During the summertime, there’s nothing like spending your lunch break dining al fresco, sipping a flavored (or spiked) lemonade, and thumbing through a good book. But in between chapters of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie‘s Americanah, it might be fun to indulge in a little guilty pleasure. So why not pick up a celebrity tell-all?
These gems are perfect if you’ve always wondered how Jay Z takes his coffee, or what Oprah‘s favorite curse word is, or which member of YMCMB is the best in the sack. Celebrity tell-alls are also a way for stars and those close to them to give their side of the story, and possibly transform their careers — although not much (Ahem, Confessions of a Video Vixen, anyone?). Read on to find out who is spilling the tea all over your reading list.
One of the most colorful musicians in pop culture history, it’s no surprise that Rick James‘ autobiography would be riddled with juicy stories. Glow, his second posthumous book release, features anecdotes about his time as a pimp while working for Motown, getting his stage name from Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles‘ advice about drugs and music, and plenty of the “very freaky” stuff he was into.
Release Me: My Life, My Words is the newly published book from Olivia Longott, former First Lady of G-Unit and “Love & Hip Hop: New York” cast member. The “Candy Shop” singer dishes about her time with 50 Cent, as well as her separation from his clique. She also shares her opinion on a few other names in the industry, including Wendy Williams.
While many of her fans worship her for her talent and style, Lady Gaga‘s former assistant is one unhappy little monster. Jennifer O’Neill worked for the “Applause” singer from 2009-2011, before launching a six-figure lawsuit against her for unpaid wages and damages. The two settled out of court, but that didn’t stop O’Neill from striking a book deal to the tune of $1 million for an upcoming tell-all, titled Fame Monster.
When she’s not ruffling feathers on R&B Divas: LA, or complaining about Prince‘s pitch — and being subsequently dragged by him for it — Lil’ Mo is apparently doing some writing. The voice behind hits like “Superwoman” and “Put It On Me” has penned her first book, . Called “part memoir and part tell-all,” the book will chronicle her experience in the music industry.
Sebastian McKissack, the son of old school R&B singers El Debarge and Pebbles, is set to release a tell-all, Deceptions of Achieving, this summer. The 20 year old (whose mother was married to L.A. Reid from 1989 to 1996 and was instrumental in bringing TLC to fame) will reveal what life was like as the secret lovechild of the two entertainers, and what their distance from him meant.
Ja Rule was one of the most successful musicians of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The “Holla Holla” rapper had a slew of radio hits and an unmistakable voice. But a beef with 50 Cent, the collapse of his label, and a stint in federal prison brought an end to his reign. Ja’s latest release, a memoir called Unruly: The Highs and Lows of Becoming a Man, will detail his complicated career and life after Murder, Inc.