We've Moved

VII Mag is moving up in the world and we have a new website, not new because we've had it for a while but now you get to enjoy it. Visit us at viimag.com for posts, news, interviews and everything else you love.

Again, that is VIIMAG.com. Read our new post about the Basketball Wives movie at http://viimag.com/?p=1144.

9lbs 13 oz

Wow. That's a big baby. If you're wondering what I'm talking about, Jessica Simpson finally had her baby and she was 9 lbs 13 oz and 21 3/4 inches long. Yes after what seems like the longest pregnancy ever, Jessica announced on her website that she gave birth to a baby girl. Here is the official announcement. Congrats to the new parents

Attack of the Stans: Letoya Luckett Edition

Yes, Letoya Luckett has stans. Now that we've gotten that out the way, she has stans and the are pissed at her. They are so pissed that they wrote a graduate school thesis about how pissed they are.

Here are snippets because it is long, you can read it all here http://www.letoyanews.com/2012/04/29/dear-letoya/

Dear LeToya,I am writing this letter to you, no hard feelings, I am going to write to you like if we are close friends so I am going to keep it real 100%. This is very deep and I need you to take this seriously. I’ll speak for myself but I know a lot of the fans are sharing the same feelings.

I have been supporting you for fifteen (15!) long years. Since 1997 when you were in Destiny’s Child and followed you through the Anjel days up until your preparation to come out solo. And it’s not some light supporting. It’s buying ALL (music, movies, magazines, etc…) your shit 10 times (literally), requesting your stuff like crazy, talk about you to everybody converting hundreds of people into fans of yours, buying $150 Mary J Blige ticket concerts just to see you and leave right after your performance, taping you, making a hella great site that takes a countless amount of hours and that even your official have a hard time to match. I actually had been part of the other site since day one of its creation. Never took credit for anything but yes I was part of LeToyaOnline. What made LeToyaOnline was the fans. Not its administrator Ced. And that was the beauty of it, you had so many fans out there contributing all willing to make you successful. Each and every fan would bring something to the table. Each and every person there was full of energy and ready to fight for you in their way. After a few differences with that incompetent petty douchebag Ced I left, made LeToyaNews and the rest is history. 

You might not realize this but my position in the entertainment business allowed me to lobby for you and allow you to get gigs without you even knowing it was thanks to me. I got you slots on TV for performances and interviews, magazine spreads and more. I am not going to mention which ones exactly but a lot of those, you would NEVER had got without ME. People always be asking me if I am your publicist lol. You don’t realize the importance and the power that fans – and especially those that are well placed – can have. If you lose a few you might lose great things. 

Without your fans, Torn which started your career woudn’t have been a success, and let alone have your album debuting at #1. Your fans pushed really hard for you to succeed. It’s like we forced it. We wanted you to be a star and did everything for it to happen.

 It seems like you “think” you’re doing the right things. Cool you have a few collabs leaking here and there, you tweet, have a few ustream, released that webserie . So you really believe that this is enough to keep us fans happy. WRONG. 

I absolutely don’t give a F about Smooth Touch, I don’t care about Gospel plays, I don’t care about any of the acting. I wanted MUSIC and most importantly for some unknown reason I wanted to witness you being successful at it. It’s not just that I want to have more tracks from you. It’s that I want to see you enjoy success like a Drake or a Keri Hilson because I know you deserve it so much.

 As I am growing older I’m starting to care about MY OWN life. Your life is not more valuable than mine. If you don’t care about your career then, there is no reason why I should care either. 

 I know it looks like a lot but I only posted 1/3 of the letter. This person goes in and while I get it, it's not that serious. Letoya is doing what pays her bills. Acting pays her bills, Smooth Touch pays the bills, the plays pay her bills and I say go Letoya for re-branding herself. If she can make a steady income while doing what she loves on the gospel front, why not? People don't realize that making music costs money, takes a lot of time, and has no guaranteed pay off. I like Letoya, I interviewed her and she was nice, but this person wants too much. Letoya is a person with a life and this person needs one.  Just because someone has a public career, doesn't mean they're obligated to tell you all their business. I want to know why this person is just realizing that their life is more important than that of a person they don't know. That's disturbing.

B2K Reunites..

Well, 75% of them did. We know that Raz B was not invited for good reason. As a former B2K fan who owned their albums, frequented their website during any class with a computer, read the fan fiction and wrote a little of my own (don't judge me); I can honestly say:

I know, I know, harsh but this is like 8 years too late. Too much has happened and people have moved on. The personal drama with the guys was more interesting than their time together and people just don't care anymore. Omarion, who was supposed to be the breakout star, has faded into semi-obscurity.

We know someone who isn't too happy about this. The one member who has been going hard for B2K was the one who was not invited. You know Raz-B had a lot to say from China. Don't ask me what he's doing in China because I have no idea.

Can someone get Raz-B a good therapist? I mean really. I'm sure Dr. Drew will be willing to have him on Vh1 and I'm sure he can use the coins. It's kind of sad to think about it. This man still has Razb2k as his twitter name 8 years after the break up. I know it hurt his feelings not to be invited but I wouldn't want crazy Raz B around. I heard none of them speak to him anymore and I don't blame them. You can be as crazy as you want to be but don't put my name into anything. 

Style Inspiration:Zhang Ziyi

With Memorial Day and summer vacations coming up, this simple yet chic look by Alessandra Rich is the perfect outfit. The shirt dress style gives it casual but the length allows it to easily transition from day to night.

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/lauren-by-ralph-lauren-dress-sleeveless-pleated-dress?ID=607325&PartnerID=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc=LINKSHARE-_-n-_-n-_-n&LinkshareID=J84DHJLQkR4-98e0GZ6FvuMjwHG8g6Z2gQ

http://www.shopstyle.com/action/loadRetailerProductPage?id=340703463

Look of the Day: Purple Pants

Colored pants are in this season, although I think colored pants should always be in. Why are people so scared of color? Anyway, I have a pair of purple pants that I have worn one way: with a gray sweater, but thanks to pinterest and polyvore, I have found new wearable looks for my pants.

Another Reality Show

I have nothing against the Jonas brothers, but does Kevin, the oldest one who never sang or did anything, need a reality show? I feel like it may be the most boring reality show ever and that's hard because most reality shows are boring. Does anyone, besides Ryan Seacrest and E!, have an interest in Kevin Jonas and his wife? Like, really. I know it sounds like I'm hating but I'm not. It just seems like a bad idea.

"Danielle is living a true Cinderella story after marrying into pop royalty, partnering in Kevin's larger-than-life career and becoming a "Jonas," a name synonymous with hit music and a worldwide fan base," said Lisa Berger, president of entertainment programming for E!. "The series presents a unique look at a young couple and their families from two entirely different worlds, one small town and one dealing with international fame, coming together as one and starting a whole new life together." 

The show explores the relationship between Danielle, who comes from a large and outspoken Italian family, and Jonas, one third of the internationally known pop group. For Danielle, marrying a Jonas in 2009 meant joining brother-in-laws Joe, Nick, youngest brother Frankie, father Kevin Sr., who manages the band, and mom Denise, the matriarch of the Jonas empire. 

"I vividly recall believing from the very first time that I met them that the Jonas Brothers would, without a doubt, become a worldwide cultural sensation," said Seacrest, who executive produces the series along with Stephanie Bloch Chambers and Adam Sher. "When we learned that Dani married Kevin, our production team became curious about what life would be like for a young bride entering the excitement, and sometimes chaos, of a pop star's life. Looking through the lens of young love, the show will examine the ups and downs of Dani and Kevin's marriage, against the backdrop of their contrasting family cultures, traditions and individual careers."
Married to Jonas will make its debut on E! on Aug. 19 at 10 p.m.

Yeah, that put me to sleep. Who cares about this? Nick Jonas is the only Jonas brother that is still relevant, Joe Jonas treads the line, and Kevin is who? Okay, maybe I should stop. I get that a check is a check but reality shows about personal lives are a bad idea. The marriage came that out intact was Ozzie and Sharon, but he tried to kill her multiple times so that doesn't count. Having people in your business and cameras following you all the time doesn't sound fun. Maybe I'll watch. Maybe it won't be completely boring but I think I'm right. 

Outfit(s) of the Day: Latin Billboard awards

Here is Wimer Valderrama looking very nice and dapper. I like this overall look. Nice, crisp, and non creepy.

I like this dress on Monica Nohuera. It does ombre well, it's classic, and nice. It doesn't do too much. I like it. 

Side Eye of the Day: Tami Roman on Basketball Wives

GIFSoup
Gurl, Bye. I want to end it at that, but I can't. I want Tami to exit stage left and take Shaunie with her. I smell BS. I'm tired of reality stars blaming editing for their negative portrayal but last I checked, when someone edits, they must have something to edit. It's calling editing, not magic. Also, didn't Tami say that they must create the drama or else they'd be fire? Right.

I think that the opposition to call for the show to be cancelled will end the employment of several African-American women who have no creative control. Why not call out the people who make the decisions about what is aired. Call out Shed Media. Call out VH1 because I will join that battle.  

I come with my storyline and things that I want to introduce and lo and behold what they want to show are those dramatic moments. There is more to us. I have thought about leaving,” she said. “I would love to see a season 5 where VH1 and Shed Media are called out to show more positive things that we’re doing and show us how we are 90 percent of the time, instead of how we are 10 percent of the time. I would love to see the brand in and of itself go out on a more positive note

I'm tired of Tami and Shaunie pretending like they have nothing to do with this drama. Isn't Shaunie the creater of this show and isn't Tami involved in 99.9% of the fights. Gurl, bye x2. Tami also knows that she will not call out Shed Media or VH1 because her coins would stop and Tami can't afford that. They can say whatever they want but Shaunie and Tami know that if the drama stops, the checks stop. No one is trying to stop anything any time soon.

The Relationship/ Non Relationship

(via necolebitchie, used for reference point)

We've all done it. We've all pretended to have a relationship with someone that we weren't in a relationship with. Think about it. You hang out, alone and with friends and family, you talk on the phone a lot, you spend a lot of time together, you may live together, have kids and you have sex but you've never had the talk. He, or she, doesn't call you their boo, although everyone swears that you're together. You don't have a title and sometimes it bothers you but you let it go because you want that person.

The relationship that isn't a relationship. You feel like their boo, you act like their boo, but you're not officially their boo. I use Nelly and Ashanti, who have been hanging out since 2003, but don't claim each other. They're "just friends." Which I find funny. It's cool to be private but if you've been hanging out for nearly 10 years and this person has yet to say you're their boo, something is amiss. I think of Emily from Love and Hip Hop, who was in a relationship-non relationship for 10 years and had to go on TV to get her boo to acknowledge her.

I've been on both sides of the relationship/non relationship. I've gone out with people for months, had dinner with their families, spent time at their home, but when came time to step up, I always had an excuse. This person wasn't the one. They were a cool friends but as far as a relationship went, it wasn't there. Then I dated someone for months, I liked him and he liked me but it never advanced beyond that. He wouldn't drive an hour to see me because I wasn't worth it. I didn't recognize it at the time, but when a man, or woman, really likes you, a category 5 hurricane can't stop them from seeing you. If a person won't claim you, they're just keeping you until something better comes along. You're nice but you're not it. You may end up with them as a consolation prize but know they may like you a lot, but they don't really love you. Note that if you have to ask someone to categorize your "relationship" they're probably not the one. It's okay because 99% of our relationships are supposed to fail.

Do The Rules Still Apply to Gen Y?

Generation Y has been called a lot of things. Slackers, lazy, entitled, spoiled, generation me, Peter Pan generation, and also generation y not. We, people born after 1980 and before the mid to late 90's, have made great strides and have achieved a lot due to increased technology but statistically, we're behind every other generation. We're more likely to be unemployed after college, that's if we go at all, more likely to be in good or bad debt, less likely to retire or receive social security, more likely to divorce, blah, blah blah. Basically, we're screwed and unless something changes, we'll remain screwed.

Generation Y not is the nicest thing I've heard us called. No does not apply to us. We're ambitious, we're not entitled, we want things other than what our parents had, now more than ever, we're entrepreneurs, go getters, all that good stuff. While I acknowledge that internet, and technology as a whole, has given us opportunities that previous generations were not afforded, it has also made us lazy. We see reality shows making millionaires and stars out of nobodies. These people don't have to work for it, they show up and bam, their world is changed. We believe that with the right break we can be rich and famous. Everyone wants instant fame, no one wants to work for anything anymore. Working has gone out of style. Our parents did that for the man. They worked 20,25, 30 years at a job they hated only to be forced to retire or ousted for someone younger and cheaper. Who wants that? Any takers? Didn't think so.

I don't know how other generations stack against us, but I will acknowledge a lot of my friends are unemployed or underemployed, a lot still live at home with their parents, and most are looking for their big break. Once upon a time, people were considered losers if they lived at home after college, now it's the norm. I probably know more people who live at home than those who live on their own. I think it's these dreams that TV, music, and the media sells us. We see a lot of rags to riches stories, people who were homeless one day and rich the next, we are sold "just one break" stories on a daily basis. We expect that to happen after college. We expect to graduate, or move to pursue our dreams, and voila, it happens. No one tells you that overnight success stories are rare. We don't realize that hardwork is still a criteria for success and while you may be "discovered" randomly, the chances of that happening are rare.

I say all that to say, do the rules of: work hard, be nice to people, get married, have kids, retire, still apply? Yes and no. The internet is the ultimate game changer. We can skip a few steps because technology makes our goals and the people who can help us attain them readily available. But we still have to work hard, be nice to people, etc. The marriage and kids part is up to you.

Nicki Minaj-Starships

Or what I call, Superbass part 2. The song is okay. It sounds like something Nicki threw together so she wouldn't lose her crossover appeal. I don't turn the station when the song comes on but it doesn't give me life. The video is confusing. I would love to see that treatment board because it has to be all over the place. I'm guessing that aliens invade Hawaii and they're women in bikini's and Nicki Minaj has a party and sings on the beach. That's pretty much it.

Everything looks so fake and forced. Nicki doesn't look happy in the video. She's trying this poppy thing that doesn't seem to fit her. I'm not saying that Nicki needs to stay in the "mixtape" lane but she just looks uncomfortable.

Can we let go of our Barbie insecurities?

What is it about Barbie that makes women so insecure? Is it her blonde hair, blue eyes, and perfect smile? Is it that everything on Barbie is perfectly lifted? Is it Barbie's wardrobe and dream house, dream car, and dream man? Is it the fact that Barbie has held every job and achieved every honor known to man? What is it about Barbie that makes us so insecure?


I've had plenty of Barbies and Barbie based products in my lifetime and not once did I feel insecure. I find it ridiculous that people envy and emulate  this piece of plastic. Barbie is a piece of plastic. She was created in someone's imagination. She doesn't have those proportions or those jobs, Barbie is an 11.5 inch piece of plastic. Why do women feel insecure next to Barbie? Barbie is a toy. SHE'S A TOY. Why are people imagining is Barbie was real? Barbie is a toy. I don't get it. 

When Barbie was created, she was created as a toy for a child, not a prototype for all women. Barbie is a piece of plastic. Get over your insecurities and whatever you perceive she represents. 

The Beauty Double Consciousness

I was inspired by this post on Curly Nikki http://www.curlynikki.com/2012/04/ugly-side-of-being-pretty-in-america.html, while some of it escaped me, it did get me to thinking.

A few weeks ago, I was listening to the Steve Harvey Morning Show's strawberry letter of the day and the writer said something to the effect of: women fall into two categories, pretty, dainty girls and women who handle their business and get in the trenches. It was obvious that this woman believed that women can't be pretty and handle business. Many people believe that. Why is it I can't be pretty, like to look my best, and handle business. I know many women who do it but those tend to be average pretty women. They're beautiful enough for their husbands to get compliments but not beautiful enough that their husbands friends try to steal them. Even men are intimidated by beautiful women.

Before I get too deep into this, let's break down double consciousness. This term was coined by WEB Dubois to illustrate the struggle of being black and trying to assimilate into white america. If you were lucky enough to be assimilated into white america in the late 19th early-20th century, it was hard dealing with the negative portrayals of blacks, the violence, and the fact that the people who looked like you were the help. When a person is exceptionally beautiful, there are a lot of stereotypes that come with that. They are often negative. They include stuck up, lazy, dumb, trophy, self centered, spoiled, etc. When people find out that these people are smart, hard working, and caring, they are shocked. I wonder why one can't be good looking and have redeeming qualities. The writer of the linked article said "If being pretty and soul-less is what success looks like, I’d rather be ugly doing God’s work." Okay. 


I used to hate being pretty. I know, I know how conceited but I used to hate it. I didn't want men looking at me or talking to me. I didn't want strangers staring at me. Plus, I didn't think I was pretty. People told me, but I didn't believe it. Now that I'm more confident, I love being a woman. I love experimenting with hairstyles, make up techniques, I love getting dressed and going shopping. I love being pretty. This may be taken the wrong way, but pretty is a talent, you just have to know how to use it. It's not about using people or being a bitch to get ahead, it's working with what you have. People can tell you that "it's what's on the inside that counts" but truth is people will see you before they get to know you. People judge based on appearance. Appearance is very important. If you want to get anywhere in life, you should always look your best because you never know who you may meet and what door they may open for you. But, you must have something behind your looks. Being good looking does not give you a pass to be rude to the "lessers." 

For the record, I do God's work by teaching in my church in several capacities, I am gainfully employed, no sugar daddies, I have my own place, pay all my bills, and I am going to Georgetown University for my MPS in journalism. All while wearing a nice dress and 5 inch heels. 

RTOD: Racism

Let's talk about the "r" word. A lot of people have been throwing that around in the last few weeks and I truly believe that people have no idea what racism really is.

According to Merriam Webster, racism is a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
Prejudice is preconceived judgment or opinion; an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge or injury or damage resulting from judgement or form of action of another in disregard of ones rights.

In sociology, my professor told me that in order for one to be racist, one must have power. There is a difference between racism and prejudice. People love to throw around the "r" word when some things are really prejudice and classicism. Everyone can be classist. It doesn't matter what race or what your socioeconomic status is. We all can find someone to look down on. Oftentimes classicism and racism go hand in hand. In India, the untouchables, or pariah's, or the poorest of society, are given the most repulsive jobs and they are usually dark skinned. In South Africa, Blacks were considered the lowest of the low because of their skin color. While studying black history, I found that most of the black firsts were done by light skinned blacks, often mulattoes. Darker skinned blacks were usually relegated to the sharecropper positions, which meant they didn't have enough money for their kids to get an education and break the cycle of poverty. This is not a light skinned or dark skinned post because we have enough of that, it's just facts.

Back to racism, it annoys me that Black people always want to throw the "r" word around when something happens that they don't like. I believe the media runs with it because they know it creates a better news story. We are always quick to cry racism when it probably isn't. Don't misunderstand me, there is racism alive but not everything is racism. I don't believe that George Zimmerman is a racist. I believe that George Zimmerman saw someone he perceived didn't belong in his upper class neighborhood, classicism and prejudice, and he wanted to be a hero. I do believe that George Zimmerman said that racial slur, because coons and punks do not sound anything alike. That was racist and out of line.

I'll give you another example, in the case of the 6-year-old who was handcuffed after acting crazy in the principals office. People are crying racism, but as someone who used to work with unruly children, who threw stuff that often hit other people and hurt them, I can tell you that I would have used that solution no matter the color of the child. I don't think race had anything to do with it because I'm sure that kids of all races are handcuffed on a daily basis. I could go on and on, but racism is not a cry that needs to be decreed every time something we deem wrong happens to a black person.

I also want us to realize that racism goes both ways. I realize that we, as black people, have suffered a lot of injustices at the hands of whites, but that does not give you a pass to commit hate crimes. I have noticed that we are very prejudiced too and make a lot of stereotypical, and what some may deem racist, jokes about people of other races. We can't cry racism at every turn and then expect a pass. It doesn't work like that.

Brandy Behind the Music Random Thoughts

• Brandy gets on my nerves. She's too whiny and too woe is me. I want her to have a seat in the corner.
• I don't believe the lie about her marriage killed her career, because many people have come back from worse, I believe that the changing tide of music killed Brandy's career. Brandy is very girl next door and poppy, music was changing to be more sexy and proactive. Look at Aaliyah, Beyonce, and Ashanti, they all had a sweet quality that was very sexy. Brandy is not sexy. 
• Why is Brandy apologizing to people who had no involvement in the accident? 
• Can someone get Brandy an image consultant? Her look is always wrong. She needs better wigs. She just needs better. I was watching her documentary special and I appreciate that Brandy is not shallow and all that stuff but she looked busted. Scarves, basic t-shirts, not a drop of make up. Brandy was homeless chic. I don't understand why people who have 1/8 of the money, have better wigs than millionaires and popstars. Everyone should talk to Beyonce because her weaves are always on point. 
• Ray-J needs to have a seat. He's not doing anything wrong but I just want him to have a seat. 
• Why is Brandy so thirsty and desperate? She strikes me as desperate for a career, desperate for love, desperate for validation, just desperate. Brandy needs more self confidence. 
• I like Brandy but I don't see her reclaiming that throne. Music and society has changed. People don't like perfect people anymore. People like drama and messiness and Brandy is not about that life. Brandy could do more acting, Broadway, behind the scenes stuff, but Brandy being the star that she was once, probably isn't happening any time soon.  

watch here: http://sandrarose.com/2012/04/in-case-you-missed-it-brandy-behind-the-music-full-video/

R.I.P Left Eye 1971-2012

Today is the ten year anniversary of Left Eye's death. I don't have much to say about it but I know that Left Eye deserves a post for the contribution she made to society and music. 

Here are some snippets of an interview that Chilli and T-Boz gave to Essence about the anniversary of her death:

ESSENCE.com:Today marks 10 years since we lost Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in a tragic car accident. What do you remember about that day?
T-BOZ:She died a day before my birthday. I remember everything. I was with security in my Porsche and I said to them, "I feel like I’m going to get in a wreck and I want to go home." The driver said: "Well, that’s on the other side of town." I didn’t care; I wanted to go home. I just felt something was going to happen to me, but it wasn’t me — it was Lisa. I was sitting in a rocking chair in my daughter’s room after putting her down when I got a call from Chilli. She was screaming. I had just gotten out the hospital from fighting sickle cell so I had to be careful about getting upset. Everybody was trying to keep me calm.

I remember staying up all night and Patti Labelle and Missy Elliot calling me. Whitney Houston was at Lisa’s funeral. She sat behind me and rubbed my shoulders for two hours, while telling me, "It’s going to be okay, it’s going to be all right." Right before that, I remember Lisa played a trick where she went missing and nobody knew where she was. This was the one time I wish she was joking and doing one of her stunts, but she wasn’t. 

ESSENCE.com:People playfully identified her as the crazy one in the group because of the notable fire in 1994, among other things. What’s the biggest misconception about Left Eye?
T-BOZ:That’s the part that sucked. The fire could’ve even been stopped if they stopped acting like little girls and put the fire out. That really could’ve been settled differently. I just really wish people would’ve known her for the sweet passionate person she really was. She was very creative, too. I remember I was in the hospital for four months and she sent me a clock that she made and the clock read: “Take all the time you need.” She really put thought into things.
CHILLI:People didn’t understand how much of a heart she really had and how passionate and giving she was. She might have come across as someone who wanted to start trouble all the time, but that wasn’t it; she just had a lot to say. Sometimes when you speak what’s on your mind — I’m talking everything on your mind, and people can get a misconception of you. So because she spoke her mind, all of the time, it caused people to misjudge her.


ESSENCE.com:A lot of people believe TLC was feuding when Left Eye passed. What was your relationship like at the time?
CHILLI:It was actually very good; we had started working on the last album. We all had solo deals. I was just like, “We have to do another record” — I was willing to put everything on hold. That was the last time we got to spend quality time together before she passed. The relationship was good; she was acting silly again, playing pranks on people. Her death was very devastating for us, but I can look back and say I was happy about what our relationship was like, at that time.
T-BOZ:No matter what, everyone will go through a disagreement — that’s what makes us all different. So it’s unrealistic to tell anybody that we all agreed with everything that everyone did or said. That doesn’t happen in a real relationship. At the time, she just didn’t agree with what the record company was doing with the project, so she felt strong about standing up about it. It had nothing personal to do with the group members. I didn’t have a problem with that.

Should Someone Get Nicki Minaj?

Nicki Minaj may be heading for a "Mariah Carey 2001" breakdown. First she deletes her Twitter, only to bring it back 8 days later, she goes off on her "barbs," goes off on anyone who gives Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded less than stellar reviews, and now she's talking about how she's unappreciated and wants to retire. Nicki Minaj may need to take a break. The pressure seems very heavy and it's getting to her. 

It's hard out here for Nicki Minaj. She's one of the biggest stars in the world, she's the only female rapper that is notable in the game today, all the jealous ones are coming for her, yes Lil Kim you are a hater and very jealous, she's taking care of her entire family, and she has to show her butt, literally, in every video. It's not easy being Nicki Minaj. When I watched her documentary My Time Now and she said most people who wished for fame, would trade it in, I knew it was getting to her. I hope Nicki learns to handle her fame better and doesn't have a breakdown in the future. Also, who would "get" Nicki Minaj? Lil' Wayne is  too busy sipping syrup, Baby is too busy being a coat tail rider, Drake is eh, and SB is too busy counting Nicki Minaj money. I hope Nicki has a tight inner circle. 

Kim's Been Banned Already?

I know this is a lot of KimYe posts for two days but when I saw this, I kind of gave myself a pat on the back. Sometimes I think celebs read this blog because I'll write something and voila, it happens or they say something to the sort. Not that I think Beyonce reads this blog but hey, I can dream.

Yesterday, http://viimag.blogspot.com/2012/04/run-kanye-run.htmlI said that although Kim may like Kanye, I believe that Kim was using him for attention and to raise her profile. What better to raise your profile from semi-respectable reality star who sucked and screwed her way to prominence on tape than to hang with one of the most elite Hollywood crowds. Beyonce, Kanye, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jay-Z, and Chris Martin are a very elite circle that I'm sure Kim would kill to be a part of. But Beyonce shut that down, like I knew she would.

A friend told Heat magazine“Despite Kanye being one of Jay’s closest friends,Beyoncé wasted no time in banning Kim from being invited into their circle, which is exclusive to say the least.” “Beyoncé is used to hanging out with Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow – she’s in a totally different league to Kim.” 

The news will come as a shock to Kimmy, who expected to become the fourth member of the Jay-Bey-’Ye superfriends club. “Bey’s marriage to Jay-Z was extremely private, and neither of them confirmed it until long after the event. Kim, on the other hand, turned her wedding into a media circus and the whole thing was filmed for a reality show,” the source explained.

I wouldn't be shocked if Jay banned Kanye from the circle. Beyonce and Jay-Z have worked very hard to build respectable careers and I'm sure they don't want their names associated with the Kardashians. As much as I respect the Kardashian hustle and what Kim has done with her lot in life, the Kardashians are known for over sharing and calling the paps. That is their career. Don't expect Beyonce to be friends with any reality stars or people she deems bad for her image anytime soon. Also, expect to see Kim showing up to more events. I'm sure that Kim and Kris are plotting.

Beyonce is The World's Most Beautiful Woman

There's not much to comment on about this. No interview snippets have been released but Beyonce looks pretty. Which is the point of the cover. It will be interesting to see what she speaks about in her first post Blue Ivy interview.

Editor's Note: snippets of Beyonce's interview have surfaced and here's what Blue Ivy's mom had to say:

She's an entertainment force of nature, 16-time Grammy winner, and beauty and style icon. But is proudest of one title that also happens to be her most recent: mommy to little Blue Ivy Carter.

"I feel more beautiful than I've ever felt because I've given birth," says PEOPLE's 2012 World's Most Beautiful Woman. "I have never felt so connected, never felt like I had such a purpose on this earth."

The "Crazy in Love" singer, 30, and her husband of four years, Jay-Z, 42, have gone gaga for Blue, born Jan. 7 in New York City. "She's just the cutest thing," gushes Beyoncé, who croons one-of-a-kind tunes to her daughter and professes to "love" changing diapers.

So who does her daughter most resemble? "She looks like Blue," says Beyoncé, who is back to her pre-pregnancy weight and gearing up for her first post-baby concerts, Memorial Day weekend at the Revel Atlantic City. "She's her own person." "The best thing about having a daughter is having a true legacy," she adds. "The word 'love' means something completely different now." 

Cute interview but we know that Beyonce does not love changing diapers. It has nothing to with how much money you have, no one loves being elbow deep in poop. Other than that lie, this is a typical Beyonce interview. It reveals enough to give good snippets to the blogs and websites but not enough to reveal too many personal details.

The Rise of the Stans

When did people go from fans to stalker/fans or stans and why are they proud to be called stans? When I was younger, 12/13, I was the biggest Backstreet Boys fans. Millennium was the first CD I bought and I had BSB posters on the ceiling and wall. I loved them. This was during the pop boom of the last 90's/early 2000's. There was Nsync, 98°, Britney Spears, Christina Augilera, and a few that I can't recall. Everyone had their favorite but I can't recall anyone threatening to beat anyone down, defriending people (in real life not on Facebook or Twitter), and being angry because anyone liked Nsync or Korn. I remember it being like "eww" you like them but it was never that serious. If you think stans go hard, remember these people actually had to spend money and time to show they were a fan. There was no YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc. If you wanted to see your favorite artist, you paid money to see them in concert or you cut school to see them at TRL. It was that serious. I don't recall anyone's life being threatened.

I know the internet is behind why fans have turned into stans. Because TRL, and the teen mags, was the only place that we could really see our favorite artists, we weren't inaudated with constant images and pointless news about them. You saw them for that hour or two and went on with your life. You may have talked about them at lunch but it wasn't an obsession. You could get away. Now its all Beyonce, all Lady Gaga, all Rihanna, all Chris Brown. And now that the fourth wall is broken with the rise of social media, we know more about them than ever and certain people feel like they're family who need to be defended.

I wonder about the stans. How can you accomplish anything in your life when you take all your energy and put it into this person who does not know you? It's great to like an artist but it would be even better if you take that energy and put it into something worthwhile. Stanning is insanity. Stans are crazy. I appreciate being a fan. I was a fan but to threaten someone and harm their person because they don't like your fave is insanity. To spend all day on blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube giving e-beat downs because someone has a differing opinion is crazy. If someone doesn't like Beyonce, Katy Perry, or Lady Gaga, so? If they insult them, so what? I also find it crazy that people stan for stars not knowing these people. They are stanning for an image, not an actual person. Everything that the "hater" is saying may be true. And for grown people, over 21, who stan, get a life. Do something to put that energy into yourself and better your life. Your fave has theirs, what about you? You're online giving e-beat downs for someone you don't know.

Run, Kanye, Run

Kanye West is officially Kanye Kardashian and it can't possibly end well. Although he does look happy to have Kim on his arm, and that's important to a relationship, Kim's body language says something different. If you look at the other pics at http://necolebitchie.com/2012/04/24/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-coupled-up-at-carmelos-birthday-dinner/#more-193947, you can see Kim subtly pulling away. Kim still pines for Reggie Bush but since Kanye West is her best prospect, she's all in.

I'm not in their world or relationship but as I said in the previous post, people who want to have legitimate careers, should stay away from reality TV and the world of the paparazzi. Now Kanye is more famous for his relationship with Kim Kardashian than his music and that's not a good look. I can see that Kanye really likes Kim but I doubt it's mutual. I can see Kim using Kanye to up her profile and get into a more elite circle of friends. A major red flag about the Kardashian's intentions is when someone leaked that story about Kim being Kanye's Beyonce. Gurl, bye. Kim admires Beyonce and everything she's accomplished and I'm sure she'd love to be her friend.  Beyonce and Jay-Z seem to keep a tight circle but I can see Kim tagging along on the upcoming Watch The Throne tour to get close to Beyonce or get a photo op with her. I don't see Beyonce hanging out with Kim Kardashian because it's bad for her image and Beyonce only hangs with her family, Jay, and Kanye tags along. Kim may try to show up to one of their outings but it will get shut down because Beyonce and Jay-Z are not about the paparazzi circus that keeps Kim relevant.

Now that we're done with that, can we talk about why Kanye looks like Kris Jenner, or Kim, slipped something in his drink? He looks loopy high, like he's on that stuff the hospitals give you. Also, can someone tell Kim to leave her face alone? Really? I don't care what lies the Kardashians try to sell, Kim has had a lot of surgery and it's starting to look really unnatural. That nose is from a plastic surgeon and her face is pulled really tight. And why does her hairline look like that?

Does Association with Reality Shows Hurt Careers?

I haven't really been writing about the Kardashians because I don't really care about their going ons, but Lamar Odom's recent trade got me to thinking. A couple years ago, when Reggie won the Super Bowl and Lamar won an NBA championship after marrying Khloe, people said the Kardashian's had gold between their legs. Now people are singing a different tune. Lamar can't get over being traded, like really Lamar? I guess he's the only person who has ever been traded in the history of the NBA? I think that Khloe should have told him to build a bridge and get over it. Screw LA and the Lakers, that's his job and livelihood. And now Reggie is playing okay. He's no longer the superstar he once was and has been plagued with personal and professional troubles. Do I think it's the Kardashian's fault? Of course, not. I do, however, believe that association with the Kardashians can be harmful for a career.

I think anyone who wants a legitimate career should stay away from reality shows. That's not to say that entertainment and reality star careers aren't legitimate, it's to say that they hurt eventually. Association with well rated reality is great for those in the entertainment industry and those with entertainment ambitions. It gives a big career boost and added attention. It's good for people with no jobs, like Scott and Malika because it's not really a job, it's more like you interacting with people and getting paid for it. It's not good for people who want to work outside of entertainment. There is a such thing as over sharing and in many reality shoes, nothing is off limits. Having so much of your life on display will eventually hurt.

A lot of organizations don't want to associate with the Kardashians, unless they're selling something. It is clear that this family will do anything to keep their name in the spotlight and that includes planting fake stories and lying. I think that association with Kim Kardashian will eventually hurt Kanye West's career. Kim Kardashian's job is to be Kim Kardashian. Her job title is to sell herself and that includes relationships. It's telling that anyone the Kardashian's date, must be willing to sign a release. There is no privacy in these relationships or in their lives. Kanye West's job is to be a rapper and producer. He is fairly open but his music is in the forefront. He is one of the most popular producers and rappers of today. Now his personal life is on display. That can't be good for his brand. Kanye should take note that someone planted that story about Kim being his Beyonce. My money is on Kim's camp. I'm sure it will cause a strain on his work because people, especially Jay-z and Beyonce, don't want their personal lives on display. I know Beyonce does not want her name associated with the Kardashian's. While we're at it, I also believe that Kroy Biermann's association with Kim Zolciak will hurt his brand. People know that he's married to a reality star and they google "Kroy rhoa" instead of "Kroy football player" or "Kroy Falcons." Look at how Chad's football stock has fallen since being with Evelyn. He's so consumed with being a reality star that he was unproductive for the Patriots.

I think that people who want to be respected for their craft, Football, Singing, Acting, should stay away from reality shows. While they are good launching pads for reality stars, NeNe and the Kardashians, they can hurt people who want more than that.

Okay, Kim

If you can't see what I'm "reallying" about, I'll tell you. In Kim's ear, are two earrings or one, with the initials "KW" which more than likely stands for Kanye West, her boo of the moment.I guess Kim. I'm sure it's no coincidence that Kim's head is turned conveniently to the side with the earrings.

I'm not going to judge of Kim loves Kanye or vice versa but if it makes them happy, go ahead.

RHOA S4 Reunion Part 3

(image via bravotv)

• Bye Marlo. Her explanation for the fight with Sheree made no sense at all. Sheree didn't know Marlo. She didn't even know Marlo was coming on the trip and now she's supposed to make room for her because she's "fabulous?" Gurl, bye. Also, when did "let's to be cordial" turn into "come to this dinner party with me to this person's house you don't know." Cordial means, "we speak to each other and are nice to each other" not we're friends. I believe that Marlo is using this as a stepping stone to get on the show and Marlo had "tea" ready on each of the girls and Sheree is the one that bit. Marlo didn't care about the dinner party or Sheree, she wanted her shine. 
• Sheree's weave always looks nice. 
• Sheree should have realized that fight montage was her R.I.P. 
• Kim, please miss me with that "the weave pulling was funny." It wasn't funny then and it's not funny now. 
• Dear NeNe, no one has a genuine friendship on this show. 
• Sheree, saying "ditto" to Kim's statement is not saying something nice about NeNe. 
• Does anyone respect Kim? Not to judge, but how can you respect someones whose story line was Big Poppa? She flaunted his money and the fact he was "the one" on TV for four seasons and now he doesn't exist? Whatever. 
• NeNe knows that she is breaking John off. She's screwing for opportunities, good for her. If you're gonna screw your way to the top, at least get something long lasting. 
• Why divorce when you're only going to pretend like you're still married? You're talking everyday and still screwing? Gurl, bye. I feel like people should work on things instead of throwing in the towel. 
• Bye, NeNe. The only thing she can tote is the mini role in Glee and this Moscato that no one has seen in any store. Okay.
• NeNe is a hypocrite. She is the biggest hater on the show but people are supposed to congratulate her? Really, NeNe? How does that work? You stick your nose up at them but expect props. Okay. Where are Kandi's props? You had your nose up at her the entire time. 
• NeNe needs more media training. She's a liar and she's contradicts herself. Maybe she should learn to talk less.
• Bye NeNe. That. Is. All. 
• Dear Sheree, no one is buying anything She by Sheree. That ship sailed years ago. 
• Those shirts are corny and cheap looking. I know NeNe, Miss Business mind, is upset that she didn't think of these
• There is no reason why this reunion was 3 hours long. They could have kept the second hour, part of the third hour and made a combination of both. 

Lost RHOA Recap

This is a recap I wrote about a month ago. I forgot which episode this is from, but it's still good and hopefully everyone will still enjoy it.

• It's so bad that I can't watch these shows without writing a review. 
• Cynthia is putting her foot down on the wrong person. She needs to put her foot down on Peter. I believe that Mal is going by what Cynthia tells her and it can't be good. Mal seems like she has Cynthia's best interest at heart but Cynthia is too blind to see it. Who cries on their wedding day? Everyone knew that it was a bad idea. 
• NeNe gets the side eye. Really? We're gonna ignore John's race because it's irrelevant but the fact that he has money and is throwing gifts at her has to have something to do with it. NeNe sees an upgrade from Greg. Last I heard, Greg was on the brink of broke. What does Greg do anyway? 
• NeNe's make up is pretty though. 
• Why are NeNe and Greg divorcing? Is it the reality show curse or is NeNe becoming too big for her britches? 
• Someone asked Apollo to speak? Me thinks that Phaedra called in a favor to make her husband look accomplished. Not saying that Apollo isn't accomplished but really? Either Phaedra called in the favor or Bravo did because Phaedra's story line is boring. Also, what's the reason for them being in separate cars? 
• Let's talk about this stereotype that only nerds are successful. While that may have truth to it, I'm sure there are successful jocks or people who used to be popular in high school. Your social status has nothing to do with success. It's the person. Nerds and jocks each have their strengths.
• Phaedra and this funeral home. I'm over it.
• I'm not saying that Kandi can't sing but her voice is not pleasing to the ear. When she sings it sounds forced. 
• Sheree is a hater. She's hating on the fact that her daughter is half her age but has a life better than hers. Not saying that Sheree's a failure but look at it  she's 40, has no clear career, can barely get along with people, every relationship she's had has failed, everything she's owned has been repossessed or foreclosed on, and she lives in an apartment with no furniture. That doesn't look like the life. Her daughter has her dream job, a great man who is about to marry her, a nice place, and her life looks on track. It's not perfect but it seems to work. Yes, marriage is work but anything you want in life is work. Hard work shouldn't deter anyone. Sheree is a hater and misery loves company. 
• Didn't Peter start this? Why is Cynthia checking her sister and not her husband? Cynthia trying to have a backbone is annoying me. I think she needs to check her husband and NeNe. She should have checked Peter when he asked for that $1,000 for their party but didn't allow her to plan it but happily called up NeNe. The issue isn't that he asked for the money, the issue is that she needed him to go to the mail box, which was probably less than 5 miles away, and drop off her invitations but he refused on the grounds that she should "know better." He should've known better. Let's not forget that Peter also left her agency opening without saying bye, thus embarrassing Cynthia but she didn't check him. Peter should've been checked last season with the ring thing. Peter doesn't respect Cynthia and Cynthia needs to check him, not her sister. 
• If I was Mal, I would take Cynthia's advice and go back to France. No need of being where I'm not wanted. Mal is trying to help her sister out, who is clearly making a mistake. Everyone sees it, but her. All I've seen is Mal trying to help Cynthia out. It doesn't seem like she's trying to hurt her. 
• Sheree, if you don't want to go and it's too far, than send your gift and stay home. 
• Why is Dwight wearing a 3 piece suit in 100° weather? Really, Dwight. That's an example of doing too much. I'm sure he would have looked just a nice in a pair of slacks and shirt. 
• Where is Dwight from? It seems that he's trying too hard to fake a European accent. 
• Why is Sheree there if she's going to throw shade? Just go home.
• Phaedra loves to put on a show. Everything has to be over the top and extravagant. Aidan doesn't care. 12 cakes is too much. That goes without saying. When I watch Aidan and Phaedra interact, I get the feeling they don't interact too much. He seems more comfortable with Apollo. Maybe Apollo really is a stay at home dad but they make it seem like he actually works. 
• This exchange between Lawrence and Marlo is whatever. I don't even feel like he's serious. I think Bravo needed to do something so they called Lawrence, as the only openly gay male on the show and had him chastise her. 
• I hate when people do that. Just because you failed, doesn't give you the right to discourage someone else in the name of "protection."  I think when people do that, they don't want anyone to succeed at what they failed at. Sheree is a h-a-t-e-r. 
• If I was Sheree's daughter and future son-in-law, I would not allow her to pay for anything. Someone would come to your wedding to repossess everything. Sheree does not pay people. I would allow her to do something else, but paying is something I'd decline on.
• Why do I get the feeling that Sheree only interacts with her older daughter when a camera is around? No one even knew Sheree had an older daughter until recently. Not saying she's a bad mother, but really?
• Of course, the lawyer is trying to get her to sign the papers. That's his job. He doesn't make money if she doesn't get divorced. I wouldn't listen to a bias person. 
• Side eye on the "let's be friends." No, that doesn't work. If he doesn't want to be her friend, I don't blame him. That's the consolation prize that no one wants. 
• No Kim this episode. Hmmm.
• They're already calling Kroy daddy? Okay, I get it, they have a baby and he's moved in but truthfully, he barely knows them. They dated less than a couple months before becoming pregnant. I'm sure Kroy is a great guy, but that would make me feel very uncomfortable. Maybe Kroy is more mature than I am but at 25/26, there are few guys who want a ready made family. 
• BTW, congrats go out to Kim and Kroy who are expecting baby #2. 

Random Real Housewives of Atlanta Thoughts

• I wonder how Kim would feel if Kroy became "Big Poppa" to a young girl. Although Kim said the wife didn't care, I doubt they weren't actively married considering they went on MTV Teen Criibs as a family. When will women realize that "I'm only legally married" or "I'm unhappy" is a mandatory lie for men having affairs. I wouldn't be shocked if Kroy had an affair. I feel like Kroy wasn't done playing and being the rich, young, NFL player before Kim and her instant family came along. No 25 year old is ready for that. I think once the newness and the glamour wears off, Kroy may look to release some stress. 
• I understand the special bond between a husband and a wife, but I feel like Cynthia should have checked Peter also. Peter was being very rude and very disrespectful to her, her sister, and mom. Cynthia should have also checked herself. Like Mal said, how is she supposed to react when her sister is crying about money, her husband to be, and looking unhappy? Mal reacted like any sister would. I feel like Peter and Cynthia won't last past the finale of the show. The way he treats her isn't right and Cynthia and Noelle deserve better than this. 
• I missed the shade Kim was throwing during part 1. When Kim said very loudly that Kandi was richer than everyone, she was throwing shade. It may have seemed positive but Kim was making a point. Kim has yet to pay Kandi for "Tardi for the Party, and for some reason Kandi wants to her friend, and I feel that Kim feels that she doesn't have to pay her because she has enough money. Kandi, Kim is not your friend. 
• I know that Kandi is decent in business because she has money but why wouldn't she get a contract with someone she barely knew. I get that Kandi and Kim clicked but she didn't know her. That was not her friend. Even if Kim and Kandi were friends, free is a no-no, discount maybe. 
• I agree that Kim is a whore. Look at point #1. Big Poppa was married with two children. And Kim, if he was so for you and you were getting married, what was the reason he wanted to be kept a secret? Kim will never understand the ramifications of the "Big Poppa" situation until it happens to her. She's now a wife but what happens when Kroy cheats and starts supporting another family? Kim doesn't get it. Kim and Marlo are cut from the same cloth. Kim used Big Poppa to live a lavish lifestyle. Kim knew he was married. Marlo's sugar daddy's don't have wives. Kim kills me with this "brand new act." "Brand new life," "brand new man," "brand new home," "brand new baby." Kim forgets that Big Poppa's money is the only reason why she's even on this show. I get that everyone has a past but Kim trying to pretend like Big Poppa didn't exist for the last 13 years is killing me softly. She should just say, "that's a part of my life I don't want to talk about and it's none of your business" and leave it at that. Don't forget your past is well documented. 
• I feel like Apollo doesn't have a job and if he does, it's for Phaedra. That scene when he entered the house after work, a few episodes back, looked so stage. The way Apollo interacts with Aidan and seems to have the deeper relationship and understanding with him, I'd be willing to bet that he's a stay-at-home dad. There's nothing wrong with that. Phaedra isn't really maternal anyway. 
• There are certain people that suck the sexy out of people. I'm not saying that Kroy was sexy but what is going on with that look? I heard people going in on his looks and when I pulled up the below picture, I nearly died. 

Really, Kroy? Kim has sucked the sexy and youth out of Kroy. What is going on with that hair? Something about Kim and Kroy seems wrong. I know it's not for me to judge but everything isn't as perfect as Kim wants us to believe. Didn't she also go on and on about how Big Poppa was "the one' until people starting going in on her and she started making her own coins? I also hope she plans on getting a job once this ends because Kroy only makes $3 million a year, which is nothing considering the lifestyle Kim wants to live. I also heard that Kroy is a mediocre player who had 37 tackles per game. That's about two per game. He's done things but he's not a star player.

• Hold on, Kim has 3 kids by 3 different men and now she's the ultimate virgin and house mom? Gurl, bye. Not judging women with babies by different men but seeing Kim doing this "brand new" act is ridiculous. Also, did Kim tell her kids about this?
• I died laughing when Marlo said that Kim paid for her own ring. That was funny. I do believe that Kim stashed some of Big Poppa's money and stuff her bought her and is using it to finance her life with Kroy. Kim can say different all she wants but if you just started working after 10 years of being a kept woman, trust everything was paid for by Big Poppa. Like I said before, Kim and Kroy don't have the coins they're portraying and if anything went wrong, Kim is not getting a job. I think when Kim says "we know this won't last forever" I think she thinks that her and Kroy can do a reality show, Kroy can be a commentator, or she can do more music. I don't think she thinks that the checks will completely stop coming in like they did for Lisa and Ed. 
• Sheree is a hypocrite. If she cared that much about Kim and the "black baby gate" why didn't she say anything in the car? Gurl, bye.
• The women on this show are not friends. Cynthia may think she's NeNe's friend, but trust she isn't. There isn't a friendship on this show that last beyond cancellation. 

Kenya Bell- Choices Video review

• I actually like the song. It's very radio friendly and sing-a-long-able. It's catchy and would be a hit for any name brand singer. Kenya's voice is nice.
• The solo shot isn't bad.
• Kenya isn't the best dancer but the choreography isn't bad.
• the energy is a bit low. The club goers look like they're counting down until they get to go home.

This video isn't bad at all. I like it. It could use some tightening in a few areas but this video isn't anything we haven't seen before. It's a basic club video. I feel like the only reason the other BBW's went in on Kenya is a, they felt like she had no power and b, they don't like her. If I was Kenya, I would not agree to another season.

P.S: I'm watching the "Sweet Dreams" video and while it isn't as bad as Sthuzie and Evilyn were making it out to be, I do think that Kenya should sing more and dance less. She looks very stiff and confused.

Can We Get NeNe a Drink?

(wetpaint)

NeNe is thirsty. She acts like she's so above the other Housewives but NeNe is a ladder climber like everyone else. In case you missed it, NeNe is the white space in the first pic. You can barely see her. She looks like she just showed up. In the second pic, why is she all in Kim's face like that? Really? If I was Kim, I would have to tell her to back up at least 3 feet.

I hope that Kim realizes that NeNe is trying to pull a "Kim Kardashian on Paris Hilton." You know, if the paparazzi take enough pics of you with a famous person, then the media will be interested in you and bam, you're famous. NeNe, needs several seats. I'm willing to bet that NeNe orchestrated this relationship and the ones she has with other reality stars. Can't hate too hard on that but why is she so thirsty?