The Double Scoop

NO KID ZONE

Author: Amy Nicole

It’s hilarious to me when I ask guys how many children they want to have and they start blurting out numbers like 4,5, and 6 like they are the ones who have to carry the child for 9 months! I’m at the age where women are starting to get married and have kids, but my desire for children just seems non-existent. I’ve been told that when I meet the right guy my feelings will change, but I’m not sure that they will. I have never really been maternal and sometimes I even get awkward around kids, especially around a group of them. A big part of me has this fear that I won’t be a good parent. Parents have such a big influence on their child’s life and I would hate to screw up my child’s head due to bad parenting. When I tell my mom that I don’t think I want children she gives me this look of horror like I said I wanted to kill someone. Sure I gush over an adorable baby when I see one but I realize that the child will not always remain a baby. I believe some women are born to be mothers and some women are not. I remember being at church one day and hearing a preacher say it was every woman’s responsibility to have children. I was thinking to myself what if you don’t have the desire for children. I mean just like some people don’t like vegetables some people don’t like kids

There are a lot of women I work with who are younger than me and they already have more than one child. One of the most offensive questions that I get asked is, “When are you going to have kids? You better hurry up before you turn 30!” What irks me the most is that most of the women who harass childless women about not having kids are the ones who aren’t even married but have two or three kids by different men. I think this logic that you should have kids while you’re young rather than when you’re mentally and financially ready to have them is very ignorant. Having children is not something you should rush because they are a lifetime commitment. I know because my parents still have to help me out financially from time to time. You can’t just give them back when you get tired of them; children are a huge responsibility and they require you to make so many sacrifices. You sacrifice your time, energy, money, careers, and for women your bodies! I’m not ready to sacrifice any of those things right now. Right now I’m single and it’s a struggle for me going to work all day, trying to come home and cook and trying to fit in a workout. The thought of trying to fit kids into that equation just seems overwhelming. I definitely want to get married one day but a fear that I have is what if I meet the guy of my dreams but he wants children and I still don’t have the desire for them. Do I risk losing a husband or do I have children anyway to appease my husband’s needs?

Another predicament that women have who decide to postpone childbearing is that darn biological clock! 35 is supposedly the cut off age if you want to have a healthy child, but what if you’re not ready to have kids by that age. I know women are having children much later now but I don’t want to be in my 40’s raising a young child; I just don’t have the patience.

When I was doing research for this topic I came across an article which listed a few reasons why women shouldn’t have children. Some of those reasons included the following:

You shouldn’t have children unless you can be sure you will love them no matter how they turn out, faults and all. This includes mental or physical disability, if they turn out to be a homicidal maniac or if they don’t do things you understand.

You shouldn’t have children unless you can truly afford them, and have a considerable amount of money stashed away to fund their existence until they are at least 18 years of age. If you want a child so much then you should make it your goal to be able to afford the things they require.

You should not have child for your own gain. Whether it be to keep your marriage together, to have someone to love you, or to have someone to care for you when you are old.

I agree with all of these reasons on why people shouldn’t have children. Growing up I had this idea of what my adult life should look like. Go to college, start the career, get married, and have children. Now that I’m at the point where I need to start thinking about having kids and I don’t think I won’t any, I feel like I’m doing something wrong. Society tells women that they are selfish, or less of a woman if they don’t have children when in fact they are neither. The choice not to have kids is a right that every woman should have and they shouldn’t be scrutinized for their decision. I’m not completely crossing kids off of my to do list because I’m still pretty young and things could change, but if I decide not to have kids I don’t think I will look back later in life and have any regrets.

Mr. Black-Ice Bell…..

Author: Ashley E.

In life most of us repeat the same cycle; we go to sleep on Sunday night dreading Monday morning, then we wait anxiously for Wednesday to come because we know it means there are only 2 days left until the weekend. The weekend flies by and we’re back to another Monday. It’s a never ending cycle. The majority of us work 40 hours or more a week at a job that overworks and underpays us and we have absolutely no passion for what we do. Most of us get so comfortable in our jobs that we become stuck. When you become stuck you will look around and realize that 2 years have turned into 20 years and you’re still in the exact same spot.

One of my biggest inspirations for not settling in life and for going after my dreams and aspirations came from a friend who I met a couple of years ago at a modeling audition in Jackson, MS. With only a high school diploma, my friend has become a poet, an author, and an accomplished professional photographer. He has worked with many talented people such as Janelle Monae, Russell Simmons, and Lloyd Banks. Some people call him “Mr. Bell” and others call him “Christopher” or “Chris,” but now he also goes by “Black-Ice Bell.” It was actually a name given to him as a joke because people could recognize his work before they recognized him. There are hardly any pictures of him online so many people don’t know the face behind his work. Black ice is a substance that is transparent; it’s practically invisible, but you can feel its presence and know it’s there. You may not see Mr. Bell, but you will definitely feel his presence by his work. Since he tends to be a very low key guy who lets his work speak for him, I wanted people to get to know the artist behind the work.

Check out the interview I did with him below.

Ashley G: The first time I met you was back in 2007; I think at that time you were just starting off in photography. You were doing photo shoots out of your bedroom in Jackson, MS, LOL… Do you remember those days?

BlackIce: LOL. I can never forget! I was shooting in a townhouse in Pebble Creek Apts. I had three other roommates. Due to lack of space, the studio was in the living room, and I slept in that room also. Crazy times. lol.

Ashley G: You’re originally from Decatur, Georgia. What brought you to Mississippi?

BlackIce: Well, I have Mississippi roots. I was born in Greenville, MS, but raised in Decatur, GA. In 2006 my soul became restless. I knew a change was coming but wasn’t sure what it was. A couple of old friends from Jackson were driving down I-55 and saw a huge billboard that said Christopher Bell (I think he was an insurance agent), so they thought of me and gave me a call. Less than two months later, I was their roommate and started the photography company.

Ashley G: You also have a military background. How long were you in the service, and how did you get into photography?

BlackIce: Whew… dark times. I was active duty Air Force briefly for two years from 2000-2002. Even then I knew I wanted to do something creative with my life and work for myself. At the time, I was just a poet working on my first book. Photography was strictly a casual hobby that I didn’t take more seriously until after military service. I met my mentor, Michael Alvins, and he pretty much put me in the photography game. He taught me everything from the basics in studio photography to working with clients. He was unselfish in sharing his knowledge with me, and I appreciate him for that. I always say that he’s your favorite photographer’s favorite photographer. He has helped and worked with a lot of photographers in the industry over the years. He’s more than a mentor; he’s a big brother to me. Thanks to him, I’m the beast I am now.

Ashley G: You’ve published several books and you also have a free online magazine called INSPIRE Magazine. I read INSPIRE faithfully. I love the photos, artwork, poetry and short stories. When was the first magazine published, and what made you decide to start a magazine?

BlackIce: I published the first INSPIRE Magazine in July 2010, right before I moved back to Atlanta. In Jackson, I spent a LOT of time in the bookstore. Every time I went to the African-American section, all I saw were books of erotica and thug-life stories. I’m not knocking them because I believe we all got a little freak in us and it is real in the streets, but at the same time, we are more than that as well. Same thing with black publications, it was mostly either gossip magazines or the video-vixen type material on the shelves. Black Enterprise has great content, but aesthetically I think it is boring to read. So I created INSPIRE Magazine to blend beautiful images with the great content to create a unique reading experience. There are many people involved in each issue, and I am grateful for that.

Ashley G: You talk a lot about faith and spirituality; do these 2 components play a role in your work?

BlackIce: Absolutely. Everyone, including me, is far from perfect, but I do read and study the Word daily. I accomplished a lot in the past ten years with little to no resources, and no one can take credit for that. That’s all God. My whole career has been done from either my living room or my bedroom with little to no money. I only have a high school diploma, and I still get it done and make it happen. It is definitely God-given. At the same time, God is a God of Freewill. We have to make decisions and take certain actions to achieve what He wants for us. And a lot of times, it is not easy. Faith without action leads to nothing.

Ashley G: Do you have any advice for any aspiring photographers?

BlackIce: Yes, study your craft. I also worked closely with fellow photographer, Mic Fontaine, for a while in Mississippi. I remember when he said, “There’s a big difference between a great photographer and a great photography business.” I think that’s real. You can be the best photographer in the world, but you can only go so far if you don’t know how to monetize your business or know how to work with people. There’s so much advice I could give, but I think that’s a great start.

Ashley G: You talk a lot about following your dreams; how important do you think it is for people to chase their dreams?

BlackIce: I personally feel like if you’re not following your dreams, why are you living? God wakes us up every morning for a reason, not to just take up space. Everyone has a purpose that could benefit this world in some way, whether it’s huge or small.

Black Ice’s career has really taken off. The 25^th issue of Inspire Magazine was released last month and he has many new projects in the works. You can catch a few features from The Double Scoop in upcoming issues of the magazine. If you want to know more about Black Ice and his work you can connect with him at the sites below
http://instagram.com/inspiremagatl

http://www.inspiremagatl.com/about-inspire/

https://www.youtube.com/user/atlinspired

The Light Skin vs Dark Skin Dilemma

Author: Ashley E.

The documentary Light Girls premiered last month on the OWN network. Light Girls is a follow up to Dark Girls which was released in 2011. Both documentaries focus on the topic of colorism, a type of discrimination or prejudice in which people are treated differently based on the complexion of their skin.

I attempted to watch Dark Girls a while back but after ten minutes of listening to women in tears talking about how they hated their dark skin and wanted to bathe in bleach to lighten their skin tone, I just couldn’t get into it. Maybe it was because I couldn’t relate to what the women were talking about. I’ve been referred to by some people as light skinned and I have also been referred to by some as dark skinned. When I look in the mirror I see a brown skinned woman and I like my complexion. I can’t recall a time when I desired to have lighter or darker skin. My mom has a very light complexion and my dad has a brown complexion but growing up we never discussed skin tone and I never questioned why my mom’s complexion was so much lighter than ours. I think I realized a lot of people had a hierarchy system when it came to skin tone from experiences outside of my home.

I remember an experience I had when I was younger during a family trip to Florida. We went to one of the outlet malls with my mom and I heard one of the white store associates telling her how pretty she was and asked her what was her ethnicity. My mom told her she was black and minutes later my sister and I walked up to my mom and she introduced us to the lady. The lady’s whole demeanor changed and she looked almost shocked that we were her children.

Even though skin tone was never really discussed in our home I do remember not wanting to get any darker than what I already was. When we would take family trips to the beach or if we played outside in the sun for a long time, the first question my siblings and I would ask each other was “Did I get darker?”

I even remember an argument between my twin sister and younger sister years ago about skin tones; my younger sister who was probably no more than 4 years old at the time was convinced that her and my mom were white. (My younger sister also has a lighter complexion like my mom). I remember my younger sister yelling that she and my mom were white and the rest of us were black and dark. The question is that at that young age where did she get that mindset from? Why did my siblings and I not want to get any darker? Where did that thinking come from if it wasn’t discussed in our home?

My mom in her younger days

My mom, younger sister, and me and my twin sister

Light Girls touched on slavery briefly and discussed how colorism is a byproduct of slavery. During that time period many of the slave masters would rape the slave women and some would get pregnant and have mixed children. Even though the children would have lighter complexions and some could pass for white, they would still be considered slaves but just had more privileges than the darker slaves. The lighter slaves would sometimes be referred to as the “house slaves” because they were allowed to work inside versus some of the darker slaves that were only allowed to work in the fields. Many of the mixed slaves weren’t accepted by the darker slaves because they felt they thought they were better. The mixed slaves weren’t accepted by the whites either because they were still viewed as black.

In Light Girls many of the women (mainly celebrities) spoke about their experiences of growing up with a lighter complexion and how they were sometimes bullied by other black women for having a certain hair texture and lighter skin. Some of the women discussed how they were misjudged a lot and referred to as stuck up because of their appearance.

A few men gave their opinions in the documentary as well. One of the guys in the documentary made a comment that rubbed me the wrong way. He said that women with lighter complexions were viewed as trophies regardless of how attractive they were. In his opinion by default a woman with lighter skin looked better on his arm compared to a darker woman because of the image. Another guy in the documentary who was a comedian said darker women were easier to deal with compared to women with lighter complexions. He said a woman with a lighter complexion had more demands and expected better treatment compared to a darker woman who demanded less. I really hope this man was being funny and not serious!

Two comments that irk me the most is hearing a black man say “you’re pretty for a dark girl” and “I’m normally not attracted to darker women.” It just rubs me the wrong way and I’m automatically turned off from a man that utters those words. Why can’t a man just find a woman beautiful or attractive without mentioning her skin tone? I have even held conversations with people that have said they don’t want to have kids with someone with a dark complexion out of fear that their child will come out too dark skinned.

Actress Tatyana Ali made an appearance in the documentary and critics attacked her for not being light skinned enough. She discussed how some people would automatically assume she was mixed because of the length and texture of her hair. I have even been asked if I was mixed before because of the length of my hair; it had nothing to do with my complexion. If a black woman has a feature that is any way associated with European descent, their ethnicity is questioned because for whatever reason it is assumed that a black woman can’t naturally have that particular attribute.

I think it is really sad that after everything blacks had to endure during slavery we turn around and discriminate against each other because of our skin tones. Documentaries like Light Girls and Dark Girls are needed because it is bringing attention to an issue that needs to be discussed more in the black community.

GULF COAST BLUES BOY

Author: The Double Scoop

I met Jamell Richardson on the set of the movie Get On Up a little over a year ago. I was cast as an extra in the movie and he was cast to play Jimmy Nolen, the lead guitarist for James Brown. Jamell had one of those contagious personalities; the type of personality that people are immediately drawn to. He was very personable and funny and was well known among the other cast and crew members. His outgoing personality makes it hard for him to ever meet a stranger so it wasn’t a surprise that we connected on the set. Since the movie ended Jamell’s career has really taken off so Ashley and I decided to catch up with him for an interview so that people who are unaware of the artist can get a better idea of who he is.

Check out our interview below.

TDS: Where are you originally from?

JR: Mobile, Alabama

TDS: What influenced your decision to start playing the guitar?

JR: B.B. King was a big influence. I actually started playing the guitar when I was only two years old and started professionally recording at age 13. I am self taught.

TDS: Being that you are only 26 what made you want to become a blues musician?

JR: I consider myself to be a soul artist more so than a blues musician. I grew up in a traditional Pentecostal church where my grandmother was the church pastor. Blues music reminded me a lot of the music that I heard in church growing up.

TDS: Who are some blues artists that you have worked with during your career?

JR: Bobby Womack, Bobby Bland, and Shirley Brown just to name a few

TDS: You recently released your first EP “Gulf Coast Blues Boy”. How long did you work on it and what is your favorite song off the EP?

JR: I worked on the EP about 2 to 3 months and I would have to say my favorite song is “Can’t hurt me no mo”.

TDS: Last year you were in the James Brown biopic Get On Up and was cast as Jimmy Nolen. Tell us about that experience and how you were cast for the role.

JR: Initially when I submitted for a role in the movie I wasn’t selected. At the time my friend Mike and I were band members for Mel Walters and Mike got a phone call to come in for his final audition for the movie. I ended up riding to the audition with him because he didn’t have time to drive me to my car. At the audition some of the producers walked up to me because they noticed that I resembled some of James Brown’s band members. I was initially cast for the role of Les Bowie but was later cast as Jimmy Nolen after one of the other musicians dropped out. I was shocked that I was cast for the role.

TDS: Initially you didn’t have a speaking line in the movie. How did you end up getting a speaking role?

JR: During the time of filming I was still playing with Mel Walters. There was a conflict between the filming time and the dates I was supposed to play with the band so I decided to quit the band and continue with filming. I definitely took a leap of faith. The day after I quit I woke up and spoke into existence that I would get speaking lines. That same day on set we were filming a scene where James Brown and his band members were arguing about him not paying them. The directors felt that the scene was too dry and missing something so one of them came up to me and told me to say F- you to James Brown. He told me not to tell anyone so when I said it everyone was kind of caught off guard and the moment was very organic.

The overall movie experience was amazing; I had the opportunity to work alongside great actors like Dan Akyroyd, Viola Davis, Jim Scott and Chadwick Boseman. On the set I gave guitar lessons to singer Aloe Blacc to help him prepare for some of his scenes. I’m still on a high from the whole experience. In my career I’ve always felt the need to stay in the background even though I knew I was supposed to be a front man. Being a part of the movie has helped me to see that more clearly.

TDS: Are you interested in pursuing any more acting jobs and do you have any upcoming projects?

JR: I’m not opposed to it but music is my heart. Music got me into acting. I’m currently working on a new album called “Bringing It Back” which I plan to release in late April or May. The title of the album represents bringing back real music, real life and real things. I feel that it is the type of music that everyone can listen to.

TDS: How can people contact you and hear some of your work?

JR: For bookings bluesboyent@gmail.com

Facebook: Jamell Richardson “The Gulf Coast Blues Boy”

IG: @JamellRichardson

Youtube: Jamell Richardson

www.jamellrichardson.com

It was a pleasure interviewing Jamell and we are very excited to see him advance even more in his career. You can purchase his EP on Itunes here.

Jamell Richardson “Gulf Coast Blues Boy” features special guest Erica Washington @ BayFest Music Festival 2014.

Mobile, AL

Did the Whitney Movie Disappoint?

Author: The Double Scoop

If you were expecting to get a more in depth look into the life of Whitney Houston after watching the biopic that premiered on Lifetime last weekend, than you probably felt unsatisfied.

A more appropriate title for the movie could have been The Whitney and Bobby Love Story as the movie focused more on the couple’s relationship rather than her actual music career. The movie also didn’t waste any time highlighting the late singer’s drug use. It seemed as though the director and writers wanted to humanize Whitney. People forget that at the end of the day despite how much money or fame a person obtains, they are still human just like everyone else. Whitney was adored by many and was placed on a pedestal so high that when she fell from grace people looked for someone to blame instead of holding her accountable for some of her actions. Unfortunately throughout the years majority of the blame was placed on her ex-husband Bobby Brown.

The movie showed a more vulnerable side to Brown which left many viewers feeling sympathetic towards him. People forget that Brown was 19 years old when he was first introduced to the star who was 26 at the time. The media over the years has painted Brown out to be the bad boy that brought Whitney’s career downhill and got her addicted to drugs. In contrast the movie shows that drugs were a part of the singer’s life well before Brown came into the picture. Shortly after Houston’s death Oprah Winfrey sat down for an interview with Whitney’s mom, Cissy and her brother Michael Brown. During the interview her brother took responsibility for introducing Whitney to drugs.

The casting for the movie was superb and the chemistry between Yaya DaCosta and Arlene Escarpeta was undeniable. The sex scenes in the film left little to the imagination but I believe the director’s point was to show how strong and passionate Whitney and Bobby’s love was for one another. These were two people who were madly and crazy in love with each other. Although their relationship at times became volatile, their love ran deep. DaCosta did a great job portraying Whitney’s mannerisms although her acting became a little too dramatic at times and the lip singing was very apparent. Arelene Escarpeta has starred in a few films but his portrayal of Bobby Brown in this movie could possibly be his break out role as he delivered the character’s emotion so convincingly. He was also giving the ladies some eye candy; the man is fine! 😉 Deborah Cox did an amazing job on the vocals. People always argue that no one will ever be able to sing like Whitney, which they won’t because Whitney was her own but you can’t deny that Deborah did a great job. At times during the movie her voice sounded very similar to the pop icon.

Overall the movie was good but it didn’t capture the true essence of Whitney Houston as it lacked what she was most known for which is her music. There was no way a 2 hour television movie could tell the full story of Whitney Houston, but it focused on an essential part of her life which gave viewers a new perspective. People seemed to have either loved the movie or hated it but we enjoyed it. Kudos to Angela Bassett for her directorial debut!

What did ya’ll think of the movie?

South Carolina Artist Debuts LiveWire Video

Author: Ashley E.

South Carolina artist Finesse’ recently teamed up with the South Carolina Film Institute in Columbia to produce the music video for his single LiveWire. The 18 year old came to Columbia to attend college at the University of South Carolina and to expand his music career. Believe it or not he has been rapping for almost 10 years and making music for about 3 years.

When asked about the concept of Livewire, Finesse’ described it as a song about reaching your full potential. He stated:

“The message of this song is having fun and enjoying life. The lyrics revolve around my standards of relationships, and time. That youthfulness depicted on the cover art is the innocence I feel we lose so quickly as African Americans growing up and only seeing one option that’s realistic.”

At such a young age he has the mindset of someone much older. When asked about which artists influence him he said the following:

“Influence is a word I don’t hinge on too often. I influence myself, I see that as being the best way to remain original and remember who I am.”

He described Livewire as a sound teaser for what is to come from his second album “OK” which is set to be released in the Spring of 2016. He stated:

“At this time, LiveWire is simply a single. It’s more of a sound teaser at what’s to come from OK. My in-house producer and music partner, Christopher Bacon isn’t afraid to blend notes and chords.”

A line from the song says: “I’m a Livewire, if there’s a problem I could detonate.” He described the meaning of that line:

“When my persona is involved, things go to another level. You don’t call me for a problem if it’s minor. My effort is powerful; there is no length I will not go to.”

You can’t help but to nod your head to the beat as you listen to Livewire. The song takes you back to a simpler time when life was carefree. His sound and message are unique and a contrast to a lot of the mainstream rap music that is out now. Finesse’ has a bright future ahead and we wish him the best of luck with his career.

Check out more about the artist and his work here. Click here to view the video for Livewire

Selma

Author: Ashley E.

The need to constantly recreate or tell the same story in film is often times questioned, especially if the film deals with an ugly past that many want to forget. It is said that those who don’t know their history are doomed to repeat it, so how ironic is it that Selma highlights issues in the 1960’s that are still very prevalent today. The film’s release follows the widespread protests that have recently taken place in response to the domino effect of black men being killed at the hands of law enforcement officers.

Selma highlights the 1965 equal voting rights campaign that was led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama. Watching the film, you couldn’t help but to get emotional and angry being reminded of what Dr. King and other individuals had to endure during their fight for equality. Owen Gleiberman wrote this statement regarding King’s decision to lead the campaign in Selma: “Hideous racist brutality isn’t what they’re seeking to avoid; it’s what they’re seeking to display.” Selma was a pivotal place to reveal to the world the ugly injustice that was being swept under the rug.

Police brutality, racism, abuse of power by law enforcement officers, and restrictions on voting laws are just some of the issues that individuals were dealing with at that time; fast forward to today and sadly we are still facing some of the same issues just hidden in different forms.

What’s sad is that we often forget how much the individuals before us had to endure in order for us to have basic rights that now we often take for granted. I thought the movie was great and well put together. David Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo were perfect choices to portray Dr. King and Coretta. Carmen Ejogo had a striking resemblance to the late Coretta Scott King.

The film was nominated for “Best Picture” and “Best Song” but unfortunately the film’s director Ava DuVernay and the main actors were not nominated for their work in the film.

I do encourage everyone to go see the movie. There wasn’t a dry eye in the theater when I went.

Whitney Houston Biopic Premieres On Lifetime This Weekend

Author: Amy Nicole

The Whitney Houston biopic “Whitney” is set to premiere this Saturday on Lifetime. After the failed attempt of the Aaliyah biopic, fans and viewers are skeptical about how this movie will be able to accurately portray the late singer’s life. Just like with the Aaliyah movie the family members of the late singer were not supportive of the making of the film. The family is reportedly very disappointed that Basset never reached out to the family regarding the film.

Pat Houston, president of the Whitney Houston Estate, released the following statement regarding the film:

Since no one from the immediate family was contacted, nor have seen the film, we cannot help but question the veracity of a story about Whitney and Bobby’s personal relationship. Her life story – even a portion – should be dominated by people who value the merit of her life, not by a group that chose to present the weakest cycle of her life. Unfortunately, there’s nothing inspiring, liberating or uplifting about this project.”

Last summer when it was announced that the film was being produced, Whitney Houston’s daughter Bobby Kristina took to her twitter page to vent her anger and disapproval over the fact that she wasn’t cast to play her mother. The movie is being directed by actress Angela Basset who will be making her directorial debut. Basset was a casual friend of Houston and also starred in the movie “Waiting To Exhale” with her in the 90’s. Former “America’s Top Model” contestant Yaya DaCosta who also starred in “The Butler” will be portraying the late singer and actor Arlen Escarpeta will be portraying Whitney’s ex-husband Bobby Brown.

yaya — Yaya DaCosta and Arlen Escarpeta as Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown.

The movie will chronicle the singer’s rise to fame between the years of 1989 through 1994 and will also focus on Whitney’s relationship with Bobby Brown. Basset was pleased with the script for the biopic but was disappointed that Whitney’s spirituality was omitted because she says it was a key component of who she was as a person.

She released the following statement regarding her role as director for the film and honoring Whitney’s legacy:

“The role of director is a tremendous responsibility. I put my faith in the actors and serve them. In this movie, you’ll see the ‘home Whitney,’ the ‘glam Whitney.’ I fight every day to get it as right as we can. You want to honor their humanity. Whitney Houston was on the highest pedestal and she fell the furthest. She was an incredible artist and human being.”

The biopic “Whitney” will premiere on Lifetime this Saturday, January 17^th at 8pm ET/PT. Check out the latest trailer here. Sources: ABC News; The Source This article was also featured on entnews.tv.

Is Cheating Inevitable?

Author: Ashley E.

When most people think about what it means to cheat in a relationship, they automatically think about having sex with another person outside of their relationship. But cheating is so much more than just sex. Have you ever made a strong connection with another person outside of the relationship with your significant other? What if the connection became so strong that it got to a point where you thought about the other person frequently and started to develop feelings? A lot of people say they have control over how far they will allow a situation to go, but eventually after spending so much time with another person that you are attracted to and have a connection, emotions tend to get involved. Developing a strong emotional relationship with another person is just as much cheating as having a sexual relationship with that person.

Cheating is such a multi-dimensional topic so I decided to call up several of my female and male friends to get their perspectives on cheating. While talking to each of them I noticed that the females cheated more when an emotional connection was lacking and they were more accepting of their men cheating. Most of the men told me they cheated based on the act of sex alone; the opportunity to sleep with a new woman and there didn’t have to be an emotional connection involved. But there was also a double standard because the men were less forgiving if their woman cheated. Men can cheat multiple times, but if they find out their woman has stepped out once, it’s harder for them to handle it. A lot of the guys told me that cheating, or sex, is a phase that men go through until they get it out of their systems. Some told me they cheat because it’s in their nature.

In relationships it comes down to what people will allow. Some women say they know their men are cheating and don’t mind sticking with them throughout that “phase.” Some women say it’s okay for their men to cheat as long as he respects her enough not to let them find out. Some women are just so in love with their men that they accept the cheating even though it hurts them. And the same could go for men who are cheated on by their women.

For the people that feel that cheating isn’t that big of a deal and that it’s bound to happen, keep doing what you’re doing. For those who are hurt that the person they love or care about is constantly cheating, you might want to reevaluate your relationship. Love shouldn’t hurt and if the person knows that the cheating is causing you pain than maybe that person isn’t right for you. Ultimately, being faithful to someone shouldn’t be that difficult in my opinion. Once in the right relationship, not cheating should be simple. Cheating starts with a thought. Unconsciously I think we all cheat, but the difference is whether or not we act on the thought. Next time the thought arises, ask yourself, is cheating worth risking the relationship that you’ve established with this person that you love or care about?

This article was also featured in Inspire Magazine.

CHRIS ROCK IS A TRIPLE THREAT IN TOP FIVE

Author: The Double Scoop

In Top 5, Chris Rock shows that he is a man that can juggle many hats. He wrote, directed, and starred in this latest comedy. The film included a star studded cast filled with many well-known comedians and actors such as Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Sandler, Cedric the Entertainer and Tracy Morgan.

Chris Rock plays Andre Allen, a comedian turned actor who finds that he has been typecast in the film industry. He gets to a point where he is fed up with his “comedic” image so he stars in a more thought-provoking film that isn’t received well by fans or critics. Andre crosses paths with Chelsea Brown, a young reporter played by Rosario Dawson who he agrees to let interview him for The New York Times. During the time they spend together they develop a strong connection which causes Andre to reconnect with his comedic roots.

Top Five isn’t your typical comedy. Although the movie is humorous, it included many subliminal messages regarding politics, stereotypes, and the double standards regarding race in the film industry.

Photo Credit: BLACKFILM.COM