Courtesy of Hello Beautiful

A Wisconsin news anchor for WKBT-TV, Jennifer Livingston was subjected to fat shaming via a viewer who thought that her appearance needed criticizing. Livingston’s husband–also an anchor was so upset about the viewer’s comments that he posted it the station’s Facebook page. This viewer isn’t the first, nor the last to complain about someone else’s weight. I’m curious about society’s disdain for fat and more specifically fat women. Why is our very existence an issue?

Continue reading at Hello Beautiful

[Image via Shutterstock]

The premiere of Marsha Ambrosius’ latest video “F*ck N Get It Over With” was met with tons of questions from confused viewers as the singer’s love interest turned out to be all woman. But the 35-year-old songstress is setting the record on her sexual orientation.

Ambrosius addressed the matter on her official Facebook page Friday, stating:

“Double standards! Any male artist can openly brag about how many groupies he gets! Can u [sic] imagine how many men AND women have come on to me??? Listen to my music! I tell it! Always! I am not a lesbian! I am straight! I will never say I haven’t fantasized or had sexually explicit dreams about women before! That would make me liar! I’ve been called a lesbian since I got into the entertainment business! You’re no one till someone calls you gay lol I’m so comfortable with myself, I’m not afraid to tell the story from all perspectives! I’ve done so from the very beginning! Ppl hear what they want to hear! I make you listen to what I feel!”

There you have it.

Check out the video below!

This week, rock icon Stevie Nicks publicly sided with Mariah Carey, when questioned by The Daily about the Minaj vs. Carey American Idol feud. Nicks didn’t hold back.

“How dare this little girl!” she said “If I had been Mariah, I would have walked over to Nicki and strangled her to death right there.” But now Nicks is backtracking. She has since issued a seemingly genuine public apology over her comments.

The 64-year-old Fleetwood Mac singer released an official statement, putting the issue to rest:

“I want to apologize for my remarks about Nicki Minaj’s behavior toward Mariah Carey, which I said during a long and exhausting day of interviews. It was very out of character for me and I deeply regret what I said. I feel very protective toward Mariah Carey, who has gone through many difficulties in her life, and I spoke without thinking. I think all artists should be respectful toward one another and that includes me. I am truly sorry.”

It looks like Nicks wants no part of Hollywood’s caddy cat fights.

Artist Ke$ha made history this week as the first living white female artist to nab the cover of VIBE magazine. A rare sight, the 25-year-old wild child rocked a sleek lace dress on the cover of the October/November issue.

Out-of-the box as it seems, Ke$ha is not the first white female artist to appear on the Hip-Hop magazine’s cover. She is just the first to do it solo. In August/September 2011 VIBE ran a cover with Amy Winehouse, in honor of her death. Years earlier, Gwen Stefani also shared the cover with N.E.R.D. front man and producer Pharrell Williams for the March 2005 issue. The cover line then read: “Hip-Hop Meets Rock: Gwen & Pharrell Redefine Music & Fashion.”

And Ke$ha has never been one to shy away from defining her own terms. In her interview, she opens up about a rocky arrival on the music scene and laughs at being referred to as a rapper.

“The first record, people tore me a new a–hole, and were f—ing steady on my balls, and tried to make me feel like I was such a piece of s—. I did some soul-searching, and realized nothing I’m doing is negative, it’s actually super positive. You can change people’s mood in a three-and-a-half minute song. So why not spread positive energy and be funny? Let [the haters] be miserable,” she said.

“The first time someone called me a rapper, I started laughing,” she said. “I was shocked, and thought it was hilarious. But then, Andre 3000 was telling me how he thinks I’m a good rapper. And Wiz, who’s a good friend of mine, thinks I’m a good rapper? Snoop? It’s crazy and funny to me.”

Elizabeth Escalona, the Dallas mother who kicked and beat her 2-year-old daughter and superglued her hands to the wall of their apartment was sentenced to 99 years in prison on Friday.

Texas District Judge Larry Mitchell said at Escalona’s sentencing: “On September 7, 2011, you savagely beat your child to the edge of death. For this you must be punished.”

The 23-year old mother of five pleaded guilty in July to felony injury. However, during her sentencing hearing, Escalona admitted to kicking and beating the toddler.  Reports say, the girl was so badly injured she remained hospitalized in a coma for a week.

Escalona says the beating began after having problems toilet training the child. Police say, she then glued the toddler’s hands to a wall in the family’s apartment with strong-bonding glue. Escalona and her attorney requested a lighter sentence of probation from Judge Mitchell, sighting that Escalona herself was the victim of a bad upbringing who is sorry for what she did and wants to turn her life around.

“This is way too harsh,” Escalona’s attorney told reporters. “She is just a kid. She’s only 23 years old. She’s been a victim all her life.”

After being offered a plea deal of 45 years in prison, Escalona turned it down. Her attorney has plans to appeal. Escalona’s remaining 4 children are now living with relatives.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott mistakenly sent constituents seeking information on a deadly fungal meningitis outbreak to a sex hot line.

The governor was at a Florida Cabinet meeting on Tuesday when he gave out the toll-free hotline’s 866 number. However, he mistakenly mixed up the numbers, according to WUSF News.

The public radio station in Tampa, Florida posted the number online.  A reader later notified the news station that the number was directing callers to a very different service–a sex hotline.

A spokesperson for Scott said he inadvertently — and briefly — released the wrong number, and then corrected it by providing the number for the Florida Fungal Meningitis Hotline.

Courtesy of Vibe Vixen

Solange‘s fashion evolution from plain jane Texan girl to sharp and cutting edge fashionista is hard to deny. The “Losing You”singer has managed to step from behind her famous sister’s shadow to create a style that’s now a fixture at the front row of Fashion Week, on the runway, at events and on the go.

In just a few years, the singer/mom/DJ has managed to land a clothing campaign with Madewell, walk in shows for designers as esteemed as Alberto Ferretti and become the face of Rimmel London.

It’s assumed that Solange would naturally progress to the role of fashion designer; however, she is quick to shut that idea down. “Honestly, I would never do anything like that—there’s so many talented designers that have such a massive skill and have been working on it for so long,” Solange told The Cut.

Continue at Vibe Vixen…

Courtesy of The Root

On Saturday night, “SNL” took on the vice-presidential debate with a little help from Olympian Usain Bolt. The sketch seemed to quote Paul Ryan word for word, while the comedian who played Joe Biden improvised, playing up the Pennsylvania native’s seeming inability to stop smiling. And to cap off the sketch and lambast Ryan’s flubs regarding his marathon-running times, when the vice presidential hopeful says that he won an Olympic medal at the 2012 London games, Bolt appears and hilariously confirms the opposite.

Watch SNL skewer both Biden and Ryan at The Root

By Charles D. Ellison

In political debates, winning is a matter of form and optics. It’s not what a win is, but how it looks. There is no real definition of a debate win. And since many media heads are either too squeamish or too cynical to offer their honest assessment of who won last Thursday night’s Vice Presidential debate, one thing was for certain: most knew who dominated.

This has raised the stakes for President Obama. Post-Danville, problems continue to plague the incumbent. The celebratory all-drinks-on-me mood is short-lived as the second Presidential debate approaches with Obama showing few signs, yet, of being able to fill the ginormous and brazenly political shoes of Joe Biden. He needs optics to change the sense that he’s not into this, a burdensome more than week-old legacy that seems to have put an enormous dent in his re-election effort.

Experts would probably advise that the President should have debate prepped all weekend with his Vice President – something many strategists argue should have happened a long time ago. But, therein lies a growing issue for the President. Denver posed a question beginning to nag numerous voters waiting for November 6th: “If this President constantly needs old White guys from the 20th century to capably explain and articulate his own achievements, why should I vote for him?”

By this time, most voters should have already made their mind up. But, for some reason, the almost mythological “undecided” is vexing many an observer. A gregarious and steely-faced Biden can’t help him with that. It’s something he’s going to have to do all on his own.

With stakes high for Team Obama, the situation went back to being complex for opposing Team Romney which placed high hopes in Veep nominee Paul Ryan. Republicans hoped that Ryan, the celebrated conservative “whiz kid” from Wisconsin, would prevent Democrats from any opportunity at gaining lost ground from a previous week that left progressives in near ruin.

That obviously didn’t happen.
The problem is that if you were to ask any casual observer about the debate, they couldn’t tell you what Ryan said. But, they could wax on and laugh for hours about what Joe Biden said and what he did.

Like a night at the Apollo in a parallel universe, Biden performed. He quickly became the YouTube sensation the Democratic base sought for over a week. From incessant grinning to dramatic sighs, from dismissive head-shakes to growly guffaws, Biden was the Democratic version of Clint Eastwood’s empty chair act – just much more articulate and undoubtedly lethal.

That was the point. We can talk all day about how much Biden’s gleaming white teeth may have looked to struggling middle-class voters who wanted an honest kitchen table discussion. But, the fact is that anyone watching the debate was looking for blood in the water, anyway.

And any day the media cycle talks less about President Obama’s first debate performance is a good day for the White House. A string of days and late night stand-up about Biden offers the Obama campaign the reprieve it needs for re-calibration by the time their boss is on stage for a second meeting with Mitt Romney.

The reason why President Obama picked Biden as a running mate suddenly crystallizes. He is not only the perfect “keep it real” candid No. 2 who tells-it-like-it-is during crucial White House huddles. He is also the perfect weapon of mass distraction, a very seasoned veteran and Washington Jedi who masterfully gives enemies the impression of a senile gaffer while ultimately plotting deadly political comebacks and public deliveries.

Hence, the narrative since last week was no longer what President Obama did not do in Denver. It’s all about what Biden did manage to do in Danville.

Multiple problems now loom for the Romney/Ryan ticket. It will be difficult to establish any solid memorable Ryan one-liners that can capture the national conversation from now until the second Presidential debate. The other problem for Republicans is that Democrats – who were for the most part completely deflated since Denver – are now re-discovering lost enthusiasm to match Republican resurgence.

By arriving to Centre College with what amounted to an ass-whipping-ready baseball bat, Biden also smashed through Ryan’s shield of intellectual invincibility. This was inevitable, but Biden’s technique of cage-matching mixed martial arts exposed it. Weeks leading up to the debate found Ryan barely making it through television interviews once grilled for details on his budget, tax cuts and Medicare. There were signs that the House Budget Committee Chairman despised being challenged.

At some point, this would catch up with him.

Post-debate, Ryan’s reputation on Capitol Hill as untouchable numbers-crunching Wizard of Oz is cracking. With Biden putting his senior card on blast, there were moments where Ryan looked young and out-leagued. There were few opportunities for the Congressman to blend snarky sound bites with high level wonk as Biden continually rattled him in a flurry of nearly flawless surgical cuts.

In effect, the kid from Wisconsin was old-schooled, a classic yard rule to the knuckles, Catholic to Catholic. There was a not-so-gentle hazing quality to it, a long awaited “Welcome to Washington, son” subtlety that was not lost on Ryan as he repeatedly hydrated throughout the entire 90-minutes. It was as if Ryan had just been elected to Congress, as if he hadn’t been in Washington for nearly two decades. Biden seemed comfortable and victorious by whatever standard he set, casting for a remake of “A Few Good Men,” like Jack Nicholson in service browns scolding Tom Cruise about how much he “can’t handle the truth.”

That said, Ryan did manage to slip in a personal jab at Biden, son of Scranton, PA, boldly remarking that the unemployment rate in the Vice President’s hometown is now two points more than it was on Inauguration Day. Joe, irritated but unfazed, seemed to recover. But, it hurt, particularly as it gets replayed on the media game tape. It’s a powerful line that fits like Legos into a persistent and effective mantra about “jobs, jobs, jobs” that Team Romney keeps steam-rolling despite better unemployment numbers last month. Unanswered, it could become Romney/Ryan’s most effective message into November should voters doubt the incumbent’s ability to keep jobless numbers dropping to where they were four years ago. And while Team Romney eagerly spats with Team Obama over Medicare minutiae and an unpopular health care reform law, average voters want simple-speak on what either candidate is going to do about job growth.

There was already a bout-of-the-ages bit of anticipation and hype leading up to the Vice Presidential debate in Danville, Kentucky. However, few knew that it would be as good and entertaining as it got. There was much riding on Joe Biden essentially being “Uncle Joe.” The President has big shoes to fill, with much riding on his ability to shed the urge to stay above the petty fray that is Washington politics. But, he is cut from the Chicago cloth and at some point voters should expect it to kick in.

CHARLES D. ELLISONis a political strategist and widely known expert on politics, campaigns, crisis communications and media based in Washington, D.C.  He is Washington Correspondent for The Philadelphia Tribune and Host of “Showdown 2012” on SiriusXM satellite radio POTUS Channel 124 every Thursday 7-9pm ET.  He can be found at cdellison.com or reached on Twitter @charlesdellison

Contrary to various media reports, Bobbi Kristina Brown and adopted brother/family friend/boy toy Nick Gordon are not engaged, says a rep for the budding 19-year-old actress.

Related: Coupled Up: Bobbi Kristina & Nick Gordon’s Weird Relationship Will Play Out On TV

Last week, the official trailer for The Houstons: On Our Own hit the web leading many to believe that the relationship between Brown and Gordon was far more serious than expected. In a scene from the upcoming docu-series, Brown can be heard exclaiming, “we’re engaged” while sitting down to eat with her family.

But a spokesperson for Brown has cleared up the rumor by denying the engagement, while adding, “You have to watch the show!!!!”

Related: Jennifer Hudson, Usher & More Show Out During The Grammy’s Salute To Whitney Houston [PHOTOS]

On Our Own will premiere Oct. 24 at 9 p.m. on Lifetime.

Source

Kids might have playgrounds, but grownups have lounges–sleek, stylish spots to sip cocktails, listen to music, and mingle with attractive, well-dressed people. The next time you’ve had it up to here with work and need a place to unwind, why not choose to be surrounded by a crowd as grown and sexy as you are?

Read on for UPTOWN’s round up of the country’s sexiest lounges.

By Shonitria Anthony

It’s almost that time of year when the weather outside is frightful, but never fear because the holiday tunes are always delightful.

Motown R&B artist KEM puts a soulful spin on Christmas classics with his first holiday album titled, What Christmas Means. It features five original tracks and five covers of traditional holiday songs. Songs on the album, such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “A Christmas Song For You,” are very true to the smooth and soulful sound of the Detroit crooner. This will be the fourth album from the Billboard Music Award-winning singer, who recently wrapped up his sold-out Intimacy Tour that featured special guests Musiq Soulchild and Ledisi.

It’s our prediction that on cold winter nights this album paired with a cup of hot chocolate and a wood burning fireplace will be nothing short of a match made in heaven. Christmas has definitely come early, as What Christmas Means will be released tomorrow, October 16! You can also pre-order it now at Amazon.com. For those who can’t wait, you can listen to a sneak peek of tracks from the album on KEM’s Facebook page.

Back in September, President Obama noted that he and Jay-Z could bond over a few similarities such as their young daughters and popular wives. But the fast friends also seem to share something far greater: hope for America’s future.

Related: Pres. Obama Thanks Jay-Z And Beyonce For Friendship, Trio Raises $4M For Campaign [PHOTOS]

In a new video entitled ”The Power of Our Voice,” the Blueprint rapper stresses the importance of voting and collectively coming together to make our voices heard.

“For so long, there was this voice that was silenced out there as far as exercising your right to vote. I think it was a voice that was silent because people had lost hope. They didn’t believe that their voice mattered or counted,” Jay-Z said.

Related: Forward: A Who’s Who Of Celebrities On The Obama Campaign Trail [PHOTOS]

He continued, “Now, people are exercising their right and you are starting to see te power of our vote. [Obama] made it mean something for the first time for a lot of people. Having someone in office who understands how powerful our voice can be is very important.”

UPTOWN tapped the newest edition to BET’s original programming line-up, T.J. Holmes, to be the cover star of the Oct/Nov issue. We outfitted the “Don’t Sleep” host in men’s separates quite different from the suits most hosts don on TV. UPTOWN‘s cameras were also on-hand to capture a video of Holmes’ favorite places to eat, sleep, and play while he’s away from the camera’s lens. And also be sure to check out the cover story with T.J. Holmes tomorrow!

Courtesy of EURweb

Since the Johnson’s sold BET to the wolves, the network has taken on a new look, new theme, and a new direction. And neither side seems very happy about it.

Sheila Johnson, co-founder of the black network, gave BET a piece of her mind before, and she did it again, recently.

Related: BET Has NOT Redeemed Itself

She was the speaker at the “Conversations and Encounters” program at the Carmel Art and Film Festival in Monterey County, Calif. this weekend.

She shared her story about the successes and life achievements both she and her husband built together over the years, expressing that she is most proud of BET’s Teen Summit, which ran from 1989 to 2002.

But her moment of admitted accomplishments quickly turned to what appeared to be disappointment and built up anger; claiming that her product now ”reinforces negative stereotypes of young people, African Americans in particular.”

And you know it didn’t end there.

Continue at EURweb…

Courtesy of Hello Beautiful

Buzz. My phone lit up almost as bright as my smile, beside my desk and it was him–Lance–the perfectly sculpted model (yes, you read that right) that introduced himself to me on the subway a week ago. I snatched my phone up from my desk, anxious to see what the text said and I agonized over the perfect phrase to respond with.

Continue reading at Hello Beautiful

[Image via Shutterstock]

by Tomika Anderson | Photography by Adam Fedderly | Styling by Billie Causieestko

Loutelious “T.J.” Holmes and his wife, Marilee, move decisively through a maze of Asian inspired small plates as the sun begins to dip over New York City’s Central Park. It’s just after 5 on a humid September evening, dinnertime at the Holmes’ home-away-from-home: the luxurious Jumeirah Essex House just off Fifth Avenue, where the couple lives during the week. (Rare BlackBerry-free weekends are spent golfing near the couple’s cavernous home inside Atlanta’s city limits.)

Holmes—finally breathing easily inside the stately South Gate restaurant following a sardine-can-packed day of meetings and conference calls—pushes away his yellow fin tuna tacos, smiling knowingly at his partner of two years before excusing himself from the table.

They’re accustomed to family dinners being interrupted, though not always for something as glamorous as an interview.

RELATED: Behind the Scenes at the TJ Holmes Cover Shoot.

The former Marilee Fiebig, who goes by “MrsTJHolmes” on Twitter—is a business immigration attorney who pulls long hours at a top law firm in Atlanta. And her semi-famous husband— who, until last December, was one of the most recognizable black faces on CNN—is working round the clock to help lock in guests, finalize show rundowns, and secure as much press as possible for his new late-night TV show on BET before its October debut.

“We launched a bus tour during the Republican National Convention,” the self-assured yet lowkey talking head said of his street team’s election-season hustle to get the word out on Don’t Sleep! He compares the slyly named series to HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher, but “with my credibility, journalistic background, personality, and black sensibility.”

Holmes was actually in Tampa that day when two white male attendees of the Convention taunted a black female employee of CNN, throwing peanuts at her, sneering, “This is how we feed animals.” While Holmes won’t divulge which political party he checks off in the polling booth, he refuses to diss Republicans for an incident many deemed reflective of the party’s overall stance toward blacks.

“It was incredibly unfortunate there were a couple of idiots in the crowd,” Holmes says weeks later, while sipping on an Amstel Light, casually clad in his favorite work uniform—crisp white V-neck tee, stylishly shredded blue jeans, black leather flip-flops, and a gleaming silver Breitling watch. “You hate when something like that happens because it takes away from what the party is trying to do. Yeah, they have some problems with perception, but I would never want anyone to disqualify an entire party or hold that against every Republican out there because of a few bad apples,” he insists.

So will this Switzerland-neutral-type position Holmes embraces go over well with the predictably pro-Obama black viewership he’ll face this fall? Maybe not, but he’s crossing his fingers. “I’m not going to take that kind of opinionated political left or right position,” warns the 35-year-old West Memphis, Ark. native, who was born on the same day as that other famous guy from “the Natural State,” Bill Clinton. “I love to talk to folks who are engaged, and who I may even disagree with, but we can be passionate about what we’re talking about and still respect each other. I think that is so lacking in our discourse in this country. We’ve gotten to a point now that we can’t disagree,” Holmes says shaking his head. “It’s not ‘I’m right and you’re wrong.’ It’s ‘I’m right, you’re wrong, your mama’s ugly, I hope you get a flat on the way to work and I hope you get fired.’ We hate each other. People jump on social media and say whatever they want to.”

He should know. Back in August Holmes found himself coming under Twitter fire from black folks as he reported live from the RNC after Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s wife, Ann Romney, was speaking. “It’s not that I was saying anything complimentary or supporting her husband’s position,” he recalls. “But just the fact that I was not criticizing her and dogging her, people were jumping on my shit like, ‘What’s wrong with you? How are you supporting this Stepford wife?’ That’s what politics has become.”

It’s completely new territory for the on-air heartthrob— who rose to fame as a primarily “just the facts, sir” talking head for Turner Broadcasting— covering the Joplin, Mo., tornadoes in 2011; the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in New Orleans in 2010; and the 2007 mass shootings on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Va. Not that he didn’t have an opinion back then.

He then manned CNN’s Saturday and Sunday mornings for four years on CNN Newsroom alongside fellow news anchor Betty Nguyen, until she took a job at CBS in 2010. The show’s ratings soared when he took over as solo newscaster for the program before stepping down on Christmas Day 2011. His experience in the spotlight whet the award-winning journalist’s appetite for primetime weekday exposure—something he says, quite frankly, CNN did not move fast enough to give him.

“CNN—the stories I covered over there—domestically, internationally, all of it—that experience was invaluable,” Holmes begins cautiously, giving credit to his former employer for recognizing his talent and scooping him up from NBC affiliate KNTV in 2006. “But it’s been a long, ongoing public battle to some degree, and source of contention between the people who are on-air, the networks, and others who have criticized [the networks’] lack of diversity,” he says.

“Why is it that we can’t get those primetime jobs?”asks Bob Butler, VP Broadcast of the National Association of Black Journalists. “I know what these companies say. The say their personnel decisions are ratings driven. But what they’re really saying is we’re not going to put a person of color on the air because they’re not going to succeed. And I don’t know how you can say that if you’ve never tried it.”

“When I left CNN in December of last year they aired programming from 5 a.m. to midnight every single day, Monday through Friday. In all of those shows there was one person of color anchoring a show at 11 a.m.,” says Holmes. “You turn on the weekends—Saturday and Sunday—and there’s the morning shift I was on, the afternoon CNN Newsroom and the evening CNN Newsroom. Three African-American anchors on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Now you can make your own guess as to why that was, you can call it just a coincidence, you can say we all sucked and weren’t as good as those people Monday through Friday—whatever your opinion may be,” Holmes says crisply.

“But the onus was not on them to put me in a different spot—the onus has to be on me to look at the landscape, see what’s happening, think about my real options at a network that is, frankly, not known for a lot of diversity Monday through Friday. So in that regard it was not too difficult of a decision to leave.”

CNN eventually did offer him at least close to what he’d been wanting all those years—but only after he’d packed his bags and was headed for the door.

“I’m not sure I’ve officially said this to anybody before, but right before I left, and they saw I was for real about leaving, CNN did offer me a Monday through Friday show,” he revealed. “It wasn’t primetime, but it was still a Monday through Friday show,” said Holmes. “So unlike what I hear some folks saying, I didn’t just take this new gig because I didn’t have any other options, and I didn’t want to go back to weekends. No, this new show is actually something I believe in doing.”

It certainly helps that BET offered Holmes carte blanche: Don’t Sleep!, which will air four nights a week in the 11 p.m. slot, is just part of a multiyear, multiplatform deal the newsman signed with the network before the ink on his exit paperwork for CNN had dried.

He’s in an enviable position: As the only marquee name in the network’s news division, Holmes is now literally the face of BET politics during this critical presidential election cycle. He’s been given real estate on the network’s Web site; he’s already popped up on the network’s No. 1 show 106 & Park, moderating a discussion about racial profiling (a topic he made news for himself back in July when he was pulled over by cops a mile away from his Atlanta home); and will obviously be the go-to anchor for any and all news-related BET specials. There’s no question, for example, that if President Obama stops by BET before November 11, Holmes will get the interview—not a bad transition for a guy once relegated to the sidelines of network television news.

BET’s president of Music Programming and Specials Stephen Hill said he’d had his eye on the award-winning anchor for years. It’s a big deal for the self-branded entertainment portal—Holmes is the first hard-news show the network has invested in since it dismantled its BET News division in late 2009.

“I kept asking him when his contract with CNN expired,” jokes Hill recalling his first meeting with Holmes after he watched him emcee a breakfast sponsored by the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications in Washington a few years back. “He was masterful,” Hill remembers. “He took a congressman to task for not reading a tax bill, but he did it in such a way that didn’t offend folks. There’s a skill to being able to make fun of a person and have them laugh, too, because it’s all good-natured. Basically he did everything in that breakfast that I envisioned him doing on television.

“Don’t Sleep! is a show that has been rattling around in our collective brains for the past seven years or so,” continues Hill. “And T.J. is a perfect choice as host. He’s confident, cool, smart, funny, and clever—all the best ingredients.”

Though Holmes is careful not to give too much away (“Let’s just say we might have the Speaker of the House on one night sitting next to Chris Rock sitting next to someone you’ve never heard of,” he teases), he will say his biggest ambition— besides providing smart, biting social commentary on significant issues important to African- Americans—is to mentor the generation behind him, encouraging them to vote, no matter who it’s for.

“I want to lead by example at a network where I have the most number of young black people watching,” says Holmes, the father of a boy and girl from a previous marriage. “I would never, ever tell you who I’m voting for, but I can tell you right now that I’m supportive of President Obama. I was supportive of George W. Bush. I was supportive of President Clinton,” he adds. “I will be supportive of whoever is in the White House because that is my president and I want him to have a good day every single day he goes to work. We have to make sure young people get as excited about politics as the older ones.”

With the next phase of his career firmly on course, Holmes, who sports a block-lettered Roman numerical tattoo of the date March 3 on his wrist—his wedding day—jokes that his only concern now is to make sure Marilee (who has the same tattoo in the same place) doesn’t face the same throngs of female groupies in New York that they sometimes encounter in Atlanta.

“You would not believe some of the women!” he says of his numerous run-ins, including one such incident when a fan literally pushed his wife out of the way to get closer to him. “It was a difficult decision to move to New York because we love Atlanta so much,” he says seriously. “We went back and forth about it,” he says of his love, with whom he was serendipitously set up on a lunch date. “But I just couldn’t imagine not taking advantage of this opportunity. I couldn’t imagine not doing this show. I would just have too many regrets.”

Courtesy of the Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — All the single ladies will be watching the upcoming Super Bowl along with football lovers. That’s because Beyonce is the halftime show performer.

A source familiar with Super Bowl XLVII told The Associated Press the Grammy-winning diva will take the stage at the halftime show on Feb. 3, 2013, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because that person wasn’t authorized to publicly reveal the information.

Over the past year, it’s been damn near impossible to escape Rihanna‘s hard-pounding hit “We Found Love” featuring Scottish DJ Calvin Harris. From the club, to your car and even your local supermarket, the certified smash dominated the airwaves. But Leona Lewis says she recorded the single first– and better.

The British singer/songwriter recently revealed to the Daily Star that “We Found Love” was originally her song, but passed on it for another lead single.

“It was the same version and production but mine’s better,” she said. “There are so many songs I’ve recorded, only to hear other people singing them. It happens all the time.”

And Lewis is correct.

Through the years, tons of artists have overlooked potential hits only for them to be picked up by other performers and spun into music gold. Unfortunately for Lewis, “We Found Love” might have cost her one of the biggest selling singles of all time. 6.3 million copies (to be exact).

Check out eight more chart-toppers that were written for other artists!

“How Will I Know” for Janet Jackson, given to Whitney Houston.

Jackson’s management passed on the upbeat tune that made its way up the Billboard charts.

“Umbrella” for Britney Spears, offered to Mary J. Blige but given to Rihanna.

Britney could have totally pulled it off. Mary…not so much. But Rihanna’s recording? Perfection.

“Bad” a duet between Michael Jackson and Prince, given to Jackson.

There was only room for one legendary voice.

“…Baby One More Time” for TLC, given to Britney Spears.

The popular ’90s girl group passed on the monster hit that launched the career of the bubble gum pop star.

“What’s Love Got To Do With It?” for Donna Summer, given to Tina Turner.

After years of abuse and a divorce from Ike Turner, the ’80s hit only seemed right.

“Halo” for Leona Lewis, given to Beyonce.

Once again, Lewis missed the boat.

“Rock Your Body” for Michael Jackson, given to Justin Timberlake.

The song was meant for Jackson’s comeback album Invincible, but didn’t make the cut.

“Milkshake” for Britney Spears, given to Kelis.

Spears’ milkshake was supposed to bring all the boys to the yard.

Tyler Perry attends the premiere of Alex Cross at the Arclight Theater in LA on Oct. 15. Photo: INFPhoto.com

50 Cent hits up a signing at Virgin Megastore at Champs Elysees in Paris on Oct. 15. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Jennifer Lopez and her side-piece Casper Smart take her daughter Emme Anthony shopping in Paris on Oct. 15. One question: Where’s Max? Photo: INFPhoto.com

Leona Lewis does her best “I Dream of Jeannie” impersonation while signing copies of her album Glassheart at HMV Oxford Street in London on Oct. 15. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Reggie Bush and his pregnant girlfriend Lilit Avagyan watch their footing while leaving Prime Italian restaurant in Miami Beach on Oct. 14. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Bobbi Kristina and her beau Nick Gordon jumped into action to help a sick man who collapsed in an Alpharetta, Georgia parking lot on Oct. 13. Photo: INFPhoto.com

RELATED: Coupled Up: Bobbi Kristina & Nick Gordon’s Weird Relationship Will Play Out On TV

Swizz Beatz flies commercial on Oct. 9 because he says he’ll go broke if he flew in a private jet everyday. Photo: TheRealSwizzz Instagram

Mitt Romney supporter Stacey Dash leaves CNN studios in NYC after appearing on “Piers Morgan” on Oct. 9. Photo: Alequin/Bosch/INFphoto.com

RELATED: Stacey Dash Defends Romney Endorsement On ‘Piers Morgan Tonight’ [VIDEO]

LeBron James gives Kanye West a shout-out for stopping by his sneaker and clothing store Unknown in Miami on Oct. 8. Photo: KingJames Instagram

Nicole Scherzinger heads into Nobu restaurant in London on Oct. 8. Photo: INFphoto.com

Kim Kardashian wants us all to know that sometimes she stays in her pajamas when the rest of the world is out really earning a living on Oct. 8. Photo: KimKardashian Instagram

Chris Brown tries to show his “sensitive side” by posing on the roof of a building on Oct. 7. Photo: FuckYoPictures Instagram

RELATED: Chris Brown Explains Loving Rihanna And Karrueche At The Same Time [VIDEO]

Bow Wow shows his colors for a Beats By Dre photoshoot on Oct. 6. Photo: BeatsByDre Instagram

Jennifer Lopez drops it low for the German TV show, “Wetten Dass..??,” on Oct. 6 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Photo: INFphoto.com

Keke Palmer leaves Sirius Radio in New York City on October 3. Credit: Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com

Rihanna, sporting a sexy pair of Christian Louboutin thigh high boots, slinks away from her NYC hotel, shortly after Chris Brown reportedly visited her there on October 2. Credit: Alequin/Bosch/INFphoto.com

Halle Berry and daughter Nahla are getting into the Halloween spirit in Hollywood, CA on October 2. Credit: Andra Viak/INFphoto.com

Instead of food shopping, John Legend (fried chicken master) and fiancee Chrissy Teigen (model/cooking school-student) do some clothes shopping  at Fred Segal in Hollywood on October 2. Credit: Merino/INFphoto.com.

Angie Martinez was in Brooklyn talking that talk with pals Beyonce, Queen Latifah, Taraji P. Henson. “The girl talk @theBarclay was real! @theRealTaraji @iamqueenlatifah & B!” Credit: @angiemartinez/ @kodaklens

M.I.A. goes incognito for the Stella McCartney spring 2013 show during Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 1. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Snoop Lion runs into a fan while satisfying his 3 a.m. munchies craving on Sept. 29. Photo: Instagram

Mehcad Brooks attends the 2012 Environmental Media Awards at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif. on Sept. 29. Photo: Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com

RELATED: Coupled Up: Zoe Saldana Gets Some More Bradley Cooper Lovin’

Tracee Ellis Ross counts down the launch of TraceeEllisRoss.com on October 1. Photo: Instagram

Kanye West and his leather pants make another star-studded appearance together. This time at the Christian Dior spring 2013 show during Paris Fashion Week on Sept. 28. Photo: INFPhoto.com

On Sept. 27, a photo of an 18-year-old Michelle Obama surfaced after the Princeton Alumni Weekly published “Mrs. Obama goes to Washington.”

Smokey Robinson and Aretha Franklin attend the Broadway premiere of Motown: The Musical in NYC on Sept. 27. Photo: Walter McBride/INFphoto.com

Rosario Dawson and Tara Smith launch Tara Smith Vegan Haircare at Marks and Spencer in London on Sept. 27. Photo: Famous/ACE/INFphoto.com

Christina Milian goes Cali-glam for a shopping excursion at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills on Sept. 26. HMO/INFphoto.com

President Barack Obama joins Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative meeting in NYC on Sept. 25. Photo: Kristin Callahan/ACE/INFphoto.com

A sexy Paula Patton takes strong strides while out and about in Hollywood on Sept. 25. Photo: Brooks/INFphoto.com

Chris Paul is joined by his wife Jada, singer Miguel, and Nazanin Mandi at the celebration for his October GQ cover, which he shares with Denzel Washington and Javier Bardem, at The Sayer’s Club in L.A. on Sept. 24. Photo: Michael Kovak / Wire Image

RELATED: Like Fine Wine: Denzel Washington Covers GQ’s Style Playbook [PHOTOS]

Ballers Matt Barnes, Canon Butler, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin, and Willie Green helped Chris Paul celebrate his October GQ cover at The Sayer’s Club in L.A. on Sept. 24. Photo: Michael Kovak / Wire Image

RELATED: The Sexiest NBA Ballers On The Court

Rosie Perez and Viola Davis attend the premiere of Won’t Back Down at the Ziegfeld Theater in NYC on Sept. 23. Photo: Kristin Callahan/ACE/INFphoto.com

Carmelo and LaLa Vasquez Anthony spend a night out in NYC with Swizz Beatz and an unidentified man on Sept. 23. Photo: Dario Alequin/INFphoto.com

Looking like a mature version of her What’s the 411? self, Mary J. Blige hits up the iHeart Radio Music Festival at MGM Grand Resort in Las Vegas on Sept. 21. Photo: INFphoto.com

Kim Kardashian wears a Mary Katrantzou body-conscious dress to a Quick Trim Event at Silk Road in Melbourne on Sept. 20. Photo: INFphoto.com

A.J. Calloway interviews Cedric the Entertainer for “Extra!” on Sept. 19 in NYC. Photo: Guillermo Bosch/INFphoto.com

John Leguizamo mean mugs more than kicks ass on the set of Kick Ass 2 in Toronto on Sept. 19. Photo: O’Neill/White/INFphoto.com

Nicki Minaj uses her “band leader” styling to tell her fellow “American Idol” judges that she’s leading the show as she heads into day two of taping the new season in NYC on Sept. 17. Photo: Dario Alequin/INFphoto.com

Practice makes perfect for Alicia Keys as she poses in the dance studio: “Rehearsal time!!! I’m a tigress for these up coming shows!!!! Grrrrrrr!!!!” Via: @aliciakeys

Rosario Dawson spreads peace as she heads into Sunshine Theatre on Houston St. in NYC for a fan Q&A for her movie 10 Years on Sept. 16. Photo: Dario Alequin/INFphoto.com

Lee Daniels confidently strides into the premiere of his film Paperboy during the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 14. Photo: Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com

Cornrows and a new cross tattoo as shared by Ms. Kelly Rowland on Sept. 13.” Via @kellyrowland

Andre Leon Talley leaves the Calvin Klein show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week on Sept. 13. Something tells us that his caftan is one of a kind and wasn’t featured in the show. Photo: INF

Tyra Banks waves goodbye to her haters as she struts into a fashion show during New York Fashion Week on Sept. 12. Photo: INF

Kim Kardashian dons a shaggy jacket and Kanye West opts for denim-on-denim for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week on Sept. 12. Photo: INF

With a megawatt smile, Paula Patton arrives at Holt Renfrew to promote Disconnect, with Jason Bateman, during the Toronto International Film Festival. Photo: INF

A model can’t walk every show; sometimes she’s just got to sit front row. Check out Jessica White as she struts into the Alice + Olivia show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC on Sept. 10. Photo: INF

Rihanna takes styling cues from Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall in Coming to America as she heads to Heathrow Airport in London on Sept. 10. Photo: INF

Songbird Estelle gets her very first tattoo (“DO – Divinely Orchestrated”) on Sept. 10 from @bigstevenyc (via @estelledarlings)

Note to Chris Brown and Rihanna: less is more.

Artiste extraordinaire Swizz Beatz ‘wines’ down in the studio on Sept. 11 ‏

“In my studio Zone with opus1 08 :) bang out time…..” (via  @THEREALSWIZZZ)

Hot mama Taraji P. Henson celebrates her birthday on Sept. 10 with a few tweeps and peeps.

“RT @sueannhan: Celebrating @therealtaraji @tarajiphenson ‘s bday & waiting 4 the Queen @maryjblige to take the stage. (via @TherealTaraji)”

Will, Willow, Jaden, and Jada Pinkett Smith arrive for the premiere of Free Angela & All Political Prisoners at the Toronto Film Festival on Sept. 9. Photo: INF

Even though she’s the youngest of the bunch, which also includes mom Kimora Lee, dad Russell Simmons, and sister Ming Lee Simmons, Aoki Lee Simmons knows the paps are always snapping, especially during Mercedez Benz Fashion Week in NYC, on Sept. 8. Photo: INF

Alicia Keys literally Stands Up 2 Cancer while arriving to an event for the organization on Sept. 7. Photo: INF

Mariah Carey hits the stage during the NFL Opening Kickoff at Rockefeller Plaza in NYC on Sept. 5. Photo: Amanda Schwab/Startraks

Just when you thought Rihanna had rocked every hairstyle imaginable, she shows off a new pixie cut while attending a dress rehearsal for the MTV Video Music Awards in L.A. on Sept. 5. Photo: Credit: X17online

RELATED: MTV VMA Flashback: Lil Kim’s Mermaid Pasty, Lenny Kravitz’s Space Suit & More [PHOTOS]

Kim Kardashian gives us side-boob, cleavage, butt profile, and exposed back all with one dress at the opening of a Brian Atwood store in NYC on Sept. 5. Photo: David X Prutting/BFAnyc/Sipa

Lauryn Hill leaves the funeral for Chris Lighty at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel on Madison in Manhattan on Sept. 5.

RELATED: Hip-Hop Heavyweights Pay Respects To Chris Lighty

Sofia Vergara sports a prosthetic pregnant belly for her role on “Modern Family” on Sept. 5 in L.A. Photo: Pacific Coast News

President Barack Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha watch, from the White House, First Lady Michelle Obama deliver her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte on Sept. 4.

Terrence J announces his move to “E! News” on the set of the celebrity-driven news show with fellow anchor Giuliana Rancic on Sept. 4.

RELATED: Terrence J Announces His Big Move

Romany Malco celebrates the 100th episode of “Weeds” with co-star Mary-Louise Parker on Sept. 3.

Tamar Braxton proves she really does deserve that solo album by killing the “Star Spangled Banner” at the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic in Washington, D.C. over the Labor Day weekend.

Beyonce and Jay-Z shoot the breeze with director Ron Howard, who was shooting a documentary about the Budweiser Made in America music festival, in Philadelphia during the two-day celebration on Sept. 1. No word on why Beyonce is squatting for no apparent reason. Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Salma Hayek and her 4-year-old daughter Valentina jet to the Venice Film Festival on Aug. 31. Photo: Jacopo Raule/FilmMagic

Singer Rita Ora rocks a gold frock to London’s ITV Studios on Aug. 30.

Nicole Richie launches her first fragrance, appropriately named Nicole, at Macy’s in Glendale, Calif. on Aug. 29. Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

Alicia Keys and son Egypt leave the ITV Southbank studios in London on Aug. 28. Photo: INFphoto.com

Jordin Sparks looks gorgeous in a white minidress while performing at the U.S. Open on Aug. 27.

On Aug. 28, Paris Jackson enjoys a birthday tribute for her late father Michael Jackson, who would have turned 54 on Aug. 29, in Gary, Ind. Photo: Michael Hickey/WireImage

RELATED: Happy 54th Birthday Michael Jackson! [PHOTOS]

Rihanna struts our of her London hotel. Photo: Splash News Online

Halle Berry heads to the movies with daughter Nahla on Aug. 25. Photo: FameFlynet

Kourtney Kardashian and her “little man” Mason Disick go for a walk on Aug. 23. Photo: AKM-GSI

Oprah hits up a Framingham, Mass. Bed Bath & Beyond, in order to take three girls shopping for dorm room accessories on Aug. 23. Photo: Splash News Online

Looking quite wind-blown, Rihanna is out and about in L.A. on Aug. 22. Photo: AKM-GSI

Tyra Banks gets in bed with new ANTM judges Kelly Cutrone and Rob Evans to celebrate the premiere of the model competition show in NYC on Aug. 22. Photo: Craig Barritt/Getty

Christina Milian hits up the studio with Lil Wayne and Mack Maine, members of her new Young Money family, in Miami on Aug. 22. Photo: Instagram

Eva Mendes stands guard with her dog Hugo in West Hollywood on Aug. 20. Photo: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Mariah Carey looks very low-key on the set of The Butler in New Orleans on Aug. 20. Photo: FameFlynet

First Lady Michelle Obama greets the attendees of the first-ever Kids State Dinner at the White House on Aug. 20. Photo: Olivier Douliery/ABACA

Wearing her best beachwear, Halle Berry goes shopping with fiance Olivier Martinez in L.A. on Aug. 19. Photo: INF

Nick Cannon lends his support to the Do Something Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. on Aug. 19. Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty

Jennifer Hudson films a scene from Smash in NYC on Aug. 17. Photo: X17online

Nicole Richie arrives at Virgin’s Sunset Strip Music Festival VIP party at SkyBar in West Hollywood on Aug. 17. Photo: Splash News Online

Jordin Sparks shares a moment with Bobbi Kristina and her boyfriend Nick Gordon after the Hollywood screening of Sparkle on Aug. 17. Photo: Eric Charbonneau/WireImage

Talk about an awkward moment! Jaguar tapped Jane Krakowski; Tracy Morgan, who has made homophobic jokes; and Johnny Weir, who came out publicly after achieving figure skating fame, for Jaguar’s Chill Event on Aug. 17 in NYC. Photo: Amanda Schwab/Startraks

Camila Alves, who is pregnant with her third child, takes hold of her tots, Levi, 4, and Vida, 2, after leaving a doctor’s appointment in Santa Monica, Calif. on Aug. 16. Photo: AKM-GSI

Gabby Douglas does the red carpet just as well as the uneven bars while attending a post-show event for “America’s Got Talent” on Aug. 15.

Camila Alves shows off her pregnancy curves at the Nylon Guys party in Santa Monica on Aug. 15.

Viola Davis looks beautiful in a white sheath dress while attending the Teachers Rock benefit in L.A. on Aug. 15.

Rihanna arrives at Tokyo Narita airport on Aug. 15 to perform in Japan over the weekend.

Jordin Sparks rocks a fiery peplum ensemble to the premiere of Sparkle in NYC on Aug. 14.

Kelly Rowland attends the David Jones 2012/13 season launch in Sydney on Aug. 14.

Halle Berry looks a little sauced after celebrating her birthday at Little Door club with fiance Olivier Martinez, Salma Hayek, and Francois-Henri Pinault on Aug. 14.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Gabby Douglas share some laughs with Jay Leno on his late-night talk show on  Aug. 13.

Soon-to-be parents Tamera Mowry-Housley and Adam Housley are positively glowing at their baby shower, where she also threw him an impromptu birthday celebration on Aug. 12.

Jennifer Hudson mismatches a pair of studded loafers with a pink mini dress while attending Apollo in the Hamptons event in East Hampton, N.Y. on Aug. 11.

Kerry Washington strikes a pose in a fun Dior frock while attending the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills on Aug. 9.

Khloe Kardashian-Odom dons a leather dress to celebrate InStyle magazine at a party in California on Aug. 9.

Ciara and photographer Yu Tsai share a photo on Instagram on Aug. 9.

Olympian Allyson Felix celebrates after winning the gold medal for the 200-meter race on Aug. 8. Photo: Getty Images

RELATED: Olympic Runner Allyson Felix Finally Wins Gold In The 200-Meter Race

Tyra wears a slinky dress to The Cinema Society special screening of 2 Days in New York at Landmark Sunshine Cinema in NYC on Aug. 8. Photo: Getty Images

Brandy performs at the MDA Show of Strength held at CBS Television City in L.A. on Aug 8. Photo: Getty Images

RELATED: Brandy’s Comeback Begins

Estelle poses with manager Kevin Liles at Rosa Regale’s “Wonderful Life” performance series, during which the singer gave an intimate performance, at The Darby in NYC on Aug. 7.

Kim Kardashian photographs her favorite subject while wearing a pair of Celine leather sweats, a Helmut Lang top, and $6,0000 Guiseppe Zanotti booties designed by Kanye West on Aug. 7.

Spike Lee gives us a wry smile as he poses with his wife Tonya Lewis Lee and their children at the premiere for his film Red Hook Summer on Aug. 6 in NYC.

Harry Belafonte poses with his Life Achievement Award at the 65th Locarno Film Festival in Locarno, Switzerland on Aug. 6. Photo: Getty Images

RELATED: Belafonte: Jay-Z, Beyonce ‘Turned Their Back on Social Responsibility’

Lance Gross hits up 2 Chainz‘s listening party at Tree Sound Studios in Norcross, GA on Aug. 6.

Drake and guest Nicki Minaj rock the stage at Toronto’s third annual OVO Fest at Molson Amphitheater on Aug. 5.

Someone actually hired Joseline Hernandez of “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” to host a party at Atlanta’s Mansion Elan on Aug. 4. Of course her side-kick Stevie J. was there too.

Robert Townsend, Melanie Fiona, and Laz Alonso on August 3rd at the Studio Museum of Harlem where Alonso was announced as the new travel ambassador of BlackAtlas.com.

U.S. Olympic swimmer Lauren Perdue poses with fellow Olympian Lebron James in an Instagram. She started a firestorm after tweeting that Lebron had asked her to dinner, which really turned out to be an invitation to the dining hall.

Ray J poses with his new boss Rickey Smiley, who will star in a TV One sitcom loosely based on his life alongside Ray J, on Aug. 1 at the Beverly Hilton, the same hotel in which Ray J’s former lover Whitney Houston died.