Alicia Keys is scheduled to perform the national anthem at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans on Feb. 3, according to the Associated Press.

An anonymous source close to the event’s entertainment planning confirmed the performance on Friday, although the NFL has yet to make the official announcement.

The addition of Keys only builds the anticipation surrounding the big game. In October, the league announced that Beyonce would take the stage during the halftime show and it is reported she will be joined by fellow Destiny’s Child members, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.

Of course, none of this is to be overshadowed by the football. This year’s Super Bowl teams will be determined on Sunday, when the 49s play the Falcons, and the Ravens go head-to-head with the Patriots.

Courtesy of EBONY.com

“A man was shot dead outside a Hollywood nightclub early Sunday morning in the throes of a massive brawl… and our photog captured it all.”

That’s how TMZ describes its graphic footage of 19-year-old Andre Lowe being shot and killed just four days ago. Andre’s family, meanwhile, is devastated – and having video of Andre’s murder online, replete with nearly 1,000 comments (many of which are pretty vicious) from TMZ users, makes grieving in peace practically impossible.

After four days of desperately trying to get TMZ to take down the footage, Jason Andrews, one of Andre’s uncles, launched a Change.org petition asking TMZ to remove the video and apologize to his family.

Continue at EBONY.com…

The post Family of Murdered LA Boy Begs TMZ to Pull Graphic Video of Shooting appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Veteran femcee MC Lyte will be honored for her incredible accomplishments throughout the hip-hop world at Russell Simmons‘ 2013 Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball.

Related: Star Clique

The 42-year-old multi-talent will be highlighted as a trailblazing lyricist and noted for her unselfish work in giving back to the industry.

“It has been my desire to expand the influence of female emcees and now that time has arrived,” MC Lyte said in a statement. “My company, Sunni Gyrl, has been in existence for over fifteen years and together with my charity, Hip Hop Sisters Foundation, I am committed to giving back and to aggressively expanding opportunities for female emcees and for other artist who wish to leverage my diversity, success, and leadership in the entertainment industry.”

This year’s ball will also celebrate the achievements of Swizz Beatz, John Legend, 2 Chainz, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Doug E. Fresh and more.

Special guests will include Brandy, Lance Gross, Raheem Devaughn, Rosario Dawson, Kevin Liles, Eva Longoria and others, as La La Anthony and Terrence J serve as hosts.

The black-tie event is set to take place at the Harman Center for the Arts in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 20.

The post MC Lyte, John Legend, 2 Chainz & More To Be Honored At Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

It’s that time of year again — UPTOWN has released its 2013 Weddings & Travel issue. From “The Planning Stage” section to “The Big Day,” we have all the details to help you plan a lavish and fun ceremony and reception. Be sure to check out the gowns in “Era of Elegance,” which features old world glamour with a new edge. And even though it’s a big day, everything doesn’t have to be perfect — just peep “Haute Mess,” a collection of wedding day hairstyles that are perfectly imperfect. And since weddings and travel go hand-in-hand, our excursions to St. Lucia, Shanghai, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico will have you salivating for a spring jaunt. Keep clicking for a photo tease of the 2013 UPTOWN Weddings & Travel issue, which is on newsstands now!

“Django Unchained” producers finally put an end to creating slave action-figures based on the controversial, Oscar-nominated film.

According to Reuters, “The eight-inch (20 cm) dolls, which were intended for people 17 and older, included gun-slinging freed slave Django, his wife and cruel, white plantation owner Candie.”

“Django Unchained” was hit with harsh criticism from Hollywood heavy-weights and moviegoers, alike, for graphically portraying and making light of the institution of slavery. Yet, the film still managed to pull five Oscar nods, including Best Picture.

As for the dolls, Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network is among groups speaking out against their production and distribution.

K.W. Tullos, president of the National Action Network’s L.A. branch, told the New York Daily News:

“Selling this doll is highly offensive to our ancestors and the African-American community. The movie is for adults, but these are action figures that appeal to children. We don’t want other individuals to utilize them for entertainment, to make a mockery of slavery.”

In light of the upheaval, the Weinstein Company–producers of “Django Unchained”–released a statement on Friday saying they have stopped production on the dolls. Although, they did note, similar action-figures have been produced for many of Quentin Tarantino’s past films.

Sellers of the dolls, the National Entertainment Collectibles Association, did not comment.

Robert F. Chew, best-known as “Prop Joe” (Proposition Joe), from the HBO cult-hit series “The Wire” has died. He was 52.

On Thursday, his sister Clarice Chew confirmed with the Baltimore Sun that her brother was found dead in his apartment after suffering a heart attack. According to the Baltimore coroner’s office, “morbid obesity” was a contributing factor.

A Baltimore native, Chew worked as music director for the Arena Players community theater. He also studied music at Morgan State University for two years.

Although short, his acting resume is marked with memorable roles, the most notable being Prop Joe–an intelligent, unassuming and, sometimes, ruthless Baltimore drug lord.

Chew also starred in TV shows “The Corner” and “Homicide: Life On The Street,” as well as the film “Something The Lord Made.”

Fellow cast member, Jaime Hector, who played Marlo in “The Wire” tweeted on Friday:

“I didn’t want to believe this #RIP Robert F. Chew, Prop Joe will always be remembered Robert Chew will always be loved and missed.”

The post Robert F. Chew “Prop Joe” Of HBO’s “The Wire” Dead At 52 appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Bullets are being transformed into bling in Newark, New Jersey–a city outspoken about its gun violence problem.

Mayor Cory Booker has partnered with Jewelry For A Cause and the city police chief to design the “Caliber Collection.” JewelryForACause.net–a Connecticut-based jewelry maker–explains on its website:

“The Caliber Collection is a series of pieces that embody the gun’s transformation from a destructive weapon to a powerful symbol of renewal.”

According to Reuters, “Guns and shell casings seized by the Newark Police are being melted down and made into bracelets by [the] jewelry company. A portion of proceeds from each sale goes to fund gun buy-back amnesty programs in New Jersey’s largest city.”

The collection delivers steel bangles and cuffs, engraved with the serial number of the illegal gun used to create it. Brass pieces are fashioned from casings taken from crime scenes in the city. The line, designed by Jessica Mindich, has raised over $20,000 since its debut on November 28, Booker said:

“[The jewelry and buy-back program] are not a cure-all, but everybody has the power to do something little, something small to make a difference.”

Interest in the jewelry line has increased since the school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut took place and debate over U.S. gun control laws resurfaced.

Cuffs and bracelets are available with or without diamonds and range in price from $150 for the steel cuff to $375 for the brass bangle with diamonds.

Courtesy NBC News

President Barack Obama is set to be officially sworn in Sunday for his second term as president of the United States, ahead of Monday’s public events.

In a small and short ceremony at the White House, he will recite the constitutionally mandated oath for the third of four expected times during his time in office.

When Obama first took the oath on Jan. 20 four years ago, he and Chief Justice John Roberts tripped up over the wording, raising concerns about whether the constitutional requirements were fulfilled to the letter of the law.  Roberts went to the White House the next day and administered it again in full.

This time, Obama will recite it twice on purpose. Sunday’s official swearing-in, conducted again by Roberts, will be the 57th inauguration of a president in American history.

Read more…

In today’s link round-up: A special “Links of the Day” dedicated to Inauguration Day 2013 and honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

BlackVoices
Inauguration Schedule 2013: Obama’s Second Term Kicks Off With Lineup Of Events
Check out what’s happening around Washington, D.C. on this Inauguration Day.

Vibe Vixen
5 Ways To Celebrate MLK Day
Thank you, Dr. King.

The Grio
First Lady Michelle Obama Wears Thom Browne Coat And Dress
With a dash of her old standby, J. Crew.

Hello Beautiful
The Obamas Honor Military Families At The Kid’s Inaugural Concert [PHOTOS]
Michelle Obama and her beautiful daughters were in attendance at the rocking event.

Madame Noire
BET Gets Into The Inauguration Spirit With Special Coverage
The network will provide “extensive on-air and online coverage of the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, as well as celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.”

Elev8
8 Fascinating Facts About Martin Luther King Jr.
A quick history lesson…

By Evette Dionne

A historic date has arrived. Hundreds of thousands of men and women, all ages, ethnic identities, and socioeconomic statuses are descending on the National Mall to commemorate the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as, the ceremonial second inauguration of President Barack Obama. African descendants from the Americas to Brazil are rejoicing in the proverbial realization of Dr. King’s dream. The first African-American president and first commander-in-chief to secure 50 percent of the popular vote twice since President Franklin Roosevelt will be sworn into the highest office of the land.

This occasion marks the beginning of the countdown to “Black History Month,” better known as 28 days of McDonald’s commercials lamenting the importance of celebrating black history 365 days (though the commercials only air in February) and students learning inaccurate information about slavery, Dr. King’s vision, and the biographies of other pioneers who assisted in bringing the Civil Rights Act of 1968 to fruition. D.C. natives and visitors will traipse to the MLK Memorial to offer their gratitude after Pres. Obama recites the Oath of Office with his hand firmly placed on the slain reverend’s Bible. But even as we bask in the importance of the moment and dredge up those painful images of Rosa Parks being led off the bus and Medgar Evers losing his life with his children and wife bearing witness, it is also essential for African-Americans to see beyond the dominant discourse of the Civil Rights Movement.

In order to grasp the spirit of what was occurring in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and dozens of other states, we must expand our consciousness to both learn the stories and embrace the leaders who have been relegated to the reference pages of history books. Davis W. Houck’s In Rhetoric, Religion and the Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1965 is a compilation of 130 speeches that illustrate the role of religion in the development of the movement. But within his work, Houck also captures a collection of voices that have been disregarded.

“The problem with much of the civil rights scholarship is that it’s basically a ‘greatest hits’ album featuring the fairly famous civil rights leaders,” Houck told FSU News.

In the book’s introduction, Houck and his editor, David E. Dixon, write, “Dr. [Martin Luther] King got the headlines, the awards and the adulation, but the Ed Kings did the daily dirty work so essential to the movement’s many successes.” This sentence refers to Ed King, who ran for lieutenant governor of Mississippi in 1964 on the Freedom Ticket, and almost died in his pursuit of justice. A local segregationist ran a car he was riding in off the road.

In venerating the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement, it is imperative to remember fighters like Lawrence Guyot (above), who spent his entire life in the trenches, even surviving intense jailhouse beatings during the 1960s. We must honor Fannie Lou Hamer (left), an activist who found her passion for the movement when she attempted to register to vote in Indianola, Mississippi. Though Hamer achieved mass acclaim later in her work, most of her earlier speeches have been lost. Houck transcribed one delivered in 1964 and included it in his book.

But what about Dave Dennis and Mildred Bell Johnson? Do their names resonate within us? Dennis was one of the original freedom fighters and was instrumental in the organization of the 1964 Freedom Summer. Johnson was responsible for the first Girl Scout troop for black girls in Alabama. She also happens to be General Colin Powell’s mother-in-law. Bayard Rustin (left), Dr. King’s advisor, led the organization of the March on Washington. He also championed intersectionality in the movement by not closeting his homosexuality. Ella Baker (below) helped form the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) after serving as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) director. Vivian Malone-Jones enrolled in the University of Alabama in 1963, defying segregationist Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace and continued her activism in the civil rights division of the U.S. Justice Department.

These and hundreds of others are legacies that we must remember and cherish because their tireless efforts were consequential in the development of such a powerful social revolution. Their work and sacrifices were the adrenaline pumping through Dr. King’s veins. In our honoring of Dr. King and Pres. Obama on this day, we also offer gratitude and thanks to those names and lives that don’t have statues on the National Mall. It is the first step in expanding our consciousness.

Full transcript of President Obama’s 2013 Inaugural Address on Jan. 21, 2013 (as prepared by delivery, via The Washington Post)

Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:

Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. We affirm the promise of our democracy. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional – what makes us American – is our allegiance to an idea, articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Today we continue a never-ending journey, to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they have never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth. The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny of a king with the privileges of a few or the rule of a mob. They gave to us a Republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed.

For more than two hundred years, we have.

Through blood drawn by lash and blood drawn by sword, we learned that no union founded on the principles of liberty and equality could survive half-slave and half-free. We made ourselves anew, and vowed to move forward together.

Together, we determined that a modern economy requires railroads and highways to speed travel and commerce; schools and colleges to train our workers.

Together, we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play.

Together, we resolved that a great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life’s worst hazards and misfortune.

Through it all, we have never relinquished our skepticism of central authority, nor have we succumbed to the fiction that all society’s ills can be cured through government alone. Our celebration of initiative and enterprise; our insistence on hard work and personal responsibility, are constants in our character.

But we have always understood that when times change, so must we; that fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new challenges; that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action. For the American people can no more meet the demands of today’s world by acting alone than American soldiers could have met the forces of fascism or communism with muskets and militias. No single person can train all the math and science teachers we’ll need to equip our children for the future, or build the roads and networks and research labs that will bring new jobs and businesses to our shores. Now, more than ever, we must do these things together, as one nation, and one people.

This generation of Americans has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience. A decade of war is now ending. An economic recovery has begun. America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands: youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention. My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it – so long as we seize it together.

For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. We believe that America’s prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an American, she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.

We understand that outworn programs are inadequate to the needs of our time. We must harness new ideas and technology to remake our government, revamp our tax code, reform our schools, and empower our citizens with the skills they need to work harder, learn more, and reach higher. But while the means will change, our purpose endures: a nation that rewards the effort and determination of every single American. That is what this moment requires. That is what will give real meaning to our creed.

We, the people, still believe that every citizen deserves a basic measure of security and dignity. We must make the hard choices to reduce the cost of health care and the size of our deficit. But we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future. For we remember the lessons of our past, when twilight years were spent in poverty, and parents of a child with a disability had nowhere to turn. We do not believe that in this country, freedom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the few. We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us, at any time, may face a job loss, or a sudden illness, or a home swept away in a terrible storm. The commitments we make to each other – through Medicare, and Medicaid, and Social Security – these things do not sap our initiative; they strengthen us. They do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great.

We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms. The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise. That is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure – our forests and waterways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.

We, the people, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war. Our brave men and women in uniform, tempered by the flames of battle, are unmatched in skill and courage. Our citizens, seared by the memory of those we have lost, know too well the price that is paid for liberty. The knowledge of their sacrifice will keep us forever vigilant against those who would do us harm. But we are also heirs to those who won the peace and not just the war, who turned sworn enemies into the surest of friends, and we must carry those lessons into this time as well.

We will defend our people and uphold our values through strength of arms and rule of law. We will show the courage to try and resolve our differences with other nations peacefully – not because we are naïve about the dangers we face, but because engagement can more durably lift suspicion and fear. America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe; and we will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage crisis abroad, for no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation. We will support democracy from Asia to Africa; from the Americas to the Middle East, because our interests and our conscience compel us to act on behalf of those who long for freedom. And we must be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice – not out of mere charity, but because peace in our time requires the constant advance of those principles that our common creed describes: tolerance and opportunity; human dignity and justice.

We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.

It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote. Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity; until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country. Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for, and cherished, and always safe from harm.

That is our generation’s task – to make these words, these rights, these values – of Life, and Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness – real for every American. Being true to our founding documents does not require us to agree on every contour of life; it does not mean we will all define liberty in exactly the same way, or follow the same precise path to happiness. Progress does not compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the role of government for all time – but it does require us to act in our time.

For now decisions are upon us, and we cannot afford delay. We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate. We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect. We must act, knowing that today’s victories will be only partial, and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years, and forty years, and four hundred years hence to advance the timeless spirit once conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall.

My fellow Americans, the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in this Capitol, was an oath to God and country, not party or faction – and we must faithfully execute that pledge during the duration of our service. But the words I spoke today are not so different from the oath that is taken each time a soldier signs up for duty, or an immigrant realizes her dream. My oath is not so different from the pledge we all make to the flag that waves above and that fills our hearts with pride.

They are the words of citizens, and they represent our greatest hope. You and I, as citizens, have the power to set this country’s course.

You and I, as citizens, have the obligation to shape the debates of our time – not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals.

Let each of us now embrace, with solemn duty and awesome joy, what is our lasting birthright. With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history, and carry into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom.

Thank you, God Bless you, and may He forever bless these United States of America.

During a luncheon hosted by members of Congress on Monday (Jan. 21), President Obama said it was a privilege to take the oath of office using Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s personal traveling Bible.

Related: Inauguration Day 2013 In Photos

“I had the great privilege that the Bible we used was his Bible and they asked for it to be inscribed,” he said. The other Bible used in the ceremony was owned by President Abraham Lincoln.

The 57th Presidential Inauguration landed not only on the MLK holiday, but also the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Related: President Obama’s 2013 Inaugural Address [VIDEO + TRANSCRIPT]

And what’s done is done. Of course, Dr. Cornel West had a few reservations on Obama’s decision to use the Bible during his moment of “presidential pageantry…”

The post President Obama ‘Privileged’ To Use MLK Bible, Dr. Cornel West ‘Upset’ [VIDEO] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of The Root

According to concertgoers, rapper Lupe Fiasco was thrown offstage and escorted from a Washington, D.C., concert hall Sunday night after going on an anti-war, anti-Obama rant during a preinaugural concert, the Daily Caller reports.

Josh Rogin, a reporter with Foreign Policy magazine, tweeted late Sunday, “Lupe Fiasco just got thrown off stage here at the Hamilton Live after he went on an anti-Obama diatribe mid set.”

“So Lupe played one anti-war song for 30 min and said he didn’t vote for Obama,” he continued, “and eventually was told to move on to the next song … Lupe refused to move to the next song so a team of security guards came on stage and told him to go” …

Continue at The Root…

Police were called to the home of Chris Brown on Monday night for an alleged domestic violence dispute, which turned out to be nothing more than a hoax and the latest incident in a series of “swatting” pranks.

A caller contacted police shortly before 5 p.m. to report the disruption, telling officers he wasn’t sure if his mother had been shot. When authorities arrived on the scene, members of Brown’s staff were at the residence but Brown was not. The home was searched, but nothing was found.

According to the L.A. Times, the “fast-growing phenomenon” was started by a group of anonymous callers who report false crimes in hopes to bring out responding officers.

Brown is the newest celebrity to join a growing list of stars who have been duped in the swatting scheme. Justin Bieber, Tom Cruise, Ashton Kutcher and Miley Cyrus have also been involved in the recent string of incidents.

The post Police Called To Chris Brown’s Home In ‘Swatting’ Hoax appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Jennifer Lopez makes an appearance on “Good Morning America” to promote her new movie Parker in New York on Jan. 22. Photo: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com

Rita Ora attends the Chanel Haute Couture spring/summer 2013 collection show at the Grand Palais in Paris during Paris Fashion Week on Jan. 22. Photo: INFphoto.com

Jamie Foxx along with Swizz Beatz and Big Tigger kick off the “Hennessy V.S Inauguration Takeover” at the swanky Park at 14th in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 20. Photo: Jeff Dormeus

Keegan Michael Key arrives at the Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City, Utah to attend the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 19. Photo: INFphoto.com

Kelly Rowland bundles up for a jaunt around New York on Jan. 18. Photo: Curtis Means/ACE/INFphoto.com

“The Walking Dead” bad-ass Danai Gurira arrives at The Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City, Utah to attend the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 18. Photo: INFphoto.com

Salma Hayek and her adorable daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault serve up some serious style at Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris on Jan. 18. Photo: INFphoto.com

Jennifer Hudson shows her support for fellow singer/actress Alicia Keys at the Hennessy V.S. premiere party for The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, which stars Keys and was directed by George Tillman (pictured), during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 17. Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Wire Image

Mekhi Phifer supports Alicia Keys at the premiere party for Hennessy V.S. Presents The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete during the Sundance Film Festival in Utah on Jan. 17. Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Wire Image

“The Wire” alum Gbenga Akinnagbe attends Hennesy V.S. Presents The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete premiere party during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 17. Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Wire Image

Jermaine Dupri and some of his So So Def artists, including XScape; Jagged Edge; Da Brat; Bow Wow; and Kris Kross, attend a press conference at Atlanta City Hall to announce an All-Star Anniversary Concert, on February 23 at the Fox Theater, to celebrate 20 years of hit-making on Jan. 15. Photo: Chris Mitchell

Aldis Hodge shows off his killer smile while arriving to the opening of Riviera 31, a new bar at the Sofitel L.A. Hotel in Beverly Hills, on Jan. 15. Photo: INFphoto.com

Tatyana Ali promotes her new show “2nd Generation Wayans,” which will air on BET, at the New York Live studios in NYC on Jan. 15. Photo: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com

Meagan Good greets fan while leaving “The Wendy Williams Show” studio in NYC on Jan. 14. Photo: Alequin/Bosch/INFphoto.com

Talented breakout star Quvenzhane Wallis the 2013 Film Independent Filmmaker Grant and Spirit Awards Brunch at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood on Jan. 12. Photo: Peter West/ACE/INFphoto.com

Rashida Jones arrives at the 2013 Film Independent Filmmaker Grant and Spirit Awards Brunch at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood on Jan. 12. Photo: Peter West/ACE/INFphoto.com

Don Cheadle and his partner Brigid Coulter do some grocery shopping at the Brentwood Country Market in Brentwood, Calif. on Jan. 13. Photo: Merino/INFphoto.com

Smokey Robinson proves he’s still got it while performing at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on Jan. 12. Photo: INFphoto.com

Iman arrives at ABC Studios in NYC for an appearance on “Good Morning America” on Jan. 11. Photo: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com

Rarely without a gig, Laurence Fishburne walks the set of his latest show “Hannibal” in Toronto on Jan. 11. Photo: Sean O’Neill/INFphoto.com

Kicking off awards season in splendid glamour, Octavia Spencer attends the 18th Annual Critics Choice Awards held at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Calif. on Jan. 10. Photo: Sol Jones/INFphoto.com

Nicki Minaj doesn’t look too happy to attend the premiere of “American Idol” season 12 at the UCLA campus on Jan. 9. Photo: Carlos Diaz/INFphoto.com

Looking fabulous, despite rumors of a troubled marriage with Carmelo Anthony, LaLa Anthony picks up a few things at a corner store in NYC on Jan. 9. Photo: Dario Alequin/INFphoto.com

Jada Pinkett Smith arrives at an event to discuss human trafficking and forced labor around the world and the United States in NYC on Jan. 8. Photo: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com

Kim Kardashian heads into Miami International Airport for a departing flight on Jan. 7. Photo: INFphoto.com

Kerry Washington greets fans at the Paris premiere of Django Unchained at Le Grand Rex on Jan. 7. Photo: INFphoto.com

Kim Kardashian continues to work out during her pregnancy. Photo: INFphoto.com

Laz Alonso brings in the New Year at the Esquire & Ciroc Ciroc The New Year party in Miami on Dec. 31. Photo: INFphoto.com

ATL hot boys T.I. and Evan Ross party at LIV on Sunday at LIV Nightclub inside the Fountainebleau in Miami Beach on Dec. 30. Photo: INFphoto.com

Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey (not pictured), and their twins Monroe and Moroccan hopped off their private jet in Queensland, Australia and hopped on their private boat to sail around the Great Barrier Reef on Dec. 28. Photo: INFphoto.com

Sean “Diddy” Combs makes a splash on a beach in St. Barth’s on Dec. 27. Photo: INFphoto.com

Kimora Lee Simmons enjoys some beach fun with ex-husband Russell Simmons while his girlfriend Hana Nitsche looks on in St. Barth’s on Dec. 24. Photo: INFphoto.com

Rihanna departs her Barbadian “Christmas pad” with all her bags after a holiday stay, on Dec. 24. Photo: INFphoto.com

Alicia Keys dashes out of the rain and into the “Late Show with David Letterman” in NYC to perform “Girl on Fire” on Dec. 18. Photo: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com

Rick Ross attends an advance screening of Django Unchained, where he rubbed shoulders with cast members Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, and Samuel L. Jackson on Dec. 18.

The fabulous Rachel Roy breezes through the launch party for the Derek Blasberg for Opening Ceremony Stationery collection at the Saint Regis Hotel in NYC on Dec. 18.

Detective “Fin” Tutuola, er, Ice-T walks the on-location set of “Law & Order: SVU” in NYC on Dec. 18.

Jessica White brings the sexy to the Charity Meets Fashion Holiday Celebration Honoring The World’s Children at Affirmation Arts in NYC on Dec. 17. Photo: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com

L.A. Reid arrives at CBS Television Center for the “X Factor” finale week in L.A. on Dec. 17. Photo: Sol Jones/INFphoto.com

Sex kitten Khloe Kardashian is on-hand for the “X Factor” finale week at the CBS Television Center in L.A. on Dec. 17. Photo: Sol Jones/INFphoto.com

Idris Elba proves he’s a gorgeous man regardless of what face he makes at the camera, while attending the launch party for Will.i.am‘s i.am+ foto.sosho camera accessory at One Marylebone in London on Dec. 16.

Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes hit up Mona Scott Young‘s annual Monami Holiday Celebration at the Newark Museum over the Dec. 15 weekend.

Jill Marie Jones shows a helluva lot of leg at the Under the Mistletoe event to benefit the Toys for Tots Foundation, in Hollywood during the Dec. 15 weekend.

“Scrubs” funnyman Donald Faison and regular girl Cacee Cobb wed in the Hollywood Hills of California on Dec. 15. Photo: INFphoto.com

50 Cent, with full entourage in tow, heads into DSTRKT for the nightclub’s first birthday party in London on Dec. 15. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Christina Milian is all smiles as she struts into “The Wendy Williams Show” studio in NYC on Dec. 13. Photo: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com

Macy Gray dons a pink sequin frock to perform in Hong Kong on Dec. 11. Photo: INFphoto.com

UN Ambassador Susan Rice, who is expected to get the Secretary of State nomination, is out and about in NYC on Dec. 11. Photo: Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com

Akon gives a homeless man $20 while leaving Catch nightclub in NYC on Dec. 11. Photo: Dario Alequin/INFphoto.com

Norm Lewis of “Scandal” attends the Les Miserables premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre in NYC on Dec. 10.

Nicole Scherzinger and beau Lewis Hamilton depart Zuma restaurant in Knightsbridge, London on Dec. 10.

Kelis shops with son Knight Jones at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills on Dec. 10. Photo: INFphoto.com

Meagan Good doesn’t let a little rain dampen her spirits while on the set of “Deception” in NYC on Dec. 9.

Looks like Elvira LeToya Luckett dressed for the wrong holiday while attending the Voli Light Vodka’s Holiday Party, hosted by Fergie and benefiting Cellphones for Soldiers, at SkyBar in the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood on Dec. 9.

Yes, that’s Cynthia Bailey hanging out at “Watch What Happens Live” on Dec. 9 in NYC.

Idris Elba attends the British Independence Film Awards at Old Billingsgate Market in London on Dec. 9.

Chrisette Michele celebrates her birthday, which is Dec. 8, at Mansion Elan nightclub in Atlanta.

Rita Ora hits up the Captial FM Jingle Ball in London on Dec. 9. Photo: Famous/ACE/INFphoto.com

Beyonce takes an expensive camera to Art Basel in Miami to photograph her favorite works, Dec. 9. Photo: INFphoto.com

Alicia Keys performs on “Wetten Dass,” Germany’s biggest live TV show, in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany on Dec. 8. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Jennifer Hudson looks casually glamorous as she heads for a drive in NYC on Dec. 6. Photo: Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com

Mel B. gets a pedicure at Joseph Mourad Hair & Beauty Salon in Sydney on Dec. 5. Photo: INFphoto.com

Lil Wayne and two buds sit court-side at the Notre Dame Baylor women’s basketball game in Southbend, Ind. on Dec. 5. Photo: INFphoto.com

After fans learned that Alex Rodriguez will miss most of the baseball season as a result of hip surgery, he’s seen walking around Art Basel in Miami Beach on Dec. 5. Photo: INFphoto.com

Lea Michele and Zoe Saldana share a moment at the Marie Claire Hollywood Dinner at Fig & Olive Melrose Place in L.A. on Dec. 4.

Sean Combs took it ol’ school, donning a Mercedes Benz logo gold pendant and velour tracksuit, as he arrives for a flight at LAX airport in L.A. on Dec. 4.

Olympic gold medalist Gabrielle Douglas signs copies of her memoir Grace, Gold, and Glory: My Leap of Faith at an NYC Barnes & Noble on Dec. 4.

NeNe Leakes attends the 2012 Jingle Ball, hosted by KIIS FM, at the Nokia Theatre LA Live in L.A. on Dec. 3.

Romeo Miller has both hands full with Bria and Shayne Murphy at the Let the Kids Grow Foundation Holiday Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills on Dec. 3.

Rocsi Diaz flies solo to the Let the Kids Grow Foundation Holiday Gala in Beverly Hills on Dec. 3.

Giving us more of a glimpse into her personal life, Beyonce Instagrams a photo of herself, on Dec. 3, rocking this yellow and black body-conscious dress from the Leonard spring 2013 collection.

Chris Rock and his daughters, Lola Simone and Zahra Savannah, depart the sold out One Direction concert at Madison Square Garden in NYC on Dec. 3.

Mom-to-be Amber Rose brings new meaning to the word curvy as she stops at an L.A. office building on Dec. 3.

RELATED: 8 Celebrities Who Should Have Reality TV Shows

Olivier Martinez, fiance of Halle Berry, shows off his hand splint to the paps while leaving Cedars Sinai in LA on Nov. 27, after fighting with the father of Halle’s daughter Nahla. Photo: Aik Arshamian/INFphoto.com

RELATED: Gabriel Aubry’s Injuries After Fight With Olivier Martinez [PHOTOS]

Taraji P. Henson arrives at the screening of “Killing Them Softly,” starring Brad Pitt, in NYC on Nov. 27. Photo: Zelig Shaul/ACE/INFphoto.com

Rihanna looks little like the fashion icon who made her famous, as she returns to her London hotel after performing on “X Factor UK” on Nov. 25. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Nicole Richie and husband Joel Madden take their daughter Harlow and son Sparrow to see Yo Gabba Gabba Get The Sillies Out show in L.A. on Nov. 23. Photo: INFphoto.com

Jamie Foxx chills with some homies in Beverly Hills on Nov. 18.

RELATED: Quentin Tarantino Reveals 6 Actors Tapped To Play Jamie Foxx’s Role In ‘Django Unchained’

Common looks hot yet low-key as he arrives at LAX airport in LA on Nov. 17.

Trey Songz sips a little Cherry Noir Goose backstage of his concert at the Fox Theater in Atlanta on Nov. 17.

Pres. Barack Obama and American gymnast McKayla Maroney are “not impressed” while taking the time for a photo op at the White House on Nov. 17.

Besties Adrienne Bailon and Julissa Bermudez pose with Ne-Yo‘s new artist Ravaughn at the opening of Very Polished Lounge in Brooklyn on Nov. 17.

While shopping in Paris, Rita Ora climbed on a hog to pose for photos on Nov. 16. Photo: INFphoto.com

Honor Warren, Jessica Alba and Cash Warren‘s daughter, is none-too-pleased with the paparazzi as she heads into a play date on Nov. 16. Photo: INFphoto.com

Wendy Williams hits up “Good Day NY” in NYC to dish on the new season of “The Wendy Williams Show” on Nov. 16. Photo: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com

Legendary baller Kareem Abdul-Jabbar unveils a statue in his likeness at the Staples Center in LA on Nov. 16.

Rihanna takes a shot during her Toronto stop on the “777 Tour” at The Danforth Music Hall on Nov. 15. Photo: O’Neill/White/INFphoto.com

RELATED: Rihanna’s 777 Tour Chaos: Angry Reporters Protest Treatment

Halle Berry‘s daughter Nahla Aubry seems well adjusted to the paparazzi as she heads into school in LA on Nov. 15. Photo: INFphoto.com

Oh look, Kim Kardashian is going somewhere … this time to visit The Fours Seasons Hotel and a cosmetic surgeon office with Jonathan Cheban in Miami on Nov. 14. Photo: INFphoto.com

Niecy Nash shows her support for marriage equality by attending the launch of “Tie the Knot,” a charity to raise funds for the cause by selling limited-edition TheTieBar.com bow ties, at The London West Hollywood in West Hollywood on Nov. 14.

Camila Alves McConaughey and Sandra Bullock take their tots for a ride on a choo-choo train in New Orleans on Nov. 14. Photo: Chris Watts/INFphoto.com

Hollywood powerhouses Cicely Tyson and Viola Davis are honored by the National Domestic Workers Alliance at an event held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 14.

Michelle Rodriguez departs The Squat Boutique Opening Party in London on Nov. 14. Photo: INFphoto.com

Minutes before embarking on her 777 tour with journalists and fans, Rihanna poses in the cockpit of her private jet on Nov. 14.

Comedian Tommy Davidson attends the premiere of Anna Karenina at the Archlight in Hollywood on Nov. 14. Photo: Carlos Diaz/INFphoto.com

Laura Govan looks more than pleased that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. acknowledged her at the LA Clippers Vs. Miami Heat game on Nov. 14 at the Staples Center in LA.

Fashion heavyweight Andre Leon Talley heads into “The Today Show” studio in NYC for an appearance on Nov. 14. Photo: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com

The forever adorable and talented Amandla Stenberg arrives at the premiere of Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 at The Nokia Theaters at LA Live in LA on Nov. 12. Photo: Katy Winn/INFphoto.com

Always the dapper gent, RuPaul stocks his wardrobe with the best on Beverly Hill’s Rodeo Drive on Nov. 12.

Gayle King goes monochromatic for a dining excursion at Michael’s New York Restaurant in NYC on Nov. 12.

Connor Cruise seems to have as much personality as his father, as he gives the ubiquitous peace sign while leaving Katsuya restaurant in Hollywood on Nov. 12.

Just because he’s a “Celebrity Apprentice: All-Stars” contestant doesn’t mean Lil Jon will ever let the camera capture him without shades, while out and about in NYC on Nov. 12.

Chris Tucker continues to get his mug out there by attending the TriBeCa Teaches Benefit: “Silver Linings Playbook” at the Ziegfeld Theatre in NYC on Nov. 12.

Kandi Burruss hits up “VH1 Morning Buzz” to dish on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” season five, in NYC on Nov. 12. Photo: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com

T.I. makes his debut as a broadcast sports commentator at the November 9 Hawks vs. Heat game in Atlanta. Photo: NBA

Kevin Hart ‏catches some zzz’s: “This schedule is KICKING my ASS…..G*d Damn ATL NIGHTS #SleeplessNights” via @KevinHart4real

Gabrielle Union is going into law enforcement? “On the set making The Funny w @itsgabrielleu @redgrantlaughs #staygrindin“ via @BILLBELLAMY

Burgundy sheepskin-clad Rihanna arrives back at the Gansevoort on Nov. 8. Credit: Dario Alequin/INFphoto

Baby it’s cold outside: Meagan Good gets cozy in a purple pseudo-snuggie on the set of ‘Infamous’ in NYC on Nov. 8. Credit: Zelig Shaul/ACE/INFphoto

Rachel Roy in a fluffy vest attends the ‘Rust and Bone’ New York Screening, at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema in New York City on Nov. 8. Credit: Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto

There’s more ‘Ice Loves Coco‎’ coming your way this season and the couple started promotion of the new season at ‘The Today Show’ on Nov. 8. Credit: Roger Wong/INFphoto

Backstage at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show at the Manhattan’s 69th Regiment Armory on Nov. 7, Rihanna ponders a career switch: “#LEGITmodelShit I’m a #VS girl now lol” Via @rihanna

Rita Ora leaves Wise Buddha radio station in London on Nov. 5.

Never one to be without his arm candy, Eddie Murphy grabs a coffee with Paige Butcher in Studio City, Calif. on Nov. 5.

Nicole Richie goes flapper-chic for the first annual Baby2Baby Gala at The BookBindery in Culver City, Calif. on Nov. 3.

Jennifer Hudson looks stunning in a white lace Dolce & Gabbana number just before performing at the Atlantis Live Concert series for Sir Sidney Poitier in the Bahamas on Nov. 3.

Russell Simmons and his latest arm candy Hana Nitsche attend the “Inspired: A Night with Russell Simmons,” hosted by Mercy for Animals, at Ink 48 Hotel in NYC on Nov. 3.

Mary J. Blige performs at the taping for NBC’s Coming Together Relief Benefit for Hurricane Sandy in NYC on Nov. 2.

Kevin Hart and his girlfriend Eniko Parrish attend BET’s wrap party for “Hollywood Husbands” at the Supper Club in Hollywood on Nov. 2.

Nicki Minaj shows the world what she looks like pared down while arriving at her London hotel after a concert on Oct. 31.

Pres. Barack Obama and Gov. Chris Christie meet with New Jersey residents affected by Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 31.

Emeli Sande attends the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards at the Claridge Hotel in London on Oct. 31.

Floyd Mayweather attends the season opener for the LA Lakers Vs. the Dallas Mavericks at the Staples Center in LA on Oct. 30.

LeToya Luckett attends an early vote rally for the Obama/Biden campaign at North Carolina Central University on Oct. 29.

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

Kelly Rowland enjoys a snack while on her way to have lunch at Jack N Jill’s restaurant in LA with a friend on Oct. 29. Photo: Splash/WENN

Kimora Lee Hounsou and her brood of three, Ming Lee Simmons, Aoki Lee Simmons, and Kenzo Lee Hounsou, hit up a pumpkin patch in LA on Oct. 29. Photo: Splash/WENN

Stacey Dash tweets a photo of her and vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan at a press conference on Oct. 29. Photo: Twitter

Nicki Minaj gets lost on the step and repeat, and unveils her new MAC Viva Glam Lipglass at Selfridges in London on Oct. 29.

Diddy and his twin girls, Jesse James and D’Lila Star, enjoyed some wholesome Halloween fun at a pumpkin patch in LA on Oct. 28. He posted the pic on Instagram, saying, “I’m having more fun the the kids :) #halloween” Photo: Instagram

Dressed as a sexy Queen of Hearts, Christina Milian heads into Greystone Manor Very Special Hennessy Halloween fete on Oct. 28.

Chris Brown, looking rather surprised, hits up the Greystone Manor Halloween party too with ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran, who dressed appropriately as a geisha, on Oct. 28.

Meanwhile, Rihanna heads to the studio with Chris Brown‘s mom (in the blue blouse), Joyce Hawkins, on Oct. 26.

Hottie Shemar Moore salutes me, er, the paps as he heads into the doctor’s office in Beverly Hills on Oct. 25. Photo: INFphoto.com

Maxwell competes for dapper man of the night with Usher, who was honored at the second annual Pencils of Promise Gala at Guastavino’s in NYC, on Oct. 25.

Estelle was also on hand for the Pencils of Promise fete in NYC on Oct. 25.

Oprah wears slippers to the ABC Studios in NYC, where she was a guest host on “Good Morning America,” on Oct. 25. Photo: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com

Alicia Keys launches The Journals of Mama Mae & LeeLee interactive storytelling app at the Apple store in SoHo of NYC on Oct. 25. Photo: Nancy Rivera/ACE/INFphoto.com

Jennifer Hudson looks fabulous while attending the opening of the Versace SoHo store cocktail reception in NYC on Oct. 24 Photo: Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com

Kelly Rowland performs during Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week at 751 D.Park Tank zone in Beijing on Oct. 24.

Common took a couple members of his team to the Staples Center in LA to catch the LA Lakers playing the LA Clippers on Oct. 24. Looks one of them is ready to party and the other brought work along.

Halle Berry received some support from her No. 2 fan, Olivier Martinez, at the Cloud Atlas premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in LA on Oct. 24.

Bobbi Kristina and her godbrother/boyfriend Nick Gordon attend the premier of “The Houstons: On Our Own” at the Tribeca Grand Hotel on Oct. 22. Photo: Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com

RELATED: First Look: ‘The Houstons: On Our Own’ Supertrailer

Bond Girl Naomie Harris and Mr. Bond Daniel Craig attend the royal premiere of Skyfall on Oct. 22 in London. Photo: INFphoto.com

It looks like Jaleel White stuck with June Ambrose‘s style advice, as he walks around NYC on Oct. 22. Photo: JT/INFphoto.com

Too Short heads into BOA Steakhouse in LA on Oct. 21.

Carol’s Daughter owner Lisa Price and Cedric the Entertainer attend the American Family Insurance’s Dreams Protected Tour in Atlanta on Oct. 21.

A makeup-free Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo walk through the Grove in LA after seeing a movie onOct. 21.

Diddy shows no shame as he walks his LA neighborhood looking a bit scruffy the weekend of Oct. 20.

Alicia Keys makes an appearance on “106th & Park” in NYC on Oct. 19.

Seems Rihanna is trying to earn the moniker, “The Hardest Working Woman in Showbiz,” as she heads into an LA recording studio on Oct. 19. Photo: Larsen/Arshamian/INFphoto.com

Brandy enjoys the NYC night scene while in town to promote her new album Two Eleven on Oct. 18. Photo: Nancy Rivera/ACE/INFphoto.com

Tyra Banks and Rob Evans, her rumored beau and new “American’s Next Top Model” judge, attend the Flawsome Ball, which benefited TyTy’s TZONE charity, at Capitale in NYC on Oct. 18. Photo: Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com

First Lady Michelle Obama makes an appearance on “Live with Kelly & Michael” in NYC on Oct. 17.

Chaka Khan performs at Tradgarn in Gothenburg, Sweden on Oct. 17.

Camille Winbush goes for a low-key look while shopping in Beverly Hills on Oct. 17

No one’s action star Tyler Perry tries to fit in with Bow Wow, Paigion, Shorty Da Prince, and Miss Mykie, while promoting Alex Cross on ’106th & Park” in NYC on Oct. 17.

Laila Ali lends her support to the 33rd Annual Salute To Women in Sports gala at Cipriani Wall Street in NYC on Oct. 17.

Gabrielle Douglas poses with her “Sportswoman of the Year” award at the 33rd Annual Salute To Women in Sports gala at Cipriani Wall Street in NYC on Oct. 17.

RELATED: Gabby Douglas Wins Sportswoman Of The Year

Singer VV Brown attends the Argo screening at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, during the 56th BFI London Film Festival, on Oct. 17. Photo: INFPhoto.com

NeNe Leakes proves her modeling background by “selling” her Hermes Birkin bag while dashing about NYC on Oct. 17. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Nick Cannon proves that there comes a time in every man’s life when he should relinquish his baggy sweats, while leaving Matsuhisa restaurant in Beverly Hills on Oct. 16.

NBA player John Wall also shares Cannon’s dilemma while making moves through NYC’s SoHo neighborhood on Oct. 16.

Always the reluctant natural hair spokesperson, Solange rocks straight hair to the American Ballet Theatre 2012 Gala at the New York City Center and dinner at The Pierre Hotel in NYC on Oct. 16. Photo: Billy Farrell Agency

RELATED: Solange Knowles Quits Carol’s Daughter

Condola Rashad looks gorgeous in an ivory gown at the American Ballet Theatre 2012 Fall Gala on Oct. 16. Photo: Billy Farrell Agency

Alek Wek shows off her model figure at the American Ballet Theatre 2012 Fall Gala on Oct. 16. Photo: Billy Farrell Agency

Dr. Dre greets a fan as he heads into his New York hotel on Oct. 16. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Girls-girl LaLa Anthony has a night out with Taraji P. Henson at Miss Lilly’s in NYC on Oct. 16. Photo: INFPhoto.com

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.

Courtesy of EURweb

The Weinstein Company has acquired distribution rights for the Forest Whitaker-produced “Fruitvale,” which follows the true story of 22-year-old Bay Area resident Oscar Grant who was unarmed when he was shot dead by police officers at the Fruitvale BART station.

The feature directorial debut of Ryan Coogler, who also wrote the screenplay, premiered to wide critical acclaim and overwhelmingly positive audience reactions Saturday night at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

Weinstein snapped up distribution rights at the festival for the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and South Africa; as well as worldwide international sales rights.

In “Fruitvale,” Grant is played by Michael B. Jordan (“Friday Night Lights”). Per a release from The Weinstein Co.: “This tragic tale recounts the last moments of his life, as he makes plans to be a better partner to his girlfriend and a better father to his four year old daughter. He realizes that change is not going to come easy, as he crosses paths with friends, family, and strangers, each exchange showing us that there is much more to Oscar than meets the eye. But it would be his final encounter of the day, with police officers at the Fruitvale BART station that would shake the Bay Area to its very core, and cause the entire nation to be witnesses to the story of Oscar Grant.”

Continue at EURweb…

The post Weinstein Co. Nabs Film About Oscar Grant’s BART Shooting appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Yesterday, President Barack Obama took the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States of America. While the future of our nation was definitely on the minds of those in attendance and watching at home, one couldn’t help but to notice the sartorial choice of Beyoncé, who has maintained her friendship with the Obamas throughout his presidency and re-election.

Bey definitely brought the sex appeal, albeit a reserved one, to the National Mall. She was a stunner in an Emilio Pucci peek-a-boo, long-sleeve gown and makeup look created by none other than Mally Roncal, a favorite makeup artist of King Bey.

Now we know you’re probably not stacked like Beyoncé, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look just as good. Keep clicking for how to get Beyoncé’s Inauguration look at a fraction of the cost!

Mally Roncal shares her tips for recreating Beyoncé’s look:

• To set the skin, apply my Perfect Prep Poreless Primer all over the face and my Cancellation Concealer directly underneath the eyes.
• To achieve natural-looking coverage, first, apply Ultimate Performance Liquid Foundation. Next, add a sweep of my new Diamond Unpowder, which will illuminate the skin. Follow up by brushing on the Effortless Airbrush Highlighter and add the Blush Duo to the cheeks, in order to create a soft, radiant glow on the skin.
• To achieve a rich, smoky eye, try my Evercolor Shadow Stick in Saddle Shimmer. Apply this all over the eyelid and underneath, as well. Next, select a few shades from the Mally Beauty In the Buff Palette and sweep that onto the eyelids. Finish the look by applying a small amount of my Age Rebel Shadow Stick in Chocolate Diamond on the bottom lid right under your eyelashes to open up the eye. Follow by using my Lightwand Eyebrightener to the inner corners to instantly brighten this area. Lastly, to achieve this bold eyeliner at-home, try using the Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Eyeliner in Midnight, layered with the Ultimate Performance Ink Eyeliner, which is exclusive to QVC.com.
• Compliment this confident eye by pairing it with a mascara that will enhance the overall look – such as the Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara and/or my new Instant Impact Mascara.
• To create glossy, Beyoncé-worthy lips try my High Shine Lip Gloss in Mally’s Look or Mally’s Baby.
• And last but not least, before you leave the house, apply the Mally Beauty Face Defender to lock your makeup in place and Perfect Prep Hydrating Under Eye Brightener to make the eyes pop!

According to Mally, anyone can achieve this easy-to-wear look at home. It works on all ages, skin types, and colors! These essentials from Mally Beauty can be found on QVC.com and MallyBeauty.com.

Maggy London Swirl Lace Dress, $158

Your lifestyle might not call for a full-on gown like Beyoncé, but this Maggy London frock will become a lifesaver in your wardrobe. From cocktail hour to sexy dinner date to the fête of the year, this lace LBD has you covered!

The reports are in: Beyonce lip-synced “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Monday’s inauguration ceremony.

Related: Get The Look: Beyoncé At The 2013 Presidential Inauguration

According to a U.S. Marine Band spokeswoman, the international superstar went against her original plans to sing the patriotic tune for reasons unknown to the rep. Page Six reports:

“All music is pre-recorded for the ceremony because there are so many eventualities and conditions that day. We performed, live, the band. But we received last-minute word that Beyonce was going to use the pre-recorded vocal track. Those were the instructions we were given. We don’t know what the [sic] reason why.”

The Washingtonian stated that “it was evident that the band wasn’t actually playing during the song,” a claim that the rep also confirmed. Fellow inaugural artists Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor endured the harsh weather conditions to deliver their performances of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” and “America The Beautiful,” respectively.

While Beyonce’s camp has yet to respond to the new claims out today, her decision to opt for a pre-recorded version of the National Anthem (à la Whitney Houston) isn’t all that “shocking,” seeing as how it was her voice. But, the singer’s dramatic earpiece pull deserves a major sideye…

Check out the awesome performance below!

Courtesy of the Associated Press

A shooting on a Texas community college campus wounded three people Tuesday and sent students fleeing for safety as officials placed the campus on lockdown, officials said.

Harris County Sheriff’s Maj. Armando Tello said authorities had detained a person of interest.

Authorities also thought there could be a second shooter, according to a law enforcement official in Washington who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the ongoing case.

Aerial footage from local television stations showed police cars and ambulances parked on the Lone Star College System campus about 20 miles north of downtown Houston. Emergency personnel could be seen tending to people on stretchers, while others ran from a building led by officers.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office had no immediate details, but college spokesman Jed Young confirmed the campus was put on lockdown following reports of a shooter. The college issued an alert on its website telling students and faculty to take immediate shelter or avoid the campus.

Melinda Muse, spokeswoman for the Harris County Health System, said two people were taken to Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital Emergency Center following the shooting.

Tello said three people had been injured.

Continue here…

By Charles Ellison, UPTOWN Politics Contributor

Who says politics and hip-hop don’t mix? It was definitely mixed and remixed at BET and Hennesey V.S.’s star-studded Inauguration 2013 ball on Monday night. Entertainment A-listers mingled with America’s political elite in a night featuring everything from Hennessy-sponsored drinks and ATL hip hop Godfather Jermaine Dupri scratching vinyl, to sightings of larger-than-life pro-athletes (current and retired) and cable network headliners. The big treat: a healthy dash of old school lyrical sensations MC Lyte and Big Daddy Kane, both looking as if they never aged while spitting rhymes fluently throughout the night. Doug E. Fresh also bounced about the stage afterwards, but nothing seemed to shake Kane’s “Ain’t No Half-Steppin’,” perhaps the seniority showing a bit as everyone drank the Kool Aid of hip hop’s Golden Age.

Politics, of course, reigned supreme – you could bump into D.C. City Councilman Vincent Orange or there was legendary former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb in the flesh. Actor Jeremy Wright, perhaps attempting to reprise his Senator’s role in “Ides of March,” appeared in good company while actress Lynn Whitfield was a smart phone camera favorite that night. Sisters were at their finest while brothers were in a perpetual state of sharp. While much-needed dancehall and soca were noticeably absent from Dupri’ slight crate of tracks, the night did not didn’t disappoint.

D-Nice

Kenya Moore

Gabrielle Union

Jermaine Dupri

MC Lyte

Andre Royo

Kenny Lattimore & Nicole Ari Parker

Big Daddy Kane

Doug E. Fresh

Bel Biv Devoe

Guests

AJ Calloway & Wilmer Valderama

Rocsi Diaz

Wayne Brady

Omarosa

Boris Kodjoe & Nicole Ari Parker

Lamman Rucker

Phillip Bloch

Guests

Guests

DJ Kiss

Naturi Naughton

Lynn Whitfield

The post The BET | Hennessy V.S Inauguration Takeover Inaugural Ball Presented by AT&T [PHOTOS] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.