Shateria Moragne-el Does NYC Press Tour For Front Row Couture

Meetings, meetings and more meetings! Shateria Moragne-el, fashion designer and Rick Ross’ girlfriend toured NYC promoting her new fashion line, Front Row Couture. Shateria shared snapshots on her Instagram account and gave us a glimpse of her press run. She stopped by Vibe, Allure, Teen Vogue, Hello Beautiful and InStyle.

Keyshia Ka’oir Releases Building The Brand 3 (#BTB3)

This Christmas, model/CEO Keyshia Ka’oir released the third installment of Building The Brand. In part three, Keyshia talks millions, giving back, New York Fashion week and so much more. In a super relatable video, you almost feel like you can reach out and touch Keyshia. The Ka’oir Cosmetics brand and its CEO are inspiring. Watch below! Merry Christmas!

T.I.’s Countdown to Trouble Man (Episode 1)

Rapper T.I. is gearing up for the release of his new album Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head on December 18th. T. I. is counting down the days until his release and he is bringing us along for the ride. In a 5 part video series, you can get a behind-the-scenes look into a promotional day for the Trouble Man. Check out the first episode here!

Chad Johnson Works To Repair His Image

After a violent domestic dispute, failed marriage and immediate job loss, Chad Johnson is trying to pick up the pieces. In an episode of Hard Knocks, Johnson explains that he is taking it one step at a time to get the two things that he loves back.

Somewhere along the way I lost focus. I lost something that I loved. I lost two things that I love because of my immature actions.

Watch the interview clip below. Do you think Johnson will get back on the field this season and win Evelyn back?

BET Releases Statment About Reworking The Game

Two days ago, the news broke that Tia Mowry would be leaving The Game to promote her other projects. Rumors were also spreading that Pooch Hall would not be returning for another season. Well, BET has confirmed.

“As a result of Pooch’s involvement on a new project, BET is in the process of reworking the casting and storyline of the show,” said a statement from the network. “That said, we hope both Pooch and Tia will make several guest appearances. While we miss the incredible adventures of Melanie and Derwin on ‘The Game,’ we appreciate all of their hard work, the laughs and wish them both the best in their future endeavors.” [SOURCE]

Basketball Wives Responds To Current Media Attention

Over the last couple of weeks your favorite guilty pleasure Basketball Wives has been under the microscope and a major target for heavy criticism. Viewers have voiced their disgust for the way cast members are behaving on the show and are afraid their behavior reflects poorly on every day women. Shaunie addressed the constant fighting on the reunion show, “I feel that all these ladies take responsibility for what their actions are…and after seeing ourselves this season, it definitely was a lot more bad than good.” She continued “I’ve really tried to preach the whole ‘Let’s get some balance’ and now I think my voice is resonating.”

Despite online petitions and such negative scrutiny, Basketball Wives has been picked up for a fifth season. Although the viewers’ dissatisfaction has not put a stop to the show, the cast and producers have vowed to do things differently the next season. Evelyn Lozada, Shed Media & VH1 weighs in on the recent negative media attention.

From Evelyn:
“I’m confident that I speak for many of us on the show that when it comes to creating a better balance for television, we are all working very hard to do just that. Many of us are getting help for our inner issues and striving to portray a more positive image overall. Tahiti was just an example of all of us being a true work in progress…Hang in there with us, as we vow to grow and become better!” [SOURCE]

From Shed:
“Shed Media US is fully committed to telling the compelling stories of the Basketball Wives in a balanced way. Our producing partner Shaunie O’Neal feels strongly about this, and we fully agree with this stance. We support her as she encourages the cast members to work out issues in a non-violent fashion. We look forward to working with her and the rest of the cast on conveying more balance in the next season.”[SOURCE]

From VH1:
“Our viewers opinions always matter a great deal to us at VH1. Lately, there has been a lot of conversation about Basketball Wives, a series featuring strong, intelligent women with very passionate viewpoints which can sometimes escalate. We at VH1 agree with and support Shaunie and the show producers’ “no excessive physical confrontations” policy on the series moving forward. We are all committed to balancing the candid, bold excitement that the viewers have come to love in the series with storylines and representations they can be proud of. Shaunie has been a strong advocate for a more balanced approach to the show and we, along with our producing partners at Shed Media, are all in agreement about moving forward with that goal.” [SOURCE]

Aspiring Actress’ Billboard Plea to Tyler Perry

In a bold move, Racquel Bailey a 23-year-old single mom from New Jersey spent her last pay check to the attention of Tyler Perry.

The aspiring actress is so ready for her big break on the big screen! Bailey paid for a billboard 2 miles away from Perry’s Atlanta film studio that read: “Let me be your next leading lady.” She has received lots of attention from the billboard but still no call from Tyler Perry.

Click here to read Essence’s Exclusive Interview with Racquel Bailey.

Rick Ross’ Reebok Campaign Commercial

Since wanting to spark some interest in their brand and become a staple in hip hop fashion again, Reebok has aligned its self with the self-proclaimed “Boss” Rick Ross.

Ross welcomes us to his city and takes us all the way to his MMG home while wearing the Reebok Classic Sneaker in his new commercial for the brand’s “It Takes A Lot to Make A Classic” Campaign. Watch below.

Ross also sat down with Reebok for a short promo interview.

Nicki Minaj Inks New Deal with Pepsi

It’s no secret that Nicki Minaj is making BIG bucks. Minaj is a deal inking pro and has already signed on the dotted line for OPI, MAC, Mattel and now Pepsi.

Minaj recently signed a multimillion dollar deal  with Pepsi to become the face of a new Pepsi beverage.  A commercial for the new beverage will debut with the actual drink to follow within the next few months. Derek Jackson, the Glue agency chief who developed the deal said, “That’ll be a segue into a new beverage Pepsi has, called ‘Pop,’ and she’ll be the face of the brand … it’s going to be explosive.”

See [Forbes] for more!

Andre 3000 for Gillette Campaign

Seems like we are having no luck getting new music from Andre 3000 but the rapper in demand is gracing the commercial campaign scene as one of three faces of  Gillette’s “Masters of Style” campaign for the Fusion ProGlide Styler. Adrien Brody and Gael Garcia Bernal joins Andre in this campaign.

As a campaign bonus, Andre 3000 talks style with Gillette. I really wish he would talk about cutting those braids but I guess for now it will just remain wishful thinking.