The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin belted out a soulful rendition of "My Country ‘Tis of Thee" in front of a estimated 2 million people earlier today in Washington, D.C. for the 56th Inauguration. Aretha took it back with that hat, didn't she? Other celebrity guests and U.S. President Barack Obama supporters included Diddy, Jay-Z, Oprah, Beyonce, Solange, and Muhammad Ali. Mrs. Carters sported retro Ray Bans while Solange kept it funky in fingerless gloves. Diddy was obviously in YouTube vblog mode.

Labels: Beyonce Knowles, Diddy, Jay-Z, Oprah, Political Hoopla, Solange

Oprah Winfrey addressed her weight battle in the January 2009 edition of her magazine - O, The Oprah Magazine. And I quote Lady O herself, "How did I let this happen again? I'm mad at myself. I’m embarrassed. I can’t believe that after all these years, I’m still talking about my weight." [source: Yahoo News] Oprah has since contributed her weight gain to her out-of-balance thyroid which caused her to go from 160 to 200 pounds.



Taraji P. Henson teamed up with Morris Chestnut in the new film, "Not Easily Broken" (due out January 2009). Based on the best-seller novel by T.D Jakes, the film centered around when the couple's faith gets tested after the wife (Henson) is injured in a car crash and the husband (Chestnut) subsequently finds other women attractive. (Thanks Singersroom Celebs!) Do expect appearances by Kevin Hart, Jenifer Lewis, Eddie Cibrian, and Jakes himself. The trailer is interesting...and so would you go see this film?

Labels: Box Office Hoopla, Morris Chestnut, Newsstand Snapshots, Oprah, Taraji P. Henson

Rihanna and her favorite Gucci Babouska "Hearts" tote were seen at Perth International Airport in Australia. Check out Rihanna's new tattoo on her wrist.



Mariah Carey talked to Redbok magazine about why this Christmas will be special for her and her husband of six months Nick Cannon.

"I always get Santa lingerie, even if nobody sees it. But this year it will be appreciated!

Mariah goes on to say: "I'm really looking forward to being in love on Christmas. The holidays are always great, but being in love ... is going to be the icing on the cake." [quotes via PEOPLE] (First Mariah admitted that she made Nick wait and now this. Nick would be thrilled about this new tidbit.)

Check out the cover artwork for Brandy's second single, "Long Distance." (Thanks Toya!) Rap-Up caught up with Brandy on the set of her Chris Robinson-directed "Long Distance" music video in Los Angeles which you can check out here. Brandy's fifth album "Human" drops on December 9th.



Keyshia Cole finally release the cover look of her upcoming third album, "A Different Me" (out December 16th) via Rap-Up. Keyshia collaborated with Polow Da Don, Nas, Monica, Kanye West and Tupac on the album. I'm looking forward to the sound Keyshia has to offer this time because her last two albums "Just Like You" and "The Way It Is" did not disappoint.



Check out this new promotional shot of Keyshia which was taken during her "Playa Cardz Right" video shoot. Her style has matured and evolved since the release of her debut record, "The Way It Is".


Beyonce dropped by The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote her third album "I Am...Sasha Fierce" and her Etta James portrayal in "Cadillac Records." Beyonce also said that her film character appears towards the end of the movie. Right after her interview where she talked about why she waited until she was 25 to get married, she hit the stage to sing, "If I Were A Boy." I love that Herve Leger dress she has on.

Labels: Beyonce Knowles, Brandy, Keyshia Cole, Mariah Carey, Music Hoopla, Newsstand Snapshots, Oprah, Rihanna, TV Hoopla

Former "Men in Black II" co-stars Will Smith & Rosario Dawson appeared on "Oprah" yesterday to promote their new film, "Seven Pounds" (out December 19th). Rosario had nothing but praise for Will: "Will's amazing. It's a tearjerker movie. If you buy a ticket to this movie, make sure you get a box of tissues with you." Will's net worth is estimated at $4 million to which he said he's trying to get on Oprah's status. (LOL!) Many thanks to Rosario-Dawson Net!




Actor Michael Ealy also has a role in the film. (Male eye candy -lol!) Check out the official trailer below:



"Seven Pounds" summary:

Ben (Will Smith) is an IRS agent who is depressed and guilt-ridden about mistakes from his past. He sets out to make amends by helping seven strangers. When he meets Emily (Rosario Dawson), a beautiful woman with a heart condition, he falls in love with her, thereby complicating his plans. Woody Harrelson also appears as a blind pianist who befriends Ben. [IMDB]

So will you go see this film or not?

Labels: Box Office Hoopla, Oprah, Rosario Dawson, TV Hoopla, Will Smith

Tyler Perry held a huge celebration for the historic opening of his independent Film & TV studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Tyler made history because his studio is the first ever African-American owned. In attendance were Sidney Poitier, Cicely Tyson, Star Jones, Oprah Winfrey, Stedman Graham, Nicole Ari Parker, Boris Kodjoe, Lynn Whitfield, Eva Pigford, Lance Gross, John Legend, Tracey Edmonds, Holly Robinson Peete, Tasha Smith, Star Jones and Patti LaBelle. Clearly the dress code was black while the man of the moment rock a white suit.



According to Tyler, there are five sound stages after named Quincy Jones, Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, and Cicely Tyson. The fifth sound stage has yet to be named.

Labels: black star power, Boris Kodjoe, Box Office Hoopla, Eva Pigford, Lance Gross, Lynn Whitfield, Nicole Ari Parker, Oprah, Patti LaBelle, Will Smith

If that draped Donna Karan red dress Oprah Winfrey wore to the 2008 Emmy Primetime Awards look a bit familar that's because Oprah wore the same look at another high profile award ceremony.



Oprah opened the recent Emmy's in the same DK jersey with Christian Louboutin pumps.

With her hair pulled back, Oprah rock this DK look first with gold earrings at the 2006 TNT Black Movie Awards.

So, when did Oprah Winfrey had the LOOK on LOCK in the Donna Karan jersey dress?

Labels: Fashion Hoopla, Look on Lock, Oprah

The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards kicked off last night in Los Angeles with several known faces from night time television. "Mad Men" and "30 Rock" were the two's biggest winners. (I hate to admit that I haven't seen not one episode of either show. I do enjoy "Ugly Betty" and "House.")



My best dressed picks went to Eva Longoria Parker in a flapper-inspired Marchesa cocktail number, Vanessa Williams in a custom-made Kevan Hall dress, Heidi Klum in a asymmetrical Armani Prive gown, and Sandra Oh in Oscar De La Renta.



Many looked fab and others let their dates shine like Diddy and his mother Janice Combs. Alfre Woodward of the current Tyler Perry film, "The Family That Preys" came to the event with her daughter Mavis. Wayne Brady was a presenter with Kate Walsh as were America and Vanessa.




Heidi Klum, one of the five reality TV-based Emmy hosts, kept changing into one show-stopping number over and over again including a Project Runway alum Christian Sirano design. No signs of Heidi's husband Seal on the red carpet though...



Entertainment Weekly's 6th Annual Pre-Emmy Celebration:
Nicey Nash came with her boyfriend while Dania Ramirez arrived solo. Omar Epps wore the same gray vest he had on at T.I's private dinner...while his wife Keisha Spivey rock some hot paint-drip pumps.


TV Guide interviews on the Emmy Red Carpet...


Photo credits: GETTY/WIREIMAGE/SPLASH/CELEBUTOPIA

Labels: America Ferrera, Diddy, Emmy 2008, Eva Longoria, Fashion Hoopla, Heidi Klum, Keisha Spivey, Omar Epps, Oprah, Taraji P. Henson, TV Hoopla, Vanessa L. Williams