Grammy Nominee Andra Day Launches New Program With Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, And Essence Festival Andra Day celebrated the launch of the Rise Up ESSENCE® Festival program in Times Square. As part of the program, the vocalist and the lyrics of her single, “Rise Up” and the film ‘I Rise’ are featured on close to 40 million Coca-Cola cups in select McDonald’s restaurants across the nation. Later in the day Andra joined with New York City’s finest to premiere the short film ‘I Rise’ inspired by her hit single “Rise Up” at the Crosby Street Hotel. The short film focuses on African-American women sharing the incredible strides they are making in their communities. Those featured in the film are Andra Day, Brandice Daniel, LaToya Cantrell, Kyemah McEntyre, Nzingha Prescod, Bene Vera, Kimberly Goldson, Kathryn Finney, and Michaela Angela Davis. McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and ESSENCE® Festival have partnered with the app, Shazam to feature new visual-recognition technology for content distribution. Each cup becomes a portal to an exclusive digital experience where music enthusiasts can scan the specially marked Coca-Cola cups and watch the short film, ‘I Rise’ which features music by Andra. Additionally, Andra Day is performing on the main stage at this year’s ESSENCE® Festival in New Orleans June 30-July 3. And you can have a shot to get tickets when you purchase Coca-Cola fountain products at McDonald’s restaurants. Customers they will learn how to enter the Coca-Cola Rise Up ESSENCE® Fest Sweepstakes* for a chance to see her perform at. Andra Day’s single “Rise Up” is available on iTunes and featured on her Grammy nominated debut album, Cheers to the Fall, which is also available at digital retailers now.
Dear Bossip , Me and my boyfriend are both in our 20s, and have been together for almost 3 years. We recently just had a child together (his fourth and my first). We have been discussing marriage for almost 2 of the 3 years we’ve been together, but we haven’t actually did it yet. We are both college students and are working on our future. Being raised a Christian I have recently decided to strengthen my relationship with the Lord and want to stop having pre-marital sex. He doesn’t agree since we have already been having sex and he’s used to it. We have compromised on giving up sex for 6 months to strengthen our relationship. He says that he wants to attend graduate school and be more stable before getting married, which is another year from now. But, I don’t see the need to wait since we have already been playing house. He also thinks I need to mature more before fully committing, which I don’t disagree with. Our main problem is that he wants me to do things I feel a wife only does for her husband (like to follow his lead, and to be more submissive, including other things). Some of the other things I don’t mind doing, like cooking and cleaning, since I would be doing them if he wasn’t there anyhow. I just don’t want to completely give myself to him without marriage and then we never get married and I’ve given all my youthful years to him along with husband perks for nothing. We have been working on our differences and we really want to work things out if for nothing else then for the sake of our child. But, I don’t want to wait forever. So, my question is should I give him a sample of what I can be as a wife and then just wait until he’s ready to get married? He said that he wouldn’t mind setting a date and getting rings, but I’m just not sure if we are moving in that direction. – Playing House Dear Ms. Playing House , This is a huge problem, and unfortunately you’ve already committed yourself to playing house and acting like a married couple, yet, now you want to do it officially. This is really ass backwards. But, my first concern is having a child with a man who already has three children. Though, you didn’t state if the other three children were with one woman or multiple women, I am still concerned that you had a child with a man in his 20s, and he’s producing multiple children with different women. That is a problem. Is he paying child support for his other children? Is he actively involved in their lives? How is relationship with his children’s mother/s? What arrangements does he have in regards to custody of his children? Are you involved in their lives as well? Marrying him means you inherit his children and you become a blended family. His children have a brother/sister, and do they know one another, and how are you going to move forward in building a relationship with multiple children? You didn’t discuss this as a concern in your letter, but that is something very serious to think about. I am not sure if you and he are ready for marriage. You are clearly putting the cart before the horse, especially by living together, playing house, and he wants you to cook, clean, and you follow him and he is the lead, including being submissive to him. Huh? So, he wants you to start acting like a wife and then he will marry you. But, how is he going to gauge this assessment of your behavior and what is the barometer of measurement in knowing if you’re doing things right or wrong? Who is keeping tabs? How long will this go on before he decides it is “okay,” or he approves of the changes and will move forward with marriage? And, I don’t understand that you and this man have been dating for 3 years, have produced a child, and now that you have a renewed sense of your Christian faith you want to stop engaging in pre-marital sex because of what? Sweetie, all you’re doing is withholding sex from him. That’s what you’re really doing. You’ve had a change of heart and mind regarding your situation, and relationship, and you’re re-evaluating where it’s going. You’re having second thoughts, and doubting if it really is going to turn into a marriage, and you don’t want to invest all this time and energy into something and don’t want to feel as if you won’t get anything for your investment. Technically, all you want to do is to stop what you’ve already started. Well, ma’am, all of this should have been done in the beginning when you first started dating. You shouldn’t have been engaging in pre-marital sex, and living together, and giving him the cow and the milk. Now, you’re trying to reverse what you should have already begun three years ago. Sorry, but, he’s won. He’s giving you ultimatums to your ultimatum. In order for him to change and consider marriage he wants you to change and make some adjustments and then he will consider marriage. He wants you to start acting more like a wife because in effect you’re withholding sex in order to get what you want. And, for him to get what he wants, he told you that you are not ready, and not mature enough, and you have to wait another year because he wants to attend graduate school and become more stable in his life. Hmmm, was he all of these things before he decided to help procreate four children? He’s laying with women and having unprotected sex, and producing children, then, is he financially capable and able to be taking care of his four children? Is he actively involved with all his children, or just your child? He’s talking about maturity, but his immaturity in creating children and I am assuming he’s not taking care of all them shows that he isn’t father of the year. How mature can he be that in his 20s he already has four children, and we can deduce that he has at least two baby mommas. And, if you’re living together, and you’re both in school, then is he working? Did he move in with you? Is his name on the lease? What bills is he paying in the home? Do you split the rent, or are you covering the rent? He wants you to cook and clean, but how is he contributing to the household? And, what if things don’t work out between you and him, and he dates another woman, and they produce children before marriage? Ma’am, my point is that he’s not mature either. You and he have not discussed pre-marital counseling. Yes, before you get married you should seek counsel from your pastor, or a counselor. And, since you’ve had a change of heart and want to reconnect with your Christian values, then, is he attending church with you? Is he making changes and recommitting himself to his Christian values, or he never had any? What good is it if you’re recommitting yourself, and he is not? If you’re going to start fresh and anew with your Christian faith, and he is not, yet, he wants you to submit yourself to him, and follow his lead, then who and what is he following? You’ll be a fool to follow a man with no spiritual or religious guidance. He’s already led you astray and have you playing house, telling you that he is not going to marry you until at least he has a graduate degree and is stable in his life, and he doesn’t see why you’re withholding sex because you’ve already been spreading it wide for him so why stop now. He can’t keep his d**k in his pants and already has four children, but he wants you to follow him and be submissive to him. Uhm, no! If you’re going to really recommit yourself to your renewed faith and make these adjustments before marriage, then consult a spiritual advisor, or your pastor. Seek pre-marital counsel and see if you and he are on the same page, and if this is someone you really want to commit yourself to. You’re making all these changes to your life to prove your marriage and wife material, but what changes is he making in his life to prove he is marriage and husband material? – Terrance Dean ***(Attention all media/news outlets, if you use this story and letter, or any parts of this content for your outlets you must give credit to this site, the columnist, and his advice)*** Hey Bossip Fam, what do you think? S hare your opinions and thoughts below! Also, e-mail all your questions Terrance Dean: loveandrelationships@bossip.com Follow Terrance Dean on Twitter: @ terrancedean and “LIKE” Terrance Dean on Facebook, click HERE ! Make sure to order my books Mogul: A Novel (Atria Books – June 2011; $15); Hiding In Hip Hop (Atria Books – June 2008); and Straight From Your Gay Best Friend – The Straight Up Truth About Relationships, Love, And Having A Fabulous Life (Agate/Bolden Books – November 2010; $15). They are available in bookstores everywhere, and on Amazon, click HERE!
Move over, Gwen and Blake. The gossip gods have fingered a new “it” couple on the horizon, and they’re a right pretty pair. Nina Dobrev is reportedly taking a break from penis and found her soul mate in Ruby Rose, surmises Celeb Dirty Laundry . The actresses are currently filming xXx: The Return of Xander Cage together, and have reportedly gotten real chummy on set. The two have been playing practical jokes on each other, having fun and sharing their shenanigans to Instagram. But what is the dead giveaway that proves these two are now an item? Nina said some nice stuff about Ruby. “Ruby is a force to be reckoned with, and I am beyond lucky to have her as a co-star and to be able to call her a good friend,” the former Vampire Diaries star was quoted as saying in the New York Post . “She’s hard-working, focused, funny, professional, fiercely determined and a lot of fun to be around,” she continued. Uh-huh. What else? Well, argues CDL , they’re both single. And, ya know, Ruby likes girls. So obviously. Nina of course dated Vampire Diaries co-star Ian Somerhalder for two years, and last year went public with her relationship with Austin Stowell . Those two split up earlier this year, and she was seen getting her flirt on at Coachella with Scott Eastwood . Ruby reportedly ended her engagement to Phoebe Dahl last year. We probably don’t have to point out that there’s an awful lot of presumption going on here, but who knows? Gossip rags have been right in the past, so I guess we’ll just have to see how this plays out.
Dear Bossip , I have known my best friend since were in elementary school, and now we are both in our early 30s. So, naturally, we have been through a lot and talk to each other about everything. I met a guy on my birthday last year. We talked for like almost two months and then I moved to another city to start law school. But, in December, we started talking again and in January we became official. Recently, my friend not only told me that she has a crush on my boyfriend, but she has repeatedly asked me for his number. After that happened I have been kind of keeping my distance. I don’t know how to proceed with our friendship because I feel like she doesn’t respect my relationship and that she would try to sleep with my boyfriend if she was anywhere near him. My cousin said I should respect that she came to me instead of going behind my back. I guess she has a point, but I still feel some kind of way. I don’t want her to feel like I’m picking a man over her, but seeing how she is blatant with her attraction to my man should I just keep my life with them separate, or continue to keep my distance like I have been doing? – Confused About What To Do Dear Ms. Confused About What To Do , Well, if your best friend is crushing over your man, and she knows that you and he are together, and she’s asking you for his number and telling you that she is attracted to him, then she is not your friend. What best friend do you know will disrespect your relationship by coming right out and asking for your man’s number and telling you she has a crush on him knowing that you’re in a relationship with him? That is some bold ass –ish! Now, see, at first you may think she is joking, and punking you. “Girl, stop playing. I know he’s fine, and he’s a good catch. Glad you recognize.” But, for her to do this over and over again, the next words out of your mouth should be, “I’m going to need for you to back it up. Quit playing with me, and stay in your lane. This is my relationship, and he is off limits, and if you can’t respect this, us, and me, then, yes, I will cut you off.” And, no, you’re not picking a man over her, you’re just recognizing that your best friend doesn’t have any boundaries, and she is showing you her true colors – she will sleep with your man and feel it okay. Squash this today and put her in her place. Yeah, your cousin may have a point that you should respect that she came to you and told you instead of going behind your back, but now you know who your enemy is, and now you know that you can’t trust your friend. So, hell to the no, you don’t bring them around each other, don’t invite your friend on dates with you, or to gatherings, or anywhere or anyplace where you and your man will be. She will slip her number to him, fawn all over him, and throw herself on him and she will do this right in your face, and be unbothered by it. That’s how bold she is because she is bold enough to ask you for his number, and bold enough to tell you that she is crushing on your man. No, you don’t trust her, and quite frankly you need to confront her instead of avoiding her. Yup, confront her. Instead of avoiding her, you need to call her out and have a serious conversation with her about her inappropriate behavior, and soliciting you for your man’s number. You did state that you’ve been best friends since you were younger, and you’re now in your 30s, so I don’t understand why you can’t talk with your best friend and be frank and honest with her. Tell her how you don’t appreciate her coming to you asking for your man’s number, and that you don’t find it cute or appropriate that she is crushing on him and that she feels it okay to tell you these things and not think you will feel a way about it, or confront her about it. Girl code rule #1 is that you don’t go after your best friend’s man. You don’t flirt, ask for his number, socialize with him alone, attempt to date him or give googly eyes. And, nor do you even look at him romantically giving any indication that you are interested. He is off limits, period point blank. Now, the fact that she is violating girl code rule #1 should let you know that doesn’t respect you or your relationship. She should know better. But, obviously it doesn’t matter to her, and she is going to get what she wants, and she is going to do it regardless of whether you like it or not. So, again, confront her, have a serious conversation with her, and express how it makes you feel that your best friend is disrespecting your relationship. Tell her that she is overstepping her boundaries, and her behavior makes you uncomfortable, and quite frankly you are starting to second guess your friendship. If she can do this to her own best friend, then you can only imagine what she would do to any other woman she is not friends with. – Terrance Dean ***(Attention all media/news outlets, if you use this story and letter, or any parts of this content for your outlets you must give credit to this site, the columnist, and his advice)*** Hey Bossip Fam, what do you think? S hare your opinions and thoughts below! Also, e-mail all your questions Terrance Dean: loveandrelationships@bossip.com Follow Terrance Dean on Twitter: @ terrancedean and “LIKE” Terrance Dean on Facebook, click HERE ! Make sure to order my books Mogul: A Novel (Atria Books – June 2011; $15); Hiding In Hip Hop (Atria Books – June 2008); and Straight From Your Gay Best Friend – The Straight Up Truth About Relationships, Love, And Having A Fabulous Life (Agate/Bolden Books – November 2010; $15). They are available in bookstores everywhere, and on Amazon, click HERE!
#HelpUsWerePoor I hope LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian know that they’re not fooling anyone with their “loved-up” schtick. We don’t need the tabloids to tell us that the two are constantly headed for a split/Cibrian cheats on Rimes, but it’s fuel for the fire, so here we are. The latest claim alleges that the couple – who recently celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary on April 22nd – are too broke to consider divorce , even though that’s where their relationship stands. “With LeAnn’s career in trouble and Eddie’s nonexistent, they probably can’t afford divorce, though it’s likely where there’ll end up soon enough,” a source told OK! Magazine . “Some close to the couple believe their arrangement is purely financial,” the magazine claimed. The source went on to call the marriage “phony,” and added that “their happiness is just for show.” In fact, the magazine claims that Cibrian and Rimes spent their fifth anniversary “together apart,” meaning that though they were physically together, emotionally, they did not connect (this is my life now, explaining such things). “There is zero passion there.” Gossip Cop checked in with Cibrian’s rep, who offered more than just the standard “this is false,” response to the stories. “They are definitely not broke and they are definitely not divorcing,” the rep told the site. “Gotta love OK! magazine and their fantasies.” ZING! View Slideshow: 16 Memorable Celebrity Side-Pieces: Because Every Cheater Needs Someone to Cheat With! Doing her best to refute any and all rumors, Rimes did what she’s done ever since saying “I Do” to Cibrian. “Happy 5 year anniversary to my lover, my friend, my heart, my everything!” Rimes wrote on a throwback photo of their wedding day. “We have walked through hell and back to be together and wouldn’t change a thing. “Our bond is like no other. I cherish you!” They walked through hell? More like they put their former spouses through hell.
To be honest, we have no idea what’s going on with Kourtney Kardashian’s love life at the moment. She was hooking up with Justin Bieber for a while, then it looked like she might get back together with Scott Disick, and now she appears to just be enjoying the single life. But naturally, that hasn’t stopped the Internet from claiming that the mother of three is knocked up again. A couple recent photos of Kourtney in a swimsuit have been making the rounds online, and some folks are already betting on self-consciously “unique” baby names. Rumors that Kourtney is pregnant pop up pretty regularly. In fact, pretty much anytime that she’s not confirmed to be expecting, someone in some corner of the Internet is speculating that Kourtney is knocked up. Mind you, Kourtney isn’t sporting anything that could really be called a belly in these photos, nor does she appear to have gained any weight. View Slideshow: 12 Ways Kourtney Kardashian Taught Us To Keep Our Cool There’s just the slightest shadow of something that could conceivably be called a bump. And when you’re talking about Kourtney Kardashian, that’s all it takes to get the rumor mill churning. We’re not saying for certain that Kourt’s not knocked up, but if we had to guess, we would say it’s probably a simple food baby. Maybe she’s guilty of continuing to procreate with Scott Disick, but more likely, she’s guilty of not waiting 30 minuted between eating and swimming. But hey, if she is having a fourth kid, at least she’ll have Kim to tell her how to parent . We’re sure that never gets annoying at all. View Slideshow: 37 Photos of Kourtney Kardashian Showing Scott Disick What He’s Missing
First world problems, amiright? Despite being named Vogue’s best-dressed couple at the 2016 Costume Institute Gala, Kim Kardashian is not pleased with how she looked. “Kim said she felt like she was going to fail big time,” a source told Radar Online before the gala , adding that she “was so furious” that Kanye West pressured her to wear a silver gown by their friend, Olivier Rousteing at Balmain. Kardashian put on a good face for the cameras, and told E! why she went with the robotic look. “I felt everyone was gonna go with [silver],” she explained. “I still really wanted to do it. I thought Balmain was the perfect choice for me and Kanye especially.” The real story is far different from what Kardashian told the press. “She seems so sick of wearing Balmain and she is definitely sick of Kanye calling the shots for practically every single thing she does,” another source told Radar . A few months before the year’s most anticipated gala – which draws high-profile guests including billionaire moguls, fashion designers, royalty and celebrities – Kardashian wanted to take control of her ensemble. “Kim doesn’t want to do anything risky,” a source told Radar at the time. “She wants to wear something classic and elegant. Nothing like that floral print dress Kanye persuaded her to wear in 2013 .” View Slideshow: MET Gala 2016 Fashion: Which Couple Dressed Best? 2016’s theme was Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology, which explored the contrast between handmade couture and machine-made fashion. “Kanye thinks he can totally push the envelope and have Kim in something very avant garde and unique,” the source claimed. “The theme plays to Kanye’s strengths as a fashion designer, and it’s very frustrating that Kim isn’t falling in line.” Imagine a couple citing “Met Gala Sartorial Differences” as their reason for divorce? “Kanye is very vocal about Kim’s fashion choices and is hyper-critical when he doesn’t agree with how she is presenting herself,” the source added. “They are fighting non-stop over this, and it has just gotten ridiculous.” Well, things may have turned around for the Wests, because Vogue named them last night’s Best Dressed Couple. “Thank you Vogue for making us the best dressed couple!!!” Kardashian wrote on Instagram. “THANK YOU @balmain & @olivier_rousteing for bringing us & making us the sickest looks! We love you #RobotVibes”
Last night, the world was shocked to learn of the death of Ashley Sawyer , the star of one of the more memorable episodes of MTV’s Catfish . The news was confirmed to the public in a social media post from the network: “MTV is deeply saddened to learn that Ashley Sawyer has passed away,” the statement read. “Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.” No cause of death was given at the time, but now Radar Online is reporting that Sawyer’s passing appears to have been drug related . According to a statement from the Hoover (Alabama) Police Department’s public information officer, Chuck McDonald, EMTs responded to a 911 call just after midnight on Monday to find Sawyer unconscious in her apartment. “Arriving officers found a white female unconscious with bystanders/witnesses performing CPR,” McDonald revealed. “Officers attempted to revive the female with the Automated External Defibrillator (AED), to no avail.” McDonald didn’t speculate on the cause, but an autopsy report indicates that Sawyer’s death “may be related to a drug overdose, possibly heroin.” Police sources confirm that Sawyer received a dose of Narcan, which is typically administered only in cases of narcotic overdose. The 23-year-old was reportedly pronounced dead on the scene. Sawyer’s episode is remembered by Catfish fans for the revelation that she and online friend Michael Fortunato were both “catfishing” one another by misrepresenting their identities online. Tragically, Fortunato died of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 26 just one month after the episode aired. Sawyer appeared on a recent catch-up episode and revealed that she had been staying in a sober-living facility after struggling with substance abuse for several years. “Shocked and saddened by the death of Ashley Sawyer,” Catfish co-host Max Joseph tweeted yesterday, “So sweet and kind. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family.” View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Passed Away in 2016: Gone, But Not Forgotten
Blac Chyna wants her man looking right and tight for their big day. Though Rob Kardashian has been working out and eating right (with the help of his fiance), Chyna realizes that the stakes are now higher. Given that they plan to have a televised wedding, Chyna has asked Kardashian to take things one step further. “Blac wants Rob thinner in time for their wedding so she’s booking him into a fat camp to get things kick-started,” a source told Radar Online . Back in 2014, Kris Jenner tried to get her son to commit to fat camp a fwe months before Kim Kardashian’s wedding. The plan did not work, and just before his sister’s wedding, Kardashian took a flight back to Los Angeles because he was being taunted over his appearance . This time, though, Kardashian hopes for a victory against the scale. View Slideshow: Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian: Their Relationship In 14 Photos “It’s ironic because this is something Kris tried to do, but he never showed up,” the source said. “Blac is a whole other story though and he’s totally whipped, so expect to see a dramatic transformation of Rob’s waistline over the next months.” Her efforts go beyond just wanting to see Kardashian lose weight. “Blac wants them both to look their very best for the wedding — neither have been married before so she’s putting a lot of pressure on him to make their big day literally picture perfect.” When Kardashian went down from 298 to 248, it was clear how proud he was when sharing the news on social media. “I’m focused and determined to reach my goal weight 200-205lbs,” Kardashian wrote. “Happy I found my motivation.” Kardashian and Chyna first got together with a mutual goal of eating right and getting fit. From there, romance blossomed, and now Kardashian has come out of the shell he’s been hiding in for the past three years. Rob Kardashian GOES OFF on His Sisters When Confronted About Proposal to Blac Chyna: WATCH!
These days, the custody battle between Leah Messer and Corey Simms is over and decided, but back when the current season of Teen Mom 2 was filming, the matter was still being hotly contested. The tension created by all the legal wrangling is apparent in a snippet of deleted footage just released by MTV today. The clip shows Simms stressing out over Leah's lawyers reopening the case and forcing him to go back to court. “It stresses me out that they approved the reconsideration,” Corey confesses to a friend. “This whole reversal of custody should have been done years ago before the kids were aware of what’s going on,” he explains. “Now they have a lot more emotions and feelings, and they can understand a lot more.” He goes on to accuse Leah of putting her own needs ahead of those of her daughters: “It’s a pretty serious thing. Leah’s looking at it for herself. I mean it’s all about herself is all she cares about. But the kids are the ones getting hurt.” The judge in the case eventually decided in Leah's favor, and she and Corey have reached an amicable custody agreement. The main sticking point was Leah's alleged inability to get the kids to school on time , which was captured on a recent episode of the show. These days, Leah is sober and she was able to convince the court that her difficulties to school had been exaggerated by Simms' attorneys. Still, this clip serves as a reminder of how ugly things got at one point. Remarkably, Messer and Simms are reportedly on good terms with one another and able to peaceably co-parent. Check out the clip below to see Corey (briefly) lose his cool and watch Teen Mom 2 online to relive the Simms vs. Messer court battle.
