We’re in week two of our countdown of stories that shaped the images of black women in popular culture. We’ve chosen a dozen stories (the good, the bad and the ridiculous) that captured our attention in 2009. Here’s the story that made our hot list today:
#2: The Night That Changed Rihanna’s Life (aka “Why It’s Important to Hear Rihanna’s Story”, originally published November 3, 2009) Read the full story
I suspect GQ will get a nice bump in sales for their January issue. A topless Rihanna graces the cover in nothing but a pair of itty bitty shorts. I didn’t think much about this until I saw the photos this morning on The Huffington Post and read how the Bajan singer just wants to move on from the incident with Chris Brown. But here’s my question to Rihanna: how do these pictures help? Read the full story
Think you have nothing in common with Rihanna? Think again. Today, in her first public interview since the altercation with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, Rihanna talks about her relationship with him and her perspective now. Correcting Dianne Sawyer she said, “it’s actually eight or nine times” women go back to the man after they’ve been physically abused. She also talked about how difficult and “embarrassing” it was to be in the situation amidst the public scrutiny. Read the full story
It might be a strange coincidence but Chris Brown and Rihanna have decided to tell their stories around the same time. Chris went first with Larry King, Angie Martinez and of course a string of upcoming concerts. RiRi on the other hand has played it pretty close to the vest. We’ve seen lots of her (looking quite fabulous every time), we’ve heard her sing with Jay-Z and Kanye on “Run This Town” but in-depth interviews have been scarce until now. Timed closely with the release of her new album, “Rated R” which comes out November 23rd, the Bajan songstress did a sit-down with 20/20 and Good Morning America —which airs Thursday and Friday—as well as with women’s glossy Glamour, which hits stands November 10th. The magazine named her one of their Women of the Year (along with the FLOTUS). Read the full story
Perhaps the Chris Brown/Rihanna saga is going to some conclusion. The young crooner finally looked like he was taking things seriously in court and has received a sentence comparable to other first offenders (so they say). But will these two really stay away from each other? Rihanna made me wonder when she didn’t want that order of protection.
We thought that we might get some answers yesterday on what really happened between Chris Brown and Rihanna on the night before the Grammy Awards. But we’ll have to wait yet another month for that (at the very least.) Sure Brown showed up at the appointed time but TMZ reported that his court appearance was over in 4 minutes and 20 seconds—just long enough to get a one month delay. Plus he didn’t even enter a plea. Rihanna wasn’t there (no surprise) but was it disheartening to hear that although an Emergency Order of Protection was issued in the wake of the incident, her lawyer stated that she had no Protection Order in place now. Yeah, I know they are back together (engaged or even married according to some reports) but it is still sobering to watch this turn of events. It’s also quite sad. Read the full story
When I think of this year’s Grammy Awards I can’t help thinking of that Frankie Beverly & Maze classic “Joy & Pain.” Because it was certainly a night of mixed emotions when it comes to the sisters. Let’s start with the glaringly obvious one: the reason Rihanna may not have been there. First we heard that she had been in a car accident. But as the night wore on rumors began to speculate that something went on between the singer who was set to perform at the award show and her boyfriend, singer Chris Brown. TMZ reported that the young R&B singer turned himself in to police before the show wrapped. I am sure the truth about what really happened to them will materialize bit by bit. I will say however, if this is a case of domestic violence than this kid’s squeaky clean image should be over. Read the full story
As I write this, I have just turned to the incomparable Ms. Cicely Tyson in the less than spectacular remake of “A Christmas Carol” called “Ms. Scrooge” on The Hallmark Channel. This movie was made a little over a decade ago to give us our own spin on Christmas (how else can you explain the character’s name Ebonita). Sure it’s a made for television movie, but it is doesn’t reach that “It’s A Wonderful Life” status any more than “A Diva’s Christmas Carol,” which starred singer/actress Vanessa Williams just three years later. Any of course, her name was Ebony. Read the full story
