Melanie Fiona on Her 2 Grammy Awards & Heartbreak
Not many people are aware that Melanie Fiona won 2 Grammy Awards this year. If you’re one of them, don’t beat yourself up because she was among those who got their awards prior to the live broadcast of the show. Melanie and Cee Lo Green won 2 Grammy Awards for their song “Fool For You” in the categories of Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best R&B Song. Jimmy Jam presented the award, and almost accepted it on their behalf; however, Melanie had other plans. Wearing high heels and a floor-length gown, she came running to the stage to accept the award. Fiona humbly accepted the award and thanked Whitney Houston for paving a way for artists like her.
Melanie recently dished about her new album The MF Life which hits stores March 20th, the Grammys, Whitney, Love and the secret she’s been holding inside:
Tell me a secret?
My heart is breaking right now.Why’s your heart breaking?
Someone broke it. It breaks for the disappointment I feel for that person.Interesting. We’ll get back to that. You just won two Grammy’s. What does that feel like?
It is the absolute definition of dreams coming true. Not like when you fall in love or get the job you want. When you really dream of something your entire life, to be able to actually achieve that…and there’s no ‘almost’ achieving it. You either win a Grammy or you don’t. So it’s more than amazing.Take us through the day of the Grammy’s… (more…)
Janet Jackson Talks Secret Marriage, Whitney Houston & Seeing Drugs For The First Time on Anderson Cooper
At 45, Janet Jackson still looks amazing and seems to be getting better with age! She was a special guest on ‘Anderson’ to help media personality Anderson Cooper celebrate the 100th episode of his daytime talk show. While there, she chatted about why she chose to keep her marriage to James Debarge a secret in the early 90′s, as well as seeing crack for the first time at age 11. She also dished on Whitney Houston, why she and her brothers never called their father ‘Dad’ and her self-esteem issues throughout the years. Check out the excerpts:
On Why she never called her father ‘Dad’
I never asked why and I just left it as it is. When our parents tell us something you don’t question it. It is what it is and you just leave it alone because if you don’t, it’s going to go to another level that you don’t want it to go to. So I left it at that but I never asked my other brothers and sisters why they didn’t call him “Dad”. Well, I tried one day to call him “Dad” but he said “My name is Joesph; you call me Joseph. I’m Joseph to you.” (more…)
IMAN Cosmetics Partners With Somali Twin Sisters
Supermodel and cosmetics guru Iman has announced IMAN Cosmetics’ partnership with Mataano, the chic fashion design label with a global flavor. Mataano, founded by Somali twin sisters Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim, will debut its new partnership during their Fall 2012 runway show with IMAN as the lead sponsor. “I saw in the twins the drive and inspiration I had at that point in my life. Our shared Somali background and creative visions are a natural fit,” Iman, CEO and Founder of IMAN Cosmetics said in a press statement. “We’re confident this is just the beginning of a successful and thriving partnership,” Iman added. “I’m grateful to have reached a certain point in my life and career where I can inspire young, motivated women to follow their dreams, take a risk, and never accept defeat.”
As part of the new partnership, the Mataano founders will become brand ambassadors for IMAN. They will also work with the brand to assist with future global events, Fashion Week shows, a limited editorial color collection and IMAN’s Fall 2012 campaign.
“It’s an honor to represent and have the support of a makeup giant like IMAN Cosmetics,” Idyl Mohallim said in a statement. “IMAN Cosmetics is about providing options for all different shades of skin and acknowledging and addressing variety in beauty and cosmetics.” Her sister, Ayaan, also stressed the importance of ensuring that their runway models represent the diversity of Mataano’s brands and that the support of IMAN would assist in completing that look.
Originally from Somalia, Ayaan and Idyl relocated to Washington D.C. with their family for a better life. (more…)
Adele Covers March 2012 Issue of Vogue Magazine
British superstar Adele, who picked up 6 Grammies this past weekend, covers the March 2-12 issue of US Voguemagazine. Adele stuns in all of the images in the spread (taken by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot). She declares, “I’m a big personality,” and in her first American Vogue cover, she is larger than life and as gorgeous as any of the models also featured inside the issue. The cover is a little suggestive, but tastefully so, as Adele shows just a hint of cleavage, with her voluminous hair blown back. It’s sexy in the most subtle of ways. In the close ups of her face inside the mag, which hone in on our her peaches and cream complexion and her expressive eyes, traced in black winged eyeliner, she looks like a human Barbie doll.
The 23-year-old chanteuse, who was born Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, talks about how her life has changed since her multi-platinum 21was released, and how she has had to adjust since throat surgery threatened to end her career.
Here’s what the 23-year-old singer had to share: (more…)
R.I.P. Whitney Houston…
I knew I was going to have to write this but had no idea how I would begin. I guess I should just start with the fact that the legendary Whitney Houston is dead. She is gone and I, for one, am already missing her terribly. I never ever stopped rooting for Whitney, even when it seemed she was down and out. I was one of the happiest people for her when she made her come-back, and I honestly believed that she would scale even greater heights. So when my husband woke me up on Sunday morning to tell me she was gone, I cried. I cried because of the wasted potential and talent she still had to share with us, with me…
Whitney passed away on Saturday 11/02/2012 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. Police say there were no obvious signs of foul play. Whitney was found just before 4pm PST by a bodyguard in the bathtub of her suite at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. Police found bottles of prescription pills in her room, including Xanax. According to reports, Whitney always took Xanax for anxiety before big shows to relax (if taken with alcohol it can cause sedation). At the time, her stylist, hairdresser and two bodyguards were in her room and became worried after she was in the bathroom for over an hour. Her hairdresser went to check on her (more…)
Tyler Perry: I Owe My Success to the Grace of God
Tyler Perry is a controversial man. People either love his work with a passion, or hate it with a passion. Some have even slammed him for his stereotypical depiction of black people. The one thing everyone can agree on is that he is amazingly successful at what he does. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman. In 2011, Forbes named him the highest paid man in entertainment, earning $130 million between May 2010 and 2011.
All his success didn’t happen overnight but you too can learn his secret to success. Earlier this week, Perry posted a video blog on his Facebook fan page that gave a lot of inquiring minds an answer to the million dollar question –“How did you make it?” In the video, he reveals that a lot of people try to have hundreds of trades in hopes that something will pop off and they will become a millionaire but Perry believes you should try something simpler. “Narrow your focus to one idea and make it work. It will give birth to all the others,” he said.
This is what he had to say about his journey of how he went from living in his car to being one of the highest paid men in entertainment:
There’s only one answer for that and I say this all the time in the press but people cut it out of articles or they don’t want to print it or they don’t want to say it. The truth be told, it was nothing but the grace of God. Nothing But The Grace of God.
You can plant seeds all day long; you can go around giving your business cards to people. You can go around knocking on doors and auditioning; you can do all of that every day of your life and for most people nothing happens. When a seed is planted in the ground all you can do it water it. You cannot control the sunshine. You cannot control the weather and you cannot control what the locust will come and try to destroy. All you can do is plant your seed in the ground, water it and believe. That is what allowed me to be in this position right now. (more…)
Introducing J. Cole…
Jermaine Lamarr Cole is an American rapper and producer, better known by his stage name J. Cole. In 2009 he was the first artist signed to Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation. Born in Germany and raised in North Carolina, the 26-year-old started testing his skill when he was 12 and began making beats at 15 after his mom bought him a beat machine. Years later, he decided to go to college in New York at St. Johns University so that he would be closer to the record labels as he was confident about getting a deal. After graduating college, he had a chance meeting with Mark Pitts, the former manager of Notorious B.I.G., who introduced him to Jay-z and the rest is history.
After many delays that left his fans wondering if his album would ever come out, his debut ‘Cole World: The Sideline Story’ finally hit stores yesterday. It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited about a rapper. I like his music because it gives me a Kanye West vibe from his College Dropout days. Ladies and gentlemen, I think we’re witnessing the birth of a star. Necole Bitchie recently caught up with J. Cole at his sold out show at Nokia Live in Los Angeles and he opened up about his recent collaboration with Missy Elliot, what it felt like to see his CD for the first time and his refusal to sell out for commercial gain:
Necole Bitchie: You recently released a track titled ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ with Missy Elliot. How did the collaboration come about? (more…)
Tanzanian Born Herieth Paul Covers Elle Canada
Tanzanian born Canadian model, Herieth Paul, is on the July 2011 issue of Elle Canada. In her interview she talks about her transition from living in Dar es Salaam, her feature in the CK One campaign, closing the show for Lacoste and wanting to be famous for 30 years like Naomi Campbell.
Paul moved to Canada with her diplomat mother in 2007. At the age of 14, the modeling rookie walked into an open-call casting in her hometown of Ottawa, and got herself signed on the spot. Now, the 16-year-old is represented by Women Direct, under the watchful eye of nineties “It” model turned model booker Jenny Shimizu. Check out an excerpt from the interview and more pics of this gorgeous young lady after the break. (more…)
Kimora Lee Simmons: The Early Years
I’m not a huge fan of reality TV but I must admit, I was addicted to Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane. Kimora Lee Simmons is an amazing woman. Some may argue that she owes her success to her ex-husband, Russell Simmons. I beg to differ. She is a savvy businesswoman, author, philanthropist, producer, top model, television personality, Tony Award winner and — according to Forbes Magazine — Kimora Lee Simmons is one of the top “hardest working mothers in Hollywood.”
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Kimora stood out in the crowd. By age 10 she was already 5’10, towering above her classmates. To build her confidence her mother enrolled her in modeling classes. At age 13, her unique exotic mix of Asian and African-American beauty captured the attention of agents at a Midwest model search. She was soon whisked away to Paris and quickly earned an exclusive contract with the House of Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld declared her his “muse” and deemed her the “Face of the 21st Century.” Kimora has graced the covers and pages of international fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. She has also modeled for some of the world’s most legendary designers including Christian Dior, Roberto Cavalli and Yves Saint Laurent in addition to posing for iconic fashion photographers such as Patrick Demarchelier, Peter Lindberg and Annie Leibovitz. Kimora shares with us memories of her early modelling days via her website. Check out some pics after the break. (more…)
Why Are Women Delusional When It Comes to Relationships?
Women are suckers for love. That’s the plain and honest truth. I’ve seen a few men who would climb mountains or even take a punch for love, but women take the cake. Their behaviour sometimes just borders on irrationality or insanity even. A great example is the relationship between rapper Fabolous, real name John Jackson, and Emily Bustamante. I just don’t get how a man can totally disresprect me, yet I sit in his house, cook and clean for him. No way! Emily has stood by her man when he was shot, arrested, and surrounded by countless groupies on tour. She is Fab’s lady, friend, stylist, and the mother of his child. She recently gave an interview to Mashonda about how they met, and the dynamics between them.
He asked where I was from, and said that I should visit him next time I’m in New York. I gave him my number and watched him store it in his sidekick as “Emily VA”. I felt like, Wow, he’s only going to know me for my state. I never asked for his number, I felt if it was meant to be, he would call me. We stayed in touch on the phone and when he finally came back to VA to do a show, he called and invited me. We spoke everyday from then on and saw each other often. (more…)
Age Does Not Discriminate…
Women are absolutely terrified of aging. You only need to take a walk to the beauty store and look at the cash cow that is anti-aging products. I won’t lie, I’ve recently changed my beauty routine because I’ve heard that when you get into your late twenties, your age starts to show…wrinkles, frown lines and all that good stuff. In November last year, I erred when I said Iman does not age and she must have a beauty secret she’s not sharing. Well, now we know that her secret is makeup. Today I saw a picture of Iman, and now I know that no matter what you do, age is going to get you. You can apply all the creams and pastes and masks that are available (and they’re really expensive!) but eventually your age will show. Iman was spotted up and about in Soho doing a bit of shopping. Take a look at the pics after the break. Warning: It is a shocker. (more…)
Trannies Taking Over The Catwalk
Watch out Naomi…transgenders are coming for your crown. If you’ve been living under a rock and still don’t know what ‘transgender’ means, let me break it down for you so it will be forever and consistently broke (I love Love Jones!!!) Transgender is the state of one’s “gender identity” (self-identification as woman, man, neither or both) not matching one’s “assigned sex” (identification by others as male, female or intersex based on physical/genetic sex). “Transgender” does not imply any specific form of sexual orientation.
Bosnian model Andrej Pejic, and Brazilian Lea T are causing a frenzy in the world of high fashion. Natural born female supermodels are glancing nervously over their bony shoulders at their male counterparts whose flawless gender bending looks and statuesque physiques have made them famous. (more…)
How The Kardashians Made $65 Million Last Year
Love them or hate them, the Kardashians still manage to snatch our attention while they make a boat load of money doing so. Branding is everything. In this case, the branding mastermind behind this success is Kris, a former airline stewardess and self-proclaimed “momager” who pushed her kids into the national limelight.
Their book, Kardashian Konfidential, has been on the New York Times best-seller list since December (275,000 copies have shipped). Kim’s fragrance was Sephora’s top seller last year, and a new fragrance, Unbreakable by Khloe and Lamar, launched Feb. 12. In the summer, the sisters will unveil a new lifestyle collection with in-store shops at Sears. Then there are the skin care and clothing lines, sneakers, swimwear, liquor, lipstick, three Dash clothing stores. In January, Silly Bandz introduced the Kardashian Glam Pack: rubber band bracelets of the girls’ silhouettes, lips and stilettos. All this despite having no exceptional talent — other than looks, exhibitionism and an inability to self-censor. (Only two Kardashian kids received college degrees: Kourtney from the University of Arizona and Robert from USC.) It’s simply amazing how they pull it off. The family is on the cover of the Hollywood Reporter where Kris chats it up and breaks down exactly how she does it all.
Now let’s get down to the figures. (more…)
Who Is Esperanza Spalding?
I know I’m not the only one out there who was shocked when the Grammy winner for Best New Artist was read out. There were only 2 people we really took seriously as contenders: Justin Bieber and Drake. Thank goodness Bieber did not win though I know teenage hearts all of the world shattered at that moment. Esperanza’s win angered Justin’s fans who caused a fracas online. They immediately attacked Esperanza’s Wikipedia page, changing her middle name from “Justin” to “quesadilla” and back to “Justin” again. I’ve been trying to find out more about Esperanza. Her music is really good but she’s not a new artist. I’m kind of confused about the criteria for Best New Artist award. Despite that, I’m glad the Grammys are back to recognizing REAL talent as opposed to popular music. If you’re mad, just think of what you’d feel if Soulja Boy won a Grammy…he’s popular isn’t he? Here are a few things you need to know about Esperanza:
President Obama sings her praises. She’s headlined multiple performances for him, one following his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in 2009, marking the first time jazz was played at the ceremony instead of classical music. (more…)
