Celebrity News & Style for Black Women » Essence Magazine

Racist White Essence Magazine Editor Fired Over Facebook Comments

Leigh Davenport, Editorial Director — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:15:53 +0000

Essence Magazine’s editor-in-chief Constance C.R. White has apparently fired Essence.com Managing Editor Michael Bullerdick after being made privy to Bullerdick’s private facebook page which contained racially offensive posts and comments.

According to Newsone.com, a reader sent a screenshot of Bullerdick’s private facebook page and sent it to The Maynard Institute’s Journal-isms site who sent it on to Essence.

“Essence readers would be shocked to find that Bullerdick, who under the prodding of Time Inc became the first white male editor at the magazine last year, openly espouses extremist Right-wing views that run counter to what Essence has historically stood for,” the reader wrote to Journal-isms.

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Bullerdick was hired last year inciting controversy amongst readers who were puzzled as to why a White male would be best suited for an editorial role at the historical Black women’s publicationn. At the time, Editor-in-Chief Constance White responded to the uproar noting that Bullerdick’s role was in no way editorial.

FULL STORY HERE

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Kerry Washington Tells Essence Mag That J.Lo Inspired Her Career

HelloBeautifulStaff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:30:52 +0000

Kerry Washington covers Essence magazine’s latest issue. She looks gorgeous wearing a white satin dress that shows off all her curves and oversized jewels around her neck and middle finger, but we wished she would have cracked a smile!

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.’

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Kerry Washington’s Style

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Idris Elba Is A "Laid Back Lover" In Essence Magazine

HelloBeautifulStaff — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:45:39 +0000

Idris Elba covers Essence magazine’s November 2011 issue and inside, he takes off his usual photo shoot suit and gets comfy in casual wear while playing chess, laying back in his living room, and walking the city streets.

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.”

Is Idris Elba The Next James Bond?

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Idris Shows Off His “Essence”

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Essence Profiles Amar’e Stoudemire & More Sexy Black Athletes

HelloBeautifulStaff — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:45:54 +0000

Essence magazine features Amar’e Stoudemire and 3 other sexy, single Black athletes in it’s latest August 2011 issue. Inside, Amar’e speaks on his biggest passion, clothing line and how he gives back to the community, as other athletes James Ihedigbo, Curtis Granderson and Kerron Clement pose for the camera, as well.

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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Essence Magazine’s “Men Of Sports”

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Viola Davis Covers Essence Magazine, Talks “Devastating Experiences”

HelloBeautifulStaff — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:00:19 +0000

Viola Davis covers the August 2011 issue of ESSENCE Magazine as “Hollywood’s Best-Kept Secret.” The actress (of “Doubt” and “Law Abiding Citizen” fame) is currently starring in the upcoming film “The Help,” based on the best-selling book.

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

Viola Davis

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Beyonce Writes Her First Cover Story For Essence Magazine

HelloBeautifulStaff — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:30:45 +0000

Beyonce covers Essence magazine’s July 2011 issue. And she’s all smiles as she talks about the year that changed her life (as promised by the headline), but the biggest bonus is that she wrote her very first cover story for the mag, titled “Eat, Play, Love.”

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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Beyonce

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Jennifer Hudson Covers Essence Magazine

HelloBeautifulStaff — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:15:24 +0000

Jennifer Hudson covers the April issue of Essence, where “the award-winning actress and singer talks about being a working mom, her wedding plans — and yes, her amazing 80-pound weight loss!”

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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]

Jennifer Hudson

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J. Hud, Gabrielle Union & More Go Glam For Essence’s Women In Hollywood Event

HelloBeautifulStaff — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:15 +0000

Jennifer Hudson and Gabrielle union looked amazing at Essence’s 4th Annual Women In Hollywood Luncheon where J.Hud was being honored. So did everyone else, including Kimora Lee, Kimberly Elise and Anika Noni Rose.

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]

Essence’s 4th Annual Black Women in Hollywood

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“Glee” Star Amber Riley Channels Chaka Khan For Essence

HelloBeautifulStaff — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:30:57 +0000

“Glee” star Amber Riley channels her idol Chaka Khan in the March issue of Essence magazine. The photo shoot comes just in time, as Essence has started a campaign to get a Queen of Funk-themed episode on the musical comedy-drama television series.

Amber looks amazing!

Chaka Khan Becomes A Plus-Sized Model [PHOTOS]

SPOTLIGHT: “Glee’s” Amber Riley!!!

Amber Riley

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Fab Or Fug? Angela Bassett’s Cropped ‘Do On Essence Cover

HelloBeautifulStaff — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:45:46 +0000

Angela Bassett shows off a new hair do on the March 2011 cover of Essence magazine. While wearing a strapless gold dress, with gold embellishments and accessories, she tells us why Black women are so fabulous:

“…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…”

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Angela Bassett

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Essence Magazine’s Editor-In-Chief Resigns!

HelloBeautifulStaff — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 22:30:10 +0000

Angela Burt-Murray, editor-in-chief of Essence magazine, resigned today after a five-year-run. Apparently, Burt-Murray summoned her editors late this afternoon and made the big announcement that she was moving to Atlanta with her family. Insiders say Burt-Murray had actually laid the groundwork for her resignation last July and wanted to keep it under wraps.

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.

“For Colored Girls” Cast Covers Essence Magazine

HelloBeautifulStaff — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:30:22 +0000

The cast of “For Colored Girls” covers the December issue of Essence magazine.

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]

Janet Jackson’s Unseen Essence Magazine Outtakes

HelloBeautifulStaff — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:30:02 +0000

Outtake photos from Janet Jackson’s Essence magazine August 2010 shoot have surfaced.

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]

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Janet Jackson

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Monica Covers Essence’s “Hot Hair” Issue, Shows Off New ‘Do

HelloBeautifulStaff — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:45:23 +0000

Monica graces the cover of Essence magazine’s first “Hot Hair” issue.

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.

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Monica & Shannon Brown Caught Vacationing In Cabo [PHOTOS]

Monica

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Kerry Washington Covers Essence’s “Race” Issue

HelloBeautifulStaff — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 20:30:56 +0000

Kerry Washington covers the November issue of ESSENCE magazine.

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]

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Kerry Washington

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Gabrielle Union On Negativity: “I Do A Lot Of Therapy”

HelloBeautifulStaff — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:30:18 +0000

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.

Karma Comes Around! Gabrielle Union’s Show Gets Cancelled

Gabrielle Union

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Essence Magazine’s Fierce & Fabulous Awards Luncheon

HelloBeautifulStaff — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:15:38 +0000

Celebs flocked to the Essence Magazine 40th Anniversary Fierce & Fabulous Awards Luncheon at Mandarin Oriental Hotel on September 13, 2010 in New York City.

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

Essence Fierce And Fabulous Awards

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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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Lance Gross, Boris Kodjoe & Blair Underwood Cover Essence

HelloBeautifulStaff — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:30:38 +0000

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]

Boris & Nicole’s “Alter Ego” Photo Shoot [SNEAK PEEK]

Blair Underwood, Taraji Henson And Snoop’s Alter Ego Shoots [BEHIND THE SCENES]

Lance, Boris and Blair

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“Fierce & Fabulous” Supermodels Cover Essence’s 40th Anniversary Issue

HelloBeautifulStaff — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:45:04 +0000

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]

Naomi, Liya and Iman

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PASS OR FAIL? Ciara Dons All Denim For Essence Magazine

HelloBeautifulStaff — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:45:28 +0000

Here we have for you full high quality scans of Ciara’s spread in the August 2010 issue of Essence Magazine. The shoot was titled Out of The Blue. Ciara modeled various styles of blue denim.

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

NEW MUSIC: Ciara’s “Gimme Dat”

Ciara For Essence

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VIDEO: Janet & Sexy "CSI" Star Get Steamy For Essence

HelloBeautifulStaff — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:45:57 +0000

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:

Miss Jackson

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PHOTOS: The Jackson Family Remembers Michael

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

GALLERY: “ANTM’s” Yaya Strikes A Pose For Esquire & Essence

HelloBeautifulStaff — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:00:18 +0000

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.

Yaya DaCosta in Esquire

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GALLERY: “ANTM’s” Fatima Siad Models BCBG’s Summer Line

GALLERY: Tyra Cleans Up Her Hairline

She also appears in the June issue of Essence Magazine:

Yaya DaCosta in Essence

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Jada Pinkett-Smith Takes It All Off On Cover Of Essence

HelloBeautifulStaff — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:15:22 +0000

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”

Jada Talks About Her & Will’s Sex Life… Again!

Jada Pinkett-Smith

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Jill Scott Is Head-To-Toe Glam In Essence

HelloBeautifulStaff — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:30:19 +0000

Jill Scott is covering the May issue of Essence magazine. And here, she debuts the first photo of her baby boy, Jett, as well as some gorgeous floor-length dresses.

“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”

Jill Scott

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FIRST LOOK: Meet Jill Scott’s Son Jett

HelloBeautifulStaff — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:50:52 +0000

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”

Jill Scott

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Janet Jackson To Headline Summer Music Festival

HelloBeautifulStaff — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:45:55 +0000

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

Janet Jackson

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Shaunie & Shaq Reach Divorce Settlement

HelloBeautifulStaff — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:45:29 +0000

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.”

WTF: Shaq Has A Live-In Stripper?

Shaq Has More NBA Baby Mama Drama

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 in “Essence”

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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”

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

HelloBeautifulStaff — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:15:35 +0000

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?

Black Women In Hollywood

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Black Women In Hollywood

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The Obamas Cover ESSENCE Magazine

HelloBeautifulStaff — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:00:41 +0000

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.

Barack and Michelle

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Reggie Bush Covers Essence Mag, Black Women Are Mad

HelloBeautifulStaff — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:37:30 +0000

Essence is one of the flagship magazines that caters to black women. Accordingly, the fact that Reggie Bush-who seems to have a clear preference for white women-covers its “Black Men, Love & Relationships Issue,” has angered many black women.

Many black women tout Essence’s decision to use Reggie Bush on the cover of its relationship issue as a smack in the face. The football superstar is currently involved in a very public relationship with Armenian reality star Kim Kardashian, who is clearly not black, though she does consider herself somewhat ethnically exempt from the Caucasian classification. As Essence has branded itself as an editorial “where black women come first,” the gripe relates directly to the fact that its cover star’s first choice is actually not a black woman.

Continue Reading Below The Gallery!

Take a look at the couple below:

Kim K and Reggie’s Date Night

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Khloe and Kim K: “Black Guys Love Our Big Butts”

There is some valid argument in this perspective, though it is mostly exclusionary in nature and therefore flawed.

But why are black women really upset? Is it the fact that Bush chose a white girlfriend? At what point does his personal preference in women cross over into territory that is really none of our business? And while it is understandable that his choice in a partner is irrelevant so long as it is not broadcast on an avenue designated for black women, does this discount the fact that he is still a black man? Must we exclude the opinions of black men that don’t date black women? On some level, this seems unfair. Reggie Bush represents one clear perspective; although it is not approved of by everyone, why should his perspective be excluded from discussion in a black women’s magazine?

It is obvious that the Essence team chose their cover because it is clearly provocative. Rather than coming down on those who made the decision, however, it seems much more prudent for black women who are angry, or disapproving of Bush’s relationship choices to use this opportunity to voice their opinions and engage in conversation about the touchy subject.

Reggie Bush & Kim Kardashian Nobu Date Night

There is no benefit in banning certain men from the covers of our magazines, unless of course their actions are personally and directly offensive, derogatory and defaming to black women. Otherwise, this seems like an opportunity to get into the psyche of this particular black man, and see his particular views on life, love and relationships as the magazine suggests.

Essence is not calling Reggie Bush the authority on black love. It is simply honoring an attractive black man, and seeking his individual perspective. In 2010 are interracial relationships still a problem in our community? While he may not exactly be the poster child for black love, nor the most deserving of the cover, it just seems wrong to completely write off the controversial baller.

Apparently the fact that Essence chose to dig up an old pic of Bush for its cover is also a source of disapproval from readers. Get it together Essence.

Are you mad that Reggie Bush covers this issue of Essence?

RUMOR: Reggie Bush To Propose To Kim K!

Kim In New Orleans

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