We certainly didn’t expect this news…

On Monday, Wendy Williams revealed her plans to join the cast of Chicago: The Musical on Broadway this summer. The media maven will take on the role of Matron “Mama” Morton in a seven-week limited engagement beginning June 25.

Related: Wendy Williams Preps Production Company

Williams’ new gig will run concurrent with her nationally syndicated talk show which will continue to tape through June and July. In February, The Wendy Williams Show beat out its competitors with a 47 percent increase in local ratings.

“I have the greatest fans in daytime TV, and I’m so excited to be giving fans more fun throughout the summer,” Williams said in March. “If it were up to me, we’d have a show every day, all year long!”

Congratulations to Wendy on the new role!

The post Wendy Williams Joins Cast Of ‘Chicago: The Musical’ On Broadway [VIDEO] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

The takeover continues.

After weeks of low-quality teases, fashion retailer H&M has officially released Beyonce‘s sizzling images for the company’s Summer 2013 campaign.

As previously reported, the “Bow Down” singer will appear in television commercials, print ads and billboards showcasing the collection that she had a hand in designing. A new track “Standing on the Sun” will also be released with the TV ad.

“It was a beautiful shoot on a tropical island. It felt more like making a video than a commercial,” she said back in March.

Check out all of the hot shots after the jump!

The post Beyonce, Bikinis & The Body: H&M Reveals Singer’s Summer Swimwear Campaign [PHOTOS] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of Hello Beautiful

Sometimes in life we have to have tough conversations, and hands down one of the most awkward discussions can be those concerning money. Especially, if you’ve lent a friend or family member you’re hard-earned cash and they’ve yet to pay you back. There never seems to be the perfect words to start that “Well, I kind of need my money back” conversation.

One of the wisest pieces of advice I’ve ever received was to not lend money at all. According to my grandmother, it’s okay to be a monetary blessing to someone but you should never expect it back. She always said money has a funny way of messing up your personal relationships so only give gifts, not loans.

Keep reading …

[Photo: Shutterstock]

NEW YORK CITY — Celebs arrive at the Broadway opening night for “Motown: The Musical” at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Sunday (April 14). Check out the red carpet arrivals after the jump!

ESKEDAR GOBEZE, BERRY GORDY & DIANA ROSS

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

TRACEE ELLIS ROSS

CUBA GOODING JR. & VANESSA WILLIAMS

EVANDER HOLYFIELD

GLADYS KNIGHT

STAR JONES

MARY WILSON

SMOKEY ROBINSON & FRANCES GLADNEY

MELBA MOORE

KATHY LEE GIFFORD & HODA KOTB

YUSEF DUBOIS JACKSON & JESSE JACKSON

JADA GRACE

CHARLES RANDOLPH-WRIGHT

The post Diana Ross, Gladys Knight & More Attend ‘Motown: The Musical’ Opening Night [PHOTOS] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of The Associated Press

Two bombs exploded in the crowded streets near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, killing at least three people and injuring more than 140 in a bloody scene of shattered glass and severed limbs that raised alarms that terrorists might have struck again in the U.S.

A White House official speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation was still unfolding said the attack was being treated as an act of terrorism.

President Barack Obama vowed that those responsible will “feel the full weight of justice.”

As many as two unexploded bombs were also found near the end of the 26.2-mile course as part of what appeared to be a well-coordinated attack, but they were safely disarmed, according to a senior U.S. intelligence official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity because of the continuing investigation.

The fiery twin blasts took place about 10 seconds and about 100 yards apart, knocking spectators and at least one runner off their feet, shattering windows and sending dense plumes of smoke rising over the street and through the fluttering national flags lining the route. Blood stained the pavement, and huge shards were missing from window panes as high as three stories.

“They just started bringing people in with no limbs,” said runner Tim Davey of Richmond, Va. He said he and his wife, Lisa, tried to shield their children’s eyes from the gruesome scene inside a medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners, but “they saw a lot.”

“They just kept filling up with more and more casualties,” Lisa Davey said. “Most everybody was conscious. They were very dazed.”

As the FBI took charge of the investigation, authorities shed no light on a motive or who may have carried out the bombings, and police said they had no suspects in custody. Officials in Washington said there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Continue here…

The post Boston Marathon Bombing Kills 3, Injures Over 140 appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of BlackVoices

Earlier this month, Jada Pinkett Smith surprised many of her fans when she candidly addressed rumors of an open marriage between her and husband Will Smith on HuffPost Live.”I’ve always told Will, ‘You can do whatever you want as long as you can look at yourself in the mirror and be okay,’” the 41-year-old actress and mother of two told HuffPost Live’s Marc Lamont Hill on April 3. “Because at the end of the day, Will is his own man. I’m here as his partner, but he is his own man.”

Now Pinkett Smith is clarifying those comments about her 16-year-marriage to the movie star. In a Facebook post published Sunday, Pinkett Smith said that she was amending her statement to say that their relationship was “a grown one” and that it did “NOT mean we have an open relationship.”

Read Jada’s full response over at BlackVoices..

The post Jada Pinkett Smith’s Open Marriage Comments: Actress Clarifies Message appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Rapper Coolio found himself behind bars earlier this month after allegedly assaulting his live-in girlfriend and the mother of his child, reports TMZ.

The incident reportedly occurred on April 1 when the 49-year-old star, whose real name is Artis Ivey Jr., brought another woman into the couple’s home. According to a police report, Coolio allegedly pushed Anabella Chatman to the ground and punched her in the face before fleeing the scene with their son and the unidentified other woman.

Chatman also alleges Coolio struck her with his car, leaving tire marks on her leg. Before being cuffed, Coolio unsuccessfully tried to explain that he was the victim and that she had scratched him out of jealousy.

In March 2012, Coolio was popped in Las Vegas for multiple traffic violations and was placed in the same jail cell as his son before posting bail.

The post Coolio Jailed After Allegedly Beating Baby Mama appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of The Root

Martin Luther King Jr. made a conscious decision to get arrested in Birmingham, Ala., on April 12, 1963. After lawmakers issued an injunction against protests in an attempt to quell King’s campaign against segregation, King and his fellow civil rights activists continued to challenge the status quo, knowing that they would end up in jail.

Placed in solitary confinement away from his colleagues and followers, King would end up penning a nearly 7,000-word open letter to white clergy who had joined together to criticize his campaign. The missive, now known as “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” was released to the public 50 years ago on April 16, 1963. A half a century later, the powerfully written letter serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come as a nation and how much further we still need to go — both at home and abroad. Here are 10 of the most moving passages:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Continue at The Root…

The post 10 Powerful Passages From MLK’s ‘Letter’ appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Love was in the air this past weekend as actress Tia Mowry and husband Cory Hardrict renewed their vows in Malibu, Calif., according to E! News.

On Saturday, the couple pledged their continued love for one another as approximately 20 guests sat in attendance wearing all white. The ceremony was said to have lasted a mere five minutes with sister Tamera Mowry-Housely, husband Adam Housely and their 5-month-old son Aden, among others, in the crowd.

“Cory was holding their son, Cree, as he walked down the aisle,” an eyewitness said. “Tia was wearing a white dress with cutouts on the sides and had on a sparkly headband. She looked very pretty.”

Related: Nuptials & Nurseries: 2013 Celebrity Weddings & Babies

In a statement to Us Weekly, Tia described the moment as “magical, intimate and beautiful.”

“Cree was my motivation and inspiration to renew our vows. Cory and I have been together for 13 years and married for five,” she said. “However, we now have this new miracle in our lives and I wanted to celebrate our love, and what our love together created— Cree!”

Tia and Cory are just days away from their fifth wedding anniversary on April 20. Their son will turn two on June 28.

Courtesy of The Associated Press

Chris Tucker will host this year’s BET Awards.

The network announced Tuesday that the comedian-actor will host the show June 30 from the Nokia Theater L.A. Live.

Tucker is riding high off of his supporting role in the Oscar-nominated film “Silver Linings Playbook,” which starred Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. The 41-year-old is best known for starring in the “Rush Hour” film franchise opposite Jackie Chan.

He said in a statement that he’s honored and “looking forward to being part of a really great show.”

The BET Awards is part of three-day event the network is putting on that weekend dubbed “BET Experience at L.A. Live.” It kicks off June 28 with a Beyonce concert. Other performers throughout the weekend include Kendrick Lamar, Miguel, The Jacksons and R. Kelly.

Following Saturday’s explosive episode of OWN’s Iyanla Fix My Life featuring DMX, spiritual teacher Iyanla Vanzant has vowed to remain open to helping the troubled rapper, despite his resistance.

The intimate session aimed to delve into DMX’s dark issues with drug and alcohol addictions, as well as mend the strained relationship with his ten children. But a publicist for the 42-year-old star said the 90-minute episode only “made his image worse” and that Vanzant didn’t have “personal written consent to use the footage.”

The post Iyanla Vanzant Records Open Letter To DMX: ‘My Door Is Always Open’ [VIDEO] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

In today’s link round-up: Musiq returns to the entertainment scene with new projects, Magic Johnson’s son E.J. speaks on being a gay role model and much more!

Global Grind
Jamie Foxx Transforms Into Electro For “Spider-Man 2″ [PHOTOS]
The actor stepped out in full “Electro” makeup this week in Times Square.

EURweb
Rick Ross Says Reebok Owes Him a Second Chance; Reebok Says…
Really?

Sister2Sister
Musiq Previews His Upcoming Projects
He’s back!

BlackVoices
E.J. Johnson, Magic’s Son, On Being A Gay Role Model
The 20-year-old son of Magic Johnson is looking to head to television to be the voice of young gay people.

Vibe Vixen
‘Madame You’ Social Network to Launch for Black Hair
Black hair + Social media = Genius

The Frisky
8 Lessons From Pickup Artists That Guys Should Actually Use
No. 5: Don’t be a douche.

The post LOTD: Jamie Foxx As Electro For ‘Spider-Man 2′ + Rick Ross Wants Another Chance? appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

NEW YORK CITY — Celebs arrive at BET’s New York Upfront 2013 on Tuesday (April 16) to unveil exciting new programming and projects. Check out all the photos after the jump!

GABRIELLE UNION

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

SELITA EBANKS

KEVIN HART

CHAKA KHAN

STEPHEN G. HILL, DEBRA LEE & CHRIS TUCKER

NICOLE ARI PARKER & BORIS KODJOE

GLADYS KNIGHT

MIGUEL

NELLY

SOMMORE

SHERYL LEE RALPH

TONY ROCK

J. DREW SHEARD

PAIGION

SHORTY DA PRINCE

The post Gabrielle Union, Chaka Khan, Miguel & More Attend BET’s Upfront 2013 [PHOTOS] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of Sister2Sister

Tyler Perry’s been pretty quiet while news about Orlando Jones taking over his Madea role spread, but now the successful filmmaker is breaking his silence.

“That was an April Fool’s joke that HE did. Not true. And not funny,” Tyler told S2S Publisher Jamie Foster Brown in a text message.

That should be a relief to the hundreds of outraged and disappointed fans, many of whom swore to never support Orlando as Madea and suggested the character be discontinued as an alternative.

Continue at Sister2Sister…

The post Tyler Perry Calls Orlando Jones’ News ‘Not True And Not Funny’ appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

By Naima Turner

Whether she’s pumping out hit songs or entertaining us on both the small screen (BET’s “The Game”) and big screen (Tyler Perry’s Temptation), Brandy continues to make it clear that her star status will continue to shine. We’ve practically grown up either listening to her music or watching her on “Moesha,” and through it all have watched her style change through the years. Who can forget her signature braids and newsboy cap that were mainstays of her look back in the day? And now as a grown woman, Brandy is still making stylish statements, many of which will provide inspiration as you create your spring wardrobe — trust me.

Consider bringing together a girly vibe with simplistic ease by way of a shirt dress. On a chilly day, you can layer up with tights and a blazer. On warmer days, add depth to your look with a fun colorful sandal and a few bangles.

Shorts go way beyond the realm of tennis courts and playgrounds nowadays, and are appropriate for night time excursions too. A white-on-white look will stand out amongst the sea of black looks worn for most occasions.

Of course sweet ankle strap shoes can add a delightful touch, but on days when you want to rock an outfit that has edge, reach for a gladiator-inspired pair.

Add a new dimension to your basic denim collection with striped jeans. Like the basic blues, striped ones can be worn with simple Tees, but could also definitely be punched-up with a floral print top.

Classic animal prints have gotten a makeover big time and will definitely be making a roaring entrance come fall. Consider tying a bold colored leopard print into your wardrobe, like this one from Kenzo that Brandy wore.

Sometimes the best style influences come from past eras. Whether you’re slender or full-figured, consider the modern yet vintage flow of a full skirt.

Tweed garments add a posh tone to wardrobes. The season-less fabric can be worn a multiple of ways. Whether pair it with a pencil skirt and pearls for the office or ripped jeans and a link chain for weekends, you can’t go wrong with items in this fabric.

Regardless of what year it is, tapping into the disco era for a night out is never a fashion don’t.

Courtesy of BlackEnterprise.com

When you think of Basketball Wives, what comes to mind? You’re probably thinking of violent, self-absorbed, narcissistic women with a false sense of reality who represent all the negative stereotypes women have fought for decades to erase. Now, can you imagine that being brought to the silver screen?

Well, it’s coming!

Keep reading …

The post Basketball Wives Movie: Smart Business Move or Marketing Disaster? appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

A search is underway for a 1-year-old boy from Illinois who was abducted Tuesday afternoon after he and his mother were brutally attacked, reports NBC Chicago.

Bryeon Hunter was last seen in Maywood, a western suburb of Chicago, at approximately 2:15 p.m. when he was allegedly taken by three Hispanic men. The boy’s mother Lakeshia Baker said they were attacked and beaten.

“They pulled up out of the alleyway and told me, ‘Didn’t we say we didn’t want to see you here no more?’ They pulled down my hair and pulled me in the car and started beating me and all I heard was my baby just screaming,” she told reporters. “They beat him too.”

Baker said she and her son were taken to a wooded area nearby where she was beaten again. She was then put back in the car and dropped off where the incident began, without Hunter.

An Amber Alert has been issued and authorities are searching the Des Plaines River for the boy.

Officials said Hunter was last seen wearing a blue, striped long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans and blue Nike shoes. He is 2 feet tall and weighs 30 pounds.

The three Hispanic men were seen in a black two-door sports car with tinted windows.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Maywood Police Department at 708-450-4471.

The post Illinois Mother Beaten, 1-Year-Old Son Bryeon Hunter Abducted By Attackers appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of Hello Beautiful

Jamie Foxx appeared on the MTV Movie Awards this weekend to accept his 2013 Generation Award while wearing a “KNOW JUSTICE” T-shirt to continue shedding light on the untimely death of unarmed teen, Trayvon Martin and the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, CT.

RELATED: Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Kim K & More Attend 2013 MTV Movie Awards [PHOTOS]

Foxx has been a vocal supporter of the Martin family, and has publicly declared to use his celebrity influence to fight for reformation, and apparently gun law reform. But it seems like Foxx’s message was lost amongst some of “post-racial” who tuned in to MTV Sunday night.

Keep reading …

The post Twitter Reactions To Jamie Foxx’s Trayvon Martin T-Shirt Prove Racists Love The Internet appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of Sister 2 Sister

Even if you’re not a huge baseball fan there are still plenty of reasons that you’ll love about Jackie Robinson’s biopic 42!

1. It’s not all about Jackie

A lot more was at stake than just Jackie breaking the color-line when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. The reporter assigned to follow Jackie (and kind of be his personal assistant) had to remind him that the ball player that he wasn’t the only one with a stake in this particular battle for equality.

Keep reading …

Beyoncé and Jay-Z are making bank. But, of course, you knew that.

According to the International Business Times, the entertainment powerhouses have become pop music’s first billionaire couple and are continuing to climb, one business venture at a time.

Related: Beyonce, Bikinis & The Body: H&M Reveals Singer’s Summer Swimwear Campaign [PHOTOS]

The report states:

“The 31-year-old Beyoncé is raking in millions from her “Mrs. Carter” show tour, which began Monday night in Serbia. The Daily Star reports that Beyoncé is set to earn approximately $116 million from the world tour.

She is also making millions as the new face of H&M.

Meanwhile, Jay-Z has earned millions as co-owner of the 40/40 club, which has two locations in New York, and is reportedly selling his small share with the NBA Brooklyn Nets to extend his Roc Nation Sports representation business into basketball, according to Yahoo Sports.

With $1 billion, Jay-Z could certainly afford the $4 million private island that he is said to have bought in the Bahamas for his family.”

Who knows how accurate the numbers are, but with sold-out concerts, a sports agency, a $50 million Pepsi endorsement deal, publishing partnerships, clothing campaigns and more, we’re pretty sure the total is close.

Ca-ching. Baby Blue is set.

The post Beyoncé & Jay-Z Reportedly Become Pop Music’s First Billionaire Couple appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.