Thursday, August 21, 2014

Michelle Williams Talks Upcoming Show "Fix My Choir"



RELATED: Michelle Williams Hosts Preachers of LA Reunion Specials

Beyonce and Jay-Z Cleared Of Potential U.S. Sanction Violations


TIME.com:
The Treasury Department said Wednesday that there was “no indication” that Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and her husband Jay-Z (Sean Carter) violated U.S. sanctions in Cuba in 2013.

The announcement Wednesday comes a year and four months after the famous couple took to a trip to the country to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary.

The department’s inspector general concluded that the Office of Foreign Assets Control, which issues licenses to organizations that sponsor educational exchange programs in Cuba, was “reasonable” for having passed on a formal investigation into the Carters’ visit, despite speculation in the media implying suspicious motives.

In April 2013, three Cuban-American Republicans—Sen. Marco Rubio and Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart—raised concerns that the Administration wasn’t properly enforcing the travel regulations between the U.S. and Cuba. At the time, the Treasury Department countered that the Carters’ trip was legal under a cultural exchange program.

Brushing off Republican speculation about his Cuban getaway, Jay-Z released “Open Letter,” featuring the lyrics: “Obama said, ‘Chill, you gonna get me impeached,'” he rapped. “You don’t need this s— anyway, chill with me on the beach.’”
RELATED:  The Illustrated Guide to Dealing with a Potential Beyoncé–Jay Z Breakup

Pregnant Kelly Rowland Displays Blossoming Baby Bump in Figure-Hugging Top


OK!.com:
KELLY Rowland looked effortlessly stylish when she stepped out with her hubby Tim Witherspoon in West Hollywood today.

The former Destiny's Child singer showed off her pregnancy curves in a skin-tight vest top as she walked hand-in-hand with her beau.

Kelly, 33, looked every bit the cool mum-to-be in a pair of ripped jeans and metallic snake-skin pattered flats.

She flung a quilted black handbag over her shoulder as Tim took her hand, making sure the road was safe for them to cross.

Beyoncé's bessie mate wore her brown locks tied up in a bun and kept any stray hairs back with a silk hairband.

She finished the look with a pair of statement shades and simple gold jewellery.
RELATED: Kelly Rowland talks pregnancy: ‘It’s a boy!’

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Michelle Williams Talks About Her Nigerian Influenced Single and Kelly Rowland's Pregnancy



RELATED: Destiny's Child Singer Michelle Williams Talks Coaching Church Members on Life in 'Fix My Choir'

Beyonce Serenades Husband Jay-Z in Upcoming HBO Documentary



CBSNews.com:
HBO has provided a look at the upcoming Beyonce and Jay Z documentary set air Sept. 20.

The film, captured on the couple's 2014 "On the Run" summer tour, will feature concert and behind-the-scenes footage. In the teaser, Beyonce serenades Jay Z with a jazzy, sexy rendition of "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" as the rapper looks on smoking a cigar. 

What makes this all the more interesting is all of the chatter surrounding the couple's marital status. Various media outlets have cited sources saying the star couple are having problems within their relationship. 

Beyonce has made attempts to keep those rumors at bay as she posts photos of her rapper husband on Instagram. She also called the outing the "best tour" of her life. Still, as recently as last week, Us Weekly cited multiple unnamed sources who say Beyonce is preparing to end things.

Whether she's on the run from their marriage is unclear. Fans, meanwhile, will get to see more of Beyonce and Jay Z very soon. In addition to the HBO documentary, next month the pair will head overseas to play two dates in Paris. 
RELATED: Whoa There! Beyoncé Flashes Under Boob in Crop Top—See the Sexy Pic!

First Look: Drumline 2, A New Beat, Featuring LeToya Luckett


SingersRoom.com:
Nick Cannon's Drumline 2: A New Beat is coming to VH1 this Fall.

In a just released first look at the anticipated follow up to the 2002 film, we get a chance to see R&B singer and successful actress LeToya Luckett along with stars including Cannon, Alexandra Shipp and more.

As previously reported, "Drumline: A New Beat" will capture the sound and spirit of the first film while welcoming a whole new class to the Atlanta A & T drumline. The story follows Danielle (Dani) Bolton, an upper class Brooklyn girl who defies her parents in order to attend Atlanta A & T so she can join - and revitalize - their once-prominent drumline. Dani's quest to become the first female section leader of the drumline in the school's history will be hampered by upperclassmen (including her cousin, Tyree), her feelings for fellow band mate and rival, Jayven, and the school's crosstown competitors.

Leonard Roberts will return to his Drumline roots as Sean Taylor, a charismatic and determined new Band Director looking to make his mark at his alma mater while navigating the ghosts of his past.

Letoya Luckett stars as Dr. Nia Phillips, the beautiful, intelligent, and determined dean at Atlanta A&T with former romantic ties to Sean. Her support of Sean's return to lead A&T's band proves to be difficult as the Panthers take on a rival band led by Dr. Phillips' ex-husband, and Sean's brother, Kevin Taylor.
RELATED: LeToya Luckett Cast For VH1's Drumline: A New Beat

Monday, August 4, 2014

The 10 Commandments of Love Within Destiny's Child's 'The Writing's On the Wall'


Billboard celebrates the 15th anniversary of the epic second D.C. album:
Destiny's Child -- as a group and as solo artists -- have taught us a thing or two about love. The group's sophomore studio album, The Writing's on the Wall, is laced with stories on temptation and trust, or a lack thereof. Gender roles are reversed; what men can do, women can do... including "sinful" acts.

The original members -- Beyoncé, LaTavia Roberson, LeToya Luckett and Kelly Rowland -- deal directly with cheating. In fact, the album is predominantly about the cause-and-effect of cheating, nearly mapping out a revenge plot over its sixteen tracks. As well, the full-length tackles other issues, such as satisfaction and self-worth, that one can't help but relate to.

It's Destiny's Child's bestselling set, selling 6.4 million units to date in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. It debuted, and peaked, at No. 2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart on August 14, 1999. It debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart on the same date.

In celebration of its 15-year anniversary, here are 10 "love commandments" learned from The Writing's on the Wall.

1. Thou shalt do better without haters. Listen: "So Good."
Hard to believe these four women have haters, but with success comes jealousy.


2. Thou shalt not let a man or woman take advantage. Listen: "Bills, Bills, Bills."

(On top of that, thou shalt look for someone financially stable, in order to avoid the first lesson.)
3. Thou shalt tell him to chill. Listen: "Bug A Boo (H-Town Screwed Mix)"

"It's not hot" when a dude tweets, then texts, then calls, then tweets about how he texted you, and then sub-tweets about you tweeting but not replying. If he's paging, as he was paging Beyoncé in 1999, you may  need to learn another lesson.

4. Thou shalt realize women and men are both equally capable of some shady and lusty acts. Listen: "Confessions," "Temptation," "If You Leave" and "Jumpin', Jumpin'."

5. Thou shalt not let someone think it's that easy to get you back, after they've done you wrong.  Listen: "Now That She's Gone."

(Don't get carried away though, or you may find yourself at "Where'd You Go.")

6. Thou will be tempted to look elsewhere if not satisfied. Listen: "Temptation" and "If You Leave" and "Jumpin' Jumpin'."