Source: OWN

I remember when I first got my Kindle, I went crazy buying books.  One of the good things about Kindles are that you can read the reviews before you purchase the book.  So when I went to look up some of Iyanla Vanzant books, there was a review that surprised me.  One reader talked about how they lost respect for her and questioned her credibility when during one of her shows with teen girls who were prostituting themselves, she had Karrine Steffans to talk to the girls.  Because of that one act, this reader completely disregarded all of the positive things that Iyanla has done for people (though the review was written in 2009).

No one’s past is spotless, and no matter what your intentions are, you might have a small blip on your background that could cause people to call your credibility in question.  Especially when you gain the notoriety of fame.  Some people have been able to rise back up after the hard hit of public opinion, while others have stayed down.  Let’s look at a myriad of these professionals.

Anybody who owns a television or computer for that matter already knows that it’s been a rough few years for Terrell Owens. He’s been released from many an NFL team, including the Seahawks who were the last NFL team to let him go, he’s had personal mess shown in public, including going on Dr. Phil to do battle with three of his baby mothers, and he’s basically been very open about the fact that he’s broke. Hey, it happens to a lot of people, but there was something so messy about Owens’ downfall that it was kind of sad.

But don’t shed no tears for this guy right here (not that you were going to anyway) because he’s got some opportunities coming his way, including the chance to be a model. According to his publicist, Diana Bianchini, he’ll be giving good face for Next Model Agency: “Terrell has had a modeling contract in the past. Most can see why this would be a natural fit for him. NEXT approached him. He signed about a month ago and we are all very excited by this deal.” And he already has fans! His former personal assistant took to Twitter to congratulate her former boss saying, “@adriennemw: Congrats to @terrellowens for signing w/ Next Models LA…coming to a billboard near you! #werk http://instagr.am/p/WkGiOxM8TK/ ” Thanks

On the website for the Next Model Agency, they already have a profile for him with a few fancy photos, and no lie, he looks good. Despite what you might think of Owens, you can’t say that this isn’t a smart move. He’s got the height and the body for such an opportunity, and some pretty nice bone structure too. We’ll see how this all plays out, but congratulations to him for getting such a chance, because he knows just as much as we do that a check from doing just about anything (legal) at this point is better than no check at all…

Dr. Phil might be taking a few pointers from his boss when it comes to exclusive interviews. Earlier this week, the daytime talk show host spoke with friends of George Zimmerman, the man currently awaiting trial for the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, and today Dr. Phil will talk to the parents of the teen many feel was killed in cold blood, Sabrina Fulton and Tracy Martin.

The interview is beyond emotional as the parents relay their memories of their son, and more tragically, relive the moment they found out their son had been killed and how they’ve handled his vilification in contrast with the support George Zimmerman has received from some. At one point in the discussion, Sabrina told Dr. Phil:

 “Trayvon was my baby. It almost feels like I’m missing an arm. I actually think I’m on the verge of a nervous breakdown, but I pray every day that God strengthens me and continues to help me move on, because I cannot think of anything worse that could possibly happen to me, besides one of my boys being murdered.”

Dr Phil provides words of comfort for the nearly inconsolable parents, telling them they have to let go of regrets. He told Sabrina:

“You’re going to hurt. That pain is normal, but you’re not going to have a nervous breakdown. I see too much depth in your soul.”

As for Tracy, Dr. Phil reminded him:

“You’ve got to forgive yourself. Recognize the fact that your job as a father — our jobs as fathers — is to be providers, protectors, teachers and leaders. You did all of those things.”

Check out a few clips of the show which airs today. What do you think?

More on Madame Noire!

• True Life: Something Crazy Happened At The Club…
• Overusing The B-Word: Is Bullying A New Catchphrase?
• The Bald And The Beautiful: 11 Sistahs Who Make Us Want To Do A BIG Chop
• Where Are They Now? The Women of “Real Chance of Love”
• Gossip, Betrayal and Lies: Are Women Really Meaner To Each Other Than Men Are?
• Nails Done, Hair Done, Everything Big? What Men Love and Don’t Care About When It Comes To Your Appearance
• Ask A Very Smart Brotha: Why Kim K. Pulls High Profile Men Despite Her Sexual Past

Source: Jezebel.com

Consider this your “Don’t do drugs” PSA for the day.

A former “America’s Next Top Model” contestant who we haven’t seen in a long time is headed back to our television sets, but this time the reason is not so pleasant. Jael Strauss, who participated in the 8th cycle of Tyra Banks’ model competition, is set to appear on an intervention-style episode of “Dr. Phil” tomorrow when her family confronts her about her addiction to methamphetamine

The biracial tough-girl from Detroit has been addicted to meth for six years, which means she was doing drugs while she was apart of the ANTM cast in 2007. The 28-year-old was even informed that one of her friends had died of a drug overdose while taping the show, but the sad news wasn’t enough to curb her own addiction as viewers will learn when they watch her on the “Dr. Phil” show tomorrow.

From the clip, it appears Jael still may not be ready to face her demons as she hesitates, and possibly even refuses, to come on the stage and discuss her issues with her family and Dr. Phil in front of the audience. Let’s hope a detox clinic and a drug-free lifestyle is in her future as Jael realizes not only how drugs have affected her physically, as we all can tell, but also mentally and emotionally.

Do you remember Jael from ANTM?

More on Madame Noire!

• #RealTalk: The Reasons Why You Attract Douchebags
• A Note On Overanxious People Who Like To Blow Other Folk’s Relationships Up: Can We Live?!
• Are We As A People Really Better Off Now Than Four Years Ago?
• Nene Has Some Much-Needed Advice For Evelyn: “Be Quiet”
• Are We As A People Really Better Off Now Than Four Years Ago?
• Bet You Didn’t Know: Secrets Behind The Making of “Do The Right Thing”
• We’re Listening! Oprah’s Mane Man Andre Walker Discusses The 10 Hair Products Every Woman Should Own

Source: atlnightspots.com

I just can’t help but feel sorry for Terrell Owens. He just can’t seem to win. He seems to be the classic man who, at times, has been too cocky for his own good. And for better and mostly worse women are drawn to that cockiness. Which is why three of Terrell’s baby mamas gathered on Dr. Phil recently to discuss not only his relationship in their children’s lives but the child support he has or hasn’t paid. Looking at the videos, it seems that everybody’s priorities may be out of whack. Terrell is focused on what he can’t pay, the women are focused on what they need him to pay and Dr. Phil seems to be the only one bringing up the fact that his presence in the life of his children is more important than anything else. Plus, going on a talk show to publicly degrading the father of your children, regardless of the relationship, is more sketch than a little bit in my opinion.

Check out the videos below and let us know what you think.
 

You can watch the entire segment here. 

More on Madame Noire!

• Hip to the Game: Red Flags We Overlook In Our 20′s And Look Out For In Our 30′s!
• Ashton Kutcher, “Brown Face,” And Why These Images Persist in Media
• Bet You Didn’t Know: Secrets Behind the Making of “Boyz N The Hood”
• Why Do We Feel The Need to Keep Explaining ‘Our’ Fatness?
• Did You Know They Were The Daddy? Surprising Celebrity Parents
• 20 Years Later, Where Are They Now? The Cast of “The Cosby Show”
• Who You Calling a Bit**? A How-To on Properly Addressing Women
  

Craving  a way to give back and tell the stories of black women in a unique way, Nicole Sconiers, a former senior web producer at Dr.Phil.com, decided to put her master’s degree in creative writing to work when she penned “Escape from Beckyville: Tales of Race, Hair and Rage”— a collection of 10 short stories.

While writing a book would’ve been enough of a massive undertaking for most people, Sconiers knew she didn’t want to stop there; she wanted to travel and speak about the ideas in her book. So, Sconiers quit her job in June, and over the summer she set out on the road with her mother and 34 boxes of her tales inside the Beckyville Bookmobile, a purple van wrapped in the book’s cover design. Together, they traveled from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, stopping at cultural centers and Indie bookstores along the way to discuss the book.

“I talk about controversial, taboo issues but in a way that is accessible, not preachy,” Sconiers told The Times Herald. She explained that much of her writing is a “play on how society sees women of color not being able to have any type of righteous rage.”

“I have a story called ‘Happy Black B****es,’ and the Rage Patrol is this police force that goes around policing black women to make sure they’re not angry. Black women can’t walk around with a frown because they’re being policed with their emotions. There are all types of issues — homelessness, domestic violence — for us to be angry about, and I wanted to explore that we can’t be righteously angry.”

Beckyville, she said, refers to a place filled with clueless, antagonistic people who have not “critiqued [their] privilege.”

So far, Sconiers has managed to sell her book in more than a dozen stores across the country and the Purdue University Department of Anthropology has decided to include the text in their Blackness and Culture curriculum next semester.

Despite a few snags along the way and advisement to those thinking of taking a similar path to at least draft a six-month plan before making any major moves, Sconiers says she would’ve missed out on these opportunities, “had I just stayed at my cubicle at ‘Dr. Phil.’”

“You can create your own opportunities and be your own boss.I left my job in the middle of a recession,” she said. “When you see the job market, opportunities are shrinking. You have to think of creative ways to generate income.

“You have to just get out of your comfort zone and create the images you want to see.”

Have you heard of Escape from Beckyville? Could you see yourself quitting a job to pursue a dream like Sconiers?

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

More on Madame Noire!

• Oh Na Na, What’s My Name? Celebs Whose Real Names Baffle Us
• Different Strokes, Same Folks: Our Favorite Type Casted Celebrities
• Daddy’s Little Girl: Our Favorite Papa’s and Their Little Princesses
• Go The Distance: The Most Desired Destinations To Say I Do!
• Ratchet Relatives That Can Make the Holidays a Hot Mess
• Women Who Stack More Money Than Their Men

By Alexis Garrett Stodghill

Oprah Winfrey used her eponymous television show to influence millions beyond the scope of a typical broadcasting career.  Over 25 years she has expanded industries, promoted individuals to levels of unheard of prosperity and driven corporate sales with a steady drumbeat of her favorites. Today The Atlanta Post takes a look at some of the personalities and companies that have benefitted from Oprah’s magic touch.

President Obama

President Obama’s career received a significant boost when he was introduced to Oprah Winfrey through his then-mentor, Valerie Jarrett. While Oprah kept her open support of the president at a low level while he was campaigning, her behind-the-scenes promotion was crucial to connecting him to fundraising power-players and celebrity endorsers. Would Barack Obama have becomeAmerica’s first black president without Winfrey’s influence?  Let’s say this: it would have been harder.