Do you know what you're doing?
The post Things Women Think Are Hot But Men Don’t appeared first on MadameNoire.
Things Women Think Are Hot But Men Don’t
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His Thing Does What Now?? 15 Facts You Didn’t Know About The Male Private Part
Yeah, you know you wanna know.
The post His Thing Does What Now?? 15 Facts You Didn’t Know About The Male Private Part appeared first on MadameNoire.
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15 Times Your Boyfriend Doesn’t Want To Have Sex With You
It happens.
The post 15 Times Your Boyfriend Doesn’t Want To Have Sex With You appeared first on MadameNoire.
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Kelly Price To Sing National Anthem On Chris Brown Soulja Boy Fight Night Because Mess Begets Mess
Just when the <a href="http://madamenoire.com/746140/the-very-best-of-the-tyresechallenge/">#TyreseChallenge</a> gave me hope for 2017 and the general population's level of discernment, Kelly Price goes and snatches all of it. The singer, who is far too talented to be engaged in the bottom-of-the-totem-pole level of f-ckery with which she's aligned herself, will be singing the National Anthem at the Chris Brown Soulja Boy boxing match.
[caption id="attachment_778901" align="alignnone" width="1068"]<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/kelly-price.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/kelly-price.jpg" alt="" width="1068" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-778901" /></a> WENN[/caption]
<a href="http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7654194/chris-brown-soulja-boy-beef-guide">Billboard </a>has done a far better job explaining how this boxing match came to be a thing better than I ever could or care to, but the beef between the entertainers stems from Soulja Boy liking one of Karrueche Tran's post which Chris, being the terrible f-ck boy of an ex that he is, allegedly had a huge problem with.
https://twitter.com/souljaboy/status/816114240087998464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The two threw taunts at one another on social media for some time before Chris suggested they settle things in the ring because Soulja can "get a grown man a-- whooping."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=23&v=u-JOJsSlJos
From there, Soulja recruited Floyd Mayweather to get him ring ready and the instigator of all instigators 50 Cent asked Mike Tyson to prep Chris after convincing Mayweather to have his boxing company, Mayweather Promotions, set up the fight and placing a $100,000 bet that Breezy would win. All of which brings us back to Kelly Price whom 50 also reached out to to sing the National Anthem and she gladly accepted. There must be a hefty payday in store considering the fight is expected to <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2017/01/10/chris-brown-soulja-boy-dubai-boxing/">take place in Dubai and air on Pay-Per-View</a>. But after that whole <a href="http://madamenoire.com/707007/kelly-price-religious-rant/">"As We Lay"</a> at the Gospel Explosion fiasco, I would've thought the next newsworthy singing engagement Kelly signed up for would be a lot more impressive and a lot less messy.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPGV_0aAdd5/?taken-by=mskellyprice
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One Of President Obama’s Greatest Legacies Will Be His Love Of The Girl From The South Side
I woke up this morning thinking that I was going to write an entire slideshow on the top moments from President Obama’s farewell address last night. But when I sat down to do so, there was really only one that came to mind.
President Obama made some very salient and necessary points about learning to see life through the viewpoint of someone unlike ourselves, about the country not being finished when it comes to race relations and equal rights for all people and rejecting discrimination against Muslims and other immigrants. They were all things he needed to say to the country. Things we needed to hear as we walk, almost blindly, into our uncertain future.
Still, the most real, most heart-warming and most tear-inducing moment came when President Obama spoke to and about his wife and our First Lady, Michelle.
From the moment he said her name, he got emotional.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K75HQJv6T8E
<blockquote><em>“Michelle… Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the South Side…For the past 25 years, you have not only been my wife and the mother of my children, you have been my best friend. You took on a role you didn’t ask for and you made it your own, with grace, and with grit and with style and good humor. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. So, you have made me proud and you have made the country proud.”</em></blockquote>
You don’t see it in the video above but if you watched the Farewell Address live, last night, you might have noticed her mouth to him, “I love you” from the audience. I found myself teary eyed as President Obama took the stage last night, in a moment that was eerily reminiscent of his 2008 acceptance speech. But as I watched him get choked up and dab his eyes, as the camera panned to show his daughter doing the same, hearing her father speak so lovingly about her mother, a Black woman, our First Lady, my own tears flowed.
These days, and probably even more so in the days that preceded them, it seems that every third person derives great pleasure from disrespecting a Black woman. Everyone from <a href="http://madamenoire.com/723375/trick-daddy-warns-black-women-becoming-useless/">washed up rappers</a> to <a href="http://madamenoire.com/746053/not-today-satan-dairy-queen-closed-owner-calls-customer-n-word/">Dairy Queen owners </a>to <a href="http://madamenoire.com/719791/shopping-black-white-woman-accuses-black-woman-stealing-get-ramekins/">White women in the grocery store</a>, to <a href="http://madamenoire.com/327143/another-day-another-natural-hair-ban-vanessa-vandyke-asked-cut-afro-expelled/">school systems </a>to the<a href="http://madamenoire.com/415697/us-army-banned-natural-hair-new-hair-regulations-female-soldiers-called-racially-bias/"> entire U.S. Army </a>consistently finds ways to denigrate Black women just for being who we are. So it’s always refreshing when we’re celebrated by anyone, but particularly our own. And last night, on what was likely the biggest stage in the country, with the most eye fixated on our outgoing president, it was truly beautiful to hear the man who holds the highest office in the land speak so highly and so emotionally about a Black woman.
In his actions were the unspoken words, the years worth of private encouragement and sacrifice, the pain and anguish he probably felt watching his wife be ridiculed by racists who simply couldn’t accept a Black woman in this role. And he probably thought about the fact that she endured all of this for the sake of his dream. That type of love, the type that withstands unwarranted attack, is worth crying for.
And for those of us who have watched this couple so carefully over the past eight years, we understood the President on a deeper level when he said <i>“a new generation sets its sights higher because</i> [we had Michelle] <i>as a role.” </i>Hell, a couple of older generations learned from her example too. We learned about the fruits of supporting the <a href="http://madamenoire.com/591259/twitter-dragged-this-man-who-implied-barack-gave-michelle-the-world/"><i>right type of man. </i></a>We learned what it means to do our good work in the midst of the naysayers. We learned what it meant to maintain our authenticity in the high places and most importantly, we learned that using our influence to inspire, advocate for and help others is the best way to make a name for yourself. These are likely lessons we learned long ago and over and over again throughout our lives; but Michelle, in her role as First Lady, was a beautiful reminder of those truths. And I couldn’t help but cry right along with the President in both gratitude and fear for what her example will be replaced with.
There have been those who both loved and hated Meryl Streep’s Golden Globe’s Lifetime Achievement Award speech. <a href="http://madamenoire.com/746068/meryl-streep-and-why-hollywood-the-press-does-not-get-to-pat-itself-on-the-back/">While it did have a bumpy beginning</a>, I found more truth and good in it than not. Particularly when she noted, <em>“This instinct to humiliate, when it’s modeled by someone in the public platform, by someone powerful, it filters down into everybody’s life because it kind of gives permission for other people to do the same thing. Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose.”</em>
Without ever naming him, she was speaking about President Obama’s predecessor. And while she was referencing what his horrible behavior has the potential to do in the world, the same is true for the reverse. When we see our leaders, our elected officials, the people who represent us in foreign lands brought to tears in publicly honoring a Black woman, it too inspires both those inside the community and outside to do the same. It provides a welcome contrast to the belittling of women like Michelle and it affirms the beauty, the value and lives of Black girls and women across the world. Barack Obama’s presidency has not been perfect; but I will forever cherish that contribution, his public profession of love for a Black woman as one of his greatest legacies.
<em>Image via WENN </em>
<i>Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866&source=gmail&ust=1484236187357000&usg=AFQjCNFJpWx1pr4qe_-_DoCALyBXw8qckQ">“Bettah Days.”</a> You can follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells&source=gmail&ust=1484236187357000&usg=AFQjCNFQDo3iUOxndavDXTJqwJdieOu-2w">Facebook</a> and Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/VDubShrug" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://twitter.com/VDubShrug&source=gmail&ust=1484236187358000&usg=AFQjCNFiSOGs1vo72-3oNxxZd6ldY5wvBA"> @VDubShrug.</a></i>
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9 Detangling Tools To Make Wash Day Less Of A Headache
I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard a woman say, "I need to wash my hair so bad but I don't feel like dealing with all of that right now."
"All of that" is the pre-pooing, washing, conditioning, deep conditioning, detangling, twisting, setting, drying, you name it, that encompasses wash day -- and worst of all is that d-word right in the middle: detangling. Detangling makes your arms tired, it hurts your head, it makes you wish you had a bald fade. Nothing about it is fun, but it doesn't have to be torture, per say, <em>if</em> you use the right tools and products.
<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/detangling.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/detangling.jpg" alt="" width="1068" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-781242 aligncenter" /></a>
If you're going to skip or skimp on certain items in the wash day process, do not make detangling the step you slack on. Just invest in a few of the items on this list, which we and other naturals swear by, and we promise wash day will be a whole lot more manageable for you.
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Black Female CEOs In Corporate America Are Fading Away
The announcement of the retirement of Rosalind Brewer as CEO of Sam's Club is significant in many ways. Not only was she one of the trailblazers of Black businesswomen, but her exit marks the near end of Black women in the upper levels of corporate America.
<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Rosalind-Brewer-and-Ursula-Burns.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Rosalind-Brewer-and-Ursula-Burns.jpg" alt="" width="1068" height="600" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-781633" /></a>
"Brewer was the first woman and first African American to hold a CEO position at one of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s business units," reported <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/news/end-black-female-ceos-corporate-america/" target="_blank"><em>Black Enterprise</em></a>. There was also BET Networks Chairman and CEO Debra Lee (Viacom Inc.) and Ursula Burns, first and still the only African-American woman to ever run a Standard & Poor's 500 company, was CEO of Xerox before stepping down last year. This is major considering in all there have only been 15 African Americans as heads of Standard & Poor's 500 companies and now we have no Black women in such positions.
"The research and advisory organization Catalyst reports that there are a mere 22 female CEOs (4.4%) among S&P 500 companies. Only one of those women is a person of color, PepsiCo’s Indian-American CEO Indra Nooyi, a position she’s held since 2006. Catalyst released a report in 2015 that revealed women of color represent an important and growing source of talent. Women make up 50.8 percent of the U.S. population, and are 52 percent of the U.S. professional workforce, per the U.S. Census Bureau. While women of color make up 18 percent of the U.S. population, they are one-third of the female workforce," reported <em>Black Enterprise</em>.
In Corporate America, Women of color comprise only 16.5 percent of people who work for S&P 500 companies and they represent less than 10 percent of managers and a very low 3.9 percent of executives.
Black men are not fairing much better, just 1 percent are CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. To be exact, there are five Black men in those posts: Kenneth I. Chenault, CEO of American Experss since 2001; TIAA’s Roger W. Ferguson, since 2008; Merck’s Kenneth C. Frazier (2011); Arnold W. Donald of Carnival (2013); and, Marvin Ellison at JC Penney (2015).
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Being Mary Jane Season 4, Episode 1 Recap: New City, New Job, New Beef
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPG7ec2FEri/?tagged=beingmaryjane&hl=en
Not only were we sitting front and center in front of the television for the <a href="http://madamenoire.com/777831/one-of-president-obamas-greatest-legacies-will-be-his-love-of-the-girl-from-the-south-side/">president's farewell speech</a> last night, but we stayed in front of it in anticipation of the return of <em>Being Mary Jane</em>. Fans of the show had been waiting quite some time to find out what's next for Mary Jane Paul and her family, more than a year to be specific. And if you'll recall, quite a bit went down in Season 3, including the suicide of Lisa, the arrest of Cece (Loretta Devine) for blackmailing, and of course, Niecy being tasered by a police officer in the season finale after a traffic stop gone left. So how do we pick up in Season 4 without Mara Brock Akil and a new showrunner in Erica Shelton Kodish? Here's what happened.
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First Look At Joseph Fiennes As Michael Jackson In Urban Myths Is Quite Tragic
Last January, we shared with you the news that British actor <a href="http://madamenoire.com/610828/britishtvsowhite-theyve-cast-joseph-fiennes-to-play-michael-jackson/" target="_blank">Joseph Fiennes</a>, who is very much a White man, was going to star as Michael Jackson in a new project. The response was a scathing "Hell no!" from most people, and yet, Fiennes seemed confident and comfortable about moving forward with his portrayal of the King of Pop.
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Joseph-Fiennes-as-Michael-Jackson-II.jpeg" alt="Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson" width="1067" height="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782160" />
"I deal in imagination, so I don’t think imagination should have rules stamped on them," Fiennes told the <em>Associated Press</em>. "If it promotes stereotyping, then it’s wrong. I made a distinction that the Jackson project doesn’t do that."
The project went forward and actually ended up being part of an eight-episode British dark comedy called <em>Urban Myths, </em>which probably makes this casting decision a little less offensive. I guess. The whole point of the series is to recreate comical rumored stories about well-known figures. In Fiennes's episode, a story about Elizabeth Taylor (played by Stockard Channing), Marlon Brando (played by Brian Cox) and Michael Jackson taking a road trip out of New York after the terrorist attacks on 9/11 is recreated. We finally get a first look at the "Elizabeth, Michael & Marlon" episode in a trailer that also gives a glimpse into a few other rumored stories involving Adolf Hitler, Cary Grant, Bob Dylan and more. To say that the makeup is tragic would be an understatement, but I'm guessing that was the whole point: to make Jackson into a caricature.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le7214gXqB0
If we can be honest, at this point, it should be clear that NO ONE can play Michael Jackson, even as a joke. Not a Black man (<a href="http://i.imgur.com/ulHqceO.jpg" target="_blank">sorry, Flex</a>), not a White man. Nobody.
Well, I take that back. The guy who played him as an adult in <em>The Jacksons: An American Dream</em> was pretty great -- RIP Wylie Draper. But really, if it isn't a documentary, I think we can all agree that it would be best to not even touch Jackson's legacy. Every time people do, it's terrible. And you just can't unsee terrible. (Again, sorry, Flex.)
<em>What do you think of the trailer and Fiennes's portrayal of Jackson? </em>
<em>Image via WENN and YouTube </em>
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The Reaction To #GoldenShowerGate
Yesterday, R. Kelly’s name was trending on Twitter. Not for anything he had done but because of the fact that <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/kenbensinger/these-reports-allege-trump-has-deep-ties-to-russia?utm_term=.ljY4EYmaK#.qpmMO63Rm"><i>BuzzFeed </i></a>recently discovered that President-elect Donald Trump and the fallen R&B star have a sexual proclivity in common. The Golden shower specifically.
In case you missed the news, a collection of documents, written over a period of months, expound not only on Donald Trump’s relationship with Russia but also some compromising and salacious information, including this:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I open Twitter to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoldenShowergate?src=hash">#GoldenShowergate</a> trending. Also.. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kompromat?src=hash">#kompromat</a>. </p>
Read this: <a href="https://t.co/AD8cUhtKxS">pic.twitter.com/AD8cUhtKxS</a>
— Joe Miragliotta (@JoesDaily) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoesDaily/status/818970278386466816">January 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Wild. President Obama managed to go eight years scandal free. But Donald Trump, who has not even been inaugurated yet, has several messy moments, past and present. And who knows that the future will bring.
As you might image, the words Donald Trump and golden shower, in the same sentence launched an uproar on Twitter. Check out some of the tweets discussing #GoldenShowerGate.
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This Is What 46 And Unbothered Looks Like — Happy Birthday Mary!
Mary J. Blige has been through ups and downs her whole life so we knew it was only a matter of time before the pain of divorcing Kendu Isaacs passed and the singer got back to living her best self and it looks like today is that day.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPIn7pRA6Q2/?taken-by=therealmaryjblige
Today, Mary turned a happy and healthy 46 and she celebrated another year of life like every woman should, being carefree. The Bronx-born babe has been on the beach all week, taking the time to shout out her fellow Capricorns Angie Martinez, Misa Hilton, Justin Combs, and more, in between soaking up sun rays.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO2771hA7c6/?taken-by=therealmaryjblige
Mary has gotten many women through tough times with her music, and because this is 2017 the Internet has done a great job of capturing those musical moments in Gif form to perfectly express our hopes, our fears, and our turn ups. So here, on Ms. Mary's 46th birthday, are 10 of her best moments in Gif form. And a freebie just 'cuz it's her bday.
<img data-original-width="332" data-original-height="332" data-padding-top="75" data-id="AASUQoMRbtjaw" data-image_url="https://media.giphy.com/media/AASUQoMRbtjaw/giphy.gif" data-bitly_gif_url="http://gph.is/1OLf7aP" data-mp4_url="https://media.giphy.com/media/AASUQoMRbtjaw/giphy.mp4" data-still="https://media.giphy.com/media/AASUQoMRbtjaw/giphy_s.gif" data-preview-image-url="https://media.giphy.com/media/AASUQoMRbtjaw/100.gif" data-tumblr_share_url="https://media.giphy.com/media/AASUQoMRbtjaw/giphy-tumblr.gif" data-gif_id="AASUQoMRbtjaw" data-absolute-url="/gifs/mary-j-blige-made-with-tumblr-AASUQoMRbtjaw" data-edit-url="/gifs/mary-j-blige-made-with-tumblr-AASUQoMRbtjaw/edit" id="gif" class="a-gif aligncenter" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/AASUQoMRbtjaw/giphy.gif" alt="dancing mary j blige" width="483" height="483" />
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8 Workout Essentials For Under $30 From Old Navy’s Activewear Sale
It's been proven that <a href="http://www.medicaldaily.com/cute-new-workout-clothes-boost-motivation-hit-gym-397143" target="_blank">fun workout clothing can motivate</a> us to get up and get active. Think about it. A fresh new pair of shoes, some cute and colorful bottoms and a strappy top can give us just the drive we need to hit a group fitness class or engage in some cardio. But everyone knows that the price of workout essentials can be exorbitant. Moisture-wicking pants can run over $100 and tops that look incredibly simple can be pricey. But they are necessary if you plan to work out more than every once in a blue moon.
Thank goodness for retailers who also have activewear lines like <a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/" target="_blank">Old Navy</a>. To celebrate a new year they are having a pretty huge activewear sale, with items going for up to 50 percent off. There are countless pieces for you to spend your dollars on if you head to the website, but here are eight of our favorites that are not just super cute but super affordable as well. Click the names for "Where to Buy" links!
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Bra.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="800" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782204" />
<h2><a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1074405&vid=1&pid=275249042" target="_blank">Go-Dry Racerback High Support Sports Bra</a> - $24</h2>
<h2><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/old-navy-1.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="804" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782201" /><a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=53935&vid=1&pid=288890052" target="_blank">Go-Dry Mid-Rise Printed Compression Tights</a> - $24</h2>
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Bra-1.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="971" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782212" />
<h2><a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1031681&vid=1&pid=694917012" target="_blank">Go-Dry Strappy Cami Light-Support Sports Bra</a> - $15</h2>
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Old-Navy-2.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="801" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782202" />
<h2><a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=53935&vid=1&pid=437843022" target="_blank">Go-Dry High-Rise Color-Block Compression Tights</a> - $26</h2>
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/tanks.jpeg" alt="" width="715" height="888" class="aligncenter wp-image-782207" />
<h2><a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=53934&vid=1&pid=506402052" target="_blank">Fitted Go-Dry Cool Crossback Keyhold Tank</a> - $18</h2>
<h2><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/joggers.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="800" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782209" /><a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=53935&vid=1&pid=437808042" target="_blank">Go-Dry Cool Drawstring Joggers</a> - $24</h2>
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/tank.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="800" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782211" />
<h2><a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=53934&vid=1&pid=343143012" target="_blank">Go-Dry Cool Mesh-Trim Support Tank</a> - $19</h2>
<a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1031602&vid=1&pid=343154012" target="_blank"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/hoodie.jpeg" alt="" width="594" height="876" class="aligncenter wp-image-782214" /></a>
<h2><a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1031602&vid=1&pid=343154012" target="_blank">Go-Dry Tech-Fleece Full-Zip Hoodie</a> - $26</h2>
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Regina King Secures Production Development Deal With ABC
Shonda Rhimes, in one of award speeches, spoke about the fact that there was no glass ceiling she broke through. She spoke about the fact that so many of the women who came before her cracked the ceiling, so that by the time she came along, nothing needed to be shattered at all.
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/regina-king-feat.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="416" class="aligncenter wp-image-782218" />
The same is true for what Rhimes has been able to do in the entertainment industry. According to <em><a href="http://deadline.com/2017/01/regina-king-production-deal-abc-studios-1201882631/">Deadline</a></em>, veteran, Emmy-award-winning Regina King, who has starred in the Emmy-winning, ABC series “American Crime,” and her production company Royal Ties, signed a two-year deal with the studio behind the John Ridley limited series and ABC Studios.
King’s sister Reina will serve as development executive as the two develop and produce new projects.
In addition to her deal with ABC, she signed on to star in a Netflix crime drama series called “Seven Seconds.”
The development deal shouldn’t really come as a surprise as Regina King has been producing and directing projects for years now, including directing episodes of ABC’s “Scandal” and “The Catch,” OWN’s “Greenleaf” and Fox’s “Pitch.”
We can’t wait to see what she creates.
<i>Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866&source=gmail&ust=1484236187357000&usg=AFQjCNFJpWx1pr4qe_-_DoCALyBXw8qckQ">“Bettah Days.”</a> You can follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells&source=gmail&ust=1484236187357000&usg=AFQjCNFQDo3iUOxndavDXTJqwJdieOu-2w">Facebook</a> and Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/VDubShrug" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://twitter.com/VDubShrug&source=gmail&ust=1484236187358000&usg=AFQjCNFiSOGs1vo72-3oNxxZd6ldY5wvBA"> @VDubShrug.</a></i>
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Fox Drama Shots Fired Takes On Racially Charged Police Shootings In The South [Trailer]
When you first hear about the plot for the upcoming Fox drama <em>Shots Fired</em>, you may already feel exasperated. A show about a police shooting in a small North Carolina town and the racial unrest that follows probably sounds like a bit much considering it's something that keeps happening every few months around this country. But after a first look at the series through the official trailer, you might find yourself intrigued.
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Shots-Fired.jpg" alt="" width="1068" height="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782262" />
For one, the cast is a good mix of young stars, veterans and Academy Award winners. It includes Sanaa Lathan, Helen Hunt, Richard Dreyfuss, Stephen Moyer (of <em>True Blood </em>fame), Mack Wilds and <em>Race </em>star Stephan James.
Secondly, there seems to be more to the story than the show's title lets on. After a Black police officer (Wilds) shoots an unarmed White college student (you see how they flipped it?), James's character, Preston, is brought on to prosecute the officer and Lathan's character, Ashe, is tasked with investigating the incident for the Department of Justice. But in the midst of dealing with that, the death of a Black teen, which wasn't investigated and covered up, is thrust into the spotlight causing the town to basically implode. It's the cops versus the people, and the community versus those in charge.
Thirdly and finally, its showrunners are the very talented husband-and-wife team of Gina Prince-Bythewood (<em>Love and Basketball</em>, <em>The Secret Life of Bees</em>, <em>Beyond the Lights</em>) and Reggie Rock Bythewood (<em>New York Undercover</em>, <em>Notorious</em>), who are both pretty great storytellers. There hope was that the series would reflect the happenings that have sparked protest and anger across the country, so the drama is obviously a timely one. Star <a href="http://deadline.com/2017/01/shots-fired-racially-charged-shootings-fox-tca-1201883308/" target="_blank">Richard Dreyfuss said at TCA</a> of the show, "We shot the most current show you’ll ever see. It’s exactly current with the world. As we were shooting, it was happening and then we left [Concord, NC] and it happened there. This is America."
<em>Shots</em> <em>Fired</em>, a 10-part drama,<em> </em>premieres on March 22 and could be another hit for Fox. Check out the trailer below and let us know if you plan on tuning in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaHB0JlDfuE
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Omarosa Is Getting Married And You Can Experience All Of Her Wedding Extraness On Say Yes To The Dress
We don't know where we were this Summer when Omarosa Manigault got engaged -- perhaps blocking her out due to Trump support -- but the infamous celebrity apprentice alum turned-politician-turned pastor is getting married. And "Say Yes to The Dress" will be there to capture all of the details of her big day, as in the day she picks out her wedding dress.
[caption id="attachment_782287" align="aligncenter" width="1068"]<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/omarosa-Manigualt-John-Allen-Newman.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/omarosa-Manigualt-John-Allen-Newman.jpg" alt="Omarosa Engaged" width="1068" height="600" class="wp-image-782287 size-full" /></a> Los Angeles premiere of 'Ben-Hur' held at the TCL Chinese Theater IMAX - Arrivals<br />Featuring: Omarosa Manigault, Dr. John Allen NewmanOmarosa Manigault<br />Where: Los Angeles, California, United States<br />When: 16 Aug 2016<br />Credit: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com[/caption]
Omarosa's husband-to-be is Dr. John Allen Newman, a pastor at Weller Street Baptist Church in Los Angeles. On July 25, 2016 Dr. Newman asked the 42 year old to be his wife in front of her entire congregation at Mt. Calvary in Jacksonville, FL. FYI, Omarosa is an ordained minister as well. According to <a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/omarosa-is-engaged-to-john-allen-newman-pic-w430869">US Weekly</a>, the couple met while Omarosa was teaching at Howard University and had been together less than a year before Dr. Newman popped the question.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNUHqDZhIhw/?taken-by=omarosa
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOa_bA5DAMi/
Now Omarosa will share some of her wedding prep with the world when the new season of TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress" returns next month, and she's already given a hint of her wedding day style with this collage on Instagram posted a few months back.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJb-ItJhhTd/
Check out this preview clip of the 10th season of the show below. Will you tune in to see "Lady O?" The new season premieres February 25 at 8 pm ET on TLC.
<iframe src="//players.brightcove.net/416418724/default_default/index.html?videoId=5278110123001" width="300" height="150" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
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Another White Girl Who Feels Entitled To The Affections Of Black Men…And Lies When She Doesn’t Get Them
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/michael-che-feat.jpg" alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-782291" width="875" height="496" />
You would think after the <a href="http://madamenoire.com/715818/i-really-want-lena-dunham-to-stop-representing-everything-wrong-about-white-feminists/">Lena Dunham/Odell Beckham Jr. fiasco </a>that a memo would have been released.
<blockquote>
<h3><strong>Memo</strong></h3>
<strong>To</strong>: Entitled White Girls Everywhere
<strong>From</strong>: Lena Dunham
<strong>Re:</strong> Black men and attraction
<strong>Message</strong>
Despite the fact that societies across the world lift us up as <em>thee</em> beauty standard and Black men, famous and non-famous alike, seem to have an affinity for us, it does not mean that every Black man will find us attractive, engaging or alluring. Despite the hyper-sexualized image of the Black man in mainstream media, be informed that not all of them will be interested in dating or sleeping with us. We should not take such rejection personally and certainly shouldn’t discuss it publicly. Tell your friends.</blockquote>
But that didn’t happen. And as a result, another White woman who believed she was entitled to the attention and the affection of a Black man got caught up and then subsequently embarrassed after she tried to shame him for his disinterest.
The story came to the attention of the media when Leah McSweeney, founder of streetwear line <a href="http://nypost.com/2010/11/30/the-beat-look/?_ga=1.75885975.348010043.1484230262">Married to the Mob</a>, called “Saturday Night Live” comedian Michael Che “arrogant” on her podcast <em>Improper Etiquette</em>. Do remember that word “arrogant” as we’ll discuss it later. Why did she call him arrogant? Well, McSweeney said that when she stumbled upon Michael Che on a dating app, he was a bit of a jerk.
More specifically, she said,
<blockquote><em>“I met a comedian. I’ve dealt with a few comedians. They are the worst. I don’t even know why I entertain this but I have to say…Michael Che is so arrogant and so rude and disrespectful that I cannot even believe that someone…you’re like a D-List celebrity to me. Whatever, that’s why I don’t even care that I’m saying his name. I’m not like blowing up Jay Z’s spot. Why are you on a dating app if you hate women? Literally, you’ve never met me and you’re texting me like I’m a stupid bitch … texting me and being mad rude. He kept just texting me, going, ‘I’m fat. Does that turn you on?’ And I’m like, ‘you’re fat? I think I’ve seen you and you’re not fat, OK.' “You’re trying to f–k with me? I don’t get it. You’re just a f–king dork wearing Air Force Ones [sneakers] at the end of the day. Like, cause you’re sitting up there writing your jokes on a little card, trying to figure out what the f–k. His Netflix special [“Michael Che Matters”] is actually funny … arrogance is ignorance to me. You don’t know me, you don’t know nothing about me, you don’t know we have mad friends in common and like, you’re gonna treat me like some stupid bitch? Like f–k you. I just can’t deal.”</em></blockquote>
No girl, <em>we</em> can’t deal. If you didn’t know, anyone who claims not to care and then spends a good minute talking about that topic does indeed care…a lot. Not only did she care enough to make it a topic of discussion on her podcast, the story, for which the whole discussion was based, was entirely made up.
When <a href="http://pagesix.com/2017/01/11/snl-star-michael-che-blasted-for-his-dating-app-etiquette/"><em>Page Six</em></a>, reported on Che’s “arrogant, rude and disrespectful” behavior, based on McSweeney's story, he came through with a way to clear his name.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Michael Che dropped the receipts like <a href="https://t.co/wtVxaRAKze">pic.twitter.com/wtVxaRAKze</a></p>
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewACherry/status/819338134647209984">January 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He sent <em>Page Six </em>a series of screen grabs of all the text messages he and Leah had exchanged. And trust me, there was nothing rude or arrogant about them--on his part.
[gallery type="slideshow" size="medium" link="none" ids="782274,782267,782273,782275,782277,782279,782280,782266,782270,782268,782269,782276,782278,782271,782272"]
Well, isn’t this something. He wasn’t rude at all. He was disinterested and then honest. Can we be real? Her texting game was pallid at best. Personally, he entertained her for far longer than many men would have. Other women would have recognized that their texting buddy wasn’t feeling them the same way. But perhaps Leah’s Whiteness emboldened her to persist. Or maybe she went into this whole thing just to get the story and when Che didn’t respond to her not so subtle advances she got in her feelings.
Later, after Che dropped the receipts and isht hit the fan, she tried to claim that this was all some type of grand joke, a publicity stunt on her part.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Michael che a little bitch for planting a story cus he's mad. Take a joke dude. Ugh he's worse then I thought!!</p>
— Leah McSweeney (@LeahMcSweeney) <a href="https://twitter.com/LeahMcSweeney/status/819279196874743814">January 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I doubt it. <a href="https://twitter.com/LeahMcSweeney/status/819357807640186880">Particularly since before she admitted it was a joke, she doubled down on the fact that she thought that he was rude and had belittled her. </a> Furthermore, while this much online discussion might make someone want to look you and your brand up, I doubt it will inspire anyone to buy a t-shirt mostly because homegirl comes across in these text messages and in her podcast rant as an unhinged liar. The public doesn’t generally like to support those types.
But I really want to get to the word arrogant. In the Twitter discussion, I saw that <a href="https://twitter.com/LeahMcSweeney/status/819391593903955968">Hot 97’s Ebro Darden</a> wondered how the discussion about Michael and Leah turned racial. I’d point you back to her word choice arrogant. Perhaps you’ve heard it before, it’s the word White folk often use when a Black person is moving and acting outside of their will. There’s a history of its use. During Jim Crow, when a Black man saved up his own money and opens up his own business, and finds himself making more money than the White folks, suddenly he’s arrogant and worthy of being lynched. A Black woman challenges a racial construct meant to oppress her, she’s arrogant and angry. A Black child corrects a teacher about a bit of misinformation and the child is arrogant and disrespectful.
The word arrogance has a history of White people insinuating that the insubordinate Black person deserves some type of punishment. While, in this day and age, Leah’s words wouldn’t have gotten Michael Che killed, like they would have in the past, her words still had the potential to compromise his reputation. Because White women and their accounts of events are readily believed over the word of a Black man. Had Che not had these screenshots, there would have been quite a few people who would have written him off as another disrespectful and out-of-touch celebrity. That’s the racial piece that your words as a White woman would be believed. That your lies against a Black man are more credible than the truth of your limited interaction with one another. Thankfully, we’re living in a new day when the screenshot has the power to shut down an entitled, fable telling White girl.
<span class="im"><i>Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866&source=gmail&ust=1484317846330000&usg=AFQjCNF1fQq4mQS0LoOajOK_eWfvOLd0uA">“Bettah Days.”</a> You can follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells&source=gmail&ust=1484317846330000&usg=AFQjCNE_jb_WVHL7s8vTmR27Pdu9A8S_Iw">Facebook</a> and Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/VDubShrug" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://twitter.com/VDubShrug&source=gmail&ust=1484317846330000&usg=AFQjCNGuTEeGtuHcd_qr0K4K096q3QY03w"> @VDubShrug.</a></i></span>
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Following Golden Globe Win, FX Announces Atlanta Season 2 Delayed Until 2018
After being labeled as one of the best new shows of 2016 (<em><a href="http://www.vulture.com/2016/12/10-best-tv-shows-of-2016.html" target="_blank">Vulture</a> </em>planted it at the top of their list)<em> </em>and taking home both a Critic's Choice Award (best actor for Donald Glover) and two Golden Globe awards just this past Sunday (for best actor and best television series - comedy), you already know that anticipation for Season 2 of <em>Atlanta </em>is high. Unfortunately, we're all going to have to sit down somewhere and wait a while.
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Atlanta.jpg" alt="" width="1068" height="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782311" />
<a href="http://deadline.com/2017/01/atlanta-season-2-delayed-2018-premiere-han-solo-star-wars-1201884007/" target="_blank">According to <em>Deadline</em></a>, it was announced at the Television Critics Association that the FX series will be on hold until 2018 due to Glover's packed production schedule for 2017.
Despite becoming a first-time father, working on a new album (as Childish Gambino) and managing to create <em>Atlanta </em>in 2016, Glover just won't be able to eek out the same kind of time in this new year to shoot the second season of his hit series. The star is playing Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Han Solo Star Wars movie. It will be filmed this year, reportedly starting in February, before being released in 2018. The role of Calrissian, previously portrayed by Billy Dee Williams, means a lot to Glover.
"Lando’s a big deal to me. It was literally the first toy I ever got," <a href="https://twitter.com/Variety/status/818292654538559488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">Glover told <em>Variety</em></a>. "When you have something that’s kind of iconic … where people pay attention to it, it’s hard because you want to live up to the expectation. But all you can do is live up to your own. And Star Wars is really high. I really just want to have fun."
The other good news for Glover is that he recently <a href="http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/atlanta-donald-glover-fx-productions-overall-deal-1201958801/" target="_blank">inked a deal with FX Productions</a> to develop new projects for the network's different outlets and streaming services.
As for<em> Atlanta</em>, after making its debut in September, it became the highest-rated comedy in FX's history and reportedly ranked as the most-watched new comedy in three years on basic cable for the 18-49 age range, averaging 4.84 million viewers. Not only did viewers love it, but critics also embraced the dark comedy, which received universal acclaim this past fall.
For those asking if he has to be present <em>that</em> often for a second season to be produced and to air, it's important to note that Glover's character, Earn, is the main focus of the show. Glover is also the main creative force behind the entire project, working as star, director, writer and executive producer. Shooting Season 2 without him would probably be like watching <em>Insecure </em>without much of a presence from Issa Rae. It just wouldn't work.
In a chat with <a href="http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/7580497/donald-glover-childish-gambino-atlanta-star-wars" target="_blank"><em>Billboard</em></a> in November, Glover said that people can at least expect something different when they tune in for Season 2. Glover said, "I don’t want to give people the slow drip of the same thing. That’s what people pay for now: ‘Just give me that thing over and over again.’”
He continued, “I’m like, ‘Yeah, I don’t think you want that.’”
Well, at least we can look forward to that...next year.
<em>Image via FX </em>
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If You Like Hairfinity Hair Vitamins, You Might Love Their New Boosters
[caption id="attachment_782314" align="alignnone" width="1068"]<a href="http://amzn.to/2iidEAw"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/hairfinity-booster.jpg" alt="Hairfinity Review" width="1068" height="600" class="wp-image-782314 size-full" /></a> Hairfinity Review[/caption]
<a href="http://amzn.to/2iidEAw">HAIRFINITY Hair Vitamins</a> have been all the rage among celebs, bloggers and vloggers, and everyday women for years, thanks to the Biotin-rich formula which has helped many reach their hair goals. And now the brand has upped their supplemental offerings by adding boosters to their line to help women address and correct specific hair concerns.
There are four different boosters, each crafted for a different hair issue and suitable for all hair types.
<a href="http://amzn.to/2iidEAw"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/boost.jpg" alt="Hairfinity Review" width="500" height="500" class="wp-image-782318 size-full" /></a>
<h3><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2iidEAw">HAIRFINITY Intense Shine EFA Booster </a>- $22</strong></h3>
This supplement provides hair with a boost of Omega 6 linoleic acid which supports the hair’s natural oils, making it appear healthier and more luminous. It's also formulated with Safflower, borage and flaxseed oils.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/boost-2.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/boost-2.jpg" alt="Hairfinity Review" width="500" height="500" class="alignnone wp-image-782315 size-full" /></a></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2iidEAw">HAIRFINITY Damage Defense Collagen Booster</a>- $22</strong></h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">Hydrolyzed Collagen, a peptide and antioxidant which contains 18 essential amino acids, is the active ingredient in this supplement, boosting the hair’s natural defense against damage caused by aging and the environment.</p>
<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/boost-3.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/boost-3.jpg" alt="Hairfinity Review" width="500" height="500" class="aligncenter wp-image-782316 size-full" /></a>
<h3><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2iidEAw">HAIRFINITY Detox & De-Stress Anti-Oxidant Booster</a> -$29</strong></h3>
Curcumin, zinc, black pepper, grapeseed extract, and vitamin E come together in this booster to support the scalp’s natural stress reduction mechanisms so hair can grow stress-free.
<a href="http://amzn.to/2iidEAw"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/boost-4.jpg" alt="Hairfinity Review" width="500" height="500" class="aligncenter wp-image-782317 size-full" /></a>
<h3><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2iidEAw">HAIRFINITY Volume Builder Amino Acid Booster</a> -$25</strong></h3>
This supplement provides hair with an intense boost of amino acids to support normal hair growth from the root, resulting in healthier, protein-infused hair.
Each booster is sold as a 30-day supply. One tablet should be taken each day and you can take these boosters in addition to your regular <a href="http://amzn.to/2iidEAw">HAIRFINITY Hair Vitamins</a>.
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The Bewitching Dopeness Of Omarosa’s Angry Black Woman
I don't know if it's Black Girl Magic or just black magic, but there is something bewitchingly dope about Omarosa Onee Manigault.
For one, she is highly-educated and a product of an HBCU experience. That's right: not only does Omarosa have a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Central State University, but she also has a Masters <i>and</i> Ph.D. in Communications from Howard University.
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/omarosa-feat.jpg" alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782326" width="1068" height="600" />
Secondly, she's accomplished. In fact, Omarosa's resume includes a brief stint under Vice President Al Gore (along with three other jobs with the Clinton Administration), a job with <em><a href="https://www.accesshollywood.com/videos/omarosa-was-she-surprised-by-the-cosby-allegations/">Bill and Camille Cosby at the National Visionary Leadership Project</a></em> and a professorship at her H.U. alma mater.
Oh, and then there's the television career she built completely out of nowhere.
While most reality television stars have faded back into anonymity, Omarosa has managed to parlay her disastrous appearance on the first season of <i>Celebrity Apprentice</i> into a pretty impressive television career, spanning <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/reality-show-villain-omarosa-joins-the-trump-white-house/article/2610929">over 20 reality shows</a> in less than 13 years. According to published reports, this streak includes her upcoming appearance on TLC's Say<a href="http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a8587259/omarosa-is-going-to-start-some-drama-on-say-yes-to-the-dress-this-season/"><i> Yes to the Dress</i> </a>(Omarosa is currently <a href="http://madamenoire.com/782286/omarosa-getting-married-can-experience-wedding-extraness-say-yes-dress/">engaged to pastor John Allen Newman.</a>)
It also includes the realest gig of them all: <em><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/04/omarosa-gets-job-in-trump-white-house.html">public engagement assistant to president-elect Donald Trump.</a></em>
I swear, what can't Omarosa do?
Achievements aside, what's most impressive about Omarosa is her character – or at least the one she has crafted over the years.
More specifically, when most Black girls smile appeasingly, almost apologetically, during their moment in the spotlight, Omarosa does not smile.
She does not genuflect or shrink either.
Instead, she is more likely to channel her inner Cruella De Ville and proclaim without fear, “I have absolutely no respect for Piers. My whole mission is to break him down.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vvW5nq2oDg
When you get a chance, watch this 30 minute “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quUnfvIgKQc&t=1619s">Best of Omarosa vs. Piers Morgan</a>” compilation video, which I promise will bring plenty of delight to your subversive little souls.
Anyway, what's most interesting about the aforementioned clip is, regardless of Morgan's smugness, irrespective of his White male entitlement and despite his best efforts to malign her as yet another angry Black woman, Omarosa refused to let him get the best of her.
Instead, she owned and exploited the image. And eventually used it skillfully against her enemies. Like Morgan, who we all know were secretly intimated by her mere presence.
And like Wendy Williams who...well, we have no idea <i>why</i> Omarosa went in on Williams in this 2008 episode of her talk show. But let's be honest, aren't we secretly glad she did:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar_bd79Cbh0
And part II:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFzmQfHFl48
Anyway, some would say her persona is all just a cunning strategy meant to draw up attention. And those people would likely be correct.
Omarosa is not only a master at media manipulation, but she once taught a class on it – at her alma mater Howard University to be more exact. And from many accounts, a pretty damn good class.
As noted by CAP in the article <a href="http://madamenoire.com/321204/bitch-switch-omarosa-taught-brand-management/"><em>“The Old Switcheroo: What Omarosa Taught Me About Brand Management:”</em></a>
<blockquote>“With Omarosa as my “professor,” I got a chance to get to know her professionally and personally, and took a look behind the scenes at her brand management. And she was nothing like what I saw on television. It was almost like Omarosa the professor wouldn’t even sit with someone like Omarosa from The Apprentice. She was kind, articulate, patient, and, surprisingly, appeared to be very genuine. She opened up her Rolodex and had some pretty impressive people (no celebrities though) as guest speakers in our weekly classes.
Over the years it has been a challenge seeing how she is portrayed on television and how it directly conflicts with the person I came to enjoy throughout our four-month weekly night class. When I think of that person and the one on television, I’m not sure which is the real Omarosa. But what I do know is each character is deliberate.”</blockquote>
Perhaps Omarosa's ability to persona-switch is something fellow reality television star Bethenny Frankel should have thought about before sneak dissing her and then inviting her on her short-lived talk show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng87SoasKiA
And part II:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkcEZHwE0g8
And Frankel's show was<a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/bethenny-frankel-reacts-to-talk-show-cancellation-i-am-relieved-im-a-little-over-myself-2014252"> canceled a few months after that episode aired</a>.
I know what you're thinking: “Omarosa is a liar, a backstabber (hello, Randall Pinkett) and a minion of Donald Trump. There is nothing redeemable about her”
In some ways, I see your point. There is virtue in being good, selfless and dignified. Look at Beyoncé. Look at Michelle Obama. Look at Hillary Clinton.
But sometimes, being nice and selfless – plus woman – offers us little rewards.
Sometimes being good, selfless and dignified means bowing down to White male patriarchy (ahem...Piers Morgan). And sometimes it means being victim to respectability politics (ahem...Wendy Williams) and White women feminism (that's right: I'm talking about Frankel).
To paraphrase <a href="https://vimeo.com/104211244">Unbreakable's Mr. Glass,</a> the scariest thing in this world is to not know your place or why you're here.
And for all intents and purposes, Black girls (and women) have yet to fully know, or even embrace, our place in this world.
Yeah, we live for our children. We live for our men. And we even live for our community.
But rarely are we taught to live for us, first.
To be selfish. To say “no” and mean it. To respect our grievances, opinions, wants and desires. To aggressively go after all we want in life.
Even if it means not being liked. And even if it means becoming a villain....
Despite the risk to reputation, Omarosa has found a way to take the “ABW” image that many Black women – including the superheroes – have been branded with, and masterfully use it to her advantage.
And while her choices on who, and ultimately what, she has become are not my own (I'm <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/297430-omarosa-trumps-haters-will-be-forced-to-bow-down-to-him"><i>not bowing down to Donald Trump</i></a>), there is something very admirable about the gumption to do it her way, unapologetically.
And a refreshing change of pace.
After all, we are a culture that has given an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXnNOBj26lk">alleged rapist a standing ovation at the Oscars </a>and has turned a <a href="http://www.vh1.com/shows/martha-snoops-potluck-dinner-party">former gangbanger into cooking show host</a>. Surely there is room for Omarosa's mayhem.
<em>Image via WENN</em>
<i>Charing Ball is a writer, cultural critic and smarty-pants Black feminist from Philadelphia. To learn more, visit<a href="https://nineteenseventy-seven.com/"> NineteenSeventy-Seven.com</a>.</i>
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Angela Simmons Steps Out In A Bikini For The First Time Since Giving Birth
Back in September, <a href="http://madamenoire.com/719750/angela-simmons-baby/" target="_blank">Angela Simmons gave birth to her son</a>, Sutton Joseph Tennyson, and <a href="http://madamenoire.com/720593/angela-simmons-fitness/" target="_blank">just 13 days after</a> pushing the little guy out, she was back in the gym. It seems that her hard work to get the snapback going has paid off, because Simmons just showed off quite the svelte figure in a bikini while vacaying:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPI_5-WATsD/?taken-by=angelasimmons&hl=en
Simmons, of course, was able to get back into fighting shape due to the face that, for one, she was already pretty slim due to being a vegetarian and working out multiple times a week. But secondly, she works with top-notch trainers and commits to putting in time at the gym. She started the year with big fitness plans and hasn't slowed down yet:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO5kN0bAFDP/?taken-by=angelasimmons&hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO5l08jgnW3/?taken-by=angelasimmons&hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPDXZQJg2TB/?taken-by=angelasimmons&hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPDZg2aAFzM/?taken-by=angelasimmons&hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPIqxP2gMLa/?taken-by=angelasimmons&hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPK9mH_AAoY/?taken-by=angelasimmons&hl=en
Need some motivation? Check out Angela's Instagram for all kinds of fitspo as you work to reach your own fitness goals in the new year.
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