Thursday 7 February 2013

Mendeecees Harris Takes The Stand--"I Didn't Commit Those Acts To That Girl!"

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Today, "Love & Hip Hop" star Mendeecees Harris took the stand in a Hackensack, NJ court in a statutory rape/sexual abuse case involving a 15-year-old girl four years ago.  His baby's mother & co-star Yandy Smith was in the courtroom today as well.  And Mandeecees' denied everything.

We've got defendant Mendeecees' testimony inside...
A woman who is now 19-year-old claims that when she was 15, she had a sexual relationship with Mendeecees Harris, and was blackmailed into doing so.
Mendeecees claims not only did he never commit any of the acts the victim claimed in court yesterday--like him blackmailing her with the secret of her being raped when she was 8 (what he threatened to do with the info we're not sure) for sex--but that he rarely interacted with her at all.
CliffViewPilot.com reported his testimony:
“I never had a relationship with her, she never extended herself,” said Harris, taking the stand in his own defense. “She didn’t play basketball, she didn’t play Playstation, didn’t want to go to the movies.
“She always walked around the house like she had an attitude,” he said.
“That’s the truth – never, never – I never committed none of them acts to that girl in my life.”
The victim previously claimed she lived with Mendeecees in Lodi, NJ for a period of time, because her mother--who she says was dating him--lived with him as well.  Mendeecees denies an intimate relationship with the mother as well, and says she was "just a friend" he met in Harlem.  Oh.
He put down $50,000 on a home for them to live in as "just friends," and was upset that the woman (the victim's mother) only put her name on the deed.  He says she claimed it was because his credit was bad, and his name being on the loan would have raised the mortgage.
He was upset about it saying:
“I told her we need to either sell the house or you need to give me my down payment out,” Harris said. “My stuff was in boxes in the hallway for months.”
He then claimed that his "friend", the victim's mother, rented an apartment in her name--putting her credit on the line--for Mendeecees to live in.  The prosecuter, Demetra Maurice, pressed him on why she would do this:
“She offered that service,” Harris said, “because I had to get out of the relationship with [his oldest child Mendeecees Jr.'s] mom…. She put the apartment in her name and she didn’t have a key, didn’t live there.”
“She put her credit on the line?” Maurice asked him.
“Yes, yes, she did that – absolutely,” he said. “Anything to impress me, she would do. She bought me a mink coat as a friend.”
Um, ok.  Then he attempted to explain further exactly why they were living together and why the teen was in his vicinity:
They moved in together in Lodi “because I had credit problems,” Harris testified.“She told me if my name was on the loan it would cost more,” he said. So they decided that he’d pay the down payment, she’d get the loan and the deed would be in his name. He said he also paid the grocery, cable and other bills.
Then, his voice choked with emotion, Harris said he went to the Bergen County Clerk’s Office and discovered his name wasn’t on the deed. This, he said, forced him to remain in the house. After living together in Lodi for three years, they were joined by the teenager, he said.
Contradicting her testimony, Harris said he was rarely around the girl – although he admitted exchanging texts, mostly about “when her mother and I were going to be home.”
Oh the questions we have.  Like, what was in those text messages that caused the victim's mother to throw a fit, if "nothing happened" between Mendeecees and the victim.  Where was the teen living before she "joined" her mother & Mendeecees?  Does anyone believe that Mendeecees and the victim's mother were "just friends" as she lived with and put her name on a house AND an apartment for that man?  Does Yandy care that this dude was very likely with someone else while they were together starting in 2009 (the date he gave in court that they started dating)?
The level of MESS....
Check out CliffViewPilot.com for more details and pics from inside the courtroom...

SHOCKING DETAILS Released At Mendeecees Harris' Statutory Rape Trial--15-Year-Old Alleges Blackmail For Sex, Mendeecees Was DATING HER MOTHER!

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As previously reported, "LAHH" star Yandy Smith's baby's daddy Mendeecees Harris is on trial for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was more than four years older than her.  The newest testimony at the statutory rape trial has revealed some shocking details.

Get them inside....
Mendeecees (pictured above in court yesterday) has formally been charged with seven counts of child abuse in connection with a sexual relationship he allegedly had with a 15-year-old girl four years ago.  He’s also charged with promoting prostitution.  And by the way, the news outlet CliffViewPilot.com--who was inside the Hackensack, NJ courtroom yesterday--reports that Yandy showed up to the trial with an entourage following her every move and with her face covered with a coat the entire time.
Then the case turned into a scene ripped straight from the movie Precious.
The now 19-year-old woman claims she went to stay at Mendeecees' Lodi, NJ home several times (that his GIRLFRIEND lived at as well) due to friction with her mother at home.  She said he was always there for her, "made her feel comfortable" and listened to her vent about her problems with her mother.
She said he soon began to ask her for sexual favors, and did so even more when she asked him for money. And he even supposedly bribed her with a secret he learned from her mother about her being raped by someone else when she was 8-years-old.
The CliffViewPilot.com reports:
“Mendeecees made me feel comfortable. He would give me advice. He’d say ‘It’ll be okay between you and your mom’,” the woman said.
Then came an afternoon when, with no one else home, she realized in the shower that she didn’t have a towel.
“I asked him to get me one, and he did,” the woman testified. “Then he came into my room and suggested I let him masturbate on me, but I just laughed.”
The suggestions continued, she said, until she relented. She said Harris then gave her $15 or $20 “for lunch or maybe a ball game.”
But that wasn’t enough for him, the woman testified: Using an extremely private piece of information, he coerced her into providing oral sex.
“He told me he knew I had been raped when I was 8 years old,” she said, “and he found out from my mother.
“ ‘Your mom doesn’t want you here’,” the woman said Harris told her before exposing himself.
She said she complied with his desire out of spite “to get back at my mom.”
“I felt betrayed by her,” she said. “I didn’t tell her about [the rape] until I was 14, and it was something I didn’t want anyone to know.”
Similar favors were demanded – and provided — for “$15 or $20” when she needed money for expenses, the woman testified. Eventually Harris enlisted her younger brothers by suggesting, when they asked him for money, to “talk to your sister. She knows what she has to do.”
Why did she finally fess up?  Because Mendeecees also dated the victim's mother at some point....and they supposedly had planned on getting married!
The victim also said at one point, he told her that sexually she "was better than her mother".  Gross.
Mendeecees and the victim's sexual relationship ended though, she said, when her mother took her phone for missing curfew, and she found a message from Mendeecees.  A fight ensued between him and the mother....and ish hit the fan.  The mother also ordered the victim to leave the house:
“My mom didn’t know where I was,” [the victim] testified, “but Mendeecees did.”
The next day he came to find her, she said. He told her that her mother had packed her belongings – and then asked her: “Please don’t tell her anything about us,” the woman said.
“He said she didn’t know anything, so don’t say anything. It was something he would ‘take to his grave.’ He [also] told me they were done.
“I felt horrible,” the woman said. “At one point Mendeecees and my mother were going to get married. I felt it was all my fault.”
She also said that when she saw him on TV as Yandy's baby's daddy, she knew nothing about Yandy.  But apparently, he was with Yandy at the same time as his live-in girlfriend.
Mendeecees claims the victim is lying about everything.  He denies ever having sexual relations with her, ever blackmailing her, and says she simply wants money because he's a TV star.  And he believes that since the woman now lives in the south (and claims she had to drop out of nursing school to attend this trial), she is doing everything she can to stay in New Jersey.
Triple sigh.
If convicted of the charges, Mendeecees would face up to 20 years in prison.  He's already turned down the 5-year prison stint offered to him before the trial.  We'll keep you posted on developments....and hopefully where this dude got his name from...
STORY EDIT: Mandeecees was not 19 years old at the time of the alleged incident(s).  He was more than four years older than the then-15-year-old woman, which legally qualifies as  statutory rape in the state of New Jersey.

BONUS: On a recent episode of "Love & Hip Hop," Yandy did a bit of a strip tease performance for Mandeecees on his birthday.  She now wants the whole world to see.  For some reason.  Check it out in full below:

Jessica Simpson Takes Her Baby Bump for a Workout

Jessica on Wednesday. (PacificCoastNews.com)Does blue mean boy? (PacificCoastNews.com)
Jessica Simpson has vowed to be healthier for her second pregnancy, and it looks like she’s sticking to that promise.
On Wednesday, the “Fashion Star” judge hit a gym in Los Angeles in teal sweatpants, a black tank, black hoodie … and her growing baby bump. This is only one of a few times we have really seen her out and about during her second pregnancy, which she announced on Christmas Day with an adorable photo of her daughter with “Big Sis” written in the sand around her.
The following day, Simpson’s latest Weight Watchers commercial debuted, during which she admitted, "I lost over 50 pounds on Weight Watchers and did not have to be perfect to do it. Being healthy has become a part of who I am – which is great timing, because I'm having another baby.”
Although Simpson gained 70 pounds while pregnant with Maxwell, she realized soon after she gave birth on May 1 that while it may have been fun putting it all on, it was no picnic taking it all back off. During an appearance on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” the 32-year-old admitted she had gained “a lot more than doctors would recommend” while carrying her first child. “I was really happy to be pregnant and I didn't ever step on the scale. I didn't realize you could gain that much weight that quickly."
But with the help of Weight Watchers (and a $4 million deal), Simpson went on to lose the majority of her pregnancy weight … before conceiving with fiancĂ© Eric Johnson once again.
"I was extremely shocked," Simpson told Leno. "Because I was going through a lot of hormonal changes, trying to get back to the old, vibrant Jessica. You know, it was kind of like a one-night stand. And it happened, all over again!"
Except this time, it seems like she’s already getting a head start on maintaining her health.

Kelis, Jill Scott, LisaRaye, NeNe & More Celebrate SOLANGE KNOWLES At BLACK WOMEN IN MUSIC Event


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Solange Knowles and all her fabulousness were honored at last night's ESSENCE Women in Music event at Greystone Manor in L.A.  Check out all the YBF ladies who came out to support--Kelis, Jill Scott, LisaRaye, Estelle, KeKe Palmer, NeNe Leakes and plenty more--and their gorge purple carpet looks inside...

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Honoree Solange, who also performed, kept her signature look of a bold printed leg-baring dress and bold lip color.  This one is by London designer duo Susanne Ostwald and Ingvar Helgason.  And she paired her look with a hot pair of metallic and white-capped toe Nicholas Kirkwood pumps.  Fabulous as usual.
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During the event, Solo hit the stage to perform some of her new songs....and even got accompanied by Earth, Wind & Fire's Verdine White!
Jill Scott gushed about it all saying, "@solangeknowles is swag. Ok? She is swag."
Agreed.
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Speaking of the fab Jill Scott, she hit the carpet in a ruby red front slit Michael Costello (former Project Runway contestant) dress.  And she paired her look with sparkling pumps and a bold red lip.  Gorge.

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Leave it to Kelis to bring out a feisty look or the occasion.  She rocked thigh high black boots with a gold cap toe, a long snakeskin coat with a black & white dress. Lots going on, including that hair.  But that's why we love her.

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"Single Ladies" star LisaRaye McCoy hit the event in a white (her signature) Tadashi Shoji white pintuck illusion dress.
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And snapped a pic with Kelis and actress Vanessa Williams.
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KeKe Palmer debuted her new curly hair with a sleek black dress. Loves it.
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Singer Dawn Richard rocked a silver & white geometric dress and her black Louboutin pumps.
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We adore Estelle's look of printed red & white skinny pant trousers with a matching jacket.

Tamia, who just made history as the first Canadian to be nominated for a GRAMMY in the R&B category, hit up the event last night:
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She kept it trendy in a Michael Costello mermaid leather skirt, Eleven Paris Biggie tee and an Alexander McQueen blazer.  Fab as always.
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Mary Mary's Erica Campbell showed off her curves in a fuchsia dress.
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"Glee" star Amber Riley kept it pretty in pleated pink.
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Former "Charlie's Angels" star Annie Illonzeh looked ready for spring in her tangerine pants and printed top.
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"Single Ladies" star and model Denise Vasi kept it chic in a head to toe black and sheer look.
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And singer Goapele went for the all black look as well.
Couples also took to the carpet ahead of the event:
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Eric Benet brought his wife Manuela Testolini to the event.

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And star of the upcoming Tyler Perry film, Confessions of a Marriage Counselor, Jurnee Smollett hit the carpet with her hubby Josiah Bell.  Cute.
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Naturi Naughton went for a little blue iridescence on the carpet.
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NeNe Leakes came out to support the ladies.
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Actress Sharon Leal attended the event with her boyfriend Paul Becker.  We'll keep our comments to ourselves.
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Vanessa Williams and her killer gams are still hot.
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And speaking of killer legs...model Jessica White rocked a feminine tuxedo pants look for the occasion.  Fab times.
Congrats to additional honoree Lianne La Havas.

Taylor Swift Reveals Her Valentine’s Day Plans

Taylor Swift (Getty Images)It feels like blasphemy that Taylor Swift will be single for Valentine’s Day. So, what will the pop country star be doing come February 14? The Grammy winner told Ryan Seacrest this morning how she plans to celebrate Cupid’s holiday this year.
“I’m probably going to be with my friends or rehearsing,” the country star revealed. Swift — who’s nominated for three Grammys this year — had a rough break up with One Direction’s Harry Styles in early January, but she still insists that age 23 has been the best year of her life.
“It’s just hands down been the best year,” the “I Knew You Were Trouble” singer said. “It’s been amazing it’s been exciting. I got to make a record that’s different than anything I’ve ever done before…the fact I was able to branch out and everybody is embracing it. It feels like the best year I’ve had so far, it’s been wonderful.”
Swift’s next single from her “Red” album is the song “22.”
“I wrote it about my friends,” Taylor said. “I’ve got, finally, this amazing group of girlfriends and we tell each other everything, we’re together all the time.”
Taylor Swift’s famous pals include BFF Selena Gomez as well as Emma Stone.
“That was kind of the marker of me being 22 is having all these friends,” Taylor continued. “There are a lot of question marks in your life like where you’re going, who you’re going to meet, but the one thing you have is you have each other.”
While many celebrities prefer to keep their cliques small, Swift says she has a “big circle” of about 15 best friends:
“I’d much rather have more friends rather than put up all these walls around your life and not trust people.”
Hopefully, Swift will have some of her pals around her come Grammy Sunday. Ex-flame John Mayer is expected to accompany girlfriend Katy Perry to the show.
Good thing Swift won't be belting out her song “Dear John” during her opening performance.

Justin Bieber’s Mom Trusts He Will Make Good Decisions

Justin Bieber (Getty Images)Justin Bieber’s mom, Pattie Mallette, stopped by the “Today” show on Thursday and talked about what it’s like watching her 18-year-old son make some tough teenage decisions in the world’s spotlight.
“It’s tough letting go and letting our kids make the mistakes that they need to make,” Mallette told Savannah Guthrie. “I just have to trust that he’s made good decisions in the past and hopefully he’s learned from some of my mistakes.”
In just the past month the “Boyfriend” singer has been plagued by rumors that he has been drinking “sizzurp,” smoking weed, and that he cheated on girlfriend Selena Gomez.
As for Gomez, it seems like Justin Bieber’s mom would be happy if her son and his ex-girlfriend worked things out.
“I just try and support whatever he’s wanting,” Mallette said. “I think [Gomez is] a sweetheart and whatever they decide is great.”
Bieber and Gomez spent time together last weekend and are both currently in New York City. She’s in town for Fashion Week (although there has been some drama with that) while he’s hosting “Saturday Night Live” this weekend.
“I think we’re both nervous,” Mallette said about the hosting and performing gig. “He’s been rehearsing all week and practicing and helping write scripts, he’s excited.”
So will Gomez be in the audience to support her ex? These two can't seem to make a clean break from each other, so don’t be surprised if she’s seen hanging around in the audience or backstage.

Lena Dunham Insists She Voted in 2012 Election, Calls Voting System ‘Steampunk Cornmaze’

Lena Dunham. (WireImage)Lena Dunham would make a good politician one day … because apparently she’s not so great at telling the truth.
Although the “Girls” star and creator was very politically active last year before President Barack Obama’s re-election, she never bothered to actually vote, according to New York City politics blog Room Eight. The site dug up the 26-year-old’s voter file in Brooklyn and reports she “did not vote in the 2012 general election or in any local elections since she moved from her prior address in Tribeca.”
But on Thursday, after the story spread like wildfire all over the Internet, Dunham finally clarified what happened last November 5 ... kind of.
In a long-winded Twitter post, she wrote, "Hey kids, some people on the internet are saying I didn't vote. Some of them are still mad I used a sexy metaphor re: voting. Read on: I did vote. I tried to get an absentee ballot but, because our nation's voting system is a steampunk cornmaze, it didn't arrive. So not to be a martyr about it but I flew to New York to vote. I wasn't sure if my change of address had officially been registered so ... I went to my old polling place with my dad, where they let me vote by affidavit (what was totally allowed.) Obviously I voted for Romney. I hope everyone has a nice day."
So did she really vote? And if so, did it count? We're still confused ...
Dunham -- who tweets constantly about her everyday goings-on-- failed to mention any of the voting drama back in November when a concerned Twitter follower asked her if she had cast her vote before heading off to India and she replied, “Big time” … although the wording isn’t an explicit “yes." Maybe because she didn’t want to get caught in a lie?
[Related: Lena Dunham: Rihanna ‘Cracks My Heart in Half’ With Chris Brown]
Lena's voting look. (Instagram)Instead, on the day of the election on November 6, she implored her female Twitter followers to “put on your voting best. May I plz see pics of your voting "looks"?” Dunham even uploaded a photo of her voting “look”: a super-short black dress with fishnets and thigh-highs … but alas, no “I Voted!” sticker.
The Golden Globe-winning actress, whose “Girls” character is known for being promiscuous and very outspoken on the HBO series, caused a stir last fall when she starred in a pro-Obama PSA urging young voters to make their voice heard in the election using sexual analogies. “Your first time shouldn’t be with just anybody,” Dunham said. “You wanna do it with a great guy … someone who really cares about and understands women.”
[Related: Lena Dunham to Howard Stern: ‘I’m Not That Fat’]
It seems she didn’t take her advice when it came to her first time either. According to BuzzFeed, although she was of legal age to vote in 2004, she did not. The only election Dunham has made her voice heard in was Obama’s first election in 2008.

Kim Kardashian Wants Divorce Now for the Welfare of Her Baby

Kim Kardashian after a meeting with her divorce lawyer on February 5 (Splash News)Kim Kardashian does not want to be Mrs. Kris Humphries when baby Kimye arrives.
The mom-to-be, who is pregnant with boyfriend Kanye West’s baby, is trying to break free from her 72-day marriage to the Brooklyn Nets basketball star. While Humphries has made it clear he’s in no rush to speed up the proceedings, Kardashian makes a point to say she is, according to a newly obtained legal filing.

"I do not want to be married to [Humphries] when I have my baby," Kardashian – who filed for divorce in October 2011 – stated in court papers filed January 24, one week before Humphries filed his own response.
The 74-page legal document included news articles about how Kardashian’s lengthy divorce battle could be going on well after her baby is expected to be born in early July.
"Immediately upon it becoming known to the public that I was pregnant... I began to see articles in the media with quotes attributed to [Humphries] stating that now that I am pregnant he has 'got all the power,' 'that he is in control of my misery' and that he is not going 'to allow' me to be divorced by the time I have my baby," the 32-year-old “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star wrote.
"I am requesting the status of my marriage be determined now for not only my health and welfare but also for the health and well-being of my unborn child," continued Kardashian, who reportedly was recently examined by a doctor after suffering pains which the physician attributed to stress.
Kris Humphries and Kardashian ... before it all fell apart (Getty Images)
Kardashian again emphasized that she just wants to move on. "I firmly believe that an immediate dissolution of our marriage will help create a new, full life for me," she wrote. "One chapter will be officially over, and a new one can begin. The same should hold true for [Humphries]."
As reported yesterday, Humphries wants to wait until mid-May or June, when he is done with the basketball season, to even depose his soon-to-be ex-wife in the case. The athlete, who wants the marriage annulled on the basis of fraud, noted in his legal filing that just because Kardashian has an "apparently unplanned pregnancy" by another man, he shouldn’t have to expedite the litigation.
A hearing regarding each side's readiness to go to trial is set for February 15.

Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart Join Marc Anthony for Son’s Birthday Party, But Where’s Mom?

JLo, Casper, Marc, and Shannon (Twitter)There doesn’t appear to be any bad blood in J.Lo’s and Marc Anthony’s blended family!
Jennifer Lopez reunited with ex-husband Marc Anthony Wednesday night to help celebrate his son (with ex-wife Dayanara Torres) Cristian’s birthday, and Anthony even tweeted a pic to share the fun with the world. Joining the festivities were J.Lo’s boyfriend Casper Smart and Anthony’s possibly on-again girlfriend Shannon de Lima.
So, the big question here is – where was Torres – Cristian’s mom – while the party was happening? (we’re also curious who the guy is wearing glasses on the right!)
Anthony tweeted yesterday:
Jennifer Lopez also tweeted the same picture wishing Cristian a happy birthday.
Dayanara Torres (Getty Images)Judging by the photo it doesn't appear as if Dayanara Torres, Cristian's mother, was in attendance at the celebration. Torres and Anthony were married in 2000 and have two sons together, Cristian and Ryan, who were born in 2001 and 2003 respectively.
Anthony's divorce from Torres was finalized in 2004 — a week before he married Jennifer Lopez — and there were always rumors the two women did not get along. Maybe that's why Dayanara Torres, former Miss Universe, wasn't around last night? Or could she be the one taking the picture (although Anthony didn't call her out in his tweet)?
Torres tweeted the following birthday message to her son yesterday, along with a picture of popcorn, instead of the group photo: "My Cristian just turned 12! Time does fly,can't believe it-So proud of him,my sweet boy! U brought d light 2 my Life!"
Lopez, 43, said last month her “whole world fell apart” after splitting from Anthony in 2011 and it was Smart, 25, that helped her put back the pieces.
“My life is really good right now,” the “Parker” actress said about her much younger beau. “I'm at a point where I'm able to make decisions based on what I really want to do. I'm making decisions based on what I feel, which is never wrong no matter what the outcome is."
Meanwhile, a rep for Anthony confirmed a few weeks ago that he had split from his girlfriend, Shannon de Lima.
“Marc is no longer dating model Shannon de Lima,” his rep said in a statement. “The amicable breakup became official right in mid-January.”
Things certainly appear to be amicable judging from this new photo.
It’s nice to see that some exes are able to let bygones be bygones, and put their children first!

Rihanna Fires Back at Role Model Title; Set for Grammy Performance

Rihanna role modelThis morning Rihanna is making headlines, for another controversial statement on social media.
On Sunday night, Rihanna hit up the Greystone Manor in West Hollywood, CA for a fun night out post Super Bowl.  Later in the evening, she posted an eyebrow-raising  photo to Instagram, per the usual.
The singer, 24, posted a grid of 6 photos, with writing scrawled on top that read “Don’t call me a bad role model then act surprised when I do some bad role model type sh*t.”
She captioned the Instagram with the hashtag #photochallenge.
Recently released outtakes from the “Diamonds” singer’s Rolling Stone shoot certainly don’t cast her as any kind of role model, posting seductively with a half-shaved head and her favorite embellishment, smoke. While smoke surrounds her face like a bad girl halo, she clutches a Rihanna Rolling Stone“hand rolled cigarette” like it’s part of her hand.
The outtakes match the controversial caliber of the interview, where Rihanna admitted her reconciliation with Chris Brown. “‘I wanted him to know what it felt like to lose me. To feel the consequences of that. So when that (stuff) came back it hit me like a ton of bricks,” she said to Rolling Stone. However, she still loved Brown the entire time. “Like, God, you’ve got to be kidding right now. But I got real with myself, and I just couldn’t bury the way I felt.”
In the interview, Rihanna also opened up about why it took her so long to confirm the reconcilliation. “I wasn’t going to let anybody’s opinion get in the way of that. Even if it’s a mistake, it’s my mistake. After being tormented for so many years, being angry and dark, I’d rather just live my truth and take the backlash. I can handle it.”
In more positive Rihanna news, the singer has been tapped to perform at this month’s Grammy Awards. Rihanna will take the stage with Bruno Mars and Sting for a collaborative performance, details of which have yet to be released.
This Grammys will air this Sunday night on CBS.

Michelle Obama to Attend Funeral of Slain Chicago Teen After Criticism


obama to attend funeral of hadiyaObama to attend funeral after public outcry.
First lady Michelle Obama will attend the funeral service for 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, the young girl who was shot just a mile away from the Obamas’ Chicago home.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan and senior presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett will join the first lady for the services Saturday.
All three Obama administration members are former Chicago residents, offering their support to the city as it rallies against widespread violence. Duncan served as CEO of Chicago Public Schools before departing for Washington, and Jarrett began her political career in Chicago in 1987.
With over 40 people killed, January was the deadliest month for Chicago in over a decade. Last year, the city recorded more than 500 homicides. Pendleton’s family hopes that her death will propel the ongoing gun control debate further.
No arrests have been made so far in the Pendleton homicide investigation, despite the $40,000 reward offered for information on the crime. The case influenced Mayor Rahm Emanuel to put an additional 200 police officers on active patrol, and has drawn nationwide attention.
Last week, the Obama’s received a hefty dose of criticism for failing to address the innocent lives taken by guns in Chicago.
“Where are the tears for Hadiya and all the brown babies like her? Where are the hastily-called speeches and the national groundswell of condolences and hand-drawn cards and warehouses full of teddy bears and school supplies for our children? And as the parents of Sandy Hook Elementary School cry and yell out and stand on a national stage to proclaim that their children’s right to life supercedes the Second Amendment (Amen! It does! And they have the right to say it!), why aren’t gun control advocates, Congress and CNN, the Today show, the New York Times and our most treasured, respected media organizations making the connection between the deaths of our children and the severe lack of uniformed gun control legislation and support to stop the flow of illegal guns in our communities?”
Source: Atlantablackstar.com

Whitney Houston Wax Figures Unveiled

Whitney Houston wax figuresTo mark the one-year anniversary of her tragic death, Whitney Houston will be further immortalized, this time in physical form. Madame Tussauds has created four iconic Whitney wax figures that will be displayed in various locations. It is the first time in 200 years so many looks were created for one subject.
The first chosen was Whitney in an white jogging suit, in which she performed her legendary version of the National Anthem at the 1991 Superbowl–a version that still towers over all others. The second look offers a snapshot of Houston in the late 1980s, capturing the dance-pop look from her 1988 music video “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” The third rendering shows Houston in a costume from her 1992 movie The Bodyguard. And finally, Madame Tussauds created an older Houston, around the time of her final album in 2009.
“We were extremely honored when Madame Tussauds approached us about doing four figures of Whitney from different points in her 30-year career,” Houston’s manager and sister-in-law Pat Houston said in a statement on behalf of the family. “This is something we are excited to do for the fans.”
The figures will be unveiled in New York today, and then will be transported to various Madame Tussauds locations. “She was a true and rare talent, and we are exceedingly proud to be adding her wax likeness to our attractions in the United States,” said Rosemary Preta, director of marketing, Midway USA, Merlin Entertainment Group.
The unveiling of the Whitney wax figures marks one of many events scheduled around the anniversary of her death this month. Whitney Houston wax figuresJust last week, Whitney’s mother, Cissy Houston, released her new memoir, Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss and The Night The Music Stopped.
A gospel star in her own right, Cissy Houston famously nurtured Whitney (affectionately called “Nippy” to family) and her golden voice from the church choir to superstardom. However, once Whitney began dabbling in drugs, she started avoiding her mother.  “Whitney hid from me,” says Cissy, which made her afraid to confront her daughter for fear of losing her completely.
To coincide with the book’s release, Cissy and her son Michael appeared with Oprah Winfrey for an installment of “Oprah’s Next Chapter” on OWN.  The interview, taped at Cissy’s palatial New Jersey penthouse, contained a shocking confession from Whitney’s older brother–that he was the first person to give Whitney cocaine in the late 1980s. Michael attempted to explain the behavior, saying  “You gotta understand at the time, no one knew, it was acceptable.”
For, the rest of the interview, Cissy, Michael, and Oprah all shared their fond memories of the icon.
The  2013 Grammys will also honor Houston, with a one hour special  entitled “Grammys Will Go On: A Death In The Family,” which documents how news of Houston’s death a mere 24 hours before the 2012 Grammys  affected the broadcast. The documentary  features interviews with LL Cool J, Katy Perry, Dave Grohl, Bruno Mars, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift and Jennifer Hudson, who famously sang “I Will Always Love You” to a grieving room of musicians.
The special will air this Saturday, February 9, on CBS.

Robin Roberts Returns to Co-Host Good Morning America on Feb. 20


Good Morning America welcomes back Robin Roberts Robin Roberts will return to “Good Morning America” on February 20 after making extraordinary progress in her battle with MDS.
It’s been over five months since Robin had to say a temporary farewell to her “Good Morning America” family. The beloved news anchor departed on sick leave as she prepared take on the rare blood disorder.
The 52-year-old co-host was forced to undergo a major bone marrow transplant to treat the illness, and while the journey was a difficult one she managed to conquer every obstacle with a beaming smile and an optimistic attitude.
During her sick leave, she still made several appearances on “Good Morning America” via live feeds, but on February 20 she’ll be back in person to greet her adoring fans with her usual heart warming smile.
“What a difference a year makes,” she said in a statement Thursday. “I cannot wait to return to my ‘GMA’ family. It’s going to be an incredible morning in Times Square.”
It will be an “incredible morning” for viewers as well who have followed Robin’s incredible story and have always kept her in their prayers.
“The overwhelming thoughts and prayers of the viewers have played a major part in getting me here today,” she continued. “I cannot thank everyone enough.”
Robin Roberts bone marrow transplant Of course, the public didn’t need any thanks. Her return to the show and a full recovery is all anyone was hoping for.
Before making the official announcement of the co-host’s return, “GMA” and Roberts’ doctors made sure she did several “dry runs” to see how her body reacted to being around so many people and the stressful environment of the studio.
Fortunately, everything has checked out and it seems like even MDS couldn’t keep the vivacious anchor away for too long.
In order to celebrate her return to “Good Morning America” ABC will also air a special edition of “20/20” on Friday, Feb. 22 that will give viewers a detailed look at Robin’s story. The special will cover everything from the “GMA” host’s initial battle with breast cancer to losing her mother while she herself was in the midst of battling MDS – and how she never lost hope during the entire ordeal.
Robin Roberts announces GMA return date Her strength and positive outlook on life encouraged many viewers who were facing similar struggles and “GMA” made sure to share some of their stories as well during their co-host’s medial leave.
The talk show has featured several “other resilient men and women who are facing similar challenges with MDS” who pointed out how Robin’s story inspired them when they needed it the most.
For some it was as simple as having faith that if she could make it through, they could make it as well. For others, it was simply seeing her joyful, positive energy throughout the process that encouraged them to aim to be just as cheerful no matter what obstacles they had to face.
Meanwhile, Roberts has also been easing her way back into the social world and she even made it out to some Super Bowl parties last weekend. Her doctors encouraged her to “gradually enter more social and professional situations” so her body could begin adapting to all the possibly hectic environments.
The network has not confirmed if she will make her appearance with a wig or if she will go without hair, but either way fans are ready to welcome the gorgeous, friendly face back into their homes every morning.

Jenners on the Runway – Reality TV Stars Do The Red Dress Fashion Show


jenner on runwayWatch out fashion world. The Jenners are on the Runway. As a matter of fact, “Jenners on Runway” might be the title of the next reality TV show starring the Kardashian family. Actually, that’s not true…but with Mama Kardashian at the helm, anything is possible. Kyle and Kendall Jenner were a part of the Red Dress Fashion Show charity event.
The Red Dress Fashion Show focuses on raising awareness and money for the prevention of heart disease. The show began in 2001 at the start of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s campaign to reach out to women specifically. With heart disease indicators being vastly different for men and women, the Institute sought to raise awareness for women regarding risk factors, indicators and prevention methods. Over the years, the show’s runway has been graced by models, actresses, singer and others in the entertainment industry. Some former Red Dress show alums include Christie Brinkley, Heidi Klum, Liza Minnelli and Kim Kardashian.
Kendall and Kylie were among many stars who lent their celebrity to the cause. Toni Braxton, Minka Kelly, Kelly Osbourne, and Olympic gold medalist Gabrielle Douglas all participated in this year’s event. Gabby has been making the rounds since being the first African American to win the gymnastics all-around gold medal. Besides her stellar performance in the event, Douglas was the target of controversy over her appearance; specifically her hair. However, this pint-sized champion seems to have left her critics in the dust.
Since the London Olympics, she’s become more accustomed to being dressed in designer gowns. “I feel like a doll in my dress,” she Gold medal winner Gabby Douglas does fashion showabout the Pamella Roland gown she was wearing for the event. She got a little bit of practice on the runway before the show began and compared her runway walk to being on the balance beam.
Douglas, being an advocate of healthy living, was a natural choice to participate in the Red Dress show. “I am participating because of the heart health cause. … I want young girls to think about it. I want to get the message out,” she said. “My advice to them is to stay active, eat healthy.”
For the Jenner girls, they hope participating in the Red Dress Fashion Show will help them shed their little girl image. “I’m not saying that I’m an adult, I’m not saying that I’m old, I’m not saying that I’m better than that, but I am saying that people need to realize that Kylie and I are growing up,” Kendall told Us Weekly. “We are starting to do our own thing and becoming older, mature women. We’re not little kids anymore.”

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