NYLean25 is an interval training program that alternates between short bursts of high intensity activity followed by short rest periods or low intensity activity. Each class is a short 25 minutes and only three days a week. That’s perfect for the average busy-body that doesn’t have enough time to dedicate to fitness. I will be working with Robert Brace, the creator of NYLean25 for the next seven weeks to change the way I eat and learn effective ways to exercise.

Check me out in the very first installment of my own iPhone Fitness Diaries featuring the first day of the NYLean25 Challenge!

Follow me on my journey! And definitely follow me on Twitter @Rhapsodani to see my homemade healthy meals, complaints about the smell of Popeye’s in the air and excitement about my weekly progress! Don’t forget to come back every week for updates!

LIKE HelloBeautiful On Facebook To Keep Up With My NYLean25 Journey!

Check Us Out On YouTube!

Listen To This Workout Playlist To Get Motivated!

John Legend’s upcoming collaborative release with The Roots is not your average covers album. Aptly titled ‘Wake Up!,’ the album includes Bill Withers track ‘I Can’t Write Left-Handed,’ Ernie Hines’ 1970 classic ‘Our Generation’ and, as you’ll see below, Donny Hathaway’s ‘Little Ghetto Boy.’

We have the exclusive in-studio clip of the men joining forces. Enjoy it below!

John Legend, Melanie Fiona & Common’s “Wake Up Everybody” [NEW VIDEO]

Estelle, John Legend & Nas’ “Fall In Love” [NEW VIDEO]

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Ne-Yo sat down with Cleveland’s Z107.9 to give an exclusive interview for HelloBeautiful, where he discussed everything including his four major heroes, the first time he met Michael Jackson, why he won’t listen to his own music, what having a “Champagne Life” consists of, whether or not he’s engaged, his questionable sexuality, and why he chose to have a baby with Monyetta Shaw.

RELATED LINKS:

Beyonce & Ne-Yo Hit The Studio Together

Ne-Yo To Kandi: “Men Don’t Put Love & Sex In The Same Pot”

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In the first episode of “It’s A Scary World,” Mel B. introduces us to her family, husband Stephen and daughters Phoenix, Angel and Giselle.

It’s a must-see! The former Spice Girl doesn’t shy away from anything, including talking about her baby daddy drama with Eddie Murphy, who shockingly invites her to his movie premiere, and contemplating whether or not she’s too old to do a burlesque show. She even lets the cameras follow when her and Stephen go to couple’s therapy!

This episode has NOT been aired on TV yet.  Watch it first, watch it online, only here at HelloBeautiful!

EXCLUSIVE: Mel B. On The “Sex Sells” Theory, “I Wouldn’t Want My Kids To” [VIDEO]

Hot Mamas Unite! Mel B & Christina Milian Meet Up [PHOTOS]

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Mel B., the well-respected artist, actress, author, television personality, entrepreneur and mom, has given HelloBeautiful the exclusive opportunity of seeing clips from her upcoming reality show “It’s A Scary World.”

The Style Network docu-comedy series will follow Mel as she maintains a restless schedule between family life and show business.

In addition to catching a glimpse inside the international superstar’s life via the 10 half-hour episodes, viewers will also get a chance to know Brown’s husband and business partner, Stephen Belafonte, and her two daughters, Angel and Phoenix (from prior relationships).

However, we got a chance to sit down with Mel B. before the show airs on Sunday, September 5th at 9pm.

Check out what she had to say about her new show, the “sex sells” theory, what makes her happy, and what scares her – after all, she was Scary Spice.

RELATED LINKS:

Hot Mamas Unite! Mel B & Christina Milian Meet Up [PHOTOS]

VIDEO: How Does Mel B. Keep Her Husband From Cheating?

Eddie Murphy Makes Amends With Mel B. & Daughter

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Watch our exclusive interview below!

NEW VIDEO: Toni Braxton Works The Pole In “Hands Tied”
GALLERY: Toni Braxton’s Son Joins The Shaved Head Crew!

Toni Braxton

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With the release of her anticipated third album “My Soul” set for tomorrow, MAY 25, we got the chance to sit down with soul singer and NAACP Image Award nominee Leela James.

Watch our interview below to hear James talk haircare (after all, her trademark ‘do is as big and distinctive as her voice is), what fashion trends she’d like to see disappear, how this upcoming album differs from the rest, and what 5 words describe her best.

A standout track on “My Soul” is James’ duet with fellow interviewee Raheem Devaughn titled “Mr. Incredible, Ms. Unforgettable.” Hear it below:

Raheem DeVaughn: “I Gotta Find A Woman That Can Tolerate Me”

PLAY OR SLAY? Leela James Covers James Brown Classic!

AND ENJOY HER NEW VIDEO, “TELL ME YOU LOVE ME”

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Watch the third and final installment of our exclusive one-on-one with TVOne star LisaRaye McCoy.

If you missed the first two parts, click the links below:

VIDEO: LisaRaye’s 3 Tips For Single Mothers

LisaRaye On Rocsi: “I Would Whup Her Like She Was My Daughter”

In honor of this years Mother’s Day, we asked LisaRaye to discuss her own experience.

Here, she talks about what she learned from watching her mother while growing up, how she balances being both a parent and a friend to her own daughter, and why she’s concerned with the modern-day youths need for fame and “fast money.”

She also discusses joining the Obama Educational Tour, and why she thinks she’s a fit role model for children.

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Tiny and Toya sat down with HelloBeautiful for an exclusive interview about their new season of “The Tiny And Toya Show.”  We girl-talked it up about how they became best friends, maintaining your body and hair (weave talk, yay!), nails, T.I.P, Wayne, tattoos and groupies!

See Part I of the interview here: Tiny On T.I.’s Return: “The Groupies Will Be There & So Will I”

When we first heard that T.I.’s girlfriend Tiny and Lil’ Wayne’s ex-wife Toya were starring in their own show on BET, we kind of scratched our heads unknowingly. We weren’t quite sure if the “Tiny & Toya Show” would be another “RHOA” or gold-digging reality show for that matter. What we soon found out that was neither Tiny or Toya were close to those stereotypes.

VIDEO: Tiny Returns Gifts “Chelsea Lately” Host Sent To T.I.

Tiny & Toya On Having Sex Too Soon

Take a look at the pics of the ladies at their season premiere party:

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Every year the critics are ready to proclaim the death of soul music, moaning to one another about the days when Curtis Mayfield and Barry White once walked the earth like musical giants. Sometimes they sleep when something fresh does come along, but Raheem DeVaughn was determined from the beginning to be the best.

Introduced to a wider audience in 2005 with the release of his debut disc “The Love Experience,” DeVaughn strived to create the perfect hybrid of old school grooves and new school attitude. The album spawned the hit single, “You.” His sophomore effort, “Love Behind The Melody,” featured “Woman,” and with that record he hoped to rid himself of his “underdog” title.

Now, with the release of his third studio album, a two-disc set, we think it’s safe to say he’s achieved his goal.

Tell us about your latest single, “I Don’t Care.”
The label had to pull my teeth to record that. I said, “I’ll meet you halfway, ya’ll dont ask me much, ya’ll usually let me be the mad scientist.” This record fell in my lap so, I thought, maybe it’s a gift from the creators. As I started recording, I was like, “Hey, this isn’t so bad. I like this. Ohhh! This is hot!” It’s the only record that I didn’t write on the album, but it’s in great company. Ne-yo wrote it. So, from one songwriter to another, I think he’s dope, and I hope I get to return the favor.

Describe the new album.
It’s a double album called the “Love and War MasterPeace” – it’s half socially-conscious, half love. Some of the socially-conscious ones are “Bulletproof,” and “Revelations 2010″ with Damien Marley. I wanted to take the opportunity to work with people that I look up to or am genuinely fans of. And I’ve been working on this album since the last one, so it’s not just that I have a lot to say, but I think there’s a lot that needs to be heard.

“Nobody Wins The War” is such a standout track. It features Jill Scott, Bilal, Anthony Hamilton, Algebra, Chrisette Michele, Shelby Johnson, Ledisi, Citizen Cope, Dwele, Chico DeBarge And Rudy Currence. How did it come about?
I tracked them down. Last tour Jill did, she took me out with her. Last tour I headlined, I took Christette out. Anthony, Bilal and Shelby all used to sing background for D’Angelo. Dwele and I have been friends for years. And I also have some artists that don’t necessarily get the shine they deserve.

Did you feel that taking a stand on the war would alienate some of your fans?
No. At the end of the day, I’m making a true statement. Nobody wins the war. Who really wins? I’m not picking a side, a country, a religion, I’m saying there always could be a solution if people are willing to compromise. A life is gonna be lost, blood is gonna be on somebody’s hands, but it’s a catch-22 because if somebody comes kicking your door in and invades your home, you might have to put them on their head. In that case, the violence is necessary.

What’s your first musical memory?
Being at Greenhill Daycare in Maryland at the graduation, directing the choir. I was the conductor, the musical leader.

What’s your favorite love song? (And you can’t choose your own)
Let’s go with Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You.”

What do you look for in a woman?
I look for confidence, spirituality, independence, adventure, spontaneity…

Do you have a celebrity crush?
I got a couple! You know who’s a sweetheart? I got a crush on Erykah Badu, but don’t tell anybody. And I think Miss Keri is cute. And I wasn’t prepared for Alicia Keys at the Apollo or the energy and the chemistry we had, but I’ll be prepared next time though. She kinda caught me off my square.

Tell us something we don’t know.
I love kids. I have two sons, 2 and 4. If I could, in a perfect world, I’d have a tribe, but at this point, I cant keep having like a bunch of baby mamas [laughs]. My mom ain’t having that, that just don’t sit well with her, so I gotta find a woman that can tolerate me and have a gang of babies.

How do you maintain a relationship with your young children while working?
I don’t always get the time that I want with them and I’m sacrificing a lot to make sure things are secure in their future. Their mothers are very overly supportive and understanding. I couldn’t be blessed with a better situation. They’re mature and don’t add to the stress. I hope this leads as an example to cats: Don’t buy into the hype of the baby mama/daddy drama. Don’t perpetuate it and buy into the propaganda. It’s bulls***. Don’t let no judge decide your fate, because once you in that system, you in that system. Granted, if you’re not handling your responsibilities, man up.

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Do you remember Fefe Dobson?

If not, we don’t blame you. After all, when she released her debut album on Island Def Jam back in 2003, there wasn’t much room for black punk rockers in the music industry – especially not female ones. But now, the world has changed and Dobson’s back to claim the spot that was originally hers.

Also:

Watch the video to her HOT new single, “I Want You”

Her personal page is at www.fefedobson.com

And watch some of our other EXCLUSIVE HB interviews by clicking the links below:

Meet N’Dambi! Badu’s Back-Up Singer Makes A Name For Herself

EXCLUSIVE: Lance Gross To Bloggers, “Eva & I Have Our Private Life!”

Charlie Murphy On Dating Latin Women & Experiencing Racism

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Meet N’dambi!

The singer/songwriter has been delivering albums consistently since 1999 – her latest, Pink Elephant, being her fourth – but she has not yet been given credit where due. And we, at HelloBeautiful, would like to change all that.

Born Chonita Nicole Gillespie in Dallas, Texas, N’dambi first entered the music world singing gospel in her church; both her parents were Baptist ministers.

After graduating in 1994 from Southern Methodist University, Gillespie attempted to navigate her way through the Dallas music scene with a handful of short stories she had written, as she had majored in English while in school. Her writing skills are evident, as the lyrics to her songs often paint vivid pictures of minute details.

She delivered her debut solo CD Little Lost Girl Blues in 1999, a two-disc set with Tunin’ Up & Cosignin’ in 2001 (which focused more on a live and jazzy sound), and the funky, rock-influenced A Weird Kind Of Wonderful in 2005. These projects were released independently, but having now signed with the Stax label, you can expect to hear her music move to mainstream.

With support from producer Leon Sylvers III – whose credits include Shalamar, Gladys Knight, The Whispers, and Blackstreet – as well as Erykah Badu, who Gillespie sang background vocals for on the Baduizm and Live albums, it’s only a matter of time before N’dambi’s name rolls off everyone’s tongue with ease.

Watch our exclusive interview with her to find out how she got her name, what motivates her, what methods she uses when songwriting, and what regrets she has, if any.

Also, hear her sing an acoustic version of “Ooo, Baby.”

Watch some of our other EXCLUSIVE interviews by clicking the links below:

EXCLUSIVE: Lance Gross To Bloggers, “Eva & I Have Our Private Life!”

Charlie Murphy On Dating Latin Women & Experiencing Racism

KeKe Wyatt Clears The Air On White Mother’s “Racist” Interview

N’dambi

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We got the chance to sit down with Charlie Murphy, co-star of the new film “Our Family Wedding” and one of our favorite “Chappelle Show” guests.

He talked about everything from the downside of social networking and experiencing racism, to why he’s not attracted to other comedians and what dating a Latin woman is like (Lance Gross does so in the movie with love interest America Ferrara; click the link below to watch our exclusive interview with Gross).

EXCLUSIVE: Lance Gross To Bloggers, “Eva & I Have Our Private Life!”

Charlie Murphy’s Wife Dies After Battle With Cancer

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HelloBeautiful readers,

Welcome to our very first “HelloHandsome” post.

We’ve been providing you ladies with a fun mix of fashion, beauty, entertainment, and relationship talk for some time now, but we felt it was finally time to profile some deserving young men – men on the rise and men on our radar!

We scored up-and-coming actor Lance Gross as our first candidate!

Here, you’ll be able to find everything regarding our “HelloHandsome” guy, including photos, his resume (after all, we need to check his history to make sure he’s worthy of the title!), and, of course, an exclusive interview where we’ll ask all the important questions. But, we’ll also get down to the nitty-gritty with:

The Same 7 Questions We Always Ask!
“What three things can’t you live without?”
“What’s your vice and where do you go to get it?”
“What secret urge do you get, but never act on?”
“When was the last time you cried?”
& more…

Can’t wait to hear his answers? Check the interview below!

Resume
2006 – Appeared in uncredited roles on “Eve” and “The Bernie Mac Show”
2006 - Appeared in his first film “Changing Blossoms” as Tony Gene
2008 – Fulfilled his role as Michael Brown in Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns” film
2007 – 2009 – Began role as Calvin on Tyler Perry’s “House Of Payne”
2010 – Starred alongside A-listers Regina King, Taye Diggs, Forest Whitaker and Charlie Murphy in “Our Family Wedding”

Little known fact: He has appeared in music videos for R&B stars Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Letoya Luckett, Kelis, Mary J. Blige, and Solange.

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Lance: Back Off Groupies, “My Morning Starts With Eva!”

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Top Model Eva Hosts Fiance’s Birthday Bash

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What are your favorite tracks on the album?
“Heard ‘Em All” is one because it’s a high performance record. I love to dance and everything and give it high energy. “Why R U” is also one of my favorite songs. There’s another song on the album called “Higher” which is kind of like a rock, but not like an alternative rock, it’s more like a bluesy soulful ’60s-’70s era rock.

Describe your experience filming and shooting in preparation for the album.
[Shooting] “Why R U” was a lot of fun. It was really just trying to figure out how we were gonna get the right visual because it’s a very emotional record, but at the same time it’s very hip-hop and it’s very strong. So I really wanted something that was very clean but something that was really graphic. Even with the album packaging, it wasn’t about just having a flat picture. I wanted it to be sort of 3-dimensional, I wanted to play around with illustrations. I didn’t want it to feel like “Here I am, here’s a bunch of pictures,” because I am an entertainer, I’m not a model. I don’t pretend to be, I’m 5’5″. I wanted the album packaging to really embody what the music is and, so I was like if there’s just one picture of me, that’s fine and the rest of it can be illustration or whatever, I just want it to be tight. I really wanted a tension between love, war, soft, hard, happiness, and pain – all of those things. READ MORE BELOW THE GALLERY!

What are your Fall season must-haves?
Well, I always said the only thing I like about cold weather is Fall fashion. That’s what I always say because I do not like the cold. My shoulders are permanently hunched up when it’s cold outside, but I love layering my looks. I love boots and I love beiges, creams, brown, gray, and winter white. And coats, I’m really into coats.

Does it come naturally to you to embody both your Korean and African-American cultures?
My mother tells me that every time her friends come over they always comment about how Korean I am because, I guess, I have a lot of Korean ways – I don’t know exactly what that is. And they always say that my sisters a little more American than I am, which is funny because actually she looks more Asian than I do, but when you grow up in a house – and culturally my mothers very Korean – you get used to speaking to people in a certain way, especially adults, you automatically step down a few levels, and you talk to them in this way (bows), and you’re constantly nodding and listening. You definitely have a certain respect for your elders.

AUDIO: Amerie & Trey Songz Remake “Pretty Brown Eyes”

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “Why R U” BELOW!

As many of you may know, rapper Jadakiss just dropped another album (The Last Kiss) this month, so we took him out to NYC’s Philippe Chow for drinks and a quick chat. In the video below, hear what Jadakiss has to say about his album, the characters in Notorious, what’s up next, and what he looks for in a woman!

What does Soulja Boy look for in a woman? Click here to find out!

Click here to find out what TI looks for in a woman!

Supermodel Liya Kebede is not only to be the first model to pose as the exclusive face of J. Crew (that is, she’s agreed to pose for the entire catalog), the brand has also agreed to pick up her children’s clothing line, Lemlem.

Lemlem, which means “to bloom,” was launched by Kebede in 2007 and every piece is handmade in her native Ethiopia with natural cotton. The line will be available at J.Crew starting in April.

[source]

The supermodel may be on a catalog cover, but what about putting models back on magazine covers?

Missed model auditions? Tyra’s giving auditioners a second chance.

Ever seen a Calvin Klein runway show? Or a Calvin Klein ad? It’s white city. That seems to be Calvin’s thing when it comes to his models: white, starving, or preferably both.

However, times changed when the label picked model Lyndsey Scott to be the first-ever black exclusive model during CK’s runway show during New York Fashion Week.

For those of you who don’t know, an exclusive is when a label picks a model to walk in their show, and only their show, during Fashion Week. To be picked for a Calvin Klein exclusive is much like winning an Oscar: you are officially “the shit” at your job.

Congrats Lyndsey!

What to see who our other favorite black model is? Click here to find out!

And watch a video of her on the set HERE!

In this exlusive video clip from the most talked about black film at the Sundance Film Festival, director Dennis Dortch, gives us a peek into the sexy side of relationships.

WILL THEY?? or  WON’T THEY??

And if you wanna see another clip, holla in the comments!

For more: www.theblackandsexymovie.com

Black folks in Alaska? How did they get there? Who would they be voting for? See the cold truth as Smokey flies to America’s Icebox to find them.

Now, the premiere episode of the BlackPlanet Universe Video Exclusive, “On The Road with Smokey Fontaine.”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO!