Image via Brian Stukes/Getty Images Lil Mo Is Done With Music, Sets Sights On Becoming A Lawyer Plot twist! Lil’ Mo has brought us years of entertainment and soul-cleansing realness courtesy of her music. But it sounds like Cynthia Dargan is ready to return back to her natural form. Mo took to Instagram the other day to express her desire to transition into a new phase of her life that doesn’t involve microphones, stages or record sales… Lil’ Mo as a lawyer huh? She certainly can talk, and would probably make a pretty impassioned argument on behalf of her client. Johnetta Cochran with braids? We’re here for it.
Credit: Brian To/WENN.com Tessa Thompson Graces The Cover Of ESSENCE Magazine To some it may seen like Tessa Thompson became an IT girl overnight, but she’s been one of Hollywood’s hidden gems for a many years, and folks are finally starting to give credit where it’s due. The Creed II star covered Essence Magazine’s November issue and opened up about everything from working with women in Hollywood to broadening the perspectives of how women of color are portrayed in the media. In her cover story “London Calling”, Tessa told the mag, “Obviously, I like the idea of expanding perceptions of what a woman can be and what a woman of color can be. I like to introduce new space.” The beautiful images were shot by 20-year old photog Shaniqwa Jarvis who’s worked with everyone from NIKE to Supreme. Tessa definitely enjoyed working with Jarvis, telling Essence, “It feels really refreshing to be shot by a woman. Actresses are so often subject to the male gaze. The highest sense of praise and honor is being seen by a woman and feeling acceptance from other Black women, just a sense of camaraderie and collaboration. That, to me, is so profound.” Catch the full dope interview, written by Cori Murray, on stands October 26.
Silja Magg Amandla Stenberg Talks To Seventeen Magazine About Body Confidence, Sexuality And Being Natural Congratulations to Amandla Stenberg , who is gracing the cover of Seventeen Magazine’s October/November Issue. Amandla Stenberg has been called a lot of things by a lot of people. She’s an “intersectional feminist superstar,” “the voice of a generation,” and whom Beyoncé wants Blue Ivy to be like when she grows up. Amandla, who turns 20 in October, is all of those things—as well as an actress (in films like The Hunger Games ; Everything, Everything ; and The Darkest Minds ); a fighter for social justice (her video “Don’t Cash Crop My Cornrows” started a Tumblr storm about cultural appropriation in 2015); and an important voice in the conversation about gender and sexuality. Soon, she’ll take on her most meaningful—and controversial—role yet: gutsy Starr Carter in The Hate U Give (out October 19), based on Angie Thomas’s best-selling novel about a teen who witnesses her friend get shot by a police officer. Check out some dope quotes from Amandla about her thoughts on body confidence, sexuality and more when you continue. On body confidence: “Being in entertainment can be hard—if you were to meet actors in real life, you’d probably be surprised at how tiny they are. I’m not a hella-skinny person—I’m petite, but I’m low-key slim-thick—and I’ve had people put pressure on me to lose weight or oversexualize my body because it doesn’t look infantile. People often say my boobs are too big. There have been several moments when I was filming a scene and someone came over with a small sports bra and said, “Put this on real quick. Your boobs look too big on camera.” You’re conceived of as too much if you have, like, thighs. It’s ridiculous! I try to only work in spaces now that make me feel comfortable. It’s challenging, but I’d rather be healthy and happy and love my body.” On self-discovery and coming out twice: “Gender and sexuality are so fluid—it’s okay to change your mind a million times and figure out what works for you. It’s okay to take your time… I’d been out as bisexual, and people have known I’m queer for a long time. I saw some comments that made me chuckle, like, “Girl, we been knew!” But I wanted to make it very clear that I have romantic love for women. I realized I had so much internalized homophobia and so much discomfort around hooking up with dudes. I always knew that when I hooked up with girls, it was the happiest I’d been in any sexual dynamic. I love that we have this umbrella term of queer, and so many things can exist underneath it, but I realized that part of my journey was hiding underneath that umbrella, because I was scared—on a personal and a public level—to confront what I was. It was easier for me to say “I’m bi” or “I’m pan” as I was figuring it out. But I came to a place where I felt really proud of my sexuality, and I decided I wanted to share that pride.” Don’t you think this is something many women who identify as something other than heterosexual struggle with? There’s gotta be a lot of pressure to be bi or something more acceptable right. Hit the flip for more FASHION CREDITS Fashion Editor: Yashua Simmons COVER Sweater: Juicy Bouture Pants: Miaou Earrings: Adina Reyter Necklace: Vita Fede Sneakers: Buffalo London x Opening Ceremony
WENN.com Issa Rae is out here living her best life, and she ain’t going back and forth with no haters. The writer/director hosted a yacht party over the weekend to celebrate all of young, Black Hollywood who have been nominated for an Emmy Award this year. Tracee Ellis Ross , Tiffany Haddish and Lil Rel were all in attendance, just to name a few. Things got so lit on the boat that Issa — who is nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy series — started collecting mens shirts. @IssaRae threw the littlest yacht party pic.twitter.com/L2HPvlUT2M — Melanin Squads (@Melanin_Squad) September 16, 2018 Black excellence comes in many forms. This is one. Thank you, Issa. Hit the flip for more photos and videos from the lituation.
Getty Lala Anthony Takes Slain Bronx Teen’s Sister To Rihanna’s Diamond Ball The media may have stopped talking about slain Bronx teen Junior and his family , but kind-hearted celebs like Lala Anthony have kept their word and stayed in touch Junior’s fam — especially his big sis Genesis ( @_Octobersveryown_ ). La took Genesis along as her date to Rihanna ‘s prestigious Diamond Ball on Thursday , and all eyes were on them. Genesis even got to flick it up with Bad Gal Rih Rih and break bread with more celebs all night long. Getty Lala is definitely a real one. R.I.P. to Junior.
Picture by: Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com Naomi Osaka Is Reportedly Looking At Adidas Deal Naomi Osaka shook up the tennis world last week after she captured her first Grand Slam win by defeating Serena Williams in the U.S. Open finals. Now, only a few days later, the 20-year-old Japanese-Haitian star could be destined for a big pay day from one of the biggest sportswear companies in the world. Adidas is prepared to pay the young Osaka $8.5 million a year, according to reports from The Times of London. If this endorsement does indeed work out as planned, it would make this the biggest deal Adidas has ever given to a woman. Osaka’s current contract, which is set to expire this year, is already with Adidas, and is reportedly somewhere in the six figures neighborhood. Naomi has been climbing the women’s tennis rankings steadily since 2017, and her defeat over Williams on Saturday made her the first Japanese-born player to take home a major title. Adidas has not yet commented on the possibility of a new contract for Osaka.
Dnsjzjsjshzksnzkna pic.twitter.com/zVfE94Mmqo — Sonya Trade. (@_ImYourPusha_) August 17, 2018 Twitter Vs. Nicki Minaj (AGAIN) Poor Nicki. She just can’t win even when it seems like she’s winning. This time, she’s embroiled in a disastrous album rollout that swerved all the way left when she Twitter brawled with ex-boo Safaree just days before the passing of Queen Aretha (who she disrespectfully attached herself to) in yet another slander-filled moment that capped the most L-filled week of her career. Aretha heard Nicki’s lyric saying “miss Aretha I just passed her” so her petty ass decided to have the last laugh pic.twitter.com/iLV0yK8MV8 — la bella vita (@tiredofrumors) August 16, 2018 Peep the bonus round of Nicki slander after Queen Aretha’s heartbreaking death on the flip.
Getty Can you believe lil Kady, b.k.a. Parker McKenna Posey turns 23 years old today? It seems like just yesterday we were watching her play with dolls as the youngest kid on My Wife & Kids — and now she’s on the ‘gram throwing irresistible thirst traps. Heyyy Ms. Parker! Hit the flip to check out Mckenna-Posey’s sexiest thirst traps.
Ouzounova/Splash / SplashNews.com Ms. Lauryn Hill Stars In First Fashion Campaign Ms. Lauryn Hill is right on time for fall with her new coat collection! The legendary songstress is starring in her first-ever ad campaign, modeling jackets and coats for American outdoor apparel brand Woolrich. Ms. Lauryn is also taking things a step further, designing her own capsule collection for the brand from start to finish. According to Page Six , she personally sketched over 30 jacket designs, created logos, crafted concepts and selected garment materials. The video ad campaign sees the multi-Grammy winner donning her own designs for a stroll through the same NYC neighborhood where she shot her iconic visual for “Do Wop (That Thing) 20 years ago. Nice! Will you be snagging one of Lauryn’s original designs for your fall wardrobe?? Splash/YouTube
Young Dolph has a beautiful chocolate family .. wow pic.twitter.com/qKtPuEvrm9 — (@vitalinfo__) May 30, 2018 Young Dolph’s Beautiful Family Is Melting Social Media We had noooo idea Young Dolph was out here living his best life with a gorgeous Godiva Goddess and totes adorbsy kids that melted the internet, warmed cold hearts and proved yet again that trap rappers need love too. Hit the flip to swoon over Young Dolph’s heart eye-worthy family.
