If you think your eyes are deceiving you, think again. Zendaya has indeed landed on the cover of Vogue Magazine.

The 20-year-old singer/actress looks breathtaking a-front of the July 2017 issue of the fashion bible – and pairs the image with an equally engaging interview feature.

Peep this excerpt on how she had been making moves behind the scenes – dating back to her Disney Channel days:

“I got in a room with the heads of Disney Channel,” Zendaya says, recounting a meeting that took place four years ago, when she was sixteen. By this time she had already completed her first Disney show, Shake It Up, in which she costarred as an aspiring dancer alongside Bella Thorne. For her to sign on to K.C. Undercover, she decided, Disney would need to meet demands. First they would need to make her a producer. Next she objected to the show’s title, which at the time was Super Awesome Katy. “I was like, ‘The title is whack. That’s gonna change.’ ” She then rejected her character’s name (“Do I look like a Katy to you?”) and insisted that the show feature a family of color.

There were other conditions: “I wanted to make sure that she wasn’t good at singing or acting or dancing. That she wasn’t artistically inclined. I didn’t want them to all of a sudden be like, ‘Oh, yeah, and then she sings this episode!’ No. She can’t dance; she can’t sing. She can’t do that stuff. There are other things that a girl can be.” Zendaya issued some final requirements: “I want her to be martial arts–trained. I want her to be able to do everything that a guy can do. I want her to be just as smart as everybody else. I want her to be a brainiac. I want her to be able to think on her feet. But I also want her to be socially awkward, not a cool kid. I want her to be normal with an extraordinary life.”

In using her leverage to seize control in this manner, Ajamu says, “she broke all the rules.” To Zendaya, it was a no-brainer. “A lot of people don’t realize their power,” she says. “I have so many friends who say yes to everything or feel like they can’t stand up for themselves in a situation.” She is now pounding a fist on the dining table at Soho House. “No: You have the power.”

After such a huge look, here’s hoping she can leverage this to benefit her music and acting careers.

Presently, she skews more “it girl” than anything else. We do know she has talent beyond that, so fingers crossed this allows her to showcase that on a grander scale.

Your thoughts?

[Photographer: Mario Testino]

Home to studios and labels she worked in as an up and coming art, London’s affluent Kensington and Chelsea undoubtedly holds a special place in Adele’s heart.

So, after learning that a number of its residents had died following a brutal fire, she dropped everything to join efforts to support and rescue survivors.

 

Reports indicate that twelve people lost their lives as a result of the fire but that number is unfortunately expected to rise as survivors seek answers from the authorities responsible for looking after the apartment block.

This letter was sent to them four months before the tragedy.

Your thoughts?

TNT’s newest dramedy centers around Niecy Nash (“Desna Simms”) as the leader of a fiesty and (at times) catty group of Floridian manicurists who are using their nail salon to assist as a money laundering front for a neighboring clinic.

The series, which also stars Emmy winner Karrueche Tran, won rave reviews from critics in pre-screens. Yet, when it made its debut on June 11th, viewership figures didn’t exactly match that fanfare.

 

‘Claws’ Series Premiere Ratings = 1.18 million

The numbers, though far from blockbuster, are fair given a number of circumstances:

  • It’s in line with a number of other TNT original programming premiere figures from the past year
  • It had to contend with major rating draws like ‘Celebrity Family Feud’ and ‘NHL Playoffs’
  • The show’s already given viewers a “sneak preview” during a previously aired NBA game

With all things considered, the show is off to a solid start.  Next week’s ratings will be a good determinant of how well it was or wasn’t able to sustain viewers.

Your thoughts?

It’s official! NeNe Leakes is returning to ‘The Real Housewives Of Atlanta.’ 

The outspoken reality star made the announcement on Twitter moments ago, writing:

Recruiting NeNe – the only original Housewife left on the series – will come as quite the coup for Bravo execs, who’ll no doubt be looking to make the show’s landmark 10th season unmissable.

Her comeback comes on the heels of confirmation that Phaedra Parks has been let go from the show, following the dramatic “lie-gate” saga.

It also appears as though NeNe will be returning in tandem with frenemy Kim Zolciak, who is reported to have signed back on last month.

Season 10 of RHOA premieres this Fall.

Your thoughts?

HBO‘s ‘Insecure’ returns for its second season next month!

The critically-acclaimed comedy chronicles the friendship of Issa and Molly (played Yvonne Orji) as they attempt to make sense of their professional, personal, and love lives in Los Angeles.

Its sophomore run premieres on July 23rd and promises many a twist and turn, as well as the return of favorites such as Lawrence (Jay Ellis) and Frieda (Lisa Joyce).

With buzz already at a loud volume, HBO have cranked it up a notch with the preview teaser.

What are you waiting for? Get all the way into it below…

Your thoughts?

Demetrius Shipp Jr is in high demand.

Sailing towards glory on the wings of his portrayal of Tupac, the actor made his way to ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ to discuss his journey to superstardom, his love for the late rapper and…Karrueche Tran.

‘All Eyez on Me’ makes its way to the world on June 15th.

Its official plot?

The film follows Shakur from his early days in New York City to his evolution into being one of the world’s most recognized and influential voices before his untimely death at the age of 25. Against all odds, Shakur’s raw talent, powerful lyrics and revolutionary mind-set propelled him into becoming a cultural icon whose legacy continues to grow long after his passing. ALL EYEZ ON ME stars Kat Graham, Lauren Cohan, Hill Harper, Jamal Woolard, Danai Gurira and Demetrius Shipp Jr. as Tupac Shakur.

Are you going to see it?

Cop a gander of the ‘Girls Trip’ cast!

Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett, Regina Hall, and Tiffany Haddish serve up a collective slay a-front of Essence Magazine‘s July 2017 issue.

The feature forms part of a clever synchronization, given that the movie chronicles the ladies hilarious journey to the 2017 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans – which takes place in “real life” next month.

Ahead of its big screen arrival, the film’s stars all posed it up for individual covers. Check them out below…

‘Girls Trip’ hits theaters July 21st.

Your thoughts?

When told masterfully, movies fronted by black actors and characters spell nothing short of success for studios and this week, following ‘Get Out‘, ‘Hidden Figures’, ‘Fences’ and ‘Moonlight’, ‘Black Panther’ gears up to support this fact.

How so?

After watching the net celebrate the release of its trailer, its African-American/African cast has learned that said teaser has already been viewed 89 million times…within 24 hours.

19 million of those views came from eyes glued to last week’s NBA Finals where it nabbed one of its first looks while the rest, generated by the pandemonium its unveiling spark, were generated by video-sharing platforms like YouTube.

Said number rose over the 100 million when views from unofficial user-generated platforms are included.

‘The Hollywood Reporter’ adds:

Black Panther surpasses the views for teasers for top Marvel and Disney-released movies such as Captain America: Civil War (61 million), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (55 million) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (52 million).

Catch the movie when it claws its way into theatres on February 16th 2018.

Yet to see the trailer?

Hit this link.

Your thoughts?

After a number of setbacks, pushbacks, and reschedules Halle Berry‘s serially delayed thriller, ‘Kidnap,’ finally has an official release date (we hope).

The film, originally set for release in late 2015 then moved to mid-2016 before being rescheduled for late 2016, can finally boast the release of promotional materials that specifically list August 4th as the date of its theatrical open in U.S. theaters.

An action thriller that sees Berry portray a mother go to dangerous lengths to rescue her son from kidnappers, ‘Kidnap’ has reportedly won favorable reviews by “test” audiences.  Now, after nearly two years of waiting, we’ve finally arrived to time to see if that reaction is shared by the general public.

Check out the refreshed trailer inside:

(more…)

The Xscape reunion will indeed be televised.

Rumors have been rampant that the R&B outfit would be assembling for a reality series and now said talk has been confirmed.

TMZ report that the group – comprised of Kandi Burruss, Tiny Harris, LaTocha and Tamika Scott – will star in a “docu-series” for Bravo.

Currently filming in Atlanta, the show will chronicle Xscape’s preparation for their first performance in 20 years – which takes place next month at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

Set to premiere in November, the as yet untitled series will interestingly air alongside Bravo smash as ‘The Real Housewives Of Atlanta.’ A move designed to maximize exposure – especially given the presence of Kandi on both shows.

Mona Scott-Young, creator of VH1’s ‘Love & Hip Hop’ franchise, will serve as executive producer.

We’ll most definitely be watching. Will you?

Your thoughts?

Katy Perry‘s ‘Witness’ live stream continues to birth fascinating content.

Today, she welcomed RuPaul to her home for a conversation after he came under fire by several music lovers who accused him of stealing Azealia Banks‘ sounds to create his own.

What he and Perry discussed?

Watch below…

Their conversation stands as the latest piece of her live stream’s puzzle which also delivered an intense conversation about racism with Caitlyn Jenner.

Watch here!

Your thoughts?

June 5th brought with it the first day of filming for ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s tenth season.

When it’s set to premiere? November. However, you won’t have to wait until then to catch a meaty piece of what it is to come this time around.

That’s right…we have your very first look right here on TGJ!

Th snap and footage above was pulled from a party thrown by friend to the ‘Wives’ Shamea Morton whose wedding will feature in the season which is to welcome NeNe Leakes to the mix in the coming weeks.

Quite interestingly, there’s still no official word on Phaedra Parks‘ supposed dismissal.

Are you looking forward to the new season?

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