Damzel In Distress

Damzelindistress Valentine's Day Mood-Enhancing Track Listing

2012-02-14T13:07:00.002-05:00

For those of you wanting to kick off the evening by setting the mood, here is my mood-enhancing track listing to get you started.

1. Burn – Jada Pinkett Smith
2. Closer – Goapele
3. Crazy Love – Brian McKnight
4. Last First Kiss – Tamia
5. Say Yes – Floetry
6. Dangerously In Love – Beyonce
7. Emotional – Carl Thomas
8. Pretty Wings – Maxwell
9. Tonight – Kem
10. Til the End of Time – Timothy Bloom

Here is Goapele in Closer:

Jada Still Loves Will

2012-02-14T09:56:00.006-05:00

On this Valentine's Day, one single post on Facebook from Jada Pinkett Smith says a lot:

Melanie Fiona - The MF Life....The Wait is Almost Over...

2012-02-12T23:02:00.002-05:00

Check out the offical track list for The MF Life available March 27, 2012.

This Time Featuring J. cole
4 AM
Break Down These Walls
I Been That Girl
Wrong Side of A Love Song
Running Featuring Nas
Change The Record Featuring B.O.B
Gone and Never Coming Back
Bones
Watch Me Work
Can't Say
L.O.V.E Featuring John Legend
6 AM Melanie Fiona & T Pain - BONUS

Pre-order your copy of The MF Life today!

Brian White Says Nene Leakes Should Not be Poster Child for The Black Woman?

2012-02-12T21:24:00.005-05:00

Actor Brian White seems to feel that Nene Leakes is being catapulted to represent black women and she's getting it all wrong. She's perpetuating the black sterotype and she doesn't even know it. But according to her, she's getting rich doing it.

He lamented during a recent interview that “the most prevalent image in ‘urban society’ right now is women like NeNe,” and further explained that he thinks images like hers represent not just a stereotype, but the majority of black women.

Is he wrong?

Not that we'd ever expect Nene to let it go, she's always good for a response and as most celebs do, she took her response to Twitter. And in such a lady-like manner, Nene calls Brian White a hater.

She then proceeded to throw darts and totally missed the point he was making. Instead she wasted her time and limited Twitter characters on her insecurities and skirted the real issue of his commentary. But who would admit to cashing in on setting the black female race back to the ghetto.

Whitney Houston...I Will Always Love You....Lost But Not Forgotten

2012-02-12T20:39:00.006-05:00

Not more than 24 hours ago the world was taken aback with the news that Whitney Houston had died in a Los Angeles hotel. The details are sketchy and undetermined, but we've been told by various outlets that a night out partying with alcohol, Xanax pills in the room and a bathtub full of water all set the tone for a most tragic ending to a life ended too soon.

If you've ever lost someone tragically that you were organically tied to, you know that heart ache should be considered a medical diagnosis. Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kristina has been hospitalized now twice since yesterday's tragic news and has been listed as 'exhausted and inconsolable'.

No speculation or rumors will be posted on this site. The thoughts and prayers from Damzelindistress go out to the Houston family and close friends.

The Damzel

***Images courtesy of TMZ.com

Sherry Shepherd, "...I had a lot of abortions."

2012-02-09T12:29:00.003-05:00

*Sherri Shepherd got emotional and fought back tears while sharing her experience with abortion in an extremely intense debate on Wednesday’s “View.”

During Hot Topics, the ladies discussed a Texas law that requires women to have a sonogram before having an abortion. The law mandates doctors to show women sonogram images, play fetal heartbeats and describe features of fetuses. Joy Behar called it “totalitarian,” but Elisabeth Hasselbeck compared it to knowing the facts about a procedure before getting a cyst removed or having kidney surgery.

“You would never go through any medical procedure like that…without looking at the scientific evidence,” Hasselbeck said. “Why you would ask for an X-ray for those things but not in this case?”

Barbara Walters disagreed. She called the move to get an abortion “a tremendous decision” that can cause “fear and guilt.” It would be “heartbreaking,” she said, for women to be forced to get a sonogram in those circumstances.

Hasselbeck countered, “What about those who argue that it’s not life, that it’s not a baby yet?”

Goldberg took issue with her argument, pointing out that some women do not want kids, while others simply cannot afford to have children. She said that women who keep their babies do not get any financial help.

Goldberg’s point resonated deeply with Shepherd, who said that the same people who oppose birth control and abortion often oppose food stamps, welfare and a safety net that would help women who cannot afford to have children. Walters attempted to interject, but a visibly emotional Shepherd cut her off.

“We stop at the picket signs and we don’t help you past that!” she said, choking up. “I’m speaking as a girl who had a lot of abortions and I swear to God, if they had shown me a picture of the fetus… I would have put my child in a lot of situations that wouldn’t have been good because I didn’t have the mental capacity to deal with having a child.”

video platform

You Want to Do What with Nahla?

2012-02-09T12:15:00.005-05:00

Halle Berry has asked the judge overseeing her custody battle for permission to move to France with her daughter Nahla.

The Oscar winner wants to relocate from Los Angeles to her French fiance Olivier Martinez’s home country, according to a new court filing obtained by TMZ. The website reports her ex-partner Gabriel Aubry, the father of three-year-old Nahla, opposes the move.

A hearing on the matter is currently pending.

The actress sought to ban Aubry from contacting Nahla last month after former nanny Alliance Kamdem accused him of shoving her while she was holding his daughter.

The former couple has been locked in a bitter battle over Nahla since they split.

Africa Moves 50 Cent to Feed the Hungry

2012-02-09T11:55:00.004-05:00

50 Cent flew to Dolo, Somalia on Wednesday with the World Food Program to see firsthand the effects of hunger in Somalia and Kenya.

Tens of thousands of women and children have fled there over the last year to flee a devastating famine that killed tens of thousands of people across Somalia.

WFP confirmed that the rap star, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has committed to provide 1 billion meals for the hungry, and is donating to WFP 10 cents from every sale of his new energy drink Street King.

50 posted a clip on Youtube detailing his reason for wanting to feed hungry African children.

“I grew up without money but I didn’t grow up hungry… When I was out in Africa, it was unbelievable, the devastation and desperation of people who don’t know when they’ll receive their next meal” he said. “I want to feed a billion kids and I need your help to do it. I need you to utilize your energy, your voice, to provide additional motivation for me at times.”

First Posted: 9/6/11

The U.N. last week declared an end to Somalia’s six-month famine, though it said tens of thousands of people still need food aid to survive. The British government estimates that between 50,000 and 100,000 people died from the famine’s effects.

Jimmy Fallon vs Michelle Obama in Let's Move Fit Challenge

2012-02-08T11:43:00.001-05:00

In a highly competitive competition with late night host Jimmy Fallon, First Lady Michelle Obama invited him to the White House to promote her 'Let's Move' initiative against childhood obesity. She was ready, I'm not so sure about Jimmy. Take a look. SMH!

Extended Show: Avenue Q

2012-02-07T15:06:00.004-05:00

Horizon Theatre is extending the run of Avenue Q through March 11, 2012. Avenue Q is a Tony award winner for Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book, and now it’s up close and personal right here in Atlanta at the Horizon.

The neighbors are nice on Avenue Q, and its the only thing you can afford when you're fresh out of college, out of a job, or just trying to find your way in life. Princeton, Gary Coleman (yes, that one!), Christmas Eve and their new found friends (played by talented actors and puppets) valiantly seek jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life. An upbeat musical for grown-ups.

Performances for Avenue Q are Wednesday through Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 3:00 PM and 8:30 PM, and Sunday at 5:00 PM. This show includes mature content and is not recommended for children. Tickets start at $30 for weekday performances and $40 for weekend performances. Prices are subject to availability, so buy early for the best prices. Audiences are invited to stay after the performances for a photo-op with the puppets. Tickets and information are available at horizontheatre.com or 404.584.7450.

COMING SOON: Luke James

2012-02-07T11:40:00.006-05:00

Joining Adele on her 'The All Of Me' Tour, Luke James will be spreading his wings and flying high off his uber-famous single “I Want You.” Adele and James will be performing in Atlanta's Centerstage on Monday, February 20th.

After The Help, Now What?

2012-02-07T11:34:00.002-05:00

Fresh off their wins at the Screen Actors Guild awards, "The Help's" Octavia Spencer (who has also nabbed a Golden Globe for her role in the movie) and Viola Davis are looking toward future projects.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Spencer, who is up for the best supporting actress Oscar, has signed on for the sci-fi film "Snow Piercer."

Directed by Joon-ho Bong, "Snow Piercer" tells the story of a future in which an Ice Age kills off everyone except those aboard a train that crosses the globe thanks to its perpetual-motion engine.

When a revolt against the class system of the train emerges, Spencer's character joins in to save her son.

Tilda Swinton, Chris Evans, John Hurt and Korean actor Kang-ho Song have also signed on to the project.

Meanwhile, Spencer's co-star Viola Davis, who's nominated for a best actress Oscar, has two new projects on her plate. Variety reports that Davis will appear in the highly anticipated adaptations of the books "Ender's Game" and "Beautiful Creatures."

"Ender's" centers on talented strategist Ender Wiggins (played by Asa Butterfield), who's recruited to a military school to train to take down an alien race. Davis will portray a military psychologist who watches over the emotional well-being of the trainees in the futuristic film, which is being directed by Gavin Hood.

"Beautiful Creatures," directed by Richard LaGravenese, tells the story of two teens working to understand a curse that has been haunting the young woman's family for generations. Davis will play a librarian who was also the friend of the young man's deceased mother.

Antoine Dodson Sings ‘Lovesick Lullaby’

2012-02-07T11:25:00.003-05:00

Remember this guy? It’s with great anticipation and longing that we welcome back the one and only Antoine Dodson, the “Hide ya kids, hide ya wife” guy.

If you thought he'd long since used up his 15 minutes of fame, you were wrong. He’s coming out with an album, all about being a “sex freak,” but first his single, “Lovesick Lullaby” with Brent Morgan, may convince you to actually cop the digital version.

Even with autotune manipulation, the song isn’t bad. Do you like it?

Beyonce Makes First Post-Pregnancy Outing to Jay-Z Show

2012-02-07T11:18:00.002-05:00

Beyonce showed up at her hubby Jay-Z’s first gig at Carnegie Hall on Monday night, turning heads just by walking into the show in her first public appearance since the birth of Blue Ivy Carter last month.

She sported a form-fitting Alice Temperly dress, four-inch Christian Louboutin heels and held a gold Alexander McQueen clutch. According to the New York Daily News, at an afterparty at Jay’s 40/40 club she reportedly said, “it was amazing,” when asked for a response to Jigga’s show.

According to MTV, he was backed by a full orchestra that included Roots drummer ?uestlove and Young Guru playing DJ. Hov took the stage just before 9 p.m. in a white tux jacket and holding a bottle of champagne. He began the night by shouting the iconic line from his 2003 song “Public Service Announcement” in which he declares “Allow me to reintroduce myself, my name is Hov.”

Among the guests who joined him over the course of the show were Alicia Keys and Nas, but the one cameo everyone was waiting for was Blue’s cooing in the song “Glory,”  which Jay released just days after his daughter’s birth.

Grammy News: Chris Brown Performing....Thank Goodness

2012-02-07T11:10:00.002-05:00

Well, at least I know there will be at least one performance I can look forward to. Chris Brown will be performing at this year's Grammy Awards.

A source told The Associated Press on Monday that Brown will hit the stage at Sunday's show. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because Brown's performance has not been officially announced.

Chris' "F.A.M.E. (Forgiving All My Enemies)" CD is nominated for three Grammys, including best R&B album.

Rihanna is also slated to perform at the show and is nominated for four awards, including the top prize — album of the year — for her platinum effort "Loud."

Brown, 22, has been nominated for Grammys in five of the last six years, though he has never picked up the top prize in music. His song "Look at Me Now," which features Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes, is nominated for best rap song and best rap performance.

The Grammys will air live on CBS from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Janet Jackson Looking Good on Jay Leno

2012-02-07T09:30:00.003-05:00

Casting News: Lenny Kravitz in The Hunger Games

2012-02-06T10:58:00.005-05:00

Lenny Kravitz, left, stars in "The Hunger Games" as Cinna, with Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta.

By Steve Appleford, Rolling Stone

(Rolling Stone) -- Lenny Kravitz chose a life of rock and soul a long time ago and until recently was never tempted by the movies.

"In the last 22 years, while I was making my music, I was offered a lot of films," Kravitz tells Rolling Stone. "I just didn't find the roles very interesting -- a lot of clichéd type of stuff and really obvious things. I didn't want to make films because I can. There's no point in that."

That changed in a big way with his first feature-film role in the 2009 drama "Precious," and now with a key role in next month's "The Hunger Games." Based on the hugely popular novel of the same name, the new film is set in post-apocalyptic North America, where teenage gladiators are chosen to battle to the death in annual televised games. Kravitz plays Cinna, stylist and confidant to the rebellious Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence), the central figure in the book and movie.

"I always figured it would come back into my life," Kravitz says of acting. "I was an actor when I was a kid. When I realized music was my thing, I just gave it up. I put blinders on, just focused on music. It's come back now and I really am enjoying it."

Kravitz took the role after meeting with director Gary Ross ("Pleasantville") and reading the first book of the best-selling trilogy by Suzanne Collins. "I thought it was really good storytelling," Kravitz says. "I'm very much into stories. The character was interesting. I like Gary's previous work. And I said, Yeah, let's go."

In "The Hunger Games," his character creates a series of striking outfits for the young warrior, which isn't exactly a stretch for the stylish rocker. "He's very streamlined, he's very quiet," Kravitz says of Cinna. "He knows what he's doing. He's confident. He's got a big heart. I just liked the way he moved -- very smooth."

As a musician, Kravitz is used to being in total control of his work -- writing, performing and producing -- and that control reflects on him as an artist. "It's about me, as it should be," he says. "But in this case, it's got nothing to do with me. It's about a director's vision, a character, and I really like that."

The film opens on March 23. Up next for Kravitz is "Negrophilia," the funk album he interrupted to record last year's "Black and White America." Music remains his central concern, but he now also considers himself a working actor.

"I'm just waiting for the right roles to come in," he says. "Thank god I have a day job."

Remembering Don Cornelious

2012-02-02T11:32:00.005-05:00

Credit: John Hayes/AP Photo.