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Princess Love Arrested for Allegedly Beating Ray J to a Bloody Pulp

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There’s apparently more drama for Ray J and girlfriend Princess Love as reports confirm Princess was arrested for violently assaulting Ray J last Wednesday in their New Orleans hotel room.

The Love and Hip Hop Hollywood reality star suffered cracked ribs, a busted lip and a torn ACL after the attack, according to reports. The incident took place when Ray returned from spending the night with TV producers at a strip club. The VH1 reality star/singer, born William Ray Norwood, Jr., reportedly fled from his W French Quarter Hotel room as hotel security witnessed him bleeding and called 911. According to some accounts, a person in the hotel told cops that Princess threatened, “I’m gonna kill you.”

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Princess was arrested and booked for domestic abuse and battery. But the “One Wish” singer bailed her out soon after, paying $10,000 for her lawyer, too.

Despite the severity of the reports, recent Instagram posts from the 34-year-old singer showed no signs of visual injury.

Ray and Princess aren’t the first LHHH couple to reportedly resort to violence in a hotel. Following the season 1 reunion show taping, cast member Yung Berg was arrested after he was accused of striking and dragging girlfriend Masika Tucker. VH1 fired Berg from the show following the incident.


Black Teen Sues St. Louis Cop Who Turned Off Dash Cam to Beat Him [VIDEO]

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Officer Kelli Swinton reportedly told her fellow St. Louis police team, “Hold up. Hold up, y’all. Hold up. Hold up, everybody, hold up. We’re red right now, so if you guys are worried about cameras, just wait,” during a traffic stop last April before turning off her dash camera to assault and Taser a Black teenager, Cortez Bufford.

Four of those St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers are now facing a lawsuit filed by Cortez Bufford who claims the cops used excessive force, including kicking and Tasering. The 18-year-old was left with abrasions on his face and back, with close to $7,000 in hospital bills.

Bufford was stopped by police after reportedly making an illegal U-turn, as the police report claimed the teen “abruptly parked” after making the U-turn, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch claims that the dash cam footage shows Bufford parking normally. As additional cops arrived on the scene, Officer Swinton was identified suggesting that the dash cam be turned off. The screen goes blank shortly after.

Because the camera was turned off, all charges against Bufford, a felony charge of unlawful use of a weapon and the misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest, have been dropped.

The incident’s dash cam footage was not released after the April 10 incident as the city was still battling protests and police backlash from the killing of unarmed teen Michael Brown by Officer Darren Wilson.

Michel’le Talks ‘R&B Divas: LA’, Suge Knight Murder Charges [VIDEO]

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Michel’le, the squeaky voiced diva from TV One’s hit reality show R&B Divas LA held no punches during an interview at the 2015 NAACP Image Awards. The “Something in my Heart” singer candidly shared her thoughts on baby-daddy Suge Knight and the highly-anticipated third season of the “Divas” series. She also commented on  Bobbi Kristina and the upcoming NWA biopic.

How do you feel about what’s going on with Suge Knight?

“I don’t feel anything! I’m not his girlfriend! Just to clear that up… it’s really unfortunate and ironic because he’s lived his whole life of people just saying he was this bad guy, and that one split second, he changed a lot of lives. You know, he really did. And the bad thing about it for me, is that, my daughter Bailey, she gets to go visit him. But, the Carters don’t get to go visit their child. So, it touched all of our families, changed our lives forever.”

The Compton born beauty also has a son, Marcel, with hip-hop mogul Dr. Dre.

What is your role in the NWA biopic? Is someone playing you?

“I’ve been told so many different stories. I’ve been told I’m in there a little bit, then I was told I’m not in there.”

You’ve gone through a similar depression as Bobbi Kristina, how do you come through that?

“It’s a process, ’cause it just doesn’t go away like people think it does. It just doesn’t come upon you one day and you go, ‘Oh!’ It’s something that you work at. My mother and my grandmother died 5 years ago and I’m still… matter of fact, I just started mourning. Because you try to be strong.  And then one day you just have to face it. It is what it is.”

Exclusive: Taraji P. Henson Reads Naomi Campbell

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It’s the “Empire” showdown we’ve been waiting for ever since learning that Hakeem Lyon (Bryshere Y. Gray) is having a clandestine relationship with Naomi Campbell‘s character Camilla, and it goes down this Wednesday on the hit show. Judging from the episode seven preview, Taraji P. Henson’s Cookie Lyon goes in on fashion designer Camilla for not staying in her lane and getting involved in Hakeem’s budding rap career.

Henson spoke exclusively with UPTOWN about reading Campbell and going off script for the episode titled “Our Dancing Days”:

“There’s this episode where I have a stand-off with Naomi Campbell and I mean I was letting her have it [Laughs]. The crew literally had to put their hands over their mouths to stop from laughing. And as soon as Danny [Strong] yelled cut, he screamed, falls out laughing. He’s like, ‘Oh my God, keep all of it! Do it again!’ And if you give me an inch, I’ma take a mile. So the next take, I went even further. I was cutting her with words and he said, ‘It just keeps getting better! Do one more! Keep all of it!’ To be that free and uninhibited? That’s why this show is what it is because it’s a collaborative effort.”

Check out the preview clip below …

RELATED: The Empire Taraji P. Henson Built​

Lolo Jones Slams ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’

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Olympian Lolo Jones has never been one to hold her tongue, having had a quick Twitter beef with Rihanna fans when it was revealed that then rumored-boo Drake was hosting the 2014 ESPY Awards. Now, there’s a new target for the track and field star. Lolo, who’s also a self-proclaimed virgin and Christian, is boycotting the explicit Fifty Shades of Grey film, because it glorifies unholy sex, in her opinion.

The 32-year-old took to Twitter Tuesday, revealing her true thoughts about the movie that dominated the box office with a $237.7 million opening weekend.


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Lolo has found both supporters and detractors on social media. Twitter user Ernest L. Sewell, IV, suggested she “STFU,” but Lolo fan Ashley Henry said the former “Dancing With the Stars” contestant’s comments reminded her why Lolo is “amazing.”

“This is why Lolo Jones is amazing shes not afraid to speak up for what she believes especially when it pertains to her Christian faith..not to mention shes speaking the truth…” Ashley wrote.

Janet ‘Aunt Viv’ Hubert Slams ‘RHOA,’ Kenya Moore’s Pilot

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You might remember Janet Hubert for originating the role of Aunt Viv on the classic sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Well, now she’s back with her own quirky web series titled “Blacktress,” and in the latest installment, she had a few choice words for Real Housewives of Atlanta star/former beauty queen Kenya Moore.

According to Janet, Kenya hired her to star in her TV pilot “Life Twirls On” (a series Kenya is seen casting for on “RHOA” this season). Once the pilot was taped, Janet was apparently approached about appearing on “RHOA” in promotion of the series, but refused. “It’s not a show that I like,” Janet said. “I think it’s quite demeaning to Black women. It’s actually worse than high school…when I watched it.”

“RHOA” is one of many reality TV stars, featuring a cast of women, that has been criticized for its cattiness, materialism and violence.

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Janet, who has yet to be paid for her work with Kenya, went on to claim that she was told her time sheets turned up “lost” and warned her fellow SAG-affiliated actors to beware of reality TV scammers, like the former “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant.

This isn’t the first business deal that’s fallen apart for Kenya. Her friendship with co-star Phaedra Parks dissolved after the two parted ways over the production of an exercise DVD.

Kenya has yet to respond to Janet’s allegations, but while awaiting the likely clap back, be entertained by Janet’s hilarious and slightly awkward impersonation of Kenya.

Krispy Kreme’s ‘KKK Wednesday’ Promotion Causes Uproar

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Krispy Kreme apologized for a ‘KKK Wednesday’ promotion created by a UK location to draw more kids into the donut shop during Britain’s half-term, a short student holiday in the middle of three periods when the school year is divided.

The branch launched a series of promotional events that included “KKK Wednesday,” short for Krispy Kreme Klub. However, the creators was oblivious to the acronym it represents. Facebook followers quickly went in on the glaze-donut brand, pointing out that in the United States, “KKK” stands for Ku Klux Klan, a racially charged American hate group against African Americans and other minorities.

A company spokeswoman apologized to The Daily Mirror for “the inappropriate name of a customer promotion at one of our stores.”

The spokeswoman also said the material for the promotion was withdrawn and “an internal investigation is currently under way.”

Five Reasons Kanye Will Never Respond to Amber Rose

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Amber Rose, as we’ve come to find out, is well-versed in the art of reading the hell out of someone. Unfortunately, Khloe Kardashian learned this the hard way. The two high-profile socialites sparred on Twitter over comments Amber made in a “Breakfast Club” interview about 25-year-old rapper Tyga dating the Kardashians’ 17-year-old baby sister Kylie Jenner. After receiving a severe Twitter dragging, compliments of “Muvah” Rose, Khloe quickly backed off the topic and the feud was over just a soon as it began.

Amber has never made her disdain for the Kardashians a secret. Some years ago, she revealed that Kim Kardashian actually started off as Kanye’s side-chick, sending nude photos to him while he and Amber were still an item. At the center of all the messiness is Kanye — a man with well-documented ties to both parties. In a perfect world, Kanye should, as a patriarchal figure, stand up for his wife against the slanderous comments his ex has made about her and his in-laws. But based on the complicated history of his dealings with Amber, here are five he won’t speak up …

UPTOWN_kim_kardashian1. Kanye knows Amber is right: Don’t be fooled by Kanye’s mad obsession with his Kim K and her reality TV dynasty. Underneath it all, he is realistic about the over-sexualized image Kim portrays and has no choice but to eat the flack that comes with it. Kim’s talent may be her beauty, as Kanye once said, but the way in which Kim achieved her fame comes with a cost. Kanye signed on to be her accomplice which means criticism about Kim’s “slutty” image cannot be all that new to him. He’s also aware, as a man of above-average intelligence, that not defending Kylie Jenner and Tyga’s alleged coupling is the smartest thing he could do, since their relationship would illegal in their state (not to mention just … gross.)

UPTOWN_kanye_west_amber_rose22. Kanye and Amber might have an agreement: The details of Kanye and Amber’s breakup in 2010 remain murky, but it’s been floating through the grapevine that Kanye cut Amber a serious check in exchange for her silence. Media outlets reported that ‘Ye offered a deal as large as seven figures to keep amber from spilling secrets about his personal life. If there’s any truth to this deal, that means Kanye’s mission is to detach himself from his famed ex as seamlessly as possible. It’s highly unlikely he would jeopardize that by jumping in the middle of a cat fight.

UPTOWN_kanye_west3. Kanye has too much to lose: Aside from the PR snafus, Kanye’s stock as a musician, designer, and style influencer has steadily climbed so much that he’s inarguably the most talked about artist and visionary of this generation. Let’s face it, he can no longer afford to associate with Amber. Yeezus operates on a totally different frequency — bigger, more powerful, more focused on winning than ever before. Validating comments from Amber would be beneath him.

UPTOWN_amber_rose4. Amber has much more tea to spill: While Kanye’s image has far outgrown his past dealings with Amber Rose, he is still at her mercy because of the many secrets she’s holding and could unleash at any time. For a celebrity like Amber, who garners a fair amount of attention but doesn’t hold as many connections in media as, say, the Kardashians, her relevance is only as big as her associations. If desperate, Amber could become vengeful and find a legal loophole in that aforementioned “agreement” to make room for a tell-all book. Exposing the secrets of hip-hop’s elite has the potential to rake in big cash!

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5. Image is everything: Four years ago, Kanye West made some monumental changes to become the Yeezus we know today. As a dad, entrepreneur, alpha-male, and fashion A-lister, it’s very important to remain unbothered. Silence is often the best response you can give to voices from the past trying to shine a light on your dirty laundry.


Beauty Picks From Cushnie et Ochs

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Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs, the naturally gorgeous bad-ass designers behind the body-con cult-fave label Cushnie et Ochs clue us in on the beauty mainstays that keep them flawless.

By Joane Amay

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Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Toner (8oz, $15)

“Great for my sensitive skin and hydrates when needed.” – Michelle


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Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream (10.2fl .oz, $34)

“It’s the only thing I really use on my hair after I wash it— just to define and condition my curls.” – Carly


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AmorePacific Moisture Bound Rejuvenating Creme (1.7oz, $150)

“I love how it’s so incredibly moisturizing without feeling heavy or clogging up your pores.” – Carly


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The Face Shop Essential CO-Q10 Mask Sheet (7 sheets, $8)

“A total reboot for your skin, to bring it back to life and give you back your glow.” – Michelle


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Van Cleef & Arpels Gardénia Pétale Eau de Parfum (2.5oz, $185)

“I’m very committed to a scent. I don’t chop and change much. I found this one and stuck to it for years. It’s fresh, feminine and a little exotic.” – Carly


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MAC Cosmetics Lip Conditioner ($15)

“Forget everything else— this is the perfect item to have in your purse! It offers amazing consistency and shine and completely rehydrates your lips.”- Michelle


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It’s a 10 Miracle Hair Mask (8fl .oz, $23) drugstore.com

“It is just that, a miracle. Use it twice a month to keep your ends healthy.” – Michelle

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Tom Ford Champaca Absolute Eau de Parfum (1.7oz, $215)
“Notes include hints of cognac, violet, vanilla and amber. The ingredients are very dynamic but at the same time the scent is soft and subtle.” – Michelle


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MAC Cosmetics Bronzing Powder in Refined Golden ($25)

“I use this as shadow in the crease of my eyelids and on my cheeks.  It’s perfect for every day and just gives a little all over glow.”- Carly


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Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer (4oz, $45)
“My male friends love this no-frills moisturizer.  It does what it says.”- Carly


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The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Face Firming Serum (1.2oz, $160)

“It’s completely organic. Two little drops is all I use on my face every night. It really gives my skin the nourishment it needs. ” – Carly


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​Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30 (2oz, $28)
“Essential! If you are going to wear one thing, this is it.” – Michelle

Rumors of Tyga and Kylie Jenner Dating Have Nothing to do with ‘Black Culture’

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As someone who very passively follows pop culture (meaning I haven’t bought a new album in three years and I don’t learn new dances until they’re damn near out of style), it’s safe to say folks like Tyga and Kylie Jenner can easily float through life without generating any attention from me. I don’t watch reality shows or listen to formulaic, half-ass hip-pop, so there’s small chance that they will come on my radar. Yet, surprisingly, I’m very aware of the fact that Tyga has been on a Kylie Jenner world tour for the past several months. But, if you let him tell it, the only reason I know of his clandestine relationship with Kylie is because I’m a Black man.

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In a recent interview with the DJ Envy, Angela Yee, and Charlamagne Tha God on Power 105’s “The Breakfast Club,” the 25-year-old emcee was asked about his close “friendship” with 17-year-old Kylie. This was his priceless response:

“I’m not dating Kylie, I just want to get that out of the way. I want to be clear to everybody that I didn’t leave my family to be with Kylie. That’s ridiculous. It’s crazy. I’ve been knowing her and her family a long time.”

“In black culture, if you hang around somebody you smashing them but white culture is different. They’re really friends… like yo. ‘this is my friend’. Its genuine’ its different. How we think is a little different, our mentality. For me, I say I’m friends with her and I’m friends with her sister, they’re hoes or we smashing them. It’s like were really friends. I respect her mom and family.”

At the beginning of the year, I made a resolution to stop giving stupid people a stage, but this comment deserves to be dissected for one important reason: His comment is so heavily loaded with self-hating rhetoric, that it can’t be allowed to stand for even one second, before someone with lesser understanding attempts to find even one modicum of truth in it.

UPTOWN_kylie_jenner_tygaFirst, there is no such thing as “Black culture.” There are many different cultures out here that may be predominately Black, but his attempting to group Black folks into a monolithic identity is just proof that he doesn’t know a damn thing about race, identity, and intersectionality. Also, I would be surprised to learn that there’s such a thing as “white culture” too. My Caucasian friends tell me there isn’t any such thing, but that learn about their secure club — but I would hazard to guess that “white culture” is just some bullshit Tyga made up when put on the spot.

Second, the idea that “if you hang around somebody, you are possibly smashing them” is NOT a cultural tenet, it’s simple human nature. When a straight man decides to spend an exorbitant amount of time with a straight woman, people will tend to believe that they are interested in each other. The idea that my Blackness is clouding my vision to make me view a completely platonic friendship is actually rather insulting. I, personally, would attribute it to my clarity in being able to see that a relationship between a teenage girl, who is 17 going on 30 and seems to find herself everywhere other than a classroom, and a 25-year-old strip club rapper, who also produced and directed a porn film called Rack City XXX, is somewhat problematic.

And finally, if Tyga wants to keep propagating the idea that he and Kylie are “only friends,” he needs to stop pointing out that the legal age of consent in New York is 17. If y’all are “just friends,” why the hell should that matter?

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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.

Malik Yoba Talks Iconic Characters, Empire’s Shocking Finale

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Every now and then an actor claims his spot as Hollywood royalty, outstandingly performing breakout roles and heart capturing characters. And Malik Yoba is an undeniable force to be reckoned with. But don’t call it a comeback. The Bronx-born stallion shows no signs of slowing down as his resume of popular characters continues to pile up. From Yul Brenner of the endearing Jamaican bobsled team that stole America’s heart in 1993’s Cool Runnings, to Bill Harken in the science fiction drama series Alphas, Yoba is no stranger to hard work and perseverance.

Who didn’t love the suave Detective J.C. Williams from the trail-blazing TV cop drama New York Undercover? And who can forget Gavin Agnew from Why Did I Get Married fame? Now, Yoba continues to effortlessly embody Hollywood longevity as one of Tinsel Town’s leading luminaries in the highly addictive Wednesday night hip-hop soap opera, Empire. Playing Vernon Taylor, the loyal-to-a-fault, second in command to Luscious Lyon, the untouchable, power-struck kingpin played by Terrence Howard, Yoba fuels his own empire, and on his own terms.

The 47 year old spoke candidly about Empire‘s unprecedented success, what fans can expect from the shocking season finale and his company Iconic 32.

UPTOWN: What would you say makes Empire such a success?

Malik Yoba: People just want to see themselves. What other show has an all-black cast on TV other than Black-ish?

I tell people all the time having done New York Undercover twenty years ago that that was the blueprint; the music, the fashion, the urban, the realness, the people of color seeing themselves — it’s a pretty simple recipe. People can try to dissect it but it’s largely about people seeing themselves. Where else have you seen the Cookie character on TV? But we all know her. That’s your friend, your cousin, your girlfriend, we know that girl and that’s Taraji [P. Henson] bringing D.C. to the party.

U: What’s a secret about the show that fans would be surprised to hear?

MY: I tell people to keep watching the show and enjoy the ride. The season finale is going to bring a lot of excitement for folks. Huge moments are happening with guest stars and musical surprises and other surprises. And I think people have come to expect that every week.

U: The original music of the show is a huge hit, but who are some of your [other] favorite artists?

MY: You know who I’ve been wearing out lately is Mali Music. Definitely a fan of that dude.

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U: You mentioned New York Undercover, do you still talk to your TV partner Michael DeLorenzo?

MY: I do, and Lauren Velez and Patty D’Arbanville.

U: As a Hollywood veteran, you’ve had many popular roles. Between Vernon from Empire, Detective J.C. from New York Undercover and Bill Harken from Alpha, who was your favorite to play and why?

MY: Definitely J.C., for sure. I was young. I’m from New York and we shot in Harlem and all over the city and he was that dude, a hero for millions of people. In fact, a young man approached me at an event in New York saying you have no idea of the representation of a black man and what that did for me. Many young men became cops and many people became better fathers because of that show. It changed lives because people looked at it as a blueprint on how to behave as a man. That’s probably the one I’m most proud of.

U: What has been the biggest misconception about you?

MY: Don’t call it a comeback, I’ve been here for years! Ignorance is what it is, people think you left and I’ve been here. I tell people to check IMDB before you open your mouth and speak foolishness about people you say you’re fans of. Since 1993, 22 years ago since Cool Runnings I’ve been been doing what I do. There’s probably some other misconceptions but as an actor in Hollywood that’s a big one.

U: What’s the secret to longevity in this business?

MY: I think it’s God’s hand on my life because he knows I’m here for service and not for fame. What we do is a helping art; human beings since the age of cavemen needed drawings on the walls to tell stories, so people need to hear stories, it’s a service you provide. And I take this service seriously, I’m here to serve and if you do that, provision will always be provided.

That’s the only thing I can chalk it up to because I really don’t have that conversation with many actors that aren’t “around” anymore but I certainly have it with up-and-coming actors who’s chasing fame. If this is God’s plan for your life and if you look at it from a service standpoint you have the opportunity to flourish. The reality is- the struggle is real and it’s not easy. This business is insane, and everybody in it will tell you that which is why most actors don’t want their children doing this. But somehow he keeps a hand on me to go out there and inspire people and where there is no inspiration, I leave.


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U: Tell us about your company Iconic 32.

MY: We started our Instagram page last summer as we put out this message to use pop culture to promote social good. We’re an innovation studio and lifestyle company that does branding and strategy for corporate and non-profits and we are developing socially eccentric products and partnering with people of like-minds who want to do the same thing.

We created a community, a culture to create or enhance social movement for social good. We personally partnered with Common‘s foundation The Common Ground Foundation and portions of proceeds go to to the work he’s doing.

It’s the confluence of everything I care about- pop culture, because I’m apart of pop culture. I care about storytelling and making a difference in the community. Back to New York Undercover, every time I kissed my son- which was never scripted, I knew I was sending a message that it was okay for black men to be affectionate with their sons. My father never kissed me and it was important for me to use that show as a platform to show that and it had a huge impact. It’s those simple ways we can do those things using pop culture. (You can take what people are already doing and reposition and repurpose it to the in a way it make senses.)

We’re doing that with technology, fashion, sports, music – any of the pop culture pillars.

U: What does being a celebrity prevent you from doing that you really enjoy?

MY: One of the biggest challenges is people don’t realize the public/private dynamic that you are constantly living with. One who doesn’t have a public life can go through the exact same thing but do it in private, whatever it is relationships, work stuff. You don’t have that luxury always if you have a public profile.

But at this point in my life I travel around; I’m not worried about people seeing you and the A or B-Lists, in fact they only talk about you or running after you if you’re on the A-List which usually doesn’t happen with people of color unless you’re Kim Kardashian or Kanye West. Most people of color don’t have the paparazzi running around after them so being black helps. But I live a pretty simple and normal life.

Photo credit: Kevin Kneeland, Nicole Oriatti of K&N Media

Less Than ‘Flawless’ Photos of Beyonce Leaked

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Untouched up glamor shots from one of Beyonce‘s photo shoots reveal that the singer is not as “flawless” as some may have thought. The 33-year-old pop superstar posed for a L’Oreal campaign in 2013 to advertise for Infallible lipstick.  In the head shots, Beyoncé’s make-up is done, but, unlike in her typical pictures, age lines and acne bumps are visible on her face.

The pictures were first leaked on Tuesday via a fanpage called The Beyoncé World.  The images were taken down shortly after, but other websites had already snagged the secret snapshots.  Some fans were shocked to see their idol in a less-than-perfect light.

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@ChrissyTweet said, “I expect Jz to shut down the Internet in 10, 9….”

But some felt as thought the famous mom was still beautiful.  Many critics said that they were glad the photos leaked to show that celebrities who are put on a pedestal are just as human and normal as anyone else.

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“Am I the only one that doesn’t think #Beyonce looks horrible in these untouched photos?! She looks better than me on most days!” tweeted fan Latanya Renee.

This isn’t the first time that Beyoncé has garnered public scrutiny for her work with L’Oreal, whom she has modeled for since she was 18.  The company was accused of lightening her skin in a 2008 ad for Feria by L’Oreal.

 

Nicki Minaj’s Crew Members Stabbed, One Dead

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Sad news has befallen Nicki Minaj‘s camp. Two members of the rapper’s crew were stabbed in a bar fight early Wednesday. One of the victims has died.

According to developing reports, the fight began with an argument at CHE Bar & Grill in Philadelphia. The brawl spilled out into the street at around 2:35 a.m. when the two men, 29-year-old De’Von ‘Day Day’ Pickett and 26-year-old Eric Parker, were stabbed.

The men were taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center where Pickett died 10 minutes later. Parker’s health status has been improving. He is now in fair condition.

Many celebrities mourned the loss of Picket, including Minaj, pop singer Rihanna and East Coast rapper Fabulous.

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“Can’t believe this is true! one of the nicest, coolest, funniest people I’ve ever met and toured with!” Rihanna posted to Instagram with a happy picture of her and Pickett. “We had so much fun together!!! Sad to lose a beautiful spirit like yours #RIPDayDay.”

“I am still in shock & don’t want to believe this. And it hurts even more knowing how good these two dudes are. How hard these guys work. And how loyal they are to whoever they are down with & each other,” Fabolous wrote on Instagram. “I will miss your energy, your vibe, & you but I’ll hold on to your spirit!!”

Pickett worked as Minaj’s stage hand for her technical crew. He had gone to Monroe College to pursue a degree in business. A friend of his, Sean Murdocksaid that Pickett and Parker went to the school together.

“They’re great friends, went to the same church, they’ve been friends since they were kids. They’re not the type outside fighting in some nightclub,” he said.

“He was a great person. That boy didn’t start no trouble with nobody. He didn’t even see 30,” Murdock added regarding the diseased victim.

The man suspected of the stabbings is said to be a thirty-something with a beard. Police say he fled in a gray Buick LeSabre.

The incident is still under investigation.

Geraldo Rivera: Hip-Hop and Saggy Pants Are Worse Than Racism

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The Paley Center for Media Presents "America's Most Wanted"

Fox News pundit Geraldo Rivera is no stranger to backlash after spewing outrageous rhetoric about the Black community.  He’s back at his old antics, and this time, he’s claiming that racism is the least of Blacks’ and Hispanics’ problems, and that hip-hop and fashion are the real barriers.

On a HuffPost Live chat with host Josh Zepps, Rivera discussed his experience as a cast member of this season’s Celebrity Apprentice. Zepps directs the conversation into political territory and asks Rivera if he fits into either the liberal or conservative box.  Rivera answers “no,” and while explaining how his views can often fall on different spectrums of the political scale, he veers into the subject of hip-hop.

“Hip-hop has done more damage to Black and brown people than racism in the last 10 years,”Rivera says. “…a Puerto Rican from the South Bronx or a Black kid from Harlem who has succeeded in life other than being the one-tenth of one-tenth of one percent that make it in the music business— that’s been a success in life walking around with his pants around his ass and with visible tattoos…”

He them blames hip-hop leaders for “encouraging” the culture.

“And I love Russell Simmons,” Rivera continues. “He’s a dear friend of mine. I admire his business acumen. At some point, those guys have to cop to the fact that by encouraging this distinctive culture that is removed from the mainstream, they have encouraged people to be so different from the mainstream that they can’t participate other than, you know, the racks in the garment center and those entry-level jobs, and I lament it. I really do. I think that it has been very destructive culturally.”

“There are a lot of potential explanations for why there is alienation in minority communities,” Zepps adds.

Rivera replies, “Oh, yeah, of course there is, but I think that fashion plays a part.”

Jay Z Hit With Paternity Suit for Alleged Secret Love Child

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Looks like Blue Ivy may have a half-brother. Rapper Jay Z, born Shawn Carter, was hit with a December 2014 paternity suit from a 21-year-old aspiring rapper, Rymir Satterthwaite, who says the hip-hop star is his father and is avoiding taking a DNA test.

According to court documents acquired by The National Enquirer, Satterthwaite claims his mother, Wanda, had an affair with the “Big Pimpin” rapper in the 1990s and that Jay lied to the court to avoid taking a paternity test. The alleged affair happened long before the Marcy Houses native became a multimillionaire recording star and media mogul.

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It was also well before Jay’s marriage to Beyoncé in April 2008, and the birth of daughter Blue Ivy, January 7, 2012. Satterthwaite’s legal guardian, paralegal Lillie Coley, helped him file the suit last year. Coley claims Jay and lawyer Lise Fisher gave “fraudulent” and “false” information to the courts that led to the case being dismissed.

The report indicated the question of paternity was initially raised at least five years ago. Wanda tried to force the 45-year-old to take a 2010 paternity test after it was determined that another man was not the boy’s father.


My Bad: Afroman and Other Recent Celebrity Apologies

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Afroman, of “Because I Got High” fame, recently attacked one of his fans while onstage at a show.

On Tuesday, during one of his shows, Afroman struck down with his fist a female fan who found her way onto the stage during his set. This is not the first time he has had an altercation with a fan.

Par for the course, Afroman gave an apology for his actions. However, he seemed to make a lot of excuses for his behavior in the process. He claims that he is entering himself into anger management.

Afroman is far from the only celebrity to have to apologize after messing up. There will likely be many more now that we live in the age of the camera phone and social media. Check out who else has had to swallow their pride recently and say, “I’m sorry.”

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Brian Williams

The NBC News anchor has been accused of telling a multitude of lies in his broadcasts. The lies unraveled when it was revealed that he told conflicting accounts about an incident involving military helicopters in Iraq in 2003. He apologized on air, but it only seemed to land him in deeper trouble.

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Justin Bieber

The pop star went on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” recently to try to explain his bad behavior. However, he felt that he came off awkward in the interview, so he recorded another apology.

“I felt awkward up there. I felt like people were judging me,” Bieber said in the self-made clip. “And I really want people to know how much I care, how much I care about people, and how I’m not that person who says, ‘I don’t give a f—!’ I’m not that kid.'”

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Benedict Cumberbatch

The British actor made a public apology after he referred to Black actors as “colored” on a talk show last month. He was on PBS‘ “Tavis Smiley” when he used the term in describing the difficulties for Black actors in the U.K. He later apologized: “I’m devastated to have caused offense by using this outmoded terminology. I make no excuse for my being an idiot and know the damage is done. I can only hope this incident will highlight the need for correct usage of terminology that is accurate and inoffensive.” He went on to say, “The most shaming aspect of this for me is that I was talking about racial inequality in the performing arts in the U.K. and the need for rapid improvements in our industry when I used the term.”

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Alex Rodriguez

The New York Yankees baseball player hand-wrote a letter to MLB fans to apologize for using performance-enhancing drugs, which led to a year-long suspension. The letter read, in part:

“I take full responsibility for the mistakes that led to my suspension for the 2014 season. I regret that my actions made the situation worse than it needed to be. To Major League Baseball, the Yankees, the Steinbrenner family, the Players Association and you, the fans, I can only say I’m sorry.”

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Bono

The U2 frontman apologized late last year for working out a deal that automatically downloaded U2’s free album onto everyone’s iTunes. “I’m sorry about that,” Bono said. “I had this beautiful idea, but (we) got carried away with ourselves. Artists are prone to that kind of thing. A drop of megalomania, a touch of generosity, a dash of self-promotion and deep fear that these songs, that we poured our life into over the last few years, mightn’t be heard. There’s a lot of noise out there. I guess we got a little noisy ourselves to get through it.”

Terrence Howard’s Ex Accused of Sending Him Death Threats

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Looks like Terrence Howard may need to beef up his security, similar to how his character Lucious Lyon on the FOX breakout hit Empire has. The actor has been receiving multiple death threats online, and his ex-wife Michelle Ghent is the suspected culprit.

An Instagram page, created 41 weeks ago, is dedicated to threatening the life of Howard and pregnant wife Miranda. The threats included, “I’m watching you…” and “You two won’t live to see [your] children.”

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There is also another message targeting Miranda: “Your husband is cheating on you! Just thought you should know.” Another post shows a prescription pill bottle believed to have belonged to Howard, with the caption, “Oh dear, look what I found. Do hope you refilled. It’s one of the things you can’t leave home without.”

Howard and Ghent’s 2013 divorce ended in mud-slinging with accusations of verbal and physical abuse, extortion, and blackmail.

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Last July, the Hustle & Flow star filed court papers claiming Ghent extorted and blackmailed him into signing a $350,000 divorce settlement after their one-year marriage went up in smoke.

Ghent is the prime suspect in the threats simply because the fake account has only one follower- and it’s she. Howard reportedly believes it is his ex-wife who is threatening him, and that’s why he filed the police report. According to TMZ, the actor said he has been receiving these creepy messages for a year.

The LAPD has obtained a search warrant to investigate whether or not Ghent is behind the online harassment and threats. The investigation is still pending.

Was Mo’Nique Blackballed by Hollywood?

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After winning an Academy Award for her break-out feature film role as the domineering mother in 2010’s Precious, you’d think offers would be flooding in for comedian Mo’Nique, but that hasn’t been the case.

In an essay published in the February 27 issue of The Hollywood Reporter, the 47-year-old actor said she only found out a few months ago that she has been blackballed by studios and that roles offered to her were snatched away and given to Oprah Winfrey.

“I got a phone call from Lee Daniels,” said the Baltimore native. “He said to me, ‘Mo’Nique, you’ve been blackballed.’ I said, ‘Why?’ And he said, ‘Because you didn’t play the game.’”

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Mo’Nique, who also made headlines in 2013 for revealing her marriage with Sidney Hicks is an open one, said two leading roles offered to her – Forest Whitaker’s wife in Daniels’ The Butler and Richard Pryor’s grandmother in a forthcoming Daniels biopic, “all just went away.”

The Queens of Comedy comedian, born Mo’Nique Imes-Jackson, suggested her absence from the screen, with only a handful of minor film and television credits between 2009 and last year’s Blackbird, is because she is “difficult,” “tactless” or “tacky.”

Daniels responded to Mo’Nique’s claims, issuing a statement to The Hollywood Reporter:

“Mo’Nique is a creative force to be reckoned with. Her demands through Precious were not always in line with the campaign. This soured her relationship with the Hollywood community. I consider her a friend. I have and will always think of her for parts that we can collaborate on, however the consensus among the creative teams and powers thus far were to go another way with these roles.”

B. Scott, BET Reach Discrimination Lawsuit Settlement

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After a lengthy legal battle between transgender blogger B. Scott and BET/Viacom over claims of gender discrimination, the two have finally reached a settlement.

“It’s never an easy decision to stand up for yourself and fight for your right to be who you are. It’s something that I believe in and it’s something that I’ll always continue to defend,” read a statement from B., who described the issue as “resolved.”

It all started when the media personality was nabbed to host the red carpet event for the BET Awards, but once the network noticed Scott’s “too feminine” attire, a wardrobe change was requested. Scott obliged, changing into a slightly more masculine look, but things did not end there.

Scott filed a discrimination lawsuit against BET/Viacom on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. A California judge ruled in favor of BET early last year, citing the cable channel’s First Amendment rights in denying the androgynous celebrity the right to wear attire considered traditionally feminine.  The judge stated that BET has the right to run its show as it seems fit, even if that means making someone change clothing.

Scott later filed an appeal and this week, the two parties reached a settlement agreement, the terms of which have not been released.

NeNe Leakes Speaks Out on ‘RHOA,’ Abuse

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As the explosive seventh season of fan-favorite The Real Housewives of Atlanta winds down, the last original member of the reality show NeNe Leakes spoke out about the show in a recent interview on The Meredith Vieira Show.

“I am at a point where I don’t know how much longer I can stay in this situation,” Leakes said, speaking about the recurring cat fights amongst her fellow housewives each season. She also knocked some of her cast mates for being “thirsty” and picking fights in the name of entertaining TV.

Leakes admitted her embarrassment of her actions and comments this season, but said that many times she was forced to go to that negative place. “I feel like anybody, whether you’re a good person or not, if somebody pushes you up against the wall, you do have a breaking point,” Leakes said. “There are times when you will say and do things that you wish you hadn’t said and done. You don’t want to be seen that way. There are times when I do go home and wish I wasn’t seen that way because I am not that person every day. And so I do feel bad about certain things that happen on the show.”

The 47 year old even revealed thoughts of leaving the show’s seventh season so she could focus more on her acting career. But this isn’t the first time Leakes threatened to bounce. For the past few seasons rumors have circulated of her departure, only for the former stripper to once again hold the Georgia peach in the opening credits.

When discussing her past experience in an abusive relationship, Leakes warned that ending that type of relationship isn’t as easy as most people think. She explains that the victim needs to have a plan to get out:

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