The PR disaster that was Fantasia’s recent JET magazine cover is slowly coming to an end, but not before Fantasia gets in one last word. The singer notoriously went on a rant demanding an apology for the mag using a 10-year-old photo of her rather than ones her team provided to coincide wither her new image, but in the midst of her grammar being criticized not many took the time to actually understand why Fantasia was so upset. In an interview with Power 99, she finally explained it:

“I worked so hard to get to where I am now and I don’t want to take it back, I want to move on. And you know if I don’t stand for something. I’ll fall for anything.

“They [JET] were used to that Fantasia who never said anything and that’s why stuff got haywire and so much was said about me. It was almost like using me as a clown act. I’m not that girl anymore.

“I just wanted them to know, don’t take it back ten years when we’ve worked so hard and did a shoot for 10 hours for a new album and a new look….They were asking me questions about the new look and the new sound, then use [the new look]. If it was too much for your shoot then we should have done a shoot with them.

That seems fair enough.

Surprisingly, when Power 99′s host asked Fantasia if she’d be willing to work with JET again she said yes and even told the radio host, who also pressed her for details about her relationship status, that she can’t be made upset right now. Sounds like Fanny’s found some sweet peace since her Instagram rant.

Check out the video of the interview below.

Source: Instagram

“I apologize for the lack of sensitivity shown in my FaceBook post. It was a thoughtless comment made during a moment of frustration. It was unprofessional and not representative of the JET mission, which is to uplift. I regret letting my emotions get the best of me. I am truly apologetic.”

Mitzi Miller, Editor in Chief, JET

According to published reports, Fantasia Barrino is not feeling very much like a JET’s Beauty of the Week:

“The singer erupted on Instagram, chastising the magazine for using an old photograph of her: ‘This saddens Me!!! It is clear that this picture is 10 Years Old and JET Magazine puts it on the Cover!! After I send them the NEW LOOK AND DIRECTION. . SAD!!! I WANT A PUBLIC APOLOGY FROM JET. Now im not sure if the interview is correct. SEE!! America they and use me as they crash Dummy BUT NO MORE. IF I DONT STAND FOR SOMETHING ILL FALL FOR ANYTHING.’ “

According to Richard Prince, of Journal-isms, Mitzi Miller, JET’s editor-in-chief, issued a statement in defense of the black magazine using the 10 year old picture for its cover:

“JET magazine is honored to have Fantasia grace the cover of its March issue,” her statement began. “It is unfortunate that Fantasia is displeased with the cover selection, however JET stands by its decision,” Miller wrote. “As standard editorial practice, JET consulted with Fantasia’s team, but reserves the right to select the image we deem as most appropriate for JET’s brand and reflective of the cover story sentiment. “JET continues to root for Fantasia’s success and encourages her fans to pick up the new issue.”

Also noted in Journal-isms Miller’s Facebook message to friends, in which she expressed her frustrations over the cover photo matter: “The fact that I wasted an hour of my workday writing a press release to address an issue created by a person who cannot even read it is just… “

…ugly – there, I finished that for her.

Seriously, making fun of Fantasia’s history with illiteracy just seems a tad bit condescending, which makes this entire situation feel worse because it kind of implies how little concern the magazine might have had over its subject. According to various published reports, Fantasia used this interview to open up about about not only her new project but all of her “public woes and embarrassments,” including her financial problems, Twitter faux paus and scandalous relationship with her baby father. The excerpts from the interview I’d read indicate that this was a story of trial and triumph. And that Fantasia is making some changes in her life, for the better. And while the general rule is that a publication maintains editorial discretion, why should Fantasia not be upset over pictures that no longer represent who she is? Sort of like the illiterate joke. I, for one, always thought it was heroic and brave that she spoke so candidly about an affliction, which affects about 14 percent of the U.S. population. Sometimes we forget that not everybody’s trials in life are the same and neither are their heroes.

And as noted by Prince, for a magazine, whose reputation is primarily built upon its stellar photo documentation of black life and culture, including being the single black publication to run photos of the lynched body of Emmett Till, it’s a wonder why it is not shooting its own covers, like other publications. Perhaps it is just a matter of economics from slumping readership. But we all know that Fantasia has been everyone’s favorite whipping girl for a very long time.

And sure, she does make it easy, right? I mean with the married baby father and her most recent rant about being “judged” in a world, which is more accepting of legalized same-sex marriage and marijuana than her. The delivery was wrong – and the equivalency was false – but the overall point, is very much valid. Folks really do judge Fanny much harsher, and through a much more constrictive lens, than they do other celebrities. I don’t recall anyone having their suicide attempt scrutinized, dismissed and mocked more than what happened to Fantasia. Not even Mariah Carey. In an old interview, Fanny speculated it was because of her dark skin. I think that is part of it. I also think that being from the wrong side of the tracks is the other part of it. Let’s be honest here: Fantasia is, for a lack of a better word, ghetto. A product of a single mother, reared in the projects in the real South, only to become a young single mother herself, Fantasia is really not that far removed from many of the other women, whom folks might see in the [neighbor]hood or on WorldStarHipHip – other than the fact that she had noticeable and undeniable talent. That was once part of Fantasia’s appeal. Folks loved being able to cheer for the underdog when she was doing riffs and runs and bawling her eyes out across the “American Idol” stage. However when she stopped being the underdog and actually started appearing, for real, on real platforms like Billboard and at the Grammys, Fantasia stopped being the Disney fairytale story and instead gravitated to the crucial sphere of “nope, she’s not representing us.” When that happened, her story was no longer valued.

When it comes to Fantasia, the general gist I get from folks is that she should forever be humbled. Even though she was the rightful season 2 winner of “American Idol,” some folks, particularly our folks, respond to her as if she should be grateful to be on the stage; grateful to have a career; grateful to be mentioned at all. But despite all her personal misgivings and lack of social “grace” Fantasia has a right to have her name and her image respected just like any other celebrity in her position.  And when folks fail to honor that, then as any other person, she has a right to demand her honor.

Source: Instagram

Yesterday we told you about the intense tongue-lashing that singer Fantasia Barrino offered to JET magazine via her Instagram page. Fantasia, clearly upset by the dated photograph that the publication used of her for the cover of its March 18th issue, demanded a public apology.

“This saddens Me!!! It is clear that this picture is 10 Years Old and JET Magazine puts it on the Cover!! After I send them the NEW LOOK AND DIRECTION. . SAD!!! I WANT A PUBLIC APOLOGY FROM JET. Now im not sure if the interview is correct. SEE!! America they and use me as they crash Dummy BUT NO MORE. IF I DONT STAND FOR SOMETHING ILL FALL FOR ANYTHING,” she wrote.

Her public chastisement of the publication sparked a heated debate, as some felt that the singer was justified in publicly voicing her concerns about JET, while others felt her decision to blast the magazine was unwise and unprofessional. JET‘s Editor in Chief, Mitzi Miller has just released a statement regarding the matter, but it isn’t exactly the public apology that Tasia may have been hoping for.

“JET magazine is honored to have Fantasia grace the cover of its March issue.

It is unfortunate that Fantasia is displeased with the cover selection, however JET stands by its decision. As standard editorial practice, JET consulted with Fantasia’s team, but reserves the right to select the image we deem as most appropriate for JET‘s brand and reflective of the cover story sentiment.

JET continues to root for Fantasia’s success and encourages her fans to pick up the new issue.”

Click to the next page if you want to see the photos that Fanny sent to JET. Did the magazine’s issued statement alter your opinion at all? 

Fantasia Barrino has been no stranger to controversy since her 2004 American Idol win. Whether her personal life is being discussed or her ability to read is being questioned, you can almost guarantee that at least one of the parties participating in the conversation has something negative to say about her. The latest conflict with Tasia’s name attached to it has been public beef with JET Magazine, after she saw the photo that the publication used of her on the cover of their latest issue. The way in which it appears, Tasia sent the magazine photos that she wanted them to use for the issue, but instead, they selected an older photo from some time ago. It seems that as opposed to handling the matter with JET privately, she took to her Instagram page to blast them and question their credibility.

“This saddens Me!!! It is clear that this picture is 10 Years Old and JET Magazine puts it on the Cover!! After I send them the NEW LOOK AND DIRECTION. . SAD!!! I WANT A PUBLIC APOLOGY FROM JET. Now im not sure if the interview is correct. SEE!! America they and use me as they crash Dummy BUT NO MORE. IF I DONT STAND FOR SOMETHING ILL FALL FOR ANYTHING.”

While I do understand Tasia’s plight, I’m not sure if using social media to blast  JET was the answer. It just seems bad for business. It’s unfortunate that such negativity will now be tied to her interview in the current issue, as it appeared to be very positive. During her chat with the magazine, she discussed learning to let go of pain through self-love.

“I am finally able to love myself. The main thing I wanted in life was peace and freedom; the ability to let go…You could say the stage saved me because when I’m in front of people I carry my pain and soul…That is my salvation.”

She also addressed being the single mom of two beautiful children.

“I’m single and happy. I have a great relationship with both of my children’s fathers… If you catch me with either of them, we are not together— we are just being good parents. All I’m focused on right now is music and my kids.”

What do you think of the way that Fantasia handled the cover photo incident? Was she justified in publicly going after them?  

Jazmine Denise is a news writer for Madame Noire. Follow her on Twitter @jazminedenise.

From The Grio

The newest issue of Jet magazine, which hits newsstands today, features its first black male couple in its weddings section, according to GLAAD.

Ravi Perry, an assistant professor of political science at Mississippi State University, and Paris Prince, a licensed real estate broker and compliance officer for Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination, were married in August at their home in Worcester, Mass.

The feature of the newlyweds includes a short bio of the couple and explains how the two fell in love.

Read more at The Grio

Source: TheYBF

Keyshia Cole is still all roses and sunshine when it comes to her honey Daniel “Boobie” Gibson. The loving couple and proud parents are on the cover of JET magazine this week with their little man and they dished on everything they love about each other. When the mag asked Keysh what she loves about Daniel, she said:

“He has a beautiful spirit. And he’s not afraid to love publicly. I think our Black men are afraid to love publicly, and I’m not a fan of that.”

Of course JET had to know what it is about Keyshia that makes Daniel so open to loving her like he does. He told them:

“Keyshia’s been through a lot with her mother and her family; so her whole make up is built around being a strong woman.  I’m just trying to show her that I can be there for her.”

In their interview, JET delves into the drug epidemic that led to Keyshia’s rough past and explores how she left the drama behind in the pursuit of happiness. The October 8 issue is on newsstands now. Keyshia fans get your fix!

What do you think about what Keyshia said about black men being afraid to love publicly? Do you agree?

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Source: Bossip.com

The Olympics are over but Gabby Douglas is still flying high and this week the gold medalist landed on the cover of Jet Magazine.

Gabby’s JET cover story highlights her Olympic domination, daddy issues and the “hair controversy.” Amidst all the “drama” Gabby embraces her new place as a global role model with the goal to “inspire youth in all sports like the First Lady…” she tells JET.

The Gabby cover story also features her mother Natalie Hawkins who, among other things, protectively addresses the harsh media attention her daughter received, “…It’s kind of difficult for her to know what the right answer is because those are adult situations; and yet, you’re asking a child to elaborate on them.”

Gabby has been the target of harsh media coverage even after the initial hair-gate during the Olympics. The gymnast recently tweeted a picture of herself with hair stylist Ted Gibson and that set off another firestorm of crazy criticisms because apparently some believe that if you wear a ponytail while doing gymnastics then you should wear a ponytail every other minute of your life as well. Her coverage certainly hasn’t been all bad though. She’s been on shows like Good Morning America and Jay Leno and this Sunday she’ll be appearing on Oprah’s Next Chapter.

In an industry saturated with celebrities famous for embarrassing reality show antics and mediocre talent, it’s refreshing to see people like Gabby getting magazine covers.

What do you think of Gabby being on the cover of Jet?

Follow Alissa on Twitter @AlissaInPink

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Source: roc4life.com

Just in time for Thursday’s season three premiere of Braxton Family Values, the Braxton sisters are talking to Jet Magazine and Toni Braxton is on the cover.

EurWeb.com reports:

Inside the issue, [Toni] dishes on her decision to dismiss her brother-in-law as her manager, while her sisters give uncensored talk about plastic surgery and “oral transactions.”

Tamar Braxton spoke on people’s criticism of the plastic surgery they believe she’s had. “I don’t need a bunch of work done to be cute. I’m pretty,” was her not too surprising response.

And yes, Toni gives some insight on canning Vince Herbert, her brother-in-law. She says: “…Being family and working together was just too much.”

Tamar and Vince are starring in WEtv’s first-ever reality show spinoff debuting September 20th, so maybe we will hear more from his side then.

After the second season wrapped, Toni had hinted at not returning to the show. It looks like she’ll be back…albeit with a potentially full schedule. Along with rumors that Toni may be on the “American Idol” judge shortlist, she also is slated to star in a Lifetime movie and has a new album coming out.

Are you looking forward to BFV this season? Watch the preview below:

Follow Alissa on Twitter @AlissaInPink

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Source: Theybf.com

Stacey Dash we’re not so surprised about, but beef with Duane Martin? In the coming issue of JET, LisaRaye finally speaks on the drama that erupted between her and Ms. Dash during their time on the set of “Single Ladies,” and she drops a different bomb about another person who got beside himself and she had to subsequently cut out of her life—Duane Martin. Here’s a snippet of what she told the magazine.

On “Single Ladies” without Stacey Dash

“Believe me I wish things had worked out because I thought Stacey and I were great together.  She was my age and we were working it.  It was sex-symbol to sex-symbol.  But she didn’t want to be there.  I was disappointed about that.  She had some issues.  I’m not sure exactly what those issues were.  In the end, she and VH1 made a decision.”

Whether there were really cat fights on the set

“Yes, there was a disagreement over a scene.  And it really wasn’t with me.  It was with the director.  I think it was about 2 or 3AM and we’d been shooting all damn day.  Stacey tried to argue with the director about a line.  And I’m like: ‘Girl, if you don’t say what the director wants you to say.’  It wasn’t that serious at first, but it went there.

“It’s a bunch of women on the set.  We might all be on our d*mn period at any given point.  I just wanted us to move forward. Then the argument took on a life of its own.  The show decided to use it for publicity.  They just ran with it.”

Why she’s no longer friends with Duane Martin

“I introduced him to my ex-husband [former Turks & Caicos Premier Michael Misick], he got buddy-buddy with him and then turned against me.   Just recently, this fool Duane up and sold a building he and I bought awhile ago in Los Angeles, without asking…I don’t care if we’re not friends, just don’t try to f**k me in the interim.

“When I heard about him in the middle of Will & Jada’s divorce rumors, I tweeted: sounds familiar.  He really ain’t got enough business.”

She is too much. At least it sounds like the problems on set were all about Stacey’s ‘tude and not two black actresses being too catty to get along. At the end of the day, LisaRaye’s still got a job and Stacey is losing gig after gig so it’s not hard to see who’s the problem there. Duane? I don’t even know what to say about that.

Pick up the May 28 issue if you want to catch up on the rest of Ms. McCoy’s life and why she needs to be less vindictive. What do you think about her beefs?

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

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