Source: Bossip

We’ve witnessed actress Taraji P. Henson blossom into one fabulous individual over the years and it’s so hard not to love her wild sense of humor and her down to earth personality. The 42-year-old knockout recently paid a visit to the Wendy Show where she chatted it up about everything from parenting to her rumored relationship with Idris Elba. Check out some of what she had to say.

 On putting off her son’s college enrollment: 

“I had my son sit out a semester. Well, a year. We did the gap year. I just felt like he wasn’t ready. He’s of college age. He’s on his way to college. He was supposed to start last year. I want to set him up for success not failure. And a lot of kids when they go to college and they’re not mentally ready, they’re not mature enough and they fail. He’s not gonna waste my money. I feel like we invest in our children’s future and like I said I want to set him up for success not failure. Yes and he did [get a job for a year to mature] and I’m so proud of him. He’s such a good boy, he just wasn’t ready.”

On the Think Like a Man sequel: 

“Yes, [a sequel is] being made. We start [filming] May 13th in Vegas.”

On how (and why) she maintains a low profile: 

“I do [go out shopping while in New York City]. We [Mary J. Blige and I] hang out. I was just with her at Noble. This is what you guys need to understand. I don’t do it and I’m not judging, but a lot of celebrities call the paparazzi to meet them where they’re going. So I am choosing to have a private life because I have a son. I have a son who is on the Internet. And like I said last time I was here, I don’t know what it is to grow up, you know his father was murdered. I don’t know what it is to grow up without a dad, my grandfather is murdered and now my mom is this big celebrity and she’s always in the tabloids. I wouldn’t do that to him.”

On the rumored romance shared between she and Idris Elba: 

“There’s the record I’ve slept with every man I’ve ever worked with. There it is! No [that is not true at all]. I just do not mix business with pleasure… If you have sex with them why would they want to work with you again?”

Turn the page to watch Taraji’s interview and find out which one of her hot co-stars she’d sleep with if she had to choose between Michael Ealy, Brad Pitt and Tyrese Gibson. 

From HelloBeautiful

Reunited and it feels so good!

One of our favorite on-screen couples from the ’90s have found themselves back in each other’s arms. Well, almost.

Clueless stars Stacey Dash and Donald Faison — better known as dysfunctional couple Dionne and Murray — will be starring side-by-side again on an episode of the TV Land comedy, “The Exes.”

According to reports, Dash will play Dana, a recommitted virgin who is currently dating Faison’s character, Phil.

The episode is slated to air in July, but until then, lets take a look at 10 other couples from television and the big screen that we’d love to see work together again.

Read more at HelloBeautiful.com

Source: Lionsgate

When it comes to Tyler Perry films, The Family That Preys is one of, if not my all time favorite. It stars some A-list actors, the story is complex without leaving any loose ends and it was one of the few Tyler Perry movies that wasn’t based off of his stage plays. If you’ve seen the movie, I doubt you’ve forgotten the plot or that pivotal moment with Sanaa Lathan and Rockmond Dunbar over that counter top. You remember, but check out these behind the scenes secrets.

Zooey Deschanel, Lindsay Lohan, Bruce Willis and Scarlett Johansson… want to know what they all have in common? They all attempted that rocky transition from actor to singer, some conquering this territory with success, but many failing spectacularly. The urge for actors to test their talents in other realms is an understandable one. It makes sense that if you’re celebrated for talents in one area, you surmise that you have what it takes to flourish in other arenas. The aforementioned actors are just a shortlist of individuals who’ve attempted the crossover, read on to find out which African American singers have dabbled into singing.

Terrence Howard

Source: WENN

Howard’s performance as an actor and rapper in the acclaimed film Hustle & Flow earned him an Academy Award nomination and recognition for his…well, flow. He followed the film with the release of his first studio album, Shine Through It –which presents music that is far different than what’s featured in the film. Most often described as experimental, the album features soft-rock, R&B and soul sounds.

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

FayesVision/WENN.com

Some women have all the luck. If it’s not enough that they’re world famous actresses, they have also scored big-time in the leading man department. No nerdy, unfortunate costars for these stunners. So due partly because we’re incredibly impressed by their choice of projects and partly because we are crazy jealous of their penchant for scoring some truly amazing eye candy, we salute 15 lovely, talented ladies whose string of costars have left us weak in the knees.

Source: CBS News

This week’s issue of TV Guide is not the first time cast members of the CBS drama “Person of Interest” graced the cover. It’s just the last time the show was featured, Taraji was not one of those said persons.

If you think back to the end of last September, Taraji wrote a not so nice Facebook post after seeing her co-stars Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson on the cover of TV Guide without her. She wrote:

“WOW!!!! TV Guide is NOT including me on the cover with my cast memebers [sic]……..I am the female lead of a 3 member cast and I’m not included on the cover!!!!!! Do you see the [expletive] I have to deal with in this business…..I cram to understand!!!!”

While Taraji had everyone feeling her omission was a not so subtle instance of racism and possibly even sexism, Debra Birnbaum, the Editor-in Chief of TV Guide Magazine, diverted the situation telling TooFab.com:

“I made an editorial decision to do a story about the relationship between the two male characters on Person of Interest and that’s who I was going to put on the cover. That has been my decision all along, ever since I saw the pilot. We’re certainly fans of Taraji Henson and her storyline on the show was never intended to be the focus of our cover story. I don’t know where there was a misunderstanding about this, but it’s been clear to everyone from the start. I don’t make decisions on who is put and not put on the cover based on race or gender.”

Fast forward to October 10 and there Taraji stands with her co-stars as the “vigilante dream team.” Inside, a feature on the hit series discusses the relationship between the characters each actor plays on-screen with Taraji discussing the relationship between her character, Detective Carter, and John Reese, played by Jim Caviezel.

“The first season, there was so much tension because she didn’t know if she could trust him, but now they’ve become really good friends,” Taraji said. “There’s a definite respect and love for each other.”

It’s good to see TV Guide is showing her some love and respect this year. And I must say that purple dress looks good on her. This issue of TV Guide hits newsstands tomorrow!

Do you think TV Guide is making up for last year’s omission by giving Taraji cover time this year?

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I truly believe in my heart of hearts that in the world according to Essence, there are only 12 black celebrities: Beyonce, Jill Scott, Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington, Nia Long, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Michelle Obama, Gabrielle Union, and their November cover subject, Tyler Perry. We love these ladies, especially Mrs. O, and they are all amazing in their own right but damn it they are NOT the only black folks doing things in the entertainment industry and Essence of all people should know this.

Last month, I suggested we start a bet in the office on who would have next on the magazine’s cover because after I saw Jill Scott grace the October issue, I knew guessing the probability of the magazine using one of its tried and true go-tos was about as high as a professional basketball player cheating on his wife with a video chick. And sure enough, there was Tyler Perry in all his golden purple joy plastered on the glossy for the fourth time since 2007—nearly once every year.

I know the good folks over at Essence are smart, so it’s not as though they don’t know that they’ve recycled the same people over, and over, and over again. I think they fail to realize that we peeped game too – or they just assume we love these people so much we don’t care. That’s the only logical conclusion I can draw, based solely on the annual cover repeats, and the fact that when Mary J. Blige was the guest editor for the June issue, they boasted that this was her twelfth time on the cover – as if that was a good thing. I’m sure Mary doesn’t mind, but the readers that are still hanging on? Trust me, they care.

The problem is simple, Essence is the only magazine specifically for black women. If anyone should be constantly reinventing themselves – and their covers –it should be them. Why is a magazine for black women acting as though there are only a handful of us to choose from? Yes, I’m sure they’ve done all sorts of studies on who sells magazine covers, which is probably why they keep serving up the same best sellers, but would it kill them to take a risk – that wouldn’t really be a risk at all?

Let’s think about this year’s Summer Olympics, black women were the London Games. Did Serena have a cover, what about the US track team – hello Sanya Richards-Ross, heck even Lolo Jones, and regardless of her being 16 years old, there isn’t one person on this earth who would say they’ve had enough of Gabby Douglas. Essence had a huge opportunity with those ladies, but who did we get this summer instead? Mary, Obama, Nia, and Jada. Anyone else hear the Four Tops singing “it’s the Same Old Song” in their head?

At the height of Gabourey Sidibe’s “Precious” hype, it’s amazing that Elle put the actress on the cover, rather than Essence. I’m curious if the magazine got the memo that Janelle Monae is the hotness right now, not to mention a Cover Girl. The Braxtons? Solange? Ri-freaking-Hanna? These are women who are high in demand right now. Yes, Rih Rih is a bit of a wild child but if Oprah can have a sit down with her, I’m sure Essence could tailor their talk to something their readers would care about. The question is do they care about what their readers care about?

We know why everyone went bananas over Viola Davis’ November 2011 cover, she was the first new face in a hot, long minute. And when they followed that up with Tasha Smith in December I just knew someone over there had had their Eureka moment. For a brief second I thought, yes, they finally get it! They found out that more than 12-15 black people are doing big things. And then January 2012 issue came out. And I saw Queen Latifah in a red onesie. And the cycle continued.

In Essence’s defense, they’re probably a little nervous to think too far outside the box anymore, considering the two times they tried people had a full-blown fit. Remember the Diddy-Kim Porter catastrophe? Reggie Bush backlash anybody? Granted these weren’t the best choices, but that did mark the beginning and the end of Essence’s let’s be creative era.

Many have come to the conclusion that the magazine wants to play it safe and cater to a demographic that clearly is much older than the 18-34-year-old crowd. And that’s all good and well, except if that’s true, then why post pictures and videos of women like Evelyn Lozada on the website? The disconnect is alarming. I’d love to go back to being a faithful Essence reader but looking at the covers, I can only assume the content inside is just as predictable as the faces on the outside. At this point all I can suggest is Time Warner steal Desiree Rogers and let her bring the magazine (and its website) back to life just like she did Ebony.

What’s your take on Essence? Who do you think they’re sleeping on for cover choices?

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

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Source: WENN

As someone who feels like an indentured servant to Sallie Mae, I’m struggling a bit with Taraji P. Henson’s parenting style.The actress appeared on Jimmy Falon earlier this week to talk about the next season of “Person of Interest” but when the late night host asked her about her 18-year-old son Marcel and whether she packed him up and shipped him off to college, she said quite the opposite. She kept him out of college to make him get a job and pay for school.

“Even though he is privileged, he doesn’t remember the bad times when we were eating Hamburger Helper and peanut butter and jelly for desert,” she told Jimmy. He remembers all the good times and I don’t want to raise this privileged kid, who’s out of touch, so I made him sit out the first semester and he has to get a job. He called his grandmother, he was like, ‘It’s hard out here, it’s hard to find a job.’ So I was like, ‘Yeah, I need you to know that.’”

“I need him to see how real it is out here. It builds character. I told him, ‘College is like an investment. I’m investing my money in your future, and if I feel like you’re a bad investment, I’m taking my money back.”

I’m hoping Taraji left out part of the story, like her son is an ungrateful rich snob, otherwise I don’t totally follow her thinking. I certainly get making her son work for his education but making him sit out of school to get a job that could never pay off the cost of that degree doesn’t translate to me. But that’s her boy. Hopefully he’ll be able to catch up when he’s finally allowed to enroll.

What do you think about Taraji keeping her son out of school?

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We love each of these actors and singers for their talent, but no role in film, TV or stage is more perfect than the roles they have together, reliving some of the most classic movie roles and songs as a duet. Here are 15 Black celebrity couples, primarily from the 90′s and beyond, we love to see together on the big screen, the main stage or in our headphones, and the many projects they’ve starred in together.

Source: Goldstar

Angela Bassett & Laurence Fishburne

This perfect cinematic couple have been featured in multiple projects together, from the big screen to the small stage. This couple most famously played Ike and Tina Turner for “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” were mother and father to Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding Jr.), performed on the stage together in “Fences,” and appeared together again in the 2006 film, “Akeelah and the Bee.”