WENN.com

From BlackVoices

Having the opportunity to co-star beside a suave British intelligence agent such as James Bond, requires a lot of skill and technique. According to 36-year-old actress Naomie Harris, prepping for her starring role in, Skyfall, proved to be more strenuous than she originally expected.

While promoting the franchise’s 23rd installment of Bond, Harris took time out to speak with the Huffington Post about her new role as 007’s sidekick, in addition to her thoughts on Idris Elba possibly becoming the first black James Bond.

In recent years there’s been talks of the possibility of fans seeing a black James Bond at some point. Do you have any personal favorites that you would consider for the role?

I didn’t realize that there was this talk and then I did a film with Idris [Elba] and he said that he met Barbara Broccoli [James Bond producer] and that it does seem like there is a possibility in the future that there could very well be a black James Bond. And I would have to vote for Idris because I just finished working with him and he’s a great guy. [Laughs]

Read the rest at Black Voices 

What is it about men in uniform? Subconsciously, the appearance of a working man appeals to our sense of desire for a man who provides for his family. There’s a reason why a man’s ego is inherently tied to his employment and employability. We love the following celebs. You’ve seen them covered in our various editions of Evening Eye Candy, but we also especially love them in the official roles they play.

Sponsored by: Chicago Fire on NBC 

Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams plays Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC series Grey’s Anatomy. He makes a very fine surgeon, doesn’t he? We know his sex appeal definitely helped him catapult from a temporary character to full blown cast member. But sorry ladies, the real life Jesse Williams tied the knot in September to his long-time love.

Simon Burchell/WENN

Part of the job of being a celebrity is that you’re often photographed when you’re out.  However, some people just seem to find their way into entertainment news way too often. But you also have those who, although you see their picture taken, you don’t often hear much else from them…unless they want you to.

Read the rest of this entry »

Source: Essence

One of the best things about celebrity crushes is that no matter what their relationship status may be, they can always stay in our hearts. Known for their bachelor titles, these A-listers are a hot commodity on and off the big screen and stage. Many of these Hollywood A-listers and singers may be off the market sometimes, but never for long, adding them as a mainstay to our Hollywood bachelor’s list.

They’ll “sexify” you for sure. Here are 15 black male celebrities who might be lifelong ‘little black book’ holders…

Change can represent a lot in one’s career. From changing your sound as an artist, or stepping out of your comfort zone, it can work out for the best–and sometimes for the worst. (Anyone remember Joaquin Phoenix’s meta attempt at rapping??)  Despite that train wreck, most celebs have had successful career changes and have been better than ever. Here’s a look at some of the best (and not so great) career changes.

Source: karaoke-lyrics.net

Queen Latifah — Best

[Rapper to TV Star, to Academy Award Winning Actress and Jazz Singer]

Queen La went from rapping about “Ladies First” and rocking afrocentric garb, including some pretty sick hats, to acting on a weekly television program that we all loved. If that wasn’t enough, she did big things on the silver screen too, gaining critical acclaim for her work in movies like Set It Off and obtaining an Academy Award nomination for her role as Matron “Mama” Morton in Chicago. Since becoming a household name, she’s been picked as a CoverGirl, and she’s also had the chance to sing jazz music (even though she’s been singing for years) and releasing soul music albums. Latifah proved that staying in your own lane is indeed for suckers.

For a while now, when it comes to these slideshows that showcase the roots of some of our favorite celebrities, I’ve had people asking me to do something on Ghanian people. I know I’ve stalled (what, with so many big name celebs mysteriously popping up as Caribbean folks), but with the help of a Ghanian colleague (hey Dani!), I’ve rounded up a few folks I thought you might be interested to know were repping the country. It wasn’t easy, so if you have more you’d like to share, (politely) let us know in the comment section. Enjoy!

Source: ghanarising.blogspot.com

Boris Kodjoe

He’s a smart guuuuuuy! Or at least, he’s the child of two very smart people. Boris Frederic Cecil Tay-Natey Ofuatey-Kodjoe (you read right, girl) is the son of an Austrian psychologist, named Ursula, and a Ghanian physician named Eric Kodjoe. Clearly these were some good looking people, because Boris is one delicious brotha! The former model and actor has been known to show love for his Ghanian lineage, even participating in Ghana Fashion Week in 2009, and having his wife rock fashions made in Ghana to big red carpet events (well, big enough–the BET Awards).

Source: Yu Tsai for Esquire

Idris, aka, Idrissa, has clearly made it. If the Golden Globe Award, his own show on BBC (“Luther”), guest appearances on some huge shows (“The Office,” “The Big C”) and the lead acting roles weren’t proof enough for you, he’s now been pegged as part of the next generation of Hollywood stars for Esquire, flashing his bright whites on one of three covers, alongside actor Taylor Kitsch (who was very crunk). At 39, it’s a little random that they call him the “Next Generation,” but he’s blowing up big time either way, and I’m sure he appreciates the cover love. He also had his share of hot and swaggerific photos solo in the spread, and we knew you would love them, so check ‘em out below…

Source: Yu Tsai for Esquire

Source: Yu Tsai for Esquire

Source: Yu Tsai by Esquire

Elba also had the opportunity to introduce himself to those who don’t know him like that (travesty!) through a short video. Per the usual, with the accent, jazzy dress and personality, he was delicious:

Nice to finally see this hunk-of-burning-man getting his just dues, and with Esquire of all people! I smell Oscars in the near future…

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queenofthecrop.co.uk

Didn’t you dig the way I rubbed your back girl?

Wasn’t it cool when I first kissed your lips?

Was it enough to penetrate your dark world?

Or were you embarrassed about the way you freaked?

For those who don’t know, those are the opening lyrics to the alluring and jam-worthy song, “Till The Cops Come Knockin‘” by Maxwell. Not only is it one of my favorite songs by the sultry singer, but with him writhing on the floor in the video in front of his muse, it was definitely one of my favorite videos by the brotha too. In fact, pretty much anything Maxwell does, I’m a huge fan of. Though I got on the Maxwell train late in life (I was still in elementary school–not even junior high–when he dropped Urban Hang Suite), that hasn’t stopped me from having all of his CDs on my computer, and it didn’t stop me from running to the store the day BLACKsummers’night was released after his eight-year hiatus. You could say that in the eight years he had the chance to do his own thing, cut off his hair and live life like any every day 9-5 working individual running errands and trying to mind their business, I had eight years to get fully acquainted with his amazing work–and his fine self.

Being a big fan, and one who often does the Evening Eye Candy slideshows on Monday nights for the site, I decided to show Max some love. In the slideshow, I tried to do a progression of what he looked like early in his career, to what the brotha looks like now–still fine and aging like a fine wine. But to show pictures of the past, you have to be reminded of the loveliness that was his afro. Many men have worn an afro and looked…aight, some hot, but there was something about the way it added to Maxwell’s personality  that was just so alluring. It helped him stand out in a time where male R&B singers and rappers damn near looked the same. I didn’t want to ask the same obvious question of, “Isn’t he fine, ya’ll?” when I posted the picture on Facebook and Twitter, so I posted an old pic of the man and asked our followers if they loved him with the fro, without the fro, or love the brotha no matter what? I meant no harm by the question, and I knew it would start a good conversation.

Flash forward to near the end of that week when my co-worker text me to let me know that Maxwell, the REAL thing, tweeted MN about the slideshow. I was standing in a dressing room at H&M jumping around in excitement. My text went something like this:

ME: “SAY WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?  What did he say???”

FRIEND: “Cuz you asked the fro question…He said “we gotta move forward, nothing worse than using a visual crutch…makes the music cheaper, a stunt” Loool cuz our followers were blowing his timeline up!”

I definitely wasn’t expecting that response, and knowing that the question possibly upset one of my favorite singers, I felt pretty bad. But that was until my friend gave me the real deal: “We love him but needs to stop playing. How you gon’ sing songs about sex and then think women aren’t going to look at you? Boy please. Since when has music been just about the auditory?”

After she shared her opinions with me, I thought she had a profound point. In my mind, I see nothing wrong with singers and artists selling sex–even if just occasionally–to fans to get them entertained, excited, and on their side. But I have a problem when these same artists talk about how they feel the attraction towards their looks, body, booty or whatever, is a distraction from their talents and music. Nicki Minaj once said that she wasn’t trying to be sexay (spelled like that on purpose), yet homegirl can be seen rolling around in the world’s tiniest bikini in her video to “Starships,” or popping her booty RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA in videos like “Stupid H*e,” and “Dance A** (Remix).” You can’t be a sex symbol if you keep your clothes on and your booty still, folks. I’m just saying.

Source: People.com

Early this morning, Kerry Washington took the stage with Jimmy Kimmel (who was wearing pajamas!) to announce the nominees of the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards and a there are some notable brown faces among the nods.

Idris Elba received a Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie nod for playing John Luther in the BBC miniseries “Luther”. That miniseries is up for an award of its own in the Best Miniseries or Movie category. Don Cheadle was nominated for Lead Actor In A Comedy Series for his character Marty Kaan on Showtime’s “House of Lies”. Giancarlo Esposito is nominated for Supporting Actor In A Drama Series for his role in “Breaking Bad”. Maya Rudolph is nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series for her hosting gig on “SNL.” Loretta Devine was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Adele Webber on “Grey’s Anatomy”.

Tracy Morgan plays in “30 Rock” and that show picked up a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series. Also, Cee-Lo Green is a judge on “The Voice” and that show reportedly took American Idol’s spot as it was nominated for Best Competition Reality Show for the first time. Among other categories, The Daily Show picked up a nomination for Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series and Wyatt Cenac is a writer on that show.

Of course you can’t talk about who was nominated without noting who was not nominated.

Despite mostly rave reviews and predictions otherwise, neither ”Scandal” nor its castmembers received nominations this year. The reasoning is unclear. It would be easy to say “Oh it debuted in April and only had seven episodes”, but Shonda Rhimes’ other show “Grey’s Anatomy” first season debuted in March and only had 9 episodes yet Sandra Oh was nominated and the show itself received three nominations that year. Besides, cable shows get nominated regularly even though they may only about produce six to ten shows (compared to maybe 20 for a broadcast network). In addition, it obviously was eligible because ABC was definitely campaigning for Scandal to get a nomination this year, but it didn’t happen. Maybe next year.

Regina King – who famously declared the Emmys were “White As Ever” in 2010 – was snubbed against this year after many thought she’d be nominated for for her role in  ”Southland”.

“Mad Men,” earned a leading 17 Emmy nominations. The miniseries “American Horror Story,” received a matching 17 award nominations. “Downton Abbey,” earned 16 bids. “Hatfields & McCoys,” also earned 16 and “Hemingway & Gellhorn” was nominated for 15. ”Modern Family,” honored as best comedy series for the past two years, was the sitcom leader with 14 bids.

You can see the whole list here

What do you think of this years nominees? Who do you think will win?

Follow Alissa on Twitter @AlissaInPink

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Source: eurweb.com

From eurweb.com

Mr. Madea, Tyler Perry, is adding action hero to his resume.Yep, that’s right. if you haven’t heard, Perry was picked (over Idris Elba, among others) to replace Morgan Freeman in the Alex Cross series of films.Well, the newest adventure is simply titled Alex Cross and it’s scheduled to come out in October. The trailer is out now. Check it out and let us know what you think. Does TP make you wanna forget Morgan Freeman? Idris Elba?

Watch the trailor at eurweb.com

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