Source: WENN

What were these celebrities thinking when they made these silly comments? Did they really think the other person would laugh it off or not react. We’re sure they will think twice before they open their big mouths again or do something else outrageous.

Source: Shutterstock

In MN’s Year In Review, we’re counting down our top stories as well as the biggest moments in television, music, movies, and news.

Though you might think slideshows make this site (yes, we sense the shade), it’s the unique essays penned by our team of writers that really make the Madame Noire voice and spark the discourse we enjoy having with you — our lovely readers. Here’s a list of the 10 most-read essays we’ve published this year. Which one’s your favorite?

1. WHY I’M CONCERNED ABOUT LALA AND HER FAKE FULL COURT LIFE

1. I’ll be honest, I feel like Lala is my celebrity BFF. Last season I only watched her show because it filled a gap somewhere in between my Monday night TV lineup, but after a few episodes I realized she wasn’t boring, she was the type of down to earth, unwaveringly loyal friend, mother, and wife of a pro athlete that I think I would really like in real life. Her show and her personality definitely grew on me. With the premiere of season 2 last night, I was pretty excited to see a group of girls hanging out together, sharing laughs, and catching up—especially after the foolishness that came on before her show—but unfortunately that’s not exactly what I got…Read more.

2. CLUTCH ANSWERS THE QUESTION WE’VE ALL BEEN ASKING: WHY TINY?

OK, so maybe we all haven’t been asking this, but as a lover of T.I. I can admit I have been a hater of Tiny. And as my Twitter timeline often shows on Monday nights, and obviously author Shahida Muhammad’s as well, lots of women find themselves asking, out of all the women T.I. could have, why did he choose Tiny?…Read more.

3. SHYTE NATURAL HAIR GIRLS NEED TO STOP SAYING AND DOING…

So I caught the latest addition to the Isht that So & So Says meme called Isht that Natural Hair Girls Says and I got a good chuckle out of it because it just reminded me of how sometimes the whole fascination over natural hair gets to be ridiculous…Read more.

4. IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU: GAY MEN AND THE WOMEN WHO DATE THEM

A few months ago, I went on a date with a gentleman who  really had me scratching my head. When I initially met him, I can recall thinking that he was perhaps more sensitive (aka, feminine) than most of the guys I engage. However, I decided to be nice and at least get to know him a little more before drawing any conclusions. I left my number with him and within a few days he’d arranged to take me to dinner at a restaurant I had been eager to try. While I had resolved to keep an open mind, in my head was the reality that I would need to see some unbridled manliness (whatever that is) during this date in order to be comfortable with seeing him for a second one….Read more.

5. WHY ARE WE EXPECTED TO LINE UP FOR RED TAILS BUT NOT PARIAH?

I went to go see Pariah over the weekend and actually, I really enjoyed it.

The film, which was written and directed by Dee Rees (protégé of Spike Lee’s protégé’), is a coming of age story of Alike, a 17-year-old Black girl from Harlem coming to terms with her own sexual identity as a lesbian and must waver the waters between her conservative mother, played by Kim Wayans, and her contradictory father, played by Charles Parnell. The film has been getting lots of praise for highlighting the invisible voice of black female queers in the community; however, the intense and strained relationship between mother and daughter has such a universal theme, which makes it relatable to just about anyone, who once struggled in their youth…Read more.

The contest was a chance to win LA LA Anthony’s Fall 2012 Motives for LA LA make up collection!

In 300 creative words or less,  readers told us why they deserved a makeover. The contest ran between October 16 – October 31, 2012 and helped kick off Madame Noire’s first social media targeted contest of the Fall. This was a great collaboration with mother, wife, entrepreneur and actress La La Anthony. One lucky winner was chosen for this great win and we would love to send a big shout out to our Motives for LA LA Contest Winner P.Exum!

Here is a snippet of the winning entry:

Hello MadameNoire!

I’m divorced and a mother of an amazing 16 year-old son who has Autism but I’ve neglected and forgotten about myself! Two years ago my former employer downsized and finding myself unemployed for the first time in over 20 years, I took advantage of the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom.  I focused on my son’s development, created a fresh new home environment minus the husband, and searched for a new career path.  I began dressing casually (sweats) & wearing make-up occasionally (mostly lip gloss).

Being a lover of all things beautiful, I consider myself a fashionista and a trendsetter who’s lost her place in line, I’m working to get my spot back and replacing my crumbled, cracked, dry and expired make-up would be a blessing.  With a new job and the tightest budget ever  ~

Thanks!!!!

P. Exum

We would love to thank all of the people who submitted entries! We look forward to bringing our Madame Noire community more great opportunities!

Happy Holidays,

Madame Noire

Hey Noirettes, 

In 300 creative words or less – tell us why you’d like to win La La Anthony’s Fall 2012 Make-Up Collection. Has it been ions since you’ve tried a new fierce red lipstick hue? Did you lose your fully stocked make-up bag? Or did your boyfriend use your most prized black eyeliner to leave you a message on the mirror? If so, let our editors know!!!

Between October 16 – October 30, 2012, Madame Noire will kick off its first social media targeted contest collaborating with mother, wife, entrepreneur and actress La La Anthony.

One lucky winner from Madame Noire will win her Fall 2012 beauty collection Motives for La La based on their compelling story!

The Editors at Madame Noire will select the best narratives and forward them directly to La La personally!

Out of the top 5 selected, La La will choose one and send a personal Thank You video, as well as her amazing collection.

Submit your story now via: motivesforlalacontest@madamenoire.com!

Check out our cool staff makeovers, courtesy of Motives for La La!

For rules and regulations hit the link!

If you’ve been living under a rock for like…forever, Howard University is the historical black college in Washington, D.C. that has been one of the leaders for turning students into future leaders of tomorrow. The school also been the alma mater to many high profile black celebrities. Here are 10 ladies who enrolled at HU and either graduated (some with honors) or made a big impact during their time there.

http://www.starscolor.com

Taraji P. Henson
The Academy Award nominated actress hustled to make her way through college and support herself. She was first enrolled at North Carolina University Agricultural and Technical. She then transferred to Howard and majored in theater. Henson had a job as a secretary at the Pentagon and was a singer and dancer on a cruise ship to help cover the costs of her education. She graduated in 1995 with a degree in theater arts.

If blue wasn’t already your favorite color, these celebrities rocking the bright yet subdued shade might help you change your mind on that shade of pink you were thinking about. Let’s take a look at three of our favorite celebrities wearing some blueberry, sky and baby blue joints all over the country this week to determine who should feel good and who really should feel blue about their style choices.

Oh, Jessica White. She’s such a pretty woman, but I don’t know what it is about her fashion choices that just always throws me off. The spokesmodel wore this extravagant blue gown to the Dream Big! The Jacob’s Cure gala in NYC on Wednesday. While the leggy model is rocking the gown well, we’re not sure we like the gown at all. The strapless dress was doing an ombre design all over with beading covering it. And if that wasn’t interesting enough, she had a split that literally came up to her ladybits. The nude peep toe pumps, some studded earrings and a few rings were her only accessories, and she did a bright red lip and pulled back hair to tie everything together. I don’t know what it is, but this dress just comes off sort of cheap looking to me (why a black zipper when nothing else is black on the dress?). And maybe it’s even the weird tiered sash at her waist. Body wise, she looks great, but I can’t do this look. Sorry, girl. Stop.

We’ve been watching many of our favorite celebrities for years, and now we get to watch their children grow up. Check out the future of the famous!…

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What’s a red carpet without fabulous fashion? Well, it wouldn’t be a red carpet after all. Madame Noire got an eyedful of awesome fashion at the Black Girls Rock! red carpet recently and got to chat it up with fashionitas like Tamar Braxton, Lala Vasquez and Tichina Arnold. Their styles were certainly the “bomb dot com” Check it out!

Check Out More Video from Black Girls Rock! Red Carpet:

• Madame Noire Chats it up with Black Girls Rock! Nominees
• Stylin’ and Profilin: Check out the fashion at Black Girls Rock!
• Black GUYS That Rock & Black Girls Rock! Superheroes

Newlyweds Carmelo Anthony and La La Vasquez are the latest celebrities to jump on the reality T.V. bandwagon. With a new show airing on VH1 this Sunday, September 19, the two will chronicle the preparations and ceremony for their marriage. It’s a  five-episode series.

This move from the Anthonys begs the question of whether reality shows help or hurt a celebrity’s career.

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