ME x Reebok SS17 | This Friday 5/19 at midnight #melodyehsani #MExReebok

A post shared by Melody Ehsani (@melodyehsani) on May 16, 2017 at 2:53pm PDT

Los Angeles-based designer Melody Ehsani has teamed up with Reebok for yet another collaboration collection, but this one is surely one of the most woke we’ve seen from the duo. And we’ve got one word to sum up our thoughts about it: obsessed.

As Ehsani’s forthcoming Spring 2017 collection, the exclusive line, which is tagged with activist Wael Gonhim’s quote “the power of the people is greater than the people in power,” celebrates the beauty, power and legacy of women of color.

“This particular collection is dedicated to women of color,” said Ehsani in a statement. “Drawing from iconic imagery of the past while honoring the present, I am reminded of the legacy of beauty, power, intelligence, resilience and vision that has always existed. We stand on the shoulders of greats who have come before us, while honoring those present among us who have literally created movements in their respective mediums. The effects of which will affect generations to come.”

Known for specializing in quality goods like jewelry, accessories, footwear and apparel, this collection (the first of four she’ll be presenting) boasts of fashion-forward pieces like denim jumpsuits, button-up dresses and scuba dresses featuring none other than Nefertiti. And of course, the collaboration includes a Reebok sneaker dubbed Princess, which flaunts Nefertiti on the heel with cream and red detailing.

The post Melody Ehsani’s New Collection Celebrates The Beauty, Power & Legacy Of Women Of Color appeared first on MadameNoire.

As I’ve matured into adulthood there are two things I’ve struggled to grasp when it comes to the unfair situations that often occur in life in which there aren’t any easy answers. The first being that sometimes an accident is just that and it isn’t always someone’s fault. The second being when it comes to guiding children through life to make safe and sound decisions, where does parenting end and outside influences begin? I often talk about the parenting paranoia that all parents encounter, and it seems for my generation it might be much worse. My parents weren’t confronted with 320 parenting blogs solely dedicated to the dangers of vaccines. In the seventies, there wasn’t social media routinely reminding them about all of the black youth around the country who are victims of gun violence. Parenthood has given me plenty of basic stuff to obsess over in the past two years, and if my generation of thirty-somethings raising both toddlers and teens thought they were doing a decent job of keeping their kids on the straight and narrow, parenting guilt can be found only a few headlines away.

There’s Timothy Piazza, the Penn State undergrad who died as a result of a hazing ritual at one of the university’s fraternity houses. Piazza was given lethal doses of alcohol that caused him to fall down a flight of stairs at a party hosted by Beta Theta Pi, the fraternity that now faces charges in his death along with the school for criminal inaction. Court proceedings went underway this week and the Piazza family are preparing themselves to hear detailed testimony of the happenings of the night, some which were documented via text and video. In an interview, father Jim Piazza briefly shared his thoughts on the party attendees’ lack of action to help his son:

“They fed him lethal doses of alcohol and they killed him, and then they treated him like a rag doll, like road kill, they slapped him around, threw water on him, one kid punched him.”

Then there’s Davis Cripe. Cripe was a 16-year-old teen from South Carolina who died after consuming a caffeinated soda, energy drink and latte over a short period of time. The state coroner reported that ingesting so much caffeine over a two-hour time span caused a “cardiac event” resulting in the young man’s death. In a public statement, Richland county coroner Gary Watts expressed that parents should educate their families about the dangers of caffeine overdose, but was clear the drinks were not allowed in his household:

“These drinks can be very dangerous. I’m telling my friends and family don’t drink them.”

“The purpose here today is not to slam Mountain Dew, not to slam cafe lattes, or energy drinks. But what we want to do is to make people understand that these drinks — this amount of caffeine, how it’s ingested, can have dire consequences. And that’s what happened in this case.”

In addition to these unfortunate headlines, others have included babies who died after being crushed by IKEA furniture, Facebook live suicides and moldy sippy cups and bath toys. At this point I want to fill up my refrigerator with water, homeschool my child, never send her to college and pad any area in my house where the furniture isn’t bolted to a stud in the wall. But I am quickly reminded of the lessons I’ve learned about those gray areas in life: Bad things happen and sometimes there isn’t someone to blame.

As a parent, I sympathize with anyone who has to experience the loss of a child. It’s not the natural order of things and whether you’re parenting style resembles Frank Gallagher’s of the show Shameless or The Little Mermaid’s King Triton, the best parenting styles in the world won’t guarantee your child won’t grow up and be an unfortunate consequence of their own decision making or that of others. As much as I’d like to think it’s me and my baby against the world, I often wonder where the lawsuits end and the accountability begins. I witnessed the Piazza family in tears on the Today Show earlier this week as they talked about how their son always made good choices and they worried about him joining a fraternity in the first place. We all want to say we are raising are kids to be strong, to fight peer pressure and to walk away when things are wrong and help those in need. But in reality, people make bad decisions, people fail to trust their gut, people act out of character when they want to be accepted or liked. Does it excuse those party attendees who walked past what they thought may have been just Piazza’s passed out body? No, but should they face criminal charges?  I don’t know, but a court of laws says they should.

Or what about the IKEA dressers that kids were climbing and being pinned under a few years back?  Comments sections were filled with how parents need to better supervise their kids and harness the furniture. Others said it was IKEA’s responsibility to issue warning upon warning and do everything short of coming to customer’s houses to arrange and secure furniture. I found myself thinking, “My mother never needed this many warning labels to get me through life safely. Where there wasn’t a warning label there was a behind whooping that came courtesy of me almost killing myself from doing something I wasn’t supposed to or my mom’s Isotoner sharply turning the corner and landing on my ass.”  I think want most of us want is a full-proof way to ensure our kids never have to face any harm. And while I agree there’s no substitute for an involved parent, I also can testify that unfortunate events happen in life and sometimes there isn’t anyone to blame or sue.

It doesn’t always have to be about tragic events either. I’ve witnessed friends proceed to storm through parent-teacher conferences just to curse out every single teacher for why their child’s report card is rocking straight D’s. Because it couldn’t possibly have anything to do with their child’s performance in class? All the teachers have to be biased, right? Those types of parents are also the ones who blame Rihanna for their child’s premature sexual awakening and point the finger at rap music when their child shows a hint of violent tendencies. Do I think the world is filled with influences that aren’t the best for your child and folks that don’t have the best intentions. Yes, but I also believe it’s the parent’s job to censor their child’s world for what’s appropriate for them at any given time and to provide context for the the things that they can’t. Maybe Rihanna might want to consider her 15-year-old fans the next time she decides to twerk on Drake in some booty shorts, but just maybe she’s a grown woman living her life and not responsible for raising your child. In addition, when a child witnesses a parent place blame on all the bad things in life on everyone but themselves, they learn to place their own success and well-being in the hands of everyone else but themselves.

Do I think today’s parent’s have an accountability problem?  I’m not sure, but what I do know is that I am setting myself up for a lot of heartbreak and frustration if I go through life thinking my child’s happiness and well-being is the world’s top priority. I never want my daughter to be victim but I do want to prepare her or the harsh reality that from coed, to colleague, to corporation: Most people will not sacrifice their convenience or come up to make sure she gets through life safely.  I want her to be able to assess the part she plays in any situation and what she can do to control the outcome. I believe it’s my job as a mother to make sure she understands that she can’t always control what she encounters, but she can educate and empower herself to know how she should respond.

Toya Sharee is a Health Resource Specialist who has a  passion for helping young women build their self-esteem and make well-informed choices about their sexual health. She also advocates for women’s reproductive rights and blogs about  everything from beauty to love and relationships. Follow her on Twitter @TheTrueTSharee or visit her blog, Bullets and Blessings.

The post Us Against The World: Do Today’s Parents Have An Accountability Problem? appeared first on MadameNoire.

With hip-hop and rap growing more mainstream and accepted as apart of not just African-American culture, but American culture as a whole, you might have thought this sort of thing would’ve happened a long time ago. There have been classes and coursework dedicated to exploring the artistry and careers of influential artists. Armstrong State University in Savannah, GA offered an English class on Outkast and hip-hop and Washington University in St. Louis, MO recently debuted a course entitled, “The Politics of Kanye West: Black Genius and Sonic Aesthetics.”

Taking hip-hop meets academia a step further, senior Obasi Shaw is graduating Harvard University with honors and may have his mixtape to thank.

BET reports that Shaw who is originally from the suburbs of Atlanta, GA describes the album as “a moody take on what it means to be Black in America.” The rap album the grad submitted as his senior thesis is titled “Liminal Minds” and combines elements of Middle English poetry with issues of racial identity in America. He received an A- for his work and as a result is set to graduate with honors next week.

In a recent statement, Shaw described the influence behind his work:

“[African-Americans are] free, but the effects of slavery still exist. Each song is an exploration of that state between slavery and freedom.”

“Rap is a genre in which I can say everything I want to say. I’ve been writing in different capacities, but I never felt that I found my art form until I started rapping.”

Harvard revealed that although Shaw will be moving to Seattle post-graduation to complete a one-year internship in software engineering, he will continue to keep rap as a hobby. The school also shared his story on its official Instagram page:

Killing books and beats? We love it. Congrats to Mr. Shaw on his accomplishments!

The post This Harvard Student Is The First Ever To Submit A Rap Album As His Senior Thesis appeared first on MadameNoire.

Just two months ago, Dove announced that they were expanding their popular personal care brand that focuses on inspiring with Real Beauty Productions company. Famed television producer Shonda Rhimes is at the helm, serving as the creative director for the new production house.

Showcasing real stories from real women that expand the definition of beauty, they have chosen their first film production and it features Fat Girls Dance founder Cathleen Meredith.

In the video, Meredith, a playwright and author, who decided to launch a year-long dance challenge after research for a book turned into a passionate movement, and her story is highlighted. Meredith and the group of women who are dedicated to changing the status quo of beauty standards and embodying the word body positive, are now in week 37 with 15 more to go. Every week, the ladies learn new choreography and post their performances to YouTube.

“I didn’t know that this was a love affair that I had been missing my entire life because I had always loved myself and always thought that Cathleen was dope. But, I didn’t think that Cathleen’s body was dope. And, if I could give that to every fat chick that I have ever met, than that would be worth it, because I don’t think we know how much we are told that there is something wrong here.”

The post Dove and Shonda Rhimes’ First #RealBeauty Film Features Fat Girls Dance Founder Cathleen Meredith appeared first on MadameNoire.

If I’m completely honest, I took a very ambiguous approach to motherhood until I actually became one. In my twenties I picked out baby names for fun and imagined the funky mother I wanted to be. I figured I’d be sporting purple hair well into my forties and be my daughter’s personal tour guide through the world of hip-hop and R&B schooling her through the Bad Boy remix years and all things New Jack Swing. In short, I wanted to be the “Cheerios commercial” mom. You know, the one where the cute mom in distressed jeans kills a dance routine with her daughter before falling to the floor before it cuts over to Bee in a t-shirt jamming on his own. But regardless of all that, I can’t say I ever fantasized about pregnancy or childbirth.

Maybe I was a clichéd broke millennial who thought my dreams of a nuclear family would never come true after the recession or maybe it was a struggle for the nurturer in me to come out. But the idea of cradling a newborn in my arms made me more anxious than sentimental and I can honestly say only in this second year have I truly felt the warm, fuzzy feelings that come with watching my mini-me grow into her own person. That first year though, I often felt like most days I didn’t know what I was doing and regularly questioned why I sacrificed happy hours and H&M hauls to care for this little person who was admittedly cute, but often hard to enjoy in between crying because she was scared to poop and the anxiety that came with thinking she’d roll off the bed to her death before she could walk. But I think the bonding may have something to do with talking. Once that kid starts to call you, “Mommy” it gives you a confidence boost that says, “This person is looking for you to lead the way. They trust that you’ve got this.”

As a parenting educator it was always fun to discuss with my students whether it came more naturally for mothers to nurture and bond with their children than fathers. We traded facts about estrogen and oxytocin giving women the edge on maternal instinct as some single fathers would passionately disagree based on their own experiences of being sole caregivers and doing a damn decent job at it. But do you automatically get a strike on your womanhood record if motherhood comes more naturally to your man than it does to you? Even more so what if your partner’s transition into parenthood goes a lot easier than yours does?

In the article, “I Wasn’t Meant To Be A Mom –My Husband Was”, author Amelia Edelman talks about her hesitation when it came to becoming a parent and how meeting her partner changed it all. She talks about how much naturally being the primary caregiver for their infant son Silas comes to her partner Mark and how they’ve found a parenting style that works for them, even if it isn’t the most traditional. However over a year and a half ago, she seriously had her doubts about taking on the task. She, like many millennial women found herself questioning if motherhood was even essential to enjoying life:

“But I’m just not meant to be a mom. But I could never give up my career. But I have such a full life without kids. But I don’t have a good relationship with my own mother. But I’m too neurotic. But what if I have a kid and don’t love him? But what if I love him so much it hurts?”

Those thoughts however didn’t stop her from experiencing an unplanned pregnancy with partner, Mark, whom she had been dating for 10 years.  Although she battled with the decision on whether to parent or not, Mark seemed to be content on whatever choice made her happy:

“Of course, even in his happiness, Mark did not try to sway me in any way. We would do whatever I wanted, he said. We could always have a baby later. We could adopt in 20 years. I was even promised a hypothetical post-abortion foot rub.”

Edelman confesses her decisions to keep the pregnancy didn’t come from seeing a lima bean with their shared genes on an ultrasound or any waves of emotions that accompanied pickle cravings or swollen ankles solely on the thought that Mark would make such a remarkable father. She shares she wasn’t forced or guilted into the decision but doesn’t have any regrets:

“It wasn’t just that this man wanted and deserved this child; it was that this child — any child — would be lucky to have this man as his father. And maybe, just maybe, I would be an okay parent, too.”

Edelman shares that Mark dove into parenthood headfirst once Silas was born, changing diapers and taking him to wellness checks while she breastfed in between naps. She shares that criticism from family and her own guilt has taken its toll with family members labeling her as “spoiled” by the fact that she had a co-parent that took on a bulk of the care-giving. But Edelman admits if that’s the worst label she gets, she’ll take it, especially if it means avoiding the challenges of dealing with a “deadbeat dad”:

“I know it’s a cliche to say, but: I honestly don’t know how those women do it. Having a deadbeat partner forcing me to be ‘100% mom and 100% employee’ like one working mother we interviewed (whose husband barely participates in parenting) wouldn’t just mentally wreck me; it would probably drive me to quit my job, leave my partner, or both.”

As she and Mark navigate their reversed roles even a year and half later, she labels herself the “pushover parent” whom their son knows will read six books in a row to him when she returns home from working full time to support the family. She also shows no shame when she reveals she couldn’t wait to return to work from maternity leave (the longest time she’s spent not working since she was a teenager).

As someone who has always been very career-focused, I was reassured by Edelman’s experience. Her story is proof that some people just have better suited personalities for parenting regardless of what anatomy they have. It shows that as long as a child has two invested parents who love them and make the most of the time they have with them, motherhood doesn’t always have to turn you into a soccer mom with one child hanging from her boob and the other decorating the backseat in Cheeto dust. Her experience is also is an example that being unsure about parenting doesn’t mean that you’re destined to have child services at your door, and that there are many factors to consider when it comes to starting a family, particularly with someone that you want to build a life with. I would warn however that if you have previously decided against motherhood wholeheartedly, it’s probably worth sitting down and having a conversation with your partner about what parenthood would look like for the BOTH of you. You shouldn’t change your mind just because you feel like you’ve found Father-Of-The-Year, but still feel the bile rising in your throat at the mere thought of kids.

Lastly I will say this: Parenting isn’t necessarily about taking two separate roles with all of the qualities to match. Just because one person rocks bedtime stories and bath time doesn’t mean they’re the “Mom” and just because someone wrestles with the kids and leaves the house to work doesn’t make them “Dad”.  Those titles are just labels used to distinguish one parent from the other. What matters is that you’re both investing the best parts of your mind and heart to create one awesome person that isn’t embarrassed by her mom’s lavender highlights and knows that Bad Boy invented the remix.

Toya Sharee is a Health Resource Specialist who has a  passion for helping young women build their self-esteem and make well-informed choices about their sexual health. She also advocates for women’s reproductive rights and blogs about  everything from beauty to love and relationships. Follow her on Twitter @TheTrueTSharee or visit her blog, Bullets and Blessings.

The post Paternal Instinct: Is Your Husband A Better Mother Than You Are? appeared first on MadameNoire.

As we all know, certain foods can have certain affects on your bodies, especially when it comes to down there.

Recently, gynecologist and resident expert at SweetSpot Labs Jessica A. Shepherd, MD spoke with Birdie, sharing that when it’s that time of the month what foods you should avoid ingesting.

“Sugar can increase vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections,” she shares, reccommending eating foods with a low glycemic index, which will prevent yeast growth. Shepherd also offered that the candida diet (candida is the yeast-like fungus that causes such problems), which excludes alcohol, sugar, and of course yeast, is another option that works well. However, you’ll want to speak with your doctor to make sure it’s a safe meal plan for you first.

The post Your Vagina Will Thank You For Not Eating These Foods During That Time Of The Month appeared first on MadameNoire.

Last year, actor Orlando Brown was getting his “David Ruffin” on ranting about how the Disney favorite That’s So Raven couldn’t have a comeback without him. Well, it seems as though the remaining cast members are giving him a collective, “Boy Bye!” and making all of our millennial dreams come true with this latest announcement about the show’s return.

If you weren’t stewing in jealousy at the fact that Moesha had to choose between “Ohagi” and “Q” or doing a double-take when Roger got his “Marques Houston” on for a few episodes of Sister, Sister, then you may have been nursing a huge crush on Devon Carter from That’s So Raven. Devon played by Hit The Floor’s Jonathan McDaniel will be reprising his role in the reboot of the show scheduled to premiere on the network July 21^st.

BET reports that things aren’t so perfect under Raven’s roof today. The show titled Raven’s Home will focus on a grown-up Raven sharing a home with best friend Chelsea (played by Anneliese van der Pol) as two single divorced moms. Although Raven and Devon are divorced, the two share the adventures of co-parenting.

Raven is now mother to 11-year-old twins. Booker, played by Issac Ryan Brown inherits Raven’s ability to see the future. Raven’s other twin, Nia, will be played by Navia Robinson, with Jason Maybaum cast as the role of Chelsea’s son Levi. Sky Katz will also play the character of Tess, the twins’ best friend and neighbor.

Gary Marsh, president and COO of Disney Channels Worldwide shared his excitement for the show’s return in a statement:

“There is only one Raven—and for over 25 years, she has blessed audiences around the world with the greatest gift of all—the pure, unadulterated joy of laugh-out-loud funny.”

“After being a part of over 20 different Disney projects, we are thrilled to be bringing Raven home to Disney Channel once again.”

Marsh isn’t the only person excited to see Raven in the future we’re not even sure she predicted. Actress, Zendaya tweeted she’ll be welcoming the show and Devon Carter with open arms as well:

Imma cry real tears with this one… https://t.co/JKLWafyPOq

— Zendaya (@Zendaya) May 19, 2017

Are you excited to see Raven and crew get their, “Oh snap!” on again?

The post Orlando Brown Isn’t Welcome Here: You’ll Never Guess Who Else Is Returning To “That’s So Raven” appeared first on MadameNoire.

A post shared by Baller Alert (@balleralert) on May 20, 2017 at 1:19pm PDT

It’s been five years since the untimely death of 17-year-old Travyon Martin sparked a national debate over race.

On Saturday (May 20), Florida Memorial University awarded an honorary degree to Martin. Accepted by his parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, they took the stage at the university’s commencement in Miami Gardens to receive a posthumous bachelor’s degree in aeronautical science on their son’s behalf.

Fulton and Martin also spoke, sharing that the ceremony was bittersweet. Nevertheless, they passed on inspirational tidbits to the graduates: “To the graduates, I tell you, there is no limit to what you can do,” said Fulton. “Just stay focused and put your mind to it, and you can do it.”

“Today was just a prime example of what our community is built on, and just watching all the 2017 graduates come across the stage, and just to share that moment with them, it was very powerful,” Travyon’s father also added.

The post Trayvon Martin’s Parents Presented With His Honorary Posthumous Degree appeared first on MadameNoire.

Snoop Dogg fans are well aware that the rapper loves to get high, but for an upcoming project, he’ll only be using his faith to do so. The “Doggystyle” rapper recently announced that he’s working on a gospel album. During an interview with Beats 1 radio, the co-host of Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party said the project is something he’s wanted to do for a while:

“I’m working on a gospel album.”

“It’s always been on my heart. I just never got around to it because I always be doing gangsta business or doing this or doing that. I just felt like it’s been on my heart too long. I need to do it now.”

The 45-year-old “D-O-Double G” even expressed that he has a few artists in mind that he’d like to collaborate with on the project:

“Faith Evans, we talked about it heavily.”

“She feel like she wanna get down with me. All of the people that I know, from Charlie Wilson to Jeffrey Osborne, whoever I want to get down with. I’m gonna make it all the way right. It’s gonna feel good.”

XXLMag reports this might not be such a foreign idea for the entertainer reporting that he once played gospel music on his tour bus in a video posted to Instagram. Snoop also participated in the Shirley Caesar “U Name It Challenge” that trended last December.

Snoop is no stranger to trying new things once reinventing himself as “Snoop Lion” for his Reincarnated album, and for the most part his innovation has paid off. You can watch Snoop talk about his new project below:

The post To The Most High: Snoop Dogg Is Releasing A Gospel Album appeared first on MadameNoire.

Sasheer Zamata is leaving “Saturday Night Live” after joining the cast in 2014. She is the third cast member to be released from the show this week.

After four seasons, Zamata leaves with Vanessa Bayer and Bobby Moynihan who both confirmed that last night’s season finale would be their last with the show.

On the show, Zamata essentially played every famous Black woman, including Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Solange and a pregnant Beyoncé. She was also a regular on the show’s “Black Jeopardy” skit, which was always hilarious.

In addition to SNL, Zamata has appeared on “People of Earth,” “Transparent,” and Netflix’s Bojack Horseman and a movie I just watched this past week, Deidra & Laney Rob a Train. And her own comedy special Sasheer Zamata: Pizza Mind. Like the other castmembers leaving the show, Zamata wasn’t given an on-screen send off. But she was hoisted up by The Rock…so there’s that, which isn’t exactly small potatoes.

I always felt that SNL wasn’t exactly tapping into all that Sasheer had to offer, so it’ll be interesting to see what she does next.

Wow. What a fantastic end to a fantastic season, thanks SNL

A post shared by Sasheer Zamata (@thesheertruth) on May 21, 2017 at 10:08am PDT

The post Sasheer Zamata Leaves SNL appeared first on MadameNoire.

Just a few days ago, I wrote about Michelle Williams and her recent instances of slay. But along with her newfound emphasis on fashion, came a new perspective on the lessons she’s learned in life, love and spirituality as well.

In a recent Instagram post, Williams writes about trying to force a relationship to work when she knew and God has told her that it wasn’t right. We’re sharing it here because I’m willing to bet that quite a few of us have been in a very similar situation in the past, right now or sometime in the future. Hopefully, her words will help in some way.

See what she had to say below.

It took me about two years to get to this place of PEACE and JOY. I was so scared to let go of a “love” that I knew was the “one!” I’m finally in a place of trusting God when he says to let something go. I was certainly going back and forth with God like “are you serious?” I was mad and saying things like “all of my friends are wives and mothers so Lord I need you to fix this!” I believe He laughed at me! 😂 I’m saying all of this to say that I now trust that the things and people that are for me are closer than further. God has never let me down!! 💕 (Man if I could like all the comments and reply I would but I have something that I’m studying for so let me stop lurking!! 😂I just wanna continue to encourage you. You’re not alone!! We do have a responsibility too……my responsibility is to guard this peace and joy by setting BOUNDARIES!!!! Everyday is NOT gonna be peaches n cream but I can definitely make sure that my surroundings keep me thriving!!! I encourage you to do the same! Love youuuuuu!! 💕)

A post shared by Michelle Williams (@michellewilliams) on May 21, 2017 at 6:11pm PDT

The post “I Was Scared To Let Go…” Michelle Williams On Trying To Force Relationships That Aren’t Right appeared first on MadameNoire.

Life comes at you fast. And some recent activity on social media have us wondering if that’s the case for R&B singer Brandy Norwood.

Last week, we wrote about her romance with fellow artist Sir the Baptist. And since then, the two have been even more public and open about their romance than before. I mean, kissing and giggling all over each other in the sheets type of open.

But there might be more to the story of just a couple newly in love.

Perhaps they are also expectant parents.

Recently, Brandy shared an image of herself at a concert. She captioned it, innocently, speaking to God.

Dear God, I can finally see you in me. Continue to use me so that I may continue to know the joy of being used by you. I promise to cut back on my clap backs. #wink❤️ I love you

A post shared by b r 💣n d Y (@4everbrandy) on May 22, 2017 at 5:32am PDT

But it wasn’t the picture or her caption. Instead, it was a comment left on the post. A comment left by her former “Moesha” costar, Countess D. Vaughn.

Now, it’s interesting that Countess would have this information. While we know the two have mended their relationship after years of being on the outs with one another, as Brande mentioned, it would be odd for them to be close enough to share this type of information and this soon. Obviously, for reasons like this: leaks.

More than that, it’s interesting that she would share this bit of intel on the internet, particularly when Brandy herself hasn’t said anything.

We’re not all the way sure that Countess is a reliable source. Still, we can’t deny that there does seem to be the tiniest protrusion under that belt.

What do you make of all this? Did Countess break the story or is she just talking trash?

Do you think Brandy’s pregnant?

The post Is Brandy Pregnant? appeared first on MadameNoire.

1998: Catwalk tribute to Gianni Versace

1999: Ball De La Rose

2000: Chopard Jewelry Show in St. Tropez

2004: Tommy Hilfiger Show in New York City

2005: 10th Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

2006: Gothamism' Fall/Winter 2006 Collection at Olympus Fashion Week

2012: London Olympic Games

2015: Burberry Film Festival

2016: Milan Fashion Week

2017: Fashion for Relief Catwalk

The post Naomi Campbell’s Fiercest Runway Moments Over The Past 20 Years appeared first on MadameNoire.

a very short story about two people holding hands pic.twitter.com/m2i7pn5a6d

— Tasneem N (@TasneemN) January 19, 2017

pic.twitter.com/IDrGPkJQSl

— Marv (@marv_vien) January 23, 2017

.@FLOTUS opens her remarks with the Lord's Prayer. pic.twitter.com/z0Vk6znjL8

— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 18, 2017

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump share their first dance at inaugural ball. https://t.co/1y0n4xdTmX pic.twitter.com/5nStd3HFeX

— ABC News (@ABC) January 21, 2017

Did they actually kiss? #inauguration2017 pic.twitter.com/v5s9O12Xof

— Jezebel (@Jezebel) January 20, 2017

I'm so glad this GIF exists. pic.twitter.com/a4BNmzfa5C

— summer. (@SummerNazif) January 21, 2017

@AndyOstroy @KateKnibbs @FLOTUS It's her real account… I think she's sending a cry for help pic.twitter.com/hbauDnTMbU

— Prince LeGate (@williamlegate) May 3, 2017

The subtle nudge. pic.twitter.com/We2bY09ZM0

— Daniella Diaz (@DaniellaMicaela) April 17, 2017

The post 10 Times Melania Trump’s Face Proved She Feels The Same Way We Do About Donald appeared first on MadameNoire.

Keke Palmer has become a bit of a hair chameleon over the past year and every time she steps out with a new ‘do she gets two thumbs up from us. But this time, we might have to raise our fingers and our toes because the young star has flawlessly shown us how to be bold and beautiful — and bald — with her new burgundy buzz cut.

The big reveal came on Instagram yesterday with a caption from the singer/actress/talk show host comedically confirming “Issa Keke” just in case fans weren’t sure that was her with the new fade and fitted bodysuit. The response to the new look only got better when the 23-year-old posted more photos of her enjoying nature in Berlin, Germany’s Mauerpark with her buzz cut accentuated by a pretty pink flower.

And as far as the boldness required to shave all of her hair off, we think the caption on Keke’s last pic says it all:

“The less you care, the happier you’ll be, I promise.”

The post This Burgundy Buzz Cut Might Be Keke Palmer’s Most Beautiful Hairstyle Ever appeared first on MadameNoire.

He said something profound. He said love is when you become one and you need that person. It's not about wanting anymore, you need that person. Hearing that, I don't know if I've ever felt that way. I've held women in very high regard almost to the point where I felt like I needed them for a very long time, but I don't know if I comprehend it yet, and I'm okay with that.

Nicki Minaj

Serena Williams

Aaliyah

Rihanna

Rashida Jones

Kat Dennings

Doris Burke

Zoe Kravitz

Sarah Silverman

Sade

Skylar Diggins

The post In Case You Didn’t Realize It By Now, Drake Has Been “In Love” With Everybody appeared first on MadameNoire.

Hannah Bronfman has dominated quite a few lanes over the years. The 29-year-old beauty is a popular DJ, restaurant investor, app creator, and a health, beauty and fitness enthusiast through her site HBFit and her beloved Instagram page. Now she can add wife to her long list of titles.

Bronfman married her longtime boyfriend, fellow DJ Brendan Fallis, 37, this past weekend. The pair were engaged in August 2015. They exchanged vows during a lavish celebration in Marrakech, Morrocco on May 20.

The bride wore a custom Vera Wang gown in a trumpet style with a sweetheart bustier, and came down the aisle with her father, financier Edgar Bronfman Jr., to the song “Crimson and Clover.” After saying “I do” at the La Mamounia hotel, Bronfman and Fallis did something unconventional. The new Mr. and Mrs. had lunch together by themselves, off of the hotel property.

“Everyone told us that the day goes by quickly,” Bronfman told BRIDES, “so I wanted to maximize it with a morning ceremony and have time for us to have a moment to ourselves.”

After that, it was time to party.

So why did Bronfman and Fallis choose Morocco?

“We considered many places before deciding on Marrakech,” she told the publication. “But then we completely fell in love with Morocco—the food, the people, the colors, and the vibe.”

Based on all of the pictures shared via their wedding guests, we can see why Marrakech ended up being their destination wedding place. Congratulations to the happy couple on their new union! Check out how they spent their weekend of bliss below, including rehearsal dinner and post-wedding poolside fun:

Images via WENN/Instagram

The post Destination Wedding Goals: DJ Hannah Bronfman Said “I Do” With A Lit Affair In Morocco [Pics] appeared first on MadameNoire.

Teyana Taylor has already worn many hats in her burgeoning career, and her newest cap is model for Swimsuits for All.

The 26-year-old mom, along with model Ashley Graham (who designs for Swimsuit for All) and Niki Taylor came together to model the online swimwear retailer’s new high-rise one piece that fits women sizes four to 22. It’s the brand’s take on the popular Baywatch lifeguard swimsuit, which makes sense considering the film is coming out on May 25. All three women, of three totally different sizes and curves, showed that the one piece hugs everyone differently, but in equally flattering ways. Graham told PeopleStyle that the Lifeguard swimsuit is surprisingly supportive.

“I can’t believe I can wear this one piece without an underwire, my girls are up and lifted!”

The swimsuit is a scoopneck with soft foam cups and a mesh lining. And despite being free of wires, the wide straps on the swimsuit are said to offer full support. The suit is originally $84, but is currently available for $58.

Taylor told the publication that posing alongside the two former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models was quite a big deal for her, calling it a “surreal” experience.

“Especially when you remember being a little girl, seeing Sports Illustrated magazines and saying, ‘Wow these ladies are beautiful!’ Being as though I’m posing alongside two previous SI Issue models, my next stop just might be SI!”

Check out the photos Taylor took for the summer campaign and let us know if you agree that she has Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition potential:

The post Teyana Taylor Becomes A Baywatch Babe, Teams Up With Swimsuits For All appeared first on MadameNoire.

After six rollercoaster seasons, it was announced earlier this month that Scandal is coming to an end after its seventh season.

In a statement, creator Shonda Rhimes confirmed the news:

Deciding how to end a show is easy. Deciding when to finish is quite simple when the end date is years away. But actually going through with it? Actually standing up to say: ‘This is it?’ Not so much. So, next year we are going all out. Leaving nothing on the table. Creating this world in celebration. We are going to handle the end the way we like to handle the important things in our Scandal family: all together, white hats on, Gladiators running full speed over a cliff.

But how does star Kerry Washington feel knowing that the end of the series that made her a household name is coming to an end? She’s both sad and excited to see how things will wrap.

“Sometimes as an actor you don’t know when you’re going to be out of a job and so it’s nice actually to go into the last season knowing that it’s our last season,” the 40-year-old Emmy nominee told Good Morning America last week. “We’re already talking about how it’s going to be like no-holds-barred, better than ever, no holding punches, putting it all out on the table.”

“I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined that we are ending the season with Olivia Pope who she is,” she added. “It’s beyond what I could have imagined.”

Olivia Pope’s story has taken many twists and turns since the series premiered on ABC in 2012. So what does she hope for her career-defining heroine when the curtain comes down? Happiness.

“I really want to see Olivia happy but it’s hard to know in ShondaLand what that means,” she said. But it’s clear that Washington is happy. As she pointed out on GMA, since being on the show, she’s been blessed in great ways outside of just her professional life. As she said, “I feel really blessed.”

“It’s so exciting for me to be going into our final season and feel like the abundance of riches,” Washington said. “I have a beautiful husband and beautiful kids and I’m really happy about my life and I love my job and I get to bring all of that to work for one more season.”

Image via WENN 

The post Kerry Washington Is Both Sad And Excited To See Scandal End appeared first on MadameNoire.

I just cannot wrap my mind around why some of my friends ask, “Hey, do you think my boyfriend’s cute?” In fact, I absolutely loathe this question.

What good would it do you to know this information? I ask that with all sincerity. Whether I think a friend’s boyfriend is a ghastly as a hairy butt mole or as heavenly as a chocolate-toned Greek god, what the hell does it matter? If he revs your engine and floats your boat, then that’s it! Why I gotta be dragged into this for?

In one instance, a friend of mine had a man who was – erm – let’s say “aesthetically challenged.” Let me tell you – the last question I wanted her to ask me was, “Do you think he’s attractive?” But in a stroke of bad luck, she was quite inquisitive about how I felt about her boyfriend’s looks. And that was a trap.

If I lied through my teeth, fought back laughter, and said, “Mmmhm. Yeah. He’s cute,” then my friend would have this false impression of snagging a “real looker.” On top of that, she’d erroneously assume that I’d want a piece of something I wouldn’t even touch if it were the last meal on earth.

But if I told the truth and said, “I want to pluck my eyeballs out every time I make the unfortunate decision to look at him,” well, I just don’t see how that could possibly blow over well for our friendship. It’s not my friend’s face, but something tells me she’d be offended if I said, “Girl, he’s just not my type.”

Most recently, I had the opposite happen. A good friend of mine nabbed a gorgeous man who seemed to be sculpted by the artistic hands of Michelangelo himself. But once again, I was shoved into a pickle of a situation when she asked, “So what do you think? Do you think he’s cute?”

Really, though?

Being asked this twice in my life, I have to wonder, what are my friends digging for by inquiring about my personal thoughts on their boyfriends’ appearances? My theory is they must be looking for validation, no? Otherwise, why do you care how “hot” your man is to me? It’s your man – the hell with what other people are thinking. Deep down inside, they must be saying, “Well, if my friend is drooling all over him like a thirst bucket, then I must’ve hit the jackpot!” If you think about it, the more one is desired by others, the more attractive they appear to their significant others.

So what’s one to do as a friend? Should I take one for the team and gush about their man’s attractiveness, even if they may falsely perceive me as envying what they have, just so my girl can get that final stamp of approval she’s looking for? Or should I say, “Um, he’s not my cup of tea” and pray that it rolls off her shoulders so that, one, she doesn’t resent me for my less-than-favorable opinion of her man and, two, she doesn’t allow my two cents to affect her own perception of her boyfriend’s attractiveness.

Really, both scenarios aren’t appealing and could lead to less-than-ideal outcomes, but I’d rather have my friend conclude that I don’t think her boyfriend is “all that and a bag of chips“ than having her side-eye me suspiciously for the rest of my life because she thinks I secretly want her man.

But there is a third answer to this dreaded question and also perhaps the moral of the story: Do not ask me if your boyfriend is attractive! Be confident in whatever you caught in that net of yours. I mean, good grief, what’s next – sending me a d*** pic of your man’s schlong to ask me if it’s big enough? No thanks.

Kimberly Gedeon is a creative content connoisseur and founder of The Melody of Melanin with nearly 2,000 professional articles published online. You can reach out to her Instagram or Twitter and she’ll happily respond. She doesn’t bite!

The post Why Are You Asking Me If Your Boyfriend Is Attractive? appeared first on MadameNoire.