A couple of weeks ago, we shared the hard to believe story of the Uber driver who only learned her boyfriend was cheating on her when she dropped his other girlfriend off at his apartment.

She told the story brilliantly on Twitter and it wasn’t long before it went viral. As a result, UberBae, whose real name is Bree, was invited to the Steve Harvey show.
There she recapped the story and expounded on a couple of details she couldn’t squeeze in on Twitter.

“It looks like he was smiling at her but I’m looking at him and my heart just drops. And the devil really rose up out of me. After he sees me, he tries to run but I beat him to the door. And I immediately, I give him the Mayweather experience. And she’s sitting ringside. I guess the nurturing girlfriend in her decides to run up and charge me and decides to run up and charge at me and hit me. And I’m confused at this point because we’re both supposed to be fighting him. He’s cheating on the both of us. I would never hit another woman when it’s my man who’s doing wrong. That was not my intention at all. Me hitting her was me defending myself.”

If you remember the story, Bree said that she had new luggage. She also sent a picture to her former man wearing the other woman’s sunglasses.

“Yeah she got her luggage back. I think a lot of times in situations like that women go against each other and we shouldn’t go against each other. We should be going against the man because he’s bringing the problems in our lives.”

Steve Harvey: “Did she get the sunglasses back?”

“It was nice at the beach last weekend, let’s just say that.”

Oh well.

You can watch the full interview in the video below.

The post “I Gave Him The Mayweather Experience” UberBae Talks To Steve Harvey About Her Epic Story appeared first on MadameNoire.

Do you wait until it’s up?

Or is it your job to get it up?

Is lube necessary at all times?

Which lube is best?

How much pressure should you apply?

Should the skin be moving?

How fast should you go?

Do they want to finish that way?

Do men even like hand jobs?

Where should I be sitting?

Are you supposed to involve the balls?

What are you supposed to do to them?

Should you be switching strokes up?

How long should I be doing this?

Do I need to cut my nails

The post Questions Most Women Still Have About Hand Jobs appeared first on MadameNoire.

On June 5, Bill Cosby is set to stand trial for sexual assault, a crime he was charged with in Pennsylvania in December 2015. Over the years, 51 different women have accused Bill Cosby of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, and other sex-related crimes. And while some have argued the accusations are just another attempt to keep a well-accomplished and once well-respected brotha down, for others, the admiration they once had for the comedian and television pioneer is all but gone.

Cosby’s youngest child, daughter Evin Cosby, is making a ninth-hour plea to change that, writing an extensive open letter in The Hollywood Reporter about the way the media’s haste to believe so-called untrue allegations against her father have affected not just her dad, but her entire family, namely her and her young children.

“I have two amazing children who love their grandfather,” she wrote. “I already work hard as a single mother, with no full-time help, and with a career in fashion design, I am lucky that I have supportive friends that I call family because my children and I need that support. The public persecution of my dad, my kids’ grandfather, and the cruelty of the media and those who speak out branding my father a “rapist” without ever knowing the truth and who shame our family and our friends for defending my dad, makes all of this so much worse for my family and my children. When people are so quick to cast hate and make accusations of horrific violence against my dad, they are callous in their carelessness about the harm they are causing to others.

“I thought when my brother, Ennis, was murdered, that was the worst nightmare of all time. It’s so hurtful to this day. I try to block out the day he was killed, but that pain has only worsened in these last years. For some reason, my family’s pain has been a trigger for people to seize upon us harder.

“On the same day that Ennis was murdered, a woman came out claiming that my father had a “love child.” She was arrested for extortion. She was not my father’s daughter.

“On the day I gave birth to my son, another woman came out, but that case was dismissed too — the district attorney investigated her claims also and didn’t press charges.”

After going on to explain how the stories of accusers don’t match up and that her father has been unable to defend himself because “the media is only interested in the stories of the women,” Evin went on to call her father somewhat of an advocate for women’s rights.

“My dad broke barriers and raised the conscious of America on important topics, especially for the advancement of women,” she continued. “On The Cosby Show he only depicted women as smart and accomplished. On TheCosby Show and on A Different World he took on then-taboo subjects like menstrual cycles and rape, and even did a show on AIDS before anyone else would bring it up.

“I am his fourth daughter. He raised me to go to college, start my own business, and be my own woman. He is helping me raise my children and teach them family values. I know that my father loves me, loves my sisters and my mother. He loves and respects women. He is not abusive, violent or a rapist. Sure, like many celebrities tempted by opportunity, he had his affairs, but that was between him and my mother. They have worked through it and moved on, and I am glad they did for them and for our family.

“The harsh and hurtful accusations of things that supposedly happened 40 or 50 years ago, before I was born, in another lifetime, and that have been carelessly repeated as truth without allowing my dad to defend himself and without requiring proof, has punished not just my dad but every one of us. They have punished the talented people who were still earning money and feeding their families from my dad’s shows and work. I am pleased that finally we are seeing the whole picture and seeing cases and claims dismissed from court. I just hope that those who pre-judged my dad are now willing to admit that they were wrong.”

We shall see. What do you say?

Photo: Getty

The post Bill Cosby’s Daughter: Sure My Dad Had Affairs, But He Loves And Respects Women appeared first on MadameNoire.

Waxing or threading? Pick your poison.

I’ve had both, and despite my appreciation for the meticulous results that come with the latter, I eventually had to give up threading due to the pain. But some people don’t even have the desire to try it — like Khloe Kardashian. Her issue isn’t with the possible pain though.

The reality star said on her website that she is and will always be #teamwaxing after learning that someone contracted herpes from their threader.

“I heard the grossest story about threading!” she wrote. “Someone had herpes on their mouth and then the client got it on their brows! I don’t thread because someone’s saliva might be going on my face!”

The saliva statement is in reference to the fact that some estheticians put a part of the thread through their mouth before applying it to your face. And while that’s gross, and I’ve seen it happen, I thought, herpes though? What are the chances of you contracting that for real?

According to Jennifer Haythe, M.D., of Columbia University Medical Center, who spoke to SELF magazine, the chances are higher than I assumed due to all of the bacteria we have in our mouths. The virus could be transferred from their mouth onto the thread, and in turn, be transferred onto the skin and in it due to broken skin.

But it’s not just the mouth that can be a troublemaker when one goes for threading. The magazine also pointed out that herpes can be passed if the esthetician isn’t wearing gloves and has herpes on their fingers, which happens if they have a condition called herpetic whitlow. A staph infection is also possible, especially in cases where threads might be reused.

However, the chances of herpes being spread so easily aren’t super high. Likely because of the fact that at the most contagious times, oral herpes blister and then start to drain. If it’s that apparent, you would hope the technician wouldn’t feel comfortable touching someone’s face — or that you at least would notice such a sore and run for the hills. At a less contagious time (aka, no more oozing), it’s less likely that virus will be passed.

So if all that sounds like too much to be concerned with, there’s always waxing. But then again, not every esthetician who waxes is as hygienic as they could be either. So if you see that your chosen place of beauty maintenance is not following proper safety precautions, speak up — or take your business elsewhere. Better that than worrying about contracting a virus while just trying to keep your ‘brows on point.

Image via Getty 

The post Could Eyebrow Threading Really Spread Herpes? appeared first on MadameNoire.

From the time we’re old enough to understand the concept, our parents, teachers, responsible adults encourage and sometimes even require us to share our toys. But in a recent Facebook post, one mother, Alanya Kolberg, says that her son is not required to share with your children.

When I first read it, I thought ‘Daaaang. That’s cold.’ But then I read her story…

And I absolutely get it.

Her point about the sandwich really nailed it home for me. Sharing as an adult is almost always completely optional. Furthermore, the act of being kind and generous kind of loses its validity when it’s mandated. While sharing is generally a kind thing to do, children also need to learn about autonomy, to know that they don’t have to share their toys, food or anything else with people they don’t want to.

Furthermore, as Kolberg points out, there are far too many adults who overextend themselves because we’ve been conditioned, from childhood to be more accommodating than we should be.

Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of “Bettah Days.” You can follow her on Facebook and on Instagram and Twitter @VDubShrug.

The post Should You Make Your Child Share With Others? appeared first on MadameNoire.

Tone deaf is the word that comes to mind when I think, not just of Dolce & Gabbana’s latest fashion offering, but their ridiculous response to the controversy surrounding it.

When you release a sneaker with the words “I’m thin & gorgeous” on the side — particularly at a time when the body positivity movement is at an all-time high — you pretty much know what you’re doing.

And you pretty much don’t care about inclusion, diversity, or any of those things advocates have been asking of the fashion industry for years. But unlike so many fashion brands who feign ignorance and issue fake apologies after offending potential customers, Designer Stefano Gabbana is owning up to the a–hole nature of the sneaker.

See, after people began to criticize the brand for having the words “I’m thin & gorgeous” on the side of the sneaker clearly aimed at women 20 and under, he lashed out in the worst way on social media.

When one follower questioned whether the messaging was irresponsible, he responded saying:

“darling you prefer to be fat and full of cholesterol ??? I think u have a problem. u think is better to be fat full of hamburger??? Stupid.”

He then posted an article covering the controversy and wrote as the caption:

When idiocy distorts reality!!! 😂😂😂😂incredibile!!!! Next time we’ll write LOVE TO BE FAT AND FULL OF CHOLESTEROL 😂😂😂❤❤❤❤❤ yahoo.com ❤refinery29.com ❤footwearnews.com❤ 😂😂😂😂😂 the most stupid post ever

I can’t afford these sneakers and they’re way too juvenile for me anyway, so I don’t care about this controversy all that much. But when I think about the wealthy teens at risk for eating disorders who can and likely will purchase these sneakers and the fact that they don’t need yet another message that they have to be thin to be beautiful, I’m not too fond of the words being used — on the sneaker or out of Stefano’s mouth.

The post D&G Response To “Thin & Gorgeous” Shoe Drama: “Next Time We’ll Write LOVE TO BE FAT AND FULL OF CHOLESTEROL” appeared first on MadameNoire.

As impracticable as the idea of trying to find Mr. or Mrs. Right on a reality television show may sound, more and more people are doing it. But what happens when you think you’ve found love on camera only for things to change once the cameras go off? That was the experience of Vanessa Nelson. The beauty was featured in Season 3 of Married at First Sight and said “I do” to Tres Russell. And while they looked like the season’s strongest couple, by the six-month post-finale special, they shocked everyone by announcing that they were done. After speaking her peace, Nelson retreated to, as Iyanla says, “do the work” and mend her broken heart. But now, she’s ready to look for love, and she’s doing so on in front of cameras again.

Nelson and fellow Season 3 love-seeker David Norton are taking part in Married at First Sight: Second Chances, which premieres on Thursday, April 27 (at 10:15 on Lifetime). Nelson talked to us about taking all that she learned about relationships, and most importantly, herself, and trying her chances at love with 100 different guys. Seriously, though.

MadameNoire: After the way things ended with Married at First Sight, why would you consider looking for love in this way again on television? 

Vanessa Nelson: Even though Married at First Sight didn’t turn out exactly how I wanted it to, it was still a great learning experience. I took a little time to mend my heart and get ready to date again. But once I had that time to myself, I was ready to get back out there. And Second Chances is so different and it’s so unique because the choices are all in my hands. Of course, I have the experts to kind of guide me and give me advice, but you know, I make all of the decisions. I get to meet these guys, I get to decide if I want to continue dating them. It felt like I definitely had more control of the situation and it was a lot more fun. There’s not the pressure of marrying a stranger, so it was a great experience.

What exactly motivated you to want to explore your options as far as dating and marriage on television? I know a girl who tried out for The Bachelor because it’s hard to date in NYC. So why exactly did you go this route? 

Well, the Atlanta options are ‘unique’ [laughs]. It’s hard to date in any major city because everyone has so many options. And sometimes, when you have so many options, it’s hard to find someone that you really want to focus on. Dating on TV or exposing your relationship in such a public way is not for everyone. But I definitely feel that I got a lot of experience with relationships, being married, being divorced and all of that. So there’s definitely something that people can learn and take away. People learned a lot from my marriage. I definitely always had people coming up to me or communicating with me and saying they learned so much from watching me on Married at First Sight. So, it’s only natural to want to help people go through the most difficult portion leading up to marriage, and that’s dating. Dating is difficult. You’re going to see all of that watching Second Chances, the ups and downs I go through trying to date 100 guys [laughs].

How did you step back and nurse your heartbreak after the way things turned out with Tres? 

Well, it wasn’t easy. Just like any other breakup or heartbreak, you have to take some time for yourself. You have to digest what you learned from it. You have to see that it was all not for nothing. There are things you can take valuable lessons from, even if it’s something that turned out kind of bad and not how you wanted it to. But I definitely felt like I just learned how to communicate better, how to be more compromising. Even though I went through all of that in a marriage, I learned how to apply that to dating. I saw through Second Chances just how valuable those lessons were and I was so happy that I went through that. It was a tough time and it was heartbreaking, but I’m still happy that I went through that experience because it made it easier to date.

In everyday relationships with people, we’re told that we do certain things, but of course, we don’t see it. But to get to watch a show that you were on and to see the things you may not realize you’re doing that hurt a relationship is unique. What did you learn about yourself that you realized you needed to work on? 

Definitely one was communication. I was able to see myself go through the different phases of communication on Married at First Sight. When I was upset, I wasn’t the most open person. So I really had to work on that. Two: compromise. I had to know that no one comes to relationships absolutely perfect. Along with communication, you have to really see someone as they are and understand if these are things you can accept, these are things you can work through, or these are dealbreakers for you. And definitely trust. Because you know, having a lot of experiences with relationships, you go through good relationships and you go through terrible relationships. But I think I learned to be more open with my mind and my heart in the sense that I could take what someone says at face value until they kind of showed me that I shouldn’t. But even when you’re dating, you have to be very aware of the type of person you’re inviting into your life. You have to read the signs. I can say that during this dating experience with Second Chances, I was more open with my heart and more open with my mind. And I was able to trust — it was much easier.

Have you been in touch with Tres since you both decided to go your separate ways? 

No. Well, actually, right after our divorce, we definitely tried to see if we could maintain a friendship. But on my end, it was just a little awkward. I was going through that process of trying to mend the heartbreak. His father passed a few months ago so I reached out to him and his family and let them know I was thinking of him. His father was really someone that I enjoyed and someone who was positive in supporting this decision that we made, the decision to marry a stranger. So even though we don’t have an active friendship, I definitely wish Tres the best. I know he’ll find someone that is right for him.

Yeah, it’s a nice idea to be friends. However, you didn’t go into the show looking for a friend so I think you made the right choice. 

I do think sometimes guys tend to go that route to sort their feelings out so they don’t feel guilt on their part. But I had to do what’s best for me and make sure that I was taking the time to learn what I had to learn and to pull myself back together for the next person that I meet. I have to be my best self so I had to do what’s right for me.

So what exactly are you seeking in a partner at this point? 

Someone who is confident and knows themselves. I think it’s really important to take the time to really understand who you are before you enter into a relationship. I’d like someone who likes to have fun and try new things. I like to cook and eat so someone who doesn’t mind sitting down next to me and eating all of the time and trying new stuff. I’m not a shy eater [laughs]. I don’t want to meet a guy who only wants a girl who eats salad because I can’t do that [laughs]. Someone who is ready for a relationship, someone who can communicate openly about their feelings and someone who is mature and ready for that step. But definitely someone I can also have fun with.

So what are you most excited about when it comes to what people will see on Married at First Sight: Second Chances and what you were able to experience? 

On the premiere of Second Chances, you will see me date 100 guys. And it is crazy. It is like no other dating show or dating experience because I really had every type of guy, personality, every height, every color, every walk of life. That was so fun. It was a little overwhelming, but that was the most exciting thing because I had no excuses. I had every type of guy I could ever think of in front of me, and i think that’s every girl’s dream [laughs]. So I loved it.

The post Vanessa Of MAFS On What Drove Her To Look For Love On TV And Why She’s Trying Again appeared first on MadameNoire.

When the sun comes out, the hair goes up — at least for some of us who can’t be bothered with heat-induced frizz, sweaty strands, and having to two-strand twist our hair when we really just want to post up on the beach.

The carefree vibe of summer makes it the perfect time to experiment with your hair and two easy, low-maintenance ways of doing so are with braids and bundles. But just because you’ll be giving your hair a break doesn’t mean you can totally neglect it. You also don’t want to go for just any old wig, weave, or extensions to get the look you’re looking for. That’s why we reached out to Outre rep and Atlanta-based hairstylist Brandan Combs to give us a few tips on rocking braids and bundles next season. Here’s what he told us.

1. Versatile wigs are an excellent solution for summer styling.  Not only are they quick to wear and go, they are pre-styled for you. This summer, one of my fave brands, Outre, will be introducing a new “vixen install”-inspired wig called: SwissX Vixen. Just like a regular vixen weave install, this wig is designed with a 4-way parting, giving you more styling versatility than ever before.  Wear it down and flaunt long locks, or throw it up in a ponytail on a hot summer’s day, without worrying about any tracks showing.
2. In the heat of the summer, sweat and oil build-up is unfortunately inevitable. The solution?  Dry shampoo! Whether you wear wigs or weaves, dry shampoo will keep oil at bay, allowing for a longer, more beautiful wear. Simply section the hair, and powder at the roots.  This will keep your hair looking fresh in-between washes.
3. For the ladies in braids, I recommend a vinegar rinse of the braiding hair prior to your braid install.  The vinegar rinse will remove the alkaline base from the synthetic fibers, preventing itchiness.
4. If you’re going to be rocking bundles this summer, I have a special tip for you. In my 15 years as a cosmetologist, I’ve found that conditioning bundles prior to shampooing will make the hair more soft & silky, and a lot easier to manage. I suggest leaving the conditioner on the hair for at least 15-20 minutes, and then shampooing.  Use a wide tooth comb if additional detangling is needed!

The post 4 Tips On Rocking Braids And Bundles This Summer From Stylist Brandan Combs appeared first on MadameNoire.

When people talk about a lot of bodyweight cardio moves, they reference the usual, tired suspects: jumping jacks, burpees, mountain climbers, butt kicks, fast feet and high knees. And while those are great moves that get the job the done, variety is the spice of life. Same goes for sticking to elliptical machines and treadmills. While stationary cardio is better than none at all, it’s good for the body to switch things up.

You can still get your steps in and work up quite the sweat by trying the following cardio bodyweight moves. We recommend feeling all of the burn by doing five sets of these moves (if you’re feeling froggy), or at least three (if you’re limited on time) each for 30 seconds, maximum speed and energy, before taking a rest for 30 seconds. You’ll quickly realize that cardio doesn’t have to be boring, but it should be demanding.

Knees and Toes

As if you’re preparing to do high knees, touch your right hand to your raised left knee. As the left knee goes down, raise your right knee to your left hand. From there, touch that same right hand to the inside of your left foot before switching to your left hand reaching for the inside of your right foot. The idea is to quickly touch your knees and then your feet while keeping your back upright and bringing up your knees and feet as high as you can.

Speed Skaters

Beginning in a squat, jump sideways to the right, lightly landing on your right foot. Once you’ve gained balance on your right foot (don’t bring down the left one), jump sideways to your left, landing on your left foot. When you jump to your right, the left arm should be in front of you while your right arm is straight, swinging back. The opposite is true for when you jump to the left.

Sumo Squat Punches

Squatting down low with your chest up and your core engaged, turn your feet outwards. From there, rotate your core by using your right arm to punch across the left side of your body. After that, rotate your core again by using your left arm to punch across the right side of your body. Come out of your squat to stand before briefly returning to your squat and alternating punches. Repeat.

Squat Jumps

With your butt going back (as if you were sitting in a chair) and your chest up (and core engaged!), squat down with your arms down to your side before jumping in the air and returning to a squat. Repeat!

A good progression option if this feels too easy for you would be to raise your arms in the air when you come out of your squat to jump.

Box Toe Touches

You could use a bench, a box, or pretty much anything that is elevated off of the ground at a reasonable level for you. Alternate tapping the front of your left and right foot on the box while staying upright and moving at a fast pace.

Image via Bigstock 

The post 5 Cardio Moves For When You Can’t Stand Jumping Jacks, Burpees And Mountain Climbers appeared first on MadameNoire.

On Monday I wrote a piece on my personal site titled, “Sometimes a Compliment is Just a Compliment,” about the need for women — although men are not immune either — to learn not to read into every compliment as a sign a man wants to pursue you. Though I’ve been guilty of doing so many times, what prompted me to finally write about it was a man at one of my fitness classes who was laying on the compliments a little thick.

After our first class together he’d come up and introduced himself to me and told me he loved my hair and some item of sports apparel I had. We made a little small talk and exchanged information under the guise of similar professional interests, and though I walked away thinking, Hmm, maybe he’s feeling me. When he didn’t use my number I realized we truly had engaged for professional reasons solely and put the thought out of my head.

But then I saw the guy at my next class and he complimented me again on my hair, before running his hands through it, and then told me what great skin I had. Interesting I thought, while sending my brain a friendly reminder not to get ahead of itself. It turns out that message was none too soon, considering by next meeting someone who worked at the facility was asking ol’ boy about his girlfriend.

So much for that, I thought, which took me back to the idea that sometimes a compliment is just a compliment, i.e. an observation not a solicitation. But a couple of weeks later, this guy had upped his greeting to me to a routine hug and a kiss on the cheek along with a few suspect remarks here and there. At this point, I was no longer thinking about whether I misread his comments but whether I’d be okay with someone I was involved with carrying on with some random woman like this, regardless of intent or not.

With thirst levels at an all time high to “get chose,” the mere act of making a positive observation about someone of the opposite sex is risky business. And when you’re in a relationship, I’m not sure that’s a risk worth taking. Of course paying a compliment to men and women you know — and who your partner knows — shouldn’t be a big deal, and even one kind remark to a stranger could be considered a good civic duty. But when you’re telling the same person you admire certain features about them multiple times, it looks a little sketch, from the perspective of the recipient and most likely from your partner as well.

This guy never reached out to me in any way outside of social media so I’d guess his behavior could be considered innocent, maybe even innocent flirting depending on your relationship philosophy. But what are your ground rules when it comes to flirting with the opposite sex when you’re in a relationship and what behavior is off limits for your partner?

Photo: Bigstock

The post Is There A Right And Wrong Way To Compliment The Opposite Sex When You’re In A Relationship? appeared first on MadameNoire.

We are just a little more than five weeks away from the debut of Season 5 of “Orange is the New Black” which may be the most impactful yet. At the end of Season four, we witnessed the emotional death of fan favorite Poussey and were left on the edge of our seats when a riot among the inmates as a result of Poussey’s murder ended in Daya holding a gun and faced with the hard decision of whether or not to use it.

“Picking up right where we left off, season five takes you back to that contentious moment in the prison’s halls where decisions made will forever affect those inside, and outside the gates,” a press release for the new season notes, adding, “no matter what the outcome, life at Litchfield will never be the same.”

Though Samira Wiley won’t be returning this season, our other favorites like Uzo Aduba, Danielle Brooks, Adrienne C. Moore, Vicky Jeudy, and obviously Dascha Polanco will. Check out the 60-second trailer for the new season below. What do you think will happen?

The post Here’s Your First look At Season 5 Of Orange Is The New Black appeared first on MadameNoire.

While sitting with the ladies of Essence‘s podcast Yes. Girl! this week, DeVon Franklin and Meagan Good talked about, you guessed it, marriage. The Wait: A Powerful Practice for Finding the Love of Your Life and the Life You Love authors shared how they handle the different ups and downs of marriage and the different reasons they truly enjoy being Mr. and Mrs. But what stood out most from their conversation, to me, were the nuggets of wisdom that came from Franklin about the importance of his role as a good husband.

While speaking on what he loves about being married, the producer and author made it clear that more than anything, his wife’s happiness is his biggest priority and his main job in life.

“Sometimes we look at being married selfishly,” Franklin shared. “My number one thing is how is she. How is her well being? How is she feeling? How is her environment? What does she need? If I’m not doing that, I don’t care what’s going on in my life — how can I be good at my job?”

The 39-year-old said that his desire to create a healthy and happy situation for Good, 35, comes from the years of watching the women in his life deal with men who brought them a great deal of pain.

“I was raised by my mother primarily, my father died when I was young and my grandmother, my mother’s mother, had seven sisters so we were raised–me, my older brother and my younger brother–by all of them,” he said. “That’s what life was. It was hearing about what was going on in their lives, in their marriages, and what wasn’t right and what could’ve been right, and then seeing some of the men and how they treated them. So early on, really seeing the impact of when you take it seriously and when you don’t.”

He continued, noting the impact his mom, grandmother, great aunts and more had on him.

“These women gave their lives really for us to be able to have the success that we’re having now, and having such an affinity for them, the desire was ok, well, I want to be the type of man that would never produce the type of feelings that the men in their lives are producing in their lives.”

And based on Good’s statements during the podcast and her smile as well as general demeanor these days, Franklin is doing a damn good job.

Image via WENN

The post DeVon Franklin Says Women He Was Raised By Motivated Him To Be Best Husband Possible For Meagan Good appeared first on MadameNoire.

Ever since she danced up a storm and gave everyone fitness goals in Kanye West’s “Fade” video, nothing but good fortune has followed Teyana Taylor. She’s released more shoes with Reebok, was able to have a recurring role on VH1’s The Breaks, started her exercise program Fade 2 Fit, had a whole host of spreads in magazines and pretty much just been everywhere. Now, it seems that the star will be returning to the big screen (she previously appeared in Madea’s Big Happy Family) with a role in the latest installment in the Honey franchise. I know what you’re thinking: “The original Honey with Jessica Alba wasn’t all that, so how did it become a franchise?” It doesn’t matter. Because you already know Taylor is about to revive the hell out of this series of films with her dancing skills.

Taylor confirmed the news that Honey 4 is in the works after retweeting an image of the script and stating that filming was (or already is) going to take place in Atlanta.

Awwww shit @TEYANATAYLOR pic.twitter.com/4YrrPb4uNj

— Carrington M.🌬 (@CarrieM__) April 26, 2017

They’re making a Honey 4 and @TEYANATAYLOR is in it. pic.twitter.com/irBnRsqkMw

— Oyinade (@OhNaira) April 26, 2017

ATL SHAWTY https://t.co/eGtGRzec00

— TEYANA M.J. SHUMPERT (@TEYANATAYLOR) April 27, 2017

Will do 😘 https://t.co/iBMhLa6JTd

— TEYANA M.J. SHUMPERT (@TEYANATAYLOR) April 27, 2017

She pretty much spilled the beans before an official release from whatever studio is bringing the film to life could. But based on the deets shared by the 26-year-old starlet on her Twitter account, the screenplay is by writer Robert Adetuyi, who has written for films like Stomp the Yard and You Got Served: Beat the World. The director taking the reigns on this one is Billie Woodruff, the former famed music director who has directed all of the previous Honey films, as well as Addicted, Beauty Shop and the TV movie Drumline: A New Beat.

I can’t tell you if the film, as far as its story, will be any good. But with Taylor in it, you know that it will definitely be entertaining.

Image via WENN 

The post Teyana Taylor Set To Star In Honey 4 appeared first on MadameNoire.

Last week, we reported that Natlie Nunn had delivered her baby girl. And given the pregnancy photo shoot spread, we figured it was only a matter of time before we saw images of her daughter.

And sure enough, here they are.

Nunn has started an entire Instagram page for the girlchild she named Journey Payne.

Journey Ruth Payne💗 Before you were born, we dreamed of you, imagined you, we prayed for you! Now that you are here, we love you, and we thank God for you! Mommy and daddy have never felt so blessed and complete! April 16th easter Sunday you blessed us and came into our lives! #paynefamily #JourneyPayne #natalienunn

A post shared by Natalie Nunn (@realmissnatalienunn) on Apr 26, 2017 at 11:45am PDT

Check out a few more images below.

April 16th 2017 Journey Ruth Payne 💗

A post shared by Journey Payne (@journey_payne) on Apr 26, 2017 at 8:55am PDT

Daddy got me! One thing he aint got is my poppy diapers 😂 #princesspayne #daddygirl #paynefamily

A post shared by Journey Payne (@journey_payne) on Apr 26, 2017 at 8:54am PDT

Precious!

The post Natalie Nunn Shares First Pictures Of Her Daughter Journey appeared first on MadameNoire.

Long before I got married, I had a vision of what my marriage would look like. Despite my aversion to the idea of being a stay-at-home mom, I always wanted a career that would permit me to have a flexible enough schedule where I would be able to spend time with my kids. But more than anything, I didn’t see myself being the one trying to keep up with the traditional wifely duties of cooking every day, keeping the house clean 24/7 and being everything for everybody. Needless to say, my views slightly changed once I got married.

As soon as we jumped the broom, I was hit with a barrage of questions and unwanted advice.

“You’re not cooking Thanksgiving dinner?”

“You’re leaving him home alone?”

“Make sure you make time for your husband now that you have kids.”

As annoying as all of that was, they made me second-guess my role as a wife and even question if my husband’s expectations were being met.
Did he have a certain level of expectation? To be honest, I wasn’t sure. Although we attended premarital counseling and discussed a wide array of topics, we failed to accurately detail what our roles would entail after we actually said “I do.” Thus, questions and comments from other people coupled with comparing myself to other wives I knew made me hone in on my responsibilities and how they might affect my husband.

Here lies the guilt.

Now, I’ve mentioned a few things to my husband and even asked him outright about specifics, such as, the amount of cooking and cleaning I do every day, and he always says the same thing: “I don’t care.” I know he doesn’t care, as he didn’t marry me to cook for him or to be the top house cleaner this side of the Mississippi or to even be Supermom with our daughters. Unfortunately, guilt still plagues me, unnecessarily.

And having kids does change the game up quite a bit. They require a lot of attention and energy, oftentimes leaving me mentally and physically exhausted. I also feel like I worry about the kids before I worry about my husband because I have to. I’m quick to ensure that the kids are okay and put their needs first, so my husband often comes second. Therefore, I find a way to assume that I’m not giving him the attention he needs.

So when my husband talks about how he needs to change his diet to accomplish his weight goals, I quickly think about how I can help him achieve that. One of my friends posted a picture of the breakfast that she prepares weekly for her husband, on social media. I reached out to her to find out the logistics as I planned to do weekly for both my husband and I, mainly for my husband so that he won’t have an excuse not to eat breakfast. She told me her secret and that she does it every Sunday. Although, it would be an efficient way of cooking and a great way to save money, I still haven’t found the time to complete that task.

Comparing myself to others wives is never a smart thing, but being on social media makes it damn near impossible not to compare. I can’t blame the Internet entirely, but watching other wives doing their job, and doing it in ways that seem better than me, doesn’t help to quell my feelings of guilt.

Wife guilt is real and can put unnecessary stress on women, especially if your husband says he’s happy (and most importantly, seems to be). If you’re experiencing wife guilt, talk to your husband to see where his thoughts and opinions lie. If he’s good, then you should be, too. But if you’re still not, congratulations, you’re human.

Image via Bigstock

The post Why I Can’t Seem To Get Over My Wife Guilt appeared first on MadameNoire.

When we first learned that Tiny filed for divorce back in December, I know there were several people who doubted whether or not she would go through with it. But after some more time to think about it, likely influenced by T.I.’s distraction comments, the whole thing is moving forward.

According to Radar Online, T.I. has not only been officially served with divorce papers, he’s responded.

In the papers, Tiny said the marriage is irretrievably broken with no hope of reconciliation. She is seeking primary physical custody of the children with joint legal custody of their three children. She asked the judge to decide the amount of child support T.I. will have to pay.

In addition to the children, she is seeking temporary and permanent alimony consistent with her standard of living. She is also asking the T.I. cover their marital debt as he has the higher earning potential.

She also requested that T.I. turn over all financial records regarding their money and investment accounts.

While T.I. has yet to respond to the divorce petition in court, he’s filed papers of his own as of April 24, acknowledging receipt of the divorce papers.

Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of “Bettah Days.” You can follow her on Facebook and on Instagram and Twitter @VDubShrug.

The post T.I. And Tiny Are Moving Forward With Divorce appeared first on MadameNoire.

Tomorrow is the 90th anniversary of #CorettaScottKing's birth. Let's celebrate her life, legacy & leadership. She's STILL teaching. #CSK90 pic.twitter.com/dhJEW8FOEH

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) April 27, 2017

Behind every great man there's a great woman? Nah. My mother wasn't behind my father. She was WITH him. Together. #CorettaScottKing #CSK90 pic.twitter.com/EMO3jpJj7c

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) April 27, 2017

Remembering my mother today and every day. #CorettaScottKing #CSK90 pic.twitter.com/0O3vexUaHF

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) April 27, 2017

Coretta Scott King said: "Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it & win it in every generation." #CSK90

— Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) April 27, 2017

Today, Coretta Scott King would have been 90 years old. What an honor it's been to celebrate this warrior: https://t.co/v9eKh7KGLE #CSK90 pic.twitter.com/RauxgMeXHG

— EBONY MAGAZINE (@EBONYMag) April 27, 2017

#CorettaScottKing's work as a peace advocate and civil and human rights activist impacted the world. #ShePersisted #CSK90 (w/ Cesar Chavez) pic.twitter.com/0a48jvuei4

— The King Center (@TheKingCenter) April 27, 2017

Thinking of #CorettaScottKing on what would have been her 90th birthday. I will honor her through my work this weekend in Atlanta. #CSK90 pic.twitter.com/eddrAkdN6A

— Lucia Kay McBath (@lucymcbath) April 27, 2017

#CorettaScottKing looks on as President Reagan signs the #MLK holiday into law, 1983. Ms. King diligently pursued the legislation. #CSK90 pic.twitter.com/pc6LEmDaQo

— The King Center (@TheKingCenter) April 27, 2017

Some men told my mother to stay home w/ us & not found @TheKingCenter. So, here she is w/ #MLK,Sr. @ the Center. #CSK90 #CorettaScottKing ✊ pic.twitter.com/zZpv0ssUW0

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) April 27, 2017

#CSK90 #BlackWoman1st When the black man dies We are left to carry the torch! AND BOY, do we cross the finish line! You can't outlove a BW https://t.co/VNtzybOpVw

— cc: Chadwick Boseman (@ChadwicksChill) April 27, 2017

#CorettaScottKing #CSK90 pic.twitter.com/SjOYdSVf6H

— OneLMedia™ (@ImTiff_Errific) April 27, 2017

#CorettaScottKing: Architect of the King legacy and founder of @TheKingCenter. With building plans for the Center. #CSK90 #MLK pic.twitter.com/gPRn5NPhM9

— The King Center (@TheKingCenter) April 27, 2017

Thursday marks #CorettaScottKing's 90th birthday. We're celebrating her well-lived life. Tweet about her Thursday using the #CSK90 tag. pic.twitter.com/v0xlB543s5

The post Twitter Honors Coretta Scott King On What Would Have Been Her 90th Birthday appeared first on MadameNoire.

Does anyone really love their body 100 percent?

It would be nice if we all did, but most of us have our good days where we are absolutely feeling ourselves, and others where we pick ourselves apart.

This is too flabby.

This has too many stretch marks.

This? Ew.

But actress Niecy Nash reminded us that while it’s human to critique the way we look, sometimes even harshly, we should make a better effort to be kind to our bodies by thinking about all they’ve gone through with us. In a series of pictures, the Claws star proudly showed off her “flaws” while rocking and owning a swimsuit that she initially felt self-conscious in.

I APOLOGIZE to myself! I bought a new swimsuit and tried it on last night, then proceeded to Drag Myself😩- pointing out every “flaw”, every bump, lump, scar, ripple & stretch mark. Then u heard my sisters voice @kstew222 in my head say “watch what you say about MY sister”….then I remembered that my body will hear everything my mind thinks about it…. then I thought about my dear sister friend @daniebb3 and how she celebrates her chocolatey thickness ( she’s so fine!)😘…then I changed my conversation with myself: These hips caught two husbands (and a few boos) 😏, my thighs touch but I gained weight having good food with great people👅. I see my c-section scar peeking out ( thank you @thekatvond for putting a tattoo over it) but it’s a reminder that I brought 3 beautiful children into the world 👶🏽 I allowed my stretch marks to whisper ” you are a grown ass women who has survived a few thangs & STRETCHED in ways you never thought you could” My mom always said “They don’t teach “Kind” in school, you gotta learn that on your own”. Loving your body can be a rollercoaster ride ESPECIALLY WITHOUT A FILTER! but…With all that said I purpose to be kinder to myself today then I was yesterday…. tomorrow i’ma try to keep the it going “I love you Niecy”

Check out the images of Nash showing love to herself below and take a page from her book by being kind when it comes to the conversations you have with yourself about your body.

Image via WENN 

The post Niecy Nash On Changing The Conversation With Herself About Her C-Section Scar, Stretch Marks And Thick Thighs appeared first on MadameNoire.

Though outrage over corporate PR disasters usually dwindles into disinterest a few days after a brand apologizes and people forget what they were mad about, it doesn’t look like the majority of Black women are so willing to forgive and forget when it comes to SheaMoisture’s latest misstep.

Though SheaMoisture acknowledged they “really f-ed up” regarding their #HairHate ad which was devoid of any model who looked like the brand’s actual consumers, Yvette Nicole Brown is adding another layer to the discussion, claiming the hair care company wasn’t interested in her promoting their products either.

During an interview with SiriusXM’s Karen Hunter, Brown likened SheaMoisture’s marketing strategy today to the TV networks of the ’90s that used Black people for financial gain and then tossed them aside. She said:

You remember back in the day when Fox Network first came on the air?…Back in the day… the first shows they had were a lot of Black shows, and they built their entire brand, their network brand, on the backs of shows like Living Single, and, I think, Homeboys from Outer Space…I don’t know, there was a whole bunch of shows, In Living Color…all of these were Fox shows, forgive me for that Homeboys, I think that might have been WB, I don’t know…but, it’s a model that they follow in network television where they will build the brand on the backs of Black people because there’s not a lot of entertainment for us, back in the day, and then once they get their numbers up, they throw us aside, and then they make it a white network, and so that happened at Fox, it happened with UPN and the WB merger…same with the CW.o I kind of thought of that when I saw [what]

So I kind of thought of that when I saw [what] Shea something [Moisture] did, because what I had in my mind…we…we were buying those products, I was buying those products from Target.  I bought a whole bunch…I loved their products so much, that I wrote them and said, “Look, if you ever need me to tweet something or take a picture and hold something [up], let me know.”  And, not even for money.  “I just want to help you guys get your name out.” And I never heard back from anybody. But, I think they were calling somebody else to hold it up. They didn’t want me. They don’t want me to hold it up? I can’t walk through the commercial? …They didn’t want me?…and so I’m just saying that that’s the model, we’re so…and I say starved, we’re not starved, we are fully fed in mind, body, and spirit but we’re starved for attention in the mainstream for a lot of things be it entertainment, be it hair care products or whatever.  We’re always the last ones that they cater to…that they use us to build build build and then they just toss us aside so I feel that…that’s what I felt and that’s what the sisters felt, and I, listen, they wrote an apology…and I have no problem with them apologizing.

I’m sure after Monday’s mishap you’re not surprised by what Brown shared. But do you agree SheaMoisture is as bad as Fox, the WB, or CW? And do you think it was wrong for the brand not to want her to promote their products?

The post Yvette Nicole Brown: I Reached Out To SheaMoisture To Promote Products For Free And “They Didn’t Want Me” appeared first on MadameNoire.

"Right here your menu says Lemonade and not Lemonade the best selling Peabody Award winning album by Beyoncé so I need you to reprint this." pic.twitter.com/TcJ6AxCsyc

— Korbin Jones (@koscojo) April 27, 2017

Waiter: But ma'am, plantain.. isn't on the menu.. Beyoncé: It's not there but that's what we want with this sautéed chicken right here. pic.twitter.com/kP0X8e9zoo

— Jummy The Governor (@JummyFerrari) April 28, 2017

"I, as Beyoncé, will just have vegan icewater. The twins will have fried chicken, catfish nuggets, fries, mac & cheese, red beans & rice." pic.twitter.com/RoPc0mYcpJ

— dad (@animalfriespls) April 27, 2017

Beyoncé: Let me just have the... Waitress: How about I have them make everything on the menu and you can make a choice after seeing them! pic.twitter.com/fxmHktctNg

— Holy Alejandro (@HolyAlejandro) April 27, 2017

"change 'Beyonce' to 'Beyoncé' and give me my damn writing credit." pic.twitter.com/eKg9NDtemt

— niurka marcos stan (@synewaive) April 27, 2017

Beyoncé: No, Blue has her own money. pic.twitter.com/0QAZ6oV83y

— Bishop Petty (@_KingBlack90) April 27, 2017

Instead of the Mahi-Mahi, can I just get the one Mahi because I'm not that hungry? pic.twitter.com/UnlU16v5rp

— masc potatoes (@CertifiedFool_) April 27, 2017

Waiter: We can't put...NECKBONES...in the... GREENS, you say. Beyoncé: Yes you will and that right there that's changed to cornbread now. pic.twitter.com/DqNXY2RoSp

— Yadii In My Blood (@BlessedZvy) April 27, 2017

We've all been that girl! #Beyonce pic.twitter.com/UOYOvw225w

— Dish Nation (@DishNation) April 27, 2017

"the vegan lettuce is 9.99 on the menu. you charged me 10.99" "but you're rich..." "and i'd like to keep it that way. adjust it." pic.twitter.com/2lhKB4Y1ho

— Tré Melvin (@TreMelvin) April 28, 2017

The post We Can’t Deny The Comedy Behind These Beyoncé Menu Memes appeared first on MadameNoire.