Birthday Spotlight: Lena Horne

Lena Horne was born on June 30, 1917 in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, New York. By the time she turned 16, the singer, actress and all around beauty had joined the Cotton Club chorus line. By the ‘40s, Horne became the first African-American to sign with Metro Goldwyn Meyer studios to star in Hollywood pictures. The first movie she completed with MGM was Panama Hattie.

Horne was also active in the Civil Rights Movement specifically fighting for anti-lynching laws, rallying with Medgar Evers, and working with Paul Robertson to combat discrimination. Her music career was flooded with Grammy Awards, NAACP Awards, Emmy and Tony awards. She reportedly no longer does appearances but still resides in New York.

He Said, She Said: I Do.

Joy Bryant tied the knot this weekend, according to People Magazine. The young Hollywood screen gem married stunt man David Pope in the Hamptons. Joy was said to have worn a dress by Angela Missoni while the groom rocked Calvin Klein gear in front of approximately 100 guests. We wish them both much love and happiness.

Jay-Z Gives Glastonbury “The Gift…”

Despite criticism about a rapper playing the notoriously rocked-out Glastonbury Festival across the pond this past weekend, Jay-Z put his foot in it…especially the ass of his biggest critic Noel Gallagher from Oasis.

According to reports, Jay-Z opened his set with a video featuring Noel’s preemptive commentary along with members of the public and some outspoken pundits. Jay then launched into a cover of Oasis’ “Wonderwall” which sent the crowd into a giggle induced mass only to be followed by “99 Problems.” From there on, it was all pie for the Brooklyn rapper who’s beautiful B showed up in full support. Check Beyonce out, getting her wifely duties groove on at about 5:41.

Photo Credit: WireImage

Maybelline’s Great Beauty Tour Coming to a City Near You

Maybelline is out and about on its The Great Beauty Tour across the United States. At each city, make-up and style lovers can get an expert makeover, free samples, and information on skin and beauty maintenance.

The traveling beauty band is schedule to stop down in Baltimore today through this weekend at the Orioles Baseball Park for the African American Heritage Festival. The remaining dates are as follows:

Chicago, IL: 7/3 -7/13

Ann Arbor, MI: 7/18-7/21 @ Ann Arbor Art Fair

Wauwatosa, WI: 7/26-7/28

Minneapolis, MN: 8/1-8/3 @ Uptown Art Fair

For exact event addresses click here.

Photo Credit: Maybelline

Russell Simmons Breaks Down Divorce Agreement

Yesterday news broke of Kimora and Russell Simmons divorce agreement. Immediately the sentiment was that Kimora had taken Russell to the cleaners because it was reported that he has to pay 40,000 a month for both of the kids and his scheduled visits are limited to every 8 weeks. Of course, to the lay person this may sound over indulgent and sad at the same time. But Russell broke.it.down on his social networking site Global Grind. Here’s a taste of what he had to say.

“Friends of mine have forwarded me gossip online about my custody agreement details with Kimora. The fact is, we’ve had a pretty good partnership at sharing the girls in the past. There have been a few bumps in the road, and those bumps have led us to negotiate a minimum amount of time I’m guaranteed to see my kids. That deal is as follows…”

Read Russell’s entire script here at Global Grind.

It’s a damn shame people have to explain their personal lives like this. So glad I’m only famous in my house.

Photo Credit: Global Grind

From “G’s to Gents”… Really Jamie Foxx?

Armageddon is here. We are living in it. And it has masked itself as reality television. Cuz after all, if reality programming is a reflection of how we’re living then surely what we’ve been viewing is the final fight between God and Satan. I don’t have to go down the line (just check VH1’s line-up for the last ohhh five years). Which brings me to another Viacom spawned idea - MTV’s “From G’s to Gents” from the Academy Award winning Jamie Foxx .

This could do us in or… maybe not, if “FOL” didn’t. I know it’s not right to pre-judge considering it doesn’t air until July 15^th and I surely haven’t seen more than the tv trailer below, but it is what it is. A bunch of “thugged” out dudes get transformed into gentlemen with the help of the entertainment world’s metrosexual former umbrella carrier Fently Bonzworth. Oooh, yummeee… I want a man just like Fently!!!

Same format, same shooting style, same concept, same sorry ass “regular” types hoping to keep a career going on the recycling reality circuit. It almost makes a tear descend from my eye. Ok. I’m lying. But alas, you can check out the promo for yourself right below this paragraph (I’ll be watching re-runs of “Groomer Has It” – a really great, good, guilty pleasure of a reality show!).

Birthday Spotlight: Lucille Clifton

Lucille Clifton, a brilliant writer, poet, and professor, celebrates her birthday June 27^th. The literary award winning scribe hails from New York. In 1969 her first book of poetry Good Times, was published and recognized as one of the 10 best books of the year by the grey lady - New York Times. She has written over 10 books, many focusing on African-American culture and heritage, won a myriad of awards including fellowships from the National Endowment of Arts, an Emmy Award, the Coretta Scott King Award, and the National Book Award for Poetry.

Rihanna F’N Rocks!

Rihanna graced the stage in Los Angeles Wednesday night for the taping of the new MTV series “FNMTV Premieres.” Hosted by Fall Out Boys’ Pete Wentz, “FNMTV…” is a weekly program consisting of exclusive video premieres and live performances wrapped up in a little bit of host banter.

Rihanna opened the show in a drop dead gorgeous, taupe-hued dress with heels to die for in front of a rocking back-up band and some of the best lighting in the business. She, of course, performed “Take a Bow” to a crowd of teen-somethings just ripe to hear anything exuded from the Bajan princess’ mouth. Rihanna and Pete (who performed together at the MTV Video Awards last year) joked about having the same hair cut before Rihanna talked briefly about three of her favorite music videos: Madonna’s “Material Girl,” “Like A Virgin,” and Bob Marley’s “One Love.”

The show continued with a semi-surprise appearance from T.I. (to wild, uncontrollable applause) who premiered his artistically gritty video for “No Matter What.” That was followed by video premieres from the high energy, new Los Angeles rock band No Age, and Diddy’s latest design, Day 26.

Rihanna returned for a stunning close-out performance with Maroon 5 of “If I Never See Your Face Again.” This was the first time the two artists had performed this song together live. This time she was rocking a trendy, ruffle-bottomed, mini dress in a dashing royal blue.

If you’re in for the night, this episode of “FNMTV Premieres” which airs Friday, June 27, at 8:00pm on MTV is worth a watch.

Photo Credit: Fanscape/MTV

Beyonce on the Set of “Obsessed”

Beyonce on the set of Obsessed with co-worker Idris Elba. For more on the movie click here.

Ciara: Model Material

Ci-Ci put a hurtin’ on ‘em at the BET Awards. That’s undisputed. And now we see why. The singer recently signed with Wilhelmina Model Agency. The deal will reportedly focus on casting Ciara for photo shoots and various commercials.

Ciara joins the celebrity clientele which includes or has included Fergie, Beyonce, Jessica Simpson, Sela Ward, and Vanessa L. Williams, among others.

The singer is slated to release her third album Fantasy Ride, a three disc, multi-themed effort, later this year. The “single” “High Price” featuring Ludacris has been made its way around the internet, not faring too well.

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