Check out this week’s fabulous Twitter and Instagram photos from some of our fave celebs!
What’s your favorite photo from the bunch?
From beauty to style, stirring up everything that chic brown girls love!
Check out this week’s fabulous Twitter and Instagram photos from some of our fave celebs!
What’s your favorite photo from the bunch?
It’s about time we BGs got a new view!
Starting June 27, “Exhale,” a new talk show similar to the popular ABC chat fest, “The View,” will premiere on Magic Johnson’s cable network ASPiRE.
With co-hosts journalist Angela Burt-Murray, producer and creator of online hit “Awkward Black Girl” Issa Rae, actress Malinda Williams, news anchor Rene Syler and comedian Erin Jackson, the weekly series is sure to be full of candid conversations, funny tidbits, fresh perspectives and showcase entertaining guests.
“Exhale,” is produced by Lynne Robinson and Black Robin Media, and is ASPiRE’s third original series. The show will produce an eight-episode first run.
It won’t be the only talk show featuring BG co-hosts. Fox network’s “The Real,” will follow a similar format with co-hosts: Tamera Mowry-Housley, Tamar Braxton, Adrienne Bailon, Jeannie Maiy and Loni Love. It’s scheduled to premiere July 8.
Check out the “Exhale” preview clip below:
Check your local listings for the ASPiRE channel in your area. “Exhale” premieres June 27 at 8pm (EST).
Will you be tuning in?
We all have our creative sides, but it seems like God gave Amanda Seales (formerly known as Amanda Diva) a little more than the rest of us!
The Los Angeles native, 31, who calls New York City home is an all-around Renaissance woman. If being one of the hottest and most sought-after DJs in the city isn’t enough, the multi-talented Columbia University alum is also a visual artist, poet, playwright, singer/songwiter, entrepreneur, TV personality and the host of the recently wrapped VH1 show, “Masters of the Mix: Season 3.”
I recently caught up with the girl-about-town diva to dish about her inspiration, beauty routine and of course, music!
Check out the Q&A below:
BGG: Your artwork is absolutely beautiful! What do you enjoy creating the most?
Amanda Seales: Thank you! Lately I’ve found myself becoming more interested in going the fashion route with my art I’ve really enjoyed spicing up pieces like purses, bangles, denim. Eventually I’d like to have my own clothing and home lines. I also really love doing big pieces. I don’t really get the chance to because of time and space (these NYC apartments aren’t great for that) but I love the feeling of accomplishment after I finish and seeing what started as a little thought in my mind realized tangibly on a big canvas.
Soul Fro Canvas Tote Bag available here, $30
BGG: During your travels, what country or city inspires you the most?
AS: Paris. Hands down. It’s so aesthetically beautiful yet gritty. It is as if it were built for the specific purpose of inspiring artists!
BGG: What do you think are the challenges (if any) that female DJs experience that their male counterparts don’t have to deal with?
AS: Dudes hollering at us while we’re in the booth. (laughing) You have no idea how annoying it is and the insipid questions like, “So you be djaying??” CLEARLY.
BGG: Being the epitome of a Renaissance woman with a super busy schedule, what are your beauty & hair secrets to always looking camera-ready?
AS: As far as beauty secrets I’m pretty simple. I wash my face daily with Oil of Olay Total Effects. In regard to makeup, I use the Bobbi Brown Bronze “Shimmer Brick” as a shimmer and love a pop (of color) on the lip and I try to get creative with my eyes. On shoots, I have makeup artists use a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation as it’s less wearing on my skin. Dairy gives me pimples on my forehead so I try to stay away but damn, that Haagen-Daz is SO inviting!
As far as my hair, I also keep that simple too! I wash my hair about every other day and comb it out and condition on weekends. In the shower I use Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream Moisturizing No Suds Shampoo and Hair Rules Quench Ultra Rich Conditioner. For daily upkeep, I use Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk as a leave-in to keep my curls defined and voluminous.
BGG: You have such a refreshing personal style. How would you describe it in three words?
AS: Thanks! I never really considered myself stylish but I’ve really been giving more effort to it so that means a lot! Amazing designer Sharufa Walker of Jinaki gave me some great advice she said, “Amanda you are gifted with use of color on canvas. Use that same gift and apply it and treat yourself like the canvas and your clothes like the paints.” That has totally changed my mind frame and given foundation to my style over night! I would describe it as Colorful. Classy. Feminine.
BGG: Like most of us, music is a huge part of your life. When did you know that you wanted to make a profession out of it?
AS: I honestly never knew. It just happened. One day I was doing poetry and after the show was offered a job as a radio host at Sirius Satellite Show. I was always a music lover but it was then that the hobby became a profession.
BGG: Being an ‘80s baby, you’ve seen hip-hop undergo many changes. What do you think of today’s hip-hop landscape?
AS: Blechhhh.
BGG: If you could only play one album for the rest of your life, what would it be? Why?
AS: Bob Marley “Legend” because it is multi-dynamic musically and emotionally. There is a song for every feeling and mood.
BGG: Being so multi-talented, what do you envision for your future career-path?
AS: In the future I want to continue to raise the platform on which I’m hosting and creating. Whether it’s programming content, art, djaying, or written work (plays/books), I am ready to elevate and have my own television show, book, branded endorsement featuring my art, etc . I also hope to be able to one day live comfortably and consistently off of my prolific mind.
BGG: I know that you often speak with young women in college, what has been your best advice to them?
AS: I feel like only they would know what my best advice to them has been, but I try to always instill in them the importance of preservation of integrity and the importance of education. Those are two things that no one can take from you!
Some of our favorite BGs and guys hit the red carpet for the 85th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday.
From Jennifer Hudson to Kerry Washington, the stars sparkled in couture gowns and eye-catching jewels. Check out some of the best red carpet and candid pics below:
Jennifer Hudson in Roberto Cavalli and Kelly Rowland in Donna Karan Atelier (Photo: Kelly Rowland/Twitter)
Halle Berry in Versace (Photo: ABC)
Kerry Washington in Miu Miu (Photo: Facebook/Getty)
Queen Latifah in Badgley Mischka (Photo: Queen Latifah/Twitter)
Zoe Saldana in Alexis Mabille Couture (Photo: ABC)
Who would you crown best-dressed? My vote goes to Queen Latifah who look white-hot in her beautiful Badgley Mischka gown!
Check out this week’s fabulous Twitter and Instagram photos from some of our fave celebs!
What’s your favorite photo from the bunch? Have a wonderful weekend!
When it comes to female African-American film directors, Ava DuVernay is the first to come to mind.
Her way of beautifully capturing and telling our stories on film is bar none. She’s recently teamed up with high-fashion house Miu Miu to direct their newest film short—The Door, which is nothing short of a cinematic gem.
The fifth installment of the fashion brand’s “Woman’s Tales” series, stars a lovelorn Gabrielle Union and focuses on strong female bonds. Throughout the film, friends (Adepero Oduycome, Emayatzy Corinealdi, and Goapele) come to Union’s door offering their love and support, while showcasing fabulous fashions that represent the heroine’s rebirth. It also features the incomparable Alfre Woodard and includes an incredible soundtrack.
It’s a wonderful short film that’s worthy of a watch!
Check it out below:
What are your thoughts on the short?
Elle Varner may not have taken home the Grammy for Best R&B song for her smash hit, “Refill,” but the breakout star was a still a major winner on the red carpet.
The Los Angeles-native’s black & white gown was complemented by her gorgeous long, 70s-inspired long locks. Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy celebrity hair stylist, Oscar James, wanted to create a memorable look for Varner’s Grammys debut.
“This was Elle’s first time attending the award show and she is a nominated artist so we really wanted to do something different than her usual style,” said James.
Below, Oscar shares tips on how to get Elle’s lovely Grammys look:
1. Always start with the right foundation and that means a nourished scalp and hair. Rinse and condition with Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Ultra Shea shampoo and conditioner for strong, beautiful hair that can hold any style
2. Next, create a center part and blow dry hair straight.
3. Once dry, flat iron hair in small, quarter-inch sections to make sure heat is evenly distributed to every strand.
Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy products are available here; starting at $5
4. Then, use a drop of the Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Ultra Shea Nourishing Scalp & Hair Oil, emulsify and run through hair from scalp to end to add gorgeous shine and tame flyaways
5. Finish with a spritz of hair spray for extra hold.
What do you think of Elle Varner’s look? Did you watch the Grammys? What was your favorite moment?

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