Tina from Mary Mary asks fans to fast & pray for her failing marriage!

This is deep right? Earlier this month we were all stunned to read about Erica's salacious confession in Ebony Magazine revealing that her husband Teddy cheated on her. Rumor has it she caught him in bed with a friend and even contemplated suicide. Now it seems the Mary Mary singer is asking for help from the public to help bring her marriage back together. She wrote on the group's Facebook wall;

Hi fans and friends. It's Tina. I hope all of you are well and I thank you for all the love and support you've shown my sister and I over the years.
Well, Im actually writing you on behalf of my husband Teddy and I.

I'm assuming that many of you have seen or heard about our article in Ebony that discussed the challenges of overcoming infidelity in our marriage.

Well since the article, the challenges have worsened.

My hope turned into hopelessness & despair and I became unwilling to forgive and fight, until God showed me myself.

My husband's struggle, was with intimate immorality BUT I have struggled with anger, rage, unforgiveness, pride, just to name a few, for over 2 decades.

The devil wanted to use strongholds that took hold of our lives in our childhood, to remain and destroy us as adult. So now instead of being mad at each other we're mad at the devil and we're ready to fight.

Today we began a 30 day fast (May 24th-June 22nd) for complete deliverance & restoration.

If you are able to, please fast and/or pray daily that God would answer our prayer and give us a deeper love & commitment to him and to each other. We believe He still works miracles and He can give us the greatest marriage we could have ever imagined. We can pray alone BUT your prayers will certainly help.

Wow! I hope the fasting/prayer works, she seems like a woman on a mission to save her marriage. Is her husband committed to changing as well? Only time will tell..

Oprah earns a Honorary DOCTORATE Degree from Harvard! Check out the inspiring video and pics!

Oprah Winfrey just continues to break the glass ceilings folks! Today the media mogul earned an honorary from Harvard University and delivered the 2013 commencement address to the university's graduating class.

Gayle's BFF shared some sage advice to the graduating class of Harvard University saying that her own "perceived failures as the backdrop of her inspiring speech, she challenged the class to live a life of purpose"

According to the YBF:

Another poignant moment came when 59 year old Oprah offered her advice on getting over the inevitable hurdles of life. She suggested that individuals develop an internal GPS and build a resume that doesn't tell the story of what they want to be, but one that tell's "...a story that is really about [their] purpose.”

She added...“When you inevitably stumble and find yourself stuck in a hole...that is the story that will get you out.”

Also,  she received a Doctor of Laws degree and ended by telling the class, "...you now have a chance to better your life, the life of your neighbors and that of your country... When you do that, that's when your story gets really good."

Check out the commencement video below:

Song of the day - Mafikizolo "Khona"

So I am so TARDY for the party. I've been jamming to Mafikizolo's hit song "Khona" for the past few months but how about I didn't know that they had a video for it? And it's good too! I really like the visuals, check it out below:

Woman got butt injections and ENDED UP LOSING hands, feet and buttocks

Everybody can't have a booty like Nicki Minaj! Even Nicki Minaj had to get "help" to achieve her famous bootylicious derriere. And who wants to drag around all that junk in the trunk unless it's natural, c'mon son!

Meet Michelle Brown

 The 46 year old was your average professional woman who decided to get a little help and undergo cosmetic surgery. Home girl thought she was getting silicone injections but in fact the LA based stylist was actually getting bathroom sealant shots in her butt. After falling horribly ill, she was given 24 hours to live by the doctors and put into an induced coma. As if the coma wasn't bad enough the mother of two awoke after two months to find she had no hands, feet or buttocks. Lawd!

She's since had 27 operations to save her life and she says for the past five years she lived in constant pain "like a toothache, labor and migraine" OMG this too much. Let this be a cautionary tale Ladies, it ain't worth it.

Read the rest of her harrowing tale here

My 2013 Sizzle Reel- God is SO good!!

God is so good! A year ago I embarked upon an impossible journey and changed career paths from a project manager to a now red carpet correspondent/blogger and reporter. Most people thought I was nuts for wanting to get out of the stable 9-5 rut and work in the crazy free-lance life. I remember one former Sony employer telling me "YOU WILL REGRET THIS, YOU WILL WISH YOU NEVER DID THIS.."


I am so glad I am not the kind of person who listens to what people say. The devil is always busy :) I just created this reel for a special project I am working on (pray for me on that) and I just wanted to share it with you guys. I have had an incredible year, I feel so blessed...God is so good!

Complete list of winners at the Billboard Awards

Here is the complete list of winners for the 2013 Billboard Music Awards:

Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift 
Top Rap Artist: Nicki Minaj  
Top Digital Song: "Call Me Maybe," Carly Rae Jepsen
Top Rap Song: "Thrift Shop," Macklemore and Ryan Lewis 
Top Touring Artist: Madonna
Top Male Artist: Justin Bieber
Top EDM Artist: David Guetta 
Top Hot 100 Song: "Somebody That I Used to Know," Gotye feat. Kimbra 
Top Duo/Group: One Direction
Top New Artist: One Direction 
Top Female Artist: Taylor Swift 
Top Hot 100 Artist: Maroon 5 
Top Billboard 200 Artist: Taylor Swift 
Top Radio Songs Artist: Rihanna 
Top Social Artist: Justin Bieber 
Top Streaming Artist: Nicki Minaj 
Top Pop Artist: One Direction 
Top R&B Artist: Rihanna 
Top Country Artist: Taylor Swift 
Top Rock Artist: fun.  
Top Latin Artist: Jenni Rivera 
Top Dance Artist: Madonna 
Top Christian Artist: tobyMac
Top Pop Album: 21, Adele  
Top R&B Album: Unapologetic, Rihanna 
Top Rap Album: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, Nicki Minaj  
Top Country Album: Red, Taylor Swift
Top Rock Album: Babel, Mumford & Sons 
Top Latin Album: La Misma Gran Señora, Jenni Rivera 
Top Dance Album: MDNA, Madonna 
Top EDM Album: Bangarang, Skrillex 
Top Christian Album: Eye On It, tobyMac
Top Radio Song: "Somebody That I Used to Know," Gotye feat. Kimbra 
Top Streaming Song (Audio): "Somebody That I Used to Know," Gotye feat. Kimbra
Top Steaming Song (Video): "Gangnam Style," Psy 
Top Pop Song: "Call Me Maybe," Carly Rae Jepsen 
Top R&B Song: "Diamonds," Rihanna 
Top Country Song: "We Are Never Getting Back Together," Taylor Swift 
Top Rock Song: "Somebody That I Used to Know," Gotye feat. Kimbra   
Top Latin Song: "Ai Se Eu Te Pego," Michel Teló 
Top Dance Song: "Harlem Shake," Baauer 
Top EDM Song: "Harlem Shake," Baauer  
Top Christian Song: "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)," Matt Redman 
Milestone Award: Justin Bieber
Icon Award: Prince

Missed MIGUEL, NICKI MINAJ, CHRIS BROWN and more at the Billboard Awards? Check them out here..

The Billboard Music Awards just wrapped a few moments ago and if you are like me and missed the WHOLE thing- no worries, I'v got you covered. Things you should know about:

Apparently Miguel kicked a fan in the face while attempting to do a McGyver-esque jump. Eish..

Nicki Minaj gave her boss Weezy a lap dance

Christina Aguilera lost a bunch of weight and she looks ah-ma-zing

Chris Brown was channeling his inner MJ tonight no doubt

My favorite performance tonight was PRINCE! I mean that afro was errrythang

Check out all the performances below:

PRINCE


 Christina Aguilera
MIGUEL aka Dr. Malinga of America


CHRIS BROWN


NICKI MINAJ feat Lil Wayne

I'm in this week's PEOPLE Magazine SA!

Things I am grateful for! Being in this week's People South Africa Magazine! So grateful..dreams do come true :)

E News confirms Beyonce is pregnant with baby no. 2

I called it!!!!

Blue Ivy is set to become a big sister! Queen B has another baby on board.

Beyoncé Knowles is expecting her second child with her husband, rapper Jay-Z, sources confirmed exclusively to E! News. However, no official announcement has been made by the couple.

This was probably the worst kept secret on the planet, after the London pics I was convinced that Bey was knocked up. That bump was telling! Congrats to the happy couple!

Beyonce in London

I wonder what she will do with rest of the remaining dates for the Mrs Carter tour? Thoughts?

Did you catch Boyz II Men's AWKWARD Old Navy Commercial?

When the check stops coming in, you gotta do..what you gotta do!

LOL!

I was watching TV earlier this weekend and I was caught off guard by this new Boyz II Men Old Navy commercial. In the ad, the multi-platinum selling R&B group mimics the words to their hit song "I'll Make Love To You" replacing it with "Love White Jeans on You"

Again LOL! I think the ad was supposed to be awesomely awful. That must been the angle! Check it out below and let me know what you think:

P.s the little girl at 0:15 mark is HILARIOUS! So awkward!

FIRST LISTEN: Check out Kelly Rowland's EXPLOSIVE single about being sorta jealous of Beyonce!

The spotlight is on Kelly Rowland and she has arrived! The former Destiny's Child member just released a new single entitled "Dirty Laundry" where she spills the tea Hunty and reveals intimate details about being conflicted about Bey's success and discloses deets regarding being battered by an ex-boyfriend. Wow Kelly! Wow!

The 32 sings about Bey:

"While my sister was on stage, killing it like a mutha; I was enraged, feeling it like a mutha.bird in the cage. You would never know what I was dealin with. Went our separate ways but I was happy she was killin it. Bitter sweet, she was up and I was down. No lie I feel good for her but what do I do now"

WOW! Who can blame her? Kelly's been wanting to shine for a minute now. It's get time :)

Listen to the track below, is it a hit?

P.S love the marketing behind this! Kelly has figured out how to keep talking without being ratchet. The right amount of drama!

Angelina Jolie reveals she had preventive double mastectomy

Wow! I applaud Angelina Jolie for sharing her story with us. The actress is speaking out for the first time about taking preventative measures to fight breast cancer. Mrs Brad Pitt is spilling the tea in a New York times piece where she reveals that she had a preventative double mastectomy to decrease the odds of her getting cancer after losing her Mom to the disease. Check out the except below and head over to the New York Times to read the rest of this amazing piece.

The 37 year old writes:
My own process began on Feb. 2 with a procedure known as a “nipple delay,” which rules out disease in the breast ducts behind the nipple and draws extra blood flow to the area. This causes some pain and a lot of bruising, but it increases the chance of saving the nipple.

Two weeks later I had the major surgery, where the breast tissue is removed and temporary fillers are put in place. The operation can take eight hours. You wake up with drain tubes and expanders in your breasts. It does feel like a scene out of a science-fiction film. But days after surgery you can be back to a normal life.

Nine weeks later, the final surgery is completed with the reconstruction of the breasts with an implant. There have been many advances in this procedure in the last few years, and the results can be beautiful.

READ THE REST HERE

3 quick tidbits about the mysterious RICHEST black woman in the world

Earlier this month, I was reading Destiny Magazine on my Samsung Tablet and came across an awesome article about Folorunsho Alakija.  The billionaire from Nigeria made quite a stir last year when she was listed as one of the richest black women in the world dethroning Oprah Winfrey. I really enjoyed the article and decided that I wanted to share just a portion with you. Make sure to pick up the May issue of Destiny to read the rest.

1. She loves to cook and shop!
The oil tycoon is every woman. She told the magazine "I love cooking and over the weekend I prepare my husband's favorite meals and our Sunday lunch. I dote on my family specially my four sons and grandchild". Some of her favorite things include shopping at Palms Mall in Lekki, Lagos and buying couture from Harrods in London. Must be nice!

2. Alakija likes to keep us guessing...
She won't confirm her net worth (she's estimated to be worth 3.2 billion), saying that she would rather we focus on her philanthropic work as MD of the Rose of Sharon Foundation. The organization helps widows and orphans by giving them scholarships and business grants. Too whom much is given, much is required right? As of today her foundation has provided scholarships for 962 widows and sent more than 1,300 children to school and later to University.

3. Started from the bottom now we here..
Well not really the bottom, she was born into a wealthy family but the 62 year old didn't rest on her relatives laurels to earn money. She started out doing a secretarial course at Pitmans in Central College London and a few years later she was appointed as the Executive Secretary to the Managing Director. After 20 years of moving through the corporate ranks she was granted an oil bloc license and found her cash show by commencing operations under Famfa Oil. It was divine intervention she says "I was told I'd received approval for a license for an oil bloc. It had been turned down by another company that didn't know what to do with it. It was just meant for them and I believe I got it because I'd answered God's calls to help others less fortunate than I. He was blessing me in turn"

I absolutely loved the article and there are so many other juicy and inspirational tidbits. Hats off to the author Nonyempho Omotola. Make sure you read the rest :)

Thoughts?

Nicki Minaj graces Teen Vogue cover. Are we feeling it?

I'm not so sold on the blonde hair. I am a Nicki fan but something about this cover is off for me. The American Idol judge is on this month's Teen Vogue and here are some quotables from the cover story:

On how the music biz is like high school;
“People treat this business like it’s high school. It can absolutely feel like one big popularity contest, and you know what? I can’t be bothered. I can’t allow myself to play ridiculous games with grown adults in the industry. I can’t be nice to someone just because they’re hot right now. I can’t do it.”

‘I can’t allow myself to play ridiculous games with grown adults’ and also discusses how frequently changing schools helped prepare her for her career.

On haters online:
“I used to read the bad things people said about me,” says Minaj, a regular on Twitter. “Then I asked myself, ‘Why am I reading that when I have millions of people saying great things?’ You cannot give negativity power. I tell teens, if you’re having a problem, there’s nothing wrong with deleting your social media. If people keep taunting you and you keep reading it, it’s poison.”

Mo'Nique dropped 82lbs, look at her REMARKABLE weight loss!

Wow! I really no words, look at how much weight former BET host and comedian Mo'Nique has lost. She was spotted at Hot 97 Studios today in NYC looking like a shadow of her former self. The "Precious" actor has been documenting her journey via twitter and it looks like all them hours in the gym are paying off! Go 'head Mo!!

Pic: via twitter courtesy of JasFly

Beyonce misses cue for "Grown Woman" in Dublin. What happened?

It happens to be the best of us! Even when you practice over and over again..a mistake is bound to happen!

Even pop star Beyonce is not immune to the occasional screw-up. Blue Ivy's Momma was performing her new song "Grown Woman" Saturday night in Dublin when things went a bit awry. As you will see in the video below, Mrs Carter sang the first part of the song backstage. Yikes! When Bey finally did make it onstage, she tried her very best to make up for lost time - but I think she was a bit thrown off and even opted not to do some of the choreography. When you look at the video closely, you can see that she probably had an issue with the zipper, she almost doesn't show her back to the audience in the clip.

But you know what I REALLY think? Homegirl is preggers! She's told the press that she uses just a mere 45 seconds to change in between sets but when you have a growing baby bump, issh happens. Just my 2 cents :)

Check out the video:

Singer Monica is PREGGERS! Check out her cute baby bump pic!

Awww just in time for Mother's Day!!

Singer Monica posted an image to her Instagram page this evening right before hitting the stage in Chattanooga, TN confirming the baby bump rumors. Talk about blended family, her husband Shannon Brown has one son, Shannon Christopher Brown, and Monica has two sons Romelo Montez Hill, and Rodney Ramon Hill III from a previous relationship.

This will be their first child together. Congrats to the couple!!

Nonhle Thema introduces us to her fiance and baby daddy 24 year old Arthur Bolton!!

Well well well. A few months ago TV personality Nonhle Thema announced that she was engaged via twitter and I naturally assumed the ring came from her alleged baby daddy rapper Young Nucho. That's what I get for assuming. Nonhle is engaged but her boo and child's father is NOT the Lil Wayne look alike..

Nonhle is set to marry 24 year old Englishman fiance Arthur Bolton. The 31 year old mother of cute baby girl Star Phoenix Ivy Zime sat down to chat with DRUM Magazine at their posh home in one of Jozi’s northern suburbs.

It’s the first time Nonhle speaks about the relationship, which started in 2010 and I will be all over this like white on rice. I will be downloading this issue TODAY on my tablet. Thoughts??

What does "Rudy" from the Cosby show look like TODAY?

Surprisingly good! You know how most of these child stars go through rough patches and they sometimes don't come out the right way? Well Keisha looks like she avoided the treacherous path of the Lindsay Lohan's and Amanda Bynes. She looks great right?

The 34 year old actress hosted a Dark and Lovely event in Atlanta last night to promote the brand's natural hair products. I attended the NYC event that was hosted by singer Marsha Ambrious, Dark & Lovely knows how to throw a fun party!

I love her peach shorts, the Atlanta resident is a Georgia peach after all. In case you are curious about what she's up to these days, the Spelman graduate will be starring in a new NBC sitcom with her former Cosby kid Tempestt Bledsoe. The pair will reprise their roles as sisters in a comedy entitled "Guys with Kids".

Great stuff!
CREDIT: Prince Williams/ATLpics.Net

Makho's Book Selection is Here!! Will you join us?

I am SO excited about this!! I have been wanting to do a book club for the longest time and now I have finally found the perfect book!

Our very first book selection is **drum roll please** "We Need New Names" by NoViolet Bulawayo a Zimbabwean author, Stegner Fellow at Stanford University.

A brief description of the book below:
Darling is only 10 years old, and yet she must navigate a fragile and violent world. In Zimbabwe, Darling and her friends steal guavas, try to get the baby out of young Chipo's belly, and grasp at memories of Before. Before their homes were destroyed by paramilitary policemen, before the school closed, before the fathers left for dangerous jobs abroad.

But Darling has a chance to escape: she has an aunt in America. She travels to this new land in search of America's famous abundance only to find that her options as an immigrant are perilously few. NoViolet Bulawayo's debut calls to mind the great storytellers of displacement and arrival who have come before her--from Zadie Smith to Monica Ali to J.M. Coetzee--while she tells a vivid, raw story all her own.

The highly anticipated book comes out on May 21st, and we will our first virtual meeting will be on May 31st. I will provide details as the date gets closer!

I know you will love this selection!! Can't wait :)

Is Jay-Z set to TOUR Africa? No way!! Billboard editor explains the mix-up!

I know. I wish it were true as well...sigh!

Earlier today NUMEROUS outlets reported that Jay-Z was set to tour Africa as part of a large tour. One of my favorite sites theYBF stated:

As soon as Beyonce wraps the US leg of her Mrs. Carter Show world tour in September, Jay is kicking off his seven-week world tour on 4 different continents.

From September 9th in Poland to October 28th in Melburne, Jay will be traveling the world performing concerts in conjunction with spreading awareness about the global water crisis.

Unfortunately this isn't true at all. See most new sites were attributing this news to an OLD Billboard article from 2006. Billboard Features Editor Brad Wete clarified over twitter. "Pretty sure this is attributed to a Billboard story from like '06. Wish it was new, though. Long story short, when we relaunched our site in Jan. things got misplaced. That's why there no's date, author and the page overall is just jacked"

1. @dreamhampton @queenlaven @okayafrica ...date, author and the Ppage is overall just plain jacked.

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2. Brad F. Weté ‏@BradWete5h

   @dreamhampton @queenlaven @okayafrica Long story short, when we relaunched our site in Jan., things got misplaced. That's why there's no...

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3. Brad F. Weté ‏@BradWete7h

   @okayafrica @dreamhampton @S_C_ Pretty sure this is attributed to a Billboard story from, like, '06. Wish it was new, though.

Welp...there you have it folks! But let's keep hope alive, maybe HOV will tour next year right?

NEW MUSIC: Check out the Dream FEAT Jay-Z

While rumors an rampant this morning that Jay-Z was set to tour Africa (not true, folks were citing an old 2006 Billboard article) Hov made headlines for something else today. He is featured on a new track feat the Dream called "High Art" check it out below and let me know what you think:

A Few Things I LOVED & HATED about the Great Gatsby Movie!

Last night, a really good friend of mine invited me to watch an advanced screening of the Gatsby in New York City. Hosted by popular blogger Necole Bitchie, the movie house was packed full of contest winners, media personalities and a few reality starlets. I even met singer Estelle at the after party, she is such a sweetheart!

Now friends let me level with you, I am more of a ratchet reality TV watcher than say a movie buff..but I gladly accepted the invitation to watch the movie cause a) it was free b) got to see my beautiful friend c) My nosiness will always get's the best of me.

I am so glad I decided to attend because, I really REALLY enjoyed the movie. So listed below are a few things I loved and hated about the book to film adaptation of the Great Gatsby. Don't be scared to read this if you plan on seeing the movie, there will be no spoilers here :)

LOVED 
I have not read the book so walking into the theater I really had no fame of reference. I quite prefer it that way because I went into the screening with an open mind. Well let me tell you, I was BLOWN away. The charismatic costumes, scintillating cinematography, the brilliant acting and even the sometimes sketchy soundtrack (rap songs in a period piece are a little sketch)- I loved the whole production. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!!

HATED
Human being can be so cruel to one another. The movie is full of infidelity, lies, scandal, drama and of course death. It forces you to think about how we behave when we are in love and how the choices we make affect others for better or for worse. I remember getting so upset at one of the characters in the movie and wanting to slap some sense into them. But then I reminded myself that was just a movie, but the acting is that good. Feels so real!

LOVED and HATED
I have never watched a 3-D movie before. It was quite an experience friends. I hated how uncomfortable the glasses were, they didn't sit on my face the right way. However I LOVED how pristine the picture quality was once I put on my blue spectacles. The opening scene literally makes you feel like you had been uprooted from your seat and thrust into NYC circa 1920. It's surreal!

LOVED
The hotness that is Leonardo DiCaprio. That is all I need to say about that!

HATED
The movie is a wee bit long. Clocking in at about 2 hour and 23 minutes, I was starting to get a bit antsy sitting down for that long of a time.

Overall I give the movie a solid 9 out of 10. I would love to hear your opinion of it. Do you plan on checking it out when it hits theaters on May 10?

Who Wore It Best? Zoe or Kelly?

I'm loving this white moment that celebs are having on the red carpet. Who wore this best? Zoe Saldana or Kelly Rowland?

Ciara stops by Wendy Williams: discusses marriage plans with Future, Feuding with Rihanna & more!!

Ciara stopped by the Wendy Williams show today and sister girl had plenty to say. The "Body Party" singer talked about getting her boo-thang Future's tattoo on her finger, her beef with Rihanna and friendship with Kim K. Check out the interview below:


p.s I posted a pic of Ciara's outfit on twitter and folks went in on her toes. Y'all ain't right..lol

p.p.s what's up with the accent? Isn't Ciara from Atlanta?