Source: WENN

Former Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks’ life is the epitome of a rags to riches story. The 30-year-old Cayman Islands native isn’t ashamed to tell her story either. During the Food Banks’ Can Do Awards, Ebanks chatted it up with the NY Post, revealing that when she was a child, her mother heavily relied on charity and government assistance to ensure that she and her seven brothers were fed.

“My mother relied on food stamps and the food pantry so we never went hungry. There’s no shame when you have children and you want to provide for them,” the 5’9 beauty revealed.

She went on to marvel at her mother’s ability to put her pride aside for the sake of her children.

“It says something about a woman that has no ego when it comes to her children. She did anything possible.”

“She was working the system to make sure we had everything. Sometimes we had two or three turkeys at Thanksgiving, and she would give them to our neighbors that weren’t qualified for the program.”

Selita’s mom is now able to enjoy the finer things in life. She’s retired and lives in Georgia.

“Now she is living with her feet up on the couch, living every day,” Selita expressed.

It’s sometimes easy to look at a successful person and think that they’ve always had it good, without considering that they probably had to struggle to get where they are. It’s great that Selita hasn’t forgotten where she came from and continues to give back.

Source: WENN

A couple of months ago we told you guys that supermodel and former Victoria’s Secret Angel, Selita Ebanks was in the process of filming a new reality show for the Style Network. The network officially announced the docu-series when it released a list of nine unscripted programs that they are currently working on for their 2013-2014 developmental slate, reports Variety.

“We are excited to expand our programming slate by developing edgy, fun, informative series that are accessible and aspirational.  By partnering with creative and talented producers, Style provides a unique, optimistic environment for our viewers who have an insatiable appetite for looking good and living stylishly,” said Style’s senior vp of programming and development, Sarah Weidman.

The network also says that the show will document Selita following her break-up with her E! News anchor ex-boyfriend Terrence J as she embarks on life after thirty. News of the hot Hollywood pair’s split leaked back in February. Freinds close to Ebanks say their super busy schedules is what ultimately caused them to call it quits. A brief description of the show found in a press release issued by Style reads:

“This docuseries follows supermodel Selita Ebanks as she embarks on a new chapter in her life at the age of 30. After her two-year relationship with TV personality Terrence J ends, Selita’s focus shifts to expanding her career beyond modeling to launching a clothing line.”

Selita (working title) is executive produced by 51 Minds with Chris Abrego, Ben Samek and Rabih Gholam.

So… will you watch?

Source: The Grio

Since November of 2011, E! News host, Terrence J and supermodel Selita Ebanks appeared to be a match made in Hollywood heaven, with their million dollar smiles and über sucessful careers. Unfortunately, it seems that those same demanding careers may have contributed to the couple’s demise, according to Page Six.

A source close to Ebanks revealed that the couple could no longer endure the strain that their busy schedules  placed on the relationship and decided to split over what they called “scheduling conflicts.”

“Selita is just so busy,” the insider revealed.

In addition to her already demanding career, the model is also said to be in the process of working on a television pilot and releasing a single. I think it’s safe to assume that Selita is working on some type of reality show, but as for that single? Not so sure what that will entail.

Over the weekend, the former Victoria’s Secret Angel was spotted partying it up, celebrating her 30th birthday, as television cameras followed her around. Terrence was nowhere in sight.

 “Selita was dancing on the banquette at her table and garnering glances from many in the room,” a partygoer revealed.

We also hear that during the course of her two-day birthday celebration, she was in the company of quite a few male admirers. Loverboy Trey Songz is said to have serenaded the supermodel over her birthday cake during a party at Bagatelle on Saturday. It seems that Selita has wasted no time taking advantage of her singleness, as Page Six also reports that there was plenty of flirting going on during her birthday dinner with attendee, David Spade.

We really liked Selita and Terrence as a couple, but we understand that they had to do what was best for them. Sometimes a choice really does have to be made between love and career.

What do you think of Terrence and Selita’s split? Did you dig them as a couple?

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

We’re finally coming to a close with the work week and before we get lazy because it’s about to be the freakin’ weekend, we of course had to take a moment to showcase some of the most colorful and attention-grabbing ensembles from the week. Sistahs were out and about in their leather pants, with their fur stoles and jackets, rocking metallic accessories and playful African prints. Could we finally go a week with no stops? We shall see…

WENN

Selita Ebanks

Red usually means stop, but looking vibrant in firetruck red, Selita Ebanks was a go! The former Victoria’s Secret Angel attended the 8th Annual UNICEF Snowflake Ball at Cipriani in NYC doing the va-va voom thing in this strapless red gown with a gathered asymmetrical bodice that had a cascading ruffle around the waist. The dress also had a split that stopped at the thigh, and a dramatic train for added effect. She wore black pointed toe pumps and took with her a small black satin clutch. As you can see, her jewelry included a beaded drop necklace, and she brought along her favorite thing in the attempt to go Hollywood glamour and keep warm – some fur.

I think, for starters, that Selita’s makeup is gorgeous, and the hair is “flickin’” which is always a good thing. And I do find the dress to be very stunning, plus I like the mix of the black heel with the black clutch, but the necklace she could have saved for another day. Either way though, steal!

WENN

Source: WENN

Did you know that even the big named Victoria’s Secret models have to audition for a spot in the annual VS Fashion Show each year? Neither did we, but that’s what popular lingerie model Selita Ebanks revealed to New York Magazine’s The Cut before announcing her unofficial retirement. She shared some not so pleasant aspects of the job with the fashion blog during the UNICEF Snowflake Ball, saying:

“You have to show up in your panties, and you have to walk and be pleasant and say hi to everyone and hope that you’ve still got it.

“I didn’t make it. Go figure,” she expressed laughing and noting that she didn’t intend on trying out again next year. “I’ve done, what, five, six shows? I’ve experienced my V.S. days.”

She has a point, she has done her share of shows, and moving on is not always a bad thing. Honestly, having to audition for the same show year after year  does seem pretty draining.

The Victoria’s Secret Angel title is generally an annual gig where the models chosen strut in the annual fashion show, pose in the catalog, and attend V.S. promotional events throughout the year. While Selita’s retirement doesn’t look like it was a voluntary one, she does appear to be in good spirits and taking it really well unlike some divas who would throw public tantrums and talk about all they’ve done for XYZ company or even lie about being cut. The 29-year-old beauty seems to be  thankful for having had the opportunity and graciously moving on, which is a lesson many in the fashion and entertainment industry have yet to master.

We’re excited to see what Selita will be working on next as we’re pretty sure the swimsuit designer won’t be sitting around on the couch twiddling her thumbs or spending all day hanging out poolside with her boyfriend Terrence J now that she’s turned in her angel wings. We shall see.

What do you think of Selita’s departure? Do you think it’s for good?

Jazmine Denise is a writer living in New York. Follow her on Twitter @jazminedenise

WENN

Model Selita Ebanks showed up for the 29th Annual Fashion Group International Night of Stars event in NYC shimmering and shiny in this light blue metallic floor-length gown. The material on the dress was ruched and draped around her body, and around the waist was a wide band that sat above her sassy slit. She threw on strappy silver heels with a silver clutch, small chandelier earrings, a bold wine-colored lip and had a black fur in hand. While it’s a pretty dress, something about it isn’t flattering on her figure and it seems like a gown better suited for an older woman. Plus, the hair is a little blah. Pretty girl, but I’ll have to pass on this ensemble.

WENN

Hey fashionistas! Looking for some style inspiration? Or better yet, looking to skewer the style choices of some of the biggest names in Hollywood (or black Hollywood at least)? Why, you’ve come to the right place m’dears. Let’s take a look at who was killing it on the red carpet and for Fashion Week, and who could have done a lot better, and needed to be stopped.

Getty

Somebody loves leather! Actress Tika Sumpter arrived at the Urbanworld Film Festival for a screening of “Being Mary Jane” in NYC in an all black (and gray) ensemble and a bright red pout. She wore black leather (or pleather) bottoms with a sleeveless peplum leather top, and accessorized with pointed toe suede booties and a gray and brown newsboy cap. Don’t forget about that black bag with its chain link detail, and I’m digging the bone-straight hair. All in all, I would have mixed up the materials and probably not done leather on leather, and instead maybe tried some fly printed pants to get some extra color in there. She doesn’t look bad, but I was definitely looking for a bit more excitement (we couldn’t even get a bright bag?). I would pass on an ensemble like this.

Getty

Source: zimbio.com

Don’t we keep saying you can’t just walk around smacking/punching/slapping people without consequence? Selita Ebanks is just now learning that delayed lesson after Telemundo model Liza Irizarry, 34, filed a lawsuit against the Victoria’s Secret model for breaking her nose during a Miami fight last year.

If you remember in November, Selita reportedly flipped out on Liza for speaking to Terrence J when they were out at Dream nightclub. Liza supposedly just said “hello” to Terrence and gave him a kiss on the cheek but that kiss earned her a broken nose when Selita, who was standing behind Terrence, supposedly yelled out “Don’t be kissing on my man!” and instantly swung her fist at Liza’s face. The blow broke Liza’s nose and the following Monday she told the Daily News:

“I was in so much pain. My pillow was covered in blood.”

Now Liza wants some compensation for that pain and suffering. NY Daily News is reporting that a suit will be filed for assault and battery in Hudson County Superior Court, near Selita’s New Jersey home, seeking cash for pain, suffering, and medical bills. Liza filed a police report immediately following the incident last fall but Selita was never arrested or charged with anything, now she and her lawyer, Edward Steinberg, want to make her pay. He told the Daily News:

“We hope that with an action like this, Miss Ebanks will no longer attack or assault anyone. We think this is a very simple case of assault and battery by a woman, who maybe used her status and stature to feel like she could get away with something.”

I wonder if she can smile her way out of this. What do you think?

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

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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.

For all the fashion heads, I’m sure you’re very pumped about Rip the Runway making its return to BET on March 21. You’ll get to check out funky, fly and fresh fashions of new and seasoned black designers, and in the midst of all that, get to rock out to some very entertaining performances (Lil Kim, Wale and Estelle are a few who you can look forward to). The taping of the show took place last night at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC, and The Game star Pooch Hall and model Selita Ebanks were hosts. Check out the best (and possibly worst) of Selita’s style choices from last night.

Ebanks hit the red carpet for the event last night in this figure hugging turtleneck dress (sans sleeves). The multicolored dress was rich in details, showcasing zippers, glitter, mesh and more. She paired it with some floral-detailed heels in black, and opted out of real jewelry. Loving the ombre hair color and the perfectly curled bangs (ever over-curled your bangs? It looks a mess…). The makeup was also very clean and playful.