View this post on Instagram Did y’all catch me on Godfather of Harlem last night? I was out supporting @marquette21 fashion show so I missed it! But make sure u subscribe to @epix to watch every week! Amazing cast and @therealswizzz produced the music A post shared by Jazmine Sullivan (@jazminesullivan) on Sep 30, 2019 at 8:47am PDT Jazmine Sullivan Melts Instagram (AGAIN) We LOVE-LOVE-LOVE us some Jazmine Sullivan who took a break from promoting her guest appearance on EPIX’s critically-acclaimed new series “Godfather Of Harlem” to melt the gram with her slimmy-trimmy R&Bawwwdy. Oh yes, she’s snatched and hopefully working on new music as quite possibly the most underrated, unappreciated and vocally untouchable artist in music today. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jazmine Sullivan (@jazminesullivan) on Sep 27, 2019 at 8:24pm PDT Hit the flip to see Jazmine Sullivan’s slimmy-trimmy R&Bawwwdy (and .
Bring out the entire family Saturday 10.12.19 as our very own Reec & Razed Barber & Beauty Salon are Treating The City to a Free BBQ & community fun day! The day will include Game trucks, music, moon bounces and more! Plus we are celebrating Breast Cancer Survivors and having a tribute to Ms. Lorraine Ward. Saturday October 12, 2019 – 11am to 3pm – Razed Barber & Beauty Salon: 7868 Tara Blvd.
Source: Mondadori Portfolio / Getty Actress Oluwaseyi “Seyi” Omooba was cut from the U.K. production of The Color Purple because of past homophobic comments and now she’s clapping back with a lawsuit. According to Pink News , Omooba was supposed to play the lead role of Celie who, ironically, has a queer relationship in the story. Yet, Omooba still chose to be homophobic, building off a 2014 Facebook post where she cited religion for her beliefs. Hamilton star Aaron Lee Lambert pulled up the old post, which partly read: “I do not believe you can be born gay, and I do not believe homosexuality is right, though the laws of this land has made it legal doesn’t mean its [sic] right. I do believe that everyone sins and falls into temptation but its [sic] by the asking of forgiveness, repentance and the grace of God that we overcome and live how God ordained us too [sic].” In his tweet of the post, Lambert asked Omooba, “Do you still stand by this post? Or are you happy to remain a hypocrite? Seeing as you’ve now been announced to be playing an LGBTQ character, I think you owe your LGBTQ peers an explanation. Immediately.” Omooba was advised by Leicester’s Curve Theatre and her agency, Michael Garrett Associates, to retract her post and to apologize. However, she refused to do this, citing her Christian faith as an excuse. “ I really wanted the role but what they wanted me to do was completely against my faith. I did not want to lie just to keep a job,” she told The Daily Mail. “I just quoted what the Bible says about homosexuality, the need for repentance, but ultimately God’s love for all humanity.” Omooba insisted that she’s not homophobic. “I stand by what I wrote, but had I known that it would have come to this, I would have set my account to the privacy mode.” Riiiight. Like that would’ve helped. Since her statements were brought to light, she was let go from The Color Purple production, and she was dropped by her agents. Omooba says when she tried to reach out to agents who were once eager to sign her, only one responded, acknowledging that she was ‘talented but misguided’ and brainwashed by her religion. “I’m heartbroken,” Omooba said. “If I’m unable to get back to the stage, then I feel there is no point. It’s the only thing I have ever wanted since I was a young girl.” Omooba has now filed a lawsuit against Michael Garrett Associates for religious discrimination. The group hasn’t commented on Omooba’s lawsuit, but the Curve Theatre told The Daily Mail , “The comments made by Seyi have caused significant and widely expressed concerns both on social media and in the wider press. Following careful reflection, it has been decided Seyi will no longer be involved with the production.” Guess we’ll have to wait and find out if Omooba will have any weight in court. Until then, she might want to just get started on that church production of A Color Purple . Surely, it’ll be an entirely different musical with some of the most important themes lost.
Atlanta continues to run the music scene as LSMG artist Blo5k Lil A releases “Light It Up”. The Quay Global produced track is featured on Blo5k Lil A’s recently released collab mixtape with Bla5er titled, ‘Tha 5’ . Blo5k Lil A social media: Instagram @B5LilA Twitter @Blo5kLilA View this post on Instagram It’s out Link In My Bio #LightItUp Prod By @ayethatsquay @mymixtapez #Lsmg A post shared by Lil A (@blo5k_lila) on Sep 26, 2019 at 10:11am PDT
Source: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com / WENN If you ever wanted the smooth, soothing voice of Samuel L. Jackson as your in-home virtual assistant, Amazon has you covered. The company has announced the veteran actor ‘s voice is a new option for customers of its Alexa device. Variety reports : Samuel L. Jackson inked a deal with Amazon to provide first celebrity voice option for Alexa, its cloud-based digital assistant. According to the ecommerce giant, it will add more celebrity guest voices for the platform starting in 2020. The Jackson “voice pack” for Alexa will be available later this year for the special intro price of 99 cents — and users can select either clean and explicit modes. Jackson’s baritone is coming to Alexa thanks to a new Neural Text-to-Speech technology developed by Amazon, announced at the company’s Amazon Devices event in Seattle Wednesday. That’s designed to make Alexa’s default female voice more human-sounding, with more emotive and expressive speech. It also lets Alexa replicate speech inflections of real people, too — meaning Jackson’s voice on Alexa will be synthesized, rather than delivered as pre-recorded words or phrases. To get started, after installing the Jackson voice pack, Alexa users just say, “Alexa, introduce me to Samuel L. Jackson,” then choose whether they want him to use explicit language or not. Some example commands Amazon offered: “Alexa, ask Samuel L. Jackson where he is from”; “Alexa, ask Sam to wake me up at 7 a.m.”; and “Alexa, ask Sam Jackson to sing happy birthday.” (The company said the celebrity voice packs will not be able to help with shopping, lists, reminders or skills.) Amazon Alexa has announced a new slew of products, including earbuds, an auto device for cars, Echo-enabled glasses, and more. See the whole lineup here . — Photo: WENN
This Is Us just did it again. We guess we shouldn’t be surprised at this point. And yet: That’s sort of the whole point, isn’t it? On This Is Us Season 4 Episode 1 , which aired Tuesday evening on NBC, the beloved drama shifted our focus from its core characters to a bunch fo newbies… prior to wrapping up the premiere with yet another twist that brought everything together. Appropriately titled “Strangers,” the episode introduced fans to: Cassidy (Jennifer Morrison), an intense military officer whose wartime stint in Afghanistan left her detached, drinking and not very close to her husband, Ryan (Nick Wechsler), and their young son. After losing some control, along with her loved ones, Cassidy sought assistance from a veteran’s support group. From there, we saw her first meeting was interrupted by… Griffin Dunne’s Nicky , who hurled a chair through the window in a fit of drunken anger. Then there was Malik (Asante Blackk), a teenager who’s attempting to provide for a young daughter — at any cost. This new character’s parents are Darnell (Omar Epps) and Kelly (Marsha Stephanie Blake), who shower him with affection and also plenty of babysitting. Darnell made sure that Malik had a few moments of carefree bliss at a friend’s barbecue, where the latter grew instantly smitten with a new-to-Philly girl whose name is… Deja (Lyric Ross). Following along so far? Because we’re about to change time periods. In a flash-forward, viewers met a bold, quippy, struggling blind musician … who married the waitress at the diner he happened to visit by happenstance … and is now enjoying burgeoning fame, because this guy is… Jack (Blake Stadnik). Yes, present-day premature son of Kate and Toby! Both grandmother and mother had music dreams — and Jack was the one who seemed to turn similar dreams into an actual, successful reality. There’s your major Season 4 premiere twist, folks. Elsewhere, however, this opener was anchored in the past, traveling back to the early 1970s as Jack and Rebecca returned from their amazing road trip and were feeling out the possibilities of this new romance. Jack was invited to meet her parents (the incomporable Elizabeth Perkins and Tim Matheson) at a country club dinner, where our favorite underdog Vietnam veteran managed to impress everyone at the table. Ultimately, however, Rebecca’s father shook his hand … and told Jack that wasn’t good enough for his daughter. That’s a lot to take in overall, of course. Thankfully, showrunner Dan Fogelman spoke to Entertainment Weekly and broke down this shocking This Is Us premiere. Why did he introduce new characters in this fashion? Normally you would meet characters through the eyes of your main characters, which always gives you a little bit of a skewed perspective, because you’re meeting them through our characters. But that’s not how you meet strangers in real life. The first time you meet the person who becomes your husband or wife or your new boss or your business partner, they’ve had a whole life before you and the meeting with them is your first experience of them. So I wanted to give the audience that feeling of getting to know these people before you got to know them in relation to our main characters. What will the relationship between Cassidy and Kevin be like? The relationship is complicated, it’s formative, and it’s a very deep, interesting, bizarre relationship. And whether or not it’s ever romantic is for the series to delve into a little bit later on. But it’s an interesting thing when you look back — she’s going to be somebody who adjusts a part of the course of Kevin’s life. As is the entire first half of the season that he’s embarking on. How far might the show flash forward? Beyond Jack at the concert? I mean, anything’s possible. It’s not in the current plan right now… We do have plans for the future and that which we call “the deeper future” — because we call it the one where Rebecca’s in bed “the deep future” — but I think we would only being going past that linearly. Meaning a continuation of where we’ve been with Jack, but not even jumping further into the 2300s or anything like that. How will Jack’s blindness affect Kate and Toby in the present day going forward? It’s a gigantic story… Raising a child is a complicated process, and raising a blind child comes with extra challenges. Obviously, having a newborn child — with or without sight — is a challenging time for young parents. For any parents. You’re snipping at each other, you’re exhausted. [Now] there’s added stuff. This was not expected. It’s a surprise and that’s a big part of their season this year. View Slideshow: 13 TV Shows Canceled Way Too Soon
T hroughout her entire career actress and producer Issa Rae has utilized her platform and work in the entertainment industry to empower Black women, and now she’s doing the same in the tech space. According to Variety , Rae recently invested in a Black woman-led startup. Issa Rae Acquires Stake in Streamlytics, a Streaming-Media Data Startup https://t.co/8QU69UHKH3 — Variety (@Variety) September 24, 2019 The Los Angeles-based company—dubbed Streamlytics—was founded by entrepreneur Angela Benton . The startup—which was created in 2018—utilizes media consumption data to bring transparency to the content consumed on popular streaming services and gives consumers the ability to own their data. Benton, who founded the first global accelerator for people of color, has been a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion in tech. She hopes to use Streamlytics as an avenue to generate data that reflects the choices of viewers of color. Through Streamlytics she wants to create a space where minority consumers can not only access their streaming data but can monetize it as well. So far, the company has used data from Netflix and plans on expanding to other platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and social media sites. Benton is grateful to have Rae on board. “Having Issa involved as an owner is beyond exciting,” she said in a statement. “Her pioneering work as both a creator and as a businesswoman creating digital-first content that has transcended the internet-only medium aligns seamlessly with our company’s core values on ownership.” Rae is excited to invest in a company that will change the landscape of streaming data. She says platforms like Streamlytics are “necessary for transparency and consumer ownership.” Companies like the one created by Benton are needed as studies show that African American media usage is higher across different platforms. Black women are stepping up to invest in women of color-led startups. Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam teamed up with entrepreneur Arian Simone to launch a $5 million venture capital fund to support startups created by Black women. SEE ALSO: Keshia Knight Pulliam And Arian Simone Launch Venture Capital Fund For Black Women Entrepreneurs Black Entrepreneur Receives $1 Million Investment From Jay-Z’s Venture Capital Fund [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3887286″ overlay=”true”]
Rihanna is building an inclusive beauty and fashion empire the world has never seen before. I’m not even hyperbolizing. It’s all true with receipts to back it up. She launched the most inclusive makeup collection with 50 shades from from fair to deep cocoa before creating a lingerie line that doesn’t make women desire to be the fantasy, but rather remind them they’ve always been the fantasy, regardless of shape, size, color, or condition. No male approval needed. View this post on Instagram @savagexfenty’s new June drop!! OUT NOW! savagex.com A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Jun 1, 2019 at 7:07am PDT She’s truly dominated the fashion and beauty space since entering in 2014. As the creative director at PUMA, she increased the brand’s earnings at a net income increase of 92% for the quarter, with the company’s share price rising €200 since her role was announced, according to Billboard . Let’s not forget her Fenty Puma creeper was crowned FNAA’s 2016 Shoe of the Year . And, as of May 2019, Rih launched her luxury fashion line Fenty with LVMH (the French French luxury goods company that owns Christian Dior, Givenchy, and Louis Vuitton), becoming the first woman ever to do so. Thanks to these boss moves, sis is the wealthiest female musician in the world . Yes, musician. Which brings me to my point. As Rih Rih expands her brand grows into her very own right as a mogul, her music seems to suffer and it’s not like fans haven’t noticed. Neon zebra-print undies and perfectly pigmented lip paints can only distract us for so long. Don’t get me wrong, I own a few (read, a lot) of Fenty items between makeup and clothing , but when it comes down to it, I’m a Rihanna fan, and as a fan I’m alway going to want what I originally came for, and that’s music (followed closely by her ability to throw shade). View this post on Instagram @fenty A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on May 27, 2019 at 4:11am PDT It’s been a cool three years since Rihanna released ANTI which featured SZA and Drake. In May 2018, she told Vogue fans can expect something a bit more Caribbean and “devoted to exploring [her] Caribbean roots.” View this post on Instagram #GuavaIsland @amazonprimevideo hit the link in my bio A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Apr 17, 2019 at 4:08pm PDT In December 2018, a fan asked Rihanna when she planned to release R9 by writing under a promotional photo of Fenty Stunna Lip Paint in Flamingo Acid. “2019” she said. Looks like Rihanna is dropping her album in 2019. pic.twitter.com/RfQq9T6AZ2 — Karen Civil (@KarenCivil) December 22, 2018 Looks like she’s got about three months before The Navy riots. But seriously, on Sept. 10, Rihanna shared more heartbreaking news concerning her album while on the red carpet for her Savage X Fenty fashion show. “Y’all gon’ have to wait Navy. I’m so sorry,” she said to Entertainment Tonight . https://twitter.com/musicnewsfact/status/1171771545934422021 She also refuted reports she’d be performing at the Super Bowl. “Girl, I still got an album to finish. You’re asking me about the Super Bowl, really? My fans are about to have my neck,” she finished. Hmm… this sort of statement kinda sounds like the album is far from finished. View this post on Instagram Nobody: Me: Album coming in 2019 Navy in July: A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Jul 11, 2019 at 11:22am PDT Come to think about it, Rih’s been silent on the album front ever since speaking with Vogue in May 2018. Her Instagram doesn’t let on that she’s in the booth and no producers have spilled any beans on making any in-studio magic. So, is the album ever coming? There may be some hope yet. During the same conversation, Rihanna let on that she’d be more than willing to collaborate with alternative rap artist Lizzo , on anything. “I would collaborate with her on the lights for this interview right now, like Lizzo is so badass.” She definitely is and hopefully she can light a fire under our beloved Bajan beauty. After extensive research, this is all we got — a promise and a whole lot of makeup and undies to wait out the remaining three months. Sigh… I’m crossing my fingers for 2019 R9 , but I don’t suggest holding your breath. DON’T MISS: Can Y’all Stop Speculating On Rihanna’s Womb & Just Let Her Eat? Rihanna Drops Brow Pencil & Styler In 14 Shades + New Hydrating Pro Filt’r Foundation Rihanna Is A Bantu Knot BAE At Barbados Crop Over [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”3058906″ overlay=”true”]
Source: Stacy Revere / Getty Andre Emmett, a star basketball player and member of the BIG3 , was shot and killed in Dallas on Monday (Sept. 24) morning. He was 37. According to TMZ , the former Texas Tech star was sitting in his car in front of his home when a pair of men approached him. According to Dallas PD … Emmett was approached by 2 suspects while sitting in his car in front of his house around 2:30 AM on Monday. One of the suspects pulled out a gun and an altercation ensued. Cops say Emmett was gunned down while trying to run away from the suspects … and he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died. Emmett — the 35th pick to the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2004 NBA Draft — was the 2nd leading scorer in the 3-on-3 league this past season while playing for 3’s Company. Said the BIG3 via a press statement “The BIG3 is in a state of shock over the sudden and tragic death of Andre Emmett. Andre was a member of the BIG3 family for two seasons and never without a smile on his face. His kindness towards others and easy-going demeanor made him a joy to be around.” Rest in power Andre Emmett. The BIG3 is in a state of shock over the sudden and tragic death of Andre Emmett. Andre was a member of the BIG3 family for two seasons and never without a smile on his face. His kindness towards others and easy-going demeanor made him a joy to be around. pic.twitter.com/QoNJ7NH2k0 — BIG3 on CBS (@thebig3) September 23, 2019
Source: Aaron J. Thornton / Getty Lenny Kravitz Surprises Justin Wilson II On The Ellen DeGeneres Show The last time 5-year-old Justin Wilson II was on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, he impressed viewers with his amazing drumming talents to the tune of Lenny Kravitz’s hit, “Fly Away.” This time, Ellen had a special surprise for Justin as he performed “Are You Gonna Go My Way” with his rock idol coming out to surprise him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WflxPks1hTY Find a more precious video, I dare you!
