Courtesy of The Associated Press

Kobe Bryant is in a court battle to try to keep his mother from auctioning off mementoes from his high school days in Pennsylvania and his early years with the Los Angeles Lakers.

A New Jersey auction house filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Camden on Thursday for the right to sell the stuff after the NBA star’s lawyers wrote the firm telling it to cancel a planned June auction.

The disagreement is a high-value, high-profile version of a question many families face: Can Mom get rid of the stuff a grown child left at home?

In this case, the 900 mementoes happen to be worth upward of $1.5 million.

Among the first 100 or so items Pamela Bryant intends to sell: the NBA star’s jerseys, practice gear and sweatsuits from Lower Merion High School; varsity letters; a trophy for being the outstanding player at the 1995 Adidas ABCD basketball camp; and a signed basketball from the 2000 NBA championship game.

And then there are rings, for the 1996 Pennsylvania high school championship, a pair that the Lakers made for Bryant’s parents for the 2000 NBA championship and one from the 1998 NBA All-Star game.

According to court filings, Pamela Bryant struck a deal in January with Goldin Auctions in Berlin, N.J., which earlier this year sold a rare Honus Wagner baseball card for a record $2.1 million.

Continue here…

Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith, the surviving member of ’90s rap group Kris Kross, broke his silence Thursday to release an official statement about the death of his groupmate, Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly.

Related: So So Def, Family Release Statement On Death Of Chris Kelly + Celebrity Reactions

He told E! News:

“Chris Kelly was my Best Friend. He was like a brother. I love him and will miss him dearly. Our friendship began as little boys in first grade. We grew up together. It was a blessing to achieve the success, travel the world and entertain Kris Kross fans all around the world with my best friend. It is what we wanted to do and what brought us happiness. I will always cherish the memories of the C-Connection.”

Kelly was found unresponsive at his Atlanta home on Wednesday and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy was performed yesterday, but the official cause of death is still pending toxicology results. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office has determined that there were no signs of trauma or foul play, however, a police report indicates that Kelly had been using a combination of cocaine and heroin the night before his death.

The rapper’s mother, Donna Kelly Pratt, reportedly called 911 about her son’s substance abuse and later told investigators that Kelly had an “extensive history of drug use.”

The results of the toxicology will be available in 3-4 weeks.

The post Kris Kross’ Chris Smith Speaks: ‘He Was My Best Friend’ + Latest Updates appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Watching The Steve Harvey Show this past Wednesday, I stayed glued to an entire segment featuring an engaged couple discussing their pending first dance – in particular, the groom-to-be’s lack of rhythm. The most entertaining part of the whole interview was the bride-to-be.  She had the best laugh. Ever.  I want to be her friend.  Seriously.  Just because of her laugh.  It was stupendous.

I looked all over the interwebs for that clip to re-live her joyous cackle over and over. It somehow never made it to the show’s site so I spent the next few hours scouring YouTube for equally inspired laughs.  Scroll on for more contagious belly laughs and shrieking guffaws.  And have a good day.

Seriously. Bubbles are the funniest.

Never let a giggly Grandma live it down. Send it to YouTube.

Is it possible to laugh your lashes off?  This Philly newscaster did after her Ryan Lochte interview.

Don’t eat popcorn while watching a hysterical baby laughing at a dog eating popcorn. You might choke.

Ear-splitter.

Compiled by Colby Carrington.

Jason Collins has been on a whirlwind media tour since coming out as gay earlier this week in a SI exclusive that rocked the sports world. And like clockwork, Oprah Winfrey has tapped the NBA center for a sit-down interview.

Related: Obama Says ‘Couldn’t Be Prouder’ Of Jason Collins

In the latest installment of Oprah’s Next Chapter, Lady O will speak with Collins, his twin brother Jarron and family members about his decision to finally come forward. His parents admit that after going through a number of “checklists,” they came to terms with his sexuality and reinforced their love for their son.

The 90-minute episode will air Sunday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET on OWN. Check out a sneak peek below…

The post First Look: Jason Collins, Family Sit Down For ‘Oprah’s Next Chapter’ [VIDEO] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of Huffington Post Black Voices

Kevin Krigger stands to make history this weekend. For the first time since 2000, and for only the second time since 1921, a black jockey will ride in one of the nation’s most popular horse races – the Kentucky Derby.

In a segment for HuffPost Live, Thomas Tolliver of the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Gallery, Maryjean Wall, author of “How Kentucky Became Southern and Pellom McDaniels III, Faculty Curator of African American Collections at Emory University joined host Ahmed Shihab-Eldin to discuss the historical context and impact of Krigger’s forthcoming ride.

Black Jockeys are an important part of the derby’s history, having won fifteen of the race’s first 28 runnings, but the past century has seen a dramatic decrease in African American participation in the race.

Continue reading here.

The post Kevin Krigger And Black History At The Kentucky Derby appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of Huffington Post Black Voices

PepsiCo says it cutting ties with Lil Wayne after the rapper made a crude reference to civil rights martyr Emmett Till in a song.

Lil Wayne, one of the biggest stars in pop music, had a deal to promote the company’s Mountain Dew soda.

The controversy erupted after Wayne referred to beating someone during a sexual act and said he wants to do as much damage as was done to Till.

The black teen was visiting family in Mississippi in 1955 when he was killed, allegedly for whistling at a white woman.

PepsiCo Inc., based in Purchase, N.Y., said in a statement Friday that Wayne’s “offensive reference to a revered civil rights icon does not reflect the values of our brand.”

Continue reading here.

The post PepsiCo Drops Lil Wayne Over Emmett Till Controversy appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy Huffington Post Black Voices

We’ve heard of school spirit day and college day, but school redneck day? That’s a new one.

An Arizona high school came under fire after members of the student council organized a school-wide redneck day early last week. According to AZ Central, the idea was for students to dress up like, and effectively satirize, characters from A&E reality series “Duck Dynasty,” which follows the Louisiana family responsible for a popular duck-call hunting product known as the Duck Commander.

When one student showed up at the school wearing a Confederate flag, some students, parents and teachers, were less than thrilled.

“I was livid,” an African-American mother whose son attends the school told Phoenix-based Fox affiliate KSAZ. “Nobody that I talked to thinks that that’s okay. That just symbolizes something evil, bad.”

She noted that even before a student showed up with the flag, her son found the concept of the day “degrading.”

The student who wore the flag was pulled aside by a school administrator and asked to change his clothing.

District Superintendent Tom Lindsey told AZ Central that, although the student is originally from an area where the confederate flag is displayed often, “It was explained to him that, in Arizona, we look at it differently.” Lindsey also extended an apology to anyone offended by the use of “redneck.”

Continue reading here.

The post Redneck Day In Arizona High School Draws Criticism From Students, Parents appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of Huffington Post Black Voices

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas doesn’t speak much on the job, but during an interview last month at Duquesne Law School in Pittsburgh, Pa., he offered some candid insight into his thoughts about politics and President Barack Obama.

Asked if Obama’s election as the first black president came as a surprise, Thomas said it didn’t, claiming that he’d always believed a black person would become president one day. He went on to say, however, that Obama had only been elected because the president won over the elites and media, something Thomas argued most black people must do in order to advance.

“The thing that I always knew is that it would have to be a black president who was approved by the elites and the media, because anybody they didn’t agree with, they would take apart,” Thomas said in a clip that surfaced on Friday. “You pick your person. Any black person who says something that is not the prescribed things that they expect from a black person will be picked apart.”

Thomas’s comments have since been picked up by a number of outlets and are being considered by some as a subtle jab at Obama. Adam Winkler, a professor at the University of California School of Law, told Mother Jones that the remarks were out of character for a sitting Supreme Court justice.

Continue reading here.

The post Clarence Thomas: Obama Only President Because He’s What ‘Elites’ Expect ‘From A Black Person’ appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Jada Pinkett Smith has lined up her next film role alongside telenovela actor William Levy, reports Deadline.

The 41-year-old beauty will star in the upcoming dance flick Salsa, which centers around a woman who reaches a crossroads in her life when she meets a [smoldering hot] salsa instructor who helps get her life back on track.

Related: Star Clique

Smith and Miguel Melendez will produce the project for Overbrook Entertainment, with Amy Heckerling (Clueless) serving as writer and director.

Production on Salsa isn’t expected to begin until early 2014. In the meantime, Smith will be focused on Queen Latifah‘s return to daytime television where she will work as executive producer of the show.

The post Jada Pinkett Smith To Hit The Dance Floor In ‘Salsa’ appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

By Naima Turner

Even though Rashida Jones hails from music and Hollywood royalty, the “Parks And Recreation” star, has made her own name amongst the who’s who of Tinseltown’s notable and chic actors. Her overall feminine classic style has revealed fun, tasteful quirks, in some ways, and a preppy twist in others. Using her style as inspiration, make every day festive by taking your basics a step further to show your personality with unexpected details.

Make a sweet dress go bad! Edge up your favorite cocktail dress — or the bridesmaid dress you only thought you would wear once — with a hot leather jacket.

Not only should every closet have an LBD, but also an LBB, a little black blazer. The wardrobe essential doesn’t just dress up pants or a skirt for the office, it also changes the mood of a casual dress, making it instantly perfect for night.

The jumpsuit is one of the hottest trends of the spring season, but also happens to be an intimidating look to many women. Take a nod from Rashida and go for a relaxed fit with a cinched in waist that complements your figure.

Make a sleek entrance for your next board meeting in a pencil skirt that highlights with your curves.

Pant lengths are going to new heights for spring and fall. Above-the-ankle styles are easy to wear for casual occasions and at the office with a heel, your favorite accessories, and a range of tops and knits. See, crop pants can be just as versatile as your favorite full-length ones.

For a statuesque appearance at your next formal affair, a great dress shape for women with slender or curvy figures is a peplum-shaped dress.

Use a colorblocked skirt to pull a fashionable Jedi mind trick. It will either give the illusion of curves or minimizing the ones you want to play down.

The most comfortable pair of pants in your closet don’t have to be jeans. Opt for a loose-fit boyfriend style instead.

In today’s link round-up: Another nanny comes forward against Kim Porter, Rev. Run and Co. head back to reality television and much more!

VIBE.com
Serena Williams Responds To Criticism From Sloane Stephens
It’s all good.

The Root
Is Charles Ramsey Being Exploited?
The Cleveland resident is becoming more known as an animated viral sensation than a brave hero.

Madame Noire
Second Nanny Comes Forward Calling Kim Porter Out As A Nightmare Employer, Reportedly Suing Diddy For Six Figures
Something smells fishy…

Hello Beautiful
Rev. Run & His Party Of 7 Land New Reality Show On HGTV
They’re back!

BlackVoices
Willie Jerome Manning Execution Blocked By Mississippi Supreme Court
The FBI has recognized errors in agents’ testimony about ballistics tests and hair analysis in the case.

EURweb
Emergency Landing for Jet Carrying Chris Brown
The singer was on his way to Monday’s Met Gala in New York City.

The post LOTD: Serena Williams Responds To Sloan Stephens Criticism + Is Charles Ramsey Being Exploited? appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Thandie Newton graces the cover of the May UPTOWN issue. She discusses living, loving, and going her own way in Hollywood.

UPTOWN also checks in with life coach Iyanla Vanzant in “Don’t Call It a Comeback,” in which she discusses how the most important life shift she’s made has been her own. We also explore “The Real Reason Black America is Fat,” and how processed food created an American weight problem. The travel story “Cancun Crush” goes beyond the usual tequila-fueled debauchery of Mexico’s most popular vacation destination. “The High Life” takes a look at the iconic hotels around the world where Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Nat King Cole, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr., Michael Jackson, and even Tupac rested their weary bones. Discover the not-so-hidden gems of the former Russian capital Saint Petersburg in “Bridge to Everywhere.” And finally UPTOWN gets La Toya Jackson to open up in “Confessions.”

The post Inside The May Issue: Thandie Newton, Iyanla Vanzant, La Toya Jackson & More appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Lee Daniel‘s forthcoming drama The Butler is already beginning to create some Oscar buzz and in this two-minute trailer, we can see why.

The film, inspired by Wil Haygood‘s Washington Post article in 2008, follows the real-life story of a Black man (Eugene Allen) who worked as a butler in the White House from 1952 to 1986, serving under eight presidents.

Forest Whitaker leads the all-star cast as butler Cecil Gaines alongside Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda, Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard and others.

The Butler opens in theaters nationwide on Oct. 18.

The post First Look: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey Star In ‘The Butler’ [TRAILER] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of The Frisky

We don’t get to choose our mothers. That would make everything so much easier. Or would it? There’s no such thing as a perfect mother. We may wish our mothers were in some way different, but that’s a waste of energy. The truth is, any mother we would have had would’ve left us with a lifetime of issues to sort through. On the flip side, those very struggles become the source of our greatest strengths. Bitch and moan all you want about your mom’s shortcomings, but you’ve got to love her because she’s made you the person you are today. In honor of Mother’s Day, let’s take a moment to be grateful for all the mother material we have to talk about in therapy.

1. The all up in your business mother.

Description: She was all up in your biz all the time — what you ate for lunch, who you talked to at lunch, what you wrote about lunch in your private diary (which she went through your drawers and read). She had an opinion on what you should do and how you should do it all the time: HER WAY! This was her way of showing she cared, even if it felt overbearing.

Your Issues: Because of all this attention which was unwanted at times, you need lots of privacy and alone time. Freedom and independence are as essential to you as oxygen. You freak out when anyone tries to get you under their thumb and you’ll always find a way to wriggle free.

Your Strengths: You got a lot of attention growing up, so you’re not looking for any from the world. You’re self-assured, confident and you don’t need anyone’s approval about anything.

Continue at The Frisky…

The post 8 Types Of Mothers & The Issues They Gave You appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of The Root

Last week, OWN announced that Bill Duke’s controversial documentary Dark Girls, which explores the colorism faced by dark-skinned women, would be heading to the network in June. I refer to it as controversial not because of the very important issue it tackles, but because I recall the discussions that the 10-minute trailer started when it hit the Internet.

Every black news site or blog worth its page views chimed in on Dark Girls, which was the whole point, according to Duke. In a 2012 interview with The Root DC, he stated that the film’s purpose was “to create a discussion, because in discussion there’s healing, and in silence there is suffering. Somehow if you can speak it and get it out, healing starts.”

I believe Duke had good intentions in creating this documentary — either that, or like Chris Rock’s Good Hair, he knows colorism is a hot-button issue that will bring people out to theaters in droves and get them talking, good or bad. Still, there’s a part of me that cringes at the film’s concept. I’m fine with the airing of black folks’ dirty laundry — and that’s largely because colorism isn’t solely a “black issue.” But frankly, I don’t think we as a community are ready to really handle it without some serious therapy.

Keep reading …

Courtesy of Hello Beautiful

It’s been four years since Michael Jackson died but that’s not stopping his new childhood sexual abuse case.

TMZ reports choreographer Wade Robson has filed legal documents, claiming the King of Pop molested him from ages 5 to 14. The now 30-year-old is asking for an unidentified amount of money from Jackson’s estate.

Keep reading …

The post Michael Jackson’s Estate Hit With New Molestation Claim From Choreographer Wade Robson appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of The Frisky

Hawaii’s Andrea Flegle was perturbed by the fact that the puppy she’d purchased for her daughter kept trying to sniff her daughter’s crotch. Not bothering to use common sense, or understand animals, or realize that this is basically a Thing That Dogs Do, Flegle did the only logical thing in her mind and slit the dog’s throat. After killing the dog for, let me remind you, sniffing her daughter’s crotch, Flegle called 911 to report that the animal was dead. She admitted that she killed the dog, and offered the crotch-sniffing as a plausible excuse.

Keep reading …

The post Worst Mom Of The Week: Woman Slits Dog’s Throat For Sniffing Her Daughter’s Crotch appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks just received the ultimate early Mother’s Day gift– a healthy baby boy!

According to Us Weekly, the entertainment lawyer welcomed her newborn on Wednesday (May 8) and is said to be “doing great.” This is the second child for Parks and husband Apollo Nida.

Related: Phaedra Parks Nabs Bravo Spin-Off

The pair married in 2009 and welcomed their son Ayden in May 2010. In December 2012, Parks announced her pregnancy while vacationing in the Bahamas with friends and family.

Congratulations to the couple!

Photo courtesy of Credit: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com

Meagan Good and Laz Alonso couldn’t quite get Deception to stick with audiences.

On Wednesday, NBC announced that it was cutting the one-hour drama after just one season. Deadline reports the show’s failure to launch could be due to its parallel theme to ABC’s primetime thriller Revenge.

The show centered around a detective (Good) who returned to a wealthy and troubled family home where she grew up while her mother was a live-in housekeeper. Going undercover, she aimed to solve the murder of a popular socialite who was once her best friend.

Over on FOX, Michael Ealy has landed a new role on the tentatively titled police drama Almost Human. The show is set 35 years in the future where police officers are partnered with highly evolved human-like androids.

Deadline states “an unlikely connection is forged when a cop with an aversion to robots and a robot with unexpected emotional responses investigate cases in a brave new world.”

Almost Human, executive produced by J.J. Abrams, also stars Karl Urban and Lili Taylor.

The network has also picked up Sleepy Hollow, with Nicole Beharie, as a modern-day retelling of Washington Irving’s classic short story.

The post NBC Drops ‘Deception,’ Fox Picks Up ‘Almost Human’ Starring Michael Ealy appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of NewsOne

The parents of a School 16 Troy, New York, elementary school student are alleging that their son’s teacher forced him to lick his desk after he drew on it.

George (pictured left) and Latonia (pictured) Spencer told News Center the incident happened after the teacher caught their son doodling on his desk. As punishment, she ordered him to clean up the marks with his tongue.

According to published reports, the student was forced to keep licking the desk until he began to gag, at which point the teacher had him get paper towels and wipe it off. The incident reportedly occurred in February.

“We are constantly on our children, Listen to the teacher. Do what the teacher says,” Latonia said. “We never thought we’d have to say, Don’t lick the desk if the teacher tells you to lick the desk.”

Continue at NewsOne…

The post Parents: Teacher Forced Son To Lick Desk Clean After Drawing On It appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.