Alicia Keys for Essence Magazine January 2013

On being affected by Hurricane Sandy: "After the third or fourth tuna fish sandwich, and after we learned we’d be without power for a week, I called my mother, who lives Uptown. She was okay and hadn’t lost any power, so we ended up going to her house. We were pretty lucky."

On finding balance in her life: "It’s okay if I can’t do every single thing. I finally understand that it doesn’t make me a lesser artist or human being."

Rihanna Talks Love & Chris Brown in GQ's 2012 " ....

With her brand new album "Unapologetic" set to hit shelves on November 19th, Rihanna pitched in on promotions by covering the 2012 "Men of the Year" issue of GQ magazine.

The 24-year-old performer looked stunning as she donned nothing but Stella McCartney panties and sneakers by Alejandro Ingelmo for the Sebastian Kim shot front page while opening up about topics including relationships to the epic bar fight between Chris Brown and Drake.

A few highlights from Rihanna's interview are as follows. For more, be sure to pay a visit to GQ!

On what she wants in a relationship:
“I like to feel like a woman. I have to be in control in every other aspect of my life, so I feel like in a relationship, like I wanted to be able to take a step back and have somebody else take the lead.”

On love:
“Love makes you go places you probably wouldn’t ever go, had it not been for love. But I think everybody still has their limits.”

On how she sees herself:
“Sometimes a person looks at me and sees dollars. They see numbers and they see a product. I look at me and see art. If I didn’t like what I was doing, then I would say I was committing slavery. ”

On the fight between Drake and Chris Brown:
“There’s no proof of that being for my love. That’s my answer to that question.”

Ok we understand the interview about stuff and all but why the pictures?? Role model to younger women?? what are your thoughts about RiRi’s pictures??

Rihanna is featured, looking seductively at the camera in nothing more than a tiny black leather jacket.

 Though the issue may be entitled, "Men of the Year," there are no men in sight on the cover of GQ's December issue. Instead, Rihanna is featured, looking seductively at the camera in nothing more than a tiny black leather jacket.

On Monday (November 12), the "Diamonds" singer tweeted a photo of the sexy cover with the comment, "GQ's man of the year?! When will your fave? #histoRih #GQ."
What are your thoughts???

Selena Gomez Covers Glamour December 2012

 Selena Gomez graced the December 2012 cover of Glamour magazine.

The 20-year-old actress looked stunning in designer duds from Balmain and Bottega Veneta for the Ellen Von Unwerth shot front page while being honored as one of the mag's 'Women of the Year.'
Miss Gomez scored a spot as Glamour's 20-year-old's icon because of her admirable work with UNICEF's 2012 Tap Project.

Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson covers the latest issue of REDBOOK magazine.

While wearing a sparkly dress in a photo shoot by Ruven Afandor, fab actress Jennifer Hudson covers the December issue of REDBOOK Magazine and talks about her dramatic body transformation and designing her own clothing line. By the way, she says she's done losing weight and is just maintaining now. She also reflects upon the life of her slain nephew Julian D. King.

Here are the highlights:

On how she feels after shedding the pounds:
"I’m getting used to my new self more than anything else. I got used to being plus-sized and knowing how to be that, whereas this is like, ‘Okay, who am I?’ I keep thinking that I probably need an extra-large or a large and the stylist is like, ‘No, you need a medium or a small.'"

On why she wanted to design her own clothing line:
"I know what I like, and that’s what it’s all about. It’s like, who’s your fashion icon? Me. And no one but you knows what you feel most comfortable in. I look at each piece and think, ‘Could I wear that as big Jennifer or could I wear that now?’ I want to consider every girl."

On how she honors her late nephew during the holidays:
"The Julian D. King Toy Drive and Christmas dinner is for kids who are doing well in school — just progressing, they don't necessarily have to have all A's or B's — and we grant whatever their Christmas wish is. With everything that happened with our family, it's hard to get through the holidays. So I was wondering, 'How can we turn a negative around make it a positive thing?' And so we came up with giving back."

Jennifer is currently filming season 2 of "Smash." Gorgeous looks.

P.S. Jenny is set to perform, as well as Seal and others, at the this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway on December 11th.

Brad Pitt's new movie "Killing Them Softly"

 With his new movie "Killing Them Softly" set to hit theaters on November 30, Brad Pitt garnered himself a little added exposure by covering the November 2012 issue of Interview magazine.

The 48-year-old actor looked handsome as he suited up for the Steven Klein shot spread while talking about topics including his acting career and his passion to be behind the camera. 

A few highlights from Mr. Pitt's interview are as follows. For more, be sure to pay a visit to Interview!

On choosing his films:
"Yeah. I mean, as you know, so much of making movies is about discovery on the day, what you're figuring out. If you know everything going in, then it's not worth doing—it's already done. So I'm interested in finding people who I think have a voice—and a very specific voice. It's hard to be surprised by a film. It's hard to be surprised by another actor or by a director when you've seen enough and been around. So when I am, or when I forget that I'm watching someone's movie, or when I don't know how someone made a certain turn that I didn't expect . . . You know, I'm in."

On using different dialects in his work:
"Well, you know, I like a bit of song, and dialect is a song. I'm most comfortable with the Southern dialects, really. It's easy, for example, for me to do Irish because we've got Irish heritage where I come from. We also have some German heritage. The Upper East Coast, though, is a little bit more connected to a British heritage."

On his producing career:
"Yeah. I'd rather be behind the camera. As a producer, obviously, you're part of a team that brings the story to the screen. It wouldn't be there if you didn't champion it or if you and a group of people weren't championing it. I like that."

Cassie scored herself a feature in the October 2012 issue of GQ magazine.

 Cassie scored herself a feature in the October 2012 issue of GQ magazine.

The 26-year-old singer slipped into various bikini's and oiled up her limbs to pose for the saucy Christian Anwander shot spread while dishing about everything from making a musical career comeback to her popularity.

Highlights from Cassie's interview are as follows. For more, be sure to pay a visit to GQ!

On her six-year hiatus:
"I'm just a laid-back person. Maybe laid-back to a fault."

On returning to the music industry:
"It's been too long, I know, but I got to start over and over again. I feel like I'm a new artist."

On her popularity:
"It would be awesome to stay popular, but if I was only an underground artist, I would be okay with that."

Spanish Magazine Causes An Uproar By Portraying Michelle Obama As A Nude Slave!!

  

Spanish Magazine Fuera de Serie sparked a huge controversy recently. They put the picture of First Lady,Michelle Obama on the cover of their new issue, but it wasn’t just a regular picture. Michelle Obama was portrayed as a topless slave.

The painting, taken from the “Famous Nudes” series done by artist Karine Percherone-Daniels, was created by superimposing First Lady’s face onto the body of the Black enslaved women. The original painting was done by French painter, Marie-Guillemine Benoist back in 1800 and called “Portrait d’une négresse.

Not clear why the magazine decided to use an image that would most likely meet a lot of negative responses. But inside the spread, the magazine gives Michelle the credits for President Obama’s successful career, calling her great woman behind her powerful husband.

“In the shadow of the U.S. President is a person whose popularity ratings exceed those of Barack’s own,” reads the excerpt. “This person is none other than his wife Michelle… To find out how Michelle has managed to seduce the American people . . . [we] detail the secrets of a woman has not [just] only won the heart of Barack Obama”

Needless to say a lot of people find more than offensive and absolutely unnecessary for the Spanish magazine to us e a picture like that.

To me it’s clear that they were trying to get an attention, which they did. What is disturbing is the fact how media today can care less the means they are trying to get an attention with…

Your thoughts?

Nicole Scherzinger was picked to cover the September 2012 issue of Cosmopolitan UK magazine.

 Nicole Scherzinger was picked to cover the September 2012 issue of Cosmopolitan UK magazine.

The 34-year-old singer/actress looked fab in a shimmering magenta frock for the James White shot front page while dishing about Lewis Hamilton, tr

ust and 'The X-Factor".


Highlights from Miss Scherzinger's interview are as follows. For more, be sure to pay a visit to Cosmopolitan UK!

On who inspires her:
“My mom is my everything. Recently she came to the UK and I took her to an X Factor audition in Newcastle. It was the first stamp on her passport. That was really special. I thought it was going to be too much for her because it was a short trip but she was so excited!”

On her circle of friends:
“I love people but I tend to be shy and stay within my little circle. I roll with the same crew- they get me and they’ve been there for me through the good and bad. My sister is in our group too. We speak pretty much every day. It’s important to confide in friends- when you’re confused or feel alone they pick you up. We just went to Mexico and we had so much fun. One friend was so pale- she was like, ‘I gotta get some sun!’ Then she was beetroot-red by the end of the day and we were laughing so much.”

On what she learned as a Pussycat Doll:
“I learned how to accept myself. There was nowhere to hide in hose outfits! And it was cool to be in a girl group; it’s empowering when you’ve got a sister to back you up.”

Hip-hop wild child Azealia Banks blows up a condom on controversial magazine cover that's been banned in seven countries!!

Known for her outspoken lyrics and her Twitter wars, Azealia Banks is fast proving to be the most talked about female rapper and singer to emerge from Harlem.

And now the bisexual rapper is causing more controversy off the stage thanks to a scandalous Dazed & Confused cover which has been banned in no less than seven countries. 

In the picture, which has already set Twitter aflutter, Banks can be seen inflating a raspberry coloured condom and is over the headline 'Azealia Banks blows up'. 

The issue is not available on sale in Singapore, Dubai, Malta, Switzerland, India or Thailand because it is deemed too risqué.

Ron Stanley, editor of Dazed & Confused magazine speaks out about the controversial Azealia Banks condom cover. “Azealia liked it, and we thought it would be fun and suited her because she’s a strong, provocative character,” he said. “I knew this cover would be talked about, but didn’t expect a confident, young woman posing with an inflated condom to cause this much fuss. It’s funny that in a world where extreme images are so accessible, someone posing with something that is used for safe sex is what we get worked up about.” ….

What are your thoughts???

Zoe Saldana cranked up the promotions by covering the September 2012 issue of Gotham magazine.

The 34-year-old actress looked picture perfect in a satin jumpsuit with chiffon details from Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci for the Andrew Eccles shot front page while engaging in a Q & A session with "Star Trek" co-star Zachary Quinto.

A few of the highlights from Miss Saldana's interview with Mr Quinto are as follows. For more, be sure to pay a visit to Gotham!

On her first memory of fashion:
"My grandmother and great grandmother were seamstresses their whole lives, so when my grandmother moved to New York in the '60s, she worked for design houses throughout the city. She really loved fabrics and textiles, so it was natural to my family. Fashion wasn't like a religion to us, but it is in my ancestry. It was never about luxury; it was about art."

On the favorite piece of clothing she owns:
"There's this Azzedine Alaia dress I have that makes me feel like I am collecting art. Collecting from certain designers is like collecting art and will always remain as memorable as the very first Chanel bag that I bought myself."

On her contemporaries with a kindred sense of style:
"Sienna Miller, Julianne Moore, these kind of effortless beauties. Diane Kruger. I just love looking at their styles and feeling inspired by their choices."

On what she's looking forward to in the next year:
"Honestly, to continue growing in every aspect of my life because it's been a long time since I've been this happy. I really want that to motivate me moving forward on every level."

Singer Janelle Monae has been named the newest face of CoverGirl

Singer Janelle Monae has been named the newest face of CoverGirl! She'll be featured in a 10-page ad in VOGUE's Spetember Issue (with Lady Gaga on the cover). She said that the honor was absolutely significant to her, especially since she usually does her own makeup for her major performances. The "Tightrope" singer tells VOGUE:

“Growing up and trying to find myself as a woman and experimenting with makeup, I’d go buy magazines. I’d see Tyra Banks [in the CoverGirl ads] and I’d think, Wow, she’s beautiful. It never looked like she had on too much makeup. There was just something clean and classic about her face.”

Janelle dished on her makeup for her performances saying that she's experimenting with CoverGirl’s Lash Blast Mascara. “I keep my eyes pretty simple but I like to make [my lashes] a little darker and thicker.

And about how her new role will be used to empower women around the role:

“I believe it’s time that women truly owned their superpowers and used their beauty and strength to change the world around them. One of my core values is to help redefine what it means to be a strong and beautiful woman in the music and fashion worlds and to empower the wonderful things that make us unique. Becoming a COVERGIRL is truly an honor and a gift: it opens up a new platform for me to inspire women to feel stronger, braver and more beautiful inside and out.”

More sneak peeks from the ad campaign:

Jada Pinkett Smith graces the cover of the September 2012 issue of Essence magazine.

A few of the highlights from Jada's interview are as follows. For more, be sure to pay a visit to Essence!

On getting involved in fighting human sex trafficking in the United States:
“When something speaks to you as brightly and as strongly as this particular issue speaks to me, you just put every resource that you have to move things forward. That’s what we do, we move fast. It’s the entertainment business. You have to move like a rocket. We’re talking about people’s lives…”

On rumors of an impending divorce from husband Will Smith:
“It seems like that happens at least once a year, or at least once every two years – it’s rumored that we’re getting a divorce. But no, we’re not getting a divorce. Where am I going to go? That’s my boo. It’s like he’s another part of me.”

On talking with Angelina Jolie about fighting human sex trafficking:
“I called Angelina Jolie and said, ‘Ange, I need you, girl. Did you know we have slaves in this country?’ She said, ‘Jada, I’ve been working on this for years – are you kidding me?’ So I sat on the phone with Angelina and of course it was like going to college. She schooled me.”

Lady Gaga takes over the front page of the September 2012 issue of Vogue.

Set to hit newsstands on August 14th, the 26-year-old "You and I" singer was styled up in a Marc Jacobs frock for the Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott shot front page of what's her second time being featured on the popular fashion publication.

Meanwhile, a few highlights from Gaga's interview are as follows. For more, be sure to pay a visit to Vogue!

On her new signature scent:
“The fragrance is called Fame. It must be black. It must be enticing. You must want to lick and touch and feel it, but the look of it must terrify you.”

On dreaming up a “fortress” that lets her dance 50 feet above the audience for her Born This Way Ball world tour:
"I really wanted to break the mold of what modern touring is now."

On the reinvention of the meat dress for her tour:
“We were talking about putting the show together and I said, OK, what if I was someone’s grandma and I was going to a concert tonight. How would I know that it was a Gaga show? And we all just sort of looked at each other and said,‘The meat dress.’” 

On her music making approach:
“I don’t really make records for people to listen to and go, ‘Wow, she’s a genius'. I’d really like you to order a drink, maybe kiss the person you came with that evening, or rediscover something about your past that makes you feel even more brave.”

Miranda Kerr is featured in the September 2012 issue of Harper's Bazaar magazine.

The 29-year-old Aussie supermodel posed in nothing but boots from Hermes, Tod's, Reed Krakoff and Tom Ford for the stunningly sexy Terry Richardson shot spread lining the pages.
Highlights from Miss Kerr's interview are as follows. For more, be sure to pay a visit to Harper's Bazaar!

On her style icons, one living, one dead:
"I have always admired Audrey Hepburn’s style and my Nan has always been a style icon for me. Growing up I would play in her wardrobe and was very influenced by her. She taught me that you don't need to have a lot of money to have style. It’s the way you put things together and how you carry yourself."

On how has motherhood affected her healthy lifestyle:
"I live by the philosophy that beauty starts from within and I make a conscious effort to fill my body with nutrients through the food I eat. Becoming a mother has made me even more aware and more passionate about nutrition and wellness. So much so that I am now a certified health coach practitioner. I love when we are all together as a family and I can cook really healthy, delicious meals for them. Most of my childhood was spent outdoors climbing trees, swimming in the river, riding dirt bikes and horses and I would like Flynn to experience all of those things."

On if she only had a half hour to work out for a day what she would do:
"Yoga is at the core of my health and wellness routine, even if it’s only for 10 to 15 minutes I find it helps me to re-center and to focus as well as improve my overall core strength. Then I'll do a few extra squats for my butt and thighs."

On if she considers herself a spiritual person:
"I find the practice of yoga very spiritual and taking the time to just be and to reflect through meditation and chanting helps me to connect to a higher energy. I also discovered a spiritual strength in affirmations when I was very young which was the inspiration for my book Treasure Yourself."