Are you ready for Sparkle? The remake of the classic film about three teenagers from Harlem who set their sights on making musical history in Motown will be significant in more ways than one. It is the last film made by Whitney Houston, who passed away three months after production ended on the Salim Akil-directed project. It also marks the acting debut of American Idol Jordin Sparks. But Houston and Sparks aren’t the only two stars in the film. Derek Luke, Mike Epps, Cee Lo Green, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, Tamela Mann and Omari Hardwick also star in the film. Let’s meet the cast and take a peak at their stylish retro chic fashions, shall we?

“Sparkle” played by Jordin Sparks

Jordin Sparks needs no introduction. The Arizona-raised songstress has come a long way since she won American Idol in 2006. Marking her feature film debut, fans are waiting to see how she’ll handle her big role playing a role inspired by Diana Ross (as part of the Supremes). Judging from the look of her outfit, it’s apparent that color blocking is nothing new and was definitely part of the retro chic look.

Source: Globalgrind.com

In the day of celebrities like Halle Berry wanting President Obama to crack down on the way paparazzi is allowed to invade their lives, it always amazes me how many entertainers feel the need to divulge one of the most  private aspects of their lives: who they’re sleeping with—or not.

I thought about this odd coming out of sorts looking at Teyana Taylor’s remake of Janet Jackson’s iconic Rolling Stone cover today. The photo shoot, shot by Lance Gross, has garnered mixed reactions for a lot of reasons.  Some are wondering why she even messed with Janet’s ‘90s masterpiece, others are curious why she sexed the image up even more than it was originally with her red lips, garter belts, and the see-thru stockings attached to her cut-offs (not to mention those breast tattoos), and still others are curious how this type of end-product comes from a virgin of all people. Had she never made her sexual lifestyle public knowledge, she could have nixed at least one of those concerns, but unfortunately like many other famous people she assumed that was knowledge the public wanted and needed to know.

I don’t think celebrities like Teyana should hide their virginal status out of shame, but I don’t get what they’re trying to prove by announcing it. The bottom line is it’s no one’s business and frankly no one really cares until situations that appear to contradict that lifestyle choice come into play. Unlike Meagan Good’s argument that one can still be swexy and a Christian, Teyana, a 21-year-old woman who claims to not engage in sex at all is selling that straight up and down from this Janet-esque photo to her racy Black Men’s mag cover, and a whole lot more in between. I know the dichotomy of a woman who’s a lady in the street and a freak in the bed is supposedly every man’s ideal, but she’s working that fantasy from the complete opposite angle and it’s hard to decipher what her true image is, let alone her real persona.

The other issue is proclaiming to be a virgin puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on entertainers.  There aren’t too many old-heads, if any, stepping into the spotlight claiming they’ve never gotten it in. It’s the fresh-faced 16- to 20-year-olds who are new on the scene that somehow get roped into answering questions that aren’t the public’s business anyway and who later have to recant those statements or unnecessarily explain themselves even more. Brittney Spears I’m looking at you. Or take Jordin Sparks for example. When we first met her, she boasted about a purity promise ring she wore since she was a young teenager but when people found out she was dating Jason Derulo, naturally they started to wonder if she might be trading in that promise ring for a nuva ring. In an interview with Hoda Kotb that got further in her sheets than Jason likely had at the time, Jordin gave an update of sorts on her celibacy stance and said of the ring:

“You know what, I switch it from day to day — I don’t wear it exactly everyday anymore, but I always have something there. When I was 13 my mom spoke to me about purity and waiting for marriage and different things like that. And, you know, at the time I was like, ‘Sure that’s great,’ but I can’t say what’s gonna happen a couple of months from now. People grow.”

Jordin is absolutely right about people growing but unfortunately once that virgin image is planted in people’s minds, it’s hard to undo. Should she end up having sex before marriage and announcing that to the tabloids, the backlash will no doubt ensue. No one will care that she’s now a mid-20-something-year-old woman, there will be questions of why she didn’t hold out or what type of example she’s setting by going back on her promise, or uncomfortable inquiries into her new bedroom life, much like the case was with Brittney Spears. There will be an invasive line of questioning that could have been avoided altogether by allowing that personal information to remain what it is—personal.

Even thinking of Lolo Jones who has been vocal about how difficult it is to find a man because she’s been so open about being a virgin seems to forget that she brought that struggle on herself. I truly don’t think it’s the fact that she’s a virgin that’s the problem. It’s the spectacle surrounding her virginity that is likely off-putting and intimidating to potential suitors. For some, being a virgin takes on a deep, spiritual meaning; for others it’s a means to avoid heartbreak, unwanted pregnancies, and STDS. Whatever the reason, it’s a state of being just like being sexually active is and there’s no reason for all the pomp and circumstance around it, especially if you aren’t proclaiming yourself to be a role model for others to follow. If that were the case, it would be understandable to be vocal about it, but when your virginity is the only thing that keeps you relevant in a way, it’s awkward, and again, unnecessary.

The thing is, once these celebrities go on record about their sex lives, it follows them for as long as they have the public’s interest, which could be anywhere from 15 minutes to 15 years. In the same way that other sexually active celebs use sex to sell records, the lack of sex begins to define these entertainer’s careers as well and something so personal as their non-existent sex lives becomes the news hook on which their relevance hangs.  It’s rare that celebs succeed in keeping their private lives totally private but one thing they can count on is no one knowing for sure is who is or isn’t in their bed (unless they’re Kim Kardashian, Ray J, Pamela Anderson, Tommy Lee, or Paris Hilton). Perhaps in the same way vocal virgins are naïve to the world of sex, they’re also oblivious to the American obsession with who’s having it and who isn’t and they don’t realize the image they’re forming when they speak on their sexuality. I’m not particularly keen on sexually active celebs giving the rundown on their bedroom booming either, but my advice to virgins in the spotlight would be when it comes to their sex lives, keep their mouths like their legs: closed.

What do you think about celebrities declaring that their virgins? Should they share that with the world or keep it private?

Brande Victorian is the news and operations editor for madamenoire.com. Follow her on twitter @Be_Vic.

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Source: thelavalizard.com

Not too long ago we released the audio for Whitney Houston’s last recorded song, “Celebrate.” It was a collaboration with American Idol winner and co-star Jordin Sparks for their upcoming movie, “Sparkle.” Recently, the visuals for the song came out and they’re too cute. Upbeat and fun but still a celebration of our fallen musical icon. Check out the video below and let us know if you’re feeling both it and the song.

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Source: People.com

There are many religious, moral or personal reasons why a person would choose to abstain from sex for a certain period. Whether that period lasts for a night, a year, until marriage, a lifetime or somewhere in between depends upon the person. 

Think Like a Man actress Meagan Good is only the latest in a string of celebrities who have claimed they were celibate at one time or another.

Are these celebrities on to something? Have they discovered that even in a nation (and industry) notoriously obsessed with sex, that the best Kama Sutra position may be “legs closed”? Did they realize that the most intimate relationship of all can be had without this most intimate act? Is celibate the new sex?

I’m not certain, but one thing is for sure: There are definitely some surprises on this list!

bleacherreport.com

There’s something to be said for a person who has their beliefs and sticks to them…or they at least try.  Some celebs have made a vow to hold out on giving up their “V card” (virginity card, folks) until they’re married or until they meet the “right one.”  Others have tried to stick to these beliefs…and stumbled along the way but hey, I guess they held on as long as they could!

See who had or has held on to their goodies….

Read the rest of this entry »

Source: StyleBlazer.com

From StyleBlazer.com

The biggest names in pop music assembled in Vegas last night for the Billboard Music Awards. And in true rock star fashion, they were dressed to the max! Alicia Keys performed with Stevie Wonder in black curve-hugging Azzedine Alaïa couture, showing off those baby making hips. Jordin Sparks lit up the “white” carpet in a lace mini dress by Diane Von Furstenberg, before shutting down the stage with her emotional rendition of “I Will Always Love You,” in a special tribute to the late Whitney Houston. And those are just two of our favorites.

Check out the best and worst looks from the evening at StyleBlazer.com. 

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Source: IMDB.com

It’s nothing short of kismet that Whitney Houston’s last recorded song, “Celebrate” is about getting rid of the hate and negativity to take time and focus on the good in people. Jordin Sparks presented the single to Ryan Seacrest this morning on his radio show. It’s hit the internet since then and now we’re bringing it to you.

Check out the track, which will be featured on the Sparkle soundtrack. The movie, which was Houston’s first film since the 1996 hit, The Preacher’s Wife will open in theaters on August 17.

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Source: Gospel.com

The buzz surrounding the upcoming remake of the 1976 movie “Sparkle” has grown even greater since Whitney Houston’s passing and the trailer released by Sony Pictures is raising anticipation levels even more.

This morning, the trailer for the film, which will hit theaters Aug. 17, debuted on the ‘Today” Show, and ironically mimicked the tale of Whitney Houston’s real life, showing her as a mother who is hesitant to let her daughters enter the entertainment business due to the struggles she faced as a singer. Despite the mother’s warnings, the three daughters go off on their own and get a harsh dose of reality as a singing group in the Motown era.

In addition to Whitney, the film stars Jordin Sparks as the self-titled character, Tika Sumpter, Derek Luke, Mike Epps, and Cee Lo Green.

Check out the preview clip here and tell us what you think? Do you plan to see the movie when it comes out?

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

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Source: That Grape Juice.net

As sad as Whitney’s passing has been for some of us, we’re glad to know that we’ll get to see and hear her sing again in “Sparkle.” Several journalists who interviewed the diva said that she looked healthy and sounded great. In this old footage from “Entertainment Tonight” we get to hear a bit of her vocals.

Listen to Whitney sing at the 1:00 and 2:24 marks.

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Luckily, we’ll get to see the late Whitney Houston in her last film, “Sparkle.”

Sony released a statement saying they will release the film on August 17, as planned.

Executive producer, Howard Rosenman, said this role would have been a great look for Houston.

“This would have been a big, big comeback, she is so brilliant in it. “I was just raving about her performance, she was so great in it. I’m just in shock.”

Head over to Eurweb to read what else Rosenman had to say about Houston and her role and also some of the songs she’ll be singing in the new movie.

Do you plan on seeing this remake?

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