Award winning Actress Viola Davis is featured on the cover of the upcoming August 2011 issue of Essence Magazine. In a cover story titled “Hollywood’s Best-Kept Secret,” the Oscar nominated movie star, who is currently promoting the feature film “Help,” talks about struggles black women face and more.

“As Black women, we’re always given these seemingly devastating experiences — experiences that could absolutely break us,” she says. “But what the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly. What we do as Black women is take the worst situations and create from that point.”

For more on Viola Davis, pick up the August 2011 issue, on newsstands nationwide soon!

[YBF]

Beyonce, who is preparing for the release of her new album “4″ this week, is the cover girl for the July 2011 issue of Essence Magazine. And by the looks of these outtakes from the photo spread … it seems like she has a strong affinity for horses and the “ranch life.”

She’s got pictures with horses, pictures on horses and more. Check ‘em all out below:

Beyonce‘s beautiful face is featured on the cover of the July 2011 issue of Essence Magazine, where she opens up about “the year that changed [her] life.”

Peep an excerpt from the cover story, which was penned by Beyonce herself (for the first time), below:

“I had talked about taking a vacation before, but always ended up in the studio after two weeks, so no one believed me. This time, though, I was serious. I was going to give myself a year to do the things I never get to do. Simple things like play with my nephew, pick him up from school, visit museums, go to concerts, see some Broadway shows, learn to cook a meal and spend time with my husband…Yes, I needed some relaxation, but I wanted inspiration too, from regular, everyday things. They did not have to be over-the-top productions. I was looking for tiny moments that would speak to my heart and make me smile…”

The 29-year-old’s new album “4″ is scheduled to hit stores later this month (June 28), and the second single from the project was released yesterday. Click here to take a listen!

Alicia Keys opens up about her new baby and her new marriage to rapper/producer Swizz Beatz in a brand new cover story for the July 2011 issue of Essence Magazine.

Check out a few excerpts (and an alternate cover) below:

On love: “Falling in love is such a force, but this is a whole other level of magic…”

On music, marriage and motherhood: “I was very closed for a long time. But I feel so open now. To feel open like this means you’ve found the center in yourself. You’re not hiding; you’re not worried about anything. Everything’s going to be just fine.”

On dedicating a song to her mom: “In the past, I’ve written mostly from my own perspective. But I just wrote a song for my next album that was inspired by a conversation I had with a man who was expressing how indebted he feels to God. He said, ‘I owe God.’ Now, what an interesting thought. And as much as I believe in God, for me that translated into how much I owe my mother for who I am. So I went home and I wrote I Owe You. It’s dedicated to her…”

Source

Regina King is featured on the cover of the upcoming February 2011 issue of Essence Magazine.

Inside her feature, the hard-working actress talks about being 26 years strong in the game, her 15-year-old son Ian Alexander Jr. and her romance with fellow actor and former “Cosby Show” star Malcom-Jamal Warner.

“Malcolm and I have a lot in common… we’ve both been child actors and were also blessed to be raised by incredible mothers who instilled good values in us. Things are maturing nicely…” (Source)

King currently stars in the TNT police drama “Southland,” which airs Tuesday nights at 10/9c.

Thoughts on Regina King and her ESSENCE cover?

The all-star line-up of actors and actresses of Tyler Perry‘s newest film “For Colored Girls” are featured on the cover of the December 2010 (Special Edition) issue of ESSENCE Magazine.

The issue features 2 covers, with one showing the women (Thandie Newton, Kimberly Elise, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine, Janet Jackson, Tessa Thompson & Whoopi Goldberg) and the other showing the men (Richard Lawson, Hill Harper, Omari Hardwick, Khalil Kain & Michael Ealy).

“For Colored” Girls hits theaters tomorrow (Fri. Nov 5)! Hit the link below to check out the full-sized covers…

“…I haven’t had a date in years…and I’m not looking, because when I look, I find mess. I’m just waiting for God to reveal The One to me…”

ESSENCE

Women kill us talking about how they are waiting for God to send them someone. For all we know, God has probably sent her a few, but she passed on them for whatever reason…

Actress Zoe Saldana talks about sex, love and power as she covers the April 2010 issue of Essence Magazine. In her cover story, she mentions how much she “loves sex,” “can’t live without it,” and won’t rule out filming an X-rated scene.

READ MORE ABOUT ZOE’S LOVE OF SEX @ MEDIA OUTRAGE

President Obama and his fly wife Michelle are going to be featured again in the upcoming issue of Essence Magazine! In the March 2010 issue, the first couple talks about how they deal with their daughters when it comes to education. Here’s what Mr. Prez said:

“Malia will tell you, my attitude was, if she came home with a B, that’s not good enough because there’s no reason why she can’t get an ‘A’…”

That’s what we’re talking about! This is the only way our children are going to succeed in this day and age.

“The only marriage that I’ve ever been a part of destroying is my own, and it’s not my place to talk about anybody else’s…,” the actress, who recently joined the cast of the new ABC sci-fi drama “FlashForward” said.

Pick up the issue, on stands now!

In related news, Gabby’s mother, who is a social worker and already has a young adopted daughter, has fostered a newborn baby. The 36-year-old actress admits that she loves helping out with her new siblings even though she doesn’t have any children of her own.

“We got her straight from the hospital,” she told Sister 2 Sister Magazine. “We’re hoping she could be the newest official member of our family but she’s definitely always going to be a part of the family.”