The Young, Black, and Fabulous

The Young, Black, and Fabulous


PHOTOSHOOT FAB: Tika Sumpter, Naturi Naughton & Rutina Wesley Go 70's Glam For "ESSENCE"

Posted: 20 Sep 2011 09:39 AM PDT

 

In the latest issue of ESSENCE, YBF chicks Tika Sumpter, Naturi Naughton and Rutina Wesley pay homage to 70's glamour and style. See the pics inside and hear what Naturi had to say about her role on "The Playboy Club" and if she'd ever pose nude...

 

With a photoshoot that's a throwback to Blaxploitation style and glamour, "True Blood" star Rutina Wesley, "Gossip Girl" Tika Sumpter, and "The Playboy Club" star Naturi Naughton went "Black & Proud" for "ESSENCE."

The ladies blended minks, afros and hot accessories, and the trio rocked designs from Tracy Reese, Gucci, Michael Kors and Tom Ford. 

And outside the pages of "ESSENCE", Naturi Naughton is making a name for herself on the controversial NBC series "The Playboy Club" where she plays the first African American "bunny" hired to work at the private club.  She recently talked to BlackVoices about her role.

Can you talk about your role as Brenda in "The Playboy Club"?
My character, by the name of Brenda, she's one of the first black bunnies at the club in Chicago. It's 1961, she's very ambitious, she's a very strong, opinionated young woman. And I think she's a fun, spirited girl, too. She has a good time. She doesn't let some of the negative energy affect her, but she's also very smart and she knows what's happening in the world. And she's not willing to let that stop her from dealing with the Civil Rights and so many things that affect her as being an African American in the '60s. She's very strong and willing to go for her dreams.

What attracted you to the role?
When I first read the script, "The Playboy Club" was so intriguing because it was about the first Playboy Club that opened. It was nostalgic, it was going back to the fun times in the '60s. The hair, the makeup and the bunny suit, of course -- I was really attracted to the bunny suit. I mean, it looks amazing. I was like, 'Oh, I'd love to be able to rock that.' Little did I know how tight it would be and how hard it is to wear that for hours on end. But also, with my role, she was different than just a regular girl of the '60s. I think that she had something special. Brenda, she's a go-getter and she feels like she can change the world. I was attracted to her sassiness, her confidence and sexiness. All of that is attractive and I couldn't wait to play this role, so I really was excited when I got the part.

Who would you consider to be your favorite playmate of all-time?
I don't know all of them, but actually my character was based on some of the truths of what was happening in the '60s. The first black centerfold, which is what my character is aspiring to be, was a lady by the name of Jennifer Jackson in 1965. I saw her in the magazine and she was a beautiful pinup, a beautiful black woman who was classy and just looked sexy but elegant. I would definitely give her props, especially for breaking down the barriers so that a black woman can be seen in that way. So I think she's one that stands out in my mind right now.

What is your reaction to fans asking if you would ever pose for Playboy?
As far as me doing Playboy, I don't want to confuse the lines for fans. I'm playing a Playboy bunny -- that's different from being in Playboy as Naturi Naughton. I'm a character. But I'm not saying that I wouldn't do a fun thing with the magazine if it was something respectful and tasteful. I mean hey, you never know. And at the end of the day, if it was done in a very tasteful way that I feel comfortable -- and it would have to be in character. But I definitely try to make sure that people distinguish me as Naturi Naughton from the character and being a role, just like when I played Lil Kim. It doesn't mean that I am going to do everything that my character does as Lil Kim. I love embracing my sexuality, and being sexy and looking good. Every girl wants to feel gorgeous and that's wonderful, but I definitely would always want to maintain my values and just respecting myself.

 

Read more over at HuffPost/BlackVoices

Also...watch Naturi talk about her role while on the set of "The Playboy Club":

 

Photo via ESSENCE

Tyrese's New "Stay" Video Ft. Taraji P. Henson...And We've Got His New Promo Pics Too!

Posted: 20 Sep 2011 08:32 AM PDT

Tyrese just dropped his second official single "Stay" off his upcoming album Open Invitation dropping November 1st.  And in his new video for the single, he's reuniting with longtime friend and co-star Taraji P. Henson.  And the two show, once again, how serious love can get.

 

Peep the vid, plus Ty's new promo shots, inside...

As a follow up to his official single "Too Easy" featuring Ludacris (he also released "I Gotta Chick" ft. Tyga unofficially), the Fast 5 movie star just dropped his vintage R&B sounding single "Stay". 

In the video, Taraji is once again his on-screen love who he constantly disappoints by putting his career before their relationship and not paying as much attention to her as he should.  But when he sees she's ready to leave, he begs her to stay.  And a fat canary diamond ring didn't hurt either.

About the video, Tyrese said today:

Here’s the world premiere of my video “Stay” featuring one of my best friends-- 2-time Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson. We had so much fun working on this.  It’s been 10 years since we both made our debut on the big screen in the now cult classic Baby Boy, and now we’re getting our grown and sexy on in this “Stay” video...

And about his brand new album, Ty revealed:

Here’s my “OPEN INVITATION” to you. My everything was put into this album coming November 1st.   It was you who inspired me to get back in the studio and do it again. As you’ve seen from my movies, Tranformers DOTM & Fast Five- that have both now grossed over $ 1.7 Billion worldwide.  Also, I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you all went out to support my now NY Times Best Selling Book “How To Get Out Of Your Own Way,” to many other great things over the last few years. 

The man above has been expanding my territories into many different amazing things. But rest assured, that my FIRST and ONLY LOVE is still MUSIC. I’ve read your letters, tweets, Facebook, MySpace and emails. I’ve listened to your voice mails and more importantly, I’ve run into you in person and you’ve all wanted me to do it again.  So, come 11.1.11, my new album “OPEN INVITATION” will be launched globally for you to listen and feel my heart & soul that I put into the album...

On this album I wanted to give you an “Open Invitation” to the clubs and the bedroom.

Here's a few promo shots done recently in NYC by photographer Keith Major:

Nice.

 

FALL Into Great Skin With Johnson's Baby Oil

Posted: 20 Sep 2011 08:19 AM PDT

Harsh weather can create even harsher skin.  And Johnson's Baby Oil may be just the cure a YBF chick needs to prep for those ashy times.

 

Check it inside...

CLICK HERE or image above to see the miracles Johnson's Baby Oil and Baby Oil Gel can work....

MOMMY & ME: Paula Patton & Baby Julian Hit The Streets Of New York

Posted: 20 Sep 2011 07:49 AM PDT

Paula Patton was spotted taking her 1-year-old son Julian Fuego out for a walk in NYC yesterday.  Pics of their mommy-and-me time inside...

Paula threw on her skinny jeans and left daddy Robin Thicke back home as she and baby Julian hit the NYC streets yesterday:

We're loving Paula as a mommy....

By the way, Paula recently wrapped her leading lady role for the next Mission: Impossible movie she's starring in.  She's playing "Jane Carter" opposite Tom Cruise in Ghost Protocol.  It's set for a December 11, 2011 release.

Rihanna Rocks Sao Paulo, Readies Her Next Single "We Found Love"

Posted: 20 Sep 2011 07:16 AM PDT

Rihanna, who performed in Sao Paulo, Brazil last night, has announced the title of her next single.  Find out what the 23-year-old Bajan chick has in store for fans inside....

We told you earlier that Rihanna was in the studio working on her sixth album. Now she has revealed that a new track "We Found Love" will be her lead single from her untitled new project.  Hitting the airwaves on October 11 (there may be a leak this Friday though we hear), the single was produced by Scottish DJ Calvin Harris. So it's possible it'll be a dance track.

And last night, Rih Rih hit the stage in Sao Paulo as she continues her LOUD World Tour....

 

Clearly the Armani jeans & underwear model is keeping those legs in shape.

By the way, Rih was also tapped by Coldplay for their new album for a song called "Princess of China".  Frontman Chris Martin told MTV UK:

"In like a dream scenario, we had a song that I'd secretly kind of written to see if Rihanna would want to sing it."

"And then the rest of the band wanted to keep it, so we came up with the idea of asking her to sing it with us, and, to our great surprise, she said okay,"

He continued: "Well, her bit on our record is my favourite bit ... when the song came out, it sort of asked for her to be on it."

"And I think at this point, we have nothing to lose, and so we've been trying some new things and trying to break down the perceived boundaries between different types of music."

 

Photos via Bauer Griffin

Mel B & Stephen Belafonte Show Off BABY MADISON In HELLO! Mag

Posted: 20 Sep 2011 06:51 AM PDT

Mel B. & hubby Stephen Belafonte wasted no time showing off their brand new baby girl.  Pics of 3-week-old Madison Brown Belafonte gracing the cover and pages of HELLO! Magazine and what the parents have to say about her inside...

 

Well isn't she lovely.  New parents (who already have 3 older kids total--Phoenix (12), Angel (4), and Giselle) Mel & Stephen are clearly a proud mommy and daddy.  They have their daughter Madison Brown on full display just weeks after she was born. 

About Baby Madison, who was born at six pounds and two ounces, Mel gushed to the mag that she is 'so gorgeous and such a chilled baby'.

Mel says she "feels like she's finally done it right" when it comes to her family.  The full interview with Mel is in this week's edition of Hello! magazine which is out now.  Here's an excerpt:

'Ideally you want to have your loving partner who you've created this baby with by your side throughout everything, and in Angel and Phoenix's cases, that wasn't the set up.

'I had a rocky marriage with Phoenix's dad [dancer Jimmy Gulzar]. The relationship with Angel's dad, Eddie, was over halfway through the pregnancy, and I had to suck it up and get on with it.

'This time I've done it with my partner - someone to come to every prenatal appointment with me, to get excited by every scan - and it feels like I've finally done it right.

'When I was moaning to Stephen about my trapped nerve I was thinking, "I've never had anyone to complain to about these kinds of things".'

And about her labor that she says she laughed all the way through:

“Phoenix had one leg and Stephen the other... they were winding each other up. I was cracking up so much I didn’t need to push,” she says.

Mel and Stephen flew to Sydney over the weekend to snap the pics for the mag.  And Mel is on the continent to film "X-Factor: Australia" which starts filming in 2 weeks.

Source

TV FAB: Ron Artest DEBUTS On "DWTS" With Shirtless Cha-Cha Moves & Blonde Hair

Posted: 20 Sep 2011 06:05 AM PDT

 

Season 13 of "DWTS" kicked off last night with a blonde Ron Artest doing a raunchy version of the cha-cha and J.R. Martinez doing a touching Viennese Waltz.  See the videos inside if you missed it....

 

Ron Artest aka Metta World Peace caused quite a stir on the dance floor last night on "DWTS."

The shirtless baller did a rather sexy version of the cha-cha with partner Peta Murgatroyd. Sadly, the judges weren't turned on and they scored 14/30.

Watch Ron's first dance here:

 

Also on "DWTS".....

 

J.R. Martinez added a lot of emotion to his Viennese Waltz with partner Karina Smirnof.  The pair scored 22/30.  Not bad for the first show....

Watch J.R.'s first dance here:

The Randomness:

1.  Four cast members cut from The "RHONY".  WOMP.  Story

FABOLOUS RESPONDS: "Ray-J Is COKED UP On Pills! His WHOLE Interview Was A FUNNY LIE!"

Posted: 19 Sep 2011 06:01 PM PDT

After Ray-J went extra hard bright and early this morning about allegedly smacking up Fabolous, Fab has just responded with his own hilarious version of what REALLY went down.

 

Check it inside...

Fab called into Power 105 to talk to DJ Clue and essentially told Ray-J to clean himself up and stop letting people around him control what he does.  Fab says nothing Ray-J said actually happened and he's lying about everything.  Possibly because he's coked up on pills and high.  (WOW)  Fab maintains he's a grown ass man who doesn't need this type of drama and doesn't even want to ruin a young man like Ray-J.  But here's his side of the story told by Fabolous:

  • Fab said "This isn't a big thing to me.  Ray is high and coked up and on pills."
  • Ray is going to have to respond and prove that he did what he said he did to me.
  • I made a couple jokes on Twitter about Ray-J singing on the piano during Floyd Mayweather's "24/7 show".  But people are taking it too serious.
  • Fab joked that only DJ "Negotiator" Clue could squash the beef with "Lil Brandy" (HA!)
  • Originally, Fab thought everything was ok when he saw Ray-J and Diddy at Floyd's dinner in Vegas and both were laughing.
  • Fab says he had a show at The Palms with Jadakiss.  He SAW Ray-J before the show and eveything was all good.  Kevin Hart told him while at a pre-show dinner that "Ray-J's rocking a red hoodie and has 7 Rolls Royces outside."  He thought nothing of it.
  • When he saw "Brandy's brother," which Fab kept calling him, with the red hoodie standing next to 50 Cent and Floyd, he dapped everybody up.  And he got to Ray, and Ray said "I'm here with the 'Money Team' and we not feelin' ya jokes."
  • He didn't think Ray was serious at first getting mad over dumb stuff.  Even 50 and Floyd were looking at Ray confused.  And he asked him what was wrong--and Floyd kept bringing up this 'Money Gang' and Floyd and 50.  Fab told Ray not to  bring anybody else into it.  But if he was serious, don't continue to touch his shoulder.  Ray pushed him in his chest, then Fab grabbed him up.  
  • Him trying to go on this "Tupac Rant" is all made up.  "Ray was probably on "That Whitney" last night."  The 'Money Team' can even tell you NOTHING like he said went down. 
  • I grabbed him up by his little red hoodie and said "Chill out Little Red Riding Hood."  I wasn't trying to Ortiz him witht he hoodie on, security got involved, I let him go.  He's behind his security dude yelling at the cieling.  My shades fell off--that's the only thing that went down.
  • I went into my dressing room and joked about it with Meek Mill and Kevin Hart.  I actually performed with no shades on.  Ray told the Breakfast Club my face was all f'd up...it's a lie.  Unless I had a plastic surgeon backstage, everybody would have seen damage to  my face. He didn't swing, it's not happening.  There's nothing wrong with my face.
  • The interview was funny.  But a lie.  No dudes is raping anybody here on this side.  Up until this point, Ray-J was an associate up until this point.  But the real story is--there's cool niggas and real niggas and you can't mix them with lame ni**as.  I don't care if you got money.  You just a lame ni**a with money.
  • There's no way Ray-J is getting anything off on me.  Nothing.  Never.  Never ever.
  • I don't want people to think I didn't respond because he got something on me.  But anybody real doesn't believe Ray-J's made up story.

 

Fab says he's leaving twitter alone for a while because it gets him in trouble.  Hopefully he'll chime in on the #ThingHarderThanRayJ trending topic first though.  Regardless of the real story...that interview this morning was a HOT ASS MESS.  As is this entire situation.  Sonja please come get ya son....

CONFIRMED: Ne-Yo & Monyetta Are Expecting Baby #2...And Yes, They're Engaged

Posted: 19 Sep 2011 05:02 PM PDT

After all the rumors lately that they were pregnant again, it was time to come clean with a confirmation.  Ne-Yo and his girlfriend....or fiancee'...Monyetta Shaw are expecting baby #2. 

 

Deets inside...

Monyetta's rep confirmed to Us Weekly today that the couple, who are parents to 10 month old baby girl Madilyn, just announced they are already expecting baby #2.

The rep also confirmed, despite 31-year-old Ne-Yo's previous denials, that the two are indeed engaged.

Monyetta has been tending to her ATL boutique Emaralyn and Ester.  Despite being 8 months along!  Yes, she's due this October.

Preggers less than 2 months after giving birth?  That's serious.  Congrats to the couple...

"Basketball Wives LA" Star Jackie Christie Loses Her Mother To Cancer

Posted: 19 Sep 2011 04:47 PM PDT

"Basketball Wives LA" star Jackie Christie revealed this morning that her mother passed away from cancer earlier today. Listen to the interview inside...

Jackie Christie called "The Tom Joyner Morning Show" this morning and revealed that she lost her mom earlier today.  We've been following how she and her sister have been dealing with her mother's health on this season of "Basketball Wives."

Her mom had a long battle with cancer and Jackie said she was happy that her mom made it to the 16th wedding of she and Doug before she died.

When asked about the drama surrounding the show, Jackie encouraged viewers to stay tuned because there will be many surprises along the way.  She also said people should not judge the entire season by the fight that happened in episode one.

She then spoke on the drama with her daughter Takari who had been saying some malicious and hurtful things about Jackie and her parenting skills--or lack thereof.  She says this drama is now resolved and that she and her daughter speak often and are working through their issues.  Interesting.

 

Listen to the interview here:

CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Ray J Getting Kicked Out Of The Palms After Allegedly Slapping Up Fabolous

Posted: 19 Sep 2011 03:37 PM PDT

We told you earlier about Ray J and Fabolous had an altercation in Las Vegas.  And according to Ray-J, HE is the one who snuck in a slap to fab.  Not the other way around.

 

Now there's video of Ray J being ejected from The Palms Hotel shortly after the scuffle with Fabolous.  Watch it inside...

After his fight with rapper Fabolous, Ray J was ejected from Moon Nightclub inside The Palms Hotel and Casino.

Although Ray was not arrested, he was briefly detained. 

And we all know what happened next.  His friends started talking smack and got him all hyped up to call "The Breakfast Club" to start even more mess.  Sigh.....

 

Watch the short clip of Ray-J getting carried out here:

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Are Monica & Shannon Brown Hiding A BABY BUMP?!

Posted: 19 Sep 2011 03:26 PM PDT

Monica and her Laker hubby Shannon Brown hit up the For Sisters Only event in Atlanta over the weekend.  And we noticed that Monica was dressed in much more covered up and flowy clothing than usual.  And she hid her tummy every chance she got.

 

So we gotta ask....check the pics inside first....

The usually uber slim Monica hit the stage at For Sisters Only this weekend.  But it was her choice of clothing that had us doing a double take.  Lately, particularly yesterday, Mo's been rocking flowy shirts and covering her tummy with her man or her kids.  And she's usually one for extra fitted body skimming looks. 

The slim & trim singer even looks like she added a few curves to her frame.  So whether or not the newlyweds are expecting their first child together (Shannon already has 1 son and Monica has 2 sons) remains a mystery.  But we do know we've officially put her on Preggers Watch.

Here's more pics from the event:

Shannon and his Gucci and patent leather shoes.

Tyrese was there to perform.

Toya Wright was there in pretty makeup.

Mo & Kita hit the carpet.

Miguel hit the stage.

Hey Mr. Laz.

Jennifer Williams got her hair done at the event by the owner of The Weave Shop, Latonya Saunderson.  Is that Sara from Da Band in the background?

Another "Baksetball Wife" Tami hit the stage with Hill Harper and the V103 radio hosts.

And the Braxton Sisters posed it up with Susan Taylor and Terri Vaughn.  Nice.

Photos by www.gparasphotography.com

MOTHER-DAUGHTER DISH: Beyonce And Tina Knowles DISCUSS Fabrics, Designs, And Bey's Pregnancy

Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:19 PM PDT

 

We told you earlier that Beyonce and Tina Knowles recently launched the House of Dereon at Selfridges in London, and they also did a cute mother/daughter interview about the line and about Beyonce's pregnancy.  Read the highlights inside...

 

Beyonce and her mom Tina Knowles recently sat down with CNN to discuss the House of Dereon launching in London and Bey even talked about how her pregnancy is affecting her clothing choices.  See the excerpts below:

Beyonce: I grew up in a fabric store. Unfortunately my mother would say: "Come on let's go to the fabric store," and she would make all of these beautiful clothes for myself and the other ladies of Destiny's Child.  And after so many years my fans said we want to buy these clothes somewhere.  So it was a natural thing for us to do this line.  It's so great for us to be able to do it together, number one because we get to spend time together, and two, because we have such respect for each others' taste.

CNN (Becky): Tina what is it like to see not just your daughter but your designs on television?

Tina Knowles: Oh it's unbelievable sometimes and I never anticipated that. I started designing things out of necessity because there were budgetary restraints. So I would buy fabrics instead of clothes and just make them.

CNN: How do you get along with each other? Do you fall out over design?

Beyonce: Sometimes, but it's very rare. I think we will get into it and it's usually over the phone, not in person and then we'll hang up and call each other and say you're right. We have such similar taste, but there's respect. I respect my mother so much and she respects my taste as well, so we have a lot of trust.

CNN: Many fans will call it "Beyonce style" -- where do you get the inspiration?

Beyonce: This collection was inspired by a lot of my travels. I did a world tour, I traveled to Asia, Brazil, all over the world and I saw such beauty and my mother traveled with me and we decided we should mix these great cultures together and make something original and beautiful, and this show celebrates the global nomad.  And one day at the rate we're going, which is such a beautiful thing, tere won't be all these different races--we'll all just be mixed up and beautiful and that is so wonderful exciting and refreshing you know.  We have the mixtures of the African hair wraps and some of the Asian prints and we mix it with different textures sequins and gold jewelery and it just becomes very refreshing.

CNN: Miss Tina, is there any one piece that comes to mind that you think that is the inspiration?

Tina: I think the holiday collection -- what Beyonce is wearing now. We were inspired by her travels and we did a lot of different prints, sequins, glitz and glamor and we mixed it with some funky things.

CNN: Congratulations on the pregnancy. Does the collection now include maternity wear -- everybody will be asking that question?

Beyonce: What I'm wearing today is part of the collection and it's not supposed to be, but it actually is really good for the maternity.  But we didn't plan for it six months ago - actually longer than that - but we do have some things that I am still trying to rock.

CNN: Are you struggling to find things that you feel good in where your husband might go err, I'm not having that?

Beyonce: Actually I am having so much fun, it has been the most fun time now that it has been announced and I don't have to, you know, it was really difficult to conceal, but now that I can be proud and excited about it I'm having so much fun shopping -- it's great.

Becky to Tina: You must be delighted

Tina: I am so delighted. I'm over the moon.

CNN: Do you know what you're having?

Beyonce: I don't.

CNN: And if you did you wouldn't tell me! Do you consider this more fashion than style and the idea being you're sort of universal, you are for the universal woman -- who is the House of Dereon woman?

Tina: I think trend-setting woman, confident, has her own style.

Beyonce: Yes someone bold, someone who wants to stand out, someone confident, hard working and I think it is more about style than fashion -- it's a lifestyle and we just want to bring out that inner confidence and inner beauty in every woman.

CNN: And has your attitude towards style, fashion changed since you learned you were pregnant?

Beyonce: I just feel like it is often within. My mother has always told me that beauty comes from within and what's exciting about being a woman is you can say, 'Today I feel really conservative...Today I'm feeling classy...Today I am going on a date and I want to just be a showstopper' and you know there is this variety of beautiful clothes that can bring out whatever you feel inside.  But it comes from here (points to heart).  And you should wear your clothes.  They shouldn't wear you.

CNN: So it doesn't come from Jay-Z -- that's what you're saying?

Beyonce: It comes from here.

SIDEBAR: How does Solange know what Bey is having if Bey says, as of Saturday, she doesn't know the sex of the baby?  Hmmm...

VIDEO FAB: Musiq Soulchild's "Yes" Vid

Posted: 19 Sep 2011 01:28 PM PDT

Musiq Soulchild's new video for his touching single, "Yes," is making a beautiful statement about breast cancer and loved ones.  Peep Musiq's new video with a message inside...

"Yes" is the second single off Musiq's most recent album MusiqInTheMagiq.  He also just turned 34 this past Friday.

This past July, Musiq announced his new role as ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure Circle of Promise, a movement designed to further engage black women around the globe in the fight against breast cancer.

As an ambassador for the movement, Musiq will raise awareness about breast cancer so that younger women know the importance of early detection and why it’s important to pay attention to their bodies.
 

TV FAB: Tanya Young Williams TALKS "Basketball Wives" And Domestic Violence, Says She Slept With A Knife Under Her Pillow

Posted: 19 Sep 2011 12:47 PM PDT

Tanya Young Williams, the seldom-seen star of "Basketball Wives LA" recently dished in a revealing interview for HuffPo Black Voices where she revealed details of her abusive marriage, how she feels about her LA castmates and why we rarely see her on the show. Get the deets inside......

Reality tv star and motivational speaker Tonya Young Williams recently sat for a very revealing interview with Huffington Post where she talked about the negative sterotypes associated with "Basketball Wives" and revealed the shocking details of her abusive marriage (she sometimes slept with a knife under her pillow for protection!).  Here are some highlights: 

What are your thoughts on Shaunie stating that the show's portrayal of black women is beginning to look somewhat negative?

I really respect Shaunie having the courage to come out and pretty much speak against her own show, because I think she went into this with a vision. She knows what it's like to live the life of a NBA wife. The beauty, the glamor, the upside -- but she also knows the taxing part. So I think her vision was to go into this and give the viewer a really good inside look of what our lives were like. The show has veered off into a different path than what she anticipated.

So yes, I do agree that a lot of what finally makes it to air are negative depictions of mostly women of color, and all the good stuff unfortunately gets left on the editing room floor. Until more people come out and say, "We want to see the total picture," I think networks and production companies are going to feed into what the few people are saying they want instead of really understanding that there's a broader audience out there who wants to see a balanced show.

So far it seems like you're really distant from your other castmates. Why aren't you in more scenes, episodes and publicity shots?

During the first two weeks, everyone knows that there was a very big fight. And it was my decision not to be engaged in that in any way. And so the fallout of not being involved in the fight was that I was sort of ostracized by some of the women on camera and maybe the network and the producers. But I made the decision that was right for me. So whether they decide to include me in an episode or not, that's not my call. I've done the work, they've got loads of footage on me.

Are you cool with any of the women on the show?

I speak to Jackie quite a bit, but I don't have anything against any of the young ladies. I think they will look back at their reaction to me and say, "Wait a minute, you know what? My reaction was very immature and not very intelligent because it was based on Tanya making the right decision." So I look at them and say, "Hey, they're nice people, they're trying to grind and want to be on TV," and I hope it works out for everyone involved.

In addition to starring on the show, you're also the spokeswoman against domestic violence. Do you mind speaking on the parallels between domestic violence and the show's audience?

Yes. One of my real initiatives is to go on the show and say firstly, be proud of who you are as a woman of color. And the second thing was, I am a spokesperson for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and statistics show that probably 50 percent of the viewing audience of "Basketball Wives" are currently victims of domestic violence or have been victims of domestic violence. So we took time to gather some tape for the show of the executives of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and they spoke about what they do and how they can be helpful. So it was really important for me to use this as a platform and help so many people who are in that audience to at least reach out for help. I really hope that the network and the production team will think that it's important enough to show to the audience because it's much bigger than the show.

Within the last year it has been widely reported that one of your castmates, Gloria Govan, has experienced a few domestic issues with Los Angeles Lakers star Matt Barnes. Did you get a chance to speak with her on her situation?

Gloria has decided not to talk much about her situation, and I respect that. And so I'm not going to talk much about it, either. But if she opens the door for us to have that discussion and she wants it to be public, then I'll follow through. But outside of that, I don't want invade her private space in an area that is so personal to each of us.

As a spokeswoman you have opened up about your experiences with domestic violence during your marriage to Jayson Williams. Can you shed some light on what you went through?

Yes, I'm still married. I filed for divorce two years ago, and we've been a part of the divorce court for two years. But when it comes to domestic violence, what I had put into my divorce decree was some of the situations that I experienced at the hands of Jayson. Primarily, yes, I did sleep with a knife under my bed because when Jayson drank too much, or he took sleeping pills or any type of prescription medication, it would make him a different person; and because I have been threatened before, I had to protect myself and my children by any means necessary. I didn't know who was walking into my bedroom: Was it the man that I fell in love with 20 years ago, or was it the Jayson who was being erratic and violent? I speak more openly when I do seminars with women about domestic violence. I've been through a lot of the things that they have been through, and I haven't experienced everything that they've experienced. But when you feel powerless or you feel the need to protect yourself, you're indeed the victim.

Have you had any contact with Jayson since his incarceration?

Jayson has done a lot of things that have been very hurtful to me over the years. However, I wish him nothing but the best, because I want him to be a great father to my children. I believe that everyone deserves a second chance. And I am willing to give him a second chance to step into my children's life and be an amazing father to them, because I married him expecting him to do that. So despite the fact that I've been through a lot -- and he knows that I've been through a lot -- I can't allow that to stop me from providing my children with a man who I think can be an amazing father. He and I haven't communicated since he has gone away, because once he was incarcerated unfortunately I found out more information [about him] that further punched me in the stomach, and it was very painful to me in a personal way.

When Jayson is released from prison in seven months, is there any chance that you two could possibly make amends with each other and rekindle the flame for a reality show?

Honestly, I haven't thought about that. I'm not in a place right now where my heart is open to Jayson in an intimate way. But I am open to him being an amazing father to my children. I want that. And that will cause us to be in each other's company and to talk. Outside of the chaos, we have a great time together, and that's something that probably won't go away. But when it comes to a romantic perspective, I'm just not there right now. I've still got so many wounds that are deep and trying to heal. All I can do is pray that he comes out physiologically healthy, sober, emotionally healthy, and that he can step into my children's life and be a dynamic man.

It's funny that you asked about the reality show, because I've already been approached by production companies wanting to know if I would be open to doing a show with Jayson. And I haven't had the time to take the meetings, I've got so many other things that are more in line with my goals and my vision. That's where my focus is. But Jayson is a huge talent. He made mistakes and he can be crazy at times, but no one can take away his gift of gab, his wit and his personality. So I wasn't surprised to get the calls. But at the end of the day, I've got to do things that are going to further my goals and aspirations before I jump into the reality world on that end.
 

Read more over at BlackVoices.

 

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