Nene Leakes Defends Ebony Cover

Since the Ebony December/January 2013  issue hit magazine stands last week, many quickly criticized the cover girl. Ebony chose reality star & actress Nene Leakes to be the face of their Money & Power Issue and oddly enough readers didn’t think Leakes was right for this particular issue. Ebony seems to be confident in their decision and hasn’t spoken out too much but we all know Leakes is not as tight-lipped.

Nene doesn’t appreciate the shade thrown her way and is pointing to her very own for all of the negativity. She candidly chatted with The Daily Beast about the criticism and even threw in a Kim Kardashian comparison.

“I absolutely deserve to be on the cover,” she tells The Daily Beast. “This cover is about money, power, and respect. And it’s about a come-up story and I’m the one that had that story this year … Not only did I come out as a reality star that was very boisterous and vivacious and outspoken and all those things. I flipped that into money and respect. And a lot of people can’t do that.

“But listen to me, definitely all of the negative feedback definitely came from my own; African Americans were the ones that were the most negative,” she continues, adding, “And it’s so funny to me because I would call [the editor] over at Ebony and she would say ‘Girl please, glass houses. That’s all it is. They don’t want to see you on the cover, they don’t really understand the reason why you’re on the cover, they don’t know your story.”

“It’s true and I know you’ve heard it a million times, [African Americans] just don’t support one another,” she says. “But it’s OK for you to go pick up a magazine cover with Kim Kardashian. She’s my girl. We are cool. We talk. We do drinks and all of that. But her story ain’t no different than mine. You know what I mean? I might’ve worked at the strip club, but she made a sex tape.”

Click here to read more about Nene’s conversation with The Daily Beast!

Evelyn Lozada Blogs for Latina.com

VH1 Basketball Wives Star Evelyn Lozada and known hot head seems to be cleaning up her brand and channeling all of her energy in positive ventures. You may have noticed a more health obsessed Evelyn lately especially if you follow her on Instagram. Her “stay fit” attitude paid off and landed her a new gig at Latina.com as their celebrity fitness blogger.

“I’m thrilled and super excited to be the new Fitness blogger for Latina, said Evelyn. The magazine is just as hype about Evelyn’s new position. “We are thrilled to announce that “Basketball Wives” star Evelyn Lozada is Latina.com’s new celeb fitness blogger,” reads a statement. “Beginning next week, the curvaceous Puerto Rican reality star will be blogging about her favorite fitness routines, her healthy diet & more in a weekly fitness blog exclusively for Latina.com readers!”

Visit Latina.com next Wednesday to read all about how Evelyn maintains her fit figure!

Wendy Williams Goes Naked for PETA & Gives Up Furs

Talk show host and gossip queen Wendy Williams took it all off for PETA‘s popular ‘I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur’ campaign.  Wendy admits she used to rock minx and fox fur but had a change of heart after seeing how cruel the animals were treated. “We should all try to be comfortable in our own skin and let animals keep theirs,” says Wendy. Wendy unveiled her ‘I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur’ Winter campaign in Times Square on Wednesday (November 28,2012).

In addition to the photos, Wendy and PETA are encouraging fur coat owners to donate them to the organization, who will then give them to homeless people.  PETA is working with shelters in Wendy’s home state of New Jersey for winter coat drives which is extra special since so many lost everything due to Hurricane Sandy.Check out some behind the scenes footage below.

Kim Zolciak Leaves “RHOA” & Welcomes New Spinoff

On the December 2nd episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kim Zolciak will be leaving the show and will be starring in her own Bravo spinoff which will be an extension of the one she already had. In an exclusive interview with InTouch Weekly, Kim blames the show’s drama for her departure.

“I was eight months pregnant and there was so much drama; I just had to walk. I’ve taken on so much in the past five years, but this was the final straw. My priority was the child inside me.” Although I am sure Kim is happy she won,t have to share the spotlight with other women, leaving “RHOA” couldn’t have been easy? She mentioned, “I can’t say it was easy to end that chapter. After all, I met my husband through this show.”

Kim’s unnamed spin-off for “Don’t Be Tardy For The Wedding” will be a continuation of her new life with husband Kroy Bierman and their four children. Kim says “It’s going to a fun, lighthearted show about our crazy everyday life. My amazing husband is doing awesome in the NFL, we’re building a home, we have a teenager, a tween and two babies.” No premiere date has been set.

Will you miss Kim on the “RHOA”?

“Beats By Dre” Shares Newest #ShowYourColor Commercial

“Beats By Dre”  shares their latest #ShowYourColor ad campaign. King James, Skylar Grey, Tunechi, Double Chainz, Azealia Banks, MGK and will.i.am all make a colorful appearance in the commercial along with 10 contest winners selected by Dr. Dre. The commercial featured will.i.am’s newest track with Britney Spears, “Scream & Shout”. The “Beats By Dre” brand is one to watch and is truly setting a unique tone for viral marketing. It’s cool to watch.

Teyana Taylor Teams Up With Adidas Originals

G.O.O.D. Music singer and songwriter Teyana Taylor hopped on Twitter to announce a special collaboration with Adidas Originals. Looks like on February 16, 2013, Teyana will be debuting a personal Adidas sneaker. Twitter followers were the first to get a glimpse of what the shoe will look like and the excitement on the singer’s timeline was at an all time high. So many love Teyana’s personal style already so for her to share her input with a brand for retail is a natural progression. Can’t wait to see what’s in-store for this collaboration.

K. Michelle Lands Record Deal

After leaving the music scene for a while and her struggles unfolding on Love & Hip Hop Atlanta, K. Michelle now has a new record deal. After gaining attention on the reality show, fans got a better understanding of the singer. Though some may have agreed with her cast-mate Rasheeda and deemed K. Michelle crazy, many fell in love with her raw and honest lyrics first heard on the show.

Like many reality television stars, K. Michelle used the show as a platform for her art and has been riding the wave ever since. Since the show aired, K. Michelle has put out a mixtape and done hundreds of shows and appearances. Hard work pays off!

K. Michelle signed a major record deal with Warner Bros. Records and shared her excitement with Singersroom. “I’m just really blessed to get a second chance. I have so much to sing about and so many stories to tell.  I may not be the most polished or prissy R&B singer, but I do feel that I am the voice of a lot of women who don’t have a voice.”

Major congratulations to K. Michelle!

Foot Locker Kicks Off Their #WeekofGreatness

Sneaker heads worldwide have been following Foot Locker’s popular campaign and now it’s here. Foot Locker’s Week of Greatness kicked off yesterday and eager fans were more than ready a week of the season’s hottest sneaker launches.

Easily becoming the NBA funny man, the Cleveland Cavalier’s point guard Kyrie Irving joined Foot Locker as the face of the Week of Greatness and shot for their witty campaign commercial. The 2011-2012 NBA Rookie of the Year and newest member of Foot Locker Team Approved was humbled to be chosen for the campaign. “It’s truly a blessing, more or less for my family and myself. And to have the Cleveland Cavaliers incorporated in all of this, and to get national TV exposure—we don’t get that much of that here. So it’s a blessing.”

Foot Locker couldn’t have chosen a better week to launch their special week. It’s also Black Friday week which does amazing numbers for retailers. So, whether you are in line for the Jordan 1 Flight “Elephant Pack” or the Nike Air Foamposite One “Polarized Pink” this week is for you. I am not a sneaker head but I got you! This week’s lineup is as follows:

Week of Greatness Lineup
11/19 – Jordan 1 Flight “Elephant Pack”
11/19 – adidas D Rose 3 “Brenda”
11/21 – Lebron X “Floridians”
11/21 – Nike Air Penny V “Dolphins”
11/21 – Nike Air Foamposite One “Polarized Pink”
11/21 – Nike Air Max Hyperposite “Team Brown/Mandarin/Orange” (House of Hoops only)
11/21 – Lebron X “Dunkman” (House of Hoops only)
11/21 – Reebok ES22 (four colors)
11/23 – Jordan Retro IV “Bred”
11/24 – Jordan Retro IX “Slim Jenkins” (House of Hoops only)
11/24 – Nike Kobe VII “Invisibility Cloaks” (restock – House of Hoops only)
11/24 – Jordan Retro VII “Raptors” (restock – House of Hoops and select Foot Locker stores)

June Ambrose & HSN Collaborate for Shoe Line

Celebrity Stylist and The star of VH1′s “Styled by June” June Ambrose is  adding shoe designer to her resume. The fashionista is  collaborating with HSN for a Spring 2013  footwear collection. The line projected to be a big hit will debut March 2013 will be easy on the pockets, ranging from  $59 to $110 in price. Ambrose’s heels, wedges and flats will pop with jewel and acrylic details and python prints.

On the upcoming collection Ambrose said, “I thought [footwear] was a great category to launch with Mindy Grossman at HSN. They gave me a choice [of accessories], and I selected footwear. The [theme for spring] is ‘In The Wild,’ and I was taken by texture and architectural heels […] The price point is [aimed at] the fashionista who collects shoes and wants people to talk about them. They’re conversation pieces, but I also wanted them to be accessible.” [SOURCE]

It’s Official: Rocsi Diaz Joins Entertainment Tonight

Since her BET co-host Terrence Jenkins joined the E! family, I think we have all been wondering what’s up next for Rocsi Diaz after the two departed from 106th & Park. Well, it’s official! Rocsi Diaz is now a part of the Entertainment Tonight team. She gave us a clips from her first red carpet with ET at the American Music Awards on her Instagram account. See some pics below.

Congratulations Rocsi! We’ve missed you on televisions screens.