The First Lady Does Glamour

And I loves it!!! She's so splendiforously fantabulous, isn't she? Lookin at this cover somehow got me excited about the holidays...or at least she makes me ready to eat all day on Thanksgiving. Anyhoo, Michelle is lookin gorgeous as per usual on the cover of Glamour magazine's Women Of The Year December issue!!! Glamour is also honoring her with a Special Recognition award for her commitment to mentoring young women. I actually saw a lil piece about Michelle and this cover on Good Morning America this morning and this one lady was saying that if she was her advisor she doesn't think she would have advised her to do the Glamour cover because it might appear to trivialize her. I'm not sure how that is possible. The only people it would "appear" that way to are people who hate and don't see that her goal is to show the world that she might be first lady, but in her words "there's no magic to being here" and that she's a wife, mother, professional, and dedicated hard worker. She wants us to know she's just like every other woman doin the damn thing. Her husband just happens to run the free world. No biggie. Anyhoo, Glamour offered a lil bit of what Michelle discusses in the article and my fave quote is regarding her thoughts on men: With men, don’t be swayed by “cute”: “Cute’s good. But cute only lasts for so long, and then it’s, Who are you as a person? Don’t look at the bankbook or the title. Look at the heart. Look at the soul…When you’re dating a man, you should always feel good…You shouldn’t be in a relationship with somebody who doesn’t make you completely happy and make you feel whole.” She ain't neva lied. So help me ya'll. Help me look past the fug. Puh-leeeease? Source

Super Group - Tamia, Kelly Price, and Deborah

Say muthafluffin word?!!! Three of the best singers - three of my absolute FAVORITE singers (I Looooooooooove Tamia) - are reuniting to form a super group!!!! Please excuse my squeals of excitement...this is seriously like the best news ever. I mean we can all rejoice that Whitney is back, but we're all honest enough to know that she got about two more albums and some SERIOUS vocal lessons to go before she becomes WHITNEY one more gin. But there really isn't anybody (other than the fierce one...Bey) that is really sangin these days and making me play their albums on repeat like I used to do back in the day. And this new comes after watching Real Housewives of Atlanta last night and being PISSED that Kim, Kandi and those producers are really showing the world that talent means absolutely nothing and anybody can be fuckin Tardy for the Party. UGH!!! Kim is more tone deaf than a deaf glee club with cochlear implants. Yet Kandi has stated that she can make "anybody hot" and has this silly bitch thinkin she's gonna be a hit. And knowin our tardy for the party society, she will be. But I digress....real singers Tamia, Kelly Price, and Nobody's Supposed to Be Here Deborah Cox are power group, for right now called "TDK" and their album is called "The Queen Project" and the first single is called "Queen". I can already feel my goose bumps.... Am I the only one who is beyond ready to hear TDK???!!! Can you imagine their live show?!! To read more about how the group came together click: Never Tardy For The Party.

Oh Tameka Foster "Jelly Belly" Raymond....

You falling prey to societal standards and deciding to get a tummy tuck had everything to do with the fact that your jelly belly situation just isn't cute and nothing to do with you being dark skinned. Sigh....she done made F.U. have to speak on it! Tameka "Jelly Belly" Raymond, Usher's soon to be ex-wife, wrote an article for the Huffington Post about her having to deal with internal racism/color complexes due to the fact that she's a dark skinned woman. I'll be the first to admit that she makes some good points: "Often dark-skinned women are considered mean, domineering and standoffish and it was these very labels that followed Michelle Obama during the campaign for her husband's presidency and which she has had to work tirelessly to combat. I was appalled when I heard a Black woman refer to Michelle Obama as unattractive. The conversation turned into why President Obama picked her as his mate. No one in the witch-hunt made reference to the possibility that Michelle Obama was smart, funny, caring, a good person, highly accomplished or brilliant. Nor did they mention that she previously was President Obama's supervisor. If she were fair skinned, petite with long straight or wavy hair, would the same opinions be linked to her? I seriously doubt it. It is believed that for the dark skinned, dreams are less obtainable." There is an adage "hurt people, hurt people". If this is true then we must examine the root of negative words and judgments that are passed on people. Unfortunately, we have internal stereotypes based off of skin color and facial features that stem from years of programming, dating back to the "Willie Lynch" method for creating a slave. In this infamous formula, one of the main factors in separating and creating division was placing the lighter skinned blacks in a higher position in the house, while those with darker skin were made to stay in the fields and deemed "less desirable". Much like the Caste System in India. No matter what strides we make as a people, these issues continue to plague and rot our souls, causing significant decay to a portion of our population and truly hindering our progress. Perhaps we show progress in our wallets and lifestyles but not in our mind set. Reading magazines, social media sites, watching our music videos, and television shows feed our appetites for all things 'beauty". Rarely, however do I see depictions of grace and elegance in the form of dark complexioned women. I Googled one of the more ethnic models, Alek Wek and I was saddened by the tone of what the bloggers wrote in reference to her complexion, features and hair texture. Ms. Wek's escape from Sudan, her journey, philanthropy, and groundbreaking success as a supermodel in America is not only beautiful, but it displays her tenacity and character. African-Americans seemed to have lost their eye for character. These comments are evidence of the confusion that lies within many black people. It's the cruelty and prejudice that has spilled into the fabric of our everyday lives. It makes me wonder what have we collectively lost as a people? Our Minds." Of course when we see athletes like Reggie Bush with Kim Kardashian, or when her ex- and sex tape partner Ray-J has a reality show in which his final choices in women are a white girl, a light skinned blonde, and a psycho who da hell knows what, or we see the Kobe Bryants, the Taye Diggs, the T.O.s, the main girl in the videos and the list goes on and on....it does seem like Black women with darker skin are not the preferred choice. However, I personally don't feel like dark skin women are still fighting the paper bag syndrome like we once had to. From my own experience, the chocolate is MORE than desired, wanted and sexy as all hell. I see dark skin women in all kind of power roles, and yes a beautiful Black woman and her Black little girls are first and foremost in the White House. I know the color complex and the internal hate that Black people in general have for themselves is still relevant and still very much alive in our culture, but I can't say that the reason Tameka Raymond gets all the flack she does has anything to do with her skin tone. She said: "In fact, I have read similar comments about myself that I am "dark, aggressive, bossy and bitchy." Ummmm, I don't understand why people would refer to her as dark followed by all negative characteristics. One has nothing to do with the others, yet ignorance is more than prevalent so it could very well be true OR Tameka could very well be upset by the fact that she isn't loved by the public and choosing to take much of what is said about her out of context and make it a racial thing. Who knows? Real talk, Tameka is a nice looking woman. She isn't gorgeous and she isn't fugly. She's just a regula schmegula pretty woman. I think the comments regarding her attitude, personality and the way she treats people could stem from truth. Why would people make it their business to say such things about her...just cuz she's dark skinned? Come off it. Yes people may have wanted Usher to be with someone younger, who didn't already come with three or four kids, who wasn't already married, and wasn't the rumored reason that his relationship with Chilli was destroyed. I'll be the first to tell you that as spectators and consumers of all the hype and bullshit all these artists, athletes and entertainers sell us, we in turn have expectations for what these people do and who they do it with. Yeah, I thought Usher should have been with someone younger, without kids, and more on his level in terms of fabulousness. It don't have shit to do with her skin complexion but everything do with the fact that I personally didn't think they had that beautiful connection that I think two people in love have. I say the same shit about Hello Kitty - I mean Mariah and her little boy and Mariah is light and bright. Point is, please don't blame your current situation on your skin tone Tameka. Dark skin women are loved, rejected and hated just as much as all women, and even if darker women are still shunned a lil more than the next, it isn't the reason that YOU suffer from your possibly self-inflicted psychological wounds. Maybe YOU don't love who you are, Tameka, and you are choosing to blame your own hurt on the reason you don't feel acceptance within the Black (woman) community. Just a thought...

Ebony Magazine's Top 25 "It" Women

We get our choice of four fabulous Ebony Mag covers for their "It" women summer issue featuring Tina Turner, Michelle Obama, Halle Berry and Alicia Keys. This is the full list of the 25: Naomi Campbell Jennifer Hudson Michelle Obama Tina Turner Aretha Franklin Halle Berry Serena Williams Condoleezza Rice Oprah Winfrey Tyra Banks Angela Davis Erykah Badu Jill Scott Lil’ Kim Whoopi Goldberg Diahann Carroll Pam Grier Patti LaBelle Alicia Keys Mo’ Nique Diana Ross Rihanna Grace Jones Mary J. Blige Beyoncé I agree with this list with the serious exception of Lil' Kim. Seriously, Ebony? Lil' Kim? She ain't had "It" since she decided to become an Asian.

Jill Scott Is A Single Mother....

Seriously. Jill tells Essence.com about her acting success, baby boy Jett, labor, being a mother and the fact that she and John are no longer together. Daayum. ESSENCE.COM: Congrats on the possibility of an Emmy nod for Best TV Drama Actress! If you win you will be the first African-American woman to do so. Did you expect such acclaim or pressure? JILL SCOTT: No pressure, but I'm excited. It's definitely something I dreamt about, and if it comes to fruition then that's wonderful. In regards to expecting the acclaim, I wish I was that forward thinking. We were just there doing a good job, and after the show was done we thought, Well, maybe. I am proud of the work that we did. ESSENCE.COM: Does this Hollywood success mean your music fans won't hear your angelic voice anytime soon? SCOTT: As much as I take a break, music never gives up on me. I have to write, sing, listen to my iPod, and that inspires me to create. It's a part of me that I don't ever want to go away, no matter what else I do, so I'd say that you can expect a new CD possibly this year, I hope. ESSENCE.COM: Congrats to you on your new bundle of joy, Jett Hamilton. How has motherhood been treating you? SCOTT: Wonderful. I named him after a black gemstone that my makeup artist in Africa had; it was simply called Jet, and I fell in love with it and the name because I thought my beautiful baby is a gem. I truly loved being pregnant and feeling what was going on inside my body and watching it change. It's difficult to recoup but still amazing nonetheless. I would have another one. ESSENCE.COM: So does that mean you had an easy labor of love? SCOTT: Not at all. I was in labor for 36 hours. After that experience, anytime I have reservations and think I can't do anything I remind myself that I survived the birth of my child (Laughs). Although I didn't scream my baby into this world, the pain continued after he was born for at least three weeks. During labor I felt like I needed to put the fire out. Everybody kept telling me the pain wasn't going to last forever but after 20 hours of it I left the building. I felt like I was on the ceiling looking down at myself like, Dag, girl, you still in labor? I know my experience isn't everyone's but I believe people need to be realistic when sharing their stories about their pregnancies and birth. When he arrived I held him in my arms for about an hour and then went to sleep because I was simply exhausted. ESSENCE.COM: Well, at least your hubby-to-be was there to support. How has he been adjusting to Jett? SCOTT: Yes, he was there and for a couple of days afterwards while I stayed in hospital, but John and I are no longer together. When you have a baby you're dealing with a lot of emotions and I don't know how much of it had to do with us breaking up, but it happens. We definitely love our son and we are co-parenting and working on being friends. It is what it is. I have a lot of support, so I want for nothing as far as that's concerned. I know some might criticize me or the fact that my son is being raised in a single-parent home, but I wasn't raised in a two-parent home and I had a good relationship with my dad. I have hopes for him and I'm sure his father will do his part as well. ESSENCE.COM: As a mother, what has been the biggest lesson thus far? SCOTT: My heart and prayers go out to all single moms because it's tough, and I can't imagine any teenager dealing with a baby and all those hormones raging. I can afford to have this child at 37 because I have a support system and I can talk to my girls, Mo'Nique and Erykah [Badu], but I don't understand how any mother does it alone. I don't believe I suffered from postpartum because I didn't feel depressed, but it was jarring and I can understand now how some mothers lose it. What he's taught me is that I thought I was grown and patient but I was neither until now. Even when I hold him and dance with him to his favorite song, Marvin Gaye's "Come Live With Me," and he holds me tighter and then relaxes, I realize that I never knew unconditional love like this before, and I'm looking forward to watching and helping him grow. On one hand, I'm not surprised about the break-up...if I'm not mistaken John has a few baby mothas and after Jill had her son, she prolly realized just why. On the other hand, I'm so happy for all of Jill's success. She sounds like she's loving motherhood, learning and growing, and she's gonna be more than fine. All I know is, with a break-up and a new baby....Jill's next album is bout to be reediculous. Can't wait!!! Source

I Mean, He's Nice, But His Face....

I came across a most excellent, interesting, and very true article in The Root that advises single women to take a look at what they can learn from Michelle Obama. The truth is that our First Lady is a bad B. We all fell in love with the fact that this brown gorgeously regular looking lady, whose been rockin J. Crew flawlessly since before we knew her name, is beyond educated, professionally untouchable, is the mother to two beautiful little girls, and has a husband who is head over heels. How can you not love her? The question is, however, before Barack Obama was president and was just a younger skinny dude with big ears, an awkward type swagger, with a name that you know people fucked up consistently....why did Michelle love him? All successful, cute, fierce, fashionable, paid etc. women want a man whose not only on their level, but even surpasses and helps elevate their status. Single women are tired of upgrading and dealing with men they have to "work with". But what about those men that are driven, ambitious, successful or making moves to be, kind, sweet, and wants you to be by his side as he makes his ascent into the stratosphere of life, which includes professional, personal, and family success....but one of his eyes is Forest Whitaker like or he's the captain of the Doof Troop? How many times have you let the captain go only to see him a couple of years later married to a pretty lady and he's a CEO while you're still hittin up networking events in your most sexiest get 'em gurl dress hoping you can snag you a hottie? I laughed my ass off when I read some of the excuses the author of The Root article girlfriends use when she tried to hook them up with some good ones....I'm sure one, if not all of them will sound more than familiar: His toes were ashy. He seems like he’d be a really cool friend, but I don’t know, those lips. . . He was wearing a bubble coat, and seriously, it was not that cold. We had a good conversation, but I like a man to be more aggressive. That was our second and last date. He used the word “authentic” like 14 times. How many times do I have to tell you I’m looking for someone TALL and HOT? Keywords being tall and hot. He drank a hot chocolate instead of coffee. What is he? A 6’4’’12-year-old? (I’m putting myself out there—this was my own reaction to an otherwise pleasant date just a few years ago.) Yeah, he was tall, but his head seemed a little small for his body. It was loud in there, so I’m not sure. Did I detect a stutter? Boy, was he sweating! He seems like someone who would like Star Trek. I don’t care if he can’t see. He should have left those glasses at the office. He was dancing (or worse, trying) way too hard. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Ummmmm....I don't know how many times I've detected a stutter from a thick ass glasses wearin, why he didn't have his dentist pull that tooth, not tall enough and damn sure not hot enough and the list goes on and on.... There is no such thing as the perfect man, only the perfect man for you. I think a lot of times we women, Black women specifically, allow external factors to dictate the men we love. Maybe your friends won't think he's cute, or your family won't like that he doesn't come from your type of pedigree and has never even been to the Hamptons, or maybe you're embarrassed because he doesn't have a college degree. Of course you can have your standards, you have to be attracted, and there are some things that you won't and shouldn't look past, but when do we decide to be realistic? When do we decide that we don't care what other people think? When do we decide that our happiness is more important than some bullshit check list that is filled with everything superficial? At the end of the day, Michelle had no idea Barack was going to make history and be the first Black president of the United States. She fell in love with a big eared younger man who had dreams and more than anything, just wanted to love her. Isn't that enough? Just something to think about.... Check out the article: So what he had a booger? Instead of staring at it the entire date and not paying attention to anything he is saying, how bout just tell him to get that? Is a booger gonna be the reason he's the one that got away?

Michelle and Her Mama Do Essence!

First of all you better go Marian!!! Lookin all hot to def and stuff. Michelle's Mama is showin er'body where her daughter gets them fly ass genes from. They both are GORGEOUS!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this cover! Who else would Essence put on their Mother's Day cover? I think this has to be one of my favorite Essence covers ever. Not to mention, the knowledge they are offering in the article about parenting, being Black women, and the importance of the Black family is beautifully heartfelt, wonderfully necessary and amazingly intelligent. Her's a taste: The First Grandmother: Advice on raising children: “The main thing that I think needs to be taught to children is the ability to think and make decisions. You don’t have to have a lot of information, but you have to know how to get through the process. If you make mistakes you don’t [just] decide I will never do that again.” Enjoying life in the White House: “…I really am. You want to know why? Because my children are good parents. It makes it very easy to be a grandmother when your children are good parents.” You ain't neva lied Mrs. Robinson! Pick up this copy of Essence. I know this one is a keeper. Meaning...when you're done reading it, put it back in the plastic sheath it was delivered in or if you pick it up from the newsstand get you something to keep this one nice. Yup, that's just how fly this issue is.

I Can't Pay For My Lights But My Hair Is Tight!

Black women and their hair! I came across a very interesting article at The Root that talked about how the economy is hard on everybody but when it comes to black women, they will sacrifice a car payment if that means they can't get their hair did. This isn't only because black women have to stay looking good and new growth or a lace front that's liftin ain't cute, but it's also because the beauty salon is a place to go so we can gossip, buy bootleg DVDs, and get away from home to be pampered. How many of you are that serious about your beauty salon visits? How many of you wouldn't pay your cable bill for a touch-up?

This Is What Happens When You Eat Dried Grits On Toast....

And you stan HARD for Beyonce. He knows "the Hilson sisters"...he knows "Niki Hilson and Paris Hilson" but "who the fuck is Keri Hilson???!!!!!" Ummmmmmm, all I have to say is Keri Hilson please watch out because he will "hit a bitch" and "bite your muthafuckin nose off"...JUST WHY?! WOW. And since we're talkin bout Yonce....TV One Access aired a special which featured their list of the 16 Sexiest Black Women alive who are as follows: Halle Berry Tyra Banks Alicia Keys Jada Pinkett Serena Williams Rihanna Joy Bryant Gabrielle Union Alex Wek Naomi Campbell Kerry Washington Iman Angela Bassett Paula Patton Beverly Johnson Janet Jackson Vanessa Williams Lauren London Laila Ali I am actually shocked and RuPauled that Yonce didn't make this list. Thank all that is good that Keri Hilson didn't make the list. Dude might have thrown his TV out da window and broke all the chairs in his kitchen. Who else do you think is missing or do you think this list is more than right? And let's just make this all about Yonce...please watch these little Filipino boys WEEEERK IT OUT to Put A Ring on It!!! And they even added some of their own choreography....don't tell these little boys they aren't killin it in their poom poom shorts....LOVES IT!!!

Clair Does Jenny Craig

The gorgeous Phylicia Rashad has just signed on to be the newest spokesperson for Jenny Craig. At 60 years of age, Phylicia is as beautiful as ever and doesn't look like she needs Jenny's help to me. She's hot. (Note to Madonna....) Source

Fabulosity Of The Day: Taraji and Viola Oscar Nods!

CONGRATULATIONS to Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis for their Supporting Actress Oscar nominations!!!! Taraji received her nomination for Benjamin Buttons and Viola for Doubt. I love that Viola is only in the movie for like eight minutes but is dope enough to handle her own against Meryl. And as she said this morning on GMA "There aren't any small roles, only small actors"....Viola has proven that she's a major actor and I love it. And no matter what role Taraji plays she smashes it. So proud of her. Love it!!! Fabulous indeed! You betta work ladies!!!!

Generations of Gorgeousness

The Smith family was out the premiere of Jaden's new movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and I just had to talk about this picture of the women! First of all, Jada's mom is killin them all softly. She's hot to def and she looks younger than Jada or at least like she can be Jada's sister. And of course, Jada and Willow are just beautiful as per always. Generations of gorgeousness indeed! Loves it!

Fun Fact Of The Day!

How about when Vanessa Williams (the more famous one) did the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, they sent her check to the other Vanessa Williams (the Melrose Place one)! And do you know, Vanessa sent Vanessa back her check. When she totally could have cashed it cuz it was in her name!!!! (And she prolly could have used that money too). How morally upstanding and just plain ol' fabulous of Vanessa to do that! What would you have done? Ya'll know I would have cashed that bitch immed-jetly! Then been like Ohhhhhh, see I had thought the check was cuz I had went to the parade. I didn't know I had to actually be on the float singing and stuff. My bad. The crazy part is that the Vanessas have never met. Source

Scene Stealin On The Set Of Miss Independent

So Ne-Yo's new song, 'Miss Independent', has struck a cord with many a independent female...the one who is handlin her own business, takin care of herself and payin her own bills etc. For the video, three of the cutest independent women make appearances; Lauren London, Gabby Union, and Keri Hilson. All three are lookin independently scrumptious while Ne-Yo looks he would much rather be spendin time at the water cooler with Mr. How U Doin. I may be one of small few who isn't all that pumped about this song. Yeah, I sing it when it comes on the radio, and after lookin at these pics, I'm sure I'll love the video even more. However, I just want to say that I love an ode to women who are doing their thing and taking care of ourselves etc. I, for one, lean a lil more towards Mary J. Blige's words in 'Feel Like A Woman'..."I'm tired of screaming independent. I wanna start depending on you." Women, black women especially, take care of ourselves whether we have help or not, and while it is lovely when men can appreciate that, I am more happy when they let you know that "hey, I know you can pay your car note or your mortgage and can take yourself on a shopping spree, but let me handle that." We can be as independent as we want to be, but I need for men to stand up and play their position. And as Iyanla said, two things can't occupy the same space. There can only be one man. So stay independent ladies, but be sure to let your man be the man. Make sure he eats his Ps. Image Source

Tyra Gets Waxy In NYC

OK so memba when Tyra's Madame Tussauds wax figure was revealed in DC? Well they just unveiled Tyra's newest wax model at the Madame Tussauds in NYC. I have to say that NYC waxy Tyra looks like a tranny Barbie....and she looks just like Tyra! Even more so than DC waxy Tyra. NYC waxy Ty's forehead is poppin and they have the lacefront down. I think its pretty dope that Tyra has two waxys. The nice, cute one with a sensible bang, and subtle make-up and the fierce tranny version with the serious eyebrow arches, more than enough make-up and a serious weave. I love them both but I think I'm really lovin NYC waxy. Do you see her givin DC waxy Tyra the side eye?

Tyra Gets Waxy

Model, mogul, and empire creator Tyra Banks has been immortalized. Tyra's fabulousness was put on wax and Madame Tussauds in DC revealed the hot creation. I'm guessin they gave her a bang cuz they didn't have enough wax left over for that 12head. I'm KIDDING!(Damn I crack me up hahahahahaha!) Congrats Tyra! Simply Fierce! Source

Fabulosity Of The Day!

The NAACP Theater Awards went down and beautiful black people were out and about! Gorgeousness!! Eva was gorgeous as always. You know she always gives me a hard on. I love her dress! Simply yummy. So blue dresses with a black leather zugsh must be in this season and Melinda Williams and Terri Vaughn are both rocking it fabulously! **(I just looked at this picture again and Melinda maybe should have wore a bra that pushed the boobs up because they look like they are saggin a bit over each side of the corset. Still fab tho!) Pam looks like such a lady. Pretty. Lovin Toc's hair and dress. She looks amazing! You better work Viv! I see those curves boo! And you no longer look like E.T.'s auntie! See what happens when you stop calling Dr. 90210? You begin to look normal and like the beautiful Fox we know you are. (I'm not sayin you are fixed...cuz you still look tight and pulled in the facial area and I can't tell if someone just asked you a question or if you are surprised but it looks like you been on plastic surgery simma and I'm happy bout it.) Source

Oprah Inspires As Per Always....

How pumped would you be if Oprah gave the commencement speech at your college graduation?! I mean, I don't know if the diploma would mean as much as Oprah's advice and words of encouragement. Those Stanford University graduates got to hear Oprah tell them to "trust your gut." When you are doing the work you are meant to do, it feels right," she said, as the Class of 2008 snapped photographs with their cell phones and tossed beach balls to each other in the warm morning sun. "Feelings are really your GPS system for life. Check your ego at the door and check your gut instead. "Every wrong decision was the result of me not listening to my voice. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it." I think this is something we all need to be reminded of. Trusting your instincts, believing in yourself, and knowing that the only wrong decision is the one never made. O talked about building her school in Africa and while she was so busy worried about such little things like the thread count on the sheets the girls were sleeping on, she hired a teacher who sexual abused her girls. "I had been paying attention to all of the wrong things," Winfrey said. "I built a school from the outside in, instead of from the inside out." Another reminder to us all that getting caught up in the frivolous things -- the material things and all the extra crap that has nothing to do with the core of who you are -- you lose track of what is really important. And what is most important? Well I believe that differs person to person but ultimately, I think for all of us, when you pay attention to your natural joy and your happiness and who you really are, you know exactly what is most important and how to build your life from the inside out. Oprah is clearly on this earth to teach us all as she continues to learn and grow herself. If this didn't inspire every last one of those graduates to go out and be determined to be beyond extraordinary, I don't know what would. F.U. says: be amazing, be extraordinary, be inspiring, be YOU. P.S. ya'll know when Mama O speaks, F.U. has to listen. Nobody gives me heart palps like Lady O. So I have to do my part and spread her word, for it is her purpose in this world share her knowledge, and it is part of my journey to be a witness and a receiver of it all. Now get back to work Bitches! Source

Fabulosity of the Day: Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys seen out and about at the screening for the HBO documentary "We Are Together" was absolutely gorgeous! Her skin is glowing (would never know she needed Proactiv), her dress is fabulous, I need those earrings, and her look is just so wonderfully summer, simple and sexy. Loves it! Source

"The Vagina Is One of the Most Divine and Holy Places on the Planet."

Words spoken by Vanessa Williams....the chocolate brown pretty one....you know the 'Rocka Bye Baby' in New Jack City Vanessa Williams. Vanessa Williams has always been one of my favorites. Not only is she obviously talented (she was my favorite sister in the Soul Food series) but it is always great to see a beautiful woman in Hollywood who looks like she could be my sister, my cousin or best friend. More importantly, her words are ridiculously true. The vagina is holy and divine, and if kept clean, free of that ish, and exercised, it can make a man stutter and shake like he was having a seizure. The vajayjay is indeed beautiful. And Vanessa has made it her business to to show us all how to embrace our sexual desires and revelations. Vanessa is currently doing a one-woman show called Feet On The Ceiling, which is her view of a young woman coming -of-age and how she deals with sexual growth and liberation. She sat down with Essence.com to talk about her new project and a whole lot of everything else. Essence.com: How did the idea for Feet On The Ceiling come about? Vanessa Williams: I took a writing course when I was acting on Soul Food. At the end of the class, I compiled all of my stories and poetry and self-published my book, Shine. I ended up with these wonderful stories that sounded like conversations. In my mind, they were really monologues and I thought, Well I can perform this stuff. So out of those writings came Feet On The Ceiling. No one ever does movies about young women, especially young Black women, experiencing a sexual awakening. That’s the story that I’m interested in. It just became its own theme and took off. Essence.com: Were you at all intimidated by putting a piece about sexuality out there? V.W.: Absolutely not! I’ve been well groomed because I’ve done the Vagina Monologues five years in a row. The vagina is one of the most divine and holy places on the planet. There is nothing unholy about it. Plus, I always felt like I had my own story to tell. I’m a bit of an exhibitionist and I like art that disturbs people. I’m driven to issues that get people talking and push the envelope, particularly in regards to women’s sexuality, which is a huge part of who we are as women. Essence.com: Lets take a trip down memory lane. How did you end up on The Cosby Show as Theo’s girlfriend? V.W.: That was my first big job. Mr. Cosby was so generous. At the time, I didn’t even realize I would have a desire to work behind the camera one day but I remember he told us we could come back any time and watch them put the show together. Had I known what film school cost, I would have taken him up on that. Essence.com: What was it like to be the first Black woman on Melrose? V.W.: It’s wonderful but I don’t put a whole lot of stock into that. I’m so proud and happy to have been the first, especially if it eventually helped someone else. But it doesn’t take a lot of my thought time. Essence.com: Soul Food meant so much to the Black community. How did its end affect you? V.W.: Well it never ended in terms of that love and family that we created. Nicole Ari [Parker] and I are bridesmaids in Malinda’s [Williams] upcoming wedding. Many of us flew out to Germany when Boris [Kodjoe] and Nicole got married. But in terms of the show, we were so proud of what it meant to the community. Once we shot that first episode, we knew how important it was to people. I remember one of my prayers was that I wanted to act in something really meaningful and being a part of Soul Food was really a prayer answered. Essence.com: You were one of the actresses featured in Terri Vaughn’s documentary, Angels Can't Help But Laugh, which talked about the plight of Black actresses in Hollywood. Do you think it’s still difficult for Black actresses in Hollywood?V.W.: For sure, they’re not checking for us like they are for the 25-year-old blonde girl but at the same time, we have it so much better than Black actresses back in the day. Yes, of course there is so much work to do but all of the sisters in the documentary have had marvelous careers. Essence.com: Who are some of your close girlfriends in the business? V.W.: Of course, Nicole Ari Parker and Malinda Williams,Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell Martin, Tasha Smith, Sallie Richardson, Regina King, Regina Hall—we’re all friends. Essence.com: Back in the day there was a lot of talk about the confusion between you and actress and former Miss America Vanessa L. Williams fighting for the rights to your name. Are you two friends?V.W.: I’ve never met her. We’ve been at the same functions and have some mutual friends but that’s about it. It definitely became an issue for me more so because of her infamy but it’s not problematic in that it stops me from getting work. I roll with it because it’s not an issue as much as it is an interesting piece of conversation. To read more of this article and watch a piece of Vanessa's show, click: Shine