Filed under: Celebrity Style , Red Carpet

Princess Tiana has officially arrived.

Sunday afternoon marked a milestone in Disney's long history of Princess characters as Princess Tiana of Disney's Princess of the Frog was officially inducted into Disney's Royal Princess Court.

As an official member of the Royal Princess Court, Tiana will now be recognized across all divisions of the Walt Disney Company and be included in all Disney Princess merchandise.

Princess Tiana had a royal-style entrance as she arrived at New York City's Palace Hotel in a horse-drawn carriage and was met with young, real-life princesses -- of all races -- eagerly waiting to greet her.

The excitement kicked in when the New Orleans-style band began trumpeting the 'When the Saints Go Marching In,' helping to amp up the crowd. Princess Tiana walked the red carpet along with her adorable followers.

The Grand Ballroom was a star studded affair, filled with a slew of celebrities and their children all awaiting Princess Tiana's Coronation. Attendees including Tina Fey, Audra McDonald, Nigel Barker, Jennifer Lewis, Melissa Joan Hart and Kelly Rutherford to name a few.

Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Princess Tiana, opened the event by professing how she wanted to play the voice of a Disney character since she was a child.

"I would have been satisfied to be a tick," she told the audience. "To play a princess has been more than a dream come true for me."

The directors of the film, Ron Clements and John Musker, joined Rose on stage to thank her for her performance and raved that they couldn't have asked for a better princess. Princess Tiana was then crowned by Prince Naveen, her love-interest in the movie, officially becoming the ninth Disney Princess; joining Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Belle, Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella and Snow White.

Black Voices had the opportunity to speak with Audra McDonald, the three-time Toni Award Winning star of ABC's Private Practice about what she enjoyed most about the movie.

"I love the message in the movie," she said. "I think it's inspiring that Tiana wasn't sitting around waiting for her Prince to come find her. She had her own goals and dreams that she wanted to accomplish. She's a great role model for young girls, regardless of race."

Not only has Princess Tiana proven to have influential power over audiences everywhere; she's also proven her power to turn over impressive profits for Disney. Since January more than a quarter million toys featuring Princess Tiana have already been sold. In this month alone, Disney Stores sold out of its limited edition Princess Tiana collector doll during the pre-sell period. Not too shabby Tiana.

Yesterday's Coronation event also marked the arrival of The Princess and the Frog on Disney Blu-Ray Combo pack and DVD which will be release officially on Tuesday March 16th.

 

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Filed under: Celebrity Style , Fashion News

The highly anticipated video for 'Telephone' by Lady Gaga and Beyoncé has finally hit the small screen with an electric mix of pop-culture goodness and fierce fashion. The 9-and-a-half minute long clip is full of eye-catching strong-shoulder dresses, unitards, studded bikinis and hot shoes.

Let's take a look at some of the best shots.

The video opens with jailbird Gaga in a high-shouldered, prison striped Jean Charles de Castelbajac dress, being led to her cell by two intimidatingly buff women. A seductively low neck reveals that Gaga is wearing star-shaped nipple pasties, which are exposed, along with her barely-there underpinnings, when she is eventually stripped and pushed face down in her barren cell.
Scene two shows Gaga decidedly overdressed for the prison yard in oversized chains and a strapless black catsuit by Viktor & Rolf, and a pair of Haus of Gaga cigarette sunglasses that are literally smoking. The yard girls' surprised stares intimate that while Gaga looks slightly ridiculous, something fabulous may just happen.

Though our Lady in waiting was stripped of her clothes in the opening scene, she somehow managed to hold on to vintage Chanel Shades and a badass Search and Destroy leather studded jacket (the rest of her wardrobe including plebian hair rollers apparently didn't make the cut-- she is wearing large soda cans to hold up her 'do).

Beyoncé finally makes her debut after a dance number featuring inmates in stockings, bikinis, and lace up patent leather booties. Bey bails Gaga out of jail rocking a deep plum lipstick, a short banged style, and a vintage hat and outfit by Thierry Mugler.
Bey takes us back to her Texas roots in the next scene, featuring Tyrese, in a bright yellow close-fit, low cut Atsuko Kudo dress, and matching cowboy hat. Though not as daring as Gaga, she shines in her own way.
She brings it back in a following scene, where she prances around a technicolor motel room in a Wonder Woman-esque Jean Charles de Castelbajac jacket and matching short shorts by Franc Fernandez and Oscar Olima.
Gaga takes the 'Telephone' name literally in the following scene, where she, as a waitress, has a Danilo telephone shaped headpiece.
Then the ladies join forces in an 'American' themed dance sequence, with both pantsless ladies in stars and stripes. Gaga is in Haus of Gaga and Christian Louboutin boots, and Beyoncé wears Oscar Olima.
The oeuvre d'art concludes with the girls flanking a truck in long flowing gowns and headpieces by Emilie Pirlot that seem reminiscent of conservative burqas. Their decidedly 'covered up' outfits stand in stark contrast to the video's previous sartorial choices, but don't be fooled. They promise the story will continue.

The video, directed by Jonas Akerlund, has been called a, "true cinematic masterpiece."

Do you agree?

Watch the full saga here:

 

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Filed under: Celebrity Style , Red Carpet

If you were watching the red carpet for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, you may have noticed 'Precious' stars Gabourey Sidibe, Mariah Carey, and Mo'Nique, and executive producer Oprah Winfrey wearing bedazzling blue gowns for the event:


Oscar winner Mo'Nique said the color was a tribute to Hattie McDaniel, the first black woman to win an Oscar for her supporting role in Gone With the Wind. Mo'Nique explained, "The reason...I have on this royal blue dress is because it's the color...Hattie McDaniel wore in 1940 when she accepted her Oscar. The reason...I have this gardenia in my hair (is) it is the flower that Hattie McDaniel wore when she accepted her Oscar. So, for you, Ms. Hattie McDaniel, I feel you all over me, and it's about time that the world feels you all over them."


Oprah, who seemed to pick her blue dress by chance, said, "That was just some sort of divine synchronicity, I guess from Hattie McDaniel...All the black women in blue, I don't know what happened."

Whether by divine intervention, as an ode to Precious author Sapphire, or strictly by chance, blue is a color that is supremely flattering on varying body types and skin colors, as witnessed at the awards. Impress at your next formal affair with a handful of electric choices:



1. Elegant Blue Gowns by House of Dereon - $396. 2.BCBGMAXAZRIA Crinkled Chiffon Gown - $328. 3. Aidan Mattox Halter Gown with Embellished Necklace - $420. 4. Electric Blue Halter Prom Dresses by Alyce Designs - $135. 5. Blue Strapless Gowns from Laundry by Shelli Segal - $295.

 

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Filed under: Celebrity Love, E-Male Advisor

Malik Yoba first came to fame with role in New York Undercover. More recently, he has appeared in Tyler Perry's 'Why Did I Get Married' and the upcoming 'Why Did I Get Married Too.' I was fortunate to have the opportunity to chat with the actor, musician and activist about a wide variety of subjects, including recent relationships and current projects such as 'Shop Talk,' his web series on BET.com.

So you have a new movie, 'Why Did I Get Married Too,' written and directed by Tyler Perry, coming out April 2nd, which we'll get to in a moment. But first I'd like for you to talk about a project that I know you're passionate about and one that you're not only starring but also writing and directing.

It's a web series on BET.com called 'Shop Talk: What's on the Hearts of Men.' It started off as a play and it's something I've been working to turn into a film. My goal has always been to present a platform to speak to what's on the hearts of men. It consists of nine webisodes that feature my son and I spending the afternoon at the barbershop, where discussions are taking place about things on the hearts of men. What was really interesting is in the first episode is there's a scene where I'm walking with my son and he asks me, "So when did you know you became a man?" and I tell him I'm still trying figure that out. The reaction to that was really strong. A lot of men were like, I can't believe you would be that honest with your kid. They said a lot of men would sugarcoat it, but you kept it real.

You take relationships of all sorts very seriously and I know that it informs your work in terms of projects you choose to be involved with.

I'd like to think that my finger is on the pulse because out I'm in the world talking to people and making myself available for these types of conversations. I've been hosting relationship seminars so it's an evolving passion of my own, as I've asked myself a lot of questions and I'm very curious to see what other people think as well.


There are a lot women (and men) who come to Black Voices looking for commentary and perspective on relationships. Anything in particular you'd like to share?

Most people aren't working on themselves enough to understand what it is they really need to do to be successful in a relationship with others. By having a successful relationship with yourself enables you to have more successful relationship with another person. It's about being self-aware of what your needs are, what your tendencies are and what levels of compatibility are important to you. It took me a long time to reach these conclusions for myself. There was therapy, failed relationships, reading books, talking to people, traveling, experiencing different things and then I realized that I need someone who is compatible - emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially. Those things are important to me.

We always talk about life imitating art. Is there anything in 'Why Did I Get Married Too' that resonated with you in terms of your personal experiences?

There is a beautiful scene featuring Lou Gossett and Cicely Tyson, who play a married couple. In the scene, they speak about a love in such a beautiful way. It was deep because it represented everything that I'd want to say at 65 had I been with a woman for like 40 years. They broke it down on how it is to really love someone. Love is not boastful. Love doesn't keep a record of wrong. It's funny because at the time I was actually in a relationship. And I remember calling this woman one late night when we were shooting on the beach in the Bahamas and I told her this scene is crazy because it's how I'd want us to be. But marriage freaks her out and those are her words. She said that I was too intense. She would say "Malik, all you want to talk about is your heart and your soul and your purpose." And she would act like that was an affliction. There was something about her emotional makeup and her lack of desire to go deep and look at her own sh*t that never would allow us to reach the potential of the ideas that Tyler talks about in the movie, specifically in the scene with Cicely and Lou.

So what about you and Janet Jackson, who plays your wife? How was it working with her?

She has a big booty. Janet is a sweetheart, but, seriously, I didn't really know.

Yeah, you're right. I didn't really know either. So how does the relationship evolve between you and Janet's character in the sequel?

All I can say is I had to channel my inner Ike Turner. It was like word, you want to go here with this? When I read it, I was like, yeah okay.

How is it working with Tyler Perry? He gets a lot of criticism from certain corners of the black community, but he also gets a lot of credit for putting a lot of black people to work.

I have a lot of respect for Tyler. He's a man definitely moving on the same vibration in terms of doing for self. It's an honor to work with him. He makes it real easy. There's not a whole lot of jumping through hoops and having to do all that stuff that some folks want you to do in this business.

Earlier you mentioned something about your purpose. You clearly seem to be driven by something else than just the art of acting.

I feel like my father in that sense. For me, my purpose is to make people think. While he only had the opportunity to impact his kids and those in his immediate circle, I have a platform and I feel it's my responsibility as a Yoba. My father raised me to understand that this is your job. He said if there's a crack, fill it. I feel that everything I have done in my career has been a service to humanity. It's never been about being a star. It's never been about being a sex symbol. It's never been about being any of that sh*t. If I can stimulate someone to think differently or deeper and to connect with their greatness in a way that they may not have even thought was possible [then] I've done what I'm supposed to do.

So what about the sex symbol thing though. You say it's never been about that, but a big part of your celebrity status has centered on being a sex symbol of sorts.

I always appreciate the love, even on a superficial level, because it is what it is. But I really believe that I was introduced to people as a young dude who did sh*t that people cared about in terms of my character [on 'New York Undercover']. I'm not that guy that was a model-turned-actor. So I appreciate that fact that people may appreciate how I look and all that, but I always felt that my true appeal was my ability to communicate. I mean it's all good. I appreciate it. It was never my goal, but don't think I never made the most of it.

Click here to watch episodes of Shop Talk: What's On the Hearts of Men



Mason Jamal writes about issues pertaining to the style, substance and sensibilities of men (and sometimes women). For more of his musings, you can visit www.MasonSays.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @masonsays .

 

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Filed under: Celebrity Love, Dating, Relationships

Things really seem to be heating up these days between Rihanna and her baseball player beau Matt Kemp.

This past weekend, Rih Rih flew back to the states from Berlin to meet Kemp's parents in their hometown of Arizona. She left Germany early where she had just finished up performing at the Echo Awards just so she could make it in time for his annual Ante Up for Autism gala on Saturday; a cause that hits close to home for Kemp, whose younger brother is autistic.

According to E! Kemp's family also attended, and they met Rihanna for the first time.

"Rihanna fit right in as if they all knew each other," said a source. "It was comfortable."

The fundraiser was filled with Vegas-style gaming and cocktails, a silent auction, along with dinner and dancing. The event managed to raise an impressive $170,000 Saturday night with only 150 people in attendance. Talk about big spenders.

Insiders say "Matt was happy she came," to the event and "It was an awesome show of support." Ain't that the truth? Whether you're a celebrity or not, flying across the globe to support your boo is a major deal in our book. We're beginning to like this "non-couple" more and more.

 

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Filed under: Luv Coach

I have been a mother figure to a young woman my husband and I have known since she was 12. She is 20 now and my husband is 51. She has three children that are like grandkids to us. I found in my husbands e-mail pictures of her naked, and a picture of them hugged up which appears to be in a motel room. He said I was crazy and the naked pic was sent to him by mistake. I checked the e-mail history and it came from his iPhone. He stated to me that he sent the pics to her and told her that she sent them to him by mistake. They text each other constantly, claiming it means nothing. I am hurt so bad by this. I have been good to this girl and I didn't deserve this. My first reaction was to go to her father since she still lives at home down the street from us. My husband talked me out of it, claiming it would start an unnecessary mess. He said he has never cheated on me. We have been married since 1995. What do I do?

Vivian
There is nothing more painful than the betrayal of the one you love and the uncertainty as to whether or not they are being honest. There is definitely something going on between your husband and this young woman. The fact that he sent these photos from his cell phone to his e-mail lets you know that he wanted to get a better look at them. The two of them hugged up in a motel tells you everything you need to know. When men are put in a position of confrontation they will lie to get out of trouble. Your husband is doing just that. Your first instinct, to tell her father, was the right one. If your husband was behaving as a responsible, mature adult he would have brought these photos to you the first time she sent them and asked your advice as to how to deal with it. Since he kept it a secret, he knows that he is doing something wrong. If your husband was being a mature adult who cared for this young woman's well being he would have addressed this issue with her father and let her father talk to her about what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. I would recommend that you both go, as a couple, to see her father and let him know what is going on. It is the responsibility of adults to help children when they go astray. She is 20 and human beings do not fully mature mentally until the age of 24. It is your husband's place and your place to bring it to the attention of her parents, so that she learns that this is not acceptable behavior. Your husband will try to talk you out of doing the right thing, because he is approaching this with his "child's mind." He knows he has done something wrong and is now trying to hide his wrongdoing from the world. He feels embarrassed that his secret is out, and he does not want anyone else to be witness to his inappropriate behavior. You now have to be the adult and make the difficult choice to address it as the mature woman you are, even though your husband will fight you on it. This choice is for the good of your marriage and the mental health of this young woman.

I met a wonderful man, who has treated me, in the last few weeks of dating him, better than any other I've known. I have lived with and had long term relationships with other men, but no one as endearing as this one. He is willing to do almost anything to make me happy, but he has a past, one where he abused his privileges and took advantage of resources for his own personal use. I am falling very quickly and hard for him but there is some degree of mistrust. We met over the internet, and I find myself looking for ads online, only to discover he's not used them for months. The great news is he's paid for his mistakes and rejuvenated himself. I want to get over his past and my previous relationship issues and give him the trust he deserves. I don't want to lose him but I don't want to get hurt either.

Anonymous

Part of learning to love fully means taking the risk to trust someone else with your heart. The key to doing it safely is to take it slow and give yourself enough time to observe him as he interacts with you and with others in his life. This is the testing phase of dating when you want to watch and see if he walks the talk. He claims he has rejuvenated himself, so now you have to pay attention and see if what he says is translating to how he behaves. Are his actions those of a man who is honest and open about his choices? In the process of getting to know him, you should find out what led him to make the choices that landed him in hot water. You want to be aware of any signs that tell you something is different so you can recognize when he begins to go astray. This is the time to be very thorough about finding out who this man is, and if he is truly deserving of your heart.

 

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Filed under: Natural Hair, Hairstyles, Hair Care, My Hairstory

In my opinion, no hairstyle is more regal, more awe inspiring, more spiritual or more misunderstood than locs. For some, they aren't a hairstyle as much as a religious expression -- the Rastafarian movement is still strong all around the world, particularly in Caribbean culture.

For many others, this strong and beautiful hair has nothing to do with religion at all; it can be more of an expression of self, and pride in one's roots.

Thanks to Twitter, I've had the pleasure of getting to know some of the web's most admired loc experts. The three women featured in this post are all absolutely beautiful, and offer proof that there's nothing "dreadful" about locs!

Toshia Shaw-Lacey is a writer extraordinare. Besides having written a book - her debut novel, High Stakes, drops in April! - she is also a well respected blogger who shares information about locs at On The Road to Queendom. I reached out to ask her about his locs, what led her to the style and what they mean to her.

"I have been rocking the locs for about 9 years, and I absolutely love them! I have never thought about taking them down. I decided to loc because I was looking for a natural hairstyle that would compliment my face, be easy to maintain, and embody my personality. After witnessing Lauryn Hill in all her crowning glory, I decided that wearing locs would be best for me. I love how women appear as if they are wearing a crown, and I do indeed feel regal wearing locs. Although, I am not Rastafarian, I do follow some of the principles. I believe a woman's hair is her crown, it should be cared for and meticulously maintained.

I clearly prefer the term locs because there is nothing dreadful about my hair. The negative connotation associated with the label dreads and where it came from will not allow me to embrace it."

Click here to follow Toshia - AKA Writing Addict - on Twitter.

When I put out the question, "who is the best loc expert on Twitter?" The overwhelming response was Noireboss1, AKA Camille Reed. She is the owner of Noire Salon in Silver Spring, MD, and she is such a source of information and warmth online.

She has had locked hair for 13 years, and found her inspiration in college.

"I was 19, inwards into my freshman year in college and ready to create 'MY' identity as a young lady. I was studying fine art and felt comfortable in that being my time to begin them."

Visit NoireDesignConcepts.com for hair inspiration and information. Photo by Keston Duke.

My favorite loc goddess on YouTube has gotta be Chescaleigh. Franchesca Leigh is a New York-based comedian, graphic designer, and singer. She's amazing! And her hair tutorials are inspired, lighthearted, and fun for anyone to watch (whether you've got locs or not!) She recently did an interview and hair tutorial with Black Girl with Long Hair and revealed her hair history and loc philosophy.

"I started my locs in February of 2004. So my locs are 6 years old this month!

Being natural has had a HUGE affect on my life. Mainly, it's increased my confidence. My hair was such a burden when it was relaxed - financially and emotionally. I no longer have to stress about my hair looking good (I usually just wear it down or in a ponytail) or worry about spending $60+ every six weeks to get a touch up. Also, because I've made a name for myself by video blogging about my hair, I've been given an incredible opportunity to inspire other young women to go natural and have confidence in their natural beauty, which is really cool."

Love me some Chescaleigh. Visit her YouTube channel here.

Who are your favorite loc goddesses online?

 

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Filed under: Hairstyles, How-To, My Hairstory

If you think back to being a little kid, I'm sure the ritual of hair braiding was a regular part of your upbringing. It definitely was in mine. I remember sitting between my mother's knees -- bottle of "grease" and rat-tail comb at the ready, while she painstakingly parted my hair and deftly styled it into neat plaits. And at a certain time in my life, I always wore my hair in that loving, intricate style.

But it didn't stop at just two plaits for most of us. If you grew up in America, I think you probably wore "corn rows." In the Caribbean we called them "cane rows," as in sugar cane. Regardless of the name, the style spoke to our shared ancestry - hair-braiding techniques were passed down from Africa, survived the intentional cultural separation of slavery and remains part of our legacy today. And the techniques have become even more intricate, complex and beautiful with time and with practice.

Although so many of us grew up familiar with the practice, that certainly does not mean that hair braiding is instinctual. It takes practice, patience and love -- especially if you're dealing with a tender-headed child. Now we know that just plain "grease" isn't good for our hair -- a combination of natural hair oils works well, as does Oyin's Burnt Sugar hair pomade, which is made with castor oil, soy wax, and cocoa butter as well as coconut, mango seed, olive, hempseed, and broccoli seed oils.

Now that you've got your products, how can you master your technique? There are a number of YouTube experts who offer incredible, free tutorials online for a variety of braiding styles (involving artificial hair, or otherwise).

Expert Village is a channel devoted to the mastery of everything from planting a tree to poledancing, but there are some truly incredible videos on cornrows, reverse French braids, and a braided headband - a trend which looks particularly pretty with natural hair. Braids By Sabrina's channel (AKA The Braid Shop) offers videos that primarily feature artificial hair, and their speed and technique is just incredible to behold.

If you're seeking a hair braiding DVD, I recommend you visit Kristen Lock's website - her Tree Braids 101 and Cornrows 101 videos are both excellent.

What are your hair braiding memories? Do you have any advice to offer hair braiding newbies?

 

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Filed under: Photos, Celebrity Hairstyles

What's up with Melanie "Scary Spice" Brown's obsession with shaving half of her daughters' heads? First it was her toddler Angel, and now her oldest daughter Phoenix Chi has joined the half-bald club. In Mel B's defense, Phoenix is a little older, so it seems like this hairdo was probably more her choice than her mom's. Also, considering Willow Smith's latest 'do, this is clearly the hottest new style for the tween set. But is it an appropriate look for a young girl?
http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=674496&pid=674495&uts=1268241354 http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf Close-Cropped Stars! From pop stars to celebrity kids, Hollywood's fearless females aren't afraid to show a little scalp... Marcos Vasquez, BuzzFoto / FilmMagic BlackVoices.com

 

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