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Daisy Lewellyn Of ‘Blood, Sweat And Heels’ Passed Away At Age 36

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Style expert and TV personality Daisy Lewellyn lost her battle with bile duct cancer early Friday morning, reports Essence.com.

While the California-native held editorships at InStyle, Glamour, and Essence, she was most recently recognized for being a bright and shiny voice of reason on Bravo’s dramatic reality show Blood, Sweat and Heels. Her storyline focused on her dating and professional lives, as well as bonding with her cast mates.

Lewellyn revealed her diagnosis on the second season of the program. “My makeup artist was like, ‘Your eyes are like green.’ Like the white of my eyes were lime green,” Lewellyn recalled. “So I go to the doctor. They run some tests, and he was looking like he just saw a ghost.”

Lewellyn, who was known as the Queen of Effortless Chic, published her book Never Pay Retail Again: Shop Smart, Spend Less, & Look Your Best Ever in 2010.

UPDATE: Lewellyn’s cast members, Demetria Lucas D’Oyley, Melyssa Ford, and Geneva Thomas posted their condolences on Instagram:

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RELATED: Gone But Not Forgotten: Celebrity Deaths of 2015

[Image: Instagram]


Maxwell Releases ‘Lake By The Ocean’ [VIDEO]

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For a week, singer Maxwell has been teasing the release of his new single and video “Lake by the Ocean” on Instagram and the day has finally arrived.

The single is featured on the singer-scribe’s forthcoming album blackSUMMERS’night, which will be released July 1st and is a follow-up to 2009’s BLACKsummers’night.

“I’m so hyped about the new album coming out,” Maxwell said to Essence. “It’s fresh and it’s different, but it is what I do. It doesn’t make you feel like, oh, yeah, that’s going to come out in 1996. You’re not going to feel that. At least I hope you don’t.”

He credits the evolution of his sound to losing his grandmother and cousin:

“I’m at the point with the album where it’s just like, with the passing of my cousin, and my grandmother, me turning 40, and being 42 now, and having a whole sort of new milestone in my life, where a lot of my mind is grown up, and I’m thinking in terms of the next 10 years, and what I’m going to try to do for the next 10 years, which is something I never really … I mean, I did it, but I’m not doing it as much as I do now. I’m just hyped. We have two and a half years of just consistent, around the world, going everywhere, traveling, doing shows … It’s funny, because I remember reading Marvin Gaye’s biography when I was, like, 17 years old, Divided Soul. He always said something that really stuck with me. He said, ‘You can rush to fail, or you can take your time to succeed.’ I’m happy that I haven’t exhausted people’s visions to the point where they’ll never want to listen to me.”

Listen to “Lake by the Ocean” below.

[Image: Christian Hansen]

Nas Wants To Dress You Like A Ghostbuster

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The Ghostbusters reboot is extending way beyond the big screen, as Sony Pictures Consumer Marketing tapped rapper and entrepreneur Nas to collaborate on a Ghostbusters fashion collection.

Ghostbusters was a staple childhood movie for me, one my mother took me to see, and I still love watching today with my son,” said Nas in a press release.

Launching in spring, Nas x Ghostbusters is comprised of high-profile and upscale brands. Nas’s clothing line HSTRY covers streetwear. Tokyobike has designed a bicycle for the collection. FILA has footwear in the (shoe) bag. And Monster headphones, Italia Independent eyewear, and New Era caps round out the accessories.

The collection will launch in May and will include long and short sleeve T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, hats, and more that will hint at the iconic film.

Nas x Ghostbusters will be sold at HYPEBEAST.com, Ron Herman in Los Angeles, and Colette stores in Paris, as well as Colette.fr.

In a video, shot on location at Sony Pictures in Culver City, Nas explains how Ghostbusters impacted his childhood and how he used that experience to curate the Nas x Ghostbusters collection.

[Image: Instagram]

Heard On The Street: Oprah Once Lost Her Mind In Love

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“Like going through his wallet to see if there was anybody else’s phone number, going through his jacket, getting in my car to follow him … Anytime you’re in a car following anybody anywhere to see if they’re actually telling you the truth, pull over, and call the nearest mental hospital and check yourself in, because it means you have now lost your mind …

“The reason why I can speak so candidly about it, is because I’ve lived it. You know? I’ve been the girl who was the doormat. I ran across some old love letters that I’d written when I was about your age. And oh Lord! I didn’t think a shredder could shred them thin enough. I thought, ‘I want no record on earth that I was ever this big of an idiot.’ I read some of those letters, and I sat in my closet and cried for this woman I used to be …

“I had confidence in school. I had confidence when I had to show myself to the world, but when it came to my relationships with men, I did not. I was looking for someone to fill the hole inside me. It took me a long time to figure out, oh I’ve got to fill that for myself. There is no man, there is no job that can fill that for me.”

— Oprah Winfrey sat down with graduates of her leadership academy for girls in South Africa, during the first installment of Huffington Post‘s new video series, “Talk to Me.” The media mogul candidly explains how views on love and being in love evolved over the years. Watch the entire video here.

Happy Siblings Day: 16 Celebrity Brothers & Sisters

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Next to parents, siblings are pretty much the best relatives to have. Why? Well, they’re basically built-in friends you have the minute you or they’re born. They usually don’t stay mad at you long. They also help you learn how to deal with other personalities. And they automatically understand your dysfunction or issues because they came from the same family. So don’t forget to wish your brother or sister a happy Siblings Day today. And thank them for always being in your corner, just like these celebrity siblings who always have their brother’s or sister’s back.

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Beyoncé & Solange Knowles

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Brandy Norwood & Ray J

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Charlie & Eddie Murphy

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Chiwetel Ejiofor & Zain Asher

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Debbie Allen & Phylicia Rashad

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Chudney Ross, Evan Ross, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, Ross Naess & Tracee Ellis Ross

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Jaden & Willow Smith

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Kidada & Rashida Jones

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Pusha T & Malice

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Tamera Mowry-Housley, Taj Mowry & Tia Morwy-Hardict

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Tasha & Sidra Smith

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Shawn, Marlon, Kim, Damon & Keenen Ivory Wayans

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Tony & Chris Rock

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Venus & Serena Williams

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Vin Diesel & Paul Vincent

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Lupita & Peter Nyong’o

(His claim to celebrity? Professional photo-bombing!)

Chariot For Women: The Safer Way For Ladies To Ride?

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Ever since Uber and Lyft became popular there have been instances of women feeling unsafe while traveling and drivers hitting on female passengers. However, a former Uber driver and his wife are aiming to give women more peace of mind when hiring a car service.

Michael and Kelly Pelletz have founded Chariot for Women, an Uber-like car service that will hire all-female drivers and will cater to women and mothers with children under the age of 13.

“Having thousands of passengers in my backseat, I heard stories about unsafe travel and Uber drivers hitting on women and just a lot of unsafe issues,” Michael told ABC News.

A future Chariot for Women driver explained how the gender of the passengers may also put drivers at ease.

“If I was picking up a man I know that he’s going to be a lot stronger than me and I would not feel comfortable,” Gwen Pratt said.

The car service also offers another measure of security. Passenger and driver will have to say a unique password before the ride begins.

Chariot for Women launches in Boston this month and has plans to roll out across the country soon.

[Image: Shutterstock]

Spike Lee-Produced Bernie Sanders Ad Features Harry Belafonte

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“People of color have a deeply vested interest in what Bernie Sanders brings to us in this election,” says human rights activist Harry Belafonte to open a new Sen. Sanders presidential campaign ad.

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Academy Award-nominated director Spike Lee produced the 30-second promo that the Sanders campaign released Saturday, April 9th.

The ad features younger and older New Yorkers who support Sanders just in time for the New York primary April 19th. Activists Erica Garner, Shaun King, and Linda Sarsour praise Sanders also in the commercial.

“Bernie Sanders sees all of me. He sees all of you. He sees us as a whole people, as a whole country,” Muslim-American activist Sarsour declares to conclude the promotion. “That’s why I’m voting for Bernie Sanders.”

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Tessa Thompson, Susan Sarandon, Rosario Dawson, Gabby Hoffman, and Cornel West were also on set for the senator’s presidential campaign ad, according to Lee’s Instagram feed.

[Image: Instagram]

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CELEB IG WKND: Kevin Hart, Tessa Thompson, N.W.A. & More

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Celebrities enjoyed quite the eventful weekend. Some indulged their philanthropic sides, while others spent time with the ones they love. But they all posted to Instagram, letting us in on the fun.

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Tessa Thompson spent part of the weekend “finding things out” and partying.

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Ciara joined Seth Rogen for WE Day, a series of educational events celebrating youth who are making a difference in their local and global communities.

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Ludacris brought his mom along to Breakout Atlanta Escape Games.

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Larenz Tate celebrated his new NBC show Game of Silence with friend Ludacris.

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Kelly Rowland showed off her son Titan‘s “Don’t touch my hair bruh” T-shirt by Ozzie + Olive.

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Ayesha Curry, a self-proclaimed food critic, revealed the cover of her first cookbook The Seasoned Life.

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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart performed an epic rap during last night’s MTV Movie Awards.

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Snoop Dogg teases his next Just Blaze-produced album.

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Tracee Ellis Ross showed off all her Black Girls Rock hairstyles.

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Ice Cube shared images from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony that honored N.W.A.


Elevate Your Spring With Luxury Totes & Duffel Bags

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By Patrick T. Cooper

This spring, ditch your everyday black carry-on for a duffel bag or catchall tote that will make your spring travels fashionable, fun, and full of sophistication.

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Fairchild Baldwin The Bobby Duffel

Not only did luxury handbag design duo Fairchild Baldwin master The Bobby Duffel ($1,050 to $1,295) this season, but also delivered their interpretation of a backpack with The Rucksack ($975). This modern take on the traditional schoolbag offers storage and freedom of movement while navigating the airport terminal with (or without) the kids.

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Fairchild Baldwin The Rucksack

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Fairchild Baldwin The Marcella Grande

Another delicious offering from Fairchild Baldwin is The Marcella Grande ($1,295) carry-on. We love The Marcella in grey, but it is also available in a medley of colors sure to please any fashion palate.

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Benenate Collection Hailie

One would be remiss not to mention the exotic skins of Benenate Collection, which presents eye-catching style with the Hailie ($1,195) bag. Authentic python lined in fuchsia makes this bag a double threat. The Hailie is pleasing to look at inside and out and offers the much-needed room for traveling with a family.

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Benenate Collection Renese

Benenate Collection also offers a luxury catchall in the Renese ($245) horizontal tote bag. Done in chocolate embossed leather, the Renese speaks quiet elegance.

Whose ready to board the jet? These functional yet fashionable carryalls will make your journey much more pleasurable and fabulous.

For more than 15 years Patrick T. Cooper has consistently influenced fashion, art, and entertainment. With an innate creative ability, Cooper curates visual imagery that sets trends. Cooper mindfully manipulates color, texture, and layering to create a lifestyle and his mantra “Live in color,” which is an exercise to be and live freely. This attitude is evident in each uniquely designed piece of the Patrick T Cooper Resort Collection. For more information go to PatrickTCooper.com or follow him on social media @patricktcooper.

Weekday Distraction: ‘Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars’ Trailer

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There are three reasons I enjoy tuning into WE tv’s Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars, besides the usual escapism reality TV provides. First, the show affords me the opportunity to catch up on my favorite (or most hated) has-beens. Second, it gives these has-beens 15 more minutes of fame. And third, the cast’s antics remind me that marriage is a headache, one not taken lightly. This season the show is promising all of this and more.

The explosive season four trailer of Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars suggests the cast will take the drama to whole new level. The season seems to revolve around Tara Reid, who can’t seem to find her way out of a career slump, and partner Dean May of Big Brother UK. Other folks you’ll recognize on the cast are Toya and Memphitz Wright of Toya: A Family Affair, and Brittish Williams and Lorenzo Gordon of Basketball Wives: LA. You may also remember Lisa D’Amato for bringing some rather odd and crazy behavior to America’s Next Top Model many seasons ago. She went to boot camp with her husband Adam Friedman. Michelle and Cody Sattler, of Bachelor in Paradise fame, complete the cast.

Husband and wife relationship experts Jim and Elizabeth Carroll return to lead the couples down the path to marital bliss, as well as co-directors Ilsa Norman and David Bishop.

Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars returns in June. Will you watch?

What Is Elizabethkingia?

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Elizabethkingia is a bacterial infection that has been spreading across the Midwest for several months and is possibly responsible for the death of at least 19 people, 18 in Wisconsin and one in Illinois. Here’s what you need to know …

While Elizabethkingia bacteria do not usually cause illness in humans, people with compromised immune systems or afflicted by another serious health issue are at risk of developing an infection. The bacteria are found in soil, river water, and reservoirs. Most of the infections identified during the Midwest outbreak have been in the bloodstream. However, Elizabethkingia can also infect the respiratory system and joints.

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Elizabethkingia anophelis growing on a blood agar plate. [Image: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Special Bacteriology Reference Lab]

Symptoms and signs of an Elizabethkingia infection include fever, shortness of breath, chills, or cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Laboratory tests are required to confirm illness.

The infection is difficult to treat because it’s antibiotic resistant.

Since November, there have been 57 confirmed cases of Elizabethkingia in Wisconsin. These people had the same strain of the bacteria as the individual who died in Illinois earlier this year. All of those infected had “at least one serious underlying illness” and most are older than 65, according to the Wisconsin of Health Services. It is unknown whether the Elizabethkingia infection, the existing illness, or a combination of both caused the 19 deaths. Last month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported a case of the infection in their state.

Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan have joined with the CDC to investigate the outbreak and determine the source.

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[Homepage image: Shutterstock]

1 Weekend, 2 Spas & 2 Treatments

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As I’ve aged experiences have become more important than collecting and hoarding things. So this past weekend I chose to spend my time in the serenity of two New York spas — Harlem Skin & Laser Clinic and SoHo’s Haven Spa — instead of crawling through the mall. Both spas offer relaxation and rejuvenation through unique treatments.

At the serene Harlem Skin & Laser Clinic (2119 Frederick Douglass Blvd.), the focus was on turning my mug into a face that was selfie worthy. I met with esthetician Seven Brown on Saturday, and we discussed my skin concerns before she began a Celluma LED Facial. I usually have zit-free skin, but acne is a concern of mine because I know the day I stop my typical beauty regimen is the day whiteheads and blackheads will begin popping up. That’s why it’s helpful and important to consult with your esthetician before beginning a treatment. Brown explained that my skin would benefit from the Celluma LED Facial, even though I didn’t have any major breakouts at the time.

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Celluma LED light panel [Image: Biophotas.com]

The Celluma LED therapy is FDA-approved and has proven to accelerate skin regeneration and healing. The LED light helps kill acne bacteria, increases collagen and elasticity, and speeds healing of damaged skin. As a result, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is reduced and skin tone is evened out. Celluma LED is also effective in treating rosacea and stubborn acne. This seemingly miracle therapy may also alleviate pain caused by arthritis and joint muscle stiffness.

Before the Celluma LED panel is placed near the face, Brown thoroughly cleansed and exfoliated my skin. She also applied a new generation peptide serum to my eye area, while explaining how microneedling and the serum treat and lighten dark under eye circles. Then, she covered my eyes with gauze and placed the light panel over my face for about 20 to 25 minutes. The experience was quite relaxing (and not at all painful like some facials). It’s very rare that I unplug for that long unless I’m sleeping. It was refreshing to have several minutes to get my mind right and simply be still. When the facial was over, my skin was smooth and radiant, and my laugh lines were less noticeable. My eye area was also lighter and tighter, giving me a more rested and youthful appearance.

The Celluma LED Facial and the Dark Circles Eye Treatment (which includes microneedling) are available for $50 during Spa Week, which extends through April 30th at the Harlem Skin & Laser Clinic, according to the website. Click here for all their Spa Week deals.

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Haven Spa treatment room [Image: Haven Spa]

Sunday, my goal was to give the rest of my body some attention at Haven Spa (250 Mercer St.), which recently began offering a 75-minute Hammam Body Treatment ($165). This body therapy is based on the traditional Middle Eastern and North African bathing ceremony. I have to say that you haven’t lived as an adult until you’ve had someone bathe you like a baby. OK, that sounds weird but Haven’s Hammam treatment isn’t actually that scary.

First, I spent 15 minutes in the steam room to detox my skin and prepare it for the treatment. Then, the therapist washed the front and back of my body with Moroccan black soap while I comfortably rested on a treatment bed (in fact, I never left the bed until the treatment was complete). She then thoroughly washed away the soap and exfoliated my skin from toes to shoulders with a gentle glove. After that, she covered me in Rhassoul clay that is sourced from the only known deposit in the world — the Middle Atlas mountains in Morocco. I sat wrapped in paper and a blanket for 15 minutes while the clay tightened, purified, and firmed my body. During this time, the therapist typically offers one of three hair treatments, none of which were conducive with my locs, however. Instead she massaged my forehead, temples, and jaw area, which felt heavenly. It’s funny how you don’t realize how tight the muscles and joints in your face are until they’re being massaged. After the wrap, she rinsed me once again and applied dry Argan oil to restore moisture to my skin and complete the treatment.

I was honestly ready for a nap after the Hammam experience because I was so relaxed. My skin was the smoothest it has been in months and all traces of ashy, scaly winter skin were gone. What I appreciate most about Haven’s Hammam Body Treatment is that it encompasses steaming, exfoliation, and light massage into one treatment. However, if you’re in need of a deep tissue massage, Haven Spa is offering the Geek Massage for $50. “Created to address and relieve the myriad of problems that result from long hours hunched over a computer, this massage helps relieve muscle spasms, aches, lack of mobility, headaches, and muscle tightness,” according to the website.

After a weekend of spa treatments, I was unusually ready to meet Monday morning with gusto and the effects have lasted all week.

First Look: ‘Almost Christmas’ Trailer [VIDEO]

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Today Universal Pictures debuted the teaser trailer for Almost Christmas, a comedy written and directed by David E. Talbert (Baggage Claim) and produced by Will Packer (Ride Along, Think Like a Man series, This Christmas). According to a press release, the film “tells the festive story of a beloved patriarch who asks his family for one gift this holiday season: to get along. If they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing one another, it will be a Christmas miracle.” Almost Christmas highlights an all-star cast that includes Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Danny Glover, Romany Malco (swoon!), Mo’Nique, Nicole Ari Parker, J.B. Smoove, Gabrielle Union, Jessie Usher, and DC Young Fly. Almost Christmas will hit theaters on Nov. 11th. Here’s your sneak peek …

[Image: Universal Pictures]

Diana Ross Performed After Auto Collision

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Even an auto collision can’t stop Diana Ross from taking the stage. (You might want to take note, Janet Jackson.)

Bethlehem, Pa. police said a 22-year-old New Jersey woman ran a stop sign and crashed her SUV into a limousine that was transporting Ross to the Sands Bethlehem Event Center around 5 p.m. yesterday.

Although the singer, who celebrated her 72nd birthday last month, complained of head and neck pain after the crash, she still performed at her 7 p.m. show. She was treated at the scene.

Ross’s limo didn’t fare so well. The hood was crumpled, and it had to be towed.

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[Image: Instagram]

VH1 Will Honor Celebs’ Moms With ‘Dear Mama’ Special

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VH1 will prove that behind every successful celebrity there’s a dedicated mother with its Dear Mama special on May 8th, Mother’s Day.

Dear Mama will shine the spotlight on the moms of celebrities, including Queen Latifah, Anthony Anderson, and Willow and Jaden Smith. “Through custom-designed honoree tributes, the moms will truly feel special while viewers will get to see the incredible bond these women have with their famous offspring, and how their influence contributes so greatly to their success,” according to the VH1.

Queen Latifah, whose Flavor Unit Entertainment is producing the special along with Jesse Collins Entertainment, will honor her mom Rita Owens, who was a single mom to the multi-faceted entertainer and her late brother Lancelot Owens, Jr.

Willow and Jaden Smith, along with their half-brother Trey Smith, will pay tribute to Jada Pinkett Smith during the Dear Mama special.

Funny-man Anderson will host the mom-fest and will also honor his hilarious mom Doris Bowman.

Additional honorees will be announced in the coming weeks. Dear Mama will record on May 3rd at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in New York City and will air at 9 p.m. on Mother’s Day.

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[Image: Maarten deBoer/VH1]


Slick Rick Is Now An American Citizen

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“I am so proud of this moment — and so honored to finally become an American citizen,” said Slick Rick in a press release. “This has been a long time coming for me, and I am relieved to finally put this long chapter behind me. I want to thank everyone — my family, friends and fans — who have supported me and stuck by me over these 23 years. I am truly blessed — and stay tuned, I will have more to announce soon.”

The legendary rapper known for his British accent, eye patch, gold chains, and Kangol hat was sworn in at an official ceremony alongside dozens of other new citizens in New York today.

The “long chapter” the London-born entertainer refers to is a 1990 incident in which he shot his cousin-turned-bodyguard-turned-family-menace in self-defense. During the shooting, a bystander was injured. Slick Rick, whose real name is Ricky Martin Lloyd Walters, was convicted of second-degree murder in 1991. He served more than five years in prison, reported MTV.com. As a result, he faced deportation and spent additional years in deportation lockup, despite never committing another crime, according to a press release.

Now, Slick Rick the Ruler will be able to remain in the U.S. with his family and will also be allowed to travel overseas for his career. The Grammy-nominated rapper will also retain his U.K. citizenship.

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[Image: Instagram]

Must See: Nate Parker’s ‘The Birth Of A Nation’ Trailer

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Fox Searchlight released the powerful trailer for Nate Parker‘s The Birth of a Nation, which chronicles Nat Turner‘s 1831 slave rebellion.

The chilling trailer is set to Nina Simone’s cover of Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” and follows a literate Turner, played by Parker, as he makes a deal with his owner to become a traveling preacher to suppress uncontrollable slaves.

“You listen to him and you might just make it into heaven,” a slaver tells a group of slaves.

“Submit yourselves to your masters with all respect,” responds Turner, who would go on to lead a bloody slave rebellion, after witnessing the atrocities white slave owners and overseers inflicted on their slaves.

The film also stars Aunjanue Ellis, Colman Domingo, Aja Naomi King, and Armie Hammer. And will be released in theaters on Oct. 7th.

RELATED: First Look: Nate Parker’s ‘The Birth Of A Nation’ [PHOTOS]

CELEB IG WKND: Chrissy Teigen, Monica Brown, Beyoncé & More

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Celebrities like Chrissy Teigen, Monica Brown, and Beyoncé took to the ‘Gram to share the big moments of their weekend.

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Monica Brown performed in Raleigh, NC, but also made time for her adorable children.

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Chrissy Teigen revealed over the weekend that she and husband John Legend are the proud parents of Luna Simone Stephens, who was born Thursday, April 14th.

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Empire stars Grace Gealey and Trai Byers made their love official with a wedding in Grand Cayman. Congrats, Mr. and Mrs. Byers!

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Beyoncé teased something titled LEMONADE that is supposed to premiere on HBO on April 23rd.

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Nicki Minaj got Pres. Obama‘s autograph after meeting with him and other Hip Hop artists for the president’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative.

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Reggae star Shaggy and his family went to the Pelican Bar in Jamaica.

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Diddy showed off his dance moves.

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Michelle Obama via her employee teased her May Seventeen magazine cover.

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It’s not clear who Drake is ogling, but we’re just going to assume it was Rihanna as she performed at Coachella over the weekend.

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Snoop Dogg made it to Vancouver for the Westcoast Smokers Bowl happening on 4/20.

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#PittmanRules: Ericka Pittman’s Rules For Self-Discovery

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By Ericka Pittman

Do you wake up daily, mourning the day before it’s even begun? Feeling so caught up in the day-to-day grind, you’ve yet to identify what personal happiness looks like? Good news is you’re not alone; most of us are experiencing the same frustrations. The key to living a fuller, meaningful life is dedicating time to uncover your purpose and what really matters to you. Although there is no universal blueprint, the following tips will help put you on the right track toward self-discovery.

Before reading further take a few minutes to think about:

  1. What do you want to achieve?
  2. Who do you want to become?
  3. Who do you need to be and what do you need to do to have exactly what you want?

Rather than investing your time into immediate pleasures and comfort zones, focus your energy on building a flourishing future.

We are granted 1,440 minutes each day to make something amazing happen. Most of us often find ourselves floating through 60-70 percent of these precious minutes in empty mindless drift. At least 60 minutes go towards ABC on Thursday nights for Scandal, and let’s not mention all of the other mindless fraternizing and social media trolling! More times than not half of the day is down the drain before we even think about our goals and deliverables.

If we look at our lives in seconds and minutes and value these precious moments as currency that we literally BURN every single day, it helps to crystallize just how much time we all waste distracting our purpose.

A break down of average life commitments might look something like this:

  • 480 minutes of sleeping
  • 120 minutes of commuting
  • 180 minutes of grooming and eating

Think about how you want to be perceived by the world.

Knowing who you are and what it takes to get there is only half of the equation.  Before we can maximize our purpose, it is important to get clear about what we want to achieve in the world and who we ultimately hope to become. Connect your ideological identity to daily practices you can audit at the end of each day by taking notice of how time was allocated. Gradually shift the amount of time you spend away from the things that alienate you from achieving desired outcomes. Self-control and discipline are the common denominators of purpose. The secret to living on purpose is simply continuous relentless application to leave an imprint in your body/mind. If your idle hours outweigh forwarding behaviors (i.e. meditation, exercise, healthy eating, water consumption, research, work deliverables, organizing, budgeting, financial investing, trade reading, studying, practicing, volunteering), then it’s time to adjust and reevaluate how you utilize the next 1,440 minutes.

Set yourself up for success, by budgeting your time.

Make a commitment to the minimum number of restful hours your body needs to function at 100 percent. For some, that number is five hours (lucky devils). For me, that number is eight. Determine how many restful hours of sleep each day you need to be healthy and mentally sharp. Once you know exactly how many hours you need for rest, the remaining hours should be budgeted accordingly towards your forwarding behaviors. Knowing your numbers is vital to living a purpose-driven lifestyle. Sticking to a regimented schedule is what will keep you on course.

Once you are spending your time doing what builds your personal values (pursuing your dreams, surrounding yourself with people you enjoy, and adding value to others), you’ll live an authentic, happy life.

Last but not least, remember words have power!  Life is easy. Goals are achievable. Good is good but Great is BEST.

Live. Life. Out. Loud
Ericka M Pittman
Social: @erickampittman
Website: ErickaPittman.com
Blog: LWACE.com

Three More Men Accuse Afrika Bambaataa Of Sexual Abuse

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UPTOWN_afrika_bambaataaFollowing Ronald Savage‘s accusation that Hip-Hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa sexually abused him as a teenager, three more men have come forward with similar stories.

Speaking with the New York Daily News, Hassan Campbell says Bambaataa was a father figure, allowing Campbell to stay at his home when the preteen had troubles at home and providing him with cash.

“He had the most fun house in the world,” said Campbell, 39, to the Daily News. “There were celebrities there, musicians, neighborhood heroes. It was the best place to be — and the worst place to be.”

Campbell says it was the worst place to be because Bambaataa allegedly abused him when he was 12 and 13 years old.

“He is a pervert,” Campbell said to the news outlet. “He likes little boys.”

Another man echoed Savage’s and Campbell’s accusation. “I know what Ronald Savage is saying is true because he did it to me,” said a 50-year-old New York man who requested anonymity. “I have never spoken to anybody about this and when I did, I said ‘Holy s—, they finally caught up to him.'”

[Image: Twitter]

Savage, who is a former music industry executive and Democratic Party activist, claims Bambaataa abused him at least five times in 1980 and says the emotional wounds have lasted a lifetime.

A 51-year-old former New Yorker named Troy, who now lives in North Carolina and asked that his last name not be revealed, told the Daily News that Bambaataa also sexually abused him.

“I still have a lot of anger about this,” said Troy in the interview. “I’ve been dealing with this for years. It’s a shame this didn’t come out earlier.”

All four of the accusers say Bambaataa showed them pornographic images and performed oral sex on them.

Last year, Campbell posted an angry video accusing Bambaataa. He took it down after the rapper and Zulu Nation members agreed to meet with him. Campbell says Bambaataa admitted the abuse and apologized. Bambaataa allegedly promised Campbell to get counseling, step away from Zulu Nation, and open a center for troubled youth.

“He never did any of those things,” Campbell accuses. “He’s a manipulator and a liar. He’s just waiting for this chaos to blow over so he can go back to his dark, dingy hole and go back to his old ways. He needs to put down the candy and let the little boys go.”

Zulu Nation officials say Campbell is “both a liar and a government paid police informant.”

Last week, Bambaataa released a statement denying Savage’s accusations.

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