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Remy Ma & Papoose Reveal The Key To #BlackLove At The Screening Of The Most Painfully Romantic Movie Of The Year – 'The Photograph'

February 7, 2020, 12:35 pm
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Remy Ma& Papoose - the #BlackLove prototype - laced an audience with some relationship gems before seeing the romantic drama, The Photograph, starring Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield. Soak it all in inside...

 

 

Ever since Remy Ma came home from doing a prison bid, she and her husband Papoose have shown the world what #BlackLove looks like. They make it known everything isn’t picture perfect in their relationship, however, they’re both perfect for each other – flaws and all. And that's what really matters. Having someone in your corner who roots for you and love you unconditionally.

Naturally, Rem & Pap were chosen to kick off the screening of the romance drama The Photograph in NYC. Before the movie started, the married couple hit the stage to thank everyone for coming out and then Pap dropped some relationship keys that we all could use – even in friendships.

Check it:

 

 

Love them!

Valentine's Day is coming up, so folks are getting into their feels for the ones they love.

Before The Photograph hits the box office on February 14th, stars Issa Rae, LaKeith Stanfield, Lil Rel Howery, Chanté Adams, and writer/director Stella Meghie sat down for an intimate conversation about Black Love and the return of Black romantic cinema to the big screen. It's def needed AND appreciated.

On Valentine’s Day, Issa Rae (HBO’s Insecure, Little) and LaKeith Stanfield (FX's Atlanta, Sorry to Bother You) connect in a romance where a woman must learn from the secrets in her mother’s past if she is to move forward and allow herself to love and be loved.

When famed photographer Christina Eames unexpectedly dies, she leaves her estranged daughter Mae Morton (Rae) hurt, angry and full of questions. When a photograph tucked away in a safe-deposit box is found, Mae finds herself on a journey delving into her mother’s early life and ignites a powerful, unexpected romance with a rising-star journalist, Michael Block (Stanfield).

From writer-director Stella Meghie (The Weekend, Jean of the Joneses) from her original screenplay comes a sweeping love story about forgiveness and finding the courage to seek the truth, no matter where it may lead you. It's produced by Will Packer.

The film also stars Chanté Adams (Roxanne Roxanne) as Mae’s young mother Christina, Y’lan Noel (HBO’s Insecure) as Christina’s secret love, and Rob Morgan (Mudbound) as Isaac Jefferson, a New Orleans fisherman with a mysterious connection to Mae’s mother.

 

Peep their convo above.

BONUS:

 

Remy Ma turned up the heat on the magazine circuit with her LAPALME magazine February 2020 cover and spread. And she ATE that ish. Sis looked fierce AF for the pictorial.

 

 

 

 

Remy's "Melanin Magic" was A1. If you watch "Love & Hip Hop" then you saw the scene with Remy and her homie Fat Joe while she was shooting the pictures for the magazine cover and shoot. Peep the behind-the-scenes clip below:

 

 

The Photograph hits theaters on Valentine's Day! You HAVE to go see it.

Swipe through our gallery below to see your faves at the The Photograph's ATL screening last night!

Photo: Getty

FAB FLIX OF THE DAY:FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH!
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EXCLUSIVE 'GUHH' SNEAK PEEK: Bow Wow Tries To Shoot His Shot At Angela Simmons…AGAIN

February 13, 2020, 12:15 pm
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Bow Wow tries his hand yet again with Angela Simmons in our “Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta” sneak peek. Find out how the rapper tried to shoot his shot inside…

The “love triangle” between Angela Simmons, Romeo Miller and Bow Wow is no more. We say that because Angela revealed on “The Real” recently that she and Romeo aren’t on speaking terms and they’re not friends…at least, for now. One person who isn't sad about it is Bow Wow. It's perfect timing for him to shoot his shot at his “Growing Up Hop Hop” co-star.

Bow Wow and Angela Simmons go way back. She has known him since she was 17-years-old and they have been homies ever since. Back in the day, the “GUHH” co-stars briefly dated, but they never made it to officially becoming boyfriend/girlfriend. We learned exactly why they broke up last year. Now, Bow is stepping up to the plate again.

On tonight's episode of "Growing Up Hip Hop," the rapper-turned-actor tries his hand at winning Angela over, while grilling her with questions about her love life. Does he succeed?

Peep the clip below:

Tune in to find out what happens next when the "Growing Up Hip Hop"" episode premieres tonight at 9/8C on WEtv.

Photo: WEtv

 

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EXCLUSIVE: Issa Rae Has Traveled Several 'Love Journeys,' But Has She Ever Fallen In 'Love' By Just Looking At A Photograph?

February 21, 2020, 11:42 am
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The Photograph's Issa Rae dishes to TheYBF.com about traveling on several love journeys in life and how it has shaped her into the woman she is today. She also explains to us why #BlackLove stories need to be told. Find out everything she told us inside...

Valentine’s Day has passed, but we’re still feeling the #BlackLove vibes thanks to Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield, who star in the BOMB romantic drama, The Photograph.

TheYBF.com was on the scene in New York City for the world premiere of The Photograph, which was held at the SVA Theatre. And we got the chance to chop it up with lead star Issa Rae about all things #BlackLove, supporting everything black and, of course, her new film, The Photograph.

In the film, the multi-talented actress – who just celebrated the 9th anniversary of her YouTube series “Awkward Black Girl” – travels through a love story via photographs left behind by her late mother while simultaneously crafting her own love story along the way. When it comes to love stories, Issa has several that have helped shape her into the woman she is today.

Our good sis has become the poster child for “rooting for everybody black” and she's proud of it. She's also an advocate of displaying Black love stories on the big screen because it’s REAL and needs to be seen. Something we can appreciate.

”Black Love is real, it’s strong. It’s a thing of beauty and I love showcasing it at every turn,” she told YBF correspondent Angela Yvonne.

Black Love is definitely a beautiful thing, but does Issa feel like love can be found simply through a photograph? Find out what she told us above!

If you haven’t already, make your way to the movies to see The Photograph! So far, the film has raked in over $14 million since its box office debut. Woot!

Photo: Getty

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The Way Sterling K. Brown Loves Every Inch Of His Wife Will Make You Reevaluate The Men In Your Life (Exclusive)

February 28, 2020, 9:07 am
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When a black man truly loves everything about his black wife, it’s something beautiful to see. Find out what Sterling K. Brown told us about loving his wife’s naturalness inside…

 

Sterling K. Brown loves his black wife. And he loves every inch of her being that us side-eying the men in our lives.

While the world tells women they need to have straight hair to be considered beautiful (by society’s standards), the “This Is Us” star loves his wife, Ryan Michelle Bathe, most in her natural state. In fact, he stans out for his real-life wife’s natural hair and his on-screen wife, Susan Kelechi Watson, rocking her natural tresses as well. 

We sat down with Sterling recently to talk about it all.

“Natural hair – my wife and Sue [Susan Kelechi Watson] both, the way that they rock their hair on the carpet or on the show, it’s such a huge thing,” the two-time EMMY winning actor told YBF's LA correspondent Shannan Johnson.

 

And it’s not just white people who have this skewed perception of beauty. Our own family members have been brainwashed with the notion that straight hair equals beauty.

”My wife went to a wedding in Atlanta for one of her family members, and her aunt was like ‘Can you please straighten your hair for the wedding? I just I want you to be your prettiest,’” he said as he put his head down.

The “Waves” actor said that mentality is so ingrained in people that they don’t even realize how hurtful and detrimental comments like that can be. Luckily, Ryan has a husband like Sterling because he STANS out for his black queen and doesn’t miss an opportunity to let her know it.

 

Also, the 43-year-old actor has a deep love for the black community as whole, specifically black women.

“My four years at Stanford. That community sort of fostered and nurtured the dude you see here today. There are so many wonderful sisters that I love, appreciate and adore. And I just don’t want to ever send a message to my community that I don’t think that you are beautiful.”

Gotta love it.

Check it: 

The next episode of “This Is Us” airs March 3rd at 9pm EST on NBC.

 

Photos: Getty

 

When Sterling K. Brown Speaks...We Listen!
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When Sterling K. Brown Speaks...We Listen!

February 28, 2020, 9:24 am
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  • Cool & Down To Earth
  • Two-Time EMMY Winner
  • Off Guard
  • Smile!

TheYBF.com enjoyed a conversation with "This Is Us" star Sterling K. Brown during a luncheon at NBC.

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‘Love is Blind’ Star Lauren Speed Wants Brown Girls To Know THIS About Finding Your Soul Mate (Exclusive)

March 3, 2020, 4:31 pm
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TheYBF.com caught up with “Love Is Blind” stars Lauren Speed and Cameron Hamilton and - after binging this mostly foolywang material of a show - we love them even more. Find out the message Lauren has for brown girls about finding their soul mate and more inside…

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SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t watched “Love Is Blind” yet, this post contains spoilers.

Is Love really Blind? Ask Mrs. Hamilton!

Lauren Speed and Cameron Hamilton (above, spreading their love all over NYC while doing press) quickly became fan favorites on everyone’s newest Netflix obsession, “Love Is Blind.” And y'all, we had to suffer through A LOT of foolishness from their castmates to watch their love story blossom. Still recovering from Jessica and Amber and everyone in between.

The series picked a group of men and women, put them in a house and let them go on “blind dates” to see if anyone could find true love based on an emotional connection. That’s right, they couldn’t see each other while “dating.” They would go into these cozy pods and build connections with one another by conversing through a wall. They never saw each other. Before the time was up, they had to decide if they wanted to get engaged with someone they connected with and then they would walk down the aisle weeks later to say, “I Do.”

We were on hand to watch the Weddings (the final episodes) with the cast in Atlanta, so we got to ask the pressing questions we needed to know after damn near throwing our wine and phone at the TV every other episode.

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Yup, The Hamiltons (adorbs!) are still living happily ever after.  And thank God at least one couple made sense on this show.

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While most of the couples didn’t last, there were two couples who actually tied the knot: Lauren Speed married Cameron Hamilton and Amber Pike married Matt Barnett (that last couple was and still is a DOOZY).

We can't lie, we were shocked to see Sex & Sephora Amber & Barnett tie the knot and still be together chile.

During the show, Lauren shared how Cameron was the first white man she had ever been with. Meanwhile, Cameron shared he was in a serious relationship for years with a black woman before Lauren, so he was well aware of the struggles an interracial couple would face.

On the show, Lauren said she wanted to be as authentic as possible – even down to her wearing her bonnet in the bed with him at night – because she really wanted to see if this “experiment” would work.

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Well, it did for her (also because she's a WHOLE catch, and so is he). And now she’s dropping gems, specifically to brown girls like her, about finding your soul mate.

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YBF correspondent Erenacaught up with Mr. & Mrs. Hamilton during the series finale screening in Atlanta and here’s what she told us:

Take notes ladies.

 
 
 
 
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Right before this experience, I was just at the point where I had given up on the fairytale. Feeling like we sell little girls these dreams of a Prince Charming that doesn’t really exist. Clearly God had the last laugh. I was open minded entering this experience honestly never expecting to fall in love and become the happiest I’ve ever been all while being recorded for the world to see. When I said Cameron looked like a Prince I meant it... he to me embodied everything I had dreamed of in my fairytale... Kind, smart, loving, selfless, brave could make me laugh and cry all in one conversation... but most importantly made me feel valued and loved. Of course like anything in life we are humans and not without struggle. But as you mature you learn that the struggles are what strengthen you and help you realize what needs more care. Im excited to continue this next chapter with you Mr. Hamilton. Us against the world. Bonnie and Clyde (minus the shoot up) #LoveIsBlind currently streaming on @Netflix @lajoyphotographyllc

A post shared by Lauren Speed (@need4lspeed) on

 

By the way, the Hamiltons have a YouTube Page coming down the pipeline soon:

 
 
 
 
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Ummmm so we did a thing! @cameronreidhamilton and @need4lspeed got with me to take some amazing photos for their brand new YouTube Page! Yes you heard me right! They have a new YouTube page all about them! Subscribe to their new page and my page for updated videos and photos! Full video link in bio! . . Link in bio for the full video! . . . Photo: @lajoyphotographyllc Video: @iamteko Graphics: @thechloebrand . . . #lajoyphotography #loveisblind #loveisblindnetflix #laurenandcameron #atlphotographer #lifestylephotographer #lifestylephotoshoot #atlentrepreneurs #youtubers #girlceo #photography #netflix #weddingphotography #weddinginspiration #americascouple #laurenandcameron

A post shared by LAJOY COX | Photographer (@lajoyphotographyllc) on

 

"Love Is Blind" star Carlton Morton was also in the mix. He became a breakout star of the show after he waited until AFTER he proposed to Diamond to tell her he was a bisexual man. The timing was extrmeely off and his excuses about why he waited to tell the woman he claimed to wanted to spend his life with were, to put it mildly, trash. THEN, he had the audacity to demean and degrade her as she was explaining to him why she was upset that he waited to reveal something that's a huge part of who he is and being her potential partner. Needless to say, she dipped on his a** - while quoting Beyonce's "Don't Hurt Yourself" - and never looked back.

Now, he claims he's no longer doing press because no one has been supporting him:

 

Hmph.

During the screening, TheYBF.com also spoke with married couple Amber & Barnett and how they felt right before the wedding - especially when Amber thought Barnett didn't want to marry her. Formerly engaged couple Damian Powers& Giannina Gibelli (he called it off at the alter!) were also in attendance and they shared how they're moving forward.

Peep all the clips below:

The Internet is ALL IN for the show and has been reacting to scenes from the episodes on social media.  And by reacting, we mean gagging.  Below are some reactions: 

 

The "Love Is Blind" reunion begins streaming on Netflix this Thursday, March 5th. Catch the spicy sneak peek below: 

 

*Pours wine in preparation*

Photos: Splash/Getty Images for Netflix

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EXCLUSIVE: ‘For Life’ Star Joy Bryant Says A Partner's Best Friend Isn't Totally Off Limits In A New Relationship - HERE’S WHY!

March 9, 2020, 5:20 pm
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Are besties totally off limits in a new relationship? Joy Bryant tells TheYBF.com exactly why dating your former spouse’s best friend has a lot of “gray area” and how things aren't always what they seem inside...

 

Joy Bryant enters our living rooms (or appears on out mobile devices) every week on 50 Cent’s new ABC series, “For Life.”

In the new real-life inspired crime drama, the Bronx native plays Marie, the estranged wife of Aaron Wallace, who becomes a lawyer fighting to reverse his own life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit.

In the first episode, viewers learn Marie has entered a relationship with Aaron’s best friend, Darius. While she’s sympathetic to her husband’s situation, she also feels the need to move on with her life. She’s def the “realist” on the show, while their daughter, Jasmine, seems more naïve when it comes to her father's release. Jasmine is holding out hope that her father will one day be released from prison under super extraordinary circumstances.

“I think that things – nothing is black and white and it’s a lot of gray,” Joy told TheYBF.com in a phone interview.

We can’t lie. Once we realized Joy’s character was in a relationship with her estranged husband’s best friend, we were giving her a whole "Now girl...". However, Joy shared with us that it’s a lot viewers don’t know about the background of their relationship, which will soon be revealed.

In episode four (titled “Marie"), viewers will get the chance to see things from her character’s perspective and will get to “really understand the lost.” We’ll see how and why things progressed with her husband’s friend.

“It’s a lot more complicated than that," she explained. "It shows that people can look at someone else’s life and make assumptions or judgements based on what THEY would do. Until you are in that situation and going through those things, you don’t really know. And sometimes sh*t happens.”

When put under extraordinary circumstances, things you said you would never do you may just end up doing.

“This dynamic of people falling in love under these type of circumstances – whether it’s a death of a partner or incarceration – when someone is taken away from this unit. It’s not the first time that its happened. And it’s easy to say ‘Oh, that’s messed up. You shouldn’t do that,’ but you don’t know what goes on in people’s lives and in their hearts. Again, sometimes sh*t goes down. It just be like that.”

We won’t have to wait long to see Marie’s perspective as the next episode of “For Life” airs tomorrow at 10/9c on ABC.

If you didn’t know, Joy joined forces with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson for his first acting role in the 2005 coming-of-age film, Get Rich or Die Tryin'. She played the mother of his child in the movie. While she didn’t film any scenes with 50 in the new series, she explained what it’s like working on a project with him again.

The 45-year-old actress said it has been amazing to see Fif grow and prosper as an actor and then flip it in such an impactful and powerful way as a producer.

“If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be talking right now,” she told us.

One thing she said that’s special about the “Power” producer is that he has a knack for knowing what people want to see and that’s an intelligence that not many people (even in their business) have.

”I have nothing but tremendous respect for 50,” she said.

By the way…

 

 

The "Power" spin-off about Kanan has found it's lead star.

According to Deadline, Mekai Curtis will star as young Kanan Stark alongside Patina Miller (Hunger Games: Mockingjay) in "Power Book III: Raising Kanan." The upcoming series will follow the now deceased "Power" character Kanan Stark, showing viewers his life back in the 90s and how he became the man we saw in the original "Power" series.

Here's a synopsis:

Smart, driven and still naïve, Kanan’s world revolves around his mother, Raq (Miller), who raised him by herself. She is his everything. At the same time, he is beginning to get a sense of not only the world around him but his place in said world. Kanan wants to be just like his mother — and that’s the problem. He’s young and wide-eyed and doesn’t know how the hustle works. And even more important, his mother is not nearly as keen as he is for him to follow in her footsteps. Theirs is a complicated relationship that only gets more problematic as time goes on.

Rob Hardy ("Power," "All American") will direct the pilot and he'll also executive produce. "Power" creator Courtney Kemp will executive produce alongside 50 and Sascha Penn, who will also serve as the showrunner. Other executive producers include Mark Canton, Chris Selak, Danielle DeJesus, Shana Stein, Bart Wenrich and Kevin Fox.

We'll keep you posted when "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" is set to premiere on STARZ.

"Power Book II: Ghost" - starring Michael Rainy Jr., Naturi Naughton, Mary J. Blige, Method Man& Woody McClain - is set to premiere this summer on STARZ.

Photos: Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock.com

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EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK: ‘Marriage Boot Camp’ Star Chozus Is Concerned 'LAHH' Star Girlfriend Bianca Was Pregnant By Another Man Last Year…Was She?!

April 2, 2020, 9:58 am
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Mama’s baby…daddy’s maybe? “Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition” star Chozus wants to know if his pregnant girlfriend Bianca was pregnant by ANOTHER man last year. Was she? Peep out exclusive clip inside….

Bianca Bonnie and her boyfriend Chozus are gearing up to welcome their bundle of joy into the world. But before their baby boy arrives, they have some things to work out with the help of WE tv’s “Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition.”

The couple has been on and off for about 4 years, so there are some gray areas they need to make black and white. To clear the air, Bianca (who also starred on “Love & Hip Hop”) wants to know if her man/son's father Chozus is in another relationship with someone else. On the flip side, Chozus wants to know the truth about Bianca’s past pregnancy. Was she pregnant by another man?

Peep the clip below:

Watch it all play out on tonight's episode of "Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition" at 9pm EST on WE tv.

That's not the only issue the couple is facing...

 

 
 
 
 
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Wassup y'all so this pic is from me last Monday when I went in for physical therapy on my knee. I wore a mask the entire time. This was the first time I left the house for a week and the only time. Later this day I developed flu like symptoms and got almost 104 degree fever. It was impossible to sleep for longer than 3 mins and I felt body aches like never before. After two days of feeling like this I went to a drive-thru testing sight for COVID-19. A day after getting tested I felt almost back at 100% with just minor headaches. I got my results back today and they were positive for COVID-19. I'm already feeling much better so I wanted to reach whoever I can and tell y'all yes this is a real virus spreading and it can take one time to leave your home and you can impact the rest of your family. Luckily I'm young and healthy so I was able to bounce back somewhat fast. This virus is really attacking our elders with weaker immune systems. If anyone is feelings symptoms like I've listed what worked best for me is steamed showers for 15 mins, drinking about 2-3 gallons of water a day, a lot of orange juice, and vitamin-c pills. Stay Safe. God Bless

A post shared by Chozus 2RARE (@chozus) on

 

Sadly, Bianca - who is seven months pregnant - had to self-quarantine solo in Miami as she gears up to welcome her first child during the Coronavirus crisis. Her child's father, Chozus, recently tested positive for COVID-19 in NYC following ACL surgery. Yikes.

"He's having a bad spring. He had ACL surgery on his leg again. Then he got tested positive for corona in New York," Bianca told TooFab. "This week he got it back. He had a fever of 104 for like a couple of days ago."

On Sunday (March 29th), Chozus hopped on social media to confirm he testes positive for the virus. He also shared his experience and warned people who aren't taking the pandemic seriously that it's REAL.

"I developed flu like symptoms and got almost 104 degree fever. After two days of feeling like this I went to a drive-thru testing sight for COVID-19. A day after getting tested I felt almost back at 100% with just minor headaches. I got my results back today and they were positive for COVID-19."

He continued, "Yes this is a real virus spreading and it can take one time to leave your home and you can impact the rest of your family."

 

 

 

The "Chicken Noodle Soup" rapper said she's taking precautions to keep her baby and herself safe.

"I don't trust it. We don't have a cure, right? We don't have a vaccine for it," Bianca began, adding how Chozus tried to alleviate the situation by telling her he won't be able to get the disease again. "But I'm like... that doesn't mean I can't get it or the baby can't get it. I don't know. I don't know the details. Obviously, if we knew everything, we wouldn't be trapped in the house still."

"People are dying left and right and I just think that June is very close," Bianca continued. "It's 2 months and I don't think the baby is going to be able to handle anything. I just don't know. I can't call it, so I want to play it safe."

On top of stress from COVID-19, the couple is unsure about their relationship status going forward.

"Me and his relationship is complicated," explained Bianca. "We are just still trying to get it together. It's a lot. We are taking it one day at a time, basically. We try to get on the same page, but it's just a lot of work we gotta do still."

 

 

Right now, she's trying to keep a positive attitude. She's working on new music that she plans to drop later this year.

"I have to be optimistic in these times," she admitted. "I'm gonna drop a song on Mother's Day, like a single on iTunes. But I probably won't put my other project out 'til July now."

Next week, Bianca will host a virtual baby shower to celebrate her baby boy's arrival:

 

 

Congrats to the couple!

Photos: WE tv screenshot

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Waka Flocka Had To Figure Out How To Stop His & Tammy Rivera's Marriage From Imploding After 'Cheating On Her Made Her Better' Comment

April 2, 2020, 5:17 pm
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Well look who finally showed up for his wife. Waka Flocka and Tammy Rivera have been going through it in their marriage, and their therapy sessions have been playing out on their new reality show. On tonight's episode, the rapper might have found the cheat code to keeping Tammy from walking away.

Whew chile. If this is marriage, we don't want it.

There's a fine line between putting in hard work and longtime suffering. Tammy Rivera has seemingly been doing the latter in her marriage with Waka Flocka Flame, so they started going to therapy to address his cheating issues and their communication & emotional issues as a couple. Couples therapy sparked a whole firestorm though.

Ish got real - hotepish - last week when Waka told the therapist him cheating on Tammy made her better. Chile.

After that foolery, Tammy said she needed her space, so she fled ATL went to her grandmother's birthday party back home in Maryland - solo dolo.

 

Well maybe therapy and a little distance is helping afterall. 

Because on tonight's episode, when Waka (and Deb) show up to surprise her, after she was just moping around the party saying she wished he was there, Tammy reveals she was "happy as sh**" to see him.

Waka said he needs to listen to her more, and he'd "do anything in the world for my wife. Anything."

He better say that, especially since Tammy is actually walking the walk and claiming a whole gun he was caught with a few years ago - illegally - was actually hers.

“Waka & Tammy: What The Flocka” airs Thursdays on WeTV at 10p ET.

Photo: WeTV
 

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EXCLUSIVE ‘GUHH’ SNEAK PEEK: Vanessa Simmons’ Body Image Struggle Is Relatable & Real AF

April 30, 2020, 9:56 am
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Vanessa Simmons opens up about an issue most woman (and some men) can relate to when it comes to how we see ourselves. Catch our exclusive “Growing Up Hip Hop” sneak peek inside…

 

Body Image.

So many of us struggle with accepting our bodies in its most natural form. And that’s every day, ordinary people. So, being in the public eye, you can imagine how those negative feelings could be magnified times 10, especially when people are constantly picking you apart on a daily basis.

In tonight’s episode of “Growing Up Hip Hop,” Vanessa Simmons opens about on her feelings about her body. Although she’s gorgeous, she’s self-conscious about weight gain and expresses how hard it is to feel good about herself due to trolls constantly commenting on her appearance.

”I have a f*ckin’ double chin,” Vanessa said in the clip. “Yeah, I’m feeling very self-conscious," she told her sister Angela Simmons.

 

 

The YBF mom revealed her struggle with body positivity has taken a toll on her confidence and she shared what her daughter, Ava, said to her that broke her down completely. Peep the clip below:

Tune in TONIGHT to see a new episode of "Growing Up Hip Hop" at 9/8c on WEtv.

 

Photo: Vanessa's IG

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EXCLUSIVE: If The NBA Needs Some Help When It Returns, 'Good Fight' Star Nyambi Nyambi’s Star-Studded Line Up Could Be A Problem!

May 1, 2020, 12:16 pm
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Nyambi Nyambi checks in with TheYBF.com about how he’s handling being quarantined. Sorry ladies, he has a #QuaratineBAE. Also, if the NBA needs some help when it returns, he has a star-studded line up that would be a problem. Get into our chit chat with “The Good Fight” actor inside…

”The Good Fight” – the popular CBS All Access legal drama – is back with a new season, which is currently streaming. Star Nyambi Nyambi plays investigator Jay DiPersia, who is one of the in-house investigators at Reddick Boseman & Kolstad.

TheYBF.com got the chance to chop it up with Nyambi and he shared how he’s handling self-isolation during the global Coronavirus pandemic. Sorry, ladies. He has a #QuaratineBae.

”With the PS4, the XBOX, the Nintendo Switch, my comic books, drawing,” Nyambi told YBF LA correspondent Shannan Johnson during a Zoom call. "I have my lady that I spend a lot of time with,” he revealed. “I do have a Quarantine BAE. I do,” he shared.

The Nigerian-American actor shared how they’re figuring out how to spend time together since she’s actually working longer hours being at home. Nyambi said he keeps a low profile in the background while she works. Sometimes, she’ll pause/mute her Zoom meetings so he can “Usain Bolt” past the screen. Ha!

The comic book aficionado said the first comic book he purchased with his own money was "Batman: Year One." He shared he grew up reading the comics on the back of the newspaper. Living in a Nigerian home, he didn't even know there was a such thing as a comic book store until grad school in 2005. He recalled going to purchase his first comic book with a classmate on a Wednesday because new comics would come out on Wednesdays. Nyambi shared he really couldn't afford to buy comics until he booked a role one "Mike & Molly." Wow.

Being locked down is allowing him to enjoy his introverted activities. However, he said he has extrovert skills.

“I’m actually an introvert. I’m an introvert with extrovert skills. I set up everything so I can be in place where I don’t have to go anywhere. My video games, my art, my TVs,” he said.

Right now, the NBA has been put on pause amid the global Coronavirus pandemic. However, when the league does come back, if they need some help, Nyambi has them covered.

Nyambi has assembled a star-studded team that would give some of the pros a run for their money. FUN FACT: Nyambi earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Bucknell University before earning his Masters of Fine Arts from the Graduate Acting Program at New York University. He played four years of Division 1 basketball for Bucknell and made the ESPN Dick Vitale All-Name Team honoring the best names in college basketball. Post-college, Nyambi took on the role of coach and led basketball teams at teen camps for several years. So, like we said, his team would be a problem.

He’s naturally a Los Angeles Laker fan (a Magic Johnson fan to be specific), so if he had to be drafted to a team he obviously would pick the Lakers.

”Yeah, and I’m still good,” he said.

Talk your ish, Nyambi!

If the NBA approached him about playing in the league and he had to pick four other actors to play with him, who would he choose?

His starting line up would include: Oscar winning actor Mahershala Ali – “Mahershala, he actually played college ball,” he shared.

“Big Bang Theory” star Kunal Nayyar –“He’s not the greatest basketball player, but he works so hard. I need somebody who works hard.”

Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan –“And then Michael B. Jordan because I need a Michael Jordan on my team. You got to have a Michael Jordan on your team. He can ball, he’s good.”

Lastly, he picked legendary NBA legend Kareem Adbdul Jabbar.

”He was in it [The Game of Death], so he’s an actor. He’s on IMDB. Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Boom! That’s my set up,” he said.

Ha! Very clever.

 

 

Check out Season 4 of "The Good Fight" on CBS All Access.

Photo: Lauren Toub

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THE YBF PODCAST: LisaRaye On Turning Down 'Real Housewives,' Mistresses, Women Who Give Up The Goods For Free, & What Really Went Down With Stacey Dash

May 21, 2020, 5:41 pm
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We finally got to catch up with LisaRaye McCoy!  The living legend herself shared her unapologetic opinion on several topics that may ruffle some feathers. And that's why we love her.

Find out what she dished to Natasha about dealing with mistresses, women who give it away for free on social media, what really went down before and after that on set fight with Stacey Dash, and turning down a "Real Housewives" gig for her legitimate career, inside...

You may have met LisaRaye McCoy as “Diamond” in the cult classic, Player’s Club, but these days she’s busy being a boss, a mother, a grandmother and daughter all while building her empire to remain a household name.

 

 

Right now, she’s on lockdown at home with her mother, daughter and granddaughter, but she’s loving every minute of being with her family during theses trying times. Living in sunny Los Angeles, she’s blessed to have a home where four generations of her family can live comfortably under one roof. And while she’s making sure her family is straight, she’s also making sure her coins are straight as well. Most recently, she released a new mattresses line and has other projects coming down the pipeline.

The 52-year-old actress has reached a point in her career where she’s not doing anything she doesn’t want to. And she told Natasha all about it in a new YBF Podcast episode.

“I am in full control of me and my career and I don’t want to have to do anything I don’t want to do. I’m in full control of me and my career,” she told Natasha in the new podcast episode.

The YBF actress is currently starring in UMC’s “A House Divided” and one thing her character talks about in the series is…mistresses. A topic LisaRaye is all too familiar with.

“I have a lot of experience [in life]. I’m not the age that I am and not have my share of stories,” she said.

If you’ve been living under a rock and aren’t up on tea, LisaRaye divorced her former husband, ex-Premier Michael Misick, after she found out he was cheating on her. She has been very vocal about her former “All Of Us” co-star Duane Martin playing a part in bringing mistresses into their marriage.

LisaRaye has been in every situation with a man you can imagine, but those experiences have shaped her into who she is today.

“I’ve had all kinds of scenarios. And from those different experiences, it makes me the woman I am now. It makes me live the way I live now. I’ll say this, I don’t have those problems [now],” she shared.

Thankfully she recognized the bullsh*t and decided to leave rather than stay in a toxic situation and that’s commendable.

As she became a big name in Hollywood, the “sex symbol” label was given to her after her role in the iconic stripper film, Player’s Club. So, it wasn’t a surprise to see her on the cover of a magazine in something scantily clad. However, she always kept it classy. These days, the rules have changed. Women are quick to show their “ass”ets and more for free on social media. LisaRaye dropped some gems for the ladies who are quick to show it all (and only show it all) to the masses.

“Stop taking your clothes off and don’t be a part of the casting couch,” she said. “When you think about a real sex symbol - that’s deemed a sex symbol - it’s not because you saw her in complete nudity. It’s because it was something about her that was sexy without her taking her clothes off. When you see her fully dressed, you imagine what she looks like. If you just giving it to them on the ‘Gram, then it ain’t nothing to imagine and nothing to see once you get in that situation. So, stop it. Stop giving them the goods for FREE!”

She continued:

“If you doing it, do it for a check! Not for the damn Instagram! Dare to be different. Bring your sexy in a whole different way to stand out,” she said.

Not even mad at this.

Switching gears, LisaRaye opened up about what really went down between her and Stacey Dash on the set of “Single Ladies.” The two actresses constantly clashed on set, and one day tensions boiled over that resulted in Stacey pointing her finger in LisaRaye’s face. And sis wasn’t having it.

“When that night happened and she flipped out, I don’t believe it was personal at all,” she explained. “I don’t believe she was just coming after me because she’s really not that kind of person. She just got it twisted and f*cked up real quick. She felt like she could talk to me in a way of which I was just going to sit down is the only thing I can think of.”

“I could have torn her head off,” she said.

Oop!

LisaRaye said she’s not fighting on set and she’s def not fighting on television – i.e. reality TV.

She revealed she was approached about doing "Real Housewives" seven years ago, but she declined.

“I politely gave them the ‘No Thank You.’ I actually have a legitimate career,” she explained.

She then explained why she would never do reality television.

“I’m really not a fan of reality TV right now,” she shared. “It’s so much buffoonery and so much negativity that I’m shocked at the shi* that they show."

As a grandmother, a mother and a mature woman she said she’s not about that reality life because ish can get real and she’ll end up with a lawsuit on her hands.

“I’m just like - that’s how you would treat your friend? I can’t be in a scene like that because then it would turn real for me and then it would be no more scenes because I would tear that mutha up and I’d be sued.”

"I’m too old for certain sh*t and I refuse to showcase that kind of stuff on TV being a grown, respectable woman,” she explained.

Perfect explanation. We wouldn’t want to see her on reality TV with all of its shenanigans, but she did say she's super supportive of her girl Garcelle Beauvais doing her thing as the first black cast member on "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."

 

 

LisaRaye said there are a few actresses she calls friends, including Vivica A. Fox, Tichina Arnold and she reuniting with Tisha Campbell after she divorced Duane Martin.

Listen to all the tea LisaRaye spilled during our YBF Podcast below!

Check out LisaRaye on "A House Divided" which airs Thursdays on UMC!

Subscribe to The YBF Podcast on any platform you get your podcasts!

Photo: LisaRaye's IG

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THE YBF PODCAST: LisaRaye Spills Why 'Player’s Club'&'All Of Us' Reboots Could Still Happen, Why JLo’s 'Hustlers' Performance Wasn't ‘Oscar Worthy’ & Making Money Moves

May 22, 2020, 1:54 pm
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In the era of reboots, LisaRaye McCoy reveals why a Player’s Club and “All Of Us” reboot could still happen, her thoughts on Jennifer Lopez’s alleged “Oscar worthy” HUSTLERS performance and how she’s keeping those checks coming in. Everything she dished on The YBF Podcast inside….

A Player’s Club reboot!? Possibly.

LisaRaye McCoy chopped it up with The YBF’s Natasha Eubanks on a recent episode of The YBF Podcast where she dishes on whether a Player’s Club reboot would ever see the light of day. And it looks promising, that is, if the stars align to make it happen. The 1998 film was written and directed by Ice Cube and it was also the west coast rapper-turned-actor/producer’s directorial debut.

Last year, we got a stripper movie starring one of our faves Jennifer Lopez called HUSTLERS. However, it didn’t quite quench our thirst like Player’s Club did many moons ago. When LisaRaye caught wind of the movie, she def felt a way about it.

”When Jennifer Lopez did that movie [HUSTLERS] and said ‘I’m playing Diamond’ and I was thinking, ‘Yeah, you playing because I am Diamond. Forever Diamond.’ I felt a little like why wouldn’t you get the iconic woman who bought stripping BACK to everybody.”

”And then I saw Ice Cube last year, she continued. “I pulled him to the side and I said, ‘I think it’s time for a second Player’s Club.’ He said, ‘Oh yeah, let’s talk about it.’ And then that’s when the Jennifer Lopez movie came out. So then I felt like, do we still want ours to be – still have that urban twist or make it bigger? More universal? So, let’s just say that that’s going to be discussed.”

Listen, we love a good stripper-with-a-heart flick, but HUSTLERS just wasn’t it. But nothing about it was Oscar worthy despite the odd buzz created around it.

”What tripped me out is that they were actually talking about an Oscar for that role and I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?!’,” she said.

No hate, but LisaRaye (who is also a huge J.Lo fan) didn’t think JLo’s performance was Oscar worthy– like most of us. Jenny didn't get the nomination, but not everyone was surprised by it.

”And I felt like, is the Oscar going down? Or just looking for somebody? Or whatever. Did they say that or did they just put that out there? I still haven’t seen the movie, but what I did see…and again, not hating because I love me some JLo, honey. Love her, everything about her, but yeah that wasn’t an Oscar.”

That truth serum. We love a good JLo movie (and we've seen ALL of them because we stan), but, yeah.

So, what about an “All Of Us” reboot? The world knows LisaRaye can’t stand her former co-star Duane Martin and wouldn’t spit on him if he was on fire. You’ll recall, she accused Duane of breaking up her marriage to her ex-husband, Michael Misick. However, if the money is right, LisaRaye said she’ll put her differences aside for a reboot.

“My mama used to always say 'never say never' because that money might be real right for me to take that on, to suppress what I really feel, which by the way I think the world knows how I feel now. If that was to even happen, HE would have to come to me and say, ‘Sis, I was supposed to do this a long time ago. Let’s have a conversation. Let’s sit down,” she said.

LisaRaye and Duane haven’t talked since she spoke out about how she was treated by her former friend. She said he knows how she feels, and he knows what he did. If he comes to her with a sincere apology, then she may be here for a reconciliation.

She talked about what it was like working with the iconic Debbie Allen on "All of Us" as a newbie in the acting game and how the themes of the show are still relevant today.

”It was fun, it was funny, it was real, and it was honest. It was taken from Will [Smith] & Jada’s life a little bit, so I don’t think it would be a bad idea [for a reboot].”

If those coins aren’t right, LisaRaye will still be good as she has been diversifying her assests. After releasing her own PZI denim line, she recently released her own mattress line, Sleep Black mattress from her very own collection, LR HomeStyles. The living legend is making money moves in several different avenues while raking in the coins.

Take a listen below and get all of the deets LisaRaye spilled about her quarantine life and more!

Check out LisaRaye on "A House Divided" which airs Thursdays on UMC (watch for free now!)!

Subscribe to The YBF Podcast on any platform you get your podcasts!

Photo: LisaRaye's IG

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THE YBF PODCAST: Hollywood Vets Robert Townsend & Leon Robinson Spill ‘Making Of The Five Heartbeats’ Secrets That Totally Blew Our Mind

June 16, 2020, 5:02 pm
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Hollywood vets Robert Townsend and Leon Robinson dropped some throwback tea on us about the making of The Five Heartbeats that blew our mind. The living legends tell us what it was like revisiting the film for their new UMC documentary “Making of the Five Heartbeats” and tons more - like how Leon bagged model-turned-reality star Cynthia Bailey - inside...

Did somebody say legends?! Because we're talked to two of everybody's faves - Robert Townsend& Leon Robinson for this episode!

While the fellas promote the "Making of the Five Heartbeats" documentary on UMC, they stopped by The YBF Podcast for what was technically Natasha's first recording in quarantine. After a few frozen moments, they got to everything you've ever wanted to know about the cult classic.

It’s the era of reboots, but that wasn’t the driving force behind Robert and Leon collaborating on a “behind-the-scenes” documentary about the iconic musical.

“No. I had been thinking about doing a documentary for years, but I just didn’t know how to do it,” Robert shared with Natasha during The YBF Podcast. “And then stuff happens when it happens. Then, it was like ‘Oh, this is how I can tell the story because I didn’t want it to be like a regular documentary. It’s like a movie onto itself,” he said.

”Making of the Five Heartbeats” isn’t exactly a reboot. It's a documentary that gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at how they created the film and all the work (and crazy moments) that went into getting it to the big screen. Robert said the idea of the documentary was no-brainer because fans of the film are always asking him questions about how he made The Five Heartbeats.

“The biggest question is always, ‘When are y’all going to do a Part 2?,’” Leon said.

We’re not sure about you all, but we were “today years old” when Leon schooled us on whether the group was real or not!

“The real funny question is – and I know Robert got this too – and we see a lot of it now that we’re doing press for the documentary is how many people thought the Five Heartbeats was a group,” Leon said.

Mind blown.

The dynamic duo also answered several burning questions about the film that we HAD to know: Was it real wiggery or real hair they were rocking on screen? Why Whitney didn't work out for a role she auditioned for and what she told Robert once she saw the movie. Which co-star did the most while in character and forgot their heart throb status was JUST a character? Who got caught getting it popping in real life in the trailers? How did Robert become so prolific in the industry? What we don't know about the most underrated writer in Hollywood.

Robert Townsend may be divorced, but he's definitely got him a secret bae even his good friend Leon didn't know about. We got the tea on their quarantine visits, how Leon is handling being far away from his baby girl Noelle, what he's telling her about the business now t hat she wants to be an actress, why he refuses to do TikTok with her, and Leon dishes on how he pulled ex-wife turned bomb co-parent Cynthia Bailey.

Speaking of “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Cynthia Bailey, she actually auditioned to star in The Five Heartbeats:

 

 

Oh, so that’s how Cynthia and Leon met…on the set? Nope. Leon shared exactly how he and Cynthia met where he pretty much manifested their future.

“My meeting with Cynthia [Bailey] was very strange to be honest with you,” Leon spilled. “I went to a fashion show for BET and I went with the CEO and owner of BET at the time, Bob Johnson. Cynthia was there with some friends, but she wasn’t in the show because she was a really big model at that time. She was too big to be in that show, she was going there to support.

”I saw her from a distance and I said to my friend, ‘I know this is going to sound crazy, but you see that girl over there? She looks like the mother of my child.’

"He said ‘You don’t have no God damn children.’ I said, ‘I know that’s why what I said sounds so crazy.’ I know it’s crazy. The funny thing is, she wouldn’t even look at me when I was talking to her. But then I got the call from her friend and she brokered the deal.”

And the rest is history.

Get into the real deal with some real legends. And how we found out Robert is a low key huge fan of Tory Lanez's raunchy quarantine radio AND demon time. Chile...Come get Uncle Robert!

Get into it below:

You can also listen and subscribe on Apple, Spotify and all other streamers.

"Making of the Five Heartbeats" is currently streaming on UMC or you can rent/buy it on YouTube.

Photos: Jamie Lamor Thompson/Ron Adar/Shutterstock.com

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The YBF PODCAST: Dance King Darrin Henson Keeps A Check, Celebrates 20 Years Of Making Boy Bands Like N’Sync Hot & Reveals How He & His Queen Manage Pandemic Anxiety

June 17, 2020, 2:15 pm
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Say what you will about Darrin Henson, but he not only KEEPS a check, he's responsible for majority of your favorite boy bands getting their dance clout and cult-like fans. Get into our interesting convo on The YBF Podcast inside...

It's been 20 years since famed choreographer Darrin Henson created the now iconic and MTV Award winning choreography for N'Sync's "Bye Bye Bye" video. And he's got plenty of stories to tell about Justin Timberlake, J.C. Chasez, and all the rest of the early 2000's folks he basically created careers for. We didn't even know half the ish he's responsible for.

“Well, the thing was N’Sync wasn’t uber popular in the States when I first started working with them. Their manager Johnny Wright was set to break them in America and their first special was a huge Disney special in Orlando. So, I came in at that time and choreographed that Disney special. And when that special set the tone – that was it. That was the beginning of our relationship. It was on and popping from there,” he shared.

He said the way it happened – it was destiny.

“I couldn’t have written it the way it turned out. You can imagine it. But, the way it all turned out – it was phenomenal,” he shared.

The newest star of UMC was ahead of his time. He had the most popular dance/workout infomercial back in the day and now, folks are pretty much doing the same thing. YouTube dancers are filming dance routines/instructionals for people to follow and learn.

Oh, and his "Darrin's Dance Grooves" checks - we get into those too. Because they are FAT. Before Shaun T was talking about "Tilt, Tuck & Tighten," Darrin was selling millions of hip hop dance DVD's on our tvs every night. He also revealed whether he will reboot that DVD that changed the game too.

Darrin & Natasha also talk about how him & his queen calm their anxiety during these insane times.

Plus, Darrin and Natasha talk about possible reboots of "Soul Food" and Stomp The Yard because, classics. And he's starring in a new UMC.tv series "Double Cross" that's already getting millions of viewers.

Listen below:

You can stream the episode on Apple,Spotify or any other streaming platform.

"Double Cross" is currently streaming on UMC.

Photo: Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock.com

 

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Bow Wow Was Just Called Out For Being A F––k Boy, And, Well... (EXCLUSIVE)

June 25, 2020, 3:09 pm
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On an upcoming episode of "Growing up Hip Hop: Atlanta", Bow Wow gets some truth serum from his homie Ayana. She straight up reads him for the f––k boy he appears to be and, yeah. Watch inside.

We're glad somebody is doing the Lord's work and telling Mr. Shad Moss about himself. 

While the rapper, actor and host has been locked down at home - and single - during the pandemic, it has him rethinking life a little bit. Semi-solitude will do that to you. On tonight's premiere of Bow's special "Growing Up Hip Hop: ATL" spinoff about him getting his life together while in quarantine, he finally sees the foolery of his ways.

 

"I feel like because you are my friend, I really haven' been able to see that you are really a f__k boy. I been blinded because you've been my friend, but I need to let you know you really are a f__k boy.  You do not take responsibility for anything you put women through."

YUP.  And YUP.

He claimed Ayana's the realest for always telling him about himself, but he still laughed it off.  HEARTILY.

"Look, you think it's a joke. That's a sign of a f__k boy.  You don't take nothing serious."

Hmph!

She went on to tell him, "You degrade women.  Yes, you do."

Since Bow wanted to act shocked and appalled by what she said, she asked him if he thinks he's a stand up guy.  He said yes, when he's in a relationship.  She asked him if he was faithful, and that's when things got murky.

Shocker.

"I can NOT cheat. I can stop. I just think I haven't found the one that makes me like, Oh My God, so head over heels for her..."

Ayanna quickly reminded him that he can simply not get into the relationship if he knows she's not the one he can forgo all other women for, and just do his thing as he pleases.

At what point do people realize THEIR choices have nothing to do with the person they're with not being enough? That's a problem with self.  Cheaters and f-boys, fix yourself before entering into a monogamous relationship with anyone.  Please and thank you.

Watch our exclusive sneak peek from tonight's episode below:

 

Yeah...

"Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta" - the Bow Wow quarantine special - airs tonight at 9p ET/CT on WeTV.

Swipe through the receipts, i.e. all of Bow Wow's ruined relationships, below.

All The Dog's Exes: Bow Wow's Broken Relationships Over The Years
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Tahiry & Rapper Vado Go AT IT About What She Wears Around Other People's Husbands On 'Marriage Bootcamp: Hip Hop Edition'! (EXCLUSIVE)

July 9, 2020, 1:52 pm
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In case you didn't know (or care), former "Love & Hip Hop" star Tahiry Jose and rapper Vado are a thing.  At least they're acting like they are on this new season of "Marriage Bootcamp: Hip Hop Edition". We've got an exclusive sneak peek inside at them going at it in a rage of jealousy in tonight's upcoming episode....

How did these two even come to be?

Well, way back in 2014, Tahiry - Joe Budden's ex - and the Harlem rapper posted pics of each other on social media.  They were "working out" and stirring up buzz that something was going on.  We didn't really hear anything else from them, but now, suddenly, they've found themselves in a situationship.

Mmhmm.

“We knew each other for years. We kind of like grew up together. We both from Harlem. We was always close. We started getting close as friends then we became friends with benefits. Then we just said let’s try it,” Vado explained in a video promoting the new season.

“Now that he has the girl he’s having a hard time taking care of the girl,” Tahiry added.

Chile.  We guess.  We're just here for the (likely staged) drama that's ensuing on screen and Phaedra Parks'reactions to it all.

On tonight's episode of "MBC," the "couple' get into a fight over Tahiry basically having her boobs out - as one of the other houseguests put it - in front of other people's husbands.  Watch below:

 

 

We guess they've never been to chick's Instagram all these years.  She wears what she wears no matter who's around.  But Vado aint having it, apparently.

 

 

"Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition" airs Thursdays (tonight!) at 9/8c on WeTV.

 

Photos: WeTV

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What Does It Take To Be ‘Legendary’? The YBF Takes You Behind-The-Scenes Of HBO Max’s Ballroom Voguing Competition Series (Exclusive)

July 10, 2020, 2:44 pm
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It takes more than a little makeup and some over the top costumes to be “LEGENDARY.” The finale episode is now up, and we're giving you an exclusive look into what it took to create this bomb voguing competition...

What does it take to be legendary? We're taking you behind-the-scenes of HBO Max’s voguing competition show, “Legendary.”

From the sketch books, designer pieces and the eccentric décor – everything on the “Legendary” set was, well…beyond legendary. 8 Houses. 9 Balls. Everyone voguing for their lives for a chance to win the $100,000 grand prize. And bragging rights, of course.

In the series, which highlights modern day ball culture, “Houses” battle in fashion and dance challenges including voguing for the chance to snatch the legendary trophy and win a cash prize. Voguing is a competitive style of modern dance featuring high fashion and choreography based on poses struck by models. Legendary features eight voguing houses, each comprised of five performers and a leader—the house “parent.” The teams compete in an arcing competition that documents a themed ball every episode from start to finish giving full access to the behind the scenes action.

We sent YBF NYC correspondents James Terrell& Amin Gates to the “Legendary” set while filming was going down to give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the reality-competition show.

Judge Leiomy Maldonado – who was discovered on “America’s Best Dance Crew” – talked about taking charge in bringing the ballroom scene to mainstream. And stylist Marquise Foster - designer on Season 18 Project Runway - shared which houses he was rooting for throughout the season.

Famed celebrity stylist/judge Law Roach – longtime stylist of actress Zendaya - said no legend is safe without controversy. These days, when a celeb gets caught up in drama, cancel culture wastes NO time to point of a person’s flaws to the world. Law Roach doesn’t agree with that. He told us cancel culture stifles a personal growth and doesn’t allow younger artists to make mistakes in order to be better.

“The whole cancel culture is sad. To be able to bring a light to bad people is great. It changes the narrative, it pushes the culture," Law Roach tells TheYBF.com. "But, everybody’s going to make a mistake. I feel so bad for the people I work for and the younger girls that’s coming up. They don’t get to be an 18, 19, 21-year-old. They don’t get to make the mistakes that actually help you grow into a better person. So, I think we need to figure out how to be more forgiving.”

No lies told.

Go behind-the-scenes of the hit show in the video clip below:

The season one finale of "Legendary," also with judges Megan Thee Stallion& Winnie Harlow, is now available on HBO Max. Find out who takes home the voguing crown!

 

BONUS:

Watch Meg perform her hit single "SAVAGE" during the finale above!

Photo: Courtesy of Barbara Nitke/HBO Max

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EXCLUSIVE: Monica Calhoun On Her Fears For Son With Autism & Police, Terry Crews’ #BlackLivesBetter Comment & A Possible ‘Players Club’ Sequel

July 10, 2020, 6:29 pm
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TheYBF.com got the chance to chop it up with a vet in the game! Monica Calhoun stars in a new UMC movie – Everything But A Man – which follows a black, successful women looking for love. Find out what she told us about women having it all, plus her reaction to Terry Crews’ #BlackLivesBetter comment and the possible Player’s Club sequel inside…

 

We all were crying real tears when her character Mia died in The Best Man Holiday after her battle with cancer. Before that, she served up an epic role in The Player’s Club as an amateur stripper named Ebony.

Now, she’s flexing her talents on UMC, starring in roles that resonate with black women. In her latest role, Monica plays a successful lawyer named Vanessa Price, who is looking for love. But, her dream man must meet all of her standards even if they're superficial.

In the film, Vanessa was all about her coins…and nothing else mattered. Nothing. She was the epitome of the “strong, black independent” woman who didn’t need a man for anything. However, she def was looking for companionship, but she couldn’t get past her own superficial beliefs about what a “good man” is.

We will say, her character in the film played the “independent black woman” role to the extreme. However, by the end of the film, she learned a valuable lesson about what true love is and what it’s not. Can a black woman have the bomb career, the husband, the kids and the “white picket fence?”

“Is it possible to have it all? Of course it is,” Monica told TheYBF.com about successful women finding love. “Whoever that woman is, it’s based on her environment, her choices, her career path, her community that’s supporting her, her family system that’s supporting her (or not supporting her). It’s based on your support system. It is possible for anyone to have [it all].”

With the pressures of society, many women feel like they have to live up to a certain standard created by other people.

”I think Vanessa Price built a lot of her life on the perception of what others perceived and wanting to live up to a certain criteria or standard,” she explained. “I think that’s something that we all do, but in Everything But A Man, it was to the extreme.”

A few weeks ago, “America’s Got Talent” host Terry Crews made controversial comments about the Black Lives Matter movement. On Twitter, he tweeted about unity, but then threw in a comment that had folks dragging him for filth.

"We must ensure #blacklivesmatter doesn’t morph into #blacklivesbetter,” he tweeted.

Actress Holly Robinson Peete responded to Terry’s tweet, explaining the movement has nothing to do with black people trying to be better than anyone, but wanting to be seen as equal. She empathized with the Elijah McClain case (an unarmed black man killed by police) because she has a son (with autism) who could have easily been in Elijah’s shoes.

”Another sleepless night thinking about #ElijahMcClain and I woke up worrying about how to prevent my sweet special son from meeting a similar fate and you woke up worried about *checks tweet again*... #blacklivesBETTER ?? We are aiming for equal!,” Holly tweeted.

Monica opened up about her fears of being in a similar situation and having to deal with the police if they were to ever separate her from her son, who is visually impaired and has autism.

”Yes, I do have a child that’s visually impaired and also has autism. That’s my co-pilot,” she told TheYBF.com. “He’s 20-years-old and free from all of the limitations that have been placed upon [him]. We are enjoying life with no limitations,” she shared.

”But, my new fear is that he is 20 year-old. If somebody feels some kind of way – [If] I’m not dressed in my finest clothes and I don’t have on makeup and I’m looking like I just rolled out bed - they question me because of the color of my skin. Or wonder why I’m doing something and then I’m stopped by the police. [If] the police officer won’t take my word for anything and they separate my son and I – that’s something that’s complicated.”

The 48-year-old actress said she thinks Terry was simply trying to keep the conversation going when he shared his thoughts about #BlackLivesBetter.

”I think that was somebody’s attempt at keeping the conversation going about equal justice and fair treatment for everyone. Making sure that we are all looking out for each other. Trying to keep people held accountable to protect and serve and not disrupt and destroy,” she said.

A few months ago, LisaRaye chopped it up on The YBF Podcast about ThePlayer’s Club possibly getting a sequel. If the film was to get the sequel treatment, what would her character, Ebony, be like?

”Wooooow! That’s a writer’s question [laughs],” she said. “She would no longer be called Ebony. We would change her name to disassociate herself from that part of her life. I think possibly she may have gone into the field of – I think she would have made a complete left turn. I don’t think she would have been in the streets at all. I think she would probably do something along the lines of social services. Trying to help people who were in her situation out of her situation. I think she would be a good agent of social services.”

We could see that!

If you haven’t already, check out Monica Calhoun in Everything But A Man currently streaming on UMC! Take advantage of the free trial to get into it!

Photo: Kathy Hutchinson/Shutterstock.com

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DOUBLE EXCLUSIVE! Phaedra, Hazel E & Castmates Go Off About Vado Attacking Tahiry As She Breaks Down In Tears

August 6, 2020, 5:42 pm
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In our "Marriage Bootcamp: Hip Hop Edition" double exclusive, we see how Tahiry & Vado's castmates reacted to their crazy fight that got physical last week.  Watch inside.

 

While we all watched Vado hop out his seat and grab up Tahiry by the neck as if it certainly wasn't the first time, their castmates seemed to do absolutely nothing.  If it wasn't for the host and security stepping in, what seemed like too many seconds later, who knows what would have happened.

Now, we see how Phaedra Parks and her man, Hazel E and her man and others responded after Vado was escorted away. They explained they were in shock and couldn't believe what was happening. Hazel also comforted her friend while she broke down into tears. 

Watch the counselor let Tahiry and the rest of the people know none of that was OK, and what her interesting response was to that.

 

 

"Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition" airs tonight at 9/8c on WEtv.

 

Photo: WEtv

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