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Lucille O’Neal is much more than Shaq’s mom

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Prince Williams/Wireimage

Have you ever thought of trying something latest? Or do you transcend what others expect of you? Well, you are not alone. There are times in life when, after living a certain way for thus long, you are feeling like doing something more. To be seen as more. Sometimes this implies starting over and making a latest identity for yourself. Lucille O’Neal can relate to this.

The world may know Lucille O’Neal because the mother of NBA Hall of Famer and beloved personality Shaquille O’Neal and her three other children. But when she became synonymous along with her eldest son’s achievements, Lucille was inspired to indicate those that there was more to her.

This became the inspiration for her 2010 memoir, that highlighted the private battles, triumphs and realities of motherhood. O’Neal just updated her book with a brand new title .

'I lost my identity when Shaquille got drafted into the NBA': Lucille O'Neal is much more than Shaq's mom
Nelson’s Books

“We have been in the spotlight since 1992 and everything that was said was not true. So when the opportunity came for me and our family to tell the truth, this was one way to do it,” he says.

Part of her truth is being honest about her own journey and the way her faith has carried her through many ups and downs.

“I lost my identity when Shaquille got drafted into the NBA. People didn’t know who I was or they just called me Shaq’s mom. I’m more than Shaq’s mom; I also have other children. So this book is more than just a memoir; it became my testimony,” he says. “I’ve been through some things and I wanted people to know that God all the time has a plan for us. I now have a platform where I can speak out on a wide range of topics and I’m very completely happy to share it. I can encourage and motivate people. I’m not attempting to be perfect. But I do know that what God did for me, He can do for you too.

shares his extraordinary life journey. The creator and motivational speaker reveals her whole self in probably the most authentic way. This includes her experience entering motherhood as a teen, coping with drug addiction within the family, and coping with the pain of divorce. It also involves pursuing your passions later in life.

“Being a mother of kids who play basketball or enter the world of entertainment brings plenty of reflection. Who am I without all this attention on family? That’s why I tested myself again,” she says. “Apart from all of the things happening around me, I began to take a look at Lucille. You can lose yourself on this process, and when you don’t end up, you will not know who you might be anymore.

She adds, “So I started encouraging myself, praying, and remembering the lessons my mother taught me. She always told me to hold my head up and be proud of who I was. Now I tell my kids to be real, stay true to who you are and try to work towards something bigger.”

'I lost my identity when Shaquille got drafted into the NBA': Lucille O'Neal is much more than Shaq's mom
Photo courtesy of Lucille O’Neal

And the work she did. After successfully raising 4 children, including a superstar, she accomplished her higher education, began public speaking and have become fully involved in philanthropy. She finally had a likelihood to forge her own identity, in her own way.

“Parenting is tough because, to start with, you do not know what you are doing. I used to be a mother on the age of 17 and I had no idea about it. If it weren’t for my grandmother and mother, I probably would not have learned many staple items about being a mother,” she says. “I believe being a mother is a special gift. You must do every little thing in your power to nurture your child and the gift inside him. Sometimes this requires putting things on the back burner. When Shaquille was born, I had not graduated from highschool, but I all the time desired to go to school. It took me 30 years to get there. I tell everyone that he blessed me because he paid for my college education.

The creator encourages other parents by sharing her overall journey. While nurturing their kid’s dreams, they shouldn’t ignore their very own.

“I tell mothers, fathers and all women who want to make a change to never let your dreams die,” says Lucille. “If you hold on to your dreams, they are going to eventually come true. Then you discover out that one dream turns into one other dream, and that dream turns into one other dream.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Rashida Jones delivers late father Quincy Jones’ speech at 15th Annual Governors Awards: ‘He’s here, a lot’

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On Sunday, Rashida Jones paid tribute to her father at the 15th annual Governors Awards.

The awards ceremony, hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, honored entertainment industry icons, including legendary record producer and composer Quincy Delight Jones, who died on November 3 at the age of 91.

Rashida took the stage with three of her six siblings: Martina, Quincy III and Kenya to simply accept her late father’s honor.

According to People Magazinethe “Sunny” actress began her speech by stating how excited Jones was to attend the ceremony before her death.

“Two weeks ago today, our father died. He was very excited to be here today, a lot of his family is here,” the actress began.

“And he really, really, really was going to be here with us tonight,” she continued, adding, “And I want you to know that he is here, very much here.”

Rashida said her father “worked on his speech” before his death and shared it “in his own words” with the audience.

In his acceptance speech, Quincy said he was “honored” to simply accept the award and that as a teenager growing up in Seattle, he spent hours in movie theaters dreaming of composing movies.

“I share this award and today’s honor with all the amazing directors, legendary actors and, of course, the extraordinary songwriters, composers and musicians with whom I have developed dear friendships over over seventy years in this industry and I know I would do it” I would not trade tonight or these experiences mean nothing else on the earth,” she said, reading her father’s words. “And that is where his speech ends.”

Rashida added that while it was a “difficult decision” for the family to attend Sunday’s ceremony, his children desired to “celebrate his beautiful life and career.”

Quincy Jones' death certificate confirms that he died of pancreatic cancer

She concluded by calling on the audience to honor her father’s memory by listening to his music on the way in which home from the event.

“Listen to how he poured love into every second of the music he created. This was his true legacy: love. He loved life and often said, “Live each day as if it were your last, and one day you will be right.” And you did it, dad. You did. Every day you were here, you lived the biggest, best and most beautiful life of love,” she said.

Diversity reported that Rashida’s remarks were followed by a moving rendition of a gospel song that Jones composed for the primary film adaptation of “The Color Purple”: “Maybe God’s Trying to Tell You Something.” The song was performed by Jennifer Hudson with a 12-piece choir.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Busta Rhymes Drops Photo of Jheri Curl 50 Cent After Brutally Roasting His Painted Hairline

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It’s not an actual day in hip-hop without slightly friendly fire and this time, 50 Cent and Busta Rhymes are those trading jabs.

In a classic case of rappers roasting one another for fun, 50 people recently took to social media to make fun of a re-shared video of the “Break Ya Neck” rapper’s hairline, teasing the veteran rapper for switching to everlasting hair dye to assist him maintain his hairstyle. Caesar looks sharp and fresh.

The video comes from a summer during which the previous New School Leader tried dishes prepared by chef Remone Williams. Although the paste looked delicious, many individuals were distracted by his extremely black and glossy hair.

50 Cent and Busta Rhyme exchange hilarious jokes on social media, showing how cruel things get when old friends start fighting. (Photos: @50cent/Instagram; Busta Rhymes: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

50 published a fraction of the film featuring signature“No, why is this happening and the (ninja) emojis don’t say anything. I think @fatjoe, Khaled and Tyson should intervene here. Lol, WTF.”

The second slide in his post featured a photograph of Joe, Khaled and model and actor Tyson Beckford on the covers of the Rewind It men’s hair and beard color boxes.

But he didn’t stop there. The web’s troll king added more comments to the video, adding his own level of “power” comedy to the shade.

“You don’t fit the norm, Yo. How did that nigga Busta paint his whole head like that,” he asked. “That nigga Spliff Star, you trying to act like yourself, Busta friend… How the hell did you let him go outside looking like that, yo?”

“No,” he chuckled. “No, son.”

“What the hell is going on here?” – he continued. “No, man. Fuck it? Why do I at all times need to say something, man?

Within two hours, the video had gained over 70,000 likes, with people screaming on the expense of the Native Tongue affiliate. One person even joked that the Dungeon Dragon “looks like a mini Jermaine Jackson.”

Someone else joked within the comments: “What is this sharp placement and padding? Is this what rich rappers do now?”

Stars like Swizz Beatz, Babs Bunny, Peter Gunz, Naughty by Nature’s Vin Rock, Waka Flocka and more flooded the comments section, laughing at their peers.

When the neighborhood conversation sent 50 Cent’s hilarious joke was viewed by 1.9 million followers.

Neighborhood Talks republishes 50 Cent’s posts about his longtime friend Bust Rhymes (Instagram/ @theneighborhoodtalk)

“Dripmode Squad,” one fan joked. Someone else wrote: “Shoe polish at its best,” referring to the dark dye.

A 3rd comment read: “Not so much on Legend…. but who actually approved it! Someone better call Spliff Star!!!!! We have questions!” Another got here to the rapper’s defense: “Leave Busta Rhymes alone.”

But Busta just isn’t like the opposite people 50 mocks on the Internet. He’s from Brooklyn and he also knows learn how to shoot and has his own ammunition.

While the “In Da Club” rapper’s signature mix of humor and sideways looks was enough to send fans right into a frenzy within the comments, he also received backlash from the chart-topper “Arab Money” himself.

Known for his larger-than-life personality and quick wit, Busta quickly responded with a number of selection words and a post of his own to remind the “BMF” creator that his jokes wouldn’t go unanswered.

He found A dated photo 50 Cent in 2011, when he was opening swings S-Curl on red carpets while promoting his film “Freelancers”.

Roasted Thyme Busta for 50 centsRoasted Thyme Busta for 50 cents
Busta Rhymes’ hairline has been beaten by 50 Cent, who once sported a Jherl lock online. (Photos: @50cent/Instagram, @bustarhymes/Instagram)

The artist was nominated for a Grammy Award 12 times he wrote on his Instagram page: “WHEN YOU HAVE A TYPE LIKE THIS, CRAZY I guess NOBODY SAYS ANYTHING?? WHICH ADVISORS DO YOU LISTEN TO BRUH??? WHAT THE FUCK IN 100 JARS OF TCB GEL IS MY N-GGA?? @50cents COME ON MAN!! BY THE WAY, FIF, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU JERRY CURL STINKS TOO BRUDDAH!!

Fans were equally amused.

“Damn Busta said Nxgga I’m petty too,” one person said, while the Ebro radio host wrote: “Someone said Cincuenta Centavo!!! And I am unable to breathe.”

Others then posted GIFs saying “Just Let Your Soul Glow” from Jheri’s legendary curls skit in “Coming to America.”

This playful banter gave fans a fun have a look at the light-hearted rivalry between two legends who’ve known one another for many years.

Early of their careers, 50 Cent and Busta Rhymes were managed by Chris Lighty, Violator Management, the tight-knit entertainment company accountable for the success of artists resembling Mobb Deep, Missy Elliott and LL Cool J.

The management company was dissolved following Lighty’s death in 2012 – a tragic event that rocked the hip-hop world and was labeled a death by suicide many doubted that is the way it was.

This is the sort of rap that won’t really beef – it’s just two icons keeping things real while giving their followers a reason to laugh.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Zendaya, Zoe Saldaña and more appear in Vanity Fair’s 2025 Hollywood issue

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Vanity Fair hollywood issue, Black stars Vanity Fair Hollywood issue, What is the Vanity Fair Hollywood issue?, Who is in Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair unveiled its offer 2025 Hollywood Edition The annual list, which “brings together Hollywood’s biggest stars in glorious and unexpected ways,” features 12 stars who’ve each left their very own unique mark on the industry over the past yr.

This yr’s issue features 4 Black stars, from household names like Zoe Saldaña and Zendaya to breakout stars like the most recent “Dr. Who”, Ncuti Gatwa and Danielle Deadwyler, who starred in “The Piano Lesson” and “Till”.

“By following their courage – and having courage – they are showing studios and streamers what stardom should look like now, even as executives scramble to build a new world order,” the publication boasts, explaining how each star “earned their place on (the issue), taking risks and navigating the famous quicksand of the industry.

In addition to highlighting the skills and performances of those actors through the years, the issue also highlights the celebrities’ quirks in various video segments. This yr, each cover star shared their “secret obsessions” in interviews with the publication.

While these actors and actresses share a passion for acting, their obsessions include music, literature and furry friends. For Gatwa, whose secret obsession is female rap, lines like Nicki Minaj’s from Kanye West’s single “Monster” give him confidence. Similarly, Toni Morrison’s literature inspires Deadwyler, each as an actress and as a black woman. Having a teaching background, the actress strongly believes in re-reading books and learning recent information from each of them.

“Something floats on the page in a different way,” she said. “(Morrison’s novel) Sula is my re-read. But in “Sula” (the question is): how does a woman energetically charge the space… the community? And what happens in relationships between women?”

Just as Deadwyler appreciates the knowledge Morrison imparted in her writings, Saldaña is a fan of feminine traditions comparable to carrying a compact mirror. After receiving such a present from an anonymous woman early in her profession, the actress explained how she made the gesture her own tradition.

“I even have all the time been a fan of ladies passing on things, knowledge or best advice to younger ladies who’ve achieved success. It’s just rather a lot,” Saldaña explained. “Now I realize it’s my turn to pay it back, so that is what I’m doing. I give small compacts (mirrors) to a lot of my colleagues and business partners.

Find out more about these stars’ obsessions and Hollywood journeys Vanity fair.

Cynthia Erivo, Regina King and more will be honored at the annual Black Cinema & Television Awards

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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