Inside, she talks being Black in Hollywood and her childhood with fellow star Jennifer Lopez.

On Hollywood:
I think it’s a really special time to be a woman of color in this business. The landscape of who has the power is changing. We are in more influential positions and are able to have a say in the stories that are told. I feel very lucky to be in the business now.

On Jennifer Lopez:
I grew up blocks away from Jennifer Lopez. She and I went to the same Boys & Girls Club. She was like the dancer who made it big and moved to Hollywood. [I told her] ‘I don’t know if I would’ve taken a risk in my career if it weren’t for you.’

Kerry Washington Takes It Off For Details Magazine [PHOTO]

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Kerry Washington Steals The Shine On Emmy’s Red Carpet [PHOTOS]

Read a few excerpts below:

On his 9-year-old daughter Isan:
“She’s a nerd really, which I couldn’t be more grateful for. She’s not much impressed with what I do, but she does see how people react to me in the streets.”

On his career:
“I think what audiences expect of me is to act my ass off, and that’s great, because that’s what I do, that’s what I love doing.”

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Do You Want To Visit Idris Elba’s “Private Garden?” [VIDEO]

On how he gives back to the community
My foundation is helping to cure poverty through education, especially in the hood. Everyone needs to see the link between education and getting a better job.

On what you’d be surprised to know about him
I read a lot. I wanted to be a teacher when I was growing up. I still consider it after I retire.

On his biggest passion (besides basketball and education, of course)!
Fashion, I love Tom Ford button-downs and his tailored suits. Whenever I’m dressed up, it gives me a positive energy.

On the outfit a woman can wear to turn his head
Anything from my women’s fashion line with Rachel Roy, due out this fall. Our clothes are comfortable and sexy, perfect for looking great on your way to a game.

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Inside, she talks about the struggles black women face, especially as a dark-skinned woman in the industry.

“As Black women, we’re always given these seemingly devastating experiences — experiences that could absolutely break us. But what the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly. What we do as Black women is take the worst situations and create from that point…”

Viola Davis Stars As “The Help” [TRAILER]

Taraji Henson and Viola Davis Are Oscar Nominees

In her own words, she reveals how a nine-month break both relaxed and reignited her!

“I had talked about taking a vacation before, but always ended up in the studio after two weeks, so no one believed me. This time, though, I was serious. I was going to give myself a year to do the things I never get to do. Simple things like play with my nephew, pick him up from school, visit museums, go to concerts, see some Broadway shows, learn to cook a meal and spend time with my husband…Yes, I needed some relaxation, but I wanted inspiration too, from regular, everyday things. They did not have to be over-the-top productions. I was looking for tiny moments that would speak to my heart and make me smile…”

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Inside, she dishes about friendship, family and the driving force behind the her appeal, saying “I know I make some people cringe. But I also know my willingness to expose myself, warts and all, is part of the reason people are drawn to me. With me, what you see is what you get…”

The issue also features quotes from other celebrity besties—including Beyoncé and mom Tina Knowles; Sherri Shepherd and Niecy Nash; Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah; Kelly Rowland and Brandy; Monica and Keyshia Cole and more.

Wendy Williams Voted Off “Dancing With The Stars”

Wendy Williams Sued For Being “Ungrateful”

Top 10 Girl Groups In Black Music [PHOTOS]

30 More Black Women You Should Know

Essence says, “With an Oscar and Grammy under her belt — along with a happy family, healthy lifestyle, a new album and a much-anticipated role portraying South Africa’s Winnie Mandela in “Winnie” — she returns to the spotlight happier than ever…”

An excerpt from Jennifer: “My wish is to be at least half as good as my mother was, as patient and as loving as she was, and to just give that to my son…”

Jennifer Hudson Stayed In Prison Cell For 3 Days For “Winnie” Role

Jennifer Hudson Dishes On Wedding Band, Dress & Other Details

Jennifer Hudson Brings Baby Boy With Her On “Ellen” [VIDEO]

Viola Davis, Angela Bassett, and Loretta Devine were also being honored.

EXCLUSIVE: Gabrielle Union & Celebrity Stylist Kiyah Wright Give 3 Hair Care Tips [VIDEO]

Jennifer Hudson Brings Baby Boy With Her On “Ellen” [VIDEO]

Amber looks amazing!

Chaka Khan Becomes A Plus-Sized Model [PHOTOS]

SPOTLIGHT: “Glee’s” Amber Riley!!!

“…When I look at a role, I will deliberately find the joy, the sensitivity, the strength, the vulnerability, the resilience. Because that’s what I appreciate about women and Black women, in particular. That’s what I want to celebrate—our resilience and our strength…”

Angela Bassett Wants To Play Michelle Obama In Movie

RUMOR: Did Angela Bassett & Her Husband Split Up?

“Malcolm and I have a lot in common… we’ve both been child actors and were also blessed to be raised by incredible mothers who instilled good values in us. Things are maturing nicely…”

The mag says, “Twenty-six years after she first charmed us on “227,” Hollywood “go-to girl” Regina King still knows how to play it right. Here, she talks to ESSENCE about having what really matters — a successful career, her commitment to raising her 15-year-old son, and a romance with fellow actor and “Cosby Show” alum Malcolm-Jamal Warner. See how she’s living a full life on her own terms…”

Nia & Regina Are Dorothy Dandridge & Eartha Kitt For Ebony [PHOTOS]

Regina King Goes Off On Emmy Awards: They’re “As White As Ever”

Regina King To Black Women: “Date Outside Your Race”

At the time Burt-Murray began her resignation process, the magazine was being burned at the stake for placing a white woman at the helm of its fashion department.

Read more over at Black Voices.

“For Colored Girls” Cast Covers Essence Magazine [PHOTOS]

Lance Gross, Boris Kodjoe & Blair Underwood Cover Essence [PHOTO]

Kerry Washington Covers Essence’s “Race” Issue [PHOTO]

The ladies, including Janet Jackson, Loretta Devine and Whoopi Goldberg, appear on one, while the men including Tyler Perry, Michale Ealy and Hill Harper, appear on the other.

Here’s what Anika Noni Rose had to say about the film,

“…I want this film to awaken people to the power of Black actresses. I want people to know there are things that Black women go through that aren’t slavery or hip-hop. I want people to know Black women as Americans…”

“For Colored Girls” Cast: We Had “Unthinkable, Frightening” Roles [EXCLUSIVE]

“For Colored Girls” Exclusive Clip: Loretta Devine Goes Off! [VIDEO]

We showed you her cover here, but now we’ve got never-before-seen shots from behind the scenes.

Janet Jackson, with her mega-watt smile, looks beautiful, cute, and sexy all at the same time.

Is it us or is she aging backwards?

Janet & Sexy “CSI” Star Get Steamy For Essence [VIDEO]

Janet Jackson & Billionaire Boyfriend Coupled Up In NYC [PHOTOS]

Monica is seen showing off a new look: a shorter cut and new blonde highlights.

The special edition will focus on “the unique relationship between African-American women and their hair.” It will provide a variety of hair and beauty needs.

Monica Responds To Hater Who Called Her A Bad Mother

Monica & Shannon Brown Caught Vacationing In Cabo [PHOTOS]

Kerry’s rocking a full head of curls and a low-cut dress, and is striking a fierce model pose that would make Tyra proud.

Essence states that “the goal of this month’s issue, Race In America, is to create a national dialogue on race that will inform, inspire and empower African-American women.”

Kerry talks to the magazine about her two upcoming movies (“Night Catches Us” and “For Colored Girls”), race, her activist work — and what it means to be Kerry Washington in Hollywood.

She was quoted as saying,

“…I don’t want to ignore my Blackness. I just want to get to the point where my racial identity is simply a part of what makes me unique…”

“For Colored Girls” Movie Posters Revealed [PHOTOS]

Kerry Washington: “I’m Not Ready For A Baby”

Kerry Washington Carded For ID At After-Party Celebrating Her Own Film

Gabrielle Union has admitted to using therapy to get through her tough times.

Though therapy can be a taboo topic, Gabrielle, 38, doesn’t mind confessing that she needs a little help emotionally.

When attending ESSENCE Magazine’s Fierce and Fabulous luncheon, Gabrielle explained how therapy has helped her get out of her own way and work through her fear of failure.

Essence Magazine’s Fierce & Fabulous Awards Luncheon [PHOTOS]

ESSENCE.com: What makes you fierce and fabulous?
GABRIELLE UNION: The fact that I don’t care. I literally don’t try to be a slave to any trend or anyone’s opinion. I truly just don’t care. I follow my own beat to my own drum and usually it works out.

ESSENCE.com: Have you always been like that?
UNION: No, around the time I got divorced I stopped living in fear. I decided to step out on faith and keep it moving, If you like me, you like me. If you don’t, I don’t care.

ESSENCE.com: How have you learned to mute all the negativity out?
UNION: A lot of therapy. Ron Artest and I sing the praises of therapy. Sometimes you get in your own way and your fear of failure; your fear of your childhood hurts comes back to influence your decisions. All that gets in the way of progress and your own beauty and your own accomplishments and capabilities. And once you get to [asking] ‘why are you so fearful?’ and you can acknowledge it, deal with it and then let it go. You’re free to be fierce and fabulous.

ESSENCE.com: Really? To the rest of us Gabrielle Union seems fearless, and so accomplished…
UNION: Oh my goodness, I’m terrified of failure, terrified of judgment.

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Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Naomi Campbell, Wendy Williams and more were all at the event. Check out the red carpet photos below:

The luncheon honors “40 dynamic African-American women who have paved the way, and continue to inspire us in their every day fabulosity,” according to Essence.com.

More Hot Photos:
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Check out the cover for the October issue of Essence Magazine featuring actors/models Boris Kodjoe, Blair Underwood and Lance Gross speaking about their love for black women. The issue hits stands in a couple of weeks. SOURCE

Is their cover hotter than last month’s, featuring Naomi Campbell, Iman, and Liya Kebede? See it here: “Fierce & Fabulous” Supermodels Cover Essence’s 40th Anniversary Issue [PHOTO]

RELATED LINKS:

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Naomi Campbell, Iman and Liya Kebede cover the 40th Anniversary Issue of Essence magazine. The issue celebrates 40 fierce and fabulous women — including Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams, Vanessa L. Williams and many more — who have fearlessly given voice to our dreams and paved the way for dreamers to follow.

Love it! (Maybe they took a cue from us? 30 Black Female Leaders You Should Know About)

Plus, First Lady Michelle Obama writes an exclusive letter on how ESSENCE has helped to shape her life and yours.

Also, the collector’s edition will serve as both the magazine’s September Fall Fashion issue and will feature the first official spreads by Essence’s controversial (i.e. white) fashion director, Elliana Placas.

Naomi Campbell Testifies In “Blood Diamond” Case [VIDEO]

Model Liya Kebede Talks Lemlem, Her Sustainable Clothing Line

Iman Shows Us How To Rock “7 Days Of Global Chic” [PHOTOS]

PASS OR FAIL? Ciara’s “Basic Instinct” Album Cover

NEW MUSIC: Ciara’s “Gimme Dat”

As previously reported, Janet Jackson posed for the latest cover of Essence magazine. Prior to the issue hitting newsstands next week, you can now preview the 44-year-old’s shoot – which features CSI Miami star Adam Rodriguez – who she handpicked to play her leading man!

Janet is also set to headline the Essence Music Festival on July 2nd!

We can’t wait!

Check out more Janet photos below:

PHOTOS: The Jackson Family Remembers Michael

PHOTOS: Janet On The Set Of Tyler Perry’s “For Colored Girls”

When Yaya DaCosta appeared on “America’s Next Top Model,” she divided the viewing audience right in half with her smart, but mostly snooty attitude. You either loved her or hated her. But, then she lost to Eva Marcille (last name then Pigford), and was subsequently forgotten about. Until now.

Esquire Magazine has named her the Woman Of The Summer:

Yaya DaCosta was the “smart one” and runner-up on season three of America’s Next Top Model, so when she visits schools to speak about global environmentalism, it’s hard for some to forget.

“Most of the questions will be thought provoking, whether it’s about responsible consumerism or global warming or Haiti,” DaCosta says. “Then someone will ask, ‘Is Tyra Banks nice?’”

DaCosta holds degrees in international relations and Africana studies from Brown University, is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and since Top Model ended, has landed roles in movies like “The Messenger,” “Take the Lead,” and the upcoming “The Kids Are All Right.” During college, she hadn’t planned on modeling or acting at all: “The thing at the top of my list was going to Geneva for an intensive in interpreting.” She would’ve been a great asset to foreign diplomacy, but we’re glad she chose otherwise.

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GALLERY: Tyra Cleans Up Her Hairline

She also appears in the June issue of Essence Magazine:

Multi-talented actress and superstar mom Jada Pinkett Smith is starting a revolution. She bares it all for the July cover of ESSENCE magazine, and makes a bold statement to empower Black women and girls. Jada shares the motivation behind her shoot, and explains why she approached ESSENCE with the idea.

For her, posing nude is not about Hollywood vanity, but about the desire to teach her young daughter about positive body image. By celebrating our bodies and our skin tone, Jada preaches the power of femininity and the freedom of self-acceptance.

“When I walked out there and disrobed, I felt like a queen. I felt like the world was mine. Like there was this power just emanating from my person. Like there was nothing I couldn’t do.”

WHICH COVER DO YOU LIKE BETTER?

GALLERY: Jada, Nia & More Honor “Black Women In Hollywood”

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“I feel driven and smarter.” Jill says about how motherhood has changed her. “I definitely feel like a lion.”

VIDEO: Jill Scott On Interracial Dating, “We Should Hold On To Our Culture”

Jill Scott: No Plans To Marry Again, Says “I Used To Pray For A Man”

Baby pics poppin’ up EVERYWHERE! Essence released this photo of Jill Scott with her beautiful baby boy, Jett.

“I feel driven and smarter.” Jill says about how motherhood has changed her. “I definitely feel like a lion.”

VIDEO: Jill Scott On Interracial Dating, “We Should Hold On To Our Culture”

Jill Scott: No Plans To Marry Again, Says “I Used To Pray For A Man”

Essence announced this morning that Janet Jackson will be headlining their 2010 Music Festival, which is scheduled for Fourth of July weekend.

It will be her first time at the Fest and her first full concert since her ‘Rock Witchu’ tour stop in New York’s Madison Square Garden back in 2008.

Janet will perform on July 2, the opening night.

Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Keri Hilson, Gladys Knight, Raphael Saadiq, and tons of others are also part of this summer’s line up.

Janet Disputes Rumors, “I’m Not Working On An Album”

VIDEO: Janet Recalls Boob-Binding On “Good Times”

Tyler Perry Announces “For Colored Girls” Remake Cast

According to TMZ:

Shaunie O’Neal’s lawyer, Sorrell Trope, tells TMZ Shaq and Shaunie have reached agreement on all terms of the divorce, including property, custody and support.

Under the agreement, the Florida courts will have jurisdiction to officially divorce the couple. In addition, a Florida judge will handle any issues that may arise involving property division and spousal support. Trope tells TMZ the California courts will have jurisdiction over any issues related to child custody.

Also, Shaunie is prepping for the debut of her new reality series “Basketball Wives.” In an exclusive interview with Essence Magazine, she explains what went wrong in her marriage, blaming Miami groupies, whom she says are the most “aggressive” she has even seen, and Shaq’s inability to resist temptation.

Shaunie on when things started to go bad in her marriage:
[Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat] “Miami is a great city. It just wasn’t a great city for our marriage. I know they say L.A. has its groupies, but Miami has a different mentality. Even going to the games, the whole environment is so different. Girls are practically sitting in their bra and panties in the arena. When you’re trying to keep your husband, that’s a lot to take. It was a whole new lifestyle I wasn’t ready for. Apparently we didn’t have a strong enough foundation for Shaq to withstand that type of temptation.”

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Shaunie on finally confronting Shaq about the infidelity rumors:
“He would deny it sometimes, and other times he would ask, ‘You got pictures? Video? If not, don’t come at me because you have no proof.’ He’d say, ‘Okay, you’re mad. Now what? You’re not going anywhere.’”

Shaunie on being accused of cheating on Shaq with her personal trainer:
“I worked out at home with my trainer, my sister, her husband and my girlfriend. I was a good girl. I wouldn’t even entertain a man flirting with me. I was that conservative. But when those rumors came out, I felt I was so small and Shaq was so big that it didn’t matter what I said; nobody was going to believe me. All I was thinking was, How could this happen to me? I had no idea how I was going to pick up the pieces. I was just done.”

Shaunie on the state of her relationship with Shaq today:
“We are becoming friends, and it’s nice because it’s something we really lacked in our marriage. I enjoy being able to talk openly to him, and I think we both learned a lot from each other during this time.”

Shaq Has Cybersex With Vanilla Jumpoff

Shaunie O’Neal Talks Tiger, Divorce & Reality TV On “Wendy”

Yesterday, just days before the Oscars, ESSENCE magazine honored the best and brightest Black Women in Hollywood. Sponsored by Lincoln, Essence asked the ladies to come together to celebrate the legendary achievements of some of the greatest American actresses of our times. Everyone looked amazing!!!

GALLERY: Black Female Oscar Winners & Nominees

Essence honored:

Hollywood royalty Cicely Tyson with the Legend Award

Break-out star Gabourey Sidibe with the Best Breakthrough Performance

Versatile A-Lister Queen Latifah with the Power Award

Tinseltown darling Zoe Saldana with the Star to Watch Award

and Hip-Hop turned starlet, Mary J. Blige with the Songstress of the Year Award.

The guest list was hefty, too–think Jada Pinkett-Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Joy Bryant, Nia Long, Anika Noni Rose and Paula Patton, to name a few…

GALLERY: The “Black Girls Rock!” Awards

Who do YOU think looked BEST?

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle are on the cover of the March issue of ESSENCE.

They spoke to the mag about education and how they deal with educating First Daughters Sasha and Malia:

President Barack says, “Malia will tell you, my attitude was, if she came home with a B, that’s not good enough because there’s no reason why she can’t get an ‘A’…”

According to the press release:

ESSENCE kicks off the first of its three-part education series, Teaching Our Children, with a White House exclusive—an interview with President Barack Obama. In his first interview of 2010, he talks tough with ESSENCE editor-in-chief Angela

Burt-Murray, Deputy Editor Tatsha Robertson and Washington Correspondent Cynthia Gordy about holding teachers accountable, closing the education gap between Black and White students, how he and First Lady Michelle Obama encourage daughters Malia and Sasha to love learning, and how you can do the same with your own children.

Michelle O: “What You See Is The Real Me”

Will Smith Wants To Be President. No, Seriously.