history with pastry dessert Cinnamon Delights.

With new food items debuting, Taco Bell faces new challenges. Kevin Newell, brand and strategy officer for McDonald’s was unfazed with the news of the Mexican breakfast venture. Hiring new workers for morning shifts, training existing workers, and new equipment are only a few challenges the chain may not be prepared for.

Chris Brandt, Taco Bell’s chief marketing officer says the prices will be “very competitive.” The breakfast menu will be served until 11 a.m., a half hour longer than McDonald’s.

Nearly a year after tying the knot rumors swept the internet that Grammy-Award winning singer Janet Jackson and her billionaire husband Wissam Al Mana were preparing for a billion dollar divorce battle. However, we can all safely put these rumors to bed for now. A rep for Janet Jackson shuts down divorce rumors, saying the gossip couldn’t be farther from the truth.

The insider recently told “Entertainment Tonight” of Jackson and Mana’s marriage, “The rumors about their marriage are a lie. They are very happy and very much together. In fact, the couple has recently purchased an even larger home in New York.”

The couple confirmed their 2012 nuptials to “Entertainment Tonight” in 2013. If the couple is headed for divorce, it isn’t likely that it will be anytime soon. Only time will tell.

Courtesy of Sister 2 Sister

Cynthia Bailey may have thought twice about inviting NeNe Leakes to Peter Thomas’ birthday party had she known what NeNe was saying about Peter when they weren’t around.

“I am beyond offended and embarrassed that one of my closest and most loyal friends called my husband a b!tc# for speaking the truth. Not only is it blatant disrespect, it’s also dirty,” Cynthia wrote in her BravoTV.com blog. “It crosses the line.”

NeNe did not call Peter out of his name to his face, but in one of her “Real Housewives of Atlanta” confessionals, she described his behavior as “b!tc#a$$ness” after he left the Saving Our Daughters event upset by NeNe’s apparent attitude.

Continue here…

Courtesy of Cocoa Fab

Continue here…

Author/poet Maya Angelou, Motown Records founder Berry Gordy and football legend Jim Brown are set to be rewarded for their efforts in promoting equal rights.

On Thursday (Feb. 27), Major League Baseball announced the trio will be honored at the 2014 MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon on May 30 in Houston. “Good Morning America” co-host Robin Roberts will serve as this year’s keynote speaker.

Performers will include Grammy-winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari and “Wake Me Up” singer Aloe Blacc.

The event will be followed by the annual Civil Rights Game where the Houston Astros will host the Baltimore Orioles. The match will air on the MLB Network.

Past honorees include Aretha Franklin, Bo Jackson, Hank Aaron, Muhammad Ali, Harry Belafonte, Morgan Freeman and others.

Director Lee Daniels has found the perfect pair to head his “Empire.”

Hustle & Flow stars Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard have been tapped to play an estranged couple in the Fox family drama inspired by JAY Z. Our leading man will play Lucious Lyon, the boss at a record label who is described as “charismatic, tough, wise and a superstar in the music industry.”

Henson will play Cookie Lyon, a “badass” who has just been released from prison after serving 17 for dealing drugs. The money from her illegal activity ultimately helped build Lucious’ company and, now, she wants her cut.

Jussie Smollett will play the couple’s musically-inclined son who is ridiculed by his father for his homosexual lifestyle.

“Empire” will shoot in Chicago, but there is no word on an air date.

A light sprinkling of shade will surely keep the doctor away! This week in celebrity quotes, Spike Lee goes on a profanity-laced rant about the gentrification of Brooklyn,  Paula Deen compares her public downfall to gay NFL prospect Michael Sam‘s recent backlash, and Marlo Hampton calls out former BFF NeNe Leakes on her Donald Trump-esque toupee. Plus, DMX blames his foreclosure and bad credit on wife! And Tiny Harris said what?! AND I QUOTE …

“Then comes the motherf**kin’ Christopher Columbus Syndrome. You can’t discover this! We been here. You just can’t come and bogart. There were brothers playing motherf**kin’ African drums in Mount Morris Park for 40 years and now they can’t do it anymore because the new inhabitants said the drums are loud.”

Spike Lee ranting against those who come into Black neighborhoods and change the codes of the hood, as part of a Black History Month discussion, via New York Magazine.

Source

“@msebonyrose b**ch shut yo dumb a*s up & figure out how to stop growing out them clothes hoe!! U sound like a happy b**ch! He still MINE trick don’t get it phucked up!!”

Tameka “Tiny” Major responding to a fan’s disrespectful comments on her husband T.I.’s page, via Instagram.

“I told her she is living above her means, that you can’t still live on the same block as Martha Stewart and Chevy Chase, you gotta downgrade. But she refuses to do so because the house is in my name. She doesn’t give a f*** about my credit.”

DMX blaming his wife for allowing their mansion to go into foreclosure and for ruining his credit, via TMZ.

Continue reading on UPTOWN

“I feel like ‘embattled’ or ‘disgraced’ will always follow my name. It’s like that Black football player who recently came out.”

Paul Deen comparing her racist scandal to the future of gay NFL prospect Michael Sam, in the newest issue of People. 

Source

“I heard she wants nothing else to do with me, but because I’m against toupee abuse, I’m still willing to hook her up with Lawrence, Dawn or Kemya, three of ATL’s top hairstylist so she can free that small furry animal on her head.”

Marlo Hampton snapping back at former BFF NeNe Leakes about her Donald Trump-inspired toupee, in a heated debate via Twitter.

 “Those blogs: I make their hits go up. So they should thank me or send me a check.”

K. Michelle dissing all the blogs that make up rumors surrounding her life, in a sit down on the “Arsenio Hall Show.”

Source

 “I think people need to see what real life looks like. It’s not all this ‘Heavenly Father, I’m in a bad way.’ Like I’m probably going to go to hell but before I leave I’m taking some people with me. Either you gon’ help me or this is the way it’s going to be.” 

Tina Campbell speaking with her dark thoughts after learning her husband committed infidelity while she was on the road working, in an exclusive interview with Madame Noire.

Source

Chadwick Boseman is showing off his smooth moves in a preview clip for the James Brown biopic Get On Up– also starring Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Tika Sumpter, Jill Scott, Keith Robinson, Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd and Lennie James.

The film, directed by Tate Taylor, follows Brown’s rise to fame after enduring extreme poverty as a child in Georgia.

Get On Up hits theaters Aug. 1. Check out a sneak peek below.

A California judge has ordered Chris Brown to remain in an anger-management rehab program for the next two months until his hearing in April. But new court documents are revealing the reasoning behind the singer’s years of rage.

A letter from the rehab facility states Brown is suffering from bipolar disorder, severe insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder which has triggered his anger issues.

“Mr. Brown will also require close supervision by his treating physician in order to ensure his bipolar mental health condition remains stable,” the document stated. “It is not uncommon for patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Bipolar II to use substances to self-medicate their biomedical mood swings and trauma triggers.”

The letter continues, “Mr. Brown became aggressive and acted out physically due to his untreated mental health disorder, severe sleep deprivation, inappropriate self-medicating and untreated PTSD.”

Officials from the rehab facility said Brown does appreciate what he’s learned under their care and is looking to better himself and become a positive role model. To date, he’s completed 250 hours of community labor and will complete the remaining 750 hours by Oct. 10.

Brown entered the facility following an incident in October in Washington, D.C. where he and his bodyguard allegedly punched a man and broke his nose outside a hotel. He is currently still on probation for his 2009 attack on then-girlfriend, Rihanna.

Brown’s next hearing is scheduled for April 23.

Courtesy of Cocoa Fab

Continue here…

VH1 has pulled the plug on “Single Ladies” after just three seasons of the dramedy starring LisaRaye McCoy, Denise Vasi and Charity Shea. While the series provided moderate ratings for the network, execs have decided the Queen Latifah-produced effort has reached its end.

“We’ve been proud to deliver three seasons of the drama, romance and style that engaged viewers in each episode of Single Ladies,” VH1 said in a statement. The series set the blueprint for the network’s journey into scripted television.

“Although we’ve decided not to move forward with another season, we hope to work again with the talented cast, creatives and producers as well as our partners at Flavor Unit Entertainment in the near future. We also thank the show’s fans for their support since the premiere in 2011.”

“Single Ladies” is currently still on-air, with an average of 2.2 million viewers tuning in every week.

Courtesy of Elev8.com

A brand new infographic highlights just how white and male the Academy Awards really are.

According to research by book publisher Lee & Low, since the Academy Awards’ inception in 1927, the academy has been dominated by whites males. Lee & Low found that, of the 6,000 industry professionals that compose the academy, 94 percent white. Lee & Low also found that only two percent of the academy is black and less than two percent are Latino. Asians and Native Americans round out the academy’s six percent minority membership.

When it comes to Oscar winners, only one woman of color as ever been awarded the Best Actress award – Halle Berry in 2002 for her role in Monster’s Ball. Just seven percent of the Best Actor award winners have been minorities members, including three black men: Sidney Poitier (1963,) Denzel Washington (2001,) Jamie Foxx (2004) and Forest Whitaker (2006.)

Continue here…