In celebration of Black History Month, David Otunga talked to TheYBF.com about breaking down barriers as a black wrestler in the WWE and how he knew he'd fallen in love with Jennfer Hudson. More inside.....

He's gone from Harvard Law School, to VH1's "I Love New York 2" to becoming a high profile wrestler for the billion dollar business that is the WWE.  The extra fit 33-year-old Chicago native also works with the WWE's anti-bullying campaigns and other charitable endeavors.  And he dished about his Academy Award-winning fiancee Jennifer Hudson (who's had her own amazing fitness journey since being in a relationship with David) and their adorable 4-year-old son David Jr.

Tell us about WWE's Black History Month initiative and what it's like being one of the few African Americans in such a high-profile international sport?

The WWE is doing a great job with the video packages they post every week highlight African American superstars who’ve made a huge impact on the world of wrestling. There's Tony Atlas, Rocky Johnson, Ron Simmons, and so many more.

It feels really good to be one of the WWE’s African American superstars and to know there are little kids looking up to me. So it’s very cool to represent for everybody.

Is there a sense of rivalry or camaraderie among you and the other African Americans in the WWE?  We've seen how The Funkadactyls and others interact on the E! show "Total Divas".

I think everyone gets along really great because we’re on the road together…we’re like a family. There’s a shared bond…we’re really close. We didn’t know each other before…but there’s that bond there.

How do you view your cultural impact?

I try to use the platform to show everything that I can do. Not just to show that I'm a wrestler, but also that I’m a lawyer too. I graduated from Harvard Law School and I do a lot of different things in that area. Also, I do a lot of the WWE charity events and I give talks about bullying. I tell kids that you can achieve anything, no matter who you are or where you came from. I really stress that to the African American kids. I’ve achieved everything I wanted. I set a goal and I achieve it.

How can one enter the WWE?:

It’s a lot easier now…..they have the WWE Performance Center in Orlando and it's awesome. They hold tryouts there all the time.

How did you and Jennifer spend Valentine's Day?

With a couple of surprises. I’m very romantic. It’s something I pride myself on.

How did you know you were in love with Jennifer?

It's just one of those things…one day it's there. You wake up and you can't imagine your life without this person.

What do you plan to teach your son about love?

I'm gonna teach him to respect a woman and treat her like he'd treat his mother.

Good advice Papa David!

Watch David in action below:

Photo via David's Instagram

Where's that ring, you ask?  We've learned that Brandy and her fiancé, Ryan Press, have called it quits.  For now.  Deets inside...

Brandy is single again.  But we're not sure how long she'll be solo.

After getting engaged to her manager Ryan Press in December 2012 in Hawaii (directly above), the twosome have recently decided to take a break.

A source in the couple's close-knit circle revealed to TheYBF.com that after moving in together, the two decided marriage may not be in the cards right now.  But we're not ruling the couple completely out just yet.

We've learned that Brandy & Ryan have decided to take a step back to re-evaluate their relationship.  And it's very possible that after this mature and honest decision, they may rekindle their love again.

But in the meantime....

We hear that Ryan may be dating someone new.   Allegedly, Ryan was recently set up on a semi-blind date with a friend of a friend, according to a close friend of the mystery woman.

Meanwhile, last night in Pasadena, Brandy showed up RINGLESS to the 45th NAACP Non-Televised Awards ceremony. 

The "Wildest Dreams" singer and Ryan are still friendly toward each other, since Ryan is still managing her.  He even attended her surprise 35th birthday party last week, but steered clear of the cameras.  By the way, Brandy wasn't wearing her ring at that party either.  Check out the video above.

Photos/Video: Brandy's IG

Pharrell is speaking out about the supposed lack of "color" on his new album cover G I R L.  Find out what the ridiculously talented P tells TheYBF.com about the controversy  and what he had to say about the black women who surround him.  He has lots to get off his chest....

So it seems many people are upset for the lack of representation of black women on Pharrell’s new G I R L album cover. Ebony Magazine’s senior digital editor Jamilah Lemieux wrote an article this week on her dismay that Pharrell chose “three extremely pale women” to be featured on his album cover. Even Twitter went in on his choice of women, but now P has LOTS to say about the controversy that he feels has no merit.

While speaking to TheYBF.com about the “black girl controversy” surrounding his album cover, Pharrell dropped the bomb that there IS actually a black girl on the cover.  And...he revealed she just so happens to be a woman he used to date!

According to Pharrell, the woman he’s standing closest to (in the middle) is black. He says he was trying to put ordinary, beautiful women on the album cover...and that’s it.

The Oscar nominee told TheYBF.com in our interview on Wednesday:

Well, they’re ill informed. The woman I’m standing closest to, she is black and she’s been a friend of mine for a long time. You know, I’m confused by it.

Then they’re going to ask me do I not have an Indian woman on there or a Pakistani woman on there? But meanwhile, I do. She is African American and I feel sorry for her that people will look her dead in her face like she ain’t black but she is black. It’s a girl I use to date years ago.

It’s just unfortunate because it’s 2014 and we have a President [who’s black]. Is this what it is? Is it because she’s not brown? I don’t feel funny about our President because he is what he is. Meanwhile, has anybody forgotten that I’m black myself? I wake up everyday and I wave the black flag. Everything that I’m doing. You know, this “Happy” song going #1. What is the guy that’s singing the song? What do you mean?

Pharrell didn't stop there.  He went on to explain how black woman are such an important part of his life, and challeneged others to truly see what his much-anticipated album is about:

I’m standing by a black woman. My business is run by a black woman. My mom partially looks after my business and she’s a black woman. I’m married to a black woman. I’m confused. I guess once you get the album you will look inside and see she’s a black woman. I’m sorry that from that vantage point you can’t look at her hair and tell that she’s black.

My intentions are…this album is an ode to woman. It’s not necessarily an ode to a shade, it’s an ode to women. And to people who are confused by that, you have got to know me better than that. Look at the “Frontin” video.

And here I am trying to put ordinary, beautiful girls on the cover…not no models. I didn’t go to 29 agencies looking for runway models. I wanted ordinary people because I don’t think celebrities or models are the stars anymore. I think pedestrians are the stars. And I think beautiful pedestrians will run the world and that’s what I consider myself, like a pedestrian.

I understand it. Hopefully when they see, they’ll see.
 

Well, there you have it.  Check back soon for the rest of our amazing (if we do say so ourselves) interview with Skateboard P.

Maybach O is back with his first video from his upcoming album and TheYBF.com has the official premiere. Watch Omarion "Work" inside…

MMG singer Omarion is serving up some sexy in TheYBF.com’s premiere of his new video “Work.”

The racy Topshelf Junior-directed visuals are from Omarion’s album Sex Playlist.

For the track produced by Eric Husdon, the visuals show Omarion giving his girl that “work” almost anywhere...including the shower, the bed and her desk at work.

O has clearly has been putting in “work” with his girlfriend Apryl Jones as they recently announced they are expecting a baby boy!

Watch “Work” below:

;

Omarion’s Sex Playlist is expected to drop this summer.

The suspicions are true, according to our source...Savannah James is indeed expecting her and her Heat star husband LeBron's third child!

Just in time for their 6 month wedding anniversary, LeBron & Savannah James are expecting baby #3! 

An extremely reliable source in the couple's circle tells TheYBF.com that Savannah is approximately 15 weeks along.  And most of her fellow Miami Heat WAGS (wives and girlfriends) have already been told.

We're told Savannah, who appeared at last month's NBA All Star GQ Magazine event (above) honoring her husband with a rounder belly, has missed a few events hosted by Heat wives due to all-day morning sickness.  But that's to be expected.

Just a few weeks ago, Savannah went back home to Akron to help out with her friend's charity event.  And Bump Watch went into overdrive:

The new Baby James will be joining big brothers LeBron James, Jr. and Bryce Maximus James.

Congrats to the couple!

Photos: Kamron Khan Photography/@melt324/@ms_deidre/Getty

Ciara was spotted shopping for her first child at a high-end baby boutique in California.  Find out where she went inside...

Mommy-To-Be Ciara and a close friend were spotted shopping for baby items at Giggle on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, CA. Although CiCi and Future have been mum about the sex of their baby, we noticed "blue" items in the hands of CiCi and her friends. 

Now.....you'll recall that Future hinted at the baby being a "boy" in a radio interview with Tim Westwood. Could a baby boy be in the future for Future?  Stay tuned....
 

Photos via GoldenEye /London Entertainment

TheYBF.com was on the rehearsal set of “The Soul Man” and we got a chance to talk to guest-star Brandy Norwood. Check out pics and TheYBF.com's chit chat with “The Game” star inside…

The TV Land sitcom “The Soul Man” is back for a new season and Brandy (along with Martin Lawrence and a musical performance by B.o.B) will be making a guest appearance for the LIVE season 3 premiere.

YBF L.A. correspondents Kalia Silva and Lauren Smith caught up with the R&B starlet and in our exclusive sit down she quietly dished on her “Soul Man” role as Rita, working with “The Soul Man” cast, the difference between taping a live show verses a taped show and more. We had to keep quiet to keep from disturbing their rehearsal!

Here are the highlights:

On her "Soul Man' character Rita:
“My character is Rita and she’s a background singer and a background dancer [to Cedric the Entertainer’s character] and she has a secret that everybody can see...but she is lying about it.”

On working with “The Soul Man” cast:
Brandy said working on this set doesn’t feels like a job and she loves working on projects that don’t feel like a job.

On the difference between working on a live show verses a taped show:
“When cameras and an audience are around something happens to me.” She said working on this show is completely different from working on “The Game” because they get a chance to interact with an audience and she loves an audience.

On her new music:
“I’m working on it.” Brandy revealed she’s focusing on acting right now. She admitted her "rap" career is over even though it never really started.

On doing another reality show:
Nope! “I’m not loud enough. I just don’t feel big enough for reality. I’d rather play big characters.”
 

Check out the entire interview below:

Tune in tonight for the live season 3 premiere of TV Land's “The Soul Man” at 10:30/9:30c

Photos/Videos: Kalia Silva/Lauren Smith
 

As his debut disc Testimony tops the charts, Def Jam's August Alsina is speaking to TheYBF.com about sharing his journey, some of the media's biggest misconceptions about him and why he understands Chris Brown's struggle.  More inside....

August Alsina is having a very good week.  He first caught our eye (and ears) in 2012 as a new breakout artist collabo'ing with Lloyd on August's song "Sucka".  And now, his debut album is making waves.

After years off hustling to break out of New Orleans' 9th ward, the Radio Killa/Def Jam artist has a gold single under her belt ("I Luv This Sh*t"), a chart topping album (Testimonysold 64K copies and debuted at #2 On The Billboard 200), and fans around the world are connecting to his mix of gritty story-telling, trap beats and R&B swag.  During a 1-on-1 no-holds-barred interview with TheYBF.com, August comments on Chris Brown's legal troubles, clears up some of misconceptions and shares why he decided to be so revealing on his album. 

On celebrating the success of Testimony:

"I’m finally being able to tell my story. Not only my story…just everybody in the struggle. Any struggle. Any shape, form or fashion. I finally got an outlet to speak on. I put so much of myself into the album that I really just want you to walk away with a piece of me. A piece of my soul. That’s really what’s its about. The album is for the people. A piece of my story. A piece of my heart. A piece of motivation."

On growing up in New Orleans (before and after Hurricane Katrina):

“New Orleans ain’t the same. It’s a different world out there now. There are different people in New Orleans that done came from all over. It’s gotten way worse. More gritty. If you came up in New Orleans….you’d know the difference."

On vulnerability:

"Before I put the album out I thought to myself…how much do I give to the people? How much do I say?  [I realized] my reality and my come up is not only my story...it’s my family’s story. But I never wanted anyone to feel like I was telling our business.

At a certain point, if you believe in your artistry, there’s nothing to stop you from telling the truth. I just got to the point where I’m gonna tell the truth because I know that it may help some people."

On brutal honesty:

"I think that God sends you through a whole bunch of sh*t so you can speak on it. Not everybody lives your life and not everybody can do what you do. Not everyone knows your experience – if you can share and touch the next person why not do that?"

On the importance of f*cking up:

In each situation I always do what I feel is right. In any situation where I make a decision I'm gonna stand on it. If I make a decision there ain't no taking it back. I did it. It takes a f*ck up to know to do it the right way the next time. It takes a f*ck up to grow.

On the song "FML" (Fuck My Life) and Chris Brown:

It's like making it out of a situation, but still being trapped. At the end of the day, we’re all using each other to come up. Some relationships are real…some are fake. People build you up on a platform just to see you fall and tear you down. That’s were 'FML' comes from. Chris is a great guy....nobody understands. They just build you up so much. And everybody makes mistakes. The fact is...he makes his [mistakes] on tv. Ya’ll see my f*ck ups. I don’t see ya'lls.

On the biggest misconceptions about him:

A lot of people think I'm rude and cocky (remember the "106 & Park" outburst?). I'm far from that. I'm a real f*cking person. People make that assumption because I walk into a room and I don’t have too much to say. But to be honest…this is real life for me. This is my lifestyle….I'm not gonna hold a random conversation with a random person.

------------

We like this guy.

Testimony is in stores now and can be downloaded here.

International fans can catch August during his upcoming international tour:

On Instagram...

August posted,"Thank you guys for hearing & being apart of my #Testimony . I'm humbled. We gotta keep growing, take that #1 spot."
 

Photos via August Alsina's Instagram/Def Jam/Hannibal Matthews

Gabrielle Union and Rocsi Diaz are among the notable Hollywood ladies who'll appear on the third season of LA HAIR.  Watch an exclusive scene from the season premiere inside... 

During the season three premiere of WE tv’s L.A. HAIR, airing Thursday, May 22 at 9PM ET/PT, Kim Kimble styles “Being Mary Jane” star Gabrielle Union for a new wine ad while a full-scale brawl erupts between Anthony, and Kim’s newest addition to the salon – a barber named Lisa with a celebrity roster a mile long and a bad attitude to match.
 

Watching Gabrielle Union's appearance here:

Anthony and Lisa's confrontation:

Newlywed Kandi Burruss chopped it up with TheYBF.com for an exclusive conversation about her new spinoff show “Real Housewives of Atlanta: Kandi's Wedding”, how she feels about folks saying she packed on a few extra pounds and how she and Todd get down with her own sex toy line.  We're not mad at it... 

“RHOA” star Kandi Burruss is now OFFICIALLY a "Housewife". Still not in the tradition sense, but she's a married woman now.  And she even nabbed her very own spinoff show to chronicle the days that lead up to her walking down the aisle to marry the love of her life, Todd Tucker.  If you've seen the first episode, you know that it seems like a miracle will be needed just to get Kandi and Todd down the aisle.  But we already know how it turns out.

Mrs. Tucker made reality show history after “Real Housewives of Atlanta: Kandi's Wedding” scored 2.4 million total viewers and became the #1 rated spin-off in the franchise history. Work Kandi!

So, it was only fitting that hot bodied svelte singer-songwriter, rocking a black leather mini dress from Hush Boutique and cutout gladiator-style boots by Alexander Wang, sat down with us in NYC this week.  And she dished on her new spinoff show, how she feels about the few extra pounds her mother cruelly harped on her about and the squabble between Mama Joyce and Todd's mother.

Oh, and she keeps it very real about whether she and Todd actually use her Bedroom Kandi products.

We were also joined by Kandi’s bestie Carmon who revealed what pushed her over the edge, how she felt when Todd checked her about the wedding and more.

Here are the highlights:

On people blaming her weight gain on Todd:
“That’s messed up. Let me just say, since I have been on the Housewives, I have gained 30lbs, but that was before I met Todd. And then, you know, my lifestyle has changed. I haven’t been able to workout like I use and I love to go eat. I feel like now, I’m not happy with my weight. If I could just knock off a good 15-20lbs, I’ll be in the game now. You won’t be able to tell me nothing.”

On if she has used any of her Bedroom Kandi products:
“Yes! Todd and I, we tested out a number of our Bedroom Kandi products. My Kandi pop..the lollipop…love that. Obviously the Kandi Kisses lipstick. That kiss puts the work on the regular…I mean, I don’t know if I should tell you what we do with it.”  [Do you boo.]

On if she served any of her auntie’s “Ghetto Purnch” (spelled exactly that way) at the wedding:
“[Laughs] Not at the wedding.”

On what sparked the arguing and finger pointing between Todd's mom and Mama Joyce at the table:
“His mama is on 10 after seeing this past episode when my mom was calling her a whore. Oh, that was horrible. Sorry. That was not true by the way. His mother is SO upset over what my mother said about her.”

On what we can expect from her CD/DVD "A Mother’s Love":
“The musical, I put my heart and soul into it. It basically was inspired by what was going on in my relationship with the stuff that was going on with my mom. I just it beautiful love story out of it and did a full soundtrack of 19 songs, original music. It’s jamming! You got Eddie Levert, you got Porsha [Williams] from “RHOA” with me, you have Q Parker from the group 112, D. Woods, Shirley Murdock, myself. It’s amazing to me. [laughs] And then the play, you get to see the full play. If you go to KandiOnline.com you can order it or you can see it in the fall. We’re going to take it on tour for 15 weeks.”
 

We had our thoughts about Carmon after that first episode, but she joined the interview and shed some light on why she may have come off as a hater.  She wasn't feeling the way she was being treated by Mama Joyce and Todd (and it probably didn't help that Kandi didn't seem to check either of them about it).

On what pushed Carmon over the edge:
“Taping this show is what really pushed me over the edge, I think. Well no, Mama Joyce. That situation was crazy. And then going into taping the show again and knowing I would have to face her mom again. I was like 'I don't want to do this again.'”

On Carmon "working" for Todd and their fall out:
“I don’t work for Todd. Todd doesn’t sign my check so he shouldn’t have had nothing to say to me. And you [Kandi] was suppose to check him on that.”
 

Check out our FULL interview below as YBF Correspondent Shirley V. mixes it up with one of our fave "Housewives":

"Real Housewives of Atlanta: Kandi's Wedding" airs Sundays at 8/7C on BRAVO.

Photos/Video: Shirley V/Sean Anthony

As if we didn't already have the biggest crush ever on the sexiness that is Michael Ealy.  We caught up with the blue-eyed Think Like A Man Too star at this week's premiere in Miami....and he told us the cutest Father's Day wish ever.

Check it inside...

TheYBF.com was on the scene of the Miami premiere of TLAM2 this week, and we just had to talk to Michael Ealy about this surprise son, Elijah, he sprung on the world during an interview earlier this year.

As for what he's looking forward to this Father's Day, he said the cutest thing that totally made us melt. 

“Well I am out on the road all this week, I don’t get home until Father’s Day," he told YBF Miami correspondent Adrienne Fleming. "All I need for him to do is smile and I’m good. I don’t need a tie, I don’t need a present, I don’t need a breakfast, I just need him to hug me and let’s go play with his toy trucks.”

Oh, we have toys too Michael.  Nevermind.

When asked about his favorite parts of fatherhood, he dished to us:

"Those moments that you don’t catch on camera. The moments where it’s just you and him in the room, you are together as a family and you are the only people in the world that exist.”

Awwww....

Michael also starred in another relationship rom-com flick this year, About Last Night.  And if you're wondering about his take on the Venus vs. Mars schools of thought when it comes to the battle of the sexes, he believes you MUST take the time to understand the opposite sex.

“I think it is important to fully understand how the opposite sex thinks. I don’t think you can think like the opposite sex but I think you can understand how they think. And I think that can help in figuring out when compromises are needed. “

Can this man teach a class somewhere, please?

Think Like A Man Too hits theaters June 20th!

Photos: DJ Apollon& Adrienne Flemming for TheYBF.com

Now that Zendaya Coleman has been cast as the star of LIFETIME's upcoming Aaliyah-biopic, we've got the inside scoop on why casting director Twinkie Byrd thinks Zendaya is "One In A Million."  More inside....

TheYBF.com spoke exclusively with casting director, Twinkie Byrd, moments after we revealed that Disney-star Zendaya Coleman was chosen as the lead in Lifetime's upcoming Aaliyah-biopic. 

Tentatively titled,"AALIYAH: PRINCESS OF R&B", Twinkie says former "Dancing With The Stars" contestant Zendaya (pictured below leaving "106 & Park" yesterday) is the best choice for the role because she's a "triple threat."  And yes, she's also of mixed heritage.

Zendaya embodies everything you want in a Actress to play Aaliyah. She is a Poised, Professional, STRONG Actress (studied at California Shakespeare Theater and American Conservatory Theater). A Triple Threat Actor, Singer Dancer. She LOVES AALIYAH and will do a Wonderful Job! She is of mixed ethnicity. Her name is Bantu (Zimbabwe) meaning "To Give Thanks".

Let's not Hate on it but Congratulate! She is a GREAT CHOICE!

We're told that the rest of the film's casting will take place on location, in Canada, shortly before production begins.  In the meantime, Twinkie's also at work casting a new film for Tracy Edmonds& Nzingha Stewart named "The Ring."

Sound off in the comments below!

Photos via Zendaya's Instagram/ Santi/Splash New

Keke Palmer is flourishing in her new gig as the host of her own brand new talk show, "Just Keke", on BET.  We caught up with the YBF chick on the set recently.  And in between the fun and foolery going down between takes, we chopped it up with Keke about some things we've been wanting to know.  Check out our interview inside...

She's a 20-year-old fab chick could totally be every girl's bestie or fun & fly little sister.  On screen, Chicago-area-born Keke Palmer has gone from kicking ass in spelling bees to portraying a member of an iconic girl group to starring in a hit Nickelodeon sitcom to hosting her very own talk show. 

YBF's L.A. Correspondent Lauren Smith headed to the L.A. set of the singer/actress' new "Just Keke" talk show to chit chat about her groundbreaking new show (she's the youngest talk show host EVER), who SHE thinks should play Aaliyah (at one point, it was herself), why she's not falling under that child star curse, and everything else.

And in between Keke dancing HARD to Beyonce in between takes (above) on the cozy living room-style set, we had this little convo:

YBF: Your audience is young, hip and you become very involved in the stories of your audience. What made you choose this type of setting for your show?
KP: Because of what I was going through. I thought that a lot of times people thought because of the blessings I received in my career that maybe things were easier for me. I thought it would be easier of service to them [audience] to expose that everything wasn’t so easy for me. I wanted to allow it to be a place where they can realize that don't judge yourself by where you are in life because you can get anywhere you want to be if you just believe in yourself. The only difference between me and you is that I believe. It's not that I don't have a perfect life or that I don't have issues and things that I don't like about myself. It's just that I accept them. And that's what allows me to do all the things that I want.

YBF: You started your career as a child actor. What attributes to your success and overcoming the ‘child star curse?’
KP: It’s hard for me to really say. I think what has allowed me to not have so much judgment put on me in the media is when you think about Justin Bieber or Miley Cyrus or Macaulay Culkin they hit so big so quickly. I think anytime something like that happens people are definitely more bug-eyed looking at you. I think my rise was a little more of a slower, gradual one. And then on a more personal note, I think my parents have a lot to do with who I am and then of course my relationship with God. [My parents] taught me to have one on my own independently. I think that's the main reason why I decided to stay on the straight and narrow, not just as a child actor, but as a human being in general. It's because of my relationship with God.

YBF: Which biopic are you more excited to see? Aaliyah or Whitney Houston?
KP: Ohh. You know that's not fair girl! I love Whitney and Aaliyah for very different reasons. I'm really excited about Aaliyah just because I've been dying to see it for so long. I'm excited about the Whitney too but I think maybe just a little bit more Aaliyah because I thought it was never going to happen. But I do have a difference in opinions about it now that Zendaya is no longer in it.  Also because the family is not involved, so that must mean they're probably not going to use the real music and all those other things that come into place. If the family is not involved, I feel like it's not going to be done right. So I have mixed feelings on that. The Aaliyah story itself is one that I've been dying to see for a long time. But if its not being done the right way, it kind of puts a damper on things. But I'm excited about the Whitney story because it's Angela Bassett's directorial debut. I started my career with her so that's exciting for that reason too.

YBF: Who would you like to see play Aaliyah?
KP: I can't say if there would be anybody I could really see playing Aaliyah. I think anyone that's blessed enough to get the role to play it, I think they can play it, because if it was given to you, it was meant for you to do. I feel like there's no mistakes. Everything happens for a reason. But I can't say that there's a face that I can say. For a long time I felt as though I could do it. But then when I heard the movie was coming out and I didn't really think about going for the project because I just came off the TLC movie and I thought it was too much. And I'm not trying to play everybody and be in everyone's biopic I think that's a little bit much. But for years I thought oh that's the story I want to play but like I said, as time goes on, other things come along and come into play and i ended up saying if it happens, it happens. At this point I don't know. I'm looking for whoever is going to play it and I'll be watching the movie because I'm a big Aaliyah fan.

YBF: Who would be your #MCM...or who's your everyday crush if you're in a relationship?
KP: Okay. If I say this I just hope that nothing crazy happens. (laughs) But If I had to pick a man crush right off the top of my head it would have to be YG. I'm not in a relationship but I'm single. I'm dating. Which is weird for me because I'm not the dating type. I've always been the type where I'm just like let me get a boyfriend and stay focused on that because it's kind of like I have this simple midwestern vibe to me. I'm not really like I want to talk to a lot of people all at once. It was always very taboo to me. But we're young, we have options and I don't say go around screwing every guy. At the end of the day that's up to you. I wouldn't suggest it. I would say date enjoy yourself see what you like and what you don't like because that's what I'm doing now. I'm learning how to date and see what I like and not just try to hold onto the first guy I meet and think is cool. It might be another guy I like more. So I'm kind of just dating and seeing how things go.

"Just Keke" airs daily on BET at 5p ET during this initial 4-week run.

Pics & Interview: YBF L.A. Correspondent Lauren Smith/TheYBF.com

TheYBF.com caught up with Get On Up star Jill Scott who opened up about her demanding film role, preparing for her domestic violence scenes and also revealed the best piece of advice she got from Michael Jordan's ex Juanita, (who got one of the biggest divorce settlements of all time).  Read our exclusive inside...

TheYBF.com headed over to the luxurious Mandarin Oriental NYC recently, where correspondent Bree Green sat down with Jill Scott to discuss her role in the upcoming James Brown biopic Get On Up.  Jill plays Deidre "Dee-Dee" Jenkins, James Brown's second wife, who is subjected to bouts of domestic violence. During our chat, Jill revealed how she "went all in" and actually bruised herself during her scenes.  

"...(W)e did a kind of smack to the face and then I let it happen. I hit the table pretty hard, and I hit the wall pretty hard...I hurt myself pretty good but I was really proud of it because it made people go [gasps]...and that's what you want."

Wow......should we be getting ready for the 2015 Oscars Jilly?  By the way, Jill, looked amazing in a Pink Tartan dress, Calvin Klein Jacket, Prada Shoes and BeBe belt.  And she was surprisingly candid about her own mother's bout with domestic violence, the importance of paying homage to our musical greats and how James Brown influenced her.   Then, Jill shocked us when she revealed that Michael Jordan's ex-wife Juanita (who received one of the biggest divorce settlements of all time) gave her the BEST advice she's ever received.  Check it.....

TheYBF: For your role, there was some domestic abuse and you’ve touched on the fact your mom was also in a domestic situation. What did you do to prepare for that scene?

Jill: Well I knew it was going to happen and I prepared with a stunt man just so I could know how to fall and then I decided that knowing wasn't going to help me that I needed to allow myself to really be afraid and to fall... So we did a kind of smack to the face and then I let it happen. I hit the table pretty hard, and I hit the wall pretty hard...I hurt myself pretty good but I was really proud of it because it made people go [gasps]...and that's what you want. You don't want it to look prepared because you know Dee Dee wasn't prepared for that smack. So how could I be prepared for it. But far as the domestic part of it, when I was told by her grandson that she was still in love with James...now...that's all I really needed. That's how I felt, that that was what I needed to know. The most important thing was that she was absolutely, unequivocally devoted to the man. So this was a bump in the road. This was a bad day, but it wasn't the end of the world. Dee Dee loves James. Period. He's a powerful man and he's someone to love...for many reasons, the talent alone. Then he was actually very loving...at times, and very generous which I'm sure she enjoyed based on the fur and the clothes and the jewels and things of that nature. She enjoyed that, but about 11 years into their marriage she had had enough.

TheYBF: Another powerful moment was when Little Richard gave him [James] the advice on how exactly to kick start his career. If you had to pick one moment with someone that you felt had a great impact on your career, what moment would it be?

Jill: It’s been a lot. Trying to think who gave me the best advice. Because I went around, and I asked everybody. Everybody that I met, how do you deal with fame, how do you deal with money, how do you deal with friendship lost, how do you deal with jealousy, how do you deal with feeling alone in a room full of people...trying to maintain your humility. You know all of those things, and I think the best advice I got [laughs] this might sound really trivial but from Michael Jordan's ex wife, she told me to get a stylist. I was just like I'm asking you philosophical, emotional, spiritual questions and you're telling me to get a stylist?! And I understood about 5 years later what she meant. You're in a business and you're a grown up, the least you could do. If you feel bad you don't have to look it, and I was just like..oh [laughs]

TheYBF: It was an “aha moment”

Jill: Yeah it was like you know even if I’m tired, even if I’m feeling kind of overworked try my best look like I care as much as I do and I’m like alright. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.

TheYBF: You’ve been looking great. So it’s been pretty much an outpour of biopics lately with the James Brown pic, Aaliyah and Whitney[Houston] in the making. What do you think about them putting out more black musical biopics?

Jill: Well I think it’s time, I think it’s time because this is the thing…when Marvin Gaye was out fresh and new, and The Pips, and The O’Jays, Patti Labelle…or LaBelle at the time. There were a lot of other artists out too. With #1 hits too…but the cream is remembered, the cream is revered and respected and looked to to remind you what music is. So we’re in a time where this may not necessarily be the cream at this moment. There’s always going to be some thank God, some miraculous talent that reminds us to be human and to allow ourselves to feel and have a good time. I’m really happy about that. But I think that the biopic is important for these up and coming artists as well as myself to remind us that it takes some “los”t to win. It takes some pain to flourish, and the cost can be very high. To be naked figuratively in front of an audience….there’s a cost to pay. The biopic is really cautionary in a lot of ways and it’s also, it makes us aware of where this stuff comes from. Currently there are a lot of artist that sings songs by other people, that they don’t really have a connection too but they sing the song well. Some of the best songs in the world have been written by songwriters and sung by amazing artist. But then you also have artist like James Brown who put his pen to paper, and all that angst and frustration and passion and [Grunts] witcha bad self. You know just this power comes from him. So I’m really happy to see this, I’m really happy about the Nina Simone story, I’m really excited about Aaliyah. I want to see this stuff, I want to see it. Hopefully it’ll inspire other people to appreciate artists more, to look at their lives more, and to respect this thing. It’s not all flowers and daisies, and diamonds. It’s more too it.

TheYBF: If they were to produce a bio pic from your life and you had to pick from today’s pool of actresses……

Jill: I don’t know they’re somewhere in North Philly

TheYBF: So a brand new actress?

Jill: Yes, coming out of theatre I hope, you know so they could have some chops you know. I would hope for that. It would definitely be a theatre actress.

TheYBF: So you’re also going to be in a new movie with Eve, and Regina Hall, tell me about that.

Jill: No we actually start filming in a few days. I read the script and really liked it. I thought it was sweet hearted and funny. I know a couple of those girls you know what I mean?

TheYBF: Who’s your character?

Jill: I’m not sure yet…I know one of the three! That’s all I know at this point but I liked all three of them so I’m geeked to play any one of the three. I just have to find all my nuances before I go. I got a day or two. We’ll see how this works out, but the chemistry is good between Eve and I we’re both Philly girls. Then Regina every time I see her I just want to squeeze her cheeks, on her face [laughs], so you know it should be a lot of fun. I can relate to that whole wanted to get married tonight. I can relate, and as much as we’re powerful women doing things on our own…everyone wants someone to love wholeheartedly. Front if you want to.

TheYBF: I know you talked a bit downstairs about your favorite James Brown song being, “I’m Black and I’m Proud” but is there a moment where James Brown influenced you in your career, where you maybe -when you did something it reminded you of him?

Jill: You know what I don’t read music[either] and I’m always telling my band what to do based on…I’ll give them pictures and I will tell an entire story for them to make this sound the way I need it to. I’ll give them colors, I’ll bring in food for them to taste. This is the way I work. I’ve always felt like pretty crazy for being that way but finding out that James was just like me is such a confirmation that I’m alright. It is what it is, I haven’t changed anything and my band is always superior. My band is amazing, over the last 14 years all the people that have come and gone, my bands have been amazing. I’m hoping that that’ll be a part of my legacy. That I really kept a tight band.

TheYBF: Do you have any new music coming?

Jill: Oh yes…

TheYBF: Do you want to tell us about it?

Jill: Oh no [laughs] not yet, it’s not time. But I’ve worked with some producers that I really, really love…and they’re showing their asses. You know it’s left and it’s right. I’ve been saying left of right all day but you know, that’s me thinking about James. I’m really excited for the new music. I have so much to say!

"Get On Up", which will be released nationwide on August 1st, stars Chadwick Boseman as James Brown, Jiill Scott as James' second wife, Deidre "Dee-Dee" Jenkins, YBF fave Tika Sumpter as Yvonne Fair, Viola Davis as Susie Brown, Octavia Spencer as Aunt Honey and
Ralph Tresvant as Sam Cooke.  With so much R&B talent, we expect this to be one of the must-see movies of the year.  GET ON UP and get to the theater!

Watch the trailer here:

Photos Bree A. Green/TheYBF.com

In an exclusive interview with TheYBF.com, NeNe Leakes gets candid about her messy spat with Wendy Williams, severing ties with Cynthia Bailey and how she hopes her HSN clothing line will open doors for other Black women.  Keep it real with the fabulous queen of "RHOA" inside....

NeNe Leakes, arguably one of the most successful reality stars of all-time (she reportedly commands a million dollars per season from starring on BRAVO’s “RHOA”) saw one of her wildest dreams come true a few days ago. As she hawked her exciting new HSN line“NENE By NENE Leakes" to millions around the country, NeNe had an epiphany and was able to marvel at the dreams she’d accomplished.

“Listen, this was just a dream of mine and now I can scratch it off my bucket list. I’m a Black Girl. I’ve done Glee, I’ve done The New Normal, I’ve done The Celebrity Apprentice and I’ve done DWTS. I’ve been on every major talk show. I’ve been on all the major networks. I’ve done so many things. I’ve co-hosted many talk shows (The View, The Chew, The Insider). I did Zumanity (In Las Vegas). I sit back a lot of days and think damn. You know those things your mom or grandma may have said to you…”Reach for the stars.” It sounds so cliché but you TRULY can do anything you want to do if you put your mind to it. Everything I think of I really accomplish. I see it through.”

During an exclusive interview with TheYBF.com, conducted shortly after her departure from HSN studios, NeNe gave up the goods about her talk show dreams, creating her million-dollar brand, the line of affordable luxury womenswear on HSN and some of the most controversial topics that have kept her in the headlines. Nothing was off-limits. From how she feels about her place in life (“I feel inspired. I feel blessed"), the nasty war of words with Wendy Williams (“She’s trying to sabotage my career"), outraging the LGBT community with the “queen” word (“I wasn’t being derogatory”), why other chicks in the industry fail (“too many of them just want to be cute and wear weave down to their knees"), and the fallout with Cynthia Bailey (“It hurt”) – NeNe did not hold back.

And while she will discuss the 180 degree change her “NeNe” character has made on RHOA, don’t waste her time with questions about chicks who aren’t her co-stars.“Marlo Hampton is NOT a cast member. She’s never been one and never will be one.” Ladies and Gentlemen……Here’s NeNe!

On creating “NENE, The NENE Leakes Collection” for HSN:

I want to make women of all shapes and sizes feel confident and fabulous. My line is affordable luxury for every woman. I want every woman to feel like they can walk into a room and own it. I just try to do things that other women aren’t necessarily doing. Obviously there are a lot of women who have clothing lines but they don’t necessarily have them in the right places. I wanna be that girl that kicks that door down for us Black girls. Because I feel like if I win…you win. I think when one of us walks through the door of opportunity we can leave it open for the next girl.

On the origin of the Wendy Williams drama:

The thing with Wendy Williams has been going on for a long time. I did not know where it was coming from. Honestly, I’ve done her show a lot. I’d like to think I’m in the running for being on there more than anybody (else). When she first launched her show, I stayed with her the whole hour. I helped her and supported her and then all of a sudden it just switched on me. She started saying things about me. And I know Wendy does a lot of gossiping…that’s how she started her career. But to just start sabotaging me. I felt like she wanted to sabotage my career because she was really saying nasty things about me. And I have done nothing to Wendy. So for me…it was not about the bag….

On TheYBF.com we told you about Wendy blasting NeNe for defacing a $15,000 Birkin bag and calling her tacky.

I was like where is this coming from because I didn’t do anything to you. The last time I saw her, I was nice to her. When she had her 500th show I ‘d given her a gift (a $3,200 Celine Bag). Just to support another Black sister. I gave it to her and said I’m so proud of you. It’s amazing. You’re a black girl sitting here doing your own talk show. You’re opening up the door for me to do my own talk show. I was very supportive of her. I gave her a full-on speech and hugged her. And GENUINELY meant it. And all of a sudden she was bashing me. 

In the pic above, NeNe went on to "deface" ANOTHER expensive bag in honor of Wendy and her gossiping antics.

I felt like she’d maybe heard something, I won’t say what the things are but I just thought she may have heard something about me. Nothing negative on my part, but about where my career could be going. And I thought she was just hating or sabotaging. You know I thought she would have been like I don’t like NeNe’s bags but she’s coming out with a clothing line on HSN you guys should check it out. I was like damn…

On reality TV friendship vs real friendships….and breaking up with Cynthia Bailey:

The first thing viewers need to know is that they are watching TV. And two, a lot of these friendships are reality TV friendships. I have girlfriends I have been friends with for years…and some of them were in my wedding. But those girls are not on the show. And obviously when you join a reality show you have to form friendships for those shows to go on. And when you fall out with one girl they just make you form another friendship. And to the viewers it looks kinda crazy…I get it. But I signed on to be a part of this show. All I can do is really go on. Sometimes when you do a show like this you really form friendships. I really did form a real friendship with Cynthia. I had never met Cynthia a day in my life until she signed on for this show. And when you do those shows they have to send the girl through somebody so you’ll do a scene with me and then the next thing you know she’s my friend. And I’d never met Kenya Moore a day in my life until she stepped her butt in Atlanta and they signed her to be a housewife. I’d never met her and never knew anything about her.

And people watch these shows and be like “But you girls were friends.” Let’s keep it real honey I’ve only know this girl 6 months. So I don’t know what she went through…I just met her. I don’t know her from anybody.

So when these friendships fall out, people are hurt. And people are watching…but you don’t really know the full story. All you can really do is get up and keep going. I’m all about keeping it moving.

On being a good friend, while others aren't:

People judge every day and sometimes I think people don’t understand that at the end of the day we are human and have feelings. Some of these things hurt. I feel like I’m a great friend…so when people say Nene’s fallen out with this person, it really hurts me. Obviously it hurts me. I had a wedding and I put women in my wedding (Cynthia/Marlo) who I really trusted. So to have a fallout with them on television...its hurtful.

 On sparring with Andy Cohen and the LGBT community about the controversial use of the word “Queen” during Season 6:

“I got a lot of comments from the LGBT community about “You said the word queen!” Well what you need to do is...you stop calling each other queen and then you won’t have to worry about somebody else calling you a queen. Now…I DO GET IT. They were saying “queen “ is ok but it’s how you said it. Well don’t start all that either like telling me I have to say it with a smile, slap your thighs and toast you with champagne. And as far an Andy is concerned, he’s used the word many times. They have a show called “Fashion Queens” where they’re sitting up there with lipstick, heels and weave in their hair. So what you want me to do chile? You sending so many mixed messages….. I don’t know what you want me to do? Call you a king? I wasn’t being derogatory.

On loving her LGBT fans:

For me….for anybody to come at me about some gay stuff was just crazy to me. I am the gayest queen there is. I hang out with all kinds of gay guys. I’ve hosted gay events, gay pride, gay everything. I’m like…girl bye. Don’t even come at me like that. I can’t! I never meant it to come off in a derogatory way. It just wasn’t meant to offend.

On why some females don’t succeed in the industry:

A lot of the girls in the industry just want be called cute. Oh. I’m cute. My weave is down to my knees. Ok girl. While you're worried about being cute I’m about go over here and get this contract! Too many of them want to get together and take selfies and wear Louboutins. I can’t! They don’t have their own identity. I’m about my business!

 On if she’d ever invite another BRAVO housewife onto the RHOA:

“Our show is very different. There isn’t another African American girl to pick and our show is all African American. I honestly don’t think a white girl could survive on this show.”

On Nene Season 1 vs. Nene Season 6:

NeNe from season 1 compared to season 6 is definitely a different Nene. Those shows only come out once a year and so many years have passed. When I started this show, my youngest son was in the 3rd grade, now he’s in the 10th grade. I started this show now knowing a lot about reality TV. I’d been acting for a bit….but I was new to reality TV. Over the years I’ve grown and I’ve become a better person. I’m wiser.

On NeNe “the celebrity” vs. Linnethia Monique "NeNe" Leakes”:

Now, Nene on TV is definitely different from Nene Leakes at home. I’m very private. I don’t go to a lot of events. I’m just very private. I hang out with my husband. He’s my BFF. I think I’m a cool chick, but I’m not that girl just hanging out. I work. I am NOT that girl popping a bottle anywhere. I love to go shopping…I love to travel. I love to go out to dinner. But I don’t wear makeup when I’m not on television. I’m just a regular girl.

On the trade-offs of fame:

“I miss going to the grocery store and going on aisle 2. I miss my privacy. For me, you or anyone – to have your privacy ripped away from you is very difficult. But I feel very blessed to be able to do what I do. And before – you were just judged by your friends and family. Now you’re judged by the world.

In addition to promoting her HSN line (available in sizes 2-24), NeNe still has a few items on her bucket list. She says she and her husband Gregg are in talks for a collection of menswear items and one day she'd love to star in a dramatic role.  Based on what we seen her make happen thus far…we don't expect anything less.

 Photos via NeNe Leaks' Official Website/Getty

Up-and-coming rapper and star of the new "Sisterhood of Hip Hop" show, Brianna Perry, is letting folks know she's know your typical focus-on-my-booty sexed up raptress.  She's got a college degree, and she's ready to follow her dreams.  Check out the 22-year-old dishing to us about her dream collabos inside...

During last night's NYC press dinner for Oxygen's premiere of "Sisterhood of Hip Hop," our New York Corespondent caught up with "Marilyn Monroe" rapper Brianna Perry to find out how she plans to shake up the female rap game a bit.

We first peeped the Miami native back in 2012.  Now, after graduating from The University of Miami and getting a few tracks and videos under her belt, she's ready for the big leagues.

On who she wants to work with on a dream collabo: "Kanye West…his mind is so wild and he is so creative. Beyonce…I’m a huge Beyonce fan.  But def Kanye. These last few months of my life have been a period of growth for me. I recently graduated from The University of Miami and I feel like I have been going through a transition of really becoming a young woman, making more decision and really 'bossing up'. I don’t really regret anything from the past…it all got me to this point right now."

On how her family reacted to her new stardom: "My family is really supportive. They’ve been that way since the first time I picked up the mic. I just released a single on iTunes called “I’m that *itch” and they all have showed me so much love and keep encouraging me and pushing me. When you have that family support, it makes that journey a little easier."

As for what to expect from Ms. Perry, her bio in the press release for the Oxygen show says:

Describing her own music as “refreshing, young and relatable to her fans,” Brianna is restoring innocence to the female rap game and she refuses to compromise the femininity and the edge she needs to survive in today’s hip hop world.

Peep more pics from last night's event below:

Cast (L-R) Nyemiah Supreme, Brianna, Siya, Diamond (yep...that's Crime Mob's Ms. 32 Flavas) and Bia.

Photos: James Terrell for TheYBF.com/Brianna's IG

With confusing, often irrelevant and false information circulating around the Michael Brown case in Ferguson, Missouri, it's time we get to the bottom of it all.  We tapped a criminal defense attorney/former prosecutor to give us the low down on how, when & if justice will be served....

On Saturday, August 9th, unarmed 18-year-old teen was shot to death by officer Darren Wilson.  Afer the shooting occurred at noon, the world has witnessed one of the most tension-filled aftermaths of a police-civilian shooting in recent times.

As the protests, the unrest, both peaceful and not-so-peaceful actions from a militarized police and a few citizens continue, everyone is demanding justice.  Since the Ferguson Police Department has been far from forthcoming with basic information to explain what really happened the day Michael brown was shot, an exorbitant amount of confusing information and details have taken center stage.  And we have watched Michael's parents (above) grieve for their son, while searching for answers the Ferguson PD seems to have no interest in giving.

We tapped Yodit Tewolde, Criminal Defense Attorney and Former Prosecutor, to break down the facts our readers need to know.  And to explain exactly how, if and when justice will legally be served.  Here's her compelling take on the main issue at hand and the criminalization of young, black victims:

Let's stop the idle chatter and cut to the chase. The shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri has become the focus of national attention. There has been a game played by Ferguson police and the media with the intent to distract from key issues surrounding this controversial case. Futile attacks on Brown's character have done nothing to address the many questions thousands of protesters have been demanding to know from the very beginning: Why was an unarmed black teenager, who was walking down Canfield Drive, shot multiple times by a police officer? More importantly, was the officer legally justified in doing so?

It is no coincidence that the same day the Ferguson Police Department (“FPD”) identified Darren Wilson as the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, reports and surveillance footage claiming to show Brown in the act of robbing a convenience store were suddenly released. The FPD's irresponsible decision to release this type of information six days after Brown's killing doesn't pass the smell test. Brown's culpability in this robbery has no direct bearing on how or why he was killed. Police Chief Jackson confirmed to reporters at Friday's press conference that the robbery had no relation to the initial contact between Wilson and Brown. Whether Wilson had some knowledge of an alleged robbery occurring or not, his contact with Brown was based on the simple fact that he was “walking down the middle of the street blocking traffic,” according to Jackson. So if one didn't have anything to do with the other, why would the FPD disseminate this information to the public?

Well it's simple – it's called criminalization. We've seen this transparent move done to perfection in the past – the media's conscious effort to create a negative portrayal of young, black victims to justify their killings in some way. No one cared about Trayvon Martin's school suspensions, or Renisha McBride's blood alcohol level or marijuana use. And no one should care about Michael Brown's past either. The primary focus must remain on the issue at the very core of this case and that is whether Officer Wilson believed there was an immediate threat to his life that would legally justify his use of deadly force against Michael Brown. The evidence could support Wilson's version of the events of a violent confrontation initiated by Brown, who he claims attempted to grab his gun. Under these circumstances, Wilson could have been legally justified in using deadly force. On the other hand, the evidence may discredit Wilson's account and corroborate statements made by several witnesses that say Wilson shot Brown after raising his arms in the air; therefore, Wilson's use of deadly force when the threat was neutralized would not be justified. With new information developing every day and pending the results of investigations by both local and federal officials, no one at this point can answer with certainty the question of whether deadly force was justifiable in this case.

Autopsy results on Brown's body released Monday morning shed new light on what may have occurred right before Brown was shot to death. It appears Brown was shot at least six times, including two shots to the head. A gun shot wound to the top of a 6-foot-4 Brown could suggest his head was bent forward, possibly in a kneeling position when the bullet struck him. Gun shot wounds to Brown's arms could have occurred while his arms were in the air, possibly in a defensive posture. Brown also sustained multiple abrasions to his face consistent with falling face first to the ground after being shot to death. These findings seem to support what several eye witnesses reported seeing that tragic day, but is hardly enough to forensically reconstruct the shooting according to Dr. Baden, the medical examiner who conducted the autopsy. There is still an additional autopsy pending that was approved by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on Brown's body that will be conducted by a federal medical examiner. An autopsy by the St. Louis County Medical Examiner's office was also done, but like everything else those results have not yet been released.

What Now?

Once the state investigation by the St. Louis County police department is complete with forensic details -- the autopsy results and toxicology tests -- the case gets handed over to the district attorney's office. The District Attorney will then present the evidence gathered to a grand jury, a group of people who represent a broad cross-section of the population of the county to determine whether filing criminal charges against Wilson is appropriate given the facts and the law. Although the wheels of justice are moving forward, charges against the officer will not come quickly until a thorough investigation is complete. Until then, thousands will continue to rally and march down the streets of Ferguson in support of Michael Brown, but more importantly, justice.
 

You can get more of Yodit's breakdowns of the laws that affect our everyday lives on YoditLaw.com.

Photos: ABC News/Facebook

“The Ruler” Remy Ma sat down with TheYBF.com for an exclusive interview that covered everything from a possible wedding and more children, to the most important lessons she learned while locked up. Peep Remy’s words of reflection inside…

Remy Ma “The Ruler” is back. Now that she’s been released from prison (where she served a 6 ½ year bid) Remy is ready to open up and reflect on her past, discuss her present and shed light on her future as an artist, wife and mother. In an exclusive interview with TheYBF.com, Remy (wearing a Fendi Jacket, Louis Vuitton scarf and Tom Ford shoes) talked to NY correspondent Jeff J and the current state of hip hop and its competitiveness amongst females, what she plans to teach her son (and other children) about being Black in America, and the biggest lessons about life she learned while being incarcerated. Here are the highlights:

On what she missed most while being away…

Remy Ma: Just my family: My husband, my son, my mom, my sisters and brothers..my grandmother… my friends. A lot of people when we’re out here movin around, we’re so concerned about clothes and name brands (By the way, you don’t have to be fly! Just…if you have on name brands that doesn't make you fly, I just want to clarify that.) People are so obsessed with things like that, that they forget what’s really important. Believe me, I mean there were times when I would be like “Ugh I would do anything for a heel right now. Im tired of wearing sneakers and boots!” For the most part, I missed my family. I wasn’t thinking about having my beamer and my cell with me! I wasn't thinking about “Oh, I wish i could get my jewelry box in here” None of those things were important to me. I really wanted my family and my friends: The people I love and care about. So now that I’m able to interact with them freely and see them be around with them, I take it into consideration. I won’t be like “No, I’ll get there next week” or “I’m busy right now” I really take time out to focus on the things that I miss the most and that I cared about as opposed to materialistic things thats really not important.

On why she’ll be more open with her fans…

Remy Ma: I think a lot of people, prior to my incarceration didn’t know me as personally as I probably wanted them or needed them to. They only knew one side of me. Just being there, it strips you of everything like LITERALLY sometimes strips you of everything. You know, There’s really no secrets from anybody.I believe going through that, it made me realize that you know I want people to know that I was an honor student and that I’m intelligent and that I have a degree in Sociology. I want people to know a difference... and not just “Remy with the g*ddamn diamonds!” (laughs) I just want them to see a different side, because sometimes that helps. If people think that you’re reckless and there’s always gonna be a problem with you, they may not have facts of that but if that’s what they believe, they’ll treat you differently. As opposed to when people, you know, see that you are intelligent and that you have some values and morals about yourself. You get to see a different side of people and how people react to you when they perceive you a certain way.

On foods she missed…

Remy Ma: Besides my Popeye’s that everyone knows I love so much, I definitely miss seafood that comes in a hard shell because we can get tuna fish and salmon in a can, but I just… fresh seafood?! You get the whole red snapper with the head still on it fried on the plate, things like that I miss. Everything that you eat [in prison] is pre-cooked. Everything that you eat is pre-packaged. Just having fresh food! When you go on conjugal visits, you can get fresh meat but not anything that comes in a shell. No lobster, no crab, your shrimp has to already be peeled and the tail cut off…It’s NOT the same!

On social media and reintegrating herself into a new world of technology…

Remy Ma: I don’t know, my Instagram followers and crazy! The day before I came home I asked [about Remy Ma's Instagram page] and I had about 25,000 followers. Then, a week after I came home it was like 300,000! I’m like “OK is this good?” and they say: “That’s crazy! You just put up a picture and it’s getting 1,000 likes a minute!” I’m like…Is that good or bad?” They’re like “What?! Go to someone else’s page!” 2like “You only have 120 likes, and I have 37,000! I just put [the IG post] up 20 minutes ago!” I’m still trying to figure out the dynamics of what’s good and what’s bad. I went and look at somebody like Rihanna’s page, and I’m not doing ANYTHING! Have you seen HER page?!

It’s definitely heart felt and appreciated to see so many people concerned with what I’m doing. The love and support is crazy, and I see it! I was telling someone the other day that I read the comments. If I don’t have anything to do, I’ll sit there and read the comments. It’s not like before when I was here, when Myspace and Facebook were really big and it just seemed like a whole bunch of hate just being spewed through the comments. I’m pretty sure they might get around to it (laughs), I’m not gonna take my foot off the gas just yet, but as of right now everyone is just so positive. Out of 3000 comments it might be about 3 or 4 people that say something that was off the wall. I just go to their page, block them, come back to my page and erase their comment and keep it moving! (Laughs)

On NOT watching reality tv…

Remy Ma: What’s crazy is that I have yet to sit down and watch any of the reality TV shows! The facility that I was in didn’t have cable, and almost all the most popular ones come on cable channels! I’ve never seen the Kardashians, I’ve never seen Love & Hip Hop, I’ve never seen Honey Boo Boo or the Red Necks or anything! I know about them because I would see them in the magazines, but I’ve never ever seen any of them!

There’s so many of them, but thats what happens when you’re incarcerated! You’re shut off from so many things. I took a class one time, right before I left, prepping you for reintegration. They told me that each year, the way things are moving so fast, that each year you’re away is like missing 5 years of technology. So I’ve missed about 30+ years. Seriously! My transition is a little bit easier because I had people like Pap who’s in the business, and my son who’s a computer genius, teaching me certain things and always keeping me abreast of what was going on. Any new gadget that comes out he’s like “umm Mom, I need to get the such-n-such-n-such, RIGHT NOW, before it comes out!” This was while I was in prison, so I’ll ask “What is that, and what does it do?!” So I kinda had a little head start with certain things, but for the most part a lot of times people who are incarcerated, especially anything over 5 years…you’re behind a lot! Not just with social media, just EVERYTHING! The way certain things operate and work, that you would never even think about because you were here while it happened. It just seemed so natural to you.

On the “possibility” of joining a reality show…

Remy Ma: Not at this moment. I just really want focus on my music. If I were to do something like a reality show, I wouldn’t want to put myself in a position where it could be any type of crazy chaos. I’m not with that. I don’t want that around me. I don’t want anybody throwing drinks near my face, or spitting in my direction. I don’t even want to see anybody have a fight next to me. I’ve been around so much craziness in the past couple of years, I just want to chill and relax!

If somebody wants to do something to where they're interested in LOVE and hip hop, as far as me and my relationship, and how we interact or reconnecting with my child who was 7 years old when I left and just turned 14 the other day, then all right we can do that. I don’t want to be somewhere that’s gonna have me lookin’ crazy or my people as a whole. That’s not to degrade anybody and what they’re doing, get your money! Some people are cool with that. I’m just not about that no more. That’s not what I want.

On planning a proper wedding for herself and Papoose…

Remy Ma: What’s so crazy is I have a wedding magazine in my bag! We just feel like after being through so much…and people that really love us like our parents watched me struggle, watched him struggle. We deserve that one day where we can celebrate, not just our love for each other but to be able to stay with it and still feel the way I felt and the way he felt about each other after this whole ordeal and years and years later and I think we deserve that!

On the possibility of having more children….

Remy Ma: Believe me, he’s (Papoose) pressed me more than you can EVER press me right now! He’s very adamant about that. When I was incarcerated, he was like “We should just do it now, and get it out of the way, and you can come home and work” and I was like “Uhh.. I would like to be there and raise my child, nice try though!” I definitely would like to give my husband that, just so that our legacy will live on. I never understood people who say: “I don't want any kids” So what happens when you’re gone?! Who’s gonna hold the torch for you.

On social issues and the current political climate around the policing of African Americans…

Remy Ma: Well, the family that I was raised with, we were taught certain morals and certain values, but at the same time we were always kept aware of what was going on in the world. Just me growing up I knew I had numerous strikes against me because I was black and I was a female. It’s like you’re at the bottom of the totem pole with those two. As far as my son, he’s VERY aware of what goes on and he realizes that because of his race and because of his gender, he will be stigmatized in a certain way and possibly targeted because of who he is without ever doing anything. It’s very scary as a mom of a young black man thats out here or just even as the wife of a black man. You just always have to make sure that you're on top of your game. I would never want to see anything happen to my loved ones, or just…anything that’s crazy out there. Even if it’s someone one I don’t know! It’s just a really sad situation, what’s happening out here. Thanks to the things that you mentioned earlier like social media and the inventions like phones that have high definition videos and all them other things, people are able to catch these incidences on video while they're happening and put it out there, because they BEEN going on! It’s just there was no outlet to put it out there. When everyone is walking around and everyone on the street is practically a photographer or videographer, it’s getting harder to conceal these things that’s been happening forever, with NO justice being served or no repercussions for the people doing these things.

On the competitive side of Hip Hop, why she’s NEVER has to diss anyone, and her bars on "They Don’t Love You No More” (Remix)..…

Remy Ma: Well (the line goes) “While ya’ll was on the TV, I was with the PV’s.” PV’s being parole violators, for people who don’t know. I actually had to fix my brother and Pap about that…nah my brother knew, I think Pap didn’t know. He was like “OH I get it now!” He knew, he just didn’t grasp it right away. But, I not talking about anybody in general, its just everybody out doing whatever what they were doing. They were doing what they wanted to do, and I was just stuck in this one spot with people who had been convicted of a crime, and I just feel like to some extent everybody's admires somebody. Everybody has little things that they would want to take. It wasn't me throwing shots at nobody in particular. There’s certain things that I like about other artists where I’ll say: “That’s dope!” or “She ate that!” depending on what the situation is, so I wasn’t directing that at anybody. What I try to explain to people is that, you’re supposed to say you’re the best! I don’t care what you're doing you're supposed to say: “I’m that chick! I’m on top of my game!” Especially if you’re on top of your game! I stay with my finger like this on the button, ready to go. I was telling somebody the other day they said: “Are you 0-100 real quick?” I said :“Nah, I’m more 52, 59 so I can get there faster. I’ll never go down to 0! I just sit around like this on 59 like ‘What happened?!’ (laughs)” I think that sometimes, people try to take things out of context and try to say: “Oh she was talking about this person” or “Oh she's dissin this person” I’m not about that. I never had to diss somebody so I could get on, or so that people could pay attention to me. I think that’s corny.

On the BET Award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist…

Remy Ma: Of course I’m eyeing that! What, I’m gonna be like “No, I’m just let her have it again” Absolutely not! I’m definitely eyeing it! Like who doesn’t want to be the best at what they do?! Who doesn’t want the trophies and the awards that come with saying that you're at the top of the field in whatever game that you're in. I got my eyes on every achievement that I can get and not just for the females! In general, just in the whole rap situation. Music, period!

Are you excited about Remy’s return?

Photos/video via Vanessa Clifton/Jeff J
 

Before a private screening of her upcoming film, No Good Deeds, the fun and fabulousTaraji P. Henson gave us the low down on the ish we've been wanting to know: Details on working with Idris, her upcoming birthday plans, and her take (as the daughter of a cop) on the racial unrest involving the police. 

Taraji tells TheYBF.com about the impassioned phone call she made to co-star Idris Elba and shared her thoughts on the Ferguson protests, and what she tells her son Marcel about dealing with the police.  More inside....

Taraji P. Henson, who stars in No Good Deed (opening a day after her 44th birthday, September 12th), chopped it up with THEYBF.com about producing the thriller with Will Packer ("I read the script and I was like...this is brilliant") and the tear-filled phone call, which Taraj dubbed her "Best Performance Ever", to get Idris Elba to commit to the role.  Details on how to PERSUADE the sexiness that is Idris Elba to do something?  Yeah, we took notes.

Also, Taraji, whose father was a police officer, opened up about being a single mother to 20-year-old son Marcel and the advice she gives him about dealing with law enforcement officials ("I grew up in the hood. So I know what racial profiling is all about. So I’m scared. I worry about him and I put my hands on him while he’s asleep and I put my hands on his car and I say God cover him"). 

And before she hits network television on the upcoming Lee Daniels-directed series "Empire" with Terrence Howard, she had a few words about the Ferguson protests and for dealing with racially-charged insults on social media.

TheYBF.com correspondent Krysta Underwood caught up with Taraj (wearing a top, skirt and shoes from Marissa Webb) at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hill. Here are the highlights:

On starring in No Good Deed

I’ve never done a thriller before. What attracted me to it was the fact that she didn’t play the victim. That’s what initially got my interest and then I kept reading and I got to that twist at the end and I was like Ahhhhhhhhh – I have to do it! I was like, OH MY GODDD this is brilliant!

On being an Executive Producer of the film with Will Packer

I got the script first. I met Will Packer from No Good Deed. He brought this script to me the first year me and Terrance Howard hosted the soul train awards – 5 to 7 years ago. Will was just up and coming. He had just done Stomp The Yard so he brings me this script and I had kind of heard about him and I read the script and I was like, When can we go! When can we go!

On originally seeking a white male lead for “No Good Deed”

The script was originally sitting at another studio and even though they don’t specify race I think it was written for white leads. Will brought the script to me because it was just sitting around and he was like, 'I think you would be great in this. We gotta find you a lead, It should be a white guy.' So we went down the list of all the incredible white guys, but the schedules didn’t work out.

On shifting focus and finding a black male lead:

Think Like A Man came in the interim and we (she and Will) put that to the side and we did TLAM and I was like, but I want to do No Good Deed! Then Will said it’s hard trying to get a white lead so why don’t we make it two black leads?  I had already worked with Michael Ealy. Tyrese.So then it was like…who haven’t I worked with? Gasp! Idris Elba! And I went after him with a vengeance! [And we are NOT mad at that!]

On the “Best Performance Ever” phone call that booked Idris Elba to star in No Good Deed:

Initially when I got the script and we decided it was going to be two black leads we had Idris locked, but then time went on and then he booked Mandela.

I understand as an actor that’s a dream role but, ‘Dude….You do realize you PROMISED you were going to do this movie? I have a son about to go to college! I put this money aside so…I’m gone need you to get it together. I’m a single mother.'

It was the best performance ever. One phone call….and he was there!

On talking sh*t to Idris Elba:

We have a banter and he knows how to push my buttons. I’m quick out the mouth! – I’m slick out the mouth!—and he loves it! He likes to push my buttons. The first thing I told him, I said,

“Let me tell you something Idris, I don’t care what you look like. You ain’t all that fine….

And I know all these women are like Idris! Idris! Idris! I said I’M NOT DOING IT!

On working with Idris in the future:

He did it (No Good Deed) and I love him so much but then I tried to ask for a couple more favors and he said (she mimics his British accent), “Didn’t I already help you?“

I said, 'You helped ME help YOU sucka! See that’s why I have a problem with you Idris!' [laughs]

On the advice she gives 20-year-old son Marcel about dealing with law enforcement:

I’m telling him to be aware of his surroundings at all time! I’m petrified! If something doesn’t feel right get out of there! Fortunately for him and us, I grew up in the hood. So I know what racial profiling is all about. So I’m scared. I worry about him and I put my hands on him while he’s asleep and I put my hands on his car and I say God cover him.

On growing up as the daughter of a cop, and how police presence has changed over time:

First of all, my father was a cop. He was in the service. I grew up in a time where we called police officers “Officer Friendly”. They would come to the schools and they lived in the communities.  Now it’s very, very different. You don’t see as many black cops anymore.

On the Ferguson protesters:

When you have a bunch of people all packed in this little area...what do you think is going to happen? They don’t know to do this peaceful thing.When every time you try to get ahead, it’s somebody there to push you back. What do you think is going to happen? What do you expect?

On Twitter Gangsters:

I get really offended when I say nice things on Twitter and people jump on me. And it’s like, you don’t know my struggle. You don’t know where I come from.

On responding to personal attacks on social media and avoiding Twitter beefs:

I usually take the high road. I just had a very intelligent exchange with a guy on my Instagram the other day and we both saw different things but by the time we finished he was like thank you! OMG! I never saw it like that.

On dealing with racism on social media:

You can’t meet hate with hate. Somebody has to rise above it. So whenever they say horrible things like, “That’s what that Ni**a deserved”, I go ‘you sweet angel I just pray to God you never suffer the loss of a child. God bless you and yours. Kissy Kissy Kiss. ‘

On Beyonce’s VMA Performance:

I missed everything! What was I doing? Traveling! I missed The VMAs, but I caught the baby [Blue Ivy] (does hand motion) on Instagram.

On what she’ll do to celebrate her 44th birthday (September 11th):

I have no idea. Probably working. After I finish this press tour I leave for Chicago to film "Empire". The cast is like what do you want to do? Am I like I don’t know. Do something for me!

On her summer vacation AND being a hypochondriac:

I went to the British Virgin Islands, I went to the Bahamas, almost went to Africa but I’m kind of glad I didn’t go because of what’s going on right now (Ebola outbreak). I would’ve been a nervous wreck! My brain would’ve been like, 'I got it in transit! I know I did!' I’m a hypochondriac anyway! I just know in my mind I would’ve gotten it in transit. I would’ve made myself sick.

Gotta love her!

No Good Deed, starring Taraji P. Henson and Idris Elba, opens nationwide on September 12th.

Photos via Krysta Underwood for TheYBF.com/Getty

"Blood, Sweat & Heels" star Geneva Thomas is in a sticky situation involving a New York Taxi driver.  But she tells TheYBF.com it's the driver's fault that SHE was arrested after being wrongfully accused of dodging her cab fare.  Get her side inside...

A quick trip to Brooklyn (from her nearby downtown Manhattan home) for Bravo reality star Geneva Thomas turned into a super long night...and an arrest.  Despite previous reports stating she simply dodged a cab fare, Geneva tells us the driver refused to accept their agreed upon fare and she only exited the cab to call the police after feeling "verbally assaulted" and "unsafe".

According to Geneva, while on a trip to Brooklyn last week, a cabbie took the out-of-the way Manhattan Bridge instead of the nearby Brooklyn Bridge, which resulted in a much higher fare. 

The reality star says the many times she has taken this same trip to Brooklyn, the trip is $10 in full.  This time, the fare had already crept to $14.50 before even entering Brooklyn.  When she questioned the driver about his seemingly sneaky tactic (which NY cab drivers have been known to perform), Geneva says the driver stopped, verbally assaulted her and tried to kick her out in the middle of a busy street -- which is completely illegal in Manhattan.

After she flagged down a traffic cop to inform him of the situation, Geneva says the driver hesitantly continued on to the destination, but not before agreeing to honor only the $14.50 fare as the total fare (pictured below). 

When the driver decided to not turn off the meter, and it ran up to over $25, he became hostile when Geneva refused to pay it...and also when she said she would not pay in cash.

Via her publicist, Geneva tells TheYBF.com that her wrongful arrest stemmed from an unfair cab fare:

On September 9, 2014, Geneva S. Thomas was involved in a dispute with a New York Yellow Taxi Cab Driver. Upon entering the vehicle, Geneva informed the driver of her desire to pay via credit card for services rendered and that she did not have cash. The driver became threatening and hostile following a line of question as he attempted to deviate from the planned route as a method to unfairly increase the fare. The driver became defensive and tried to force Geneva out of the vehicle in a highly trafficked area. Geneva placed two calls to 911 to diffuse the disagreement—once while she was in the cab and secondly upon arrival at her final destination. Geneva values the time and services of others, and was fully prepared to pay the agreed rate of $15.00. Geneva, along with bystanders on the scene, offered to pay, and the cops refused to allow anyone to do so. The New York Police Department proceeded with an immediate arrest without investigation. In this unfortunate situation, the New York Police Department’s unjust actions demonstrate an ongoing and well-documented pattern of behavior. The cab driver himself stated the arrest was unnecessary. Geneva finds these charges to be frivolous and unwarranted, and looks forward to proving her innocence. Geneva and her team will take action to create awareness ensuring this never happens to another woman in New York City ever again.

Geneva also tells us that the story reported earlier by another source, saying "police tracked her down" over an "$18 cab fare", is incorrect.  She called the police herself.

Photo: Getty