Filmmaker/producer Crystal McCrary recently chatted with our UPTOWN PROFile host Chitra Nawbatt about her project, Little Ballers, and the challenges of funding film projects. McCrary also talks about how luck and serendipity played a part in her career success and what prompted her to take a leap of faith and pursue her passion.

A Pennsylvania woman is accused of hustling heroin from a hospital intensive care unit and a hospital room. Lori Sullenberger, 38, was arrested on felony and misdemeanor drug charges during a stay at Excela Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, PA.

Sullenberger was being treated for an undisclosed reason when hospital security became curious of the activity in her room. “What they noticed last week was an exuberant amount of foot traffic happening to the patient’s room; not people coming to stay two hours, but coming to stay for two minutes and they thought that was really odd,” hospital spokeswoman Jennifer Miele said.

After selling 30 bags of heroin to an undercover officer, police seized $3,800 in heroin, two syringes, and $1,420 in cash from her room. Police said Sullenberger was able to run her business by using multiple cellphones to have visitors meet her in her room. Her boyfriend is suspected in assisting with the drug operation. And a third man, who allegedly bought or possessed drugs from Sullenberger, was also arrested. She also sold narcotics to patients who were being treated for their addictions in the facility.

[Image: Shutterstock]

“Definitely is one of the more unique cases, to be selling narcotics out of an intensive care unit where obviously people are trying to get help,” Police Capt. Chad Zucco said. Officials also say she was putting the drug in her IV.

Excela Westmoreland Hospital continued to treat Sullenberger as police worked on arrest warrants this week. The hospital has shut down her visiting hours.

Today in New York, BET announced its upcoming program lineup, including renewals of viewer favorites and a new scripted mini-series, titled “The Book of Negroes.”

Jason and Kelly Pitts, along with other cast members, are returning for the eighth season of ”The Game.” The highly successful mistress chronicle ”Being Mary Jane,” starring Gabrielle Union, gets renewed for a second season. The funny, fake reality show, “Real Husbands Of Hollywood,” starring Hollywood’s favorite actors and artists alongside comedian Kevin Hart, will return for a third season.

In addition to the network’s successful, established shows, BET unveils new programming. Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Aunjanue Ellis will star in ”The Book Of Negroes,” a historical drama based on the Commonwealth Prize winning novel of the same name by Lawrence Hill. The six-part miniseries documents the abduction of 11-year-old Aminita Diallo from West Africa and sale into slavery in South Carolina.

Diggy Simmons, son of hip hop royalty Rev Runfrom iconic group Run DMC, stars in the new scripted series, ”The Startup.” Also starring Teyana Taylor and Bria Murphy, the series follows Blake, played by Diggy, and friends as they struggle with fame and adulthood.

Courtesy of The Frisky

A 16-year-old girl named Maren Sanchez was stabbed to death by a male classmate in a Milford, Connecticut, high school today, allegedly after she turned down an invitation to the junior prom tonight.

Sanchez was a junior and Honor Society student at Jonathan Law High School. Students told the Connecticut Post that she was asked to the dance by an ex-boyfriend and when she turned him down, he slashed her across the throat.  The attack happened around 7:15 a.m., during first period, in a first-floor hallway. A teacher intervened and the attacker was restrained, but Sanchez was pronounced dead a half hour later at a local hospital. The school’s prom has since been rescheduled.

Continue here…

Columbus Short has officially been axed from ABC’s hit political series “Scandal” amid personal struggles that have played out over the last few weeks.

The 31-year-old confirmed his exit Friday afternoon (April 25) in a statement:

“At this time I must confirm my exit from a show I’ve called home for 3 years, with what is the most talented ensemble on television today. I would like to first thank Shonda Rhimes for the opportunity to work with such an amazing cast. Thank you GLADIATORS, who have supported me throughout my entire career and of course to ABC and Shondaland for allowing me to play such a pivotal role in the Scandal series. I have enjoyed every single minute of it. Everything must come to an end and unfortunately the time has come for Harrison Wright to exit the canvas. I wish nothing but the best for Shonda, Kerry and the rest of the cast, who have become like a second family to me in such a short amount of time. For this, I will forever be grateful.”

For three seasons, Short played Harrison Wright, a loyal “gladiator in suit” working closely with Olivia Pope as they aimed to erase their clients’ scandals. The fate of his character was left in the air during the season finale where he was last seen with a gun pointing at his head.

Off screen, Short is dealing with two pending criminal cases, accusing him of misdemeanor spousal abuse against wife Tanee Short and felony battery stemming from a bar fight in Los Angeles last month.

If convicted, Short faces up to four years in state prison.

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is in hot water following the release of a nine-minute recording in which he’s involved in an argument with girlfriend V. Stiviano over her public association with Black people.

During the conversation, Sterling repeatedly asks his girlfriend to refrain from publicizing her contact with Blacks as she’s “a delicate White or a delicate Latina girl.” Stiviano is, ironically, Black and Mexican.

He also begs that she not bring Black people to Clippers games, including Hall of Famer Magic Johnson who posed for a picture with Stiviano on her Instagram. The photo has since been deleted.

TMZ plucked a few comments from the tape:

– “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?” (3:30)

– “You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want.  The little I ask you is not to promote it on that … and not to bring them to my games.” (5:15)

– “I’m just saying, in your lousy f******* Instagrams, you don’t have to have yourself with, walking with black people.” (7:45)

– “…Don’t put him [Magic] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me.  And don’t bring him to my games.” (9:13)

Of course, this isn’t the first time Sterling has been labeled a racist. He’s been sued twice by the federal government for allegedly refusing to rent apartment to Blacks and Latinos. The owner was also sued by former Clippers exec Elgin Baylor for racial discrimination; a jury ruled in favor of Sterling.

While Sterling has yet to release an official statement on the matter, his estranged wife Shelly is reportedly “mortified” by his comments.

Listen to the full audio after the jump…

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling speaks with girlfriend V. Stiviano on April 9

Courtesy of Sister 2 Sister

There’s chatter that Kandi Burruss’ mother might be in the process of shooting her own reality show!

Mama Joyce may have joked that she was waiting on her peach as an official cast member of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” but she might not need it!

TheYBF.com reports that Mama Joyce is working on getting her own spin-off with Tiny’s mother Dianne. Sources claim that Rasheeda’s mother Shirlene, who ran over Kirk Frost’s motorbike last season on “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” might also be joining the cast.

Continue here…

James Earl Jones is headed back to Broadway in the stage revival of “You Can’t Take It With You” this fall.

The 87-year-old Tony Award winner will star in the production that centers on a woman who must introduce her fiancé’s uptight family to her more eccentric family. Madness ensues.

There is no word on additional casting.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play originally ran for two years from 1936-38 and was last revived in 1983 with Jason Robards and Colleen Dewhurst.

Jones is best known for his award-winning roles in “The Great White Hope” (1969) and “Fences” (1987). He was most recently seen in “Driving Miss Daisy” and Gore Vidal‘s “The Best Man.”

The show, directed by Scott Ellis, will preview in August and open Sept. 28.

The alleged racist remarks made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling have prompted a strong reaction from NBA superstars around the league, former players and President Barack Obama.

As previously reported, TMZ released a nine-minute recording of Sterling engaged in an argument with girlfriend V. Stiviano over her public association with Black people. Sterling continuously begged Stiviano to not bring Black people to any Clippers games.

In a press conference Saturday night, new NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that a full investigation was being launched “to get to the bottom” of the recording and its authenticity.

“All members of the NBA family should be afforded due process,” said Silver. “Which is why I’m not yet prepared to issue any potential sanctions against Donald Sterling. We will move extraordinarily quickly. We plan to have this wrapped up in the next few days.”

Silver added that Sterling would not be in attendance at Sunday’s playoff game between the Clippers and Golden State Warriors due to the backlash.

On Sunday, President Obama described the comments as “incredibly offensive racist statements.” He added:

“When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don’t really have to do anything, you just let them talk. [...] We’ve made enormous strides, but you’re going to continue to see this percolate up every so often. And I think that we just have to be clear and steady in denouncing it, teaching our children differently, but also remaining hopeful that part of why statements like this stand out some much is because there has been this shift in how we view ourselves.”

Following the recording’s release, it didn’t take long for several NBA heavy hitters to speak up. Reactions included:

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers: “As far as the comments, we’re not happy with them.”

Chris Paul: “This is a very serious issue which we will address aggressively. We have asked Mayor Kevin Johnson to expand his responsibilities with the NBPA, to determine our response and our next steps. As players, we owe it to our teams and our fans to keep our focus on our game, the playoffs, and a drive to the Finals.”

LeBron James:  “There’s no room for Donald Sterling in the NBA. [...] It’s unacceptable. It’s unacceptable in our league. It doesn’t matter if you’re white, black, Hispanic, whatever, all across the races. It’s unacceptable. And as a commissioner of our league, you have to make a stand and you have to be very aggressive with it. I don’t know what it’s gonna be, but you just can’t have that in our league.”

Kobe Bryant: “I couldn’t play for him.”

Magic Johnson: “I will never go to a Clippers game again as long as Donald Sterling is the owner. I feel sorry for my friends Coach Doc Rivers and Chris Paul that they have to work for a man that feels that way about African Americans. LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s comments about African Americans are a black eye for the NBA.”

Baron Davis: “Been going on for a long time, Hats off 2 the Team.. 4 playin above it all.”

Picture a young Black boy shooting hoops in his driveway for three consecutive hours until it’s too dark to even see the rim. Many of us can not only picture this boy, but we can put a face on him because either we were that boy, he was our brother, he is our son, or we are still close friends with him. Think about that boy’s dream of one day playing the game he loves on the biggest stage in the world. With every single shot, he audibly gives the play-by-play of some imaginary situation in which he needs to hit that shot to win the big game. See, that boy might be physically standing on a gravel court in his neighborhood, but mentally he is at the free throw line in the NBA Finals — a mental vision that is nothing more than a fleeting pipe dream for millions of boys around the world.

But there are a lucky few who become high school superstars, AAU legends, McDonald’s All-Americans, and eventually the big men on their college campuses. Even after all the hard work and sacrifice that it takes to make it that far, most college athletes will be going pro in something other than the sport they are amazing at, like the NCAA constantly reminds us. Of the millions of kids who fall in love with basketball every year, only 360-450 players are actually in the NBA. What it takes for that little Black boy to make it from that driveway to wearing an NBA jersey is daunting to say the least.

These young men have been through the depths of personal and professional hell to get where they are today, but they damn sure are reaping the financial benefits of their struggle. The average salary in the NBA is $5.15 million, and that number is expected to rise sharply very soon due to their collective bargaining agreement. But what’s very interesting about money, is that it does not replace the burning desire these young men had as boys to excel in the playoffs and win an NBA championship. Men like Charles Barkley, who has amassed considerable wealth from his athletic career, have stated in the past that they would not only give some of their personal accolades away, but they would’ve parted with some money if they could have been a champion just ONCE. Now picture that young boy and everything he has overcome to reach his dreams. Picture that young boy growing into a young man who is now supporting a family with earnings from the game he loves. Picture that young man fighting side-by-side with teammates who are more like brothers, all playing with battered and beaten bodies in pursuit of one common goal. Picture that young Black man going to sleep Friday night with absolute focus and concentration — only to wake up Saturday morning with an entire community commanding him to flick some instantaneous switch and STOP fighting for that goal. Well that is exactly the scenario Los Angeles Clippers players have found themselves, in the wake of Donald Sterling‘s alleged ignorant and racist rant, and if you think that decision can be made easily, you’re an IDIOT.

After Sterling’s rant went viral, thanks to his girlfriend V. Stiviano, and the world found out what some insiders and basketball fans had known all along — that Sterling allegedly isn’t very fond of Black folks — the immediate and visceral response from many in the Black community was that the players should boycott Sterling and his organization by not playing anymore play-off games. People even went so far as to invoke names like Muhammad Ali (whose defiance to fight in the Vietnam War led to him serving jail time and being stripped of his World Boxing Association title and belt), in an attempt to question the morality of the modern Black athlete. As far as these people were concerned, the athletes would show comparative cowardice by playing in the game, and not doing what they believe athletes of previous decades would have done, which would be taking a strong, pro-Black stance.

That is absolute nonfactual bullshit.

What those people don’t address is the fact that Black athletes of their day and Ali’s were supported by a strong presence of community activism and the Black empowerment movement. When Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their gloved fists on the podium of the 1968 Olympics as an act of protest, the framework for their resistance had already been laid out a couple years prior, thanks to the Black Panther Party. While their actions were nothing short of heroic, the social activism in the 1960s was so prevalent for African Americans that they were choosing to participate in the movement – not commandeer it. Ali was a strong-minded and strong-willed man, but much of his views on empowerment were imparted to him as a member of the Nation of Islam. We’ve always wanted our athletes to join us in our fight, but we’ve never demanded that they fight our battles alone, while we watch and patiently await the outcome. So while we call these young men cowards for deciding to band together to play the game they love, feed their families, and fight to achieve their dreams, it’s somewhat startling to see who the real cowards are in this situation: Us, Black people.

How in the hell can any of us justify demanding that L.A. Clippers invoke a spirit of activism that damn near none of us display in our own everyday lives? How in the hell can we decide that overt actions of defiance in the face of bigotry can only be enacted by a basketball team? Where in the hell is the Black social support system that is supposed to exist to fight systemic racism and join the Black community to oppose prejudice big and small? See, back in the days, Black folks understood that fighting for our rights wasn’t something that you chose to do – it was something that was intrinsically embedded into your DNA as an African American. Jackie Robinson is probably the bravest Black man America has ever seen, but don’t be fooled into believing that the Black community was wholly apathetic to battling racism — like we are today. Whenever overt racism and systemic dysfunction rears its ugly head, Blacks can be counted on to complain without action, state that they are not surprised that something racist happened, or accuse other Blacks of making “everything about race.”

Let me put it like this: Donald Sterling has been the only real topic that has been discussed this weekend, from the barbers at your local shop all the way to Barack Obama at the White House. But imagine if we got that angry about the things we’ve become complacent about. Imagine if we got that angry about the murder rates in our communities, the policy-failures in our school-systems, the sexual abuse of young Black women nationwide, the raising unemployment numbers in urban epicenters, and the prison industrial complex targeting young Black women and men. But we don’t get that angry about those topics. And we allow them to just become everyday realities, while we go about living our lives, earning a salary, and feeding our families – which is exactly what the Clippers players did. They are going about the business of winning like a team. Which is why I think their pregame demonstration of team unity was absolutely PERFECT. They ran to center court, threw their team shooting shirts down. and warmed up with their red T-shirts inside out, so the organization’s name and logo wouldn’t be displayed on their chests. That was their way of letting the world know that the men inside that locker room — many who have had little to no direct interaction with owner Sterling — are playing for the man next to them, not some decrepit racist asshole sitting in a luxury box.

So when we talk about cowardice, let us all remember that activism is not a spectator sport. It’s not about sitting back and watching what someone else will do. It’s about actively fighting, and unfortunately we haven’t done that — yet. Regardless of what the Clippers do, Sterling makes his money from the support of the games through TV and ticket prices. Instead of accusing the players of being cowards, how many of us are willing to forgo watching Clippers games anymore? How many of us are not willing to buy tickets to Clippers games anymore? How many of us are willing to not spend a dime on the Clippers franchise until the NBA replaces Sterling? How many of us are willing to make this stance in all playoff games of all teams? I find it funny that the NBA is taking this long to investigate and punish Sterling when it hastily punishes Black players.

LOL @ NBA conducting a “full investigation” of the audio recording of Sterling. They lipread Kobe sayin faggot & suspended him b4 the buzzer

— thisisyourconscience (@lincolnablades) April 26, 2014

Truth be told, this issue is complicated and very layered. There is no easy answer, and pretending that there is one is foolish. But if there’s one takeaway that Black people should understand from this issue, it’s that there is still a need for Black empowerment. We like to believe that those with prejudicial mindsets have died off, but that’s nothing more than wishful thinking. Hell, as we continue to discuss whether Affirmative Action is still a necessity, many Blacks are clamoring to support its abolition as if structural racism is a relic of a time long past. Unfortunately racism is still very much alive, and if we all continue to sidestep activism in order to support the NBA with amazing ratings and sold out arenas, we have no ground to stand on to call those young men cowards. If you REALLY want to see what Black activism leads to in today’s society start by Googling ONE name:

Craig Hodges.

LAB

Lincoln Anthony Blades blogs daily on his site ThisIsYourConscience.com, he’s an author of the book “You’re Not A Victim, You’re A Volunteer” and a weekly contributor for UPTOWN Magazine. He can be reached via Twitter @lincolnablades and on Facebook at This Is Your Conscience.

By Satchel B. Jester | Photo Credit: Will McGarry

Marlon Wayans, the youngest star of the first generation of the talented clan, has carved out an impressive resume over the past two decades in television, film and stand-up comedy. Now, as he releases A Haunted House 2, the sequel to last year’s $60 million-grossing parody, the married father of two opens up about the choices and sacrifices he’s made on his road to success. 

Marlon Wayans—a.k.a. “Baby Way,” the youngest of ten siblings in what could be the most humorous family we’ve seen in Hollywood—has been a hitmaker for 25 years, and according to him, he had absolutely no choice.

“I was born to entertain,” he says easily. “Growing up, every day was a performance before all of us even realized it. My parents thought we were just a bunch of misbehaved kids, but little did they know, we were practicing.” Marlon hints that his parents, unknowingly, helped shaped their kids’ funny bones. “It was hard not to be funny coming from our pedigree. My mom is super-talented and my dad is annoying as hell, which makes him funny.”

Genetics aside, it was a conscious decision of his to carve out an individual identity beyond his family brand. “Though I come from a big family, I’ve always possessed an innate sense of independence. When my brothers were doing In Living Color, I had an opportunity to be on it and when [my brother] Shawn asked me to come, I said, ‘No, I’m going back to Howard. I want to finish growing up a little bit.’”

While growing up, he searched for his own value. “I knew if I didn’t learn me and know what I could bring to the table, I wouldn’t be bringing the strongest finger to the test.”

He sports the success of being different from his brothers like a badge of honor. Marlon started doing stand-up in his mid-thirties, compared to his brothers’ taking the stage as early as 15. “I brought a whole new youth and smile to the art of stand-up. Yes, I was adding a huge part to the Wayans legacy, but people didn’t mind regarding me as just Marlon.”

Now, even as his own legacy builds, his priority remains “just being Marlon”—whomever that may be. “I think my kids see a fun father; women see a funny guy that makes them laugh; guys see a damn fool; parents see a sweet son; and older people see a fun little brother,” he offers.

But what does he see in himself? “My heart and intentions are pure. Even if I’m snapping on somebody, at some point, they’ll laugh or just enjoy me in general as a person.” Wayans’s vivacity has afforded him the rare opportunity to diversify his career portfolio. He’s ventured beyond knee-slapping, back-breaking physical comedy.

His offerings in movies such as G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009), Dungeons & Dragons (2000) and his notable dramatic turn in Requiem for a Dream (2000) all proved the capacity of his acting range. “There’s a part of me that wants to win an Academy Award and a Golden Globe one day,” he admits. “Drama? Bring it. I went to the school of performing arts (New York’s famed LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, whose recent alums include Adrian Grenier, Nicki Minaj and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage). I trained for this. I know I make people laugh, but I have many complexions and complexities.”

Wayans also thrives behind the camera: having written, produced and engaged in the creative process in over a dozen titles from concept to completion. “The ability to create content has taught me that it’s not just about the performance, it’s putting it all together and realizing what makes successful products, including highly successful people.”

In it all coming together, Wayans has to insert his daddy duties. The father of two is very specific about introducing his children to the life they may ultimately want to live. “I allow them to be individuals,” he says. “I know their super powers before they do, but I encourage them to find them. I tell them how great they can be. I don’t mind them not knowing something or failing. I only mind when they don’t try.”

Wayans continues his own efforts to create work that people love. After Haunted House 2, which finds his character Malcolm, his new girlfriend and her two kids moving into their dream home only to find the hilarious, ghostly antics start anew, this summer, Funniest Wins, a new reality competition show in search of the next superstar comedian, where Wayans serves as both a producer and the lead judge, debuts on TBS. And digitally, he continues to develop content for his channel whatthefunny.com.

“I’ve been successful for 25 years because I stay on my road and that’s what I plan to continue to do. I’ll really know I’ve made it when I get laid to rest and ‘That Boy Was a Fool’ is on my tombstone.”

The music world suffered a double blow with the deaths of DJ E-Z Rock and DJ Rashad over the weekend. The influential deejays changed the course of music over their decades-long spinning careers.

The news of Rock’s passing on Sunday (April 27) was confirmed by MC Rob Base in a since-deleted Facebook post. Base, who knew Rock since the fourth grade, has since replaced the post with a collage of E-Z Rock photos. He was 46 and a cause of death has not been released.

DJ E-Z Rock (Rodney Bryce) burst onto the scene with the 1988 body rocking “It Takes Two” dance floor anthem. Just as the infamous hook goes “It takes two to make a thing go right/It takes two to make it outta sight,” Rock handled the turntables while childhood friend MC Rob Base got busy rocking the microphone. The new-jack swing fueled song owes its production to Teddy Riley and a sample from the Godfather of Soul James BrownLyn Collins song “Think (About It).” Over the years, a handful of artists have looked to the certified-platinum song for inspiration. The Black Eyed Peas, LL Cool J, and Will Smith are among those who have sampled “It Takes Two.”

The duo released “Get on the Dance Floor” and “Joy and Pain,” but none have had the staying power of “It Takes Two” from their debut album. Rock and Base eventually split due to personal reasons, after their second album but came together again in 1994 for Break of Dawn. The two then went their separate ways again, but stayed in touch.

Chicago legend DJ Rashad‘s career was cut short Saturday (April 26), allegedly due to drug use. He was 45. DJ Rashad (Rashad Hanif Harden) was found unresponsive in his apartment by Chicago police. Evidence of drug use and paraphernalia were found close to Harden’s body and around his South Side apartment, according to Chicago Police Officer Ana Pacheco. An official cause of death will be released once a medical examiner’s toxicology report is complete. Rashad’s father told the Chicago Sun-Times his son had a prescription for Xanax.

Harden’s career spanned 15 years, producing a number of songs with frantic sped-up samples. He was the pioneer for the footwork and juke dance crazes, evolving from Chicago neighborhoods to dance clubs. Fans and critics began taking notice of DJ Rashad with the release of last year’s album Double Cup. His new EP We On 1, which was scheduled to be released today (April 28), was thought to be the album that would transform him into an international star.

DJ Rashad’s death is another blow to Chicago’s music scene this year, following House legend DJ Frankie Knuckles’ death last month at age 59.

“The barristers and staff of Doughty Street Chambers offer their best wishes and congratulations to Ms Amal Alamuddin, a member of Chambers, and Mr George Clooney on their engagement to be married.”

Despite being ultra protective over his love life, George Clooney has the secrecy veil ripped off his new engagement to British lawyer Amal Alamuddin by her well-intentioned employeer, who issued this this heartfelt congrats to the newly engaged couple.

A driver who fatally hit a teen with her SUV is now suing the dead boy’s family for $1 million over the accident.

Teenagers Brandon Majewski, 17, and his 16-year-old friends Richard McLean and Jake Roberts were riding on a two-lane rural road in Innisfil, Ontario when Sharlen Simon, 42, struck the teens in the early morning on October 28, 2012. The trio was transported to a local hospital to be examined for injuries. Two hours later after the accident, Majewski was pronounced dead. McLean suffered from broken bones-namely a broken pelvis- and spent weeks recovering in the hospital. Roberts did not have any serious injuries.

Simon was interviewed by police, who noted she was not under the influence of any substance during the accident. Investigators attributed the accident to the lack of visibility of the bicyclists, adding Simon “did not see the cyclists on the roadway and was unable to make an evasive reaction.” A petition has been started to encourage Police to further investigate the incident.

She did not report any injuries stemming from the accident. That is, until December 2013, when she slapped Majewski’s estate and the other two teens with a $1.5 million lawsuit for “great pain and suffering.”

She has suffered from depression, anxiety, irritability and post-traumatic stress, and that the “enjoyment of life has been irretrievably lessened” since the accident, according to the documents.

Majewski’s family and attorneys are stunned at her decision to move forward with the case. Brandon’s mother Venetta Mylnczyk told the Toronto Sun, 

“She killed my child and now she wants to profit from it? She says she’s in pain? Tell her to look inside my head and she will see pain, she will see panic, she will see nightmares.”

“It’s a tragedy what happened to the boys, but it’s also a tragedy that’s happened to (Simon),” her lawyer Michael Ellis said. “I understand their grief and I understand what they must be going through is awful, but my client is also living with this nightmare every day.”

As lifestyle editors, we here at UPTOWN have access to many brands, but rarely do we fall hard for a brand the way we’ve fallen for Oyin Handmade.

Although this emerging brand encourages customers to nourish and love their curls, Oyin is much more than a natural hair care line. It is a great go-to brand for health-conscious individuals because the line of products nourish and treat the body from head to toe. Plus, there are no nasty ingredients, like mineral oil, silicones, parabens, petroleum, irritating agents, or harsh and wasteful fillers. Oyin Handmade multipurpose products are made by hand and shipped fresh.

And now, getting your hands on Oyin Handmade products has gotten easier, as select Target stores and Target.com have begun selling the line this month. “Target has done so much to advance the market for high quality products for hair of all textures and we are thrilled to be among its offerings for spring 2014,” said Oyin Handmade co-founder Jamyla Bennu, in a press release. “For more than 10 years now, customers have been falling in love with our goodies, ordering them online and having us to ship them fresh to their homes. We look forward to a whole new generation of customers finding and falling in love with our products, as well as offering our existing Oyin Honeys the convenience of purchasing their favorite products at their local Target store!”

So now that you know where to purchase Oyin Handmade, what products should you add to your shopping list? Keep clicking for reviews of our favorite Oyin Handmade products!

Greg Juice Nourishing Herbal Leave-In, $13.99

This leave-in tonic has the scent of citrus and lavender essential oils and is the perfect refresher to use before moisturizing your hair with a leave-in conditioner or oil, like coconut or avocado. This product is also available in scents of frankincense and fruit punch in Frank Juice and Juices & Berries, respectively.

Whipped Pudding, $13.99

After the winter most of the country has experienced, our skin needs some TLC. Whipped Pudding is the perfect remedy because it’s a head-to-toe moisturizer that contains shea butter and aloe, but isn’t greasy. Use this on your hair all the way down to your dry, cracked heels.

Hair Dew, $13.99

No one has time to re-wash their hair every time it needs to be re-styled. Creamy Hair Dew eliminates that issue because it adds hydration with aloe and refreshes hair with castor, coconut, and olive oils.

After Bath – Blended Body Oil, $11.99

Although this product isn’t available at Target, you should definitely order it from OyinHandmade.com. If your skin is anything like mine, then you have to employ a two-prong approach to fighting ashy skin. Spread After Bath on after you shower and bathe, and then seal in the moisture with your favorite lotion or cream. The subtle scent of the Rich Almond flavor is divine and will help you wake completely.

The Beyoncé and Jay Z tour has officially been confirmed with Mrs. Carter dropping the official poster of the “On the Run” tour on her eponymous website. The 15-date stadium tour will mark the first time music’s richest couple will take their music on the road together. Kicking off in Miami, the tour will make stops across the U.S. and Canada before wrapping on August 5 in San Francisco.

The couple’s romance has spilled onto each other’s albums for years with hits “Drunk in Love,” “Crazy in Love,” “’03 Bonnie & Clyde,” and ”Deja Vu.” The set list will be interesting considering Beyoncé’s move from her traditional R&B and Destiny’s Child-approved pop into a more Hip Hop-influenced, sexually liberated artist. Maybe Blue Ivy Carter will make a surprise appearance during the G-rated portion of the family affair.

The #Beyhive better get their coins ready since they’ll have access to tickets during the pre-sale on April 29 at 10 a.m. Everyone else can grab theirs May 1. In collaboration with Beyoncé’s #BEYGood initiative, $1 of each ticket sale will go to the Shawn Carter Foundation, Jay Z’s charity that helps underprivileged kids with getting a college education.

The “On The Run” tour will hit the following cities:

• June 25 — Miami, FL (Sun Life Stadium)
• June 28 — Cincinnati, OH (Great American Ballpark)
• July 1 — Foxborough, MA (Gillette Stadium)
• July 5 — Philadelphia, PA (Citizen’s Bank Park)
• July 7 — Baltimore, MD (M & T Bank Stadium)
• July 9 — Toronto, ON (Rogers Centre)
• July 11 — East Rutherford, NJ (MetLife Stadium)
• July 15 — Atlanta, GA (Georgia Dome)
• July 18 — Houston, TX (Minute Maid Park)
• July 20 — New Orleans, LA (Mercedes-Benz Superdome)
• July 22 — Dallas, TX (AT&T Stadium)
• July 24 — Chicago, IL (Soldier Field)
• July 27 — Winnipeg, MB (Investor Group Field)
• July 30 — Seattle, WA (Safeco Field)
• August 2 — Los Angeles, CA (Rose Bowl)
• August 5 — San Francisco, CA (AT&T Park)

Since the airing of the Watch What Happens Live episode featuring my fellow Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member Nene Leakes that essentially gave her a platform to show how vindictive and vicious she can really be, I have been bombarded with questions and requests for interviews about my views on what really transpired between Nene and I, and why our friendship ended.

I also have received hundreds of encouraging phone calls, emails, text messages and tweets from fans, friends, family and even high-powered entertainment industry leaders, who find it hard to believe that a friendship, which was mutually supportive could lead to such nastiness from Nene. So I think it is important for me to share my thoughts honestly and completely unfiltered.

First and foremost, the friendship you saw on camera between the two of us was genuine. We were very supportive of each other and talked every day. We even vacationed together outside of the show. In fact, when I joined the cast four seasons ago, I gravitated most towards Nene. She was a reality TV veteran of sorts who took me under her wing and helped me navigate this new territory. I genuinely liked Nene because she was funny, smart, shared a similar work ethic to mine and we both knew we wanted to make the absolute most out of the opportunity we had both received by being on the show. Being a member of the highest rated show in the Housewives franchise opens doors and leads to opportunities that some of us could never have dreamed of.
Now, for most of my adult life I have traveled the globe as a working fashion model, mingling with the rich and famous, and wearing the coveted designs of many of the world’s most admired fashion houses. Yet, becoming a member of a weekly show formally introduced me to millions of people all over the world and brought about entirely new experiences. I fully embraced the opportunity, brought my family along for the ride and opened up my life for all to critique and judge. It’s been difficult at times, but thrilling and equally fulfilling as well.

However, the most challenging part for me has not been disagreeing with my husband on camera or finding out my family essentially considered sabotaging my impending wedding in my first season on the show or even the unfortunate argument with fellow cast member Kandi Burruss during the Pillow Talk party this season. In all honesty, it’s been watching someone who I thought was a friend first attack my husband and then attack me by suggesting I be fired from the show.

Fans have asked why I didn’t return fire when Nene lashed out at Peter while in Mexico. Others have suggested that I am weak because of the way I choose to handle situations. Don’t let the pretty face fool you. I just choose my battles wisely, and prefer to get to a solution in a more appropriate and classy way. Frankly put, it’s just not who I am and I don’t respond that quickly in those types of extremely uncomfortable and volatile situations. In fact, I was completely stunned, and more than anything, I didn’t know how to respond in that moment.

First of all, I was shocked that Peter and Gregg were even having an argument at all. They were always so engaging and had a special level of respect for one another. Peter was a groomsman in Gregg’s and Nene’s wedding. So to see the two of them going at it was incredibly hard for me to comprehend. When Nene became involved, I assumed she would attempt to calm the situation and shut it down. She shut it down alright, by essentially verbally attacking Peter, who like me, had done nothing but support Nene and Gregg in good and bad times. Nene and I had spent that entire day together on and off camera, and the issue of her and Peter’s exchange at Kenya’s charity event never came up.

The “bitch” incident was very disrespectful and a low point in our relationship. But as mature adults who genuinely cared about each other, we worked through the mess, and decided our friendship could survive. Don’t get me wrong; it was very difficult to forgive Nene for her harsh insult towards my husband because I would never refer to a friend’s husband in such a derogatory way. But we moved on.

We were all in a good place, or so I thought, until Nene felt that I was becoming too close to Kenya, “the enemy” as Nene referred to her on Watch What Happens Live. There is this ridiculous notion; of course being perpetuated by Nene, that Kenya and I have somehow become BFFs. Nothing could be farther from the truth. However, I am as friendly with Kenya as I am with Kandi Burruss, Phaedra Parks and Porsha Williams. What I will not do is stop being friendly, cordial, respectful or accommodating to people just because my friend or anyone else thinks I should. I don’t do petty. It’s not in my DNA.

Because I allowed Kenya to host a model call at BarOne, genuinely felt sorry for her when she lost her dog, and was seated next to her at the reunion, I am now somehow her best girlfriend. That’s absolutely ridiculous. Viewers will remember during her first season on the show, Kenya caused all kinds of confusion at my Bailey School of Fashion during a model search.  On and off camera we had conversations about the incident and her unfortunate behavior. She apologized, we ironed things out, and moved on. Never have I gone on any talk shows or interviews and suggested that Kenya lose her job. And as far as I know never has she in regards to me. I think it’s unprofessional, divisive and petty.

But that’s exactly what Nene did when she appeared on Watch What Happens Live. I have seen the very best of Nene Leakes, and I witnessed the very worst of her during this appearance. What she did and said was not coming from a good place, and was downright dirty. The damage she thought she was doing to me, in turn has damaged her image more.

As I watched the show and listened to Nene say I wasn’t good for the show or that I bring nothing to the table, at one point I felt angry. She was being completely spiteful and malevolent. How could someone who I considered a really good friend attempt to essentially sabotage my job? I would never do anything that wasn’t in the best interest of her family. She’d rather see me off the show than to work with me and give me pure hell next season. Even Andy Cohen seemed shocked and surprised by what she was saying.

If I wasn’t relevant to the show, I wouldn’t be on the show. I absolutely believe I bring a certain amount of class and balance to the cast. There is not one single Housewife who is solely responsible for the success of the show. And the last time I checked, Nene is talent on the show just like me. She does not make hiring and firing decisions. Ultimately, that’s left up to Bravo executives.

As I continued to watch, I began to feel sad for her. There has to be some personal insecurities and unhappiness she is dealing with to lash out so viciously at me. Then it dawned on me. Nene is hurt that I have moved on.

In the end, I am relieved that our friendship is over.

Nene knows in her heart that I was a good and loyal friend to her. There were some greats moments between us, and no matter what she says or does related to me, I know that she knows our friendship was mutually genuine. Unlike most of our fellow cast members, I got the chance to see all sides of Nene, including the vulnerable Nene and the wounded Nene. I don’t like the controlling Nene and the insecure Nene.

I always thought if we ever stopped being friends that we would go our separate ways and wish each other well in our endeavors. I never expected that she would suggest taking food out of my mouth. But then again, Nene Leakes is no Cynthia Bailey.

Famed writer and poet Margaret Walker wrote, “Friends and good manners will carry you where money won’t go.” Maybe Nene should embrace this and make it her personal mantra.

As Told To Nikita Frenney

Tornadoes ripped through the southern states and devastated neighborhoods, killing at least 17 in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Iowa. Arkansas was hit the hardest by multiple tornadoes and a state of disaster has been declared for three counties.

“Just looking at the damage, this may be one of the strongest that we’ve seen,” Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe said in a news conference on Monday. “And preliminary — we haven’t done any records checking — but it looks like this is the largest loss of life that we’ve seen in one tornado incident since I’ve been governor.” Beebe said that the focus will be on finding and rescuing victims. At least 100 people were injured according to medical officials told the Chicago Tribune. An official death toll has not been confirmed.

[Image: Credit Danny Johnston/Associated Press]

President Barack Obama said that storm victims will receive aid from the government to help with their recovery. The White House commented that Obama is traveling abroad, but has been speaking with Gov. Beebe. The Arkansas National Guard was deployed to assist in the state’s recovery.

By Joane Amay

A lifetime spent developing a career that keeps her as much on the London stage as the Hollywood film lot is finally paying off for Gugu Mbatha-Raw.  Now 30, the transatlantic beauty that was born in Oxford to an English mother and South African father, first caught the acting bug at the age of 11 after playing Dorothy in a school production of the Wizard of Oz. By 17, she was touring with the National Youth Music Theatre in Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods and the musical Pendragon in Japan. By 18, she had enrolled in the prestigious RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art). Successful stints on the popular British television series Doctor Who and Spooks soon followed, but in 2009, her portrayal of Ophelia in the Broadway production of Hamlet with Jude Law caught the eye of Hollywood power players. J.J. Abrams, the creator of Lost, offered her a part in his short-lived TV show Undercovers (alongside Boris Kodjoe); Tom Hanks cast her in 2011’s Larry Crowne with Julia Roberts, and she starred opposite Kiefer Sutherland and Danny Glover in Fox’s drama, Touch.

But after spending years perfecting her American accent on stateside productions, a little bout of homesickness motivated her to accept the title role in the British film Belle, a Jane Austen-esque period piece based on the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate bi-racial daughter of a British Royal Navy Admiral, who was raised as an aristocratic Lady. “I was absolutely thrilled. I felt this was the role I was meant to play,” Mbatha-Raw says. “It must have been a difficult position for [Dido] to be privileged but still not equal,” she says.

“It’s a very different cultural legacy in the UK and in the US in regards to race and the slave trade – and class, being a big issue in the UK. When you blend those together, it is not just black and white. It really does touch on the greyer area of the nuances in high society in those days.“

Later this year, Mbatha–Raw will trade her corset for a microphone and song sheets when she plays Noni Jean, a troubled pop diva struggling to find her authentic voice in director Gina Prince-Bythewood’s (Love & Basketball, The Secret Life of Bees) passion project, Blackbird. The film, which explores the substratum of the music industry, co-stars Minnie Driver as Noni’s pushy momager and Nate Parker as her love interest.  “[This film] is somewhat darker in someways than Belle,” explains the star. “But, they do kind of share themes of identity. These two women are in completely different times, history and context; yet, both are trying to find their place in the world and discover their true identity. It was wonderful to go from one to the other.”

To ensure an authentic portrayal, Prince-Blythewood tapped veteran choreographer Laurieann Gibson (who’s worked with Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, and Katy Perry) to help develop Mbatha-Raw’s physicality and mega- producer The-Dream to write original music for the production.  “Combined with those two, and with Gina as well, “ gushes Mbatha-Raw, “I really got the chance to explore the underbelly of the music industry.”

And on what she would love to do next, “Parts of me would love to do a massive action film,” she quips. “It would be really cool to be in a big blockbuster. On stage, I would love to play Cleopatra. I would also love to play a gritty adaption of Billie Holiday on screen. I love variety. The next thing you do is a contrast and that is how you grow.”

Since the premiere of the TLC biopic, “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story“ in late 2013, ordained minister and former music executive Perri “Pebbles” Reid has voiced her opinion on the film, stating that it exaggerated in parts and even told untruths entirely during others. She visited The Wendy Williams Show shortly thereafter to discuss potentially filing a suit against Viacom, owners of the VH1 network, which aired the film.

Pebbles claims that VH1 attempted to clarify their earlier representation of the film as a first-hand account biopic in a letter to her after the movie’s promo trail represented it as such.

The movie, which detailed the lives of TLC’s three members Tionne “Tboz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas portrayed Reid “as a conniving and dishonest business woman who hoodwinked three innocent girls and exploited their talent for her own personal gain,” according to court documents. The suit also alleges that the network “ignored fundamental canons of journalistic and literary conduct by publishing false and defamatory accusations with actual malice.”

The suit states that contrary to what was portrayed, Pebbles never withheld the trio’s contract terms or controlled the lawyers who negotiated on the trio’s behalf.

The film became Vh1′s most-watched original movie of all time.

Pebbles has released the following statement on her website:

First I want to thank all of you for the well wishes and prayers. I apologize for the delay in responding to the movie, but I wanted to gather my thoughts. I have always been a private person and this unprovoked attack has been extremely upsetting to me and my family. I have needed time to spend with my family and for personal reflection.

The movie contains many false and defamatory statements and scenes about me. Please know that I have never cheated or misled anyone. I will defend my reputation, accomplishments, and character. My attorney is in the process of demanding a retraction of the false and defamatory statements and scenes about me from VH1.