Lifetime Presents: Surviving R. Kelly Part II!
A year after Lifetime’s six-part docuseries Surviving R. Kelly sparked a public outcry that led to R. Kelly’s arrest and indictment, Lifetime is back again with Surviving R. Kelly, Part II: The Reckoning. Part II presents new stories from victims of the singer’s alleged abuse, as well as experts’ insights into the continuing saga. It will also explore why people who spoke up decades ago weren’t heard until now.
The two-hour debut of Surviving R. Kelly, Part II: The Reckoning premieres January 2 on Lifetime, after a six-hour marathon airing of the first part of the story. The series continues over the next two nights, airing January 3-4.
The Obamas Buy New Digs!
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama got an early Christmas present for themselves. They purchased a 6,892-square-foot home on Martha’s Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts.
They shelled out $11.75 million for the property, which sits on 29.3 acres and features seven bedrooms, eight-and-a-half baths and several stone fireplaces. It is located in Edgartown, Massachusetts and was built in 2001.
Michelle Obama, 55, had a record-breaking year in 2019. She sold more than 11 million copies of her debut memoir, Becoming, and traveled on a sold-out book tour. She is presently touring Vietnam with Today Show co-host Jenna Bush and actress Julia Roberts, promoting young women’s education across the world.
President Obama is writing his own memoir, which could hit shelves ahead of next year’s election.The Obamas are also at work on projects with Netflix.
Meet Miss Universe 2019!
Zozibini Tunzi, 26, from South Africa was crowned the 2019 Miss Universe.
Tunzi, beat out over 90 women for the title, and is a passionate activist engaged in the fight against gender-based violence. She devoted her social media campaign to changing the narrative around gender stereotypes.
“I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me with my kind of skin and my kind of hair was never considered to be beautiful. And I think that stops today. I want children to look at me and see my face and see theirs reflected in mine,” she said during the contest.
Reflecting on her win, Zozibini wrote on Instagram: “Tonight a door was opened and I could not be more grateful to have been the one to walk through it.” The pageant was broadcast live from Tyler Perry’s Atlanta studios.
Murphy and Erivo Nab Golden Globes Nominations!
Eddie Murphy and Cynthia Erivo picked up nominations for the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
Murphy was nominated in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture–Musical or Comedy category for playing real-life comedy and rap pioneer Rudy Ray Moore in Dolemite Is My Name. In 2007 Murphy won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Dreamgirls.
Erivo received a nod in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture–Drama category for her role as abolitionist Harriet Tubman in the film Harriet. Erivo also received a nomination for co-writing the song Stand Up for the film’s soundtrack.
The three-hour telecast hosted by Ricky Gervais will air live on NBC Sunday, January 5, 2020, at 7 p.m. Chicago time.
Ivy Park – Beyoncé’s New Unisex Collection!
Beyoncé has joined forces with Adidas to announce that her next collection of IVY Park sportswear will be unisex.
Bey took to Instagram to announce the much-anticipated collaboration. The collection offers both apparel and footwear and is designed around the color scheme of maroon, cream and “solar orange.”
“It incorporates my personal style and expands that to include something for everyone. I love experimenting with fashion, mixing high and low, sportswear with couture, even masculine and feminine. The way men have embraced the brand is an unexpected gift,” the powerhouse said. “I appreciate the beauty of gender-neutral clothing and breaking the so-called fashion rules.”
IVY PARK x Adidas is slated for release on January 18.
Bronzeville’s New Spa for Men!
Just in time for the holidays comes Next Man Up, a full service spa experience for men located in Bronzeville. It’s designed to cater to a man’s complete relaxation and clinical needs. It also welcomes female clients.
Next Man Up offers various body massage services specializing in but not limited to, clinical, relaxation, sports and prenatal. NMU also offers barber and grooming services. Haircuts start at $30 and offerings include full color, root touch up, line ups, and essential oil scalp treatments. All haircuts include a complimentary shampoo.
NMU offers facials and waxes designed to make you look your best. A consultation will be provided for you to get the best results from the many services they provide. NMU also provides manicure and pedicure services.
Next Man Up is located at 946 East 43rd Street. Hours of Operation:
Closed Monday
Tues-Wed 10am – 7pm
Thurs – Friday 10am – 9pm
Sat – 8am-5pm
Closed Sundays
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 773-966-5268, email info@nextmanupspa.com or visit the website http://www.nextmanupspa.com.
Kingdom Business In The Works @ NBC!
NBC is developing Kingdom Business, a gospel music industry drama produced by DeVon Franklin, Holly Carter, and Kirk Franklin.
Written by John Sakmar and Kerry Lenhart (Reign, The Glades), Kingdom Business is a behind-the-scenes look into the world of the gospel music industry and all of the conflict and secrets that come with money, fame and success.
DeVon Franklin is the producer behind faith-based films such as Miracles From Heaven, starring Queen Latifah and Jennifer Garner, and Breakthrough, starring Chrissy Metz.
Holly Carter’s production company has produced Oxygen’s Preacher Of… Carter has also managed a variety of artists including Usher, Kirk Franklin, and Michelle Williams.
Thirteen-time Grammy winner Kirk Franklin is the first solo gospel artist to sell over a million units and to date has sold over 10 million.
Writers Theatre Presents: An Unforgetable Nat King Cole Christmas
Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, in partnership with Artists Lounge Live, presents a limited engagement of An Unforgettable Nat King Cole Christmas starring Evan Tyrone Martin.
The show will be presented Monday, December 16 and Tuesday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, in Glencoe.
Tickets can be purchased at the box office, by calling the 847-242-6000, or online at www.writerstheatre.org. Regular tickets, priced at $60. Premium packages, which include a CD of Evan Tyrone Martin’s performance, are priced at $80.
Acclaimed Chicago actor Evan Tyrone Martin (Jesus Christ Superstar) celebrates Nat King Cole with a festive cocktail of signature songs and yuletide favorites. In a romantic evening of story and song, Martin intimately relates Cole’s journey with velvety vocals and debonair charm. Classics include, “The Christmas Song,” “L-O-V-E,” “Mona Lisa,” and “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.”
2019 – The Year of Tiffany Haddish!
It’s been quite a year for Tiffany Haddish. She’s the host of Kids Say The Darnest Things on ABC and hosted and produced Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready on Netflix. The comedy special featured all female comics. She starred in The Kitchen with Melissa McCarthy and Elisabeth Moss as 1970’s mob wives. On her 40th birthday, December 3rd, she released the new comedy Black Mitzvah on Netflix. She’s also preparing to start filming Here Today, a romantic comedy (without the comedy) with Billy Crystal in New York.
Next on the list of Haddish’s accomplishments is the movie Like a Boss. In theatres January 10, 2020, it’s an upcoming comedy about two females friends with very different ideals decide to start a beauty company together. Rose Byrne is her co-owner of the business, and Salma Hayek, is a cosmetics mogul who obtains a controlling share of their business. Some say it’s the white version of Haddish’s 2017 hit Girl’s Trip.
