Source:(s) WENN, KenyaBell.com

Shaunie O’Neal and VH1 representatives promised that “Basketball Wives” would be turning over a new leaf for season five of the show. They claimed that they would be cutting back on “excessive physical confrontations” and so on during last season’s reunion show, after disgusted fans threatened to boycott. Even the show’s resident fist throwers, Evelyn Lozada and Tami Roman promised to do better. Unfortunately, it seems that all of the cast members didn’t receive this memo. According to TMZ, Suzie Ketcham and Kenya Bell got into a plate-hurling, fist-throwing fight at an L.A. restaurant during filming of the show last week.

It hasn’t been revealed exactly what led up to the fight, but it’s being reported that things got completely of hand when Suzie and Kenya found themselves in a heated word exchange. According to sources, although Kenya was supposedly removed from the cast last year when VH1 was handing out pink slips, she was temporarily brought  back into the mix so that her issues with Suzie could be settled.

At first, the altercation was limited to simple bickering, then Suzie took things a step further and threw a plate of meatballs on Kenya. Of course, Kenya reacted to the assault. Sources say that Kenya immediately went after Suzie and punches were thrown. VH1 producers had to intervene, prying Suzie and Kenya apart. If you’re wondering whether or not other cast members were present during the showdown, the answer is yes. Ironically, when the fight appeared to be escalating, sources say that Evelyn and Tami got up and walked away, claiming they wanted no parts of the drama.

Although I can’t say for sure, something tells me Tami and Ev may have had some sort of hand instigating the confrontation. I suppose we will have to wait and see, as sources also say that the fight will be shown during the upcoming season of the show. The “Basketball Wives” franchise honestly seems like it’s on its last leg. I hope the ladies have some other gigs lined up.

What are your thoughts on this? Will you be tuning in for season 5 or are you completely done with the show?

vh1.com

Don’t you just love when the underdog gets the last laugh? It seems that “Basketball Wives” star, Kenya Bell has every reason to laugh while she makes her way to the bank (again). It has been reported by VH1 that the former Miss Michigan has recently signed an exclusive distribution deal with Bungalo Records, which is under the guide of Universal Music Group.

When asked about her deal, the mom of two gushed:

“I am excited to work with Bungalo Records on this distribution deal and can’t wait for the world to hear my music. It has been a lifelong dream to record an album and share my passion of singing with the world.”

We’re sure the news has Kenya completely over the moon as her dream of being a singer was something that she frequently discussed during the last season of “Basketball Wives.” While a dream coming to fruition is probably a sweet victory in itself, this triumph is most likely sweeter due to the constant scrutiny she was forced to deal with from her fellow cast members last season. If you remember, the ladies were relentless when criticizing her methods of doing business, her vocal and dance abilities, and even went as far as to say that she was too old to be thinking about pursuing a career in entertainment.

It seems however, that this mean girl behavior is exactly what motivated Bell to secure the deal. She went on to discuss with VH1 her reaction to the deal and how she felt about the way her co-stars reacted to her music.

“I was floored [when Bungalo called me], I was like, ‘Really? Didn’t the ‘Basketball Wives’ tell me I had no chance?’ It felt so good to me, obviously they believe that I have something, I have talent, and for me that’s just amazing. I was doubting everything I did before, and I’m learning to not doubt myself no matter what is said. I learned to listen to criticism and change it for the better, but I’m still going to believe in myself and believe I can make this thing happen. It was shocking when I first showed [my co-stars] the video and they were like ‘Eh, what is that??’ like it was the worst thing ever.”

Bell says that behavior just pushed her even further.

“I’m still writing my own music and working with Jazzy Faye and Young Money and I’m doing even better stuff than before. My co-stars just made me better.”

Making the news even more sweet is the fact that Broadway World reports her deal as “unprecedented.” It seems that no other reality television star has successfully signed a deal this major. Can’t hate on that. Congrats Kenya!

Source: Bossip.com

It’s a bad day for Charlie Bell, the ex-husband of “Basketball Wives” star Kenya Bell. After a drawn out divorce settlement, the former NBA player has finally been ordered to pay up big — big as in practically giving his ex-wife half of everything.

As TMZ broke it down, here’s the payout Kenya will get:

Kids: Charlie has to shell out $1,000/month in child support, but they’ll share custody of their two daughters. Neither party has to cough up spousal support.

Homes: Kenya scored the marital home in Michigan, along with the home bought for her parents. Charlie gets the condo in Vegas and the home he bought his parents.

Money: Kenya was awarded $780,000 cash from Charlie’s savings … leaving him with $656,000. She also gets half of the $670,000 from another account.

That doesn’t sound so bad, although with Charlie previously claiming he doesn’t have money like he used to and that he actually deserved some of Kenya’s “Basketball Wives” money, we’re pretty sure he’s not too happy about giving up his savings. Unfortunately for him, it gets much worse. Kenya is also entitled to half of Charlie’s NBA 401k plan, half of his NBA retirement plan, half of his NBA pension, half of his NBA welfare plan, and half of his NBA supplement benefit plan. In other words, Charlie is screwed and Kenya is probably off somewhere picking out a new Hermes bag.

I’d say the former couple’s two children should be well taken care of with all the cash coming Kenya’s way; Charlie however is probably somewhere kicking himself or crying in the half of his money he actually has left. I wonder if Kenya will even want that “Basketball Wives” money anymore.

More on Madame Noire!

• KISS & TELL: 6 Celebs Who Just Couldn’t Keep Their Business In The Bedroom!
• Hate Baby Mama Drama? Here’s How To Avoid It
• Where Are They Now? The Cast Of Baldwin Hills!
• Color Trends: 5 Fall 2012 Hues To Wear Now
• True Life: This is How He Got Me to Go Out With Him
• Bet You Didn’t Know: Secrets Behind the Making of “Baby Boy”
• People Telling You Not To Wear Heels And 6 Other Tall Girl Problems

Source: RollingOut.com

Describing herself as a “good Christian girl” Kenya Bell tells the Examiner’s Njai Joszor that it was her Christian faith that kept her so calm when Evelyn threw a wine bottle at her during an argument on one of season four’ episodes:

“To be honest with you, the scene right before the wine bottle incident, I went to church. So, (it was) Jesus,” Bell told the Examiner. “But seriously, I didn’t want to fight. I have a master’s degree in engineering. I do want to do other things besides the reality show, as far as business ventures, so I really don’t want to put myself out there like this nut that can’t control her temper.”

That’s the first we’ve heard of Jesus taking the wheel. But as someone accused of stabbing her husband and claiming to be professionally trained to fight thanks to her Dad, maybe only the son of God could have kept her as calm as she was.

The reality star also told the Examiner that her “Hate Me” song was not about any Basketball Wives castmates—in particular:

“Okay so I’m like a good Christian girl. The songs that I put out before, like ‘Fly,’ are very mainstream easy going songs,” she said. “I hooked up with Jazze Pha, he’s like “no no no you need some flavor. It’s not a diss song to the ‘Basketball Wives.’”

With lyrics like:  “Watch yo mouth/This is my show./I’m takin’ ova/Snappin’ on you silly hoes. Them b****es hate me/They make me famous tho.” I’m not sure if anybody believes that’s not a direct diss to her castmates, but okay.

At the time of the interview, Kenya said she wasn’t sure if she was coming back to the Basketball Wives for Season 5. It’s unclear whether she wasn’t sure if she wanted to or if she wasn’t sure if Shaunie was giving her the axe. She survived the cut announced today, so maybe that means she’ll be back next season…with Jesus by her side.

Alissa Henry is a freelance writer living in Columbus, OH. Follow her on Twitter @AlissaInPink or check out her blog: This Cannot Be My Life

More on Madame Noire!

• Primping Ain’t Easy: Who Said Maintaining Biracial Hair Was Simple?
• Ask a Very Smart Brotha: What Should I Do About My Man’s Crazy Ex?
• Say It Loud: 8 Celebrities Whose Parents Were Activists
• You Could’ve Kept That: 9 Movie Remakes and Sequels That Shouldn’t Have Seen the Light of Day
• Don’t Be His Fool, or His Doormat: Excuses Women Need to Stop Making For Men
• Loud Cheers, No Arrests & Cultural Celebration: The Need for Black Graduation Ceremonies
• Don’t Be Desperate, Oprah: 5 Television Programs That Could Save OWN

Source: Bossip.com

Almost two months ago, “Basketball Wives” star Kenya Bell’s estranged husband Charlie was claiming that his soon-to-be ex-wife was recklessly spending his money to be spiteful. A lot of us were wondering why she still has access to his funds, but now he wants her to know what it feels like to have someone else spend your cash because he claims she’s making more money than he is and he needs some support.

According to Charlie, he’s not bringing in anywhere near as much money as he used to when he was in the NBA. Playing in an overseas league in Italy, he claims his annual salary is only $100,000 and he’s got just over a million in the bank. Kenya on the other hand, he says, makes $300,000 just for being on “Basketball Wives,” not to mention her iTunes music releases, although I doubt that brought in any substantial income. Still, his point is once this divorce is final, if ever, she ought to be the one paying him spousal support since she earns more.

Kenya’s obviously not hearing it. She says she doesn’t earn that much for being on the VH1 show and she still plans to go after whatever is in Charlie’s savings. This is the same woman who attacked him with a box cutter last year so I’m not surprised.

Do you think Kenya should pay Charlie spousal support now?

More on Madame Noire!

• Break-Ups To Make-Ups: Couples We Would’ve Like To See Give It Another Shot
• The Hair She Dared to Wear: The Coiffures of Patti Labelle
• Salt & Peplum: 10 Peplum Dresses That Need a Place in Your Closet
• Boy Pats Obama’s Head, Boy Makes History
• No Need To Call Tyrone: 7 Ways To Bow Out Of A Relationship Gracefully
• My Hair Story: I’m Going To Miss My Dominicanos
• Don’t Lie, You Were Jamming Too: 7 Singers & Groups We Used to Get Made Fun Of For Listening To

I guess my theory about Dezmond Briscoe’s baby mama just stirring up trouble was wrong. Well, she was stirring up trouble, but it wasn’t fabricated. In the same way the mother of his child outed the sexually suggestive texts he sent her on Twitter, two days later Dez owned up to them on the social networking site.

In a series of tweets he admitted to sending the texts to Christina Nero, although he claims it was just to get on her good side in dealing with their son and thoroughly denies acting on anything he said.

What’s interesting is that in showing support for Royce’s situation, fellow BBW cast member Kenya Bell aired a little secret when she tweeted earlier in the day, “I swear people make stuff up @roycelr is in love and is getting married now.” Nobody knew marriage was in the works and Royce confirmed it by responding that Kenya let the cat out of the bag. Now, not only are the marriage plans up in the air, the entire relationship is. Royce told people to view her boyfriend/potential ex-boyfriend’s Twitter feed to figure out what happened and tweeted:

Yes I feel stupid! Yes I feel betrayed! Yes I love @DezBriscoe89 but at this point I love myself more! I honestly don’t know wht I’m gonna do!

She also went on a mini rant about the situation that had people wondering why they were all putting their business out in the Twitter streets but Royce said her life is an open book and ish happens.  Today she also penned an open letter to Dez and Christina about the drama on her VH1 blog which I’ll let you read at your leisure, but a point of note is that she said:

As far as the logistics go…”At the end of the day” (Jen voice) he will not be with her. So the rant she went on and my responses change nothing for her life. Not only do I look like a fool in love, but she looks like a bitter, jealous and angry “Baby Momma.”

This entire situation is a hot social media mess. Do you believe all this drama?

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

More on Madame Noire!

• Jaded, Or Just Realistic: Which Are You?
• Being a Junkie: Hi, My Name is Victoria, and I’m Addicted to Natural Hair Products
• Was There No Better Way? Cops Cuff 6-Year-Old After Throwing Tantrum
• We All Have Good Hair: A Breakdown of Curl Patterns
• Yandy Says Don’t Knock Her Pregnant-Girl-In-The-Club Hustle
• Still Waiting: Will You Ever Be More Than “Friends”?
• Ask A Very Smart Brotha Live: Carpal Tunnel & 2 a.m.Texts
• “Ask a Black Man” Episode 4: The Marriage Episode [Extended Cut]

Source: Eurweb

If the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, the easiest way to piss him off is through his wallet. That appears to be the game plan for “Basketball Wives’” Kenya Bell, according to her soon-to-be ex-husband, Charlie Bell.

These two have been in a long divorce battle with Kenya pulling a Pilar Sanders/Tawanna Iverson move—claiming Charlie is living lavish while she struggles to care for their children. Charlie fired back with his own court documents though, saying if Kenya’s worried about feeding the kids she should stop spending money recklessly on things like:

• A Corvette, which she purchased for $82,000, drove for three weeks, then resold for $61,000
• A $12,000 motorcycle
• Criminal attorneys–$20,000
• Her brother’s electric bill which came up to $3,000 (um, does he ever turn off the lights?)
• $9,000 worth of luggage and shoes
• Plastic Surgery, which he said cost a whopping $110,000

Charlie says Kenya racked up another $150,000 in “miscellaneous expenses to get even with Mr. Bell,” I’m thinking some of that went toward her “budding” music career. The pro baller who’s currently playing overseas in Italy also says he gave Kenya $200,000 before he even left for Europe so her request that the court make him set aside a large chunk of his money for support should be denied.

I really wonder what some of these women would do if they had to raise kids on modest budgets like most Americans do. Kenya might want to pay more attention to a potential custody battle with her ex rather than a financial one. Considering she was arrested in May 2011 for breaking into the couple’s home and attacking Charlie with a box cutter in front of their two children, I can see him snatching those kids out from under her.

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

More on Madame Noire!

• When Tweeting Goes Wrong: 6 Celebrity Scuffles & Screw Ups On Twitter
• Are You In Love With Being In Love? Reasons Why Being A Romantic Can Ruin You
• Star Wars: The Best Of Celebrity Feuds
• “Ask A Black Man” Episode 1: Life Of A Single Man (Extended Cut)
• Check Your Child: 8 Tips For Keeping Your Daughter Off The Pole
• Don’t Text Your Ex! Thing To Tell Yourself Before Picking Up The Phone
• Take It To The Floor: Maxi Dresses That Will Sweep You Into Spring
• Give & Take: Signs That You Are Too Much Of A Giver

Source: VH1

I have a feeling Kesha Nichols’ appearance on “Basketball Wives” this season will be both her first and last. Why? Because she’s professional, respectful, non-confrontational–you know all those things that apparently don’t make for good TV.

Although she’s a cast newbie, Kesha has already had a couple of spats. First, with fellow newcomer Kenya Bell over her music project and then with Tami who repeatedly called her out of her name because Kesha went to Evelyn about an issue she was having with her first instead of talking directly to her. Keysha handled both issues well on camera. But how does she really feel about the drama that’s ensued so far?  Here’s what she told Juicy Mag in an exclusive interview:

“I didn’t want what happened between Kenya and I to be so drawn out. I didn’t want to keep arguing with her because it wasn’t worth it. The first dinner we had with Tami and Evelyn, when we were meeting Shaunie, wasn’t the place to be hashing things out. And of course when you’re talking about something and you have three other opinions, things escalate and become a little bigger than what they really are. It didn’t really need to go there but that’s what the show is—all of us as a group talking about stuff. More than anything, I’m just not used to the cattiness and people being so vocal about their judgment of others.”

Although the situation with Tami hasn’t fully unraveled on screen yet, Kesha did explain why she took such offense to the resident bully’s accusations of her not being black enough:

“It’s never easy growing up, being half of one thing and half of something else especially when they’re complete opposites. I grew up in the South and when I was born it was never cool for interracial couples to be out and about, and it was looked down upon by the White community. My father and his side of the family weren’t in my life at all, so I was a little mixed kid growing up around all White people.

“My family loved me and never made feel any different but in school and other places I never felt White enough. As an adult, I’m around Black women that I want to relate to and now I’m not Black enough. It’s like I can’t win for losing. My question of “Blackness” was brought up on a previous episode by Tami. She said that I “didn’t look like a Kesha.” Whether my name is Kesha, Shaquana, or Becky—it doesn’t matter. I identify myself as Black. I feel if I want to relate to you as a Black woman, why would you ever want to push me away?”

Kesha also responded to a couple of shady rumors Tami and Kenya exposed about her getting Kenya’s soon-to-be-ex-husband’s phone number on camera.

“That was such a non-issue that it wasn’t even covered on the show,” Kesha said. “The show is all about drama. If there was something really there, don’t you think they would’ve jumped on that and made it a full storyline? They’re not trying to protect me anyway, I’m the new girl.

“I saw Kenya’s husband out in New York and it had been two years since I had seen either one of them. I was under the impression that they were still together and didn’t know that they weren’t. We had all exchanged information when were friends way back. When we started filming the show, I think he found out that Kenya was doing it and he texted me. He sent me a text that said “Hey.” I didn’t respond to it and I immediately told Kenya—end of story. It was nothing. That’s why we didn’t see it on the show.”

Kesha’s been handling the drama well so far, I just hope she doesn’t morph into a monster by the end of it all like the other ladies.

What do you think about Kesha? Will she survive the mean girls of “Basketball Wives?”

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

More on Madame Noire!

• What Happened To These Child Stars?
• Tell ‘Em Why You’re Mad: Ladies, Are We Way Too Hard on Each Other?
• Ask a Very Smart Brotha Live: Sleepy Tummys and Office Romances
• White Female Rapper: New Wave in Hip Hop or Pure Minstrelsy?
• What You Can And Can’t Fix About Your Sex Life’
• Hair-Raising!: Real Life Hair Horror Stories
• Six Blacks Who Made Forbes’ Billionaire List
• She’s Trying to Erykah Badu Me: 7 Men Whose Style Changed For Their Lady

Source: The Jasmine Brand

How soon Evelyn has forgotten the drama that unfolded over the last t-shirt idea she had. Remember non-motha-f***in’ factor and how Tami promptly rolled up on Evelyn at her store? Well, the “Basketball Wife” is taking her chances with another tee, this time based off of a comment she made about cast newcomer Kenya Bell.

On a previous episode of “Basketball Wives,” Evelyn commented that she didn’t know what was up with Kenya’s weave and said, “it’s leanin,’ complete with her signature shady confused face, and now she’s put the phrase on a t-shirt. She explained the concept to ABC News Radio:

So now I have another T-shirt, “It’s Leanin’” and the letters are leaning on the shirt and I’m referring to Kenya’s hair from last episode. (Laughs) I made a comment and I was like, “Well, I don’t really know — something about her hair.” And then I said something, “It’s leanin’,” and my entire timeline since that show, people tweeting me pictures of bad weaves, you know, “Look at me! I’m leanin’” I mean so it became this thing so yes, that’s my next T-shirt. I’m sorry Kenya.

Sounds real heartfelt. Unlike Tami, Kenya is a little spacy so I’m sure she won’t try to check Evelyn on this, but you never know. She was quick to let Kesha know when she was getting out of line.

What do you think of Evelyn’s new tee?

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

More on Madame Noire!

• Where’s My Belt!? Children of Celebrities Who Have Acted a Fool
• Switch Up the Style for the Season: Hair Suggestions for the Spring
• Double Take! Celebs’ Who Look Just Like Their Parents
• Golden Girls! Gorgeous Gold Accessories – EDITOR PICKS
• 7 Things Most Men Learn About Women Eventually
• Black Celebrity Twins Besides Tia & Tamera
• First Look: Fantasia’s Baby Boy Dallas Xavier
• Nothing But Natural! Great Hair Blogs For Natural Sistahs

On Thursday, VH1 we will be broadcasting a livestream photo shoot featuring the entire cast of Season 4 of Basketball Wives Miami. Who exactly is included in entire? Suzie, Jennifer, Shaunie, Tami, Evelyn, Royce (guess the rumors about quitting were just talk), and the two new cast members, Kenya and Kesha.

The ladies will be on set shooting promotional pics for season 4 and chatting about their style, businesses, and what they’ve been up to since the end of last season. They’ll also be tweeting live and answering questions tweeted to them using the hashtag #BBW. Hopefully the ladies can manage to sit through hair and makeup without any problems.

The livestream will run from 11am-3pm EST Dec. 8. Will you check it out?

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

More on Madame Noire!

Once It’s Gone It’s Gone: Can You Ever Really Reclaim Virginity

ANTM Winner Launches Plus-Size Dating Site: Is It Necessary

“OOoo I Just Want to Play In Your Hair”: 7 Celeb Men with Luscious Locks

How To Take Things Slow Without Losing His Interest

7 Things That Are Awesome About Breakups

Young Love: Our Celebrity Crushes From Back in the Day That Fell Off… Hard

In A League Of Their Own: Miss Black Americas