First Lady Michelle Obama Covers Parade Magazine!
Our first lady, Michelle Obama, covers this week’s issue of Parade Magazine, which will be out on Sunday. FLOTUS gave Parade an exclusive interview about her family, her hair, her Let’s Move initiative, turning 50 and whether she considers herself a “single mother” in the White House. It’s a decent interview:
On why she no longer sports the bangs that caused such a sensation.
You know, it’s hard to make speeches with hair in your face!
On why she chose a leadership role on the issue of childhood obesity in America.
When we started, there were people who were thinking, ‘Oh, that’s not an issue. Why is she picking that?’ But in a short amount of time we have turned a challenging problem into one where there are glimmers of hope and change. Our goal is to see the numbers reduced in a generation.
On thinking about where Malia will go to college.
You know, I am really trying to tone that way down. Because kids are under unreasonable pressure, and it can destroy a high school experience.
On the rules she has set for the Obama daughters as they grow older.
I give them as long a leash as they can handle. What I tell my kids is, I’m preparing you for college and for life. So, having independence, knowing how to set your own boundaries, figuring out how to make that balance. We still have screen time rules.
On whether her recent description of herself as “a single mother” was an acknowledgement of the pressure that comes with always making the decisions about her kids.
That’s absolutely right. When you have a husband or a partner who’s either traveling for work or has huge responsibility … and I give my husband credit—he knows who their friends are, he knows what their schedule is. But he’s not making the calls to the dance studio to figure out what classes they’re taking next year … I think it’s important for both parents to shoulder that [responsibility]. I tell my kids, “I am thinking about you every other minute of my day.”
On the approach of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech.
I have immense hope. We just finished our visit to Africa and spent time on Robben Island with one of President Mandela’s cell-block mates. Mandela took a lot of the lessons from Dr. King’s time to heart … To come back to the United States, with an African-American president who has been influenced by both King and Mandela, that is a reason to be hopeful about all that Dr. King sacrificed.
On whether she thinks having an African-American family in the White House has moved the needle.
Absolutely. Children born in the last eight years will only know an African-American man being president of the United States. That changes the bar for all of our children, regardless of their race, their sexual orientation, their gender. It expands the scope of opportunity in their minds. And that’s where change happens.
On whether there will be a female president in her lifetime.
Yes, I think the country is ready for it. It’s just a question of who’s the best person out there.
On whether she sees Secretary Clinton getting the job.
She hasn’t announced anything, so I’m certainly not going to get ahead of her. [laughs]
On whether she will ever run.
No.
On her thoughts about turning 50 in January.
I have never felt more confident in myself, more clear on who I am as a woman. But I am constantly thinking about my own health and making sure that I’m eating right and getting exercise and watching the aches and pains. I want to be this really fly 80-, 90-year old.
[From Parade]
I like how matter-of-fact Michelle is about not running for political office. I remember when Hillary Clinton would deny those stories when she was first lady too, only you knew Hillary was lying and she always wanted to run for office. I get the feeling that Michelle really doesn’t want to at all. She doesn’t want to be a public person. And I’m so glad she growing out her bangs! That was just a terrible look for her.
By the way, did you hear about the report in which it seems like Michelle’s Let’s Move initiative is actually working in many states? Michelle’s signature issue – exercise and healthy eating for kids – is actually making a difference. Obesity rates among children have dropped significantly in 19 states for the first time in decades, according to the CDC. You can read more about it here.
Coko Clemons Dishes On Upcoming SWV Reality Show
Recently, news surfaced that 90s R&B group, SWV, will soon be hitting TV screens with a new reality show.
The ladies are joining WE tv’s successful slate of unscripted programming – with six, one-hour episodes ordered by the network. “The journey of SWV is the kind of real and personal comeback story our viewers love to see,” said WE tv’s senior vice president of original production and development, Lauren Gellert.
Cheryl “Coko” Clemons recently chatted with UrbanBridgez.com, where she dished a little on what to expect from the upcoming show. She says that viewers will have the opportunity to really get to know them, “You think you know us, but you don’t really know us, she said – and will also gain some insight on their break-up.
…What you’re gonna get or will get, because we’re done filming. You know us as SWV the music, but I don’t think you guys know our individual personalities. You think you know us, but you don’t really know us. Like most people would consider me to be a bitch and whatever! But you really get to see like who we are. How we operate in our everyday life with our family. Our family and how we come together within the group.
You get to learn about our break-up. You have three different stories, so you guys can believe whatever story you want (both laugh). It’s three different versions about the same story (laughs). So you get to hear about that. You see us fight, but we’re passionate about each other and we love each other. We’re just rebuilding our friendship. In this show, we go to therapy. Two of us have plastic surgery.
When asked if an air-date has been set yet, she replied:
You know, the time keeps changing. I heard it was in the fall or the beginning of the new year. So right now, I’m just hearing the fall. So I don’t know yet.
Additionally, she shares that she’s currently at work on a new gospel song, talks her new shoe boutique, C & T Shoe Bar, motherhood, and more.
Spotted @ SingersRoom
Fergie: "Earth Mommy" At Baby Shower #2
Thoroughly enjoying the wait for the arrival of her first child, Fergie attended another baby shower in her honor in West Hollywood
The Blacked Eyed Peas singer stretched a red floral dress over her bulging baby bump with matching flowers in her hair and white heels as she chatted with her guests.
Posting a selfie of her floral attire, the 38-year-old songstress tweeted, "earth mommy." Just last week, the mama-to-be celebrated with family, tweeting, "Thank u Pam 4 the amazing family #babyshower 4 me & @BHardonk."
Making way for her child with hubby Josh Duhamel to join the family, on Friday she officially changed her name from Stacy Ann Ferguson to Fergie Duhamel.
Tech News: Samsung ‘Galaxy Gear’ Smart Watch
The Galaxy Gear will get its debut the same day as the Galaxy Note 3, a combination smartphone and tablet, or “phablet”. The Galaxy Gear would be able to handle the common tasks of a smartphone, including making phone calls, surfing the Web, texting and e-mail.
The global watch industry will generate more than $60 billion in sales this year, and the first companies to sell devices that multitask could lock customers into their platform, boosting sales of smartphones, tablets and TVs.
The device will be unveiled on September 4th.
The Stars come out for The Baggage Claim’ Cast Spotted @ Hollywood Press Junket
Last weekend, the cast of ‘Baggage Claim‘ was spotted in Beverly Hills in full promo mode.
Directed and written by David E. Talbert (a Morgan State University alum by the way!!!!), the comedy (which was originally a play) stars Paula Patton, Djimon Hounsou and Taye Diggs, and features other A-listers including: Adam Brody, Tia Mowry-Hardit, Christina Milian, Taye Digs, Boris Kodjoe, Derek Luke, Jill Scott, Jennifer Lewis, Terrence J and Trey Songz. The intimate junket featured most of the cast (Lala Anthony, Christina Milian, Tia Mowry, Jill Scott, Boris Kodjoe, Taye Diggs, Djimon Hounsou, Paula Patton) and director. Check out a few candids.
Are you excited for the movie?
Jason Derulo KISSES Jordin Sparks ON STAGE During LA Performance
Jason Derulo performed at Warner Bros. Records Boutique Store in Burbank, California for their summer series.
During his set, Jason pull his girlfriend, Jordin Sparks, on stage and kissed her (and the crowd loved it).
"The Other Side" singer is gearing up for the release of his new album, Tattoos, on September 24. He spoke to Radio.com about the album saying, "My first album was written when I was 19-years-old. I wanted to be sure this album was far different from that one, to make sure that the growth was present. I'm 23 now. I really wanted this album to be a direct representation of who I am. I didn't want to hide anything. This album, I wanted to tell a story."
Big Sean & adidas Originals Pro Model II "Hall of Fame" [PHOTOS]
To celebrate his sophomore LP, Hall of Fame, Big Sean reconnects with adidas Originals to create his take on their iconic Pro Model II.
The G.O.O.D. Music rapper's shoe, also titled "Hall of Fame," dons an all black colorway and premium Italian leather, a snakeskin deboss upper, and gunmetal logos, lace tips and lace jewels. In other words, it's a luxury spin on an age-old classic.
The Pro Model II happens to be Sean's second signature pair of kicks with adidas. The first, called the "Detroit Player," used the same silhouette, but came in red with gold accents.
Looks like the "My Last" rapper will celebrate a pair of releases this month. The "Hall of Fame" sneaker launches August 31 in limited quantities, and is to be sold at select retail partners, adidas Originals stores, and the brand's website. They will retail for $160.
Big Sean's long awaited album hits stores days before on August 27.
50 Cent Says He Lost $261K Lawsuit Because He's Black
50 Cent is pulling the race card. The Queens rapper says he lost a lawsuit with Sleek Audio—not to be confused with his own SMS Audio—because the judge was hating on his Blackness and celebrity.
TMZ reports:
Earlier this year 50 and company called Sleek Audio were embroiled in a bitter lawsuit. 50 claimed Sleek owed him over $261,000. Sleek said otherwise. The case went to arbitration -- a binding process in which an arbitrator picks the winner.
Bad news for 50, the arbitrator sided with Sleek (the final $$$ judgement was kept under wraps).
But 50 refuses to gently into that good night ... and is taking the battle to federal court -- claiming the arbitration judge discriminated against him because he's black, associates with controversial African-American figures AND because he's a high profile rap artist.
Specifically ... 50 says the bias ran so deep the judge didn't allow him to cross-examine witnesses and refused to look at evidence pertaining to the case. Pretty bold claims.
He wants the award axed ASAP and is asking for a new hearing ... where he says he'll prove the judge was out to get him from the get go.
Sleek fired back too ... claiming 50's allegations of racism are a desperate attempt to avoid the arbitration decision and get it brought before an actual court.
The "Sleek By 50" headphones were cancelled back in 2011. Ferrari filed his lawsuit against Sleek in January 2013.
According to 50, Sleek never lived up to their bargain to have the rapper promote their wireless headphones and he parted ways from the company while still being owed the $261K. Sleek contends that 50 prematurely ended their business relationship.
In other news, 50 stands accused of wrecking his baby mama's crib and a restraining order has been filed against him.
DISTRACTED: DIPSET RAPPER CAM’RON SLACKING ON HIS MUSIC
Cam’ron’s girlfriend has all his attention for sure!
Dipset rapper Cam’ron is really in love with his long time girlfriend amateur urban model JuJu. The two have been dating on and off since 2006.
The couple reportedly got engaged early this year in January. Now we’re happy Cam’ron’s all in love but what we want to know is…WHERE THE MUSIC AT!??
Cam’ron really hasn’t came out with any dipset music since dating JuJu. What’s up with that? Looks like Ms. JuJu is a distraction. Cam’ron posts more pics of him and Juju on his Instagram more than he posts anything that has to do with any upcoming music.
We love to see him in love but damn he needs to draw the line between professional and personal. Can we please get those Dipset bangers back???
The two look really happy and good together. She really has him sprung. Juju put it on him, made him wanna marry her and stop doing music.
LeBron James Gets Shirtless At The Beach, Shoots A New Commercial
Well hello Mr. NBA champ. Bron Bron showed off that ridic upper body that lead him to a second championship this summer while shooting a brand new commercial today on Miami Beach.
The Nike spokesman rocked black Villebrequin swim trunks and matching black Nike sneakers before hopping on a bike and riding out with a bunch of extras for another scene
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
ORNAMENTING
It’s called Christmas ornamenting. It’s the hottest new craze of putting goofy shit all over your head…Okay maybe I made that up, but I certainly hope it catches on.
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
