She's Got The Look is casting for Season 3

Greetings fam!

Word on the street is that TV Land's “She’s Got the Look” has begun casting their 3rd Season!!!

Please find below a few different options for applying to be on the show:

1. Come out and meet us in person:
We are holding open calls in (4) major cities around the country. We welcome everyone to come out to an open call so they have a chance to meet with one of our Producers in person.

Los Angeles CA
Sunday December 6, 2009
LA Meeting and Convention Center

10601 W Washington Blvd LA, CA 90232
11:00am – 4:00pm

New York NY
Saturday December 12, 2009
Hotel Pennsylvania (Gold Ballroom)
401 Seventh Ave (at 33rd) New York, NY 10001
11:00am - 4:00pm

Memphis TN
Sunday December 13, 2009
Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown Hotel

300 N 2nd Street Memphis, TN 38105
11:00am – 4:00pm

Columbus OH
Tuesday December 15, 2009
Hyatt Regency Plaza

350 N High Street Columbus, OH 43215
12:00pm – 5:00pm


2. Mail in your application
If you are unable to attend one of our open calls, we welcome women from around the country to mail in an application.

Please note that the deadline for mail in applications is December 4, 2009.

Please remember to include the following in your submission:

1. Complete application at www.tvlandprime.com
   
2. Photocopy of your government issued ID
3. At least 3-5 photo’s of yourself. Please provide a variety. (IE; at least one full length, one close up, one candid non professional, etc.)
4. A home tape interview (see attached instructions for completing your home tape.)

Toccara to get her own reality show on the Oxygen Network

Word on the street is that ANTM & Celebrity Fit Club Alumnus Toccara Jones is getting her own reality show on The Oxygen Network. Congrats Chica!

Jennifer Hudson set to play Winnie Mandela on film

Word on the street is Jennifer Hudson is set to play Winnie Mandela in Winnie, a movie about former South African president Nelson Mandela's powerful apartheid-busting but disgraced ex-wife that will begin filming May 30.

To continue reading click HERE

Casting Notice: Sports & Pop Culture Fans

I got this email today from a friend and I am spreading the word......

Monday, December 14, there will be a taping of a new show and they (the producers) are looking for people to ask questions from the audience.

If you're a sports or pop culture fan then this is right up your alley!

Our hosts are:

NBA Hall of Famer, Charles Barkley

NASCAR Great, Kyle Petty

and
Baseball Legend, Dennis Eckersley

All you have to do to be a part of this is send an email with a recent photo of yourself along with a question you would like to have answered.

The question could be about news, pop culture, sports or anything else you can think of

(please keep it PG!) Put your thinking caps on and come up with some winners! I'd love to have you involved in the show. If you're not interested but know someone who may be totally into this then please feel free to pass this info on.

The email address is SportsAudience@gmail.com

American Idol's Mandisa Hundley loses 80lbs!

Simon Cowell should know that some things are worth the weight. Too bad the "American Idol" creator and resident hater couldn't see that when he made a disparaging comment about Mandisa Hundley 's plus-size frame after her audition for season 5 of the hit show.

"My heart broke when I saw the show and Simon said that they'd need to build a bigger stage for me," explains Mandisa, who has lost 80 pounds after hiring a personal trainer last August. (Yeah...I thought that statement was ignorant and completely insensitive as well)

I was watching the auditions with my friends and was so humiliated and hurt, but my friends prayed that God would have mercy on him and help me forgive him before I returned to move on to the next competition, and I did."

Still it wasn't until a July 2007 trip to Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota when a trail hike left Mandisa nearly breathless that she decided to make some changes. The Tennessee native was scared straight and began tackling her issue pound for pound. She knew she needed to break a 20-year cycle of extreme yo-yo dieting and binging. (Hey is it me or does that look like a Monif C. Convertible dress she's wearing in red?)

Click HERE to continue reading Mandisa's story....

I personally think she looks amazing and I am ALL FOR doing whatever you need to do in order to be healthy!! All I am hoping is that she will continue to support the curvy community while flaunting her new body.....You GO Girl!!! Continued Success!!

SOURCE

2009 Emery Awards & The 30th Anniversary of The Hetrick-Martin Institute at Cipriani

Last week I had the honor of being the guest of my friend Jeremy C. Bradley at the 2009 Emery Awards & The 30th Anniversary of The Hetrick-Martin Institute held at New York's Cipriani's on Wall Street. Jeremy and I have been making plans to meet and chat for the last two years...lol...but we have never been able to mesh our schedules. So I was honored that he asked me to attend. I don't know what he told them about me but his people knew who I was the moment I walked up and the helped me navigate through the crowd quickly.


What are The Emery Awards?: Each year, The Emery Awards honor individuals and corporations that exemplify The Hetrick-Martin Institute’s mission of providing a safe and supportive environment for all young people - regardless of their sexual orientation or identity - as well as those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within the LGBTQ community.

What is The Hetrick-Martin Institute? We're proud to be the oldest and largest organization helping gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth to reach their full potential. Like many leaders, we were trailblazers. In 1979, life partners and educators on gay and lesbian issues, Dr. Emery Hetrick, a psychiatrist, and Dr. Damien Martin, a professor at New York University, heard the heartbreaking story of a homeless 15-year-old boy who had been beaten and thrown out of his emergency shelter because he was gay. They were so moved that they gathered a group of concerned adults and created what was then called the Institute for the Protection of Lesbian and Gay Youth (IPLGY) to assist this group of young people who desperately needed support. In 1988, the organization was renamed The Hetrick-Martin Institute in honor of its founders and their lifelong commitment to service.

This year’s event was hosted by Kimora Lee Simmons, and honored Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Harvey Milk High School Co-Founder Dr. Joyce Hunter.

Rosie O’Donnell and Newark Mayor Cory Booker presented the awards, and Jennifer Holliday performed. (lol...well I didn't actually SEE Rosie O'Donnell) but I DID see B.D. Wong groping Judy Gold's ass on the red carpet...lol

(November 9, 2009 - Photo of Jennifer Holliday by Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America)

I gotta tell you fam! This event was a whole lot of fun! This was my first time at Cipriani's on Wall Street and the room was beautifully set up. I hadn't seen Jeremy since we met initially at Ashley Stewart's Butterfly Bra Event a few years ago and I was excited to see him again.

The dinner was absolutely delicious..I think the fish I had was sea bass wrapped in a zucchini strip topped with some sort of tomato salsa (?) and served it with a butternut squash risotto...The fish was cooked perfectly and I have never had butternut squash risotto before

(I will admit it sounded disgusting to me..lol) but it was really good!!

Jennifer Holliday provided the entertainment and she sang the hell out of "And I Am Telling You" and "I Am Changing"...she TOTALLY ripped it to shreds! There was a brief but beautiful fashion presentation from some of the students from The Hetrick-Martin Institute aka The Harvey Milk High School. The room was filled with beautiful gay boys and girls who were dressed to the nines. I was seated at a table filled with executives from Macy's and two other women who like me, were not affiliated but just wanted to support a great cause...they were a delight to be with and I enjoyed talking to them for most of the night. I cracked up at the two of them trying to hook me up with Newark Mayor Cory Booker (who is MOST DEFINITELY a cutie!)

Let me tell you something else....I watched comedienne Judy Gold help them (The Hetrick Martin Institute) raise their monetary goal of $500,000 for the evening in LESS THAN 20 MINUTES!!!

(November 9, 2009 - Photo of Judy Gold by Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America)

I was completely awestruck! That was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life!! YO!!!!! NOW THAT'S HOW YOU DO THE DAMN THING!!!!

One of the highlights of my evening was overhearing Kimora talking about a "trick who stole her shoes..." friggin' hilarious! She looked beautiful by the way and was even kind enough to take a moment to chat with The Runway Diva....


I hung out with my new friends at the after party upstairs where the music was awesome (folks were on the dance floor with hula hoops...I kid you not!) but because of continuing problems with my knees & back, I had to enjoy it from the sidelines.

I had a couple more glasses of bubbly before I decided to head back uptown....I said good night to my friends and we made promises to all get together for dinner real soon....

Jeremy!! Thank you so much for the invite! I had an absolute ball and I can't wait till we can do it again soon!

Click HERE for more info on The Hetrick Martin Institute

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

Red Carpet Arrivals: Gabourey Sidibe

Precious star Gabourey Sidibe has making the rounds on red carpets all over the world promoting her movie....she's looking good!

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Kindred Webisode Series Launch Party Hosted By The ORIGINAL Runway Diva!!!

Greetings Fam!!!!

There is a wonderful new webisode series launching soon called "Kindred". It involves three twenty-something plus sized African-American women as the navigate family, work and love in New York City. I am VERY excited about this series and I am proud to host their launch event on Saturday, November 21, 2009.

I am inviting you ALL to come out and take part in the celebration with me! The event will be held at SLATE (54 West 21st Street NYC). Admission is free (lol..FREE is ALWAYS good isn't it?) but you must RSVP to Kindredseries@gmail.com to put your name on the guest list. The festivities begin at 8pm sharp!

FYI...there will be a few surprises that night and I really hope you all can attend!

Let's continue to celebrate Unity in the Plus Community!

Spread the word and support your local curvy girl!!!

See you all there and thanks as always for your continued support!

Enter the world of Kindred...featuring, three twenty-something African-American women as they navigate family, work and love against the gritty skyline of New York City.

For more information on Kindred visit http://www.kindredseries.com/

Rest In Peace Elaine Clarke

I found out a last week that designer Monif C.'s mom, Elaine Clarke passed away last Tuesday after a lengthy illness.

Her homegoing services will be held on Friday morning November 20, 2009 in Brooklyn, NY.

Please join us as we mourn her transition and celebrate her life! She was a wonderful lady and will be greatly missed!

Word on the street is....

Kim "Poprah" Kearney will be appearing on the new season of VH1's "I Want To Work For Diddy"......hmmmm....this should be interesting fam.....stay tuned!

Costco Comes To East Harlem November 12!!!

Costco Wholesale
517 East 117th Street
New York, NY 10035

Photo courtesy of East Harlem NYC

Source

On the real.....Here's to hoping that it won't wind up being the HOT ASS MESS that is currently known as BJ's Wholesale Club in the Boogie Down Bronx (Nr Yankee Stadium)...it's completely overwrought with bad ass kids and inattentive parents. Hmmm....I wonder what this will mean for Pathmark Stores in Harlem.....

Real Men Who Cook comes to Mount Carmel Baptist Church

Do YOU know a brother who can THROW DOWN in the kitchen?? Have them call 646-620-2214 to sign up today!

Atlanta seeking Female Comedians for New Reality Show

ATLANTA CASTING CALL

Seeking Female Comedians for New Reality Television Show

Calling all female COMICS! Are you a female comedian or a female that has always wanted to break into the industry? Fastlane Pictures/Wayans Girl Productions are now casting for a new reality show just for you.

Do your friends always tell you that you are funny? Do you love to make people laugh? Well come out Monday and make your dreams come true

WHERE: Uptown Comedy Club

800 Marietta Street
Atlanta, GA 30318

WHEN: Monday, November 9th @ 7:00PM

Please prepare 2 to 3 minutes of material for the audition.

8 comedians will be chosen to participate in this unique opportunity.

All participants chosen will receive a day rate of pay for each day of filming.

To RSVP, please contact Sanedria Potter at sanedriap@fastlanepictures.com

Source

Is it the end of the road for Essence.com?

Word on the street is that Time Inc. has made huge cuts to both the print and online divisions of Essence Magazine. Rumors say the entire online staff is being let go.

Well, that explains why no one has responded to my emails.....

Source

Manik Magazine goes up against PETA and their Save The Whales campaign....

Manik Magazine has come up with a saucy lil response to PETA's HUGELY insulting and degrading ad campaign against overweight individuals. Check it out:

This summer M A N I K brought you the news of PETA’s (PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS) alarming Ad that ridiculed the plus community - equating plus women to whales - suggesting plus women go vegetarian in an effort to lose the blubber. Since then, we have been racking our brains on how to show PETA that we will not stand for their insulting Ad campaigns.That said we produced our very own Ad based on the concepts of previous PETA Ads ( and added our own little TWIST) to take a stand for what we believe in and that is going ethical for ALL.

SOURCE

I know I shouldn't be surprised by PETA's latest billboard campaign in Florida - after all, their brand of activism has proven to be sexist and racist time and time again - why not fat-shaming to boot? (Part of me hates posting this at all because it does just give PETA the attention that they want. But I just had to.)

From PETA's press release on the billboard:

A new PETA billboard campaign that was just launched in Jacksonville reminds people who are struggling to lose weight -- and who want to have enough energy to chase a beach ball -- that going vegetarian can be an effective way to shed those extra pounds that keep them from looking good in a bikini. The ad shows a woman whose "blubber" is spilling over the sides of her swimsuit bottom...

Anyone wishing to achieve a hot "beach bod" is reminded that studies show that vegetarians are, on average, about 10 to 20 pounds lighter than meat-eaters...

"Trying to hide your thunder thighs and balloon belly is no day at the beach," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. (Emphasis mine)

Seriously? This shit is just shameful.

To continue reading this article click here:

Source

Yeah, this ad really pissed me off but apparently this isn't the first time that PETA has done this ish....

Yeah....I'mma just go ahead and have that SECOND PIECE OF FRIED CHICKEN....lol....

Erotic Writing Seminar (For Ladies Only) THIS SATURDAY Nov 7th!!!

I am the "warm up" for the writing seminar.....lol. Hope to see you all there!

Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too....Preview Clip

Well...Whaddya know? I didn't even know he was working on a sequel....you GO Tyler Perry!!

New Article in the November 2009 issue of Plus Model Magazine

My new article in the November 2009 issue of Plus Model Magazine is available for your reading pleasure......This month's topic:

"Beauty Pageants & Reality TV"

Click HERE to read the latest issue of Plus Model Magazine

My picture is in the November issue of Essence Magazine!!!

There's a picture of me at The Essence Music Festival this summer
with The Real Housewives of Atlanta
(In case your interested....lol)

It's all going down on Thanksgiving Weekend!!!

My homie Muzette invited me to this shindig over the Thanksgiving Weekend....I'mma do my part and spread the love (and the word...)

See y'all there!!!

Mo'Nique Covers Uptown Magazine

Mo' looks beautiful on the cover of the Oct/Nov issue of Uptown Magazine.

Alter Ego Photo by Photog extraordinare.....Derek Blanks!

Word on the street is....

Jazzy Pha is really depressed about his weight and is thinking about having gastric bypass done.



Do what you gotta do in order to get healthy love.....

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WTH? New Miracle Tongue Patch to help you lose weight

So apparently a Dr. Chugay in California has created a Miracle Patch that helps you lose anywhere from 15 to 30 lbs in a month; however, the patch has to be sewn to your tongue and you can only have liquids.

This is some straight up BS. I don't know about y'all but it just ain't that serious for me and it never has been....

But if you're interested you can click here to read more......

I swear if I see my homies even THINKING about this dumb ish....I'mma bop you right in the FOREHEAD!!!!

Source

Red Carpet Arrivals: Hollywood Premiere of Precious

Will Smith looking gorgeous as always!

Oprah & Tyler Perry

Mo'Nique & Hubby Sidney Hicks

Mo' & Sid looking real good

Mr & Mrs Nick Cannon

Gabby Sidibe in Red
(Who is this chick's stylist??? Sigh...I wanna bop her in the forehead!!!)

Chef Herb Wilson & Star Jones

The View's Sherri Shepherd
Gayle King