Quantcast
Channel: UPTOWN Magazine
Viewing all 6567 articles
Browse latest View live

Oprah On Oscars: ‘One Of The Most Horrible Nights Of My Life’ [VIDEO]

0
0

It’s safe to say Oprah Winfrey had a better experience at Sunday’s Academy Awards than her first trip back in 1986.

Related: 84th Annual Academy Awards Recap [PHOTOS]

After receiving the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award last night, the media mogul headed to Jimmy Kimmel Live to discuss her newest accolade. But Winfrey also gave a horrific, yet hilarious, account of attending the 58th Annual Academy Awards in which she was nominated for The Color Purple.

“When I went to the Oscars, it was one of the most horrible nights of my life [...] because I had used Dolly Parton’s dressmaker,” she admitted.

Related: UPTOWN’s Pre-Oscar Party

Oprah recalled being so uncomfortable in her gown that she prayed someone else would win Best Supporting Actress because she didn’t think she could physically get up. As the story goes, her prayers were answered.

Check out as she dishes on getting the role as Sophia, her future in acting and her casual trip to the DMV. And after the jump, an Oprah you’ve never seen before…


Uplift: Synchronicity

0
0

UPTOWN_lotus_blossomsAccording to Merriam-Webster, synchronicity is “the coincidental occurrence of events and especially psychic events (as similar thoughts in widely separated persons or a mental image of an unexpected event before it happens) that seem related but are not explained by conventional mechanisms of causality.”

As a child, when such events would occur, my parents would call them coincidence. I experienced such an attraction to these coincidental events, that I eventually coined them as divine. As a young adult, I realized that as I respected these moments as divinely orchestrated, the more often they occurred. I would meet the perfect people at the perfect time. Even when I didn’t give acknowledgment and express gratitude, these events still occurred. It was up to my perception to experience them as divine.

A spiritual teacher of mine routinely says, “You should always win in your imagination.”

Winning to me, in this respect, means seeing the magic, rhythm and divinity in the synchronicity around me. At times in my past, I would chalk it up to magical thinking, but I now find empowerment in my choice to believe that the universe has divinely placed the perfect people at the perfect time in my life, to achieve my purpose for the highest good of all concerned.

“There exists a divine rhythm in everything … a layer within us all that strives to be on beat. We are aware of our follies and our missteps that lead us to dance to the rhythm of life tone deaf to the divine. Yet we pretend that our stumbles are choreographed numbers and fail to learn our lessons. Let us remember that rhythm is in line and freedom lies within the beat. As we walk to the rhythm, So shall we see… so shall we hear… so shall we speak… so shall we be.” — Finding Your Way: Alphabetical Keys to the Divine, Anita Kopacz

In honor of acknowledging the synchronicity in our lives as divine, click here the see our Well-Life Maintenance Goals for February.

 

Welcome to Uplift at UPTOWN. If you are just joining us this week, my name is Anita Kopacz. I am an author and spiritual adviser with a passion to see people thrive! Collective energy possesses a divine power that can remove stubborn obstacles and open locked doors. My intention is to join our UPTOWN family in spirit and forge our return to healthy living. With the Well-Life Maintenance Program, together we will take small steps in four areas of our lives to improve our quality of living. The four areas include Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, and Physical. You can find more in my new book, Finding Your Way: Alphabetical Keys to the Divine

[Lotus blossoms image via Shutterstock]

Modern Maestro

0
0

UPTOWN_robert_glasperBy Shydel James

Most musicians measure their success by record sales, awards, and radio airplay. Not Robert Glasper. The jazz pianist’s triumphs hinge on one thing: whether or not you’ve heard his music. “Modern jazz isn’t on TV or being played on mainstream radio,” says the 33-year-old Houston native. “You’ve got to dig for it. So, if someone stumbles upon my music by accident and says, ‘I don’t like Robert Glasper,’ then I’ve made it.”

With a Grammy nomination and five albums under his belt, not being embraced is the last thing the maestro has to worry about. In fact, music critics have lauded Glasper’s ability to seamlessly build a bridge between the worlds of hip-hop, soul, and jazz. “I’m just going along
with the natural fl ow of what jazz actually is by allowing diff erent types of music to inspire me,” he explains. “That’s the only way it stays fresh.”

His latest effort, Black Radio (Blue Note), is a masterful blend of genre-bending originals and surprising covers like Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” “That’s a rock tune that everybody loves,” says Glasper, who also covers classics by David Bowie and Sade on the album. “I didn’t want to choose obvious covers. I chose songs people could identify with.”

Radio is also his first full-length album with his band Experiment, and also features a who’s who in hip-hop and R&B, from Lupe Fiasco and Mos Def to Erykah Badu and Lalah Hathaway, who offers up a lush rendition of Sade’s “Cherish the Day.” “It was so much fun,” he says of the collaborative process. “We didn’t know what we were going to do until we got in the studio. I love being adventurous and tapping into the unknown. Doing it that way always leaves room for accidental goodness.”

Black Radio drops February 28. robertglasper.com

Tyler Perry Does Good Deed For Chicago Pastor

0
0

Tyler Perry takes his ”good deeds” to heart and we’re not talking about his latest film.

UPTOWN Clique: ‘Good Deeds’ Premiere

Chicago pastor Corey Brooks of New Beginnings Baptist Church pitched a tent for more than three months in protest of a drug dealer and prostitute-ridden motel on the city’s Southside. Brooks vowed to sit atop a building directly across the street until he raised $450,000 to demolish the building.

“We’re living in the killing field,” he told CBS News. “We’re living in a place where you can just be walking to the store, going to get something for your kids and you can be shot and killed.”

Brooks admitted he was scared of living in the tent— thinking it would fly off the rooftop— but his persistence was rewarded.

After 94 days of enduring Chicago’s gusty winds, Brooks was given a donation of $98,000 from Perry to complete his campaign.

“I said I wasn’t going to cry. But 94 days in a tent, I kept crying,” he said. “I’m so grateful for every gift.”

Brooks is now planning to raise $15 million to build a new community center. There’s no telling what he’ll do next to get it.

 

Girl Talk: My Date Told Me To Wear More Makeup

0
0

UPTOWN_south_african_woman_applying_makeupCourtesy of The Frisky

A few months ago, I went on two dates with a guy I met on the online dating site OKCupid. We emailed and talked a bit before the first; I was looking forward to meeting him and wanted to look good. I usually date people I’m friends with first, so the blind date aspect of online dating makes me want to put forward a greater first impression.

For date one, I wore a new black and white polka dot dress that accentuates my cleavage, makes my waist look smaller than it is, and hugs my ass (in a good way) and, knowing his penchant for high heels from his profile, a pair of magenta suede ones. While they didn’t match the rest of my outfit, they’re a favorite pair of mine that I thought would add a pop of color, along with fishnet stockings. I love the way the silky dress felt against my skin and was glad I’d made the purchase, and indeed, it had become a staple of my wardrobe in the few weeks I’ve owned it. He appreciated it—and told me so within five minutes of meeting me—and I appreciated his appreciation. We went from a bar to a restaurant to another bar, where we made out for over an hour, and made plans for a second date.

Before the date, he told me he wanted me to “wear more eye makeup than you usually do” and wear a brighter red lipstick, with gloss. He said it in the context of a kinky command, and since we’d been engaging in some dirty talk, that aspect of his request wasn’t that out of place. Still, for me, it turned from a cute form of foreplay into a source of insecurity. What if I didn’t get have my makeup done to his liking—would he bail on the date? Would he be checking out all the women who wear makeup everyday, and wouldn’t dream of going out without it?

Continue reading at The Frisky

[Woman applying makeup image via Shutterstock]

Why I Will Never Like Hanging Out With Your Friends

0
0

UPTOWN_two_women_shoppingCourtesy of Hello Beautiful

Did you hear the one about the relationship columnist who ruined his own relationship? Oh, trust me – it’s a doozy.

Somewhere along the line, it’s important to realize that you and your lady are matched because you complement each other’s traits well. The two of you are not the same. You (hopefully) share values, ideas and plans. But many times, sharing friends is another thing entirely. Men and women both look to bond with their genders for different reasons. I’m going to delve DEEP into the world of gender-based stereotypes, so bear with…

As I see it, women bond to do one of a few things:

a) Collect and/or horde items. Many of us call this shopping, but sometimes it comes in the form of its cousin: “window shopping.” Fair enough. I look at it as practicing the vital nesting skill that is typically linked to creating a comfortable home environment.

b) Compete with other women for the attention of men in a collective social setting while under the influence. I call this one “clubbing,” as in, we should go back to the Neanderthal days and skip the two-drink-minimum-small-talk in favor of a thud over the head and drag through the door.

c) Communicate about their life’s goals, fears, dreams, relationships, family values, and trifling-ass men.

Conversely, men bond to do almost the same things that women do, but in different forms:

Continue reading at Hello Beautiful

[Women shopping image via Shutterstock]

Will Rihanna Star In Whitney Houston Biopic?

0
0

Don’t worry, the name threw us off too.

Black actresses all around Hollywood are salivating at the chance to play the late Whitney Houston in a new biopic of the singer’s life. Some have been more vocal than others, but it turns out movie executives aren’t opposed to casting Little Miss Sunshine.

Related: Dearest Whitney: An Open Letter From Cissy Houston

According to Daily Mail, Rihanna is one of the names on the shortlist of actresses being tapped for the role. Jennifer Hudson, Vivica A. Fox and Jordin Sparks are reportedly also in the running to play the iconic Houston.

But the Bajan beauty might not even be interested. When approached to remake The Bodyguard last year, she turned the part down telling OK! magazine:

“I hate it when singers do singing movies all the time, because you can never look at them as anybody else. I want to play a character. My whole life is playing Rihanna; being a singer won’t be a stretch for me.”

The 24-year-old singer will make her acting debut in Battleship which is set to hit theaters May 18.

Houston was said to be aware and excited for the film before her untimely death and her boss/close friend Clive Davis is at the head of the project.

Billy Crystal’s Oscar Spoof Was Hardly ‘Blackface’

0
0

You can describe Billy Crystal‘s hosting chops at the 84th Annual Academy Awards as a lot of things— lackluster, drab, ho-hum—but there’s one thing you can’t call it: racist.

UPTOWN Clique: UPTOWN’s Pre-Oscar Party

Crystal, in his ninth stint as a host, set Twitter and the blogosphere abuzz with his portrayal of Sammy Davis Jr. during the show’s opening montage.

In a spoof of Woody Allen‘s Midnight in Paris, he took on the role of Davis in what some are calling blackface. Shortly after Octavia Spencer‘s win, comedian Paul Scheer tweeted, “shows just how far we’ve come since Billy Crystal performed in Blackface.” Hundreds of other tweets poured in questioning Chrystal’s decision to dress up and act like a Black man.

But was it really blackface?

The term is often used in reference to 19th century theater where non-Black performers painted their skin black to perpetuate disheartening Black stereotypes. If we are to go by this definition, where is the harm in Crystal’s spoof?

Yes, he was made to look like Davis, but his intention was not to embarrass a race or rehash a painful past. He was simply taking on a specific popular figure, as many actors do.

In fact, Crystal’s impression was not the first time he’s stepped into the role; the Davis character was a regular for him on Saturday Night Live in the 80s. Chrystal even played him in an episode hosted by Rev. Jesse Jackson.

If anything, I was more offended by the academy for not choosing Chris Rock as host. His short time at the mic as a presenter was brilliant.

What do you think?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Vixen Chat: Mýa Talks New Album ‘K.I.S.S,’ Sex + Fitness

0
0

UPTOWN_mya_kiss_album_coverCourtesy of Vibe Vixen

It’s been quite some time since the songstress graced the airwaves with her melodic sounds, even though she’s been taking beauty to the streets and kicking up a storm with her music in Japan. But in case you missed the memo, Grammy Award-winning singer Mýa, is back in action with her new LP K.I.S.S, giving everyone a dose of old school flavor with a new school twist. K.I.S.S cooks up a few techno and upbeat bangers with singles such as “Somebody Come Get This Bitch” and “Earthquake” featuring Trina finishing off with a few love songs and motivating hits exuding Mýa’s effortless and angelic sound. Expect an earful of hits followed by visuals later on this year. We haven’t seen her put her trained dancing skills to the test since Dancing With The Stars, but of course you didn’t expect a new album without seeing her dance up a storm in a new video, right?

It was 2007 when we last spoke with Mýa when she graced the cover of our Summer Beauty Issue wherein she gave us a close personal look into her love life, dishing on a few toxic relationships she stuck only to become liberated. Tapping her inner and outer sexy in the likes of Roberto Cavalli, Versace and Sergio Rossi, she served up a couple vogue-esque poses in the issue. Recently, Mýa revealed that we are in-sync besides our shared Libra sign, with a common love for Dolce & Gabbana and Giuseppe Zanotti designs which we love to step out on the town flaunting.

Like many women out there, she’s had her fair share of frogs and is still waiting for “Mr. Incredible” to sweep her off her feet with a kiss. But for now she’s keeping it sexy simple, still making sure that if she has 99 problems, a man ain’t one. In our recent chat with Mýa, the songstress discussed her new album, thoughts on the current music scene, advice she’d give to her younger self and how she manages to keep her incredible body fit.

Continue reading at Vibe Vixen

The Chic Guide: Black Pumps That Don’t Play It Safe

0
0

UPTOWN_black_pumpsBy Temisha Palmer

There are some basic items every well-dressed woman should possess in her closet — a little black dress is one. With the power to transcend its basic nature, an LBD will always be a closet must-have. But while the LDB plays a major role in every chic woman’s wardrobe, so does a pair of classic black pumps, which will offer many great style possibilities. And while a black pump, or court shoe as the Brits call ‘em, is often thought of as boring or playing it too safe, today’s black pump has been revived and reinvented with fun, edgy and chic styles.

Jaleel White, Gladys Knight & More Take On ‘Dancing With The Stars’

0
0

Dancing With the Stars announced its 14th season cast on Tuesday’s Good Morning America and, as always, they’ve managed to keep things interesting.

Family Matters star Jaleel White will brush up on his salsa and 1,2 step  to beat out his competition. While widely known for his role as Urkel, White has been on a mission to shed the geeky typecast for years. A win on DWTS wouldn’t hurt.

Soul legend Gladys Knight and The View’s Sherri Shepherd are also stepping onto the dance floor in hopes of taking home the top title.

Melissa Gilbert (Little House on the Prairie), Jack Wagner (Melrose Place), Roshon Fegan (Disney actor), William Levy (music video star), Gavin Degraw (singer), Katherine Jenkins (singer), Donald Driver (NFL), Martina Navratilova (retired tennis champ) and Maria Menounos (TV personality) round out the star-studded cast.

ABC’s Dancing With the Stars will return with a two-hour premiere on Monday, Mar. 19.

 

Erykah Badu Banned From Performance

0
0

Malaysia has banned a scheduled concert by Erykah Badu after seeing a photograph of the singer with the Arabic word for Allah written on her body. The writing seems to be a temporary tattoo.

According to The Associated Press, she was set to perform Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur , but several of the country’s Muslim groups have deemed Badu as an “unsuitable role model for young Malaysians” after seeing the photo. Malaysia is 60 percent Muslim.

Not wanting to negatively affect its image, a government committee backed the groups’ sentiments calling the writing “an insult to Islam and a very serious offense.” 

Badu, who celebrated her 41st birthday Sunday, had already arrived in Malaysia and has been granted permission to stay despite the cancelled concert. A managing director for the show says the ”Tyrone” singer is “worried and dismayed” over the controversy.

 

 

Jon B. Prepares His Comeback

0
0

Long before Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke revolutionized the “soulful white brother” persona, there was Jon B. Who could forget his smooth ’90s hit that had all the lovers singing “They Don’t Know?”

The 37-year-old Grammy Award winner recently sat down with Loop 21 to discuss his sixth studio record, Comfortable Swagg, and how he’s navigating through today’s music scene.

Loop 21: Your new album is titled Comfortable Swagg. Can you explain what it means?
Jon B: It means you’re comfortable in how you carry yourself. Everybody wants to feel good. I’m coming into my own; I’m 37 with my own label. I’m still in the game with a proven name. I still have sold-out shows. I don’t have anybody over my head telling me what’s gonna work and what’s not. All I know is I like the song and it comes out as a hit, that’s all I know. I don’t know about writing a song and putting it out and having nobody know it. All my records went platinum and gold. If people just listen to the music and they don’t pay attention to the fact that I’m not on the radio all the time, that my videos aren’t being blasted on MTV every 5 minutes, they’ll see that the quality has not changed, it stayed consistent.

Loop 21: Would you say that comfortable swagg is something that comes with age?
Jon B: Not necessarily. When I was 18 or 19, I wild-out and I did my thing, but I know that I was trying to personify people like Michael Jackson and I rocked the pinstripe suits in the “They Don’t Know” video like Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. You grow up being influenced by certain cultures and sounds, you’re gonna adopt those elements and you’re gonna make them yours. At first people may look at you like, ‘You’re rocking a fedora?!,’ but then they accept it. Now that people understand who I am, it’s really about celebrating the music and not questioning it in any way.

Check out the full interview at Loop 21!

Silence Is Golden: Should You Tell Your Man Everything?

0
0

UPTOWN_woman_telling_secret_to_manCourtesy of Vibe Vixen

Truth is a cornerstone in any healthy relationship, but nobody said anything about keeping some sh*t to yourself. While communication, sharing secrets, and being vulnerable are important virtues in any long term romantic relationship, there are still some things that go better left unsaid. Last night I was having a conversation with my lover, whom I can wax poetic to on any number of subjects for hours upon hours. In fact there is very little I actually keep from him, but there are a few things ladies that we should save for ourselves, lest feelings get hurt or unnecessary judgments are formed about you. Here are 6 of those secrets that you should not spill to your man.

How Many Sex Partners You’ve Had — The saying goes that when a man tells you how many women he’s had sex with you should divide the number by two. When a woman tells you how many men she’s had sex with you should multiply the number by 2. This is not to say you should feign to be a saved and sanctified saint, when in fact you can make a ‘juke joint’ Jezebel blush, but a simple omission may do your man’s ego and your unsullied image in his eyes good. Even the most liberal, non-judgmental, self-confident and secure of men cannot stand to think about their lady getting busy with another man. So to err on the side of caution, keep your numbers to yourself.

Continue reading at Vibe Vixen

[Woman telling secret image via Shutterstock]

It’s Time To Welcome Back Gin To Your Spirits Repertoire

0
0

UPTOWN_nolets_ginCourtesy of BlackBook

It seems like only yesterday I was researching gin for my spirits column in the October, 2011 issue of BlackBook. As I called in various bottles to sample, I asked everybody I knew how they felt about it. There were a few enthusiasts, but the majority of respondents cast their eyes downward, quietly shook their heads, and murmured something to the effect of “I can’t drink gin.” It’s as if the question caused them to relive their worst gin experience, choking down a warm shot of some astringent rotgut poured from a plastic bottle, eyes watering, salivary glands in overdrive. Even my celebrity gin-tasting partner, Patton Oswalt, said that he couldn’t stand the stuff – though he later came around after a few choice cocktails at Stone Rose. But what a difference a few months makes. Yesterday a team from Nolet’s Gin came to the new combined editorial offices of BlackBook, VIBE and UPTOWN magazines to mix a few gin-based cocktails, and people couldn’t have been more enthusiastic about the juniper spirit. What happened?

Good gin happened, that’s what. Yes, there have been quality gins on the market for years, but it seems people are only now willing to embrace them. As a result, they’re finding that today’s gins – and the fancy cocktails that showcase gin – are smooth, refreshing, and delicious. Better still, they’re hip to the idea of moderation: passing on that ill-advised nightcap can do wonders for your memories of a spirit.

Continue reading for cocktail recipes featuring Nolet’s Gin


Vote For UPTOWN On The Patricia Nash Designs’ Facebook Page

0
0

UPTOWN_patricia_nash_designsToday, I had the pleasure of checking out Patricia Nash Designs spring handbag collections. I’ve been a fan of Patricia Nash bags for a year or so because the Italian leather is soft and supple, the bags are hand-tooled and the designs have a vintage feel yet are still modern, but will not break the bank.

For spring, Nash created silhouettes that a seasoned traveler may have picked up abroad, but can actually be purchased at Macy’s or Dillard’s. These bags are also a favorite amongst celebrities, including Vanessa Hudgens and Denise Richards. Patricia Nash seemingly has a bag for everyone — from the mommy-on-the-go to the ahead-of-the-trends style maven. But I really fell in love with the Capri Tote in Tan (see photo above left and below). And there’s a chance you can win it!

All you have to do is “like” UPTOWN’s photo and bag choice on the Patricia Nash Facebook Page by March 6 at noon, and UPTOWN will receive a Capri Tote to giveaway on UPTOWNMagazine.com. It’s as easy as that!

UPTOWN_patricia_nash_designs_aharris

Would You Allow Your Man To Sleep With Other Women If He Promised To Tell You?

0
0

UPTOWN_lozada_ochocincoCourtesy of Hello Beautiful

Last night, while the rest of the world watched more important things, such as Rick Santorum on MSNBC, myself and a few other million people tuned in to Basketball Wives. I was totally bored with the episode until Evelyn Lozada’s conversation with her soon-to-be husband Chad Ochocinco struck a chord with my built-in “marriage monitor.” Most women have them, that little alarm that goes off in your head when “he’s the one,” or the tear that streams down your cheek when you’ve found the perfect wedding dress!

The same “marriage monitor” that sounded when Chrissy revealed that she didn’t care if she and Jim Jones, ever actually got married.

Evelyn told Chad that as long as he kept it real with her and informed her of his sexual rendezvous “outside” his and her relationship, she’d basically be able to deal.

Yeah … ladies, bad choice!

Continue reading at Hello Beautiful

Black Women: Heavier, But Happier

0
0

Courtesy of The Washington Post

In the pre-dawn darkness, the gym doors close, and the black women start to move. House versions of Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman,” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” blare from speakers as the 30 or so women, most with curves, not angles, grab their jump ropes at the L.A. Fitness club in Capitol Heights. They double-time it as fitness instructor Michelle Gibson counts them down from the front of the class.

“Four more, three more, two more, one!” she yells, twirling her rope. She jumps faster and faster until the rope and her sneakers blur on the hardwood. Her ample bosom strains against the top of her sequined half-camisole.

“Show-off!” yells a woman from the back as Gibson laughs. She demonstrates hinge-kicks high above her own head, and sweat darkens the waistband of the fitted black pants that cling to the uber-roundness of her bottom. “Fight for your sexy!” she commands her class.

No one in this boot camp works out to be model thin. And nearly to a person, they reject any notion that they should, or that that standard is even cute. Or realistic. Or mentally healthy. That’s especially true of Gibson, 41, who has been a fitness instructor for 12 years, though you wouldn’t necessarily know it by looking at her.

Like many black women, Gibson describes her 5-foot-4, size 14-plus physique as “thick,” and considers herself ultra-feminine — no matter what the mainstream culture has to say about it.

She’s one of the most full-figured women in the gym, but she’s in love with her body. And it’s a sentiment that syncs perfectly with a recent survey conducted by The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation that focused on African American women. The poll found that although black women are heavier than their white counterparts, they report having appreciably higher levels of self-esteem. Although 41 percent of average-sized or thin white women report having high self-esteem, that figure was 66 percent among black women considered by government standards to be overweight or obese.

Continue at The Washington Post!

Are You Robbing Yourself of Happiness?

0
0

People talk a lot about what they love, where they want to be, what they believe and what they want to accomplish in life. But when you look at how they’re living, things often point in the opposite direction. And more often than we’d like to admit, those people are us.

We make proclamations about being devout Christians (or members of other religions). We talk about how much we value family. Then of course there are things like our careers and our extracurricular activities — including organizations that we belong to. We speak of trying to change our lives and get to a better place. Unfortunately and because of our own doing, we fall victim to our circumstances then end up complaining and confused. We may not do it everyday, but we do it enough that it’s noticeable and have to remind ourselves to be grateful.

Like me, if you were to sit down and write out what your priorities are and think about how you spend your free time, you’ll see that they aren’t in the order that you thought they were. When you put things in that perspective, you see what you truly care about, which lays the framework for how you should live your life.

Why Are Female Rappers Choosing Marilyn Monroe Over Lena Horne?

0
0

UPTOWN_horne_monroeCourtesy of Vibe Vixen

I recently read, “It’s a shame that so many black girls would prefer to be Marilyn Monroe than Lena Horne.” I had never thought about it before. Definitely been a fan of Monroe’s infamous quotes like:

“I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.”

and

“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they’re right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”

…but didn’t realize it until recently when hip-hop newbie Brianna Perry and hip-pop star Nicki Minaj both dropped songs titled “Marilyn Monroe.” Although Monroe wasn’t like the “dumb blonde” roles she played in her films, she was known for repeatedly taking roles where she comes off as extremely beautiful but not very bright.

Lena Horne on the other hand– a gifted singer, actress and activist during the Civil Rights movement–isn’t looked at in the same light. Let’s not forget that she also has some amazing quotes that could have been great concepts for songs.

Continue reading at Vibe Vixen

Viewing all 6567 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images