The World is yours...

Did anyone watch the 2007 Miss Universe last night? We didn’t, but we hear that the show had plenty of drama. Too bad.

Here’s what went down:

During the evening gown competition, Miss USA, Rachel Smith, slipped and fell on her behind and was later booed by Mexicans because of U.S.’s stand on illegal immigrants; Miss Sweden, Isabel Lestapier Winqvist, left the pageant after her country complained that it degrades women (why would they let her get that far in the first place if they didn’t agree?); the officials made Miss Mexico change her regional dress outfit after her original dress, which was decorated with brutal images of rebels in a 1920’s religious revolution being hanged or shot… um, that just sounds like it looks a hot mess AND scary! Protesters really got rowdy by wearing white dresses splashed with fake blood and sashes proclaiming "Miss Juarez", "Miss Atenco" and "Miss Michoacan" to draw attention to places in Mexico where women were killed or sexual abused.

Apparently, people were surprised at Miss Jamaica, the contest's first ‘Rastafarian’ (as per The Province

www.canda.com - do they really know if she practices or that she just wears locks??) and at Miss Tanzania rocking a baldhead. These Girlfriends simply chose not to have their hair fried, dyed and laid to the side.

Happily enough, Miss Japan Rioy Mori became the 56th winner. Her grandmother told her that she just wanted her to win Miss Japan. And look her, going all the way! This is the second time in the 50+ year history of the pageant that Japan won. The first winner (Akiko Kojima) was in 1959. Kudos to them! The majority of winners have been from a Spanish speaking country. At any rate, all races are beautiful. We love you all.

Until next time… be happy in your skin AND…

Be Seen at the Top!

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Look Who's on the Scene...

Last night we attend the Sol Village music showcase hosted by songster Eric Roberson at Sounds of Brazil (SOBs) in New York. We just wanted to check out the local talent and see what’s good. Well, there was good, bad and ugly as to be expected. At one point I found myself imitating Eddie Griffin's Sexual Chocolate because some acts were just good-n-terrible. Pleasantly enough, the lovely Deemi was brought to the stage. Now we first heard about her through Khalid Salaam (writer extraordinaire). He had to review her album and gave it a decent thumb up. Deemi reminds us of an old-skhool, light-skinned, Mary J. Blige. Really just based off the looks. The girl can sing so we were please. Below is the video to her album title track Soundtrack of My Life.



Another act that caught our attention was Marcell & The Truth from Baltimore. Marcell is a big man, but girl he could move. He said he was a preacher for the past 7 years but realized that that was not his calling…. Interesting. But whatever, he could saang. (Look at him, doesn't he look like a preacher. He wore jeans on the bottom.) He had one backup singer and she killed it. Big up to all the backup singers out there. It is very important for you to hold it down. People really are paying attention so don’t look a hot mess!

The show was short and sweet 7:30-10:30pm –geez, I guess it wasn’t so short. Afterwards people passed out flyers and whatnot for their artists and future shows. To our surprise, Jean Baylor (Zhané) is back on the scene. Maybe we’re under a rock, but who knew? Her new album is Testimony: My Life Story. Everyone’s got a story to tell, don’t they? We did a little research and found an interview. Check it out if you have time. It is a long one.




Until next time…
Be Seen at the Top!


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Steve Madden Design Competition!

Alright designers, come on with it! You know the crew at Tinalee Media has a jones for some shoes. Show us what your are working with... well actually, you will need to show Steve Madden. You have the chance to design a fall or holiday style shoe. It will be sold online and in the stores. The competition ends on June 11th, so if you are serious, pull out those sketches and get a move on it. Click here for more details.

Be Seen at the Top!

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Back from Jamaica

Yes, ladies... we are back. Last week we were in Jamaica living it up with 100 recent college graduates (view the March 1st posting). We were holding it down for the Stay Strong Foundation (Terrie Williams) and Recycling Inspiration (Xavier Artis). Chile, the week was wonderful; sun, fun, drinks and tons of emotion. Don't get me wrong, we were grinding (photo taglines, student travel arrangements, celebrity room assignments, celebrity interview arrangements and the hole 9... and then some) but the week offered an awesome chance to get away.

The trip was Jamaica 360, the first annual one actually. It was designed to celebrate the acheivements of recent college graduates. The headliners were Doug E. Fresh and Eddie Griffin (he donated $150k to the cause). Other notables were, well of course author, motivational speaker and public relations genious Terrie Williams, Susan Taylor (Essence Magazine, Essence Cares), old school rapper Dana Dane, Sean Paul (ended up being a no-show), Spragga Benz (ripped the reggae show) and others. The event was all in the Jamaican media and was covered by US media as well, including Access Hollywood.

I (Bettina) personally had to recharge and regroup. Terrie's workshop left everyone's emotions on the floor. You know Essence wrote an article about her battle with depression? She didn't hold back. Terrie opened up that can and girl, let me tell you, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Students came up to the mic sharing stories of how they and/or their families depression dealt with depression. Black people don't really deal with that subject. We usually say "Oh, you'll be alright, just pray on it. Go to church. You need Jesus." While that is fine and good, it isn't the only thing you can do. Terrie has a book due out this fall entitled Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting. When I get more details of the actual drop date, we will let you know.

Susan Taylor's workshop had us thinking. She talked about relationships and just plain life. Girlfriend had me thinking. Those of you who know me personally know of the Tabari saga (which has just ended as of Sunday) but we all have some sort of saga in our lives. We need to recharge. Get your mind right. Do for you for a change. Go to Jamaica, and if you can't afford that then take a hot bath, light some candles and zone out to Floetry/Jill Scott/Kindred/Yolanda Adams or whoever else takes you to your place of solitude.

Until next time my dears...

Be Seen at the Top!

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Kenneth Cole and the NYC AIDS Walk

Why not? It's for an awesome cause! Shopping, cocktails and hors d' oeuvres all in support of the New York City AIDS Walk.


When: Tuesday, May 15th

Time: 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Kenneth Cole New York, Rockefeller Center - 6101 Fifth Avenue

RSVP: (866) 583-8607 **It says by May 10th, but since they sent out the information late, I'm sure they are still taking shoppers/donations.


Until next time...
Be Seen at the Top!

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