Skate Party: Toya Wright celebrated 32nd Bday

Antonia "Toya" Wright turned 32 October 26th. For those of you who may not be familiar with the name she is a television personality and was once married to one of the biggest rap stars to date, Lil Wayne. 

Toya celebrated her birthday at a skating rink with the theme being an 80s skate party. The party was a success and some celebrity guest were in attendance. Check out the photos below:

Daily Reminder: Jay-Z - Inspirational That Everyone Is a Genius

"There are no Chosen Ones …" Jay-z gives us inspiration as he mentions in this short video that everyone is blessed with genius level talent. You just have to find what you are good at and tap into it. Which in theory makes sense; anyone can posses a million dollar idea. It is all a matter of how you execute the idea, and getting it in the right hands. We as humans are all made equally, you just have to broaden your mindset and tap into that genius level talent.

HBCU: Black Lives Matter Protesters Crash Hillary Clinton's HBCU Rally!

As we mentioned earlier in Phox News, Hillary Clinton decided to visit Atlanta to give a speech at the illustrious Clark Atlanta University where she thought she would disclose her criminal justice reform plan in peace.



#BlackLivesMatter protesters had another thing planned for Mrs. Clinton. While she was attempted to publicly announce the reform plan, she was interrupted with a song titled "Hell you Talmbout" sang by Janelle Monae. After she was rudely interrupted Clinton proceeded to tell the audience "I'm not running for my husband's third term or Obama's third term. i'm running for my first term."



Check out the video Below

Technology: Apple TV in stores today

The Apple TV, complete with a brand new remote and its own app ecosystem, is today available in retail stores.
You can pick up the $149 set top box at your local Apple Store, and 9to5mac reports that Best Buy and Target are carrying the device, as well. If you’re ahead of the game, you likely already pre-ordered an Apple TV went they went on sale online last week.
The new Apple TV is unlike Apple’s earlier generations of the device, which simply offered access to apps like Netflix, HBO and Hulu as well as your own iTunes library of content. The new version offers its own apps, created by third-party developers, to offer endless possibilities with the way you compute on your TV.

techcrunch.com

 

As part of that, Apple has also redesigned the remote, which is packed with sensors, to allow for more functionality. For example, the new remote comes with a touchpad for sliding control over skipping back or ahead, and has its own accelerometer and gyroscope for motion controls on games.

And if that wasn’t enough, the Apple TV now supports universal search, voice control and Siri integration.
The 32GB model is going for $149 and the 64GB model is available for $199.

New home: Elton John & husband purchase new property

Musical genius and composer Elton John just purchase a mansion in Benedict Canyon Los Angeles. Elton John and husband purchased the luxury home for an estimate value of $33 Million.

The three story home is approximately 25,000 sq ft and includes an elevator, nine fire places, 11 car underground garage, formal dining, formal living rooms, wine cellar, gym, pool and outdoor kitchen. Not to mention, this palace includes 7 bedrooms and 4 1/2 bathrooms.

In 2011 the listing price for the home was at $63 million, in 2013 the price was dropped down to $54.5 million. Elton John and his husband were fortunate enough to purchase the home for $33 million as the listing price was $37.9 million.

Halloween: Karrueche as lil Kim

Karrueche .. Chris browns ex & well respected fashion mogul dressed up as Lil Kim for Halloween, needless to say she nailed it!

Tattoo: Esther Baxter & The Game?

Former video vixen turned chef, Esther Baxter, thought it was a good idea for her to "tattoo" Rapper's The game name on the side of her hand. She is emulating Black Chynas tattoo that she recently got sporting Rapper Future's name...

Just in case you forgot who Esther Baxter was: She's the girl who bow wow claims took his virginity and she was also featured in Petey Pablo's video "Freak-A-Leak

Will The Game respond to miss Esther Baxter? Or will he toss her offer under the rug? ... We shall see.

Photo: The Game

Rapper "The Game" decided to post a thirst trap photo. He wanted to show the world his tattoos. Ha!

Word around town is that before he was a rapper signed with G-Unit he was a male stripper. .... Idk

HBCU: Hilary Clinton to speak at Clark Atlanta

Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton is just days away from her stop in Atlanta. Clinton will visit the campus of the historically black university (HBCU) Clark Atlanta on Friday.

Clinton’s visit to Atlanta is not only important for her campaign, but also for one of her most powerful supporters in Georgia, Congressman John Lewis.

Lewis has compared his support of Clinton to his fight for civil rights 50 years ago in Selma, Alabama. In his announcement of “African-Americans for Hillary” Lewis noted Clinton’s promise to expand voting rights for all Americans and promise to advocate for HBCUs if she becomes president.

This event is hosted by the African-Americans for Hillary Grassroots Organization. The event starts at 2:30 p.m and will be held in the Epps Gynamsium. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. Read Full via CBS46.

Halloween: Hey Arnold costume

These guys decided to dress up as Arnold and Gerald from the 90s hit show "Hey Arnold". Do you think they pulled it off?

Sad News: R.I.P Sam Sarpong

Ed Winter, spokesperson for the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner - Coroner, confirms to Us that Sarpong died on Monday after jumping off a bridge. 

"It is with great sadness that the family of Samuel Sarpong Jr. must share the news that Sam has passed away," his family said in a statement via his rep. "The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation and no additional details are known at this time. ... The famikly appreciates the thoughts and prayers and other expressions of sympathy, and request that privacy be respected at this extremely difficult time."

The statement also noted that final arrangements are forthcoming.

According to a news release from the Pasadena Police Department, a witness called law enforcement on Monday morning after seeing a man standing outside of the bridge railing. Officers and firefighters communicated with him for hours, but he ultimately jumped to his death. 

"It is sad and troubling when an individual has become so despondent that he or she feels their only option is to end their life," Police Chief Phillip Sanchez said in a statement. "These incidents can often have a significant impact on the victim's loved ones, first responders, and the community as a whole. My prayers go out to the family."

--

British-American actor and model Sam Sarpong passed away on Monday, Oct. 26, sources confirm to Us Weekly. Sarpong took his own life. He was 40 at the time of his death. 

Read more: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/sam-sarpong-dies-tommy-hilfiger-model-actor-dead-of-apparent-suicide-20152810#ixzz3pv75Yapm 
Follow us: @usweekly on Twitter | usweekly on Facebook

New Baby: Desean Jackson welcomes baby boy!

Congratulations to Desean Jackson! He welcomed his beautiful baby girl into the world today whom he shares with Kayla Phillips.

Beyoncé: building low income housing

Our girl Beyoncé just dropped 7 million dollars to build low income housing projects in her hometown Houston Texas.

She is certainly feeling philanthropic this year! After donating half a million to Chime for Change, a global campaign that was created to help strengthen and unite the voices of young women around the world by inspiring them with “powerful stories” about inspiring women, back in June, news surfaced that Mrs. Carter didn’t stop there!

We respect the movement Bey!

Separate: Raven Symone & GirlFriend end things

Credit: Digital Focus/Splash 

Raven Symone has one less view to care about now that she and girlfriend AzMarie Livingston have called it quits.

 

Though The View co-host has been pretty tight-lipped about her relationship with AzMarie, whom she never officially confirmed as her girlfriend, Us Weekly is reporting the news of their split.

 

Raven spoke about her sexuality for the first time during an Oprah Winfrey special Where Are They Now? and noted that she didn’t want to be defined by her sexuality.

 

"I want to be labeled a human who loves humans. I’m tired of being labeled," she said. "I’m in an amazing, happy relationship with my partner, a woman."

 

The couple reportedly started dating back in 2012, however, from photos Raven has posted on Instagram, it appears she and AzMarie have known each other since childhood.

This past June, Raven dished to Us what she finds attractive in a partner, saying her biggest turn-ons are “good teeth and ambition,” with her turn-offs being “bad teeth and sloth-like tendencies.

 

We hope the ladies were able to resolve things amicably as they both shared some screen time, working together on several episode of FOX’s hit show Empire.

 

She probably realized how much of a jerk Raven was from watching "The View"... lol!

TV Show: think like a man series

Steve Harvey wants you to know that he doesn’t plan to slow down. The entertainment mogul has just revealed in partnership with Screen Gems that he is taking his book Think Like A Man to TV. Deadline first broke the news yesterday.

While the newly announced project begins to move forward, Harvey has recently hinted on even more TV projects he’s looking to be apart of. In a released clip, Steve went on to discuss his current run on several different networks and addressed those who thinks it’s too much exposure.

What I’m doing, don’t make no sense. I’m on three different networks. I’m on in the daytime with a talk show, I’m on in the daytime with a game show, night time with a game show, and night time with another prime time show … and about to do another show with Mark Burnett (of Survivor) called ‘Dream Funding’….. When I’m in Africa, Dubai, Australia, or Maldives I see the Nike swoosh, everywhere I go…and they’re still buying them shoes.

Khloe and Lamar: Called Divorce Off?

Khloe Kardashian never left Lamar Odom's side when he was hospitalized and was in a coma due to drug overdose. As Odom woke up, Khloe vows to stay on his side for his physical and speech therapy as well as for his rehabilitation even if it takes several months or even years.

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Khloe and Odom are still legally married. Hence, when Odom was in a dangerous state at the hospital, Khloe was the one responsible for him and was the one who decided on his medical arrangements.
Despite the near-death situation of Odom, he managed to wake up and breath on his own. But he still has a long way to go in his recovery process. Khloe has reached down to Odom when he woke up and whispered, "you know I love you" which was responded by Odom with a nod, USA Today reported.

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“He nodded, and that was the first response we got from him. That was so encouraging,” a source said according to People Magazine. When Odom started moving, he looked up at Khloe, and said, “Hey baby” then drifted back to sleep.
Recently, Khloe got an approval from the doctors to move her husband from Las Vegas to Los Angeles so it will be closer to home. She is even planning to turn her house into a rehab center and she said that she needs to do it for herself and her husband.
“Khloe is making the preparations to bring Lamar back to LA to further his recovery. He will be transferred to a Los Angeles hospital as soon as his doctors give him the OK. They are hoping to get the green light by the end of this week. Khloe is anxious to get him back to LA, where he can get the best care in the world,” a source said, according to Hollywood Life.
As everyone knows, Khloe has a boyfriend, James Harden who allowed her to be on Odom's side during the tragedy. Reports said that he is respecting the couple and Khloe's decision to be on Odom's side.

"He is so nice and being as supportive as humanly possible given the situation," a source said, according to Independent. "Lamar essentially has zero consistent family other than the Kardashians, and James understands that. The last thing he would want to do would be to add more stress to her plate."
With all the news about the couple, it is speculated that they will call off their divorce especially that it isn't signed by the judge yet, Celeb Dirty Laundry reported.

Oscars: Chris Rock Hosting 2016

The 2016 Oscars, which will be held on Feb. 28, are being produced by Reginald Hudlin and David Hill.

 

Rock is no stranger to the Oscar stage; the comedian hosted the 77th Oscars in 2005.
“Chris may be best known as a stand-up comic, but we think of him as a creative innovator in many other ways. He is unafraid in his artistry,” Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome him back to the Oscars.”

Read More New Oscars Producer David Hill Promises "Up-Close-and-Personal Approach"

When talking earlier in September about finding the right host, Hill said, "Don’t forget that the movies that are going to shape the show, a lot are going to come out between September and December. So we don’t know what shape the show is going to take. The show has got to develop organically."

Rock's first foray as Oscar host did provoke some controversy after he made a joke at Jude Law's expense that triggered a response from Sean Penn later in the evening.

Hudlin and Rock previously teamed up on the 2005 sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, based on Rock's teenage years. Hudlin directed the pilot for the show, which Rock created with Ali LeRoi.
"Chris Rock is a comedic powerhouse who will bring tremendous energy to the event, and we’re honored to have him,” Paul Lee, President ABC Entertainment Group said in a statement.
Hill has multiple goals for the show, one being: “To make sure the show gets off the air when it’s supposed to get off the air. I’ve always prided myself on getting my  my shows off on time, and I don’t see why this one should be any different.”

Red Carpet: Tidal X 10/20

Tidal, a subscription based music streaming service company owned by Jay-z, hosted their concert tonight in Brooklyn NY. It was a star studded event with performances from Beyoncé, Jayz, Prince, Usher, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, TI, Fabolous plus many more. 

Check out the red carpet pics below:

Meek Mill

Nick Jonas

Tristan Wilds

Rick Ross and Lira Galore

T.I.

Justine Skye

Do I really need to introduce the Queen?

French Montana

Fabolous

TV: Gilmore girls return

Sources confirm that Netflix has closed a deal with Warner Bros. for a limited-series revival of Gilmore Girls penned by series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and exec producer Daniel Palladino.
Although negotiations with the cast are only now beginning, I’m told all of the major players — most notably Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Kelly Bishop and Scott Patterson — are expected back for the continuation. Additionally, per multiple insiders, the revival will consist of four 90-minute episodes/mini-movies.

Reps for Warner Bros. and Netflix declined to comment for this story.
And I repeat: This is not a drill.

RELATEDGilmore Girls Reunion Tackles Luke & Lorelai’s Future, Rory’s Best Suitor, Those Four Words and So Much More

 

The deal allows Sherman-Palladino — who left the original series prior to the final season amid a contract dispute with Warner Bros. — to conclude Gilmore Girls as she always intended, right through to those elusive final four words.

AS-P addressed the possibility of a revival over the summer when she reunited with the show’s cast at the ATX TV Festival. “It would have to be the right everything — the right format, the right timing,” she said. “If it ever happened, I promise we’ll do it correctly.”

VIDEOSGilmore Girls Cast Reunites: The Latest Revival Chatter, Single Rory, a Tearful [Spoiler] and More

 

When I interviewed AS-P in 2009 at Entertainment Weekly, she conceded that the events of the show’s final seventh season didn’t match up with the end game she envisioned for Lorelai, Rory & Co. “I haven’t [actually] seen the last season,” she said at the time, “but I heard about it from other people.”

Even back then, AS-P remained hopeful that she would get to conclude the Gilmore story on her terms, via a limited series or movie. “The beauty of Gilmore, and the beauty of family-relationship shows, is you never really run out of story,” she said. “You’re going to battle your family until you’re all in the ground. Those things never resolve, doesn’t matter how much therapy you get. Ten years later, there’s still going to be [material] there to mine and to delve into.”
Gilmore Girls premiered on the now-defunct WB network in 2000, before transferring to spinoff net The CW in 2006 for its final season.

Photo: Kelly Rowland & Son

The beautiful Kelly Rowland photo'd out with her son Titan.

Looks like they are preparing for Halloween. Too cute!

Happy Birthday: Usher celebrates his Bday with President Barack and Michelle Obama

Mega Star Usher celebrated his 37th Birthday on October 14. Watch as the President and the first lady sing Happy Birthday!

Politics: Donald Trump vs. Jeb Bush

"No Jeb Bush, you’re pathetic...," the former 'Apprentice' host tweeted.

 

If they weren't already, the gloves are now certainly off for GOP presidential candidates Donald Trump and Jeb Bush, who exchanged verminous tit for tat messages over Twitter.
In an interview with Bloomberg of Friday, Trump criticized George W. Bush when he talked about the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

How pathetic for @realdonaldtrump to criticize the president for 9/11. We were attacked & my brother kept us safe.

 

— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) October 16, 2015
Trump took little time in responding, throwing haymakers right back.

.@JebBush, At the debate you said your brother kept us safe- I wanted to be nice & did not mention the WTC came down during his watch, 9/11.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2015

No @JebBush, you’re pathetic for saying nothing happened during your brother’s term when the World Trade Center was attacked and came down.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2015

.@JebBush, like it or not, our country needs more energy and spirit than you can provide! #MakeAmericaGreatAgain

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2015

On Saturday afternoon, Bush tweeted an almost two-minute video which played circus-like music the whole time and featured clips of Trump either dodging questions or giving controversial answers.

.@RealDonaldTrump’s absurd comments again raise questions on whether he possesses the judgment to be President: https://t.co/lLr1SF1jwp

— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) October 17, 2015

In less than two weeks, both men, along with the other GOP candidates, will square off in the third primary debate, which will be hosted by CNBC in Boulder, Colo. on Oct. 28. 

Movies: "Goosebumps" takeover "Martian" With $25M

Kicking off Halloween early, Sony's family entry Goosebumps is succeeding in scaring off the competition at the North American box office, winning Friday with an estimated $7.4 million from 3,501 theaters for a projected $25 million debut.

That should be enough to topple Ridley Scott's blockbuster The Martian and claim the weekend crown. The Martian took in $6.3 million Friday from 3,701 locations for estimated weekend earnings of $22 million and a stellar domestic total of $144 million through Sunday.

Goosebumps, based on the bestselling children's book series, stars Jack Black as the famous writer whose literary characters — a collection of ghouls and ghosts — escape from his books and wreak havoc on the world. The 3D horror-comedy, directed by Rob Letterman and adapted by Scott Alexander, also stars Dylan Minnette and Odeya Rush.

The film, rated PG and grabbing an A CinemaScore, cost $58 million to produce. Heading into the weekend, the major tracking services predicted that Goosebumps would open to $20 million-$24 million.

To say the marquee is crowded this weekend is an understatement. Guillermo del Toro's R-rated gothic romance Crimson Peak and  Steven Spielberg's Cold War thriller Bridge of Spies, starring Tom Hanks, also open this weekend, while the specialty box office sees a flurry of new entries, including Truth and the expansion of Steve Jobs.

In a surprise twist, Bridge of Spies will beat Crimson Peak and come in No. 3 with a projected $16 million weekend after earning on estimated $5.3 million on Friday from 2,811 theaters. The DreamWorks and Participant Media title cost $40 million to make, and is hoping for a long run throughout awards season after scoring stellar reviews and an A CinemaScore.

Bridge of Spies, inspired by true events, follows Brooklyn insurance lawyer James B. Donovan (Hanks), who was plucked from his ordinary existence to represent Soviet spy Rudolf Abel. That led to being tasked with helping negotiate the release of Francis Gary Powers, whose U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960.

Del Toro's Crimson Peak is looking like another disappointment for Legendary Pictures after falling off quickly Friday. Early in the day, it appeared headed for a $17 million-$19 million weekend, but now is projected to come in around $13 million-$14 million from 2,984 theaters after taking in $5.2 million Friday and getting slapped with a B- CinemaScore. If so, it will mark del Toro's lowest studio opening.

The R-rated film stars Mia Wasikowska as a young author and newlywed who soon discovers that her charming husband's crumbling mansion is filled with menacing, other-worldly entities that her groom (Tom Hiddleston) and his sister (Jessica Chastain) try to hide. Charlie Hunnam also stars.
Crimson Peak was produced and financed for $55 million by Legendary and is being released by Universal.

At the specialty box office, Steve Jobs is projected to gross $1.7 million as it expands into a total of 60 theaters for a location average of $28,700. This weekend will pose a key test for Danny Boyle's film in terms of how much the subject matter appeals outside of New York and Los Angeles, where Steve Jobs scored one of the highest opening location averages of all time last weekend. Jobs expands nationwide Oct. 23.

As awards season heats up, new limited offerings include Lenny Abrahamson's Room, which is eyeing a solid location average of roughly $33,000 as it opens in four theaters in Los Angeles and New York. Adapted by Emma Donoghue from her book of the same name, the A24 title stars Brie Larson as a young mother trapped in a windowless room with her young son (Jacob Tremblay).
One high-profile title that's off to a poor start is Truth, starring Robert Redford as ousted CBS Evening New anchor Dan Rather and Cate Blanchett as disgraced 60 Minutes producer Mary Mapes. The Sony Pictures Classics release, going out in six theaters in New York and Los Angeles, is looking at a weekend location average in the $10,000 range.

Beasts of No Nation, the first original movie from Netlfix, is likewise faring poorly in its limited day and date theatrical debut. The African war drama, starring Idris Elba and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, stands to earn roughly $52,000 from 27 theaters for a location average of $1,677. The movie was always going to be a tough sell since it is simultaneously available on the streaming service.

Bridge of Spies, Room, Beasts of No Nation and Steve Jobs are all critical darlings, while Truth has earned mix reviews.

Lumiere Film Festival: Martin Scorsese, Salma Hayek and many others

"For those that ‘own’ those films, licenses, rights, please don’t make it harder for filmmakers," said the legendary director in a speech focused on his preservation work through The Film Foundation.

Martin Scorsese, an American film director, received an award Friday night at the Lumiere Film Festival.

Emily Mortimer, Berenice Bejo, Michel Hazanavicius, Clemence Poesey, Francois Cluzet, Max von Sydow, and Jane Birkin were among those that joined festival director Thierry Fremaux in his hometown of Lyon to honor the legendary director.

Salma Hayek presented him with the award. Hayek’s husband Francois Pinault, who heads luxury group Kering and supports Scorsese’s film restoration group The Film Foundation through its Gucci brand, was also in attendance.

Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami was also in attendance. The Palme d’Or winner debuted a short film he made as a tribute to Scorsese of two horses frolicking in the snow.
The tribute included a karaoke rendition of the actors and directors singing New York, New York on stage.

 

Pic: Sasha Obama

Sasha Obama and Date are photo'd heading to homecoming. She has grown up to be a beautiful young lady! 

President Barack and Michelle Obama seem to be raising their girls well. They allow them to be teenagers and enjoy themselves. Shout out to the Obama's!

TV Show: Michael Jackson Scripted

Warner Bros. Television Group has signed an exclusive multi-year development and production deal with broadcaster, author

and producer Tavis Smiley to develop scripted TV series for broadcast and cable. The first projects under the deal will be TV series adaptations of two of Smiley’s books: the upcoming Before You Judge Me: The Triumph And Tragedy of Michael Jackson’s Last Days, an account of the final 16 weeks in the life of the music superstar; and My Journey With Maya, a memoir of the author’s nearly 30-year friendship with renowned poet Maya Angelou.
WBTVG and Smiley already are working on a project together — the studio this year acquired TV rights to Smiley’s book Death Of A King: The Real Story Of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Final Year, which is being developed as an event series with J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions.

Set to be published in June 2016, Before You Judge Me is described as a taut novelistic rendering of the final months in the life of the iconic pop star, chronicling his constant hunt for privacy in a life that was more public than almost any other, and the pressures he endured as someone whose fame made him socially fragile and almost unable to live.
In My Journey With Maya, published in April 2015, Smiley shares personal memories of his 28-year friendship with poet, historian, filmmaker and civil rights activist Angelou. In addition to the TV project, Smiley and Tony-winning director Kenny Leon (A Raisin In The Sun) are developing Maya as a stage play.

www.deadline.com

Smiley’s TV projects will be produced through his The Smiley Group, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television or Warner Horizon Television, with Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution handling global sales.
Smiley is the host of the late-night television talk show Tavis Smiley on PBS as well as The Tavis Smiley Show from Public Radio International (PRI).
My Journey With Maya, Before You Judge Me and Death Of A King are published by Little, Brown and Company, and written by Smiley with David Ritz. In total, Smiley has written 19 books, including his memoir What I Know For Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America.

Magazine: EBONY Magazine’s Controversial

The image depicted above is a very controversial and sensitive subject. As you can see, the image depicts the Huxtables, which was a popular American sitcom known as the Cosby Show, craked as if the image was a piece of glass. Despite all of the bad publicity Bill cosby has been receiving she should not have to suffer on the cover of Ebony Magazine. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and this image says one thing: "Broken". 

Magazine: Beyonce Beat Magazine

Our favorite girl Beyonce is giving us hips and leg action on the cover of BEAT Maazine. Photographed by Ryan McGinley in the Hamptons. 

The issue is set to drop October 21st. Read more here: http://www.thebeatjuice.com

TV Show: One Black TV Writer on the "'Empire' Effect": "My Creative Parameters Are Limited"

What the Fox hit has wrought for one anonymous African-American scribe who has worked in TV for five years, including on an Emmy-nominated show: "Everyone in Hollywood is looking for the next 'Empire' from every black writer — because I cannot possibly have any other idea or perspective."

This story first appeared in the Oct. 23 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.

On a good day, after I pitched my heart out to a roomful of executives, they would not dismiss my creativity and ask if I had an "Empire-esque" idea to pitch. Why would I pitch Empire? I don’t rap, my father isn’t a rapper and even though my mother did spend time in jail, it wasn’t to serve a 17-year drug sentence. Yes, the Empire effect is real — but it’s not what you might think. The good news: If you’re an established writer of color, you can get a pitch meeting. The bad news: Everyone in Hollywood is looking for the next Empire from every black writer — because I cannot possibly have any other idea or perspective. My creative parameters are limited to the next Scandal, Black-ish or a TV version of Straight Outta Compton. (Side note: The Straight Out of Calabasas pitch that Fox purchased [a comedy about two white parents who live in the celebrity enclave and whose kid is a basketball prodigy] is a complete abomination and the reason I wonder why I even try.)

On a good day, my representation would submit me for shows that tonally fit my writing style and not merely for shows that happen to have the prototypical "person of color" character. So, I can only write for the sassy black, sassy Latino or sassy gay friend? As a person of color, I have no choice but to consider the perspectives of others!

READ MORETV Diversity Programs: Launching Pad or Scarlet Letter?

On a good day, I wouldn’t have to decide to ignore racist and sexist statements because I don’t want to be seen as an outsider.

On a good day, after hearing news of my meeting with a showrunner, a white male colleague wouldn’t ask to be my writing partner so he can "get in on that coveted diversity spot." Apparently, there is a misconception about the diversity spot: It is not a guarantee; it is merely a suggestion. And the suggestion comes with a bribe, since the salary for that spot is covered by the studio or network. Yes, it seems a lot of showrunners have to be bribed to consider taking on a diversity writer. Still, my "friend" thinks it’s OK to passive-aggressively joke about what, in many instances, is my only opportunity to staff on a show. He thinks it’s somehow an advantage to be looked upon as the writer that agents pitch by saying, "They’re free.”"Since when did working harder than everyone in the room only to get excluded when you’re no longer free become an advantage?

As I told him, I would switch positions any day. I’d prefer to vie for one of 100 spots like him than the five or six left for me because I am free.

TV Show: Minority Report

Fox's show Minority report starring Meagan good has been cut down to 10 more episodes remaining:

Catch the show tonight on Fox @ 9pm

Read more: http://www.tvguide.com/news/minority-report-cancelled-episode-order-shortened/

Magazine: Rihanna TMagazine

The New York Times Style Magazine...

Rihanna:

The author and filmmaker Miranda July asks the pop superstar what turns her on, how she handles the pressure of public scrutiny and why she’s been Googling childbirth. 

Read more here: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/10/12/t-m

Twitter: NeNe Leakes

Nene Leakes (RHOA) is doing something quite different with her Twitter account. She is a holding a contest for a chance to post tweets from her account, which in favor of the winner, will be viewed by her millions of followers.

The price is 8,000.00 and the winner cannot post anything relating to promotion of their business, race, religion or sex. 

If you ask me the deal doesn't sound like something valuable. If I have access to millions of followers and I can not promote my business why would I want to pay 8k to tweet? Just sounds a little ridiculous to me.

However, she will be donating the funds to her charity for women of domestic violence.

TV Show: Power

On Set: Our favorite girls Tasha & Lakeisha played by Naturi Naughton & LaLa Anthony...

They are filming for the Season 3 of empire, in which we are anxious to see. 50 cent signed another 2-year deal with Starz, so we get at least 2 more years of this action drama. Rumor has it, it's set to air in the summer of 2016.