VH1 hosted their “Divas 2011″ concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City Sunday night (Dec 18).

Among the celebrities who walked the red carpet just before the ceremony took place were R&B singers Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott and Chaka Khan, as well as rappers 50 Cent and Common, Pop singer Jessie J and country music legend Dolly Parton.

Some of the other celebs who were spotted on the VH1 Divas 2011 red carpet were Nas, Mary J. Blige, Travie McCoy, Florence Welch, Lala Anthony and more.

Check out 25+ pics from the red carpet of the VH1 Divas 2011 concert in NYC below:

Young Jeezy teams up with Jill Scott in a new music release off his upcoming album “TM 103: Hustlerz Ambition.”

Take a listen to “Trapped” below:

[See post to listen to audio]
TM 103 due out in stores on December 20th. Make sure to get your copy!

The 33rd Annual UNCF Evening of Stars gala was held Sunday evening (Aug 14) in Pasadena, CA and featured red carpet appearances from Keke Palmer, Pooch Hall & Coby Bell from “The Game,” Lance Gross, Tatyana Ali, Musiq Soulchild, David Banner,  and many others.

During the ceremony, R&B acts like Musiq Soulchild, Miguel, Ledisi, Erykah Badu, Estelle, Jill Scott, Marsha Ambrosius and more, including music legend Patti Labelle, hit the stage and performed.

Check out 30+ pics of celebs at the 2011 UNCF Evening of Stars gala below:

The 9th Annual Ford Hoodie Awards went down over the weekend (Sat. Aug 13) at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Hosted by Steve Harvey, the 2011 Hoodie Awards featured appearances from R&B singer Letoya Luckett, actor/BET personality Terrence J, actor/comedian Kevin Hart, gospel singers Tye Tribbett, Marvin Sapp, & Kirk Franklin, actresses Tisha Campbell-Martin & Tichina Arnold, and many more. The show also featured performances by soul singers Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton and Kem.

As hinted by its name, the Hoodie Awards — conceived and developed by Steve Harvey — celebrates the best of the “hood,” ordinary people doing extraordinary things. So instead of celebrities taking home trophies, its every day people that get their time to shine in the spotlight.

Check out 20+ pics from the 2011 Hoodie Awards (as well as the full list of winners) below!

2011 FORD HOODIE AWARDS WINNERS LIST:

Best Fried Chicken – Carey’s Cuisine (Washington, DC)

Best Nail Salon – Salon Couture (Washington, DC)

Best High School Teacher – Glendora Franklin (Washington, DC)

Best Car Wash/Detail Showroom – Shine (St. Louis, MO)

Best Church Choir – Family Worship and Praise Center(Tallahassee, FL)

Best Soul Food Place – Croaker’s Spot, The Soul of Seafood (Richmond, VA)

Best Barbershop – Moon’s Barbershop (Washington, DC)

Best Beauty Salon – Salon Couture (Washington, DC)

Best High School – Cass Technical School (Detroit, MI)

Best Barbecue – This is It BBQ & Seafood (Atlanta, GA)

Best Church – First Baptist Church of Glenarden (Washington, DC)

Best Community Leader – Tony Lewis Jr. (Washington, DC)

Congratulations to all of the winners!

In the new issue of Us Weekly, multi talented entertainer Jill Scott has revealed how she shed an astonishing 63 pounds. The Grammy Award winning curvacious singer told the magazine, “I’d walk up nine steps and be out of breath!”

So what was the reason behind her shedding the pounds? Talking about her 14-month-old son Jett she revealed, “There’s a world of discovery in his eyes, and I want to be around to enjoy it!”

Jill’s fitness regime includes three low-fat meals and two snacks per day in addition to 60-minute cardio and strength-training sessions three times a week with celebrity trainer Scott Parker.

Does Jill plan to lose any more weight? “But I’ll never be a stick figure”, she says.

Lookin’ good Ms. Scott!

The 2011 BET Awards were held Sunday night (Jun 26) in Los Angeles, California at the Shrine Auditorium … and the show, hosted by actor/comedian Kevin Hart, featured appearances/performances from Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Taraji P. Henson, Drake, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Gladys Knight and many many more celebrities.

Take a look at over 30+ pictures from the show and backstage in the press room below:

Dressed in a sparkling red dress, Jill Scott got a little help from actor Idris Elba for her ’11 BET Awards performance of her latest single “Rolling Hills.”

Check out a few pics below, and watch Jill seduce Idris in a stage setting reminiscent of an old jazz club after the break:

Here is the second batch of green carpet photos from Sunday night’s (Jun 26) BET Awards.

The Ford sponsored green carpet, setup outside L.A’s Shrine Auditorium, featured appearances from Justin Bieber, Drake, Willow & Jaden Smith, Wiz Khalifa & Amber Rose, Keri Hilson, Bruno Mars and many others.

Check out over 30+ pictures from the red carpet of the BET Awards below:

CLICK HERE FOR PART 1!

As Jill Scott is busy promoting her fourth studio album “The Light of the Sun,” the R&B singer is currently featured on the cover of the July 2nd issue of Billboard Magazine.

Check out a few excerpts from the issue below:

On joining a new label:
“Free. That’s the word I’ve been using.”It’s exciting, because it’s on my own terms,” Scott says. “I feel like my eyes are going to bulge out of my head. It’s like starting all over again. Music shouldn’t be a chore or feel like any kind of burden. It’s free and alive. And that’s where I am.”

On her recording process:
All Scott wanted, she says, was to choose collaborators who could “embody the energy I was going for. Without any pretense, without knowing what I was going to say . . . there was no guidance except for the energy and spirit in the room. I’m a big Salvador Dali fan; he put his blood and everything else he had in his painting. That’s how it is for me. There’s no blood on this record, but there sure is some heart.”

On coming full circle:
“I’ve missed myself,” she says. “I’m sassy again, stronger. Now I understand this industry to a certain extent, and know how I work best. Having my son was one of the key factors in me leaving the old label. I need him to see me be as amazing as I can be so he feels fearless. I haven’t arrived at amazing yet. I’m in the process. But I want him to see me grow. I want to get another 30 years out of this amazing life of being an artist.”

“Light of the Sun” is in stores now … and for more on Jill Scott and her new album, pick up the latest issue of Billboard Magazine (on newsstands now).

Mary J. Blige hosted her 2nd Annual Mary J. Blige Honors Concert to benefit her FFAWN (Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now) last night (Sun. May 1) at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.

Singers Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson and Jill Scott were among the many celebrities who, in addition to actresses Evan Rachel Wood and Kerry Washington, came out to support Mary J. and her cause.

Check out 10+ pics below:

Jill Scott swags it out in her funky new music video for “Shame,” which features fellow Philly native Eve and The A Group. The track is the first offering from her new album Light of the Sun, due in stores this summer.

Check out the fun-filled clip below:

Jill Scott returned to her hometown of Philadelphia last month (Mar 21) to shoot her new music video “Shame,” which also features rapper Eve, and will appear on her upcoming fourth studio album The Light of the Sun. Jill, who just celebrated her 39th birthday earlier this week, spoke with CNN on the set of the video (shot at Philly’s Cecil B. Moore Recreation Center) and briefly talked about her new album.

“I really wanted to go back to my original state. I love hip-hop, and I was born to it,” Scott said. “I needed to come back to it, it’s been awhile, and I’m in a new environment.”

Jill Scott’s new album Light of the Sun will hit stores this summer. Check out the pics of her and Eve on the set of the lead single “Shame” below:

Some of the biggest female names in Black Hollywood came out in support of the 4th Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon last Thursday night (Feb 24).

Held in Beverly Hills, CA at the Beverly Hills Hotel, the event featured notable red carpet appearances from celebs like Jennifer Hudson, Brandy, Tia & Tamera Mowry, Serena Williams, Lauren London, Tatyana Ali, Gabrielle Union, Jill Scott and many more.

Check out 25+ pics below:

Ciara, Keri Hilson, Keyshia Cole, Estelle and more were in attendance for the 5th Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards, held Saturday night (Oct 16) at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx borough of New York City. Keyshia Cole, Fantasia, Keri Hilson, Monica and Shontelle were featured performers for the evening.

Other celebs on hand for the event were Raven Symone, Jill Scott, Nia Long, Keke Palmer and more. The 5th Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards will air on BET next month (Nov 7).

Check out 15+ pics from the red carpet and the show below!!

R&B singers Trey Songz, Mary J. Blige and Jill Scott were among the many performers who took the stage over the weekend and performed Sunday evening (Jul 4) during Day 3 of the 2010 Essence Music Festival, held in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Louisiana Superdome. Peep 15+ pics of everyone below…

Singer Robin Thicke attended (and performed at) the Simon G. Jewelry “Summer Soiree” event benefiting Global Green U.S.A. at the Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas Saturday night (Jun 5).

Rapper Jay-Z took to the stage to perform at the Rock Am Ring concert festival Friday evening (Jun 4) in Nuerburg, Germany.

Singer Miley Cyrus hit the stage Saturday night (Jun 5) in London and performed at G-A-Y, a popular UK nightclub.

Mario Lopez and his girlfriend Courtney Mazza attended the Chicago Healthy Living Challenge sponsored by Celsius at the Chicago Navy Pier Saturday afternoon in Chicago.

Singer Shakira performed on stage Saturday night during the Rock in Rio Madrid Festival in Spain.

Kim Kardashian showed off her new magazine cover as she attended Shape Magazine’s 2nd annual “Bikini Body Tour” in Santa Monica, CA Saturday.

Rocker Pete Wentz celebrated his birthday with his wife, singer Ashlee Simpson, at his bar Angels & Kings LA Saturday night. The Fall Out Boy bassist turned 31.

R&B singers Maxwell and Jill Scott performed live in concert for their tour at the Oracle Arena in Oakdale, California Saturday.

Rapper Common performed at the “Only the Brave” Block Party Friday (Jun 4) in Paris, France.

Pop sensation Justin Bieber posed for pictures with the Stanley Cup before performing on NBC’s “Today Show” Friday morning.

Russell Simmons (pictured with CNN‘s Soledad O’Brien) atended the 7th Annual Wayuu Taya Foundation Gala Thursday night (Jun 3) in New York City.

Actor/comedian Anthony Anderson and Sandra “Pepa” Denton hit up New York Giant Justin Tuck’s Celebrity Billiards Tournament at Slate in NYC Thursday.

Rapper Drake dropped by Fuse Studios in New York City Thursday to record an appearance on “Fuse Top 20 Countdown.”

And rapper Game also paid a visit to “Fuse Top 20 Countdown” in New York.

Singer/actress Jill Scott talks about being a single mom and her new movie “Why Did I Get Married Too?” as she covers the May 2010 issue of Essence Magazine. She also gave us a first look at her adorable new son Jett Jr. (who turns 1 this month). Peep a few scans from the new issue below…

Lots of celebrities, including actress/singer Janet Jackson, pictured above with her sister Rebbie Jackson, attended the special screening for Tyler Perry’s latest film, “Why Did I Get Married Too?,” at the School of Visual Arts Theater last night (Mon. Mar 22) in New York City. The movie opens to theaters next weekend (Fri. Apr 2).

Other celebrities at the screening were Jackson’s co-stars Malik Yoba, director Tyler Perry, Tasha Smith, Jill Scott, Sharon Leal, Richard T. Jones, Michael Jai White, Lamman Rucker and more. Check out all of the pics below and when you continue reading…

Check out this last batch of photos from last night’s NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, CA. We have flicks of Keri Hilson, Eva Marcille, Mo’Nique, Gabby Sidibe, Paula Patton, Lee Daniels, Morgan Freeman, Nick Cannon and more posing backstage, in the audience and/or in the press room of the 41st annual event.

20+ pictures below and after the cut…

The hit movie “Precious” (nominated for an Oscar) took home a total of 6 awards Friday night (Feb 26) at the 41st Annual NAACP Image Awards, which aired live on FOX from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium.

Newcomer Gabourey Sidibe was awarded with “Outstanding Actress,” while Mo’Nique picked up the “Outstanding Supporting Actress” award, Lee Daniels won the “Outstanding Director” award and Geoffrey Fletcher was named “Outstanding Writer.” And the film as a collective won “Outstanding Motion Picture of the Year” and “Best Independent Film.”

Other award winners last night were Tyler Perry, Keke Palmer, Wyclef Jean, Maxwell and more, while the show, hosted by Hill Harper and Anika Noni Rose, featured performances from Keri Hilson, Mary Mary, Jill Scott and others. 15+ pictures of various celebrities accepting/presenting awards and performing at the 2010 NAACP Image Awards can be found below and when you continue reading…

Black star power was in full effect as celebrities like Keri Hilson, Gabrielle Union, Jill Scott, Tyler Perry, Maxwell, Keke Palmer, Tyrese, John Legend, Gabby Sidibe and tons more walked the red carpet of the 41st Annual NAACP Image Awards, held last night (Fri. Feb 26) at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Check out 40+ pictures of everyone arriving at the NAACP Image Awards below and when you continue reading…

The official movie poster for Tyler Perry‘s latest effort “Why Did I Get Married Too?” has just hit the Internet!

The film, starring original cast Jill Scott, Janet Jackson, Tasha Smith, Sharon Leal, Malik Yoba, and Michael Jai White, will be in theaters April 2nd so mark your calendars!

Continue reading to peep the movie’s latest trailer…

After giving birth to a bouncing baby boy in April,  GOT is very surprised to report that Soul and R&B singer-songwriter/actress Jill Scott has parted ways with her fiancee, musician John Roberts. According to Essence, Scott broke the news via an interview with the magazine when asked how Roberts was adjusting to their son Jett.

“When you have a baby you’re dealing with a lot of emotions and I don’t know how much of it had to do with us breaking up, but it happens”

Single motherhood may be calling upon her doorstep, but rest assure Scott & Roberts will work on remaining friends for the sake of their child.

“We definitely love our son and we are co-parenting and working on being friends. It is what it is. I have a lot of support, so I want for nothing as far as that’s concerned.”

Check out more of the interview over at Essence.com!

R&B singer Jill Scott and her drummer fiance Lil John Roberts welcomed their first child, a baby boy, together, her reps confirmed Tuesday. Jett Hamilton Roberts was born Monday, April 20th at about 4:20 PM weighing in at a healthy 7 pounds, eight ounces.

You can check out Jill Scott Sundays as she plays the lead role in the BBC/HBO series, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

Congratulations Jill & John!

American television network HBO and British television network BBC have teamed up and filmed a six-part 60 minute series based on The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency ten-novel book series. The 105 minute pilot episode, scripted by Richard Curtis and the late Anthony Minghella (1954 – 2008), was filmed on location on Botswana (Southern Africa) and stars Jill Scott as Mma. Ramotswe. It was broadcast on BBC One on Easter Sunday last year (Mar. 28th 2009).

A series of six television episodes are to be produced by the BBC and shown on BBC One in the UK and HBO in the United States. And Canadian subscribers can catch the series when it airs on Sunday, March 29th 2009, which is also the premiere date for the show here in the U.S. Continue reading to check out the official synopsis for the show!

Based on Alexander McCall Smith’s passionate book series, ‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ chronicles the adventures of Precious Ramotswe, the proprietor of the only female-owned detective agency in Botswana. Aided by her highly-efficient secretary Mma Makutsi, Mma Ramotswe investigates cases and helps people solve problems in their lives.

Grammy® Award-winning singer Jill Scott stars as series heroine Precious Ramotswe, who has become one of the most beloved characters in international contemporary fiction. Anika Noni Rose (‘Dreamgirls’) stars as Mma Makutsi and Lucian Msamati stars as Mma Ramotswe’s devoted suitor JLB Matekoni.

TUNE IN TO “THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY” SUNDAY MARCH 29TH 2009 AT 8 PM / 7 C ONLY ON HBO

R&B singer Jill Scott is expecting her first child with her fiancee of 7 months Jon Roberts. The singer, due to give birth in April 2009, found out she was expecting shortly before she took a trip to Africa to film her new HBO TV series, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.

She tells People.com, “The first trimester I spent in Botswana. That was one of the biggest challenges of my life. First trimester! You’re sick every morning. It was seven hours time difference, the heat, the bugs, the 14 hour days. My doctors gave me a clean bill of health and said you can do this (continue working), so I did it.”

Jill and Jon announced their engagement on stage during a concert in New York in June 2008. Scott divorced her husband of 5 years, DJ Lyzell Williams, in 2007.

RUBEN STUDDARD MARRIES GIRLFRIEND » Ruben Studdard may be a “free agent” right now as far as his music career is concerned, but that didn’t stop the 29-year-old American Idol winner from tying the knot with fiancé Surata Zuri McCants. The couple exchanged vows in front of friends and family last Friday at Canterbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Studdard had 20 groomsmen by his side. The two met back in 2006 at a CD signing at a Wal-Mart in Atlanta. Struck by her beauty, the singer followed her to the toy aisle and proceeded to ask for her number.

Congrats to the happy couple!

PARIS BENNETT PREGNANT; DUE IN OCTOBER » Here’s some more American Idol alumni news for ya! Former AI finalist Paris Bennett is pregnant and expecting a baby girl in October. The singer, currently 19, will be 20 years old when she gives birth. Here’s what Paris’ mom, Jamecia Bennett, had to say:

“I’m proud of how she did it. I was 16 when I got pregnant,” Jamecia told the Star-Tribune. “[The baby's father] chooses not to be in the public eye,” she told the paper. “I respect that.”

Jamecia also confirmed that Paris and her current boyfriend are indeed engaged to be married. No word on when the wedding will be.

PHOTO: WIRE IMAGE

JILL SCOTT ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED » R&B singer Jill Scott announced her engagement to her drummer/boyfriend, Jon Roberts, to concert-goers at New York’s Carnegie Hall a couple of weeks ago (Sat. Jun 28th). Jill was halfway into her set singing her heart-felt song, “He Loves Me,” when Jon presented her with a kiss and a big bouquet of flowers. Jill then turned to the crowd and announced the couples’ wedding plans, and was met with cheers and applause. This news comes one year after Jill’s divorce from DJ Lyzell Williams. The two were married for 5 years.

Usher performing “In This Club” as the opener for the 2008 BET Awards, which aired last night live from Los Angeles.

The 2008 BET Awards went down last night, and while there were a few lackluster performances (Usher’s being one of them), there were a few memorable, surprising, and exciting moments. One being Alicia Keys’ performance when she brought out SWV, En Vogue, and TLC! Another notable performance of the evening was Ne-Yo‘s, where he showed us he can hang with the big dogs when it comes to his dance moves – he even brought out the Jabbawockees (winners of MTV’s America’s Dance Crew). Chris Brown did his thing as well, and surprised everyone when he brought out Ciara. Did Rihanna approve of this beforehand? I’m curious to know. And speaking of Rihanna, did anyone else notice how far she’s come along, as far as her live vocals? I was really impressed when she performed Take A Bow! And last, but most certainly not least, on my list of the best performances of the night, Lil’ Wayne! He kind of scared me towards the end of the show because it seemed like he wasn’t going to come out. The show was already running 15 or 20 minutes over when he was introduced. But he did come out, and he showed us exactly how and why he has sold nearly 1,500,000 copies of Tha Carter: III so far! He started out with Got Money (feat. T-Pain), paid homage to Static Major (R.I.P.) with Lollipop, and ended off his performance with A Millie. He had the whole crowd hyped, and ended off the show perfectly.

While the 2008 BET Awards did have its good moments, much of the show left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. I expected a lot more from Usher. His performance was probably the most hyped up (pre-show), and ended up being one of the absolute worst of the night. While I love Keyshia Cole‘s Heaven Sent, she really needs to work on her live vocals … and her stage presence. She had a lot of energy, she just didn’t know how to keep it all together. She looked like she was doing too much to me.

In my opinion, the 2007 BET Awards were much better. The performances, the overall show, and oh yeah … the host! Who the hell approved of D.L. Hughley being the host of this year’s show? I hope they received a pink slip in their box this morning. BRING MO’NIQUE BACK!!!

Follow the break for nearly 50 photos from all of last night’s performances

(PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES)

Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, and Mary J. Blige cover Essence Magazine for their annual “Black Music Month” issue. Each collector’s edition cover has the caption “Black Women Rule!” on it. In the issue all three ladies talk to Essence Editor Regina R. Robertson about how they’ve managed to stay relevant for so long in their careers as well as their success and longevity. Keep reading to see all three covers and to read some of the interview

Essence: One thing you all have in common is that you each had a debut album that was a phenomenal success. How do you feel when you hear those songs now?

Mary J. Blige: It’s been about six months since I’ve listened to What’s the 411? I was in Japan working out, and when I heard it, I could definitely feel my youth, but I could also hear that I’ve always had an old soul. When I think back to that time, I remember that I was singing to escape. I understand that some people are stuck in that place, but I firmly believe that if you don’t evolve and grow, you will die.

Essence: From the outside looking in, it seems that success has been yours since day one, but there probably were, and are, disappointments. How do you cope when a project doesn’t pan out?

Jill Scott: This is life, and if something doesn’t work out, then it wasn’t meant to. I feel that there is a divine plan in all things. All I can do is the best I can do, and if it’s well received, then, yeah. If not, I hope life will give me an opportunity to try again. Do I challenge myself? Absolutely. But beat myself up? I just can’t do it.

Essence: Have you ever regretted folding to pressure from record labels?

Alicia Keys: In the beginning, I didn’t understand the concept of boundaries. I wanted to make sure the music was heard, but there’s a price you pay for that. I did everything and anything to promote my first album, like flying from New York to Los Angeles and back on the same day, which was a bit excessive.

Essence: Have you figured out the ingredients for the perfect song?

Mary: Yes, but I won’t tell. [Laughs] For me, it’s about being real and honest. And the lyrics have to be relatable.

Jill: Oh, I wish I knew. I think Ne-Yo knows. I think Carvin Haggins, who does a lot of writing for Musiq Soulchild, has the ingredients, too. My songs are mostly about life experiences, about being human and falling and getting back up. About loving and losing.

Essence: But aren’t those the ingredients right there?

Alicia: It’s always a bit of a mystery. A song should deal with a widely understood emotion, have a really strong, clear explanation of that emotion and a great melody that makes you want to sing it at the top of your lungs. Then the music should evoke the same feeling as the lyrics. Somewhere within all of that lies the perfect song.

#1: Why did Allure hide Jill Scott behind a bush, but left Gabrielle Union out in the field?

#2: Does Jermaine Dupri use a booster seat when he drives?

#3: Why is Madonna’s new album shitting on “Discipline” and it hasn’t even been released yet?

#4: Why is “Don’t talk to me, you know better than that!” [Jay-Z] so damn funny?

#5: Why did Wesley Snipes get 3 years in prison, and those racist ass cops who murdered a black man for no apparent reason didn’t spend one day behind bars? All Wesley did was not pay the government. Those idiots filled an un-armed person with 50 bullets! Am I the only one who feels this way?

#6: Why hasn’t Hillary Clinton just given up yet?

#7: Why is everyone surprised that Mariah Carey lip-synchs? I mean really, who doesn’t lip-synch every now and then?

#8: What the fuck is taking so long to get R. Kelly convicted?

#9: Why isn’t anyone calling out “shitty cent” on his bitchassness?

#10: Why is Khia so salty over getting the boot from that whack ass VH1 show. How many times are we gonna hear her bitch about why she should be “Ms. Rap Supreme?”

#11: How does Omarion feel now that he’s a “free agent?”

#12: Is anyone really checking for Cassie’s new album?

#13: Why is Ne-Yo’s new video Michael Jackson-ish? Not that there’s anything wrong with that…

#14: Why did everyone but Star Jones know Al was gay?

#15: Does Beyonce and Jay-Z know that we already know they’re married? What the hell are they hiding? The more they hide, the more we dig!

#16: Is Beyonce really gonna retire? Or is she gonna pull a Jay-Z on us?

#17: What provoked Akon to lie about being an ex-con?

#18: Who else thinks that Foxy Brown will be back in prison by 2009?

#19: Now let’s be real. When Orlando Brown went missing, did anyone ask “who?” … and after you found out it was the dude from “That’s So Raven,” you were like “ohhh, him!”

#20: Adding on to that Orlando Brown fiasco, who gave Ricky Romance the approval to manage anyone’s career?

#21: Oh, by the way. Did anyone know that Ray J released a new album like 2 or 3 weeks ago?

Actress Gabrielle Union and actress/singer Jill Scott are among the 5 celebrities chosen to appear “tastefully nude” in the May 2008 issue of Allure Magazine. The point of the photo spread is to celebrate various shapes of the female body.

“Nobody ever celebrates women whose bodies are bigger than a size 8. But here I am, naked in a magazine at size 16. I hope that I can be an inspiration to all women. We’re all beautiful, each and every one of us,” Jill Scott said.

Click below for the full pics and to read what Gabrielle Union had to say about the shoot!

“I worked my ass off for this shoot,” Gabrielle Union said. “I’ve always been athletic, but I stepped it up for this. I ran up and down stadium stars and went hiking. I’m cool with being naked, but I wanted to push myself.

My iPod was hooked up to the studio speakers, and I was paranoid that someone was going to think my playlist was weird – it has everything from show tunes to rap. But that’s typical Gabby. I’m naked up there, and I’m worrying about my music.”

Black Hollywood showed up and showed out at the first ever BET Honors, which were held in Washington D.C. Saturday night. The ladies glammed it up on the red carpet, and the fellas got their GQ on. Honorees included R&B star Alicia Keys and supermodel Tyra Banks, Time Warner board chairman Richard D. Parsons and Princeton professor Cornel West. “For me, I’m just a girl still from Harlem, and here I am,” Keys said. “It’s a tremendous feeling to do what you love and for people to love what you do. … People are honoring me for doing what my heart tells me to do, (and that is) so fulfilling.” Actor Blair Underwood presented Keys’ award, while her musical idol, Stevie Wonder, performed a special rendition of of “As” especially for her. John Legend, Wyclef Jean, Gladys Knight, Brian McKnight, Jill Scott and Raheem DeVaughn also performed. The show is set to air sometime in February. Check your local listings for more details.

The cast of Tyler Perry’s latest movie, “Why Did I Get Married?”, paid a visit to BET’s 106 & Park last Thursday (Oct. 11) to discuss their roles in the movie. Jill Scott, Janet Jackson, and of course Tyler Perry himself, all showed up. The movie hit theaters nationwide this past Friday, and so far, while I haven’t had the chance to see it myself, I’m hearing nothing but good things about it. According to BLOOMBERG, the movie grossed at over $21 million and is currently the #1 movie in North America (US & Canada)! Definitely a good look…

Here are some photos from the LA premiere of Tyler Perry’s latest film, “Why Did I Get Married?” If you haven’t checked out the cast’s appearance on The Oprah Show, make sure you hit up THAT GRAPE JUICE to peep the youtube vids. Check out the raminaining photos from the premiere after the cut.