The Young, Black, and Fabulous

The Young, Black, and Fabulous


Nicki, Mariah & "Idol" Judges Go Front And Center On "Hollywood Reporter" + Janelle Monae Rocks "ELLE CANADA" + Jennifer Hudson On "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY"

Posted: 04 Jan 2013 08:28 AM PST

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We've got a serious round up of new magazine covers  The cast of "American Idol" star on the latest issue of "The Hollywood Reporter" while Janelle Monae landed her first "ELLE" cover for their February 2013 issue.  See the covers inside as well as Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson on "EW."

 

 

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The cast of "American Idol" is featured in the latest issue of "THR" where judge Nicki Minaj expressed her initial reservations about joining the panel.  She said,

There's a judgemental culture in hip-hop where sometimes you are afraid of being too famous because it's almost, like, is that even cool?

'Being that accessible, someone you see on TV every week? I never pictured myself as that type of person. I'm still surprised that I decided to do it.

Meanwhile, fans should not expect anymore flare-ups between Nicki and fellow judge Mariah Carey.  MiMi blew over their previous spat saying,

'Sometimes things get heated for their own reasons. I don't think the panel has an issue.'

Check out the new season on January 16 on Fox at 8pmE.
 

 

Also....

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Hipster artist Janelle Monae, who ended 2012 having a feature on one of the year's biggest songs (Fun.'s "We Are Young"), is already off to a great start for 2013. 

The newest CoverGirl spokeswoman covers the February 2013 issue of ELLE Canada, making it her first cover for the brand.  She happily tweeted about her accomplishment saying:

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Copies are available on stands and iTunes soon.

 

 

Also on magazine racks.....

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Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson covers the latest issue of "EW" where the mag touts her addition to the cast of NBC's "Smash."  Though the show has received a lot of hype and press, it didn't added up to stellar ratings.  Folks are hoping Jen's star power will add a lot of sizzle and sass to the ratings. 

Watch Jen belt out a few tunes in the season two trailer here:

'LAHH' Stars Erica Mena & Rich Dollaz: "WE'RE ENGAGED!" (Plus Erica's New "R" Tatt)

Posted: 04 Jan 2013 07:41 AM PST

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Erica Mena & Rich Dollaz of "Love & Hip Hop 3" are ENGAGED, y'all.  Yep...after denying last year that they were even dating, the twosome have now revealed to TheYBF.com that they are getting married.  Even though Erica doesn't have the ring yet.

 

Deets inside from their "LAHH" premiere party reveal....

TheYBF.com was on the scene at last night's "Love & Hip Hop" premiere party at Kiss & Fly in NYC.  And during our chit chat with Olivia's manager Rich and the feisty model Erica Mena, they revealed that they are indeed ENGAGED.

The two couldn't keep their hands off each other, hence them sucking face in the middle of their interviews (above), but we managed to get some details out of them.

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Erica, who rocked a sheer and revealing iCandy Couture dress, and Rich say they are definitely getting married soon, but they don't have a ring for Erica yet.  So, for now, they're engaged without a ring.  How sentimental.

Erica did reveal she got something else to solidify their bond: An "R" tattoo on her hand for Rich's name. 

Yeah, that never ends well.  But we wish these two the best.  Because based on last night's screening of the premiere episode, the drama is at an all time high with the entire cast.  And Olivia is NOT feeling Rich having a business relationship, or a pleasure relationship, with lil Ms. Erica.

Stay tuned for more pics and deets straight from last night's premiere party...

 

BONUS:  

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Erica tweeted a pic of her bridal research she was doing on her red eye fight yesterday.

 

Pics: Shayla Sommerville & Breanna Green/TheYBF.com

TV FAB: Martin Lawrence Gears Up For SITCOM...With Kelsey Grammer

Posted: 04 Jan 2013 07:03 AM PST

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Funnyman Martin Lawrence is in talks with fellow tv veteran Kelsey Grammer to produce a new sitcom. Get deets on what the comedic twosome are up to inside......

 

Hollywood is a little excited that Martin Lawrence and Kelsey Grammer ("Cheers", "Frasier", "Boss") may pair up for a multi-camera comedy in the same vein as "The Odd Couple." 

Though concrete details have yet to be ironed out, Martin and Kelsey started talks with Lionsgate TV and its subsidiary Debmar-Mercury about the new comedy, and have already started searching for writers.

The company will likely follow its "Buy 10, Get 90" business model where it sells ten episodes of a new series to a network and if certain key demographics are met, the network orders another 90 episodes. It's the same model the company used with TBS for "House of Payne" and "Are We There Yet?"

This will indeed be an interesting pair with two different senses of comedic talent.  Would you be excited to see Martin back on television?

 

The Randomness:

1.  Kendrick Lamar set to hit the stage on "SNL" this week.  Story.

2.  Former Lakers coach Phil Jackson gets engaged to long-term girlfriend (of 12 years!) Jeanie Buss.    Story. 

YBF ON THE SET: Tamar Braxton's "Love And War" Video Shoot

Posted: 04 Jan 2013 05:51 AM PST

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Tamar Braxton chatted exclusively with TheYBF.com as we visited the set of her latest video "Love And War" on Thursday. Find out what she revealed about the visuals and how she spent New Year's Eve, inside...

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TheYBF.com spoke with reality TV star Tamar Braxton on the set of her "Love And War" video inside a Hollywood Hills home.  And we're still addicted to this song.

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The Walid Azami-directed clip is the lead single (which hit #1 on iTunes) from Tamar's upcoming album of the same nameAnd she describes her new project as, "dramatic, truthful and passionate."

As for her debut video from the album, the concept shows the soft romantic side of the fast talking, sometimes sharp tongued Tamar.  She told us about the vid:

"The concept is about being vulnerable and being sexy. Pretty much about being in a relationship that you are trying to figure out.  I'm wearing a very simple, very expensive sweatshirt. I’m chilling at the house, then me and my husband [Vince Herbert] get in an argument. It's very narrative. We simply play out the lyrics of the song."

She added,

"There’s a guy that’s in the video but you never see his face. And I did that because the song means so much to so many people that I wanted everybody to picture their man or their mate so they can really feel what the song is about."

 

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Working with Terrell Mullin and Larry Sims on her glam squad, she kept her look simple with soft curls, a far cry from the completely styled up looks she rocks on the daily during "Tamar & Vince" & "Braxton Family Values" (they've already started filming the full third season).

 

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The location was gorgeously decorated.  Tamar revealed that she and her husband Vince have moved into another new home in LA themselves, but it's not furnished yet.  She said she can't wait to get started because she doesn't plan to move again for a very long time. 

And as for how she spent NYE, Tamar revealed that she spent it in LA with her sister, Toni, and a few friends.  On the couch.

"We watched the ball drop on TV. It was very cheesy. We had champagne and some snacks. And that’s what we did. It was very chill."

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Tamar's husbandger Vincent Herbert was spotted being his usual supportive self on the set.

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Tamar, who posed it up with our correspondent Ashlee and revealed she's a big fan of TheYBF.com, said she's very grateful for fans' support. 

"I am very grateful to my Tamartian friends. They really do mean a whole lot to me. I grew up not having a lot of friends. So for people to really like me for me and to really appreciate my music and who I am really means a lot to me."

In addition to the video release, Tamar says her goals for 2013 are to be happy, to see her album drop, to remain stress free and to make sure she and Vince have a great year.

Good luck Tamar!

Check out a glimpse of the vid from our footage below:

 

 

Pics: Correspondents Ashlee Laughlin & Lauren Smith

TONED UP: The Game Shows Off His Post-Diet Bod In "Before And After" CHEST Shots

Posted: 04 Jan 2013 05:19 AM PST

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His engagement to Tiffney Cambridge may be rocky.  But his diet plan is anything but.  The Game has posted before and after pics from his new fitness regimen. See the fruit of his labor inside....

Most people kick off their New Year with some new health initiatives.  But The Game is already 30 days in.

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"Married To The Game" star and rapper The Game wants fans to know he is taking his healthy and fitness very seriously.  He's currently halfway through a fitness regime that he tweeted about saying,

"Day 30 check in: all my goals were accomplished in the 1st 30 days of my 60daysoffitness.

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He explains his new physique saying, "The goal was to dramatically change my eating habits to a clean diet without error as well as shed the body fat wit massive cardio/ab workouts - Running, hiking, cycling etc." 

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He posted a pic of one of his typical lunches too.  "& here it is ladies & gents.... Day 30 lunch: shrimp, tomato & red onion salad... Light balsamic vinegar."

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The process is all a part of his little brother BWS Byrd's exercise program called 60 Days of Fitness.  He said he hasn't lost any weight number wise, but changed fat into muscle.

Looking good!

 Photos via Instagram

EBONY MAGAZINE'S BLACK LOVE COVER COUPLES: Meagan Good & DeVon Franklin + T.I. & Tiny + T.D. Jakes & Wife Serita

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 04:31 PM PST

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EBONY magazine debuted their 3 covers displaying BLACK LOVE for their February 2013 issue.  Check out tv's new leading lady and her movie studio exec hubby, reality tv's fave hip hop couple, and the megachurch leader/film producer with his First Lady inside....

Meagan Good & DeVon Franklin are the newlyweds amongst the three couples featured.  And they're looking HOT on the new EBONY cover.

The "Deception" actress manages to look effortlessly sexy at all times as she's pictured hugged up in her husband DeVon Franklin's lap in a sheer black Avelon pullover and a peek-a-boo Kiki de Montparnasse bodysuit.

Since getting married 7 months ago in a private (and surprise) ceremony, the twosome seem to be so in love.  And living on different coasts while Meagan shoots her new NBC show still hasn't put out their fire.  Meagan told the mag:

“One of the reasons I think God put us together is that we see the world very much alike, and where we see it differently, we complement each other."

And on how they make it work: "What do I do for him that's romantic? I try to surprise him whenever he comes to town. I wear nice things…Wink!"

Not mad at that.

 


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T.I. & Tiny have been married for two and a half years, and they have survived some time apart thanks to a few jail stints.  So taking a little love advice from the rapper and singer, who have been together for a total of 14 years and more in love than ever, doesn't seem too crazy.

T.I. on happily ever after: "Once I made my mind up that I was going to be committed to this relationship, I started being married then and there.… Since I've been married, it's the same relationship, we're the same people. We treat each other the same way, and we're just as happy now as we were before."

 

And on the third cover is mega church pastor and film producer T.D. Jakes, along with is wife Serita:

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The Dallas-based church involved twosome are also making their debut as an EBONY cover couple.  They've been married the longest of the three, and have some sound advice.

Bishop T.D. Jakes on marriage: "Marriage requires work and expecting the unexpected.… Don't let other people design a marriage you can't live with. Keep other people out your business. Every marriage is different."

Word.  All three fab covers hit stands January 4th.  

DO WE LOVE IT: "106 & Park" Host Miss Mykie DITCHES The MOHAWK, Gets A Shaved New 'Do (FIRST LOOK)

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 03:24 PM PST

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New "106 & Park" host Miss Mykie says GOODBYE to the "Mohawk Movement" and HELLO to a brand new shaved look.  On today’s 6PM show, Miss Mykie will be debuting a brand new hairstyle to welcome the New Year and the new “106 & PARK.”  But TheYBF.com has the first look.

 

Decide if we love the Houston chick's new 'do inside....

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New year, new hairstyle.  As "106 & Park" co-hosts Bow Wow & Paigion broadcast live from L.A. for the next two weeks, Miss Mykie will remain in NYC at the Gansevoort Hotel to show off her brand new 'do on today's show.

She and co-Host Shorty Da Prince will be interviewing funny actor Marlon Wayans, and we're sure to get an earful from him on how he likes it.

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She's had the mohawk since 2007.  Now, she's shaved most of her hair into a close cut, but left some oomph in the front with a blonde streaked swoop.

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But for all you mohawk lovers, don't fret.  Mykie is in the process of doing a "Mohawk Movement" documentary we hear.  Celebs like her Houston cohorts Bun B, Paul Wall and Slim Thug will be talking about her hair.  And it will also have clips from "106 & PARK" of Nicki Minaj, Cee-Lo Green and Jamie Foxx making comments on her hair.

So, about her new 'do....

 

DO WE LOVE IT?!

Photog Credit: Karl Ferguson Courtesy of BET Networks

Gabourey Sidibe Lands NEW GIG As Host Of Public Television's "AfroPoP" + Fantasia Goes On APOLOGETIC RANT

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 02:52 PM PST

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Actress Gabourey Sidibe has landed a new gig as the host of Public Television's "AfroPoP". Get the details on her new job inside and read Fantasia's latest rant about people who judge her....

 

On January 22, Yelling to the Sky actress Gabourey Sidibe will make her debut as the host of Public Television's AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange, an innovative documentary series highlighting contemporary life, art and pop culture in the African Diaspora.

Produced by Black Public Media, the show will premiere on the WORLD Channel at 7:00pm ET on Tuesday, January 22 and continue on Tuesdays weekly through February 5, 2013.

Gabourey spoke about "AfroPoP", which uses independent films to bring awareness to human and women’s rights struggles saying,

"This season of AfroPoP helps give voice to those who truly need to be heard. I’m happy to help bring these stories to the American public and raise awareness of issues of vital concern to women and men in Africa as well as all who care about human rights.”

And since she's a star product of indie films like Precious, this new role suits her.

Leslie Fields-Cruz, Black Public Media Vice President and Director of Programming, explained Gabby's hiring saying,

"Gabourey’s energetic spirit and connection to the youth culture made her the perfect choice to host the series this season and we are happy to have her as such an integral part of AfroPoP.”

To find local airings, visit the AfroPoP page.

 

And in social media rants.....

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In an attempt to show that she is rising about the drama and harshness about some of her "mistakes," Fantasia's Instagram posting (which referenced gay marriage and legalized marijuana) set off a storm of controversy. 

Fanny was none too pleased with the backlash and claims that people just didn't understand what she was saying.  Though her management team attempted to clean up the firestorm, Fanny took to Instagram AGAIN today and posted a second rant to apologize for the first one....but maybe she just made it worse.   She said,

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And for people who felt she was dissing the gay community, she had a message for them too. 

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Sigh.....we understand what Fantasia was trying to say, but it clearly didn't come across the way she intended.  But why is she blaming others for her inability to articulate her thoughts?  And didn't this last rant just make it worse?

SISTERLY LOVE: Tia Mowry Hardrict Pens Motherhood Letter To Twin Sis Tamera + More Pics of Baby Aden!

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 02:15 PM PST

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Actresses Tia & Tamera launched their new joint website with a super sweet posting about 2-month old baby Aden Housley.  Check out a never before seen pic of the twins in the delivery room with Aden, a new pic of the cutie, and Tia's sweet letter to her sis about motherhood....

How cute!  Tamera Mowry Housley has been a new mom for a couple of months now, and she's overjoyed with how sweet her baby boy is growing up.  She posted a new pic (below) of Aden today on her Instagram, while Tia took to the twins' new website to pen her sister a sweet letter saying she was inspired by Tamera's letter to her son.

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Nothing like sisterly love to give you encouragement and love:

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Sweet!

Both of the sisters starred in their fair share of TV movies last year.  This year, Tia has the Baggage Claim movie in the works, and is shooting a TV movie called Instant Mom.

The Randomness:

1.  George Lucas and Melody Hobson are now ENGAGED after dating almost 10 years.  STORY

 

SHOTS FIRED: Azealia Banks Scraps With Rapper Angel Haze On Twitter, Gets Called A "Charcoal Skinned B*tch"

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 01:23 PM PST

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Another day, another Twitter catfight involving Azealia Banks.  But this time, it may not be (all) her fault.  Check out why up and coming rapper Angel Haze dissed Azealia's skin color in a Twitter scrap just hours ago....

It all started when Azealia busted out with one of her out-of-the-blue statements that always seem to get folks riled up.  She said, "Seriously, if you were not born and raised in NY.... DON'T CLAIM NY. YOU ARE NOT A NEW YORKER."

She went on to say not even upstate NY or "indie brands in Brooklyn" count. 

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In walks 21-year-old Detroit native Angel Haze (pictured directly above), an up and coming rapper who has a few mixtapes out and appeared in 2012's BET Hip Hop Awards cipher.  Apparently, she took offense (despite Azealia never mentioning her or anyone's name) and went hard at Yung Repunxel over her words.

She threatened to "shank" her and then called her a charcoal-skinned b*tch.  A little confusing since Angel is also a black woman with brown skin.  But even if she wasn't, this dig was a bit...much.

Check out her tweets (read from the bottom up) that were RT'd by Azealia since Angel has now erased her own:

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Why would a Detroit rapper give a damn about Azaelia's NY remark?  Well, Angel just moved to Brooklyn, and apparently is sometimes labeled a s a "Brooklyn rapper."  She came on the scene doing a remix of Eminem's "Cleaning Out my Closet," but recently made a song called “New York,” where she says she runs a city she just moved to in May.

Sounds like some serious sensitivity is running through the twitter wold today.

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And alluding to reports that Angel is a lesbian, Azealia then said, "Sir! please fix your tuck! your dick is showing!!!!"

Sigh.  Things got ugly, but Angel has deleted her tweets.

Source: Twitter

WHOOPSIE: Frank Ocean POPPED For Marijuana Possession

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 12:25 PM PST

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Frank Ocean had a really eventful New Year's Eve.  He spent it smoked out...and almost locked up.  Deets inside on the singer getting popped for marijuana possession after getting caught speeding in Cali....

Monday of this week, "Pink Matter" crooner Frank Ocean was pulled over for speeding in Mono County, CA.  And it was thanks to some green matter in his pocket that got him into even more trouble.

Police pulled over his black BMW for going 90 in a 65.  But when officers caught the odor of weed pouring out of the vehicle, they checked his person, and found a small bag of pot.

He luckily missed out on being taken to jail as cops released him on the spot.  But he was cited for marijuana possession, driving on a suspended license, and tinted windows.  No "suspicious or sexual behavior" as other sites reported.

His passenger had to drive him home since the cops confiscated his license.

YBF PREMIERE: Jon B RETURNS With "Settle Down Type"

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 11:52 AM PST

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The year 2013 marks the return of Jon B to the music scene with a new track called "Settle Down Type." Listen to the single and get details on Jon B's upcoming album inside...

"They Don't Know" crooner Jon B hopes to kick off 2013 with a return to the top of the charts with "Settle Down Type" which appears on his upcoming disc B Sides Collection.

The disc is a collection of 23 unreleased tracks that Jon wrote and produced between 2001 to 2012. These gems are some of Jon's favorite songs and will debut to the public on January 29th.

Jon is currently on tour and performing in New York City tonight before making stops through Baltimore and Washington, DC later in the week.

Pre-order for B Sides Collection will be available on Jonbworld.com.  And listen to "Settle Down Type" below to see if he's still got it...

Iyanla Vanzant Talks SHARING While Covering ESSENCE + Jennifer Lopez COVERS "HARPER'S BAZAAAR"

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 11:43 AM PST

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Talk show host Iyanla Vanzant covers the latest issue of ESSENCE where she offers women advice on fixing their lives and says why it's important to be true to yourself.  Find out more inside and see Jennifer Lopez's photoshoot for HARPER'S BAZAAR.....

"Iyanla, Fix My Life" host Iyanla Vanzant covers the February issue of ESSENCE Magazine where she talks about her ten secrets to finding real and lasting happiness and shares why she has a reason to smile despite a past that includes abuse, going broke and the death of a child.

She also offers advice to women about being their true selves and partnering up saying,

“Be willing to share all of who you are. So many of us want a partner, but we’re not willing to show all of us. That’s why we have a weave, we’re wearing Spanx and everything is ‘fine.’ If you’re not willing to let your partner see your cellulite or know your biggest fears, then you aren’t really ready to share yourself…”

Pick up your copy....

 

Also on magazine stands......

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Jennifer Lopez stars in a sizzling photoshoot for the February issue of Harper's Bazaar.

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JLo channels a little Barbarella in the flashy and futuristic themed shoot.

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Inside the mag she talked about her 16-hour days saying, "I'm a singer. I'm a dancer. I'm a performer. I'm an actress. That's what I'm supposed to be doing. It makes me a better parent, a better person. I think I can just handle more than the average bear, you know?"

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Jen is set to star in the upcoming action flick Parker.  Loving this last look.

Photos via Harper's Bazaar/Katjia Rawles

 

WHITE HOUSE FAB: The Obamas' Picture Year-In-Review

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 11:09 AM PST

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The White House has released plenty more pics for a Year-In-Review from 2012.  And we're seeing a side of the Obamas we rarely get to see.  Check out some of our fave gorgeous pics of the couple, plus President O doing what he does best, inside...

The White House chose 83 of their favorite images from throughout the year.  And we're adoring the above pic of President & Mrs. Obama at the wedding of Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett's daughter Laura at Valerie's home in Chicago last June.

It's rare we get to see Mr. President in any suit color other than navy and black, and this cream suit is quite the dapper look for him.  The two were spotted taking in the romantic vows of Laura Jarrett and her husband Tony Balkissoon.  Swoon!

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And a few days before the wedding, First Lady Michelle & her Presidential husband took in the sights of their hometown Chicago skyline.  Gorge!

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In another pic we love, the President prays with a wounded service member and his family during a visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. He likes to make a few trips a year to Walter Reed to visit wounded warriors and their families.

Check out all the Year In Review pics HERE.

Photog: Pete Souza

Amar'e & Alexis Stoudemire Expecting BABY #4!

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 10:08 AM PST

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Not only have NY Knicks baller Amar'e Stoudemire and long time girlfriend Alexis Welch gotten married recently, but now they're expecting their FOURTH child together.

 

Deets inside...

It must be something in the water.  Because baby fever is taking over 2013 already!  After a huge year involving a surprise Paris hotel rooftop proposal, a surprise NYC rooftop wedding, and a post-injury comeback to the Knicks, things just got even better.

The couple just announced that Alexis is pregnant with the couple's fourth child.  And she's due late this spring!

Alexis, who admitted she's had a little morning sickness but is so excited about the new addition, told People.com:

“We’re blessed that we were able to extend our family.  We’re both huge on having a nice size family. It was something we’ve been talking about for a while. It happened naturally and at the right time so it all worked out.”

“It was just perfect timing and I can’t complain!”

And their 3 kiddies--Ar’e, 7, Amar’e Jr., 6, and Assata, 4--are just as thrilled Alexis said.

“They’re very, very excited.  They just keep guessing if it’s a boy or a girl."

The couple say they will indeed find out the sex of the baby as soon as they can.  And Alexis said Amar'e is going to continue being a great dad:

“As soon as Amar’e walks into the door those kids are all over him.  He’s like a big kid. He’s a great dad.”

Amar'e gushed over his wife's mothering skills saying:

"She does it all...She does such a phenomenal job with the kids. I’m just here to be the big teddy bear.”

Meanwhile, the couple is planning a huge Cinderella-style wedding that family and friends will attend, since their rooftop wedding was strictly for their immediate fam.

Amar'e is keeping championship hope alive and told the site, "Hopefully we’ll bring home a championship and we’ll celebrate with a wedding after that!”

 

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