Physical and sexual abuse among American teens is alarmingly common, according to a new survey. The U.S. government’s annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey revealed that among teens who claimed to be dating, one in five girls and one in ten boys said they had been abused at least once in the last year. Most of the teens who reported physical or sexual abuse actually experienced more than one incident of abuse.

Victims—some of whom were also perpetrators of abuse—were at a higher risk for suicidal behavior, substance use and risky sexual behavior, according to researchers. Although there is no way to know whether abuse causes or worsens these problems, it is important to note their prevalence among teens who are experiencing abuse. Comparatively, those who did not report any abusive treatment had the lowest incidence of these risk behaviors.

“These numbers are very high and also very troubling,” said Monica Swahn, an associate director of research at Emory Center for Injury Control who was not involved in the study. “These are serious forms of victimization with lasting scars, both physically and emotionally.”

The survey has been asking a question about physical teen dating violence since 1999, but in 2013 the U.S. government revised the survey to include a question about sexual teen dating abuse. It asks if teens were forced to “do sexual things that you did not want to do.”

Around 13,000 students in grades 9-12 responded to the survey. About three-quarters of boys and girls said they dated. Of those students, 21 percent of females and 10 percent of males said they’d been victims of dating violence.

Unfortunately, because the survey questions have changed, researchers can’t determine whether teen dating violence is growing or getting better. Also, the survey doesn’t ask any questions about verbal or emotional abuse or stalking.

“While female students have a higher prevalence than male students, male and female students are both impacted by teen dating violence,” said the study’s lead author, Kevin Vagi, a behavioral scientist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Prevention efforts may be more effective if they include content for both sexes.”

Emily Rothman, an associate professor at Boston University School of Health, offered some advice for prevention. “Parents, schools and pediatricians need to ask themselves: Am I talking to the teens in my life about the importance of respect in a dating relationship? When was the last time we had a conversation about the importance of consent when it comes to sex, not just the importance of using a condom?”

“We have already learned quite a lot about what causes dating violence, but solutions are still few and far between, and investments in prevention will undoubtedly pay off,” Rothman added.

Lately, there has been more talk about Black actors playing parts in action films that are typically portrayed by white actors or were originally written as white characters. Michael B. Jordan will be the Human Torch in this summer’s installment of Fantastic Four. There are rumors that Idris Elba might play James Bond. Lupita Nyong’o is set to be in Star Wars: Episode VII, and it is rumored that she will play Asajj Ventress. For many, these casting decisions sound like Hollywood is making strides in diversifying roles, but to others, namely Michelle Rodriguez, non-white actors playing white characters is “stupid.”

When TMZ reporters caught up with Rodriguez and asked her if the rumors of her playing in Green Lantern are true, she had this to say:

“That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard. I think it’s so stupid because of this whole minorities in Hollywood thing. It’s so stupid. Stop stealing all the white people’s superheroes. Make up your own. What’s up with that?”

After a bit of backlash for the frank comment, the The Fast and the Furious actress posted a video to her Facebook page to set the record straight about what she really meant:

“I have the tendency to, like, speak without a filter; sorry about that. What I really meant was that ultimately at the end of the day, there’s a language. And the language that you speak in Hollywood is ‘successful franchise.’ And I think there are many cultures in Hollywood that are not white that can come up with their own mythology.

“I’m just saying that instead of trying to turn a girl character into a guy or instead of trying to turn a white character into a Black character, or Latin character, I think that people should stop being lazy and…develop their own mythology.  Minorities…should start making that a serious priority.”

Do you agree that minorities should create their own superhero films instead of taking white roles? Are there enough opportunities for Black filmmakers to create their own superhero roles?

FaceTime is a wonderful tool that allows users to not only hear the voices of loved ones, but see their faces. Now a new sex technology tool is letting you get even more, um, personal: the Svakom Gaga Camera Vibrator takes video chatting to a whole ‘nother level.

Users can take high quality video of the inside of their vajayjays and either save the vibrator footage to a computer or connect the device to FaceTime for live exploration. What better way to say I love you than to give a live tour of your birth canal?

A spokesperson for Lovehoney, the company selling the device said, “It allows users to get to know their body in its entirety thanks to the remarkably clear footage this camera captures. Thanks to its FaceTime compatibility, sharing the view with your lover couldn’t be easier – whether you’re sat right next to each other or miles apart.”

You can be the owner of one of these coochie cams for £119.99 ($184.51), but you’ll have to wait—they’re currently out of stock. Yes, despite the seeming ridiculousness of this sex selfie taking device, people are snapping them up like hotcakes. Two users who left comments both rated the camera vibrator with five stars.

One of the users said, “Wow, is all I can say. I was super excited when I purchased this toy. Once it was charged initially, it was ready for use. The camera is such good quality and the light round the tip picks up everything – be warned!…This is technology at its best.”

A woman was beaten by three of her so-called best friends, and apparently it was all over a hamburger that she allegedly sat on. Footage of the horrific beatdown went viral last week, and now three arrests have been made by the Atlanta Police Department.

Myriah Pointer, 23, suffered two black eyes, a chipped tooth, and a concussion after being knocked out during the altercation. “I was held down and stomped until I was unconscious. Once I gained consciousness they were still beating and stomping me,” Myriah explained via Facebook.

According to reports, Tekia Strickland, Armonni Cofer and Chasmyn Donald were the three female “friends” arrested for the attack. They are now in police custody. Strickland and Cofer turned themselves in to the authorities, while Donald was arrested last Friday, and charged with “aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and third-degree cruelty to children.”

After the trio assaulted Myriah, the women refused to let Myriah call authorities, or any relatives to help her for three hours. Once she was finally allowed to contact someone, she went home to her Aunt’s and called the police.

She posted on her Facebook this week, “Everything has changed and I never wanna go back to the way it was. I’m finding who i am and who i am from here on out is gonna be enough!” You can see footage of the horrible attack on Myriah here.

Source: NY Daily News

If there’s a woman who has it all, and can do it all for her kids, it’s Shaunie O’Neal. The Basketball Wives star works hard to provide for her children, and now she’s got a brand new podcast to help those who also want to keep their families in order.

The Mogul Mom’s Playbook podcast, which she launched with Stella Bulochnikov as her co-host, serves as an outlet to give some “therapy” to those who need advice on motherhood, or just have a desire to vent about the struggles of balancing a career with taking care of their kids.

Shaunie, who is rumored to be joining the cast of Basketball Wives: LA, made the announcement of the podcast in a statement, reading, “Friends! I’m super excited to announce that my girlfriend and fellow mogul mom Stella Bulochnikov and I have launched our very own podcast on PodcastOne! For every woman out there, working woman, mom, single mom, this is a therapy session for all of us! And for all the men out there trying to deal with us on ‘one of those days,’ here’s the playbook!!”

The first guest on Mogul Mom’s Playbook was Tiny Harris, who addressed her newly-changed eye color. She discussed the procedure that she went through to get her eyes to be a new blue/gray hue, as well as talking about plastic surgery, and balancing her tequila business, music, reality television, and taking care of her family.

Check out Shaunie and Stella’s first full podcast show featuring Tiny here.

Mo’Nique has been making headlines ever since she penned an open essay that revealed she was told by Lee Daniels that she had been “blackballed by Hollywood” after winning her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2010. Now, it looks like she is taking the time to clarify her statements, as she went on Good Morning America to share her own opinions on being told that she has been “blackballed.”

“People were saying, ‘Someone needs to teach Mo’Nique a lesson because she’s not playing the game, and she’s gonna get in her own way of winning this award, because it seems like she’s choosing her family over Hollywood. I don’t think Hollywood has turned [its] nose up to me. I think that those are feelings that Mr. Daniels is having,” Mo’Nique told GMA. “Then he said, ‘You know, there were things that Mo’Nique…she didn’t thank the producers and she didn’t thank the studio, and that’s just not things that you do.”

According to Mo’Nique, that statement from Lee revealed his real motivation for choosing not to work with her in the near future.

“It had nothing to do with the producers, nor the studio. Mr. Daniels had a problem that I didn’t say his name the night of the Oscar awards,” said Mo’Nique, who also denied being blackballed by the industry. “The scripts and the calls would have stopped because Hollywood is a small community. They never stopped coming.”

While Lee may not want to work with Mo’ again now, she said it wasn’t too long ago that The Butler filmmaker was knocking on her door. She claims that he asked her to play Cookie on Empire, but the offer was taken off the table by Fox executives. Taraji P. Henson is now receiving praise for her portrayal of the character.

“When he called me up, he offered me the role in Empire as Cookie. Maybe four days had gone by, and I hadn’t heard anything. So I’m trying to reach out to him to say, what time do I need to be in? Where do I need to be? When he finally returned the call, he says, ‘Listen, the executives at Fox said that you’re difficult,'” she told Inside Edition.

Mo’Nique’s next film, Blackbird, which is an independent film, is scheduled for release on April 24th, and she wants to assure fans to not “feel bad or sorry for Mo’Nique because Mo’Nique doesn’t feel bad or sorry for Mo’Nique.”

The first person to contract the deadly Ebola virus in the United States, Dallas nurse Nina Pham, is reportedly suing Texas Health Resources, the corporate company of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, the facility she worked at upon infection.

According to Pham’s lawyers, she was not properly prepped or protected when treating Thomas Eric Duncan, who flew into the country after unknowingly contracting the infectious disease in Africa. Duncan later succumbed to the disease.

She claims the corporate company violated her privacy rights, exposing her medical records and video of her receiving medical treatment. She blasted the company for not protecting its nurses, as she says she was the last nurse to find out about Duncan’s deadly diagnosis.

According to Pham, Texas Health Resources was negligent, failing to develop timely policies and train its staff for treating Ebola patients. She slammed the company for not providing Duncan’s caretakers with protective gear, putting them in harm’s way.

The lawsuit doesn’t stop there. The 26-year-old nurse claims the experimental drugs used to fight the virus left her with body aches, nightmares, and insomnia. Pham, who is still employed at the hospital, but has not returned to work, is also seeking damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and medical expenses and loss of future wages of an unspecified amount.

While Bobbi Kristina Brown remains in a medically-induced coma at Emory University Hospital fighting for her life, Bobby Brown‘s relatives are shooting a reality show that will include her hospital stay. Bobby is not expected to appear on the show featuring his two sisters and a nephew.

Bobby’s sisters have a history of stirring up trouble when it comes to the family, making their own headlines filled with drama. Leolah Brown (pictured left) made a name for herself when she went on the record blaming Ray J for Whitney Houston’s death. Leolah claimed he fatally fueled Houston’s cocaine habit. Tina Brown did a sit-down interview and claimed she smoked crack with Houston.

And the Brown family drama gets worse …

Bobby’s nephew, Shayne, called his mother Tina a “crackhead,” sparking a face-spitting brawl February 5 in Atlanta. Tina cracked a bottle over his head, leaving him with three stitches and two others injured.

According to TMZ, the series has not been filmed inside the hospital, but the family members involved regularly allow cameras to capture them discussing Bobbi Kristina and her condition.

The series title, network, and premiere date are unknown.

Bobbi Kristina, 21, has been hospitalized since January  31, when she was found unresponsive in a bathtub in her home.

Rapper 50 Cent is back to slamming the FOX hit Empire, accusing the series of stealing from his Starz drama Power, which he executive produces. The head honcho of G-Unit, 50 Cent stopped by Power 105.1 The Breakfast Club on Tuesday, March 3, to talk about music, the G-Unit reunion, and his show, all while slightly hitting on Empire‘s leading lady, Taraji P. Henson.

“They stole the art, they copied the art for the actual show. The show’s so different … when I watch it , it feels like Glee. It feels like a play … it feels like you’re watching a televised play. I got a lot of friends on the show — Terrence Howard, Timbaland‘s music director supervisor …

“I feel like you trying to bait Taraji for a date,” responded co-host Charlamagne.

“I just didn’t want to fight. I don’t fight girls, I said, wait, how do you deal with this one? Out of everybody, she’s the one saying something. She’s not a music artist or someone that you would be competing with to generate interest. So I said let me think about this … Taraji kinda fine, since I looked at that Baby Boy, maybe I can be Jody without that mama problem.”

And this isn’t the first time 50 told the world how he really felt about the series and its similar content and marketing to his show depicting the life of a wealthy New York City nightclub owner, who leads a double life as a drug kingpin.

At the Television Critics Association earlier this year, 50 Cent, who served as a panelist, said:

“Their show is … the artwork was very similar they used ‘power’ in the tagline … they didn’t have to do that.”

The “In Da Club” rapper also wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post: “POWER Season 2 is unbelievably good trust me. I have the best writers and show runner. I like Terrence Howard and Taraji Henson. I don’t like that they would copy the marketing.”

An inside source claims that Bobby Brown is holding onto false hope that his daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown will make a recovery.

The daughter of the late Whitney Houston reportedly suffered “violent seizures” earlier this week after being removed from her nearly month-long medically-induced coma. Doctors were forced to place her back in a coma as a result.

According to the source, the 21 year old has shown “absolutely no signs of life lately.”

“It is really on Bobby Brown’s shoulders to let her go in peace,” said the source.

The insider claims that even Bobbi Kristina’s grandmother, Cissy Houston, has accepted that Bobbi will likely need to be removed from life support.

“It is something that the Houston and Brown [families] had agreed to do as early as February 11, but Bobby Brown reneged,” added the source.

Bobbi Kristina has been in a coma since Jan. 31 when she was found face down in her home’s bathtub. In recent weeks, her family has been battling to control the rampant rumors about her condition and dealt with suspicions of foul play on the part of Bobbi Kristina’s boyfriend Nick Gordon. Neighbors made a 911 call pertaining to a domestic dispute at Brown’s address only a week before the incident.

Source

A couple of weeks ago, I was reading an article that investigated Black Twitter‘s most hotly-contested topic over the past two years: The existence of the mythical $200 date. According to a new survey by date-auction site WhatsYourPrice.com, there are several cities in the United States where the average date is actually in that $200 price range. In Charlotte, the average dude is spending $208, while the average man in Washington, D.C. is spending $177 on a date. Now these numbers have not been intricately parsed by an extensive team of research scientists, so God only knows how accurate the stats are, but the figures helped further contribute to this already intense debate.

When this conversation rears its ugly head and begins to escalate, it’s inevitable that the “you better spend money on a date” crowd will dig in with the “if you’re too broke to date, then don’t date” crowd. Well, today I’m here to argue that that is the stupidest, most ignorant, faux-elitist bullshit I’ve ever heard in my entire life. There are a lot of things in this world that come with a price tag, but basic human interaction is not one of them, and anyone who believes the opposite is a narcissistic, self-aggrandizing, first-world problem-having idiot.

But, let’s be very clear here: Just because I believe human interaction does not inherently come with a price tag, that does not mean that I believe people aren’t allowed to create and enforce standards (even financial ones) for how they believe they deserve to be treated. If you want to date someone who will spoil you with $500 outings or who will have no problem just handing over a $50 bill at the end of the night, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, what you must remember is that your expectations are your sole property, and making statements such as “broke people should stay home!” in reference to what other people do is corny as hell. Whatever you want is cool, but never make the mistake in believing that your desires set the standard for the entire free world. But, I digress.

[Image: Shuttertock]

The inherent problem with our current society’s fixation on how much dates cost is that we begin to make this subtle correlation between the price of a date and the quality of said date. The idea that $200 dates are better than $20 dates is utter bullshit, because the quality of the date is supposed to be dependent on the person you’re on the date with — not just the background scenery. It’s that sort of mindless materialism that makes people believe that first dates must include dinner at a restaurant, or time in a movie theater or good seats at a concert or comedy show. But, if you’re actually looking for someone you like, respect and connect with, where you go is not as important as how you do it.

In fact, if you are cash-strapped, here are some good options for your next date:

1. Park/picnic date: The best dates I’ve ever had in my life were the dates I got to sit down and bond with the woman I was seeing. We’re talking about spending eight hours in a park just sitting down and talking for hours straight. Those are far more memorable than the boring-ass “let’s just go see a movie” date.

2. Workout together: FYI, working out does not need to be solely confined to the walls of an L.A. Fitness. Exercise can be everything from playing a game of one-on-one at the basketball court to taking a long jog together right down to Frisbee golf. Being active together is an incredible aphrodisiac.

[Image: Shutterstock]

3. Dual cooking/BBQ date: This is definitely not a first date with a stranger idea, but once you are comfortable enough with someone to let them into your home, or they’re comfortable enough with you being in their place, the dual cooking date is an awesome way to take your obvious need to eat the groceries in your fridge and connect it to a romantic, inventive night of adding on calories — and then burning them off right after. If you aren’t trapped in a place with perpetual cold, then bring the grill out and barbecue.

Look, times are tough for a lot of us, regardless of how much our income actually is. People who aren’t excessively rich must tighten their belts in many ways and cutting dating down as an expense is the one thing that won’t change any independent adult’s life. You want to enjoy dating, start focusing more on who you’re seeing and a lot less on how much is being spent on you.

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.

[Image: Shutterstock]

Serena Williams shared a peek from her latest campaign for Berlei Australia on Instagram yesterday.  The tennis phenom sported a navy blue blazer over a leopard print bra from the apparel brand. Did somebody say gymspiration?

Days earlier, she shared another candid photo, proclaiming her love for the newest Berlei addition to her wardrobe with the caption, “New Berlei sports bra. I love the zebra print!”

While I thought her Berlei campaigns were limited to fashion-y shoots, I stumbled upon a series of video shorts of her discussing what she loves most about the brand. In the latest 30 second spot, cheekily titled Berlei Masters of Bounce, Williams and crew of bra-clad athletes demonstrate some of the science behind the sportwear’s design, namely how it “reduces bounce by up to 60%.”

Watch Berlei Masters of Bounce ft. Serena Williams here:

By Colby Carrington

When the film ATL was released in 2006, teenagers from all around the country were talking about it. The movie wasn’t what everyone expected, though. Instead of another somber tale about street life, ATL was different. Starring Clifford ‘T.I.’ Harris, one of the most popular rappers at the time, it told a hopeful story of teenagers in Atlanta who had dreams, drama, and tight friendships. The characters proved to be likable and relatable, making the film a hit.

Now, the original cast and director are apparently sprouting a sequel. T.I., who played Rashad in the film, posted a photo on his Instagram of himself, ATL director Chris Robinson, and some of the original cast — Jackie Long, Jason Weaver, and Albert Daniels — congregating at a table.

The caption read, “#ATL2 Get Ready.”

Weaver, who played Teddy, also made a special announcement on social media about the upcoming flick:

“So… I can finally announce.. ! ATL 2 is officially going down. @troubleman31, @albeback , @jackielong and ya boi outchea putting this sequel together, led by our director @mrrobotodirector AKA “The General”. The people want it, so we’re doing it!”

The first film also starred Outkast rapper Big Boi, Tasha Smith, Lauren London, and Evan Ross. Perhaps they’ll reprise their roles too.

Are you up for seeing ATL 2?

Photos of a melancholy-looking Bobby Brown have surfaced, along with news that he is planning a birthday vigil for his coma-ridden daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown.

Bobbi Kristina will be turning 22 today.  She has remained on life support for over a month now.

Sources have said that Bobby wants to gather both sides of his daughter’s family together to be with her on her special day.  Reportedly, Whitney Houston‘s side of the family has been the only ones allowed in Bobbi Kristina’s hospital room, along with Bobby and his wife.  But the source says Bobby is willing to bend the rules so several family members can lend their support for Bobbi Kristina on her birthday.

It has been recently revealed that Bobby’s family is shooting a reality show chronicling the drama surrounding Bobbi Kristina’s tragedy. Bobby himself said he will not be involved, but his two sisters, his brother, and their children are expected to appear.

One of Bobby’s sisters, Tina Brown, sold pictures of Houston’s squalid bathroom to The National Enquirer in 2006. She also claimed to have smoked crack with Houston. She reportedly threw a bottle at her son last month while staying at a hotel close to Emory hospital, where Bobbi Kristina is currently stationed.

His other sister, Leolah Brown, went on “Access Hollywood” after Houston’s death in 2012 and insisted that someone killed the international superstar. She said she was afraid for Bobbi Kristina’s life and pleaded that her niece be careful about who she trusts.

“I want to say to Krissy that it’s very very very important that she does not trust anybody at this time, anybody except her father, her grandmother Sissy, and myself. And I mean that,” she said.

After a lengthy investigation of Officer Darren Wilson and the Ferguson Police Department, the Department of Justice has found bias in the city’s system. This week, findings were released to the public in a 100-page report, which contains evidence of numerous racist emails from police and court officials, officers stopping and handcuffing people with no probable cause, and treating anyone suspiciously who questions police tactics. According to the New York Times, the report supports many of the grievances expressed by minorities, in ongoing protests since August, over the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Eric Holder said during a press conference, “Seen in this context — amid a highly toxic environment, defined by mistrust and resentment, stoked by years of bad feelings, and spurred by illegal and misguided practices — it is not difficult to imagine how a single tragic incident set off the city of Ferguson like a powder keg.”

The findings are expected to force the city to make changes to its police techniques, or face a federal civil rights lawsuit. Mayor James Knowles said in a statement, “Today’s report allows the City of Ferguson to identify problems, not only in our Police Department but in the entire St. Louis region…We must do better not only as a city, but as a state and as a country. We must all work to address issues of racial disparity in all aspects of society.”

These discoveries come just after Officer Darren Wilson was cleared of the civil rights charges against him for fatally shooting an unarmed Mike Brown. To the disappointment of many, the Justice Department found that Wilson’s actions “do not constitute a prosecutable violation” and there “is no evidence upon which prosecutors can rely to disprove Wilson’s stated subjective belief that he feared for his safety.”

The civil rights case was opened after a grand jury declined to indict Officer Wilson for the violent death, which sparked outrage within the city and nation.

Source: New York Times, Washington Post

A group of New York inmates saved a female correction officer who was being sexually assaulted by another prisoner in a locked vestibule.

According to multiple sources, on Saturday the Rikers Island inmates rushed to help correction officers tear down Plexiglass on the outside of a watch post in order to reach the victim.

A slim inmate slipped through the small crack they created and unlocked the security door. A team of inmates took down the perpetrator, Raleek Young (pictured), until other officers arrived.

Young, 27, is serving five to ten years for raping a 13-year-old girl in 2007.

He reportedly gained access to the watch post by telling another guard that he needed to walk through the post to get to another unit.

During the attack, Young began to masturbate while choking the officer. He dragged her into an adjacent bathroom and blocked her from opening the security door, according to court records.

The criminal complaint says Young ripped off her sweater and “placed his lips on her mouth and about her face.” She was treated at the hospital.

Initially, the attack was labeled a routine “use of force” incident by jail officials. Officers at the facility were infuriated by this designation, demanding that it be regarded as a sexual assault.

On Sunday, the officers refused to start their 3 p.m. shifts in protest of the decision. Correction Officers Benevolent Association President Norman Seabrook had to visit the jail and persuade the officers to go to work after promising to take up their cause.

Seabrook was furious that Young wasn’t immediately hit with additional charges. He claims the Bronx District Attorney’s office insisted the matter be handled after the weekend.

“There must be accountability,” Seabrook fumed Monday. “Officers are assaulted every day, and [Bronx DA Robert Johnson] has the audacity to say, ‘Not today, bring him back at another time.’ I will not tolerate it. I will not stand for it.”

Young was hit with a few additional charges on Monday, including attempted rape, sexual abuse, forcible touching and assault, and harassment.

Seabrook, who has been known to have some colorful language reserved for inmates, admitted that the situation could have been much worse had the inmates not assisted.

“I appreciate [them] helping a sister officer because that could have been their mother, wife or sister,” Seabrook said, noting 90 percent of the inmates “are there to do their time and go home.”

Source

While Bobbi Kristina is currently fighting for her life in a coma at a Georgia hospital, reportedly showing no signs of life, her loved ones aren’t all getting along. Nick Gordon hasn’t been dealing with the news of Bobbi’s deteriorated brain activity well, as he has been banned from making any hospital visits, on top of also being investigated by the police. The adopted son of Whitney Houston, and faux husband to Bobbi, has taken to social media to vent his frustrations, and yesterday, just after Bobbi Kristina’s birthday, he accused father Bobby Brown for not being there for her.

After wishing Bobbi a happy birthday, Nick began the rant with tweets that have since been deleted. They originally read, “I miss when we [were] all together and had fun I hate this. You all blame me but I tried my best and it wasn’t good enough for you sorry.” He also wrote, “Bobby you’re just a center fold. You’re doing shows I would be there by her side 24/7 non stop taking care of our baby…I am the new edition to Bobby saving women you hurt. Only 25 and dealing with all this thanks to you.”

According to TMZ, Nick may get the opportunity to explain himself to Dr. Phil on the Oprah Winfrey protege’s program. Nick is expected to discuss the events that led to the incident that left Bobbi facedown in a bathtub. Nick and the talk-show host are set for a formal sit-down in the next few days, even though Nick is still under investigation by the police. Reports say that anything Nick states could be used against him, and it would be “weird, to say the least, if Nick pled the 5th on Phil’s show.”

Source: TMZ

Erykah Badu will be joining the cast of the upcoming Amazon original series Hand of God.

The drama series stars Ron Perlman as Judge Pernell Harris, a justice with a drinking problem and a high-end call girl for a mistress. After suffering a mental breakdown, he’s on a mission for vengeance against the rapist who destroyed his family. Without any evidence, Pernell relies on the messages from God that he believes he’s receiving from his son, who is on a ventilator.

Badu will have a recurring role as April, a cannabis dealer. She is a bohemian character who refers to herself as “the blend master.” April has been the longtime dealer for Pernell’s wife, Crystal. Crystal recruits April to join her husband’s religious chapel—named Hand of God—to spy on him for her.

Badu has some experience with acting, as she appeared in the critically-acclaimed film Cider House Rules and had a role in the film Blues Brothers 2000.

Hand Of God is currently filming in Los Angeles. The entire first season is expected to premiere on Amazon Prime Instant Video this fall.

Source

While Chris Brown‘s loyal fanbase, Team Breezy, is taking the reports that he is the alleged father of a 9-month-old daughter pretty hard, it’s likely no one is taking it harder than his on-again, off-again girlfriend Karrueche Tran.

The model shared her thoughts in a public tweet yesterday, stating that there would be “no baby drama for me,” and it looks like there’s a lot more to the story. This might just be the last straw for Karrueche.

According to reports, Karrueche was blindsided by the baby news, and found out about it just before the gossip surfaced online. TMZ reports, “Karrueche and Brown had a blowout fight a week ago and weren’t speaking, but he tried calling her after the story broke … she did not pick up.” The site also reports from a source that she is relieved by the news, as this gives her a clean-cut, and permanent out from the relationship, after the two have gone back and forth with breaking up and getting back together many times.

Interestingly enough, according to Instagram photos, Karrueche Tran and Nia Gonzales, the mother of Chris’ alleged daughter, have known each other for some time. Nia, who is a former model, has been seen partying in the same circle as Karrueche, and is even signed to Jas Prince‘s music label. Jas is Christina Milian‘s ex-fiancé, while Karrueche and Christina are best friends, making this a bit more close-to-home than one would expect.

Nia and Chris are reportedly no longer romantically involved, but seem to get along just fine, and have even worked out a financial arrangement for their child.

Source: TMZ

Possible 2016 Presidential hopeful Dr. Ben Carson is no stranger to opposing gay relationships.  The Republican took his public beliefs a step further and declared that homosexuality is a choice due to the fact that some heterosexual people become gay after serving time in prison. He has now backtracked on his comments.

During an interview with Chris Cuomo on CNN’s New Day, the former pediatric neurosurgeon said that each state should be in control of whether same-sex marriage is permitted. Cuomo then asserted that if a majority of the state’s citizens disagrees with gay marriage, it could compromise the rights of minorities, such as what happened with Black Americans during slavery.  Carson insisted that situation was different because race is not a choice, but homosexuality is.

He explained his idea by stating, “Because a lot of people who go into prison, go into prison straight — and when they come out they’re gay … So, did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question.”

Carson argued that while gay couples should be permitted the various rights that heterosexual married couples have, that should not change the definition of marriage.

Later in the day, Carson apologized for his comments via a statement:

“I do not pretend to know how every individual came to their sexual orientation. I regret that my words to express that concept were hurtful and divisive. For that I apologize unreservedly to all that were offended.

“Some of our brightest minds have looked at this debate, and up until this point there have been no definitive studies that people are born into a specific sexuality.”