BV Entertainment Newswire Dec. 21: Lauryn Hill, Nia Long

The Bold And The Beautiful

Lauryn Hill is talking again. And the multiple Grammy award winning wunderkind has gone to ‘Essence’ magazine to tell her story.

“I felt uncomfortable about having to smile in someone’s face when I really didn’t like them or even know them well enough to like them,” the 30-year old unwed mother of four revealed during an interview with best-selling author Joan Morgan. The somewhat reclusive Fugees front-woman appears on the Feb. cover of ‘Essence’ which arrives on newsstands at the top of the New Year.

In the candid cover story, titled ‘They Call Me Ms. Hill,’ the West Orange, NJ native talks at length about misconceptions of her self-imposed exile, the reunion of the best-selling band, black woman and beauty.

“I thought it was okay for me to write a song about something complicated. But I discovered people could only acknowledge red and blue and I was somewhere between. I was purple.”

Regarding the on again, off again reunion with founding Fugees members Wylcef Jean and Praz Michel, Hill shared: “I’m a lot older, wiser and clearer. I’m more knowledgeable about people. At the same time, there has been an enormous amount of negative energy blocking me and trying to prevent my independent endeavors. So it kind of forced my hand to come back and resolve things. And I’m speaking nicely and politely about that.”

And there is a reason why the 7-time Grammy Award winner who became a multimedia darling on the heels of her groundbreaking solo debut, 1998’s ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,’ hasn’t talked to the press in years. For two or three years I was away from all social interaction. It was a very introspective time because I had to confront my fears and master every demonic thought about inferiority, about insecurity or the fear of being black, young and gifted in this western culture. It took a considerable amount of courage, faith and risk to gain the confidence to be myself.”

No New York State of Mind

Nia Long prefers Hollywood over The Big Apple. The 'Alfie' actress -- who is of Trinidadian decent and was born in Brooklyn-- tells the premiere issue of 'Jewel' magazine that she is happy to be back in La La Land with her son Massai Dorsey, II."I felt like my spirit was being robbed,' Long, 36, said. "New York is not the place to be with a four-year old, living in the city and working 13 hours a day on a series. I found myself having a lot more anxiety. Now, it's like I've learned to breathe easy." Long was in New York working on the now-canceled NBC series 'Third Watch.' She just wrapped 'Big Momma's House 2,' expected in theaters next year.

DMX and Lil’ Kim Updates

DMX has reportedly left Def Jam and signed a deal with Sony Music. The multi-platinum selling rap thug icon is currently serving a 70-day jail sentences for violating probation.

Lil’ Kim is giving back this holiday season – from behind bars. According to a spokesperson, the pint sized hip-hop sexpot will donate toys to under-privileged youths in the Philadelphia area on Dec. 22 at the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center. The event is a partnership between her foundation Lil’ Kim Cares, sports memorabilia retailer Mitchell & Ness and boxer Zab Judah. Kim is currently serving a 366-day prison term in the Philadelphia Federal Detention Center.