Here is a quick little sneak peek of rapper Kanye West making his debut on “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.” While Kanye has already appeared on “Kourtney And Kim Take New York,” this is his first appearance on this show. He looks a little nervous but it should be interesting. Kanye’s debut will air tonight July 9, 2012.
By Erica Blackburn
Are you looking for practical video advice for your relationship or marriage? Don’t waste your time visiting YouTube or searching Google because not much is there. Aiyana and Ayize Ma’at, founders of Blackloveandmarriage.com, know that firsthand.
After meeting at Tots and Teens—a family-based organization—18 years ago and marrying eight years later, one day the couple decided to do a bit of research on Google and YouTube for advice on love and marriage for African Americans without much luck.
“There was a huge void and we felt that there was a way for us to step in and give our authentic voice and provide insight we felt could benefit the African American community,” said Ayize.
On their highly-successful website, Blackloveandmarriage.com, they provide articles, video commentary, marriage statistics, and video therapy to individuals who are in dire need of solutions for their relationship problems.
“We were already doing work in the community, teaching classes, and coaching couples and individuals in terms of personal development and relationship education,” said Aiyana. “So we said, ‘let’s just do a video advice column’ . . . Let’s have people be able to ask questions and then we would answer those questions because we see there’s a need for real talk about some of the things that we go through.”
Their Upbringing
Ayize grew up in a two-parent household in Prince Georges County, MD. Overall he believes his upbringing was well-rounded. “Because my parents were together, pretty much what I saw on a regular basis was consistency and compassion,” Ayize said. “I would say I got consistency from my father and compassionate from my mom. . . Those two attributes came from my parents and shaped me and I’m able to give those to my wife and children.”
Aiyana grew up a bit differently. After her parents divorced when she was about two and a half years old, she remembered her biological father not having consistency in her life and rarely maintained contact. At the age of six, her mother remarried her stepfather, who Aiyana has no problem addressing as her ‘daddy’. “As time went on,” Aiyana said, “the relationship between my biological father and I began to repair—slowly but surely, over time.”
Aiyana also credits the black church for molding her childhood. “It…shape(d) me in ways that I’m still discovering today in terms of having a sense of community around me and having stability in my life.
Stars Are Born
When Blackloveandmarriage.com was born on March 28, 2010, the couple admits that there was no real expectation. “We were just in the moment,” said Aiyana. “We did something that we were so invested in and it became so natural to us. . . every single day for the first year of its existence, we recorded a video.”
For Ayize, the expectation was to allow himself and others, who watch the web videos, to grow. “I personally found a space where I was expecting to experience the process in a unique and profound way that I was anticipating my own growth,” said Ayize. “The expectation was to learn to do something new, to learn how to grow. . . In the process of me growing, I was hoping other people would grow as well.”
Since launching their video therapy just two years ago, the couple has been featured on The Michael Baisden Show, Dr. Drew’s Life Changers, Final Call, Black Voices, The Afro Newspaper and others. They’ve also had the opportunity to work with the Oprah Winfrey Network on a show called,Unfaithful: Stories of Betrayal. This show features couples that have suffered infidelity in their marriages. In each episode, two couples share their deeply personal stories of heartbreak, while a therapist provides inside perspective on how each couple can begin the healing process. In five years, Ayize hopes to have impacted one million relationships through media.
“I see our community as being in desperate need of a radical change in how we view relationships and how relationships work,” Aiyana said. She went on to explain that in this culture and society, the media is very influential—good and bad. According to Aiyana, those messages, symbols, images that we consume everyday impact us whether we realize it or not. “If I’m going to have an impact, if I’m going to have a focus, I want it to be the biggest and best impact,” said Aiyana. “Our community at large could use some empowering messages and images. The best way to do that is to partner with television, online media and folks who are really interested in putting out meaningful things.”
In late summer, they are also planning on reintroducing their online relationship education classes.
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Blam would like to congratulate Michael Vick and Kijafi Frink on “jumping the broom”.
According to South Florida gossip website GossipExtra.com, Vick dropped $300,000 for the event at the Fontainebleau resort in Miami.
The site reports that “waffles and chicken” were on the menu and that it included “private pool-side concerts by Gym Class Heroes, Maroon 5 and Flo Rida.”
There were also reportedly “about 300 family members, friends and NFL colleagues” at the event, including Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, coach Andy Reid,
Falcons wideout Roddy White and free-agent wideout Plaxico Burress.
The groom’s party went with a tropical theme, pairing their tuxes with pink and purple shirts, according to a gift shop employee.
The ceremony and reception took place later in one of the large ballrooms on the hotel’s second floor ballroom.
With security tight — police were stationed outside the ballroom to collect the cameras and cellphones from guests – dancing was definitely on the agenda, judging by the numerous women in ball gowns filing in and out carrying four-inch stilettos and wearing flip flops.
The decor featured lots of white candles, white flowers and blinged out chandeliers.
According to a server, the menu was as down-home as the 32-year-old Vick himself: lobster and oysters and shrimp, but also chicken and waffles, something that the Fontainebleau, one of South Florida’s most expensive hotels where wedding dinners start at $185-a-plate, had never served before.
By The Commissioner
“Too soon, don’t do it, reconsider, read some literature!!” This infamous quote by hip hop legend Andre Benjamin comes from UGK’s 2007 hit “International Player’s Anthem.” I can’t help but think about Andre’s words as I survey the landscape of young superstar athletes who seem to get married in their early 20’s…. only to get divorced before the age of 35. From Tiger Woods to Kobe Bryant to Dwayne Wade, there is an endless list of superstars who’ve tied the knot early in their careers–when they clearly were not ready to endure a committed relationship with the same woman for the rest of their lives.
Fortunately, for all of the future superstars who may face this difficult choice at such a young age, I am here to help them with their decision. Just say NO.
In America, the projected 2012 divorce rate falls anywhere between 40-50% depending on what you read. It is also estimated that over 38% of men who get married between the ages of 20-24 will have their marriages end in divorce. This is the highest rate of any age group for either gender. What this clearly tells you is that for the general population, a successful marriage is basically a coin flip. And the younger you get married, the less likely the chance that your relationship will last. So what do you think is going to happen with young married athletes who are constantly on the road and can have just about any female they want in just about any major city they travel to? I’ll tell you…DIVORCE
I have a theory. There is a 4-5 year period after you reach the legal drinking age (21) in which you need to do the following things: constantly go clubbing; satisfy your love loins; explore your emotions. This is the time period when need to taste multiple fruits and begin to form an opinion on what you are looking for in a long lasting relationship. And don’t get it twisted; this time frame of exploration is important for both males and females, because it is necessary for women to get these years of activity out of their system as well.
So if you buy into this theory that I’ve laid out, you can see why I think it is ludicrous for young athletes to get hitched in their early 20’s. No matter how much they convince themselves that they have found “the one,” the scenario that will play out almost always ends in disaster. Oftentimes, I think certain megastars such as Tiger Woods & Alex Rodriguez get married for “image” purposes. Others such as Kobe get married out of rebellion. Regardless of the reason, these gentlemen have not indulged in that all important period of exploration. The fact that they have access to the baddest chicks on the planet makes it damn near impossible for them to stay faithful.
Might I suggest someone who seems to have this marriage thing all figured out? I believe these young athletes should subscribe to the Book of Jeter. In my mind, Derek Jeter has developed the blueprint for how NOT to take the plunge when you clearly aren’t ready. Jeter has more notches on his belt than porn star Mr. Marcus, and he doesn’t care who knows it. Mariah Carey, Gabrielle Union, Vanessa Minnillo, Minka Kelly, yada yada yada…his track record is impeccable! There have been several times over Jeter’s 17 year career that rumors have swirled about him getting married, and each time he seems to have thought better of it, because he knows himself.
In the immortal words of the great Chris Rock, “A man is basically as faithful as his options.” When you are in your early 20’s and your options are limitless, you cannot expect to be faithful. You hear that Kevin Durant? You hear that Cam Newton? You hear that Blake Griffin? Heed the advice of much older and wiser men such as myself and Chris Rock. Or risk losing half of your wealth before the age of 35 to a chick that “wasn’t with you when you was shooting in the gym!!”
To contact THE COMMISSIONER or to read more of his works visit his site FistOfTheFan.com (Fist of the Fan is an exciting new interactive sports site that delivers powerful opinions from YOU the common sports fan. Our mission is to become your daily source for sports debate, commentary, and breaking news. This space was created to put the power in your hands, so participate and let your voice be heard!)
Nicole Murphy (Ex-wife of Eddie Murphy), Sherree Fletcher (Ex-wife of Will Smith) and Mayte Garcia (Ex-wife of Hose Canseco) sat down with “Good Day LA” recently to talk about their new reality show “Hollywood Exes.”
‘Hollywood Exes’ is a new reality show on VH-1 about the everyday lives and struggles of the ex-wives of Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, Jose Canseco, R. Kelly and Prince.
‘Hollywood Exes’ premieres next Wednesday at nine on VH-1.
And a few of the couple’s friends tweeted congrats to the couple.
Will Packer tweeted,
Congratulations to @meagangood & @DeVon_Franklin two amazing ppl inside & out. Those were the most beautiful vows I’ve ever heard!
Lyrica Anderson said,
This wedding @MeaganGood and Devon is One of the most Beautiful things I’ve experienced !! Congrats to a beautiful and blessed Marriage!
Tracey Edmonds said,
Happy Saturday Family! Beautiful day/evening sharing & celebrating love at @MeaganGood & @DeVon_Franklin wedding. Hope u r enjoying urs!!!Congratulations, love and blessings to @DeVon_Franklin & @MeaganGood who just JUMPED THE BROOM!!!!!!
Comedian/Actor (Meagan’s Jumping The Broom co-star) DeRay Davis tweeted:
Happy For my fam @MeaganGood & @DeVon_Franklin gettin married 2day! My lil grown homies doing the grown thang!
Producer Debra Martin Chase gushed:
@DeVon_Franklin @MeaganGood your wedding was so beautiful and so filled with love. Wishing u a lifetime of happiness! Xxoo
And because the religious twosome remained celibate throughout their courtship (and wed just 2 months after announcing their engagement), we’re sure they had a very long night! And a long morning and even longer afternoon today. Not mad at that. Meagan is officially off the market fellas.
2012 has been a great year for James Harden.
The best sixth man in the league has gone from the dude with the great mohawk and beard, to a household name nationally (even before the Artest elbow). It should come as no surprise that with the rise of James Harden on the court, comes the rise of James Harden’s profile off the court including the caliber of ladies he chooses to date.
Unconfirmed reports have been circulating for a couple months that James Harden is dating Trina. Trina is a rapper who was formerly linked to Kenyon Martin. Trina originally hails from Miami, but was most recently known to live in Denver with Martin and his mother (presumably before he went to play in China). Her music career started in 1998 when she worked with Trick Daddy on a song before going on to solo success which included a #1 album on the Billboard Rap Hot 100.
CLICK HERE to read more.
This past weekend while in Paris, NBA star Amare’ Stoudemire popped the big question to the mother of his three kids, Alexis Welch.
Stoudemire asked Welch for her hand in marriage while overlooking the Eiffel Tower lights outside of their penthouse at Le Meurice Hotel Belle Etoile Royal Suite at 11 p.m. local time. He surprised her with a dinner after they spent the day taking a private historical tour of Paris that included stops at the Louvre and other landmarks.
Stoudemire told PEOPLE.com from Paris:
“I have been planning my proposal for a while and overlooking the entire Paris skyline seemed like a perfect place. I am so happy she said ‘yes,’ and now we can continue to build our life together as husband and wife.”
Stoudemire designed the 8.5-carat radiant-cut ring, worth more than $1 million, with Los Angeles-based celebrity jeweler Shayan Afshar. The setting has 3.50 carats of flawless diamonds set in 18-carat white gold.
The couple met in 2002 after Stoudemire was drafted with the Phoenix Suns. They plan to wed in 2013.
By Team BLAM
O.k…so I just went to the world famous facebook and saw a post saying that Beyonce and Jay are expecting their second child. I then went to the google machine and typed in (Beyonce pregnant again) and lo and behold about 5 sites came up saying that Beyonce is indeed pregnant. It seems like media take out was the first to hit the seen with the news on March 16th 2012 and most folks dismissed it as a silly rumor or wild speculation. Apparently the “reliable” source who informed MTO wasn’t officially told that Beyonce was pregnant but this “undercover informant” is beginning to see the signs that the mega star has a baby on board.
from CelebrityDirtyLaundry:
Beyonce and husband, Jay-Z, are pregnant with their second child. The Crazy in Love singer, and mother to 5-month-old Blue Ivy, is said to be about two months along with her newest bundle of joy.
MediaTakeOut.com reports that a source very close to the couple confirmed Beyonce will probably spill the baby beans about her new arrival sometime around the end of the summer. Although Beyonce hasn’t told the source flat out she was with child, he said there have been tell tale signs. Apparently the singer has put the kibosh on the drinking. “She didn’t drink any alcohol [for weeks] and we’ve ordered Petrus & Champagne multiple times. And Petrus is her favorite wine! It just wasn’t her.”
And she’s also started taking folic acid pills again. As every woman knows,folic acid pills are primarily used when a woman is planning on getting knocked up or already is.
CLICK HERE to read more.
From Ballerwives.com
