Source: Shutterstock

From Essence

The term “Negro” may be removed from Census forms by 2020, reports the Associated Press.

The U.S. Census Bureau says it’s considering the change based on cultural trends and criticism they received after including the term in the 2010 Census. So why did they include a term that seems outdated to most of us in the first place? Apparently a significant amount of people still check “Negro” as their race, according to a Census study conducted in 2000. As it stands, “Negro” is listed alongside “Black” and “African-American” on the questionnaire.

Read more on Essence.com.

Source: WENN

Toni, Toni, Toni. If the R&B singer thought Oprah was harsh on her back in 1998 when she questioned her about having Gucci flatware, I’m curious how she feels about the outcome of her recent 20/20 interview in which she was basically asked to rehash every money woe she’s ever had in her life. Everybody knows Toni has been on the financial struggle bus since the ’90s, having filed for bankruptcy twice since making it big. Though she already recently revealed the source behind those filings on her VH1 Behind the Music special — shady business deals and sickness– Toni has pretty much neglected to take any personal responsibility for her mishandling of funds. But in her 20/20 chat, she sort of did just that.

When asked how it was possible for someone who sold 50 million albums to go flat broke, she said:

“I love dishes and house things so I kind of lost it a little bit on the house ware. That kind of stuff, the girly things that’s what I indulged in – 1,000-thread-count sheets.”

Mmm.

Unfortunately for her, all of that stopped when out of $170 million in album sales she took home less than $2,000 — $1,972 to be exact. Most people are more concerned with how that happened, as opposed to her having to file for bankruptcy, and Toni explained:

“What happens is they will give you an advance million on the next record and the next record so you kind of stay in debt in a sense.”

It’s not hard for people to wrap their heads around the shadiness of the record industry, but what most do have trouble understanding is how the singer ended up in debt to the tune of $50 million a second time. A lot of fans know that the singer being diagnosed with lupus and a heart condition caused her to cancel her Vegas shows, and that she was subsequently sued by all of the vendors for the cash they missed out on. But when the reporter brought up $15,000 debts to Tiffanys in the last filings, I’m sure some wondered whether Toni actually learned her lesson the first time around. All she had to say was:

“Some of the things you read aren’t true because I heard I owed BMW too and I don’t own a BMW.”

She does own a rather extravagant LA home, though. The type that makes you wonder, is this the fruits of no labor? But the truth is Toni has now gotten into the private global concert sector and claims the “money is yummy” but now she keeps her checks properly balanced.

“I have to monitor myself, she said, “because I am definitely on a budget.”

Let’s hope so.

Check out Toni’s #20/20Confessions special on the next page. Do you think her financial situation is really in order now?

Source:inyourface.ocregister.com

There are perks to having a plastic surgeon in your family, but having your father give you breast implants at 18 is just creepy.

During 20/20′s “Cutting Edge” special tonight,  Barbara Walters will interview Dr. Michael Niccole, founder of the CosmetiCare Plastic Surgery Center in Newport Beach, CA, who gave his daughter Brittani, now 23, breast implants when she was 18. He also performed a rhinoplasty on her and when his other daughter Charm, now also 23, was just 10 he turned her “outtie” belly button into an “innie.”

Dr. Niccole, who performed surgery on other family members as well said he was the most qualified to take care of the procedures on his adopted daughters: “Who would give them the time — that extra little look during surgery more than I would?” he said.

In addition to the breast agumentation which Brittani wanted to increase her self esteem, Dr. Niccole gives the girls regular botox injections which he considers simple “maintenance.”

“I’m not changing their looks in any means. They want maintenance,” he said. “They don’t want to get old. They want to stay young.”

If anyone can make that happen, it would be him.

Check out the preview of the special which airs on ABC at 10pm tonight. “Cutting Edge” is also expected to address the age-old saying “black don’t crack”—that should be interesting.

What do you think about this doctor performing procedures on his daughters at such a young age? Would you let a family member give you breast implants?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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In an exclusive 20/20 interview with Beyoncé, Katie Couric got the bottom of the fake baby bump rumors and asked why her due date hasn’t been revealed.

Here’s what Bey had to say:

The truth is, it’s safety. I just want to make sure I can have a peaceful day. And I want to make sure my child is protected.

There are certain things that are so far [out] … it doesn’t even upset you,” Knowles said. Other rumors do take a toll, Knowles said, but on her protective family more than on her. When asked how excited about the baby Jay-Z was, Knowles said, “You can only imagine, and multiply that. It’s very exciting for both of us and our families … Everyone is so anxious. It’s like the time just can’t come fast enough.”

You can read more excerpts and watch short clips from the interview here.

While Beyonce’ stans in the US will likely still be going off about why Bey didn’t reveal the sex of her baby during her Barbara Walters 20/20 interview airing tomorrow, fans in the UK will be watching a pre-taped “A Night with Beyonce’” special.

The special will feature performances of some of Bey’s biggest hits like “Single Ladies” and behind-the-scenes footage. I must say that jeweled, nude bodysuit looks spectacular. Hopefully they’ll bring this special to the US soon.

“A Night with Beyonce” airs Dec. 4 at 9pm. Check out the clip and tell us what you think.

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Katie Couric is known for forcing people to spill the beans and it seems she may get Beyonce to reveal the sex of her baby in a new 20/20 special coming up. From the looks of the clip, the singer may actually answer Katie’s question of whether she should get Beyonce a blue baby gift or a pink one, but we’ll have to tune in Dec. 2 at 10p to see if the usually tight-lipped entertainer confirms rumors that she’s having a girl.

Do you think Beyonce will tell us if she’s having a little Bey or a little Jay? Or will she keep us in suspense until February?

Do you think Beyonce will tell us if she’s having a little Bey or a little Jay? Or will she keep us in suspense until February?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

When important events happen in the lives of our favorite celebrities, we as fans or “star gazers” want to feel like part of “the family” and see pictures or have them talk about said events.   They usually oblige us and are more than willing to sell their stories to the highest bidder. Not the case with husband and wife Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon and pictures of their twins Morrocan and Monroe, affectionately known by Mimi as “dembabies.”  We’ve not seen more than a random baby hand posted by Nick or Mariah since she gave birth in April. The wait is now over!!  Mariah Carey announced on her Twitter page that Barbara Walters was given an exclusive interview with Mariah and Nick to discuss Mariah’s pregnancy, their marriage, their children and more. We’ll also get a first look at the twins as the couple will be interviewed in their apartment.  I’m excited because Mimi always gives a good interview and I’m sure she won’t disappoint.

Tune in or set your DVR for Friday, October 21^st at 10pm when the exclusive interview with Barbara Walters airs on 20/20.

-Drenna Armstrong

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