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The Ubuntu Awards

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Ubuntu AwardsBy Larry Ossei-Mensah

South African Tourism recently hosted the 2013 Ubuntu Awards Gala at the New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Now in its fourth year, the Ubuntu Awards recognizes South African Tourism’s partners in business and travel who’ve contributed to making South Africa one of the top travel destinations in the world. Guests were greeted by beautiful hostesses dressed in traditional Zulu regalia, which added a nice touch of authenticity and sophistication to a dynamic focused on the wonders of South Africa.

Hosted by the Minister of Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk, CEO for South African Tourism Thulani Nzima and President of South African Tourism Sthu Zungu, the Ubuntu Awards evoked a feeling of solidarity which permeated throughout night as guests dined and exchanged stories about the African nation and why it’s a must visit for all travellers.

A myriad of VIPs where were on hand to celebrate the joyous occasion from Miss USA 2012 Nana Meriweather to the legendary African jazz musician Hugh Masekala, who had the crowd dancing on their feet with a rousing rendition of “Khawuleza” (Hurry, Mama, Hurry!) made popular by the iconic Miriam Makeba. GRAMMY Award-winning musician Paul Simon was honored with the “Friend of South Africa” award for his contribution to the anti-Apartheid movement with the release of his iconic Graceland album.

The awards encapsulated the essence of the African philosophy “Ubuntu” by highlighting the importance of people’s bonds with one another. The gala was a true demonstration as to why South Africa is a must see travel destination.

 View the 2013 Ubuntu Awards Gala Photo Recap here

 

 

Ubuntu Awards

LOTD: ‘GMA’ Summer Concert Line-up + What Oprah Misses About Her Talk Show

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In today’s link round-up: 1999 in 10 minutes, Soledad O’Brien gets named a Harvard Distinguished Visiting Fellow and much more!

Oprah Winfrey

BlackVoices
Oprah Winfrey ‘Steve Harvey Show’: Media Proprietor Reveals That She Misses ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’
“When I look back at the body of work, those of you who watched us for years, it’s astounding.”

EURweb
Mariah, Alicia, J. Lo Set For ‘GMA’ Summer Concerts
It’s gonna be a hot one!

The Frisky
All Of 1999 Compressed Into 10 Minutes
Check out Destiny’s Child, Macy Gray, TLC, Fight Club and more.

Loop 21
Soledad O’Brien Named Harvard Distinguished Visiting Fellow
The former CNN host’s focus will be in public education and the intersections of gender, income and race.

The Root
Roc Nation Sports Signs Skylar Diggins
Diggins becomes the second signee for Jay-Z sports management company.

Sister2Sister
Sheree Whitfield ‘Felt Misled’ By Iyanla Vanzant
First DMX…

The post LOTD: ‘GMA’ Summer Concert Line-up + What Oprah Misses About Her Talk Show appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Rumor Control: Lauryn Hill Confirms New Music, Addresses False Reports

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Lauryn HillEarlier this week, a federal judge graciously postponed Lauryn Hill‘s tax evasion sentencing until a later date after she reportedly reneged on a promise to make restitution by Monday’s court date.

The 37-year-old singer pleaded guilty last year to not paying federal taxes on $1.8 million earned from 2005 to 2007.

While Hill remained silent inside the courtroom and left without comment, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Moser revealed that the former Fugees member had signed a new deal with Sony and would receive $1 million for recording five new songs. In an open letter posted to her official Tumblr on Thursday, Hill addressed the agreement and the “inaccurate” dollar amount reported.

“It has been reported that I signed a new record deal, and that I did this to pay taxes. Yes, I have recently entered into an agreement with Sony Worldwide Entertainment, to launch a new label, on which my new music will be released. And yes, I am working on new music.

I’ve remained silent, after an extensive healing process. This has been a 10+ year battle, for a long time played out behind closed doors, but now in front of the public eye. This is an old conflict between art and commerce… free minds, and minds that are perhaps overly tethered to structure. This is about inequity, and the resulting disenfranchisement caused by it. I’ve been fighting for existential and economic freedom, which means the freedom to create and live without someone threatening, controlling, and/or manipulating the art and the artist, by tying the purse strings.

It took years for me to get out of the ‘parasitic’ dynamic of my youth, and into a deal that better reflects my true contribution as an artist, and (purportedly) gives me the control necessary to create a paradigm suitable for my needs. I have been working towards this for a long time, not just because of my current legal situation, but because I am an artist, I love to create, and I need the proper platform to do so.

The nature of my new business venture, as well as the dollar amount reported, was inaccurate, only a portion of the overall deal. Keep in mind, my past recordings have sold over 50,000,000 units worldwide, earning the label a tremendous amount of money (a fraction of which actually came to me).

Only a completely complicated set of traps, manipulations, and inequitable business arrangements could put someone who has accomplished the things that I have, financially in need of anything. I am one artist who finds value in openly discussing the dynamics within this industry that force artists to compromise or distort themselves and what they do, rather than allowing them to make the music that people need. There are volumes that could (and will) be said.”

Hill will head back to court on May 6.

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Tyler Perry Hit With Lawsuit Over ‘Temptation’

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Courtesy of Hello Beautiful

Tyler PerryA screenwriter from Gary, Ind. claims that Tyler Perry stole his storyline for Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor.

According to TMZ, William James recently filed a lawsuit against the filmmaker for allegedly stealing his idea from a screenplay he wrote in 2009 called “Lovers Kill.” James insists that Tyler Perry’s Temptation has the same plot and conclusion as his original piece.

Reportedly, James gave a copy of his script to an associate of Oprah Winfrey in hopes it would land in Perry’s hands.

Continue at Hello Beautiful…

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Love & Money: Can You Afford Not To Forgive?

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Courtesy of Black Enterprise

Love & MoneyIn the financial world there is a debt-forgiveness option known as bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is an option some people choose when they have acquired a considerable amount of debt and feel as if they’ll never be able to repay it in an expedient or efficient manner based on their current financial structure. There may be many reasons cited for the accumulation of the debt including, but not limited to, credit cards, medical bills, automobile purchases, etc. However, the bottom line is when the weight of managing debt becomes unbearable, people may select an alternative that simply allows them to start over.

Well, similar to the accumulation of debt from a financial point of view, many in today’s society are carrying a considerable amount of relationship ‘debt’ due to unforgiveness.

Continue at Black Enterprise…

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Actor Jeffrey Wright Arrested For DWI

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jeffreywright_uptown

Actor Jeffrey Wright was arrested on DWI charges early Saturday morning. According to TMZ, police stopped Wright in a Toyota Tacoma around 3:00 AM for an undisclosed traffic violation.

After questioning Wright, authorities smelled what was believed to be alcohol and administered a field sobriety test. Wright failed to pass the test, and was arrested and booked for DWI.

The 47-year old is best-known for his ability to personify any character. Most recently, he can be seen in the upcoming release of “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.”

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UC Irvine Fraternity Lambda Theta Delta Apologizes For Blackface Video

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Courtesy of Huffington Post Black Voices

A fraternity at the University of California-Irvine apologized this week for a “racist” video featuring a member in blackface.

Lambda Theta Delta, UC Irvine’s self-described first and largest Asian American fraternity, recently posted a video on YouTube featuring four brothers dancing to “Suit & Tie by Justin Timberlake featuring Jay-Z, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The video names the students as Tony D. Duong, Philip Lam, Rainier Nanquil and Justin T. Nguyen. Nanquil is identified as the one in blackface who’s supposed to be portraying Jay-Z. Most of the video just shows the brothers in a living room dressed formally and dancing to the camera. The end of the video advertises “Installs,” which OC Weekly describes as an end-of-the-year celebration for the entrance of new brothers.

Thomas Parham, UC Irvine’s vice chancellor for student affairs, told the Daily Pilot they’re investigating the video.

Continue reading at the Huffington Post.

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Sanaa Lathan’s Instagram Feed Has Us So Excited For ‘The Best Man’ Sequel

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bestman_uptown

Courtesy of the Huffington Post Black Voices

If you follow Sanaa Lathan on Instagram you may be just as excited about “The Best Man” sequel as we are.

The actress has been sharing photos of her fellow cast mates on the social network for the last couple weeks, and it has us waiting with baited breath for the upcoming “The Best Man Holiday.” The whole cast is on board reprising their roles in the film, which is set 15 years after the original.

During an interview with The Huffington Post, actor Morris Chestnut shared a bit of what fans can expect from the movie.

“It’s going to be a movie to where I think people are going to experience the whole gamut of emotions,” he said. “I think they’re going to laugh, and I think they’re going to cry. There’s a lot of stuff going on in this movie. It’s a fun movie, don’t get me wrong, but there’s a lot of heartwarming moments, some realization with some characters. There’s a lot in this movie.”

Even Terrence Howard said he gets teary-eyed thinking about it.

See photos and continue reading here.

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White House Correspondents’ Dinner: Obama Jokes About Radical Second-Term Changes

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Courtesy of the Huffington Post

President Barack Obama joked Saturday about his plans for a radical second-term evolution from “strapping young Socialist” to retiree golfer, all with a new hairstyle like first lady Michelle’s.

Obama used this year’s annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner to poke fun at himself and some of his political adversaries, asking if it was still possible to be brought down a peg after 4½ years as commander-in-chief.

Entering to the rap track “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled, Obama joked about how re-election would allow him to unleash a radical agenda. But then he showed a picture of himself golfing on a mock magazine cover of “Senior Leisure.”

“I’m not the strapping young Socialist that I used to be,” the president remarked, and then recounted his recent 2-for-22 basketball shooting performance at the White House Easter Egg hunt.

But Obama’s most dramatic shift for the next four years appeared to be aesthetic. He presented a montage of shots featuring him with bangs similar to those sometimes sported by his wife.

Obama closed by noting the nation’s recent tragedies in Massachusetts and Texas, praising Americans of all stripes from first responders to local journalists for serving the public good.

Continue reading here.

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How Black Folks Are Shut Out of the Immigration Debate

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By Charles D. Ellison

While Congress debates immigration reform and twists itself into Gangs of 8, it should not go unnoticed that African Americans have very little skin in the game.

The Senate Gang of 8 might boast two Latinos in its ranks, but neither of the two sitting Black Members in the Senate have a seat at that table – and for obvious reasons. Sen. William Cowan (D-MA) is merely keeping Secretary of State John Kerry’s old seat warm until a special June 30th election. And Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) typically avoids controversy and the off chance that South Carolina voters are reminded they have a Black Senator.gang of 8

On the House side, there is also a Gang of 8, fastidiously going about the business of crafting a compromise once the Senate bill passes and heads to its neighboring lower chamber. But a quick glance at that House of 8 shows Black folks need not apply. That bi-partisan and “balanced” group consist of only 4 Latinos (naturally) and 4 Whites: On the Republican side are Reps. Raul Labrador (R-ID), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), John Carter (R-TX) and Sam Johnson (R-TX); on the Democratic side we find Reps. Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and John Yarmuth (D-KY).

Incidentally: out of 435 Members of the House of Representatives, 42 are Black. That’s 9.7 percent of the House population, and still several percentage points below the normal proportion of African Americans in the overall U.S. population. Yet, that’s close enough to 10 percentage points to wonder why Black members appear shut out of what is described as a very “selective” House Group of 8.

That there are only eight participants in the House version is a bit half-ass considering there are 335 more people in the lower chamber than in the Senate. If a Senate “Gang of 8” is 8 percent of 100 Senators, why not aim for a similar proportion in the House Gang of 8 and make it the Gang of 35?

Too many chefs and planet-size egos in the kitchen make that idea somewhat impossible. We can barely pass budgets and avoid fiscal calamities, much less try to weave together a complex immigration reform bill that’s 844-pages at last count. But, at some point, did anyone looking at the House “Gang of 8” stop to wonder where all the Black folks went?

At the writing of this piece, the Congressional Black Caucus – 43 strong (including Cowan) – went silent on that question. A recent conversation with Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), a CBC member heading its Africa Brain Trust and also Ranking Member on the House Foreign Relations Committee, revealed that the House “Gang of 8” was formed “several years ago.”

At that time there were 44 Black Members of Congress, many chairing powerful House committees. What happened back then?

That’s unfortunate given the fact that over 10 percent of immigrants in the United States are from African and Caribbean countries, accounting for a sizable chunk of the migrant population. And, contrary to conventional wisdom, Black migrants are not only among the most highly educated of migrant groups but are arguably the most educated. Most have relied heavily over the years on what are called “diversity visas,” slots in the immigration grid that ensure migrants are hailing from a wide range of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.

But, like its affirmative action forbearer, the diversity visa is getting phased out based on the most recent reading of the Senate immigration reform bill. Someone managed to catch that as the bill was getting passed between “Gangs of 8” like a love note in the back of a very non-Black classroom.

One would think that warrants at least one Black Member of Congress sitting in with the Gang of 8 – add another Republican from Florida and California (or New York since it’s missing East Coast style) and we can make it Gang of 10, right?

Apparently not, which may not only leave many African and Caribbean migrants – a vast majority residing in Black Congressional districts – out on a limb, but guarantee fewer Black faces making it into the U.S. Like its affirmative action grandparent on life support, the diversity visa is getting shut down with watered-down racial code and immigration poll taxing in the form of a “Merit Based Point System.”

The Black Diaspora has a very long and awfully horrific history in relation to immigration, considering African American ancestors didn’t make it here as a matter of choice several hundred years ago. Alex Conant, a spokesperson for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), made the mistake of getting that all twisted recently, arguing in a Tweet that we have not “had a cohort of people living permanently in US without full rights of citizenship since slavery.”

Times like this would call for a reasoned Black voice in the conversation. The problem is that Washington doesn’t want that. Too many folks would like to conveniently forget a very inconvenient history. Having a discussion about Black migrants brings back racial ghosts that ruin it for folks jumping around in the post-racial bounce house.

The Black Caucus response to that? Scenes of CBC Members, including Chair Marcia Fudge (D-OH) and Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD), literally chasing down House “Gang of 8” member Guitierrez who, by virtue of his loosely progressive Chicago roots, is now honorary CBC rep in the secretive immigration reform negotiations. But Guitierrez doesn’t have to really do a thing about that. Beyond holding forums and issuing press releases, all the CBC can do is stand outside in the hallway and wait.

CHARLES D. ELLISON is Washington Correspondent for The Philadelphia Tribune and Politics Contributor for UPTOWN Magazine. He can be reached via Twitter @charlesdellison

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Celebs Attend 2013 White House Correspondents’ Dinner [PHOTOS]

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WASHINGTON, DC — Celebs attend the 2013 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday (April 27) for a mixing and mingling of journalists, politicians and superstars. Check out a few arrivals after the jump!

Chrissy Teigen, John LegendCHRISSY TEIGEN & JOHN LEGEND

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Shonda Rhimes, Kerry WashingtonSHONDA RHIMES & KERRY WASHINGTON

Gabby DouglasGABBY DOUGLAS

Kevin WareKEVIN WARE

Gayle KingGAYLE KING

Al Sharpton, Chris MatthewsAL SHARPTON & CHRIS MATTHEWS

Victor Cruz, Elaina WatleyVICTOR CRUZ & ELAINA WATLEY

Giancarlo EspositoGIANCARLO ESPOSITO

Alicia QuarlesALICIA QUARLES

Megan Wollover, Tracy MorganMEGAN WOLLOVER & TRACY MORGAN

The post Celebs Attend 2013 White House Correspondents’ Dinner [PHOTOS] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

LOTD: Michael Jordan Ties The Knot + Chris Brown’s Dad Doesn’t Want Singer With Rihanna

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In today’s link round-up: Jermaine Jackson owes thousands in child support, Kelis serves up “Jerk Ribs” and much more!

Michael JordanThe YBF
NBA Legend Michael Jordan Marries Yvette Prieto In Private Star-Studded Ceremony
Congratulations to the newlyweds!

The Root
Chris Brown’s Dad: I Don’t Want Chris and Rihanna Together
Father knows best?

EURweb
Jermaine Jackson in Child Support Trouble … Again
Jackson reportedly owes more than $30,000.

Madame Noire
Kelis Finally Gives New Music And Serves Up…”Jerk Ribs?”
Take a listen…

BlackVoices
Dawn Tyson, Chef, ‘Soul’ Author, At Sunday Dinner (RECIPE)
Eight-cheese mac and cheese? Yes, please.

The Frisky
Dating Don’ts: How Not To Not Have A Travel Romance
No. 2: DO have a Skype account prepared for the moment you and your travel love part ways and you need someone to cry to.

Photo courtesy of Joe Buissink

The post LOTD: Michael Jordan Ties The Knot + Chris Brown’s Dad Doesn’t Want Singer With Rihanna appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Angela Burt-Murray, Issa Rae To Co-Host ‘The View’-Inspired Talk Show ‘Exhale’

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Exhale

To coincide with the network’s one-year anniversary, Magic Johnson‘s Aspire will debut Exhale– a talk show inspired by The View to be hosted by five African-American women in the entertainment space.

According to Variety, journalist and former ESSENCE Editor-In-Chief Angela Burt-Murray, actress/writer Issa Rae, actress Malinda Williams, television anchor Rene Syler and comedian Erin Jackson will serve as co-hosts of the weekly series. Exhale is expected focus on topics such as family, relationships, career, money and faith.

“We are thrilled to add ‘Exhale’ to our lineup of original programming,” said Aspire general manager Paul Butler. “This fresh, hip and candid new series will enlighten audiences with its broad range of topics relevant to the community.”

The show’s first eight-episode run will begin in June.

 

 

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Veteran NBA Center Jason Collins: ‘I’m Gay’

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Courtesy of NBC Sports

Celtics center Collins grabs a rebound away from  Hawks guard Korver in the first half of their NBA basketball game in AtlantaJourneyman NBA center Jason Collins has come out as gay, the first active professional major team sport athlete to do so.

He wrote an article for Sports Illustrated (that hits newsstands May 6) and came out on his terms in his own words.

I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.

I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, “I’m different.” If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand….

Now I’m a free agent, literally and figuratively. I’ve reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball. I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful.

Continue at NBC Sports…

Celtics center Collins grabs a rebound away from  Hawks guard Korver in the first half of their NBA basketball game in Atlanta

Integrated Prom In Wilcox County In Georgia Deemed A Success [VIDEO]

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Courtesy of BlackVoices

Integrated Prom

Almost 60 years after the Supreme Court put an end to “separate but equal,” many high school students in Georgia’s Wilcox County attended their first integrated prom this past weekend.

“Everybody goes to school together, sits together at lunch, so we’re at prom together,” one student told WMGT during a video interview. “This is South Georgia, it’s not something you see everyday. It’s about time people start recognizing.”

Four Wilcox County High School seniors launched the effort to integrate their prom earlier this month. Seniors at the school have attended segregated proms since 1971.

Students Stephanie Sinnot, Mareshia Rucker, Quanesha Wallace and Keela Bloodworth started a Facebook group that solicited donations and support for an integrated prom. The group’s description states the students want to make a difference in their community.

The Facebook group, which has nearly 30,000 “likes,” raised enough money so that the students were able to rent a ballroom and buy gift bags for prom attendees, according to the New York Times.

Continue at BlackVoices…

Photo courtesy of Bryan Meltz /The New York Times

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Upper Arm Lift Surgeries Up 4,000 Percent Thanks To Michelle Obama

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Michelle Obama2

Michelle Obama is no stranger to setting trends, but this one surely takes the cake.

According to new statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), upper arm lift surgeries have increased by more than 4,000 percent in the last decade due to the popularity of sleeveless fashions and strong-armed celebs.

And who’s at the top of that “strong-armed” celeb list? That’s right, our First Lady.

Related: The 2013 Workout Plan: Celebs’ Creative Fitness Trends

In a poll conducted on behalf of the ASPS, results showed that women admired Michelle’s toned biceps over actresses Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Biel, Demi Moore and talk show host Kelly Ripa. The impressive bunch has fueled an interest in perfectly sculpted “bingo wings,” with more than 15,000 procedures done in the last year (98 percent of them being women).

Upper arm lifts can include liposuction or a surgical procedure known as brachioplasty, in which loose skin is removed from the back of the arms.

“Women are paying more attention to their arms in general and are becoming more aware of options to treat this area,” said ASPS President Gregory Evans. “For some women, the areas have always been a troublesome area and, along with proper diet and exercise, liposuction can help refine them.”

 

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Jamie Foxx In Talks To Star In ‘Annie’ Remake

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Jamie FoxxJamie Foxx‘s newest role could place him alongside Oscar-nominated actress Quvenzhané Wallis in Sony’s upcoming remake of Annie. And we’re not complaining.

The Hollywood Reporter states:

“Foxx would play a character named Benjamin Stacks, a variation of the Daddy Warbucks personage, who takes in the spunky orphan girl being played by Wallis. (You know he’s rich because his name literally means stacks of 100 bills, aka Benjamins.) The Django Unchained star has received an offer from the studio and sources say his team has begun to negotiate.”

The Will Gluck-directed film is set to be produced under Will Smith‘s Overbrook Entertainment banner with James Lassiter and wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, as well as Jay-Z‘s Marcy Media with Jay Brown and Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith.

Production on Annie is expected to begin this fall and is slated for a 2014 release.

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Chris Broussard Snatches Jason Collins’ Jesus Card for Being Gay (Watch)

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Courtesy of EURweb

Chris BroussardSportscaster/journalist, Chris Broussard went on air Monday and totally gay-bashed Jason Collins, the first active NBA player to expose his homosexuality.

During an episode of ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” Chris said he “would not characterize the athlete as a Christian,” mind you in front of his openly gay colleague, LZ Granderson.

“Personally, I don’t believe that you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle or an openly, like premarital sex between heterosexuals. If you’re openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says you know them by their fruits. It says that, you know, that’s a sin. If you’re openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality, whatever it maybe, I believe that’s walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ. So I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I don’t think the bible would characterize them as a Christian.”

Continue at EURweb…

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Music Tidbits: Beyoncé Steals (Again), Kanye’s ‘Dark’ New Album, A TLC Reunion & More

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Beyonce, Kerli

Check out the latest happenings around the music world…

  • Here we go again. Estonian singer Kerli pointed out Beyoncé‘s recycled all-white ensemble pictured in her “Mrs. Carter World Tour” booklet, a spot-on replica of the dress she wore earlier this year. Kerli stated via Facebook, “I gotta say it’s pretty damn cool to see Queen B Beyoncé rock something I spray painted white on my patio for Utopia 8) The dress was originally nude and made by the brilliant Furne One ♥♥ Whooop!” In the past, the international superstar has been charged with stealing everything from song credits to dance moves but she always manages to bounce back. Why? Because she’s Beyoncé.
  • Following Rick Rossdismissal from Reebok, Lil Wayne and Mountain Dew are feeling the pressure from Emmett Till‘s family to drop the unapologetic rapper for his controversial lyrics earlier this year. As previously reported, the 30-year-old rapper referenced the slain teen while describing a sexual act in Future‘s “Karate Chop.” While the offensive lyrics have since been pulled, the Till family is pushing for Wayne to lose his endorsement with the PepsiCo. product, among other sponsors.
  • Having Kanye West withdrawal? Have no fear, he’s back. The papa-to-be will serve as Saturday Night Live‘s musical guest on May 18 for the show’s season finale. And with reports of a finished album, we can expect some new music from Mr. West very, very soon.
  • Eleven years after the death of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez, surviving TLC members Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas will be hitting the stage once again at the 2013 Mixtape Festival in Hershey, Penn on July 27. They will join acts such as Boyz II Men, Jonas Brothers, The Script and more during the annual event presented by Live Nation and VH1. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the group will keep the ball rolling with the release of a new album and a reunion tour in addition to their upcoming VH1 biopic.
  • And finally, this happened…

The post Music Tidbits: Beyoncé Steals (Again), Kanye’s ‘Dark’ New Album, A TLC Reunion & More appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

All Eyes On: Jay Ellis

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Jay Ellis1Let’s face it: change is never easy. But Jay Ellis makes it worthwhile.

The newest player on BET’s sports dramedy The Game had some big cleats to fill following the departure of series regulars Pooch Hall and Tia Mowry-Hardrict, but is handling the task with ease. UPTOWN recently got the opportunity to speak with Ellis about stepping into the breakout role, the “Fresh Prince” that turned him on to acting, a celebrity crush (or two) and more.

Ready? Game on.

A Dream Fulfilled

Ellis is certainly a man of many talents.

His athletic abilities earned him a basketball scholarship to Concordia University in Portland, Ore. He cashed in on his handsome looks as a model, booking his first campaign with Air Jordan Brand. He opened stores for True Religion, Reiss and Kitson as a retail executive. Yet throughout it all, acting remained a constant passion.

“Basketball at the college level takes up so much of your time and you don’t have the opportunity to do things like [acting],” he admitted. “Once I got out of school and had the opportunity to sit down and look at what I really wanted to do– why I moved to L.A., what my passions were– I made the decision.”

Rookie Of The Year

In the truest form of art imitating life, fans waved goodbye to Hall and his beloved character Derwin Davis as the show ushered in Ellis to play Bryce “The Blueprint” Westbrook during the season opener. Fortunately, the new kid on the block was welcomed with open arms.

“The cast was pretty easy, thankfully. They were really good people and they showed a lot of love,” he explained. Ellis recalled meeting his castmates at a table read before the first episode and was immediately taken into The Game’s tight-knit family.

Of course, the job comes with its share of critics. The exit of Hall and Mowry was hardly seamless for diehard fans of the series, but Ellis doesn’t indulge in the negative feedback surrounding the switch-up.

“I get it. There are people who’ve been with this show from day one and they’ve fallen in love with these characters and now they’re gone. I understand it,” Ellis said. “[…] But it’s the nature of what this show is about. It’s about football and players truly come and go. No matter what you still love your team, even though a player is gone.”

A Model Career

Prior to landing a lead role on the popular BET series, Ellis made appearances on Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, How I Met Your Mother and more, as well as Movie 43 alongside Terrence Howard. And as his star continues to rise, he’s hoping to pattern his career after a few Hollywood heavyweights.

“I would love to go back and forth from a slice of life indie film to a big studio blockbuster,” he stated, noting Ryan Gosling, George Clooney and Will Smith as inspirations.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is part of the reason why I fell in love with acting. I’d be a fool if I said I didn’t want that career.”

Jay EllisRespect The Hustle

When he’s not on set, Ellis enjoys watching football and basketball games — namely the San Francisco 49ers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers (pre-elimination, of course). He also serves as co-owner of a pair of fitness clubs in Louisiana and is a certified yoga and Pilates teacher.

“We do smoothies, juices and fresh lunches. We have a chef that creates a menu for us that she delivers every two or three days,” he explained. “We sell fitness apparel, books, candles and lotions. It’s a cool deal.”

Love Jones

Easily one of the toughest questions during our brief chat with Ellis forced the, ahem, single actor to come clean: Who is his celebrity crush?

“I’m going to go with Zoe Saldana,” he said after mulling over his choices. “Or maybe Halle [Berry]. She’s always up there. It’s not even a question.”

Agreed. But what was up for debate were Ellis’ thoughts on Saldana’s controversial role as legendary singer Nina Simone.

“The thing about Zoe is she’s an artist so I feel like she’s an actor who’s going to research, hibernate and find every little detail about Nina Simone,” he answered. “She’s going to make sure the story she’s telling is so truthful and so telling of the real thing. It’s someone who I know for sure is going to put in the work, so I was pretty excited about it.”

The Game airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on BET.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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