This year’s crop of Oscar dress knockoffs sadly won’t include my favorite of the evening. I thought Reese Witherspoon’s gown was beyond fabulous. But then again, I am a fool for purple. Who wore your favorite Oscar gown? And who do you think fugged up the red carpet?
I haven’t yet been able to fully wrap my mind around the possible ancestral link between Al Sharpton and Strom Thurmond. It’s gotta be really troubling and weird for Al, too. That’s just a crazy story.
I must admit, I’m new to the Hot Ghetto Mess phenomenon. There are some zany, sad, hilarious NSFW photos on that site. But even though I laughed at those pictures, I’m not crazy about the concept of BET taking Hot Ghetto Mess to the airwaves. I already saw that show when it was called Flavor of Love. What does it say about me that I’ll probably wind up watching it? Seems like I have a lot of thinking to do today.
And FYI, Hot Ghetto Mess also features a Not Ghetto page that highlights positive news about African Americans and includes tributes to our ancestors. Very cool.
I discovered Byron Hurt’s Beyond Beats and Rhymes through Keith Boykin (which is truly one of the best blogs out there). I missed the PBS debut of this incredible documentary, so I’m waiting to set my tivo for the repeat. If you’re a true hip hop fan, even the trailer will give you troubling food for thought.
I’ve always, always been a huge Busta Rhymes fan, but his response to accusations of homophobia made me never want to listen to Extinction Level Event again. It’s always heartbreaking when I realize how sickeningly ignorant some of my musical favorites can be.
Speaking of ignorant, this interview with New York on Miss Jones cracked me up! I mean, if you have to lie and say you went to college, at least come correct with a believable story.
And Scott Storch really needs to just shut up and get back to working on Paris Hilton’s follow-up album.
I was disappointed to read that Eddie Murphy was a sore loser at the Academy Awards. Disappointed, but not surprised. I feel for Scary Spice, too. And that poor baby, already at the center of a scandal. I can’t imagine that anyone would want to be stuck in a situation like that.
If I could give myself the voice of any singer, it would probably be Jazmine Sullivan.
She killed it as an eleven year old on the Apollo. Her version of “Accept What God Allows” will put chills down your spine. She breaks it down too — “I might be just eleven years old, but I’ve come to tell you that he’ll lead you to the heavenly throne!” Go on, little girl.
Well she’s all grown up now, and to prove the utter stupidity of the record industry, my girl got dropped from Jive Records. She’s very honest about it in this great interview with AllHipHop.com. “For me [it was] difficult, because I was bigger – so I wasn’t standards for industry standards. I realized I have to do what I have to do to get where I have to go, so if that means losing 15 or 20 pounds, that’s what I am going to do to achieve what I want to achieve.”
I admire her matter-of-fact determination, but it still really sucks that the industry prizes looks over talent.
The difference couldn’t be more evident than when she sings “Say I” — which she wrote, by the way. When she says “I’mma keep it gangsta,” you believe her so, so much more than Christina Milian.
Because of the lack of record label funding and so on, Jazmine doesn’t have an official video for any of her songs. Luckily there are audio versions of her tracks on YouTube.
I love Brush Your Shoulders Off, Resentment (sorry stans, but Jazmine’s version blows the doors off Victoria Beckham and Beyonce’s versions), and Break My Little Heart, which is basically Missy-remixed cover of the song known as Sukiyaki, by Kyu Sakamoto. (Perhaps you remember the disco version by A Taste of Honey, or the acapella version by 4PM ?)
Back to Jazmine Sullivan. I love her because she’s raw and real. I love that she’s a singer/songwriter, and she writes about what she knows and believes. You gotta listen to her sing Braid Your Hair. Afrocentric hairdressing as an prelude to romance? I’m ’bout it. That is my jam.
The real proof of singing ability is always the live performance. So turn your speakers down and check out Jazmine’s version of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. This is apparently a fan recording, so it’s a bit loud and dark. Nevertheless, incredible. And she’s just nineteen years old!!
Enjoy!
Rachel Weisz’ gown was my fave. Least favourite was Jennifer Hudsons winged tribute and pockets. Her make-up was fabulous though. Most well put together: Helen Mirren and Penelope Cruz. The make-up on all the African-Americans was wonderful could you do a ‘how to achieve the look’ post?
P.S there was a lot of nude lips and smoky eyes (bah i just bought my urban decay hot pink)at the oscars. I have dark greyish lips how do i get that lovely nude pinky look or do i need to stay clear of this look? Dark colours are also a problem on my eyes. Although i have a medium brown complexion dark colours make my skin look muddy. So what colours do i need for the smoky look? Thanx in antcipation Bella.
I’ll definitely try to help you out later this week… is there a particular celeb whose makeup you loved? Say what you will about Jennifer Hudson’s travesty of a gown, her makeup was flawless!
This is why I love your site, you always have all these beautiful and talented women a lot of which I haven’t heard of before. Loves it!
Wow what bugs me most concerning Jazmine is that she’s a gorgeous young lady, when in the world will this country get over the fact that,…… or rather embrace the fact that beauty comes in all sizes AND even when it comes to the not so beautiful, there are some of us that would take the voice over the look!!! And I’m a promoter for our caring for our bodies so not saying losing weight is a bad thing however the whole fitting into a set look absolutely kills me.
Sorry for venting:-) But thanks for listening:-)
i liked Beyonce’s, J-Lo, Jennifer Hudson’s and the simplicity of Mrs. Whittacker’s makeup.
thanks Bella
Ever since the bodyguard incident — i can’t hear Busta Rhymes without cringing. This homophobia incident is the latest in a long list of items that show Busta’s true ignorance and extreme narcissm.
On a better note though — The construction of Gwyneth Paltrows dress was SUBLIME!! I loved it. And the back of Forest Whittakers wife’s dress with the vines was really neat and unique.
I’m w/ you mochachoc. My favorite was Rachel’s Vera Wang, she was flawless. But I also loved Emily Blunt’s navy sequined Calvin Klein & Maggie Gyllenhall’s Proenza Schouler. As well as JLo’s Marchesa. Hated all the Dreamgirls’ red carpet gowns. What was Bey thinking w/ that pastel green Armani?! And I hated the asymmetrical sash thing across the shoulder. And Anika, love you, but you don’t do plunging cleavage AND your back out, I thought it was too much skin…And Jennifer’s dress, while I didn’t hate it, it wasn’t special enough for her big night I thought. And the bolero jacket was kinda awkward. I would’ve liked to see more glamour/va-va voom from her,like at the Golden Globes. She’s so juicy though, I just love her. Also liked Jada’s Carolina Herrera. She always dresses tastefully.
I love Jazmine Sullivan! She is hands down one of the best unsigned artist around! I found her online about 3 months ago and have been in love with her voice ever since! It upsets me so much that she cannot get a decent record deal.
ok i have to admit that i have a huge crush on Scott Storch, he has the most amazing face. he’s so talented, i am surprised he is getting into these studio beefs.
they did make a “knockoff” of Reece’s dress, it was on the Today show yesterday. I’m not sure who made it though.
off topic bella but i couldnt resist sharinh this website http://www.cosmeticscop.com very informative and there is a section on skin lightening creams
Thanks for the shout-out on Jazmine Sullivan! I have heard the song “Bradi Your Hair” but I just didn’t equate it to the little girl who tore it up on the Apollo years back. That voice! Hopefully she will keep singing songs that fit her voice, not just her age (being only 20 and all.) Coffy–not a crush on Scott Storch! LOL, Well to each her own. Shoot, I think Adrian brody’s big nosed self is sexy, so I shouldn’t be talking.
I would mos def appreciate a “how to achieve Oscar-worthy makeup” feature. I have a charity gala to go to in June and I want to be glam.
this is my first time visiting this site. Hey Neighbor ( i live in sunrise) This site has SO much information. In addition lots of product reviews. I’m in love.
I was a big fan of Reese’s dress too; I’ve read some people saying it was too plain, but I thought it was gorgeous: the cut, the colour (the colour detail at the hem is what makes the dress fantastic, I think), all great. I also liked Cate Blanchett’s metallic dress; I think that woman has such style – she even wears her mistakes well.
hey bella,
Bring me up to speed here… are you sure that’s a pic of melanie brown? the ex spice girl? she had a thing with eddie murphy???? and she’s pregnant with his baby?? i just googled her, and her nose looks VERY different… the woman from the link in your blogpost looks like a very beat-up crack whore… hard to believe it’s the same person!!
i absolutely LOVE jazmine sullivan
and she’ll be performing at my school at the end of march! can’t wait.
Bella,
I loved Dame Mirren’s dress. It was exquisite. You know I loved Reese’s dress from last year’s Oscar. Here is a picture of it http://us.ent10.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/movies/us/img/oscars/gallery/948945801_8660261411.jpg I am sucker for any gown that glitters. (If it aint glittering, it aint right 😀 ) I loved the J-Hud’s Bolero,metallic python, wowwowweewow, definitely not with that dress. Thanks again for turning us on to people with quality voices. Hopefully, the trend in the music industry will shift to quality vocal stylings.
http://pumpsandgloss.wordpress.com
i have to say i liked Jennifer Lopez’s dress and i guess i will have to be the odd ball and say i liked Jennifer Hudson’s dress but not that Bolero jacket( it reminded me of something from Labelle) she wore on the red carpet…also i have to thank you for introducing me to another phenomenal singer in Jazmine Sullivan
There simply aren’t enough television programs that depict us in a positive light. I’m tired of seeing negative images of us splashed all over the media. It especially bugs me when BET perpetuates stereotypes by showing programs such as Hot Ghetto Mess. Unfortunately, the positive stuff on their website doesn’t get circulated over the internet and in emails.
Jazmine looks like Phyllis Hyman.
And Poor Eddie (he should of campaigned for it, if he wanted it so much) you have to play the game in Hollywood.
I LOVED the red gown Anika Noni Rose wore during her performance. Full-on formalwear can be really tough for a petite woman to pull off.
In the name of FASHION, I enjoyed Jennifer Hudson’s bolero. Whatever the story behind it, she stood out ~dared to be different. Flawless hair and makeup, her hair hit the collar at just the right places. It was a risk, probably not something she would’ve chosen for herself, but it was Oscar de la Renta, made just for her! My only problem was when she shoved her hands into her pockets. She looked perfect and everyone lovede her, that’s all that matters. The “Dreamgirls” red dresses were beautiful. (We wear red SO beautifully) Anika Rose, Penelope Cruz, Reese Witherspoon & Rachel Weiss were all favorites. I have to say that my absolute favorite look of the Oscar evening was Cate Blanchette’s Armani Prive. She was flawless!
I thought Jazmine loooks like Phyllis Hyman too!
HER VOICE IS HEAVEN SENT. SHE IS TRULY A BLESSING TO MUSIC. I love Ms Jazz. Please support real music SEPT.23