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Here’s How You Can Score Free Lipstick From MAC

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Lipstick lovers, listen up!

MAC Cosmetics has the coolest promotion going on that we’re currently obsessing over. While we’re a tad bit late to the party (today, June 25 is sadly the last day), we still champion a good deal and had to share the deets.

If you’ve ever gone ham in one of MAC’s brick-and-mortar stores, don’t feel too bad because we’ve all been there. But the popular beauty and cosmetics brand is easing the shopping regret with a deal that will have you feeling guilt-free for once.

So, according to MAC’s site, you can get a free full-size tube of lipstick with a purchase of any two lip products. That means if you cop lip pencils, prep and prime for lips, and even lipglass, you’re qualified to grab one of their highly coveted lip shades at no additional cost. Sounds like a deal to us.

But hurry, because the promotion, which is in-store and online ends today.

 

The post Here’s How You Can Score Free Lipstick From MAC appeared first on MadameNoire.


Listen To TLC’s New Song “American Gold”

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Back in April, TLC shared the release date for their highly-anticipated kickstarted-funded album, TLC, and as June 30 inches closer and closer,  Chilli and T-Boz are beginning to flood the internet and radio waves with new jams.

After premiering their first single, “Way Back,” which features Snoop Dogg, and “Haters,” the ladies are back with an emotional tune titled, “American Gold.”

The Kayo-produced track manifests a message of standing strong in the face of adversity.

“I think none of us are safe,” sings T-Boz. “We’ve been in and out the race / Cries, they echo into space / Tragedies we have to face.” The song continues, “I lost some friends, some friends that I didn’t want to / I lost some stars, my heart bleeds red, white, and blue / I’ve been in and out of the fire battling for you / Bleeding on American soil.”

Take a listen to “American Gold” below.

The post Listen To TLC’s New Song “American Gold” appeared first on MadameNoire.

Mama Tina Gushes Over Solange’s Courage And Refusal To Conform In Heartfelt Birthday Message

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On Saturday (June 24), Solange Knowles celebrated 31 years of life. So, of course, as a proud mother would, Tina Lawson took to Instagram to honor her youngest with a sweet and empowering message detailing the A Seat at the Table singer’s unwavering courage.

“Happy Birthday my beautiful baby girl. 31 years ago today you entered this world (when YOU got good and damned ready to come)! 10 days late! We were all in love!!!” she wrote.

“You’ve been walking to the beat of your own drum every since!!” the caption continued. “I don’t know anyone who is as headstrong and determined to do it their way , no matter the consequences. I admire your courage , Boldness, intelligence , beauty , refusal to conform to others definition of (traditional beauty , your kindness, loyalty, love of family , great mom skills, fashion sense , work ethic , activism. I could go on.”

Happy Birthday my beautiful baby girl❤️31 years ago today you entered this world (when YOU got good and damned ready to come) !10 days late! We were all in love!!! You’ve been walking to the beat of your own drum every since!! I don’t know anyone who is as headstrong and determined to do it thier way , no matter the consequences. I admire your courage , Boldness, intelligence , beauty , refusal to conform to others definition of (traditional beauty , your kindness, loyalty, love of family , great mom skills, fashion sense , work ethic , activism. I could go on. Its one story i will tell . The Asst. principle called me when you were in the 6 th grade and said you started a petition to discipline a teacher because she continuously allowed a student to harass and disrupt the class and keep the other kids from learning! She said you were disruptive and too grown , at which i said “go Solange” i was as proud as i could be! I told her so. You were always lite years ahead of your time . We are always here and got your back !! I love you with all my heart!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️💐💐💐🎍🎍💥🔥🎂

A post shared by Tina Knowles (@mstinalawson) on

Tina went on to share a heartwarming story of how Solange has always been one to speak up and have her voice heard, even as a child.

“The Asst. principle called me when you were in the 6th grade and said you started a petition to discipline a teacher because she continuously allowed a student to harass and disrupt the class and keep the other kids from learning!” Tina said. “She said you were disruptive and too grown,  at which i said ‘go Solange’ I was as proud as I could be! I told her so. You were always lite years ahead of your time. We are always here and got your back !! I love you with all my heart!!!”

The post Mama Tina Gushes Over Solange’s Courage And Refusal To Conform In Heartfelt Birthday Message appeared first on MadameNoire.

Rihanna Is Throwing Shade On Twitter Again, But This Time It’s For A Good Cause

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rihanna tweets world leaders

It’s no secret that Rihanna doesn’t play when it comes to her money, her men and making a difference in the world. In between setting the music charts on fire with “Wild Thoughts”, alongside Bryson Tiller on their recent contribution to DJ Khaled’s Grateful album, the singer also makes time to do things like call out world leaders and encourage them to play their part in affordable education.

The singer has actually been an advocate for education and human rights for some time. In between making it rains hits with her ANTI, Loud and Unapologetic albums, back in 2012 “Rih Rih” founded the Clara Lionel Foundation (named after her grandmother and grandfather) which aims to support education and healthcare. In 2016 the organization partnered with Global Citizen and the Global Partnership for Education with Rih acting as its first-ever Global Ambassador. Rihanna had this to say about the partnership:

“I feel strongly that all children everywhere should be afforded the opportunity of a quality education. Therefore I’m proud to announce Clara Lionel Foundation’s partnership with education advocacy leaders like the Global Partnership for Education and Global Citizen. Working together, I know we can amplify our efforts and ensure that millions of children gain access to education globally.”

Recently, Rihanna took to Twitter to gather her Navy and urge global leaders to publicly commit to funding education:

https://twitter.com/rihanna/status/878366661224550400

Rih’s Navy of just over 74 million followers didn’t disappoint in their duties. Her initial tweet to Macri currently has 23,000 retweets, over 50,000 likes, and almost 3,000 replies, while the other tweets follow closely behind. Unfortunately, the only leaders to respond to Rih’s call to action has been the powers that be over in Germany:

We love that Rih uses her social media for more than selfies and album teasers, but don’t get it twisted. The music icon isn’t just tweeting her little heart away on a tour bus. Rihanna can easily go from the studio to the classroom as featured recently in a video released from the Clara Lionel Foundation of the singer’s trip to Malawi, a country also known as “the Warm Heart of Africa.” While visiting she used her gift of song to teach students some math skills and to learn the best way she and the organization can help students stay in school and overcome poverty. She praises the students on their unique approach to learning:

“I love that they learn in melody. They adopt melody really, really quickly. And so, if you can use that as a learning tool, I think that’s the most brilliant, brilliant thing.”

Rih created a $3.1 billion goal to gift over 870 million children globally with quality education. Harvard University didn’t name her the 2017 Humanitarian of the Year for nothing. Watch some students have the best day ever when Rihanna plays substitute below:

 

The post Rihanna Is Throwing Shade On Twitter Again, But This Time It’s For A Good Cause appeared first on MadameNoire.

Everyday People Brunch’s Saada Ahmed Shares Her Beauty Must-Haves

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Unless you’ve been unplugged from the internet for the past five years or hiding under a rock, then you should be well acquainted with Everyday People, a monthly brunch party and gathering in downtown New York City started by Saada Ahmed, DJ Moma & Chef Roble.

Basically, it’s a host of beautiful brown people, good food, and even better music. And everyone has been spotted there from Kelis to Solange. Now, five years in, Everyday People has spread its wings past the metropolis, bringing their good vibes to many more by hosting parties across America.

Recently, Essence chatted with Saada, who also models, about a slew of things from prized possessions to fashion faves. But what caught our attention most was her minimal beauty must-haves.

If you browse through Saada’s Instagram, you’ll instantly be inundated with photos that flaunt her natural beauty – glowing, radiant complexion included.  So, if you’re wondering how she looks so put together with minimal effort, here you go.

“My must-haves are coconut oil, an Anastasia eyebrow pencil and Glossier Boy Brow groomer,” she revealed.

While it may seem skimp to some, with summertime in full effect, it’s better to let your skin breathe with less makeup. So, slather on some coconut oil as a good moisturizer (it gives you that perfect dewy look, too) and groom your brows to perfection. While Saada didn’t add a lip color to her must-haves, if you want to up the amp of your look, definitely opt for a pigmented hue to turn heads.

Read the full article here and find out more about Everyday People’s Saada Ahmed.

The post Everyday People Brunch’s Saada Ahmed Shares Her Beauty Must-Haves appeared first on MadameNoire.

La La Celebrates Birthday With Super Sexy Photo Shoot

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! 💋🎂💋

A post shared by LaLa (@lala) on

2017 has been a tough year for La La Anthony after reportedly separating from her husband, New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony. But while the details of their relationship is still in limbo, the television personality, New York Times best-selling author, business woman, producer and actress, has been keeping quite busy.

Not only does the highly-anticapted fourth season Power, the STARZ original series where she plays the character of  LaKeisha, premiere today, but La La celebrates 38 years of life. Recently, the mother of one has been slaying the scene every time she steps foot outside – scroll through her Instagram account for further prove.

And to kick off her new chapter of life, La La posted a series of super sexy photos to celebrate. Rocking a black latex swimsuit featuring a deep v-neck, La La strikes several poses in a shower, captioning it, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!”

That right, La La. Happy birthday and we wish you many, many more!

The post La La Celebrates Birthday With Super Sexy Photo Shoot appeared first on MadameNoire.

Things Meat-Eaters Wish Vegans Would Stop Saying

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[caption id="attachment_834504" align="alignleft" width="1068"] Bigstockphoto.com/Black woman eating hamburger sandwich[/caption] If you are a vegan, think back to when you weren’t. I know—it’s tough to recall memories of eating burgers and turkey sandwiches. But try. You probably took a lot of convincing to change your diet. In fact, the first few people who tried to get you into veganism probably drove you nuts. You may have thought they seemed entitled, pushy and even like they were in some cult. Now that you’ve recalled that, maybe you can be a little easier on your meat-eating friends who are resistant to your lectures on an animal-product-free lifestyle. We get it: you feel very passionate about your lifestyle, and you want to pass its benefits onto your friends. But sometimes what you intend to come off as loving comes off as judgmental, and even insensitive. Here are things meat eaters wish vegans would stop saying. [caption id="attachment_694319" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You own a dog; how can you eat meat?

Really? You have to bring the dog into this? For thousands of years, dogs and humans have evolved to be friends. Wild dogs learned that, if they were nice to cavemen, they’d give them their scraps. The human-dog relationship is a sacred one that’s almost as old as humankind. Bringing our relationship with our dog into this is messed up and makes no sense. Humans don’t grow up with pigs sleeping in their beds. Humans don’t grow up with chickens greeting them at the door. We naturally evolved to have a different connection to dogs than we do to the animals we eat. Don’t try to compare that.       [caption id="attachment_707067" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

People aren’t meant to eat meat

Now that simply isn’t true. Maybe humans aren’t meant to eat as much meat as we do. If you want to go off the caveman theory, then cavemen used to only eat meat once or twice a week—if they were lucky in a hunt. But they did eat meat. Maybe we can cut back on meat, and we’d be better mimicking our ancestor’s diets if we did so. But removing meat entirely would not be authentic to the caveman diet.             [caption id="attachment_621385" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll get your glow back

Excuse me? Are you saying I don’t have a glow? I didn’t realize I looked so dull and hideous to you, but thanks for pointing that out! Also, a lot of vegans look exhausted due to vitamin deficiency, so this glow thing is a bit of a myth. If you want a glow, vegans and meat-eaters alike should stay on top of their vitamins. And those can come from meat or non-meat sources.       [caption id="attachment_714155" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll help the environment

Many vegans say this to their meat-eater friends, not even knowing all that their friends do for the environment. Vegans, for all you know, your friend drives a hybrid car, only purchases clothes from companies that use repurposed fabrics and has solar panels on her home. So back off with the environmental guilt.               [caption id="attachment_716479" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Do you know slaughterhouse conditions?

Yes. We do. We’ve seen the documentaries. And no, we aren’t heartless—those got to us. But images like that cannot force us to make a giant dietary change overnight. In fact, shocking us into changing our diet rapidly could only result in health problems for us.               [caption id="attachment_719426" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll lose a ton of weight

I didn’t know I needed to. But, again, thank you for mentioning it. This is also just not a good enough reason to change your entire lifestyle. People can lose weight as meat-eaters, too.                 [caption id="attachment_701534" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

That burger once had a face

Ah. Vegans can be such a joy to eat with. You just wanted a quick energy bolt from your lunch before getting back to taking care of your children and meeting your boss’ high demands. Now you get to feel like a murderer.                 [caption id="attachment_716969" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Your body will work much more efficiently

That is debatable. The reality is that when human beings don’t eat animal products they must take a lot of vitamins. If that is the case, then that means our bodies are not meant to function without animal product. Your diet is supposed to provide you with at least most of the vitamins and nutrients you need. If it leaves you lacking, then that means it’s not the right diet for your body.           [caption id="attachment_697222" align="alignleft" width="468"] Shutterstock.com/Menu[/caption]

I’ll just eat at home

Really? Just because we didn’t choose a strictly vegan restaurant, you won’t come out? You can’t just pick one of the handful of vegan options the seafood restaurant has, for the sake of being with your friends? You have to protest?                     [caption id="attachment_695895" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Your food is making me nauseous

Then step outside. Excuse yourself. Take a phone call. But don’t say, “Your food is making me nauseous.” For all you know, the sounds you make when you chew make your friend nauseous, but she would never say that to you, and make you self-conscious about eating.                 [caption id="attachment_698589" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Those eggs are aborted chickens

Terrific. You’re just trying to have breakfast. You haven’t even had your coffee yet. Your brain battery is barely charged at 18 percent. And your vegan friend would like to bring up the heavy, complex topic of abortion.                 [caption id="attachment_722311" align="alignleft" width="417"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Only humans drink milk after being babies

Humans are the only ones to do a lot of things. Should we start modeling all of our behavior off of what other mammals do? Should we start only having sex for the purpose of reproduction, too?               [caption id="attachment_695106" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Only humans drink another animal’s milk

See above. Plus, milk is a great source of calcium, protein, vitamin B12, phosphorus, iodine, and potassium.                 [caption id="attachment_701653" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

I only date vegans

Well, that’s a shame. What if meat-eaters would only date meat-eaters? That’s a rather limited mindset, and quite judgmental. If you really think there is no way someone could share your values, sense of humor and goals in life, all because of their diet, then you may be ready to join a vegan cult.               [caption id="attachment_717848" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

I just need to educate people

No, you don’t. We’re not dumb. We have the Internet. We can and have read the pros and cons of living a vegan lifestyle. Meat-eaters aren’t the uneducated, blissfully ignorant group you think they are. Most of them did the research, and made the informed choice to eat meat.

The post Things Meat-Eaters Wish Vegans Would Stop Saying appeared first on MadameNoire.

“Oh No Baby, What Is You Doin?” 11 Hair Pet Peeves That Annoy Us All

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Every single one of us - at least once - has stepped outside the house lookin' like we slapped some weather-worn roadkill on top our heads and called it a day. Hey, it happens - humidity, tardiness, or just plain ol' laziness can get the best of your tresses. "Don't judge me," you mutter as you go about your day disrespecting our eyes with your bad hair day. Oh, but don't worry, we're all definitely judging you. Here are 10 hair pet peeves - and I guarantee that you've committed at least one of these faux pas - that drive us all up the wall.

1. Disproportionate Dutch Braids

Done well, this woven hairstyle would be called Dutch Braids or French Braids, but I don't know what one would call these lopsided plaits because they're clearly not even speaking the same language.

2. Naughty Nape Hair

Not sure if you've ever heard of these but, you know, I hear a little somethin' called, ahem, bobby pins work wonders for these types of situations. Just sayin'!

3. Bad Blending

"Sew in the silkiest, shiniest grade of weave, 1A preferably, to your kinky 4C hair because - of course - both of these textures blend so seamlessly together. It's not like anyone will notice!" said by no one ever. And if it has been said to you, cut this hater out of your life quick!  They're not a true friend and they don't want to see you win.

4. FOB (Fresh-Out-the-Bag) Wigs

If you want to strut around town with unflattering, unrealistic parting, then by all means, plop that wig on your head - fresh out the bag - and don't customize it at all. But if you want a more natural look, pluck the hell out of that part 'til it stops looking like a Lois Griffin cosplay wig. No shade, Lois.  

5. Weighty Weaves


Ever see a woman with so much weave piled on to her head, you wonder if the weight of the hair will make her tip over? I get it, though. Sometimes, it gets cold AF in these winter months and you need a big hair hat to keep you warm. As for those who do this in the summer, I don't know how they have not died of heat exhaustion yet.  

6. Big and Bold Wiggy Baby Hairs

Some people miss the whole concept of baby hairs and they just slather down adult lookin' a** wig strands for a look that only FKA Twigs can pull off.  

7. Thin Hair, Thick Ponytail

This wonky hairstyle is quite unsettling if you think about it. It's as if her thin, barely-there hair strands suddenly decided to "get its life" at the crown and plunge into a thick AF ponytail that looks like it came out of nowhere. One yank of that ponytail and it seems like the rest of her hair could be flying off with it!

8. Egregious Ends

Look at those raggedy ends! They are old AF and ready to crawl into their hairball graves. And yet, there are people who are clinging to these stringy things for dear life. But I suppose length is more important to some than snipping off those frayed, tragic, see-through hair tips. God help us all.

9. Lace Front Buns

No. I know we all crave versatility with our units but ... No.

10. The Telltale Twist

You ever see a beautiful woman step out with a bomb-a** twist out and then- dun dun dun! - she forgot to unravel a few twists? Yikes! Doesn't hurt to do a "touch test" before leaving the house.

11. Tacky Tendrils

I mean, we all get what they're trying to do. You know, the whole sweetheart updo with some pretty-lookin' wispy strands pulled out in all the right places. But for some reason, they just yank these oversized, too-damn-big tendrils over their ears, and - well - if they're going for the clown of the year award, congratulations, they've certainly got my nomination. Any other hair pet peeves that get under your skin? Kimberly Gedeon, founder of The Melody of Melanin, is a content creator with nearly 2,000 professional articles published online about everything from beauty and business to politics and pop culture. You can say hello to her on Instagram or Twitter – she doesn’t bite!

The post “Oh No Baby, What Is You Doin?” 11 Hair Pet Peeves That Annoy Us All appeared first on MadameNoire.


#BaeStatusBreakfast: The 30-Minute Morning After Meal For When He Sleeps Over The First Time

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Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And while a lot of people equate pancakes, bacon, eggs, and maybe even cereal (I’m a granola gal myself) with #BreakfastGoals, anybody can make that staple meal. I’m here to take away everything you know and jazz up your breakfast life with an entree that won’t only blow away your own palette, it’ll show your new boo you’re different from the rest after he sleeps over for the first time.

Sweet potatoes for breakfast? Kale?… No, this isn’t a “day after Thanksgiving” special. This sweet potato and kale hash recipe is a dual purpose meal you can sass up to have for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and most important, it’s meatless!

Ingredients:
3 medium Sweet Potatoes
4-5 cups of roughly chopped Kale
1 small onion
1 can of Black Beans (rinsed)
3 table spoons of Paprika
1 tablespoon of Cumin
1 medium-sized Avocado
Salt and pepper
Olive oil

Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Celsius. Wash and cut up sweet potatoes into small cubes (this helps them cook faster).
Set your sweet potatoes into a baking sheet and drizzle two tablespoons of olive oil over them. Add in paprika, cumin and a light sprinkle of salt and toss until all pieces are coated. Put in the oven for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway, or until crisp.

While your potatoes are in the oven, dice your onions and strip your Kale from its stems. Feel free to use any other large leafy vegetable if you’re not a fan of kale; swiss chard is a great substitute. I wouldn’t suggest spinach, however, as it gives off a ton of water and soggy meals are never great for left overs.

Fire up a large skillet and on medium-high heat, sautée your onions in olive oil til just translucent. Add in the Kale and stir gently til just wilted. You can add in a few tablespoons of water to help get things going. Different varieties of Kale cook differently. Curly leaf Kale is a little tougher and needs to cook a bit longer than flat leaf or Tuscan Kale.

At this point, your potatoes should be nice and crisp. Transfer from the oven into your skillet and combine with the Kale and onions. Toss in your drained black beans and stir gently to combine and heat through. It’s important to be gentle to maintain the structural integrity of the bean so they don’t end up mashed.

Plate your meal and serve with Avocado slices.

Plant your flag (on bae) and kick some dust off your shoulders because you’ve just conquered a healthy breakfast that doubles as dinner. Perhaps your new beau will stay all day?

For the runners in your life, feel free to add a fried egg or serve with a side of sausage for the meat lovers in your lives. #Protein

Let us know what you think or if you have any food recipes you’d like to see next.

The post #BaeStatusBreakfast: The 30-Minute Morning After Meal For When He Sleeps Over The First Time appeared first on MadameNoire.

Do You Use Sex To Fix Your Problems?

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[caption id="attachment_834507" align="alignleft" width="1068"] Bigstockphoto.com/Top view of beautiful young Afro American couple hugging looking at each other and smiling while lying in bed at home[/caption] If you’re in a loving, committed relationship then sometimes, when you’re having a bad day, there’s nothing better than a hair-pulling, dirty-talking, sweaty session in the sheets with your significant other to shake it off. Sex, as a stress-reliever, certainly has its merits. But you run into a problem when you use sex to “fix” problems in your relationship, and in your life, that require real thought, time, effort and solutions. Because sex gives you an instant boost of all the feel-good hormones, it can give you the illusion—at least for a little while—that everything is better. Since sex makes you physically close to your partner, it can make you believe you are emotionally closer—even when you aren’t. But ultimately, it cannot fix large issues. So, do you use sex to fix your problems?   [caption id="attachment_609523" align="alignleft" width="420"] Corbis[/caption]

You go in and out of flings

If you use sex to fix problems, then every time you go through a rough patch in life (what do I want to do with my career? How do I fix this rift with my family?) you have a new hot-and-heavy fling. Flings are usually all-immersive, and all about the sex, so they can completely distract you from your problems. But the second you do actually face those issues, you suddenly lose interest in your fling.         [caption id="attachment_620621" align="alignleft" width="425"] Corbis[/caption]

You feel sad after sex

If you have sex under any conditions other than those when you feel happy and stable, you’re bound to feel a bit sad after. If you often feel sad after sex, it could be because you were just using sex to escape your problems. That makes you feel guilty because sex is supposed to be a time you bond with your partner. So in a sense, you tainted that otherwise cherished time.           [caption id="attachment_705388" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ve gotten angry your partner turned you down

You’ve found yourself furious that your partner didn’t want to have sex when you did. You didn’t necessarily feel insecure or unattractive, but you felt like he wasn’t giving you some sort of help that you needed. While your partner should certainly be willing to talk to you and comfort you when you’re going through something, he isn’t obligated to enable your habit of using sex to avoid your problems.         [caption id="attachment_620937" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ve cheated. Several times.

If you’re a serial cheater, then you almost certainly use sex to fix your relationship problems. Nobody mindlessly cheats. Women, in particular, cheat as a direct response to something happening in their relationship—or not happening. If most of your relationships have ended due to your infidelity, then you likely turn to having sex with other people instead of communicating your needs to your partner.   [caption id="attachment_821857" align="alignleft" width="900"] Credit: Bigstock[/caption]

You turn serious talks into sex

If your partner wants to talk to you about a problem in your relationship, you feel very uncomfortable. You usually start navigating the conversation into something more playful, making a lot of jokes, and eventually into something sexual. [caption id="attachment_713716" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Your number is high. Very high.

There are, of course, people out there who just love sex and have lots of partners not because of any problems they have. But for the most part, people who have slept with a lot of people (think upwards of 100) did so to run away from some problem, avoid facing some insecurity, avoid analyzing themselves and figuring out why they couldn’t have a committed relationship and more. If you’re right with yourself, you’re bound to end up in at least a few long-term relationships that would naturally keep you from reaching 100 notches on your belt.       [caption id="attachment_620944" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You often feel horny when you’re sad

Horniness follows closely on the heels of sadness. You have done the Pavlov’s dogs experiment on yourself. Since you so often turn to sex to run from sadness, your body has become conditioned to start producing sex hormones the moment you feel sad.       [caption id="attachment_713130" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You have mostly drunk sex

If you have mostly drunk sex then you’re almost certainly using sex to run away from your problems. Think about it: if you only have drunk sex, then you drink a lot! In which case, one can naturally deduce you’re avoiding or numbing something.             [caption id="attachment_623342" align="alignleft" width="391"] Shutterstock[/caption]

You wake up next to people you regret

After having sex with most people, you wake up wanting to be a million miles away from them. They nauseate you. They make your skin crawl. Oddly enough, when you got into bed with them, they were the most gorgeous person in the world to you…Those were your avoidance tactics at work. Your brain made this person look perfect to you so it could use sex to get away from something. But once you’ve had the sex, it’s no longer blocking your view of your problems. And your brain is no longer making this person look perfect.       [caption id="attachment_612606" align="alignleft" width="378"] Corbis Images[/caption]

Your partner has tried to say, “We should really talk instead”

Your partner has had to (with an erection, mind you) pull you off his lap and say, “We really should talk about this.” Um. Hi. Men love sex. If your partner has had to put the breaks on sex because he felt you needed to have a conversation, you likely use sex to fix problems.           [caption id="attachment_612727" align="alignleft" width="420"] Corbis Images[/caption]

When you’re really happy, you’re rarely horny

You know how you’re horny when you’re sad? Well, during long stretches of time in your life when you haven’t had a major life dilemma, you haven’t had the urge to have sex at all. When you’re happy, you’d rather see friends, get out and see the world and do things outside of the bedroom. This could also be part of the way you’ve conditioned your brain. Your brain knows that it has to make the most of your happiness now, because once you’re upset again, it’ll be all sex all the time.     [caption id="attachment_616347" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You get back with exes a lot

When you’re having a particularly terrible day and you are desperate for a fix, an ex is an easy person to get sex from. But, of course, sex with the ex comes with complications. It usually comes with giving it another go. You’ve gotten back with a lot of exes after just needing some pain-numbing sex.             [caption id="attachment_619786" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Sex first; bad news later

If you think back on days you’ve received terrible news, like the death of a loved one or your parents’ divorcing, you had sex on those days. In fact, you went home to your partner, and the first thing you did was seduce him. Only later did you tell him the bad news. This has made your partner very uncomfortable because he had no idea he was making love to a grieving woman.       [caption id="attachment_703763" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You don’t see your girlfriends when you’re down

You don’t call your friends or your family when you’re down. No. You hit the bars. Or you get on dating aps. Or you text an ex. Your friends often don’t even know you went through a rough time until it’s over—you were shacked up with some guy.           [caption id="attachment_702119" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

You stay in dead-end relationships too long

You can resuscitate dying relationships for quite some time with sex. If you’ve stayed in relationships far past their expiration date, but just had lots of sex towards the end of them, well, you know where this is going.

The post Do You Use Sex To Fix Your Problems? appeared first on MadameNoire.

Taraji P. Henson And Tyler Perry Team Up For A New Film Project

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older women crop top

In her autobiography, Taraji P. Henson, makes a point to let us know that it wasn’t her Oscar nomination that got her top billing as an actress. (As an aside, she didn’t get what deserved on the project.) Instead, it was Tyler Perry casting her as the lead actress in I Can Do Bad All By Myself, that made her pockets fatter.

So it only makes sense that she might feel a sense of loyalty to the man. Perhaps that’s why she’s partnering with him for a second film.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film is called Tyler Perry’s She’s Living My Life. In the drama, Henson plays a faithful wife who grows weary of remaining loyal to a no-good man. And once it’s become painfully clear that she’s been betrayed, that’s when things get rollin’.

I won’t say too much but I hope Tyler Perry takes his time with this one. Either way, I’ll be out to support Taraji.

What do you think? Does it sound interesting to you?

The post Taraji P. Henson And Tyler Perry Team Up For A New Film Project appeared first on MadameNoire.

In Case You Missed It, Azealia Banks And Iggy Azalea Finally Buried The Hatchet

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While a lot of attention is often paid to the squabbles of women (FX just aired a series called Feud: Bette and Joan about the beef between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford), not much is said when the women decide to put an end to their drama. But when you think about how major the feud was between Azealia Banks and fellow femme rapper Iggy Azalea, the fact that they may have been able to finally bury the hatchet is a pretty big deal.

Azealia Banks Iggy Azalea

If you’ll recall, the drama between them started to heat up when Azalea was picked for XXL‘s 2012 Freshman Class list of the hottest new rappers, which rubbed Banks the wrong way considering she hadn’t been selected, and Azalea had once called herself a “runaway slave master” in a rap. Things got worse from there with T.I. even getting involved, Banks calling out Azalea for appropriating Black culture but not speaking out about the killing of Black men by police, and Banks giving a pretty epic interview about her beef with Azalea and cultural smudging in 2014. Azalea would respond by calling Banks a bigot before slowly but surely finding herself at odds with way too many people in music (Snoop Dogg, Britney Spears, etc.). And Banks, well, she would go from speaking straight facts to pretty much saying some pretty backwards things about a whole lot of people in music and culture as well (Rihanna, Zayn Malik — pretty much everybody). At this point, both women have become incredibly controversial figures, and their careers, if we’re being honest, have stalled.

With that in mind, it seems to be the perfect time to start stop making and riling up enemies, and instead, try to at least be civil with one another.

Azalea shared a pretty lengthy message on Snapchat recently about how much she has in common with her former rap rival.

“I just want to say FYI, re: A. Banks. Call me crazy but girl, I don’t hate you. I don’t know you to hate you,” she said. “I believe you may want to meet me in person so you can steal a lock of my hair and cast a spell hoping I die (lol) I don’t agree with many of your opinions but honestly, at times I empathize with you as a creative Gemini woman. I wish you had spoken to me before deciding I was out to get you when we first came on the scene, but that’s also typical Gemini reaction sh-t (I get it). As a 27 year old adult woman just know: I wish you well from one human to another and joke collaboration or not as adults we should move past trivial beef with strangers.”

She also posted a video saying that if possible, she would like to close that particular chapter of her life.

“I was thinking a lot about feminism and forgiveness and being a grownup. I kind of want to meet up with Azealia Banks and speak to her,” Azalea said. “That’s what I’m thinking at the moment. I would just really like for us to at least be able to come to an understanding. I don’t think I’m going to agree with her on every topic or that she’ll agree with me. But I do think that we should privately have a conversation. It’s kind of been a lot of years worth of negativity with this person and I just want to finish that chapter of my life. And if nothing else, I think that it would be good for history and female rap for us to just be able to squash it. B—h I’m tired [laughs]. I don’t want to keep fighting with this muthaf–ka. I can’t do it. I can’t.”

As for Banks, she responded by telling XXL she is open to having that conversation as long as Azalea is open to hearing the truth about her privilege.

“I think a true reconciliation can happen once there is some acknowledgment of what hip-hop has been trying to tell her,” Banks said. “I still don’t think she quite understands the effect her racial privilege and the socio-economic leverage that comes with it has on a marginalized group of women’s culture. Race aside, this is also a women’s issue. I hope that there will be a chance for us to have an open discussion about this, as I feel America and the world could really benefit from some candid discourse between two public figures about the world’s biggest sickness: racism. I wish for women of the future to be able to refer to this moment in women’s culture as an example of what can happen when people take time to understand.”

She also posted a note on Instagram with her current music and film goals, and one of them included a collaboration with the Australian MC.

Instagram Photo

We’d love to be front row and center for a conversation between these two. And if they can get past all of the vitriol (we’re talking about five years worth), maybe there’s hope for Nicki and Remy?

Ok, fine. I won’t hold my breath.

The post In Case You Missed It, Azealia Banks And Iggy Azalea Finally Buried The Hatchet appeared first on MadameNoire.

Kendu Isaacs Is Out Here Acting Like A F-ck Boy Ex Again

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Kendu Isaacs

Last night, all eyes were on Mary J. Blige during her performance at the BET Awards. For one, as Jamie Foxx pointed out, the singer was looking superb with her post-breakup revenge body on fleek. And two, she also sang “Set Me Free” which everyone knows is about her ex Kendu Isaacs. Even Kendu knows it, which is why he took it upon himself to post about his soon-to-be-ex-wife’s performance on Instagram.

After Mary sang about “When you had another b-tch and taking trips and sh-t,” Kendu popped up with exactly the type of f-ck boy message every woman has gotten at one point in her life from an ex who has acted an absolute fool and then when you put his a– on blast, he’s confused. And faux hurt.

“I love you to death Mary J. Blige, I can’t even begin to understand why you are going about this the way you have been,” he wrote. “I never wanted to discuss our life airing the laundry. You know me better than that. You and I really need to talk and stop all this negative nonsense. I love you and I always will regardless of your actions.”

Instagram Photo

Mary, thankfully, has not bothered to respond to the nonsense as of yet. Perhaps Kendu should spend a little more time thinking about his actions rather than Mary’s and he’d understand why, as an artist, she’s “aired” his dirty laundry.

The post Kendu Isaacs Is Out Here Acting Like A F-ck Boy Ex Again appeared first on MadameNoire.

Naturi Naughton Explains Flat Reaction To Adrienne Apologizing: “It Wasn’t Something Where I Was Like, ‘Oh, I Need This Apology'”

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A few months back, Naturi Naughton visited The Real and received an apology from former 3LW member Adrienne Bailon for the part she may have played in the negative way Naughton was treated while in the group and after parting from it. It seemed to be a sweet moment where the former bandmates reminisced over their teen years and the anxiety they felt while in the pop group.

But to some (check out the comments in that linked MN article), the exchange seemed awkward. People remarked that Naughton just didn’t seem into the apology (and rightfully so), and even Ebro in the Morning co-host Peter Rosenberg joked with her about it during a recent visit to the show to promote the return of Power. Naughton explained why she didn’t have the reaction some people thought she would have had.

“I don’t know what you guys saw. I just will say it wasn’t something where I was like, ‘Oh, I need this apology,'” she said. “I had let go of any animosity towards her, towards the group, because it had been like 15 years. But for me it was more like, I appreciate that. It was a difficult time and I just tried to receive it and let her know that I’m moving forward and as women we should both be able to do our separate things.”

Naturi Naughton 3LW

Also, Naughton probably wasn’t as moved as people thought she would be by it all because she was also told ahead of time that Bailon would address her on-camera.

“They told me before I was coming on that she wanted to address something so they gave me a heads up,” Naughton said. “I didn’t know exactly what was going to happen or what was going to be said, but I felt she really genuinely wanted to squash it. I just accepted it and said thank you, but maybe I should have done more? I was just keeping it real, but they wanted the Oprah hug it out and cry. It was just real.”

Check out Naughton’s thoughts on that apology (at the 9-minute mark), along with her take on life after 3LW and shooting Power while pregnant below:

The post Naturi Naughton Explains Flat Reaction To Adrienne Apologizing: “It Wasn’t Something Where I Was Like, ‘Oh, I Need This Apology'” appeared first on MadameNoire.

Writer Argues Bruno Mars Is Appropriating Black Culture…And A Lot Of People Weren’t Here For It

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If you ask me, Bruno Mars was one of the best performances at the BET Awards. I mean, the man consistently brings it. Not only does he produce quality music, he gives you dance moves, he gives you showmanship, he gives you entertainment. Still, not everyone is a fan. And last night after another show-stopping performance, Jenn M. Jackson, a writer for the Washington Post tweeted this: She certainly raises some valid points. Bruno doesn’t identify as Black, though I’d argue if we swabbed him, he’d present more than a little bit of African ancestry. But be that as it may, he does make his money off of Black music. But I fail to grasp Jackson’s full argument. Is it that non-Black people should never be able to make Black music? What is that she would like Bruno Mars to do to make up for making money of Black folks’ art form? As Jackson mentioned, Bruno has gone out of his way to acknowledge the greats and their Blackness. In Latina, he said:
"When you say ‘black music understand that you are talking about rock, jazz, R&B, reggae, funk, doo-wop, hip-hop, and Motown. Black people created it all. Being Puerto Rican, even salsa music stems back to the Motherland [Africa]. So, in my world, black music means everything. It’s what gives America its swag."
He acknowledges the roots of the music, he employs Black band members, he’s performed with legendary Black artists like Morris Day and the Time and Nile Rodgers, formerly of Chic. He honored the late and great Prince. Aside from vowing never to make anything resembling Black music, what is the answer? Apparently, there are others who share my confusion. And then those who were a bit perturbed by Jackson's analysis. There were also those who just used the whole conversation as an opportunity to celebrate Bruno.

The post Writer Argues Bruno Mars Is Appropriating Black Culture…And A Lot Of People Weren’t Here For It appeared first on MadameNoire.


Bachelor In Paradise‘s DeMario Jackson Speaks Out After Being Cleared Of Sexual Assault Allegations

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In case you missed it, a lot of drama has surrounded production of the ABC reality show Bachelor in Paradise in Mexico. Production was shut down early in the month after DeMario Jackson, a cast member from the most recent season of The Bachelorette, was accused of sexually assaulting co-star Corinne Olympios. They were both said to be heavily intoxicated at the time of the alleged assault, and their encounter prompted a third party, who witnessed it, to file a complaint of misconduct against him.

DeMario Jackson

After the announcement, an investigation was done on the matter, as there was obviously footage of this encounter to look over (cameras were rolling at all hours). According to TMZ, a situation took place where there was “rubbing, touching and fingering” as well as oral sex by Jackson. And while he was aware of everything that happened on that evening, intoxicated or not, Olympios issued a statement saying she had zero recollection of the situation and more than anything, blamed production staff for not protecting her.

“I am a victim and have spent the last week trying to make sense of what happened the night of June 4,” she said. Olympios said in a statement, released to Variety. “Although I have little memory of that night, something bad obviously took place, which I understand is why production on the show has now been suspended and a producer on the show has filed a complaint against the production. As a woman, this is my worst nightmare and it has now become my reality.”

But the investigation was closed and Jackson was cleared of allegations of misconduct. Production was continued after it was concluded that Olympios was “lucid” and taking part in what was happening. With that, Warner Bros. put out a statement saying footage of the incident showed it does “not support any charge of misconduct by a cast member. Nor does the tape show, contrary to many press reports, that the safety of any cast member was ever in jeopardy.”

Jackson is now speaking out, and is doing so in an exclusive three-part interview with E! News, telling them how much the allegations hurt him (he reportedly lost his job) and his family.

“It was stressful. For me, mostly for my mother,” Jackson said in the sneak peek of the chat. “It’s hard to see your mom cry every single day. It was very difficult.”

“My dad, he kept me extremely strong and kept me grounded and humble,” he added, “but having your mom cry every day for something that you know you didn’t do.”

And while he may have been cleared by Warner Bros., Olympios can still pursue legal action, but instead of it being against producers (she will reportedly be unable to go after them per her contract), it would be against Jackson and could be filed in Mexico.

Before the investigation concluded, Jackson issued a statement in the hopes of clearing his name.

“It’s unfortunate that my character and family name has been assassinated this past week with false claims and malicious allegations,” he said in a statement to E! News early this month. “I will be taking swift and appropriate legal action until my name is cleared and, per the advice of legal counsel, will be seeking all available remedies entitled to me under the laws.”

The post Bachelor In Paradise‘s DeMario Jackson Speaks Out After Being Cleared Of Sexual Assault Allegations appeared first on MadameNoire.

Travel Trials: My Husband Cheated During His Boys Trip

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My husband and I have been going through a rough patch for the past six months and we’ve come to the point where we’re considering separation and both individual and couple’s counseling. Before coming to a decision, however, my husband went on his annual boys trip with mutual married male friends of his, during which time he wanted to get some insight from the men closest to him about what he should do and how they could support him during this time.

While gone over the course of four days, I took the time to commune with my tribe as well and get clarity on how I wanted to move forward. The morning my husband was to come home I decided I wanted to do individual and couple’s counseling but I didn’t want to separate, legally or physically. And then he dropped a bomb.

As soon as he came through the door, my husband told me he messed up. With tears in his eyes, he said, “I slept with someone.” I could barely comprehend the words coming out of his mouth as he explained staying out late at the bar one night and making casual conversation with a woman who apparently is going through a divorce. Somehow, swapping sob stories turned into sharing a bed and now my husband is “so sorry” and “never meant for it to happen.”

My husband made it clear to me none of his friends encouraged his behavior; in fact a couple advised him to call it a night. But there was a freedom in being able to bare his soul to a woman without judgement that he couldn’t let go of. Nevertheless, he told me crossing the line and sleeping with her made him feel nothing short of disgusting and assured him of just how bad he wants our marriage to work and that he’s willing to do “anything” to make sure it does.

I don’t know how to feel about this. My husband has never cheated before and, odd as it sounds, I understand how the issues we’ve been having and the situation he found himself in occurred. But I’m furious, not just because he cheated but because he’s added another issue on top of the many we already needed to work through. We were supposed to be in a place to move forward toward moving forward and this, to me, is a huge step back. Trust was one thing I never lacked when it came to my husband and now he’s shattered one of the few reasons I felt our marriage was worth fighting for. And I hate now that, should we work things out, every time he goes away — especially on this annual trip — I’m going to be reminded of what he did and likely always harbor fear he could do it again. I don’t want to live like that. But I also don’t want to live without my husband. What do I do?

The post Travel Trials: My Husband Cheated During His Boys Trip appeared first on MadameNoire.

How To Make Your Passion Profitable

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Credit: Bigstock

Okay, so you finally found your passion. Yay! But then comes the next dilemma: How do you make your passion bankable?

Well, you may need to back up a step and make sure your passion is one that will actually generate money, according to Nicole Roberts Jones, founder of Fierce Factor Lab and author of Find Your Fierce. “To bankroll your brilliance, it will rely on more than just your passion, it will take the four steps that I have outlined in my ‘Find Your FIERCE Framework’ to move your passion into profit. Step 1: What are you passionate about? What do you actually love enough that you can do it all day long and never get paid for it?; Step 2: What are you proficient in? What’s your skill? What’s the thing that everybody, even your boss, has asked you to come do because you’re great at it?; Step 3: What problem does your passion and proficiency solve? Who needs you? How are you the answer they need?; Step 4: How do you profit just by being you?”

It’s also wise to remember you can’t blindly hit the market running. You need to prepare for the transition from passion to product and that means doing research. “Market Research is mandatory and a lot of businesses fail when they omit this step,” explained Transformational Business Coach Gaelle Lecourt of Lecourt Consulting. “You have an idea but you need to co-create it with your potential clients and ask your market for feedback to make sure your product will be successful. I’ve never seen one client have their first idea be successful.”

One way to get proof your product is a must-have is to conduct focus groups or have friends and family test it out then brag about it a little. “Get testimonials and social proof that your product is fabulous. Make video testimonials as much as you can! Use the power of storytelling in your testimonials with a strong before/after and lots of details about the person who used your product so viewers can really imagine themselves having the same type of results,” Lecourt suggested, adding any passion can become profitable.

“All passions are bankable, especially nowadays if you take your business online. Any passion that you have, there are other individuals on this planet who have the same passion and want to learn more about it. At the minimum, just sharing your knowledge and teaching people about your passions can be monetized by having a website with affiliate marketing links, selling online courses (in case you live somewhere there aren’t a lot of other passionate individuals like you and that you aren’t able to do live seminars/courses). Then, you can also create physical products, experiences, etc.,” she said.

Most important, don’t let fear keep you from pursuing your passion as a business. “The sad truth is most people will never truly define or find their ‘fierce,’ Jones said. “They will take their last breath without fully tapping into their DNA (‘Distinct Natural Ability’) which means people’s needs go unmet and they struggle because what they need is the gift in you.

“This is simply not just about making money because if you make money without meaning you will have nothing,” Jones added. “If you make millions without a purpose or passion you will never feel fulfilled. Because things do not make you happy. However, what I have learned in my own journey is that it is the act of living in the full force of your fierce that leads to fulfillment, contentment, and to true bliss.”

The post How To Make Your Passion Profitable appeared first on MadameNoire.

Serena Williams Strips Down To Her Baby Bump For Vanity Fair, Reveals She And Alexis Ohanian’s Love Story

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History has shown us that if you want to show off the beauty of your pregnancy as a star, the best way to do that is with Vanity Fair and iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Serena Williams pregnancy, Serena Williams Vanity Fair

Demi Moore did it. Monica Bellucci as well. Natalie Portman had her shot. And now, Serena Williams is has joined the elite club. She posed not just once, but twice in the same shoot in all her glory.

Instagram Photo

The 35-year-old mom-to-be wore nothing but a belly chain, her bump in full view, hair cascading down her back, as stunning as ever for the August 2017 issue:

Instagram Photo

Inside the magazine, Williams talked about her pregnancy, but a majority of the profile was about her relationship with fiancé Alexis Ohanian. The pair even took some breathtaking photos together at Highland Beach for the spread:

Instagram Photo

Instagram Photo

A few highlights from the interview include how Williams found out she was pregnant. The star, who was preparing for the Australian Open in January, found herself throwing up, breasts swelling out of nowhere. A friend, Jessica Steindorff, had a feeling she might be pregnant and encouraged Williams to take a pregnancy test. She did and actually forgot to check for her results because that’s how sure she was that was not pregnant:

“I put it down. I went back to finishing hair and makeup, was laughing, talking. I was getting the styling done. An hour and a half later, I went back to the bathroom and I totally forgot about it because it was impossible for me. . . . So I went back to get dressed and I went back in the bathroom and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, that test.’ ”

Jessica shrieked in delight at the results. Serena, as she put it, “did a double take and my heart dropped. Like literally it dropped.

“Oh my God, this can’t be—I’ve got to play a tournament,” said Serena. “How am I going to play the Australian Open? I had planned on winning Wimbledon this year.”

There was also the story of how Williams and Ohanian, who some think of as an unlikely pair, met. It all happened in Rome, in May 2015, when Ohanian sat down at a table Williams and her crew reserved for their friends. They immediately tried to persuade him to go away:

“This big guy comes and he just plops down at the table next to us, and I’m like, ‘Huh! All these tables and he’s sitting here?,’ ” Serena remembered. Alexis recalled that the pool area was “not quite so empty.”

Then came the quintessential Australian accent of Zane Haupt. “Aye, mate! There’s a rat. There’s a rat by your table. You don’t want to sit there.”

Serena started laughing.

“We were trying to get him to move and get out of there,” said Serena. “He kind of refuses and he looks at us. And he’s like, ‘Is there really a rat here?’ ” At which point Serena remembers the first words she ever said to him.

“No, we just don’t want you sitting there. We’re going to use that table.”

“I’m from Brooklyn. I see rats all the time.”

“Oh, you’re not afraid of rats?”

“No.”

Which is when Serena suggested a compromise and invited Alexis to join them.

As for their first date, it didn’t take place until later in that same month. It involved a very long and very romantic walk around Paris:

After Serena won the Australian Open, the next big tournament was the second leg of the grand-slam circuit, the French Open, at Roland-Garros, later that month. She texted Alexis that she was bummed that he had not seen her play well in Rome and proposed that maybe he should come to Paris. To Alexis, it was one of those classically inverse L.A.-style invites that are extended because you are sure it will never happen.

But Alexis did come to Paris for the weekend. Not that he had any particular expectations. “Even if she blows me off and we don’t even hang out, I’m still going to have an amazing time in Paris, and I’ll have an even better story for all my childhood friends when I was like, ‘Yeah, I went to Paris for a weekend. I was supposed to meet up with Serena Williams, she blew me off, but I’ve got other friends there, and we had a great time.’

The tournament, which Serena would ultimately win, had not started yet. So Alexis and Serena got into an Uber near Serena’s apartment and drove toward the Eiffel Tower. They stopped at a zoo Serena knew about called La Ménagerie in the Jardin des Plantes, then at a stall selling candies. Serena became excited, like a small child, and Alexis bought her some.

Other interesting moments from her interview include Williams wishing Ohanian a happy birthday, which as a Jehovah’s Witness is not something you’re supposed to celebrate, how she believed he was initially interested in one of her friends, and the feeling she had right around the time he proposed. “I knew it was coming,” she said. “I was like, ‘Serena, you’re 35, you’re ready. This is what you want.'”

Instagram Photo

And while she didn’t feel ready for motherhood when she found out early this year that she was pregnant because she didn’t believe it to be the right time, that hasn’t stopped the tennis legend from embracing it. In fact, Williams, who is about seven months now, thinks pregnancy is going by way too fast.

“If you would have told me last year in October or November that I would have a baby, not be pregnant but have a baby, I would have thought you were the biggest liar in the world. This is kind of how I am right now. This is happening sooner than later, and it’s going by so fast.”

Check out her full interview and more gorgeous images from her photo shoot over at Vanity Fair

The post Serena Williams Strips Down To Her Baby Bump For Vanity Fair, Reveals She And Alexis Ohanian’s Love Story appeared first on MadameNoire.

Stars Pulled Out All The Stops For The First Annual NBA Awards

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If you didn't know any better, you might think last night's NBA Awards ceremony was the Oscars. Ball players and entertainers stepped out looking better than ever for the first annual award show held in New York City. And before you ask, Drake was there because he was this year's host. His Young Money co-hort Nicki Minaj also performed, as did 2 Chainz. But what we're here to talk about is the fashion. Gone are the days when men put on a regular black tux and hit the red carpet in unison. As should come as no surprise, athletes pulled out the best -- and in some cases the brightest -- ensembles in their closets to stunt on their night. A lot of looks were hits, but we have to admit a few were misses. Take a look at the stars who turned out and tell us what you think of their looks. [caption id="attachment_834857" align="alignnone" width="900"] 2017 NBA Awards Held at Basketball City at Pier 36 - Arrivals
Featuring: Bryshere Y. Gray - Wikipedia
https://en.wiki
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption] Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com

Bryshere Gray

[caption id="attachment_834858" align="aligncenter" width="900"] 2017 NBA Awards Held at Basketball City at Pier 36 - Arrivals
Featuring: Candace Paker
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption]

Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com

Candace Parker

[caption id="attachment_834859" align="aligncenter" width="900"] 2017 NBA Awards Held at Basketball City at Pier 36 - Arrivals
Featuring: Chadwick Boseman
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption]

Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com

Chadwick Boseman

[caption id="attachment_834860" align="aligncenter" width="900"] 2017 NBA Awards Held at Basketball City at Pier 36 - Arrivals
Featuring: Damaris Lewis
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption]

Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com

Damaris Lewis

[caption id="attachment_834861" align="aligncenter" width="900"] NBA Awards 2017 held at Basketball City - Arrivals
Featuring: Rosalyn Gold-Onwude, Drake
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption]

Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com

Rosalyn Gold-Onwude and Drake

[caption id="attachment_834863" align="alignnone" width="900"] NBA Awards 2017 held at Basketball City - Arrivals
Featuring: Draymond Green
Where: New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Macguyver/WENN.com[/caption]

Credit: Macguyver/WENN.com

Draymond Green

[caption id="attachment_834864" align="alignnone" width="900"] NBA Awards 2017 held at Basketball City - Arrivals
Featuring: Gwendolyn Osborne-Smith
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption]

Draymond Green

Gwendolyn Osborne-Smith

[caption id="attachment_834865" align="alignnone" width="900"] 2017 NBA Awards Held at Basketball City at Pier 36 - Arrivals
Featuring: Hill Harper
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption]

Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com

Hill Harper

[caption id="attachment_834866" align="alignnone" width="900"] NBA Awards 2017 held at Basketball City - Arrivals
Featuring: Jada Pinkett-Smith
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption]

Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com

Jada Pinkett-Smith

[caption id="attachment_834867" align="alignnone" width="900"] 2017 NBA Awards Held at Basketball City at Pier 36 - Arrivals
Featuring: James Harden
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption]

Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com

James Harden

[caption id="attachment_834868" align="alignnone" width="900"] 2017 NBA Awards Held at Basketball City at Pier 36 - Arrivals
Featuring: john wall
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption]

Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com

John Wall

[caption id="attachment_834869" align="alignnone" width="900"] NBA Awards 2017 held at Basketball City - Arrivals
Featuring: Monica
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption]

Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com

Monica

[caption id="attachment_834870" align="aligncenter" width="905"] 2017 NBA Awards Held at Basketball City at Pier 36 - Arrivals
Featuring: Shaquille O'Neal, Laticia Rolle
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption] Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com

Shaquille O'Neal and Laticia Rolle

[caption id="attachment_834871" align="alignnone" width="900"] 2017 NBA Awards Held at Basketball City at Pier 36 - Arrivals
Featuring: Robin Roberts
Where: New York, New York, United States
When: 26 Jun 2017
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com[/caption] Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com

Robin Roberts

The post Stars Pulled Out All The Stops For The First Annual NBA Awards appeared first on MadameNoire.

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