This week’s That Grape Juice Cover Star is soulful songbird Sarai. Watch as the US native take on Kelly Rowland‘s latest single ‘Ice’ below:

Yes, yes, yes! Sarai smashed this.

A tricky song to sing (see: low register for verses, higher for chorus), not only did she “handle” it well, she mixed and moulded it into something of her own. Those adlibs were off the Richter! Great performance.

For more on Sarai, check out her Youtube page.

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Want to be featured on That Grape Juice’s ‘Cover Star’? Drop an email to sam@thatgrapejuice.net

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Your thoughts?

Much like ‘The Game’ switcheroos that left fans in the dark earlier this summer, many were shocked to learn that last week, Tracee Ellis Ross – lead star of BET‘s hit family comedy ‘Reed Between the Lines’ – made a very unexpected departure.  The show, recently renewed for its second season, was in gears to pick up where season 1 left off – chronicling love life of Ross’s character Dr. Carla Reed and husband Dr. Alex Reed (Malcolm Jamal Warner).

Initially mum on the topic, now Ross has taken to Essence.com to shed light on what caused her sudden departure:

“It was that BET hadn’t decided if they were picking up the show yet or not,” says Ross. “During that time when they didn’t know, I was offered a really amazing pilot for NBC, and BET graciously allowed me to go and do it. But it’s not because I wanted to leave.”

The former Girlfriends’ actress continued by saying:

“I love Reed Between the Lines, I believe in it. There is a chance I’ll go back, always. There’s nothing weird about it.”

No premiere date has been set for season 2 of the show.  It is, however, expected to be one of many filling out BET‘s highly anticipated 2013 lineup.

If Twitter has proven itself to be nothing else since its popularization, it has celebrity been a celebrity battleground.  It is there where many an e-diss have been dished and dodged by many stars including Jennifer Hudson, Brian McKnight, K. Michele, and more.

And, with no two stars finding themselves afront a tweet gone wrong headline more than ‘Birthday Cake’ co-stars Chris Brown & Rihanna, it’s pretty safe to say this trend will continue.

Indeed, while everyone was talking about Ri‘s tell-all sit down with Talk Queen Oprah Winfrey earlier this week, the talk of a certain comedy queen – Joan Rivers – did not earn a soft response from the ‘Hard’ singer today…

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‘Diary’ diva Alicia Keys is sharing more secrets about her upcoming release ‘Girl On Fire’.

After sending fans into a frenzy earlier this week with the unleashing of its November 27th  start date and accompanying album cover, the singer has also unveiled a plan for a media onslaught – beginning with the debut of her new single on the MTV Video Music Awards (Sept. 6th).

Until then, see what other dibs the diva dished concerning the new project below:

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Jump into Usher‘s brand spanking new video for the single ‘Dive’.

A cool interpretation of the well loved song, we’d say the video marks one of his best and – if we’re going to be really honest- puts his visual for ‘Scream‘ to a thousand shames.

Enjoy…

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“That b*tch is so f*ckin’ pretty“

Get into this snap of Christina Aguilera, showcasing a hot new look on the set of her brand new video ‘Your Body‘ recently.

Ditching her oft angelic looks for a sexier alternative, the Grammy winning star’s sighting comes hours after the song itself made its way online, and was received by stellar reviews.

Source.

Your thoughts?

Fierce, would the best way to describe Rita Ora‘s forthcoming spread in GQ Magazine’s September issue.

Working the publication’s page in support of her first album ‘ORA‘, the former Hollister sales clerk is even more scorching in behind the scenes footage from the shoot- available to view below…

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Ear plugs at the ready?

Crucifix close by?

If not, consider this your first warning. For, it has emerged that Pop party girl Rihanna is to ‘perform’ at the 2012 VMAs.

Breaking details below…

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Love her or hate her, it’s become increasingly impossible to ignore fiery MC Azealia Banks.

Making her mark in music as well as in fashion, today saw the arrival of news that will sure to leave many of her detractors green- or Plum Cream- with envy.

Why, you ask?

Well, months before the release of her debut album ‘Broke With Expensive Taste‘, she has inked a deal with the esteemed folk over at Mac Cosmetics.

Full story below…

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Peep what happened when That Grape Juice caught up with Hip-Hop megastar “Nicki Minaj“!

Your thoughts?

“Look sucka…this my gun butta”.

Feast your eyes on ‘I Am Your Leader‘, the latest visual offering from Pink Friday mogul Nicki Minaj.

The latest video launched from her #1 LP ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’ , the piece sees the Pop Royal assert her status as the Queen Of Rap, pulling a number of stunts and tricks on her rivals in ways only she knows how.

Find out what we’re talking about below…

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Despite album sales suffering a steep decline over the past years, single sales have conversely & steadily reported upward trends since the advent of download services such as Itunes, Amazon, and more.

And while pop acts like Rihanna, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, & Lady Gaga have seen their names atop many a digital tally in months past, a rap act has acted as a silent dominator – boasting almost double single sales of many of his nearest hip hop competitors.

With Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Lil Wayne, and others consistently reigning as hip hop heavyweight champs over pop and urban charts, see who Billboard recently named the best selling rapper of the ‘digital age’ (comprised of data reviewed from 2003-2012).  It may come as quite the surprise…

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